April Wine -

April Wine is a Canadian hard-rock band from Halifax that released twelve studio albums and three live discs between 1971 and 1985 on Aquarius Records. They caught domestic wind with their 1972/73 albums On Record and Electric Jewels, charting with “You Could Have Been a Lady,” “Bad Side of the Moon,” and “Lady Run, Lady Hide.”

In 1975, they went platinum with Stand Back and the hits “Oowatanite” and “Tonite is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love,” followed by their 1976 chart-topper The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy and its 1977 gold followup Forever for Now, which netted their fourth Top 10 with “You Won’t Dance With Me.”

April Wine made stateside headway with the single “Roller” from their 1978 album First Glance, followed by the 1980/81 UK breakthroughs Harder … Faster and The Nature of the Beast, the latter marking their commericial apogee with the Billboard rock hits “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” and “Just Between You and Me,” an early staple of MTV, which high-rotated “Enough Is Enough” from their 1982 album Power Play.

Members: Myles Goodwyn (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Jimmy Henman (vocals, bass, 1969), David Henman (guitar, 1969-73), Ritchie Henman (drums, 1969-73), Jim Clench (bass, 1970-75, 1992-2007), Gary Moffet (guitar, backing vocals, 1973-85), Jerry Mercer (drums, 1973-85, 1992-2008), Steve Lang (bass, backing vocals, 1975-85), Brian Greenway [aka Greenway] (vocals, guitar, 1977-present), Daniel Barbe (keyboards, 1985-92), Jean Pellerin (bass, 1985-92), Marty Simon (drums, 1985-92)

Background

April Wine was formed in 1969 in the Waverly suburb of Halifax by singer/guitarist Myles Goodwyn, guitarist David Henman, and his drumming brother Ritchie Henman. The Henman’s had jammed for several years as a garage duo in St. John’s Newfoundland before moving to Nova Scotia. Their cousin, bassist Jimmy Henman, completed the founding lineup.

Noting the province’s lack of recording opportunities, the band sent a demo to Montreal’s upstart label Aquarius Records. Label co-founders Terry Flood and Donald K. Tarlton sent the band a polite rejection letter that was misinterpreted by the members as an invitation. In April 1970, the band flew out to Montreal with their equipment in tow. Despite the misunderstanding, Flood and Tarlton ultimately came around and signed the band.

April Wine

April Wine released their self-titled debut album in September 1971 on Aquarius.

April Wine presents original group material from Myles Goodwyn and the Henman brothers. Goodwyn and David Henman share guitar and lead-vocal space with bassist–vocalist Jim Henman and drummer–keyboardist Ritchie Henman.

“Oceana” swirls phased percussion under a swept, airborne, eastern-tinged figure. “Can’t Find the Town” lingers around a sitar motif. “Fast Train” charges with fast-paced, direct motion and compact Goodwyn phrasing. “Page Five” shifts through multiple turns, busy fills, and a broad solo. “Song for Mary” slows to acoustic strums. “Wench” grinds through heavier solo breaks. “Time” follows the same rough-edged solo patterns.

A1. “Oceana” (4:54) – D. Henman
A2. “Can’t Find the Town” (3:45) – J. Henman
A3. “Fast Train” (3:21) – Goodwyn
A4. “Listen Mister” (5:35) – Goodwyn

B1. “Page Five” (6:03) – D. Henman
B2. “Song for Mary” (4:08) – J. Henman
B3. “Wench” (4:04) – D. Henman, J. Henman, Goodwyn, R. Henman
B4. “Time” (3:46) – J. Henman

April Wine recorded the album at RCA Studios in Montreal with producer Bill Hill and engineer Gaetan Desbiens. The album features photography by Ian Robertson.

Aquarius lifted “Fast Train” as an April 1971 single (b/w “Wench”), which reached No. 38 on the RPM singles chart. “Listen Mister” followed in September 1971 (b/w “Time”).

On Record

April Wine released their second studio album, On Record, in April 1972 on Aquarius.

On Record marks the first April Wine album with bassist–vocalist Jim Clench. The album contains Goodwyn and David Henman originals beside covers of Hot Chocolate (“You Could Have Been a Lady”) and Elton John (“Bad Side of the Moon”).

