BENNY MARDONES – Too Much To Lose [digitally remastered]

Some time ago American vocalist BENNY MARDONES finally got the rights of his back catalog, and released most of his albums for the first time on CD and freshly remastered.
“Too Much To Lose” is Mardones’ third album, released in 1982 after his single ‘Into The Night’ which became a radio classic across the US, topped the charts twice, and turned one of the most frequently played tunes in radio history.
Until now, “Too Much To Lose” only was released in America on vinyl LP in 1981, and due to legal fights with the record company, never pressed on CD.

Mardones exploded onto the music scene in 1980 and was quickly nicknamed ‘The Voice’, a title earned because of his incredible range, as well as his soulful and passionate performances.
His second album spawned the hit ‘Into The Night’, becoming a radio classic across the US, topped the charts twice, and turned one of the most frequently played tunes in radio history.
It is estimated that the song has been played more than 4,500,000 times in the US alone.

Originally released in 1981, “Too Much To Lose” owns the kind of American production from that year; radio-ready, melodic and mainstream proto-AOR.
The record is plenty of classic melodies and lovely songs, almost all composed by Mardones together with Robert Tepper, who later would shine performing in the Rocky IV soundtrack and as solo artist.

‘Sheila C.’ has parping keyboards (Synclavier) all over and a catchy chorus, ‘This Time’ sports a midtempo pace but with harder guitars and big drums, while ‘Till He Mentioned Your Name’ showcases Mardones’ rocking vocal side over this guitar driven tune.

More catchy riffs come with melodic rocker ‘Baby Don’t’, another AOR little gem appears in ‘I’m Not Gonna Cry Anymore’, then ballad ‘Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)’ is the vehicle for Benny’s spotlight, with his voice going from whispering to full-on bluesy rock akin Steve Perry.

They don’t make albums like this anymore. “Too Much To Lose” is a classic US ‘recording artist’ album – as they were called back in the day – from Benny Mardones. This is perhaps his most integral album where he’s completely involved in the process, from songwriting to arrangements to production.
This remaster is the best sounding version you can get from this album, one which regularly visits my CD player to listen to one of the most unique – and good – voices from the ’80s.
Highly Recommended

01 – Sheila C.
02 – This Time
03 – The Dreamer
04 – Till He Mentioned Your Name
05 – Baby Don’t
06 – Treat You Right
07 – I’m Not Gonna Cry Anymore
08 – Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)

Benny Mardones – Vocals
Robert Tepper – Bass, Backing Vocals
Lars Hanson – Guitar
Terry Bacon – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gregg Gerson – Drums
Judi Dozier – Keyboards
Michael Kamen – Synclavier Keyboard

BUY IT !
www.warriorrecords.com/benny/
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