DAVID A SAYLOR – Strength Of One (out of print) *HQ*
DAVID A SAYLOR (RIP), once front man of awesome AORsters Push UK and Wild Rose, was a classic, true AOR purveyor. His third album “Strength Of One” featured notable contributors as guests such as guitarists David Mark Pearce and former Push band mates Brett Hammond & Nik Lloyd providing great guitar solos to enhance these wonderful, pure AOR tunes.
“Strength Of One” is out of print, copies being sold for over U$D 200. As requested, here’s HQ.
As usual, Saylor’s smooth yet raspy vocal delivery stand out, and paired with top notch songwriting, this is not your typical AOR by numbers album. All songs are consistent compositions, driven by smooth guitar lines, a floating rhythm section and heavenly keyboards.
After the strong opener tune of “Welcome To The Show” comes a compelling cover of melodic rockers 2AM; “Now You’re Leaving”, a perfect example of pure old-fashioned AOR stuff that includes a great melody, fluid vocal lines and a harmony that stuck in your mind for days.
“Flying High” is a cool, soaring melodic rock gem that features a catchy chorus line and a really killer guitar solo by David Mark Pearce.
“My Heart Ain’t Feeling Nothing” has a bluesy touch that reminds me Overland’s FM, while we have a bright cover of Shy’s “Why Does Our Love Have To End” in a terrific midtempo AOR rhythm rich in keys an suave guitars.
There’s some harder edge at “Beaten Black & Blue”, and the excellent Gabriella De Val Koenzen from the band The Val performs a really good duet with Saylor on the ballad “Falling Star”.
The disc ends with a highlight, the pure AOR heaven of “Caught in the Middle”, a song with all the late ’80s magic recalling Saylor’s first band Push UK, and also the present Scandinavian scene.
“Strength Of One” is another great representation of the pure AOR genre, flooded by dreamy harmonies, dynamic guitars and tons of keyboards. David A Saylor refined his pen for this new release, the songs are solid, with substance, and musicianship & production quite bright and polished.
A no-brainer release for any serious AOR fan.
Highly Recommended
01 – Welcome To The Show
02 – Now You’re Leaving (2 AM cover)
03 – Flying High
04 – Don’t Say Goodbye
05 – My Heart Ain’t Feeling Nothing
06 – Why Does Our Love Have To End (Shy cover)
07 – Beaten Black And Blue
08 – Falling Star (duet with The Val)
09 – It Must Be Love
10 – How Do I Believe
11 – Caught In The Middle
David A Saylor – lead vocals, all instruments
David Mark Pearce – guitar solos (3, 5)
Brett Hammond – guitar solos (1, 9, 10)
Nik Lloyd – guitar solos (2, 4, 6, 7)
Gabriella De Val Koenzen (The Val) – female lead & backing vocals (8)
Alfonso Samos (The Val) – guitar solo (8)
Romany May, Christian Antonio, Giorgia Florence, Suzy Ashby – backing vocals
Try here:
www.amazon.co.uk/Strength-One-David-Saylor/dp/B01MDU86X7
