One of my favourite bands during the late 80’s were Lion. However, their debut ‘Power Love’ would be released for Japanese audiences only.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Lion
ALBUM: Power Love
LABEL: SMS/FEMS Japan
SERIAL: MP32-5122
YEAR: 1986
CD INFO: Discogs Info List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Kal Swan – vocals * Doug Aldrich – guitars * Jerry Best – bass * Mark Edwards – drums
Additional Musicians: Guy Steiner, Kevin Riddles – keyboards * Kevin Riddles, Duane Baron, Victoria Cross, Warren Entner, Tommy Orlando – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Power Love * 02 Stranger In The City * 03 Victim Of Circumstance * 04 Hungry For Love * 05 Love Is A Lie * 06 Forgotten Sons
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Lion Background
One of my favourite bands during the late 80’s were Lion, if just for the excellent ‘Dangerous Attraction’ LP.
Looking back on this band, it had its origins in Los Angeles. This was when transplanted Englishmen Kal (Norman) Swan and guitarist Tony Smith ventured over in search of sun and opportunities.
Scottish born Swan was ex Tytan and Smith formerly with Welshmen Lone Star, and they arrived in El-Lay in 1983.
Briefly joining the band was bassist Alex Campbell, while drummer Mark Edwards (Steeler, Third Stage Alert) joined soon after.
Initially they named themselves Lyon. After recording a demo, Campbell and Smith departed, making way for Doug Aldrich and Jerry Best.
This would become the definitive Lion line-up, and ‘Power Love’ would be released for Japanese audiences only in 1986.
The Songs
The opener ‘Power Love’ should be familiar to all Lion fans, as it appeared on ‘Dangerous Attraction’ too. This version was recorded a few years earlier than that. It appears to be a much raw and powerful version. Love it.
‘Stranger In The City’ by comparison sounds very tame. The production isn’t up to the ‘power’ levels of the previous track. Which suggests to me the songs were recorded at different stages.
‘Victims Of Circumstance’ is trademark Lion, a solid track, though the keyboard parts were slightly annoying.
‘Hungry For Love’ is a guitar-chugging rocker with a slight AC/DC style.
‘Love Is A Lie’ was first recorded back in 1984, so it’s one of their earlier tracks. It ends up being a huge power ballad (there’s that ‘p’ word again!).
‘Forgotten Sons’ is the longest track at 6 minutes. I didn’t like this version at all. The galloping guitars a bit of a put-off, though Aldrich’s soloing is pretty damn good.
In Summary
Incidentally, the band re-recorded five of these songs (except ‘Power Love’). These subsequently appeared on Lion’s third 1989 LP ‘Trouble In Angel City’. They were all superior versions IMHO.
The Japanese may have had first dibs on this EP. But the rest of the world would soon catch up with Lion and the Scotti Bros release ‘Dangerous Attraction’.
Lion on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
