This was a great album that came out in 2014. It is a studio recording of work form the band back in 1983 before they were known to most of us. I’m a little unclear of what this recording session was. It has a few covers so it would have been difficult to release as a demo or as an album legally. That said I’m sure glad years later someone released it. The album is very raw as it was recorded by engineer David Vaught with direct to two-track tape and no overdubs. Because of this it has a great raw feeling and if you listen closely you can even hear some conversation in the background on a track or two. It’s too bad it took until 2014 but at least it did get released.
Tracklist 1 – Nothing Can Stop My Loving You – 1:58 2 – Jackson – 3:02 3 – Soap, Soup And Salvation – 4:11 4 – The Grapes Of Wrath – 2:33 5 – Dustbowl Depression Time – 2:46 6 – Rattlesnake Mama – 1:45 7 – Vigilante – 1:51 8 – Working Man’s Blues – 2:33 9 – Cactus Rose – 3:47 10 – When Love Comes Home To Stay – 3:07 11 – Cottonbelt – 3:10 12 – This World Is Not My Home – 2:30
Credits Art Direction, Design – Greg Allen Bass, Vocals – Marvin Etzioni Drums – Don Heffington Lead Guitar, Vocals – Ryan Hedgecock Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Producer – Lone Justice Producer [Associate] – Josh Mills Producer [This Release Produced By] – Cheryl Pawelski, Greg Allen Recorded By – David Vaught Rhythm Guitar, Vocal Percussion – Maria McKee
Though this album wasn’t released until 1993 it was recorded in 1986 shortly after the release of their album “Shelter”. I’m a little mystified as to why it took so long to release but perhaps it was just originally for airing on radio. But really that’s just a guess as I don’t know the history of these BBC radio concerts. I also found it odd the release was in 93 after the band had already slipped from the public eye. That said they had dedicated fans who must have been thrilled to see this album released. The album has live versions of 5 tracks from their first album, 2 tracks from Shelter, and most excitingly 4 previously unreleased tracks. Lone Justice were an excellent live band and I’m sure most of their dedicated fans hold this album as one of their favorites.
Tracklist 1 – Wait – 4:37 2 – Sweet, Sweet Baby – 5:24 3 – I Ain’t Got No Home In This World – 2:32 4 – The Gift – 4:19 5 – Wheels – 6:28 6 – Shelter – 5:07 7 – Belfry – 6:04 8 – I Found Love – 4:19 9 – Heaven – 6:28 10 – Inspiration – 3:52 11 – Sweet Jane – 9:03
Credits Bass, Vocals – Gregg Sutton Compiled By, Coordinator – Jo Bourhill Drums – Rudy Richman Guitar – Shane Fontaine Keyboards – Bruce Brody Liner Notes – Alan Gardiner Producer – Pete Dauncey Sleeve – Coles McConnell Design Vocals, Guitar – Maria McKee
Companies, etc. Record Company – BBC Enterprises Ltd. Phonographic Copyright (p) – BBC Copyright (c) – Windsong International Published By – Warner/Chappell Published By – MCA Published By – BMG Published By – Tro Essex Music Ltd. Published By – Copyright Control Published By – Screen Gems-EMI Recorded At – The Town And Country Club, London Glass Mastered At – Mayking Records
Damn that Maria McKee can really sing. That may be the single greatest understatement in the first 370 post on this list. But really, if anyone can find a better way to express the sheer power, passion and presence of McKee’s vocal virtuosity, have at it. It was said co-Producer Little Steve (E Street Band) remarked that McKees vocal performance on “Inspiration” was the most powerful and passionate vocal he had heard since Bruce Springsteens “Adam Raised a Cain.” Mighty high praise indeed. And well deserved. More commercially appealing than the debut, Shelter infused a little more country rock and significantly less cow punk. It is better produced (in some spots a bit over-produced) and the songwriting is more accessible with superior ballads and a more consistent sound. It should have been the record to make Lone Justice rock stars. Rather, it became their swan song. I Found Love and Shelter were both that singles that just never broke through, though they ended being covered by a few CCM artists including Geoff Moore. But the real strength on this album is on the deeper cuts and ballads. Beacon, Belfry and Dreams Come True all rock with great guitar work and McKe’s emotive presence. And as mentioned earlier, Inspiration is just an emotional vocal tour de force with a once in a lifetime performance. The two side-ending ballads should also be noted. Wheels is a beautiful country song that should be covered by a more modern country female vocalist. The album closer, Dixie Storms, is just haunting and would point to the direction McKee would follow in her solo career.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – I Found Love – 4:15 2 – Shelter – 4:37 3 – Reflected (On My Side) – 4:57 4 – Beacon – 4:18 5 – Wheels – 5:05 6 – Belfry – 5:03 7 – Dreams Come True (Stand Up And Take It) – 4:06 8 – The Gift – 4:16 9 – Inspiration – 3:49 10 – Dixie Storms – 3:37
Credits Acoustic Guitar [Additional], Rhythm Guitar [Additional] – Little Steven Bass, Vocals – Gregg Sutton Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Janet Weber Cover – Cooper Edens Design – Kim Champagne Drums – Rudy Richman Engineer [Additional] – Bruce Lampcov, Don Smith, Greg Edward, Joe Borja, Nikko Bolas, Scott Litt, Shelly Yakus, Steven Rinkoff Engineer [Assistant] – Craig Engel, Marc De Sisto, Michael Bowman, Rob Jacobs, Ross Stein Guitar – Ryan Hedgecock, Shane Fontayne Keyboards – Bruce Brody Keyboards [Additional] – Benmont Tench, Charles Judge, Tommy Mandel Lacquer Cut By – J. Webster Management – Ice Cream Management Management [Associate] – Tony Ferguson Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – Greg Edward (tracks: A4, A5, B1, B3, B4), Humberto Gatica (tracks: B2), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A2), Mike Shipley (tracks: A1, A3), Shelly Yakus (tracks: B5) Photography By – Melanie Nissen Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Little Steven, Lone Justice Production Manager – Chuck Reed Recorded By – Joe Chiccarelli, Robert de la Garza Vocals, Guitar, Piano – Maria McKee
Is their a more powerful or intense female vocalist in the world than Lone Justice’s Maria McKee. If there is I have never heard her. Once the opening question, “Should I go North?” is belted out at full velocity this amazing record never loses ferocity and passion. All this is wrapped up in cowpunk like country rock the defies comparison. The first single “Ways to Be Wicked” penned by Tom Petty was sorely misunderstood by many in Christian market that ventured out and bought the project based on reviews in many Christian Music publications. But one cut from the album, the finale, “You Are the Light” found its way onto many Christian Rock radio shows as well as Orange County’s famous KYMS. The beautiful country tinged ballad is a stunning and memorable tune reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Stark, stunning and instantly emotional and authentic. They would follow this with the more commercial and “Christian” sounding album, “Shelter,” that will be discussed later.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – East Of Eden – 2:36 2 – After The Flood – 3:38 3 – Ways To Be Wicked – 3:26 4 – Don’t Toss Us Away – 4:19 5 – Working Late – 2:44 6 – Sweet, Sweet Baby (I’m Falling) – 4:10 7 – Pass It On – 3:38 8 – Wait ‘Til We Get Home – 3:17 9 – Soap, Soup And Salvation – 4:01 10 – You Are The Light – 3:59
Credits Art Direction – Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff, Paula Greif Bass – Marvin Etzioni Design – Jeri McManus Drums – Don Heffington Engineer – Shelly Yakus Guitar – Ryan Hedgecock Management – Carlyne Majer Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – David Thoener (tracks: B4), Don Smith (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3), Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B5), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3) Photography By – Deborah Turbeville Piano, Organ – Benmont Tench Producer – Jimmy Iovine Production Manager [Coordinator] – Janet Weber Recorded By – Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B2), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A3, B3), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1, A2, A5, B5), Thom Panunzio (tracks: B4) Vocals – Maria McKee
Companies, etc. Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd. Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd. Recorded At – Power Station Recorded At – Sunset Sound Recorded At – Amigo Studios Recorded At – Rumbo Recorders Overdubbed At – Sunset Sound Overdubbed At – The Village Recorder Overdubbed At – Amigo Studios Overdubbed At – Rumbo Recorders Overdubbed At – Studio 55, Los Angeles Mastered At – Precision Lacquer Mixed At – The Village Recorder Mixed At – Rumbo Recorders Mixed At – Sound City Studios
