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Artist: Michael Thompson Band

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

Michael Thompson Band Homepage

CD Title: How Long

 

Category: AOR

Year: 1989/2007

Label: Geffen

Catalog Number: 9 24225-2

Personnel

Moon Calhoun lead and backing vocals
Michael Thompson guitar
John Andrew Schreiner keyboards
Leon Gaer bass
John Keane drums
Terry Bozzio guest drums
Pat Torpey guest drums
Bobby Kimball backing vocals
John Elefante backing vocals

Bonus tracks are from the 2007 reissue on Frontiers Records.

Tracks

1.	Secret Information	5:03	Listen
2.	Give Love a Chance	7:45	Listen
3.	1000 Nights	4:47	Listen
4.	Wasteland	5:07	Listen
5.	Never Stop Falling	4:21	Listen
6.	Can't Miss	4:44	Listen
7.	Gloria	4:51	Listen
8.	Stranger	4:11	Listen
9.	Baby Come Back	4:04	Listen
10.	How Long	4:18	Listen
11.	Right to Be Wrong bonus track		Listen
12.	I Can't Let Go bonus track		Listen
13.	Wheelchair bonus track		Listen

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 Michael Thompson Band 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 Michael Thompson Band 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: koogles

Date: January 1, 2002 at 15:25

One of the best West Coast CDs ever! This is actually one CD that grows on you until it becomes worth all that money you paid for it on eBay! Thompson's guitar playing reminds me of Neal Schon's or Steve Lukather's, bluesy and full of feeling without all the trappings of blues cliches. Moon Calhoun's vocals are super smooth and echo a mix of Eric Martin and Cheap Trick's Robin Zander. This is an album that works best on those late night drives. Recommended!

From: Hal Nash	Date: February 8, 2002 at 8:00
Can't believe these guys weren't a HUGE commercial success. I'd buy another album by them without even hearing it.

From: Chad Adamson	Date: March 8, 2002 at 21:02
I used to own a copy of this album (back when there was real talent and originality on the market), and I loved it. Does anyone know where I can get a copy for my collection? - chad@indyks.com

From: Tompa	Date: March 13, 2002 at 10:36
Hey, koogles, email me, we seem to have alot in common regarding westcoast AOR music. thoo39@hotmail.com

From: visions	Date: May 5, 2002 at 21:04
Absolutamente imprescindible para cualquier amante de la musica en general. definicion de calidad, elegancia y enormes canciones. el solo de give love a chance es de un genio de la guitarra que debe pasar a los anales de la historia

From: javier	Date: May 11, 2002 at 6:34
uno de los mejores discos de aor de la historia.Es algo parecido a toto aunque posiblemente es un disco superior a todos los de toto. Imprescindible para los amantes del aor .

From: 9 CHAMPIONS A 1	Date: July 14, 2002 at 9:48
Disco que hay que escuchar con los cinco sentidos puestos en el,pues no es de los que te enganchen a la primera,cuando te vas haciendo con el te das cuenta de la gran calidad del mismo.BUENO.

From: Steve T	Date: July 29, 2002 at 7:53
MONSTER album....huge songs, production, playing and singing. Cannot say enough good things regarding this album...should have been a worlwide hit. Toto fans will love this and Moon Calhoun has an almost flawless voice. It's a shame he is now wheelchair bound. Michael's playing is reminiscent of Steve Lukather but has a fluency to it that is almost hypnotic. 10/10

From: dags

Date: August 23, 2002 at 8:15

AS A SOUND ENGINEER (PUB,CLUB SHIT)I GET TO LISTEN TO A WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC, BUT AT HOME I LISTEN TO KANSAS,STYX,TOTO,BOBBY KIMBAL,LES DUDEK,WHITE HEART,BOSTON,BAD COMPANY,THAT WILL DO FOR NOW.OH AND MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND. EVERY ASPECT OF THE ALBUM MAKES THE HAIR STAND UP ON THE BACK OF MY NECK. A MUSO FRIEND SOLD ME THE ALBUM AND DURING SOUND CHECK ONE NIGHT I WAS PLAYING IT(MTB), MY FRIEND SAID TO ME 'DID I REALY SELL YOU THAT CD,CAUS I WANT IT BACK'. ANYWAY LATER THAT NIGHT IT GOT NICKED & I

