LISA HARTMAN – Letterock ’82 [Wounded Bird reissue +1] HQ *0dayrox Exclusive*

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As requested, here’s the now rare, hard to find, out of print Wounded Bird Records reissue of LISA HARTMAN 1982’s album “Letterock“. This is the only official release of “Letterock” on CD, with used copies being sold for $ 300.
LISA HARTMAN is an American actress and singer from Houston, Texas, who released two LP’s at the end of the Seventies, but Hartman gained prominence after her role in the prime time drama ‘Knots Landing’ from 1982 to 1986, playing the rock singer Ciji Dunne character.

Some months before Hartman’s this breakthrough as an actress, here third album “Letterock” was released via major label RCA. Despite including great songs like ‘Hidin’ From Love’ (written by Bryan Adams / Jim Vallance), ‘Hole In My Heart’ (written by Rick Springfield), and ‘New Romance, It’s A Mystery’ (written by Spider member and prolific 80s songwriter Holly Knight), the album didn’t scored radio hits.
The problem was RCA, who failed to promote “Letterock” capitalizing LISA HARTMAN’s success in the TV show. The label re-released the LP in 1983 simply titled ”Lisa Hartman’, but it had already lost momentum.
Musically ranging from rock&pop to radio friendly lite AOR, “Letterock” is pure ’80s from every corner; a sexy singer who actually can sing (and very well), good songs, and that production sound. This Wounded Bird Records reissue adds as bonus track the song ‘Where the Boys Are’, the theme song for the 1984 movie of the same name.

‘Letterock’ opens with “Hidin’ From Love” a rocking little number that sounds like so many other 80s songs only this is Lisa singing it. The song is actually a Bryan Adams written ditty and has been covered by others, but Lisa did it first. It was the first (and only) single released from the album and it’s always been a favorite. Interestingly enough this song is one she didn’t perform on ‘Knots Landing’ – though she would begin performing it when the album was re-released in 1983.
“Why Baby” opens with the background synthesized “aaahs” of some male singers and a breezy new wave feel. The song originally appeared in the 1981 TV Movie Valley Of The Dolls where Lisa played the Neely O’Hara character. Apparently Lisa liked it enough to record a different version for this album.

“Johnny’s Always On My Mind” has to be one of those 1980s gems that everyone wanted to do. It’s the rock version of the new wave pseudo hit “Johnny Are You Queer?” telling the tale of a boy named Johnny that the singer is in love with. Unfortunately John has a boyfriend, “His name is Don and he’s a major disappointment.” But that won’t stop Lisa, she’s going to “make it with his roommate” while he’s gone – anything to get Johnny off her mind. It’s hilarious, it’s topical, it’s something she did not perform on Knots Landing. Though with the subtext of Laura and Ciji being lesbian lovers, the song may have been perfect.

Now for the goods, “If Love Must Go” begins with a twang, a ballad with that early ’80s touch. Lisa performed the song on Knots Landing the very first time she ever donned the famous red alien dress. In the show, she sings the song as the characters’ love lives are falling apart; a poignant moment of the series and a great performance on record. In fact Lisa, whose voice isn’t all that edgy or full of range, performs her little heart out and trying to sing along is a lot harder than you would think. Lisa has a way of singing about heartbreak in the most delicious manner.

In 1981, another soap star by the name of Rick Springfield made an album called Working Class Dog. The album contained a little ditty known as “Jessie’s Girl” and Rick became an international music star leaving behind his soap opera days. Like Lisa, Rick was originally a singer way before ever trying his hand at acting. Unlike Lisa, Rick found that international success and got to leave the acting behind him.
It’s almost ironic that Lisa chose a Rick Springfield song to cover. Even choosing one off of Working Class Dog but that’s exactly what she did with “Hole In My Heart”. Lisa does a bang up killer job on this rocking track.

