As soon as I heard "I'm Leaving," the eighties came rushing back to
me in one fell swoop. I instantly recognized that AOR staple. I was
however unaware of how much good music this group called Taxxi actually
put out during that vast wasteland of excesses, BMW's, and yuppies
that was the eighties. They were the only other non-jazz-blues group
that was with Fantasy besides CCR. Taxxi never enjoyed the level of
success that CCR attained; they did make three solid albums for Fantasy
from 1980-1983 that stand up as genuine rock-pop by today's standards.
Now here it is 2001, and we have a collection of the best songs from
those three albums remastered. For all of you that were out there
dancing the night away in the eighties (like I was) that can remember
Taxxi, this is a great reminder of those times. Their music has an
excitement and energy that defines rock and roll. God, I wish I had
that kind of energy again. Like everything else, with time it disappears.
At least we have the music to keep it all alive for time without end.
The three lads from London; David Cumming (guitar, lead vocals), Colin
Payne (keyboards, background vocals), and Jeffery Nead (drums) made
their home in San Francisco and traveled across the bay to record
in the Fantasy studios in Berkeley. Some of the songs really rock
("I'm Leaving" and "Players"), and others have the nightclub dance
sound ("Not Me Girl" and "Sex and Suburban Suicide"). Whom ever they
had playing bass at the time (various musicians), they allowed them
to lead each song, as that instrument was predominant in just about
every song, with the keyboards and guitar remaining secondary. Cumming's
Hall & Oates meet Loverboy vocals were apt for the tension filled
times of the eighties, and a suitable partner for the music that was
the group's main focal point.
The sound is terrific and the song sequence is right on the money.
This CD was great fun to listen. It's the perfect summertime CD to
have playing when you're going out for a cruise and feeling the need
to hoot and holler. Ah, the eighties… black leather pants, red spandex
and Ronald Reagan, those were the days.
1. Cocktail Queen (Don't She Love To Rock & Roll)
2. I'm Leaving
3. Not Me Girl
4. Sex And Suburban Suicide
5. Maybe Someday
6. Players
7. Girl (New York City)
8. Whipping Boy
9. Walking On Air
10. Best In The West
11. Runaway
12. Cold Night
13. American Made
14. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter
15. You're So Pretty
