Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Private Lightning - Private Lightning (1980)


Boston's Private Lightning came together in the mid 70's, under the direction of brother/sister musicians, Paul and Patty Van Ness. The band built a respectable following along the east coast and soon the band's manager, Fred Heller, had facilitated a contract for the band with A&M Records. The band were jetted off to Monserrat where they spent the next month crafting their debut. It was a short time later before the band were finally able to hear the finished product, which took place at their record release party. The members were horrified to hear that the rough mix and final mix were completely different, as most of the dynamics were muted and the overall production too brittle and trebly.

The band soldiered on and toured the New England region relentlessly, but A&M had usurped most of the band's promotional budget on many of their more established artists, leaving very little to keep the band on the road. The band began work on demos for their followup album, but things finally came to a halt in 1981. Paul now works in film/video production, Patty is a renowned medieval instrumentalist and the remaining members have worked with The Souls and Hank Decken as well as various roles in production/engineering.

The album is a curious blend of art rock, new wave, power pop and AOR. With fluid violin work permeating each of the tracks, there's a unique vibe happening throughout. I hear similarities to late period FM and even Spy to some extent. There's nothing here that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but the hooks are average to these ears. No doubt, there's an audience for this album and thanks to Steven, we have a sweet vinyl transfer up for grabs. Take a listen already, eh?

320kbps @ http://lix.in/-2a9d6d

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Ronnie

Anything from the Durocs? LP appeared in the late seventies!!

Best

Robert

Anonymous said...

Hi

Do you have Face Dancers "About face"?

Best

Robert

Anonymous said...

Great to see you back! Just a little request...
Any chance you can repost Couchois self titled release and if you have their second album Nasty Hardware I'd love to check that out as well. I asked if you had Snail's self titled release a while back don't know if you had that or not.

Thanks,

Kerry

Anonymous said...

Hi J


thanks for the posts,don't know if you're checking email,so just to let you know After Tea available here tinyurl.com/5u87ea

Nuxx

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronnie,blog very good,sorry no english,re-upload Grand Theft-It's Eating Me Alive? thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hy, my friend,
Your blog is great. My name is Marcos, i'm a brazilian guy and most of those bands are unknown here. They are very good!
When i was downloading your files, i found some broken links. I've made a list with them.
Now i would like to ask you a big favor: "Please, repost them". I'll be gratefull. Thanks a lot. God Bless you.

The list:

The Equinox - Hard Rock (1973) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/75777643/Equinox320.rar

Babyface - Babyface (1977) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/75728506/Babyface256.rar

Magnet - Worldwide Attraction (1979) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/73028728/magnet320.rar

Skyband - Skyband (1975) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/72587506/skyband320.rar

Glyder - Glyder (1975) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/72550460/Glyder320.rar

Kid Dynamite - Kid Dynamite (1976) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/72049721/kiddynamite128.rar

Bad Boy - Private Party (1981) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/71858508/badboy224.rar

Whiteface - Whiteface (1979) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/68442655/whiteface192.rar

Survivor - All Your Pretty Moves (1979) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/68435897/survivor224.rar

Cinema Face - Cinema Face (1983) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/67962947/CinemaFace224.rar

Nantucket - V (1985) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/67933753/nantucket224.rar

Granmax - A Ninth Alive (1976) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/67259725/Granmax192.rar

Acme Thunder - Let's All Get Naked (1978) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/67248442/AcmeThunder320.rar

Jade - Faces of Jade (1970) -> http://rapidshare.com/files/66862394/Jade192.rar

Hush - C'mon We're Taking Over (1974) - http://rapidshare.com/files/66856574/Hush256.rar.html

Stonebolt - New Set of Changes (1980) - http://sharebee.com/6528fb96

Indestructible Noise Command - The Visitor (1988) - http://sharebee.com/ffa28749

451° - 451° (1980) - http://www.zshare.net/download/32864496196996

Roadmaster - Roadmaster (1977) - http://www.zshare.net/download/328562716b9837

Bad Boy - Electric Eyes (1984) - http://sharebee.com/f2dd6aca

Bandit [USA] - Bandit (1975) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZVIUU8Q9

