Discography
It’s hard to calculate the imprint Martin Briley has made in the recording industry, but let’s try. He has had a hand in over 40 million records sold. Participated in hundreds of sessions with superstar performers. And he’s been a touring musician himself in addition to touring as a guitarist and back up vocalist with legendary bands of the 80’s.
Below in chronological order is a partial list of Martin Briley recording and writing credits established over the years. Each album entry includes a related anecdote Martin (MB) shares that capture a moment in time for titles you are encouraged to track down and give a listen to!
'Pandemonium Shadow Show'
'Solitair Husk'
'Stella Mermaid'
'The World Whistles By'
'Upminster Windows'
'Doris the Piper'
'The Doorway to January'
'Simple Song'
'The October Country'
Pandemonium Shadow Show
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
Sommor Spain
Also available on vinyl
"Finally released after 50 years, and I believe we’re all still alive and kicking at time of press, so far." MB
For more on Mandrake Paddle Steamer click here
'Can't Keep Running'
Take 2
Gregg Allman
Atlantic
"A re-release, co-written with Michael Bolton." MB
'You Call Me a Bitch Like It's a Bad Thing'
The Strange Case of...
Halestorm
Atlantic
GOLD
"Probably an idea that started with a T shirt." MB
'I'm Not Alright'
Amaryllis
Shinedown
Atlantic
GOLD
(Additional guitars and production)
"I worked with Brent on this song at my home studio, talented guy". MB
'True Confessions'
Whenever I Call You Friend
Kenny Loggins
BMG Special Products
Atlantic
"A re-release, co-written with Richard Feldman at his studio in LA."
MB
'Somewhere Somebody'
The Greatest Hits
5-Star
Sony/BMG Int'l
"A re-release, this became a top 10 dance hit in the UK, great production by Dennis Lambert." MB
'Looking For You'
'After The Way'
A New Promise
Khymera
Frontiers Italy
"Both covers of songs from the Don Barnes' solo album." MB
'When the Wrong One Loves You Right'
Original Album Classics
Celine Dion
Sony/BMG
"A re-release on a compilation." MB
''Ride the Storm'
'Looking For You'
'I Fall Back'
'Don't Look Down'
'Maybe You'll Believe Me Now'
'I'd Do It All Over Again
Everytime We Say Goodbye'
'Feelin' Stronger Everyday'
'After the Way'
'Johnny Ain't So Cool'
Ride The Storm
Don Barnes
MRR
(Co-written and Co-produced)
"Finally released after 30 years. Don Barnes and I wrote and recorded these songs in a burst of creativity in the late 80s. We wrote some of the lyrics in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills, just so we could mention it 30 years later. Players include the late Jeff Porcaro and the late Mike Porcaro, Danny Carmassi, Bill Cuomo, Alan Pasqua, and Dan Huff." MB
'Girls on Top'
Before I Go to Sleep Soundtrack
Jacqui Sandell
"Getting a song in a movie is great, especially when it’s a box office smash! Which this wasn’t."
MB
'Iceberg Shrinking'
Martin Briley (Solo)
Buy from iTunes
"Acoustic versions of some of my old songs. Despite the cover art, nothing to do with melting icecaps at all."
MB
'Ian Hunter featuring Mick Ronson'
Live at Rockpalast
Ian Hunter
MIG
(Bass Guitar)
"This is when we played the German show Rockpalast, which is a live show in front of 10,000 broadcast live to 17 countries. Also on the bill were ZZ Top and Joan Armatrading. Trapped in Essen for days."
MB
For more on Ian Hunter right now click here
'Fuel to the Fire'
Black and White
The Maine
Sire/Warner Bros
"Dana Calitri, Nina Ossoff and I wrote this with two of the guys from the Maine one Sunday afternoon."
MB
'Sanctuary'
Into The Light
Phil Stacey
Provident/Sony
"Written for Phil Stacey from American Idol"
MB
'Got Me Where You Want Me'
Second Hand Life
Joe Lynn Turner
Frontiers Italy
"Joe Lynn Turner's solo album.