“Farkus” threads acoustic and electric figures. “You Could Have Been a Lady” barrels on tightened rhythm and tougher guitar strokes, with Murphy’s “na-na-na-na” replies behind Goodwyn. “Work All Day” grinds from opening riffs into fast-fingered runs. “Drop Your Guns” clamps onto a central riff.

“Bad Side of the Moon” surges through a raucous cover arrangement before flute enters the fade. “Refuge” broods through a moodier Henman passage. “Carry On” kicks through a harder passages with sax injections.

A1. “Farkus” (1:53) – Goodwyn
A2. “You Could Have Been a Lady” (3:40) – Brown, Wilson
A3. “Believe in Me” (4:02) – Goodwyn
A4. “Work All Day” (3:08) – Goodwyn
A5. “Drop Your Guns” (3:37) – D. Henman

B1. “Bad Side of the Moon” (3:36) – John, Taupin; originated as the non-album b-side of Elton’s March 1970 single “Border Song,” covered soon after by Toe Fat.
B2. “Refuge” (5:08) – D. Henman
B3. “Flow River Flow” (3:25) – Goodwyn
B4. “Carry On” (2:33) – Goodwyn
B5. “Didn’t You” (4:58) – Clench

April Wine recorded On Record at RCA Studios in Montreal with producer Ralph Murphy and engineers Terry Brown and Art Polhemus. On Record features photography by Peter Geary.

Aquarius issued “You Could Have Been a Lady” as a single (b/w “Teacher”), which reached No. 2 on the RPM singles chart and No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Bad Side of the Moon” followed in May 1972 (b/w “Believe in Me”) and reached No. 16 on the RPM singles chart. “Drop Your Guns” appeared in August 1972 (b/w “Flow River Flow”) and reached No. 34 on the RPM singles chart.

On Record reached No. 35 on the RPM Albums chart.

Between albums, co-founders David and Ritchie Henman left April Wine, which continued with guitarist Gary Moffet and ex-Mashmakhan drummer Jerry Mercer.

Electric Jewels

April Wine released their third studio album, Electric Jewels, in November 1973 on Aquarius.

Electric Jewels introduces the Moffet/Mercer lineup, joined by selected guests, including harmonica player Richard Newell, organist Pierre Senecal, and string arranger Bhen Lanzaroni.

“Weeping Widow” clenches around hard guitar strokes and Clench’s rasped front position. “Just Like That” careens through quick riff movement and shout-range group lift. “Electric Jewels” widens through Mellotron haze, layered voices, and sectional turns. “You Opened Up My Eyes” slows around a heavy Clench reading.

“Come On Along” drives from dual-guitar riffing into a long fade. “Lady Run, Lady Hide” drifts in semi-ballad form, with danger images pulling the vocal inward. “I Can Hear You Callin’” steps on a firm beat and Clench’s bass movement. “Cat’s Claw” turns on Clench’s voice and a long solo. “The Band Has Just Begun” charges with fast, direct group force.

A1. “Weeping Widow” (3:54) – Wright
A2. “Just Like That” (3:09) – Goodwyn, Clench
A3. “Electric Jewels” (5:59) – Goodwyn, Clench
A4. “You Opened My Eyes” (4:50) – Goodwyn, Clench

B1. “Come on Along” (4:29) – Goodwyn, Clench
B2. “Lady Run, Lady Hide” (2:57) – Goodwyn, Clench
B3. “I Can Hear You Callin'” (3:25) – Goodwyn, Clench
B4. “Cat’s Claw” (4:46) – Goodwyn, Clench
B5. “The Band Has Just Begun” (4:12) – Goodwyn, Clench

April Wine recorded Electric Jewels at Toronto Sound Studios with producer Ralph Murphy and engineer Terry Brown. Dave Halbert handled the album mix. Electric Jewels features photography by Jacques Des Haies.

Aquarius issued “Lady Run, Lady Hide” as an April 1973 single (b/w “I Get Bad”), which reached No. 19 on the RPM singles chart. “Weeping Widow” followed in October 1973 (b/w “Tell Your Mama”) and reached No. 40 on the RPM singles chart. “Electric Jewels” appeared in May 1974 (b/w “I Can Hear You Callin'”) and reached No. 84 on the RPM singles chart.

Electric Jewels reached No. 75 on the RPM Albums chart.

