GLORYDAZE Music - Articles: Virginia Wolf

ARTIST: Virginia Wolf
ALBUM: Virginia Wolf
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: 782274
YEAR: 1986
CD REISSUE: 2010, Rock Candy Records (UK), CANDY069
SPONSOR: Rock Candy Records

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: Chris Ousey - vocals * Nick Bold - guitars * Jo Burt - bass * Jason Bonham - drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Are We Playing With Fire? * 02 Make It Tonight * 03 Only Love * 04 It's In Your Eyes * 05 Waiting For The Love * 06 Livin' On A Knife Edge * 07 For All We Know * 08 Don't Run Away * 09 Take A Chance * 10 Goodbye Don't Mean Forever

Background
Virginia Wolf were an English band, originating from Manchester. Initially starting out with founder Nick Bold as far back as 1977. Bold hooked up with singer Chris Ousey, and over the space of several years, developed the Virginia Wolf concept as a quality melodic rock band. Modelling their style on the likes of US heroes Foreigner and Bad Company, Virginia Wolf's strengths lay in well developed songwriting capabilities. The last two members to join the fold were bassist Joseph Burt and Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham), who had previously come off a stint with the highly promising but ultimately disappointing (and disappearing) Airrace.

The Songs
The debut which was released in 1986 was co-produced by Roger Taylor (the drummer from Queen), and David Richards. Without doubt it contains some classic moments. Tell me that 'Living On A Knife Edge' is one of the best AOR songs ever to come out of the UK during the eighties? You can tack on 'Only Love', with a superb bridge and chorus section, with some memorable lead-in lyrics..'we've been down this road so long.. so many times, we've been here where angels fear to tread..' As well as that, we get many other highlights.. 'Are We Playing With Fire?' for example, is full of youthful exuberance, followed soon after by the melodically driven but regimented beat of 'Make It Tonight'. It's In Your Eyes' is the sort of dreamy ballad ideal for radio. Another of my fave tracks is the booming 'Waiting For Your Love', love those drums Jason! 'For All We Know' is another pitch at pure AOR, with guest musician Spike Edney's keyboards all over this one!

In Summary
In support of the album, the band toured the US with The Firm, then ended up in San Fransisco recording their follow-up album 'Push'. Released a year later, 'Push' was another underrated effort, smooth AOR with Kevin Elson at the helm. Some wonderful material abounds on that effort too. The sound was slightly different than the first, a more mature approach taken. However, as history shows, the people at Atlantic were less than accommodating, hoping instead for a continuation of the material from the debut, Hence Virginia Wolf were denied any chance of a continued record deal. Despite that though, this LP would eventually see a substantial CD reissue in 2010 thanks to Rock Candy Records.

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