Shadow King without doubt are an AOR’sters ‘dream team’. From 1991, all of these guys are well known from previous outfits.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Shadow King
ALBUM: Shadow King
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: 82324-2
YEAR: 1991
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Lou Gramm – vocals * Vivian Campbell – guitars * Bruce Turgon – bass, keyboards * Kevin Valentine – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 What Would It Take * 02 Anytime, Anywhere * 03 Once Upon A Time * 04 Don’t Even Know I’m Alive * 05 Boy * 06 I Want You * 07 This Heart Of Stone * 08 Danger In The Dance Of Love * 09 No Man’s Land * 10 Russia
Shadow King Background
Shadow King without doubt are an AOR’sters ‘dream team’. From 1991, all of these guys are well known from previous outfits.
The core of this fruition stemmed from the ‘Long Hard Look’ sessions. Lou Gramm’s second album two years prior.
Elsewhere though, Gramm and Turgon’s musical relationship goes way back into the 70’s with the NY band Black Sheep.
Since those heady years though, Gramm found fame with Foreigner. Turgon meanwhile moved out West and made his name with L.A heavy metallers Warrior. He was also an accomplished songwriter.
Campbell of course came from Dio and the late 80’s edition of Whitesnake. He then hooked up with San Diego band Riverfogs.
Valentine has a reputation as one of the mid-west’s best drummers. He’s known for his work with both Donny Iris and the shortlived The Innocent.
The melding of these four talents results in a unique sound. Not exactly comparable to any band in particular, but classy and professional sounding throughout.
Gramm’s vocals are as aggressive as per usual, while the guitar histrionics of Campbell are restrained. When the opportunity to let loose is provided, he does so with aplomb.
Keith Olsen’s production is spacious allowing Campbell to layer his guitars with room to move. While Valentine’s drums are ‘big’ sounding and crisp!
The Songs
‘What Would It Take’ kicks off the album with some stop/start passages, before settling down to some great melodic rock.
‘Anytime Anywhere’ as the name suggests, lays down a musical challenge to the listener, daring one to turn it up loud.
Elsewhere, there are some beautiful moments, like the awesome ‘This Heart Of Stone’ (check out Campbell’s killer solo).
The anthemic power of ‘Boy’, or the mood bound pairing of ‘Once Upon A Time’ and ‘Don’t Even Know I’m Alive’.
You can chuck in the restrained power of ‘No Mans Land’ and the poignant ballad ‘Russia’ as other tracks to catch your ear.
In Summary
It’s unfortunate that the album didn’t fair well at the box office, and it’s not because it was bad or anything. Far from it.
I suspect the average rock audience didn’t quite know what to make of it upon release. It does have a different and unique quality to it.
Since then of course, Gramm returned to front Foreigner taking Turgon along with him for the ride. Campbell replaced the late Steve Clark in Def Leppard.
In 2005 Turgon released a solo effort ‘Outside Looking In’ which could’ve been Shadow King II’ – judging from the sound of it. Turgon followed this up in 2007 with a joint project with singer Phillip Bardowell.
Shadow King on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
