GLORYDAZE Music - Articles: Glass Tiger

ARTIST: Glass Tiger
ALBUM: Simple Mission
LABEL: Capitol
SERIAL: 7 92922-2
YEAR: 1991

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: Alan Frew - vocals * Al Connelly - guitars * Sam Reid - keyboards * Wayne Parker - bass

Guest drummers: Tony Thompson, John Keane

TRACK LISTING: 01 Blinded * 02 Animal Heart * 03 Let's Talk * 04 Where Did Our Love Go * 05 My Town * 06 The Rhythm Of Your Love * 07 Spanish Slumber * 08 Simple Mission * 09 Stand Or Fall * 10 Rescued (By The Arms Of Love) * 11 One To One * 12 One Night Alone * 13 (She Said) Love Me Like A Man

WEBLINKS: www.glasstiger.ca

Background
After the not so successful second 'Diamond Sun' album, Canadian band Glass Tiger returned to the scene in 1990 for the release of their third and final studio album 'Simple Mission'. By this stage, the band needed a change of scenery, and opted for Tom Werman as the producer instead of Jim Vallance. Giving them a new lease of life, Tom cranked up the sound noticeably, giving priority to Al Connelly's guitar, and making the sound more 'live' and rawer instead of the studio lushness that was apparent on 'Diamond Sun'. Recorded in Los Angeles, the band bought in studio hounds Tony Thompson and John Keane to apply their trade on drums. Also a notable addition to the album is Rod Stewart, who provided singer Alan Frew with an enhanced sense of all things Scottish, with his co-duet on the hit single 'My Town'.

The Songs
After the disappointment of 'Diamond Sun', it's great to hear Glass Tiger back sounding like a real rock band again. Songs such as 'Blinded', 'Animal Heart', the marauding title track 'Simple Mission' and the fiery 'One Night Alone' all showcase the band with a slightly heavier sound, all the while keeping the melody intact. A couple of ballads are tossed into the mix ('Where Did Our Love Go' and 'Rescued By The Arms Of Love'), plus of course the hit single 'My Town', which was popular in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, no doubt due to Rod Stewart's involvement.

In Summary
Though categorised in the 1991 year, the album was actually released in their native Canada during late 1990, but released into other international markets during March 1991. My CD copy is a Canadian pressing with 1990 scattered through the liner notes and back cover. Interesting that all three Glass Tiger albums are vastly different, capturing the band at unique times in their recording career. Of the three, I would rate 'Simple Mission' just slightly ahead of 'The Thin Red Line', with 'Diamond Sun' bringing up the rear. Of course, you can pick up the 'Best Of: Airtime' compilation CD which has most of their best known songs on the one disc. The band called it a day in 1993, but have recently made overtures about returning to active duty (circa 2006). Their website is active thanks to bassist Wayne Parker's web skills, so it might pay to keep an eye on it to see what is happening in their camp.

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