A few weeks ago we featured here the first DeGARMO & KEY albums fully remastered for the first time, now we have here the second batch reissue 2022, and their 1983 LP “Mission Of Mercy” is one of our favorites.
“Mission Of Mercy” mixes DeGARMO & KEY catchy rock&pop melodies with a that radio-friendly AOR from 1982-1983, in the same vein of Franke & The Knockouts, Preview, I-Ten, etc.
Don’t be fooled by the ‘yuppie’ cover artwork, the songs into this album are all good ‘ole American AOR from the first half of the ’80s wrapped by an incredible crystal clear production. The first four tracks alone will make your day if you are fan of this era / genre.
Then there’s the superb short instrumental ‘The Gift’, mostly Ed DeGarmo’s keyboards, a track sure to please Greg Giuffria or Vince DiCola admirers, while the smooth ‘You Can’t Run from Thunder’ bring to mind the Canadian sound of 1983.
Unlike many CCM bands at that time, the quality of D&K production, mix & mastering was on par with their secular counterparts. This 2022 remaster is excellent.
It is also with this album that the lead vocals become virtually exclusively the domain of Dana Key. Though Eddie DeGarmo sing lead on some songs previously, it now became the primary focus of Key. When it came to vocals, Dana’s voice simply shines on the ballads, ‘All the Losers Win’ and ‘Everlasting Love’.
01 – Ready or Not
02 – Special Kind of Love
03 – When It’s Over
04 – All the Losers Win
05 – The Gift
06 – Fill Me Lord
07 – Let the Whole World Sing
08 – In His Love
09 – Everlasting Love
10 – You Can’t Run from Thunder
11 – That’s the Way God Planned It
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dana Key
Vocals, Keyboards – Ed DeGarmo
Vocals, Bass Guitar – Tommy Cathey
Vocals, Guitar – Tony Pilcher
Drums – Greg Morrow
MP3 FLAC real?