Sneaker
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1973-82) - Michael Cottage -- bass - Mitch Crane -- vocals, guitar - Mike Hughes -- drums, vocals, piano - Jim King -- synthesizer, piano, acoustic bass - Michael Carey Schneider -- vocals, keyboards - Tim Torrance -- guitar
supporting musicians (1977) - Jeff Baxter -- guitar - Paulette Brown -- backing vocals - David Foster -- synttesizers - Ed Greene -- drums - Cleopatra Kennedy -- backing vocals - Bobby LaKind -- percussion - Sherlie Matthews -- backing vocals - Lon Price -- sax - John Raymond -- bass - David Woodford -- sax
supporting musicians: - Jeffrey Baxter -- guitar - Paulinho Da Costa -- percussion
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Genre: yacht rock Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Sneaker Company: Handshake Catalog: FW
37631 Country/State: Los Angeles, California Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $15.00
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Sneaker was formed in Los Angeles in 1973 with Mitch Crane, lead vocals, Michael Carey Schneider, lead vocals, Tim Torrance, guitar, Jim King, keyboards, Michael Cottage, bass and Mike Hughes, drums.
"Sneaker" track listing: 1.) Don't Let Me In (Walter Becker - Donald Fagen) - 3:45 2.) More Than Just the Two of Us (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 4:20 3.) One by One (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 2:45 4.) Jaymes (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 3:42 5.) In Time (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 4:40
(side 2) 1.) Get Up, Get Out (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 3:33 2.) Looking for Someone Like You (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane - Michael Cottage) - 4:08 3.) Millionaire (Michael Carey Schneider)- 4:20 4.) No More Lonely Days (Jim King - Mitch Crane) - 5:05
“The Lost Boys: Hard-To-Find ’80s Albums” gives you exactly what the title implies: a rare or out-of-print album from the ’80s in its entirety. Some will be from CD, but most will have been lovingly transferred from pristine vinyl culled directly from the Analog Kid’s vast collection. Whatever album I choose, it will be one that you can’t easily find a physical copy for sale on Amazon or in your local record store (if you even have one anymore). Death…by stereo!
SneakerBand Time may have (mostly) forgotten Sneaker’s “More Than Just The Two Of Us,” but the Analog Kid certainly hasn’t. If you were a teenager in the early ’80s, chances are very high that you will remember it as well. “More Than Just The Two Of Us” only reached #34 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it was a staple on classic rock radio (and at high school dances) all across the United States. It was one of “those” songs– and by “those,” I mean a song that was guaranteed to fill the dance floor with slow-dancing (and slow-groping) couples. “Open Arms” and “Keep On Loving You” may have been the leaders in the clubhouse for best rock ballad of 1981, but “More Than Just The Two Of Us” was definitely in contention during the final round. Sneaker’s first album was produced by Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and you can hear the Steely Dan/Doobies influence all over the record. If “Don’t Let Me In” sounds like a great lost Steely Dan song, that’s because it is– the track was written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and Baxter contributed his signature guitar to the song. Despite the moderate success of “More Than Just The Two Of Us,” Sneaker only made one more album before disbanding in 1983. I’m still looking for their second album on vinyl, and I promise you that I will feature it here on the Analog Kid blog when I locate a copy. Until then, I hope you enjoy listening to one of the most underrated West Coast/soft rock/pop rock albums of all time: Sneaker! reat band from the 80´s… The band Sneaker was formed in Los Angeles in 1973 and would probably not be remembered at all aside from their status as one-hit wonders and their association with Doobie Brother/Steely Dan guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. Featuring dual lead vocalists Mitch Crane and Michael Carey Schneider, guitarist Tim Torrance, keyboardist Jim King, bass player Michael Cottage, and drummer Mike Hughes, they were signed to Handshake Records, releasing a self-titled collection of soft pop in 1981. In addition to Baxter’s involvement, David Foster and noted