Live!

April Wine released their first live album, Live!, in 1974 on Aquarius.

Live! documents the Goodwyn–Clench–Moffet–Mercer lineup in Halifax. The program combines material from On Record and Electric Jewels with four concert-only titles.

“Cat’s Claw” stretches the studio cut through an extended ending solo. “Good Fibes” spotlights Mercer’s drum solo, with one-handed rolls and hand-switch stage tricks at the center of the performance.

A1. “(Mama) It’s True” (6:15) – Goodwyn, Clench
A2. “Druthers” (4:36) – Goodwyn, Clench
A3. “Cat’s Claw” (5:20) – Goodwyn, Clench
A4. “I’m on Fire for You Baby” (4:06) – Elliott

B1. “The Band Has Just Begun” (3:21) – Goodwyn, Clench
B2. “Good Fibes” (4:33) – Mercer
B3. “Just Like That” (7:16) – Goodwyn, Clench
B4. “You Could Have Been a Lady” (3:52) – Brown, Wilson

April Wine performed the set at Queen Elizabeth High School Auditorium in Halifax, where Canadian musician/soundman Gene Cornish co-produced Live! with his American ex-Rascals cohort Dino Danelli.

Aquarius lifted “I’m on Fire for You Baby” as a June 1974 single (b/w “Come on Along”), which reached No. 64 on the RPM singles chart.

Stand Back

April Wine released their fourth studio album, Stand Back, in June 1975 on Aquarius.

Stand Back gives the Goodwyn–Clench–Moffet–Mercer lineup its first studio album. Goodwyn writes most of the program, while Clench contributes “Oowatanite” and “Baby Done Got Some Soul.”

“Oowatanite” clangs from a fire-alarm cue into a tightly arranged Clench-fronted rocker. “Don’t Push Me Around” grinds through the album’s harder concert-side material. “Cum Hear the Band” saunters through a languid guitar setting and crowd-ready group answer. “Slow Poke” slurs through a studio-slowed Goodwyn voice. “Victim of Your Love” surges through heated address and scorching guitar breaks.

“I Wouldn’t Want to Lose Your Love” slows beneath restrained electric layers and a patient vocal. “Highway Hard Run” gallops out of a dark intro, then drops vocal-harmony breaks into hard guitar motion. “Tonight Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love” lifts through bright guitars and an open group phrase.

A1. “Oowatanite” (3:52) – Clench
A2. “Don’t Push Me Around” (3:14) – Goodwyn
A3. “Cum Hear the Band” (3:52) – Goodwyn
A4. “Slow Poke” (3:47) – Goodwyn
A5. “Victim for Your Love” (4:17) – Goodwyn

B1. “Baby Done Got Some Soul” (2:45) – Clench
B2. “I Wouldn’t Want to Lose Your Love” (3:12) – Goodwyn
B3. “Highway Hard Run” (4:01) – Goodwyn
B4. “Not for You, Not for Rock and Roll” (3:14) – Goodwyn
B5. “Wouldn’t Want Your Love (Any Other Way)” (2:43) – Goodwyn, Clench
B6. “Tonite Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love” (3:35) – Goodwyn

April Wine self-produced Stand Back at Tempo Studios in Montreal and Electric Lady Studios in New York, where Cornish and Danelli assisted on “I Wouldn’t Want to Lose Your Love.”

Aquarius issued “I Wouldn’t Want to Lose Your Love” as a November 1974 single (b/w “Druthers”), which reached No. 17 on the RPM singles chart. “Cum Hear the Band” followed in March 1975 (b/w “Baby Done Got Some Soul”) and reached No. 29 on the RPM singles chart.

“Oowatanite” appeared in May 1975 (b/w “Highway Hard Run”) and reached No. 11 on the RPM singles chart. “Tonite Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love” became the September 1975 single (b/w “Not for You, Not for Rock and Roll”) and reached No. 5 on the RPM singles chart.

Stand Back reached No. 21 on the RPM Albums chart.

The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy

April Wine released their fifth studio album, The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy, in 1976 on Aquarius.

The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy introduces bassist Steve Lang, who replaced Jim Clench. The Canadian LP contains nine Goodwyn titles, including co-writes with Hovaness “Johnny” Hagopian and Jim Henman, and the guest credits include guitarist Frank Marino, Ondes Martenot player Marie Bernard, and keyboardists Serge Locas, Dwayne Ford, and Frank Ludwig.

