The well loved AOR band Boulevard (aka BLVD) are perhaps the most unluckiest Canadian band never to strike it big. They had the talent, skills and the material to go all the way.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Boulevard
ALBUM: BLVD
LABEL: MCA
SERIAL: MCAD-42111
YEAR: 1988
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: David Forbes – vocals * Randy Gould – guitars * Andrew Johns – keyboards, vocals * Mark Holden – saxophone * Randy Burgess – bass * Jerry Adolphe drums
Additional Musicians: Matt Frenette – percussion * Marc LaFrance, Brett Wade – backing vocals * Dave Pickell – keyboards * Doug Edwards * Dennis Marcenko * Rene Worst
TRACK LISTING: 01 Dream On * 02 Far From Over * 03 Western Skies * 04 Never Give Up * 05 In The Twilight * 06 When The Lights Go Down * 07 Under The Moonlight * 08 You And I * 09 Missing Persons * 10 You’re For Me
Background
The well loved AOR band Boulevard (aka BLVD) are perhaps the most unluckiest Canadian band never to strike it big. They had the talent, skills and the material to go all the way.
We go all the way back to 1983 when the initial founding of this band commenced. Based around the recording/music engineering skills of Mark Holden, he teamed up with an American singer from Seattle David Forbes, plus lead guitarist Randy Gould.
At the time, the band were based in Calgary Alberta, and managed to swing several of their own tunes in the studio where Holden worked.
In 1985 however, the band relocated to Vancouver, and hooked up with a management team which included Bryan Adams manager Bruce Allen. Two years later they signed on with the MCA label.
The debut album was produced by Pierre Bazinet, better known for his work with Sass Jordan, but it also had input from famed big-name producer Humberto Gatica, Bob Rock and Thom Trumbo.
The Songs
The resultant 10 track collection an understated masterpiece of smooth AOR/melodic rock.. that’s obvious to all those who have heard it. A rip-through the songs sees a handful which stand head and shoulders above the dross of 1988 (actually 1988 was a good year!!).
Kicking off with the punchy and racy ‘Dream On’ and following on with the keyboard luciousness of ‘Far From Over’, we’re on to a good thing after two songs.
It doesn’t end there: ‘Never Give Up’, and ‘Under The Moonlight’ are for me the album’s highlights, followed closely by the David Roberts/Mark Baker penned ‘In The Twilight’ and the harder rockin’ ‘Missing Persons’, a choice track indeed, with Forbes doing his best Jon Anderson (Yes) impersonation on the chorus!
In Summary
Interest in the band soon gathered momentum, culminating in stints with Glass Tiger and Boston throughout Canada.
Of course, AORsters will know of their sophomore album ‘Into The Streets’ which was released two years later (review elsewhere, click tag below), with more of a guitar edge, but still very melodic.
The band folded shortly after, which was a shame, but reformed two decades later for another run.
Boulevard on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
