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Stone’s Relocation Files: Part Two – It’s The Final Countdown!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news, travel with tags , , , , , on February 9, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Europe - The Final Countdown - promo cover pic!

Stone’s Relocation Files: Part Two – Back on January 2nd and February 8th, I wrote about how my family and I are relocating to Ohio. Leaving the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania and embarking on an entire changeover to Ohio is no easy task! Therefore, there may be some interruption with my covering the Metal news, album reviews, interviews and random Metal blabbing that you’ve become accustomed to on Metal Odyssey.

* I have scheduled some kick-ass posts that will run through the third week of February (just in case there’s a bottleneck in getting the internet into our new home).

As you read this, my family and I are now official residents of Ohio! Whoa! We are now residents of the Buckeye State! 

Have no fear, Metal Odyssey is not going anywhere and I shall get back in the Metal groove, once my family and I are settled into our new home and surroundings in Ohio. In the Metal meantime, I’m crossing my Metal fingers that internet access will be delivered to our new home in a reasonable time frame!

Here’s A BIG METAL THANK YOU to every visitor for your supporting Metal Odyssey!

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By now you are probably wondering: why did Stone put the album cover of EUROPE – The Final Countdown at the top of his Relocation Files post? The answer is simple. Ever since this whole relocation gig began to heat up, the title track from this EUROPE album popped into my Metal brain! I just couldn’t shake this (very popular) song from my sub-conscious! Therefore, as each day passed and our relocation to Ohio became more of a reality, it all became a final countdown feeling to this entire life changing journey.

I never would have predicted that this (very huge 80’s hit) from EUROPE would become a theme song for me, as it represents such an important chapter in my Metal life. Metal be thy name.

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DID YOU KNOW: EUROPE will be playing a very special gig at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival, on June 7th; celebrating their 30th Anniversary as a world-wide successful Hard Rockin’ band! Whoa!

Europe - Sweden Rock Festival - 2013 - promo banner - 30th Anniversary

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Back on January 2nd, I wrote about the relocation that would be taking place in the live’s of my family and I. You can read all about it by clicking that handsome link below! Whoa!

Relocation Is On The Horizon For Stone… What’s Next For Metal Odyssey?

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* EUROPE – The Final Countdown was released back in the Spring of 1986, via Epic Records.

* For more info on EUROPE, click on the links below!

http://www.europetheband.com

facebook: Europe

Stone - Motorhead Tee pic:small

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

LONG LIVE OHIO.

LONG LIVE EUROPE.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

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STRYPER ‘Calling On You’ Music Video – A Classic From 1986

Posted in classic rock, classic rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on March 20, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

This tremendous Stryper song has woke me up today. I cherish living and all that’s good in my life. I dedicate Calling On You to Nilla. Metal be thy name.

Calling On You is from the 1986 album from Stryper: To Hell With The Devil

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* For more info on STRYPER, click on the link below:

Stryper – Official Website

LONG LIVE STRYPER.

Stone.

7 Comments »

Joe Elliott’s Down ‘N’ Outz’s ‘Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding’ Streaming On Band’s Facebook Page

Posted in classic rock, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on March 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

As reported on the official website of DEF LEPPARD:

Joe Elliott’s Down ‘N’ Outz’s version of “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” has been a big hit on Joe’s weekly radio show on Planet Rock.  Due to the many requests you can now stream the track on demand over at the Down ‘N’ Outz Facebook page: Down ‘n’ Outz – Facebook

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* For more info, click on the link below:

http://www.downnoutz.com/

LONG LIVE JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ.

CLASSIC ROCK FOREVER.

Stone.

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THIN LIZZY – ICON Greatest Hits: 11 Songs Of Timeless, Classic Hard Rock

Posted in classic rock, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on August 13, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

THIN LIZZY – Released on June 21st, 2011, via Mercury Records is the Icon series of greatest hits installment of the ultra-legendary: Thin Lizzy. There are 11 songs on this Thin Lizzy compilation. Timeless, Revered, Classic Rock songs all. This past week, I bought this CD for two reasons: 1. I really dig Thin Lizzy and 2. I do not have every Thin Lizzy album on CD. Stone still swims among his vinyl and cassettes, therefore, Metal be thy name and ring that Old School F’n bell.

This Thin Lizzy CD set me back $7 (U.S.) and I’m happier than a pig in murky, stink ridden mud now that I own it. How can any of these Thin Lizzy classics ever grow stale? Impossible I say! These Thin Lizzy songs are the reason why the word “Classic” was put in front of the word “Rock”.

It is a difficult task in choosing which is my favorite Thin Lizzy song on this CD. I’ll go with Cowboy Song for now, then an hour later it is Jailbreak. Tomorrow it’s The Boys Are Back In Town as my top choice. You get the Metal picture.

