The cover artwork for the CD was done by Chuck Wright in LA.
I thought it would be a great idea for Chuck to say something about his creation:
"When I was approached about doing the cover art for this compilation, a suggestion was made to incorporate different icons from various bands.
To me the melodic rock bands that kept a consistent look and feel to their cover art were Journey (which I used the often scene Egyptian Scarab). Whitesnake (having a stone almost Roman Empire look to their last few covers) and then there are too many bands to name that use wings in one way or another. I then added the modern CD disc itself as the center piece.
We also wanted to subtly list the acts that are included on the release in the background and incorporate the blue gray
tone of the melodicrock.com site. I hope you like it. Cheers!!"
Chuck
The track listing and song details are as follows. SOUNDBYTES - .
01 - Westworld - Beautiful (Japanese Bonus Track, from the album Cyberdreams) 02 - Adriangale - Midnight Blue (Previously Unreleased) 03 - Jeff & Terry's Excellent Adventure - You Should Know (Previously Unreleased) 04 - Hugo - Forever In My Heart (2003 Unreleased Track) 05 - Jim Peterik & World Stage - Gutters Of Gold (Previously Unreleased) 06 - Talisman - All Wound Up (2003 Unreleased Track) 07 - Gregg Fulkerson of Attraction 65 - A Date With Destiny (2003 Unreleased Track) 08 - Mecca - Time Spent (Demo)(2003 Unreleased Track) 09 - Jesse Harms - All I Want Is You (Previously Unreleased) 10 - House Of Shakira - Celebration Bound (2003 New Track) 11 - Mike Tramp - Born To Run (Previously Unreleased) 12 - Brian Bart & Kelly Keagy - Transient State Of Mind (2003 Unreleased Track) 13 - Balance II - When I Fall Down (Demo)(Previously Unreleased) 14 - Billy Falcon - 98 To Alabama (2003 New Track) 15 - Nexx - Meaning Of Two Hearts (Previously Unreleased) 16 - Ken Tamplin - When Angels Cry 17 - Tommy Denander - Grace
01 - Westworld - Beautiful (Japanese Bonus Track, from the album Cyberdreams) www.westworld-web.com
Tony Harnell - Vocals
Mark Reale - Guitars
Bruno Ravel - Bass
John O. Reilly - Drums & Percussion
Josh Pincus - Keyboards
The Japanese bonus track from last year's awesome Cyberdreams CD. Would have been the best track on the album had it been included in the worldwide release.
02 - Adriangale - Midnight Blue (Previously Unreleased) www.adriangale.com / www.kivelrecords.com
Jamie Rowe – Vocals
Vic Rivera – Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals, Drums
Eddie Campbell – Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
Scott Novello – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Engineered by Peter Baron, Mixed by: Alex Salz
* Bass track by Doug Odell
A cover of the Lou Gramm classic. Recorded last year for the Re:Program album, but not included. Mixed just last month for inclusion on this compilation!
03 - Jeff & Terry's Excellent Adventure - You Should Know (Previously Unreleased) www.xyzmusic.com / www.jknorthrup.com
Jeff Northrup - Guitars
Terry Ilous -Vocals
Robbie Harrington - Bass
Matt Luneau - Drums
Recorded in 1999 by Jeff and Terry, but never used for any project. A real melodic mid-tempo anthem that has a slightly modern touch.
04 - Hugo - Forever In My Heart (2003 Unreleased Track) www.hugomusic.net / www.hugothisway.com
Hugo - Vocals
Eddie Jelley - Lead Guitar
Gus Karras - Rhythm Guitar
Joe Cumia - Bass
Lance Millard - Piano
Chuck Valenti - Drums
A brand new 2003 track from Hugo! A preview of his album to come, but a track that is exclusive to this compilation.
05 - Jim Peterik & World Stage - Gutters Of Gold (Previously Unreleased) www.jimpeterik.com
Jim Peterik - Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Boyle - Vocals
Mike Aquino - Lead Guitar
Ed Breckenfeld - Drums
Clem Hayes - Bass
Christian Cullen - Keyboards
A 1999 track that was recorded with singer Jeff Boyle for the World Stage album, but never used as it was deemed to out of character with the rest of the material. Why is it out of character? Because it rocks hard!
06 - Talisman - All Wound Up (2003 Unreleased Track) www.talismanweb.com / www.frontiers.it
Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals
Marcel Jacob - Bass
Jamie Borger - Drums
Fredrik Akesson - Guitars
Another exclusive new track. This flat out rocker was recorded for the current Cats & Dogs album, but not included as the band felt they already had a song like it on the album.
