The Michael Stanley Band was a reliably consistent, meat-and-potatoes enterprise responsible for superb Midwestern rock & roll. Stanley went on to become a popular television and radio personality in Cleveland. He still regularly releases albums - solo and the one-off group project the Ghost Poets - and performs annual summer and New Year's Eve shows along with occasional acoustic dates; these concerts and albums both feature MSB alumni and other Cleveland musicians. Razor & Tie has reissued most of MSB's catalog and two excellent best-of collections on compact disc.

Michael Stanley - 1972

It seems like many blue-collar rock & roll heroes of the 1970s and '80s got their start as folkies, and Cleveland legend Michael Stanley is one of them. His self-titled debut album was released in 1972, and it is a wildly mixed bag of introspective, acoustic folk-rock (a la James Taylor and others of that sensitive singer-songwriter ilk) and simple rock & roll. Stanley's potential was obvious, and this fact drew producer and Tumbleweed Records co-founder Bill Szymczyk, Joe Walsh, and other well-known musicians to the project. Stanley, Szymczyk, and Walsh went to Denver, assembled and briefly rehearsed an ad hoc band, and cut Michael Stanley in Los Angeles a week later. "Rosewood Bitters" opens the album, and it's still revered among Stanley fans. This relaxed, easygoing tune is based on acoustic guitar strumming and a sweet, gentle melody. Walsh plays slide guitar and Todd Rundgren adds clavinet. The country-flavored "Louisville A.D." features Rick Derringer on pedal steel guitar. "A Friend and Nothing More" slowly builds tension with slow piano, sparse acoustic guitar, resonant synthesizer, and steady drum parts. "Rock and Roll Man" is a conscious attempt to add a foot-stomper to the album, and Stanley forces his sneering vocals; luckily, Walsh redeems things with a piercing guitar solo. "Moving Right Along" is decent folk-rock enhanced by organ, flute, and guitar solos. A radically altered arrangement of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" closes the album. Stanley would release one more solo album before forming the Michael Stanley Band and becoming a superstar in Ohio, but it all began with the uneven yet promising Michael Stanley. - Bret Adams

01 - (4:43) Rosewood Bitters
02 - (2:39) Denver Rain
03 - (3:59) Louisville A.D.
04 - (4:11) A Friend And Nothing More
05 - (4:12) Rock And Roll Man
06 - (5:35) Moving Right Along
07 - (4:12) Resurrection
08 - (3:11) Good Time Charlie
09 - (4:02) Song For A Friend Soon Gone
10 - (3:10) Subterranean Homesick Blues

Friends & Legends - 1973

The title of Michael Stanley's 1973 album Friends & Legends - his second and final solo effort before starting the Michael Stanley Band - is certainly deserved. The Clevelander's talent must have been immediately evident to big names in the music business, because even Stanley's self-titled debut featured stellar guests. Bill Szymczyk produced Friends & Legends, and he recruited Joe Walsh and his band Barnstorm, Stephen Stills' Manassas, saxophonist David Sanborn, Richie Furay, and Dan Fogelberg to perform on it; J. Geils is also credited for helping Stanley co-produce the saxophone parts. "Among My Friends Again" is pleasant, easygoing folk-rock. An extremely mellow, reflective cover of the Beatles' "Help" is impressive, and Stanley says in the liner notes to the Razor & Tie reissue that a friend played it for John Lennon, who replied that Stanley's version was performed the way he originally conceived the song. The dramatically brooding "Let's Get the Show On the Road" is one of Stanley's best songs and was a concert favorite for many years; Sanborn's rich saxophone work on the track is stellar, and he really stretches out on the funky, Latin-flavored outro jam. "Just Keep Playing Your Radio" is an early example of rock's embrace of reggae. Thanks to Joe Vitale's multi-tracked flute parts and its overall Latin feel, "Roll On" resembles the music of War. "Funky Is the Drummer" is a fun, little throwaway on which Stanley introduces the musicians. The long guitar jam at the end of the otherwise subdued "Poets' Day" concludes Friends & Relatives on a blistering note. - Bret Adams

