"Of all the albums I've heard since the Power Pop renaissance, "1301 Highland Avenue" captures the magic of '70s AM Radio as well as any. Awesome hooks which repeat (a lost art) and engaging lead vocals, it's an album which will stay in your head long after the record has stopped."--David Bash, pop music journalist and founder/CEO: The International Pop Overthrow Festival
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of my first album, “1301 Highland Avenue,”a Japan only release, the record has been sold out for almost 25 years and has not been available via digital channels until now.
Available now is an enhanced version of the album out for the very first time in the U.S. on CD and as a special limited edition 2-LP set.
--16 songs
--Newly tweaked with a fresh coat of sonic paint and sounding fuller and richer, the album features many new sonic enhancements—more vocals, additional guitar parts, drums, horns, ukulele, glockenspiel and more
--Brand new song “1301 Highland Avenue”
--Features power pop icons The Rubinoos backing me on two songs
--Artwork by Dan Sarka of The Vandalias
released January 1, 2020
1301 Highland Avenue
Ken Sharp-lead and background vocals, acoustic guitar, glockenspiel, bell tree
Fernando Perdomo-electric guitar, vibes
Produced by Ken Sharp
Recorded at Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Break Down The Walls
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, all guitars, handclaps
Tony Reyes: bass, background vocals, handclaps
Rudy Rubini: keyboards, background vocals, handclaps
Ritchie Rubini: drums, background vocals, handclaps
Rob Bonfiglio: background vocals
Produced by Rudy Rubini
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by John Cianci
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio
Recorded at Trix Trax Studio, Malvern, PA and The Manor, North Hollywood, CA
For The First Time
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, electric 12-string guitar, lead guitar, fuzz bass, glockenspiel, claves, handclaps
Ronny Crawford: drums, tambourine
Jeff Kay & Mark Gorman: background vocals
Fernando Perdomo: handclaps
Tom Gallagher-maracas
Produced by Ralph Deal
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Arranged by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Additional engineering by Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, Studio 4, Philadelphia, PA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Karen Love Me
Ken Sharp: lead, harmony and background vocals, acoustic guitars, sleighbells, bell tree
Tony Reyes: bass and background vocals
Rudy Rubini: accordion
Fernando Perdomo: drums, tambourine
Rob Bonfiglio: background vocals
Produced by Tony Reyes
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Additional engineering by Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, The Manor, North Hollywood, CA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Underground
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, all guitars, Tony Reyes: bass, background vocals
Rudy Rubini: keyboards, background vocals,
Ritchie Rubini: drums, percussion, background vocals
Dawn Platt: background vocals
Produced by Rudy Rubini
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by John Cianci
Additional engineering by Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Trix Trax Studio, Malvern, PA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Believe
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, electric 12-string guitar, lead guitar, bass, tambourine, maracas, bell tree
Chuck Butler: piano, electric piano, organ, french horns, strings, vibes, glockenspiel
Ronny Crawford: drums, tambourine
Tony Pirollo: cello
Mark Gorman & Jeff Kay: background vocals
Bill Fitch-maracas
Produced by Ralph Deal and Ken Sharp
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Assistant engineer: Diane Zaiko
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, Studio 4, Philadelphia, PA, The Manor, North Hollywood, CA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
In My Dreams Tonight
Ken Sharp: lead and harmony vocals, electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar, lead guitar, tremelo guitar, castanets, maracas
Tommy Dunbar: electric and acoustic guitars, background vocals
Al Chan: bass, background vocals
Donn Spindt: drums, background vocals
Fernando Perdomo: tambourine
Produced By Tommy Dunbar
Production assistance by Ralph Deal and Ken Sharp
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Tommy Dunbar, John Cianci and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Virginia Street Studios, Berkeley, CA, Gold Key Studios, Folcroft, PA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Beating Heart
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, electric 12-string guitar, acoustic guitar, tremelo guitar
Tony Reyes: bass, acoustic guitar, piano, background vocals
Fernando Perdomo: drums
Rob Bonfiglio: background vocals
Produced by Tony Reyes