“Gimme Love” drives on a firm electric riff and compact band accents. “So Bad” bears down around Frank Marino’s guest guitar spot. “Wings of Love” floats on Ondes Martenot and backing voices. “Like a Lover, Like a Song” slows around Goodwyn’s sustained delivery, then stretches through an extended solo on the original release. “The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy” punches through a brisk electric figure.

A1. “Gimme Love” (4:00) – Goodwyn, Hagopian
A2. “So Bad” (3:26) – Goodwyn
A3. “Wings of Love” (4:51) – Goodwyn
A4. “We Can Be More Than We Are” (3:29) – Goodwyn, J. Henman
A5. “Rock n’ Roll Woman” (3:44) – Goodwyn

B1. “Shotdown” (3:39) – Goodwyn
B2. “Like a Lover, Like a Song” (6:29) – Goodwyn
B3. “Kick Willy Road” (3:22) – Goodwyn
B4. “The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy” (2:40) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn produced The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy at Tempo Studios in Montreal.

Aquarius issued “The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy” as a March 1976 single (b/w “So Bad”), which reached No. 5 on the RPM singles chart. “Gimmie Love” followed in June 1976 (b/w “We Can Be More Than We Are”) and reached No. 33 on the RPM singles chart. “Like a Lover, Like a Song” appeared in September 1976 (b/w “Goody Two-Shoes”) and reached No. 49 on the RPM singles chart.

The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy reached No. 1 on the RPM Albums chart.

Forever for Now

April Wine released their sixth studio album, Forever for Now, in January 1977 on Aquarius.

Forever for Now retains the Goodwyn–Lang–Moffet–Mercer lineup and broadens the arrangement credits with string ensemble, vibraphone, extra percussion, and multiple backing-vocal parts. The guest credits include percussionist Barry Keane and backing vocalists Judy Richards, Gail Mezo, Tony Grany, Mary Lou Gauthier, and Pam Marsh.

“You Won’t Dance With Me” sways in a 1950s-styled slow dance, with phone calls and school-dance rejection folded into the lyric. “Lovin’ You” leans into a twang-edged strum with added backing voices. “Mama Laye” taps through Barry Kean’s percussion. “Hard Times” strums through a Spanish-edged figure with Pam Marsh’s spoken part and backing voices.

A1. “Forever for Now” (3:04) – Goodwyn
A2. “Child’s Garden” (4:37) – Goodwyn
A3. “Lovin’ You” (3:33) – Goodwyn
A4. “Holly Would” (3:44) – Goodwyn
A5. “You Won’t Dance With Me” (5:10) – Goodwyn

B1. “Come Away” (3:52) – Bowser, Jupp
B2. “Mama Laye” (4:15) – Goodwyn
B3. “I’d Rather Be Strong” (4:41) – Goodwyn
B4. “Hard Times” (2:39) – Dean, Goodwyn
B5. “Marjorie” (3:44) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn produced Forever for Now at Tempo Studios with additional work at Phase One Studios in Toronto.

Aquarius issued “Forever for Now” as a 1977 single (b/w “I’d Rather Be Strong”), which reached No. 45 on the RPM singles chart. “You Won’t Dance With Me” followed in March 1977 (b/w “Holly Would”) and reached No. 6 on the RPM singles chart.

Forever for Now reached No. 5 on the RPM Albums chart.

Live at the El Mocambo

April Wine released their second live album, Live at the El Mocambo, in 1977 on Aquarius.

El Mocambo documents the Goodwyn–Lang–Moffet–Mercer lineup at the Toronto club during the March 1977 Rolling Stones engagement. The Canadian LP includes “She’s No Angel,” while the U.S. issue substitutes “You Won’t Dance With Me.”

“Oowatanite” fronts Steve Lang’s vocal inside the El Mocambo set. “She’s No Angel” adds a studio-only Goodwyn–Moffet cut.

