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ARTIST: Dakota
ALBUM: Runaway
LABEL: MCA
SERIAL: MCA-5502
YEAR: 1984
CD REISSUE: 2002, Melody BLVD, 0001 * 2012, Rock Candy Records (UK), CANDY123
SPONSOR: Rock Candy Records

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: Jerry Hludzik - guitars, vocals * Bill Kelly - guitars, vocals * Rick Manwiller - piano, keyboards * Neil Stubenhaus, Bill McHale - bass * Danny Seraphine - drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Runaway * 02 Tonight Could Last Forever * 03 Heroes * 04 When The Rebel Comes Home * 05 Love Won't Last * 06 Into The Night * 07 Angry Men * 08 If Only I'd Known It * 09 Over And Over * 10 Believin' (bonus, RC reissue) * 11 More Love (bonus, RC reissue)

WEBLINKS: www.jerryhludzik.com

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Background
When we talk about West Coast style rock, a few names spring to mind. Fee Waybill, Bill Champlin, David Roberts, Toto, Richard Marx to name a few. All classic artists of the genre. For me, Dakota are right up there, and this their second album from 1984 'Runaway' is a legend of that West Coast genre. Intially, and primarily the nucleus of Dakota were the twosome Bill Kelly and Jerry Hludzik. They released their self titled album on RCA four years earlier, and it was a typical West Coast release for that era. 'Runaway' then, has some truly memorable moments on it.

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The Songs
From the opening track, the self titled and hi-tech 'Runaway' we hear some classic AOR songwriting. Lyrics which can find a home easily on a website like G-DAZE. 'I can see that you're running faster.. running from some kind of disaster in your heart, You say you're too young to know the feeling, still your head is reeling from the pain'.. Synth stabs and subtle passages from Manwiller create the space for Kelly and Hludzik to weave their magic. There is a musical warmness exemplified on the next track 'Tonight Could Last Forever'. It moves in the same space as an upbeat Christopher Cross for example. 'Heroes' is an anthemic ballad, for want of a better description while 'When The Rebel Comes Home' has a more urgent beat to it. The albums 'piece de resistance' come in the shape of three songs in a row, the magnificent AOR of 'Into The Night' (yes .. hackneyed AOR song title and all) which reminds one of Beau Coup, the super melodic rhetoric of 'Angry Men' and the subtle balladry of 'If Only I'd Known It'. All wonderful statements to AOR music.

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In Summary
Some talented individuals lend a helping hand on this album, namely Bill Champlin, Steve Porcaro, Mike Boddicker, David 'Hawk' Wolinksi, saxophone expert Ernie Watts and producer Richie Zito. Unfortunately, Dakota went into hiatus for many years though were still around in a local capacity in their native Pennsylvania state. Their first two albums became much sought after by collectors ever since. They resurfaced with a vengeance in 1996 with the 'Mr Lucky' album and followed this up with 'The Last Standing Man' album the following year. It is nice to see that after all these years, one of the AOR fans favourite bands is still hanging in there.. Addendum from Lee Bradfield: 'This classic title has at long last been released on cd (during 2002), and what a cd ! The cover art is faithfully restored, all the lyrics and original credits are included along with a wealth of rare photos. Selected copies are even autographed by the band, and there are 2 killer bonus tracks and a radio promo ! Then we come to the remastered sound ... an absolute dream come true, just what this album deserves. If that wasn't enough, the 1980 debut is due out in late September 2002..' Suffice to say that Rock Candy Records turned up ten years later with remastered reissues of both albums. Finally, there is justice in the world!

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