THE LOST GEM:

 

Back in 1989 we find this album by short-lived band from New Jersey, DIVING FOR PEARLS. Produced for Epic By David Prater this album is pure Melodic Rock full of catchy choruses and built on keys and smooth guitars with the high octave voice of an awesome Danny Malone. Their sound reminds of URGENT or ALIAS but with more prominent drums. The opener was the first single too Gimme Your Good Lovin', is a funny and easy to listen cut with a precious bridge leading to a catchy chorus but this song strangely failed to reach the charts. Another highlight of the album is the mid-tempo New Moon a track with some DEF LEPPARD flavor but with keys and backing vocals that give a warm touch and with Danny Malone once again showing what a great singer is specially in the last part of the cut. The only ballad is I Don't Want To Cry a perfect produced cut with some sound elements typical of the 80's and with beautiful choruses reinforced by guitars and Danny Malone shining above the music.
The rest of the album keeps the same vibe full of great and fantastically produced tracks but there's one that is the absolute highlight of the album You're All I Know. For me, one of the best AOR songs i've ever listened. Elegant and smooth, could be described as an in-crescendo song 'cause it grows until the guitar solo followed to a break that leads to a magnificent final built on stratospheric keys and backing guitars with some plucking and Danny Malone reaching astonishing octaves. Everybody who loves AOR should have this song, and at the risk of repeating, pay special attention to the last part of the track that is soulful with magical emotional keys.

In summary, a masterpiece of AOR.

Gimme Your Good Lovin' video:

                           

NEWS:

Sony Legacy to release JOURNEY's Greatest Hits 2, tracklisting will be:

1. Stone In Love

2. After The Fall

3. Chain Reaction

4.The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)

5. Escape

6. Still They Ride

7. Good Morning Girl

8. Stay Awhile

9. Suzanne

10. Feeling That Way

11. Anytime

12. Walks Like A Lady

13. Little Girl

14. Just The Same Way

15. Patiently

16. When I Think Of You

17. Mother, Father (Live In Houston 1981) 

The album will be out in USA November 1.

All songs in the album are from Steve Perry's era and after the sales failure of their latest effort, Eclipse, this could be the first sign for one of the most desirable reunions in music world, Steve Perry and JOURNEY.