Brian McDonald Group

Origin: Minnesota (USA)

BRIAN McDONALD GROUP

D. W. Adams - Brian McDonald - Andrew G. Wilkins - "Still" Will Hodges

Discography:

Desperate business - 1987

Notes:

- The Brian McDonald Group was a prominent American melodic hard rock and AOR (Album Oriented Rock) project formed in New York in 1987. Conceived as the creative vehicle for talented singer, keyboardist, and songwriter Brian McDonald, the band became a cult act thanks to its sophisticated blend of rock energy, complex vocal harmonies, and classical music influences.

Origins and Sessions at American Artists Studios (1986-1987)

In the mid-1980s, Brian McDonald began shaping his compositions. Instead of following the mainstream American glam metal trends of the era, McDonald sought a distinctive melodic approach. Recording sessions took place at American Artists Studios in New York, a facility where talented musicians on the session circuit regularly collaborated on diverse projects.

For the studio sessions, McDonald enlisted legendary producer Beau Hill (Ratt, Warrant) and audio engineer Stephen Benben. Although the band established an official lineup for rehearsals and live shows consisting of "Still" Will Hodges (guitar), Andrew G. Wilkins (bass), and D.W. Adams (drums), the album's recording was driven by top-tier session musicians.

Among them, the young guitarist Reb Beach (before achieving worldwide stardom with Winger) stood out in a very special way, as his genius defined the solos and rhythm tracks for nearly the entire LP. The sessions also featured drum programming by David Rosenberg, guitar solo and backing vocals by Joe Hunt on "Highway Desire," and backing vocals by singer Fiona Flanagan on "These Are the Good Times."

The Release of Desperate Business (1987)

In 1987, the multinational label Columbia Records released the band's debut album under the title Desperate Business (catalog number BFC 40582), featuring original mastering by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. The record delivered a clean, polished production of ten tracks that perfectly balanced synthesizers and electric guitars, highlighting radio-friendly singles such as "This Lonely Heart," "Rockin' with the Boys," and the title track itself.

Despite radio support and the high caliber of its songwriting, a saturated pop-metal market and the lack of a major promotional tour prevented the album from achieving massive chart success, leading to the project's dissolution shortly thereafter.

Rediscovery and Cult Status (2010)

Following the end of the group, Brian McDonald remained active by writing songs for other artists and releasing solo albums (Wind It Up in 2000 and Voyage in 2003). Over the decades, Desperate Business turned into a highly sought-after collector's item and a staple of '80s melodic rock.

This cult status prompted the German record label Yesterrock, in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment Germany, to rescue the catalog in 2010 to launch a meticulous remastered CD reissue for the European market (catalog number A 52294). This version, mastered by Cliff Maag at The Record Lab and featuring retrospective liner notes written by Brian McDonald himself, allowed fans to rediscover the technical quality of one of American AOR's brightest hidden gems. -