Search - Walter Egan :: Lost Album

A Lost Treasure

Jef Fazekas | Newport Beach, California United States | 12/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Whoa.....why this excellent album hasn't been released before now is a mystery to me! Coming fast on the heels of last year's awesome "Walternative" - Egan's first new release in sixteen years - this rough, yet throughly captivating, release is probably Egan's best album since "Fundamental Roll", his 1977 debut(Yes, I know I said the same thing about "Walternative" but, since this one was actually recorded first, it's kind of a moot point!). It's clear that Egan was at a crossroads in 1985; he'd only had partial success (both artistically and commercially)with his last three albums - 1980's "The Last Stroll" was pretty good, "Hi-Fi" from 1979 was O.K. and 1983's "Wild Exhibitions" was, well....mediocre.....and it must have been becoming increasingly clear that singing about cars and girls just wasn't going to cut it any more. That's why it's such a shame this album was allowed to fall thru the cracks due to record company politics. For the first time in his career Egan seemed willing to shake things up. It's like he was listening to what was happening around him but, rather than just jumping on the "hip" bandwagon, he took what would work for him......and tweaked it a bit. A collection of new and unique sounds, "The Lost Album" (I wonder what it's original title was?)opens with "Hard Love", a kick-ass New Wave rave-up that mixes a killer backbeat and clever instrumentation to absolute perfection. Next up is "Only Love Is Left Alive". This airy, smooth mid-tempo rocker is only made better by the inclusion of Christine McVie on harmony vocals. Her sultry vocals here prove, once and for all, that she is one of the best harmony vocalists of all time....ever....bar none. My final fave is the liltingly subversive "Jean." On first listen this track seems like it belongs more on a Lindsey Buckingham album than a Walter Egan one, but after a listen or two the snappy percussion and razor-sharp guitar work sucks you in and you realize something magical is happening here. The great songs on this album are followed by the very good ones, starting with the island-flavored "The Faces People Make." Once again anchored by tasty percussion (one of the new sounds that dominates the CD and works very well), "Faces" is one of those fun songs you know would sound great in a little club somewhere (they could have also done a killer video for this song during the heyday of MTV!). Next we have "Someone Like Me." Heavy on the retro feel and instrumentation - think the Beach Boys meet Bacharach - this is probably Egan's most unadorned, honest ballad. Simply gorgeous. Also worth noting is "The Lonliest Boy." Heavy on the Buckingham influence, it's still a kick to hear strumming guitars and a squeezebox on a Walter Egan album. Fresh and unique, this is a sound that really works for him. Not everything works, though. A couple tracks seem like they were taken straight from the vault, albeit half done. Both "Silvery Sleep" and "Sisters of the Moon" (always a killer live track for Egan)would have benefited from a little more mixing and punching up, while songs such as "Invisible Man", "Stop Don't Stop" and "Challenger" are run of the mill Egan efforts (I'm also VERY suspect of those vocals credited to Jackson Browne on "Challenger"). But, hey, those are minor points. The fact of the matter is "The Lost Album" is probably the most important release of Walter Egan's career.....it's proof that, back in 1985, he knew he had to branch out and grow. Now, fifteen years later, between this album and "Walternative", I have a much deeper respect for Egan. One thing for sure....I can't WAIT to see what he does next (Note.....if this CD were a little more "finished", with a tweak here and there, it would be a five star....without a doubt!)!"

The Magnet and Steel man is back

Valerie J. Waldon | Stockton, CA United States | 10/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Begining with his first record in 1976 Walter Egan was a favorite of mine. Now comes The Lost Album, a collection of songs from unreleased recordings done in 1985. And you know what its great. From the bouncy "Jean", "Stop Dont Stop" and "Pistols Of Power" to the moody "Only love is left alive" and "The Loneliest Boy" to the charming "Someone Like You" and the Rocking "Invisible Man".If you ever enjoyed this guy's music pick this up. You wont be disappointed."