Description
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq3pL6IFZTM
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A Million Vacations was the fourth album released by Max Webster in 1979. The hit songs “A Million Vacations”, “Let Go the Line”, and “Paradise Skies” remain as Canadian Classic rock radio station staples. The album was certified platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association. The song “A Million Vacations” is a Gary McCracken / Pye Dubois collaboration.
Max Webster A Million Vacations
Label: Anthem Records
Catalog#: ANR-1-1018
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1979
Genre: Rock, Prog Rock
Tracklist
A1 Paradise Skies
Music By Kim Mitchell, Pye Dubois
3:15
A2 Charmonium
Music By Terry Watkinson
Lead Vocals Terry Watkinson
4:15
A3 Night Flights
Music By Pye Dubois, Terry Watkinson
3:02
A4 Sun Voices
Music By Kim Mitchell, Pye Dubois
4:50
A5 Moon Voices
Music By Kim Mitchell
3:05
B1 A Million Vacations
Music By Gary McCracken, Pye Dubois
Lead Vocals Gary McCracken
3:10
B2 Look Out
Music By Kim Mitchell, Pye Dubois
4:53
B3 Let Go The Line
Music By Terry Watkinson
Lead Vocals Terry Watkinson
3:25
B4 Rascal Houdi
Music By Kim Mitchell, Pye Dubois
3:28
B5 Research (At Beach Resorts)
Music By Kim Mitchell, Pye Dubois
4:45
| Total album Length | 39:10 |
|---|
Arranged By [Strings] Bill Misener
Bass, Vocals Dave Myles
Congas, Shaker Dick Smith
Drums, Percussion, Vocals Gary McCracken
Guitar, Lead Vocals Kim Mitchell
Keyboards, Vocals Terry Watkinson
Lyrics By Pye Dubois
Producer John De Nottbeck, Max Webster
Vocals [Additional] Carla Jensen, Judy Donnelly
Recorded at Phase One Studios, Scarborough, Ontario.
Mixed at Soundstage, Toronto, Ontario.
Mastered at Master Disc.
©1979 SRO Productions (1975) Inc.
Distributed by Capitol Records-EMI of Canada Limited.
Manufactured by Anthem Records of Canada.
Released with an inner lyrics-sleeve
The music from this Canadian quartet still has the quirks you would expect from previous albums. But with tunes like “Paradise Skies” and “Night Flights,” they became downright accessible. “Let Go The Line” sounds like Toto. But its followed with the loopy anarchism of “Rascal Houdi,” another song from front-man Kim Mitchell that keeps the proceedings from getting too predictable.
5.0 out of 5 stars Â. . . a million reasons to buy this album . .
A Million Vacations isn’t neither the best nor the least of the Max albums. I bought it first in 1979 not long after its been released, and their excellent “Live Magnetic Air” was also one of the first contacts I had with this group. Sooner or later, I got ALL the LPs ; Max Webster was -and will always be- my favorite band (or one of my few ‘desert island’ choices…). From their first album (includes the famous ‘Hangover’) to the electrifying “Universal Juveniles”, Max Webster never lacked in terms of originality, versatility, and all their albums contain some great rock & roll moments of their own. The myth would like you to believe A Million Vacations isn’t “as good” as their previous efforts, or is somewhat “more commercial”. In my Websterian point of view, A M V sounds more “progressive” (most of the songs have a rather complex musical structure). Not a description of some ‘average’ commercial stuff… If a song is best described as ‘commercial’, this could be ‘Let Go The Line’, although it is a very good song per se. On A M V, Kim Mitchell and his band-mates have decided to go for something really different (in this bands case, there is not a ‘cheap beat’ replica from one album to the other !); the content is less ‘hard rock’, less ‘underground’ than “Mutiny Up My Sleeve” (the darkest album from M W, although -perhaps- the most exciting), and makes A M V a summer-ized’ disc. It has a ‘vacation feel’ into it, and that produces a pleasing and judicious contrast with “Mutiny Up My Sleeve”. Vocals, in particular, are even better (if anything) than their earlier material. A key element here is to understand that every disc from this band is different (still, retaining their signature), thus a piece in the history of this band. There’s a million reasons to buy this album, as any Webster albums, but I’ll let you discover the music for yourself. I do NOT think this album “lacks the passion” and is “watered down” as reported somewhere in these reviews. After all, there’s NO New Age here, and should I add A Million Vacations does have plenty of these good rock & roll moments you can expect from a band as good and unique as Max Webster.
