feature photo: Dave Page
(by S. Victor Aaron with an assist from John Lawler)
The Andy Platts/Shawn Lee duo Young Gun Silver Fox are absolute masters at evoking the feel-good vibe that permeated adult contemporary radio in the 70’s and early 80s. That’s exemplified with the fourth track from their May 2025 release Pleasure (Blue Élan Records).
“Burning Daylight,” could be a love child of “That’s The Way of the World” and “Biggest Part of Me.” Shawn Lee’s bass part is spot on, sporting that Verdine White groove that gives the song an easygoing groove that beckons you to nod your head to it instinctively. Lee digs in on guitar unobtrusively but so effectively as he does throughout Pleasure.
Then there’s that call and response chorus: Andy Platts’ lead vocal with a David Pack soulfulness being the ‘call’ and richly layered background vocals being the response (interestingly, Ambrosia’s “Biggest Part of Me” reverses the call-and-response roles). We think those harmony vocals are nicely done and apparently so does the band, because they’re isolated at the end.
YGSF brought in horn players for this occasion, with the saxophonist even providing the solo in the instrumental break. The smartly-charted brass arrangements hearken back to 70s Chicago and The Phenix Horns.
This is just one of the standout cuts found on Young Gun Silver Fox’s Pleasure, the leadoff single “Stevie and Sly” being another. Get the whole album lowdown here.
Obtain Pleasure now from Bandcamp.
*** Young Gun Silver Fox CD’s and vinyl on Amazon ***
