Harlow – S/T (Release Year – 1990)
Back in 1989, When Black ‘N Blue broke up, current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer was looking for a new band/project to join. His associate producer from the Black ‘N Blue Album, In Heat, Pat Regan had recently signed singer/songwriter Teresa Straley.
Thayer agreed to play the guitar on this new group which would become Harlow. Most of the songs were already written by the time Thayer came in, but his guitar work certainly helped to improve the songs on this disc.
Harlow recently announced that they were reuniting and will be playing at Rocklahoma. I had to scramble to find a copy of this record. I originally owned this on cassette back in the 90’s but did not replace it until now. I recalled liking this band, but couldn’t remember much about the songs or the music.
What is even funny, is that I found out after the fact that this is NOT the Harlow that will be playing on the Retrospect Records stage at Rocklahoma. There was a second band with the same name from Kansas City, that will be reuniting for this gig (and I thought this band was obscure).
Much to my surprise, the most powerful instrument in Harlow is not Thayer’s guitar, but is the voice of Teresa Straley. Her style reminds me of a cross between Lita Ford and Heart’s Nancy Wilson. She has the ability to let loose with a powerful metal screams, and then sing with a very clean sounding voice. Thayer’s guitar work shines on this record, but he definitely takes a back seat to Straley on this disc.
The music on this disc fluctuates between early 90’s hair metal and AOR, but it is highly listenable. Some of the best songs on this disc are Chain Reaction, Empty, Cry Murder, Beyond Control (which was dedicated the family and friends of Pan Am Flight 103) and Pictures.
This disc can be found for very little cash at Amazon.com, and is worth grabbing if you are a fan of early 90’s rock.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Chain Reaction
2. Silence
3. Don’t Say We’re Over
4. Empty
5. When You Love Someone
6. Cry Murder
7. No Escape
8. Beyond Control
9. Pictures
10. Edge of Love
Harlow is:
Teresa Straley – vocals
Tommy Thayer – guitars
Pat Regan – keyboards
Todd Jensen – bass
Steven Klong – drums
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I found this album on tape by mistake and I’m glad I did. I Love it!! I wish there was a tour and more records from them.
I just got back from ROCKLAHOMA man o man, Harlow rocked hard baby.. what a high energy rock band, on the last song ROCK THE BOX they had like 25 people up on stage singing, it was cool. I cant wait to get the new cd
That ‘s not the same HARLOW that is playing ROCKLAHOMA. The band HARLOW that is playing was formed in 1985 in Kansas City Mo. recorded a record for greenworld records in 1986 and a single “Rock the Box” the band moved to Hollywood in 1986. you should check them out….. they have a new recocrd coming out on Retrospect records by the end of June 2008…….
One of the best female fronted rock albums over the period IMHO. Even now, many years since I last heard it, the excellent “Silence” springs immediately to mind. A nice one to dig up…
Bill
https://rockofages.wordpress.com