Tag: Keith Forsey

August 29, 2025

Charlie Sexton – Impressed (Canada 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In 1985, 16-year-old Texas guitar prodigy Charlie Sexton released his debut album Pictures for Pleasure. Fresh out of the Austin music scene, Sexton had already built a reputation as a musician well beyond his years.

Following the success of his debut single “Beat’s So Lonely,” which reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an MTV staple, MCA Records issued “Impressed” as the album’s second single. While the track carried the same glossy production and atmospheric charm, “Impressed” unfortunately failed to chart.

Produced by Keith Forsey (Billy Idol, The Breakfast Club soundtrack), “Impressed” leans heavily into the mid-80s new wave/post-punk hybrid sound. With moody guitars, layered synth textures, and Sexton’s deep, mature-sounding vocal delivery, the song seemed tailor-made for radio and MTV rotation. The 12″ single featured extended and dance-oriented versions that gave the track a club-ready edge, contrasting the darker rock tones of the LP.

**As a bonus track, I have also included the 7″ Remix, which I transferred from the US promo 7″ single.

SIDE A:
Impressed (Mixed Impressions) (Extended Dance Remix) 6:19
Engineer [Remix] – Dave Concors
Remix – Arthur Barrow

SIDE B:
Impressed (Wanna Bet Dub) 7:26
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Parker (2)
Remix – Charlie Sexton, Steve Lillywhite

BONUS TRACK:
Impressed (7″ Remix) 3:45
Remix – Charlie Sexton, Michael Frondelli, Steve Lillywhite

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23622
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: Canada
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic. Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Keith Forsey
Written-By – R. Wilson*, S. Krikorian*

NOTES:
Original version appears on the Charlie Sexton album “Pictures For Pleasure”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

August 19, 2025

Charlie Sexton – Hold Me (US 12″ Promo) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In 1986, a teenage guitar prodigy from Austin, Texas was already making waves in the rock and pop world. Charlie Sexton, only 16 years old at the time, released Hold Me as the third single from his debut album Pictures for Pleasure.

Produced by hitmaker Keith Forsey—best known for his work with Billy Idol and producing the Flashdance and Breakfast Club soundtracks—the track showcases Sexton’s blend of youthful energy, guitar-driven rock, and glossy mid-80s production. While his earlier single Beat’s So Lonely became his breakout hit, Hold Me revealed a more melodic and vulnerable side to his artistry.

Pictures for Pleasure positioned Sexton as both a guitar slinger and a rising pop star, balancing polished hooks with the grit of his bluesy Texas roots. It was an impressive debut for someone who, at an age when most were still figuring out high school, was already signed to MCA Records, touring internationally, and appearing on MTV.

Though Hold Me didn’t climb the charts as high as its predecessor, it remains a strong entry in Sexton’s early catalog—a testament to his undeniable talent and the industry’s faith in his star potential. Listening today, the single still captures that mid-80s blend of sophistication and youthful intensity, with Sexton’s vocals carrying both polish and passion.

Charlie Sexton would go on to work with an incredible roster of artists—eventually becoming a longtime member of Bob Dylan’s touring band—but Hold Me is a reminder of his remarkable beginnings. At just 16, he wasn’t just chasing the dream; he was living it.

SIDE A:
Hold Me (Long Version) 4:27

SIDE B:
Hold Me (Short Version) 3:56

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – L33-17149
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Producer – Keith Forsey
Written-By – D. Oppenheim*, I. Schuster*, L.J. Little*

NOTES:
Management: Tim Neece

From the Charlie Sexton Album “Pictures For Pleasure”

12″ Promotional Single Not For Sale

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

April 4, 2025

Charlie Sexton – In Deep (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!

Originally posted December 29, 2011

A Lost Gem from a Guitar Virtuoso

Charlie Sexton is a name that resonates with fans of rock, blues, and new wave, known for his exceptional guitar work and smooth vocals. While many may immediately think of his breakout 1985 hit “Beat’s So Lonely,” his lesser-known track “In Deep” showcases a different side of his artistry.

“In Deep” was featured on the Beverly Hills Cop II soundtrack (1987), a collection of songs that complemented the high-energy action film. Produced by Keith Forsey, the track captures the sleek, polished sound of the era, blending Sexton’s blues-rock sensibilities with a cinematic edge. The song also benefited from remixes by the legendary Shep Pettibone, adding a dance-friendly appeal to its atmospheric production. However, no music video was shot for the single, and the remixes remain exclusive to vinyl releases.

The track stands out for its emotive vocal delivery, haunting guitar work, and infectious melody. While it may not have been a chart-topping hit, it remains a hidden gem in Sexton’s discography, demonstrating his versatility as a musician and performer.

Though Charlie Sexton would later become known for his work with Bob Dylan as a longtime guitarist in Dylan’s touring band, songs like “In Deep” highlight his depth as a solo artist. This track is worth revisiting for fans of late-’80s rock and those who appreciate skilled musicianship with heartfelt songwriting.

SIDE A:
In Deep (Extended Version) 5:48

SIDE B:
In Deep (Single Version) 4:18
In Deep (Dub Version) 4:25

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23786
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Arranged By – Scott Wilk
Producer – Keith Forsey
Remix – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Charlie Sexton, Scott Wilk

NOTES:
Original version appears on the “Beverly Hills Cop II” Motion Picture Soundtrack album MCA-6207

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

May 22, 2024

Billy Idol – White Wedding Parts I & II (Shot Gun Mix) (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985

Request

“White Wedding Parts I & II (Shot Gun Mix)” is a single released in June 1985 by English rocker Billy Idol to promote the Remix Album “Vital Idol”. This single contains the original 1982 12″ version of “White Wedding (Part 1&2)” renamed “Shotgun Mix” for this 12″ and the “Vital Idol” LP. The 1985 re-issue of “White Wedding” reached #6 on the UK singles chart where it did not chart at all when originally released in 1983.

This 12″ also includes the exclusive “Mega-Idol Mix” a megamix which comprises “Flesh For Fantasy,” “Hot in the City” and “Dancing With Myself”.

SIDE A:
White Wedding (Parts 1 & 2) (Shot Gun Mix) 8:21

SIDE B:
Mega-Idol Mix 8:00

B1 Flesh For Fantasy
Remix – Gary Langan

B2 Hot In The City

B3 Dancing With Myself
Remix – Steve Stevens

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – IDOLX 5
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed
Country: UK
Released: Jun 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Lacquer Cut By – Tone*
Photography By – Albert Sanchez
Producer – Keith Forsey
Producer [Mega-Idol Mix] – Billy Idol (tracks: B), Steve Stevens (tracks: B)

NOTES:
Made in the UK

New album “Vital Idol”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.