Streets – 1st
Rock Candy Records
http://www.rockcandyrecords.com/
Rating B
Streets was founded by one member of the band Kansas although today’s version of Kansas contains two members of the band Streets!
Let me back up a bit and explain…The year was 1983 and Kansas had split up from inner band turmoil. Talented vocalist/keyboardist/songwriter Steve Walsh formed a new band that would take the best of his patented Kansas vocal sound and mix it with his melodic rock tendencies.
Based out of Atlanta, GA, Walsh snapped up local bass player Billy Greer and drummer Tim Gehrt to give his new sound a tight backbeat. For a guitar player, however, Walsh had to go across the pond, recruiting ex-City Boy axe slinger Mike Slamer. Slamer, while a Brit by birth, had actually relocated to the USA at this time in his life.
Melodic rock was riding high on the charts with the sounds of bands like Journey and Foreigner, so Streets seemed to be the right band, in the right place, with the right singer. Oddly enough, for whatever reason—outside of the actual music—Streets never achieved a level of success as everyone figured they would.
The best song on the album is the catchy “If Love Should Go.” How this song did not make it to the Top 10 is a mystery. Walsh sounds amazing on this tune and the band is not far behind. “So Far Away” and “One Way Street” are other melodic gems. “Cold Hearted Woman” and “Move On” are both stellar rock tracks that demand repeated listens.
Walsh and Slamer really shine on the album. Perhaps it was bad luck, the wrong management, or label issues, or maybe it was just not meant to be, but Streets never got the respect they deserved. This is why labels like Rock Candy Records are so important. They not only have given this album the light of day that it deserves, they have added a great booklet with great interviews and liner notes; Rock Candy Records made sure this one sounds as good as it did the day it was recorded.
Streets 1st is a great album that documents Steve Walsh’s career during the years he was away from Kansas. His is a unique talent and his vocals and musicianship—as well as the talents of his band mates—make this an album you will want to hear again and again.
TRACK LISTING:
1. IF LOVE SHOULD GO
2. MOVE ON
3. ONE WAY STREET
4. LONELY WOMAN’S CRY
5. EVERYTHING IS CHANGING
6. COLD HEARTED WOMAN
7. SO FAR AWAY
8. BLUE TOWN
9. FIRE
By Jeb Wright
