Samson - Joint Forces 1986-1993

Two CD set. Samson's career goes back to the mid-1970s London pub and club circuit. In 1986, Paul released the solo album Joint Forces. The album was produced by Jo Julian, who had previously worked as tape-op for Phil Spector, as well as producing Samson's Before The Storm album in 1982. The album included 'No Turning Back', which showed a lighter side to Samson, and was released as a single. For his next project, Paul retained Empire vocalist Mick White, and recruited Toby Sadler on keyboards (ex-Airrace with Jason Bonham), Dave Boyce on bass (ex-Ore), and Charlie Mac on drums (ex-Emerson). Paul decided to go back to using the name Samson for this band, with a younger image, the band followed a much more commercial direction. The original release was a five track mini-album titled And There It Is, but when the mini-album was given a CD release in 1993 - retitled 1988 - Paul added six previously unreleased tracks from that period. The early '90s were a changeable time for Paul. Subsequently, Paul decided that he was ready to go back to a trio and return to lead vocals, reforming the 1977 band with Chris Aylmer and Clive Burr, but after Clive joined Praying Mantis, Paul invited Rogues' drummer Tony Tuohy along to record the self-titled Samson album. The material was definitely back to blues-based hard rock. The lyrical subjects were a departure too, reflecting on Paul's life, friendships, relationships and even the religious fanatics that used to knock at his door. Produced by Paul and Arthur Anderson, this album really captures his guitar sound, probably more so than any other release, and Paul's voice is ideal for the material, with a solid backing from Chris and Tony. Subsequent reissues saw this album retitled as Nineteen Ninety Three.