I’ve used Joe Lynn Turner for a number of song demos, what a fantastic voice."
MB
'Think Like a Man'
Believe
Orianthi
Geffen
"Co-written with Orianthi in LA. She was preparing to launch her first album by opening for Michael Jackson on tour. Then he died."
MB
'Devastated'
BHB
Ballas Hough Band
Hollywood Records
"Great production by Ari Levine."
MB
'Draw the Line'
Twinkle
Twinkle Shazelle
Fame Records
"I don’t think I’ve ever heard this."
MB
'Get Your Rock On'
'Every 10 Seconds'
The American Mall Soundtrack
MTV Studios
(Production, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Programming)
"I put real drums on the final mixes but MTV had gotten used to the fake drums. Demo love."
MB
'Salt in my Tears EP'
Martin Briley Solo CD
Buy from iTunes
"My re-record with clip art, really sticking it to the man."
MB
'Between the Sea and the Sky'
Between the Sea and the Sky
Martin Briley & Brian Engel
RPM
"This was the first complete album I ever recorded, and my first attempt at orchestration. Recorded at George Martin's beautiful AIR studios over Oxford Circus in London in the early 70s. I met Harry Nilsson there at an all night session."
MB
'It Comes In Waves'
It Comes in Waves
Martin Briley Solo CD
MTM
Buy from iTunes
"An album of new songs from the 21st century."
MB
'Strange Walking Man'
Strange Walking Man
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
Insane Times
BMI
"Mandrake Paddle Steamer’s 1968 psychedelic single on a compilation."
MB
'Beauty in the Silence'
Beauty in the Silence
Natascha Sohl
Granite Records
UK
"Co-written with Russ DeSalvo and Dana Calitri."
MB
'Feels Like Love', 'Real Life' , 'Note to Self', 'Invisible'
Barbie Diaries CD
DVD Soundtrack
Mattel Inc.
"Mattel picked these already-written songs for the movie, strange because ‘Invisible’ refers to the Columbine high school shooting. Kesha sang the vocal on the demo."
MB
'Holka Zlobiva aka Get Me Outta Here'
Michael Hudcek (Czech Idol Winner)
Sony/BMG
"Miluji tuhle pisen, ( that’s all I have to say )."
MB
'Inequivocable'
Mietta
Sony/BMG
"Un’altra bella canzone. Who knew that the writer of a foreign translation lyric gets 50% of the writer’s royalty?"
MB
'I Sing For You'
I Sing For You
Nikki Webster
The Best of Nikki Webster
BMG/Australia
"Best of Australian teen idol."
MB
'Liverpool Echo'
Liverpool Echo
CD Re-release
Revola
"The CD re-release of the 70s vinyl version. A nostalgic album of Mersey Beat-style songs, ten years late."
MB
'Salt in My Tears'
Love Me or Leave Me Alone
Randy Meisner
Revola
"The guy from the Eagles."
MB
'The Mercury Years'
Martin Briley Boxed Set
Hip-O-Select
"Because of my successful involvement with the previous album artwork ( two Grammy nominations ) Universal asked me to come up with something for the boxed set of my work they were planning. My mission was to make their title ‘The Mercury Years’ more entertaining; I’m not sure if Universal was amused."
MB
'Not A Moment Too Soon'
Songs She Loved
Terry Barber
Revolv
"New York city Metroploitan Opera dude."
MB
'Through it All'
Who We Are
Hope Parlow
Virgin Records
"Co-written with Kevin Kadish."
MB
'Don't Keep Me Waiting'
Best Kept Secret
Anne-Regina
Qopal Records
"I don't think I ever heard this."
MB
'Pass It On'
Become One
Become One
BMG Germany
"Co-written with Jeff Franzel and Dana Calitri."
MB
'Down On My Luck'
Ignition
Ignition
MTM Music
Germany
"Hard rock with a modulation."
MB
'I Sing For You'
Bliss
Nikki Webster
BMG Australia
Gold
"Australian teen idol."
