Although the Skegness born Graham Bonnet is probably best known for the melodic hard rock he fronted in the 1980s with Ritchie’s Blackmore Rainbow, The Michael Schenker Group, and his own band, Alcatrazz, his musical odyssey started with the duo The Marbles in 1968. Despite top ten success, Graham’s undeniable talents languished in relative obscurity until he appeared as frontman with the fictitious band Billy Beethoven in the 1975 cinematic romp, “Three Of A Kind”, co-starring his then wife, Adrienne Posta. This largely forgotten piece of cinematic history did lead to Graham recording what was meant to be his debut solo outing for DJM Records, “Back Row In The Stalls”. Although this album was thought long lost, thankfully a cassette taken from the master tape was found, and transferred for release by HNE. Subsequently, the original production master was found, allowing a much superior remaster, released here for the very first time. Although the more pop orientated material may be a surprise to fans of the man that brought us ‘Lost In Hollywood’ and ‘Eyes Of the World’, it certainly paved the way for his debut solo LP proper, 1977’s “Graham Bonnet”. What makes this rare collection an extra treat is the inclusion of seven bonus tracks: six of which are taken from the A and B-Sides of the singles ‘Whisper In The Night’ b/w ‘Rare Specimen’ from 1972, ‘Trying To Say Goodbye’ b/w ‘Castles In The Air’ from 1973 and a very rare 1973 single from Graham’s then wife, the actress Adrienne Posta, ‘Dog Song’ b/w ‘Express Yourself’ from 1973; both featuring Graham.
DISC ONE:
BACK ROW IN THE STALLS (1974) - 2020 REMASTER
1. HERE COMES THE RAIN
2. WHAT’S THIS ‘ERE THEN
3. PRIVATE EYE
4. GHOST WRITER IN MY EYE
5. SATURDAY’S OVER
6. BACK ROW IN THE STALLS
7. SHE MAY BE NOT MUCH TO LOOK
AT (BUT SHE’S CERTAINLY GOT
A HEART)
8. ADE’S SONG
9. MAMMA MINE
10. RELAXAE
11. SHE MAY BE NOT MUCH TO LOOK
AT (BUT SHE’S CERTAINLY GOT
A HEART) (VERSION 2)
12. DON’T DRINK THE WATER
13. DREAMS (OUT IN THE FOREST)
14. WE’RE FREE
BONUS TRACKS
15. WHISPER IN THE NIGHT (SINGLE A-SIDE, 1972)
16. RARE SPECIMEN (SINGLE B-SIDE, 1972)
17. TRYING TO SAY GOODBYE(SINGLE A-SIDE, 1973)
18. CASTLES IN THE AIR (SINGLE B-SIDE, 1973)
19. DOG SONG – Adrienne Posta
20. EXPRESS YOURSELF – Adrienne Posta
21. MESSAGE TO TREVOR
DISC TWO:
1. IT'S ALL OVER NOW, BABY BLUE
2. WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW?
3. TIRED OF BEING ALONE
4. WINO SONG
5. IT AIN'T EASY
6. GOODNIGHT AND GOODMORNING
7. DANNY
8. SUNDAY 16
9. ROCK ISLAND LINE
10. SOUL SEEKER
BONUS TRACKS
11. DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO (DEMO)
12. GOODNIGHT AND GOODMORNING (SINGLE EDIT)
13. I WHO AM I (1977) – Graham Bonnet & Vicky Silva
14. THE LOVING TOUCH (1976) - Graham Bonnet & Vicky Silva
15. HEROES ON MY PICTURE WALL (SINGLE B-SIDE, 1977)
16. IT AIN'T EASY (DEMO)
17. YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING (DEMO)
DISC THREE:
NO BAD HABITS (1978)
1. I’LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT
2. WON'T YOU JOIN ME
3. WARM RIDE
4. IS THERE A WAY TO SING THE BLUES
5. CAN'T COMPLAIN
6. GIVIN' UP MY WORRYIN'
7. PYRAMID
8. ONLY YOU CAN LIFT ME
9. STAND STILL STELLA
10. HIGH SCHOOL ANGEL
11. COLD LADY
BONUS TRACKS
12. 10/12 OBSERVATION (SINGLE B-SIDE OF ‘WARM RIDE’)
13. ONLY YOU CAN LIFT ME (SINGLE EDIT)
14. WARM RIDE (12” LONG DISCO VERSION)
15. WARM RIDE (12” LONG VERSION)
DISC FOUR:
LINE-UP (1981)
1. NIGHT GAMES
2. S.O.S
3. I'M A LOVER
4. BE MY BABY
5. THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT IS
6. LIAR
7. ANTHONY BOY
8. DIRTY HAND
9. OUT ON THE WATER
10. DON'T STAND IN THE OPEN
11. SET ME FREE
BONUS TRACKS
12. DON'T TELL ME TO GO (B-SIDE)
13. BAD DAYS ARE GONE (B-SIDE)
14. NIGHT GAMES (SINGLE EDIT)
15. OUT ON THE WATER (SINGLE EDIT)
DISC FIVE:
HERE COMES THE NIGHT (1991)
1. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
2. HERE COMES THE NIGHT
3. LONG TIME GONE
4. ONLY ONE WOMAN
5. PLEASE CALL ME
6. A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
7. I'LL GO CRAZY
8. I GO TO SLEEP
9. LOOK DON'T TOUCH
10. EYES OF A CHILD
11. DON'T
12. WHAT SHE SAYS, YOU HEAR IT MEANS
BONUS TRACKS
INSTRUMENTAL DEMOS
13. GONE IN A MINUTE
14. A HOLE IN MY SOUL
15. PLEASE CALL ME
16. GREENWICH MEANTIME
DISC SIX:
REEL TO REAL: THE ARCHIVES
(1987-1992) 2020 REMASTER
1. TONITE I FLY (1987)
2. REEL TO REAL (1987)
3. THE DANCER (1987)
4. WHIPLASH (1989)
5. LONG TIME GONE (1989)
6. SUMMER IN THE CITY (1989)
7. RIVER DEEP - MOUNTAIN HIGH (1989)
8. MIDNIGHT CROSSING (1989)
9. RIDER (1989)
10. DOUBLE CROSS MY HEART (1992)
11. HEARTS UNDER FIRE (1992)
12. YOU ARE YOUR MONEY
13. DEAD MAN WALKING
14. GLASS MOUNTAIN
15. RED RUM
16. MY KINGDOM COME
17. MIRROR LIES
18. UNLEASH THE BEAST
19. HIPPIE HEART, GYPSY SOUL
Graham Bonnet – Solo Albums 1974-1992, 6CD Box Set, 2020
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