Prodigious American songwriter Geoffrey Leib aka JEFF PARIS has written songs with/for countless artists in the music business like Alias, Mr. Big, Brett Walker, Lita Ford, Vixen, Y&T, Paul Stanley, Michael Thompson, Sheena Easton, etc.
Accomplished musician as well, his opportunity as main solo artist came in the mid-Eighties with a major label deal releasing 2 superb albums; ‘Race To Paradise’ (’86) and ‘Wired Up’ (’87). During 1987 Paris toured successfully in the States on a ‘Double Thunder’ co-headlining package with the Canadian outfit REFUGEE.
But next year his record label drop the contract, then Jeff settle to work on demos for a future next album, amongst them the tapes recorded with his old friend, vocalist and songwriter Moon Calhoun (Moon Over Paris demos). Other show biz colleagues attended these sessions, guitarists Michael Thompson, Jan Kuehnemund (Vixen), Mike Gray (Skin), Brett Walker, however most the instruments are performed by Jeff Paris in person.
By 1993 a now defunct small UK label Now&Then offered Jeff to release these recordings on CD under the name “Lucky This Time”, an awesome collection of American melodic rock / AOR tunes to die for. Produced by himself, in our opinion this is Jeff Paris best solo record.
In 2008 appeared this now hard to come by remastered reissue from Now&Then. This version includes 2 tracks not present in the Japanese edition, but the latter includes 4 tracks exclusive for Asia.
We have here the best of both worlds: “Lucky This Time” remastered + the exclusive Japan Edition bonus tracks.
Relaxed in his own studio, Paris recorded these songs with the sound he wanted, polished and punchy melodic rock at the same time. And the songs are excellent.
“Wrong Side Of Love” and “House On Fire” were written in conjunction with Mr. BIG members. “Jump The Gun”, which sound like a mix between Def Leppard and KISS, was co-written with Paul Stanley. “Baby Break Mine” is a collaboration with Skin’s guitar-man Mike Gray, while the incredible “State Of The Heart” penned together with Vixen’s Jan Kuehnemund.
Then the mind-blowing “Stop Playin’ With My Heart” is simply one of the best MR / AOR melodies ever written / recorded.
“Lucky This Time” is a terrific American Melodic (hard) Rock album that despite released 1993 (1994 in Japan) it sounds 1988-1989. This not easy to find 2008 reissue has a ’90s type’ remastering, and you have as extras the 4 Japanese Edition bonus tracks – all really good!
HIGHLY Recommended
Tracklist
1 Lucky This Time
2 Wrong Side Of Love
3 House On Fire
4 Touched By Love
5 Never Stop Falling
6 Jump The Gun
7 Stop Playin With My Heart
8 AfterThe Tears Are Gone
9 Baby Break Mine
10 Rest In Pieces
11 State Of The Heart
12 Matter Of Time
13 Kissing Goodbye My Tears
14 The Battle Of Love
15 In The Prime Of Love
16 Take Another Look
Jeff Paris – Lucky This Time 1994 Japan Edition, MP3+FLAC
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