MB
'The 80's Pop Culture Box (Totally)'
Like Omigod
The 80's Pop Culture Box (Totally
Rhino
"Salt in My Tears on another compilation."
MB
'When the Wrong One Loves You Right'
A New Day Has Come
Celine Dion
Sony 550
"I wrote this with Francis Galluccio and Marjorie Maye, not my title. Before recording it, Donny Inner of Sony asked if we could make the title more positive, he suggested maybe something like …. ‘When the RIGHT One Loves You RIGHT. You see, it could have been so much worse. Last time I checked this album had sold 9.5 million records!"
MB
'Getting Over Losing You'
Dateline: Tokyo
Brock Walsh
Cool Sound Records
CD Re-release
"CD version of Brock Walsh’s cover of the song we wrote for Barry Manilow."
MB
'I Don't Like Anyone'
Who I Am
Jessica Andrews
Dreamworks
GOLD
"Co-written with Dana Calitri and Andy Marvel. This is the Country version of the song."
MB
'I Don't Like Anyone'
It Was All a Dream
Dream
Arista
PLATINUM
"Co-written with Dana Calitri and Andy Marvel, this is the pop version of the song. Apparently P. Diddy was pissed about the Country version."
MB
'Once Bitten, Twice Shy'
Ian Hunter
Columbia/Legacy
(Bass Guitar)
"I guess I’m playing bass somewhere on this."
MB
'All I want Is You This Christmas'
Home for Christmas
*NYSNC
RCA
MULTI-PLATINUM
"Co-written with Dana Calitri. I still hear it every Christmas in the liquor store."
MB
'Rain in Her Heart'
The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of
Mark Spiro
MTM Music/Germany
"Written with Mark Spiro and Don Barnes."
MB
'Confess'
I Don't Break Easy
Rene Froger
Dino
"Co-written with Dana Calitri, in a rather old-fashioned style, using chords from the previous century."
MB
'Girls Like Me'
Ashley Ballard
Atlantic
"Co-written with Jeff Franzel and Dana Calitri. Ashley didn’t seem keen on being a pop star."
MB
'Remember Me'
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Columbia
MULTI-PLATINUM
(Backing Vocals)
"I'm pretty sure he wan't there."
MB
'What's a Matter Baby'
Hear it on the Radio, Vol. 2
Ellen Foley
(Bass Guitar)
"Playing bass on an Ellen Foley song on a compilation."
MB
'White Christmas (w/ Elton John)'
A Rosie Christmas
Rosie O'Donnell
Columbia
PLATINUM
(Backing Vocals)
"Such fun hanging with Elton and Rosie that night, I wish."
MB
'Song for You'
Return to Love
Nana Mouskouri
Philips
"She's timeless with those glasses."
MB
'The Magic of Christmas Day'
These are Special Times
Celine Dion
550/Epic
MULTI-PLATINUM
(Backing Vocals)
"Is Celine smelling that box?"
MB
'Sunlight Glide'
The Best Of Rubble Collection, Volume 3
Mandrake
Blueprint
"A Mandrake song from the Swedish film Skottet on a compilation"
MB
'Sunlight Glide'
Hen's Teeth, Volume 1
"A Mandrake song from the Swedish film Skottet on a compilation."
MB
'Len'
Hen's Teeth, Volume 3
Catherine on the Wheel
"A Mandrake song from the Swedish film Skottet on a compilation."
MB
'Strange Walking Man'
Psychedelia at Abbey Road
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
EMI
"Mandrake Paddle Steamer’s 1968 psychedelic single on a compilation."
MB
'Strange Walking Man'
Perfumed Garden, Volume 1
Reverberation
"Mandrake Paddle Steamer’s 1968 psychedelic single on a compilation."
MB
'She Wants it All'
Dana Calitri
Universal
(Co-written and Co-produced)
"A catchy little number about apousal abuse."
MB
'I Feel Like a Milkshake'
Stranger Things Have Happened
Peter Tork
Beachwood
"Peter Tork of the Monkees cover of my song from my ‘Fear of the Unknown’ album."
