WINGER – Winger +3 [Japan SHM-CD remastered] ++

As requested, here’s the Japanese remastered version pressed on SHM-CD of WINGER‘s self titled debut, as part of the Warner Records ’80s HR&HM Cardboard Sleeve Series.
1988 was a definitive year for two very important entities in the Melodic Hard Rock world; the self-titled debut by WINGER established producer Beau Hill as one of the most brilliant gurus for the genre, and catapulted the band of Kip Winger & Reb Beach to stardom.
This Japanese mini-LP replica release features a different bonus track from the Rock Candy release, and in terms of quality are pretty similar, perhaps the SHM-CD sounding clearer in the midtones.

Rather unfairly Winger were lumped into the ’80s hair metal scene. However, it was an easy mistake to make considering Kip Winger’s sexy looks and the band’s penchant for penning memorable and melodic rock of an altogether addictive nature.
However, beneath the fancy looks was a band of enormous depth, containing members that had already notched up years of experience and played with several demanding and high calibre artists.
Fronted by Denver native Kip Winger, and signed to industry heavyweight Atlantic Records, the rest of the band consisting of master guitarist Reb Beach (who had worked with Fiona), keyboard player Paul Taylor (previously with Alice Cooper) and former Dixie Dreggs drummer Rod Morgenstein.

Originally issued in 1988 and produced (and arranged on many parts) by man of the moment Beau Hill, “Winger” caused an immediate stir with it’s seductive blend of rocking – yet melodic – rock suggesting that Winger’s talent was very much in the same realms as Bon Jovi and Foreigner.
Indeed, such was the excitement surrounding the album that it achieved platinum status soon and made them a fixture on MTV, all helped by their good looks and fully formed songs such as “Madalaine”, “Hungry”, the excellent “Headed For A Heartbreak” (a Top 20 US hit single), the power ballad “Without The Night” and the superhumanly catchy “Seventeen”.

Your Melodic Hard Rock collection is not complete without “Winger”. It’s high quality melodic rock music with bombast, never-ending hooks and melodies to die for.
This SHM-CD sounds million bucks, and you have 3 bonus tracks including “Never” (from Winger’s second album sessions), “Higher And Higher” and a a quite rare live recording of their hit “Madalaine” captured in England at the BBC.
A must of any ’80s Rock collector.

01 – Madalaine
02 – Hungry
03 – Seventeen
04 – Without The Night
05 – Purple Haze
06 – State Of Emergency
07 – Time To Surrender
08 – Poison Angel
09 – Hangin On
10 – Headed For A Heartbreak
11 – Higher And Higher [bonus track]
12 – Never [bonus track]
13 – Madalaine (Live At BBC) [bonus track]

Kip Winger – vocals, bass, keyboards, string arrangements
Reb Beach – guitars, vocals
Paul Taylor – keyboards, vocals
Rod Morgenstein – drums, vocals
with:
Dweezil Zappa – left side guitar solo on 5
Beau Hill, Ira McLaughlin – backing vocals
Sandra Park, Rebecca Young, Hae Young Ham, Maria Kitsopoulos – strings

Out of print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCR-13579