1/14/08

News – Chapter 1 -

Valentine Reunion 2007 / Firefest IV / New Material 2008

Although the group has always remained close friends and would write and perform together in various combinations, there was never an official Valentine/Open Skyz reunion. Until now that is.

With an invitation to play at Firefest IV, Valentine officially reunited bringing Evolution drummer Mike Morales along on drums. The response at Firefest was so fantastic, it has inspirited the guys to go back and record new (well, not so new) material for a 2008 release.

After returning from the Firefest UK show, keyboard player, writer and archivist, Craig Pullman disclosed an amazing discovery to the rest of the band. He uncovered all of the completed Valentine demos that were going to be used for the second CD. As the band progressed into Open Skyz and changed musical directions, these songs were never recorded.

A few of these songs did make it onto Hugo’s early solo CDs – “Crazy” , Find A Way” and “If You’re Ever Lonely”. The band has also decided to re record the classic ballad “Never Said It Was Going To Be Easy” from the original Valentine CD. According to guitarist Adam Holland “ This song was always one of our favorites. Somehow in 2008 it has taken on a totally different bluesy feel. We are all excited about it and looking forward to recording the new version”.

 Look for the new material for downloads and CD on this site very soon.

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1/14/08

UK writer Robbie Evans reviews the Valentine Firefest 10/27/07 set:

At this point in the day I was itching for some pure AOR, you know the

kind...soft, pink and fluffy.

Enter Valentine to deliver the goods, big  time!

It must be the early nineties since this lot last played live and it was on 1993's Open Skyz album that we last saw them together. It's also hard to believe that it's ten years since Hugo's debut solo album, an album that saw him deliver one of the finest of his career.

I actually had the chance to see him in the studio when he was making the album but turned it down due to being busy, it's something I've regretted to this day. There was no way I was going to miss this performance, so I watched it center stage in the photo pit. Hugo looked resplendent in a tan leather jacket, ripped jeans and white shirt. In truth he didn't look a day older from the Valentine days. As for the other guys, well the hair may be shorter but they certainly looked well and played even better. A short intro and they ripped straight into "We'll Find A Way" from Hugo's debut. In one blistering moment the AOR had finally arrived. They moved straight into the Valentine classics "No Way" and "Tears In The Night" and when this song finished the place erupted and I mean, erupted. What an AOR moment. I saw Hugo twice in the nineties and I have to say that his voice tonight was as good, if not better, than it's ever been. He made it look so effortless. Sure he looks like Perry, sure he moves like him and at times it's damn uncanny, but do you know what? Good on him. I always say that if you're going to be like someone, then be like the best. "If You're Ever Lonely" saw them going back to Hugo's debut and with "Golden Years" it was time to visit the Open Skyz album. "Never Said It Was Gonna Be Easy" is a ballad of

epic proportions and it was delivered to a crowd who lapped up every minute of it. "Tell It To My Heart" saw them dipping intoHugo's "Time On Earth" album, whilst "None Of It Matters" was another Open Skyz song. With a rousing, and damn near perfect, version of the Kansas classic "Carry On My Wayward Son" to finish with this would have to rate as one of the best AOR gigs to ever grace a British stage. All of the band members were visibly moved, every song was greeted like a long lost son and Hugo was unbelievable. They've said that they may make a new album next year.....the queue starts here!