Boulevard - Into The Street (Uk) [CD]

New mastering - extensive booklet / 4 bonus tracks / One of the best AOR albums of all time. Boulevard is a Canadian band (originally abbreviated Blvd) which came together in 1983 in Calgary (Alberta) and formed by Mark Holden (saxophone/vocals). In 1984, he asked Andrew Johns to join as keyboard player and lead vocalist, while redoing some of the old demos. Other members who made up the group were Randy Gould on guitar, Jerry Adolphe on drums, Hans Sahlen on bass, lead vocalist David Forbes and Holden on saxophone. They traveled then to Germany to release the video of the single "Rainy Day in London" which went to #45 on the Billboard charts in Europe. In 1988, the band signed a deal with MCA Records and moved to Vancouver. Hans Sahlen stayed in Calgary and was replaced on bass by Randy Burgess. Known for their solid rhythms, layered melodies and vocal textures the band and went on to enjoy success overseas prior to landing back in Canada. In 1988, Boulevard recorded their debut album at Vancouver's Ocean Sound by producer Pierre 'Baz' Bazinet and was mixed by rock producers Bob Rock and Mike Fraser. The album, BLVD., produced four singles with videos for "Never Give Up" and "Far from Over", establishing them as a fixture of the Canadian Music scene in the 80's. The band gained exposure by touring Canada and opening for Glass Tiger. They also opened for Boston on the final leg of the band's Third Stage tour. Boulevard were awarded the coveted People's Choice Award by Music Express Magazine as "Best New Group." By 1990, Boulevard had revised their line-up with Thom Christiansen (formerly of Idle Eyes on bass, and Randall Stoll on drums. They recorded Into the Street at Venture Studios in Vancouver with John Punter and, that year, released two singles in Canada, "Crazy Life" and "Lead Me On."