I saw this LP at an Amsterdam record store a few weeks ago; I think it was the first time I came across an album by Fandango. I knew them by name as being Joe Lynn Turner's first band, before Rainbow, but was never curious enough to actively seek them out and listen to their music. Then I got this record in my hands, and knew I had to have it. Why? Maybe I have a strange sense of humor but I couldn't stop laughing when I realized that Fandango's guitarist (and co-writer of most of their songs) was... Rick Blakemore! Get it? Turner started his professional career next to Rick Blakemore and got famous singing for Ritchie Blackmore! What are the odds? Apparently Blakemore also convinced Lynn Turner to change his name - his real name was Joe Linquito. So if someone asks you who was Rainbow's Italian-American singer, don't immediately say Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald Padavona). There were two of them! Sandwiched between the two Italians, Englishman Graham Bonnet didn't last long; supposedly his voice was not a good fit for a hard rock band, but I think the main reason was that his hair was too short (more about hair later). Serendipitously, Blackmore went looking for a new singer just when Fandango called it quits; not only they had had four albums without a hit, they were also in desperate financial state when their tour van, along with all their equipment, was stolen from them. This specific compilation was released in 1981, alongside the first Rainbow LP with Turner, Difficult To Cure. It shamelessly capitalizes on the Rainbow connection, featuring the singer (in three poses!) on the front cover, and giving him equal billing with the band as "Fandango-Joe Lynn Turner lead singer Rainbow". The compilers start with 3 songs from the band's fourth and last LP, Cadillac (1980). Not surprising, as these are most similar to the commercial pop-metal hybrid of late-era Rainbow. "Blame It On The Night" is a radio friendly opener with some disco touches production-wise. "Rock 'N Roll You" and "Hypnotized" feature nice guitar riffs and prominent keyboards reminiscent of... well, Rainbow, while "Stranger" is a more laid back piece, again with some disco elements. 1979's One Night Stand is even less hard rock and more Foreigner-style AOR. The guitar is still prominent but the emphasis is on the harmonies and synths; songs here include ballad "I Would Never Leave", synth-heavy rockers "Thief In The Night" and "Little Cherie", and the more Southern rock oriented "One Night Stand" - despite the fact that they originally came from New Jersey, Fandango are sometimes mentioned as a Southern rock band. I don't hear it a lot, but probably that was less because of the music, and more because they often played in support of Southern rockers like The Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker Band. From 1978's Last Kiss we get the smooth eponymous track and "Feel The Pain" - the latter is almost spoiled by an extremely long synth intro but gradually morphs into a pleasant rocker a la Reo Speedwagon. For some reason, the compilation completely omits the band's 1977 eponymous debut. - according to allmusic.com, that one sounded as if it was inspired by Boston and The Eagles in equal measure. Oh, and the bit about the hair: I was amazed to learn that Joe Lynn Turner, one of the stars of the so-called "hair metal" scene of the 80's, had actually lost his hair from alopecia at the age of 3, and had been wearing wigs all his life - until he finally came clean in 2022. Can you imagine spending all your life trying to keep a secret like that, fearing it could ruin your career? Not that anyone would notice in 1980; look at the back cover, don't they all look like they're wearing wigs? Anyway, about Fandango: I find their sound quite pleasant to listen to; it's obviously geared towards commercial radio: slick harmonies, melodic keyboards and skillful guitar solos, all polished to perfection. It's a wonder that they didn't have a hit when their songs sound so similar to the chart toppers of the day. Maybe what stops me from giving them a 4th star is a sense that they'd been trying too hard for a hit, mimicking all the successful FM radio bands instead of developing a style of their own. If nevertheless you feel nostalgic for the AOR sounds of the mid-70s/early 80's, if you can't get enough of Boston, Toto, Starship, Foreigner etc., then Fandango will be right up your alley.
*** for Blame It On The Night, Rock 'N Roll You, Hypnotized, Thief In The Night, Feel The Pain, Last Kiss, One Night Stand
** for I Would Never Leave, Little Cherie, Stranger
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