Year : 2012 (AOR Heaven Classix Edition)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 120 mb
Bio:
Melodic Rock band formed in the 80's by vocalist / guitarist Nathan Shaffer (ex-Gambler, Billy Cannon on guitar, Jean-Paul Tantet on bass, John Merritt on drums and Michael Prince (from Legs Diamond) on keyboards.ROQ ROYALE formed by Ex-GAMBLER's Nathan Schaffer and Ex-LEGS DIAMOND's Keyboards Michael Prince.The band's only album (12 tracks) ROQ ROYALE recorded in the late ‘80s was digitally remastered in 2012 and released as 0020 in the AOR HEAVEN CLASSIX series, limited to 1000 copies.Produced by Roy Thomas Baker (QUEEN, JOURNEY, FOREIGNER), but previously held in storage, this is the first time the exhilarating Autograph, NETWORK, TOUCH, VITAL SIGNS, LEGS DIAMOND style AOR / melodic rock vision has been released on CD! This is the first time the album has been released on CD!
Album:
The majestically named ROQ ROYALE was a band put together in the second half of the ’80s by erstwhile Gambler vocalist/guitarist Nathan Shaffer, although it’s fair to say the group’s almost mythical status has been achieved thanks to the involvement of Legs Diamond keyboard maestro Michael Prince.The band was signed by a major label and recorded their debut at the end of that decade, but incredibly the record company refused to publish it. Completely incomprehensible if you keep in mind how much money was spent for the production by Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, Journey, Foreigner) and the excellent level of quality the music had.Fortunately, “Roq Royale” finally sees the light of day for our pleasure thanks to AOR Heaven Classix series.Cut at Enterprise Recording Studios in North Hollywood, Roq Royale (the name being chosen thanks to wanting a ‘royally majestic sound’) is a wonderful slice of pure ’80s Melodic Hard Rock / AOR with a touch of Pomp AOR.Stylistically, Roq Royale can be compared with Network, Autograph, Touch, Vital Signs, and of course, Legs Diamond.The latter comes not only because of Michael Prince’s involvement, but also because two of the album’s tracks (“Walk Away” and “Find It Out The Hard Way”) were already used for the Legs Diamond great mid-Eighties disc ‘Out On Bail’.Also included is a cover version (much more AOR) of Squeeze’s classic “Tempted”, and “Never Felt Like This”, a remake of an old Gambler number. Even though all of these songs have a high level of awareness, they are not the strongest material to find on the disc.The relentless good ballad “Alone In Hollywood”, the diverse “Sixtie’s Kids”, the pithy “Too Young To Die” and the lively “Boulevard Lights” are terrific original Melodic Hard Rock / AOR numbers written by the band.All wonderful bunch melodious rockers with catchy choruses, soaring vocals and awesome keyboard / guitar interplay.Usually the AOR Heaven record label at his ‘Classix’ series takes care of re-issuing albums that have evolved in estimated classics and sought after rarities over the years since its first release.Roq Royale is an exception as the release of their one and only album is a true first publication.This is a pure styled late ’80s AOR / Melodic Hard Rock little gem plenty of great songs with ‘that’ unrepeatable sound & production, and in view of the myths and legends around it, the limited edition of 1,000 copies is destined to be sold out quickly. And it did.
Line-Up:
Nathan Shaffer – vocals - see also: ex-Gambler
Billy Cannon – guitars
Jean Paul Tantet – bass
John Merritt – drums
Mike Prince – keyboards - see also: ex-Legs Diamond
+ guests:
Backing Vocals – Mark Volman And Howard Kaylan
Production:
Producer – Roy Thomas Baker
Remastered By – Chris Lyne
Remix – Nathan Shaffer
Tracklist:
01. Never Felt Like This
02. Nothing Lasts Forever
03. Walkaway
04. Sixtie's Kids
05. Too Young To Die
06. Alone in Hollywood
07. Boulevard Lights
08. The Children Will Dance
09. Find It Out the Hard Way
10. Tempted
11. If I Were King
12. Someone Is Waiting
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