session player Paulinho da Costa also contributed. Their one shot at glory came in the form of the airy ballad “More Than Just the Two of Us,” which reached number 34 on the charts in early 1982. As a follow-up, Sneaker released a version of a Walter Becker/Donald Fagen composition “Don’t Let Me In” and, once it fell off the charts after a mere five weeks, the band would not chart again. The group released another album, Loose in the World, during 1982, but for Sneaker, the proverbial 15 minutes of fame had expired. Discography The Unreleased Demos Private Planet 2011 Tracks: Cinderella, Keri, Head Jazz, Loose in The World (Version 1), Loose in The World (Version 2), If You Should Want Me, Just For You, Without Your Love, Easy With Your Love, Lazy Lady, All or None, Then it Came, Looking For Someone Like You, Did You Order One & Don't Let Me In. Musicians on the Unreleased Demos album: Sneaker and others. Live - Footprints In Japan Cool Sound Records 2003 Tracks: Get Up Get Out, Voices, Jaymes, More Than Just The Two Of Us, Did You Order One, Before You, Never Get Over You, Pour It Out, I Can't Imagine, MC (introducing the band members), Don't Let Me In, Believe Me Tonight, Looking For Someone Like You & In Time. Musicians on the Live - Footprints In Japan album: Michael Carey Schneider, Mitch Crane, Tim Torrance, Michael Cottage, Mike Hughes, Jim King & Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. Sneaker Cool Sound Records 2003 Tracks: Don´t Let Me In, More Than Just The Two Of Us, One By One, Jaymes, In Time, Get Up Get Out, Looking For Someone Like You, Millionaire, No More Lonely Days, More Than Just The Two Of Us (demoversion), Don´t Let Me In (demoversion), Easy With Your Love & Lazy Lady. Musicians on the Sneaker album: Tim Torrance, Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Mike Hughes, Michael Cottage, Jim King, Ed Green, John Raymond, David Foster, Lon Price, Bobby LaKind, David Wood, Sherlie Mathews, Paulette Brown, Cleopatra Kennedy, Paulinho Da Costa, Jeffrey Baxter & Jimmy Haskell. Early On Cool Sound Records 2001 Tracks: Cinderella, Keri, Looking For Someone Like You, Head Jazz, Loose In The World, If You Should Want Me, If You Should Want Me, One By One. Just For You, Millionaire, Did You Order One & Without Your Love. Musicians on the Loose In The World album: Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Mike Hughes, Michael Cottage, Jim King and others. Loose In The World Dyna Music 1998 Tracks: Believe Me Tonight, Quit Crying, Before You, Voices, Never Get Over You, Where You Gonna Run, Pour It Out, Someone To Blame It On, Did You Order One & Nothing From You. Musicians on the Loose In The World album: Tim Torrance, Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Mike Hughes, Michael Cottage, Jim King, Jeffrey Baxter & Paulinho Da Costa. Loose In The World Cool Sound Records 1998 Tracks: Believe Me Tonight, Quit Crying, Before You, The Fight ~ Voices, Never Get Over You, Where You Gonna Run, Pour It Out, Someone To Blame It On, Did You Order One, Nothing From You, I Can't Imagine (Bonus Track previously released only on Japanese LP Record), All Or None (Bonus Track previously unreleased), Loose In The World (Bonus Track previously unreleased) & Then It Came (Bonus Track previously unreleased - Sneaker Demo 1980). Musicians on the Loose In The World album: Tim Torrance, Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Mike Hughes, Michael Cottage, Jim King, Jeffrey Baxter & Paulinho Da Costa. Loose In The World Handshake Records 1982 Tracks: Believe Me Tonight, Quit Crying, Before You, The Fight ~ Voices, Never Get Over You, Where You Gonna Run, Pour It Out, Someone To Blame It On, Did You Order One & Nothing From You. Musicians on the Loose In The World album: Tim Torrance, Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Mike Hughes, Michael Cottage, Jim King, Jeffrey Baxter & Paulinho Da Costa. Sneaker Handshake Records 1981 Tracks: Don´t Let Me In, More Than Just The Two Of Us, One By One, Jaymes, In Time, Get Up Get Out, Looking For Someone Like You, Millionaire & No More Lonely Days. Musicians on the Sneaker album: Tim Torrance, Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Mike Hughes, Michael Cottage, Jim King, Ed Green, John Raymond, David Foster, Lon Price, Bobby LaKind, David Wood, Sherlie Mathews, Paulette Brown, Cleopatra Kennedy, Paulinho Da Costa, Jeffrey Baxter & Jimmy Haskell. hey all u jazz n blues infusion fans this album is for u. most of you know the song more than just the two of u... The rest of this album is a very pleasurable mix of jazz fusion and pop rock very good to mellow out with after a long day and a good smooth romantic mood if you got that special one next to u. I enjoyed this album very much and I am a melodic heavy kinda rock guy. 5 people found this helpful Helpful Report abuse ringo ramos 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015 Verified Purchase very good!!! aaa! One person found this helpful Helpful Report abuse Reviews No More 5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Every Penny of the Import Price. Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2005 I've been listening to this Sneaker album on vinyl since I got it in 1981, and am so pleased to own this Japanese import after nearly 25 years. So nostalgic, too, is the fact that it comes in a miniature cardboard case that mimicks the original full sized LP jacket, complete with a sleeve that we used to shove our vinyl into to protect it. The original LP, however, didn't include lyrics, a jacket foldout interview with Mitch Crane and Michael Carey Schneider about the inspirations for the songs, or 4 bonus tracks. Do you remember their first hit "Don't Let Me In?" It was a Steely Dan song Becker and Fagen never recorded themselves, but this band had modest success with it back in the day. On this song's heels quickly follows their second hit, and a modest staple of FM adult contemporary pop called "More Than Just the Two of Us." While this lovely arrangement, rich in harmony and warm keyboards sounds like it would make a great wedding song, it's actually about a pending divorce for Mitch Crane, which was surprising to discover. Other highlights on this album include: "Jaymes," a rich and well-produced track with a sweet jazzy saxophone that was written for Jaymes Foster, uber producer and composer David's sister. "Get Up, Get Out": Savvy light fusion track that has a hell of an instrumental break and the great line, "You'd trip the dancer for a chance to be inside her shoes." "Looking for Someone Like You": A song that's been near and dear to my heart since I first bought this album. You will notice (also admitted by Michael Carey Schneider) a similarity in the piano and melody line of this song to something off Joni Mitchell's Blue album, including references to gardens and the sea. This song is so breathtaking and haunting that you will come back to it over and over against your will! "No More Lonely Days:" Luscious keyboards and slow bass groove that are extremely resemblant of the title track to Steely Dan's Aja masterpiece as much as Ambrosia's darker early tunes, it is quite obvious that most of their musical influences lie there and in Michael McDonald era Doobie Brothers. The demo version of "More Than Just the Two of US" is almost better than the finished product of track two, but you definitely will appreciate the full circle outcome of "Don't Let Me In" after hearing the bonus offering. "Easy with Your Love" is the rockin'est thing on here and, recorded in a living room, also the most dated sounding thing. "Lazy Lady" is charming and is an attempt to do a song in the style of McCartney's first solo album--the one with the cherries on the cover--and it succeeds to some degree, but the keyboards are far more prominent than Macca would have done at that time. It's a cute, sweet song however, and a breather from all the gloss of Jeffrey Baxter's nearly immaculate production. If you like bands like Steely Dan, the Doobies, Ambrosia, and Player you will be more than pleased with Sneaker's debut album. I also recommend their second and final studio offering, Loose in the World, which is just as worthy if not better than this one. Read more 22 people found this helpful Helpful Report abuse Nor Olegnad 5.0 out of 5 stars Should have been famous Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2007 I only bought this for the nostalgia of "More than Just the Two of Us", which I remembered from high school dances. That and the Climax Blues Band's I Love You made some great memories for me. So I ordered this CD 25 years later, and I really love the music. It is almost a crime this band didn't become as big as Toto and others. I mention them because a casual listen will conjure names such as Toto, as well as Steely Dan, Gino Vanelli, Supertramp, Kenny Loggins, in other words, some of the best of the late 70's/early 80's songwriting. The playing is precise, the vocals are in-tune, and the production is slick without being overly sterile. The music is also easy on the ears without being simpleton and dumbed-down. This may be one album that could give you nostalgic feelings for music you never heard. 