Strongbow - Strongbow (1975) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OEITO85G

Hammersmith - Hammersmith (1975) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SU0A2LN7

Fable - Fable (1974) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FD82LY9X

Flying Squad - Flying Squad (1978) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PB2XG4RW

Colours - Colours (1968) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=B9E74LHI

$27 Snap On Face - Heterodyne State Hospital (1977) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WJNWZNSK

Bones - Bones (1972) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RGJKVH0E

Alkana - Welcome To My Paradise (1978) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CCHG4K80

Roxx - Get Your Roxx Off (1976) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3UF3PBO0

Baby - Baby (1975) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5EN6505V

Mayday - Revenge (1982) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=S25GOF5G

Taste - Knights of Love (1977) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=771J6LBZ

Airborne - Airborne (1979) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VCZEIEO8

Coloured Balls - First Supper Last (1976) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ORVMXTCU

Bulldog - Smasher (1974) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HD3V6198

Hotel - Half Moon Silver (1980) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YNE7A0SG

Attila - Attila (1970) - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZLOCMQFX

FM - City of Fear - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=D8HBHT2W

One more time: "God Bless You!!!"

Anonymous said...

Hy, my friend,
Your blog is great. My name is Marcos, i'm a brazilian guy and most of those bands are unknown here. They are very good!
When i was downloading your files, i found some broken links. I've made a list with them.
Now i would like to ask you a big favor: "Please, repost them". I'll be gratefull. Thanks a lot. God Bless you.

The list:

The Equinox - Hard Rock (1973)
Babyface - Babyface (1977)
Magnet - Worldwide Attraction (1979)
Skyband - Skyband (1975)
Glyder - Glyder (1975)
Kid Dynamite - Kid Dynamite (1976)
Bad Boy - Private Party (1981)
Whiteface - Whiteface (1979)
Survivor - All Your Pretty Moves (1979)
Cinema Face - Cinema Face (1983)
Nantucket - V (1985)
Granmax - A Ninth Alive (1976)
Acme Thunder - Let's All Get Naked (1978)
Jade - Faces of Jade (1970)
Hush - C'mon We're Taking Over (1974)
Stonebolt - New Set of Changes (1980)
Indestructible Noise Command - The Visitor (1988)
451° - 451° (1980)
Roadmaster - Roadmaster (1977)
Bad Boy - Electric Eyes (1984)
Bandit [USA] - Bandit (1975)
Strongbow - Strongbow (1975)
Hammersmith - Hammersmith (1975)
Fable - Fable (1974)
Flying Squad - Flying Squad (1978)
Colours - Colours (1968)
$27 Snap On Face - Heterodyne State Hospital (1977)
Bones - Bones (1972)
Alkana - Welcome To My Paradise (1978)
Roxx - Get Your Roxx Off (1976)
Baby - Baby (1975)
Mayday - Revenge (1982)
Taste - Knights of Love (1977)
Airborne - Airborne (1979)
Coloured Balls - First Supper Last (1976)
Bulldog - Smasher (1974)
Hotel - Half Moon Silver (1980)
Attila - Attila (1970)
FM - City of Fear

One more time: "God Bless You!!!"

Anonymous said...

I remember before this album came out, they had a different single version of Song of the Kite that would get played on the Boston FM stations.

robpas said...

A lot of great music here!! By any chance, does anyone know where I can find Rob Junglas - Closer To The Flame? I remember his video for Boys Town, and would love to hear the entire album. Thanks!

Bob

Anonymous said...

Fantastic work as always, looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.
Best wishes,
Bigfootkit

xianrex said...

Yay! I had "Physical Speed" on mp3 for years, and could never find anything else. Thanks!

Skydogg said...

