Not exactly a memorable name in AOR circles, Tony Kishman has been around for a wee while, plus he is the owner of solo album in the AOR mould.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Tony Kishman
ALBUM: Catch 22
LABEL: Pure Records
SERIAL: 003642560-2
YEAR: 1997
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Tony Kishman – vocals, guitars, bass * Paul Sabu – guitars * Chris Lester – bass * Jeff Daniels – keyboards * Tommy Amato – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Headin’ For A Rough Ride * 02 Catch 22 * 03 Let Me Down Easy * 04 How’m I Gonna Get By * 05 Modern Girl * 06 The Lucky One * 07 Classy Kind’s Love * 08 Sky’s The Limit * 09 Serenity * 10 Believe In Yourself
WEBLINKS: NA
Background
Not exactly a memorable name in AOR circles, Tony Kishman has been around for a wee while, though has done more work in musicals and theatre productions than anything else, such as Beatlemania and various other Paul McCartney tribute gigs all over the world.
Originally a native of Tucson Arizona, Tony Kishman found his way over to London in the late 70’s, doing the aforementioned Theater work during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. During the 90’s he met Andy Powell, and was asked to sing and play bass with Wishbone Ash eventually appearing on their 1995 ‘Live In Geneva’ set plus 1996’s ‘Illumination’ album. The following year in 1997, he returned to the USA where he asked AOR legend Paul Sabu to help produce his debut solo album ‘Catch 22’.
On it he has assembled a pretty good cast himself, Sabu’s career is self explanatory to the AOR fan, while Lester came from Wild Horses (the US version), Daniels did some time playing keys with Toto while Amato has played with the AOR cult heroes Beau Coup, Ultrapop and Pat Benatar.
Whew! With this amalgam of talent, what does the music sound like? Not bad actually, quite racy, drive time AOR and in places harks back to 80’s hero Jeff Paris, though his vocal style is a cross between early Jon Bongiovi and on the slower moments is reminiscent of Kip Winger.
The Songs
We start off with ‘Heading For A Rough Ride’, where Sabu’s guitar influences are obvious, very much in the Jeff Paris vein. Big chant-a-long choruses abound on the title track ‘Catch 22’.
The first ballad ‘Let Me Down Easy’ is a glorious affair with luscious keyboards throughout a la Only Child, though for a minute I thought I was listening to Strangeways ‘So Far Away’ (‘Native Sons’). ‘How’m I Gonna Get By’ is pretty good AOR too, though a tad ‘paint by numbers’ by my books while the raucous Jeff Paris flavoured rock ‘n’ roll returns with the lyrically tacky ‘Modern Girl’.
‘The Lucky One’ has a Bon Jovi ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’ guitar strum throughout, but is not a complete rip- off, ‘Classy Kind Of Love’ has a similar pace to Alannah Myles chestnut ‘Black Velvet’ while another AORish track ‘Sky’s The Limit’ is as close as you get to an Only Child track though not as guitar heavy as Sabu could make it.
In Summary
An interesting album if you can get it, and full of change-up moments throughout to make it worth a listen. It must also be pointed out that Tony has continued his career as a Paul McCartney tribute act, performing across the globe.
Tony Kishman on Video
Headin’ For A Rough Ride
