Since the early 90s, vocalist Gary Hughes has been one of the most important figures on the British melodic rock scene. His second solo album helped launch the much missed Now & Then record label and his subsequent work as frontman with pomp rockers Ten has taken his big voice around the world.
In March, Frontiers Records will release ‘Decades’, an extensive anthology of Gary’s solo work. While the set sidesteps some great work with Ten, it aims to give fans a great overview of Hughes’s work elsewhere – providing a reminder of 1998’s excellent ‘Precious Ones’ and a chance to revisit bits of 2003’s grand ‘Once And Future King’, as well as offering other highlights from across a twenty five year stretch.
Perhaps, most importantly, ‘Decades’ will finally see the UK release of a few tracks previously only available in Japan. ‘Look At The Rain’, ‘The Miracle Is You’, ‘Be My Fantasy Tonight’ and ‘All Fall Down’ all appeared on the Japanese only ‘In Your Eyes’ EP and the subsequent Japanese compilation ‘The Reissues’ back in 2000. With those now being notoriously difficult to find, these tracks will be reaching some of Gary’s fans for the first time, making ‘Decades’ something of an important collection filler.
A full press release follows.
***
Gary Hughes, the British melodic hard rock singer known for his vocals, songwriting, and production, has announced the release of a best of collection, “Decades” encompassing his over three decades of work. This double album offers some of the best Hughes’ songs taken from his self-titled release, “Precious Ones,” “Veritas,” and “Once and Future Kings”. It also includes some rare tracks which were originally only released in Japan on the “In Your Eyes” EP. “Decades” is an album full of his influences and experiences and opens the door to the past while looking to his future at the same time.
During his 30+ year musical career, Gary Hughes has established himself as one of England’s premiere melodic and hard rock singers and songwriters. He debuted in 1989, when he released his first solo album, “Big Bad Wolf” (renamed and re-released with extra tracks in 1992 as “Strength of Heart”) through the Polygram Oslo label in Germany and Norway. In 1992, he also signed with the then newly formed indie British label Now & Then Records and his self-titled sophomore album was the first album released on that label. Three years later, Hughes and former Dare members Vinny Burns (guitar) and Greg Morgan (drums) began working on what were to be his third and fourth solo albums; however, the sessions lead to the formation of the melodic hard rock band TEN. With TEN, he has released 14 original studio albums and in the process making the band a true cornerstone of British Melodic Hard Rock.
As a solo artist, Hughes has released two more melodic rock oriented albums, “Precious Ones” in 1998 and “Veritas” in 2007. Gary has also worked on a Rock Opera over two volumes, “Once and Future Kings,” based on King Arthur’s myths and legends. The albums were released six months apart from each other and featured the vocals of Bob Catley, Lana Lane, Doogie White, Danny Vaughn, Sean Harris, and others.
Outside of his solo material and TEN, Hughes was also heavily involved in Bob Catley’s first three solo albums, both as a producer and songwriter, as well as Hugo’s solo debut (as a producer), Vinny Burns’ solo record, and more recently with the band Serpentine.
Tracklist:
CD1
First Light
Wrecking Machine
Perfect Ten
In Your Eyes
Veritas
Dragon Island Cathedral
The Night The Love Died
This Thing Of Beauty
Seducer
Look At The Rain
It Must Be Love
We Walk With Angels
Heart Of A Woman
The Everlasting Light
Precious Ones
CD2
Blonde Angel 93’
I Won’t Break Your Heart
Give My Love A Try
The Colours Of My Life
Divided We Fall
All I Want Is You
Wide Awake In Dreamland
There By The Grace Of The Gods (Go I)
Lies
The Miracle Is You
Be My Fantasy Tonight
This Time
Synchronicity
All Fall Down
https://www.facebook.com/TenOfficial
https://twitter.com/TENOfficial_UK