Pick of the Week: Bryan Adams

By Keith HannaleckMuzikReviews.com
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Waking Up The Neighbours (2 180-gram Vinyl LPs)
Bryan Adams did it all on "Waking Up The Neighbours" (1991). He was the composer, guitar player, producer and vocalist. Audio Fidelity decided to remind us how talented Mr. Adams was.

Even though he owned the '80s the next decade started off with a bang for the Canadian rocker turned superstar.

Adams appealed to both sexes: His chiseled good looks struck a chord with the ladies and his average-Joe look with plaid shirts and jeans made the guys feel like he was one of them. With that kind of universal acceptance and memorable rockin' tunes it was hard to forget Byran Adams. He also had a very distinct vocal style with just enough gruffness to push over the rockers and the ability to tone it down and be smoother on the ballads, giving his listeners the best of both worlds.

"Waking Up The Neighbours" may have not been as big as "Reckless" and "Cuts Like A Knife" from a commercial standpoint but it had plenty of power-packed rockers and sing along ballads to make it a worthwhile addition to your collection. This limited numbered 20th anniversary reissue is an attractive 180-gram 2 LP (gatefold sleeves) set presented by Audio Fidelity and it offers many things to listeners and collectors alike.

Tracks
1. Is Your Mama Gonna Miss Ya?
2. Hey Honey I'm Packin' You In!
3. Can't Stop This Thing We Started
4. Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven
5. Not Guilty
6. Vanishing
7. House Arrest
8. Do I Have to Say the Words?
 9. There Will Never Be Another Tonight
10. All I Want Is You
11. Depend on Me

12. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
13. If You Wanna Leave Me (Can ICome Too?)
14. Touch the Hand
15. Don't Drop That Bomb on Me
Genre: Rock-Pop
Label: Audio Fidelity
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After this release the '90s were pretty much forgettable for Adams but this 15-song recording made a dent in the minds of music fans everywhere and it still can make an impression to this day. It stands as one of his strongest releases and with one listen that fact is totally validated.

The wide appeal of such an artist offers elements of pop and rock that make a majority of their tracks radio friendly and G rated so any age can listen. Adams fit that description well however it is duly noted that the man could rock and play the six-string with the best of them in his genre during the height of his popularity. The rocker "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" and the rock-pop ballad "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" were big hits for Adams and are excellent representations of his ability to switch between a rocker and a ballad.

You know when you have not heard something in many years and you still know the words that the songs made an impression on you at some point in your life. Listening to this music on vinyl was pure rock ecstasy and many times during songs I felt waves of emotion coming over me. Songs like this bring back good memories for anyone that was able to relate to the stories about relationships, and some of the angst felt and in turn the need to channel all of that emotion and energy. All of which Adams conveyed very well in his music.
 
Audio Fidelity does a beautiful job with the remastering of this music for vinyl and reproducing the original album artwork, complete with all the lyrics and photos of Adams and his band. This is one of the very best packages I have seen come through the label and the sound is immaculate and pristine, just as it should be on a vinyl LP. Not only is this good music, it will make you smile to hold this virgin vinyl in your hands and to admire the glossy gatefold sleeves.

The magic of LPs becomes more important with each passing year and thanks to labels like Audio Fidelity they are keeping that fire burning with pride and distinction and this release is one of many examples.

Keith 'Muzikman' Hannaleck is founder of www.muzikreviews.com; comments or questions on this or any other review, info@muzikreviews.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
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