DESMOND CHILD – Discipline [Own CD]

With the recent DESMOND CHILD album revisiting by himself his hits for other artists many of you asked for more Desmond. “Discipline” is the only solo full length album recorded by this gifted songwriter and producer. It was released on Elektra in 1991 and features his longer take on “Love on a Rooftop”, a song he wrote for Ronnie Spector’s album Unfinished Business in 1987, later included in Cher’s studio album Heart of Stone. Child’s version reached number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while the song “Obsession” peaked at number 19 on the Billboard AOR chart.
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora appears on the album; he co-wrote two tracks (“Discipline” and “According to the Gospel of Love”) also Bon Jovi’s drummer Tico Torres, Whitesnake / Def Leppard Vivian Campbell, Steve Lukather, and more.

In the American music industry Desmond Child is a superstar, although it isn’t because of his singing. Child is much better known for his songwriting & producing and work with major artists like Cher, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Chicago, Roxette, and Aerosmith is what made him a huge name in the music world.
Nonetheless, Child is a talented, expressive singer. He proved that in the late ’70s and early ’80s, when he led a great but underexposed group called Desmond Child & Rouge.

And he demonstrated that again when, in 1991, he provided his first solo album “Discipline”. This Elektra release, which Child produced with Sir Arthur Payson, it’s pure ‘Desmond Child trademark music’, classy ’80s-sounding commercial rock: big guitars, big drums, big vocals, big hooks, and a very slick and glossy production style.

While this CD came out 11 years after Rouge’s breakup, Child obviously hadn’t forgotten about his old group. “Obsession,” which Child co-wrote with Burt Bacharach, is a duet with former Rouge member Maria Vidal. And “Do Me Right” is a memorable power ballad that Child wrote for a little-known solo album that Vidal recorded for A&M in 1987.

One of my favorites is the catchy, radio-ready “The Price Of Loving You” (recorded by Bonfire on their Point Blank album) which, despite not being a hit, it’s still being played on classic rock radio stations.
Title track features Richie Sambora’s smooth guitar playing, while Lukather’s solo shine on “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend”.

Not easy to find on CD nowadays and with poorly ripped / transcode versions floating the web, here’s our own CD take, complete with full artwork.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – The Price Of Lovin’ You
02 – Discipline
03 – I Dont Wanna Be Your Friend
04 – Love On A Rooftop
05 – You’re The Story Of My Life
06 – According To The Gospel Of Love
07 – Do Me Right
08 – Obsession (Duet With Maria Vidal)
09 – The Gift Of Life
10 – A Ray Of Hope

Desmond Child – lead vocals
Vivian Campbell – guitars
Butch Walker – guitars
John McCurry – guitars
Steve Lukather – guitars
Richie Sambora – guitars
Jeffrey “C.J.” Vanston – keyboards, synthesizers
Tony Levin – bass
Abraham Laboriel – bass
Vinnie Colaiuta– drums
Tico Torres – drums
Michael Fisher – percussion
Joan Jett – backing vocals
Mark Free – backing vocals
Jesse Harte – backing vocals
Mitch Malloy – backing vocals
Kane Roberts – backing vocals

Try here;
www.amazon.com/Discipline-Desmond-Child/dp/B000008E7B/