1960'sTVfan
06-15-2018, 09:25 PM
I recently got into this band and discovered they were quite a bit more than their smash radio hit "Baby Come Back" from late 1977/early 1978. They had several other good songs, most notably "Silver Lining" from their 2nd album titled "Danger Zone". Player was a talented band that never really found their way, perhaps because they displayed a variety of different styles on their albums and never really settled into one category.
Player's first album, the self titled one from 1977, is mostly a pop album, California/west coast style. Not bad for a debut album. Good songs overall, one or two on the weaker side, there is one heavier rocker on the album titled "Cancellation". Pretty good song.
On the second album, titled "Danger Zone", Player rocks a little harder. This is the album that has the song "Silver Lining". Amazing song, one of Player's best. Blew me away the first time I heard it. Sounds like something Boston might have done around that same time. But unfortunately, "Silver Lining" didn't do that well on the charts. It deserved to do better. To me, "Danger Zone" is Player's best album, I like the harder rock approach although the "B" side isn't as good as the "A" side.
After J.C. Crowley left the band, Player released their third album titled "Room With A View". This album sort of blends the sound of the first two albums, it contains some harder, guitar driven songs but also leans more towards the pop sound from the first album. Not a bad album, some good songs but overall I prefer Danger Zone over this one.
Player's final album, 1981's "Spies Of Life", is to me a fairly weak effort. Two good songs worth mentioning, the album opener titled "If Looks Could Kill", and the melodic ballad "It Only Hurts When I Breathe". But unfortunately, the rest of the album is on the bland side, nothing spectacular. For this album, Player ditched the harder rock sound and went back to the lighter, pop style. It would have worked if the songs were better but instead they sound here like a low rent version of Hall & Oates.
Years later, Peter Beckett and Ronn Moss re-formed Player and recorded some new music but I haven't heard it so I can't comment about it. I think Peter Beckett released a solo album too and for a time he was with the Little River Band.
J.C. Crowley released a country music album in 1988 titled "Beneath The Texas Moon". I sampled a few songs on You Tube, they are OK I suppose but nothing outstanding, definitely much different music when compared to Player.
So those are my thoughts about Player. Anyone else have something to add? Post away!
Player's first album, the self titled one from 1977, is mostly a pop album, California/west coast style. Not bad for a debut album. Good songs overall, one or two on the weaker side, there is one heavier rocker on the album titled "Cancellation". Pretty good song.
On the second album, titled "Danger Zone", Player rocks a little harder. This is the album that has the song "Silver Lining". Amazing song, one of Player's best. Blew me away the first time I heard it. Sounds like something Boston might have done around that same time. But unfortunately, "Silver Lining" didn't do that well on the charts. It deserved to do better. To me, "Danger Zone" is Player's best album, I like the harder rock approach although the "B" side isn't as good as the "A" side.
After J.C. Crowley left the band, Player released their third album titled "Room With A View". This album sort of blends the sound of the first two albums, it contains some harder, guitar driven songs but also leans more towards the pop sound from the first album. Not a bad album, some good songs but overall I prefer Danger Zone over this one.
Player's final album, 1981's "Spies Of Life", is to me a fairly weak effort. Two good songs worth mentioning, the album opener titled "If Looks Could Kill", and the melodic ballad "It Only Hurts When I Breathe". But unfortunately, the rest of the album is on the bland side, nothing spectacular. For this album, Player ditched the harder rock sound and went back to the lighter, pop style. It would have worked if the songs were better but instead they sound here like a low rent version of Hall & Oates.
Years later, Peter Beckett and Ronn Moss re-formed Player and recorded some new music but I haven't heard it so I can't comment about it. I think Peter Beckett released a solo album too and for a time he was with the Little River Band.
J.C. Crowley released a country music album in 1988 titled "Beneath The Texas Moon". I sampled a few songs on You Tube, they are OK I suppose but nothing outstanding, definitely much different music when compared to Player.
So those are my thoughts about Player. Anyone else have something to add? Post away!