Robin George - Ace In My Hand

Back in 1984, after reading a glowing review in Kerrang magazine, I tracked down a copy of Robin George’s full-length debut Dangerous Music, and was hooked.  The entire album is a great collection of George’s distinctive take on hook-heavy melodic rock, and while it deserved to do better, lead single “Heartline” did hit number sixty-eight on the UK singles charts, ninety-two in the US Hot 100 and forty on the US Mainstream Rock chart (he had also released an EP a year earlier called The History).  Over the years he has released numerous other albums, both as a solo artist and as a member of several bands, including Notorious with ex Diamond Head vocalist Sean Harris, and Damage Control with Spike, Pete Way and Chris Slade.  He has also worked with an impressive array of musicians including Robert Plant, Phil Lynott, Glenn Hughes and John Wetton.  While The History EP marked his solo debut, he spent several years prior to that, from 1979 to 1981, recording tracks at a studio called the Old Smithy, in Worcester, England.  The tracks, twenty-four of which are included here, were recorded during studio downtime when paying customers weren’t there.  Although they have been remastered for this collection, the majority of the tracks are largely demos and sound pretty much the same as they did back then.  The liner notes are unfortunately a little thin on the details of who played on what, but the list of contributors is quite impressive, including drummers Dave Holland (Trapeze, Judas Priest) and Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney), a young Pino Palladino on bass (around 21 at the time and future collaborator with The Who, Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan, Jeff Beck, Elton John, Eric Clapton and many more), keyboardist Mark Stanway (Magnum), saxophonist Mel Collins (King Crimson, Camel) and backing vocals from Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) and Daniel Boone.  

A lot of the tracks contained here have the classic Robin George AOR sound that was so prominent on Dangerous Music, including an early version of the classic “Heartline”, here in a rawer, more stripped down demo form that has all the pieces in place.  Some of the other cuts that really showcase that sound include “Chance Of A Lifetime”, written with Peter Goalby, formerly of Uriah Heep and Trapeze, who recently released his own version, “Go Down Fighting”, which has some really interesting keyboard passages and a thumping bass (this was one of three tracks here that ended up on The History EP) and “Never Too Late”.  Elements of glam show up in “Ace In My Hand”, which also is a bit bluesy and has a really catchy groove, and “Streetwise”, an all out stomping glam rocker.  A few tracks find him really experimenting with other styles like the reggae rock of “Too Late” (another track that ended up on The History) and more keyboard and synth heavy songs like “Lying On My Telephone”, which is very reminiscent of MTV artists like Nik Kershaw, “Machine” and “Losing You”.  “She Plays Computer Games” is also more on the electronic side of things, but is darker, heavier and also has some vocal effects.  While there are a few weaker tracks, the majority of the remaining songs are really quite good.  The soulful “Castles In The Sky” is slow and laid-back with a bit of a lazy jazz groove.  “Get On Your Knees and Pray” is a heavier rocker with crunching guitars, a big pounding drum beat and some proggy keyboard flourishes (this one is a little rough and I would love to be able to hear a finished studio recording).  The power ballad “I Believed In You” starts with acoustic guitar and then shifts to electric with some really great harmonies and a strong guitar solo.  With the exception of some short bursts of the full electric band, “Johnny” is a highlight that is largely acoustic guitar and vocals and has some really good finger picking guitar with a hint of a Spanish guitar flair.  “Looks Better In Daylight” opens with some really nice acoustic guitar work and is another standout that is a very catchy, radio-friendly tune with a sound all its own.  The super catchy “Private Lives” has a hint of a funk groove and some great guitar work.  Very much in the vein of Boston, “She Really Blew My Mind” is an arena rocker with some great sax from Collins and some really beautiful ringing guitar work, and “Run In The Dark” is a nice, laid-back bluesy track with some great gospel chorus backing vocals.  During the recording of these sessions, Daniel Boone introduced George to ex-Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron, which led to the formation of The Byron Band, and in turn shifted his career direction.  While we will never know where George’s career would have gone had these sessions been properly finished, now thanks to Cherry Red and HNE, we are lucky enough to get the chance to hear what might have been.  

(HNE Recordings)