I think it would be easy for me to declare this Beckett solo album as one of the best albums of 1991, and that’s lined up against some wonderful efforts released in that year.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Beckett
ALBUM: Beckett
LABEL: Curb
SERIAL: D2-77502
YEAR: 1991
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Peter Beckett – vocals, guitars * Dann Huff, Danny Johnson, Doug Macaskill, Dave Amato, Michael Thompson, Joey Cathcart – guitars * Wayne Nelson, Dennis Belfield, Donny Nossov – bass * John Lewis Parker, Dennis Lambert, Pam Reswick, Mark T Ross, Michael Lloyd, John Capek – keyboards * Chris Frazier, Craig Neil – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 I Told You So * 02 My Religion * 03 Brother Louie * 04 Hangin’ By A Thread * 05 The Big Hurt * 06 How Can The Girl Refuse * 07 Not A Day Goes By * 08 The Bottom Line * 09 Still Of The Night * 10 Falling From Grace
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Beckett Background
I think it would be easy for me to declare this Beckett solo album as one of the best albums of 1991. And that’s lined up against some wonderful efforts released during that year.
For those who will remember Peter Beckett’s prior moments, they were a mix of excellent versus mediocre. The former with Think Out Loud and his work with Player, while the latter was with 70’s curios Skyband.
As you can tell by the assembled cast, this lot ooze class, and that’s how the entire album comes across. I’d be hard pressed to find a dud moment here. Curb can thank their lucky stars that they have a genuine hard rock album on their roster.
Also, for those thinking this was an extension of his material with Player, not quite so.
The Songs
There’s some LRB influence here, with Wayne Nelson appearing throughout. While the Aussie connection is extended with the airing of Rick Price‘s ‘Not A Day Goes By’. Whilst ‘The Bottom Line’ is a Derek Pellicci (LRB drummer) co-write.
Overall, there are so many memorable moments. From the Dann Huff fuelled opener ‘I Told You So’ right through to the soaring ending of ‘Falling From Grace’.
And in between, we get glorious slices of AOR. Such as ‘Hangin’ By A Thread’, ‘My Religion’, ‘Still Of The Night’. Plus of course the aforementioned pair of ‘Not A Day Goes By’ and the sublime ‘The Bottom Line’. Check that one out for it’s chorus and harmony vocals.
We even get a new take on the old Hot Chocolate and Stories favourite ‘Brother Louie’. The Dann Huff solo is one out of the book.
In Summary
Beckett has yet to do any more solo efforts, though he did play on the 1997 Think Out Loud project for MTM Music called ‘Shelf Life’.
Peter teamed up alongside Steve Kipner, which was another dose of infectious West Coast flavoured AOR. But for this album, you’d be recommended to check this out if quality AOR is your bag.
Beckett on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
