ENGLISH STEEL – Start ‘Em Young [Japanese Edition version] *HQ*

Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter & producer Lea Hart was one of the essential musicians keeping the Melodic Hard Rock flame alive in UK during the Nineties, giving the opportunity to other peers such as Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden, Lionheart), Nigel Glockler (Saxon), Paul Di’Anno (ex Iron Maiden) and many others to keep working in the business, and recording several Various Artists albums metal / hard rock oriented, in a time with this type of music was out of fashion.
The ex- Fastway Lea Hart also put together ENGLISH STEEL, not quite a Various Artists album but definitely a various artists project / band, pulling together many talented high-profile British rock / metal artists to record what is pretty much classy Melodic Hard Rock songs co-written with the featured musicians.
Among the artists involved were Paul Di’Anno, Jackie Bodimead, Dennis Stratton (also playing guitar), Mick White (ex Samson), Doogie White (ex Rainbow), Gary Barden, Biff Byford, Steve Overland, Nicky Moore… and that’s just the singers. Add to ’em musicians Nigel Glocker (Saxon), Fast Eddie Clarke, Don Airey, Paul Samson, Toby Sadler (ex Air Race), Neil Murray, and many more.

Released 1991-1994 depending the country, the first ENGLISH STEEL album was titled ”Start ‘Em Young”, a funny title encouraging fans of the genre to play this music to their kids. The curious thing is that the cover art and the track list also changed with exclusive tracks on each.

This Japanese edition of “‘Start ‘Em Young” cover art is pretty politically incorrect with a kid hanging a whiskey bottle… well, it’s Lea Hart son.
Anyway, what matters is music and we find here 10 very good melodic hard rock songs, performed by talented musicians and well produced.
Highly Recommended

01 – She Won’t Rock (Paul DiAnno)
02 – Body Rock (Dennis Stratton)
03 – Each Night I Pray (Jackie Bodimead)
04 – Far Away (Lea Hart) +
05 – Stranger To Your Heart (Jackie Bodimead) +
06 – I’ll Be Miles Away (Dennis Stratton)
07 – One Love, One Heart (Jackie Bodimead)
08 – No Repair (Paul DiAnno)
09 – Dead Or Alive (Dennis Stratton)
10 – Lay It On The Line (Jackie Bodimead)

+ Exclusive to this Japanese Edition

Dennis Stratton (Ex Iron Maiden / Praying Mantis / Lionheart)
Jackie Bodimead (Ex Girlschool)
Lea Hart (Fastway)
Paul DiAnno (Ex Iron Maiden)
Nigel Glocker (Saxon)
Kim McAuliffe & Denise Dufort (Girlschool)
Fast Eddie Clarke (Ex Motorhead / Fastway)
Tim Nibbs Carter (Saxon)
Steve Clarke (Fastway)
Dave Senczak (Ex First Strike)
Don Airey (Ex Gary Moore / Whitesnake / Rainbow)
Paul Samson (Samson)
Gary Ferguson (Ex Gary Moore / Hughes Thrall)
Jem Davis (Praying Mantis)
Billy Kulke (Ex Jagged Edge / First Strike)
Toby Sadler (Ex Air Race / Samson)
Neil Murray (Ex Black Sabbath / Whitesnake)
Biff Byford (Saxon)
Mick White (Ex Samson / Fisrt Strike)
Charlie McKenzie (Ex Samson)

Out of print