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Artist: Van Zant

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Van Zant Homepage

CD Title: Van Zant

 

Category: AOR

Year: 1985

Label: Unidisc (Canada)

Catalog Number: AGEK-2066

Personnel

Johnny Van Zant lead and backing vocals
Robbie Morris drums
Danny Clausman bass
Erik Lundgren guitar, backing vocals
Robbie Gay guitar, backing vocals
Rich Head additional Synclavier
Brian Heatherington additional keyboards, synthesizers
Steve McCray additional keyboards, synthesizers

Tracks

1.	Midnight Sensation	3:44
2.	She's Out With a Gun	3:38
3.	I'm a Fighter	4:36
4.	You've Got to Believe in Love	3:52
5.	Two Strangers	3:57
6.	2 Plus 2	3:14
7.	Heart to the Flame	4:20
8.	Does a Fool Ever Learn	3:22
9.	Right on Time	3:38
10.	Lonely Girls	3:53
Total Running Time:		38:14

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 Van Zant 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 Van Zant 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: James Tate	Date: May 3, 2001 at 18:27
Good CD but more pop that his first three albums. A must have for a colector of southern rock and the VanZant boys. Long live Skynyrd and .38 special

From: Peter	Date: February 12, 2002 at 9:40
A classic AOR-album! Not one bad song! Not at all southern rock. Great!

From: JOURNEY	Date: July 30, 2002 at 9:47
GREAT AND MARVELOUS ALBUM!!! ONE OF THE BEST OF THE WOLRD!!!'She's Out With a Gun' AND 'You' ve got to believe in love' are very wonderful!!!! I LOVE A.O.R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: freddy de keyze	Date: December 20, 2002 at 10:45
Indeed fantastic AOR record, and not southern rock as you should expect from these guys. By far their best and A MUST HAVE if you love great AOR. And it's not poppy, it's pure AOR ! When wille people know the difference between AOR, pop, melodic hardrock, pomp rock, symphonic rock, pure hardrock, heavy rock etc. ? It's about time !

From: James	Date: December 24, 2002 at 14:47
To clear up something, this is a Johnny Van Zant solo album. It is not a Van Zant brothers album with Johnny and Donnie. this is pure AOR that is classic. I love this cd.

From: James	Date: January 10, 2003 at 1:06
47 votes on Jan 8 with a 9.5 rating then in one day the vote count jumps to 64 with a 7.4 rating??? GROW UP!! If you don't like the band being in the top 25 deal with it and stop padding the votes to take them out of the top 25.

From: fasteddie

Date: May 22, 2003 at 12:59

This is far from a solo effort - this band had played together in this line-up for years before putting out 3 previous albums under the name the Johnny Van Zant Band ('No More Dirty Deals', 'Second Round' and 'Last of the Wild Ones' - if my memory serves me). All 4 albums are good, tight music, although, I agree that this is the least 'southern' sounding of the 4. Melodic tunes, strong guitars make this a memorable release. My least favorite (I'm a Fighter) was the best known. Go figure. :^)

From: DE	Date: July 15, 2003 at 12:49
People go out and find this gem of a record. It is really good. Not a bad lick on it!

From: RR-Finland	Date: September 1, 2003 at 6:51
Really good suprise to me. I always thought that Van-Zant name is mostly related with Lynyrd Skynyrd kind of southern stuff, but I was wrong. This is really ballsy hard rock, with catchy melodies and great choruses. I havenīt heard their other releases, but Iīm lookinī forward to it. Highly recommended, who likes mid-80īs melodies.

From: James	Date: September 1, 2003 at 8:58
HEY RR-Finland, be careful. This is indeed an outing by Johnny Van Zant as a solo artist and the most aor he ever did. The other Van Zant cd's are with his brother Donnie (from 38 Special) and are more Southern/AOR style.

From: AOR freaky	Date: November 27, 2003 at 4:42
This is the best Johnny Van Zant ever did ! Pure AOR and CLASSIC stuff ! The rest of his work is more southern rock, but this is the real stuff ! Go for it

From: James	Date: November 27, 2003 at 11:15
hey AOR freaky, come join our message board. I'm sure you could join in on some really great conversations on AOR music and the other interesting stuff that goes on.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: January 30, 2004 at 10:07
I've only heard 'I'm A Fighter' (which kicks ass), how is the rest compared to that?

From: Impaler

Date: February 23, 2004 at 0:16

'I'm A Fighter' (great video) does kick ass but the rest is not as hard hitting, less hard-just rock/AOR with catchy choruses. I bought this a tape when it came out after seeing the video, I was not blown away. If you are not a Van Zant/.38 Special fan and think your getting a whole album of 'I'm A Fighter' you may be disappointed. I like the song '2 Plus 2'. I usually listen to a little harder stuff so this doesn't do it for me except for the 2 songs mentioned.

From: Erik	Date: March 25, 2004 at 7:41
Midnight sensation and Does a fool ever learn. Such great and perfect AOR songs. Get this album !!!!!

