STRANGEWAYS [UK] - AOR
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Strangeways @ Firefest - Rock City, Nottingham (UK) - October 22, 2011 - Pictures by Franky Bruyneel
Recommended albums
#1 Walk In The Fire
1989 |
#2 Native Sons
1987 |
#3 Strangeways
1985 |
Discography
Tony Liddle
01|1984|Strangeways 790 (#3) Terry Brock 02|1987|Native Sons 827 (#2) 03|1989|Walk In The Fire 843 (#1) Ian J. Stewart 04|1994|And The Horse 598 (#5) 05|1997|Any Day Now 585 (#8) 06|2000|Gravitational Pull 690 (#4) Terry Brock 07|2010|Perfect World 586 (#7) 08|2011|Age Of Reason 587 (#6) |
Rock Report's choice
Walk In The Fire
Bonaire, 1989
Produced by Ian J. Stewart & John Lee Ratings: HH: 92 (88) | RYM: 3.83 (128) Total rating: 843 Updated: 14.12.23 Line-up
Terry Brock (v)
Ian J. Stewart (g) David Stewart (b) Jim Drummond (d) + David Moore (k) |
Track listing
01|Where Are They Now
(IJS/TB)
02|Danger In Your Eyes (IJS/TB) 03|Love Lies Dying (IJS/TB) 04|Every Time You Cry (IJS/DS/TB) 05|Talk To Me (IJS/TB) 06|Living In The Danger Zone (IJS/TB) 07|Modern World (IJS/TB) 08|Into The Night (IJS/DS/TB) 09|Walk In The Fire (IJS/TB) 10|After The Hurt Is Gone (IJS/TB) Songwriters
DS = David Stewart
IJS = Ian J. Stewart TB = Terry Brock |
Rock Report reissue reviews
STRANGEWAYS - Strangeways /Native Sons/Walk In The Fire - Rock Candy Records, 2011
Do you remember last year's "Perfect World" album from Strangeways? It was announced as the follow-up of "Walk In The Fire", but what a disappointment it was! What makes Strangeways of interest to the fans of AOR, are their first three albums. All albums that were released after those initial three just pale in comparison.
Things took momentum for Strangeways (or China White, as they were originally called) when their demo was heard by Carl Leighton Pope and Clive Cocoran, the managers of Saga at the time. They were looking for expansion in the European market and offered Strangeways a deal via their production company, Bonaire Records. No one else than Kevin Elson (Journey) was asked to produce the debut album, which was recorded in Zurich, Switzerland. There was some delay when original singer Stevie Doherty left the fold, but he was replaced by Tony Liddle just in time to finish the record. Liddle even brought a song of his own, titled "Strangeways", but although it wasn't used, the title itself became the new name of the band. As Kevin Elson already had an eye on Tony Brock at the time, it was obvious that Liddle's days in Strangeways would be over after only one album. The album itself already showed Strangeways' talent, but better things were coming ...
After a tour with Steve Morse, American vocalist Terry Brock joined Strangeways and so did keyboard player David 'Munch' Moore, although he never became an official band member. Just like the debut album, "Native Sons" was recorded at the Powerplay Studios in Zurich, but this time with John Punter producing. The result was a wonderful album, often named with its follow-up album in the same breath, but the best was yet to come ...
Indeed, the band reached its peak with their crucial third album, "Walk In The Fire". Because the first two albums didn't chart, Bonaire didn't insist on a big name to produce the third album. For the third time the band recorded at Powerplay, but the production was shared by band leader Ian Stewart and John Lee, the engineer who had already worked with Punter on the previous album. It was Brock's second album for/with Strangeways and he felt that he had developed more of his own identity as a singer. His performance is indeed great. Pointing out the best tracks is senseless as all of them are gems. Tracks like 'Where Are They Now", "Love Lies Dying", "Living In The Danger Zone" and "Walk In The Fire" still give me the shivers.
With these three reissues, Rock Candy Records have reached the cape of 100 re-issues, which is something to celebrate. As always with Rock Candy, the reissues come in a remastered and reloaded way, with interesting liner notes and bonus tracks, most of them being demos (this time).
Chris Lambert, September 2011
Do you remember last year's "Perfect World" album from Strangeways? It was announced as the follow-up of "Walk In The Fire", but what a disappointment it was! What makes Strangeways of interest to the fans of AOR, are their first three albums. All albums that were released after those initial three just pale in comparison.
Things took momentum for Strangeways (or China White, as they were originally called) when their demo was heard by Carl Leighton Pope and Clive Cocoran, the managers of Saga at the time. They were looking for expansion in the European market and offered Strangeways a deal via their production company, Bonaire Records. No one else than Kevin Elson (Journey) was asked to produce the debut album, which was recorded in Zurich, Switzerland. There was some delay when original singer Stevie Doherty left the fold, but he was replaced by Tony Liddle just in time to finish the record. Liddle even brought a song of his own, titled "Strangeways", but although it wasn't used, the title itself became the new name of the band. As Kevin Elson already had an eye on Tony Brock at the time, it was obvious that Liddle's days in Strangeways would be over after only one album. The album itself already showed Strangeways' talent, but better things were coming ...
After a tour with Steve Morse, American vocalist Terry Brock joined Strangeways and so did keyboard player David 'Munch' Moore, although he never became an official band member. Just like the debut album, "Native Sons" was recorded at the Powerplay Studios in Zurich, but this time with John Punter producing. The result was a wonderful album, often named with its follow-up album in the same breath, but the best was yet to come ...
Indeed, the band reached its peak with their crucial third album, "Walk In The Fire". Because the first two albums didn't chart, Bonaire didn't insist on a big name to produce the third album. For the third time the band recorded at Powerplay, but the production was shared by band leader Ian Stewart and John Lee, the engineer who had already worked with Punter on the previous album. It was Brock's second album for/with Strangeways and he felt that he had developed more of his own identity as a singer. His performance is indeed great. Pointing out the best tracks is senseless as all of them are gems. Tracks like 'Where Are They Now", "Love Lies Dying", "Living In The Danger Zone" and "Walk In The Fire" still give me the shivers.
With these three reissues, Rock Candy Records have reached the cape of 100 re-issues, which is something to celebrate. As always with Rock Candy, the reissues come in a remastered and reloaded way, with interesting liner notes and bonus tracks, most of them being demos (this time).
Chris Lambert, September 2011
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