Canada singer / songwriter TIM FEEHAN began his career in many bands but it wasn’t until 1979 when his college group, Footloose, started making waves on the Western scene that things began to take off. In 1980 their debut album yielded a Top-10 hit for several weeks in Canada. However in 1981 Feehan leave Footloose to pursue a solo career.
After his smooth solo debut LP ‘Sneak Preview’, Tim Feehan collaborated with other Canadian artists while working of this second effort ”Carmalita”. Released in 1983, the album was critically acclaimed and the single ‘Never Say Die’ – a duet with Vicki Moss – got the attention of Adult Contemporary radio, eventually topping the charts.
That same year saw Feehan win the prestigious Alberta Recording Association for Songwriting competition. This marked a turning point in his career, as the Grand Prize was a recording session with famed producer David Foster. This would mark one of Canada’s most prominent and longest-lasting musical collaborations.
As requested, here’s TIM FEEHAN second album, 1983’s “Carmalita“, for years out of print but fortunately reissued by specialized AOR reissue Japanese label Cool Sound Inc. The remastered treatment is excellent with great low-end and clarity.
With bigger production than his previous LP and that ‘1983 sound’, you’ll guess “Carmalita” crystal clear output.
Opener and title track “Carmalita” is ’80s AOR awesome with a capital A. Very well polished and elegant, some may think the lyrics now sound a bit cheesy, but the intensity of Tim’s voice really shines through, pulling everything off perfectly and without fault. The arrangement is truly excellent and cannot be faulted whatsoever. It is probably the most melodic track on the whole album, some subtle hints of guitar, both electric & acoustic.
‘January’ is a really a beautiful and uplifting track, for some reason it reminds me of a “Coming of Age” film, like ‘St. Elmos Fire’. We start off with a very slow tempo then as each time the chorus plays we are introduced to a far faster keyboard piece.
‘Wrong number’ is a true stand-out track, far more rock orientated than the previous two and utterly brilliant. Great use of guitar and bass, yet intermingled with some of the keyboard pieces which are used throughout the album. Great lyrics, some of the best on the album and some of the best within Tim’s whole career actually.
‘Alone’ is a ballad, and completely different from the first three tracks lyrics-wise. In a sad way, its really quite beautiful. Beautifully arranged , beautifully sung, beautifully played.
Things get back to upbeat with ‘Bad Sister’, a commercial cool AOR rocker that belong to an ’80s ‘action movie’. Love it.
Next we find the smooth midtempo ‘Over And Over’, kinda a mix of Chicago and Toto. A very good tune, as well as follower ‘Take Her By Surprise’, a golden ’80s AOR ballad with a great build-up leading up the chorus every time. Piano throughout complemented perfectly in places by some awesome guitar riffs. A winner.
‘Wait One More Day’ has nice vibe over it with a nervous guitar and Feehan sounding likem he will do in years to come. There are parts of this which remind me of Tim’s later hit song, “Where’s The Fire (which was used on “The Wraith” OST). If you love mid-Eighties AOR, this is a must.
‘Never Say Die’ is the duet with Vickie Moss, of course a ballad for the radio, with that David Foster feeling plus Chicago. Should’ve been used on 1983’s James Bond film, “Never say never”. Beautiful songwriting, beautifully performed.
‘Sadie J’ is the final track, a very good FM tune. This song sums up the early 80’s for me, embodies what is great about this genre and especially Tim Feehan. His voice has never sounded better and was NEVER used to greater effect than here in this track. Strong Piano adds to the great buildup to the chorus, a mix of Eagles and Airplay.
While AOR connoisseurs already know Tim Feehan’s ”Carmalita”, this really good album sadly remains unknown to many ’80s music aficionados.
This Cool Sound Japan remaster is out of print now
Tracklist:
01. Carmalita
02. January
03. Wrong Number
04. Alone
05. Bad Sister
06. Over And Over
07. Take Her By Surprise
08. Wait One More Day
09. Never Say Die
10. Sadie J
Tim Feehan – Carmalita Japan Edition (1983/2002) Remaster
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