The Left Banke, a name synonymous with the sophisticated sounds of Baroque Pop, first graced the music scene in 1966. Bursting forth from the vibrant New York scene, they quickly captured hearts with their hit singles “Walk Away Renee” and “Pretty Ballerina.” These iconic tracks cemented The Left Banke’s position at the forefront of a genre that blended pop sensibilities with classical instrumentation and arrangements, a style now lovingly known as Baroque Pop. “Walk Away Renee” even earned the accolade of being listed in Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs Of All Time,” a testament to the band’s enduring impact. Despite this early success, founding member Michael Brown departed before the release of their second album, The Left Banke Too, which nonetheless featured gems like “There’s Gonna Be A Storm.” This period became highly collectable, particularly their anthology of Smash Records recordings.
In 1978, a reunion of original members Steve Martin Caro, Tom Finn, and George Cameron sparked new creative energy. They convened to record tracks under Finn’s publishing deal, recordings that wouldn’t see the light of day until nearly a decade later. These sessions ultimately materialized in 1986 as Strangers On A Train in the U.S., and under the alternate title Voices Calling in the U.K. Now, for the first time, this release is being made available again to a global audience, and significantly, it marks its debut on CD format. This reissue offers fans a chance to rediscover a crucial chapter in The Left Banke’s history, previously confined to vinyl and out-of-print pressings.
Adding another layer to this reissue is the inclusion of previously unreleased material from 2001. Michael Brown, ever the songwriter, reached out to Steve Martin Caro to add vocals to newly composed songs. These tracks were intended to ignite a Left Banke resurgence, circulated within the music industry, but remained unheard by the wider public – until now. These six bonus tracks are thoughtfully integrated into the Strangers On A Train reissue, transforming it into a more comprehensive document. It not only represents The Left Banke’s final album but also hints at a potential future direction that, until now, remained only a tantalizing possibility.
The reissue of Strangers On A Train is a carefully curated project, produced for release by Daniel Coston, Scott Schinder, and Grammy®-winner Cheryl Pawelski. This release underscores the lasting legacy of The Left Banke. Their pioneering sound continues to resonate with contemporary artists and listeners, demonstrating an influence that is not just remembered, but actively heard and felt in music today. Strangers On A Train is more than just a reissue; it’s a celebration of a band whose innovative approach to pop music continues to inspire.
CD Track List:
- Strangers On A Train
- Heartbreaker
- Lorraine
- Yesterday’s Love
- Hold On Tight
- And One Day
- You Say
- I Can Fly
- Only My Opinion
- Queen Of Paradise
Bonus Tracks:
- Airborne
- I Don’t Know (2002 Version)
- Until The End
- My Buddy Steve (Long Lost Friend)
- Meet Me In The Moonlight
- High Flyer
Tracks 11–16 previously unissued.
