[2017-02-17] 707 "707", "The Second Album" and "Mega Force (Expanded Edition)" (Rock Candy UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2017 6:23 pm

707

Description
Digitally remastered edition of this album from the AOR greats. Includes 16 page full colour booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, band involvement and new interview. There's no question that 707 had one of the most distinctive sounds of any band emerging from the late '70s. Most melodic West Coast rock acts of the era were powered almost exclusively by loud guitars, but the twist in 707's style was the prominent use of grand piano as a lead instrument. Amazingly, however, this didn't in anyway compromise their power. Indeed, the piano became a method of musical propulsion that leant them a unique and instantly identifiable character. Formed in Los Angeles during the late 70s, and led by guitarist/vocalist Kevin Russell and keyboard player Duke McFadden, this talented four-piece scored a coveted record deal with the Casablanca label, one of the hottest companies operating at the time. Recorded and issued in 1980, their self-titled debut album made an instant impact, encouraging comparisons to Toto, REO Speedwagon and Chicago. The songs were well written, superbly performed and imbued with a sense of maturity far outstripping their relatively tender years of existence. It was also a record that took everyone by surprise, including their label, when the opening track, 'I Could Be Good For You', emerged as an unlikely hit single when radio stations in America s heartland started to play the song of their own accord. But that's not to say they were a one trick pony as the record contained a number of tremendous tracks, including 'Let Me Live My Life', 'Save Me' and the epic 'You Who Needs To Know'.

Tracklist
1. I Could Be Good For You
2. Let Me Live My Life
3. One Way Highway
4. Save Me
5. You Who Needs To Know
6. Slow Down
7. Feel This Way
8. Waste Of Time
9. Whole Lot Better

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NASB9AQ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NASB9AQ/?tag=imwan-21

The Second Album

Description
Digitally remastered edition of this album from the AOR greats. Includes 16 page full colour booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, band involvement and new interview. No one was more surprised than the band when it emerged that 707, an obscure baby act from Los Angeles who had recently released their debut album, suddenly had a hit single on their hands. 'I Could Be Good For You', a forceful rock track propelled by a grand piano, and even though they were signed to Casablanca Records it had all the hallmarks of an organic birth. It was enough of a success story to ensure that the band would head back into the studio to record a now highly anticipated second album. Enlisting the assistance of producer Jai Winding (Le Roux, Stephen Crane) and recorded in Los Angeles, the band's sophomore album (cunningly titled The Second Album) solidified their potential, albeit with the loss of pianist Duke McFadden who left the band for pastures new. His departure was quite a traumatic blow but they weren't holed beneath the waterline because the other members rose to the challenge with a defiant show of force. Issued in 1980, the album showcased a more forceful approach, something more in keeping with the AOR zeitgeist of the day and evoking comparisons this time around with Journey, Foreigner and Cheap Trick. Showcasing this harder edge, tracks such as 'Tonite's Your Nite', 'Rockin' Is Easy' and the glorious 'Strings Around My Heart' elevate the band into the stratosphere. If it wasn't for the implosion of Casablanca Records the record could've have been a huge commercial success.

Tracklist
1. Tonight's Your Nite
2. Millionaire
3. Live With The Girl
4. Strings Around My Heart
5. Pressure Rise
6. Rockin' Is Easy
7. City Life
8. Live Without Her
9. Love On The Run
10. The Party's Over

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6PZHVO/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N6PZHVO/?tag=imwan-21

Mega Force

Description
Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this album from the AOR greats including six bonus tracks. Includes 16 page full colour booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, band involvement and new interview. It appears that nearly every band back in the day experienced a never ending stream of difficulties, a series of ups and downs that made even basic existence almost impossible. For 707 the situation was no different. Their debut album produced an unexpected hit single, but Casablanca Records failed to fuel the fire and by the time they released a follow up album they were hearing rumors about the label's unstable financial position. Indeed, a third album was recorded but had to be shelved when Casablanca finally crashed and burnt. Amazingly, a life line was thrown by their old label boss Neil Bogart when he set up a new company, Boardwalk records, and offered the band a fresh start. Recruiting a new lead vocalist/frontman, Kevin Chalfant, the band also received a leg up when they were asked to write songs for a new action movie, MegaForce, helping to give them much needed promotion and exposure. It was a tremendous opportunity, spoilt only by the movie's lacklustre box office performance. Opting to continue in a more forceful direction, the band's sound evoked comparisons to Journey, REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger, placing the emphasis on solid riffs and memorable songs. For example the title track 'Mega Force', 'Get To You', 'Write Again' and Can't Hold Back'. The record is now regarded as a true underground classic, harboring, as it does, a prime, melodic, AOR sound to die for.

Tracklist
1. Mega Force
2. Can't Hold Back
3. Get To You
4. Out Of The Dark
5. Hell Or High Water
6. We Will Last
7. Hello Girl
8. Write Again
9. No Better Feeling
10. Heartbeat
Bonus Tracks:
11. Eagle One
12. Mega Stomp
13. Mega Force (Alt Version)
14. Eagle One (Instrumental)
15. The Float
16. Mega Force (Live)

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR52A33/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MR52A33/?tag=imwan-21

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

These guys had a few hits and if there was ever a poor-man's Journey this was it.

The cover photo of The Second Album is easily one of the most ghoulishly bad you'll ever see.

Vocalist Kevin Chalfant joined Journey at one point around 1993-94 which few know about, but the guys dumped him for Perry in 1995.

He did end up with The Storm including 3 ex-Journey members who scored a couple of hits in the early 90s.

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:41 am

Bump: Added the descriptions to the first post.

Dr. Chris Evil · 26 Jul 2006

Invisible Pedestrian wrote:

These guys had a few hits and if there was ever a poor-man's Journey this was it.

The cover photo of The Second Album is easily one of the most ghoulishly bad you'll ever see.

Vocalist Kevin Chalfant joined Journey at one point around 1993-94 which few know about, but the guys dumped him for Perry in 1995.

I thought they only did a few gigs with Chalfant. I didn't realize he was in Journey.

[2017-02-17] 707 "707", "The Second Album" and "Mega Force (Expanded Edition)" (Rock Candy UK)

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