ROBBY VALENTINE – Christmas In Heaven + Live & Demos [Japan Releases Only]

Mr. ROBBY VALENTINE will release his new 2018 album soon, and this is the right time to revisit the Dutch genius hard to find side of his discography, many of these rarities only released in Japan.
In the case of “Christmas In Heaven (1997)” and “Live & Demos (1994)“, both albums were released in Japan only, now collector items fetching over USD 150 for used copies.

In 1994 Valentine signs an exclusive contract with Polydor Japan, where he had huge success.
The label asked for an immediate release and Robby came up with an EP simply titled “Live & Demos”, including 3 demo versions of songs from his first album and 3 tracks recorded live the same year at the Veronica’s Music Rock Experience Festival, all previously unreleased.

The demos, of course, coming from Robby Valentine – a musician obsessed with top notch production standards – sound excellent. These recordings are different from the final versions, and all will be available again in the upcoming 2018 release ‘Pride & Heart (The Magic Infinity Demos)’.
The live tracks sound quality is very good as well, showcasing how strong Robby’s band was at the time.
The complete Veronica’s Music Rock Experience Festival show (unreleased) will be featured in this blog soon.

By 1995, Robby decided to dismiss his entire band, except for drummer Juan van Emmerloot, because of ‘disinterest and disrespect in the Valentine event’.
So the following two studio albums were almost completely recorded with Robby playing all instruments. This is the case with the Japanese only “Christmas In Heaven (1997)” EP.

The title track appeared in Valentine’s 4th album ‘4 United’, but the rest of the songs are exclusive to this release. We can hear here ‘1st X-mas Without You’ (dedicated to his father) and Robby’s love for his piano and classical composers such as L.V. Beethoven and Mozart, like in the different arrangements of ‘I Believe In You (Mozart Version)’
All superb stuff.

Both EP are must have stuff for Robby Valentine / melodic rock fans, and collectors.
Much more rare RV coming up…

Live & Demos (1994)
01 – I Believe In You (Demo)
02 – One Day (Demo)
03 – Heaven Is Callin’ (Demo)
04 – The Magic Breeze (Live)
05 – Only Your Love (Live)
06 – No Turning Back (Live)

Robby Valentine – vocals, all intruments
Jay Jay backing – backing vocals
Arthur Polini bass – (tracks 4 to 6)
Juan van Emmerloot – drums (tracks 4 to 6)
Rob Winter – guitar, backing vocals (tracks 4 to 6)
John Ewbank – synthesizer, backing vocals (tracks 4 to 6)

Christmas In Heaven (1997)
01 – Christmas In Heaven
02 – 1st X-mas Without You
03 – Chopin Fantasie Impromptu Op. 66
04 – I Believe In You (Mozart Version)
05 – L.V. Beethoven Symphony No. 9, 4th Movement

Robbie Valentine – all vocals and instruments
Juan V. Emmerloot – drums

Out of Print
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