A1. “Teenage Love” (3:36) – Segarini
A2. “Tonite Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love” (4:01) – Goodwyn
A3. “Juvenile Delinquent” (4:53) – Segarini
A4. “Don’t Push Me Around” (6:19) – Goodwyn

B1. “Oowatanite” (4:23) – Clench
B2. “Drop Your Guns” (4:22) – D. Henman
B3. “Slow Poke” (4:30) – Goodwyn
B4. “She’s No Angel” (3:25) – Goodwyn, Moffet
B5. “You Could Have Been a Lady” (3:52) – Brown, Wilson

April Wine recorded Live at the El Mocambo on March 4 and March 5, 1977, at the El Mocambo in Toronto with producer–engineer Eddie Kramer. Goodwyn produced “She’s No Angel,” and George Marino mastered the album at Sterling Sound.

Live at the El Mocambo appeared in a sleeve designed and illustrated by Bob Lemm.

Aquarius issued “She’s No Angel” as a September 1977 single (b/w “Gimme Love”).

First Glance

April Wine released their seventh studio album, First Glance, in March 1978 on Aquarius.

First Glance expands April Wine to a five-piece with guitarist–vocalist Brian Greenway. The Canadian LP opens with “Hot on the Wheels of Love,” while the U.S. and U.K. issues place “Get Ready for Love” first.

“Hot on the Wheels of Love” pounds through a blunt riff and Goodwyn’s forceful delivery. “Get Ready for Love” drives the three-guitar lineup through tight electric accents. “Right Down to It” works Greenway’s gruffer voice into the same harder setting. “Roller” grinds through a three-guitar figure and a full-length solo.

“Comin’ Right Down on Top of Me” starts with piano and voice before the band cuts in. “I’m Alive” punches through upbeat band accents. “Silver Dollar” slows around a darker story-song shape and extended guitar work.

A1. “Hot on the Wheels of Love” (3:14) – Goodwyn, Lang
A2. “Get Ready for Love” (4:25) – Goodwyn
A3. “Rock n’ Roll Is a Vicious Game” (3:10) – Goodwyn
A4. “Right Down to It” (3:03) – Greenway
A5. “Roller” (4:19) – Goodwyn

B1. “Comin’ Right Down on Top of Me” (4:10) – Goodwyn
B2. “I’m Alive” (2:55) – Goodwyn
B3. “Let Yourself Go” (2:56) – Goodwyn
B4. “Silver Dollar” (5:14) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn produced First Glance at Tempo Studios and Le Studio in the ski-resort town pastures of Morin-Heights, Québec, also used for recent projects by Pilot and Starcastle.

Aquarius issued “Rock n’ Roll Is a Vicious Game” as a 1977 single (b/w “I’m Alive”), which reached No. 27 on the RPM singles chart. “Comin’ Right Down on Top of Me” followed in 1978 (b/w “Get Ready for Love”) and reached No. 46 on the RPM singles chart.

“Roller” became the album’s main crossover single (b/w “Right Down to It”) and reached No. 24 on the RPM singles chart and No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Get Ready for Love” reappeared in July 1979 (b/w “Silver Dollar”) and reached No. 79 on the RPM singles chart.

First Glance reached No. 62 on the RPM Albums chart and No. 114 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Harder…Faster

April Wine released their eighth studio album, Harder…Faster, in October 1979 on Aquarius.

Harder…Faster retains the five-piece lineup from First Glance. Goodwyn writes six titles, Greenway contributes “Before the Dawn,” and the band covers the King Crimson epic “21st Century Schizoid Man.”

“I Like to Rock” charges out of a fuzzed guitar-bass intro and folds “Day Tripper” and “Satisfaction” figures into the ending. “Say Hello” settles into a mid-tempo track with bright backing parts. “Tonite” starts acoustically, then shifts into full riffing. “Ladies Man” bears down on slide guitar and clenched riff work.

“Before the Dawn” rises through Greenway’s voice, broad riffing, and paired harmonies. “Babes in Arms” carries a repeating riff and group-chant turn. “Better Do It Well” roughens the set with a blunt repeating riff. “21st Century Schizoid Man” recasts the Crimson King classic piece with a note-precise, guitar-heavy arrangement.

