() Metalville Records announces November 15th as the international release date for Trapeze's Lost Tapes Vol. 2. When rock band Trapeze called it a day, they left behind them a series of now-classic albums. Their influence on other groups has been immense, with individual members themselves going on to join heavyweight rock acts such as Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Judas Priest, and Uriah Heep. But their story's not over, as Trapeze's Lost Tapes Vol. 2 continues to prove!
Recorded either side of album releases, these are great songs, stockpiled, but never released - some with the intention of developing them even further later, as Trapeze hit the ground running, playing live relentlessly, honing their craft while rarely seeing home. Here, too, you'll find rare lineups featured - previously only rumored at, often considered fable at best - but now revealed proudly for the first time and given their deserved day in the sun.
Hard-wired guitars, wailing synthesizers, rhythm sections that kick ass then get the funk out, with out-of-sight vocal performances throughout guaranteed. Be that on hard rockers such as "Fighting" and "Loser," ballads like the exclusive early rendition of "Coast To Coast", even near-country rock asides in "Must Be In Love" through to progressive AOR rock explorations on "Welcome To the Real World." Then, of course, there's their pioneering brand of funk rock on tracks like "Can You Feel It?" and "Way Back To The Bone," among others. Plus, the song that tells you exactly what made this English band tick: the heartfelt rush of "Homeland."
Poignantly, Trapeze's Lost Tapes Vol. 2 also features "Live Fast, Die Laughing," the last song ever recorded by founding member, band leader, and guitarist/vocalist Mel Galley before his passing in 2008.
Having practically retired from the music business, except for the odd session, Galley had a change of heart. "He got his hunger back!" revealed his brother, songwriter & producer Tom Galley. "We started working on various things, and he was very much up for putting Trapeze back together; we'd got the players he wanted to use, and were recording again." The guitarist also played a soldout local solo gig, unaware what destiny had in store when he was later diagnosed with cancer. "He was still up for for it. It was so special just to get him in the studio - what you hear is pretty much live single takes of him singing, laying down guitars and bass, with drum programming by Gary Alkins done out at Bloxwich in the UK."
Rocking out with urgent vitality, in "Live Fast, Die Laughing" you feel Mel Galley's zest for life; play it loud and he's here with us again, offering sound advice with Trapeze-style pizazz.
Trapeze's Lost Tapes Vol. 2. was collated by Tom Galley with assistance from band manager Tony Perry, alongside Marcus Galley once more honoring his father's legacy by designing this very special collection that features rare & exclusive photos by Carl Dunn.
Tracklisting for Trapeze's Lost Tapes Vol. 2
1. Homeland
2. Hold On
3. Loser
4. Take It On
5. Must Be In Love
6. Live Fast Die Laughing
7. Wake Up Shake Up
8. Coast To Coast
9. Can You Feel It
10. Way Back To The Bone
11. Turn It On
12. Fighting
13. Welcome To The Real World
14. Midnight Flyer
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