Hey Ronnie, I see you no longer have 'One Mother To Another' by Mother's Finest on your wishlist. Does that mean you now have it? And are you gonna upload it? Cause I want it too!

JKR said...

Yes, I do now have it & will be upping it here in a flash. Thx to a gracious reader for the contribution. Stay tuned! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Marcos, I´m also brazilian... and my name is also Marcos :-) I would upload some itens, will take a few days but I´ll put the links here...

Anonymous said...

yes! i hope too, you'll post "One Mother To Another" by Mother's Finest very soon!!!
your blog is great
thanks

Anonymous said...

Do you have any Prism albums?

Thanks

-Brian

Anonymous said...

Hi, my friend... Marcos (from Brazil), again... Thank you a lot for your answer. I'll be here waiting. God bless you again.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marcos... four albuns for you (and anyone that wants), will upload some more ASAP:

Survivor: http://rapidshare.com/files/145330903/Surv.rar.html
Equinox: http://rapidshare.com/files/145329856/e_hr.rar.html
Granmax: http://rapidshare.com/files/145344728/Granm.rar.html
Alkana: http://rapidshare.com/files/145348050/Alk.rar.html

Regards, Marcos (ther other)

bigfootkit said...

It's all gone a bit quiet over here, everything alright?
Hope to see you back in business again real soon.
Best wishes.

bigfootkit said...

Hey, hope everything's all right, it's all gone quiet.
I've set up a new blog to host all my old links from here & there, you might enjoy it, pay us a visit:
http://guntherspaps.blogspot.com/
best wishes,
bigfootkit

Anonymous said...

Sorry am i stupid or something but the upload link from Private lightning takes me to lix.in where you have to buy or take a 2 week trial?
Plese upload Babyface again! Thanks for the great pages! Bobby

Anonymous said...

hey did you die or what? WTF is going on ??your site is pretty cool but your mia

Anonymous said...

Hi muzikguy,

I recently posted S/T Gator Creek for your approval & perhaps you could amend link to http://www.raremp3.co.uk please.

Tx for your consideration

C.

KISSMAR said...

Ronnie Hi, I love your blog a sentence that does not continue, you would like to participate in my blog?
With his records already posted or others, would veneficioso, if you could share my blog, think again!.. I have about 2,000 people daily visits .I am from argentina, use a translator that my English is not good.MY BLOG IS www.kissmarthree.blogspot.com
I hope his answer whether or not I do not feel offended if he says no.think again, it is a pity is an excellent material.
greetings.

MARCELO
www.kissmarthree.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

The Private Lightning would be huge record if it were released today giving the sound of the newer acts....Artic Monkeys and The Bravery come to mind.

Anonymous said...

I am also looking for the single but it's the song "Physical Speed"
The reason is that the radio played radio version replaced the word "AM" with "FM"....
That was the only change that I am aware of....
Would you or anyone have a copy of that version?
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

For those looking for more Private Lighning, go to this website:

http://www.baselines.com/music/index.html

Loads of material, not on the album or demos for the album along with a concert and the single version of 'Physical Speed' with the FM radio part added. The website was created by the former drummer of the band. Lots of good stuff, enjoy!

Dan Shewster said...

Good News for Private Lightning fans!

The album is being issued on CD (first time ever!)

Renaissance Records will release the CD on June 16, 2009. Pre-orders are now being taken over at Amazon.com.

I cannot wait!! At last!!!

John Jay said...

Thanks for posting. If this was in the MP3 format I would have grabbed it, but you are keeping me honst. Thanks to the final poster telling us this record is going to be re-released. Physical Speed is one of my all time favorite songs to this day.

Anonymous said...

I thought I was the only one out here that remembers "Physical Speed". I recall listening to this on the radio wayyyyy back when and scrambling for my "tape recorder". Lost that tape which left me wondering after all these years if I'd ever find it listed anywhere. Awesome to have found other fans.

Anonymous said...

Song of the Kite still brings tears to my eyes.

Brian said...

Their album probably sounded like that because it was cut out of phase :)