11 people found this helpful Sneaker was a West Coast American rock band, active from 1973 to 1983. The band is best known for its Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hit single, "More Than Just the Two of Us", from its first album, Sneaker (1981).[1] They also had a minor hit with "Don't Let Me In", a song written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker from Steely Dan. Sneaker was composed of Tim Torrance on guitars, Mitch Crane on vocals and guitars, Michael Carey Schneider on vocals and keyboards, Mike Hughes on drums, Michael Cottage on bass guitar, and Jim King on keyboards, synthesizers, and vibes. The band cited as its primary musical influences Steely Dan, Eagles and The Doobie Brothers. They released 2 studio albums on Handshake Records and Tapes, Sneaker in 1981 (which included their Top 40 hit, "More Than Just the Two of Us") and Loose in the World in 1982. Both albums were produced by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. In 2001, Cool Sound Records, a Japanese record label, released Early On, a collection of their early recordings and, in 2003, released Footprints In Japan, a 1982 live recording from Osaka & Tokyo, Japan. The group's name "Sneaker" was taken from the Steely Dan song "Bad Sneakers" from their album Katy Lied, a fact confirmed by Michael Carey Schneider.[citation needed] Contents 1 Discography 1.1 Albums 1.2 Singles 2 See also 3 References 4 External links Discography Albums Date Title US 200[1] 1981 Sneaker 149 1982 Loose in the World - 2003 Early On - 2011 The Unreleased Demos - Singles Date Title US 100[1] US AC[1] US Rock[1] 1981 More Than Just the Two of Us 34 17 - Get Up, Get Out - - - 1982 Don't Let Me In 63 - 25 Get Up, Get Out - - - See also List of 1980s one-hit wonders in the United States References "Sneaker - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2014. External links (18) Michael Carey Schneider | Facebook
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Genre: yacht rock Rating: 2 stars ** Title: Loose In the World Company: Handshake Catalog: ARW
38184 Country/State: Los Angeles, California Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: two punch holes in cover; minor cover wear Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00 |
Continuing their partnership with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter in the production seat, 1982's "Loose In the World" wasn't a major departure from their "corporate rock" debut. Few bands could claim the technical proficiency of Sneaker (Toto comes to mind), let alone three capable singers in the form of guitarist Mitch Crane , drummer Mike Hughes, and keyboardist Michael Carey Schneider. These guys had talent to spare. Exemplified by tracks like 'Believe Me Tonight', 'Voices' and the big ballad 'Never Get Over You', the mixture of radio friendly melodies with light rock and progressive influences picked up where the debut left off. Ambrosia, Michael McDonald era Doobie Brothers, Kansas Pablo Cruise, Steely Dan, Styx - it wasn't hard to pick up bits and pieces from all of those AOR groups. At least to my ears the album was a fun way to spend thirty minutes playing spot-the-influences. By all rights the results should have kicked the band to the next level of public recognition and sales. And for some reason, the second time around the results were - well disappointing. Sure, there were a couple of likeable performances, but the overall feel was professional, if bland and occasionally uninspired. Like Susan McDonnells cover. it just didn't appear these guys were having much fun. It's also one of those albums where the individual songs were far better than the collective product. Put the album on and it just sort of faded into background noise, whereas play 'Where You Gonna Run', 'Quit Crying' and 'Nothing From You' and the individual tracks stuck in your head for at least a while. (Always wondered why the title track was dropped from the album - it appeared on a 1998 Japanese reissue.) Simply nowhere near as good as the debut. Adding to their difficulties, in the middle of a Japanese tour, Handshake Records closed, leaving the band with few business choices. Within a couple of months Sneaker was history.
