As requested, here’s an album deserving recognition from the Melodic Rock / AOR / Classic Rock community: ‘Ready Eddie’ – EDDIE MONEY‘s tenth studio album, released in 1999. It was his final album of original material to be released before his death in 2019. And a really good one.
By the time of this recording Eddie was in fine shape recovered form addictions and plenty of inspiration. And for this new album a top team was assembled: Survivor’s Frankie Sullivan was fully involved co-writing most of the songs, playing guitar, and co-producing.
Add co-writing as well uber talented Curt Cuomo (hits for KISS, Fiona, Signal), playing keyboards and co-producing as well, drums from giant Kenny Aronoff, keyboard orchestration by CJ Vanston, bassist Trent Stroh (Stan Bush, Zzyzx), and more.
Of course Eddie co-wrote all the songs and co-produced giving ”Ready Eddie” his own imprint, but he was clever enough to call Sullivan & Cuomo to provide sheen and their experience crafting crisp, timeless melodic rock.
And we have a special edition here including a bonus disc: “Ready Eddie + Shakin’ With The Money Man [Rare German 2-CD release]“. Money’s “Shakin’ With The Money Man” was released 2 years before as stand alone CD, and it’s a very good one too.
”Shakin’ With The Money Man” features a hot live show recorded Live At The Galaxy Theatre July 30 & 31, 1997. Eddie is in good form and his band kills performing all the classics. But the album also offer 4 new studio-tracks.
Three of these studio tracks were produced by master Riche Zito, also playing guitar and co-writing. Among favorites there’s the beautiful “If We Ever Get Out Of This Place” co-written by Eddie and Paul Stanley. This song is a re-written version of “If We Ever”, which appeared on both Stan Bush albums Higher Than Angels and The Child Within.
Highly Recommended
CD 1 : Ready Eddie
01 – Ready To Rock
02 – Don’t Say No Tonight
03 – So Cold Tonight
04 – Let It Go
05 – Turn The Light Off
06 – It’s Gotta Be Love
07 – Can’t Go On
08 – Nobody Knows
09 – When You Gonna Satisfy Me
10 – Need A Little Rock
11 – Broken Down Chevy (God Only Knows)
Eddie Money – vocals, harmonica (1, 3, 11)
Frankie Sullivan – guitars, bass
Kenny Aronoff – drums, percussion
Trent Stroh – bass (1–4, 6–11)
Curt Cuomo – keyboards (2, 7)
Chris Cameron – acoustic piano (4)
C.J. Vanston – strings (5), orchestration (5)
Arlin Schierbaum – Hammond B3 organ (1, 3, 6)
Randy Forrester – Hammond B3 organ (11)
Fred Tackett – guitars (4)
Tommy Girvin – guitars (6, 11)
Monty Byrom – guitars (9, 10)