NELSON – Before The Rain (1986-1990 / Frontiers Music remaster) *HQ*
As requested, here’s the early recordings from American melodic rockers NELSON before they got signed by a major label. Matthew and Gunnar were always perfectionists and even as teens they had recording studio experience because their father Ricky Nelson was musician too. So expect these recordings having a superior quality than regular ‘demos’. In fact, most of the 18 tracks featured in this ”Before The Rain” CD are very well done multi-track recordings.
In an arrangement with Frontiers Music, the band opened the vaults and put together a collection of the original demo recordings that earned them their first record contract. Titled “Before The Rain”, this 18-song collection is a fascinating look back at the band’s earliest days.
The songs in “Before The Rain” that made it into the ‘After the Rain’ album are all quite familiar, but subtly different. Obviously there’s a difference in production values, but it’s great to hear the little changes that were made in between; different solos & vocal melodies, and even lyrics show the evolution of these classic songs.
If it were just a collection of demo versions of the ‘After The Rain’ songs this album would be interesting, but not an essential release. But this collection boasts demos for a further 10 songs that never made it to any Nelson studio album.
That’s what makes “Before The Rain” an essential piece for any serious Nelson fan, and melodic rock in general. These unreleased songs are really good, and have the same spirit as the ‘After The Rain’ material, not to mention brilliant vocal harmonies, captivating melodies and hooks galore.
In 1986, after writing songs with Dweezil Zappa for his debut LP “My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Momma” and writing and recording the title cut for the film “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” under the band name Power Tool, the Matthew and Gunnar Nelson bros decided they needed to hone their songwriting craft and learn from experts.
They started with writer/producer Jack Ponti in New Jersey and recorded the songs they wrote that year with friends that eventually became the band Skid Row. Next, they journeyed to Australia to collaborate with Little River Band’s hit writer Graham Gobel and other writers for two months Down Under.
A subsequent 3 month stay in the UK to write with hit makers Adrian Gurvitz and Argent’s Russ Ballard followed.
Though elements from those experiences and sessions would wound up in later attempts, Nelson finally hit musical pay dirt writing songs in a bedroom in Pacific Palisades California and recorded them in a 16-track demo studio in a converted garage in the San Fernando Valley with an unknown writer/producer named Marc Tanner.
The results are what you can hear now on “Before the Rain”. These are the original demonstration recordings that caught the attention of A&R legend John Kalodner in late 1989 and scored Nelson a recording contract with Geffen/DGC Records which led to eventual sales of more than 3,000,000 copies of “After The Rain” and all that followed, including a World tour with over 300 concerts.
NELSON live line-up was even overqualified for the job. With some incredible virtuoso musicians such as Bobby Rock on drums, Brett Garsed on guitar, Paul Mirkovich on Keys and vocals and the addition of Joey Cathcart on vocals and second lead guitar, what you got was 4 part harmony, stellar musicianship, veteran showmanship, twin frontmen, and most importantly – great songs.
Nelson played venues ranging in size from 1,200 to 60,000 seats between 1990-1992 from New York to Tokyo, sharing the stage with some great other bands and had some great openers, including House Of Lords, Tyketto, Enuff Z’nuff, Cinderella and Lynch Mob.
“Before The Rain” feels like hearing an complete Nelson album that the band somehow forgot to release in 1991.
If you’re a serious Nelson fan (and if you love this type of late ’80s / early ‘90s melodic rock you should be), then “Before The Rain” is a must-have release.
It’s a great look back at the earliest versions of Nelson’s best-known tunes as well as a chance to hear well written songs that never made the album (but were more than good enough to).
Highly Recommended
1 – After The Rain
2 – Bits And Pieces
3 – (Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection
4 – Will Ya Love Me
5 – You’re All I Need Tonight
6 – More Than Ever
7 – (It’s Just) Desire
8 – I Can Hardly Wait
9 – Senorita
10 – Everywhere I Go
11 – Lets Get This Show On The Road
12 – Far Away From Home
13 – It’s Gotta Get Better
14 – I Wish
15 – That’s Love
16 – Avalon
17 – Runnin’ Out Of Time
18 – Love Is All We’ve Got
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson – All instruments
BUY
www.amazon.com/Before-Rain-Nelson/dp/B0046IGOBQ
