THE LA COWBOYS – Endless Summer [AOR Heaven Classix remaster]
THE LA COWBOYS was an AOR project formed by James Studer (keyboard player and arranger) & Wayne Nelson (bass player & vocalist of the group Little River Band). In 1993 they released their sole album titled “Endless Summer” exclusively in Japan in a limited edition of 1000 copies.
There were no music websites in those days, thus Westcoast / AOR music lovers in Europe or the United States had no way of knowing about the disc. The album was already out of print by the time people started to talk about it.
When it was reissued by a German label in 1998 (again limited to 1000 units) it did not take a long before the warehouse became empty.
Fortunately, AOR Heaven Classix reissued this gem few years ago remastered in all its glory, but now has become again almost impossible to find, with copies being sold over $180.
This is a classic Westcoast AOR album that has joined cult status amongst die-hard fans of the genre. For a good reason too, as it is a very good and extremely smooth melodic record.
The guests on this TOTO-ish, Chicago-ish keyboard driven CD include guitar genius Michael Thompson (Tim Feehan, Jeff Paris), George Hawkins (King Of Hearts, Richard Marx), Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Tris Imboden (Kenny Loggins, Chicago), Buzzy Feiten (Boz Scaggs, Mr. Mister) between other luminaries.
You might feel interesting that the album closes with a very beautiful ballad, “Something In My Heart” featuring Joseph Williams (TOTO) as the lead singer, while the big Toto-like AOR tune “Holding Back The Tears” has vocals from Richard Bryant (Doobie Brothers, Little River Band).
This AOR cult classic digitally remastered by Chris Lyne delivers 10 super-slick wonderful tunes, perfectly recorded and smoothly performed.
Fans of Jay Graydon / Planet 3, Joseph Williams, Kings Of Hearts, Chicago and the light side of TOTO, must have this one.
01 – Tokyo Woman
02 – Endless Summer
03 – Aubree’s Melody
04 – Say You Love Me
05 – Holding Back The Tears
06 – Know Me By Heart
07 – Eye Of The Storm
08 – Walk Me On The Water
09 – Terra
10 – Something In My Heart
James Studer: Keyboards, Vocals
Wayne Nelson: Bass, Vocals
The Musicians:
Guitars: Michael Thompson, Buzz Feiten, Thom Rotella
Drums: Tris Imboden, Chris Frazier, Mick Fleetwood
Bass: George Hawkins
Sax: Michael Paulo
Percussion: Arno Lucas
Background Vocals: G. Hawkins, Richard Bryant, Mari Studer
Lead Vocals (track 5): Richard Bryant
Lead Vocals (track 10): Joseph Williams
Try here:
www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Summer-L-Cowboys/dp/B004GF45HO