From: dags

Date: August 23, 2002 at 8:39

.EVERY ASPECT OF THE CD MAKES THE HAIR STAND UP ON THE BACK OF MY NECK.A MUSO FRIEND SOLD ME THE CD AND DURING SOUND CHECK ONE NIGHT I WAS PLAYING IT(MTB),MY FRIEND SAID TO ME 'DID I REALLY SELL YOU THAT CD,CAUS I WANT IT BACK'ANYWAY LATER THAT NIGHT IT GOTNICKED &I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A COPY EVER SINCE.PLEASE HELP. ALSO,IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY LISTENED TO BOBBY KIMBALS'S SOLO ALBUMS I SUGGEST YOU DO! THEY ARE:RISE UP & ALL I EVER NEEDED,BOTH SHIT HOT (TRUST ME) dmac@netconnect.com.au

From: West Of Sunset

Date: January 3, 2003 at 2:28

Music for me is something that make you feel emotions and states of humour with each song that you listen to.This CD is the MUSIC for me, perfect, fine, elegant. Michael has a magic way to transmit emotions throughout the music. Westcoast, Blues, AOR... This CD has no definition, this jewel is the music, other things are in a lower level in comparison with this master piece. Moon's voice shines like a magic light, and Michael.... someone sent this ment from somewhere to create the music. 10/10!.

From: SKI KING

Date: April 17, 2003 at 23:07

My tormented quest of nearly 13 years has reached its end. Thanks to the folks at HeavyHarmonies.com I have finally identifed the artist of 'Can't Miss'. I inadvertantly cassette recorded this moving and haunting song to fill space on one side of a 90 min Maxell XLII-S that had just been filled with The Traveling Willburys first effort. I switched to radio and got The Cars - 'Good Times Roll' followed by White Lion's 'Little Fighter, then the subject mystery song, then The Cult's 'Sun King'. The

From: MelodicMan	Date: May 20, 2003 at 9:57
Wonderful CD. Great musicians. Great vocals by Moon Calhoun, ex Strand. A must have. AOR with a touch of westcoast. Michael Thompson is one of the best guitarplayers on earth.

From: dude	Date: October 5, 2003 at 2:39
never released on cd, what is this?

From: Delbert	Date: October 5, 2003 at 23:13
Well....The title of the CD is NOT 'How Long', actually it is 'SELF TITLED', so you are technically correct. Other than that fact, it was most certainly released on CD in the form presented here with the exception of the title, including the tracks and personnel listed. I've sold at least three copies over the past year on E Bay and they always fetch upwards of $50 apiece!

Heavy Harmonies Owner
From: Dan	Date: October 6, 2003 at 13:59
It's easy to get the impression that the title of the album is S/T, but it is in fact 'How Long'. 1. Look at the spines of the tray card; while it says 'MTB Michael Thompson Band' in blue, right next to that in yellow (very hard to notice) it says 'How Long'. 2. On the tray card itself, at lower left it has 'Michael Thompson Band' with 'How Long' right beneath it. 3. On the CD itself 'Michael Thompson Band - How Long'.

From: robert	Date: October 6, 2003 at 18:16
Para mi un disco correcto d un genial guitarrista!!!

From: jaf	Date: October 8, 2003 at 4:59
is it really that good?

From: agar jean paul	Date: November 26, 2003 at 15:09
coul you tell me where I can findnew albuns cd michael thompson band + cd how long thank you very much jean paul agar france my adresse email j.agar@wanadoo.fr

From: agar jean paul	Date: December 4, 2003 at 13:53
hello je voudrai order cd how long michael thompson jean paul agar france

From: Boogie m. Shoes	Date: February 19, 2004 at 22:17
I've got the original Demo of give love a chance, and it's in the #1 spot in my CD changer.Has been for years now.

