Released by: BMG
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Hard Rock
Side 1
Madalaine
Hungry
Seventeen
Without the Night
Purple Haze
Side 2
State of Emergency
Time to Surrender
Poison Angel
Hangin’ on
Headed for a Heartbreak
Side 3
Can’t Get Enough
Loosen Up
Miles Away
Easy Come Easy Go
Rainbow in the Rose
Side 4
In the Day We’ll Never See
Under One Condition
Little Dirty Blonde
Baptized By Fire
You Are the Saint, I Am the Sinner
In the Heart of the Young
Side 5
Blind Revolution Mad
Down Incognito
Spell I’m Under
In My Veins
Junkyard Dog (Tears on Stone)
Side 6
The Lucky One
In for the Kill
No Man’s Land
Like a Ritual
Who’s the One
Side 7
Madalaine (Demo)
Hungry (Demo)
Seventeen (Demo)
Headed for a Heartbreak (Demo)
Can’t Get Enough (Demo)
Side 8
Easy Come Easy Go (Demo)
Miles Away (Demo)
Blind Revolution Mad (Demo)
Down Incognito (Demo)
Who’s the One (Demo)
What a fantastic vinyl box set package! It’s the latest addition to the series of Atlantic Records box sets, following releases from Ratt, Skid Row, and others in recent years. This unveiling showcases an exquisite 4LP black vinyl box set, with each LP boasting a substantial weight of 180 grams. This exclusive compilation represents the premiere LP collection of Winger’s three influential Atlantic studio albums: Winger (1988), Winger II: In The Heart Of The Young (1990), and Pull (1993).
This special release also includes an extra treat—the Demo Anthology LP, featuring 10 elusive demo versions of Winger’s most renowned hits!
The LP set comes complete with a 12″ x 12″ 16-page book designed in the style of a tour book. Within its pages, you’ll discover band member recollections, exclusive glimpses into Winger’s personal archive of rare photos, early album art sketches, and more!
Remastered with precision by Ted Jensen and closely supervised by Kip Winger, this box set marks the debut compilation of Winger’s Atlantic Records era. I delved into the musical odyssey spanning the self-titled debut (1988), In the Heart of the Young (1990), and Pull (1993), enriched by a collection of captivating demo recordings. The accompanying 16-page booklet provides an insider’s view into the band’s history, adorned with rare photos and archival visuals. It truly captures a remarkable era for vinyl enthusiasts.
For some historical context in 2007, the Italian label Frontiers introduced a 2-CD set titled “Demo Anthology,” notable for its more limited availability compared to their standard releases. I was fortunate to secure a copy during that period. The compilation offered a delightful array of demos, outtakes, and alternate versions. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning that a few demos, b-sides, and unreleased tracks aren’t included in this specific collection.
Winger forged a significant connection with Atlantic Records during a critical phase in their career. Atlantic Records, a major label renowned for its extensive roster of influential artists across various genres, played a pivotal role in shaping Winger’s trajectory in the music industry. The band inked a record deal with Atlantic Records, a prominent label known for its history of successful collaborations with rock and pop acts. This partnership was instrumental in propelling Winger into the mainstream music scene.
In 1988, Winger released their self-titled debut album under the Atlantic Records label, showcasing the band’s blend of hard rock and glam metal with hit singles like “Seventeen” and “Headed for a Heartbreak.” The success of this album played a crucial role in establishing Winger’s presence in the rock music landscape.
Winger continued their collaboration with Atlantic Records for subsequent albums, including “In the Heart of the Young” (1990) and “Pull” (1993). Despite the rise of alternative and grunge music in the early ’90s, Winger’s albums on Atlantic Records still found an audience and maintained the band’s musical style, featuring hits like “Miles Away.”
The sound quality and production on these Atlantic Year vinyl issues are pristine and clear. It’s refreshing to hear that on some of these ’80s iconic records. Winger and company have always deserved more credit in terms of musical prowess, and Kip Winger and the team, up to this day, have remained active and continue to deliver high-quality material for fans of the genre. The demos vinyl features demo versions of classics like “Madalaine,” “Hungry,” “Seventeen,” and “Miles Away,” among a few others. Notably, the demos are exclusively from the three records featured in this box set. A delightful treat for longtime Winger fans. The booklet provides the listener with introspective photos of the band in their heyday, alongside some cool lyric snaps and a description of each vinyl with information on their chart-toppers.
I can’t express enough positive sentiments about this release and the previous Atlantic Years vinyl box sets. Many ’80s fans and collectors have been eagerly anticipating reissues like these. For me, it’s a valuable addition to any vinyl collection and a must-have for longtime fans of the band. Give it a listen!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
wingertheband.com
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