In the U.S.,Red Rider never matched the level of success they had achieved in their native Canada. They had several AOR hits, including the brooding, now-staple "Lunatic Fringe," but mainstream attention eluded them. Lead singer Tom Cochrane broke through in a major way with "Life Is a Highway" from his solo debut, Mad Mad World. The song was a driving rocker with an insistent hook. Dominating the airwaves, the song reached the Top Five on the pop charts (Red Rider had never managed to even break into the Top 50). There seems to be a little more fire in Cochrane's belly than on the final Red Rider record. Mad Mad World is some of his strongest work. Literate lyrics and infectious melodies abound on songs like the Don Henley-like title track, the resiliently rousing "No Regrets," the chugging love song "Sinking Like a Sunset," and the chiming, big-beat ballad "Friendly Advice." There's a bit of filler near the end (save for the elegant closer "All The King's Men"), but it's a small complaint. Members of Red Rider play on most of the tracks and Mad Mad World should be met with delight from longtime fans. For unfamiliar listeners, it's worth checking out if you're into Mellencamp or Petty. ~ Tom Demalon
Live Recording
Recorded at Ardent Studios, Memphis; Tom's Cabin, Oakville, Ontario; Hungry Hollow Studio, Georgetown, Ontario; Metalworks Studio, Mississauga, Ontario.
Personnel: Tom Cochrane (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); David Gogo, Mladen, Kim Mitchell (guitar); Martin Beaver, Marc-Andre Savoie (violin); Dave Harding (viola); Peter Schenkman (cello); Great Southern Memphis Section (horns); John Webster (organ, keyboards, percussion); Spider Sinnaeve (fretless bass); Mickey Curry (drums); Joe Hardy (percussion); John Cody, Sue Holiday, Memphis Poh' Boys, Brian Carson, Kathy Cochrane, Molly Johnson, Annette Ducharme (background vocals).
Personnel: Tom Cochrane (vocals, slide guitar, piano, synthesizer, harmonica); Joe Hardy (guitar, percussion); Mladen, David Gogo, Keith Scott (guitar); Martin Beaver, Marc Andre Savoie (violin); Dave Harding (viola and string arrangement); Peter Schenkman (cello); Great Southern Memphis Section (horns); John Webster (keyboards, drum and horn arrangements, percussion); Spider Sinnaeve (bass); Mickey Curry (drums); Molly Johnson, Sue Holiday, Annette Ducharme, Memphis Poh' Boys, Kathy Cochrane, Brian Carson, John Cody (background vocals).
Musician (May/92, p.90) - "..here Cochrane changes both his sound and his image, adding boogie to the former and bite to the latter.."
good rock all songs on cd great a cd you dont have to skip songs Submitted by fvcharlie (klamath,ca.usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
One of the deeper rockers you'll ever find If you like great rock music and lyrics with real meaning, you'll love this offering from Tom Cochrane. When writing about relationships, he has an elusive ability to put his thumb directly on the sensitive point of conflict and identify it for what it is. While "Life Is a Highway" deservedly gets most of the attention on this CD, lesser-known tracks like "Friendly Advice", "No Regrets" and "Sinking Like a Sunset" might just leave you nodding your head in understanding when you give them a listen.
Funny thing is, although this is Cochrane's best-known CD, it's by no means his best work. In my humble opinion, that distinction belongs to "Ragged A*s*s Road", written after Cochrane endured a marital breakup. If you were trying to prove that an artist has to suffer to be great, that CD would be exhibit A. Submitted by Karl (Burlington, Ontario) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great album - all the songs are good. I owned this on cassette almost 15 years ago. Probably lost or had to discard it more than 10 years ago. On rare occasions I have heard "Life Is A Highway" on the radio in my car and it reminds me that I need a copy of this album on CD.
Today, I finally remembered to do it as soon as I got home.
You will not be disappointed by this album. It is one I will never forget! Submitted by Randy (Manheim, PA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I love the CD I love the song "Life Is a Highway". Submitted by brnn2357 (Madison WI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
good rock
Great album - all the songs are good.
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