Wednesday, August 1, 2018
BILL WRAY Seize The Moment 1983
BILL WRAY Seize The Moment 1983
BILL WRAY started as solo artist in the Seventies releasing several albums but since the mid-80s focused his career writing and producing songs for other artists including Loverboy, Eric Martin, Lisa Hartman, Trixter, just to name a few.
He is also known as an active contributor to lovely 80s soundtracks. Wray has penned and / or performed tracks for Tilt, Private School, Navy Seals or the mythical AOR tune No Mercy included in the Lionheart OST.
His (last?) solo album, "Seize The Moment" is a cool Rock N Roll album featuring some really good early Eighties radio-friendly AORish tracks.
Opener "(Youre A) Heartbreaker" is a clear proof of that, from the first notes you can hear those magical keyboards to die for. This was the b-side of the first and only single, a melodic and commercial tune hungry for radio airplay.
Follower "She Loves The Radio" has a title that speaks for itself: absolutely catchy and wimpy AOR song with massive synths. A winner.
Then "Goin Down" (the lead single) is a vintage RnR with some honky piano and classic rock structure. "After All These Years" is the ballad here, a nice classic soul-bluesy rock slow tune with female buck-up vocals.
The AORish "Someone To Love" including a fine guitar solo ends the side A of this vinyl.
"Tonight" is a fresh commercial rocker with a contagious chorus, followed by the retro-rock "Somethin Ive Gotta Do" that doesnt do much for me.
But "Jealous" has a very nice AOR feel thanks to the keyboard arrangement and the midtempo pace. Very good song. "Young Girls Rule The World" is a cheap ol rock while the southern tingled "You And Me Tonight" is a gentle semi-slow classic rocker.
Well produced and recorded with a classy American radio-rock sound, "Seize The Moment" is interesting due the aforementioned AOR tracks
An album not easy to find only released on vinyl LP, restored by myself including artwork.
01 - (Youre A) Heartbreaker
02 - She Loves The Radio
03 - Goin Down
04 - After All These Years
05 - Someone To Love
06 - Tonight
07 - Somethin Ive Gotta Do
08 - Jealous
09 - Young Girls Rule The World
10 - You And Me Tonight
Bill Wray - vocals, guitar
Craig Hull - guitar
Dennis Belfield - bass, guitar
Nicky Hopkins - keyboards
Jeff Silverman - keyboards, synths
Mike Baird - drums
Lenny Castro - percussion
BILL WRAY - Seize The Moment
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