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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Touch - "ST- Reissue"

Home Page - None
Reviewed by: Gabor Kleinbloesem
Genre: Proto-Prog
Country: USA
Language: English
Length: 79:22
Release Date:

Originial Release:1968

ReRelease-8/2008

Band Members: John Bordonaro / drums Don Gallucci / keyboards
  Bruce Hauser / bass Jeff Hawks / vocals
  Joey Newman / guitars
  Originial Release: Studio Album, released in 1968 Bonus Tracks CD Reissue:
Track Listing: 1.) - We Feel Fine (4:41) 8.)- We Finally Met Today- (3:43)
  2.)-Friendly Birds (4:53) 9.)-Alesha And Others [alternative version] (3:17)
  3.)-Miss Teach- (3:29) 10.)-Blue Feeling- (11:46)
  4.)- The Spiritual Death Of Howard Greer (8:52) 11.)-The Spiritual Death Of Howard Greer [alternative version] (8:07)
  5.)-Down At Circ's Place (4:00) 12.)-The Second Coming Of Suzanne (12:17)
  6.)-Alesha And Others (3:05) 13.)-
  7.)-Seventy Five (11:12)
     
 

More than 28 years ago one of the finest records in music history was released. TOUCH was the name of the band and owing a little thanks to RITCHIE BLACKMORE of RAINBOW/DEEP PURPLE the band was able to sign a major deal and released their one and only album in late 1979/early 1980. Despite some small hitsingles, sadly the album never reached the success it deserved to get. However, in Europe and Japan the album was considered a Cult Classic, especially among the fans of AOR and Pomprock. TOUCH was the magical mixture of STYX, JOURNEY, TOTO and QUEEN. Rich keyboards, big flashy guitarwork, catchy hooklines, high pitched clean lead vocals, superb harmonyvocals and killer choruses is what made this record perhaps one of the finest in history.

An absolute AOR CLASSIC and perhaps THE album that did it for me, because after hearing this album back in 1993, it got me into obscure AOR and gave me the reason to keep on digging for gems like this until the present day. Of course TOUCH stands high above any record I heard afterwards, because it is such an incredible album and almost unbelievable it didn't reach the big success back in the late 70s/early 80s. Touring in Europe as support for RAINBOW could have been the big break, even playing the famous Donington Monsters Of Rock Festival in the UK, with TOUCH perhaps being the very first band ever to play on a pure Hardrock orientated Fest in Europe! Anyway, it wasn't meant to be, as a few years later the band split and it's members went on having other successes, of whom MARK MANGOLD kept true to his AOR roots, writing incredible material for MICHAEL BOLTON, THE SIGN, DRIVE SHE SAID, etc. etc. Back to the TOUCH album. Yes it was re-issued onto CD before and yes, FRONTIERS RECORDS did a wonderful job some 10 years ago releasing everything TOUCH ever did on 2 CDs, remastered and sounding terrific, a 10+++ back then. Now recently in Japan this CD was re-released, with an additional DVD!!!

And here we are in the year 2008 in the UK and the label ROCK CANDY RECORDS doing a new re-issue, a 2008 remastering of the original album and some might find this a bit over-the-top, I am here to inform you about the release and since it remains a timeless classic I can only give this release 10 points. Songs like "Don't you know what love is" (one of the best songs of all times, who said MUTT LANGE was the man of the big harmonyvocals?), "Listen (Can you feel it)", "Love don't fail me now" (incredible semi-ballad), "So high" (amazing Keyboard/Synthesizerwork by MARK MANGOLD in the style of GREGG GIUFFRIA), "When the spirit moves you", "Yes You need to Rock and Roll" are unbelievable songs that belong to the absolute best AOR and Pomprock has ever offered!

Praising this gem is not enough and in case you don't own it, well this is another chance to get hold of it. I must say that this new remastering sounds even bigger and better than the FRONTIERS release from 10 years ago. Play it loud on your stereo to hear how incredible TOUCH sounded almost 30 years ago now. TOUCH had it all, but somehow TOTO had "Hold the line" and STYX and QUEEN were already big in 1979, so it was hard back then to become superstars, with JOURNEY as real competitor due to the fact they had just introduced STEVE PERRY as their new lead singer. Nevertheless, their album from 1979 is one of the best albums in history, right next to JOURNEY's 'Escape' and 'Infinity', SURVIVOR's 'Vital signs' and 'Caught in the game', FORTUNE's 1985 album, so get it while you can, especially since this is a new huge sounding 2008 remastering!

(Points: 10 out of 10)

 

 

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