KATHY VALENTINE: Light Years

Kathy Valentine

Light Years

© 2005 Kathy Valentine's Supercharged Pop Songs (800828238421)

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Superbly crafted rock/pop songs with great melodies, harmonies, and smart lyrics.

tracks

1 Creation Myth
2 Getting By
3 Light Years
4 Retouch Me
5 Somewhere To Nowhere
6 Happy Endingless
7 Shooting Star
8 How The West Was Undone
9 Guitars, Talk, Love and Drums
10 Until Then
11 Win
12 Bad Choice

notes

As one-fifth of the platinum-selling band the Go-Go's, KATHY VALENTINE helped smash the gender barrier in rock 'n roll. Not just a band made up of girls, the Go-Go's were a girl group with the emphasis on group, and among the constant and unmistakable strengths of their sound were Kathy's muscular and melodic bass lines, which gave those shimmering harmonies and smart hooks their urgent and undeniable pulse. She also co-wrote two of the band's biggest hits, "Vacation" and "Head Over Heels."

Oddly enough, for such a well-known bassist, Kathy actually started out as a guitar player in Austin, Texas. She made her way to London, England and joined a band, but returned home more revved up and excited about the punk and new wave bands that were happening there. Moving to Los Angeles, she played in the Textones before hooking up with the Go-Go's in 1980. When the Go-Go's disbanded, Kathy put together a succession of bands, but it was the rocking Bluebonnets and Delphines that really gave her a chance to pursue her first passion -- guitar. Check out the Delphines' CD, "Cosmic Speed" and you'll hear the echoes of those countless nights she snuck into Austin nightclubs to hear rock and blues bands as a young teen.

For a decade, the Delphines and reunited Go-Go's kept Kathy busy. Then, in 2002, while pregnant, Kathy decided to start a project she'd never gotten around to before: doing a solo record. Finally, working in between Go-Go's tours and being a new mom, her solo record "Light Years" is complete. On this record, you will hear and experience the talent of Kathy Valentine as a musician, writer, singer and producer. With a blues infused guitar slinging style, she effortlessly serves up a collection of punky-pop gems and classic English style rockers, all with heart, soul, and smart lyrics. Long overdue to be in the spotlight, "Light Years" is sure to bring a wider recognition to what many fans have known for a long time: KATHY VALENTINE ROCKS!!

reviews

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  • light years
    author: jihmi

    love it,sincerely appreciate her music, and of course the go gos, who have been part of my favorite music for a long time

  • Great to kick back with
    author: Theresa

    As a huge Go-Go's fan I was a little leery of listening to it because I didn't want it to be more of that same. I was pleasantly surprised. The music was very soulful, dreamy, and easy to listen to. KV has a great voice and these songs really do her justice. I am very happy with my purchase.

  • beautiful, dreamy and different
    author: Ken Lawrence

    Listening while I write for the first time. it's a stop and go thing but it plays. this is very different stuff and all go-gos fans should have this. you'll see a diffents side of a great guitarest/basest. this blind listener fell in love with this so get it today!

  • GREAT!! Kathy got a great voice. Great song writer!
    author: Jimmy Boyd

    Kathy is an awesome guitar player and song writer. Loved the new sounds from this CD. It really ROCKS!!

  • FANTASTIC AND REFRESHING!
    author: BILL MONTAGUE

    I found Kathy's solo CD to be refreshing and utterly fantastic! It helped to reaffirm my faith that something new can come out that sounds GREAT! A MUST for Go-Go's fans and...ANYONE!!!

  • KV Rocks as Usual!
    author: KJ

    The cd itself was amazing, the lyrics were awesome and KV on guitar is something. I really liked Light Years and Retouch Me. Creation Myth is awesome as well. I recommend this CD to anyone who likes good rock and roll!

  • I love it!
    author: Ken St.J

    I love the guitar work in this CD, and the lyrics are pretty cool.

  • I love the songs.....a "five", of course
    author: Dave Carnes

    This was a very nice surprise....I grabbed it along with a couple others at the last minute, and like it the better than the ones I picked first!

  • Should be more albums like this!
    author: Hillary Mansfield

    Fantastic album with incredibly poignant lyrics that we all can relate to. Guitar style and music sound is similar to Melissa Etheridge but the songs have more hooks. Check it out! Hopefully the album sells well so we can get a second one!