From: Puppy Chow	Date: May 4, 2004 at 4:42
One of the best CD's EVER! I doubt it got the respect it deserved. Where is this band now? Where is Michael Thompson? jcpsihos@msn.com

From: maGe

Date: May 16, 2004 at 12:34

Michael thompson is alive, kicking, rocking, and working. playing around LA, and been working in the studio like always, last i heard. THIS CD DID NOT GET THE RESPECT IT DESERVES, neither did M.T's solo album: The World According to MT. mtguitars@aol.com is his e-mail, hes known to go on there but i bet he doesnt know that his work got such critical acclaim, older dudes just dont understand the internet's potential! zakt@comcast.net

From: TheMagavins	Date: May 18, 2004 at 3:47
I actually know Michael Thompson personally, liek throughout my life. he shreds and rips, its amazing, i jam on his equipment and i jam with his son. Yeah IM COOL

From: TheMagavins	Date: May 18, 2004 at 3:48
I actually know Michael Thompson personally, liek throughout my life. he shreds and rips, its amazing, i jam on his equipment and i jam with his son. Yeah IM COOL

From: mike griffin	Date: May 25, 2004 at 16:27
any of you guys know where i could possibly get my hands on a copy of How Long on cd. I had it ages ago on cassette, now i would like it on cd. I am over in the UK, shipping costs are not a problem my e-mail address is michael@griffin0.freeserve.co.uk if any of you know i would very much appreciate a copy of this great record.

From: AOR freaky	Date: May 26, 2004 at 5:18
By many seen as a classic, but I don't think this is the case here. Anyway, it's a good record and the musianship is on a high level !

From: Penelope	Date: June 21, 2004 at 21:10
Have had a tape of this for many years and absolutely loved it. Have played it so often the tape is stretched and now unplayable. Have been looking for a copy for about 10 years. It is a timeless album and one that gets better the more you listen.

From: Rockhead	Date: July 13, 2004 at 8:17
I have to say this is a great sounding disc and well worthy of the hype. Agree with Penelope in that this is an album that one would return to on a regular frequency. I am looking for a copy as I only have a CDR at present. Can anyone supply artwork?

From: West Of Sunset	Date: July 27, 2004 at 0:40
Penelope i have the original cd and i could find another original cd for you for the price of 30$ Contact:westofsunset@hotmail.com

From: guillermo	Date: November 19, 2004 at 4:59
un muy buen album. LOs temas más rockeros me recuerdan a Giant en los más blandos roza el WEstcoast sobre todo en Gloria y en el ultimo tema.

From: Geoff	Date: January 7, 2005 at 19:06
I don't think I nabbed $30 for this one when I sold it! Shame that, but don't get me wrong either - I didn't sell this because I disliked it. I actually had it once, then traded for better, then got it again and sold it to make a dollar or two. Either way - more to the point, this is a very good AOR disc. Very solid songs and a very nice album.

From: GlenRavine	Date: January 14, 2005 at 9:04
Great disc - '1000 Nights' what a song. All the songs are catchy melodic melodies.

From: BOLIN44

Date: February 28, 2005 at 2:35

EXTEMELY EXCEPTIONAL AOR!! One of the top ten of all time. Everything right down to the production is on HIGH! I bought 2 CD's on the same day in 1989, this CD here and Strangeways "Walk In The Fire". I was FLOORED! I couldn't believe I stumbled upon 2 of the greatest AOR CD's on the same day!! I listened to them both for weeks solid. I actually used these 2 CD's to judge other AOR albums. There weren't to many bands that came close to this caliber of songwriting over the years. A MUST OWN

From: Rafo Phoenix	Date: March 8, 2005 at 10:18
Yeah, Great work, viendo tantos buenos comentarios de gente experta en la materia no me queda mas que respaldar todo lo dicho, extraordinario album de AOR(bueno Westcoast AOR jeje), en temas Wasteland, Secret Information, Give Love a Chance, Can't Miss, Gloria los mas altos del album y mis favoritos, otro clasico que tienes que tenerlo para que lo disfrutes. saludos desde Santiago-Ica-Peru

From: Joan	Date: April 10, 2005 at 5:43
A mi me parece un disco aburridísimo

From: Rafo Phoenix

Date: April 10, 2005 at 9:31

Quiza a la primera no te atrape, tienes que escucharlo unas veces, aparte al ser un Wescoast AOR y no un pura sangre (AOR) no guste mucho a los amantes de lo directo. Por ahi un comentario sobre que es mejor que cualquier disco de Toto, eso es una locura por ejemplo compararlo con el Isolation este queda hecho pure, es algo como los ultimos de Toto a fines de la "DECADA"(ya sabes que decada no? jeje) pero es un buen disco para relajarse y escucharlo por ejemplo en el mar Ahhhh!!! que Rico.

