Sunday, October 06, 2013
German Southern Rocker Georg Bayer was born in 1954 and started his career as the singer for a brass-rock band, Wolkowoj, performing songs in a style similar to Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears, releasing an LP "War Fever" and touring in support of Lake, Kraan, and Eric Burdon. In 1986, Georg started the German Southern Rock band Lizard which lasted until 1992, during which the LP "Rock N' Roll Refugees" was released.
By 1992, things weren't going all that well with Lizard so Georg fulfilled his contractual obligations by recording a project under the name of Borderline, with a lot of guest musicians. Amongst them were former Whitesnake guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden; Doc Holliday members Bruce Brookshire, Daniel "Bud" Ford, Danny "Cadillac" Lastinger and John Samuelson, and Jeff Carlisi (38 Special) and Rob Walker (Stillwater). So it is a bit of a star-studded affair.
This album, "Line Up", is the result; and it is a very good melodic rocker with more than just a twist of Southern Rock influences. The style is a bit like Doc Holliday, or a cross between Atlanta Rhythm section-smooth and 38 Special-rockin'. The album was originally released in 1994 with 10 tracks and different artwork and was followed by this 1995 Long Island Records version featuring four extra tracks and digital remastering. Both versions are out of print.
In 1995, Georg Bayer reconstituted Lizard with a new lineup and enjoyed much success with the band until his passing on February 20, 2009.