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: April 8, 2004 at 9:14
Hey thanks Impaler, that's exactly the info I needed. I think I will steer clear then as I am also into the harder stuff.

From: Shoemaker	Date: August 2, 2004 at 15:06
Yes, the AOR freaky is 100% right. This is no southern rock. This is high quality Hard Rock/ AOR (no pop) somewhere between Night Ranger and Strangeways. Iīm a fighter, 2 plus 2, heart to the flame.. are timless classics. Great album!!!

From: Uusiolli	Date: August 5, 2004 at 22:00
I am not a great fan of AOR. But this is an really good album. Nice stuff indeed 9/10

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: August 19, 2004 at 13:08
Great cd throughout, with a good cover of the Jeff Paris 'Heart To The Flame' track. Gone is the southern rock and in with the AOR which works really well with JVZ's voice. A solid live band aswell, as can be heard on the 'King Biscuit' cd, which i will add shortly. This was the only studio cd 'Van Zant' made which is a shame. Johnny's next release(Brickyard Road) was excellent also, then off to Skynyrd he went.

From: James

Date: August 19, 2004 at 14:22

Hey Jez, Johnny Van Zant (which this cd should be listed under, not Van Zant) has done 5 studio albums. the first in 1980 called No More Dirty Deals. 'Round Two' in 1981 then 'Last Of The Wild Ones' in 1982. He quit the music business before a return with the Van Zant cd in 1985 and Brickyard Road in 1990. The 'King Biscuit' cd is already listed under Johnny Van Zant (which i again say this should be listed under)along with Brickyard Road and The Colleciton

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: August 20, 2004 at 5:34
James - already have those albums on vinyl from way back. Wish they would release them on cd officially (don't think they have anyway) - maybe some day hey. I meant in my listing that they only released this cd under the name 'Van Zant' rather than as a solo artist.

From: Jgg	Date: November 1, 2004 at 13:01
Cual de estos tres discos es el mejor de la historia??? VAN ZANT van zant,ALIEN alien y STRANGEWAYS strangeway.

From: Axe Machine	Date: April 28, 2005 at 7:48
One of the finest examples of well produced, pure AOR. Top notch songs, with the standout being 'She's Out With A Gun'. 10/10

From: Harald	Date: April 29, 2005 at 15:06
'She's Out With A Gun' has always been my favorite tracks too, I love the keyboard sound on it. Though the cover artwork of the album is excellent too (on vinyl at least). And to Jez, itīs already out on CD a couple of years (offical) on Unidisc.

From: AOR freaky	Date: April 30, 2005 at 3:49
Great AOR record indeed ! Like to see another one from the Van Zant ones, but they're in country stuff now, and I'm afraid we won't see another AOR gem from them ! Indeed, the keyboard sound is nice here.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: April 30, 2005 at 9:36
Harald - I have this one on the Unidisc label, but wish he would put out his first three albums on cd, as they are excellent Southern rock albums. Maybe one day!!!!

From: Swriter	Date: April 30, 2005 at 11:39
agreed Jez, have been looking for those for a while, especially Last of the Wild ones!!!! all VZ is great, but that may be fav, when will the re-release be!!!!!

From: Sven Pelz	Date: May 28, 2005 at 9:01
A great Aor CD. The Ballads are fantastic. Get this Album.

From: swriter	Date: November 3, 2005 at 15:54
in my top 20 releases of the 80's a great, great album, that I still have on vinyl!!!!! this is great aor rock, not southern rock, alkhough that is great as well. In short, a monster aor 80's must have. Johnny's album, Last of the wild ones, is also a great album with some great aor on it!!!

From: PAUL	Date: February 10, 2006 at 13:05
Agreed swriter! One of the 20 best AOR albums of all time. If a musician has talent, simply has talent. Playing southern rock, AOR or anything. CLASSIC!!!

From: Dance Nation

Date: April 13, 2006 at 13:16

This is one of those CD's that flows from the first song to the last and I never had to think about any favourites as every track hits home. Hence it would easily make my top 10 albums ever. Opener 'Midnight Sensation' grabs the listener immediately and the fantastic closer 'Lonely Girls' cruises to the finish line like a performance sports car on it's first outing. An absolute timepeice! 10/10 (easily!). Cheers, DN.

From: poproxx2007	Date: November 16, 2006 at 19:09
This is classic AOR of the highest order. Not a bad song here. Van Zant unfortunally lost this momentum on later releases which sound like 38 special b-sides. My favorites: 'Shes Out With A Gun','Lonely Girls' and the dreamer 'You've Got To Believe In Love' .

