STAN MEISSNER – Dangerous Games [Yesterrock remaster +3bonus] 2014, MP3+FLAC

Among the most highly praised Melodic Rock / AOR albums from the ’80s Canadian scene fortunately have been remastered by the now defunct Yesterrock Records: STAN MEISSNER‘s solo records.

Considered as one of the most influential artists from Canada’s ’80s scene one of its top songwriters, Stan Meissner personifies the sound of that decade like no one else. Exquisite musician, songwriter and producer, Meissner has always put out quality product in whatever role he performs in. He has written songs for many international acts such as Lee Aaron, Alias, Darby Mills, Eddie Money, Triumph, just to name few.
As solo recording artist he has released three albums and all of them deserve to be called ‘classics’ in the Melodic Rock / AOR genre. Stan Meissner two first albums where originally released by A&M Records, later expanded and reissued in the Nineties by legendary German label Long Island Records but in limited quantities, becoming much sought after pieces.
Here we have STAN MEISSNER 1984’s debut album ”Dangerous Games”, remastered for the first time and featuring 3 bonus tracks. Yesterrock, renowned for reviving classic albums with high-quality remastering and detailed liner notes, ensures this release is both sonically impressive and historically insightful – a must have for collectors and new listeners alike.

Appeared in 1984, “Dangerous Games” was Meissner’s solo debut. With a combination of catchy melodies, killer choruses, hooks galore and pristine instrumentation, this album is a winner. Not to mention the glossy, awesome production.
You can’t resist to songs like the “Can’t Let Go”, “Rebel Heart”, “Hide The Night Away”, “Heart Of The Fire” or the pure AOR of “No Turning Back”. Meissner is a terrific ballad composer as well, check the heavenly “Walk Out Of My Life” and the atmospheric “Walking In The Dark”.

This reissue is different from the original A&M Records release. Many tracks were remixed by Meissner himself, as example “I Need Your Love” has an extra piece at the end, while “Heart Of The Fire” was replaced by its original pre-production version, because this one just sounded a lot better than the one that landed on the original LP.

And there’s 3 worthy bonus tracks originally discarded due to vinyl LP’s lack of physical space: “You Make It All So Easy” featuring Toto’s Jeff Porcaro on drums, “At The Water” and the excellent “Renegade”.

This “Dangerous Games” reissue was remastered by George Graves at The Lacquer Channel in Toronto and sound quality is excellent. Provided with 12-page booklet containing all the lyrics and liner notes by Stan Meissner himself, re-issues can hardly come in a better way.

01. I Need Your Love
02. Hide The Night Away
03. Can’t Let Go
04. Once Over
05. Rebel Heart
06. No Turning Back
07. You Make It All So Easy (bonus track)
08. Heart Of The Fire
09. Walk Out Of My Life
10. At The Water (bonus track)
11. Renegade (bonus track)
12. Walking In The Dark

Stan Meissner – guitars, keyboards, vocals
Paul Daiter – bass
Jorn Andersen – drums
Fred Mollin – percussion
Shelby Daniel – add. vocals on track 1
Jeff Porcaro – drums on track 7
David Hungate – bass on track 7
Matthew McCauley – keyboards on track 7
Gary Berman drums – on track 10
Anton Evans bass – on track 11

turbo FLAC