From: vigilante	Date: June 23, 2005 at 17:33
To be honest, at first, this CD seemed pretty medicore to me, but man, does it grow on you! It's so addictable! Perfect for late night listening or for the romantic moments. Very smooth westcoast music with no single week note, a highlight in my collection!

From: Axe-Machine	Date: November 15, 2005 at 15:19
Is it a classic, isn't it a classic? The debate goes on. Ultra smooth westcoast AOR, which may not grab you on the first listen, but given a chance may well just become one of your favorite records in the genre. Absolutely essential in my opinion. Tracks like Give Love A Chance, Wasteland and Can't Miss are true gems. 9.5/10.

From: JF

Date: March 20, 2006 at 20:58

Buenisimo, lo he estado escuchando junto con el de Cliff Magnes. Lastima que pasara desapercibido como tantos discos de este estilo. Me parece haber escuchado Can't Miss en una radio, si aunque uds. no lo crean antes existia una dial que pasaba este estilo. No solamente Bon Jovi, Firehouse o Winger, si no tambien Saraya, Diving for Pearls, Electric Boys, DAD, Storm o RTZ. Para aquellos que les gusto Mark Spiro, Mitch Malloy. Otro disco altamente recomendado siempre y cuando te guste el lado mas

From: JF	Date: March 20, 2006 at 21:08
suave. Otro disco que recomiendo es el ultimo de David Pack, excelente, pero como les digo solamente para aquellos que les guste el estilo wescoast-aor. Tiene la ayudita del gran Steve Perry, otro de mis cantantes favoritos, de Ann Wilson deHeart y de Timothy de Eagles. Recpmendao despues de un dia muy pesado. Por si acaso soy de Peru.

From: ROBERT	Date: April 18, 2006 at 19:10
Pues si q gana con las escuxas, si! Es q era imposible q en 1989 uno d los mas grandes guitarristas d sesion no se saliera con un super discazo, fino y con muxa clase!! Recomendado!

From: Carlos A.	Date: December 4, 2006 at 12:44
Una maravilla de album, esta banda transmite esa categoria y sobriedad propios de grupos pesos pesados del AOR, himnos epicos como "Give Love a Chance" con hechizante solo de guitarra (por alli robando acordes del tema I cant tell you why de los Eagles)"Gloria", el tremendo medio tiempo "Stranger", a lo drive she said, etc imprescindible.

From: juan carlos

Date: December 4, 2006 at 18:04

Que buen oído amigo Carlos! Si que roba poco menos de un minuto del clásico de The Eagles.. Y sí, esa es la palabra correcta para definir a este discazo de WestcoastAOR, MARAVILLOSO! No te olvides de ese "1000 Nights" tema bastante fino y de mis favoritas de este genial disco y que me recuerda a un tema de Mark Spiro. "Wasteland" con un gran solo y asi todo el disco es un joya. Ah es que es MICHAEL THOMPSON nada menos! Genial y uno de los mas grandes sesionistas del mundo. Si o Si. 9.5/10

From: Carlos A.	Date: December 5, 2006 at 11:31
Asi es Juan carlos "1000 Nights","Can't Miss", y un etc de buenos temas, el disco no decae en lo absoluto, y el guitarra Michael Thompson tiene un estilo entre Melodico y toques Bluesy que encaja muy bien en los temas lentos, aparte la gente que lo acompaña tienen un CV IMPRESIONANTE, caray si ficho a Bobby Kimball, Pat Torpey, o J. Elefante, tenia que salir un discazo.

From: z4roxx	Date: December 14, 2006 at 15:19
I’ve always considered overrated this cd but evidently I did never hear well the disc.”wasteland”,”Can’t miss”,”Gloria”,”Stranger”etc are great songs,and the M.Thompson’s talent is evident even if his performance with other bands are superior IMO.