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: December 1, 2006 at 20:29
I agree with poproxx2007,this are the best tracks but the others are just in the same direction budie!!!!.10/10

From: sanxdowntherainbow	Date: January 29, 2007 at 20:42
Superb 100811cdf8ure AOR, has nothing to do with southern rock, VAN ZANT is great melodic AOR,w/ killer keyboards and great vocals! Don't think twice 'bout buying this album, many people may think it's kinda southern rock, but NOT! (actually I believed it was southern, that's why, It took me too long to buy this MASTERPIECE). Fans of SURVIVOR and BEAU GESTE will love this one! 10/10

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: March 27, 2007 at 10:57
Sometimes names confuse people dear sanxdowntherainbow!!!.It has happened to bands such as Blackfoot and even Molly Hatchet.They were recognized as southern rock acts and when they turned 'softer' with aor touches fans started to be confused.Anyway great album in all aspects,no fillers at all and most important:aor with guts!!!.10/10.

From: sanxdowntherainbow	Date: April 2, 2007 at 19:58
You're all right rick!, THIS is AOR with GUTS! Cheers man!

From: newscandi	Date: April 4, 2007 at 15:08
Sorry, I don't think that has guts. I don't mean it has no soul (not at all I want to sound that way) but it is that kind of AOR you can sleep to. In AOR categories it's of course at least an 8/10 album (I'd give even a bit more). I like songs 2,3,4,7 the most. But not enough to keep it..

From: O.P.	Date: April 28, 2007 at 5:50
great album. the RPM cover is awesome

From: fenixx	Date: June 13, 2007 at 20:09
around mid 80īs a lot of bands saw the impact of AOR in radio stations and made the change to it. some say it was the start of the decline in hard rock, in some cases i agree. but in this case you can say they pulled it very well done!

From: AORster	Date: July 21, 2007 at 7:29
Loved this when it came out and still do. In my book one of the top 5 AOR albums of all time. 9,5/10

From: Remastered Reason	Date: October 1, 2008 at 18:51
This music is on par with the way that Johnny's brother Donnie went with 38 Special back in the late 70's & throughout the 80's. Killer southern AOR.

From: Doug	Date: October 13, 2009 at 18:05
Looking back over the years of comments. Blue Charvel, man, you must give this one another spin. VanZants have gone country, but back in the day, they were rockers. Every song on this album is fantastic. My personal favorites are "Right on Time," and "She's Out With a Gun." There is a reason this album is rated in the Top Ten.

From: nimzo	Date: November 10, 2010 at 14:59
AOR killer. Superb album of pure AOR with great melodies. All tracks are fantastic but the best tracks are: She's Out With a Gun, You've Got to Believe in Love ad Lonely Girls. 95/100

From: 123charpenay

Date: December 1, 2011 at 12:33

great a o r southern record.exactly in the same style of 38 special.but i am not ok with many comments above cause i think we can t say that songs are fantastics.ok with new scandi no guts on this record great a o r very polished not more.i recommand the live at jacksonville king biscuit .it is more energic and the selection of songs is better on this live songs are fantastics!if you want guts in southern rock listen to "the wonder band from dixie land" DOC HOLLIDAY.

From: edwithmj	Date: April 27, 2012 at 20:18
Yeah, brilliant AOR. Instantly catchy and melodic and the vocals and instruments are played flawlessly. She's Out With A Gun is my current favourite.

From: juan carlos	Date: October 19, 2013 at 0:18
Hey Deleted my old comments!ŋ? well, Brilliant & Magnificient album, and Instant Classic!! "TWO STRANGERS" in love wow! What a Chorus! what a song! "LONELY GIRLS" AOR at night!! "You've Got to Believe in Love", i can go on with the titles. You must have this one for sure! 96/100

From: 123charpenay	Date: October 19, 2013 at 2:46
hi juan carlos,when southern rockers plays a o r generally it s a fireworks.for example "siogo" from blackfoot.

From: rick kerch vzla

Date: October 19, 2013 at 10:41

I have been listening to this album for 28 years!!!(bought it on vinyl format when it came out in '85 ) and is mostly one of those Southern Rock records done under the AOR influence pretty common at that stage(Blackfoot,Molly Hatchet,38 Special,Axe and others did flirt with this AOR genre back then as well and it was like the union of both music genres that worked really fine in certain bands like the aforementioned ones)...this record is simply a blast!!!...even in the covers("2 + 2" is originally by AORsters RPM)has a personal touch,Johnny's singing also contributes to enrich the songs...in general lines there are 10 killer tracks and an album that is simply a must in any self respected Southern Rock/AOR lover...'nuff said,100/100

From: 123charpenay	Date: October 19, 2013 at 12:03
hi rick, the king biscuit live in jacksonville is better.

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: October 19, 2013 at 13:12
That's another one good live release my friend 123charpenay!!!

From: 707STAR	Date: August 29, 2017 at 23:11
YES HIS BEST EFFORT YET. A TRUE GEM. GREAT MELODIC ROCK FROM THIS SOUTHERN FRONTMAN. A CRYING SHAME THIS GOT NO AIRPLAY. GREAT LINEUP OF MUSICIANS.

From: AORocker	Date: September 26, 2020 at 0:54
Maybe BEST AOR album ever.

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