UNIONTRACK "Pop & Rock's great ballads"

Pleasure is the one and only basis of UNIONTRACK's latest project. Here you will find our own versions of some of these past three decades' best ballads. No doubt about it. As soon as we matched singers and songs, we began to work and, a few months later, we had the songs nailed.

"Ain't no sunshine" is that song that so many people knows, through lots of covers (I don't watch that show, but I think that even Operación Triunfo -Spain's American Idol-did one). Most people ignore, though, that it was written by Bill Withers (the very own voice you can hear on Grover Washington Jr's Just the two of us). He recorded it in 1972, with a simple guitar & strings arrangement. Ours (…and it makes it number…) tries to keep that spirit of sheer sadness. She's gone, and I knew it, I knew it… Lead vocals by Tom Spain, backing vocals by Angie Herna.

James Taylor's "Fire & Rain" is a most beautiful song that accompanied me during many a time in my life. And lots of other people, I know it. Tom Spain (lead and backing vocals) makes me feel it the same way.

"It's too late", that oh-so-famous Carole King tune, was a request by Angie (lead vocals) that I couldn't refuse. Because that's the point: having a good time among friends. But, what's more, if you like it, that's even better. The Spanish guitar adds a different colour to the whole thing.

Van Morrison's "Moondance", a hell of a song, is sung by another Irishman: Tom Spain. Backing vocals by Tom and Ana Chávarri. I've respected the jazzy style and the solo from the original. That perfect night for me and you to dance under the moon…

The first time ever I saw Cyndi Lauper live (from the Olimpia in Paris, with Rick Derringer on guitar) I was shocked by how short she was, and how she could fill a huge stage, lain down perfectly still on a sofa, and belting out song after song. Magnetic. And those songs. We've given ourselves the pleasure of covering "Time after time", one of the best ballads of the Eighties. Lead vocals by Angie Herna, who also sings backing vocals with Tom Spain.

Eric Clapton's ballad "Wonderful tonight". Josele Martin's guitar, and the voices of Ana Chávarri and Tom Spain. You'll love listening to it in your car, driving through life in a very relaxed way. Or not.

"El sitio de mi recreo". I humbly believe that Antonio Vega is one of this country's best songwriters. With all due respect, Ana Chávarri (lead and backing vocals) and I decided to include it. A little bit of chauvinism can do no harm. And those lyrics: "where imagination led us, where with our eyes closed we can make out endless fieds…". Thanks, Antonio.

What can you say, at this stage, about "Every breath you take"? One of Police's best love songs that, sung by Andrea R. (lead and backing vocals), turns into something else. Check it out.

Kansas' "Dust in the wind". Representatives of what was known as AOR sound, they shocked us with this ballad in the late Seventies. Andrea R. (lead and backing vocals) removes that layer of affectation that (in my opinion) surrounded the original version (with all due respect, of course).

"Little wing". I think that even The Corrs covered this Jimi Hendrix tune. On vocals, an original job by Ana Chávarri.

We left for the ending "With or without you", U2's well-known ballad, as a grand finale. Everyone involved in this project took part in this song. The voices of Angie, Andrea, Ana and Tom create a truly powerful version of this great song. Now, seriously, my gratitude to all of you.

I could tell more things about the songs, but the feelings one has when listening to "that" song one likes are so subjective, that I'll leave it to you. So, at last, this is UNIONTRACK'S latest offering. Enjoy it as much as we did, and please, try to get the original versions.

Juan A. Navarro - UNIONTRACK (December 2006)

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