TROY NEWMAN – Gypsy Moon (1991) *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

As requested, here’s the debut album by Aussie singer / songwriter TROY NEWMAN, 1991’s “Gypsy Moon“, recorded in LA with superb musicians and produced by Greg Ladanyi (Toto, Fleetwood Mac). Like a mix of John Waite solo, Jude Cole, and the tripped side of Richard Marx, “Gypsy Moon” delivers a lovely blend of radio-friendly, guitar-driven melodic pop-rock and emotional ballads.
Troy Newman’s voice is smooth, clear, but what really shines about him are the heartfelt lyrics. Ladanyi fell in love with Troy’s music, and did everything to get this album out – from A&R business and record deal, to co-writing and producing.
As many thing in life, all happened almost by accident. Ladanyi happened to be touring Australia with Fleetwood Mac for their “Behind The Mask Tour” and trapped in Sydney due to the now famous 1989/90 Airline strike. Out of boredom he reached out to local Australian labels to pass the time, and within days would meet with Warner’s head of A&R Philip Mortlock, where he would be introduced to Troy’s and his music.
Philip arranged for Troy to fly to LA and record some tracks with some of the hottest studio musicians in the world. The result of those sessions was the album “Gypsy Moon”.

Engineered by Dave Nicolas, it featured some renowned musicians like Waddy Wachtel, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Billy Burnette, Nicolette Larson, Mark Williams, David Lindley, Rick Vito and more.
At that time coming out of the ’80s and into the ’90s, music was changing, and there were a lot of great songs and harder edged albums to contend with. The album had a modest run in Australia, but worked very well in the U.S., Europe and Asia obtaining a Billboard Top 100 hit in “Love gets Rough”, as well as gracing the covers of Rolling Stone & having his music appear in Feature Films and hit TV shows.

Although Newman recorded and released two albums in the early 1990’s this one and “It’s like this” he sold very few copies in Australia compared to abroad, and by 1997 was on the verge of quitting music altogether even though he was a popular artist in the US, Europe and Asia obtaining a Billboard Top 100 hit in “Love gets rough” as well as gracing the covers of Rolling Stone & having his music appear in Feature Films and hit TV shows. His song, “Raining”, was used on television series, Heartbreak High (Season 1, 1994, episode 10).

Warner Music offered Troy a second album deal, but stipulated he had to return to Australia to record the album with a different producer (which he declined). A battle ensued and EastWest & Warner Music dropped him from the label just as he was gaining momentum. Warner Music placed the cost of producing the ‘Gypsy Moon’ album onto any future recording contracts and labels which, in turn, made it virtually impossible for Newman to get a second record deal.

After a lengthy legal battle and change of Management, Newman issued ‘It’s Like This’ on 18 July 1995 on the Curb Records / Edel Records labels. Newman had recorded the album in Los Angeles again, with Wachtel, Glaub, Kunkel, Conte and Vanston.
It was produced by Ladanyi and Wachtel but failed to emulate the success of his debut album and didn’t chart. However Linda Ronstadt later covered a song, and other was used forthe film Two If by Sea (also known in the United Kingdom as Stolen Hearts).

In August 1996, Ladanyi and Newman teamed up again – this time at 301 Studios, Sydney Australia to record a 10 track demo entitled ‘Velvet Hammer.’ After recording Ladanyi returned to Los Angeles to remaster the demos personally.
Then Troy Newman died in Sydney in March 1997. As his body was found with a toxic combination of prescription drugs, there was speculation that he committed suicide however the autopsy was inconclusive. Newman had also contracted Hepatitis A which may have contributed to his death.
Being devastated after Newman’s death, Ladanyi shelved the ‘Velvet Hammer’ project.
Troy Newman left a legacy of published and unpublished songs – many of which have never been heard. Newman’s last album finally surfaced in 2018 called ‘Postcards from L.A’ containing 10 tracks.

Much has been said when he died suddenly in 1997, the cause doesn’t matter when in the end, the world lost a vocalist with great potential. He had that kind of magical quality that all great artists and poets have – a quality, which resonates deep within our hearts, minds, and souls.
He took all of his personal pain, loss, torment, longing, and confusion and transformed it into something beautiful; music.
Troy Newman was a man of clear gifts, who was too sensitive for this world and every artist worth his salt has felt this way at one point or another. Knowing about an artist like Troy Newman allows us to peer over the edge, that we may avoid going too far ourselves.
Highly Recommended

01 – Love Gets Rough
02 – Raining
03 – God Only Knows
04 – Always Time
05 – I Can Feel It
06 – Whisper
07 – Gone Are The Days
08 – Drive My Car
09 – So Deep
10 – It Takes Time

Troy Newman – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Gypsy Bells
Russ Kunkel – Drums And Percussion
CJ Vanston – Keyboards
George Hawkins – Bass And Vocals
Waddy Wachtel – Rhythm And Lead Guitars
Danny Kortchmar – Rhythm And Lead Guitar
Craig Fall – Rhythm Guitar And Mandolin
Rick Vito – Lead And Rhythm Guitar
David Lindley – Assorted Guitars
Jerry Goodman – Electric Violin
Billy Burnette – Vocals
Nicolette Larson – Vocals

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