Robin McAuley‘s new solo album, “Standing On The Edge”, showcases the desire of the respected Irish rock singer to make a strong musical statement in a period that was more creative than ever for him. After reemerging on the recording side of the music industry with guest spots on MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST albums and fronting the hard rock supergroup BLACK SWAN, McAuley is feeling invigorated and ready to explore even more creative output, letting the world see that his voice is as powerful as ever. “Standing On The Edge” will arrive on May 7 va Frontiers Music Srl. Fans can get their first taste of the album with the release of the single and video for the title track today. Watch the video below.
Of the album, Robin says: “It was hard not to draw reference from the dreaded pandemic we all found ourselves in, and still do, so I just spat out what I was feeling and ‘Standing On The Edge’ seemed an appropriate title to describe the current climate.” He continues: “In contrast to that however, songs like ‘Run Away’ harken back to my childhood years, racing across the fields next to our house trying to beat the rain home. I’m still running all these years later!! Alessandro sent me this beautiful music and this lyric and melody came together quite quickly. It’s very simple and childlike and I really like how this song turned out. ‘Wanna Take A Ride’, on the other hand, was just me desperate to get out of the house during lockdown and head to the beach. Top down, throttle wide open, and a stiff middle finger to COVID. I crank this SO LOUD in my car. Makes me smile!
“Perhaps this record is not everything I ever wanted to say or record in a solo effort, but it’s how I felt at the time. I’m far from being done. Hope you like what you hear,” concludes Robin.
McAuley is widely recognized as one of the great singers of a golden period in hard rock music. His voice can be heard on albums from GRAND PRIX and FAR CORPORATION, and of course on the chart-topping MSG records “Perfect Timing”, “Save Yourself” and “MSG”. Through these releases, he was introduced to hard rock fans around the globe, who no doubt recognized the inherent talent and skill in his vocal abilities. Since departing MSG, he released one solo record in 1999, then joined AOR legends SURVIVOR, and then re-grouped with Schenker in MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST on their recent records “Resurrection” and “Revelation”. And, of course, in what was an absolute revelation to hard rock fans around the world, in 2020, he came out swingin’ as the frontman of the supergroup BLACK SWAN, where he joined forces with Reb Beach (WHITESNAKE, WINGER), Jeff Pilson (FOREIGNER, ex-DOKKEN) and Matt Starr (ACE FREHLEY, MR BIG).
McAuley spent the latter half of 2020 working on a new solo record, one which truly encompasses all music styles he is known for — hard rock and melodic rock superbly performed as only he can do it. Envisioned, overseen, and creatively directed by Serafino Perugino, president and A&R director of Frontiers, with production (and co-writing) by Alessandro Del Vecchio, McAuley offers up a true gem of an album in “Standing On The Edge”. Included are a splendid songwriting collaborations with his former GRAND PRIX bandmate Phil Lanzon (currently longtime URIAH HEEP keyboardist) on “Like A Ghost”, Howard Leese (of BAD COMPANY, ex-HEART) on “Supposed To Do Now”, and Tommy Denander on “Do You Remember” and “Chosen Few”.
“Standing On The Edge” track listing:
01. Thy Will Be Done
02. Standing On The Edge
03. Late December
04. Do You Remember
05. Say Goodbye
06. Chosen Few
07. Run Away
08. Supposed To Do Now
09. Wanna Take A Ride
10. Like A Ghost
11. Running Out Of Time
Recording lineup:
Robin McAuley – vocals
Andrea Seveso – guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Nicholas Papapicco – drums
Howard Leese – guitars on “Supposed To Do Now”