Player is a group that gets it’s fair share of praise here at Glory Daze and rightfully so. With top notch AOR platters that still sound as vibrant and fresh as they did when released in the late 70’s, early 80’s.
Written by: Jeff Duran
ARTIST: Player
ALBUM: Room With A View
LABEL: Casablanca
SERIAL: NBLP 7217
YEAR: 1980
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Peter Beckett – vocals, guitars * Ronn Moss – bass, vocals * John Freisen – drums, vocals
Additional Musician: Miles Joseph – guitars, vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Room With A View * 02 It’s For You * 03 Upside Down * 04 Who Do You Think You Are * 05 Bad News Travels Fast * 06 All Tied Up * 07 Givin’ It All * 08 It May Never Happen * 09 Tip Of The Iceberg
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Player Background
Player is group that gets it’s fair share of praise here at Glory Daze and rightfully so. With top notch AOR platters that still sound as vibrant and fresh as they did when released in the late 70’s, early 80’s IMHO.
After the demise of RSO Records, Player signed with Casablanca Records. Their rise and fall was similar to RSO. its demise came after the movie disappointment ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ and Disco diva Donna Summer‘s exit for Geffen Records).
Before the end was near, Player managed to release it’s third album, ‘Room With A View’ in 1980. Peter Beckett co-produced this with Tony Peluso. The album was a combination of soft, romantic melodies of the debut and heavier rock tunes from ‘Danger Zone’.
The Songs
‘Room With A View’ – Picks up on the toughened sound Player touched on with ‘Danger Zone’. The title track refrains this in spades on this fiery opener. Complete with it’s frantic rhythms and guitars pushed to the forefront. There is an interesting video of this on Youtube worth checking out, click here.
‘It’s For You’ – Things slow down for this sultry west coast number. This is as smooth as a shot of top shelf bourbon on the rocks. Beautiful arrangements and a definite album highlight. The song put the band back on the charts cracking the US Top 40.
‘Upside Down’ – Another highlight capturing Beckett at the absolute peak of his powers as a songwriter and musician.
‘Who Do You Think You Are’ – Doobie Brothers like strumming sets the tone for an absolute stunning melody and out of this world hook! Westcoast/AOR at it’s finest!
‘Bad News Travels Fast’ – A beautiful romantic ballad echoing lost love and heartache. Beckett’s voice is soothing as is the accompanying melody.
‘All Tied Up’ – One of Player’s finest. Opens up with grand piano and then erupts in a sonic flurry of bombastic keys and Brian May-like fret work. Hard edged AOR at it’s finest and classiest!
‘Givin’ It All’ – Amazing synths take hold here with Beckett’s vocals almost touching on Michael Mcdonald at times. The chorus is obviously an attempt to recapture ‘Baby Come Back’. Thankfully the jazzy arrangements (complete with sax) takes this beyond a retread of their 1977 hit single.
‘It May Never Happen’ – A bright, bouncy number brimming with a radio friendly chorus and a killer refrain. Not far from what Firefall and Ambrosia were doing at the time.
‘Tip Of The Iceberg’ – An epic sounding rock number in every sense of the word as Beckett vocals are amazing. There’s power and punch like never before with a chorus that’s pure AOR bliss. Shredding guitars and pounding skins make this one of Player’s heaviest songs.
A fitting end to a superb set of tunes.
In Summary
Beckett sang and wrote every song on ‘Room With A View’. ‘It’s For You’ being the only modest chart success cracking the US Top 40. By the end of the supporting tour longtime member Ronn Moss quit the band to make films in Italy.
By the early 80’s, Peter Beckett kept the Player banner flying high. He collaborated with Dennis Lambert on the fourth Player release and AOR classic ‘Spies of Life’. It was released on RCA Records in late 1981.
From that album came the single ‘If Looks Could Kill’. Peter Beckett has written hit songs for many artists. Too many to name here.
Definitely one of my favourite Player releases with ‘Spies..’ not far behind. ‘Room With A View’ comes highly recommended along with Beckett’s solo release (also reviewed here at Glory Daze). Essential.
Player on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