"Loose In
the World" track listing: 1.) Believe Me Tonight (Michael Carey Schneider) - 3:43 rating: ** stars Overlooking the dreadful, patented '80s production effects, the opener 'Believe Me Tonight' could easily have been mistaken for an effort off an Ambrosia, Pablo Cruise, or Styx album. The up-tempo tune was certainly radio-friendly, but in an completely anonymous, in a music-as-product, corporate-rock fashion. A couple of minutes after hearing it, the song was just an afterthought. The track was released as a promotional single in the States and as a stock single in Japan:
US release - 1982's 'Believe Me Tonight' b/w 'Believe Me Tonight' (Handshake catalog number WS4 03277) Japanese release - 1982's 'Believe Me Tonight' b/w 'I Can't Imagine' (Handshake catalog number TDW 0007)
No idea when or where it was recorded and neither the sound, or video quality are great, but YouTube has a clip of the band lip-synching the tune for television: Sneaker - Believe Me Tonight - YouTube 2.) Quit Crying (Mike Hughes - Michael Carey Schneider) - 4:18 rating: *** stars Given producer Baxter's Steely Dan links, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to hear Becker/Fagen influences pop up throughout these songs. Perhaps just my ears, but the opening jazzy grooves certainly reminded me of Steely Dan. Shame the song's slinky melody and beautiful acoustic and electric guitar solos suffered from a bland chorus. 3). Before You (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 3:32 rating: *** stars Sweet, mildly country-tinged ballad. Nice display of their tight harmony vocals, but the melody just didn't stick with me. 4.) The Fight (instrumental) (Mitch Crane - Jim King) - 0:40 rating: ** stars A synthesizer and bass jam, the instrumental 'The Fight' was little more than a throwaway song fragment. 5.) Voices (Mitch Crane - Jim King) - 3:42 rating: *** stars The bouncy 'Voices' was a nice platform for Crane's commercial voice, but other than the catchy chorus, the song was ultimately forgettable. 6.) Never Get Over You (Mitch Crane - Jim King) - 4:06 rating: *** stars Seemingly a contractual requirement, every early-'80s album had to include a couple of anonymous power ballads. "Never Get Over You' filled the roll on this album. Pretty, slow-dance ready, and forgettable.
(side 2) 1.) Where You Gonna Run (Mitch Crane - Jim King) - 3:55 rating: **** stars Michael McDonald-era Doobies with a jazzy, reggae tinge ... The first couple of times I despised the song, but eventually the silk sound started to soak into my head and the lyrics were a hoot ("run to the tailor, get the very best custom design, sure makes you feel good the fit is so close, so fine, what about tomorrow when the world is on your back and you discover that you're off the rack ..."). Yeah, it's yacht rock, but quality yacht rock. 2.) Pour It Out (instrumental) (Jim King) - 3:58 rating: * star Penned by keyboardist Jim King, the up-tempo instrumental 'Pour It Out' sounded like an afterthought added to pad the running time. 3.) Someone To Blame It On (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 3:27 rating: ** stars Always liked Schneider's piercing, heartfelt voice, but it was wasted on the forgettable, heavily orchestrated ballad 'Someone To Blame It On.' The performance reminded me of the first album's 'Jaymes.' 4.) Did You Order One? (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane) - 3:58 rating: *** stars 'Did You Order One?' found the band stepping back into jazzier, Steely Dan-ish territory. While the melody wasn't as strong as some of their other offerings, it made a nice change of pace from the big ballads. 5.) Intro: (instrumental) (Tim Torrence) - 0:30 rating: * star Another song snippet that failed to register. 6.) Nothing From You (Michael Carey Schneider - Mitch Crane - Tim Torrence) - 4:07 rating: **** stars It opened up promised another precious ballad before opening up with one of their most pop-oriented choruses. Nice way to close the album.
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