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Artist: Witness

(click on Artist's name above to return to artist's main page)

CD Title: Witness

 

Category: AOR

Year: 1988

Label: Arista

Catalog Number: ARCD-8491

Personnel

Debbie Davis vocals
Joey Huffman keyboards, guitars
Eddie Boyd drums
Damon Johnson guitars
Eddie Usher bass

I've been informed that while Damon Johnson is pictured and listed, he didn't actually join the group until after the album was completed. Supposedly Neal Schon and Brad Gillis contributed guitar work, and Steve Smith played drums on several tracks.

Tracks

1.	Show Me What You Got
2.	Do It Till We Drop
3.	Am I Wrong
4.	Desperate Love
5.	Let Me Be the One
6.	You're Not My Lover
7.	Jump Into the Fire
8.	When it Comes From the Heart
9.	Borrowed Time
10.	Back to You

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Witness CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Witness are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: Kim	Date: November 2, 2001 at 11:50
Really a masterpiece, what happened to these guys and their goodlooking singer.???

From: Coach	Date: November 5, 2001 at 6:19
Really a powerfull band with a masterpiece of a singer. Sad they didn't do more albums than this 1988 masterpiece.

From: SlinkyJ	Date: November 23, 2001 at 18:04
Glad to see there's two other Witness-es out there! It was a great album but the press in the UK slated them and I reckon it killed them off quick over here. You couldn't get the album unless you paid a lot of money for the American Import. Worth it, though.

From: Magnus	Date: February 15, 2002 at 8:53
This is power AOR Great stuff!!

From: DT	Date: September 9, 2002 at 15:08
Alguien sabe en q temas tocan Brad Gillis y Neal Schon?

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: November 11, 2002 at 11:12
An absolute must have - beg, borrow or steal ( u may have to). Brilliant cd in all departments. Debbie Davis's vocals r superb and the guitar guests ( Schon, Gillis, Pierce) r awesome in places (check out Brad Gillis's solo on 'Show Me What You got'). ESSENTIAL

From: Mike	Date: December 12, 2002 at 0:26
They think they are great. And they broke up. Definately underrated band.

From: Mixaplic	Date: January 27, 2003 at 6:09
People I just picked up this cd for change. This is an absolutely fantastic cd!!! Can't figure out why they never made it big. If you ever see this cd buy it!!! WOW is all I can say!!!! 1-10 scale: 8.5

From: freddy de keyze	Date: February 3, 2003 at 9:05
Good CD, indeed ! Not a classic one, but worth having it at any price. Hope we will hear from this band once again.

From: David	Date: February 3, 2003 at 9:09
How does the vocalist sound like?

From: Great Dane	Date: February 3, 2003 at 9:24
Her voice is great. Its a bit rusty, but still very powerfull. Far better than many female singers from that period. If you can find it anywhere, I can highly recommend it.

From: Beau	Date: March 5, 2003 at 6:05
This is TRUELY a great CD. I was VERY suprised on how good it was. Vixen type vocals and AOR with Vinney Burns type guitar or Neil Schon even.

From:	Date: March 14, 2003 at 15:16
anyone know where to get the cd coz they rock

From: TIM	Date: March 14, 2003 at 16:35
Go to schmankerl-records.com

From: ROB GARCIA	Date: April 1, 2003 at 15:14
TOP CLASS FEMALE FRONTED AOR!!!.....that says it all.

From: Matt	Date: April 17, 2003 at 17:57
Anyone knows the songs that Desmond Child wrote on this album? And the guitar players?

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: April 17, 2003 at 18:30
Desmond Child didn't write any of them on this one.The guitar players are:- Brad Gillis, Tim Pierce , Neal Schon , Danny Chauncey,Stevie Smith and Bill Drescher

From: RDNZL	Date: April 21, 2003 at 15:59
Matt/Jez There is a Desmond Child co-write on the WITNESS cd .... 'You're Not My Lover'. The song credits are as follows :- C. Kidd = Captain Kidd = Desmond Child K.Swing = King Of Swing = Ritchie Sambora J.Nohoo = Ju (?) Nohoo = Jon Bon Jovi. This is confirmed by the song's earlier appearance on the first DALTON album with the correct real-name credits.

