The fact that this album has not yet received a CD release is appalling. Randy Hansen's 1980 self-titled LP is one of the greatest hard rockin', guitar slinger LPs ever! Like a cross between Pat Travers, Pat Thrall, and Frank Marino, Randy Hansen was a true guitar master. Unfortunately he peaked at a time when the "smokin' hot guitarist genre" was also at its peak. The Pat Travers Band had just released the mind-blowing live "Go For What You Know" LP and were about to crack the charts with their most successful album, "Crash And Burn". In '79, Rory Gallagher had released his most hard-edged and brilliant album to date, "Top Priority", and was about to release the scorching live album "Stage Struck". Meanwhile, Frank Marino And Mahogany Rush had released their final LP "What's Next" (which featured a more hard rock approach than their previous LPs) and displayed the full-blown hard rock (almost heavy metal) style of guitar heroism that Marino would pursue on his '81 "Power Of Rock N Roll" LP and amazing '82 "Juggernaut" LP. To make matters worse, Randy Hansen had to compete with the enigmatic Kim Mitchell of Max Webster who had released their swansong "Universal Juveniles" LP also in '80. So the competition on the hard rockin' guitar scene was hot and heavy. 1980 was a hell of a year for killer hard rock guitarists. However, Randy Hansen possessed the skills (as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter), soul, and talent to play on the same stage as anyone on the planet...His LP was released by Capitol Records but it seems like Randy Hansen (like fellow Capitol artists and under-rated legends, Riot) may have fallen victim to lackluster promotion and poor touring support. But most detrimentally, it seems that lack of radio play is what prevented Hansen's '80 LP from attaining the success it very truly deserved. The album (which has only 7 songs) contains no less than 3 truly viable singles, not even counting the album's opening track, "Champaign And Cocaine", which with its killer grooves and great vibe easily equals if not out-classes the Pat Travers Band hit "Snortin' Whiskey". Put simply, there is not a single bad tune on Randy Hansen's '80 LP! Like the best Pat Travers Band studio LP, 1978's "Heat In The Street", there's not a weak moment. Even Hansen's cover of Sly And The Family Stone's classic "I Want To Take You Higher" is simply fabulous! Funky as all get out with hot guitar lick galore, it's everything a cover should be. It's faithful to the original, yet Hansen brings his own vibe to the party making the classic tune sound even better in a funked out hard rockin' way. At this point I should mention that Hansen was not only a skilled, prodigal, guitar player but was blessed with a great voice. As lead vocalist on all the tracks on the album, Hansen reveals himself to be an truly excellent, way above average singer (just check out the awesome album closer "Don't Pretend " or the should have been a smash hit "Time Won't Stop"). Furthermore, his lean backing band of bassist/backing vocalist Scott Rosburg and drummer/backing vocalist Charles Tapp were an absolutely dynamite rhythm section of extreme talent (reminiscent of Rory Gallagher's and Pat Traver's rhythm sections of the same period). I hate to have to keep comparing Hansen and Travers but they are so similar in so many ways (with the exceptions that there's NO doubt each had their own distinctly unique styles and that Pat Travers reached a level of fame Hansen never approached, despite deserving it). Both had great voices, understood how to write catchy tunes, were phenomenal guitarists with a high energy, high precision (yet very soulful) style of playing, and knew how to perfectly blend hard rock, funk, and blues into a style which to this day is still very compelling (but sadly being forgotten as those who lived and loved the 70's & 80's grow old and pass out of the rock scene). So in conclusion, if you're a fan of killer guitar work, hard rockin' late 70's style playing, then Randy Hansen's 1980 "Randy Hansen" LP is a MUST HAVE for your collection. A perfect album with stunning performances, top-notch songs, and an excellent production courtesy of David Rubinson. No, it isn't available on CD (which is just grossly unfair, as it deserves to be released with bonus tracks, liner notes, and fully restored and remastered sound) so you'll have to pick up an LP copy. But hell, this album was made to be listened to on vinyl and it sounds so damn good coming from my stereo...pops, crackles, and all....A TRUE MASTERPIECE dedicated to Jimi Hendrix "for the inspiration". While Hansen is not as overtly Hendrixian as guitarists like early Frank Marino, Uli Jon Roth, some Robin Trower, or Stevie Ray Vaughn, maybe the full explanation for the magic which resides within the grooves of Randy Hansen's 1980 LP is a bit of oversight from Jimi, who was looking down and smilin' on Hansen while this great album was recorded....

The CD of this Album was released 2013 on ROCK CANDY RECORDS (CANDY187) with a 24-Bit digital Remaster. http://www.rockcandyrecords.com/store/?letter=R