As requested, here’s one of the best female AOR / Lite AOR albums from the second half of the ’80s: MARGARET BECKER debut LP ”Never For Nothing”. Originally released 1987, the CD version of ”Never For Nothing” sound is a bit flat. This is the 1993 re-pressing of the disc, no UPC / Barcode present but an official release which sounds fuller, much better transferred to digital.
Musically, Margaret Becker’s debut album ”Never For Nothing” is a good example of late-’80s arena rock and pop/rock — the melodies aren’t unlike something one might have expected from Heart, Pat Benatar, or Vixen back then – just more polished, less rocking yet equally impressive.
Half of future GIANT band – great guitarist Dann Huff and bass player Mike Brignardello – play on all tracks, and the result is of outstanding quality. Add to that Billy Smiley clinical production (he already produced Huff’s band at the time, White Heart), and Becker’s smooth, capable vocals, and you have a brilliant Eighties product.
While Margaret Becker came from a Christian rock&pop background and lyrically some songs possess that perspective, if you don’t know that, you have assumed this is secular music. For the most part, Becker doesn’t come across as militant or preachy.
Tracks like “Break the Silence”, “Make It Right”, “Standing On Top Of The World”, “Giants Will Fall” are really good numbers, showcasing Becker’s versatility and Huff’s killer rhythm guitar and solos.
”Never For Nothing” is a must for ’80s music fans, female lead Lite AOR, Huff’s guitar playing, and everyone with a taste for slick 1980s arena rock.
HIGHLY Recommended
1 Fight For God
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – Dann Huff, George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Lead Guitar – Dann Huff
Music By – Margaret Becker, Paul Brannon, Tommy Greer
Vocals [Crowd] – Billy Smiley, Chris Rodriguez, Dave Mullins, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall, Missey Baker, Peter York, Tommy Sims
Words By – Margaret Becker
4:02
2 Standing On Top Of The World
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, George Cocchini
Guitar [Solo] – Dann Huff
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Written-By – Dave Perkins, Rob Frazier
3:31
3 Never For Nothing
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Written-By – Margaret Becker, Ric Blair
3:43
4 Break The Silence
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Lead Guitar – Dann Huff
Music By – Billy Smiley, Margaret Becker, Mark Chessir*
Words By – Margaret Becker, Mark Chessir*, Michael Cody
3:52
5 Sacred Fire
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Written-By – Margaret Becker
4:32
6 Love Was Waiting
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez
Keyboards – John Slick
Lead Guitar – Dann Huff
Written-By – Billy Smiley, Chris Rodriguez
3:27
7 What You Feel
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Lead Guitar – Dann Huff
Music By – Billy Smiley, Margaret Becker
Words By – Cathy Snyder, Margaret Becker
3:53
8 Make It Right
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – Dann Huff, George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Lead Guitar – Dann Huff
Written-By – Mark Chesshir
5:19
9 Giants Will Fall
Backing Vocals – Billy Smiley, Chris Rodriguez, Dave Mullins, Margaret Becker, Marty McCall, Peter York
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, Dann Huff, George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Lead Guitar – Dann Huff
Percussion – Billy Smiley
Vocals [Low Vocal] – Chris Rodriguez
Written-By – Dave Perkins
3:59
10 For The Love Of You
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Chris McHugh
Guitar – George Cocchini
Keyboards – Tommy Dorsey (2)
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Margaret Becker – Never For Nothing Mp3+FLAC Reissue
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