A1. “I Like to Rock” (4:23) – Goodwyn
A2. “Say Hello” (2:59) – Goodwyn
A3. “Tonite” (4:12) – Goodwyn
A4. “Ladies Man” (3:36) – Goodwyn

B1. “Before the Dawn” (4:21) – Greenway
B2. “Babes in Arms” (3:21) – Goodwyn
B3. “Better Do It Well” (3:34) – Goodwyn, Moffet
B4. “21st Century Schizoid Man” (6:24) – Fripp, Giles, Lake, McDonald, Sinfield

Myles Goodwyn co-produced Harder…Faster at Le Studio with Nick Blagona.

Aquarius issued “I Like to Rock” as a 1979 single (b/w “Babes in Arms”), which reached No. 75 on the RPM singles chart, No. 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and No. 41 on the UK Singles Chart. “Tonite” followed in 1979 (b/w “Ladies Man”). “Say Hello” appeared in December 1979 (b/w “Before the Dawn”) and reached No. 34 on the RPM singles chart.

Harder…Faster reached No. 25 on the RPM Albums chart, No. 64 on the Billboard 200 chart, and No. 34 on the UK Albums Chart.

The Nature of the Beast

April Wine released their ninth studio album, The Nature of the Beast, in January 1981 on Aquarius.

The Nature of the Beast pairs the five-piece lineup with producer Mike Stone. Goodwyn wrote ten of the eleven titles, and the album includes a cover of Lorence Hud (“Sign of the Gypsy Queen”).

“All Over Town” lurches from a lopsided opening riff into a steadier band pattern. “Tellin’ Me Lies” shakes through a firm lower end and sing-along phrase. “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” threads paired guitar harmonies through Lorence Hud’s warning-song frame. “Just Between You and Me” slows around guitar breaks between romantic vocal passages and a central solo. “Wanna Rock” stomps through a compact old-style charge. “Caught in the Crossfire” sparks from a pointed intro figure.

“Future Tense” tears from a fast opening, then settles into heavier mid-song drive. “Big City Girls” cooks at uptempo barroom pace. “Crash and Burn” rips through the album’s fastest hard cut. “Bad Boys” barrels through a firm riff pattern. “One More Time” closes with uptempo barroom charge.

A1. “All Over Town” (3:00) – Goodwyn
A2. “Tellin’ Me Lies” (2:59) – Goodwyn
A3. “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” (4:16) – Hud
A4. “Just Between You and Me” (3:54) – Goodwyn
A5. “Wanna Rock” (2:06) – Goodwyn
A6. “Caught in the Crossfire” (3:33) – Goodwyn

B1. “Future Tense” (4:07) – Goodwyn
B2. “Big City Girls” (3:42) – Goodwyn
B3. “Crash and Burn” (2:31) – Goodwyn
B4. “Bad Boys” (3:10) – Goodwyn
B5. “One More Time” (3:55) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn co-produced The Nature of the Beast at Le Manoir in Shipton-on-Cherwell, Oxfordshire, with Mike Stone.

Aquarius issued “Just Between You and Me” as a 1981 single (b/w “Big City Girls”), which reached No. 22 on the RPM singles chart and No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The sound-stage video became a first-year staple of MTV.

“Sign of the Gypsy Queen” followed in 1981 (b/w “Crash and Burn”) and reached No. 40 on the RPM singles chart and No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “All Over Town” reached No. 29 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

The Nature of the Beast reached No. 11 on the RPM Albums chart, No. 26 on the Billboard 200 chart, and No. 48 on the UK Albums Chart.

Power Play

April Wine released their tenth studio album, Power Play, in 1982 on Aquarius.

Power Play retains the Goodwyn–Greenway–Moffet–Lang–Mercer lineup and the Goodwyn–Stone production team. The program includes covers of The Beatles (“Tell Me Why”) and Tom Lavin (“Doin’ It Right”).

“Anything You Want, You Got It” drives a mid-paced rocker around hard guitar strokes. “Enough Is Enough” pounds through echoed voices and compact harmony parts. “If You See Kay” steadies the pace around chorus voices. “What If We Fall in Love” softens into a slower romantic pop setting.

“Doin’ It Right” halts midway for an a cappella vocal break. “Tell Me Why” slows the Beatles song into a drawn-out cover. “Runners in the Night” burns through riffs, fills, and a slow rhythmic pull.

