Both as a solo artist and with the Michael Stanley Band (MSB), his brand of heartland rock was popular in Cleveland, Ohio and around the American Midwest in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Michael Stanley Band's skills were obviously increasing by its second album, 1976's Ladies' Choice. It also leaned more toward rockers than ballads, whereas the material on the previous year's You Break It, You Bought It! was a more even split.
Once again, Bill Szymczyk handled production duties and Ladies' Choice also continued Stanley's practice of having high-profile guest musicians sit on some sessions.
"Ladies' Choice" has a country-rock and MOR feel, but Stanley says in the Razor & Tie reissue liner notes that Szymczyk viewed it as a reggae number. "Calcutta Auction" is slinky funk-rock highlighted by Stanley's gritty vocals and lead guitarist Jonah Koslen's buzzing, overdriven solos.
Koslen's infectious anthem "Strike up the Band" immediately became a live favorite that the band included in its set for years. "Heavy Weight" is mid-tempo hard rock, and Seth Justman of the J. Geils Band is featured on organ.
"One Good Reason" is one of the most creative songs the Michael Stanley Band ever recorded. Bassist Daniel Pecchio and drummer Tom Dobeck drive the song with a slow, funky, and off-kilter beat while guest David Sanborn contributes alternately smoky and scalding alto saxophone lines and guest Albhy Galuten's pulsating synthesizer accents add the perfect touch.
According to Stanley's liner-notes comments, the bright rocker "Let It Slide" was a rip-off of the Eagles' "Already Gone." Koslen's piano-driven ballad "Blue Jean Boy" is a clever rumination about road life and settling down; it's the kind of song that Elton John and Bernie Taupin would write.
Stanley cheerfully admits that the short instrumental "Choice and Sanborn" was simply an excuse to have Sanborn stick around the studio and play some more.
Side A
A1. Ladies' Choice - 3:22
A2. Calcutta Auction - 4:32
A3. Strike Up The Band - 4:06
A4. Heavy Weight - 3:28
A5. One Good Reason - 5:46
Side B
B1. Let It Slide - 4:30
B2. Blue Jean Boy - 2:49
B3. Old Dancin' Fool - 2:57
B4. Edge Of The Sky - 4:28
B5. Love Hasn't Been Here - 4:14
B6. Choice And Sanborn (Featuring – David Sanborn) - 2:30
Companies, etc.
- Manufactured By – Epic Records
- Manufactured By – CBS Inc.
- Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute
- Produced For – Pandora Productions Ltd.
- Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios
- Mastered At – Criteria Recording Studios
- Mastered At – Customatrix
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
- Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
- Published By – Rugrat Music
Credits
- Arranged By – Bill Szymczyk, Michael Stanley Band
- Art Direction – Ron Coro
- Bass, Vocals – Daniel Pecchio
- Cover [Concept] – Michael Stanley Band
- Crew [Equipment Manager] – Jim Soffos
- Design – Art Attack, John Kehe, Mick Haggerty
- Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Tom Dobeck
- Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Michael Stanley
- Engineer – Bill Szymczyk, Ed Mashal
- Lead Guitar [Electric], Slide Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Jonah Koslen
- Lead Vocals – Daniel (tracks: B3, B5), Jonah (tracks: A3, A4, B1 to B4), Michael (tracks: A1, A2, A5, B3, B5)
- Management – Rosewood Management
- Management [Direction] – David Spero
- Mastered By – Alex Sadkin
- Organ – Paul Harris (tracks: A1, B1, B2, B4, B5)
- Percussion – Rodney (tracks: A1, B6)
- Photography By – Steven Silverstein
- Photography By [Inside] – Al Taylor, David Spero, George Parke, Janet Macoska, John Wiser (2), Ken Kolsen, Saul Steels, Stephanie Janis
- Photography By [Photos] – Phil Ceccola, Stephanie Janis
- Piano – Paul Harris (tracks: B4, B5)
- Producer – Bill Szymczyk
- Synthesizer – Albhy Galuten (tracks: A5, B5)
- Tour Manager [Road Manager] – Frank Moller
Notes
Release: 1976
Format: LP
Genre: Rock
Label: Epic Records
Catalog# EPC 81152
Prijs: €4,99
Vinyl: VG
Cover: G
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