Torme- Bernie Torme Archives Vol 2: 1985-1993

Five CD set. Follow up to ‘Lightning Strikes – Volume One (1982-1983)’ comes Torm’s ‘The Bernie Torm Archives Vol 2: 1985-1993’. With all previously released material remastered by Eric Tormey. Although he came to prominence with the hit albums recorded with the band Gillan, followed by a brief tenure with Ozzy Osbourne, Bernie had originally dabbled in the London punk scene of the late 1970s. Before forming Torm in 1985, eschewing the power trio format of his previous solo records to team up with former Girl vocalist and future LA Gun Phil Lewis on lead vocals plus Chris Heilman on bass and Ian Whitewood on drums, with Bernie’s former Gillan band mate Colin Towns guesting on keyboards. Signing to Cherry Red’s Zebra Records for 1985’s ‘Back To Babylon’ (CD1), which now comes with the three songs from the 1986 ‘So You Wanna Be A Star’ EP plus bonus tracks. Retaining the same band line-up for 1987’s ‘Die Pretty, Die Young’ (CD2), unfortunately Torm (the group) didn’t last long enough to properly promote the record, as the band imploded shortly after it’s release, with singer Phil Lewis relocating to the States to join LA Guns with guitarist Traci Guns, Chris Heilmann joining Shark Island, Ian Whitewood joining Sham 69 and Bernie forming Desperado with Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider and Iron Maiden’s Clive Burr. Following it’s release the band were put on hold, but not before they recorded ‘Official Bootleg’ (CD3), with Torm captured live in London during Easter 1987 which now includes ‘The Revolution’ and ‘Arabia’ recorded at Brunel, plus the studio version of ‘My Baby Love A Vampire’. Reforming Torm with former Samson vocalist Gary Owen, bassist John Pearce and drummer Chris Jones, ‘Demolition Ball’ (CDs 4 and 5) was released in 1993. This sterling collection of songs was a perfect vehicle for Bernie’s singular and underrated talents as an influential lead guitarist. Eight demos from the album are also included.

Track List

1. All Around the World
2. Star
3. Eyes of the World
4. Burning Bridges
5. Hardcore
6. Here I Go
7. Family at War
8. Front Line
9. Arabia
10. Mystery Train
11. T.V.O.D
12. Kerrap
13. Love Guns and Money
14. My Baby Loves a Vampire (Live at the Marquee)
15. New Orleans (Live at the Marquee)
16. Word Up (Cameo Cover)
17. Bo Diddly
18. Let It Rock
19. The Real Thing
20. Ready
21. Sex Action
22. The Ways of the East
23. Killer
24. Memphis
25. Louise
26. Crimes of Passion
27. Ghost Train
28. All Around the World
29. Chain Gang
30. Mystery Train
31. Let It Rock (Alternate Take)
32. Crimes of Passion (Live at the Marquee)
33. Memphis (Live at the Marquee)
34. Born to Rock (Demo)
35. Mystery Train (Demo)
36. Frontline
37. Turn Out the Lights
38. Hardcore
39. Star
40. Burning Bridges
41. T.V.O.D
42. My Baby Loves a Vampire
43. New Orleans
44. Love Guns and Money
45. All Around the World
46. Mystery Train
47. Frontline
48. Come the Revolution (Live at Brunel)
49. Arabia (Live at Brunel)
50. My Baby Love a Vampire (Studio Version)
51. Fallen Angel
52. Black Sheep
53. Action
54. Ball ; Chain
55. Slip Away
56. Long Time Coming
57. Spinnin’ Your Wheels
58. Don’t Understand
59. Industry
60. Draw the Line
61. U.S. Maid
62. Let It Go
63. Walk It
64. Man O’Means
65. Monkey Business
66. My Darlene
67. Coast to Coast (Band Demo)
68. Can’t Stop the Rain (Band Demo)
69. Action (Demo)
70. Shoot the DJ (Demo)
71. Coast to Coast (Demo)
72. Snakeskin (Demo)
73. How Long (Demo)
74. The Last Time (Demo)