Customer Reviews

Rescue / Hero

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

 

 

Having both of these releases on vinyl for years, I've really enjoyed the clear, crisp sound of both on CD. The raw strength and R&B power of RESCUE certainly outshines the pop commercialism of HERO. Clarence's rock and roll saxability is starkly evident on both, but a little too bubblegumish on HERO. J.T.Bowen's raw vocals on RESCUE wonderfully complement Clarence's powerful sax. One can only wonder what else we may have gotten out of the Red Bank Rockers (a superb "bar band" on the Jersey music scene in the early '80s) had they assembled a second collection of their rock/R&B fused sound.

This is A+ party soul music. Okay, I don't know HERO very well, except for the very nice single "You're A Friend of Mine." But RESCUE --- Wow!! An amazing and overlooked album, brimming with soul. This is an album I bought on vinyl back in the 80s and kept checking back to see if it was out on CD for more than decade. Check out "Money to the Rescue" and "A Woman's Got the Power" for starters. Classics that hold their own with Atlantic-Stax. Cut in the mid 80s, this is great 60s-70s dance music, the ballads are fine make-out music. Note: Clarence does not do the vocals, but he wisely found a singer who's as good with his voice as the big man is with his sax. I'm embarrassed I can't recall his name, because he belongs in the pantheon with Otis, Sam & Dave and Wilson Pickett. If you love soul, you will love this album. If you love Springsteen and Seger and Mellencamp you will love this album.

If you want to listen to some REALLY good music, get this CD and turn up the volume! Sadly, Clarence Clemons died today; but just in case you needed any proof of his immortality as a musician this two-fer album will lay those fears to rest! Clarence outdoes even himself on these excellent tracks and that's grand.

We get all of the songs from two of Clarence's record albums entitled "Rescue" and "Hero." What music this is! "Jump Start My Heart" has a great beat; Clarence does this with lots of style. "Rock 'N' Roll DJ;" "Money to the Rescue;" "A Woman's Got the Power;" "A Man in Love" and others like "Heartache #99" sound strong even today and that impresses me. "You're a Friend of Mine" got a lot of airplay when it was first released; it made the airwaves sizzle and I love it every time I hear it!

The rest of the tracks continue to showcase the genius of Clarence Clemons. "It's Alright with Me Girl" is yet another one of these fine numbers; in fact there's really not a bad track in the lot! "Liberation Fire" is pretty awesome, too.

Clarence Clemons may have died today; but he lives on through his music both as a soloist and a member of Bruce Springsteen's band. We are all better off for Clarence having shared his incredible artistry with us!

I got this for CD "Rescue" album I have, but was wearing out. Great to have it on a CD. If you like older Springsteen and like that "horn" sound mixed with good rock, this is a musthave CD. The songs are simple, with a beat and have soul. I got this back in '83 when it came out, and I still listen to it today.

Rescue was the greatest albumn of 80's bar none. To much soul to be played on rock stations. To rockin to be played on soul stations. JT Bowen where have you gone (clarence's singer)? I seen this show in a 2 story house they played upstairs we sat on the stage with the uptown horns. Unbelievable...

The late, great Clarence Clemons was of course best known as the sax player and right hand man to Bruce Springsteen in the E Street Band. But he did record some music of his own, first with 1983's Rescue and then the follow-up in 1985, Hero. Rescue was recorded with his backing band at the time The Red Bank Rockers. They were the house band at the Big Man's short-lived club, Big Man's West in Red Bank, NJ. The album is classic Jersey Shore music, mixing rock & soul. The lead vocals are handled by JT Bowen and he adds a Gary 'US' Bonds style grit to the sound. The best known song from the album is a cover the obscure group, The A's "A Woman's Got the Power". Its features a blazing sax from Mr. Clemons. "Jump Start My Heart" has a harder edge while "A Man In Love" is a soul belter. "Savin' Up" was written by Mr. Springsteen and it has a similar sound to the music he was producing for Mr. Bonds at the time. "Resurrection Shuffle" has a Wilson Pickett "Land Of A 1000 Dances" feel and is a real burner. For Hero, Mr. Clemons decided to take over lead vocal duties. He has a deep voice that isn't terrible, but is better suited for the background as opposed to the lead. The album also veers away from the rock & soul sound and dives head first into 80's pop. The album's big hit and Mr. Clemons only solo chart appearance is his duet with Jackson Browne that kicks off the album, "You're A Friend Of Mine". It's a nice slice of 80's music that has held up pretty well. "Temptation" has a gritty sound while "Liberation Fire" is an aggressive instrumental with some powerful sax work. "I Wanna Be Your Hero" is an up-tempo number while "Cross That Line" has a yearning feel. "Kissin' On U" is a goofy number filled with braggadocio that is the worst track on the album. The album's closer "Christina" is an ode to his wife at the time and is a great closer.

Had been trying to get my hands on this on CD - still have the vinyl version of the first album. Am so glad to have it - loved this side of Clarence; brings back great memories. Wish there were better liner notes, though.

Had heard some of this a long time ago, and after Clarence's untimely passing I decided that it was time to re-visit it. Not dissapointed, in the least bit. Rescue is the stronger of the two albums on this cd, but that might just be my opinion. "Woman's Got The Power" and "Saving Up" are just amazing stuff. With the Big Man on the sax and the vocal strength of JT Bowen, you can't go wrong.

I got the cd for the sax, which he doesn't play much. Most people who sing on the cd, can't.