FORTRESS: Hands in the Till

FORTRESS

Hands in the Till

© 1981 Rubicon Productions (634479565793)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

Glam/Metal Rock, Zeppelin influenced, power rock & rock ballad hits that were in the record racks next to Foreigner at Tower Records in Hollywood, CA. A Cult Classic in Europe and the #1 release from Atlantic Records 1981 - Wounded Bird Records 2008

tracks

1 Hands in the Till
2 How do I Exist
3 Comin' After You
4 Requiem
5 Kisses
6 Let's do it Again
7 Breakin' Free
8 Carry me Back
9 Back on the Path
10 Mystery

notes

CD Now available at Wounded Bird Records!!! www.woundedbird.com
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Eric Turner from Tampa, Florida, guitarist extrordinare of The Tropics and Bacchus fame, ventured out to Hollywood CA. in the late 70's and got together again with band mate Charlie Souza, another well known Tampa musician and artist who went to California earlier with Tom Petty and recorded several albums for Shelter Records. Eric and Charlie then did some recording at Mama Jo's Studio in North Hollywood on some session work with Engineer Larry Brown and vocalist Denny Cordell for Ambrosia producer Freddie Piro. Another year later, along came drummer Donnie Vosburg of the Fabulous Entertainers, a big Time power show band from Tampa and Las Vegas, together with Eric and Charlie created a new sound and formed this hard rock band "Fortress" with Jim West on soaring lead vocals, who sang on Ambrosia's first album.
In 1980 Atlantic Records signed them on the spot at thier rehearsal hall without listening to a demo tape, as they were blown away with the live performance! The same way you will be blown away when you hear this 80's Rock Classic, "Hands in the Till" by "FORTRESS", available now on at Rhino Records!
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Fans of Journey and pure melodic AOR pay attention!!
The classic Fortress record from 1981 called "Hands In The Till" which was originally released by Atlantic, is now available to you on CD for the first time. AOR Dreamzones Magazine, U.K.

reviews

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  • Good sound, bad artwork
    author: Marco

    The sound from the cd his brilliant, first class AOR, one of the undiscoverd gems from the past.But i think that the artwork will be better, i know that this cd is a home made re issue from the artist but please take care about the artwork, just a print of the cover is not enough when i pay 17 dollars!!

  • this album rocks
    author: alice cooper

    great melodies great guitar work and volcals this is the most underrated album of 1981

  • Fans of Journey and pure melodic AOR pay attention!! The classic Fortress record
    author: Nicky Baldrian

    Fortress is based around the talents of guitarist Eric Turner and bassist Charlie Souza who has worked with the likes of Tom Petty. The rest of the band comprises of singer Jim West (who sang on the debut Ambrosia LP) and drummer Donny Vosburgh, a power drummer who plays a double bass drum set with a hurricane effect!!!! 'Hands In The Till' is the first track, and oh boy oh boy is this what AOR/melodic rock is made of or what? This song reminds me of Shooting Star, Journey and Sammy Hagar. Jim West is so much like Steve Perry and this song could have been on any Journey album before "Escape", the guitars are heavy and melodic and the keyboards grace this song, it's got a little boogie that gives the song a Kansas edge. More of the same can be heard on the very addictive driving anthem 'How Do I Exist', there is some very cool vocals and power drumming on this song.. 'Comin' After You' is another fantastic melodic rocker, the guitars remind me of Eddie Van Halen, vocals are again like Steve Perry and the song is very catchy and pure melodic rock. 'Requiem' rocks, the guitars are quite chunky and the sound is pure early 80's AOR, again like Journey, Shooting Star and also Touch. The chorus is superb layered with fantastic vocal harmonies, this is one of the best songs and allot of fun to listen to. 'Kisses' is a laid back melodic dreamy ballad, whilst the Journey styles are evident again on 'Let's Do It Again' which could have been on "Infinity" and is fantastic melodic AOR. 'Breakin' Free' is a faster melodic rocker and a good song with tons of hot guitar work. 'Carry Me Back' is a more simpler pure melodic rocker again reminding me of Shooting Star and Touch, even though the vocals on this track get allot like Tommy Shaw.AOR fans will love 'Back On The Path' which a fantastic pure AOR track which is like Survivor and the last song 'Mystery' is once again fantastic Journey inspired melodic pompy AOR. What is amazing about this album is that it truly stands up today so do yourselves a favor pop along to Charlie Souza's website or onto CD Baby and grab yourself a copy of this classic album a.s.a.p. Nicky Baldrian Dreamzones Magazine, U.K.

  • Way, way Kool!!
    author: Sid Wallington

    Love the energy! Love the vocal!

  • Brilliant album !!
    author: Mark Evans ~ United Kingdom ~

    Read about the CD in'Classic Rock' magazine, but knew about the band anyway as I still have an original vinyl copy- I have wanted it on CD for years. Brilliant album !!

  • SUPERB MELODIC ROCK
    author: NIGEL WARHURST

    EVERY TRACK A WINNER.VERY UNDERRATED ALBUM FROM A TIME WHEN AOR RULED THE WORLD!

  • author: George Thatcher

    Another period AOR classic from 1981, with hints of southern fried rock and good old arena rock thrown in to boot. More AOR than boogie, but has their influences ranging from early Shooting Star (without the keys and violins) to a more radio friendly Molly Hatchet. The albums starts off with a couple of classics in 'Hands In The Till' which sounds like it could have come off the debut Shooting Star album, the rollicking 'How Do I Exist' and the impressive 'Coming After You (With My Love)'. Other memorable moments include the singalong chorus of 'Let's Do It Again' the workmanlike 'Breakin' Free' and the album closer 'Mystery' which typifies everything good about 1980's period AOR. Unfortunately (and not unexpectedly), Fortress sank like the proverbial stone, but not deep enough so that they would at least leave an impression upon AOR fans of that time. Nothing heard from these guys since, until now. Thanks to Charlie Souza for tmaking the effort in getting this out onto CD! You are a champ!

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