Midnight Wind: Classic RSO Recordings brings together two pivotal John Stewart albums, Bombs Away Dream Babies (1979) and Dream Babies Go Hollywood (1980), along with two previously unreleased outtakes from the Bombs Away Dream Babies sessions. Long unavailable in legitimate physical and digital editions, these recordings capture Stewart at a particularly distinctive point in his solo career, combining the narrative instincts of his folk background with polished pop-rock arrangements and an individualistic approach to songwriting and production.

Bombs Away Dream Babies became an international success and contains some of Stewart's best-known solo recordings, including 'Gold,' 'Lost Her in the Sun' and 'Midnight Wind.' Its songs move naturally between folk-rooted storytelling and the expansive sound of late-1970s California pop-rock, with Stewart's writing remaining firmly at the center. Dream Babies Go Hollywood followed in 1980. Although it failed to duplicate its predecessor's commercial performance, the album developed an enduring reputation among listeners who regarded its songwriting and performances as worthy of reconsideration. Heard together, the two records reveal a remarkably cohesive period in Stewart's career, connected by their 'Dream Babies' imagery as well as their musical ambition and craftsmanship.

The 22-track collection ranges from familiar material such as 'Gold,' 'Midnight Wind,' 'Hollywood Dreams' and 'Monterey' to songs including 'Odin (Spirit of the Water),' 'The Raven,' 'Moonlight Rider' and 'Children of the Morning.' Two unreleased recordings from the Bombs Away Dream Babies sessions further expand the program. Across approximately 76 minutes, Stewart's distinctive fusion of folk and pop-rock demonstrates why these RSO recordings remain a central part of his solo legacy.

Bear Family Records' edition restores both albums to circulation as a single-CD Digipak and complements the music with a substantial 36-page booklet. Following the label's previous archival work with Stewart's solo catalog and his recordings with the Kingston Trio, Midnight Wind: Classic RSO Recordings offers both longtime listeners and newcomers an opportunity to reassess two closely related albums from an important period in the career of an uncompromising American singer-songwriter.

Track Listing

• Gold
• Lost Her In The Sun
• Runaway Fool Of Love
• Somewhere Down The Line
• Midnight Wind
• Over The Hill
• The Spinnin' Of The World
• Comin' Out Of Nowhere
• Heart Of The Dream
• Hand Your Heart To The Wind
• Hollywood Dreams
• Wind On The River
• Wheels Of Thunder
• Monterey
• Odin (Spirit Of The Water)
• Lady Of Fame
• The Raven
• Love Has Tied My Wings
• Nightman
• Moonlight Rider
• Children Of The Morning
• Hard Time Town

Additional Details

Label: Bear Family Records

Genre: Folk

Language: English

Run Time: 76:00 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/06/26

UPC: 4000127177599