Customer Reviews

Sheriff

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the most delightful "lost treasures" I have ever seen - folks, this is one great record. The songs are excellent (I don't really like the last song, because the keyboardist sings it and I'm not that impressed with his voice, so...) and the production is really good.

This disc is worth far more than the price of admission just to hear Freddy Curci's singing. He is the most incredible vocalist I've ever heard, and I've pretty much heard them all (I'm a singer). His upper range is phenomenal, his tone is excellent, and I've never heard anyone else EVER come close to holding out really high notes for as long as he can. He doesn't really do it for "show," the things he does are quite musical in the context of the songs. NO ONE else that I've ever heard could've done what he did on this album (not Steve Perry, not Brad Delp, nobody), which is from 1982, no less. The standout vocal performance is "Living for a Dream," in which Curci sings several lines that range between the soprano A and C range (that's right, he hits a few notes in there that are a _whole octave_ above the "tenor high C" that you hear about so often - and he _sings_ them, he doesn't scream them).

Although the band did get some recognition later on for "When I'm With You" (and deservedly so, it's a great song), this band never really "made it" - this is the only recording that was released. I've read that interal conflicts over song writing, song choices, and, believe it or not, singing (I've read that the keyboardist wanted to sing more - he's a decent singer, but compared to Curci's incredible vocal prowess, he should just play the keys) led to the break up of the band. Freddy and Steve D. (guitar) went on to join with Steve Fossen, Roger Fisher, and Michael DeRosier of Heart to form the band Alias, which also released a killer AOR album (you may remember the song "More Than Words Can Say").

You won't be disappointed.

I can't understand some of the reviews calling this cd mediocre. I can only assume that they gave it one listen, realized they hadn't purchased whatever it was they were hoping to find and took out their misguided anger in text review. This IS a very strong collection of songs IF you love 80's top 40 rock. "When I'm With You" is the big hit ballad but this cd goes so much deeper. This is a rock album that happens to have a ballad...which was the case with many top 40 rock bands from the 80's. "Elisa", "Living For A Dream", and "Makin' My Way" are excellent songs in a sorta Styx meets April Wine kind of way. Those three songs alone are worth the price of admission...but this cd literally doesn't have a bad track. I like to listen to cds when I'm doing wood work in my basement and at first, this cd just sounded okay. It was after several more listenings that I fully realized what a great album this is. I feel like I've unearthed a lost treasure.

I remember listening to 94 Rock out of Syracuse,NY in the early 80's when "You Remind Me" came on the radio. I loved the sound of the song but only heard it a few times after and never caught the name of the group. I was lucky enough in the late 80's to pick up a cassette(by chance) by a Canadian group called Sheriff. I wondered if "You Remind Me" was the same song I had heard and loved so I purchased it. It was and what a great find. Classic AOR throughout this release with the killer ballad "When I'm With You" also here. I now have this classic on cd and would highly recommend it to 80's AOR fans out there. Great news: 707 Megaforce will be released on cd for the first time this year!

Frozen Ghost's Arnold Lanni and Wolf Hassel were one half of Sheriff, whose 1983 song "When I'm with You" recharted and hit #1 six years later. The other half of the band was vocalist Freddy Curci and guitarist Steve DeMarchi, who were both out of the music business when "When I'm with You" began receiving airplay in 1989. Curci, who was working for a courier service at the time, tells this story: "Imagine delivering a package to an office and hearing yourself on the radio. I'd be signing a shipping slip and smiling, and the girl at the front desk would ask what I was laughing about. I'd say, `That's me singing on the radio.' And she'd say, `Sure, buddy, now on your way'" [Music Express #150; 41]. After "When I'm with You" topped the charts, Curci and DeMarchi joined forces with original Heart members Michael De Rosier, Steve Fossen, and Roger Fisher to form Alias, which had a #2 hit in 1990 with "More Than Words Can Say."

Canadian AOR group Sheriff released their self-titled debut album in 1982. Featuring the smooth and powerful vocals of Freddy Curci, Sheriff's sound was pretty typical of the post-disco, pre-hair metal AOR scene. It was very accessible, very melodic, very radio-friendly lite rock along the lines of Balance, Touch, REO Speedwagon and Toto. The songs are fairly upbeat, not too rocking, and tend to focus on love-inspired lyrics. The album featured the major radio hit in the ultra-sappy ballad "When I'm With You."

Despite the success of "When I'm With You," Sheriff didn't last long. This was their only album, though some of the band members (including Curci) went on to some success in Alias. If you're looking for something that rocks, this really isn't it. If you're a fan of lighter-edged AOR bands, you'll want to check this album out, even though it does have one of the worst album covers ever.

I bought this because I wanted to get When I'm With You and I was glad I did, cause I now like some other songs on this disk. This album has some similarities to Freddy Curci and Steve DeMarchi's second band, Alias. I only rated this a 4-star because it didn't have much linear notes.

This is one of the most underrated rock albums of all time. An absolute classic and not just for Freddy Curci's singing.

This band came and went. The tunes are great, pop/rock that are not cheesy, but provide strong hookage! I am giving this album a 5 star because this vocalist kicks ass! As a rock voice coach, I can tell you, this guy ranks up there with Tate, LeBrie, Perry, Halford, etc...Strong tenor with ENOURMOUS range, you have NEVER heard anyone sing this high before, trust me! Genius work by the singer....who ever he is....buy it....

A small but significant slice of the 80s pie...go get it and enjoy!

On this cd Sheriff attempts to mimic American band Styx, and some stuff that sounds like Starcastle ( the Yes take off band in the late 70's)...the big song is here ("When I'm With You")And it is a goodie..., there is one other great stand out track "Living For A Dream", which shows the band had some range and ideas, but mostly this is just a weak shot of what they had.. realizing I am not a big Sheriff fan... just like that big song... That song will no doubt appear on a compilation somewhere... but you won't get the other tune I speak of... so grab this one on the cheap just for that reason...