From: Xabofar	Date: May 4, 2003 at 16:46
One of the best female fronted aor cd´s ever. All the songs arevery good but especially Desperate Lover, You´re not my Lover, Jumps into the Fire and the ballad Let me be the One

From: tomcat	Date: May 22, 2003 at 13:35
Do It Till We Drop : was played on a french radio station called radio campus in the winter of 1988..and i taped it ..killer song, it took me couple of years to have my hands on this entire album and...it 's goooood aor stuff..very melodic and all..buy it now

From: MelodicBoy	Date: June 28, 2003 at 14:03
Got this based on the comments here, and you guys are right! Great CD all around-fine guitar work, clean sound, great vocals. I particularly like YOU'RE NOT MY LOVER and DESPERATE LOVER, but lots of good stuff. Fans of Fiona or Saraya will probably really like this one.

From: Rob	Date: June 29, 2003 at 16:37
Alongside RAISED ON RADIO, this is the ultimate AOR lp and a bona-fide masterpiece. Every single track is a classic, my favurites being 'You're Noy My Lover' and the wonderfull 'Back To You'.

From: Scandi	Date: September 6, 2003 at 16:52
I've got 'Do it till we drop' on the sampler 'Metal Queens'. It really really rocks honestly. Sorry that this CD is such expensive and I'm such a pur guy...

From: Rockpig!

Date: November 14, 2003 at 19:48

Matt & Jez....regarding the guitar players...the players Jez mentions are all guest guitarists that are highlighted on only a couple of tracks. The rest of the guitars, and the guitarist in the band is Damon Johnson. He later went on to form Brother Cane. He also is on Delta Rebels, and album that you can find info about on this website under the Sleaze Rock category, although they are actually more Southern Rock. Damon also wrote a couple of tracks with Sammy Hagar on Sammy's 'Marching To Mars'

From: AOR freaky	Date: December 12, 2003 at 8:17
More melodic hardrock than AOR, but a bloody great record anyway ! Debbie has a great voice for this kind of stuff !

From: Norwegian	Date: January 6, 2004 at 16:52
where on earth can I get this CD (witness)?? Tindrum is currently on tour here now...

From: Mike	Date: January 8, 2004 at 18:29
I got thisone on LP-Vinyl ! If `someone is interested on it : maier-boerwang@t-online.de

From: jessica96fish	Date: March 2, 2004 at 16:57
you can get this cd on ebay.but you may have to pay up to $45.00 plus.but you won't be sorry.much better than tindrum imo..very catchy songs.listen to am i wrong..you're not my lover(bon jovi co wrote this track.also on daltons the race is on)show me what you got.this cd is up there with the very best of female and male melodic hard rock.

From: George Vader	Date: March 7, 2004 at 8:05
Without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest melodic rock releases off all-time! 10 tracks and not a duffer in site.

From:	Date: March 25, 2004 at 9:47
This cd RULESSSSS e-mail to wildangelfree69@hotmail.com 3 copies of the cd available (paypal accepted)!!!

From: Norway	Date: April 1, 2004 at 23:26
Finally I got hold of this masterpiece!! If you like this cd try checking out the norwegian band 'blonde on blonde', also called 'Primal Scream'! Got that cd as well!! Just HARD ASS KICKIN'!!

From: blue firebird	Date: April 8, 2004 at 8:41
I'm so glad these guys are still being appreciated. My best friend was married to Eddie Boyd back then and I saw them live many times. They were fabulous. Lost touch many years ago but I still have the memories (and the 1988 world tour t-shirt).

From: JESSICA96FISH	Date: April 21, 2004 at 15:03
hi blue firebird.must have been cool to see this band.in my view only such as perfect crime heat aina laos.come near this gem.

