The Power Station Years: The Unreleased Recordings
Encyclopedia
The Power Station Years: The Unreleased Recordings is a compilation of previously unreleased songs recorded by vocalist/ guitarist Jon Bon Jovi
(then known by his given name of John Bongiovi) that was first released as a 15 track compilation in 1997. They were recorded in the early 1980s in a local recording studio named the Power Station, where John worked as a janitor. The songs were recorded previous to the formation of the now-famous band, Bon Jovi
. In 1998 the follow-up, a 20 track edition "More Power Station Years" was released (consisting of the previous albums 15 tracks plus 5 unreleased songs. The albums were released by Tony Bongiovi, Jon's cousin and producer of the recordings. The albums are unofficial and were originally released under the "Masquerade" record label and have been re-released with different packaging on several occasions.
"More Than We Bargained For" was released as a promotional single for the album but is very rare.
The most notable song on the album is an instrumental version of the song "Runaway," (although it was not available on all releases) which went on to reach #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984.
The song "Stringin' a Line" was written by Canadian singer Ian Thomas, although it's credited as written by John Bongiovi on the packaging, this is inaccurate. Thomas would record and release his own version in 1981.
Production Crew:
Recorded at Power Station Studios, New York (1981–1983)
All songs written by John Bongiovi except "Who Said It Would Last Forever", "More Than We Bargained For" and "Hollywood Dreams" written by John Bongiovi and Jim Pooles. "Strinin' A Line" written by Ian Thomas and "Talkin' In Your Sleep" written by John Bongiovi and George Karakaglou.
All titles published by Metaphor Music Ltd.
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
(then known by his given name of John Bongiovi) that was first released as a 15 track compilation in 1997. They were recorded in the early 1980s in a local recording studio named the Power Station, where John worked as a janitor. The songs were recorded previous to the formation of the now-famous band, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
. In 1998 the follow-up, a 20 track edition "More Power Station Years" was released (consisting of the previous albums 15 tracks plus 5 unreleased songs. The albums were released by Tony Bongiovi, Jon's cousin and producer of the recordings. The albums are unofficial and were originally released under the "Masquerade" record label and have been re-released with different packaging on several occasions.
"More Than We Bargained For" was released as a promotional single for the album but is very rare.
The most notable song on the album is an instrumental version of the song "Runaway," (although it was not available on all releases) which went on to reach #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984.
Track listing
- "Who Said It Would Last Forever" - 4:01
- "Open Your Heart" - 3:46
- "Stringin' a Line" - 3:46
- "Don't Leave Me Tonight" - 4:53
- "More Than We Bargained For" - 3:49
- "For You" - 3:04
- "Hollywood Dreams" - 3:16
- "All Talk, No Action" - 3:29
- "Don't Keep Me Wondering" - 2:57
- "Head Over Heels" - 3:31
- "No One Does It Like You" - 4:14
- "What You Want" - 3:32
- "Don't You Believe Him" - 3:13
- "Talkin' in Your Sleep" - 4:20
- "Bobby's Girl" - 1:39
- "Gimme Some Lovin' Charlene" - 2:29
- "Don't Do That to Me Anymore" - 3:47
- "This Woman Is Dangerous" - 4:08
- "Maybe Tomorrow" - 3:32
- "RunawayRunaway (Bon Jovi song)"Runaway" is a Bon Jovi song, written in 1980 and originally recorded in 1981 for the so called "Power Station Demos". The recordings were primarily done by an ensemble simply known as Jon Bongiovi & The Rest. Lead guitar on the original 1980's track was Bon Jovi's neighbour, Dave Sabo , who would...
" (instrumental) - 3:39
The song "Stringin' a Line" was written by Canadian singer Ian Thomas, although it's credited as written by John Bongiovi on the packaging, this is inaccurate. Thomas would record and release his own version in 1981.
Personnel
- Jon Bon JoviJon Bon JoviJon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Bill Frank - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Charlie Mills - drums
- Tom Pyle - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Danny Skye - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Rick Sye - saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
Production Crew:
- Tony Bongiovi - Producer, original engineering
- Rocco Raffa - Mixing
- Roy Hendrickson - Mixing
- Jason Corsaro - Mixing
- Scott Litt - original engineering
- Ron Winter - Executive Producer (1998)
- Lee Rumble - Engineering (1998)
- Prime CD's, London - 1998 Mastering
- The Creative Tank, Ltd - Sleeve Design
Recorded at Power Station Studios, New York (1981–1983)
All songs written by John Bongiovi except "Who Said It Would Last Forever", "More Than We Bargained For" and "Hollywood Dreams" written by John Bongiovi and Jim Pooles. "Strinin' A Line" written by Ian Thomas and "Talkin' In Your Sleep" written by John Bongiovi and George Karakaglou.
All titles published by Metaphor Music Ltd.