RANDO : HSAS - Through the Fire

1984 / US

Geffen Records / GHS 4023

Allied Record Company Pressing / Quiex II

Mastered @ The Mastering Lab by Doug Sax and Mike Reese

     Even though I'm on the record as being less than positive toward Van Hagar, I was actually a big fan of peak Sammy Hagar. By peak, I mean Standing Hampton, Three Lock Box, and V.O.A. era Sammy. Through the Fire is a supergroup album, featuring Hagar and Journey guitar wizard Neal Schon, which came out right in the middle of that run of albums. I was quite excited about this release and picked it up on cassette. At the time, I remember hearing the tracks "Top of the Rock" and "Missing You" on the radio on solid rotation. I recently picked up a used copy of the LP, mostly because it was pressed on Quiex II vinyl. Quiex was a high quality vinyl that appeared black, but when held up to a light source was translucent and colored. My copy appears to be purple. Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish between the purple and brown Quiex. 

     According to Wikipedia, the only single from this album was their cover of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale". Not a good choice by Geffen. As a result of some of my deep dives, I've become a fan of Procol Harum and this cover is not good. Sammy's vocals are weak and not even Neal Schon can salvage it. Other than that, it's a solid record. I'd probably rate it a 3.5/5. 

     I grew up in the golden age of A.O.R (Album Oriented Rock) radio. Neal Schon was one of the guitar heroes of that era, along with Gary Richrath of R.E.O. Speedwagon, Gary Moffett of April Wine, Tom Scholz of Boston, and Rik Emmett of Triumph. These guitarists never got the recognition of Hendrix, Page, Clapton or Van Halen, but they were all fantastic players with unique styles. Schon shows off his versatility on Through the Fire, setting aside his signature Journey sound in favor of a more muscular hard rock sound. However, why bring in Neal Schon and have him not sound like Neal Schon? Speaking of A.O.R, the next RANDO will be my 7" single of "Renegade" by Styx. Peace.