5.0 out of 5 stars Max to the Max,
One of the most frustrating things I experienced growing up in Canada was that Max Webster was only a local phenomenon. I always felt they should have achieved Van Halen type status. Now I’m old and I live in the U.S and I make my living in the music biz I still think Max should have been huge. Vacations is their best work although Mutiny up my Sleeve comes in a close second.
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular rock music that is highly emotional and moody.
instantly became one of my favorites. Max Webster is a Canadian band that really knows how to write provocative music. The shapes, textures, and sounds that Kim Mitchell gets out of his guitar are unreal- he makes his instrument talk in a language anyone can understand. Kims vocals are also quite ethereal at times. Keyboards and synthesizers provide a richer, more full sound that really reinforces the tracks. “Sun Voices”, the records masterpiece, is beautiful as well as visceral. Opener “Paradise Skies” is similarly musically exhilarating. There are so many outstanding tracks. A Million Vacations is a concept album that focuses on pleasure-seeking and beach-hopping, but does so in a unique, personal, and stylistically creative way. Bass playing and drumming are also excellent and just serve to bolster an already fabulous effort. Max Webster seems like a cross between Rush and Yes. No song on this album is really much over 5 or 6 minutes, though. I hope all of Max Websters releases are as brilliantly creative and emotional as 1979s A Million Vacations. I’ll keep you posted.
5.0 out of 5 stars THE Max Webster LP,
Truly, this is THE Max Webster LP, released in 1979 at the peak of the bands very bizarre career. Their weird antics and solid, party-time rock’n’roll took them from local high school dances in ’75 to New Years Concerts at Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens in ’80. At the time, it almost seemed that the main stream was ready for them when Million Vacations was released. The locally popular “Let Go the Line” received a lot of air play, while they toured in the states as the back up band, and then called the sister band to Rush.
Musically, they were performing in the studio and on stage at top form. Its what anyone over 35 remembers as 70s Rock’n’Roll. Its loud, wild and great travelling/cruising tunes. Lyrically, Pye Dubois is true to his form: “Igloo Omelette”, painting eclectic images that captivate the feelings of that time. However, political undertones present in previous LPs are replaced by less complex material playing upon the struggles of coming to terms with identity (Research), destiny (Let Go the Line), and coping with mondain urban life of the 70s. (Million Vacation).
5.0 out of 5 stars Original, Fresh, excellent
Musically and Lyrically, one of the best CDs I’ve heard. I haven’t heard too many guitarists who could match the work of “Rascall Houdi”. Also, Research at Beach Resorts is an all around fun tune. Lastly, “Paradise Skys” Grabs you from the first few notes. Cmon guys, put out just one more !!! Excellent !
5.0 out of 5 stars Superior musicianship,
I used to listen to this album all the time and just stumbled across it again. It brought back very pleasant memories. It is a superior album for a very important reason, the musicianship.
Max Webster had superior musical abilities and songs that properly showcased the talent. They are tight, entertaining, and interesting. Several of the songs have catchy riffs and the recording techniques are excellent.
Max also tries to come up with meaningful lyrics. I’m not convinced they are the best, but at least they have a purpose and not just filler.
Except for the last two songs, this album is superior in several ways. If you give it half a chance you would enjoy it as much as I do.
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it for 20 plus years,
I first heard this album when it was a new release 20 plus years ago. I have since bought it three or four times as I seem to loose it along with others or others have loved it as much and borrow and never returned.
Excellent album, summer time fun, RESEARCH AT BEACH RESORTS – has been a motto of mine for years – lyric from this album. As the summer sun comes in I always drift back to one of the greatest albums I have loved for decades. As previous comments have said – listen to the whole thing to understand and grasp the true album – kinda a Pink Floyd thing – it is great.
5.0 out of 5 stars always the experimental band,
what a mix of great lyrics and musical stylings.
the genius of the entire band is personified here on their 4th release(i believe),and raw energy mixed with melodic passages,and foreign styles (rascal houdi).
this has become one of my favorites,however bold a statement that is,due to the greatness of all of max’s releases.
a must have for all Mitchell and max fans!!!!!!
i have seen them all thru NY state opening for bands such as rush,UFO,angel,brand x ,genesis,and more .i won’t name the bands they blew off the stage.i have been in Toronto 3 times and only once were they the headliners…a most misunderstood band………….i would love to see a reunion of some sort,and who knows anything is possible in rock……
Check those titles for sale:
MAX WEBSTER: Night Flight 7″ + Hangover [unreleased song]. PROMO.
MAX WEBSTER: Paradise Skies 7″ + The Party [Killer B side]. Check videos!
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