RIDGE'N'DEARMAN is a duo with a very long history behind them. The duo consists of vocalist/guitarist John Ridge and keyboardplayer Steven Dearman Clark. 'The fifty stars' is a compilation CD of works created over the past few years by John and Steven. Notable is that John played with the band EF BAND many years ago (a Swedish band that released a couple of LPs). And also Steven has played with several acts such as Alvin Stardust, Shakin' Stevens and Johnny and the Hurricanes.

So, they already have a lot of experience before they released this CD. Anyway, about 7 people who all come from different areas in the world accompany the two musicians. They hail from as far as India, Sweden, and Great Britain to Germany. Steven was born in Great Britain, while John was born in the city where I also was born (Rotterdam, The Netherlands). So, this is quite a mixture of different nationalities. Musically though, this is very much 80s American AOR orientated.

The beginning of the CD is a bit poppy and can be described as light AOR/Poprock (a la HAYWIRE, SHY TALK, THE OUTFIELD). But after a few songs, the CD develops into a sensational 80s typed pure AOR/Arena Rockalbum and actually then we can easily
compare it to the likes of SURVIVOR, HARLAN CAGE, FORTUNE (1985), BOB WHEELER, AVIATOR, CRYSTAL, NIGHTWORK (just to name a few!). I think you'll get the idea that we're talking about something sensational here. Well, let's start with the beginning.

The CD opens with "Fifty stars", a poppy hi-tech 80s typed AOR song a la PROMOTION, TOTO… though the chorus of the tune is very much AOR based (a la HARLAN CAGE). Moving on with "Only a boy", a cool pure early 80s uptempo AOR/Poprocker a la HAYWIRE, LOVERBOY, HONEYNOON SUITE, RICK SPRINGFIELD (early 80s records) and including a great melodic guitarsolo. A big surprise is the next track "Ice in the sun", this is prime-time late 70s/early 80s pure Pomprock (including the keys and the upbeat sound) a la RATHSKELLER, AERIAL, NEW ENGLAND… The vocals of John sound much better in this song than the previous songs that featured rather poppy vocals (a
la THE OUTFIELD).

Another thing which surprised me is the fact that John's voice really sounds like BERT HEERINK (you know that Dutch guy singer VANDENBERG, PICTURE, UNDERCOVER…) and as I told you before John was also born in Holland, so maybe a coincidence or an influence? Anyway, the CD continues with "Just wanna be with you tonight", this is pure 80s AOR and reminds me of FOREIGNER meets KYLE VINCENT (circa 'On a night like this').

"It's only love" follows and is a step back to the hi-tech AOR sound of the first few songs of the CD. Still this is a nice song, but compared to the rest of the material it is the weakest song. "It's only love" sounds like a cross between MR. MISTER and CANNATA. After this song, the sound changes in favour of the 80s pure AOR sound. "Power Station" is the first song to kick off this really fantastic AOR blast. This song is typical mid-80s tough Movie-AOR like SURVIVOR, FORTUNE, BOB WHEELER and it also includes that Catchy hookline we all love so much from this type of AOR.

Next up is "Stand up and shout", another pure mid 80s typed uptempo AOR/Melodic rocker, this is in WHITE SISTER territory, but the chorus is a bit simpler (a la KING
KOBRA). Following track "This time" is really superb, because this is wonderful 80s uptempo AOR like AVIATOR. Up next is "Feels as if it's Xmas everyday", a good melodic rockballad.

The last three songs are all fantastic classic 80s AOR tunes and these are definitely my favourite songs of RIDGE'N'DEARMAN. The beginning of "Don't wanna wait forever" is the ultimate AOR DREAM, this is AOR HEAVEN! Those keyboards and the whole song actually is a dream for fans of that FORTUNE record from 1985! This is pure AOR in it's best 80s tradition and anyone that likes PRISM, NIGHTWORK, AGENT, THE INNOCENT ('Livin' on the streets') and especially FORTUNE (read: HARLAN CAGE) etc. etc. should check out this song ASAP!

But the CD ain't over yet, because the closing two songs ("Physical" and "Hold on to my heart") are also both wonderful classic 80s uptempo AOR rockers in the style of NIGHTWORK, CRYSTAL, FORTUNE (1985). Listening to songs like these, you just start to realise that you miss that 80s Keyboard AOR sound so many new bands don't have.
Anyway, glad to hear a new CD that has got a pure 80s AOR sound. I think every decent AOR fan should check out this band, especially those of you who really are into that 80s sound (with the keys, hooklines, catchy choruses, melodic guitarsound and tight rhythm). The story isn't over yet, because John Ridge (half of Ridge'n'Dearman) has just released a
solo-CD that is reviewed below.

