This album has been re-release and thier album MOUNTAIN IN THE SKY (Collector’s Edition)
and you get both of them at http://retroactiverecords.net/?page_id=68
and you get both of them at http://retroactiverecords.net/?page_id=68
ABOUT THE ALBUM
The band recorded their southern / progressive rock masterpiece debut Mountain In the Sky (1984) in Pat Travers’ studio. This ’84 VISION release features Lynyrd Skynyrd Band members Leon Wilkeson (bass) and Billy Powell (piano) who were trying to cope with life after the tragic 1977 plan crash that killed three members of Skynyrd (and injuring the others) while the band was at the height of its popularity. Powell would tell the story of how Wilkeson had been pronounced dead at the scene when a “spirit-filled nurse laid hands on him and raised him from the dead.” VISION was where both men would find further healing, strength, and help from the Almighty.
Powell would continue playing with VISION after the band signed with Heartland Records for a sophomore Self-Titled release in 1985. Five tracks from the debut would be completely re-recorded from the ground up, with significant differences in arrangement and production now that they were with a major label. One of the new five songs was the anthemic “Standing On the Rock” which Heaven’s Metal Magazine editor Doug Van Pelt would go on to claim was, “one of the absolute best Christian rock songs of the era.” Powell's keyboards, which made Skynyrd's sound one of the most distinctive in rock and roll history, help VISION’s sound resonate with power and authority. Marshall’s crystal-clear rock voice (a la Steve Perry or Dennis DeYoung) brings clarity to a powerful message that continues to inspire and move people today. VISION put together all the necessities of a truly great rock band -combining elements of art rock with solid guitar-driven stadium rock. Marshall and company created a unique sound all their own that still sounds good 25+ years after it was first recorded! With prime riff-rockers from start to finish, this album is rock perfection. Steve Holland (founding of Molly Hatchett) visited VISION in studio and said, "’Vision - I don't need no stinking Vision. I'm blind as a bat as it is....but this old bat has great hearing!’ And that's all you need to know with these guys! Wow!” Beyond the tragedy, the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs, ultimately, VISION is about an indomitable will; about survival of spirit; unbowed, uniquely American, and stubbornly resolute. After 10 years of reissuing Christian rock and metal classics, this long out-of-print album has been one of the most requested reissues of all-time for Retroactive Records. That’s why the label is thrilled to reissue it on CD for the very first time, remastered, with exclusive and insightful liner notes, and 100% rock! For fans of Kansas, Styx, Mylon LeFevre, and Lynyrd Skynyrd!
The band recorded their southern / progressive rock masterpiece debut Mountain In the Sky (1984) in Pat Travers’ studio. This ’84 VISION release features Lynyrd Skynyrd Band members Leon Wilkeson (bass) and Billy Powell (piano) who were trying to cope with life after the tragic 1977 plan crash that killed three members of Skynyrd (and injuring the others) while the band was at the height of its popularity. Powell would tell the story of how Wilkeson had been pronounced dead at the scene when a “spirit-filled nurse laid hands on him and raised him from the dead.” VISION was where both men would find further healing, strength, and help from the Almighty.
Powell would continue playing with VISION after the band signed with Heartland Records for a sophomore Self-Titled release in 1985. Five tracks from the debut would be completely re-recorded from the ground up, with significant differences in arrangement and production now that they were with a major label. One of the new five songs was the anthemic “Standing On the Rock” which Heaven’s Metal Magazine editor Doug Van Pelt would go on to claim was, “one of the absolute best Christian rock songs of the era.” Powell's keyboards, which made Skynyrd's sound one of the most distinctive in rock and roll history, help VISION’s sound resonate with power and authority. Marshall’s crystal-clear rock voice (a la Steve Perry or Dennis DeYoung) brings clarity to a powerful message that continues to inspire and move people today. VISION put together all the necessities of a truly great rock band -combining elements of art rock with solid guitar-driven stadium rock. Marshall and company created a unique sound all their own that still sounds good 25+ years after it was first recorded! With prime riff-rockers from start to finish, this album is rock perfection. Steve Holland (founding of Molly Hatchett) visited VISION in studio and said, "’Vision - I don't need no stinking Vision. I'm blind as a bat as it is....but this old bat has great hearing!’ And that's all you need to know with these guys! Wow!” Beyond the tragedy, the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs, ultimately, VISION is about an indomitable will; about survival of spirit; unbowed, uniquely American, and stubbornly resolute. After 10 years of reissuing Christian rock and metal classics, this long out-of-print album has been one of the most requested reissues of all-time for Retroactive Records. That’s why the label is thrilled to reissue it on CD for the very first time, remastered, with exclusive and insightful liner notes, and 100% rock! For fans of Kansas, Styx, Mylon LeFevre, and Lynyrd Skynyrd!
This is another amazing release, that back in the 90's I had a company convert the album to CD for me, and still enjoy it to this day. Billy Powell of Lynyrd Skynyrd plays some amazing keys on this rock release. I REALLY wish this would see an official CD release, with some of the bonus tracks from their first EP.
ReplyDeleteApologia, on your recommendation I shall give this a listen.
ReplyDeleteI ran into Billy several years ago at cemetery in Idaho and I gave him my copy of the album, as he had never gotten one after the release. I have tried to track him down unsuccessfully.
ReplyDeleteBilly actually passed away last week. RIP
ReplyDeleteThis link no longer works
ReplyDeleteThe link no longer works --- still
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this release but it appears the link is broken. Help and Thanks!!
ReplyDeletePurchased the digital copies just now. Still as good as I remember them. Incredible stuff. Thanks for posting the link!!
ReplyDelete