Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

This Canadian band is the brainchild of Paul Janz and his brothers Danny and Ken who recorded three previous albums to this one before relocating to Germany, gathering new musicians and changing musical direction for this. Recorded in 1979, by the time they played Greenbelt '80, they had recruited Brits Neil Costello on guitar and Les Moir on bass. Their performance at Greenbelt was one of the finest I've seen there and made me rush out and buy this album. Musically this combines elements of rock and jazz and as unlikely as it sounds, vocal melodies that owe more to the Bee Gees than anyone else. Yet it works! From the brooding epic "Can You Survive" to the bluesy "Farewell" and the rocky "Backseat Rider", there is certainly a huge diversity on the album. Highlights include the rocky clout of "Foolish Hearts" which always brings back memories of Costello riding his Flying V guitar at Greenbelt. Then there's "Leaving L.A.", the pop single that was a radio hit in the autumn of 1980. This is quality music and the band could easily have made it if they hadn't been strangled by a bad record deal which their lawyers advised them to quit. The album was built around the songwriting of Paul Janz who went on to a successful solo career back in Canada. Meanwhile the Janz Team continue to work in ministry in Europe and elsewhere and Danny Janz was last spotted producing Danny Plett. 'Tightrope' remains as an indication of what might have been, a little known classic that deserves more attention.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.