David Werner - "Melanie Cries"

From The 1979 release "David Werner"
I have seen David Werner remembered online for his contributions to 70s glam rock in the style of early David Bowie, but his third and final LP (the only one I have heard), 1979's self-titled release, sounds much more power pop than glam. That said, it's the harder-edged side of power pop with the guitars meaty, loud and up front.
There's plenty to rock out to here, but the album's most memorable moments actually come when it tries to branch out a bit. For example, Melanie Cries is a very appealing foray into 70s soft pop (it works much better than it sounds) and High Class Blues successfully attempts Stonesy blues rock.
It's not surprising that this album didn't reach the masses as nothing really stands out as a surefire single, but it's certainly a worthwhile listen for any fan of late 70s power pop.

[@dougwilson4529]

The most overlooked talent in the history of rock. I love me some David Werner!

[@455jjd]

Doug, the first time I heard "What's Right" back in the early '90s, I WAS HOOKED!!! I still have the LP, had it transferred to CD. This guy was/hopefully still is GOOD!! JD

[@dorothyscarth2930]

A lost gem, so glad to have found it again

[@ailurophile17]

One of the greatest albums that no one ever heard!

[@rockerupchuck]

NEVER HEARD A BAD TUNE FROM DAVID WERNER. THE GUY MADE SOME EXCELLENT MUSIC!

[@rockerupchuck4468]

WISH SOMEONE WOULD PUT HIS 3 ALBUMS ON CD ! I WOULD BUY ALL 3 IN A HEARTBEAT !

[@davidellis5141]

So strange Never On Cd. Such a cult LP. Great harmonies on this track

[@brianrobinson4316]

iv'e got this on cd

[@davidhefner2010]

Hello!

[@vimmo]

Melanie Cries is fantastic no matter what genre you're talking about. Simply wonderful. Simply Genius - like most songs on his three albums! David Werner, where are you? Please come back.

[@SunnyDays951]

Just the best song to hear when Fall is knocking on the door....getting chilly...school is back in..... seeing the girls after summer....

[@HarperandHaynes]

David Werner. Not sure if I'm mad he's not well known, or glad he's on my personal secret favorite list. Love it !

[@whitewitchoz]

This should be playing on classic rock radio. ....Beautiful song....

[@bobpeeweemusic]

Such a fantastic song and so overlooked artist! I wish all the songs could be posted from that David Werner LP. It so needs a CD release!

[@solstrimma]

Old favorite...nice to see this song here:-)

[@billbaker3rd]

I worked this record at CEMA! I loved it and so wanted it to be a bigger splash. I played it for everyone! Recently, I brought the song up to Jim Yester and Jules Gary Alexander of the Association. I am so glad I found this on KZbin so Gary can hear how the Association influenced this record.

[@davidellis5141]

Don't doubt that you worked it , but it was at CBS not CEMA it was on Epic , 40 years ago.

[@billbaker3rd]

@@davidellis5141 Thank you.. yes yes that is my last year with CBS... you are so right...I was let go during the Disco Crash and found my calling with CEMA in 81. I just loved Melanie Cries and listened to it on a mix tape all the time in my van during the eighties... Thanks for reminding me.

[@davidellis5141]

@@billbaker3rd My Dad worked for both Epic & Columbia. Let go in 1980 by Bruce Lundvall & Walter Yetnikop (SP) probably the same Black Friday !

[@bufgraph]

Great stuff danodownriviera! I was able to convert my vinyl of Werner's self-titled album to my iTunes. I forgot how good and how this man's work was overlooked. Thanks for posting!

[@et2petty]

Produced and engineered by Bob Clearmountain also produced a band called the rolling Stones.

[@SunnyDays951]

Beautiful yet haunting tune. David and Mark consumate musicians, quite overlooked. Fond memories......

[@static-remission27]

v vmc hfgvjh

[@OdeGrateful]

IMHO Most of David Werner's self titled album is pretty much outstanding. Awesome!

[@Walt023]

Man! That is so cool! haven't heard in years. I loved that album and loved that song, need to here more from that album thanks for posting

[@davidhefner2010]

Timeless

[@lplvr70]

Gorgeous tune. Picked up this LP recently and have turned a couple friends onto it. They both asked the same question: How did I miss this one?

[@jdmccall2277]

I love the complex layering of the chorus. It's ethereal.

[@davidbrown8310]

This song was always a favorite of mine. Growing up in Pgh area I enjoyed many local musicians/bands who I thought had a good shot at making it big. Now multiply this by countless other talented regional artist who never made it big but created awesome songs. Why I can't stand commercial radio !

[@waltbianchi8862]

I feel the same way. WYDD ruined me.

[@davidbrown8310]

@waltbianchi8862 if you lived in Monroeville area WRUA (later WXVX) 1510 AM played some different music depending on the DJ.

[@omahaisme]

Had this LP but it got lost in a move---been forever since I've heard this.