1 - (2:42) Among My Friends Again
2 - (4:19) Help!
3 - (3:30) Yours For A Song
4 - (7:35) Let's Get The Show On The Road
5 - (2:43) Just Keep Playing Your Radio
6 - (4:00) Roll On
7 - (3:42) Bad Habits
8 - (2:58) Funky Is The Drummer
9 - (6:43) Poets' Day

You Break It...You Bought It - 1975

After two solo albums in the early '70s, Michael Stanley formed the Michael Stanley Band, which released "You Break It, You Bought It!" in 1975. This Bill Szymczyk-produced platter was the first of three albums on Epic Records, and it also started the process of turning the Cleveland band into hometown legends. Rhythm guitarist Stanley was the band's namesake, but he shared songwriting and lead-vocal duties with lead guitarist Jonah Koslen almost equally for three years until Koslen left by 1978 to form Breathless. Besides Stanley and Koslen, MSB's original lineup also included bassist Daniel Pecchio (a Glass Harp veteran) and drummer Tom Dobeck. Keyboardist Paul Harris was a featured session player on the first few albums. "I'm Gonna Love You" is the album's appropriately energized opener. Stanley's relaxed ballad "Dancing in the Dark" is interesting because it's told from the point of view of a man who looks back fondly on an old relationship although he's currently happy with his woman and their children. Koslen's "Step the Way" starts out as folk-pop, but he adds some nice lead guitar work at the end. "Waste a Little Time on Me" is a fine ballad from Koslen. The arrangement on "Gypsy Eyes" highlights all the instruments, particularly the rhythm section and the biting guitar solo, and Koslen's soft singing holds it together. "Sweet Refrain" has a bit of country guitar twang but pop vocals and harmonies. Stanley's heart-on-his-sleeve "Where Have All the Clowns Gone" and "Song for My Children" essentially form a dramatic medley, which is emphasized by the string section. You Break It, You Bought It! is the promising beginning of a talented Midwestern band equally comfortable with rockers and ballads. - Bret Adams

01 - (4:07) I'm Gonna Love You
02 - (3:02) Dancing In The Dark
03 - (3:34) Step The Way
04 - (3:38) Waste A Little Time On Me
05 - (3:42) Lost In The Funhouse Again
06 - (3:43) Gypsy Eyes
07 - (4:38) Face The Music
08 - (4:02) Sweet Refrain
09 - (5:28) Highway Angel
10 - (4:20) Where Have All The Clowns Gone
11 - (3:01) Song For My Children

Ladies' Choice - 1976

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. - Bret Adams

01 - (3:25) Ladies' Choice
02 - (4:33) Calcutta Auction
03 - (4:07) Strike Up The Band
04 - (3:29) Heavy Weight
05 - (5:51) One Good Reason
06 - (4:32) Let It Slide
07 - (2:52) Blue Jean Boy
08 - (2:57) Old Dancin' Fool
09 - (4:31) Edge Of The Sky
10 - (4:16) Love Hasn't Been Here
11 - (2:29) Choice And Sanborn

Stage Pass - 1977

The Michael Stanley Band's live album Stagepass is a fine example of the no-frills rock & roll concert experience. Fitting on one CD, the Cleveland quintet recorded this double album over three consecutive nights in October 1976 at their hometown's old Agora Ballroom, which was destroyed by a fire a few years later. Five of the songs on Stagepass are new. The band was working on a studio album at the time, but in the liner notes of the 1992 compilation Right Back at Ya (1971-1983), Stanley says Epic Records wanted a live album to capitalize on the phenomenal success of Peter Frampton's Frampton Comes Alive!. The first cut, "Midwest Midnight," is a catchy rocker with Stanley's sneering vocals and cynically venomous, anti-music biz lyrics - although the first verse is about masturbation. "Real Good Time," written and sung by bassist Daniel Pecchio, starts as a melancholy ballad, picks up momentum, and then eases back down again. "Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind" is a solid pop-rock number written and sung by lead guitarist Jonah Koslen. "Movin' Right Along" is a 9½-minute jam highlighted by keyboardist Bob Pelander's jazzy piano solo. "Waste a Little Time on Me" is a lazy ballad oddly reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett. Koslen's "Wild Sanctuary" is an offbeat rocker. "Let's Get the Show on the Road" provides Stanley's band with another chance to stretch out. Koslen's singalong favorite "Strike Up the Band" closes Stagepass. Awesome album cover, too. - Bret Adams

