Check Out Belinda Carlisle’s ‘Runaway Horses 30th Anniversary Edition’

Since the early 1980s Belinda Carlisle has been one of the most recognizable voices in pop music.  From her tenure as the truly outrageous lead singer of the world’s first all-girl punk band, The Go-Go’s to the glamorous solo superstar who told the world that “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” Belinda really is the voice of a generation and with a career spanning more than four decades, is the living definition of an icon.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Belinda’s third studio album Runaway Horses. To celebrate the milestone, UK based Demon Music Group is releasing a special commemorative box set of 4 vinyl records that includes the original album, remixes, single edits, and three brand new songs along along with a special booklet of photos and notes about making the album. There was also a special limited edition (of only 500 copies) that includes a hand-signed print of Belinda – which sold out in just over 24 hours.

Pressed into 180-gram white vinyl, enclosed with the records is a special CD of the original album and the three new songs. Covers, the songs include Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind”, Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”, and Elton John’s “I Need You To Turn To.” Beautiful renditions, the songs were produced by Los Angeles based Gabe Lopez, who considers working with the icon a dream come true.

“Her son Duke knew of my music when they lived in the south of France,” he recalls when asked about being connected to the singer. “When he moved to LA we became pals. He passed Belinda a couple of my songs and she really wanted to do one. She and Jane Wiedlin revamped it a little and the song became Belinda’s single “Sun.” Belinda and I hit it off musically right away. We’ve always been on the same page. She is so easy to work with and is full of so many great ideas. Since “Sun,” I’ve gotten to tour as her opener in the US and UK a lot and I’ve produced most of her music.”

When asked about his favorite of the songs he’s produced so far, Lopez waste no time in thinking about his answer. “I really enjoyed producing Belinda’s cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s classic hit “If You Could Read My Mind,” he beams. “I’ve always loved that song and Belinda shines on it. She’s a master at communicating vocals.”

“I owned all of Belinda’s albums as well as the Go-Go’s albums, and I knew them all inside out,” Lopez continues. “It truly has been an honor to produce these new recordings by Belinda to add to her hit albums. It’s a dream come true. She has always been one of my major influences and she continues to be. She’s so generous and supportive. I’m so thankful for her friendship. Working with Belinda is always the best time. Every song of hers I get to be a part of is a wonderful journey along the path of our musical partnership.”

Over the past several years Demon Music Group has reissued several of Belinda’s back catalog as well as a new album of Sikh chants performed by Carlisle in Gurmukh set to pop music “Wilder Shores.” But, what sets the Demon reissues apart from other labels, is that their releases are not carbon copy compilations. Each one has something unique and interesting that sets them apart from other labels. The anniversary editions, especially with their signed prints, are especially coveted by Belinda’s fans – like me (and I was lucky enough to pre-order one of the special versions of Runaway).

I grew up on Belinda’s music. She’s one of the artist who have most inspired me to start my path in music and a lot of my early recordings were covers of some of her songs, including “Leave a Light On,” which is featured on Runaway Horses. There’s something almost magical about Belinda’s voice, and (like Lopez pointed out) the way she communicates emotion through her vocals.  She’s a one of kind artist with a one of a kind sound.

The Runaway Horses set will be released on September 13th and is currently available for pre-order on both the US and UK Amazon sites.

For more information on releases from Belinda Carlisle and other’s through Demon Music Group visit: https://www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk

Follow Belinda Carlisle on Insta: @travels_with_mrs_mason

And Gabe Lopez: @gabelopez

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