  • Kathy Valentine - I love her... She's a Rockstar!
    author: Billy Tovar

    “Light Years” is a brilliant departure from the Go-Go’s. Kathy Valentine is a constant professional and a singer by nature.

  • Kathy Valentine a legend in song and guitar.
    author: Tom Jackson

    Kathy Valentine (the sexy Go-Go) finally makes the move up front. Light years is a master piece, it's the one CD you'll come back to over and over again because there's nothing like it, with its dynamic appeal to every audience. The Kids will love it because its fresh and mainstream, adults will love it because its genius. If you do nothing else today- BUY THIS RECORD!

  • Kathy Valentine emerges as a consummate soloist
    author: Steelclaw

    Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey have always been heralded as the finest songwriters in the Go-Go's. Kathy Valentine, however, has emerged as the supreme songwriter with the release of this CD. She tackles everything from heartache to death to the US's current state of affairs. Each song features guitars, drums, bass, and keyboards deliciously meshed into euphoric melodies with Kathy's own voice smoothly blending with it all. If this CD doesn't go far upon official release in Sept. I will officially give up on the music industry and the naive buying public!

  • very good solo album worth the wait
    author: joe mccracken

    very good solo album produced by herself as well and at only $12 a recommended buy

  • Kathy rocks again!!
    author: Martin

    This album shows why Kathy was the real rock in the Go-Go's. I've always been a big Delphines fan and Kathy's solo effort just reinforces the view that she's atrue rocker. What a change from the usual pap we get served here in the UK from the wannabe's doing yet another cover of a song. This album is worth every penny. Kathy can really make a guitar sing!

  • What A Great Collection Of Style
    author: Vicki Taylor

    I am so loving this CD! It has so much power and flow. What a great combination of guitar and bass riff's with solid drum roll-off's. The melodies and lyrics pull it all together and keep it solid. So glad to hear a new side of you. I will always keep the Go-Go's as my #1, but you are right up there on your own! Keep it rockin' Girl!!!

  • KV Rocks!
    author: Radie Carter

    This CD is pretty good, Kathy Valentine waited a long time to put out a solo project. I was surprised that she sounded a lot like Debbie Harry. I especially like How The West Was Won and Guitars, Talk, Love & Drums. Kathy rocks!

  • Kathy Valentine Rides Solo Success
    author: R. Hilburn

    Who knew the talent behind Belinda Carlisle all these years was Kathy Valentine? Maybe if the Go-Go's had put Valentine up front we still might hear from them today. One of the best CDs on the market with its cool edge and bluesy tone, Kathy Valentine is light years above the rest.

  • listening now,shooting star&bad choice have old school crunch.
    author: nicholas cronenberg

    listening to lightyears now,shooting star&bad choice have an old school crunch i love.The title track is a beautiful song and so is getting by. I will be spending alot of time adoring this cd.Thank You,KATHY your fan always,nick

  • Kathy Valentine knows how to write a good pop song.
    author: Jason Kreitner

    With a lot of albums nowadays, I find myself listening to each track and picking them apart to find bits that I like. I might think that the guitar solo was particularly good, or that the track was especially well produced. With this album, however, the thought that came to mind with each track was that I had just listened to a really good song. Kathy Valentine has written a collection of songs for this album that are thoroughly enjoyable without needing ripping guitar solos or over-the-top production. This album reminds me a lot of Matthew Sweet in that the quality of the songwriting is what really stands out. Anyone who can appreciate what really makes a good pop song will love this record.

  • Kathy Valentine Rocks!
    author: Michael Holloway

    Kathy Valentine's new (and first) solo CD is a truly marvellous album! Fans of Kathy already know she's a fabulous songwriter, guitarist, and bass player, and here she proves what a fantastic singer she is too. The songs on "Light Years" are brilliant, with "Creation Myth" being my current favourite. The music is alive and electrifying and Kathy's voice is both powerful and poignant. "Let there be truth, let there be light"...well, there will be WHEN Kathy follows up on this album with more solo musical delights!

  • Kathy Rocks on her new CD!
    author: Alex Bell

    Great musicianship, what else from Kathy Valentine, a great project on her part that pleases all of us who have enjoyed her career for twenty-five plus years. It's a great cd for those of us in the South who are on our way to the Gulf Beaches! It's the ultimate Kathy Valentine sound and is her best CD yet! Also check out Cosmic Speed and God Bless the Go-Gos........

