BILLY SQUIER – Signs Of Life (BGO remastered 2-in-1) Disc II

Requested some time ago, here’s the BGO remastered, special 2-in-1 edition of BILLY SQUIER‘s third and fourth albums for Capitol Records, 1982’s ‘Emotions In Motion’ and 1984’s ‘Signs Of Life’.
Despite of being released few years ago, this package is already out of print with remaining copies being sold for £375! But it’s a great buy as it really improves upon the original Capitol CD’s with an excellent low end without being harsh on the highs or having excessive compression / limiting.
Additionally, there’s a complete lyrics booklet plus 8-page history of the recordings process written by journalist / biographer Michael Heatley.

Squier had a great solo run of recorded material starting from 1981’s Don’t Say No right into 1983 with Emotions in Motion. Billy at the point in time was selling out arenas and bands opening for Billy included Def Leppard before Lep’s Pyromania sold millions upon millions…
Speaking of Def Leppard… Jim Steinman co-produced along with Billy on this album. Steinman of course produced Meat Loafs ‘Bat out of Hell’ and basically did it all on that album.Def Leppard must have liked the sound of this ‘Signs Of Life’ as they tried working with Steinman early on in the Hysteria sessions.

With its huge 1984 sound courtesy of Steinman’s drama, ‘Signs Of Life’ quickly went Platinum and the lead single ‘Rock Me Tonite’ resulted Squier’s biggest career hit. I just love this song, it’s an 80s classic.
The backing band that Billy had with him was top-notch as these guys played on all of Squier’s albums as well, with the live shows being reported as one of the best of the era. You have Jeff Golub (Joe Lynn Turner, John Waite) on guitars, Alan St. Jon (Ted Nugent) on keyboards, Doug Lubahn (Ted Nugent) on bass, and skilled drummer Bobby Chouinard (Gary Moore, Alice Cooper).

Opener ‘All Night Long’ is another fav of mine, as well as the ‘inside gem’ ‘Hand Me Downs’. ‘(Another) 1984’ features Queen’s Brian May punching out the solo, a great track with a lot of giddy up in the arrangements.

This is perhaps Squier’s more ‘over-produced’ album, but that’s one of the reasons I like it so much. It’s pire ’80s, with the good and the bad of it.
This BGO remaster is excellent, and said, a real improvement in sound quality.
HIGHLY Recommended

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01 – All Night Long
02 – Rock Me Tonite
03 – Eye On You
04 – Take A Look Behind Ya
05 – Reach For The Sky
06 – (Another) 1984
07 – Fall For Love
08 – Can’t Get Next To You
09 – Hand Me Downs
10 – Sweet Release

Billy Squier – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers
Jeff Golub (Joe Lynn Turner, John Waite) – guitars
Alan St. Jon (Ted Nugent) – keyboards, synths, backing vocals
Doug Lubahn (Ted Nugent) – bass, backing vocals
Bobby Chouinard (Gary Moore, Alice Cooper) – drums
with:
Brian May (Queen) – guitar solo on “1984”
Jim Steinman – synths, production
Larry Fast – synthesizers
Jimmy Maelen – percussion
Eric Troyer, Rory Dodd – additional vocals on “Fall for Love” & “Reach for the Sky”

Try Here
www.amazon.co.uk/Billy-Squier-Emotions-Motion-2015-01-01/dp/B013GWKEB8