Search - Randy Vanwarmer :: Beat of Love/Things That You Dream

Very Welcome Long Awaited Releases...

Power Popper | Kansas City | 12/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although "The Things That You Dream" was issued in Japan previously on a now rare compact disc, this is the first issue I know of for "Beat of Love" on CD. Some of the tracks from both of these albums have been released on various hits compilations, but it is so welcome to have every track complete, compiled on a single disc. "Beat of Love", as the wax owners know, is more of a new-wave [released originally in 1981], raw sounding LP than previous works, a little reggae / calypso here and there, but overall a great soft-rock sound that seems lost in music nowadays. "The Things That You Dream" actually has one of the first recordings of "Shadows Of The Night", recorded by Randy towards the end of 1982 - at the same time Pat Benatar recorded her excellent version, which of course became quite a hit for her. Although I do indeed like these albums, I personally prefer the first two that Randy did for Bearsville; - don't get me wrong - there is great material here too - I just have a certain excessive affection for some of the cuts on "Warmer" and "Terraform". If one wanted to become familiar with Randy's no-hit tracks, the first two LP's are perhaps a better place to start, but after hearing those albums, one will certainly crave more."

Randy VanWarmer- Beat of Love/Things That You Dream

Charles Whiting | Blue Ridge Mountains of Va. | 08/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Again, I was a fan of Mr. VanWarmer's writing and his style of delivering the songs he wrote. With my love of music and feeling for lyrics well expressed, I found the feeling and honest storytelling often touched me personally. Too little was known of his contributions to the music scene, from "Pop Music" aka:A.M. hits to Country covers of his songs, which in some ways left him an unknown to the music buying public. Over the years, I would play his L.P.s for friends who had no idea who he was, though they had heard his songs and even his "big hit", "Just When I Needed You Most" but never knew who they were enjoying. Too bad! A genius in many ways and someone I will always listen to and cherish as a part of my record and CD collection. The CDs have interesting notes with which to better come to "know" the man who touched many with his lyrics and heart felt delivery of his songs. Thank You Suzi for helping Randy have his life of happiness and for helping him "build that rocket and blast off into outer space". Nice to "know" you and Randy by way of his having shared that with we who enjoyed his talent of story telling.

"

Finding "Suzi Found a Weapon"

Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 03/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The late Randy VanWarmer is mostly remembered as a soft-rock one hit wonder, with the exquisite "Just When I Needed You Most" being the big one. But he recorded four decent albums for Bearsville before settling in for a successful Nashville songwriting career. This Two-fer represents the second half of his recorded output, and even makes the case that Randy was a hit and a half wonder.



That honor belongs to the album "The Beat of Love," recorded during the era of skinny tie new wave. The mid-charter "Suzi Found A Weapon" is - IMHO - one of the 80's great lost singles. If we're to believe the CD's liner notes, its inability to go the distance was due to cheapskates who didn't want to spend the dough to grease the promotional wheels. Darn shame that, because it guaranteed that this album (and the subsequent "The Things That You Dream") stiffed commercially. But what a great lost record! With a menacing guitar lick and bubbly keyboard, Randy trembled a lyric that sounded like it came off an Elvis Costello or Joe Jackson album. New waver Brian Briggs had a serious influence here, but the remainder of the album is pretty cool as well.



There is a certain cynical humor that underscores many of the songs, like the reggae tinged "Amen." Send us your money, and we will pray for you, the man on TV say" is how the songs opens, yet it's such a poppy tune it's easy to miss the barb. Same with "Hanging on the Heaven." Randy's sense of humor kind of parallels Stephen Bishop's, who's off-center Red Cab to Manhattan came out about the same period as "Beat." For those wondering where that guy who sang the pretty ballads went to, the title track and "Always Night" will fill in nicely.



But as stated earlier, the album died commercially and Randy went back to basics for "The Things That You Dream." A gentle album that sounds more like the James Taylor/Stephen Bishop school of soft pop, it shows the easy skill Randy had for songwriting. He also indulged himself in a few covers, including a jangle-pop varient on "Shadows of The Night" (a rock hit for Pat Benatar) and The Loving Spoonful's "Do You Believe In Magic." Why this didn't cross into the charts is a mystery, but that these albums are finally on CD is a miracle. As far as I know, this is the first CD version of "The Beat Of Love" to appear. Get this now, as well as the recent issue of Randy's Warmer/Terraform."