THE STRAND The Strand - 2011 UK reissue CD of classic 1980 AOR album
Format: CD Condition: New Year of Release: 2011 Cat. No.: CANDY102 Label: Rock Candy
In keeping with Rock Candy’s penchant for exposing great, yet relatively unheralded melodic rock music, we now turn the spotlight on an obscure Los Angeles based five piece named, rather curiously, The Strand. Although the name may not be recognisable, some of the band members will be very familiar to fans of sophisticated melodic rock.
The Strand’s origins can be found in a group called Rural Still Life, the very same group that spawned hugely successful multi Grammy winning West Coast AOR stars Toto. In common with Toto the band were also extremely talented players, some having backed Boz Scaggs both live and in the studio. Just like the session players that birthed Toto, they too hatched plans for their own group, quickly securing a deal with Island Records.
Signed personally by Island founder Chris Blackwell (and named by him), the band’s one and only album , originally released in 1980, was produced, not unsurprisingly, by long time friend and colleague, Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro. The results, as you might reasonably expect, are spectacular, boasting killer songs, jaw dropping musicianship and superb arrangements, all bathed in a stellar production. Listen out too for vocalist Rick ‘Moon’ Calhoun, one of the greatest, yet largely overlooked, vocalists of the genre.
24-bit remastering from original source tapes, 3,000 word essay about the making of the album, interview with the band and additional photos spread out over a 12 page full colour booklet.
TRACK LISTING:
1. ROCK IT TONIGHT 2. LONG HOT SUMMER 3. I LIKE IT LIKE THAT 4. JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME 5. PRISONERS IN PARADISE 6. STAY AWAY FROM MY GIRL 7. FRUSTRATION 8. CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT 9. DIRTY LITTLE GIRL 10. CAN’T LOOK BACK
