Description
Sleep Without Dreams is a solo album by the American singer and songwriter Loyd Boldman (July 19, 1954 – April 22, 2014) of Prodigal fame, independently released on cassette-only in 1988 on Outbound Records. Re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records in 2018.
Loyd Boldman is the man most people credit as the lead vocalist and keyboardist of the epic 80’s Christian rock band, Prodigal. The reality is that at least three guys shared the lead vocals but without a doubt Loyd’s big baritone rock voice could fill stadiums with his whispers! Yes, it’s that powerful! After Prodigal released their third and last album in 1985, Loyd took the time to write and release some massive rock music with 1988’s Sleep Without Dreams. Now most fans never knew this release existed, let alone owned it because Loyd self released this album on his own independent record label and only released it on cassette. But when Retroactive Records licensed the reissues of the Prodigal titles, they couldn’t resist the opportunity to reissue Loyd’s rock masterpiece on CD for the very first time ever! Expect the typical lyrics that are both transparent and authentic just like «Wall of Sound» where Loyd says, “I’ve got a cellar full of white noise I’ve got a dozen pairs of running shoes I’ve got a closet full of big toys I never get the time to use / Nobody wants to be the last in line so they beg and steal for borrowed time / Wanna stare God down ‘til they go blind” that addresses our desire to fill our emptiness, and sometimes we do that with anything but God.
What does Sleep Without Dreams sound like? Fans of Vector, The Call, Robert Vaughn, Randy Stonehill, and Steve Scott will love it. Yes, it’s THAT good! The album has been digitally remastered from the master tapes, and packaged in a jewel case with a 12 page booklet featuring amazing band pics, lyrics and a special tribute to Loyd written by Prodigal guitarist and long time friend, Rick Fields. Limited to just 500 copies.
The late Loyd Boldman is perhaps best known as being the keyboard player and singer with US Christian rockers Prodigal who, back in their ’80s heyday, had radio success with songs like «Invisible Man», «Emerald City» and «Scene Of The Crime». In 1985, the group went their separate ways after releasing three albums and Boldman set about writing and recording a solo project that would see the light of day three years later. Boldman’s decision to release it on his own independent label in cassette-only format meant that it’s become something of a hidden gem for many CCM fans but the folks at Retroactive Records have thankfully decided to include it in the current run of Prodigal re-issues to give it the exposure it deserves. Digitally remastered from the original tapes, there is an immediacy about the album that is evident from the punchy Fleetwood Mac-like opener «Wall Of Sound» right to the very end. The materialism-bashing opener also sets the scene for other songs that deal with the world’s continuing tendency to fall short of what God requires with tracks like «Meaningless Words», «Emperor’s Clothes» and «Emotional Shorthand» pouring out judgment in not so subtle fashion. Elsewhere, Boldman offers up personal devotion to God in the bluegrass diversion «As Much As I Need You» and the ’80s power ballad «I Have The Love» – both of which showcase the kind of impassioned vocal performances that Boldman (very much in the Billy Joel mould) was able to deliver in droves back in the day. Despite Boldman’s vocal prowess, there are a couple of times when his voice is placed so far back in the mix that it’s almost impossible to hear what’s being sung – most notably in the aforementioned «Emotional Shorthand» – but, on the whole, this is a job well done. Aside from a brief acoustic coda «Island Of The Innocent», Boldman saves the best to last with the delightfully dated but nonetheless great sounding «Maximum Poverty» ending this rediscovered nugget in fine ’80s fashion. [Lins Honeyman, Cross Rhythms, December 2018]
Cassette tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Wall Of Sound”
A2. “Emotional Shorthand”
A3. “Meaningless Words”
A4. “Sleep Without Dreams”
A5. “Red Balloon”
A6. “Emperor’s Clothes”
Side Two
B1. “I Have The Love”
B2. “As Much As I Need You”
B3. “Names In Lights”
B4. “Shiny Shoes”
B5. “Maximum Poverty”
B6. “Island Of The Innocent”
Note: Re-issued on CD for the first time by Retroactive Records in 2018, entitled Sleep Without Dreams: 30th Anniversary Edition. (Full color 12 page booklet with lyrics and band pics, jewel case.)
“Sleep Without Dreams” (MUSIC VIDEO written and directed by Loyd Boldman. Shot by Chris Harvey, Michael Wilson and Loyd Boldman. Edited by Herberto Velez)
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