A second album with more to explore
Foreigner released their second studio album, Double Vision, in 1978. Recorded at Sound City in California, it was produced by Keith Olsen with Mick Jones and Ian McDonald. Lou Gramm sings, Jones and McDonald contribute guitars and other instruments, Al Greenwood plays keyboards, Ed Gagliardi bass and Dennis Elliott drums.
“Hot Blooded” and the title track became major singles. Across the ten tracks, however, the group moves through more settings than those two songs alone suggest. Guitar riffs, ballads and an instrumental continually shift the focus.
Lou Gramm and a passing phrase
Gramm recalled hearing the expression “double vision” during a televised hockey game. A phrase from the commentary provided the idea for the title. It is a reminder that a large rock production can begin with a small observation outside the studio’s immediate work.
“Blue Morning, Blue Day” offers another way into his role. Follow the path into the chorus: what changes in the accompaniment, and where does Gramm position the vocal line? The arrangement and the singer build the movement together.
An instrumental changes the focus
“Tramontane” brings the instrumental writing forward, with Al Greenwood, Ian McDonald and Mick Jones credited as its composers. It invites attention to the keyboards and to a side of the band less apparent in the familiar vocal hits.
Jones takes the lead vocal on “Back Where You Belong” and “I Have Waited So Long”. Hearing those tracks beside Gramm’s performances clarifies the division of roles within this particular line-up. The album’s identity includes both voices.
This 45 RPM double LP
AAPA 049-45 belongs to the Atlantic 75 series and presents the ten album tracks on two 180-gram records. The publisher specifies QRP and a Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket. Documented runout inscriptions identify Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound as the lacquer-cutting engineer. The publisher page does not name a specific tape source, so no additional source guarantee is made here. Production details of Mobile Fidelity’s earlier version should not be transferred to this reissue.
You order from Michael 45 in Germany. We arrange the US import and dispatch from Hilden.
Also on SACD: Double Vision
More by Foreigner: “Foreigner” · Head Games
Customer questions: Atlantic 75: which titles are worth buying? · Buying Analogue Productions records in Europe
Series: Atlantic 75 Series – all 75 albums, time journey and the people behind Atlantic
Musicians
Documented selection of participating musicians. Personnel may vary by track; this list does not claim to be complete.
| Name | Instrument / role |
|---|---|
| Lou Gramm | Lead vocals, Percussion |
| Mick Jones | Backing vocals, Lead vocals, Guitar, Piano |
| Ian McDonald | Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar |
| Al Greenwood | Synthesizer, Keyboards |
| Ed Gagliardi | Vocals, Bass |
| Dennis Elliott | Drums |
| Ian Lloyd | Backing vocals |
How Michael hears this edition
Listening impression · paraphrased from the video
Double Vision is one of Michael’s surprises in the Atlantic 75 series. The quality of this edition leads him to rediscover music he says he would probably not have bought outside the series. He uses the title track as an introduction. His praise describes that fresh listening experience; he does not compare it with other pressings here.
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