9TH STREET- THE PRAYER-1989

THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-FEEL IT
2-SOME TIME
3-THE FEELING'S GONE
4-THE PRAYER
5-TONIGHT
6-NOBODY KNOWS
7-CONFUSION
8-ORDINARY MAN
9-SOBATAGE AND SECRETS
10-I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPESWINE
9TH STREET - THE PRAYER (1989, BELLAPHON)
Mark Applin - vocals
Keith Beauvais - guitars
Kevin Mason - keyboards
Chris Margaray - saxophone
(Background)
For those of you with a liking for hi-tech pop/AOR then a tour up 9th Street might just be your bowl of latte. Signed to Frankfurt based Bellaphon Records, this British outfit play in a similar style to bands such as Channel 5, Modesty, Valet Parking and Go West. There's a bit of Toto to be found here too. Of the personnel, guitarist Keith Beauvais has played with many artists, including Gary Numan, Tom Jones and Take That. The others all have a background in studio work. Their image would seem pitched at the hi-tech dance/pop scene, but a closer listen sees 9th Street taking up position at the gates of AOR and melodic rock. The saxophone work of Chris Margaray also adds hints of Norway's Private Eye.. so all in all, this has all the indications of a promising album. So, how does it stack up?

(The Songs)
Very well thank you very much! Production values are top-notch, the songs and arrangements are all worthy of a listen, and the whole album hangs together nicely. The lead off tune 'Feel It' is mid-paced AOR with an array of parping synths everywhere. Much better is the seductive and sultry tones of 'Some Time', which apart from the opening strains of saxophone, turns into a Toto tribute of sorts! 'The Feeling's Gone' is straight-forward pop rock with a feelgood chorus; it's followed by an album highlight - the title track 'The Prayer', which also nudges Toto yet again. 'Tonight' is the token sweeping ballad on the album, whereas 'Nobody Knows' is more of their infectious hi-tech pop/AOR with singalong choruses and those parping synths popping up again. Slightly different in feel is 'Confusion', which moves alongside an upbeat tempo - with neat keyboards layers and leads occupying the space. 'Ordinary Man' is probably the rockiest song on the album, Beauvais at last has the chance to shine with some prominent guitar lines. Also very appealing is 'Sabotage And Secrets', which to these ears, sounds very Canadian. Think The Arrows, World On Edge, Jato, Glass Tiger etc. The Ronald Reagan voiceover adds a nice twist! The closer is the well-worn cover of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. I doubt Marvin Gaye will be threatened by this hi-tech pop workout!

In SummaryThese days 'The Prayer' is a bit of a rare gem to find. You might occasionally see it on Ebay, so if you do see it, snap it up. As mentioned, I feel this album would benefit those of you who are fans of Go West and Toto, as I feel that 9th Street are a great hybrid of the two.

So My Last Words For This Tremendouse Band
Just The Best On This Style I Ever Heard Til Now

Here Is A link To Watch A vid From This Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxGrvoe9TI&feature=related