Dave Stewart, Platinum Weird - Make Believe

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Music reviews of Make Believe

Music Review: What the hell is going on here???
Rating: 4 Stars

Description of Make Believe

In addition to writing hundreds of songs with Annie Lennox via Eurythmics, Stewart has also written songs with Mick Jagger, Bono, Sinead O'Connor, Bryan Ferry, Bob Geldof, Anastacia, Jon Bon Jovi, and has produced everyone from Aretha Franklin to the Ramones. Kara DioGuardi is currently America's most celebrated female songwriter, and has penned songs for Santana, Christina Aguilera, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, and Kylie Minogue.

The history surrounding the original incarnation of Platinum Weird continues to intrigue rock 'n' roll enthusiasts. In 1974 Dave Stewart formed PW in London with female songwriting partner, muse, and soul mate, Erin Grace. Their debut gig was at Mick Jagger's birthday party and they quickly enjoyed a cult-like status and following in London?s rock club scene. Elton John's Rocket label signed the band, putting down an advance to send them into the studio and lay down tracks.

Erin's behavior during the making of the album was unpredictable. Prone to mood swings and emotional insecurity, sometimes she would disappear for several days, reappearing as if nothing was unusual with a smile and ideas for new songs. "She was wispy and elusive," recollects Stevie Nicks. "I wasn't quite sure what she was about, but I kind of copied her look."

With artwork on the album finalised and a confirmed release date, Erin vanished again, leaving Dave nothing but a demo of a song called "Will You Be Around" and a closet of metal hangers where she used to hang her clothes. The intended debut album Make Believe was never released and its name disappeared from public consciousness as quickly as the elusive songstress herself. Dave went into a deep depression, a period he later referred to as his "lost years." Two years later Stewart formed Eurythmics with Annie Lennox and the rest would become part of musical history.

During Stewart's success with Eurythmics, Kara DioGuardi was a young schoolgirl living in the upscale neighborhood of Scarsdale, an hour north of New York City. Her early interest in music was encouraged by an older woman who lived nearby and became her mentor in those formative years. By 2004, having become, as an adult, a successful songwriter, with scores of hit songs to her credit, Kara teamed up with Stewart under the guidance of legendary record producer Jimmy Iovine.

Waiting to rehearse with Kara in his Hollywood home studio, Dave found the old Erin demo of "Will You Be Around." As he was strumming the guitar and singing the song, Kara arrived and immediately chimed in with the chorus. Dave was amazed; he and Erin were the only people who knew that song. Kara explained that she was taught it by her mentor all those years ago in Scarsdale. It could only mean one thing--that woman and Erin were the same person.

Somehow the gods of rock 'n' roll had decreed that Kara and Dave, inhabiting their separate universes and separated by time and place, were destined to meet. The magical synchronicity enabled Platinum Weird to restore its musical legacy and reach out to a new generation.

Sparked on by his current collaboration with Kara, Stewart rediscovered his early recordings of Platinum Weird featuring Erin Grace. It's a miracle those vintage '74 recordings are finally being compiled and mastered for a release 32 years after it was originally intended to be released. The October 2006 release of Make Believe will be followed by the release of Stewart and DioGuardi's forthcoming self-titled album, Platinum Weird, in early 2007.

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