3rd Matinee brings together two musicians with a similar approach to writing and arranging music, everything blending quite seamlessly, on the whole it’s a fusion of art rock, west coast and electric pop.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: 3rd Matinee
ALBUM: Meanwhile
LABEL: Reprise
SERIAL: 9-45396-2
YEAR: 1994
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Pat Leonard – keyboards, backing vocals, production * Richard Page – lead and backing vocals, guitar, drums, co-production
Additional Musicians: Guy Pratt – bass * James Harrah – guitars * Brian MacLeod – drums * Steve Porcaro – synthesiser (#4) * Luis Conte – percussion, drum programming * Marc Bonilla – guitar (#5) * Bonnie Colauita – drum programming (#9) * Dorian Holley, Jerry Jordan, Julie Delgado, Valerie Pinkston-Mayo, Nick Laird-Clowes – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 I Don’t Care * 02 Freedom Road * 03 Holiday For Sweet Louise * 04 She Dreams * 05 Ordinary Day * 06 Family Tree * 07 Echo Hill * 08 All The Way Home * 09 Silver Cage * 10 Trust Somebody * 11 Meanwhile
Background
Both men associated with this project are well known in the American studio scene as well as their most prior bands: Leonard with Toy Matinee, Page with Mr Mister. Leonard made his fortune as the musical brain behind Madonna, and was also part of the Chicago based pomp band Trillion long before that, an outfit that needs no introduction here at GDM.
His more recent project was from 1990 with Toy Matinee, where he teamed up with the late Kevin Gilbert, for what was an art-rock oriented record. Page on the other hand was part of the successful venture that was Mr Mister, but by the end of the 80’s, that band had run its course after a successful 1985 year with ‘Welcome To The Real World’ and two hit singles.
3rd Matinee brings together two musicians with a similar approach to writing and arranging music, everything blending quite seamlessly, on the whole it’s a fusion of art rock, west coast and electric pop.
The Songs
The album is distinctly different, perhaps more so from Richard Page’s perspective, as it weaves a course between styles. I’m hearing artists such as Mark Spiro before he embraced the late 90’s AOR style, a bit of Venice and perhaps a touch of Billy Sherwood‘s solo material but without the heavy leaning toward prog. My highlights include the mainly acoustic affair ‘Freedom Road’, the sweet shuffle of ‘She Dreams’, the bubbly ‘Echo Hill’ and the rather lovely ‘All The Way Home’.
In Summary
I recall buying this CD back in the day and remarking how unusual the cover art was. Even many years on, I still give it a sideways glance. The album didn’t shift great numbers, no surprise really given the music industry mood of the day.
Brave of Reprise Records to release this in any case, as the songs here are understated, melodic and drift along without too much electric propulsion. Both Pat and Richard are still active in the industry, Pat involved with new age music while Richard continues to ply away at his stock/trade, being West coast and modern pop rock.
3rd Matinee on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