MB
'Salt in My Tears'
80's Greatest Rock Hits, Volume 6
Agony and Ecstasy
"Salt In My Tears on another compilation."
MB
'Ball Baby Ball'
Show Business
KIX
SMC International
"Somebody had to write it."
MB
'Me Without You'
God
Rebecca St. James
Forefront
#1 CCM Hit Single
"I played this song only once, during my first trip to Nashville, six months later it was a #1 CCM single. Not bad for an atheist. Pretty good record too, I thought."
MB
'I'm a Dead Man'
'Gotta Get a Hold'
'The World is Watching'
Jerusalem Slim
(featuring Steve Stevens and Michael Monroe)
Mercury
"From the sublime to the ridiculous, I think I was the only one not wearing makeup at these writing sessions."
MB
'Two of One'
'Could've Been Love'
Hang Out Your Poetry
Ceremony
(featuring Chastity Bono)
Geffen
"Songs I co-wrote with Heidi and Chastity, now Chas. I’m sure Chas is just as nice as Chastity was."
MB
'Perfect Crime'
Spellbound
Billy Newton-Davis
Columbia
"I wrote these with Andy Goldmark in NYC."
MB
'Hot Love'
'Take a Loook at My Face'
The Hunger
Michael Bolton
Columbia
MULTI-PLATINUM
"Although Hot Love was Track 1, Side 1 on the vinyl record, it wasn’t released as a single. At the last minute they swapped the studded belt for an Armani suit and released the ballad. Good move."
MB
'Love is Thicker than Blood'
Not Fakin' It
Michael Monroe
Polygram
"It was fun working with Michael. If I wore a banana suit and walked down the street with him, nobody would notice me."
MB
'Raising Heaven (in Hell Tonight)'
Roadhouse Soundtrak
Patrick Swayze
Polygram
"Co-written with Willy Nile. It’s great having a song in a movie, it never goes away! I’m not sure if I’ve seen the movie all the way through, but apparently it’s about a bouncer, who, like most bouncers I know, has a degree in Psychology."
MB
'Raising Heaven (in Hell Tonight)'
Hard Times in America
Willie Nile
Arista
"One of a half dozen songs I wrote with Willy in the 80s."
MB
'I Can't Get Over You'
Michael Morales
Polygram
"I flew down to San Antonio to write this song with Michael, where he was a local pop star."
MB
'Somewhere, Somebody'
Between The Lines
Five Star
RCA
PLATINUM / Top 10 UK Single
"At one point it seemed like Starship were going to record this, but 5 - Star had a top 10 dance hit with it in the UK, great production by Dennis Lambert."
MB
'Children of Paradise'
Place I Have Never Been
Willie Nile
Columbia
"One of a half dozen songs I wrote with Willy in the 80’s."
MB
'Ecstasy'
Shoulda Known Better
Alta Dustin
Atlantic
"Recorded at Chris Julian’s Calliope Studios in NYC."
MB
'Earthquakes and Hurricanes'
Simple Talk
Scott Folson
Columbia
"I worked with Scott at the Hit Factory in NYC."
MB
'When I'm Gone'
Dreams of Ordinary Men
Dragon
Polydor Austtralia
GOLD
"I wrote this with Marc Hunter from the band, who sadly died a few years later."
MB
'Victim of Pleasure'
PWL
Mandy
Top 20 Dance / US and Europe
"Mandy first came to fame as Bill Wyman’s 16 year old bride."
MB
'Am I Wrong'
Witness
Arista
"Co-written with Michael Bolton."
MB
'I Think About You'
The Race is On
Dalton
EMI
"Co-written with Michael Bolton. On the demo we used a drum machine with a blown snare chip, it sounded terrible, but it didn’t stop the producers of this European cover from making their real snare drum sound just as bad."
MB
'I Think About You'
New Frontier
Polydor
"Co-written with Michael Bolton. The American Cover."