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, The Manor, North Hollywood, CA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Tonight (All I Want)
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar, lead guitar, bass, claves, handclaps
Ronny Crawford: drums, tambourine
Chuck Butler: organ, horns
Rob Bonfiglio: background vocals
Bill Fitch: handclaps
Produced by Ralph Deal
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Arranged by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, Studio 4, Philadelphia, PA, The Manor, North Hollywood, CA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Magic
Ken Sharp: lead, harmony and background vocals, 12-string guitar, Nashville guitar, ukulele, bell tree
Tommy Dunbar: electric and acoustic guitars, slide guitar, organ, background vocals
Al Chan: bass, background vocals
Donn Spindt: drums, background vocals
Produced By Tommy Dunbar
Production assistance by Ralph Deal and Ken Sharp
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Tommy Dunbar, Bob Grosso, Vince Pierre and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Virginia Street Studios, Berkeley, CA, Gold Key Studios, Folcroft, PA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
If You Ever Change Your Mind
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, acoustic guitar, lead guitar
Rudy Rubini: keyboards, background vocals,
Tony Reyes: bass, background vocals
Ritchie Rubini: drums, percussion, background vocals
Dawn Platt: background vocals
Fernando Perdomo: tambourine
Produced by Rudy Rubini
Engineered by John Cianci
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Trix Trax Studio, Malvern, PA, The Manor, North Hollywood, CA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Lazy Day
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, lead guitar, bass, percussion, bell tree
Tony Reyes: keyboards, clavinet, acoustic guitar fills, background vocals
Fernando Perdomo: drums, strings, tambourine, maracas
Produced by Tony Reyes
Additional 2019 production by Fernando Perdomo and Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Additional engineering by Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Sitting On A Porch In L.A.
Ken Sharp: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, bass
Chuck Butler: viola, accordion
Tony Pirollo: cello
Jennifer Morgo: violin
Rob Bonfiglio: background vocals
Produced by Ralph Deal
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Assistant engineer: Diane Zaiko
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, Studio 4, Philadelphia, PA and The Manor, North Hollywood, CA
Like Everyone
Ken Sharp: lead and background vocals, acoustic guitar, horns, glockenspiel, vibes, maracas, handclaps
Rudy Rubini: keyboards, background vocals,
Tony Reyes: bass, background vocals
Ritchie Rubini: drums, percussion, background vocals
Fernando Perdomo: handclaps
Produced and engineered by Nick DiDia
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Additional engineering by Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Wide Range Studio, Mount Holly, NJ and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Not Afraid Of Love
Ken Sharp: lead, background and harmony vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, lead guitar, horns
Rudy Rubini: keyboards
Tony Reyes: bass
Ritchie Rubini: drums and percussion
Produced by Rudy Rubini
Engineered by John Cianci
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Additional engineering by Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Trix Trax Studio, Malvern, PA and Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA
Wash My Tears Away
Ken Sharp: lead, background and harmony vocals
Tony Reyes: piano, bass, pizzicato strings, cello, harmony vocals
Fernando Perdomo: drums, tambourine
Rob Bonfiglio: background vocals
Produced by Tony Reyes
Engineered by Bill Fitch
Additional 2019 production by Ken Sharp
Additional engineering by Rob Bonfiglio and Fernando Perdomo
Recorded at Sound Design Studio, Warminster, PA, The Manor, North Hollywood, CA, Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda/Winnetka, CA and TR Mobile Studio, Voorhees, NJ.
All songs by Ken Sharp/Pop Toons Inc. (BMI) 1994 & 2019
Mastered by Zach Ziskin
If not for you:
Tony Reyes, Rudy Rubini, Ritchie Rubini, Ralph Deal, Fernando Perdomo, Rob Bonfiglio, Bill Fitch, The Rubinoos-Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan and Donn Spindt, Jim Sharp, Margie Adamsky, Carol Paula Sharp, Susan Katila, Chris & Lynda Royer, Jim Horan, David Bash, John Borack, Jordan Oakes, Geoff Hanson, Le Sheppard, Daisuke Kambe, Elliot Kendall, Chu Takahashi, David Ridges, Martha, Herman, The Jeep, The Zeep, Chachi, Baby Jean and Clarice ("Miss Mae")...The Beatles, Brian Wilson and Pete Townshend for inspiration...and of course Mom!
Legal & Management representation: Chris Royer (
croyer@krupnicklaw.com)
Artwork: Dan Sarka
Design: John Sellards
Photography: Terri Sharp
Web Design: Jim Bullotta
www.ken-sharp.com
This record is dedicated to the memory of Rudy Rubini.
