JOHN PARR - The Mission (2012)

* fixed July 25

UK '80s aorster JOHN PARR seems focused lately in the American market.
His new album "The Mission" is a tribute to the men and women in the Military, released in close conjunction with the Armed Forces related organizations.

As heard in the last year CD, Parr's style and sound now is oriented to a more American sound combining rockers with ballads.
"The Mission" is genuine Parr. There’s no distortion or alteration in his signature songwriting, and his voice is as solid as in the eighties and nineties works.
Parr has created each song to tell a story and each story relates to the overall theme of the album, which is life centered around military service. Although on paper this looks boring, each track stands by its own.

This is a rock album, guitar fueled and energetic, sometimes acoustic and relaxed.
We have Americanized rockers such as the melodic opener "Big Bad Silverado", the more edgy "Enlisted Man" or "Military Man".
The acoustic tracks are cool, being "Fightin' Girl", the ballad "The Boy I Left Behind" and the beautiful "At The Cathedral" the best.
We have Classic Parr as well (the best songs in my opinion) in the AOR catchiness of "Come Out Fightin´", the piano ballad "Soldiers Wife", the awesome mid-tempo "A Few Good Men" and the emotional charged "Bound By The Thread Of The Flag".
In the other hand, the training-like "Boots On The Ground" sounds silly to me, and the acoustical "M4 Practice" is pretty boring. But this is a 14-track album, just skip those and you have a solid twelve song CD.


"The Mission" is a fun and rocking album, strong for the most part.
Perhaps the 'concept' theme is not everyone's cup of tea, but the songs work as a whole. And we have a good bunch of 'classic Parr' new tunes, and that's worth the purchase.
Well recorded and produced, "The Mission" is released through John Parr's own label, and it's only available on physical CD via his website.


01 - Big Bad Silverado
02 - Enlisted Man
03 - The Boy I Left Behind
04 - Come Out Fightin'
05 - Soldiers Wife
06 - Boots On The Ground
07 - Military Man
08 - A Few Good Men
09 - Fightin' Girl
10 - At The Cathedral
11 - Open Sky (Fly Boys Fly)
12 - M4 Practice
13 - Bound By The Thread Of The Flag
14 - Comin' Home


BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-mission/id540451273
www.johnparr.net/merchandising/merchandising.html

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MICK McCONNELL - My Kinda Heaven (2011)

*

In the late eighties, England born Mick McConnell was part of a rock band in Germany and lived there for almost 2 years, and it was here that he met veteran rockers Smokie for the first time and immediately joined the band, where he still continues today as permanent guitarist.
While Smokie continue to enjoy regular tours, Mick still manages to find time to write and record his own material.
Now, Mick McConnell is proud to announce the release of his first solo album "My Kinda Heaven".

"My Kinda Heaven" is a beautifully crafted Classic Rock disc with some astonishing moments.
Mick has recruited the services of '80s legend John Parr (St. Elmo's Fire) to write some songs, produce and sing in a couple of tracks.
Also, some first class musicians have been part of the recording, including Wishbone Ash and Uriah Heep members.

The CD opens with "Keep On Turning", an uptempo bluesy melodic rock tune featuring the classy vocals of John Parr, who still owns a strong register. Sweepin' guitar solo by McConnell which has a great sustain.
"Repo Man" is the first song sung by McConnell itself. The man has a warm raspy voice that perfectly suits the classic rock mould of this track and the ones to come. Some tasty slide guitar and vintage keyboards drive the track.
The commercial and catchy "Ain't Gonna Rain (No More)" features another vocalist; Nick Page, which sounds fresh and young.

"World's Gone Crazy" is one of my favorites on this album (to be honest, all are really good). This midtempo semi-ballad includes acoustic guitars and a very organic percussion, all wrapped by wonderful harmonies.
"Working For The Weekend" has a truly catchy rhythm, "Remember Those Days" is a charming piano-ballad, while title track "My Kinda Heaven" has a great vibe, much in the Richie Sambora solo work style.
John Parr returns on "Don't Walk Away", another melodic rocker full of magic, and the album closes with the terrific instrumental "Rain On Flinders Street".


