DOUCETTE - Mama Let Him Play (Released: 1977, Mushroom Records)

The band Doucette took its name from his founder Jerry Doucette. After playing with many bands like Reefers, Tribe, Homestead and others, this canadian guy founded his own band and signed with Mushroom Records for his debut album entitled Mama Let Him Play that went platinum in Canada though it only reached a dissapointing USA # 159. Despite poor sales in USA the band went on tour opening for acts like Eddie Money and Meat Loaf between others.
The band released another 4 albums but none of them enjoyed much success.
If you like bands such Boston, The Doobie Brothers, The Knack... don't miss this one.






Sound bites:

CAROLE KING - City Streets (Released: 1989, Capitol)

Probably you're asking yourself "what is this woman doing here?"... the answer is that this New York born Folk-Rock legend released 4 albums during the 80's and the last one, back in 89', titled City Street was an album built on keys and with some classic AOR tunes. The first single from this album was the cut that gave name to the album, City Streets, a magnificent track featuring guitar solo by Eric Clapton while Homeless Heart was released as second single. The album reached a disappointing USA # 111 while the singles failed to chart into the Hot 100. Anyway a good an elegant album with a different taste of Carole King.







Sound Bites:






City Streets (official video):

THE TRIPLETS - Thicker Than Water (Released: 1991, Mercury)

Is not easy to define the sound departed by this three Mexico girls. Their two firsts albums were recorded in english mixing some Rock elements with spanish influences, this sounds so strange, even for me that i'm from Spain, but from this mix was born a massive hit You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight that reached Billboard Hot 100 # 14 back in 1991. This song was the first single released from their second album titled Thicker Than Water that reached USA # 125. That song was a perfect AOR-sounding cut that those days could be signed by more rocking acts like Nelson or Eddie Money and provided The Triplets their 15 minutes of fame. A second and more pop single, entitled Sunrise, was released after and though was a nice song it failed to chart so The Triplets faded in the mist of time.
Not a bad album and worth to have because of the impressive cut You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight.

You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight (official video):

Sunrise (official video):

 

RTZ - Return To Zero (Released:1991, Giant Records)

RTZ was a side band by one of the most recognizables and astonishing voices of Rock, Brad Delp and partner in crime in Boston, Barry Goudreau. Both joined forces with Orion The Hunter's keyboardist Brian Maes and New Man's bassist and drummer. The band released their s/t debut album in 1991 reaching USA # 169 while the three singles from this album enjoyed some sucess with Until Your Love Comes Back Around reaching USA # 26, Face The Music # 49 and All You've Got # 56.
In 1994, Delp decided to left the band to join' Boston's Walk On tour and a few months later the band officially split.
In 1998 MTM released a new album by RTZ entitled Lost, consisting in unreleased material from the original recording sessions and in 2004 something similar happened this time under the name Lost And Found. 2005 saw the release of Lost In America, same tracklisting than Lost plus the cut Dangerous and Found In America, same tracklisting than Lost And Found plus a live version of the track Return To Zero.
An impressive band that released a nice debut album but that due to economic interests went lost in nonsense releases.

Sound bites:








Until Your Love Comes Back Around (official video):

BLACKEYED SUSAN - Electric Rattlebone (Released: 1991, Polygram Records)

This Philadelphia based band was founded by Dean Davidson when he left Britny Fox. We could define their sound as some kind of Cinderella meets The Rolling Stones as you will realize listening to their only release Electric Rattlebone, an album full of groovy tunes and with the highlight of the monster ballad Ride With Me used for the soundtrack of the movie Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man featuring Mickey Rourke and Don Jonhson. The first single released from this album was None Of It Matters written by Glen Burtnick and lately covered by Open Skyz... enjoy.








Sound Bites:








None Of It Matters (official video):

DODO AND THE DODO's - Give Me What I Want (Released: 1988)

I truly believe that many of us who enjoy AOR even enjoy 80's Pop if is well done and elegant, so today we're going to try some. This Danish band have released 7 albums one of them in english and Give Me What I Want was the first single released from this one. This single had some repercussion all over Europe though it never become a huge hit. This song is fresh with some nice keys and elegant vocals by Dodo Gad. Take a listen to it you won't regret.

MEDICINE WHEEL - First Things First (Released: 1994, Dream Circle)

MEDICINE WHEEL released just a couple of albums, this one and a second and more alternative oriented cd entitled Immoral Fabric released in 1998. First Things First is a good Hard Rock album built on guitars by Mark Ferrari and powerful vocals by Michael Mulholland. A couple of tunes have an alternative vibe but better forget about them. The album also features collaborations by Tommy Thayer and Barry Caldwell... Good Hard Rock.










Sound Bites:






Hit And Run (official video)