AVALON – Everyman A King +7 [Rock Candy Records remastered & reloaded] (2021)

Rock Candy Records specialists have just “remastered & reloaded” “Everyman A King“, the mini-LP released on 1982 by American AORsters AVALON. A rarity achieving cult status among fans of the genre & collectors, this first time on CD reissue includes no less than 7 bonus tracks.
“Everyman A King” was produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer and Pages / Jaco Pastorius producer Bobby Colomby, and features the talents of LA session players Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Porcaro and Jai Winding, in addition to band members Rick Neigher, Chris Cote and Mike Mirage.
This is pure AOR from the golden era.

According to band leader Rick Neigher, AVALON recorded a demo that got the attention of Colomby, who at the time was doing A&R for Capitol Records . Bobby saw them as a Pop/Rock/AOR version of his Westcoast band PAGES, which featured Richard Page, and went on to have hits as Mr. MISTER.
Bobby, being a drummer, did not like the band’s drummer Scott Norman playing, so he asked to meet a new discovery, Vinnie Colaiuta. “Vinnie was the most amazing phenomenon we had ever seen, and we used him on drums.” says Neigher.
Bobby also didn’t care for Avalon’s bass player Simon Teolis so he brought in Mike Porcaro – later of Toto. Needless to say, these replacements didn’t go over too big with Scott and Simon, so they quit.
Additionally, expertise musician and producer Jai Winding was part of the recording sessions, who helped with keyboards and arrangements.

Although “Everyman A King” marketing and promotion was low-key, the record caught the ears of dedicated melodic rock fans that soon realised this was an act with major potential and talent to spare. That the record didn’t trouble the charts or indeed many radio playlists is neither here nor there as its class and quality lodged it in the same league as music by Mr. MISTER, PLAYER, AMBROSIA, etc.
It is sharp, melodic and beautifully arranged, with all the accoutrements normally associated with big selling acts from an era where songs and melody ruled the world.

Proposed as a teaser for a full album which never materialised due to internal label politics, the project soon went cold and floundered. Containing four tracks of top class melodic rock / AOR, the EP has subsequently become something of a touch stone for AOR fanatics.
This Rock Candy reissue presents the original EP with seven bonus tracks (one live), all of which demonstrate what a sensational band they were.

“Everyman A King” is one of the best – and unknown – American AOR recordings from the early ’80s, and now finally all fans are able to enjoy it with a superb audio quality.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01 – Can’t Find A Way (To Say Goodbye)
02 – Deeper Than The Heart
03 – Crossfire
04 – The Writing On The Wall
05 – Living In The Golden Years [Bonus Track]
06 – River Of No Return [Bonus Track]
07 – Midnight Rendezvous [Bonus Track]
08 – Love’s The Only Word [Bonus Track]
09 – Spirits Of Love [Bonus Track]
10 – A Matter Of Time [Bonus Track]
11 – Dreamland (Live) [Bonus Track]

Rick Neigher: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Mike Mirage: Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Chris Coté: Keyboards, Vocals
Mike Porcaro: Bass
Jai Winding: Keyboards
Vinnie Colaiuta: Drums

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www.amazon.co.uk/Everyman-King-Avalon/dp/B08ZKJ99P9