Lost/Forgotten Album #1(9)82

[Jon]

Back on track with Scott and his run thru the 80's after last (and next) week's detour with "Juggernaut", the 1982 release from Frank Marino.  

This is an album that I did not own back in the 80's. However, I do remember hearing one of the songs off this album, "Strange Dreams", either on the radio and/or off the mid-80's comp album shown below (and yes, it's the same album that has a song from Michael Bolton).

I played this comp album quite a bit because it had some great tunes on it, featuring artists like Blue Oyster Cult, The Joe Perry Project, Fastway, Judas Priest and more. It's so awesome that when I found a copy of it a few years ago, I just had to get it.

Within the last few months, I kept hearing "Strange Dreams" while listening to some internet radio stations. Everytime I heard the song, it kinda brought back memories of SOMETHING, and each time I heard the song I had to find out who the artist was. I kept forgetting, probably due to my advanced age. 

Finally I broke down and wrote down "Frank Marino" and then hunted down the album featuring that song. The rest is history, I guess, since I bought the album as well as his first solo album. 

Who is Frank Marino? Canadians know! For those that don't know, let's borrow from allmusic.com:

"Frank Marino was born in Canada in 1954. He began playing guitar at the age of 13 after having played drums for three years. Very soon after changing instruments, Marino had formed his band Mahogany Rush. By 1971, three years later, the group had developed quite a following. At the age of 17, his first album, MAXOOM, was released and the group quickly started generating a larger and larger following and more albums."

Here's some more from allmusic.com:

"The band became known as Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush after 1980's What's Next, then simply Frank Marino after Jim Ayoub left."

Confusing to me. 

I did pick up the 2001 release from Frank Marino And Mahogany Rush, "Eye Of The Storm", many years ago and, until recently, that was the only album by Frank or Mahogany or Frank & Mahogany that I owned. That has changed since "Strange Dreams" started me on my quest of Frank and Mahogany.

After listening to this and if you've never heard anything from Frank Marino and/or Mahogany Rush, you'll join me on my quest. Even if you remember but need to revisit, you'll also join up. This reminds me of my Wishbone Ash kick from a few years ago, and what an awesome quest that was!

For first time listeners, try and figure out what's missing from "Strange Dreams". As for the rest of the album, it's full of great geetar and that title track is absolutely killer.

Enjoy!

Juggernaut

1. Strange Dreams
2. Midnight Highway
3. Stories Os A Hero
4. Free
5. Maybe Its Time
6. Ditch Queen
7. For Your Love
8. Juggernaut

Availability: Sure, you can get the single import CD for around $36 or the double CD featuring this album as well as "The Power Of Rock And Roll" for around $18. Your call. 

[RJhog (Admin)]

Jon, what is wrong with you?  Do you have a fever?  'Cause you are posting some very nice albums so far this year.  This is another one.  

The beginning of that first song immediately made me think of Eminence Front.  It may be the best song on the album, but For Your Love is pretty close.  And Stories Of A Hero is a nice ballad.

Great guitar work and a fine listening experience.  Forty-five minutes in length, which is perfect.  And I'm not at all familiar with Marino.

[Jon]

I only believe in posting excellence!

[RJhog (Admin)]

That must be something new...

[Jon]

[Scott]

Jons got a fever? 

[Scott]

Frank Marino sounded familiar, Mahogany Rush very familiar but that's where the familiarity ends.  These tunes don't ring any bells...

Strange Dream did have a bit of Eminence Front in the keyboard loops, but they were minimal.  The song on the other hand wasn't too bad!  Very melodic too, which is a big plus for me...  His vocals are "eh" but the geetar work makes it easy to get past that.

Really dug Stories of a Hero (Or is it Stories Os a Hero, but who's cares about nitpickin'?)...  Far better than Strange Dreams!  The next to tracks kind of fell off for me though. But the sound of the geetar on Ditch Queen made me listen closer and I'm glad I did, whoa and hail to the geetar player!  Dang...  Gordon's going to freak out when here hears this one...

For Your Love is smoking good, love that geetar tone, real bluesy.

Juggernaut, was a not a strong closer, but 5/8 is pretty good, and those 5 are freaky good!!

You got a fever allright!  Keep it up!

[Jon]

So what you guys are saying is that The Who stole from Frank Marino??!!

But that's not all. There's no geetar solo in that first track. Listen to it again!

[Scott]

sorry, the geetar work I was referring wasn't just for Strange Dreams...  I did listen!  So there!

[Jon]

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay, that one's pretty funny.

[Jon]

It has nothing to do with Scott's post but i just stumbled across it and wanted to share!

[Gordon Williams]

So last week, when I said that I could n't handle a bunch of sappy keyboards just to hear a little guitar (Toto), Jon let me know that this week's post would make me happy. So I've been wondering what he would come up with.

Alas, I've had this release about a year now. I actually purchased the "double disc" release that includes "The Power Of Rock N Roll". I heard the title track for "Power" on an internet radio station, and liked it so much, that I began searching for THAT disc. And I found the double release for a decent price, so I ordered it.

Well, let me say that both "Power" and "Juggernaut" have been on heavy rotation since I got them. "Power" is heavier, with even more guitar work, if you can believe that. But "Juggernaut" has more diversity, and is a great listen for me, as well.

Whenever I play this, I play both discs before it gets re-stored until the next listen. And even though I listen to this a lot, I'll certainly enjoy hearing "Juggernaut" while at work! Great pick Jon!