STEVE LUKATHER – Candyman [Music On CD reissue 2020] *EXCLUSIVE*

Long time out of print, ”Candyman” is STEVE LUKATHER‘s second solo album from 1994, now reissued by Music On CD with a fantastic sound quality. The recording is a collaboration of musicians who were mostly also in Lukather’s bands Los Lobotomys and TOTO, including drummer Simon Phillips and keyboardist David Paich.
Most of the album was co-written between Lukather and THE TUBES’ unique Fee Waybill and / or keyboard player David Garfield. One song is a Jimi Hendrix cover called ‘Freedom’ and is sung with FREE and BAD COMPANY front-man Paul Rodgers.

What can we say about Steve Lukather. The man simply is one of the greatest musicians in contemporary rock music and beyond.
This second solo album was released in Japan and the USA as ‘Steve Lukather & Los Lobotomys’ (as ‘Steve Lukather’ only in Europe) because many of the musicians performed with him under that name.

According to himself, “this album was recorded 90% live, solos and all, with the exception of the vocals being overdubbed or an occasional keyboard part or guitar, percussion etc. This was definitely a group effort with everyone putting their input and ideas into the songs.
For those that have heard about the band Los Lobotomys, this is pretty much it, intact. My thanks and love to all the musicians and writers on the record”.

Of course, in the case of Lukather, recorded 90% live means perfection, live into the studio but sounding like a perfect multi-track recording.
”Candyman” branches into lots of directions, borrowing from blues, progressive and AOR. Luke’s playing is smooth and intricate, the songs are beautiful, and the performance of all involved top class.

There’s something for everyone here, from the great AOR finesse of ‘Never Let Them See You Cry’, the pure TOTO sound of ‘Extinction Blues’ to the progressive ‘Party In Simon’s Pants’, a monster drum and guitar fest, pure fusion.
Paul Rodgers shine on the Hendrix cover while Lukather kills, and the guitar tone on the rocker ‘The Bomber’ is simply out of this world.
The album’s closer is inspired by Jeff Beck, simply called “Song For Jeff”, pure brilliant with it’s over seven minutes of length.

“Candyman” was out of print for many years – although a limited 5.1 version appeared some time ago – so this is a really welcome Music On CD Records reissue. The sound quality is crystal clear, much more vibrant than the original press.
Awesome stuff.

01 – Hero With A 1,000 Eyes
02 – Freedom
03 – Extinction Blues
04 – Born Yesterday
05 – Never Walk Alone
06 – Party In Simon’s Pants
07 – Borrowed Time
08 – Never Let Them See You Cry
09 – Froth
10 – The Bomber
11 – Song For Jeff

Steve Lukather – lead and background vocals, guitar
Simon Phillips – drums
David Garfield – keyboards
John Pêna – bass guitar
Chris Trujillo, Lenny Castro – percussion
Paul Rodgers – lead vocals (track 2)
David Paich – Hammond organ (track 5)
Fee Waybill – background vocals
Richard Page – background vocals

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www.amazon.de/Steve-Lukather-Candyman/dp/B085DRJF3Y