Vital Signs was originally formed in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in the late 1980’s and involved Lucienne Janevski (vocals), Jo Dorscheidt (vocals & rhythm guitar), Jos Steijns (lead guitar), Raymond Franx (bass) and Henk Ceha (drums). The band gained local recognition for its authentic songs and enjoyed playing them in live settings. After some years, Lucienne decided to go living in the USA. Eventually, this caused Vital Signs, regardless of a few occasional gigs, to dissolve silently at the end of the millennium. Still, the band’s original songs kept lingering on in the minds of its protagonists and the thought of recording some of these songs remained alive. The untimely passing away of Raymond in 2011 made Henk and Jo initiate this desired recording in 2014. While Lucy and Jos chose not to be involved Edith Hermans (bass) and Lidia Janesvki (vocals) were invited to join this kind of “Vital Signs 2.0- project”. At Twin Studio in Brunssum Frans Bronszwaer (keyboards, guitars) and Stan Ceha (additional guitar) helped to complete the songs’ record arrangements. This collection of five songs is entitled "Among the Crowd" to mark our step into the public world of music. Here a few lines on the songs: To those who knock – 3:13 The verses of this vital song relate to a poem by Indian mystic Krishnamurti containing subtle references to a deeper meaning of life, recognizable to anyone who is sensitive to the signals of “the faintest whisper”. The chorus reflects a believed substance of this whisper. The song is dedicated to MB, who made the song's composer aware of listening. Lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitars: Jo Dorscheidt Backing vocals: Lidia Janevski Bass: Edith Hermans Drums: Henk Ceha Crazy woman – 5:55 The aim of this song was to celebrate the moody and rather unparalleled nature of Vital Signs’ original lead singer Lucienne. For that purpose, the song was dressed-up as a rock anthem, thus hoping Lucy would like this exceptional piece of our repertoire. The song soon became one of Lucy’s favorites - and the band's too, especially since Lucy’ breath-taking performance of the song at a Valkenburg recording session. Remarkably, at the time Lucy did not know the song was about her. When someone told her so, she seemed annoyed and eventually refused, much to the band's regret, to sing the song anymore. In Brunssum, Lucy's sister Lidia did an excellent job in revitalizing our memory of the song. Lead vocals: Lidia Janevski Backing vocals, rhythm & lead guitars: Jo Dorscheidt Additional electric guitar: Stan Ceha Piano & organ: Frans Bronzwaer Bass: Edith Hermans Drums: Henk Ceha The big doubt – 3:26 This song originated from a confusing period of thoughts following a break-up. Even though intense, these thoughts gradually became incompatible with new realizations towards an inevitable maturity, which also appeared to offer new opportunities. The lyrics express the grief about an ended love affair, but also point at making a stand and wanting to look forward. While doing the latter, it was considered a salutary coping strategy to uphold a clear mind. Lead vocals: Lidia Janevski Backing vocals, rhythm & lead guitars: Jo Dorscheidt Additional lead guitar: Stan Ceha Bass: Edith Hermans Drums: Henk Ceha Cold Steel – 4:54 In this song a relaxed melody has merged with lyrics by Lucy dealing with a serious ‘drame de coeur’, underlining sorrow, inability, suffering and, eventually, death. For that matter, the music and the lyrics in a way are in contradiction with each other, yet emphasizing the idea of “still waters run deep”. Lead vocals: Lidia Janevski Backing vocals, rhythm & lead guitars: Jo Dorscheidt Bass: Edith Hermans Drums: Henk Ceha Heat of the Fire – 6:20 First and ‘all-time favorite’ of Vital Signs. The song, dealing with foreseeable heart-ache, was written years before the band was formed. Actually, it marks the band's birth, as Vital Signs emerged after playing this song for the first time. Performing this song the Vital Signs way caused this heart-ache to be felt even more, particularly due to the situational truth of the lyrics. To find each other as musicians in this song‘s touching melody, its coercive beat and its infectious style meant a bliss to us that was felt as a genuine proof of life. This bliss' perishableness makes one deeply sad, to have been part of it truly grateful. Lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitars: Jo Dorscheidt Backing vocals: Lidia Janevski Organ, additional electric guitar & guitar solo: Frans Bronzwaer Bass: Edith Hermans Drums: Henk Ceha Vital Signs likes to thank: - Lucy, for her lyrics on “Cold Steel” and all earlier creative craziness; - Jos, for his guitar-playing inspiration, especially in relation to the guitar solos on “To those who knock” and, in part, on “Cold Steel”; - Lidia, for her special vocal contribution; - Edith, for her original bass performance, while remaining close to the spirit of Raymond's style; - Stan, for his warm and welcomed guitar additions as well as his graphic talents; - Frans, for his recording expertise, obvious patience and stunning keyboard and guitar additions; - Arianne Franx, for her friendship and her support in making "Among the Crowd." Vital Signs dedicates "Among the Crowd" to the memory of Raymond Franx. Apart from being a our dearest buddy, his bass-playing style was a cornerstone of the Vital Signs sound. May our recording efforts be to his liking! All songs written by Jo Dorscheidt, except “Cold Steel” which was written by Lucienne Janevski and Jo Dorscheidt. All arrangements by Vital Signs. All rights reserved. Recorded and mastered at Twin Studio, Brunssum, the Netherlands (www.twinstudio.nl). Enjoy !!