6/27/2008

THE RAINMAKERS


THE RAINMAKERS The Rainmakers 1986 Mercury 320 kbps

Rockin' at the T-dance / Downstream / Let my people go-go / Doomsville / Big fat blonde / Long gone long /The one that got away / Government cheese / Drinkin' on the job / Nobody knows / Information / Carpenter's son / Rockabilly standard / Long gone long (acoustic version) / Doomsville (live) .

Produced by Terry Manning .

Bob Walkenhorst : lead vocals, accoustic guitar / Steve Phillips : electric guitar , vocals / Rich Ruth : bass vocals / Pat Tomek : drums .


Prototypical Midwestern roots-rockers, the Rainmakers ironically achieved their greatest commercial success overseas, despite generally good reviews in their homeland. Chief songwriter Bob Walkenhorst's playful wit and topical lyrics set the Rainmakers apart from their Heartland bar band peers, though musically they drew from the expected roots rock influences (Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, etc.). The band was originally formed in 1983 in Kansas City, MO, as a trio called Steve, Bob, and Rich; naturally, the lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Steve Phillips, guitarist/vocalist Bob Walkenhorst, and bassist Rich Ruth. This group recorded an independently released album (titled "Balls") that helped get them signed to Polygram, upon which point they added drummer Pat Tomek and changed their name to the less specific Rainmakers. Their self-titled official debut was released in 1986, producing the British Top 20 hit "Let My People Go-Go" and quite a bit of good press both at home and abroad. The band embarked on a relentless touring schedule and found an unlikely fan in horror writer Stephen King, who quoted the band's lyrics in two of his books. The 1988 follow-up "Tornado" didn't attract as much critical attention in the U.S., but the Rainmakers' European audience continued to grow; by the time of 1989's "The Good News and the Bad News", the band was concentrating mostly on that area, recording the concert album "Oslo-Wichita Live" solely for its Scandinavian fans. In 1990, tired of the road life, the Rainmakers disbanded, ostensibly for good. However, Scandinavian interest in their music held strong, and Polygram's Norwegian division requested a new Rainmakers album in 1994. The band obliged and recorded "Flirting With the Universe" on their own in Steve Phillips' basement. The album was a smash in Norway, achieving that country's equivalent of gold sales within two months, and the band was encouraged enough to stage a full-fledged reunion. They signed with the independent Kansas label V&R, and Walkenhorst wrote a concept album about pornography and its effects on human sexuality. Ruth left the band during the recording sessions, with accounts divided as to whether it was due to the lyrical content or the fact that he had moved from Kansas City to Nashville; regardless, he was replaced by Michael Bliss. The resulting album, "Skin", was released in 1996 to mostly good reviews.

4 commentaires:

MIDNIGHT RAMBLER a dit…

The Rainmakers 320 kbps + artwork

Link 1:
Click on the title or ...
http://rapidshare.com/files/
125290441/rainSOTDmakers1.rar

Link 2:
http://rapidshare.com/files/
125289957/rainSOTDmakers2.rar

Enjoy it !

Curty Ray a dit…

I have their 1987 release Tornado. One of my favorites.

Anonyme a dit…

merci Midnight Rambler Quel plaisir de réécouter ce grandiose premier album.
Je cherche désespérément leur second LP avec l'inoubliable 'I talk with my hands'.
Je ne peux pas exprimer en quelques mots le plaisir devenir ici pour retrouver la musique que j'aime.
Keep on Rocking
JOHNKB

Anonyme a dit…

Thanks! have the vinyl saves me from ripping it