Customer Reviews

Castles in the Air

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Released after a one-shot effort as a member of the band Treasure, Felix Calvaliere returned to a solo career with 1979's "Castles In the Air". Signed by Epic, support from one of the major labels should have returned Cavaliere to the public eye, but it didn't happen. Co-produced by Cavaliere and Gengiz Yaltkaya the collection found Cavaliere wandering through a series of MOR-ballads and fluffy pop pieces. It was certainly nice to hear Cavaliere's voice and originals like the title track, 'Good To Have Love Back' and 'All or Nothing' were bight and commercial, but by the same token they weren't particularly original or memorable. Sporting mild disco rhythms isolated up tempo tracks like 'Don't Hold Back Your Love' and 'Dancin' the Night Away' (the latter complete with syndrums) didn't generate much more energy. Maybe I'm being over critical, but to my ears the set was simply way too easy listening. Even at their most commercial The Rascals had retained a certain gritty edge and none of that characteristics was apparent here. It almost sounded like the songs had been written to ensure airplay, giving the set a forced commercial sheen the expense of soul. Never less than pleasant, it was one of those album you could put on while you were taking an afternoon nap. Elsewhere the album was notable as a Rascals mini-reunion with David and Eddie Brigiatti providing backing vocals on three of the songs, including a needless remake of The Rascals classic 'People Got To Be Free'. Probably the most listenable of the first three albums, but still another disappointment ...

Epic tapped the album for a pair of singles:

- 1979's 'Only a Lonely Heart Sees' b/w 'You Turned Me Around' (Epic catalog number 9-50829) # 36 pop charts

- 1979's 'Good To Have Love Back' b/w 'Dancin' the Night Away' (Epic catalog number 9-50888)

"Castles In the Air" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Good To Have Love Back (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:17

2.) Only a Lonely Heart Sees (Felix Cavaliere - Jay Tran) - 3:41

3.) All or Nothing (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:22

4.) Castles In the Air (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:00

5.) People Got To Be Free (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 4:07

(side 2)

1.) Dancin' the Night Away (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:08

2.) Love Is the First Day of Spring (Eddie Brigati - Felix Cavaliere) -3:30

3.) Outside Your Window (Felix Cavaliere - Dan Beck - Willie Young) - 5:00

4.) Don't Hold Back Your Love (Felix Cavaliere) - 5:18

5.) You Turned Me Around (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:00