CHAS SANDFORD – Wag More Bark Less
AOR connoisseurs & collectors already know (and own) CHAS SANDFORD‘s 1982 debut ‘Parallax View’. But for the major audience, the name of this Georgia native is a total mystery. Well, let me tell you; Chas Sandford is a treasure of a songwriter behind such hits as ‘Missing You’ (John Waite), ‘What Kind Of Man Would I Be’ (Chicago) or ‘Talk To Me’ (Stevie Nicks), just to name a few.
The saying goes that most artists have an entire lifetime to make their first album, and six months to come up with the second.
For veteran songwriter / producer / engineer Chas Sandford, it took 30 years for his sophomore album, “Wag More, Bark Less“, the long-awaited follow up to his debut which came out on Elektra/Asylum.
Sandford has enlisted an all star line-up of session musicians here, including bassist Davis Santos [Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, John Fogerty, Billy Joel], keyboard player James Matchack [Chicago] and drummer Nick Buda [Taylor Swift, Jewel, Edwin McCain], with special appearances by friends and colleagues including Chicago’s Bill Champlin, Survivor’s Jim Peterik, recording artist/slide guitarist Lee Roy Parnell and singer/songwriter Nicole Witt on background vocals.
“Wag More, Bark Less” is delicious from start to finish.
From the opening notes of “Let Love Back In This House” all the way through to the end of the album, Sandford proves himself to be a singer worthy of any song that might come from his pen.
He also comes across as very versatile, with a style that ranges from adult Rock & Pop to classy smooth AOR with a little bit of Americana sprinkled in.
Rather than single out a few cuts here and tell you that they are highlights, I will tell you up front that each track could be a highlight. There are no clunkers here.
Some of my favorites are “The Best Of Times”, “Broken” and the ballad showcase “I Believed”, a clear statement of Chas’ wonderful vocal performance and ability to craft memorable melodies.
While each cut is impressive on its own merits, I wouldn’t rule out his getting some attention for the biting “Love Can Really Mess You Up”. It’s one of those type performances that can really send an artist into the stratosphere – a place where he Chas Sandford truly deserves to be.
On “Wag More, Bark Less”, Sandford weaves strong words into masterful lyrics about love, loss, hurt and pain and the emotional expression along with his strong, raspy, sexy voice, brings every song on the album to life. Besides, I love the varied instrumentation on the different songs – no two alike on this album.
We’re talking about talent here; Chas can sing, play, write, perform, and produce… he is the total package. Honestly, I can’t find a cut on the album that I don’t like. There are no filler tracks here.
Exquisitely recorded & produced by himself, “Wag More, Bark Less” was silently, independently released, but truly deserve your attention before it gets out of print.
Highly Recommended
01 – Let Love Back In This House
02 – The Best Of Times
03 – Someday Susan
04 – I Believed
05 – Broken
06 – My Favorite Regret
07 – I’ll Be There
08 – Whenever I See Your Smile
09 – Waiting For The Sun
10 – Love Can Really Mess You Up
11 – Because Of You
12 – It’s Changing
Chas Sandford: Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Piano & Keyboards
Davis Santos, Tim Marks, Dave Pomeroy: Bass
Nick Buda: Drums, Percussion
with:
Jim Peterik: Guitar, Backing Vocals
James Matchack: Keyboards & Programming
Bill Champlin: Organ, Backing Vocals
Kenny Greenberg: Guitar
Steve Hornbeak: Piano & Backing vocals
Kevin McKendree: Piano
Lee Roy Parnell: Slide Guitar
John Catching, David Angell: Strings
Nicole Witt: Harmony Vocals
Tiffany Goss & Greg Barnhill: Backing vocals
BUY IT !
chassandford.spinshop.com/details/67405
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