They combined Stygian dynamism with Foreigner's radio-friendly sheen. With David Kershenbaum's crafty, '80s-era new wavey production and Valentine's classic pop songwriting chops, what could go wrong?
Glad you like, Pe! I'm guessing their spread throughout the world was sparse, and just as uneventful as it was here in the States. I always thought their RAF name and rather blah artwork on the first album did them no favors. File under: We'll never know!😁But, David and the music was bangin'.....blame radio, as I always do!
The years (and old record bins) are so full of albums just like this! There's no reason a couple of the songs I featured couldn't have been hits! And, David Valentine was such a hidden talent....but, mad props should also go to producer, David Kershenbaum....it doesn't have the dynamics without his knob-twiddlin'!
Glad you found it, Mark........I will occasionally drop an older Legacy article on Notes, because so many Substack writers weren't around when I started in August '21 (not to mention Notes only debuted in April)! Keep your ears peeled!🎶
A fantastic compilation appeared on Bandcamp in 2019, “Sad About the Times”, a collection of 70s songs that never made it big but could’ve (or should’ve). It was a go to album for me that year and I still revisit it regularly.
More proof that airplay and massive sales does not a quality act make! It's too easy for the general public to dismiss an R.A.F. as "not being good" simply because they didn't have a hit single or album! Thanks, Paul, for reading, listening, and commenting!😁
Another great discovery Brad. I had never heard of them.
Glad you like, Pe! I'm guessing their spread throughout the world was sparse, and just as uneventful as it was here in the States. I always thought their RAF name and rather blah artwork on the first album did them no favors. File under: We'll never know!😁But, David and the music was bangin'.....blame radio, as I always do!
Just found this article through Notes. Some great songs here! One of those potential winners that just fell through the cracks. A shame.
The years (and old record bins) are so full of albums just like this! There's no reason a couple of the songs I featured couldn't have been hits! And, David Valentine was such a hidden talent....but, mad props should also go to producer, David Kershenbaum....it doesn't have the dynamics without his knob-twiddlin'!
Glad you found it, Mark........I will occasionally drop an older Legacy article on Notes, because so many Substack writers weren't around when I started in August '21 (not to mention Notes only debuted in April)! Keep your ears peeled!🎶
A fantastic compilation appeared on Bandcamp in 2019, “Sad About the Times”, a collection of 70s songs that never made it big but could’ve (or should’ve). It was a go to album for me that year and I still revisit it regularly.
I highly recommend giving it a listen: https://anthologyrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/sad-about-the-times
I'm listening now....thanks, Mark!
Another good band from the day, that I never heard about. But they sound pretty good!
More proof that airplay and massive sales does not a quality act make! It's too easy for the general public to dismiss an R.A.F. as "not being good" simply because they didn't have a hit single or album! Thanks, Paul, for reading, listening, and commenting!😁