This Helix album started life off as a Brian Vollmer solo album, and though the credits would indicate this was a band album, the reality was: it wasn’t.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Helix
ALBUM: It’s A Business Doing Pleasure
LABEL: Aquarius
SERIAL: Q2-570
YEAR: 1993
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP:
Actual Musicians: Brian Vollmer – vocals * Marc Ribler – backing guitars, backing vocals * Rob Laidlaw – bass * Brian Doerner – drums
Credits: Brent Doerner – guitars, backing vocals * Greg Fraser – guitars * Daryl Gray – bass, keyboards, backing vocals * Greg Hinz – percussion
Additional Musicians: Lee Aaron – lead vocals on ‘Look Me Straight In The Heart’ * Kim Mitchell – vocals ‘Sleepin’ The Dog House Again’ * Paula Hanke, Jaymz Bee, Molly Johnson, Paula Tessaro, Anthony Vandenburg, Doug Varty – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 That Day Is Gonna Come * 02 Tug ‘O’ War * 03 Wrong Side Of The Bed * 04 Can’t Even Afford To Die * 05 Misery Loves Company * 06 Look Me Straight In The Heart * 07 Trust The Feeling * 08 Love Is A Crazy Game * 09 Sleeping In The Doghouse Again * 10 Mad Mad World
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
As we all know, the early 90’s decade wasn’t a great time for melodic rock. Still, some acts continued on unabated, releasing albums as if it were still the 80’s, excess and all. Though I’m sure the reality of the situation was hitting home in other areas, like their wallets. Canadians Helix were one such example,
With their Capitol Records deal a thing of the past, the band signed to Capitol’s Canadian subsidiary: Aquarius, the home of fellow Canucks April Wine and former 70’s pop metallers Teaze. This Helix album started life off as a Brian Vollmer solo album, and though the credits would indicate this was a band album, the reality was: it wasn’t. Marc Ribler, Rob Laidlaw and Brian Doerner were the only musicians who actually played on the album.
The Songs
‘It’s A Business Doing Pleasure’ is not quite a rawk and rawl album typical of the Helix back-catalogue, but if you’re into that Canadian rural/prairie rock sound, then this should meet your requirement. The name Ray Lyell turns up in one of the songwriting credits (Love Is A Crazy Game’), and he is a good reference point musically for this album. Canadian country rock perhaps? Close, but not quite.
A couple of special guests were part of this recording. Lee Aaron sang on ‘Look Me Straight In The Heart’ and Kim Mitchell sang on ‘Sleepin’ In The Dog House Again’. The lead off single ‘That Day Is Gonna Come’ was a tribute to former guitarist Paul Hackman who was killed in a tragic road accident during July 1992.
In Summary
This CD should be easy to pick up on Ebay or other Canadian retailers, and wouldn’t look out of place in your CD collection. Helix still continue in some shape and form in the current-day (@2019), now signed to Perris Records with lots of releases on their label. Either check out the Planet Helix website or Perris Records for more information.
Video
That Day Is Gonna Come
Tug O War
Love Is A Crazy Game