Practically with no promotion and only released in central Europe (a shame), "My Kinda Heaven" is a little Classic Rock gem that deserves to be listened by all rock fans out there.
This album is marvelous from start to finish, including really good songs, sweet arrangements and superb melodies.
Mick McConnell is a complete musician, not only plays guitar with style and a distinctive sound, he also has a rich and educated voice. The album benefits with the inclusion of the classy Parr pipes adding variation, and the long list of musicians involved perform their parts with professionalism.
A hidden beauty, not to be missed.
Recommended.



01 - Keep On Turning (feat. John Parr)
02 - Repo Man
03 - Ain't Gonna Rain [No More] (feat. Nick Page)
04 - World's Gone Crazy
05 - Working For The Weekend
06 - Remember Those Days
07 - My Kinda Heaven
08 - Sign Of The Times
09 - Don't Walk Away (feat. John Parr)
10 - Rain On Flinders Street


Mick McConnell - Lead Vocals, Guitars
John Parr - Lead Vocals
Nick Page - Lead Vocals
Neil Taylor, Blue Miller - Guitar
Dave Major, Andy Twigg - Keyboards
Andy Hickey, Dave Laine - Piano
David Levy, Trevor Bolder - Bass
Rachel Drury - Cello, Violin
Joe Crabtree (Wishbone Ash) - Drums
Keith Angel - Percussion
Chaz Harrison, Kay Watts - Backing Vocals





BUY IT !
www.mickmcconnell.com

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JOHN PARR - Letter To America 2-CD (2011)

John Parr, who is a native of England, first found fame in America with the AOR song he is probably best known for, 'St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)' , the popular '80s tune that he wrote and performed for the movie of the same title.
Around that same time, he had another hit song that climbed the charts, called 'Naughty, Naughty'. As a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, he has enjoyed a long and successful career as a musician in the US and all over the world.

After a 15 year hiatus, Parr is returning to his second home for an extensive tour, to celebrate his new album titled “Letter To America”.
The 2-CD release features some of his popular hits from years gone by, as “The Minute I Saw You” and “The Best a Man Can Get”, and a variety of new songs as well.
Produced by Parr, the first audio disc showcases Parr with his band performing fan favorites including Parr's #1 hit "St. Elmo's Fire" and the unforgettable hit "Naughty Naughty".
This live recording sounds really big and polished, and on many tracks rocks seriously, with potent guitars and big reverberated drums.
John's vocals are still in good form, and the selection of songs spawns the best of his solo work.

The second audio disc features acoustic versions of some classics, and new songs.
This is a really interesting disc, as we can hear here stripped arrangements of these, at one time ('80s - '90s) super-produced songs. And the good result demonstrates how good are those tunes. A good song is a good song, no matter how much a producer can embellish it with studio tricks.
John also wrote "Comin' Home" exclusively about his journey back to America to play his music. This is an inspirational and touching melody not only about John's journey home to America but everyone's heartfelt journey back to their home's and loved ones after having ventured away.
Also included is "Ghost Driver" (full band studio produced track), one of his '90s songs full of magic, with atmospheric keyboards and awesome guitars.


If you love the '80s, "Letter To America" is a must have.
Includes all Parr hits, new songs, and newly re-worked versions carefully recorded and organically produced.
The St. Elmo’s Fire still burns.


CD1 - Live
01 - Come Out Fighting
02 - Somebody Stole My Thunder
03 - Time
04 - Man with a Vision
05 - Dirty Lovin'
06 - Secrets
07 - Two Hearts
08 - The Natural Thing
09 - Restless Heart
10 - World Keep Turnin'
11 - Naughty Naughty
12 - Steal You Away
13 - It's Startin' All Over Again
14 - Love in a Layby
15 - Under a Raging Moon
16 - St Elmo's Fire


CD2 - Acoustic & New
01 - Dream On
02 - The Best
03 - Naughty Naughty
04 - Bedsit Paradise
05 - The Minute I Saw You
06 - Comin' Home
07 - Practice
08 - Firework
09 - At the Cathedral
10 - Oh Well
11 - St Elmo's Fire
12 - Letter to America
13 - Ghost Driver



BUY IT !
johnparramerica.com/index.php?p=lettertoamerica
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D4XZ1Y



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