Search - Denny Laine :: Danger Zone

Take a look at this!

02/06/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This "1995" Denny Laine album is none but the well known "Japanese Tears", his first album to be released after his last album with Paul McCartney's Wings had been released (Back to The Egg, 1979). The first release of this album (Japanese Tears) on Cd was entitled "In Flight", and was credited to Denny Laine with Paul McCartney and Friends (because at least 4 songs were recorded while he was a Wings member). Now this "Danger Zone" is just a new re-release...for those who are fans of Denny and still are looking for Japanese Tears on CD, here it is!"

Japanese Tears in disguise

Ron | Tacoma, WA | 03/15/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Back in 1980, Denny Laine wrote a song called "Japanese Tears" after Wings bandleader Paul McCartney was busted in Tokyo for marijuana possession. The song was released in the U. S. as a single by Arista Records that same year but failed to chart. The album came out the following year in Britain, but it didn't get a domestic release until 1983 when Takoma Records put it out. Since then, the album has been released more times than I can count. This CD contains all the songs from that album, with the track sequence changed slightly, and with new cover art and liner notes. All of the songs were recorded while Laine was still a member of Wings. In fact, most of the band members appear on the album. Steve Holly plays drums on most of the songs, and Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Lawrence Juber, Henry McCullough and Denny Seiwell also appear on various tracks. Even Wings horn men Howie Casey and Thaddeus Richard appear on a few tracks. Denny's wife Jo Jo sings backup on most songs, and solos on the ballad "Same Mistakes". She's got a sweet voice, somewhat limited, but much prettier than Ms. McCartney. Denny recorded many of the songs at home during time off from Wings, playing guitar, bass, harmonica, and keyboards. Laine always contributed a couple songs to the Wings albums, but this CD shows there was a lot more where that came from. In fact, three songs ("Send Me the Heart", "Weep for Love", and "I Would Only Smile") were originally recorded for Wings projects. We're lucky Denny chose to include them on his solo album. "I Would Only Smile" is a cheery pop rock number that would have highlighted any Wings disc. "Weep for Love" is a folky acoustic song that is instantly memorable. "Send Me the Heart" is from the same Nashville sessions that produced the double sided hit single "Junior's Farm"/"Sally G" and has the country sound of the latter tune. Elsewhere, Laine rocks out on "Silver", gets romantic with "Lovers Light", and tick tocks to the "Clock on the Wall". "Japanese Tears" the song is a great blend of story telling and oriental sounds. This album easily ranks McCartney's best 80's work ("Tug of War", "Pipes of Peace", both of which Denny plays on), and should appeal to any fans of Wings and hummable pop rock."