For the Love of Strange Medicine is the second solo studio album by American singer and songwriter Steve Perry, released on July 19, 1994, through Columbia Records. The album came after a lengthy eight-year hiatus following the breakup of his band Journey. The first single from the album, "You Better Wait", received radio airplay, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified gold by the RIAA in September 1994 and was followed by a tour from 1994 to 1995.
The song "Young Hearts Forever" was written by Perry as a tribute to his late friend, Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, who died in 1986.
Contents
Background
Journey released their ninth studio album Raised on Radio in 1986, which was Perry's seventh album as lead singer. The band subsequently went on a hiatus in 1987. After the split, Perry "didn't feel the passion" for writing and recording music, but eventually began writing songs for the album with musicians Lincoln Brewster, Paul Taylor, and Moyes Lucas.
Track listing
Notes (2006 re-release)
"If You Need Me, Call Me" is a 1994 re-recording of a song by Perry's pre-Journey band, Alien Project.
"One More Time" is a previously unreleased out take from 1994.
"Can't Stop" and "Friends of Mine" are previously unreleased tracks from the 1988 unreleased Against the Wall album.
Personnel
Steve Perry – vocals, backing vocals
Paul Taylor – keyboards (1–8, 10), backing vocals (1), synthesizers (11)
Tim Miner – keyboards (9), acoustic piano (9, 11), bass (9, 11), backing vocals (9, 11)
Lincoln Brewster – guitars (1–8, 10), backing vocals (1)
Michael Landau – guitars (11)
Larry Kimpel – bass (1, 2, 4, 10)
Mike Porcaro – bass (2, 3, 5–7)
Moyes Lucas – drums (1–8, 10, 11), backing vocals (1, 7)
Jeremy Lubbock – string arrangements and string conductor (3)
James "Jimbo" Barton – string arrangements (3)
Phil Brown – string arrangements (3), bass (8)
Larry Dalton – string arrangements and conductor (9)
Dallas Symphony Orchestra – strings (9)
Alexander Brown – backing vocals (4, 10)
Carmen Carter – backing vocals (4, 10)
Jean McClain – backing vocals (4, 10)
Production
Randy Jackson – A&R direction
James "Jimbo" Barton – producer (1–8, 10), engineer (1–8, 10)
Steve Perry – producer (5, 6, 9, 11)
Tim Miner – producer (9, 11)
Niko Bolas – mixing (1, 2, 6)
David Reitzas – string recording (3)
Craig Burbidge – mixing (3–5, 7–11), engineer (11)
Tim Kimsey – engineer (9)
Frank Salazar – engineer (9)
Bill Cooper – second engineer
Devin Foutz – second engineer
Manny Marroquin – second engineer
Kyle Ross – second engineer
Rail Rogut – second engineer
Ulrich Wild – second engineer
Brian Lee – digital editing
Bob Ludwig – mastering
Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine) – editing and mastering location
Phil Brown – production assistant (1–4, 7, 8, 10)
Diarmuid Quinn – product manager
Dave Coleman – art direction
Reisig & Taylor – photography