Hobbit
Rockin' The Shire
© 2001 Hobbit (634479024122)
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Great classic progressive art/fantasy rock in the style of Kansas, Styx, Queen, . . .
tracks
- 1 Rockin'
- 2 Paradise
- 3 Don't Say No
- 4 Holiday
- 5 Listen To Your Heart
- 6 Changes
- 7 Too Long Without you
- 8 Television
- 9 Join The Celebration
- 10 Take Your Chances
- 11 Lay Down
- 12 Burn The Bridge
- 13 Through The Looking Glass
- 14 No Doubt And No Expectations
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notes
Hobbit began some years ago when Paul 'Turk' Henry and Gene Fields sparked a vision to write songs. They shared common rock & roll influences as well as the powerful attraction to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.
In the early days, after Rusty Honeycutt became the first drummer, their unique style had begun to be known as Fantasy Rock. Then, when Richard Hill joined the band, the over-all picture of Hobbit was complete, as a band that covered a full spectrum of music from the extreme fantasy rock of Middle Earth to the real world of the radio love song.
While Larry Goodman was manager, Hobbit's sound spread with radio airplay of Love Is Forever and Take Me Tonight. A couple of years later they had grown to be quite a popular act in Texas with the release of Midyear's Eve on the radio in Dallas/Ft.Worth. Rusty had left the band by then and was replaced by the very, very solid drumming of Keith Young. During this time, many people experienced a strong attraction to the music & excitement of reaching for a dream.
The popularity & song writing of Hobbit soon spread across the country from the sparked interest of people in the music business. Bruce Stover & Assoc. took over management & attracted the financing to promote the band to it's fullest potential.
For several years Hobbit opened many shows for major acts nationwide, while managers, lawyers & record label execs. discussed contracts & signings in the shadows. There are many highs & lows in the on- going story of Hobbit, and it touches the lives of many people.
Due to legal problems, this recording has remained in a bank vault for many, many years. For those who have never heard the music, all the members of the Hobbit Family hope you are inspired! For those who lived it with them, it is dedicated to you!
All are invited to join the Family
reviews
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Rock On!
author: Lisa C.Getting Hobbit's first album was awesome, and I anxiously awaited the arrival of their 2nd album, which I had gotten for Christmas, and let me tell you, it was WELL worth the wait! Rockin' The Shire is a wonderful sequel to their first album, Two Feet Tall, continuing with their hard, fast-pace rock 'n roll, as well as a mixture of slow ballads, and even a taste of what they sound like live in-concert. It makes me wish that they would be live in- concert these days, they sound like they put on a wonderful show! Their third album is on my Christmas list, and I can't wait to experience it as well. Keep on rockin' Hobbit!
- author: Hannah Noble
This CD is the coolest!!!!!!!!! Original idea and great songs!
Rockin' the Shire, and all points North, South, East and West
author: Tony Dodd18th Jan 2005. UK calling.Congratulations Hobbit. After listening to Two Feet Tall I thought you may fall into the trap of other bands on their second album and concentrate more on the fantasy and less on the rock. I was very pleasently surprised. An excellent rock album. It was great to hear the live tracks. It is unfortunate that we hear in the UK can't get to see you live as it sounds like you do a good live performance. This album will be a permanent addition to my favorites playlist. Lookin' forward to playing All For The One. Can you get any better? It will take some doing after hearing this album. Superb!!
Great Follow-up!
author: rockman5150 (Steve Albritton)A very pleasant surprise, this CD starts out "Rockin'" and not once does it ever disappoint! Great hooks and melodies on all the rocking studio cuts ("Television" brought a big smile to my face!)as well as the slower tunes ("Too Long" is a killer ballad, and Turk's vocals sound truly heartfelt), and I was grateful for the inclusion of the 1st Age classic "Join the Celebration." Here, it is the perfect prelude to the awesome 'Bag End' live tracks! Having been a fan all these years, not to mention having been present at numerous Hobbit concerts, these songs are proof to me that the band is still as tight as ever, as well as an exciting live act. Hobbit is STILL the most talented rock band to ever come out of Texas! I'll always be a fan! Keep Rockin'!!
