n 1991, two of rock music’s royalty highest ranking
legends Paul Rodgers and Kenney Jones decided to join forces and create the powerful unit known as The Law. Although the union was
short lived, the shelf life of the project has endured for years, equally with the amazing chapter in each of the two musician’s career
paths.
Paul Rodgers’ journey began with Free in the late sixties, which netted him some incredible copyrights like “All Right Now,” “Wishing Well” and
“Fire and Water.” After the untimely demise of their gifted guitarist Paul Kossoff, both Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke teamed up with Mick
Ralphs (Mott The Hoople) and the late Boz Burrell (King Crimson) and formulated the super group Bad Company. Aside from world tours and
multi-platinum platters throughout the seventies like Bad Company, Straight Shooter and Running With The Pack, Paul left the band in good
hands with a major hit “Rock And Roll Fantasy” at the turn of the decade, and then proceeded to craft his own solo path with his first successful
solo album Cut Loose (Friday Music 1061) in 1983. Two years later, his good friend of the highest order Jimmy Page teamed up with Rogers and
formed the powerful unit The Firm. The band recorded two highly successful albums The Firm and Mean Business.
Kenney Jones was a founding member of England’s The Small Faces. Along with the late Stevie Marriot, the late Ronnie Lane, and Ian McLagan
, they formed an R & B/Psychedelic meets Northern Soul alternative to The Beatles and were blessed with many hit singles and albums to their
credit. One of their most important achievements during the turbulent sixties was their Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake album, with the amazing single
“Afterglow.” Upon Steve leaving to form Humble Pie, Rod Stewart joined up along with Ronnie Wood and the new Faces were born. A few years
later, after the tragic death of Keith Moon, and after a time of mourning, The Who enlisted good friend and superstar drummer Kenney Jones for
several successful albums like Face Dances, It’s Hard and Who’s Last.
Now, hold your breath, this combination of historical talent only takes us to 1991! The musical roots that each member of The Law brought to the
recording studio table, would have made anyone at Atlantic Records proud, including the band’s biggest fan and supporter Ahmet Ertegun, who
signed the band soon after the two fellows had a chance meeting.
In a recent discussion with Rodgers, he explained to me that the two musicians met up at a pub in England, each of them were interested in
starting a new band together, and there was a sign posted in the bar about underage drinking or something like that, which had the phrase, “It’s
the law” …and that is how the name THE LAW began the partnership which would garner them a hit album in the months to follow.
The recording sessions took place at several key studios in London with Chris Kimsey at the helm as producer. Amongst the incredible
partnership of talent, some of the guest musicians and writers were just the right element that gave this album the soul and depth it deserved.
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Chris Rea, Bryan Adams, Jon Astley, Pino Palladino…..one after another, all lent their artistic contributions to the
project.
Working as a national promotion manager for the Atlantic Records Corporation during the release of this album, the team was able to get The Law
their sole #1 at AOR radio with the Rodgers penned “Laying Down The Law.” It was an exciting time as the album and the follow up singles
achieved solid airplay for the better part of the year.
Unfortunately, it was a very short-lived entity. Playing the album several years later, and during the remastering process, I didn’t think anything
but how strong the album really was. From the kick off track “For A Little Ride” to the Four Tops sounding rock and roll balladry of “Come Save
Me ( Julianne)” to the arena rocking “Stone Cold”, this album is chock full of great songs.
In addition to the already finely crafted venture, we have located a very strong unreleased track “That’s When You Fall In Love” from the Atlantic
vaults that just makes this album that much more enduring.
Another Rodgers penned track, this rare gem truly shows where the band was headed musically and creatively. What a moment in time this
was.
Today, both Paul Rodgers and Kenney Jones are continuing their musical paths in various successful directions: Paul enjoys a solid solo career
as well as being the lead vocalist with Queen + Paul Rodgers. Kenny joined forces with Rick Wills (The Small Faces/Foreigner) as The Jones
Gang, releasing a new album in 2007.
I personally would like to thank the guys for the years of great music, and it is a rocking validation for us here at Friday Music that we can make
this fine album available once again for their legions of fans worldwide. The Law-The Deluxe Edition is a badge worth wearing.
Joe Reagoso, Friday Music, Inc.
& 
2008 Atlantic Records Corporation & FridayMusic