From: mel_ala

Date: May 11, 2004 at 18:28

Wonderful comments & you are correct this is an awesome cd from the late 80s with an great band & lead singer. Comments regarding Damon Johnson are incorrect. He & Eddie Usher didn't play a single track on it. Original bandmates & actual gutarist & bassist are listed as 'extra' players who were let go without explanation. Greed of others no longer wanting equal splits? or shades of Arista MilliVanilli?....not sure. But bad karma is probably why this awesome CD and talent people failed.

From: Dave

Date: June 4, 2004 at 5:13

I am very good friends with the guitarist who is not given credit for the work he did on this. He is Steve Smith and has told me what happened. I went out a few weeks ago to watch the band that Eddie Boyd is in and everyone was amazed watching Eddie pound those drums and showcase his talent. Steve said recording was a great experience and meeting Neal Schon was better than expected because he was such a great guy. Arista shelved the album for over 6 months and the band had differences over what

From: Rycheage

Date: June 5, 2004 at 0:53

There are some incredibly powerful moments on here, with the songs being topped off by the class acts of Gillis and Schon in particular. You hear their trademark guitar signatures throughout, Gillis on 'Show Me What You Got' and 'When It Comes From The Heart' while Schon blazes away on the mindblowing 'Borrowed Time' and 'Back To You'. You gotta hand it to Ms Davis, she really shines on this album, and it's a shame we never heard anything more from her after this one album.

From: mel_ala	Date: June 12, 2004 at 22:40
Hey Dave.....would love to hear how Eddie and Stevie are doing....email me at mel_ala@gulftel.com please....lost track of them when we left Atlanta....we are old friends too

From: Chaos	Date: June 27, 2004 at 0:13
Eddie Moody Played bass on this album, rest assured. The best bassist in the S.E. United States too by the way......... wonder where he is now?!

From: mel_ala	Date: June 27, 2004 at 14:26
DAVE....correction to my email...mel_ala@yahoo.com.....duh me

From: G.Ketigenis	Date: July 31, 2004 at 22:27
I got that record 3 days ago along with a Strangeways and a Paul Laine record and it has monopolized my deck! it's superb,top class in everything! The melodies of Desperate Lover and Jump Into the Fire are stuck in my head! I didn't know Brad Gillis does the solo in the opening track but that solo really drew my attention from the first time! I cranked up the volume on it today!

From: TIM (2)

Date: August 10, 2004 at 6:10

I've always liked this, but not as much as everyone else. It's catchy melodic rock with a few real killer tracks and some flashy guitar solos. 'Let me be the One' is a monster track with big melodies and tons of keys, and 'When it Comes from the Heart' and 'You're not my Lover' are probably joint second for me. 'Am I Wrong' really shows off the vocalists power also, but for me this is probably only on par with the 2 Vixen albums and is way behind Laos and Robin Beck's debut. 8/10.

From: jessica96fish	Date: August 21, 2004 at 6:29
hi tom.i think this one is better than vixen and robin beck.although both are very good.and the laos i would put on par with this.but have you heard heat s/t.now this is an album.very much in the perfect crime feel.cool cd.if you can find it.lol.

From: George Angel	Date: October 6, 2004 at 9:37
I LOVE THIS ALBUM AND I HAVE BOUGHT IT THREE TIMES...JUST IN CASE!!! WHEREVER YOU FOUND THIS CD GRAB IT WIHTOUT A SECOND THOUGHT...I CAN EVEN HELP YOU ON THIS...JUST E-mail me at : loukbaby@panafonet.gr 10/10

From: ThomasCoastline	Date: April 10, 2005 at 13:47
This one is so good that it requires a new description: Female Fronted Super AOR! This is how many of us Female Fronted bands want to sound like but can hardly achieve, a true classic!

From: Wotty	Date: April 18, 2005 at 16:49
A great album with a female vocalist who is nothing short of stunning.

