PHIL CRISTIAN – No Prisoner [Swedish CD reissue +4]

This one is a request by one of you and pleasure to feature: PHIL CRISTIAN‘s solo album “No Prisoner” from 1988, in its hard to find reissue by a Swedish label including 4 previously unreleased tracks. While best known for being Cheap Trick’s keyboardist between 1982/1985, ‘Magic’ Cristian is a respected composer, arranger and producer.

Due his industry connections Cristian had a chance to record this solo album with the likes of Jason Scheff and Steve Salas as session musicians, a wonderful collection of own penned songs with that lovely US AOR sound production, plenty of keyboards and choruses akin Stan Bush, Aldo Nova, Jeff Paris et all.

This is great, pure AOR / Melodic Rock with that classy US sound for the genre circa 1986-88, mostly upbeat well composed tunes where melody is the King, and profuse use of keyboards, guitars (great ones!) and luxurious production, the Queen of the sonic reign.

If somebody told you that songs like ‘Facing the Fire’, ‘Prisoner’, ‘Waiting 4 U’, ‘Million Miles Away’, ‘Nothing Good in Goodbye’ or ‘Hey Andrea’ were written by Stan Bush or Jeff Paris, you would believe it.

Unknown by many, “No Prisoner” is a terrific album for Classic ’80s American AOR fans who still desire the rocking side of the genre. ‘Magic’ Cristian indeed does some magic here, helped by the proper production sound to enhance these already pretty awesome melodic songs.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Just Another Broken Heart
02 – Hey Andrea
03 – Prisoner
04 – Million Miles Away
05 – Nothing Good In Goodbye
06 – Facing The Fire
07 – Waiting 4 U
08 – Pain For The Pleasure
09 – Living In A Bad World
BONUS TRACKS Previously Unreleased:
10 – Mary, Mary
11 – Mama Don’t Cry
12 – China’s Crying
13 – Nina’s Song

Vocals, Keyboards – Phil Cristian
Guitars – Steve Salas
Guitar, Bass – Buzz Feiten
Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Robert Martin
Drums – Jody Cortez
Guest Guitar Solo (6) – Paul Warren
Backing Vocals – Muffy Hendrix, Jason Scheff

Out Of Print