By 1986, Alcatrazz were on a downward curve. The previous years ‘Disturbing The Peace’ was a decent affair. Great songs, Vai’s guitar playing giving the album that razzle dazzle, so, what’s the verdict with ‘Dangerous Games’? Well, it’s more AOR that veers on the side of safety rather than anything daring.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Alcatrazz
ALBUM: Dangerous Games
LABEL: Capitol
SERIAL: ST 12477
YEAR: 1986
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Graham Bonnet – lead vocals * Danny Johnson – guitars * Gary Shea – bass * Jimmy Waldo – keyboards * Jan Uvena – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 It’s My Life * 02 Undercover * 03 That Ain’t Nothin’ * 04 No Imagination * 05 Ohayo Tokyo * 06 Dangerous Games * 07 Blue Boar * 08 Only One Woman * 09 The Witchwood * 10 Double Man * 11 Night Of The Shooting Star
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
A band with a reasonable 80’s history. A supergroup of sorts, with two high profile guitarists among their ranks at different times (Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai). By 1986, Alcatrazz were on a downward curve. The previous years ‘Disturbing The Peace’ was a decent affair. Great songs, Vai’s guitar playing giving the album that razzle dazzle.
Unfortunately, he departed for the David Lee Roth Band, his replacement Danny Johnson an understated player, who was previously with Axis and who would eventually join Private Life. So, what’s the verdict with ‘Dangerous Games’? Well, it’s more AOR that veers on the side of safety rather than anything daring.
The Songs
The material on the album is less memorable than what we’ve heard before from Alcatrazz, and despite Bonnet sounding as good as ever, the songs don’t quite catch on. Still, there are a handful of useful songs, but your mileage may vary. I quite liked the pulsing AOR of ‘Undercover’ and the title track ‘Dangerous Games’, while ‘That Ain’t Nothin’ reminded me a bit of Kansas‘s ‘Secret Service’ from their ‘Power’ album.
There’s a cover of The Marbles ‘Only One Woman’. A good version for sure, but Alien‘s version two years later was better. I didn’t really like The Animals cover ‘It’s My Life’, but I’m sure there was a reason why it was covered, and why they opened the album with it.
In Summary
This would be the end of the road for 80’s era Alcatrazz, as they split up the following year in 1987. They would reform many years later, with Bonnet and guitarist Howie Simon (Jeff Scott Soto Band, Talisman) leading the band into the new century. Though the new line-up has not released any new music, only performing live on selected tours and U.S dates.
Alcatrazz on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