- author: CD Baby
Great classic progressive art/fantasy rock in the style of Kansas, Styx, Yes, Jethro Tull. Due to legal problems, this recording has remained in a bank vault for many, many years. Maybe that's why it sounds so unlike anything else today!
"I know for sure-the disc of the year has arrived"
author: Lee BradfieldSubject: "Rockin' The Shire" Review/HeartoftheRock Status: HOBBIT - ROCKIN' THE SHIRE (2001, MIDWEST RECORDS) Gene Fields - vocals, guitars; Paul 'Turk' Henry - bass, vocals; Richard Hill - lead guitar, keyboards; Rusty Honeycutt - drums; Keith Young - drums It's mid November and there's one thing I know for sure - the disc of the year has just arrived. That's right folks, at the proverbial eleventh hour comes the second installment of Hobbit's reissuing/remastering campaign entitled "Rockin' The Shire". For the most part, these tracks represent the next batch of recordings after the 'Two Feet Tall' phase, focusing on the early to mid 80's but still including a 70's track here and there. With this release, Hobbit are proving that they were and still are more than just a decent band that never got the big break. Their status as true AOR icons is fully entrenched. Now it's time to leave this mundane world behind for a while and take a journey into the very heart of the Shire ... Opening up is the appropriately titled 'Rockin', a Survivor flavoured monster of a title track, where Turk has centre stage belting out some scorching vocals and the most incredible bass work this side of Rush. 'Paradise' keeps the uptempo trend going, with Gene's aggressive vocal delivery coming across like Legs Diamond gone AOR. 'Don't Say No' is a pure AOR gem in the 80's LeRoux tradition - melodic keys and layered vocals, with all the right chord changes. Next up is 'Holiday', which brings us into more acoustic laid back territory. Angelic vocals from Gene and some inventive keys to augment the ethereal melody. 'Listen To Your Heart' and 'Changes' embody the midtempo AOR dream come true ... massive hooks, keys everywhere and a pair of anthem choruses to rival the best of Roadmaster and Shooting Star - yes, they're that damn good! At this point Turk returns to the vocal mike to deliver 'Too Long Without You', a stunning ballad of Journey/Foreigner proportions, chilling indeed. 'Television', which ushered in the band's 'third age' with Tony Marsh handling guitar duties and Timo Elliston on keys, brings out the more humorous side of the band, but take note - this is no throwaway novelty track, positively surging out of the gates with hooks and melodies comparable to Cheap Trick or Axe. First Age Hobbit classic 'Join The Celebration' makes it's appearance in a swirl of percussive genius from Rusty Honeycutt, tempo changes and overall melodies reminiscent of the symphonic rock genre. 'Take Your Chances' ushers in the 'live at Bag End' segment with easy melodic grace, calling to mind some of the aforementioned bands, even Angel. This is one of the five purest examples of classic AOR I've ever heard. A perfect vehicle for Gene's angelic vocals. 'Lay Down' does exactly that, an irresistible groove with the kind of smooth vocals you'll hear on any Dakota chorus. 'Burn The Bridge' returns us to acoustic territory for a majestic display of subtle melody, while 'Through The Looking Glass' brings on the semi acoustic mid tempo pomp AOR in a big way. Closing off precedings is 'No Doubt And No Expectations', showcasing not only Rusty's drumming chops, but also the fluidity of Richard Hill's guitar efforts, a constant factor throughout this disc. So there you have it, fourteen tracks and not a throwaway in sight. I can honestly say that nobody's AOR collection is up to scratch until this essential slice of AOR is contained within. Look out for it at some of the decent online stores listed below. - Lee Bradfield Rating : 9.9 Pro's : Sublime early to mid 80's AOR with all the instrumental and vocal ingredients we crave - all focused into really strong, wonderful songs ... and in the end isn't that what really counts? Con's : Can't think of any ...