A1. “Anything You Want, You Got It” (4:45) – Goodwyn
A2. “Enough Is Enough” (4:04) – Goodwyn
A3. “If You See Kay” (3:51) – Freeland
A4. “What if We Fall in Love” (4:22) – Goodwyn
A5. “Waiting on a Miracle” (4:06) – Goodwyn

B1. “Doin’ It Right” (3:43) – Lavin
B2. “Ain’t Got Your Love” (4:31) – Goodwyn
B3. “Blood Money” (5:22) – Goodwyn
B4. “Tell Me Why” (3:16) – Lennon, McCartney
B5. “Runners in the Night” (5:15) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn co-produced Power Play with Mike Stone at Le Studio.

Aquarius issued “Enough Is Enough” as a 1982 single (b/w “Ain’t Got Your Love”), which reached No. 12 on the RPM singles chart and No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Tell Me Why” followed in October 1982 (b/w “If You See Kay”) and reached No. 46 on the RPM singles chart. “What if We Fall in Love” appeared in January 1983 (b/w “Waiting on a Miracle”).

Power Play reached No. 14 on the RPM Albums chart and No. 37 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Animal Grace

April Wine released their eleventh studio album, Animal Grace, in February 1984 on Aquarius.

Animal Grace retains the five-piece lineup and adds drummer Marty Simon on Simmons drums and keyboardist Daniel Barbe. Goodwyn writes eight titles, while Tom Lang contributes “Hard Rock Kid.”

“This Could Be the Right One” briskens the slow-song frame with a cynical lyric edge. “Money Talks” jerks through a broken eighties rhythm figure. The remaining tracks lack enough concrete source detail for safe MST prose.

A1. “This Could Be the Right One” (4:16) – Goodwyn
A2. “Sons of the Pioneers” (5:35) – Goodwyn
A3. “Without Your Love” (4:52) – Goodwyn
A4. “Rock Tonite” (4:59) – Goodwyn

B1. “Hard Rock Kid” (3:57) – T. Lang
B2. “Money Talks” (3:28) – Goodwyn
B3. “Gimme That Thing Called Love” (5:03) – Goodwyn
B4. “Too Hot to Handle” (5:04) – Goodwyn
B5. “Last Time I’ll Ever Sing the Blues” (4:49) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn co-produced Animal Grace with Mike Stone at Le Studio.

Aquarius issued “This Could Be the Right One” as a 1984 single (b/w “I Really Don’t Want Your Love”), which reached No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. “Sons of the Pioneers” followed as a May 1984 promo single.

Animal Grace reached No. 34 on the RPM Albums chart and No. 62 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Walking Through Fire

April Wine released their twelfth studio album, Walking Through Fire, in 1985 on Aquarius.

Walking Through Fire retains Goodwyn and Greenway from the prior touring lineup and adds bassist Jean Pellerin, keyboardist Daniel Barbe, and drummer Marty Simon. The album contains five Goodwyn titles beside songs by Kimberley Rew and Vince de la Cruz, Jeff Cannata and Michael Soldan, Eddie Schwartz, and Jim Vallance.

“Wanted Dead or Alive” lifts around a broad chorus. “Love Has Remembered Me” slows into Goodwyn’s late-period ballad form. “Open Soul Surgery” hammers through the album’s hardest cover. “Hold On” rises around its chorus. “All It Will Ever Be” hardens the verses, then brightens into a major-key chorus. “Wait Any More” settles into a light major-key finish.

A1. “Rock Myself to Sleep” (3:16) – Rew, de la Cruz
A2. “Wanted Dead or Alive” (3:30) – Cannata, Soldan
A3. “Beg for Your Love” (3:36) – Schwartz
A4. “Love Has Remembered Me” (4:07) – Goodwyn
A5. “Anejo” (5:01) – Goodwyn

B1. “Open Soul Surgery” (3:41) – Vallance
B2. “You Don’t Have to Act That Way” (4:53) – Goodwyn
B3. “Hold On” (3:48) – Goodwyn
B4. “All It Will Ever Be” (4:39) – Goodwyn
B5. “Wait Any More” (4:22) – Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn co-produced Walking Through Fire with Lance Quinn.

Aquarius issued “Rock Myself to Sleep” as a single (b/w “All It Will Ever Be”). “Love Has Remembered Me” reached No. 89 on the RPM singles chart. Walking Through Fire reached No. 174 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Discography: