PARAGON – Danger Calls [first time on CD]

The story goes that Melodic Rockers PARAGON were formed early in 1984 by musicians from Canada, Arizona and Southern California, played in the Bay Area throughout the decade and early ’90s and even released an indie miniLP, but never got signed by a major label.
However, Paragon recorded most of their original material during those years and all have been released for the first time on a CD entitled “Danger Calls“.

Not to be confused with the ’90s Indianapolis grunge-metal band of the same name, this Paragon played ’80s US Melodic Rock / Pompy AOR in the vein of Journey and Roadmaster.
Originally a four piece including guitarist Brett Sandberg, bass player Jimmy ‘Limbean’ Stage, drummer Beto Trevizo and band leader keyboardist Ric Hancock who also handled the lead vocal duties, they added front man Mark Akkett and became a five-piece later on.

“Danger Calls” features all Paragon recordings, including the 4-track miniLP from 1985 never available on any digital format, plus 12 tracks recorded during the Eighties at different studios, 2 tracks from 1991 featuring lead singer Mark Akkett, and as bonus the song “2000 Warriors” off Ric Hancock’s solo album including his former Paragon band mate Sandberg on lead guitar released in 2001 on the indie label Night Writer Records.

This is very classy material, as said, in the Journey style with tons of Pompy keyboards, pianos and synths, slick guitar work, layered harmonies and very Steve Perry-like lead vocals.

The later recordings are more straight US Melodic Rock, oriented to hooky choruses still retaining Paragon’s signature guitar / keys interplay.
Production is as good as it gets for an indie recording with some tracks engineered and produced by Gary Mallaber (Eddie Money, Steve Miller), quite well remastered from the original tapes.
A really nice trip back to the glorious ’80s!

01 – Danger Calls
02 – Joanne
03 – Lonely Dancer
04 – Planet Earth
05 – I Am Not A Fool
06 – Rock ‘n’ Roll Musicians
07 – It’s Not Too Late
08 – Whatever It Takes
09 – She’s A Dream
10 – There You Go
11 – Knight To End All Knights
12 – 2000 Warriors
13 – With You
14 – Summertime
15 – A Friend In Need
16 – Cra Di Coricarsi
17 – Don’t Leave Me Tonight
18 – Run Children

Ric Hancock – Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Brett Sandberg – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jim Limbean – Bass
Beto Trevizo – Drums, Backing Vocals
Mark Akkett – Vocals (1,2,17,18)

BUY IT !
www.retrospectrecords.com/products/paragon.html
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