MARK FREE: Long Way from Home 2CD (Double CD, 27 songs). Reissued w. Extra Live + studio tracks. King Kobra singer

5.0 out of 5 stars "Long way from love" establishes Mark Free as THE voice of AOR !,
"Long Way From Love" is the debut solo album by hard rock/AOR singer Mark Free originally released in 1993 and his last release before his controversial sex change. Having fronted a number of hard rock/glam metal bands such as "King Kobra", "Signal" and "Unruly Child", Mark takes a considerable musical turn with his debut album as "Long way from love" is a strictly AOR album; and while lacking the instrumental attack of his previous works, this debut is filled with powerful performances and strong songwriting while possibly standing as Free's best ever vocal performance.

The album is big on AOR rhythms, keyboard parts and impressive lead guitar while the emphasis is clearly on the choruses where Mark's performance is monumental. The list of top AOR moments one is offered here is impressive: "Stranger among us", "The last time", "Hard heart to break", "State of love" and "look love in the eyes" all incredible material with lyrics and melodies so genuine that `itch' the listener to come back and play the album time and time again.
One also has to mention that there is no stable line up on this album, in fact the instruments are performed by a large cast of musicians while also having been produced individually.

"Long way from love" is indeed a highlight in Mark Free's career, although considerably softer, or one could say more mature than his previous works. In addition, a valiant move from the singer's part to release such an album at a time when the popularity of the melodic rock genres were brutally declining. A must for any fan of fiery AOR especially for fans of "King Kobra", "Signal" and "Unruly Child".

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5.0 out of 5 stars
Mark Free's first solo cd released in 1993. This cd is hard to find but worth the price if you can find it. Armed with great musicians he delivers another AOR masterpiece. Song highlights include: Hard Heart To Break, Someday You'll Come Running & The Last Time.

Personnel
Mark Free lead and backing vocals
Paul Lewolt guitar, bass
Tomie Reeves keyboard, bass, drum programming
Diana Dewitt backing vocals
Terence Elliot guitar
Tim Godwin guitar
Pierre Gauthier guitar
Claude Gaudette keyboards
Robin Randall keyboards
Sylan Boulduc bass
Roger Larocque drums
Tony Sciuto guitar
Steve Hopkins keyboard, bass, drum programming
Joan Stone backing vocals
Dirk Price guitar
Troy Dexter guitar
Paul Markovich keyboards
Joel Hamilton bass
Danny Jacob guitar
Erik Scott bass, drum programming

Tracks

Disc 1 Total Running Time: 51:19
1. Someday You'll Come Running 4:18 Cover: Signal
2. Stranger Among Us 5:18
3. Coming Back For More 4:38
4. The Last Time 4:42
5. Hard Heart to Break 4:20
6. High Life 4:48
7. State of Love 3:59
8. Slow Down the Night 4:35
9. Look Love in the Eyes 4:47
10. Never Be a Next Time 4:23
11. Long Way From Love 5:31

Disc 2 Total Running Time: 69:19
Second disc is from the 5th Anniversary Reissue.
....Live tracks recorded @ The Gods of A.O.R in 1993...
12. Someday You'll Come Running live 4:21
13. State of Love live 4:37
14. Stranger Among Us live 4:48
15. The Last Time live 3:55
16. Coming Back for More live 4:41
17. Liar live 3:40
18. Wake Up You Little Fool live 4:06
19. Only the Strong Will Survive live 4:54
20. Who Cries Now live 3:37
21. Iron Eagle (Never Say Die) live 3:51
...............STUDIO TRACKS.........................
22. In It for the Long Run 4:05
23. What Happened to Love 4:47
24. Never Could Call It Love 5:00
25. Smoke and Mirrors 5:17
26. Dyin' for Your Love 3:52
27. State of Love duet with Diana Dewitt 3:48

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5.0 out of 5 stars Best AOR Can Provide,
Mark Free's Long Way From Love is an absolute masterpiece released in 1992. Mark Free is known as a legendary King Kobra vocalist who also made another rock masterpiece Loud and Clear when he was with Signal in 1989.
The album shows Starship or Heart styled excellent pop rock. My favorite is Hard Heart To Break remnicent a bit of Starship's It's Not Enough. Only lucky Starship, Survivor, Two Fires, Heart and Hugo fans may get this rare CD. Act it quick!