MB
'Someday. Someway'
See the Light
The Jeff Healey Band
Arista Records
"R.I.P."
MB
'True Confessions'
Back to Avalon
Kenny Loggins
Columbia
"Co-written with Richard Feldman at his studio in LA."
MB
'Here She Comes Again'
Man in Motion
Night Ranger
Columbia
"Co-written with Bob Halligan and Michael Bolton, a pleasantly odd song."
MB
'Too Late for Goodbyes'
'Valotte'
Valotte
Julian Lennon
Atlantic
MULTI-PLATINUM
(Guitar)
"Phil Ramone was simultaneously producing Julian and I in different rooms at the Hit Factory studios in NYC, so I had the pleasure of playing guitar licks all over what became his hit single."
MB
'Body to Body'
The Boyfriend
Danny Wilde
Island
(Backing Vocals)
"Danny Wilde was finishing his record as I was starting mine with producer Peter Coleman, perfect timing for last minute backing vocals."
MB
'Deliver'
Soundtrack
Body Rock
EMI
"Co-written with Phil Galdston at the Hit Factory studios during the Dangerous Moments sessions."
MB
'Dangerous Moments'
Dangerous Moments (Solo Album)
Marin Briley
Polygram
"My third solo album for Polygram, recorded in New York city. Produced by Phil Ramone. Musicians include Anton Fig, Steve Holley, Carmine Rojas, G.E.Smith, Peter Wood, Dennis Herring, David LeBolt, David Lasley, Ellen Foley, Rory Dodd, Eric Troyer. Grammy-nominated sleeve design.”
MB
'Can't Keep Running'
I'm No Angel
Gregg Allman
Epic
Top 10 AOR
"Co-written with Michael Bolton.”
MB
'Total Eclipse of the Heart'
'Faster Than the Speed of Night'
Faster Than the Speed of Night
Bonnie Tyler
Columbia
MULTI-PLATINUM
(Guitar)
"As was his habit, Jim Steinman had filled studio that day with food from the best restaurants in the city.”
MB
'One Night with a Stranger'
One Night with a Stranger (Solo Album)
Martin Briley
Polygram
Featuring the Top 40 single 'Salt in My Tears'
"My second solo album for Polygram Records, recorded in Glendale, CA. Produced by Peter Coleman. Musicians include Robin Sylvester, Jamie Herndon, George Meyer and Pat Mastelotto, who went on to play with King Crimson. Another Grammy-nominated sleeve design here as well.”
MB
'Getting Over Losing You'
Dateline: Tokyo
Brock Walsh
Warner Pioneer Records
"Brock’s version of the song we wrote for Barry Manilow.”
MB
'Take It Anyway You Want It'
Precious Time
Pat Benatar
Chrysalis
MULTI-PLATINUM
"My first platinum record, and my first experience ‘writing’ with someone I’d never met.”
MB
'Strange Walking Man'
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
Bam-Caruso
U.K. Re-release
"During a psychedelic revival in Britain in the 80s, this re-release made it into the charts.”
MB
'Strange Walking Man'
Perfumed Garden Volume 1
"Mandrake Paddle Steamer’s 1968 psychedelic single on a compilation.”
MB
'Getting Over Losing You'
Here Comes the Night
Barry Manilow
Arista
GOLD
"Co-written with Brock Walsh, my first gold record. Even Mum was proud.”
MB
'Fear of the Unknown'
Martin Briley (Solo Album)
Polygram
"My debut solo album for Polygram ( then Mercury ), recorded in New York city. Produced by Allan Blazek. Musicians include Robert Brissette, Graham Preskett, Tommy Mandel, Eric Parker and Eric Troyer.”
MB
'All the Right Moves'
Night Rocker
David Hasselhoff
Silver Blue
"This was written for the Tom Cruise movie of same name, but didn’t make it, the Hoff recorded it anyway. The album cover is a trip.”
MB
'I'm Just Using You'
Is This a Cool World or What?
Karla DeVito
Epic
"My first cut, co-written with George Meyer. Ellen Foley was annoyed we didn’t play it to her first.”
