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Voted ACM's Vocal Group Of The Year for 1990, Restless Heart
were essentially a team of local studio session musicians who
producer Tim DuBois drew together in 1984 (very much happened in
the 90's with The Tractors). Reading Rich Kienzle's liner notes
accompanying this album it states: "While not part of the
era, in many ways Restless Heart were pioneers nonetheless, being
one of the First Nashville acts to invoke the soft-core,
California country-rock harmonies of the Eagles. Today, that's
routine."
The five-piece band originally consisted of lead singer
Verlon Thompson, John Dittrich (drums), Paul Gregg (bass), Dave
Innis (keyboards), Greg Jennings (guitar), but Larry Stewart took
over from Thompson prior to the bands first recording session.
Though not included here, their first single "Let
The Heartache Ride" entered the charts at #23 in 1985.
Everything they have subsequently released has made Top Ten
including seven #1 hits between 1986 and 1990. These included
"That Rock Won't Roll", the
pop crossover "I'll Still Be Loving You",
"Why Does It Have To Be (Right Or
Wrong)" with the fast moving train song "Hummingbird"
on the B-side. Other #1's include the biggest hit of their career
"Wheels" from 1987, with
"The Bluest Eyes In Texas"
and the lovely "Tender Lie"
(more recently recorded by Dolly Parton) riding the top of the
charts the following year. I find it strange that their #1
"Fast Moving Train" is not included here. The albums
featuring these numbers ("Wheels",
"Big Dreams In A Small Town"
and "Fast Moving Train")
all went Gold with a Best Of compilation (featuring "Fast
Moving Train") going Platinum.
Starting us off, "I Want Everyone
To Cry" established the bands identity by making #10
on the charts in 1985 with "She's Coming Home" on the
flip side. Following on was "(Back to
the) Heartbreak Kid" (#7) and "Til
I Loved You" (#10) before hitting their first #1
"That Rock Won't Roll" in
1986. There are 16 tracks on this RCA
Country Legends album. If you're not familiar with Restless
Heart then this is your opportunity to become acquainted with
their style of exciting music. Sensational harmonies, fine ballads
and racing up-tempos, the remarkable success of this amazing band
was the forerunner of what has become the norm for today's modern
style of country music.
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