Keep It Dark (1984-86) [Re-Up]

Keep it Dark is a pop-rock three-piece formed in 1984 by songwriter Jimmy Barrett (vocals, guitars), Paul ‘Reo’ Reason (guitars, vocals, former Ex Post Facto, later US Companion), and Paul Stewart (drums), later replaced by Brian Rawling (former 3D). According to some sources, Terry Kilfoyle (former Asylum, later Big Still, Seconds Out) was added to the line-up on bass at some point. The band played quite extensively the local circuit before getting to eventually release their material on vinyl in1986. The first single (The Dreamer b/w Outsider + What do We Need) was issued in March 1986, soon to be followed by their second one (Don’t Surrender b/w Far from Home + It’s over). Both a-sides were then to appear on the band’s first (and only) Lp.

1st Down And Ten (1986)
- Better Than Me
- Don't Surrender
- If You Be Mine
- Be The One
- Who Can Say
- Dreamer
- Lost Love Forever
- The Outsider
- Far From Home
- Fish Out Of Water

One of the first pieces written about Keep it Dark (Next 14, May 1984) described the band’s live performance as follows:
‘From the sound of this first set by his [Jimmy Barrett] band Keep it Dark, both ears have been well tuned to American AOR for quite a while. […] It’s a sign for all those of you who will confess to listening to CSNY or Bob Dylan to pull up a chair and hear that sort of thing done well.
‘Jimmy reckons he’s been at it ten years himself, and thinks he’s cracked it with this line up. To be honest, the band lapsed too often into dull conventionalism – I heard half a dozen familiar chord changes through the night. But that, and the somewhat samey and one paced arrangements, are bound to change with more time together, and the background in musicianship and confidence is there to encourage experimentation.’

The American press reviewed as follows:
‘Liverpool, England, has spawned yet another pop band that has made its way to the United States after gaining a following at home. Keep It Dark was formed after singer Jimmy Barrett and guitarist Reo Reason saw each other playing in British clubs and decided they had a lot in common musically.
Their debut U.S. release is a modern pop blend of electronic keyboards, horns, guitar and a steady driving drum beat. Keep It Dark`s sound is more of a mesh of pop/rock style than raw-roots rock.
Side 1`s Dreamer is a medium-paced tune with Barrett backed up by a David Sanborn style saxophone. Most of the album`s cuts have a highly produced, studio mixed sound, which is something of a surprise since this band`s success started on the club circuit.
Keep It Dark keeps a pretty steady sound throughout, never really kicking in, and making it hard to decide just what they`re trying to say.’
(see here)

keep it dark