From: ehyder	Date: May 17, 2007 at 8:29
PAY ATTENTION!!! This record is going to be reissued on June 6th 2007 on Frontiers with 3 unreleased tracks... this is truly great news as this record is SO unbelievably good. What a voice Moon! What a guitar Michael! And Mark Spiro, Jeff Paris and all the others writing... that's one of the best AOR albums ever. Period. GET IT. 9/10

From: YIRO SEVENTH

Date: June 27, 2007 at 19:27

AWESOME AOR WESTCOAST ALBUM!!! Claro que si, Esplendido discazo este de Michael Thompson. Unos arreglos y unas composiciones de verdad sublimes, que hacen las delicias de los amantes del AOR mas refinado de vertiente WESTCOAST. Decantarme por algún tema me parece harto dificil, pero destacan: "Gloria", "Secret Information"(Genial tema); el baladón "1000 Nights"... en fin, un magnifico disco. SUPER RECOMENDADO

From: ROBERT

Date: January 5, 2008 at 11:05

Para mi uno d los mas grandes guitarrsitas d Sesion, con infinidad d colaboraciones en discos d A.O.R., West/Coast , Pop... Junto a MICHAEL LANDAU, NEAL SCHON, TIM PIERCE, DANN HUFF, BRUCE GAITSCH, STEVE LUKATHER, DEAN PARKS y alguno q otro mas, sin duda todo un Super Mago / Genio!! Y si encima en "mi" año: 1989 hizo una joyita como: HOW LONG d puro A.O.R. con tintes West/Coast pues ya es pa flipar! Temas alucinantes como Give Love A Chance son puro Romanticismo y Sensibilidad... Una Autentica G

From: darobinson	Date: February 13, 2008 at 19:53
AOR does not get much better than this. It has been re-issued, go out and get yourself a copy. You will not be dissapointed.

From: aorfan700

Date: October 22, 2008 at 13:02

I'm not mad on this to say the least. I appreciate some of the music (especially some of the axework being a guitar player myself) and I like Can't Miss, Give Love a chance is good mood setting song, but overall, I find the vocals to be of poor sound quality or performance at times (a mix of both I think) and most the songs just have an uncanny ability to annoy me. I don't know why I never liked this album. I have sure listened to it hundred's of time right through and never met an AOR/westcoast fan who doesn't say it's a masterpiece

From: petermexico

Date: April 23, 2009 at 13:38

Este disco es una maravilla, una perfecta combinacion de buenos músicos, buenas canciones y excelente producción. Michael Thompson es un extraordinario guitarrista de sesión que ha tocado en infinidad de trabajos de artistas de diversos géneros (Michael Bolton, Mitch Malloy, Mark Spiro,etc), además venía de formar parte de la banda del guitarrista y compositor Jeff Paris (Quien le ayuda en la composición de algunos temas de este disco (Give Love a Chance, Never Stop Falling), que incluía también al baterista Matt Sorum después en The Cult y Guns and Roses y el bajista y cantante Gary Moon, que formaría parte de Night Ranger en ausencia de Jack Blades. Cada tema es de gran calidad y poco a poco se van haciendo adictivos,Frontiers lo reeditó en 2007 con 3 canciones inéditas y remasterizado, para disfrutar a los fans de Toto, Journey, recientemente sacaron el proyecto TRW grabado en 2007 con John Robinson y R. Williamson que hicieron también el proyecto "Bridge 2 Far" en 1989. Excelente!

From: 123charpenay	Date: July 19, 2013 at 9:43
vow this record is an atomic bomb.what sound!!what quality in the music!!this album is a real jewel a must have.top class a o r.the 2007 reissue is absoluty essential cause the bonus tracks are simply fantastic.it s a very rare version but if you have the chance to find this masterpiece don t miss it!!buy buy buy.impossible to be disapointed!!!!

From: hair metal again	Date: May 15, 2015 at 11:32
fantastic release by MTB !cant find anything wrong and these guys reach perfection in terms of musicianship,songwriting,production !"secret information","give love a chance","never stop falling" are excellent songs and overall a smooth result and a superb addition to your collection

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