JOHN SYKES – Loveland [Japan release] (1997), MP3+FLAC

As requested by many, here’s more music by the unique JOHN SYKES, this time with an album under his own name. While still fronting his own band SYKES, John released the solo CD “Loveland” in 1997.

The record was originally intended to be an EP of ballads commissioned by Mercury Records for the Japanese market, where John was immensely popular. As he was working on it, the musician suggested expanding the project into a full-length album as he still had more songs in the ballad-mode.
“Loveland” is wonderful album. Sure, fans of Sykes expected rocking music from him, but the 10 tracks here are all really good, varied, full of passion. And of course, we find a ton of the man’s impressive guitar sustain and incredible solos. The same year John released another SYKES album with the usual rocking tunes, so “Loveland” worked as a cool break.

‘Everything I Need’, ‘Till The Day I Die’, ‘Hold The Line’ are among the highlights, and of course ‘Don’t Hurt Me This Way’ (a re-recording of Sykes’ 1982 single ‘Please Don’t Leave Me’) featuring late Thin Lizzy bandmate Phil Lynott on lead vocals.
It’s not easy to hear an entire 10-track album of ballads in one sitting. JOHN SYKES made it possible, as “Loveland” simply will be holding you spellbound from start to finish.
Highly Recommended

John Sykes / ジョン・サイクス『LOVELAND』
国内盤 PHCR-1540【1385】

01 – Everything I Need
02 – Didn’t We Say
03 – Don’t Hurt Me This Way (Please Don’t Leave Me ’97) *
04 – Hold The Line
05 – Thank You For The Love
06 – Wuthering Heights
07 – Till The Day I Die
08 – Haunted
09 – I’ll Be Waiting
10 – Don’t Say Goodbye

* Phil Lynott lead vocals

John Sykes – vocals, guitar
Philip Lynott – vocals on 3
Alex Alessandroni – keyboards, piano
Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards, piano
Marco Mendoza – bass
Reggie Hamilton – bass
Tony Franklin – bass on 10
Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums, percussion
Curt Bisquera – drums
Tommy O’Steen – drums (on “Haunted”)
Jim Sitterly – 1st violin concert master
Kavan – cello

MP3 FLAC