LISA HARTMAN – ‘Til My Heart Stops ’87 [Wounded Bird Records reissue] HQ *Exclusive*

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“Til My Heart Stops” by LISA HARTMAN is one of the best (if not the Best) produced records in 1988 speaking about female fronted AOR. Call it rock&pop, lite AOR, melodic synth rock, but definitively this is ’80s AOR flavored, really modern production-wise, and still sounds superb today.
This is only reissue available by Wounded Bird Records, now out of print, a used copy being sold at eBay for $168 right now.
The distinctive and good thing about this album are the upfront guitars in the mix handled by masters Michael Landau, Trevor Rabin, and Waddy Wachtel. And of course, Lisa’s smooth vocals that reminds of Patty Smyth (Scandal). We can hear similarities to Robin Beck as well, Liza Nemzo and why not, Heart.
Brilliantly produced by not other than expert Bill Wray, ” ’Til My Heart Stops” also has a punchy and crisp sound.

The opening keyboard lines of the first track “Tempt Me (If You Want To)” are to die for. This is pure Eighties. You only can get a song like this on an album recorded in that era. The guitars (courtesy of master Michael Landau) are from outer space. Also the killer chorus and powerful vocal delivery by Lisa.
“I Don’t Need Love” is a terrific commercial midtempo followed by the radiable “Ooh, I’m Satisfied”. Then another gem; “I Can’t Get You Out Of My System” with its increscendo magical AOR vibe with extra-compressed drums.
Quirky keyboards ornament the melody of “Tender Kiss”, a track with a monster rhythm guitar work and one of the most seasoned performaces by Hartman.

“The Dress” is another winner: a charming soft melodic rocker penned by cult AORster James House.
“How Many Rivers” is slow and climatic. Here Lisa sounds like Luba, that’s not a surprise because this song is written by her together with Bill Wray. I love the bridge before the short guitar solo.
“Imagination” is the only track that sounds pretty retro, circa 1983. Synth bass and programmed drums on a ‘Flashdance’ style tune. Then title track “‘Til My Heart Stops Beating” is ‘one of those’ ballads. Really good vocals and arrangements ready for FM stations.

“Til My Heart Stops” is a pretty unknown album for many AOR fans perhaps due Hartman’s pop origins. It’s full of great tunes, strong vocals and superb musicianship (check personnel below). It’s a perfect product of its time.
This is unfortunately Lisa Hartman last recording before she got married and decided to quit the business. But what a great one it is regarding ’80s rock&pop.
Highly Recommended

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01 – Tempt Me (If You Want To)
02 – I Don’t Need Love
03 – Ooh, I’m Satisfied
04 – I Can’t Get You Out Of My System
05 – Tender Kiss
06 – The Dress
07 – How Many Rivers?
08 – Imagination
09 – ‘Til My Heart Stops Beating

Lisa Hartman – Lead & Background Vocals
Michael Landau – Guitar (1-4, 6, 8, 9)
Trevor Rabin – Acoustic Guitar Solo (2)
Waddy Wachtel – Guitar (6, 7); Guitar Solo (6)
Larry Klein – Bass, Keyboards, Fairlight
Phil Brown – Bass, Guitar, Background Vocals
Steve Goldstein – Linn Programming, Keyboards, Bass
Mick Guzauski, Manu Katche – Percussion
Craig Krampf – Drums
Kevin Raleigh – Background Vocals (4)
Timothy B. Schmidt – Background Vocals (8)
Bill Wray – Producer, Background vocals (5, 7)

Out of print
amazon.com/Til-Heart-Stops-Lisa-Hartman/dp/B001G2S4A4