Hidden Treasures - Obscure Debuts

[Scott]

A few weeks back we were discussing some great debut albums. I'm sure every band hopes to hit it big with their first try but some don't even though the music may be worthy. But this week were championing the little guys, the bands that were onto somethign but just couldnt get that break... This week I'm looking at some debut albums that were relatively obscure.

What are some debuts albums can you think of that went nowhere, except into your collection?

PLAYLIST --> http://www.podsnack.com/CA69EFD9E8C/av1jempc

	Airborne Airborne 1979 1 - Soldier of Fortune They were an amazingly proficient band crafting some of the best melodic rock that had ever been crafted yet somehow their fate was sealed when record company politics reared its ugly head. Featuring future producer Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger, Warrant), and signed to Columbia Records, this highly gifted five piece band recorded the debut album under the superior production guidance of Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Rick Springfield, Sammy Hagar), in Los Angeles and London (AIR studios) resulting in one of the era’s most compelling and streamlined records. Comparable with the best work of Styx, Touch and Foreigner the accent was on lovingly constructed songs underpinned with meaty guitar riffs and exquisitely crafted vocals, layered to perfection. The album attracted a slew of favourable reviews but just when things were looking to take off, including a proposed tour with the Cars, the President of Columbia Records jumped ship leaving the band high and dry with the new regime deeming Airborne as yesterday’s news.
	Touch Touch I 1980 2 - Don't You Know What Love Is Produced by renowned English producer Tim Friese Greene, the Touch album caused a sensation amongst fans of the genre being hailed as in instant classic and a record that would go on to become a touchstone for AOR in general. Sadly, unlike their contemporaries, Touch never received the commercial acclaim that their music undoubtedly deserved. Despite this, however, the Touch legacy continues to endure to this very day.
	Doc Holliday Doc Holliday 1981 3 - Magic Midnight The glorious Sunshine State of Georgia had been a fertile breeding ground for home grown Southern Rock, nurturing, amongst others, the Allman Brothers Band, Grinderswitch and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Doc Holliday, although not universally as well known as those big selling, stubble sporting whiskey soaked troubadours, were an important and highly valued addition to that linage of respected and revered musicians. Developing a reputation as one of the hottest acts on what was affectionately termed the chittlin’ club circuit Doc Holliday - or Roundhouse as they were then known - eventually captured the ears of various power players in the record business. Wined and dined by cigar chomping executives at A&M Records they were eventually signed to a major contract in 1980. So why didnt thee catch on? I have no idea...

[Gordon Williams]

Not familiar with any of these songs or bands, but all 3 were enjoyable to hear.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm also not familiar with these three bands:

Airborne - This is a very cool song.  I instantly get a Styx vibe.  So much so that now I wanna listen to some Styx.  The vocals are really good and it's a well written song.

Touch - More very nice vocals.  And a cool guitar solo.  I am surprised this wasn't more of a hit. Sounds like it would have fit in very well with what I was listening to in 1980.

Doc Holliday - I live in Georgia.  Have all my life.  Why am I not familiar with this band.  This is just another super cool song.  I love the guitar, especially it's vibe or tone.  Very southern rockish.  Must investigate further.

Song Ranking:

Magic Midnight

Don't You Know What Love Is

Soldier Of Fortune

All of these are really close though, three very good songs.

[Scott]

Been sitting on this Airborne for awhile trying to figure out how to work it into playlist, so I'm glad you enjoyed them.

[Jon]

This may or may not be an interesting listen. Kinda like this.

[Jon]

I get a Boston mixed with Kansas vibe with Airborne. Pretty good stuff. Might be as good as this. 

The Touch song is kind of generic, unlike this.  Starting around 2:40 it sounds like it's two songs overlapping, unlike anything here. It's a little bit distracting, at least to me. 

 This really doesn't sound like Southern Rock and neither does Doc Holliday, but I guess it's more Southern Rock then, say, this. Maybe it's the gruff voice, but the geetars™ sound more AOR than suvern. A bit of an Axe feeling, but lighter Axe. No, not the body spray. The album cover doesn't fit this song, unlike the album cover here which seems to fit that album quite well. 

I think I will check out that Airborne album as well as their followup. Nice post, but is it as good as this one?