TONE NORUM – One Of A Kind ’86 [Music On CD reissue] (2017) *HQ*

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

As requested, here’s TONE NORUM 1986’s debut LP “One Of A Kind“, for years out of print and with used CD’s copies being sold for a small fortune. Fortunately Music On CD reissued the album in 2017, but believe it or not, the re-release is out of print too with the disc sold for over $100.
TONE NORUM’s debut album “One Of A Kind” was originally released on CBS Records in 1986. It was preceded by the 1985 single “Can’t You Stay” / “Playing With Fire”, written and produced by Europe’s Joey Tempest. Most of the material on the album was indeed written and produced by Tempest, who also played most of the instruments and provided backing vocals, with guest appearances by Europe members, Tone’s brother John Norum (guitar solos), Ian Haugland (drums), Mic Michaeli (keyboards) and backing vocalist Ronnie Thunder.
The popular second single and radio staple “Stranded” (1986) was originally intended for inclusion on a Europe album, but it was given to Tone for her solo career.

As well as the aforementioned ballad “Can’t You Stay”, the more rocking “Playing With Fire” and the hook-filled, keyboard-driven “Stranded” are highlights – there’s also the opening “If I Were Queen” with its catchy chorus and Final Countdown-era keyboard solo.
Then we have the slower and more poignant “Built On Dreams”, where both Tone and John deliver (vocally and guitar-wise). The title track itself comes in the form of the beautiful love ballad “One Of A Kind”, which, if I remember correctly, was written especially for the Scorpions.

Tone’s own “Secrets Of A Heart” follows and shows her strength as a composer as well as a singer, with a strong contribution from brother John in the explosive guitar solo section. We find the pleasant mid-tempo AORster “This Is Love”, followed by the more poppy “And I”, which funnily enough has a more blues-based feel to it during the solo.
Towards the end there’s the album’s second full-on ballad, “‘Til Heaven Calls Your Name”, dressed up in typical mid-80s fashion.

TONE NORUM’s debut album “One Of A Kind” is easily his best, with all the Europe cats providing with class everything in the background for her vocals to shine. It’s avery good ’80s album with all the magic from the era.
Highly Recommended

01 – If I Were Queen
02 – Built On Dreams
03 – One Of A Kind
04 – Stranded (Remixed Version)
05 – Secrets Of A Heart (Remixed Version)
06 – This Is Love
07 – And I
08 – ‘Til Heaven Calls Your Name
09 – Playing With Fire (Remixed Version)
10 – Can’t You Stay (Remixed Version)

Vocals – Tone Norum
All Instruments, Backing Vocals – Joey Tempest
Guitar solos – John Norum
Drums – Ian Haugland
Backing Vocals – Ronnie Thunder

out of print
merchbar.com/rock-alternative/tone-norum/tone-norum-one-of-a-kind-cd
imusic.co/music/8718627224311/tone-norum-2017-one-of-a-kind-cd