MB
'Abalene'
Heroes ad Zeroes
Glen Burtnick
A&M
"Co-written with Glen for his debut solo album. Was it a place or a girl?”
MB
'Close to My Heart'
Moon
Kuwana
"Co-written with Sue Shifrin on my first writing trip to LA.”
MB
'Cross X Point'
'Mind Origin'
Origin
Hiromi Asai
Funhouse
"Great title.”
MB
'Short Back 'n' Sides'
'Welcome to the Club'
Welcome to the Club
Ian Hunter
Chyrsalis
(Bass Guitar)
"Recorded live over seven wild nights at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood"
MB
'Night Out'
Night Out
Ellen Foley
Epic
(Bass Guitar)
"Ellen Foley’s solo album, my first recording sessions in the US. Recorded in New York City."
MB
'Warning; Rumble Strips'
'Dancing Angel'
Guitar Workshop Volume 2
Peter Banks
Transatlantic Records
(Bass Guitar)
"Andrew McCulloch and I with Peter Banks from Yes."
MB
'Time and Tide'
Greenslade
Warner Brothers
(Bass & Lead Guitar)
"I joined Greenslade for their fourth and final album. When it was finished we headed to America for our first US tour opening for Sparks and Kraftwerk. My first visit to America."
MB
'Rocky Horror Picture Show'
Soundtrack Album
Rocky Horror Picture Show
ODE
GOLD
(Backing Vocals)
"Recorded at Olympic studios in London. Brian Engel and I were part of the vocal backing group, Meatloaf was lurking around in the background."
MB
'Not Without a Friend'
.Not Without a Friend
Peter Skellern
Decca
(Guitar)
"Peter left show business to become an ordained minister. He sadly died in 2017."
MB
'Back On My Feet Again'
Back on My Feet Again
Sandy Davis
GB
(Guitar)
"Sandy Davis’ second solo album, recorded in London, Steve Ferrone on drums."
MB
'Mae McKenna'
"Mae McKenna
Pye
(Bass and Lead Guitar)
"An album of Mersey Beat type songs, co-written and performed with Brian Engel. Andrew Jackman producing. Recorded in London."
MB
'Inside Every Fat Man''
Inside Every Fat Man
Sandy Davis
EMI
(Guitar)
"Sandy Davis’ debut solo album recorded in London."
MB
'Where the Roxy Used to Be''
Where the Roxy Used to Be
True Adventure
Decca
"Recorded on Sandy Davis’ Teac 4 – track, it somehow got on the radio for a second."
MB
'Do You Like Boys?'
Starbuck
Bradleys
(Guitars and Backing Vocals)
"This was when Brian Engel and I would create tracks for British hit songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley. To promote this song we were flown to Germany on a tour of what turned out to be gay discos."
MB
'Liverpool Echo'
Liverpool Echo
Bradleys
"An album of Mersey Beat type songs, co-written and performed with Brian Engel. Andrew Jackman producing. Recorded in London."
MB
'Pale Green Vauxhall Drivin' Man'
Prowler
AIR/EMI
"Brian Engel and I recorded an album for George Martin’s AIR London, this was the single. It was banned by the BBC because it mentioned a car brand name, they didn’t notice it was about curb-crawling paedofiles. On this track Chris Thomas (Dark Side of the Moon) played George Martin’s massive modular Moog synthesizer."
MB
'East of the Sun, West of the Moon'
Corn & Seed Merchants
AIR/EMI
"The first song Brian Engel and I wrote and recorded for George Martin’s AIR London."
MB
'Sunlight Glide"
'Len'
Skottet
Mandrake
Parlophone Sweden
"Two of the songs we recorded for the soundtrack to Skottet, a Swedish anti-war film."
MB
'Strange Walking Man'
Mandrake Paddle Steamer
EMI/Parlophone
"Mandrake Paddle Steamer’s one and only single, recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. Now apparently a British psychedelic collectors’ item."
MB
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Martin Briley
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