  • Loved the licks, bluesy tones, witty and want more from Kathy with a meaner voic
    author: Lisa Buchanan

    Congratulations Valentine, you finally did it! You pulled it off with such smooth style all your own. You showed us a very talented side of you we didn't get to hear. You would fit nicely in the Florida Keys: Key West, come on down and play for us...This cd, I believe is just the beginning of a journey on a road she's gonna own!! Sweet!

  • KV Unleashed
    author: Brian Curtiss

    This cd is the perfect mix of pop and rock songs and has enough great writing, harmonies, guitars, and hooks to keep the listener coming back for more . While Kathy Valentine's guitar work is her undeniable forte, her solo debut album proves that she is a competent, ear pleasing vocalist as well . The first five songs in a row are all just great listening . " Getting By ", a reflective mid-tempoed track is a marvelous song that excels on all levels including melody, lead / backing vocals, guitars and subject matter . The finely crafted, pure pop appeal songs "Light Years", Retouch Me", and "Somewhere To Nowhere" are all underpinned by a solid rock guitar and bass foundation that really adds power to them . I'd recommend this album to anyone . Is it any wonder that with not enough quality work like this getting significant distribution that so many people have jumped ship to country music ?

  • What a incredible surprise! This CD is awesome! Will be in my car for weeks!
    author: Alex Douglas

    Not sure what I was getting into when I bought this CD, being a Go-Go's fan I thought it would be worth cheking out. My first reaction was, How amazing is Kathy's voice? Who knew that she was so talented? The voice, the guitar and the lyrics. And am I the only one who thinks she looks amazing! She's like a fine wine, fellas. Hope you like it as much as I do.

  • Slow-cooked to perfection
    author: John Flanagan

    Kathy Valentine writes kick-ass rock/pop songs. You may know that. What you may not know is that KV has a creamy smooth voice that perfectly complements her crafty lyrics and bluesy rock edge. The mix starts off slow, but festers and ignites into a satiating pop rock confection.

  • This is the happiest CD I own.
    author: J. Young

    "Light Years" starts out with a few softer songs, but the last half finishes with a bang. The remarkable pop songs on this CD show how pop should be done; they are intelligent and pretty, but without that annoying sugary aftertaste. But, what is best about this CD? The whole package. It is brilliantly conceived and wonderfully presented; "Light Years" shows Kathy Valentine is more than a great on-stage entertainer or upbeat bass player. Songwriting, guitar work, backing vocals, engineering, and production are all superior. Clem Burke is perfect on drums; Abby Travis sublime on bass. Of course, Ace Frehley’s guitar solo on the last track fits perfectly. Kathy Valentine’s first solo CD leaves me smiling all day, no matter which song I listened to last. Isn't that the point?

  • A Guitar Hero
    author: KVFan

    Upbeat bluesy rock and roll all the way. Kathy Valentine is a true genuine guitar player with a wide range of sound. Everything from the blues to kick ass rock and roll. Home felt lyrics as well.

  • Pop that is "Supercharged"
    author: Edge of LA

    A nice balance of sounds, from a bluesy ballad, to some mid-paced pop, to faster, driving, super-rocking tunes. Each track has just the right amount of hook to keep the song in your head throughout the day. From the melodies, to the harmonies, to the great guitar solos, KV's LIGHT YEARS delivers music to enjoy and rock-out to -- and you don't have to be a Blondie or Go-Go's fan to get into it!

  • Awesome CD, Great service
    author: RO

    The CD is great. Great service. Would easily buy another CD from CD baby. Thanks! Kathy Valentine rocks!

  • Worth The Wait. Great Listen
    author: Michael Southard

    Great lyrically. Shows a lot of growth and life experience. And it is quite infectious. Track 3 - SO TRUE Glad to see it get finished and come to the public. Thanks Kathy for your contributions to music SOLO and w/ Go Go's. Bought same day I heard . . . 5/5/05

  • At times.... SUBLIME.
    author: CHINASKI (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/chinaski2)

    These songs pump with ROCK energy! Well crafted and even sublime melodies pervade the layered tracks on this album. If you appreciate smart lyrics, and infectious melody - this CD is for you!

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