Rating: 8,5/10

Well, you just read my raving on this RIDGE'N'DEARMAN CD and now here's another CD that features this JOHN RIDGE guy solo. I have to inform you that this record is musically totally different than the above reviewed CD of his other project. John's solo-CD is a mixture of Pop, Westcoast, Rock and a tiny bit of AOR. I hear similarities to JOHN PARR, BRETT WALKER AND THE RAILBIRDS, RICHARD MARX, BRYAN ADAMS, TOM KIMMEL, but also JOHN LENNON comes in mind a few times.

The start is very promising, because opener "They came from far away" is a great semi AOR ballad (like early RICHARD MARX. I really like the vocals of John on this song which are very AORish. Unfortunately the following two songs ("The fire inside" and "So long") are average rockers with rawer vocals and a westcoast influenced sound (like BRETT WALKER). The piano pop songs "Freedom" and "Everybody knows" remind me of JOHN LENNON. Furthermore the only rockers on the CD are "Don't look at me" and "If you ain't mine", both like BRYAN ADAMS.

The rest of the CD is very Pop orientated and has nothing to do with the great AOR style created on the RIDGE'N'DEARMAN album. Fans of 80s AOR need to check out the RIDGE'N'DEARMAN record, while fans of 90s westcoast pop/rock will like this solo-CD of John. Anyway, both products are available for licensing for all countries outside the USA at the website of their recordlabel: http://www.LightningCapitolMusic.com

Rating: 6/10

DENNIS W. RYCKMAN is a hot new multi-instrumentalist from Ontario, Canada. He sent me a 7-track CD. Musically HONEYMOON SUITE and BON JOVI have influenced him. You can clearly hear these influences on his songs throughout the CD. The first song "Never feel the pain" has a fantastic pure 80s AOR sound (some lovely keys included). The song itself is a great uptempo AOR rocker that sounds like the aforementioned bands. Next track "Be with you" is one of those lovely 80s typed Power AOR ballads that ruled the US charts 15 years ago. Great to hear such songs in times like these. The following track "I do" is a bit weaker ballad.

Up next is "Say it one more time", a happy 80s uptempo melodic poprocker a la NELSON (circa 'Life'), RICK SPRINGFIELD (early 80s records), RICK MATHEWS… This tune is followed by another two 80s typed Power AOR ballads. These are the songs "You're out of love" and "Holding on till it's gone", both reminding me of SAVANNAH.

Closing track is the radio-friendly poprocker "I'm going on". DENNIS W. RYCKMAN is doing some great stuff and if bands like HONEYMOON SUITE, 80s BON JOVI, RICK MATHEWS, NELSON… are your type of AOR/Melodic Rockbands, then you need to check out this at: http://members.home.net/rycroc and http://www.mp3.com/DennisRyckman

Rating: 8/10

CHUCK FRESH comes out of Alexandria, VA, USA and actually is playing in 3 other bands besides this solo-project. Those other bands are more rock orientated and maybe more interesting than this solo-project of Chuck. Chuck's CD 'Silly little games' features 14 90s orientated soft Popballads.

The sound is very keyboard orientated and I couldn't find any rocksongs, a shame because I saw he mentioned JOURNEY as musical influences. However there are a couple of nice tunes on the CD such as the STEVE PERRY typed ballads such as "Memories", "You're no good for me", but in general this is a very soft Pop CD. If you're interested, you should visit Chuck's website at: http://www.mp3.com/chuckfresh

Rating: -

Out of New York comes STEVE AND JARED, a duo consisting of Steve DeMartino, guitarist, writer, and producer and Jared Blackstone, drummer, bassplayer, keyboardplayer and vocalist. They began writing together in 1996 and the result can now be heard on this CD which features 13 songs penned by Steve and Jared. Musically they play Melodic Rock with a lot of use of acoustic guitars. A lot of times it reminds me of bands like TONTO and THE BRIDGE. This is nice melodic rock, but not in it's purest form, because a lot of acoustic and 90s influences are being featured.

My favourite songs are "Idiots warning" (semi melodic rockballad), "A chance I have to take" (semi melodic rockballad), "Just turn and walk away" (80s typed semi AOR/Melodic Rockballad), "I can't be with you now" (ballad) and "I didn't mean to make you cry" (great melodic rockballad, kinda like FIREHOUSE, POISON). The band is not clear without 90s influences, because songs like "Judgement day", "We still love you" and "Papa never needed" are very much leaning towards 90s rock and are therefore the least interesting songs on the CD.

If you are into softer melodic rock (read: ballads), then this STEVE AND JARED might surprise you. More info at: http://www.mp3.com/steveandjared

Rating: 6,5/10