4 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
In 1987, Sandi Saraya and Gregg Munier (keyboards) teamed up in a band called Alsace Lorraine in New Jersey, USA. At first struggling to put food on the table, they took the plunge and relocated to Los Angeles in search of fame and fortune. This did not go as the dream foretold, and they soon sloped back to New Jersey with their tail tucked firmly between their legs.
But help was soon at hand in the shape of ex Danger Danger Guitarist Tony ‘Bruno’ Rey and with the addition of bassist Gary Taylor and tub thumper Chuck Bonfante. The band changed their name to simply Saraya, as Sandi was the focal point of the band. They were finally ready to roll.
A showcase gig was set up for the band to show off their wares. This resulted in a contract with Polygram Records. See, it’s easy this rock’n’roll lark.
The record label executives wanted to establish the band as a hard rock outfit and then develop Sandi Saraya as a sex symbol along the lines of Bon Jovi.
The self-titled debut album of solid hard rock material was released in 1989. The record company had brought in top of the range record producers and songwriters, including Desmond Child (who had previously helped Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, and Joan Jett amongst others) to give the album as much momentum and exposure as possible. Reaching number 79 but staying for 39 weeks in the Billboard Top 200 was not a bad reckoning for a debut album from unknown artists. The album simply beamed out with class.
Three singles were lifted from the sessions, again only meeting with moderate success, reaching the lower reaches of the Top 100. The best known being ‘Love Has Taken Its Toll.’
Out on the road, things did not fare so well. After several line up changes the band collected themselves back in the recording studio to follow up their debut. The results were released as ‘When The Blackbird Sings’ – a fine collection of commercial, adult-orientated rock, which should have fared a lot better than it did.
Original partner Gregg Munier became totally disillusioned with the new guitar based heavier rock sound and left the fray as soon as the album was completed. With that, the band really fell apart and with no band to support it the album faded dramatically, quickly into obscurity. Such a great shame as it contains some top notch material presented with a fine delivery.
‘Tear the Wall Down’ and ‘Seducer’ could easily have gone onto become classics.
But it’s a mighty long way down rock’n’roll.
Sandi Saraya married actor Brendan Kell and now lives in Palm Springs, California with their five children.
Guitarist Tony Rey went on to be a well-respected member of the music industry working with Joan Jett, Rihanna and many more.
Such a shame in many ways as the legacy of music they leave behind is of the highest order. A story of what could have been.
Written by Mott the Dog
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