NEWMAN – Newman [Re-Recorded +4] (Out Of Print)

After two decades of hard graft and a series of quality albums, Steve Newman has established himself as a highly respected name among Melodic Rock / AOR fans. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since his self-titled debut back in 1997, so with the album long out of print he and his band NEWMAN have taken advantage of the advances in studio technology since them to re-record the album.
NEWMAN has re-recorded their first album, offering the chance to fans not only to complete the band’s collection, but to listen to these songs in a new shape, mastered with new technology, and added bonus tracks that were written at the time of the original sessions.

The material from the first album is more straight ahead in style than NEWMAN’s more recent adventurous releases.
Broadly the songs fall into two categories; classic, bouncy British AOR in the mould of FM or SHY, such as on the opener “If It’s Love” which is still a live favourite to this day, “Let Your Heart Rule Your Head” and the keyboard driven “That Kind Of Girl”.

The other style, which will probably appeal more to present-day NEWMAN fans, is in a series of moodier, more atmospheric pieces, notably the lush ballad “Say You Believe”, “Faith” whose spacious feel shows off his deep vocal style perfectly, and the great “Tears Are Not Enough” which closed the original album.
I like both styles in this new refreshed, energetic yet melodic versions.

For added value the original 10 tracks on the album are accompanied by 4 bonus songs penned at the same period but never recorded and previously unreleased.
All these are really good tunes, mixing the smooth AOR melodies of mid-tempo “Crush On You” (love the keyboards) with cool riffs, as heard on the bluesy rocker “Backdoor Man”.
“Love By Design” adds a slightly funkier feel to the rocking riff, while the elegant AOR ballad “Stand Up” reminds you of masters STRANGEWAYS.

“Newman” self-titled is Classic British AOR / Melodic Rock made with style, next to STRANGEWAYS, FM, HEARTLAND, etc, now re-recorded with a very good production and offering 4 strong previously unreleased tracks.
This is a Limited Edition, collector’s item CD-only release (500 units), now sold-out with used copies being sold at a very expensive price.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01. If It’s Love
02. A Million Men
03. Say You Believe
04. What Does It Take
05. Faith
06. Let Your Heart Rule
07. When I Wake Uo
08. That Kind Of Girl
09. I Know You
10. Tears Are Not Enough
11. Backdoor Man (Bonus Track) *
12. Crush On You (Bonus Track) *
13. Love By Design (Bonus Track) *
14. Stand Up (Bonus Track) *

* Previously Unreleased

Steve Newman – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Shaun Bessant – Guitar
Paul Boyle – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Pete Newdeck, Rob McEwen – Drums, Backing Vocals

BUY IT !
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