Some names or albums are always mentioned when you discuss Westcoast pop with collectors within the genre. American artist BILL LABOUNTY is one name that's always there, especially his self-titled album from 1982 (Warner) - however, I also need to say that "The Right Direction" (LA Califusa 1991) is an awesome album. Here we've got the 4-CD box entitled "Time starts now", which contains three CD's of all the great LaBounty songs plus one disc with demos! So, I'll focus on the demo disc, since it contains so much cool stuff.
This very unique disc contains 18 songs, of which some are totally unique demos while others are Bill’s versions of songs that have been recorded and released by other artists. You will recognize “She’s so popular”, the nice pop westcoast song that FRANK STALLONE included on his solo album (Polydor 1984). I think of PAUL BLISS in “You’ve got to believe in love” and “Side effects”. These songs are a mix of pop, AOR and westcoast and neatly put together. Fans of MICHAEL McDONALD will love “Sleep on it”, while I’d say there are some obvious MICHAEL JACKSON vibes in “Bail out”. A slight country touch can be found in the westcoast song “You’re the only real thing”, while I gets close to LIONEL RICHIE in “New shoes” which is more 80’s pop.
BILL LABOUNTY is an excellent songwriter. I really appreciate that he added these rare songs, mainly from a period when he didn’t release any solo albums. There are also cool liner notes from Bill about each song! This box is a must have for the true westcoast fan. The full title is “Time Starts Now the definitive anthology 75-11”. Get it! (Track listing includes songs from the 4th Disc only from this box)
