NEIL NORMAN & BOBBY SEXTON – Facing Destiny (1990) *HQ*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
As requested, here’s the very good one-off studio project album from NEIL NORMAN & BOBBY SEXTON, 1990’s “Facing Destiny“. While not widely known by casual Melodic Rock / AOR listeners, the album is highly regarded among fans of the genre – a strong blend of melodic & hard rock characterized by catchy uptempo songs, stellar vocal performances by Sexton, and notable instrumentation.
Bobby Sexton is a keyboard master having played on many albums as hired gun (also member of AORSters Icebreaker) and a skilled singer, while guitarist Neil Norman also worked as session man but he’s essentially songwriter and producer. In fact “Facing Destiny” was recorded in his own recording studio during ‘free time hours’, and the CD being released on his own label GNP Crescendo.
“Facing Destiny” was released in 1990, but most of the songs written & taped in the second half of the Eighties. Hence, the style here is 1985-style radio-friendly Melodic Rock / AOR.
What we specially like is the uptempo nature of the songs, the type of ‘action movie’ tune songs that keeps your blood pumping, numbers such as I Know, Holding On, Facing Destiny, Winner Takes All, Riding To The Future. For midtempo AOR check out I’ll Come Back For You and If He Loved You, while if you need some Hi-Tech press play on Transporter.
Musicianship and performances are excellent, and while production could have been crispier, the overall listening experience is great. Fans of the genre and the ’80s in general can’t go wrong here; think 1985’s Paul Sabu, Michael O’Brien, Jim Foster, etc.
Highly Recommended
01 – Facing Destiny
02 – Fantasy
03 – Winner Takes All
04 – If He Loved You
05 – I Know
06 – Sky
07 – Holding On
08 – Transporter
09 – Riding To The Future
10 – I’ll Come Back For You
Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Bass – Bobby Sexton
Guitar, Vocals – Neil Norman
Guitar [2nd Harmony] – Brant Biles (tracks: 1, 3)
Synclavier, Synthesizer – Todd Yvega
Drums – Steve Klong, Tim Aller
Backing Vocals – Robert Martin, Brant Biles, J. Palmer, Paul Warren
BUY
amazon.com/Facing-Destiny-Norman-Bobby-Sexton/dp/B000001OXN
