MR. MISTER FRONTMAN MADE A SOULFUL SOLO COMEBACK IN THE 90`S
In 1987, the band released a more serious but more musically diverse album `Go On` that contained the soulful, magical song Healing Waters`, among some other
incredibly good tunes.
incredibly good tunes.
I am not real sure what the individual band members got up to between 1987 and 1996, the year when lead vocalist and bassist Richard Page "finally" released a very astute and inspiring set of songs on the solo album `Shelter Me`.
Apparently, but I cant say forsure simply because I have never sat down and watched the David Letterman Show, Mr. Mister lead guitarist Steve Farris ended up being a member of the resident live band on this show, perhaps somebody can actually make a comment (what`s that?) to this blog to say whether this is the case or not, save me
having to get up to watch Letterman at two in the morning.
having to get up to watch Letterman at two in the morning.
Farris made a guest appearance on the CD for the song `Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, a Stevie Wonder cover that Richard does a masterful job of singing.
The stunning opener`The Best Thing` is as good as any other cruise music in the 90`s, soulful and sophisticated but not over produced.
Musically a lot like Aaron Neville`s approach of the early 1990`s. The acoustic led `My Oxygen and `Let Me Down Easy` speaks for Page`s sincerity and loyalty to the memory of his mother who passed away that year.
The biggest scoop about the album is the most commercial sounding one `A Simple Life`, one that australia`s own John Farnham recorded just after Richard Page wrote and recorded it on `Shelter Me`.
I did not really like Farnsies 90`s output to be honest, his 80`s stuff was a lot better, but he did a pretty good job of singing A SIMPLE LIFE.
However, I think Richard Page who wrote it can still lay claim to having the best version. My favourite song on the album is one of the most un-kocha on here, one that highlights the artist's musical depth better than any Mr. Mister song or one on here - `Dependence`.
Just listen to it, totally mesmerizing stuff. The other soul fired numbers on the album, including the title track and `Just To Love You` is only more proof that Richard Page didn`t just have a good voice but a good heart as well.
Maybe that has something to do as to why the record industry stereotyped Page as
just another burnt out pop star from the 80`s.
Substance and a good heart never has earned you too many friends amongst the frivolty of the record industry, especially if
you are a commercial has been like Page was by then.
you are a commercial has been like Page was by then.
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