Seasons Connections - Alessi

Back in 1976 as the Four Seasons toured the USA on the back of their new success following their biggest hit for a decade a new act hit the scene with their first album and a hit single ‘Oh Lori’. Alessi have been described as “Brian Wilson Meets Hall and Oates” and their melodic harmonies and tight music was a refreshing dose of classic pop. Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio liked them so much that they used them as opening act on tour and commissioned two songs for ‘Valli’ the next solo album by Frankie….and in return agreed to work on a future album with the brothers.

‘Easily’ and ‘So She Says’, composed by Billy and Bobby Alessi for the album ‘Valli’ are excellent vehicles for Frankie’s voice and deserved better promotion from Private Stock.

But the talent of these talented guys was out of sync with a record industry heading into recession and a rock revival aimed at destroying disco and pop. Despite five excellent albums between 1976 and 1982 they couldn’t repeat the success of ‘Oh Lori’ even with the support of Christopher Cross and Quincy Jones on the superb final LP on Warner – Qwest QW K 56999 ‘Long Time Friends’.

On their third album ‘Words and Music’(AMLH64776 – 1979) they were helped by Bob and Frankie with Bob producing three tracks, ‘Words and Music’, ‘Midnight Low’ and the extended disco track ‘Evil Man’ which features Frankie Valli on backing vocals.

We recently gathered the best of their tracks from our vinyl collection and it actually needed 2 CD’s as the quality of songs and performances was so good. Few artists proved so consistent as singer songwriters during this period but with little commercial success.

When they dropped of the scene as 1980s music plunged into decline……many believe only held together by the artistry of Michael Jackson…..they turned very successfully to jingle writing.

But like the Four Seasons of the 70s they were revered in Holland so it is so pleasing to see that fans there have persuaded them to make a commercial comeback and the fruits of that can be found at their new website.

An intimate ‘live’ DVD concert and a new CD look set to finally bring the guys the recognition and success they have always deserved if the samplers on their web site are any indication.

And we can only highlight our favourite track from their first album as an example of a superb and original song and sound which should appeal to all lovers of pop harmony. This is one act Frankie and Bob rightly recognized as top talent.

Chameleon