The point in being addicted to 'encyclopedia' related facts in music (you know, bands' discographies/lineups, artists' bios, companies' catalogues, albums' issues etc) is simply the chance you have to yell where the hell has this guy been all those years?. Naive way of thinking, no doubt. But, just remember the old madman the time some 'lurking' musician (once featured in a beloved band's 'years-before' album) will emerge form the obscurity.
Bruce Turgon - born in Rochester, NY, USA - plays music for more than 35 years now. Lucky enough to establish loyal friendship/partnership with the one-and-only Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm (then Louis Grammatico), Turgon joined Gramm's Hard Rock outfit Black Sheep for a bunch of mid-70's releases. After Gramm's decision to join Foreigner, Bruce then left for Los Angeles writing, recording, touring with many bands (Billy Thorpe, Nick Gilder, Prism, Warrior) and performing around CA with his own band(s). Still, my first introduction to this bassist was in 1991 via Shadowking's album, an infamous project also involving Gramm on vocals and Def Leppard axeman Vivian Campell. Now, jumping forth 15 years later...
...Bruce Turgon releases his first solo album, via - which else - the Italian Frontiers label. Hence, the general idea is obvious. Melodic/Hard Rock the 'experienced' way, by a man who's in charge of nearly all instruments. Enrolling Denny Carmassi (ex-Foreigner/Montrose) behind the kit, Outside Looking In features guest appearances by a 'lot' of respected musicians such as Ronnie Montrose, Ricky Phillips (ex-The Babys/Bad English) and Scott McKinstry (Lou Gramm Band). In terms of music, fans of Foreigner (wow...), Shadowking and (some of) '80s' Kiss will applause with relief. Groovy Hard Rockin', passionate mid-tempos and 'moody' keys sum it up - overall - to a set of 12 velvet tracks. The basic difference between this and some other (of the same description) Melodic Rock releases is this: Turgon's 'golden' experience is the key point to Outside Looking In's value.
Trustworthy, genuine and a silent force: fits like a glove to Turgon's first solo effort. Nothing groundbreaking, of course, but tunes like the self-titled track, Heart So Strong, The Last Time and Living A Lie will be a good company for some Saturday Hard Rock Club night or a highway 'personal' night drive.