“Two To Do” begins with keyboards churning, rock guitars crunching, a piano pounding away and Lisa crooning “when you’re alone the night can last forever/it takes love to get you through and love takes two to do.” Not necessarily the most clever lyric but the passionate approach and the general electricity make the track so 1982 enjoyable.
“Games” is pseudo ballad / pseudo new wave in the vein of “Why Baby,” only this time we have some pretty clever lyrics. Comparing love to a game of cards is probably nothing new (“Queen Of Hearts” anyone) but I’ve always liked this particular lyric. It’s also one of Lisa’s best vocal performances declaring, “Those Games that you play/don’t you play them with me.” I’ve always loved female performers but I am especially partial to those that are sassy, no holds barred, not to be messed around with women. Of course I’m also an 80s aficionado who loves a good pop hook and this song pretty much has it all. The background “Aaahs”, the keyboards, the guitar solo all help to make this song one of the best on the album. Again, it’s a song she performed on Knots Landing so Lisa must’ve enjoyed it as well.

Where “If Love Must Go” was the ballad with the guitar, “Miss You (Like I Do)” (and B-side to the single “Hidin’ From Love”) is the full on piano ballad. It’s fairly reminiscent of the material Lisa did on her previous album, 1979’s Hold On, but instead of being 1970s shtick, it’s very modern (1982 modern but modern nonetheless). Thanks to the minimalist instrumentation this one may stand up in the contemporary world than others on the album.

The album’s closers are where Lisa really ”letherock‘. It’s rock and rock in 1982 new wave fashion and probably not coincidentally these two songs seem to be the most popular among her fans as well. It’s really no wonder once you hear them.
“Don’t Let Me Go” kicks in with a hard drumbeat, cowbells and guitar then Lisa takes it from there, growling and squeaking her vocals. The versatile song combining high hats, a great guitar solo and drum rolls severe. The performance and the music is new wave rock&pop at some of its finest. Again, why wasn’t this a hit? I would’ve roller-skated to it.

The final track of the original album is “New Romance (It’s A Mystery)” which is a song whose story and connections could probably write a full biography. Written by Holly Knight and Anton Fig of the band Spider it was a top 40 (#39) hit for the band in 1981. It’s a hooky version by Lisa, starting with a keyboard whirlwind and a drumbeat roll blended by a thumping guitar lick which pushes the track.

In between leaving and returning to ‘Knots Landing’, Lisa starred in a little known series called ‘High Performance’ and got her big movie break. She took one of the leads in yet another classic remake when she starred in ‘Where The Boys Are’ ‘84. The movie is about four-college girls heading to Fort Lauderdale for Spring Break. Lisa is a music major who meets one of her friend’s classic music loving cousins. Meanwhile, a more rock and roll guy also has his eye on Lisa. The movie is pure T&A comedy so typical of the 80s but it gave Lisa a chance to release one more single in the theme song.

”Letterock” didn’t make much of a dent in the charts, or pop culture for that matter. The reasons for the lack of success aren’t very clear. Lisa’s musical performances are of no less caliber than any of the female rockers of the day who happened to have hits.
Lisa definitely had the look, she had the talent, and she had the sass, plus she seemed down right likeable. Perhaps it was timing, musical tastes were changing, other females were coming up, perhaps it was the radio stations. Pat Benatar said even during her highest career point some radio programmers would tell her they were already playing one female on the radio and didn’t have room for more.

By the mid 80s (and Lisa’s next strong album) the landscape was different, but again it didn’t work out for our girl, perhaps by then there were just too many women rock&pop performers.
Whatever the reasons, and there are plenty of them, ”Letterock” never was forgotten by ’80s music fans, and this only CD reissue by Wounded Bird sold out. And that should say something about the lasting power of Lisa Hartman’s music.
Highly Recommended

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01 – Hidin’ From Love
02 – Why Baby
03 – Johnny’s Always On My Mind
04 – If Love Must Go
05 – Hole In My Heart
06 – Two To Do
07 – Games
08 – Miss You (Like I Do)
09 – Don’t Let Me Go
10 – New Romance (It’s A Mystery)
11 – Where the Boys Are (Bonus Track)

LISA HARTMAN: Vocals
JOSH LEO: All Guitars and Pickin’ Piano
MATT BETTON: Drums
STERLING SMITH Acoustic Piano, Harpsichord Prophet 5, Organ
VEYLER HILDEBRAND: Bass

Additional Musicians:
M.L. Benoit: Percussion
Juha Philip Shenale: OB-Xo-Oberheim & Voice
Vince Meldmed: Electric Piano on “Games”
Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Melamed, Brad Palmer: Background Vocals

Expensive:
www.amazon.com/Letterock-Lisa-Hartman/dp/B004ODXUTM
www.oldies.com/product-view/28703O.html