In 1984, coming off the success of his Cuts Like A Knife breakthrough album, Bryan Adams released his fourth solo album Reckless, and it was an even bigger smash, yielding six hit singles, a feat that launched him into stardom. Touring to bigger and better crowds in support, he became a worldwide star, after first appearing out of his native Canada. Thirty years later, a reissue of that classic has appeared, featuring a remastered sound and seven bonus tracks, as well as a second CD with a live 1985 performance from the BBC that was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 1. It captures Adams and his terrific band at the top of their game.
Starting out with the catchy drumbeat/power chord of “One Night Love Affair”, the CD is a serious lesson on hit songwriting, as radio hits like “Run To You,” “Summer Of 69,” and the “pre-hair band” ballad “Heaven,” just jump out at you and make you remember each and every word, as you uncontrollably sing along at the top of your lungs.
Credit Adams and his songwriting partner Jim Vallance for that, as they co-wrote every song, and made all the arrangements, along with the splendid production of Bob Clearmountain. Tina Turner does a magnificent duet with Adams on “It’s Only Love” that initially predated her own superstardom as a solo artist. Other contributors are original Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm on background vocals, as well as former Journey drummer Steve Smith.
Which brings us to the bonus tracks. As far as I am concerned, each of these songs could very well have been released on a separate Bryan Adams album, they are that good. Standouts are “Teacher, Teacher,” which eventually became a hit single for 38 Special, and the theme for the mid 80s movie Teachers. and the title track “Reckless,” which somehow, did not make the final cut.
As I mentioned, the live bonus CD captures Adams and his band at their best, and includes a couple of terrific songs from the aforementioned Cuts Like a Knife. There is also a Super Deluxe Edition that also features a DVD entitled Reckless: The Movie featuring nine of Adams’ videos, plus a 5.1 surround sound mix of the original album on Blu-ray Disc. This is a great listen from a great songwriter and performer at his peak.
~ Junkman
