Saturday, April 23, 2011

MARTEE LeBOW - Love's A Liar (1987)

MARTEE LeBOW - Love's A Liar (1987)
Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

Second Martee's album.

Now firmly established as a solo artist and after extensive touring presenting her mini-LP debut, she had the opportunity to record her full-flown album.
And this is really her own. All songs are written and arranged by LeBow, supported by her live band including the great Bobby Messano (Lou Gramm, Benny Mardones, Joe Lynn Turner, Fiona).

First track "Where Do I Stand" is a commercial melodic american classic rocker much in the vein of Scandal.
"Another Lonely Heart" sounds a lot like canadians Refugee, with a very nice piano line. The sax solo is good, but a guitar one would have been a better choice in my opinion. This song was later recorded by Bernie Shanahan (who does backing vocals here).
Title track "Love's A Liar" starts slow with an intimate guitar, then develops into a midwestern flavored classic rocker.
"Maybe You'll Remember" is a high point, massive harmonies in the hook, pushing melody to the very brink, although the verses dominate the eventual chorus.
"Learning The Hard Way" is a midtempo rocker with an overall sense of drama and desperation through all melody lines. A Robin Beck-like tune but more stripped.

"Hang On (To My Reckless Youth)" has a simple and fun rhythm. Messano here is allowed to let loose in his own understated way.
"Fallen Angel" is an affected semi-ballad propelled by Martee's great vocal performance. One of my favorite tracks.
Some smooth keys lay the platform for the delicious "Forbidden". This is an outstanding tune with a vintage, classic feel.
The poignant "I Must Be In Love" has an organic flavor and moves fluidly along similar to the commercial moments of The Headpins for instance.
"One Good Reason" has a bluesy-rock vibe where LeBow's vocal power comes to the fore.

"Love's A Liar" is more Classic Rock oriented than the previous album, with good melodies and smooth production.
Only vinyl, restored & cleaned by me for your listening pleasure.
Thanks Bohond!.



01 - Where Do I Stand
02 - Another Lonely Heart
03 - Love's A Liar
04 - Maybe You'll Remember
05 - Learning The Hard Way
06 - Hang On (To My Reckless Youth)
07 - Fallen Angel
08 - Forbidden
09 - I Must Be In Love
10 - One Good Reason


Lead Vocals: Martee LeBow
Guitars, Backing Vocals: Bobby Messano
Keyboards, Programming: Danny Stein
Bass: Dave Conrad
Drums: Yogi Morton, Jimmy Clark
Piano: Lloyd Landesman
Sax: Rick Bell, Lou Cortelezzi
Percussion: Bill Scheinman
Backing Vocals: Joel Krauss, Bernie Shanahan, Eric Troyer



MARTEE LeBOW - Love's A Liar
.

2 Comments:

Nitderock said...

This is one of those records i´ll never understand why any records company would like to re issue, a must have for all AOR fans, great vocals by Martee Lebous (true name) and guitars by Bobby Messano at his best. Thanks, hope that someday Atlantic offers a remastered re issue.

troynew said...

I suspect you meant 'would NOT like to reissue'? Agree totally. Stuff like this deserves to be put out on CD, not all those superfluous (remastered + bonus tracks) rereleases that only devaluate what were once prized possessions in my collection (instantly reducing them to utterly worthless originals). :o(
Thanks again for another exemplary restoring job, CB. My gratitude is as boundless as that tall, rather pale looking, reanimated gentleman with bolts sticking out of his head in 'Frankenstein Unbound'.