Alaska - Anthology 1 (2003)
Album front and back image covers
Alaska – Anthology 1 (2003): Compilation Review, Tracklist, Credits & Trivia
Anthology 1 is a compilation album by British hard rock band Alaska, released in April 2003 as a retrospective of the group’s early 1980s material. The band, led by guitarist Bernie Marsden (of Whitesnake fame), blended melodic hard rock and AOR with powerful guitar work and memorable songwriting during their brief but influential career.
The anthology gathers rare studio recordings, early demos, and key tracks from Alaska’s formative years, offering both longtime fans and newcomers an accessible overview of the band’s catalogue beyond their two studio albums (Heart of the Storm and The Pack).
📀 Album Overview
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Artist: Alaska
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Album: Anthology 1
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Release Year: 2003 (EU release 14 Apr 2003)
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Genre: Hard Rock / AOR / Melodic Rock
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Type: Compilation / Anthology
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Label: Majestic Rock Records (MAJCD‑006)
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Length: ~53 min (varies by edition)
This collection includes studio recordings and rarities from Alaska’s early sessions (1982–1984), giving insight into the band’s development and Bernie Marsden’s post‑Whitesnake rock direction.
🎶 Tracklist
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Need Your Love (Marsden/Jackson)
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Friends Are For (Marsden/Jackson)
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Bad Boy (Marsden/Jackson)
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SOS (Marsden/Hawthorn)
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If Loving You Is Wrong (Banks/Jackson)
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The Sorcerer (Marsden)
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So Wrong (Marsden)
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Anything You Want (Marsden)
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Take What You Want (Marsden/Bailey/Hawthorn)
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Too Much (Marsden)
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Cherry’s On The Rocks Again (Marsden/Bailey/Hawthorn)
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Just Another Day (Marsden)
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Heart Of The Storm (Marsden/Bailey)
🎸 Album Credits & Session Players
Performers
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Bernie Marsden – Guitar, vocals on select tracks
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Tommy Jackson – Lead vocals (tracks 1–3)
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Robert Hawthorn – Lead vocals (tracks 4–13)
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Richard Bailey – Keyboards (tracks 4–12)
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Clive Edwards – Drums (tracks 1–8)
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John Marter – Drums (track 13)
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Steve Cherry – Bass (tracks 1–8)
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Neil Murray – Bass (track 13)
Recording Info
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Tracks 1–3: Recorded at KPM Studios, London (Jan 1982)
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Tracks 4–8: Recorded at Polygram Studios (Aug 1982)
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Tracks 9–11: Recorded at Leo Lyons’ home studio, Oxfordshire (Oct 1982)
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Track 13: Original studio demo from Chipping Norton Studios (Jun 1984)
🔎 Notable Tracks
🎸 “Heart Of The Storm”
A signature song from Alaska’s 1984 debut album, co‑written by Marsden and Richard Bailey, highlighting the band’s melodic rock approach.
🪩 “Need Your Love” / “Friends Are For”
Early recordings featuring Tommy Jackson on vocals, capturing Alaska’s raw melodic intensity from their earliest sessions.
🎤 “The Sorcerer”
A harder‑edged rock track that showcases Marsden’s guitar prowess and songwriting depth within the band’s catalogue.
🧠 Sound & Style
Anthology 1 is rooted in 1980s British hard rock and AOR, blending melodic hooks, rich guitar tones, keyboards, and powerful choruses — reflective of the era’s mainstream rock with a bluesy edge thanks to Marsden’s signature guitar style.
The compilation bridges studio outtakes, early demos, and key songs from Alaska’s brief career, giving listeners a comprehensive look at the band’s style and evolution.
🏆 Reception & Legacy
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Anthology 1 was released primarily for fans and collectors, not as a commercial mainstream chart album; it celebrates the legacy of Alaska’s influential but short‑lived existence as a melodic rock outfit.
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The compilation showcases rare recordings and lesser‑known material alongside standout tracks like Heart Of The Storm, making it a valuable piece of the band’s catalogue for enthusiasts of 1980s hard rock.
Alaska’s legacy is tied primarily to guitarist Bernie Marsden’s solo and band projects after his departure from Whitesnake, and Anthology 1 helps preserve that chapter of his career.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎧 Compilation Focus: Unlike a traditional album, Anthology 1 collects early recordings and demos across different studio sessions from the band’s early years.
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🎤 Two Vocal Eras: The album features two different lead singers (Tommy Jackson early on, Robert Hawthorn later), reflecting Alaska’s development and lineup changes.
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💎 Demo Inclusions: Track 13 (Heart Of The Storm) here is a studio demo, offering fans insight into the raw creative process behind the band’s recorded output.
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🎸 Marsden’s Career Bridge: Anthology 1 serves as a bridge between Bernie Marsden’s post‑Whitesnake endeavors and his later blues and solo work, highlighting the melodic rock chapter of his musical journey.