Thin Lizzy – Icon Track Listing:

Whiskey In The Jar

The Rocker

Still In Love With You

Rosalie

The Boys Are Back In Town

Jailbreak

Cowboy Song

Borderline

Don’t Believe A Word

Bad Reputation

Dancing In The Moonlight (It’s Caught Me In It’s Spotlight)

* For more info on THIN LIZZY, click on the link below:

THIN LIZZY

LONG LIVE THE ROCKIN’ LEGACY OF THIN LIZZY.

Rest In Peace, Phil Lynott and Gary Moore.

Stone.

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DEEP PURPLE – “King Of Dreams”: Song From 1990 Revisited

Posted in classic rock, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 22, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

DEEP PURPLE – Released back in October of 1990, Slaves and Masters became the thirteenth studio album from the ultra-legendary Deep Purple. This terrific album embodied the reunion of Rock icons Joe Lynn Turner (vocals) and Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), both formerly together in Rainbow, a Rock historic and outrageously important band founded by Ritchie Blackmore. The Joe Lynn Turner and Ritchie Blackmore partnership in Rainbow spanned three studio albums: Difficult To Cure (1981), Straight Between The Eyes (1982) and Bent Out Of Shape (1983).

My favorite song from Slaves and Masters is: King Of Dreams. Sure, as with this entire album, there are flashes of melodic Rainbow that seep out of King Of Dreams… all due in part to Joe Lynn Turners melodic and harmoniously contagious vocals. The tone of Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar does resonate Deep Purple, yet there are reminders of his Rainbow era that resonate in his style as well… in my Metal opinion.

King Of Dreams is just a solid melodic Hard Rock song that seems to carry with it a “no end in sight” shelf life. The sound heard on this album and King Of Dreams is extremely relevant to my ears. I find it incredible that I bought Slaves and Masters on cassette 22 years ago. I still have the cassette… Metal be thy name.

I hope you dig King Of Dreams as much as I do. If not, well, go listen to some Milli Vanilli and take some laxatives.

DEEP PURPLE (Mk V) on Slaves and Masters:

Joe Lynn Turner – vocals

Ritchie Blackmore – guitar

Roger Glover – bass

Jon Lord – keyboards

Ian Paice – drums

* The CD single photo for King Of Dreams is at top of this post. I found this CD single at an antique store on Friday, May 20th, 2011. Yes, an antique store. This is a “For Promotional Use Only” copy which contains both the album and edit version of King Of Dreams. The whole package is in mint shape too. I paid a whopping $3 (U.S. funds) for this piece of Deep Purple history! This King Of Dreams CD single is not the one which contains the track Fire In The Basement. The record labels on the backside of the liner notes are: BMG and RCA.

(Slaves and Masters album cover/1990 – BMG & RCA)

* For more info on DEEP PURPLE, click on the link below:

DEEP PURPLE

LONG LIVE DEEP PURPLE.

LONG LIVE RITCHIE BLACKMORE.

LONG LIVE JOE LYNN TURNER.

Stone.

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World EXCLUSIVE Premiere – The Jimi Hendrix Experience “HEY JOE” Is Covered By THE NEW CZARS! LISTEN HERE FIRST!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Metal Odyssey is extremely proud and honored, to present to the Rock Music world, the World Premiere Exclusive listen of Hey Joe covered by The New Czars! Metal Odyssey is the only place you will hear this cover version right now! *(Just click on the arrow in the bar below, to hear this song, in it’s entirety for yourself!). This ultra classic song from the ever legendary and late Jimi Hendrix is timeless. Hey Joe was released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, on their debut album, Are You Experienced in 1967.

This cover of Hey Joe by The New Czars is solid in both it’s relevancy and classic heaviness carried over from it’s time. Greg Hampton adds his unique vocals and guitar skills to a song that some may consider sacred and does so with such rightful Rock reverence, which makes me say whoa, well done! Greg’s vocals have an instilled “Classic Rock sound and vibe” that only makes his singing Hey Joe that much more real to me. In my Metal opinion, Greg Hampton and The New Czars have nailed down the true Rock essence of Hey Joe. Jimi Hendrix is probably smiling from above, as he hears this cover version of Hey Joe.

Greg Hampton tells Metal Odyssey: “I have been a lifelong fan of Jimi Hendrix. With the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing approaching, I’ve been listening to a lot of his music. I wanted to do something to commemorate Jimi Hendrix on this important anniversary, through song. This cover of Hey Joe I’ve been working on for quite some time and I am very proud of it. I hope the fans will appreciate this cover of Hey Joe and like it as much as I do”.

* This cover version of Hey Joe by The New Czars will be available for purchase on itunes, on October 5, 2010.

* Hey Joe will also be featured on the forthcoming EP from The New Czars, titled: Mining The Ruins. This EP is slated for a November 30, 2010 release.

* Greg Hampton, (founding member of The New Czars), plays all instruments on this cover of Hey Joe, except for drums which are played by The New Czars alumni and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier.

* To listen to the World Exclusive Premiere of Hey Joe by The New Czars, click the arrow in the bar below!