07 - Gregg Fulkerson of Attraction 65 - A Date With Destiny (2003 Unreleased Track)
Gregg Fulkerson - Vocals & Piano
A killer ballad that features only Gregg's vocal and a piano. The song was originally written and demoed for Meatloaf, but never used. Gregg recently re-recorded this new version, exclusively for this compilation.
08 - Mecca - Time Spent (Demo)(2003 Unreleased Track)
Joe Vana - Lead Vocal
Thom Griffin - Background Vocals
Jon Smith - Keyboards and Programming
Craig MaCreary - Acoustic Guitars
A new 2003 demo. Another brilliant ballad - and the first taste of Mecca after their acclaimed debut. This is an acoustic ballad that features a new side of Joe Vana and also features Thom Griffin on backing vocals.
09 - Jesse Harms - All I Want Is You (Previously Unreleased)
Jesse's own personal performance of this fabulous mid-tempo AOR ballad that was written by Jesse. It recorded for the second (unreleased) Alias album and also by Alias singer Freddy Curci for his debut solo album.
10 - House Of Shakira - Celebration Bound (2003 New Track) www.house-of-shakira.nu
Andreas Eklund - Vocals
Mats Hallstensson - Guitars and Vocals
Anders Lundström - Guitars
Per Schelander - Bass and Vocals
Tony Andersson – Drums
Additional musicians: Jörgen Schelander – Keyboards
A new 2003 track! This is the first taste of the band's new studio album, currently being recorded for release later in the year.
11 - Mike Tramp - Born To Run (Previously Unreleased) www.miketramp.com
Mike Tramp - Vocals, Guitar
Emil Bendixen - Bass, Vocals
Kasper Foss - Drums
Rene Shades - Guitar
A cover of the classic Bruce Springsteen song that Mike plays live. This version was recorded last year, live in the studio by Flemming Rasmussen before Mike and the band went out on their European tour.
12 - Brian Bart & Kelly Keagy - Transient State Of Mind (2003 Unreleased Track) www.monsterx.com/logic
Kelly Keagy - Drums and Vocals
Brian Bart - Guitars, Bass and Vocals
This track was originally recorded in 1999, but re-recorded this year by Brian with the inclusion this time around of Kelly Keagy on drums and vocals! A cool modern rock track with a Night Ranger vibe.
13 - Balance II - When I Fall Down (Demo)(Previously Unreleased) mywpages.comcast.net/balance2
Brian Moritz - Guitars, Bass, Drums & Keyboards
Thom Griffin - Vocals
Balance is the brain child of Brian Moritz, who played all the instruments on this track. Originally recorded in 2000, it remains unreleased, but hopefully will be soon. The track features the awesome Thom Griffin on vocals. One for the pomp rock fans!
14 - Billy Falcon - 98 To Alabama (2003 New Track) www.billyfalcon.com
Billy Falcon - Guitar, Vocals
Michael Spears - Bass, Guitar, Programming, Vocals
Rose Falcon – Vocals
Set to be track 2 from Billy's new solo album, this track is a stripped back mid-tempo tune that previews Billy's return to recording duty.
15 - Nexx - Meaning Of Two Hearts (Previously Unreleased) www.webnexx.com / www.nowandthen.co.uk
Jose A de la Banda - Bass & Backing Vocals
Bernardo Llobregat - Acoustic and Electric Guitars & Backing Vocals
Oscar Perez - Drums & Percussion
Francisco J. Rodriguez - Keyboards
Patricia Tapia - Lead Vocals
The only female fronted track on the CD. Spain's Nexx are a great melodic rock band and this big power ballad was recorded for the debut album Colours, but never included. Exclusive to this compilation!
16 - Ken Tamplin - When Angels Cry www.kentamplin.com
Ken Tamplin - Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitars, Bass
Stefan Svensson - Drums
Tower Of Power - Horns
Frank Sinatra String Section
Alan Lee Silva - Piano
Scott Breadman - Percussion
This is massive over the top rocker. It was recorded and released on an album called We The People in the mid-90's, but the album disappeared without a trace after the label went bankrupt. So it has been released, but it's very hard to find. The track was also included on a magazine sampler in 1995, but Ken was actually unaware of that fact until I brought it to his attention!
17 - Tommy Denander - Grace www.tommy-denander.com
Tommy Denander - Rhythm Guitars, Solos, Keyboards, Bass
David Foster - Piano
Randy Goodrum - Keyboards
Michael Thompson - Guitar Effects, Solos
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drum Loop
Kristoffer Lagerstrom - Backing Vocals
Geir Ronning - Backing Vocals
A wonderful instrumental that features some sampled vocals which add to the track's atmosphere and melodies. The track was recorded for and featured on the Guitars For Freedom 2 album, in tribute to the September 11 tragedy.