01 - (6:10) Midwest Midnight [Live]
02 - (5:52) One Good Reason [Live]
03 - (4:52) Real Good Time [Live]
04 - (4:20) Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind [Live]
05 - (5:10) Calcutta Auction [Live]
06 - (9:37) Movin' Right Along [Live]
07 - (4:43) Will You Love Me Tomorrow [Live]
08 - (3:53) Waste A Little Time On Me [Live]
09 - (3:28) Pierette [Live]
10 - (5:04) Rosewood Bitters [Live]
11 - (4:22) Wild Sanctuary [Live]
12 - (8:22) Let's Get The Show On The Road [Live]
13 - (5:06) Strike Up The Band [Live]

Cabin Fever - 1978

1978's Cabin Fever is one of the most interesting albums in the Michael Stanley Band catalog due to the circumstances of its recording and the music contained within. It was MSB's first release on Arista Records and it was produced by up-and-comer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who would helm AC/DC's Highway to Hell the next year and quickly become one of the most important and successful producers of the 1980s and beyond. Originally, Bob Ezrin was supposed to produce the album, but Stanley isn't sure why that plan fell apart. Cabin Fever was recorded in Wales and England and Stanley remembers plastering the control room with photos of Blondie's Debbie Harry and sharing Trident Studios with Genesis in London. Gary Markasky replaced Jonah Koslen as lead guitarist, and it was the first studio album for keyboardist Bob Pelander, but the last album for bassist Daniel Pecchio. "Baby if You Wanna Dance" is the appropriately boisterous opening track. "Long Time (Looking for a Dream)" is a gentle pop ballad and the string section was directed by Electric Light Orchestra arranger Lou Clark. "Misery Loves Company" rocks along with an upbeat sound despite depressing lyrics. The piano-based ballad "Why Should Love Be This Way" is pleasant, but its creation was a bit convoluted as Stanley explains in the Razor & Tie CD reissue liner notes. Arista boss Clive Davis didn't like the original version, so MSB re-recorded the lead vocals and piano and remixed it; Lange, Davis, and Rick Chertoff are credited as co-producers. The original version is included as a bonus track on the Razor & Tie CD. "Slip Away" includes bright rhythm guitar and strong all-around vocals. The off-kilter beat of "Only a Dreamer" features a complex arrangement and nice organ and guitar work. - Bret Adams

01 - (4:23) Baby If You Wanna Dance
02 - (3:40) Long Time (Looking For A Dream)
03 - (3:44) Misery Loves Company
04 - (4:18) Why Should Love Be This Way
05 - (3:39) Slip Away
06 - (3:13) Who's To Blame
07 - (3:22) What' Cha Wanna Do Tonight
08 - (3:51) Fool's Parade
09 - (4:05) Only A Dreamer
10 - (3:30) Late Show
11 - (4:29) Why Should Love Be This Way [Alternate Version]

Greatest Hints - 1979

The Michael Stanley Band never fully broke commercially, but this classy, hard-working Cleveland rock & roll band was impressively consistent in the well above average quality of its albums. The fact that MSB was on several major labels and worked with a variety of legendary producers should be considered an asset, not a liability. 1979's Greatest Hints - the title being an inside-joke wink from a group that had not broken through the mainstream to have a "greatest hits" collection - is more of a rock album from start to finish than its ballad-rich predecessor, 1978's Cabin Fever. Stanley discusses this fact in the Razor & Tie CD reissue liner notes, as well as the fact that Greatest Hints, which was produced by veteran Harry Maslin, is oddly heavy on additional percussion. This album also marked the MSB debut of additional keyboardist/singer/songwriter Kevin Raleigh and bass guitarist/saxophonist Michael Gismondi. Raleigh (who would be an important focal point on subsequent albums) and keyboardist Bob Pelander blend their piano, organ, and synthesizer work easily on Greatest Hints. "Last Night," "Don't Lead With Your Love," and "Promises" are fun rockers, and the instrumental cohesion is impressive. "Back in My Arms Again," written by Holland-Dozier-Holland for the Supremes, swings along joyfully. "Beautiful Lies" is this album's only ballad. "We're Not Strangers Anymore" is loaded with strings, but it doesn't drag down the mid-tempo rock feel. The six members of MSB are individually talented, but they jell for the benefit of the songs on Greatest Hints. Stanley himself sings lead, but Raleigh's harmonies add a nice counterpoint since their voices are dissimilar. - Bret Adams

