NEWS FROM ROCK CANDY RECORDS

STAN BUSH ‘S/T’

STAN BUSH, a relative new comer to the scene, had previously fronted obscure Mid West outfit Boulder, recording an album for Elektra records, before going solo. Carving out a reputation as a handy songwriter, Bush’s demos secured him a solo deal with the giant Sony label, who figured that they might have the next Rick Springfield on their hands. In many ways they were right but ultimately such success was not forthcoming.

Ushered into the studio, with producer Pat Ryan (Styx), initial sessions amounted to little. Kevin Beamish, famed for his work with REO Speedwagon, interceded, taking over knob twiddling duties. The results, though, were a triumph, allowing Stan the opportunity to deliver one of the most impressive solo albums of the era. With raspy vocals and a backing band consisting of some of the best West Coast sessions players on the scene, it remains one of the best, if largely undiscovered, AOR albums of the era.

 

THE STRAND ‘S/T’

THE STRAND’s origins can be found in a group called Rural Still Life, the very same group that spawned hugely successful multi Grammy winning West Coast AOR starsToto. In common with Toto the band were also extremely talented players, some having backed Boz Scaggs both live and in the studio. Just like the session players that birthed Toto, they too hatched plans for their own group, quickly securing a deal with Island Records.

Signed personally by Island founder Chris Blackwell (and named by him), the band’s one and only album , originally released in 1980, was produced, not unsurprisingly, by long time friend and colleague, Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro. The results, as you might reasonably expect, are spectacular, boasting killer songs, jaw dropping musicianship and superb arrangements, all bathed in a stellar production. Listen out too for vocalist Rick ‘Moon’ Calhoun, one of the greatest, yet largely overlooked, vocalists of the genre.

http://www.rockcandyrecords.com/