posted by albums-update
Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve (also known as HSAS) was a supergroup band featuring lead vocalist Sammy Hagar, lead guitarist Neal Schon, bassist Kenny Aaronson and drummer Michael Shrieve. The group reportedly rehearsed for less than a month before playing in concert.
They released a semi-live album, recorded during two live performances at The Warfield in San Francisco, entitled Through the Fire.
Through the Fire was their first and only studio album, also known as HSAS. The album was recorded live with guitar overdubs added later. The only single, a cover of Procol Harum‘s “Whiter Shade of Pale“, reached No. 94 at the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Journey axeman Neal Schon satisfies his yearning for a four-piece Van Halen/Montrose environment through meat-and-potatoes metalhead Sammy Hagar on this heavily doctored live document, the creatively titled Through the Fire. Journeyman Aaronson, who looks cool and played bass on tour with Billy Idol, gives some new wave credence to this quartet, in image only. Like Schon, drummer Shrieve also boasts Santana roots.
Most importantly, each member held the same management. Of course, Through the Fire is by-the-numbers, not in a league with Hagar’s peak on the landmark Montrose, but as enjoyable as his solo ’80s work.
HSAS approaches each cut as an epic, and some fat could be cut from each, but Bay-Area brothers Hagar and Schon wisely use the opportunity to stretch their considerable AOR muscles. Hagar’s always dubious lyrics try the patience at times: Who or what is “Giza”?
Is “He Will Understand” feminist? But radio song “Missing You” captures sizzling prime Schon, and hot-clockin’ dinosaur juggernaut “My Home Town” lumbers like an extinct GFR/BTO/FM staple.
Side one
1. Top of the Rock – 4:21
2. Missing You – 4:28
3. Animation – 4:55
4. Valley of the Kings – 3:30
5. Giza – 1:22
Side two
1. Whiter Shade of Pale – 4:49 (Procol Harum cover)
2. Hot and Dirty – 4:19
3. He Will Understand – 4:49
4. My Home Town – 4:06
All songs by Sammy Hagar and Neal Schon, except “Whiter Shade of Pale” by Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid
Personnel
- Sammy Hagar – lead vocals, producer
- Neal Schon – lead guitar, producer
- Kenny Aaronson – bass
- Michael Shrieve – drums
Production
- Don Smith – engineer, mixing
- Greg Ladanyi – mixing
- Doug Sax, Mike Reese – mastering
Notes
Released: March 1984
Recorded: 9–21 November 1983, December 1983 Studio Westwood Mobile, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California
Genre: Hard rock, glam metal
Length: 36:39
Label – Geffen Records
Record-facts... 