From: tomcat	Date: April 19, 2005 at 4:10
'when it comes from the heart' is simply STUNNING

From: Axe Machine	Date: April 21, 2005 at 8:31
The ultimate female fronted album? Quite possibly...despite going downhill towards the end, the first five tracks alone merit the price of one of Arista's few outings outside the Barry Manilow catalog.

From: Nanteau

Date: April 22, 2005 at 15:14

I totally agree; the first five tracks are OUTSTANDING while 'You're not my lover' is a bit better from DALTON and 'Jump into the fire' is still very good You can best compare these guys musically as a mix of BLONDE ON BLONDE and IF ONLY. Well, again, especially the rocker 'Do it till we drop' or the semi-ballads 'Am I wrong', 'Desperate lover' and 'Let me be the one' are to die for... If I should have something to critizise it's the last three tracks and a little weaky production. 8,6/10

From: MelodicBoy	Date: May 30, 2005 at 12:25
WHAAAAAAAT? The Witness version of YOU'RE NOT MY LOVER completely blows Dalton's out of the water. I almost cringe when I hear Dalton do it, and I like Dalton quite a bit, but they can't touch the way Witness did it. When I heard Brad Gillis played some guitar on this, I immediately recognized his signature sound on the solo in SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT. Superb.

From: SCANDI	Date: May 31, 2005 at 14:05
Think it depends on which version you listened first.. I, for me, like the version of DALTON more but let's make an agreement: This one isn't bad as well. --And, too, I agree last two tracks are aweful in comparison to the high standart of the first five! 8,6/10 like my friend Nanteau says is right =>Good female band like VIXEN or CHRISSY STEELE. LOOK OUT!

From: Lennie	Date: June 2, 2005 at 6:53
The last two tracks are awful? Whaaat? I dont think so somehow! Certainly 'Back to you' is one of the best tracks featured here and both the last 2 songs have Schon ripping it up! Pure heaven in my book. All tracks are good here though and this is worth picking up.

From: stryper	Date: June 13, 2005 at 5:01
CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SOME ARE NOT SAYING THAT THIS CD IS THE PERFECT ALBUM.NOT ONE BAD SONG.AND IF THE LAST FEW SONGS ARE WEAK.WELL I'LL HAVE A ALBUM FULL THEN.LOL...ONE OF THE BEST FEMALE FRONTED BANDS EVER.jessica96fish

From: Geoff

Date: September 19, 2005 at 21:13

Finally, after listening to a bunch of so-called classics recently I find one which almost lives up to the name. 'Do it till we drop' is the kind of track I can do without, and I'm not too fond of 'Jump into the fire', but all of the rest are purely awesome melodic rockers. Can't pick faves, because I love all the rest, especially 'When it comes from the heart', 'Back to you', 'Am I wrong', 'Let me be the one'... and the rest. Great album and the best I've heard of a bunch of recent 80's 'gems'.

From: metalguf	Date: May 12, 2006 at 11:34
Well. A typical melodic heavy hard rock group from the 80's. Similar to Wolvz. So if you like Wolvz then these guy are something for ya.

From: JudithXR	Date: January 14, 2007 at 19:31
Wow! PERFECT! WONDERFUL! AMAZING! Finally I have got more this incredible WITNESS - Self-Titled '88 CD ---> (ULTRA MEGA RARE). :-) My rating is 100/100. :-) Ok! If you also LOVE all female HARD ROCK & AOR, contact me, e-mail : judithxavier@terra.com.br

From: Eddiem

Date: June 18, 2007 at 22:28

Around 1980 Me and keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Charlie Cowie formed a group called 'Starstruk' in Mississpippi. That later became 'The Touch' and finally 'Native' as Native we were signed by Arista and recorded an album. After the recording the drummer (Eddie Boyd) Guitarist (Stevie Smith) and me, the bassist (Eddie Moody) were fired. Boyd was hired back and the album was released in 1988 as 'Witness'. I was credited on the album as an 'additional bassist'. You are correct in the note on your

From: darobinson	Date: January 4, 2008 at 13:44
Just received this disc today. Pretty good stuff. Not as good as Saraya S/T or Laos S/T but well worth having.

From: Harald	Date: January 5, 2008 at 3:00
Hey darobinson, you should also check out Coastline 'Same' , Nexx 'Colours' ,Scarlet Rose 'Prime' and Alyson Avenue '1st and 2nd' for excellent female fronted melodic rock

From: juan carlos	Date: October 14, 2008 at 16:01
Great Hardrock/AOR, near to be a classic but not for me. Great Production, good chorus and some excellent Guitar solos. "You're Not My Lover" "Let Me Be the One" "When it Comes From the Heart" and "Show Me What You Got"(awesome guitar solo!) are my faves. Btw Very good female singer. 8.8/10

From: Photochromic Steve	Date: November 19, 2008 at 17:21
One man's timeless classic is another man's disappointment - this has plenty of rave reviews above, but for me it's all just a bit too frenetic. Debbie Davis' vocals are on top note almost throughout - she could have done with calming down for a few quieter moments from time to time. Tracks 3, 5 and 8 are the best here for me - I can live without the rest.

From: z4roxx	Date: November 23, 2008 at 9:58
Maybe'cause I can't hear any other male band with girls on vox but also this album sounded me a little average,after my first listening my rate was higher but if I must be more critique this is OK.Laos release is 100 times better IMO.

From: Niglin	Date: December 9, 2008 at 17:38
Rusty vocals, lol, excellent command of the english language 'Great Dumb'. Try slightly 'raspy', in the vein of 'Darby Mills' (Headpins) & 'Lee Aaron' also. Wicked album!

From: 123charpenay	Date: May 7, 2009 at 13:01
a killer cd s the best female hard melodic rock of the history (with laos "we want it".reissue 2009 with 6 fabulous bonus tracks!!!!!!! available in germany(schmankerl records) a must have without a doubt.

From: shoemaker	Date: May 7, 2009 at 13:52
Slow down 123...count to 10! Good album, but outstanding? No! Listen to the 80ies HEART albums or SAHARA for example!

From: Helix	Date: December 30, 2009 at 16:49
A lot of hype about this cd. Just an average cd, with a few good songs but mostly fillers.

From: rick kerch vzla

Date: February 18, 2010 at 17:02

Respecting everybody's opionion i found in here a good album with a good singer but far from being a masterpiece...of course is a very enjoyable album with strong songs such as the opener "Show Me What You Got","Do It Till We Drop" (with those vintage keyboards sound!),"Let Me Be The One"(Alexa/Roxette kinda stuff),"Jump Into The Fire"(I think the best track in the album),"When It Comes From The Heart"(Heart influenced 4 sure),"Borrowed Time"(Saraya,Harlow kinda stuff)and a good closing song "Back To You"...about the musicians who participate( Neil Schon,Brad Gillis & Steve Smith) just monsters of Rock of course and somehow enriched the sound of the album.Saraya,Vixen,Heart,Alexa,Harlow and all the people that like female fronted bands will love this one...88/100

From: metalhead4life	Date: June 12, 2010 at 10:09
Solid melodic hard rock effort from 1988. Good musicians and female fronted vocals. I think I like their version of "You're Not My Lover (But You Were Last Night) better than Dalton's. My favorite track is a tie between that one and "Desperate Lover". Also like tracks 3 and 7. 80/100

From: hair metal again	Date: May 8, 2015 at 5:31
excellent debut for WITNESS that could do some impact if they did some "party " songs!polished production,superb songriting,damon killing it with his guitar and some big hooks all over are offered!Debbie has a strong voice ,but not so good overall as stated in the rest of the comments!totally agree with Geoff once again about the standout tracks!a must have for sure

From: Doghouse Reilly	Date: May 8, 2015 at 6:32
Hair Metal Again: see the note just below the personnel listing ...

From: hair metal again	Date: May 13, 2015 at 1:54
Doghouse Reilly:thanks man

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