Customer Reviews

Heartland

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally someone reviews the album who is not from Ohio. that's me. I grew up in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis was Michael's kinda home away from home. For those of you who aren't aware of MSB's long career, they can be best described as the BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND that never made it.

Yes, they are that good! Hands down! I have had the pleasure of seeing MSB 17 times (back in the days). He continues to put out music every bit as good as his 70's recordings today. Just go to michaelstanley.com and see for yourself. In fact all of his albums have been re-released by Line Level recently (much cheaper than what you'll find on ebay, etc).

Now (drum roll please)..... my review.

JUST BUY THE DAMN THING! MONEY BACK GUARANTEED!

EVERY SINGLE SONG IS BRILLIANT! EVERY ONE OF THEM!

This was the first of more "mainstream pop" music by the Michael Stanley Band. Not that this album doesn't rock out at times, but the growing presence of Kevin Raleigh as a primary writer for the MSB adds more of a "pop" feel.

1. I'll Never Need Anyone More (Than I Need You Tonight) - Great opening song, and likely Michael Stanley's longest song title.
2. Lover - A perennial favorite. Great to hear live with the crowd singing the "Thank God for the man who put the white lines on the highway" lyric.
3. Don't Stop The Music - An okay song, but not one of my favorites.
4. He Can't Love You - This Kevin Raleigh song brought much attention to MSB. A GREAT video for this song was filmed in and around Cleveland.
5. Working Again - A fun song, which improves in a live setting.
6. All I Ever Wanted - Should have been a HUGE hit. Go figure.
7. Say Goodbye - An underappreciated song written by Kevin Raleigh.
8. Hearts On Fire - A fun little ditty. You'll find yourself singing along to this song.
9. Voodoo - A rather unique song in the MS catalogue. Very haunting music and lyrics. Nice to see the band taking changes with different styles.
10. Carolyn - An okay song.
11. Save A Little Piece For Me - Same as the previous - an okay song, but not one of MSB's best.
12. He Can't Love You (Live) - This and the following song were originally issued on the "Fourth & Ten... lp, which is currenlty not on cd (but a Summer 2004 release is coming). All 8 tracks from that lp were spread across 4 MSB tracks as bonus tracks, which is quite nice.
13. Lover (Live) - A good representation of how this songs sounded live at Blossom Music Center in 1984 in front of THOUSANDS of MSB fans. Brings back memories of warm summer nights at Blossom.

This is a GREAT cd. Get one, put it in your car stereo, go riding, and CRANK IT UP!!!

Yes Cleveland Rocks! And So does the Michael Stanley Band! 1980 I saw MSB LIVE in Cleveland after the Show I immediately Bought the Album. I spent Much of the Next two years Following the Band! All of the songs on this album are great BUT, "Lover" is the quintessential Power Rock Ballad! If you are a fan of Early 80s Power Rock you will love this album!

Oh The Memories! The Agora! Blossum! Cleveland Municipal Stadium! Rock On Michael!

I've searched for years to try to capture the music I was so nuts about as kid in the 'burgh. I finally found Donnie Iris "King Cool" and even better MSB. How they never made it big is beyond me. MSb talks to you on so many levels. Love, loss, a good time with your fiends. If you're from the Cleveland/Pittsburgh area this is a must have album.

Clarence Cleamons joins the band for Lover, a bittersweet song on par with Stanley's best. Working Again is impressive as well. He Can't Love You got some national airplay, but may not adequately reflect the best of what MSB had to offer. Overall, a great accompaniment to Stagepass.

Born March 25, 1948, Michael Stanley Gee was born to rock. The Michael Stanley band has gone through many members over the years. But the one thing that stays constent is the music. It's always solid rock'n roll. I never understood why MSB was never able to break down that glass wall that kept them from becoming more nationally known. They really are a solid rock band. The album/CD Heartland has been unofficially named the best album by the fans of MSB. And in 2006, LineLevelMusic.com is re-releasing all of the Michael Stanley Band albums on CD. So, if you want to own all of the MSB albums on CD, here's your chance. This includes the hard to find Inside Moves from 1984 and the live CD 4th and 10, recorded live at Blossum Music Center in 1982.

For more info, you can go to:

http://www.linelevelmusic.com/reissues.asp

And if you're ever in the Cleveland area, be sure to listen to Michael's radio show on WNCX 98'5 FM from 3 to 7, Monday/Friday. It's a classic rock station, and Michael is playing all the classic hits.

HEARTLAND is Michael Stanley's best studio album ever. It contains numerous great songs, making it STAGE PASS, and RIGHT BACK AT YA all the Michael Stanley you really need.

Yes Cleveland Rocks! And So does the Michael Stanley Band! 1980 I saw MSB LIVE in Cleveland after the Show I immediately Bought the Album. I spent Much of the Next two years Following the Band! All of the songs on this album are great BUT, "Lover" is the quintessential Power Rock Ballad! If you are a fan of Early 80s Power Rock you will love this album!

Oh The Memories! The Agora! Blossum! Cleveland Municipal Stadium! Rock On Michael!

something about msb... i was fifteen and met a different girl each night. i learned how to give a hickey? of course, each girl broke my heart in true msb/cleveland fashion.

THIS ALBUM WAS THE BEST OUT THERE IN THE LATE 70s TO THE EARLY 80s, FOR THIS TYPE OF ROCK. THIS ALBUM IS A GOOD TIME.THE HAUNTING BALLAD "LOVER" BRINGS BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES AND PUTS YOU IN A STATE OF MIND THAT TUGS AT YOUR HEART STINGS.SOME TIMES YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK , WHEN THINGS AND TIMES WERE JUST A LOT SIMPLER AND EASIER.