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Ready or Not is the solo debut studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Lou Gramm, released on January 29, 1987, through Atlantic.
Eight of the ten songs, which comprise Ready or Not, were written by Gramm in partnership with former Black Sheep bandmate Bruce Turgon.
The album was recorded in November 1986 at Bear Tracks Recording in Suffern, New York and The Hit Factory Recording in New York City.
It was produced by Gramm and Pat Moran, who is known as an engineer on recordings by such performers as Rush and Robert Plant.
All tracks are written by Lou Gramm and Bruce Turgon, except "She's Got to Know" and "Lover Come Back" written by Gramm.
It came at a precarious time for Foreigner, despite coming off the success of 1985's Agent Provocateur and the band's first number one single, "I Want to Know What Love Is."
Ready or Not is rich with melody and snap, but its sound does vary just enough from Foreigner that Gramm can't really be accused of stealing from himself.
The production by Gramm and Pat Moran definitely has that bright 1980s style.
Gramm's main sidemen include guitarist Nils Lofgren, keyboardist Philip Ashley, bassist/guitarist/keyboardist Bruce Turgon, and drummer Ben Gramm.
Side one absolutely sizzles. "Ready or Not" is a strong, hard-rocking leadoff track and it was a minor hit single.
The melodic, lyrical, and vocal hooks on "Heartache" are massive and Lofgren's guitar solo adds an edgy bite.
The Top Five hit "Midnight Blue" is a terrific pop/rock song; despite its hit status, it's one of the decade's truly underappreciated singles. Lofgren's rolling, effective guitar riffing and a captivating chorus make "Time" one of the best cuts.
Foreigner helped create and master the rock power ballad, and Gramm utilizes that gift on the dark, ethereal "If I Don't Have You."
Side two is generally a letdown considering the high quality of the first half. Fortunately, there are two exceptions, "Arrow Thru Your Heart" and "Until I Make You Mine."
The commercial and artistic success of Ready or Not was a turning point for Gramm.
Foreigner issued the lackluster Inside Information late in 1987, and Gramm followed that troubled project with a second moderately successful solo album, Long Hard Look, in 1989 and then left the band for a few years before returning.
Side one
1. Ready Or Not - 3:25
2. Heartache - 4:26
3. Midnight Blue - 3:45
4. Time - 3:23
5. If I Don’t Have You - 4:38
Side two
1. She’s Got To Know - 3:59
2. Arrow Thru Your Heart - 3:46
3. Until I Make You Mine - 3:29
4. Chain Of Love - 3:58
5. Lover Come Back - 5:20
Personnel
- Lou Gramm – vocals, percussion
- Philip Ashley – keyboards, programming
- Bruce Turgon – bass guitar, rhythm guitar (track 2), lead guitar (track 10)
- Nils Lofgren – lead guitar
- Ben Gramm – drums
Additional musicians
- Richard Grammatico – lead guitar (on “If I Don’t Have You”), additional guitar (on “Time”)
- Don Mancuso – additional guitar (on “Chain of Love”)
- Eddie Martinez – additional guitar (tracks 1, 2 and “Chain of Love”)
- Stanley Sheldon – bass guitar (track 2 and “If I Don’t Have You”)
- Mark Rivera – soprano saxophone (track 10), tenor saxophone, backing vocals
- Crispin Cioe – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
- Ben Grammatico Sr. – lead trumpet
- Ben Grammatico Jr. – trumpet
- Sherryl Marshall – backing vocals
- Cookie Watkins – backing vocals
Production
- Lou Gramm – producer
- Pat Moran – producer, engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
- Timothy White – cover photography
- Bob Defrin – art direction, design
Notes
Release: 1987
Format: LP, Vinyl
Genre: Rock
Label: Atlantic
Catalog# 781728-1
Vinyl: Goed (Excellent)
Cover: Lichte Gebruikerssporen (VG)
Prijs: €7,00
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