Graham Bonnet 1981 Line-Up

Album: Line-Up
Artist/Group: Graham Bonnet
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Polygram (Japan)
Catalog Number: PHCR-4194 Stereo
Originally released in 1981
Quality: EAC, APE, CUE, LOG, COVERS.


" At the time of this release Graham Bonnet had a fair reputation behind him and what would seem to be a glittering future ahead of him. Graham had been one half of sixties duo The Marbles who scored a big hit with the Barry Gibb Song Only One Woman. He had also recorded a solo album for Ringo Starr's label Ringo records. It was however his tenure with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow that had brought Graham Bonnet to the attention of the rock buying audience. Bonnet was a gifted vocalist with a range that many would kill for. In terms of his image however Graham Bonnet did not fit in with what most would say the typical rock singer would look like. With this his second album Graham was able to show the public just how good he was.
The album got off to fine start as the first single from it Night Games was a bona fide hit single. It was also a case of perfect timing as Graham had recently left Rainbow and rock music was undergoing one of its regular bouts of popularity. Coming as he had from a position with Rainbow Graham was able to gather an enviable array of musicians around him including Micky Moody (Whitesnake) Cozy Powell (Rainbow) Jon Lord (Whitesnake) and cameos from Neil Murray (Whitesnake) Russ Ballard (Argent) and Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi (Status Quo).
There are no Graham Bonnet originals on this album however Graham obviously knew a good song when he heard it particularly songs that were suited to his voice and delivery. The hit single is a case in point as was the follow up of Russ Ballard's Liar. Quite why Liar wasn't a huge hit is beyond me but then when it comes to the singles chart perhaps we shouldn't be surprised. As a whole this album was a very consistent offering and certainly kept Graham's profile high until he was asked to join up with Cozy Powell in the Michael Schenker Group some twelve or so months down the line. My favourite moments here are the aforementioned singles Night Games and Liar and another Russ Ballard song S.O.S and also the closer Set Me Free.
As a rock album Line-Up had much going for it but as an example of just how good a vocalist Graham Bonnet was then it is unbeatable and to be honest Graham Bonnet never sounded better. "

Track listing:
01 Night Games
02 S.O.S.
03 I'm A Lover
04 Be My Baby
05 That's The Way That It Is
06 Liar
07 Anthony Boy
08 Dirty Hand
09 Out On The Water
10 Don't Stand In The Open
11 Set Me Free

Line-Up:
Cozy Powell - Drums
Micky Moody - Guitars
Gary Twigg - Bass
Jon Lord - Keyboards
Graham Bonnet - Vocals

Produced by John Eden