01 - (3:44) Last Night
02 - (4:19) Don't Lead With Your Love
03 - (4:02) Promises
04 - (4:13) Down To The Wire
05 - (4:57) No Turning Back
06 - (3:43) Back In My Arms Again
07 - (4:41) Beautiful Lies
08 - (4:01) Lights Out
09 - (4:26) Hold Your Fire
10 - (3:47) We're Not Strangers Anymore

Heartland - 1980

Every Heartland track has merit, but the most familiar song is the infectious pop/rocker "He Can't Love You," which was MSB's first Top 40 hit. Keyboardist Kevin Raleigh sings lead, and Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band contributes the blistering saxophone lines. Clemons also plays on a few other cuts including the minor hit "Lover," (its signature lyric, "Thank God for the man who put the white lines on the highway," became a sing-along favorite at concerts). "Don't Stop the Music" is a driving rocker propelled by Gary Markasky's guitar riffs and Tommy Dobeck's energetic snare-drum work. "Working Again" is a catchy blue-collar anthem. MSB's pop leanings are evident on "I'll Never Need Anyone More (Than I Need You Tonight)" and "Carolyn," yet "Voodoo" has an appropriately dark vibe. Heartland is a must for lovers of pure rock & roll. - Bret Adams

01 - (3:17) I'll Never Need Anyone More
02 - (4:54) Lover
03 - (3:39) Don't Stop The Music
04 - (3:38) He Can't Love You
05 - (3:58) Working Again
06 - (3:12) All I Ever Wanted
07 - (3:28) Say Goodbye
08 - (2:50) Hearts On Fire
09 - (4:33) Voodoo
10 - (3:03) Carolyn
11 - (3:20) Save A Little Piece For Me
12 - (5:54) Lover [Live]
13 - (4:42) He Can't Love You [Live]

North Coast - 1981

The Michael Stanley Band reached its creative peak with 1980's Heartland and finally enjoyed some commercial success to boot. As Stanley says in the Razor & Tie CD reissue liner notes, MSB was finally in the enviable position of having its record company clamor for a follow-up. Fortunately, 1981's North Coast offered another fine batch of songs and a new member in saxophonist Rick Bell. Assuming production duties this time around was legendary knob-twiddler Eddie Kramer, known for his work with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Kiss. "In the Heartland" has a pounding, insistent groove, and it became an MSB concert staple. Keyboardist/vocalist Kevin Raleigh's "When Your Heart Says Its Right" is infectious pop/rock and the chorus is terrific. "Somewhere in the Night," another favorite among the MSB faithful, is a strong tune in which the slightly more subtle verses make the chorus more explosive. Two other engaging rockers are "Heaven and Hell" and "Don't You Do That to Me." The acoustic guitar-based ballad "Falling in Love Again" is emotional without being syrupy. "Chemistry" nearly approaches new wave thanks to its jittery pace, repeating synthesizer lick and shouted chorus. It's a bit of a departure from MSB's consistently solid Midwestern rock & roll, and that makes it interesting. Buoyant 1950s-style rock is the model for "Let's Hear It," a hard-driving slice of all-out fun. The lighthearted lyrics touch on everything from a hard-working bar band to beautiful and tempting female fans to blue-collar audiences. Keyboardist Bob Pelander goes wild with an "attack piano" solo. The North Coast CD includes two live bonus tracks, "Somewhere in the Night" and "Shut Up and Leave Me Alone," recorded at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center in 1984. - Bret Adams

01 - (3:34) In The Heartland
02 - (3:32) When Your Heart Says It's Right
03 - (3:23) Somewhere In The Night
04 - (2:45) You're My Love
05 - (3:33) Heaven And Hell
06 - (3:35) Don't You Do That To Me
07 - (3:57) Falling In Love Again
08 - (3:31) Tell Me
09 - (2:54) Chemistry
10 - (2:56) Victim Of Circumstance
11 - (3:10) We Can Make It
12 - (3:49) Let's Hear It
13 - (5:01) Somewhere In The Night [Live]
14 - (4:12) Shut Up And Leave Me Alone [Live]

