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- FIRST TIME ON CD!!!
- High-Quality Expanded 8 Page Booklet with photos and lyrics
- Jewel Case CD
- 2022 Girder Records, GR1121
- Originally Release in 1983
- Legends of Rock™ Edition
- Release Date: March 11, 2022
- UPC: 763416070035
ABOUT THE RELEASES
Rick Cua was a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary Christian music recording 11 solo albums. An Italian American sporting a cool leather jacket, Cua was the bass player for the successful southern rock band The Outlaws. Rick Cua's first 4 albums were and still are among the top classic AOR albums to come out of the widely successful Christian Rock scene however the first 3 have never been on CD until NOW.
Koo'-ah (1982), No Mystery (1983), You're My Road (1985) and Wear Your Colors (1986), have been completely remastered in these officially licensed, limited edition Legends of Rock™ CD pressings with expanded 8 page booklets, collectors trading cards (in 2 of them) and restored original covers. Rick was also heavily involved in the process and was kind enough to provide insights and reflections on each release.
NO MYSTERY
No Mystery is an elated trip down memory lane for those of us who grew up with this music. The output is definitively album-oriented rock which dominated the FM airwaves in the ‘80s. While Cua had his own signature sound, I do hear inflections of the familial Night Ranger or 38 Special, for music referencing (which is a compliment, btw!). Unlike his debut that had mostly southern-tinged rock with a smattering of rock-pop ballad-type material, No Mystery is contagiously consistent.
As with the debut album, the musicians on this album are pejoratively an all-star cast, the most significant being Ian Bairnson from Alan Parson Project on guitars. There is also the addition of Andy Richards of the Strawbs on keyboards. Another noticeable variation from the debut album is how David Dix of The Outlaws allows himself to go more wild on the drums on the rock numbers. That guy can sure pound the skins.
It can not be emphasized enough that one of the defining elements of No Mystery is the three pensive rock tracks that kick the album off. He Lives In Me, the second chart-topper for Cua, One Way Out, and Changed all bear the stamp of great song writing. The Power, another guitar-ripping southern rocker, was penned by Mike Mead, who went on to play drums for Phil Keaggy and Chagall Guevara.
The closer, Help Me Out, is fun blues rock in the New Orleans style. I had to chuckle when I heard these lines sung:
“I just left a bad situation
Got kicked out of my own house
The woman I loved turned into a lion
And tried to turn me into a mouse”
It’s not too funny when this situation actually happens, but boy do I love how this song is delivered! –Doug Peterson, Down The Line zine
Rick reflects on No Mystery
My second CCM record, No Mystery was recorded in the United Kingdom. For 8 weeks my wife Diana and I, with our 2 daughters, Niki & Nina, lived in a London flat in a typical English neighborhood, which was walking distance to the studio and some great restaurants.
While I was recording daily Diana and The Kids toured London with their tube passes. At the end of the day we would catch up on our adventures over a nice meal. We were very fortunate and thankful for that opportunity both recording wise and culturally.
No Mystery yielded our 2nd #1, He Lives In Me, and brought me deeper into the world of Contemporary Christian Music.
No Mystery
- HE LIVES IN ME 3:55
- ONE WAY OUT 4:37
- CHANGED 3:54
- JUST VISITING 4:10
- THE POWER 3:10
- HIGH SCHOOL REUNION 3:22
- CREATE IN ME A HEART 4:18
- A.S.S.E.F. 2:52
- BRIGHT LIGHT 3:17
- HELP ME OUT 4:14
ABOUT RICK CUA
Rick Cua is a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary Christian music. He’s an Italian American and sports a cool leather jacket. Cua became a believer in 1977 and played in local bands in the mainstream market. A couple years later he landed the opportunity to become the bass player for the successful Southern rock band The Outlaws. For several years he toured extensively with The Outlaws and helped them reach three million albums in sales.
Another widely-known musician, Joe English, former drummer for Paul McCartney & Wings, introduced Cua to the Christian music industry. While still in The Outlaws, Rick followed his heart and wrote gritty rock and adult contemporary songs as a vehicle to share the love of God. His songs have tackled issues current amongst young adults. He also brings in seasoned musicians from known bands. With over three decades in and twelve albums, six #1 songs, nine top 5 hits, and a Dove Award nominee, Cua remains passionate to record and perform, inspiring people to live in the fullness of Jesus. On occasions, he continues to play in Blues Counsel, a band made up of members who have been jamming together from twenty to forty years.
CREDITS
PRODUCED BY RICK CUA for Koo-ah Productions
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