[@jonsantos9816]

I believe that part of the problem was that he was a part of the main man family (main man was a stable of artists associated with a gentleman named David Bowie. Although all of these artists were very good ,the media didn't know how to perceive them,so they went by the boards (a terrible shame).The only one who actually received success was the artist named John Cougar (Mellencamp).

[@davidhefner8008]

He's fab A billion years later...

[@chichijunk]

Please upload "It's ALittle Bit Sad" - Awesome song!

[@richardtaylor8595]

I cry when I hear this tune. I love when music can move me to that point and I am a headbanger but great music is priceless.

[@brucegardner7134]

Went to Baldwin High School with Dave, he was a cool guy, always wanted someday to have his own group, well. Pleasure to have known him.

[@rickg7579]

When did you graduate from Baldwin H.S. Bruce ??

[@brucegardner7134]

1970 Rick

[@rickg7579]

Thanks Bruce, I was just curious since I also went to Baldwin. I graduated in '76

[@brucegardner7134]

Cool

[@davidhefner8008]

I'm gonna tell ya now Since vinyl This never gets old

[@toms2b]

LOVE THIS SONG!!! It's been playing in my head for years! Finally glad to find it here. Thanks for posting.

[@104Bosco]

I am one of his biggest fans along with his guitar player Mark Doyle. This LP should have charted easily. At least six great songs.

[@elisasmith2848]

I bought this album when I was in my junior year in high school. Nowadays you could call this indie rock.

[@crapple009]

This song would fit in comfortably on a station that plays soft rock, though it's not typical soft rock.

[@davidellis5141]

Could imagine Wilco doing a track like this !

[@garyvanhemelryk1237]

I have the album and put it on CD, sounds incredible. Definitely should have been more popular

[@neilmcgrory39]

So cool

[@mikefarrell734]

Great tune how come there's only a mono version of this song? saw him live he's definitely not a Bowie copy

[@sansdigital]

God, I wish you could buy his old albums on Amazon. I had forgetten most but they are fabulous!

[@PhillyBill59]

Yeap...awesome song...awesome artists. Fuck the music industry...they didn't know shit. But some of us did know better...all along...!!! I once read a review of David Werner that said he was a copy...a copy to mean the American equivalent of Britain's David Bowie. And I have to disagree. I was somewhat of a Bowie if not the Glam Rock scene, and I think Werner was much more different than that. Good Stuff...and thanks by the way...for the upload. Bill H - an American in Taiwan (formerly of Philly)

[@BoChambers]

cool AS IT GETS..... lost song from the 8 track days of the past...thanks David Werner !

[@davesdogs2]

I'm from Pittsburgh and my late buddy Paul Shook guitarist for Norman Nardini and the Tigers knew this cat...he also gave me a copy of this Demo LP...f-ing great...LP long since lost....and you can't get a cd...

[@vinniedelucajr9644]

Shook was a good guy. Gone too soon.

[@davesdogs2]

@@vinniedelucajr9644 Thank you Vinnie !!! Yes he was....but I have found a mint copy of the lp and now have it back again !!!

[@vinniedelucajr9644]

@@davesdogs2 Knew Norm most of my life and I used to be a door man at Fat City. They were great to be around. I have 3 copies of Werners album down in the vault. VERY hard to find.Take care buddy !

[@johnsonjody2]

Saw him live at a ballroom in Chicago somewhere around 1970-80. Man he was fantastic live, blown away. I've got the lp somewhere?

[@davidellis5141]

This is a headscratcher such a brilliant LP. Barely dented the charts. Epic worked it. Very limited radio play. Public's loss.

[@davidellis5141]

@david hefner There is a 6 track Promo only live EP of songs from this album. It's awesome as well. Would be the perfect add on to a CD reissue. My best bet is maybe a Record Store Day Release someday. Hope so !

[@joe22589]

The record company (Epic) made a huge invest. This album was great and had lots of great songs. I think this guy had it all - but no success. Later wrote some songs for Billy Idol or Queen members. But never ever made it with his name.

[@TheDacapo1]

I listened to this album a million times. How the hell did the music industry screw this up? jamiepalumbo.com

[@crapple009]

Sweeeeeeet.

[@neilmcgrory39]

Cool..

[@antera77]

Stereo version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faHLoJugjauIgc0

[@ksparbanie]

please upload "can't imagine"

[@mrowsan]

Anybody else think this guy might've inspired Michael Quercio & THE THREE O' CLOCK?

[@crapple009]

I personally don't hear it, but I love the Three O' Clock just as well..

[@bob4analog]

@danodownriviera Yes, I'm enjoying it too, it's great! If you have "Every New Romance", could you post it too? Thanks!

[@SunnyDays951]

Hey fans go on e-bale and see what u can find.

[@GroveEndRoad]

SilverBeat

[@リトルダニーボーイ]

クロスオーバーイレブンで知りました。

[@JDRigney1]

i have this on casette hankster777