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Cherry Red’s Hear No Evil (HNE) imprint has been revisiting the career of English rocker Graham Bonnet in an extensive program encompassing studio, live and vault material.  The recent release of Flying Not Falling: 1991-1999, expanding three albums from that period, has just been followed up with another 3-CD clamshell box set, Reel to Real: The Archives 1987-1992.

The first disc of Reel to Real premieres 12 previously unreleased studio tracks.  The first three tracks were recorded in 1987 by Bonnet, Danny Johnson, and Jan Uvena of Alcatrazz, along with Jay Davis (who had provided guest vocals on that band’s 1986 third and final album, Dangerous Games) as a way to reactivate the dormant band.  Though the trio of tracks (including the heavy “Reel to Real”) was shopped around, no label was interested.  Today, the original songs reveal the foursome’s sharp grasp of then-contemporary AOR and arena rock.  The next six tracks on this disc were cut in Australia, where Bonnet had relocated with his then-wife.  While down under, he began fronting a Led Zeppelin tribute band known as the Zep Boys, and it was that group which he took into the studio for a session that yielded both new songs and modernized covers of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in the City” and Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep-Mountain High.”  In any style, Bonnet’s powerful and versatile voice remained at the forefront.  Three more tracks round out the studio disc: two from 1992 (“Double Cross My Heart” and “Hearts Under Fire”) and one from 2008 (an early version of “Dead Man Walking,” which would eventually appear in final form on Bonnet’s 2016 album The Book).

1989 also saw Bonnet taking to the road in Australia with a greatest hits-style show drawing on his many musical facets from pop to metal.  Disc 2 has the Melbourne show of February 24, 1989, and Disc 3 premieres the Adelaide show of March 26.  While quality of these tracks is variable (with audible audience chatter), Bonnet is in top form as he runs through his impressive career highlights with The Marbles, Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz, Impelliteri, and solo.  The setlists are almost identical.  The discs include a disclaimer: “CDs 2 and 3: Whilst every effort has been made to produce the best possible release, limitations in the material drawn from various sources means that the quality may not be up to the standard usually expected.  All tracks have been included for their historical importance, and to present a unique era in Graham’s career.”  Indeed, the sound quality is not top-notch on these discs, but credit goes to the compilation producers for their honesty in disclosing this.

Bonnet has contributed new commentary in Malcolm Dome’s fine liner notes.  They’re included in a 12-page booklet.  Reel to Real: The Archives 1987-1992 has been mastered by Andy Pearce.  It happily sheds light upon a lesser-known period in the artist’s considerable career, which continues to this day with high octane performances both onstage and in the studio.  The set can be ordered at the links below!

Graham Bonnet, Reel to Real: The Archives 1987-1992 (Cherry Red/Hear No Evil HNEBOX104, 2018) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: Reel to Real (studio recordings 1987-1992)

1. Tonite I Fly
2. Reel to Real
3. The Dancer
4. Whiplash
5. Long Time Gone
6. Summer in the City
7. River Deep – Mountain High
8. Midnight Crossing
9. Rider
10. Double Cross My Heart
11. Hearts Under Fire
12. Dead Man Walking

CD 2: Live at The Palace, Melbourne, Australia: February 24, 1989

1. God Blessed Video
2. Island in the Sun
3. S.O.S.
4. Will You Be Home Tonight
5. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
6. Only One Woman
7. Desert Song
8. River Deep – Mountain High
9. Summer in the City
10. Since You Been Gone
11. Drum Solo
12. Lost in Hollywood
13. Dancer
14. All Night Long
15. Warm Ride

CD 3: Live at The Bridgeway Hotel, Adelaide, Australia: March 26, 1989

1. Intro
2. God Blessed Video
3. Island in the Sun
4. S.O.S.
5. Will You Be Home Tonight
6. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
7. Only One Woman
8. Desert Song
9. River Deep – Mountain High
10. Summer in the City
11. Since You Been Gone
12. Drum Solo
13. Lost in Hollywood
14. All Night Long
15. Warm Ride