Category: Melodic Rock | AOR

Album-oriented rock (abbreviated AOR) is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists. AOR evolved from progressive rock radio in the mid-1970s, using research and formal programming to create an album rock format with greater commercial appeal.

JIMMY BARNES – Freight Train Heart [Remastered from the Master Tapes ] (2017), MP3+FLAC


As requested, here’s in exclusive at the only remastered from the original tapes release of Australian singer JIMMY BARNES classic album 1987’s “Freight Train Heart“.

This is a terrific ’80s production where most of the tracks were written by Barnes and Journey’s talented ivory man Jonathan Cain, who also co-produced the album. But there’s more top contributions, such as the AOR tune “Waitin’ for the Heartache” co-penned by Desmond Child, and “Walk On”, co-written by Child and the mighty Joe Lynn Turner – all these produced by Desmond himself.
Additionally, session musicians are the top of the cream, including Neal Schon on lead & rhytm guitars, bass master Randy Jackson, Cain itself on keyboards, piano and vocals, David Glen Eisley, Dave Amato, Huey Lewis, and many more.

“Seven Days” was a Ronnie Wood track originally written for him by Bob Dylan, re-worked here with a melodic rock approach and that unrepeatable ’80s feel. This was the last song recorded for the album, and features INXS drummer Jon Farriss, bassist Chris Bailey and Rick Brewster from The Angels.

Brewster, Johnny Diesel, Peter Kekell and The Angels’ Jim Hilbun were all hired after Barnes returned with the uncompleted master tapes from the initial recording sessions at the Power Station in New York City.

The album was completed at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney with legend Mike Stone co-producing.
Interestingly, the album spawned Jimmy’s only-ever Top-40 single, the aforementioned ‘Too Much Ain’t Enough Love’, but while this is a very good track, the ‘inside tracks’ are the real meldic rock gems of this uber polished, slick collection of songs.

“Freight Train Heart” has been awesomely remastered by Don Bartley who undertook an exhaustive analogue process including the use of 1/2″ tape to keep dynamics and clarity intact, maintain the punch of the original mixes and create some natural harmonics while still allowing for competitive levels.
We love this album.
Highly Recommended

01 – Driving Wheels
02 – Seven Days
03 – Too Much Ain’t Enough Love
04 – Do Or Die
05 – Waitin’ For The Heartache
06 – Last Frontier
07 – I Wanna Get Started With You
08 – I’m Still On Your Side
09 – Lessons In Love
10 – Walk On

Vocals – Jimmy Barnes
Guitar – Neal Schon, Johnny Diesel, Rick Brewster, John McCurry
Bass – Randy Jackson, Chris Bailey, Jim Hilbun, Seth Glassman
Drums – Tony Brock, Jon Farriss, Jerry Marotta
Keyboards – Jonathan Cain, Peter Kekell, Gregg Mangiafico
Synthesizer – Chuck Kentis
Zither – Ian Moss
Harmonica – Huey Lewis
Steel guitar – David Lindley
Backing vocals – Joe Lynn Turner, Huey Lewis, David Glen Eisley, Johnny Diesel, Dave Amato, Lynette Stephens, Jim Hilbun, Walter Hawkins, Shawn Murphy, Venetta Fields, Wendy Matthews

turbo FLAC

HQ | Melodic Rock | AOR
Posted on February 25, 2025 by admin

Sacred Season – Sacred Season / No Man’s Land 2025 (Pride & Joy Music Classixx Vol. 15-16)


Hailing from Kiel, Germany SACRED SEASON have released the two Melodic Rock gems “Sacred Season” (1991) and “No Man’s Land” (1998). These two 2 CD’s are collector’s items these days and were hard to get. As Vol. 1-14 before, Pride & Joy Music Classixx releases usually are available via shop.prideandjoy.de only and ltd. to 500 copies each. Both albums were re-mastered and include an expanded booklet with liner notes. “No Man’s Land” comes with 2 bonus tracks.

Melodic Rock | AOR
Posted on February 24, 2025 by admin