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.
Chameleon
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