O'RYAN - Something Strong [Japanese Edition] (1993)

O'RYAN is the pseudonym of Irish-born multi-instrumentalist Mervyn Spence. In the early Eighties, Merv moved to England and took part of the Phenomena project, was a stable member of Whishbone Ash and collaborated with other acts.
At the end of the decade started to work on his own solo career as O'RYAN, and released two stupendous albums.

"Something Strong" was the first, and makes justice to its title.
The CD is a wonderful collection of late '80s sounding Melodic Rock / AOR tunes, mostly performed by Spence itself with the help of some friends on few tracks.
Killer uptempo songs like "Stronger Than Love", "Lying Eyes" or "Shaky Ground" are mixed with excellent ballads in the form of the great "Don't Let it Slip Away" and the beauty of "Emer May".
On the AOR side, "Reaction" is simply awesome, while "Blood Upon A Stone" is irresistibly catchy.
Mervyn Spence's vocals are specially designed for this classic MR / AOR style, smooth when needed and powerful at the time to rock.



I love "Something Strong". This is what '80s UK's AOR is all about, both in sound and feeling. There's no weak tracks here, all are pure gold.
This is a rip from the rare Japanese pressing of the CD, with a superior output in my opinion and with a slightly different album artwork.
A must have in your Melodic Rock / AOR collection.


1. Stronger Than Love
2. Reaction
3. Don't Let It Slip Away
4. Shaky Ground
5. Something Strong
6. Emer May
7. Blood Upon a Stone
8. Lying Eyes
9. Deeper Than the Ocean

Mervyn Spence: lead vocals, guitar, keys, bass
Dieter Petereit: keyboards, bass, production
Curt Cress: drums
Pit Low: add. keyboards
Hermann Weindorf: piano
Peter Weihe: add. guitars




O'RYAN - Something Strong [Japanese Edition]
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FACE FACE - Bridge To Nowhere (2006)

Although based in Switzerland due their recording label / management, FACE FACE is an international outfit founded by multi-instrumentalist D.D. Matter and a guitarist with an American origin, George Miller. Both write, produce and engineer all the band's music.
The vocal slot is occupied by talented Irishman Mervyn Spence, known for his work in the Phenomena project, Wishbone Ash, Trapeze and specially for us, AOR fans, in his own band O'Ryan (featured on this blog HERE)

Face Face's debut 'Childhood Dreams' was, for me, the best AOR album came out in 1994, and one of greats of that decade. D.D. Matter lost the rights of the band's name and the lot decided to release their second effort under the Purple Cross moniker in 2000.



But things returned to normal for this "Bridge To Nowhere", their third record again with the Face Face name at front.
Talking about the music, the band style remained faithful to the European sound of its origins, just a bit more Melodic rock oriented than AOR.

There's hooky guitar-driven numbers in "Lights Of New York", "It's Not The End" and the energetic "Don't Stop", nice midtempos like the extremely melodic "Walking On Sunshine", AORish moments in "Close Your Eyes" (my favorite) and "White Rose", then balladry on "True Love".



"Bridge To Nowhere" is typical Euro Melodic Rock by numbers but really enjoyable, specially Mervyn's vocal harmonies and the melodious guitar work of Miller. It's well produced and mixed with a bright sound.
Out of print.


01 - Lights Of New York
02 - Walking On Sunshine
03 - Don't Stop
04 - True Love
05 - Bridge To Nowhere
06 - Close Your Eyes
07 - Sin City
08 - White Rose
09 - It's Not The End
10 - Desire Burns Like Fire

Mervyn Spence - lead vocals
George Miller - guitars, keyboards, vocals
D.D. Matter - keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion
Marcel Ammann - drums
Tamara Meier - backing vocals
Pete Jefferson - drums on 1
Michael Hedderich - add. guitar




FACE FACE Bridge To Nowhere
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O'RYAN - Initiate (1995)

O'Ryan is the pseudonym of vocalist Mervyn Spence.
Hope you've already listened his first album "Something Strong" posted in this humble site near 2 years ago.
A real classic AOR gem.
Talented musician, arranger and producer, also founder of FACE FACE (one of the best AOR outfits of the 90's).

During the golden decade he was involved in the superb project PHENOMENA (as songwriter, performer & executive producer).
Seems there was some sort of problem between him and Tom Galley (the half brain of the endeavour) after the release of the third & last Phenomena album.
Spence then decided re-record some of these songs himself, under his moniker.
This album consists of 7 covers from the Phenomena and Phenomena II albums, plus some re-recorded versions of tracks from his previous solo album.

The Phenomena songs covered here are fairly faithful to the originals, but some have a very good classical guitar arrangements, giving fresh air to them.
Smooth vocal performance, strong and rough when needed ("Stop"), to mellow and poppy ("Emer May").

Anyone who likes quality AOR music won't be disappointed with any song here, all well written & produced.
Thanx to troy for the links.
Japan only release, Out Of Print.


1. No Retreat - No Surrender
2. Still The Night
3. A Whole Lot Of Love
4. Believe
5. Emer May
6. Did It All For Love
7. Something Strong
8. Shape It Up
9. What About Love
10. Phoenix Rising
11. Don't Let It Slip Away
12. It Must Be Love
13. Stop

Mervyn "O'Ryan" Spence - lead vocals, guitars, bass, programming
Jason Fillingham - keyboards, programming
Martin Taylor - guitar, classical guitar
Huwie Lucas - guitars
Midi Man - drums
Carl Brazil - cymbals, hi hats

Produced by Mervyn Spence


DOWNLOAD Part 1

DOWNLOAD Part 2

O'RYAN - Something Strong (1991)

Well guys and gals, this is almost a perfect album.

With a total 80's feel, plenty of melody an singalong songs.

Killer uptempo tracks, even the ballads are strong.

I can't name a highlight, all are fabulous, no fillers here.

Really good production and sound.

Similar style to Joseph Lee Wood (already posted here), Tim Feehan or earlier Stan Meissner.

Top class AOR. Highly recommended.

If you can find it, BUY IT.

1. Stronger Than Love

2. Reaction

3. Don't Let It Slip Away

4. Shaky Ground

5. Something Strong

6. Emer May

7. Blood Upon a Stone

8. Lying Eyes

9. Deeper Than the Ocean

Mervyn Spence: lead vocals, guitar, piano, bass

Dieter Petereit: keyboards, bass programming

Curt Cress: drums

Pit Low: keyboards

Peter Weihe: guitars

Hermann Weindorf: piano

DOWNLOAD