MSB - 1982

The Michael Stanley Band continued its long string of consistently good rock & roll albums with 1982's MSB. The Cleveland band also had a knack for attracting noted producers and co-producers, and this time around it was Don Gehman, who hit commercial and critical paydirt that same year with John Cougar's American Fool. In the Razor & Tie CD reissue liner notes, vocalist/rhythm guitarist Stanley commends Gehman for helping guide the band through a difficult time in the studio. The music, fortunately, doesn't really bear any scars. Stanley and vocalist/keyboardist Kevin Raleigh contributed some solid songs, but musically the star on MSB is saxophonist Rick Bell. He plays his heart out throughout. It's a wonder his lungs didn't collapse and his cheeks didn't split open. MSB was the last album for lead guitarist Gary Markasky. The band only had two Top 40 hits and a small handful of other singles that cracked Billboard's Hot 100, and MSB includes two of the latter: Raleigh's pleasant pop/rock number "When I'm Holding You Tight" and Stanley's subdued cautionary tale "Take the Time." The live favorite "In Between the Lines" is a terrific rocker with gritty lead vocals from Stanley and effective harmony vocals from Raleigh. Stanley's "Spanish Nights" is a delicately arranged story song about broken love set in Los Angeles. Raleigh's power ballad "One of Those Dreams" is enjoyable. The Razor & Tie CD bonus tracks "In Between the Lines (Live)" and "Fire in the Hole (Live)" were recorded at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center in August 1984 and were previously available on the band's rare live album, Fourth and Ten. - Bret Adams

01 - (5:16) In Between The Lines
02 - (3:52) If You Love Me
03 - (4:38) Night By Night
04 - (4:14) When I'm Holding You Tight
05 - (5:48) Spanish Nights
06 - (3:59) One Of Those Dreams
07 - (3:39) Love Hurts
08 - (4:08) Hang Tough
09 - (3:54) Just A Little Bit Longer
10 - (5:37) Take The Time
11 - (5:52) In Between The Lines [Live]
12 - (5:53) Fire In The Hole [Live]

You Can't Fight Fashion - 1983

The Michael Stanley Band - the pride of Cleveland, OH - released its final major-label album, You Can't Fight Fashion, in 1983. It's a shame this EMI America release was MSB's national swan song after nearly a decade of being on the verge of deserved widespread success. Once again, MSB was joined by a high-profile co-producer, and this time it was Bob Clearmountain. MSB's second and final Top 40 single, the singalong anthem rocker "My Town," is the most notable of several You Can't Fight Fashion highlights. (In the Razor & Tie CD reissue liner notes, vocalist/guitarist Stanley recalls how approximately 100 city-specific edits of "My Town" were made.) The album is a straightforward rock & roll platter as MSB surprisingly eschews ballads this time around. Lead guitarist Danny Powers joined for the album, just as the sun was beginning to set on MSB. Vocalist/keyboardist Kevin Raleigh's superbly catchy pop/rock number "Someone Like You" (Stanley's all-time favorite Raleigh song) actually charted on the low end of Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. Stanley's excellent "Hard Time" is enhanced by subtle touches of early-'80s keyboard sounds. Tenor saxophonist Rick Bell is featured prominently on You Can't Fight Fashion, especially on "Highlife." "The Damage Is Done" is another pop/rock gem from Raleigh. Stanley's scrappy, aggressive rocker "Fire in the Hole" is a story song about a mining disaster. The 1992 Razor & Tie CD reissue includes "My Town (Live)" and "Someone Like You (Live)," which were both recorded at Blossom Music Center near Cleveland in August 1984; the songs were originally found on the Michael Stanley Band's rare, independently released live album Fourth and Ten. - Bret Adams

01 - (4:26) Hard Time
02 - (4:33) Just Give Me Tonight
03 - (5:49) Someone Like You
04 - (5:06) Highlife
05 - (4:00) My Town
06 - (5:06) The Damage Is Done
07 - (4:14) Fire In The Hole
08 - (4:15) How Can You Call This Love
09 - (4:22) Just How Good (A Bad Woman Feels)
10 - (4:42) My Town [Live]
11 - (7:06) Someone Like You [Live]

