Well known ex pat Australian duo Air Supply have made a career out of playing soft pop-rock over the decades.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Air Supply
ALBUM: The Vanishing Race
LABEL: Giant
SERIAL: 9 24494-2
YEAR: 1993
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia, USA
LINEUP: Russell Hitchcock – vocals * Graeme Russell – vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 It’s Never Too Late * 02 Faith * 03 Kiss Me Like You Mean It * 04 Evidence Of Love * 05 Goodbye * 06 The Vanishing Race * 07 Don’t Tell Me * 08 Too Sentimental * 09 I Remember Love * 10 I’ll Be Thinking Of You
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Well known ex pat Australian duo Air Supply have made a career out of playing soft pop-rock over the decades. Based in the USA for many years now, and blessed with one of the best vocalists out there in Russell Hitchcock. Honestly, this guy could read the words to an insurance advertisement on radio/tv and make it sound interesting!
From their initial days through to about 1985, Air Supply’s style was harmless pop-rock which spawned many hit singles. They changed labels to Arista, then progressed onto the Giant label, which saw them release a brace of great softer-tinged AOR albums, and on this one ‘The Vanishing Race’ we have a studio lineup to burn.
Some of the World Trade brigade are here, namely Guy Allison, Mark Williams, and Billy Sherwood. Alongside them, are studio giants Michael Thompson, Tim Pierce, Mike Baird, Lee Sklar, and Vinnie Colaiuta.. to name but a few. The album is an indirect tribute to the plight of the North American Indians, but mostly it’s a collection of luscious ballads and softer efforts, where Humberto Gatica’s production teases out all the nuances that Russell and Graeme can provide.
The Songs
What a way to start with the AOR dramatics of ‘It’s Never Too Late’, featuring a brief but soaring solo from Michael Thompson. ‘Kiss Me Like You Mean It’ is a wonderfully bouncy song, just the sort of thing to perk you up for summer! ‘I Remember Love’ is a slower piece, with an awesomely smooth bass line from Neil Stubenhaus through the middle.
A couple of songs are atmospheric and moody, including the tearjerker ‘Goodbye’ and the inspirational title track ‘The Vanishing Race’. For trainspotters, the second track ‘Faith’ was written by Rick Hahn and American trombonist who has the same name as a certain member of GDM’s staff.
In Summary
‘The Vanishing Race’ is a very nice album to have around, great for late-night listening, dinner music even. Perhaps the pick of Air Supply’s AOR infused albums during the 80’s and 90’s, with ‘Earth Is..’ and their self titled effort from 1985 running it a close second.
Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
