GOWAN - Great Dirty World [Special Edition] (2012)

Remastered + Bonus

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These days Lawrence GOWAN is a stable member of Styx, but long before that, had had a solo career started in the eighties.
Released a couple years after 'Strange Animal' — the album that really launched Gowan's career, at least in his native Canada –, "Great Dirty World" establishes a transition: from light poppy AOR to rock, from a predominantly synthesized sound to something more visceral, from teen years to maturity.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Gowan is releasing a *Special Edition* of "Great Dirty World", remastered, including new versions recorded in 2012 as bonus and completely new artwork.
Originally "Great Dirty World" did well on the Canadian charts back in the day. There are some big name players on this album, such as Tony Levin, Nigel Olsson or Brandon Fields.

This recording proves how good a melodist Gowan can be. It also also gave him his biggest taste of international attention, thanks to the opening track and first single "Moonlight Desires", featuring Yes’ Jon Anderson as guest vocalist.
The latter’s contribution is more than that of a usual back-up singer, his angelic voice, entering two-thirds into this pop anthem, makes it literally soar (on a side note, this album has another connection to progressive rock through the presence of King Crimson bassist Tony Levin).
Other highlights include the ballads "Great Dirty World" and "Dedication", one of the finest songs Gowan has written, thanks to a memorable melody in the verse and a bombastic chorus.
"Awake The Giant" and "Human Drama" are fine uptempo numbers combining mid-'80s rock with commercial prog in the vein of Asia or Rush, including synths.


This "Great Dirty World [Special Edition]" has a terrific sound, and includes as bonuses freshly recorded versions of "Fovever One", "One Brief Shining Moment" and "Great Dirty World", showing Gowan's sensibility to re-arrange his compositions with class.
One of Canada's finest musicians, and a disc to enjoy in plenitude.
Recommended.


01 - Moonlight Desires
02 - Awake The Giant
03 - Living In The Golden Age
04 - Dedication
05 - Human Drama
06 - Forever One
07 - One Brief Shining Moment
08 - 60 Second Nightmare
09 - Great Dirty World
10 - Fovever One [2012 Version] (Bonus Track)
11 - One Brief Shining Moment [2012 Version] (Bonus Track)
12 - Great Dirty World [2012 Version] (Bonus Track)


Lawrence Gowan - vocals, piano, keyboards
Gene Black - guitar
J. Peter Robinson - keyboards, bass synth
Tony Levin, Will Lee - bass
Terry Gowan - stick
Rob Brill - drums, percussion
Nigel Olsson - drums
Brandon Fields - sax
Deborah Silver, Kaz Silver Lee - backing vocals
Jon Anderson - special guest lead vocal on 'Moonlight Desires'
The San Fernando Valley Mens Choir and Choral Singers arranged & conducted by Bob Ezrin



BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Great-Dirty-World-Gowan/dp/B007BS13XC
itunes.apple.com/gb/album/great-dirty-world-special/id518343375

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GOWAN - Return Of The Strange Animal (2010)

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Lawrence Gowan is a canadian musician, but few people know that he is a Glasgow, Scotland born.
His second, 1985's album 'Strange Animal' was recorded in England, at the studio where John Lennon made his 'Imagine' album.
Produced by british producer David Tickle (Prince, Split Enz, Sting, U2) and featuring a more 'theatrical' Gowan, this album was his commercial breakthrough in Canada.

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary, "Return Of The Strange Animal" is a remastered version of the original '85s 'Strange Animal' plus a bonus footage DVD.
Backed by Peter Gabriel's rhythm section players Tony Levin and Jerry Marotta, all these songs sound fresh still today, with that kind of eighties 'atmosphere' which is impossible to recreate again.
The album spawned the hit singles "A Criminal Mind", "(You're a) Strange Animal", "Guerilla Soldier" and "Cosmetics".

Basically a keyboard player, Gowan wrote this stuff on piano, and all tracks are focused to the massive use of synthesizers, electric piano and (then 'the' new toy) fairlight.
Remarkable is the job of Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) on bass and particularly the 'stick', that strange and rare instrument.

"Return Of The Strange Animal" is catchy and pretty straightforward Rock&Pop in its essence, but has uncommon arrangements and creative twists, sounding very different compared to the other music that other 80's bands were releasing.
Smartly written and flawlessly produced, Gowan seems to effortlessly take the listener on a ride that he or she will want to take again and again.
A must have for any '80s music fan.


01 - Cosmetics
02 - Desperate
03 - City Of The Angels
04 - Walking On Air
05 - Burning Torches Of Hope
06 - Keep The Tension On
07 - Guerilla Soldier
08 - (You're A) Strange Animal
09 - A Criminal Mind

Larry Gowan : vocals, piano, Fairlight CMI, synths
Chris Jarret : guitar
David Rhodes : guitar
Tony Levin : bass, stick
Jerry Marotta : drums & percussion
David Tickle : production, programming

IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!

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