RICK CUA: You're My Road (remastered) CD

• FIRST TIME ON CD!!!
• High-Quality Expanded 8 Page Booklet with photos and lyrics
• Jewel Case CD
• 2022 Girder Records, GR1122
• Originally Release in 1985
• Legends of Rock™ Edition
• Release Date: March 11, 2022
• UPC: 763416070042

ABOUT THE RELEASES

Rick Cua was a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary Christian music recording 11 solo albums. An Italian American sporting a cool leather jacket, Cua was the bass player for the successful southern rock band The Outlaws.  Rick Cua's first 4 albums were and still are among the top classic AOR albums to come out of the widely successful Christian Rock scene however the first 3 have never been on CD until NOW.   

Koo'-ah (1982), No Mystery (1983), You're My Road (1985) and Wear Your Colors (1986), have been completely remastered in these officially licensed, limited edition Legends of Rock™ CD pressings with expanded 8 page booklets, collectors trading cards (in 2 of them) and restored original covers.  Rick was also heavily involved in the process and was kind enough to provide insights and reflections on each release.  

YOU'RE MY ROAD

This is Rick’s first album on Sparrow Records, featuring a pristine polished sound. Bob Halligan Jr, who contributed songs to such legends as Judas Priest, Kiss, Helix, Icon, and Kix, sits in the producer seat. The production is top notch, maybe even flawless. Background vocals are expressive without sounding over-powering. The guitars are given equal distribution with the keys. Overall, the song craft is punchy and inspired. 

A few of the significant players include drummer Mike Mead and guitarist Peter York, who played with Second Chapter of Acts and later Phil Keaggy. Additionally, Rob Frazier, who released his notable debut album a year prior, added background vocals. 

The opener is the Southern rock Don’t Say Suicide, co-written by Rick Cua’s wife. Being parents of two teenage daughters at the time, Rick felt compelled to address the issue. The song has received befitting feedback over the years.

Other stand-out tracks are the fast-paced You’ve Only Got One Life, House Calls, featuring great sounding electronic drums, and yacht-rock sounding Runaway, which has some fine saxophone soloing. The Old Man picks up the tempo a few notches with catchy cleverness: “You’re not going to see the old man, I want to make it clear, I’m not going to be the old man, I drove him out of here.”  What a great way of expressing the truth that we are not the same as who we once were.

If you are a fan of John Elefante, Bryan Duncan or Phil Keaggy, you will likely enjoy this album.—Doug Peterson, Down The Line zine