After the short-lived span of the band Toy Matinee, founding members Kevin Gilbert (1966 – 1996) and Patrick Leonard were not contractually defined as owning the name “Toy Matinee”, according to Gilbert. So instead of battling it in court, neither of them used the name any longer. Leonard reformed the concept band under a similar name, Third Matinee, with former members of Toy Matinee Brian MacLeod, Tim Pierce, Guy Pratt and Marc Bonilla who had been a touring member of the group. “Meanwhile”, their only CD was released in 1994. This time singer and muti-instrumentalist Richard Page (formerly of Pages and Mr. Mister) became the successor to Kevin Gilbert from the earlier group. Leonard and Page had co-written songs that included Madonna’s hit "I'll Remember”. This wasn’t just a personnel change, since Gilbert was practically irreplaceable. Instead this was a different band, a different approach and a new musical direction. For fans of Toy Matinee this is a different project, but taken at face value it is an amazing production enriched by Page’s years of experience as probably the top background vocalist in the LA studio music scene, by his excellent writing skills and a voice, smooth as silk, yet fierce and appealing. Leonard production experience with the likes of Roger Waters also enriches the result, which is a top-notch sophisticated kind of rock/pop with great compositions, amazing vocals, incredible musicianship, odd time signatures and a bit of progressive elements. After this album the band disassembled. Leonard returned to producing and Page returned to his studio work and he later released a great solo album. Personnel are: Richard Page on vocals and guitars, Patrick Leonard on keyboards and vocals, Tim Pierce, Marc Bonilla and James Harrah on Guitars, Brian MacLeod and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Luis Conte on percussion, Guy Pratt and Jimmy Johnson on bass, Steve Porcaro (of Toto fame) on synthesizers and Julie Delgado, Dorian Holley, Jerry Jordan, Nick Laird-Clowes and Valerie Pinkston-Mayo on background vocals. The cover and the artwork are the amazing work of Mark Ryden.
Track Listing:
1. I Don't Care
2. Freedom Road (sampled above)
3. Holiday for Sweet Louise
4. She Dreams
5. Ordinary Day
6. Family Tree
7. Echo Hill
8. All the Way Home
9. Silver Cage
10. Trust Somebody
11. Meanwhile
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It's hard to find real music anymore. You have to go back to albums like this and Toy Matinee. The corprate guys won't give it a chance and radio doesn't care.
ReplyDeleteWe do.
Off in the weeds, behind the abandoned supermarket, follow the rusted rail line... Eventually, you'll come to a huge six lane highway bridge. You'll find yourself in an aging eurosport sedan of indeterminate age, but teutonic design. Traveling fast. It will be dawn, and as you reach the peak of the bridge's arc, through a sudden, dense mist, the ghost of a red sun will be appear... and you will shudder from the ecstatic, numinous beauty of it. You really will. I did. When you find works of music such as 'Meanwhile' the word 'phenomena' is not excessive. Afterall, you never saw it coming. So, meet me up on Echo Hill.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've heard it yet, but the long awaited "lost" 4th album by Mr Mister is out. It's called Pull. It's a fine piece of work. Drummer Pat Masteloto shines!
ReplyDeletePS. I really need to link to your blog. I keep forgetting you're out there.
Family Tree sure sounds alot like Joni Mitchell (with Jaco Pastorius) Car on a Hill. Had me fooled.
ReplyDeletemaybe "borrowed" tracks...