Things would change for the better with 1979’s ‘Greatest Hints’. This is where the Michael Stanley Band would head down the road to pure AOR with winning results.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Michael Stanley Band
ALBUM: Greatest Hints
LABEL: Arista
SERIAL: AB 4236
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Michael Stanley – vocals, guitars, percussion * Bob Pelander – vocals, grand piano, clavinet, synthesizer, orchestra bells * Gary Markasky – vocals, guitars * Kevin Raleigh – vocals, organ, fender rhodes, synthesizer, chimes * Michael Gismondi – bass, saxaphone, percussion * Tommy Dobeck – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Last Night * 02 Don’t Lead With Your Love * 03 Promises * 04 Down To The Wire * 05 No Turning Back * 06 Back In My Arms Again * 07 Beautiful Lies * 08 Lights Out * 09 Hold Your Fire * 10 We’re Not Strangers Anymore
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Michael Stanley Band Background
Not to split hairs or revise history, but unlike REO Speedwagon, Michael Stanley Band were not big in all of the Midwestern United States. More accurately the ‘Rust Belt’ states of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan and native Ohio were the bands biggest base of popularity.
In the central time zone and west of the Mississippi River they couldn’t get arrested. Not to mention their status in Los Angeles and New York. But it wasn’t for a lack of trying. They toured heavily throughout the US opening for anyone and everyone. But it never really translated into big selling records.
Part of the problem (in my ever so humble opinion) was Stanley’s voice which never sold me as all that wonderful. Plus there was a serious lack of good songs making for some very average albums up to this point. Things would change for the better with 1979’s ‘Greatest Hints’ where the group would head down the road to pure AOR with winning results.
The Songs
Part of what makes this album so good is the addition of Kevin Raleigh as secondary vocalist. His vocals are the perfect counterpoint to Stanley’s deeper tones. Almost like Steve Perry in a vocal blowout with Bruce Springsteen for want of a better analogy!
The record is chock full of great tunes including the first three ‘Last Night’, Don’t Lead With Your Love’ and the pompy ‘Promises’. Down To The Wire’ strangely reminds me of Breathless (Former MSB member Jonah Koslen‘s band).
‘No Turning Back’ has a bit of a Kansas vibe for reasons I still can’t put my finger on? A good tune, but wait, there’s more! ‘Back In My Arms Again’ is the best song on the album. Terrific pop rock and again its Raleigh’s backing vocals that pull the song together. If this doesn’t get your melodic blood pumpin’, I don’t know what will! Turn it up!
The only downside on ‘Greatest Hints’ is the Springsteen styled ‘Beautiful Lies’. It’s just a little too faux blue collar bar band AOR for my tastes. Saving the day and the album is the final track ‘We’re Not Strangers Anymore’. There’s some nice keyboard work from Raleigh as well as some tasty orchestration. Very, very nice!
In Summary
Of course, the Michael Stanley Band would strike gold in the early 80’s with the single ‘My Town’ and release a few superb albums. But for my money ‘Greatest Hints’ is their best by a mile and will never leave my collection.
Michael Stanley Band on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
