The Man
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
| Greatness | Heaviness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| The best stuff on earth. We're not worthy! |  |
Like a leaf | |
| Most excellent music |  |
You can juggle with this stuff | |
| Enjoy the melodies | |
No problem, I can handle that | |
| Hmmm....background music | |
Get off your backside and rock! | |
| They call themselves a rock band..... | |
Bloody osmium mate | |
After the demise and split of the band Winger , Kip pursued his own solo career, writing his own songs in a different style than to his previous band. Teaming together with Andy Timmons (ex-Danger Danger guitarist and solo artist) and former Winger drummer Rod Morgenstein, he recorded a his debut solo album, "This Conversation Seems Like A Dream". It was finally released in January 1997 after several drawbacks, including the sudden death of his wife Beatrice (who contributed to background vocals on the album). It was released on Domo Records, and was well received in Europe, gaining top reviews in many magazines.
After touring the U.S., Europe and Japan to promote his album, playing acoustic sets of songs from his own album and several Winger classics, he released a second album consisting of just that (but studio recordings) called "Made by Hand" one year later.
Latest News
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
Latest News
Determined to continue on solo and not give in to the pressure of Winger fans and his fellow ex-band members to reform Winger, Kip is working on a third solo album set to be released within the next year.
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
In Made By Hand (1998)
Embarrassingly I still haven't got myself a copy of this album yet, but I here it is incredibly good, full of emotion from just Kip and his guitar. It features 11 all-acoustic versions of songs from all three Winger records, his "Conversation" album and one new song.
Track Listing :
Another Way, Down Incognito, Under One Condition, Miles
Away, Steam, Headed For A Heartbreak, How Far Will We Go, Naked
Son, Spell I'm Under, Easy Come Easy Go, Daniel.
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
Wow!! This is different! Cast aside the image of Kip Winger as being a kick-ass rock'n'roller - this stuff is definitely not metal. 'Dream' is a good word to be in the title of this album as it conjures up the thoughts of slow, gentle, soothing music which is exactly what this album is. A big change from the rock band Winger. But once you can accept that, you can see that this is a work of art. The songs are soft, with light drum beats and vocal harmonies to kill for. Although the bass seems to be the basis for a lot of the songs, most of the songs are original and varied.
1. Kiss of Life :
Having said the above, this track actually kicks ass! Not in the way Winger did, of course, but put it loud enough and you can't help rock with it. A killer of a track to start with, and the heaviest track on the album [which is not very heavy!]. This song would be the nearest to Winger and provides a large bridge from the Winger style to Kip's new style. It has a great chorus and a really good percussion beat which starts the beginning of the song and continues throughout. The guitars play a large part and the solo is perfect.
2. Monster :
Based around the bass(!), that starts off the song and continues throughout, this song grooves big time. There are loads of cool effects on top from piano, guitar and vocals, and the drum beat is classic. Near the end, a lovely selection of vocal harmonies keep the song going to the end. Kip reckons this is the best song he's ever written - I'd say "Who's the One?" is better, but this is definitely the best song on this album.
3. Endless Circles :
A beautiful ballad, introduced by a sweet piano solo and gently moving on with an effective guitar. It took me a while to realise that this song is actually in 3/4 time which is quite amazing - it's probably the only song in my entire rock collection written in 3/4! But the drums fit it so well that it doesn't seem odd.
4. Angel of the Underground :
The most obscure track on the album. The whole album has varied songs but this is probably the most different. It is based on a strong acoustic guitar riff which reminds me of "Down Incognito", but is more groovin' than rockin'. Classic stuff anyway.
5. Steam : 7/10
Not a lot special about this track compared to the others. It is a 'rocker' and goes nicely but that's about it. The main acoustic guitar riff is a bit annoying to my ears!
6. I'll Be Down :
Another groover in the vein of "Monster", having a strong bass line. The drum beat is again impressive and the effects on top do it justice. Brilliant.
7. Naked Son : 8/10
The intro to this sounds almost exactly the same as the intro to "Spell I'm Under". I remember thinking this when I first heard the song, but it was proved when I saw Kip live in London. He started playing it when there was a big cheer and someone shouted "Spell I'm Under!" He then had to tell the crowd that it wasn't and asked the crowd if they knew what song it was (of course I did!). He then went on to play both tracks, bridging carefully between them so it was hard to spot.
Anyway, the song is a strong ballad with a chorus that gets bigger and bigger and the backing vocals eventually turn into a full blown choir! There's a fantastic piano bridge in the middle of the song.
8. Daniel : 8/10
A fairly commercial track which happily trots on and gets you dancing along with it. A superb guitar riff leads this and the chorus is very catchy.
9. How Far Will You Go : 5/10
A syrupy ballad which is really very basic and quite thin on the musical side. Kip sings well but with way too much emotion into the 'meaningful' lyrics, which gets to me and makes me want to reach for the bucket.
10. Don't Let Go : 8/10
Similar to the last track except this time a 'bigger' song and a chorus that isn't too much over the top! A good ballad.
11. Here : 5/10
Yet another ballad, but hardly that. It starts with a truly horrible high-pitched synthesized sound but turns into a very gentle and drawn-out song with smooth vocals that fade the album to its end.
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
Other Releases
| Angel of the Underground | 1997 | Japanese Single |
|---|---|---|
| Angel of the Underground, Kiss of Life (Demo), How Far Will We Go | ||
| How Far Will We Go | 1997 | Single |
| How Far Will We Go (Edit), Monster, Kiss of Life, Daniel | ||
| This Conversation Seems Like A Dream |
1997 | Japanese Double CD Album |
| Bonus CD featuring : Kiss of Life (Demo 1996), Monster (Demo 1996), Free (Instrumental), Headed for a Heartbreak (Demo 1987), Hour of Need (1992), Now and Forever (1992) | ||
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
Demos, Promos and Bootlegs
Demos, Promos and Bootlegs
| Live in Rock City, Lisbon | 1997 | CD Bootleg |
|---|---|---|
| Down Incognito, Steam, Naked Son, Spell I'm Under, Easy Come Easy Go, Daniel, Angel of the Underground, Blind Revolution Mad, Another Way, Miles Away, The Lucky One, How Far Will We Go, Madalaine, Without the Night, Headed for a Heartbreak, Who's the One, Can't Get Enuff | ||
This Conversation Seems Like A Dream (1997)
Kip Winger Links