MIDNIGHT BLUE – Take The Money and Run (re-release)
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 22-05-2012
This album originally came out in 1994 on Japanese label Zero Records, back when UK melodic rock definitely wasn’t a hot commodity in the music business. Yesterrock takes chances on unsung gems, and this one is worth tracking down if only to discover the roots of recording history with vocalist Doogie White and Heavy Pettin’ / Bruce Dickinson solo band guitarist Alex Dickson. Midnight Blue were a five piece and “Take The Money And Run” is a 13 song effort steeped in the tradition of blues based, hook-laden rock, as acts like FM, Praying Mantis and even a little Brian Howe-era Bad Company will come to mind on material like “Making Love”, the 1987 Whitesnake era ballad “Remember” and made for movie soundtracks “Hands Of A Lover”.
Jem Davis’ keyboards stand toe to toe with Alex’s guitar parts, giving Midnight Blue a palatable, radio-oriented sound. It’s understandable how the Far East would lap this up, now the rest of the world can take in this fine slice of UK melodic rock- with 2 bonus tracks in “Hurts When We Do It” and “Only Girl” that are in that similar mold as the rest of the album’s material. Great songwriting is timeless- “Take The Money And Run” lives on because of the strength of material and professional performances.