Favorite west coast/AOR albums

It just depends on what era you're talking about. I tend to gravitate to the 70s because that's when the sound seemed to become a unique sub-genre all it's own.

 

I'm fond of the first s/t album by The Section (Danny Kortchmar, Craig Doerge, Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel, with guest appearances by Michael Brecker) although it is earlier and a bit edgier than most of the other albums mentioned. Sort of Mahavishnu meets Booker T & The MGs. Their other two are also reportedly good, but I haven't heard them.

 

I really dig it, too. Superb musicianship (great lead guitar!), great smooth grooves, fantastic harmonies and some catchy tunes. These guys could play.

 

I always find their albums to be hit or miss. Every one has a few songs that I think are phenomenal, but also a bunch of filler. I ended up taking a few of my favorites from each album and making a terrific 'best-of' comp.

"Atlanta June" is a great tune which would certainly fall in the 'westcoast' category.

 

Besides JaR, on the same label (Zink Music) is also a couple of my absolute favourite releases from the last few years:

Peter Friestedt -LA Project 1 + 2
http://www.peterfriestedt.com/

Smooth Reunion - Cleaning up the business (2008)
http://www.myspace.com/smoothreunion
For me, this one was really a positive surprise. Two unknown young swedish guys that just came out of nowwhere and makes this supercool Westcoast/Steely Dan inspired album that oozes with talent.

I mean... It's nice to, every once in a while, listen to something that at least was recorded after 1985

 

Is Jimmie Spheeris "westcoast/AOR"?

 

I absolutely LOVE that album. It compares a bit to Toy Matinee for me, and that's a really good thing.

 

far cry

david pack

greg guidry

anyone remember "thoughtscape sounds" out of arkansas? they carried tons of westcoast AOR stuff.

check this out:

http://www.bluedesert.dk/

 

Leslie Smith-Heartache
Amy Holland-s/t Heh, I love hearing "How Do I Survive" it's such a Michael McDonald song, I bet he would have done a great version of it.

 

Steve Kipner's album's great, Jay Graydon's guitar solo in "The Ending" is insane

 

Many great albums have already been mentioned...and I'd also add Bill LaBounty's self-titled album from 1982.

 

Bill's brand new album "Back To the Star" (with Larry Carlton) also comes highly recommended.

 

I can't believe that I missed this thread as I am a very big fan of this genre although I have to be with anther believer before I admit it. Love most the albums mentioned thus far and would add these to many that have already been mentioned, in no particular order:

Bill Champlin - "Through It All"
Average White Band - "Shine" (David Foster produced)
Lee Ritennaur - "Rit" & "Rit 2"
The Crusaders - "Street Life"
Kenny Loggins - "Celebrate Me Home"
The Doobies - "Livin' on he Faultline"
Kenny Rankin - "Inside"
Valerie Carter - "Just a Stone's Throw Away"

 

dane donahue - s/t

 

My favourite year after year (of this genre) is this one: http://www.wcmusic.info/files/abc/m/maxus81.php

 

Another favourite is Robert Byrne - Blame it on the Night

 

Taking over from Airplay and Maxus...

State Cows

This one is fantastic.





http://www.statecows.com/

Jay Graydon is contributing with a solo on one of the tunes!

 

Got this one yesterday, and all I can say is Wow!

Intricate harmonies, groovy and very joyful. Great sonics as well.

Kere Buchanan - Starting Over (2009)





http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kerebuchanan

 

You're not kidding. Just heard the Kipner album for the first time this weekend. There are only 3-4 strong songs (Lukather is wonderful on some). But the Graydon solo that rides out the album is epic. Truly wonderful.

 

Some of the Warner Bros. "Loss Leaders" sets from the late 70's like Supergroup and Limo are almost all West Coast/yacht rock, including some lesser-known people like Jorge Calderon or Chunky, Novi and Ernie.

 

I have Limo somewhere...must dig it up!!!

 

+1

Agreed. State Cows is not to be missed!
All Yacht Rock fans owe it to themselves to check it out.

 

The Kipner album is a *must have* http://vimeo.com/15654598

And this one

 

Ha ha nice one

 

Ole Børud is releasing a new record this monday. The preview on his facebook page sounds very promising.

http://www.facebook.com/oleborudmusic?v=app_178091127385