Damn Yankees - Damn Yankees

Although the term "supergroup" doesn't quite apply to the Damn Yankees, they did manage to rekindle the spirit of 1970s (and '80s) rock with each of their talents, at least to some extent. Damn Yankees took the unblemished, radio rock ballad "High Enough" to its deserving number three spot on the singles chart, with its power stemming from the oily melody and the made-to-order guitar playing of Ted Nugent. Both Tommy Shaw and Night Ranger's Jack Blades give "High Enough" an even quantity of lushness and might, which helped the album itself climb to number 13 and gain platinum status. "Coming of Age" is the album's second-best track, which has the band rocking out without going over the edge and sounding too contrived. The rest of the album finds the group reliving their glory days, which is to be expected, and tracks like "Runaway" and "Come Again" come through as avid little rockers. Only "Piledriver" and "Rock City" sound silly and pushed, most likely influenced by Nugent himself. As the 1990s approached, the slick sound of guitar rock may have been dwindling, but Damn Yankees do a fine job at keeping it alive at least for a little while. By the time their next album was released, the decade had no room for their brand of arena rock, which sounded more passé than ever before, despite a decent sounding single which kicked it off. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan Pasqua Organ (Hammond) Ann Yarbrough French Horn B.J. Johnson Violin Bill Kennedy Assistant Engineer Charles McCracken Cello Clifton Hardison Percussion Dale Kirkland Trombone Damn Yankees Photography Danny Cahn Trumpet David Chase Conductor David Niwa Violin Douglas Besterman Arranger Ed Goodreau Assistant Engineer Ethan Russell Photography Gerald Tarack Violin Ian Finkle Percussion Jack Blades Group Member, Vocals, Bass Jack Schatz Trombone James Nichols Engineer James Raitt Arranger Jeanne Ingram Violin Jeff Poe Assistant Engineer Jesse Levy Cello Jimmie Haskell Conductor, Arranger, String Arrangements John Aguto Assistant Engineer Katherine Easter French Horn Keith O'Quinn Trombone Kenneth Hitchcock Reeds (Multiple) Kim Champagne Design, Art Direction Lawrence Feldman Reeds (Multiple) Marion Pinhiero Violin Marti Sweet Violin Michael Cartellone Group Member, Drums Nancy Wolfe Reeds (Multiple) Neil Zlozower Photography Neverleave Bros. Vocals (Background) Ray Marchica Drums Richard Centalonza Reeds (Multiple) Roger Rosenberg Reeds (Multiple) Ron Nevison Engineer, Producer Ron Raffio Bass Sarah Carter Cello Steve Freeman Keyboards Steve Guttman Trumpet Ted Nugent Guitar, Vocals, Group Member Toby Wright Assistant Engineer Tommy Shaw Vocals, Guitar, Group Member Tommy Shepard Producer Umfante Vocals (Background) William Meade ?, Reeds (Multiple)