[2017-09-22] Gary Wright "The Dream Weaver" and "The Light Of Smiles" remasters (Rock Candy UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:07 pm

The Dream Weaver

Description
Digitally remastered and expanded edition including two bonus tracks. Includes booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos and new interview. It's highly unlikely that you'd have wagered that a former member of early '70s hard rock band Spooky Tooth would resurface later that decade with a major selling solo album and an all persuasive, soft rock, hit single 'Dream Weaver'. It was a remarkable achievement and one that elevated Gary Wright to a new audience, allowing him the space to develop a solo career that continues to this day. Born in the USA, Wright moved to the UK and joined Spooky Tooth at the suggestion of Island records Chief Chris Blackwell. It was a match made in heaven but, as these things often pan out, the band's commercial appeal waned, leaving Wright with little choice but to return to the USA and contemplate a solo career. Securing a recording deal with Warner Brothers records, he set about taping a series of demos with just keyboards and a synthesizer. This combination of instruments produced a fascinating sound and one that he continued to pursue on the finished record. The Dream Weaver album was issued in 1975 and spawned the enormously successful us #2 hit single of the same name. It was an instant classic and a song that continues to be heard around the world to this day on radio, TV and in movies. Remarkably, the album also contained a successful follow up hit single, 'Love Is Alive', a similarly structured track built on synths and a funky backbeat. Dig deeper and you'll find the surprising presence of guitarist Ronnie Montrose flexing his considerable muscle on 'Power Of Love'.

Tracklist
1. Love Is Alive
2. Let It Out
3. Can't Find The Judge
4. Made To Love You
5. Power Of Love
6. Dream Weaver
7. Blind Feeling
8. Much Higher
9. Feel For Me

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074HX6ZC9/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074HX6ZC9/?tag=imwan-21

The Light Of Smiles

Description
Digitally remastered and expanded edition including two bonus tracks. Includes booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos and new interview. Gary Wright's place in musical history was undoubtedly secured by the huge international hit single 'Dream Weaver', a recording that still has an afterlife to this day. But that wasn't the first time Wright had generated interest in his musical career. Back in the late '60s this New Jersey born musician relocated to the UK and, on the encouragement of Island Records boss Chris Blackwell, joined forces with Spooky Tooth, one of the most respected acts of the time. When Spooky Tooth broke up, Wright moved back to America and secured a prestigious solo deal with the Warner Brothers label, recording the Dream Weaver album which proved to be an unexpected success, selling close to a million copies. Refocusing his attention, he quickly set about recording the follow up album, once again recorded in Los Angeles, and building on the minimalist, layered keyboard style that he had become known for. It also featured a few of his highly regarded touring musicians such as drummer Jim Keltner, keyboardist David Foster and future Toto bassist Steve Porcaro. Partly spiritual in nature the tracks appear to conjoin both lyrically and musically. There is a decidedly progressive rock feel to the presentation, partly driven by precision musicianship and expansive arrangements. Tracks such as 'Watersign', 'Time Machine' and 'Phantom Writer' are impressive slices of prog with a defined AOR edge, bringing to mind Supertramp, Procol Harum and the Alan Parsons Project.

Tracklist
1. Water Sign
2. Time Machine
3. I Am The Sky
4. Who Am I
5. Silent Fury
6. Phantom Writer
7. The Light Of Smiles
8. I'm Alright
9. Empty Inside
10. Are You Weepin'
11. Child Of Light

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JDPWD4/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074JDPWD4/?tag=imwan-21

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

I only know Love Is Alive and Dream Weaver from this. Is this album good?

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Aug 03, 2017 5:59 pm

This album is very good, Mark. I think it's the best of his "all keyboards" era.

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

Linda wrote:

This album is very good, Mark. I think it's the best of his "all keyboards" era.

Thanks for the info. I'll get this. I have his greatest hits

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000AFXO/?tag=imwan-20

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

Linda wrote:

This album is very good, Mark. I think it's the best of his "all keyboards" era.

i don't rank the album as incredible, but i do think it's quite good.
and as hinted-at by linda, the album holds a cool place in rock history for its keyboard use.

Jimbo · 19 Jul 2006

"Power of Love" is s great funky rocker, with Ronnie Montrose on guitar, no less.

Simon · **Joined:** 26 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 59406

Can't Find The Judge and Love Is Alive are standouts for me, but the whole album is excellent.

billangus · **Joined:** 26 Aug 2010 **Posts:** 46

The original Warner cd is still readily available, and Rock Candy is inconsistent with its mastering to say the least - so without bonus material, I am struggling to see the point of this reissue. Great album, though.

GodsComic · 03 Aug 2006

I remember enjoying the following album too (The Light of Smiles), Maybe that will get a release.

Blair G. · 03 Aug 2006

Audio Fidelity also did this one a few years back

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Aug 05, 2017 11:14 pm

Good news -- Rock Candy has announced a remaster of The Light Of Smiles for the same day, now linked in the first post.

GodsComic · 03 Aug 2006

Linda wrote:

Good news -- Rock Candy has announced a remaster of The Light Of Smiles for the same day, now linked in the first post.

Very good news. Thanks.

[2017-09-22] Gary Wright "The Dream Weaver" and "The Light Of Smiles" remasters (Rock Candy UK)

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