Inside Moves - 1984

01 - (4:01) Show Me Something
02 - (4:02) No Big Deal
03 - (3:41) When All Is Said And Done
04 - (5:17) Somebody Else's Woman
05 - (4:44) Here Come The Kids
06 - (3:57) Inside Moves
07 - (3:36) Headlights
08 - (3:39) Poor Side Of Town
09 - (4:26) Bop Till Ya Drop
10 - (3:50) Hard Die The Heroes
11 - (4:44) Shut Up And Leave Me Alone [Studio Version]
12 - (3:04) Hey Angel
13 - (3:56) Rock Me Easy
14 - (5:12) Kiss It Off

Best Of The Michael Stanley Band - 1992

1 - (3:37) He Can't Love You
2 - (5:36) Take The Time
3 - (3:57) My Town
4 - (4:14) When I'm Holding You Tight
5 - (4:51) Lover
6 - (4:37) Night By Night
7 - (3:54) Falling In Love Again
8 - (3:31) When You're Heart Says It's Right
9 - (5:49) Someone Like You

Right Back At Ya (1971-1983) - 1992

01 - (4:43) Rosewood Bitters
02 - (7:28) Let's Get The Show On The Road
03 - (5:40) One Good Reason
04 - (4:09) Strike Up The Band
05 - (6:11) Midwest Midnight
06 - (4:18) Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind
07 - (3:37) Why Should Love Be This Way
08 - (3:49) We're Not Strangers Anymore
09 - (4:52) Lover
10 - (3:37) He Can't Love You
11 - (3:35) In The Heartland
12 - (3:23) Somewhere In The Night
13 - (3:55) Falling In Love Again
14 - (5:20) In Between The Lines
15 - (5:49) Someone Like You
16 - (3:57) My Town

Coming Up For Air - 1996

Rock singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Stanley's 1996 album Coming Up for Air was his first solo release in more than 20 years. The Cleveland native released two solo albums in the early 1970s before forming the Michael Stanley Band - regional superstars, but moderately successful in the rest of the country - and the Ghost Poets with MSB alumni. Coming Up for Air features 13 songs, a reliable balance of hearty rockers and tender ballads that Stanley and other Midwestern rockers like Bob Seger are known for. Former MSB members, like keyboardist/co-producer Bob Pelander, guitarist Danny Powers, and drummer Tommy Dobeck, assist Stanley on the album. "After Hollywood" has a light, irresistible melody and chorus. "Coming Up for Air" is a major surprise because it's an atmospheric blend of haunting new age and progressive rock; Stanley was inspired to write the song after suffering a premature heart attack. Stanley's canon includes songs attacking the music industry, and "Poison Pen" is a bitter, somewhat funky rebuke of music critics. Humor and innuendo abound in "Sendaway Underwear," an organ- and horns-driven tribute to mail-order lingerie. "Everybody" is a tough, gritty examination of social problems; Stanley and Sasha push each other vocally with terrific results. Smooth, saxophone-laced R&B is a major influence on "Complicated," one of the catchiest tunes on the album. Stanley's sense of humor rises again on the terrifically cheeky rocker "Horizontal Mambo," a self-explanatory ode to you-know-what. At times, Stanley exercises too much self-restraint when it comes to his vocals, but Coming Up for Air still helps him maintain a consistent level of career-long quality that most other musicians can only dream about. The enhanced, multimedia CD includes many extras that highlight Stanley's career. - Bret Adams

01 - (4:32) After Hollywood
02 - (6:37) Coming Up For Air
03 - (4:53) Poison Pen
04 - (5:43) Talking In Tongues
05 - (4:58) Sendaway Underwear
06 - (5:24) Everybody
07 - (5:59) Wherever You Go
08 - (5:12) Yesterday's Eyes
09 - (4:51) Complicated
10 - (3:32) Just Between Friends
11 - (4:34) Horizontal Mambo
12 - (4:23) Sha-La-La-La
13 - (4:14) Terms Of Surrender