Long live the music of Jimi Hendrix!

Long live The New Czars!

Stone.

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VANDENBERG “BURNING HEART” – THIS 1982 POWER BALLAD STILL GLISTENS

Posted in classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VANDENBERG – Let’s go back to 1982. I was a sophomore in high school and very proud of my ability to draw the band logos for Styx, Michael Schenker Group and of course… KISS. (The Judas Priest band logo was and forever will be too difficult for me to draw freehand). Hirax, Hellhammer and Armored Saint were formed, just to name a few Metal bands. Alright, W.A.S.P. was formed in 1982 too. World famous pro basketball star, (UCONN & Pheonix Mercury) Diana Taurasi was born.

Ronald Reagan was the United States President and Bryant Gumbel began his 15 year career as NBC’s The Today Show co-host. The Weather Channel also launched into cable television back in 1982. Well, enough with the 1982 trivia… this post is about guitarist Adrian Vandenberg’s own Hard Rock band which debuted their self-titled album Vandenberg, this very same year on Atco Records.

This Vandenberg debut album was and always will be an excellent listen for me. My favorite song from this album is Burning Heart. That’s correct… a ballad. A Power Ballad too. Me, the dude who likes to tip-toe around ballads in almost any album review I do, really digs Burning Heart. Ever since I first heard this song on the FM dial back in 1982, I have been an admirer of it. Bert Heerink was the lead vocalist on this song and album. Could it be the strength in Bert’s vocals that I hear be the deciding factor for my liking Burning Heart so much? How about the guitar talent of Adrian Vandenberg himself? Adrian’s solo in Burning Heart is as articulately placed and played as any I’ve ever heard over all these years.

Adrian’s tone and feel that comes out at me from his guitar just always seemed to have that wallop. On Burning Heart, Adrian makes his guitar come across with such a free floating sound, making this Power Ballad come together perfectly… he dictated this song and commanded it with his guitar eloquence. Burning Heart from the very onset of my hearing it, never came across to me as being sappy. It is quite an emotional song for certain and radiates that essential vibe that seems to be lacking in so many Power Ballads over the decades.

Does Burning Heart remind me of a love I once had? Nope. Does it remind me of a love I could never have? Nope again. Despite this, this is a song that just reminds me of a time in my life when I was seeking out my place amongst my peers and just trying to get along. In actuality, that is really what I’m still doing, to this very day. Any song, from the vast and seemingly infinite world of music, will hold it’s own unique affect on an individual. Burning Heart stays in my music mind files as being… timeless.

*  Besides being a legendary guitarist, find out more about Adrian Vandenberg and his other artistic talent… as a world renowned painter in the fine arts. Peruse Adrian’s brilliant artwork by clicking this link: ADRIAN VANDENBERG – ARTIST

Vandenberg, as they appeared on the debut/self titled album:

Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, keyboards and backing vocals

Bert Heerink – lead vocals

Dick Kemper – bass and backing vocals

Jos Zoomer – drums and backing vocals

LONG LIVE ADRIAN VANDENBERG & HIS MUSIC

Stone.

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CLASSIC ROCK 101: ORION THE HUNTER “SO YOU RAN” – 1984 MUSIC VIDEO

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ORION THE HUNTER – Let’s go back to those good ol’ ’80’s… again. When Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal seemed to mesh together for me, just like chocolate-caramel-fudge swirl ice cream. It was a decade when FM Radio really was the one-stop listening destination for great music. MTV proved to be the same for music videos. I can recall vividly hearing So You Ran on the FM dial… and I was hooked. Sure, it wasn’t a Heavy Metal song I was hearing, nonetheless, it was Rockin’ along with a melodic sound that made me feel alright… and still does.

This Orion The Hunter album is yet another great piece of vinyl that I let go many Metal moons ago. It was released back in 1984 on Columbia Records. Now, from what I have seen, the CD sells “new” from $50 to $125 (U.S.).  It appears Orion The Hunter is… out of print.

Orion The Hunter was: former Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau, Boston vocalist Brad Delp on backing vocals, future Boston vocalist Fran Cosmo, Bruce Smith on bass and Michael DeRosier on drums.

Convict me of being sentimental sometimes… yet this song just brings back some good memories of being a young dude, with no bills and high taxes to pay.

Track listing for Orion The Hunter:

All Those Years

So You Ran

Dreamin’

Dark And Stormy

Stand Up

Fast Talk

Too Much In Love

Joanne

I Call It Love

REST IN PEACE, BRAD DELP – 1951 – 2007

Stone.

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ASIA – REFLECTING ON THIER 1982 PROGRESSIVE ROCK ALBUM DEBUT

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive rock, progressive rock bands, progressive rock music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ASIA – in March of 1982, the debut and self-titled album of this Progressive Rock supergroup was released unto the world… with a little help from Geffen Records. Being a sophomore in high school in ’82, I had my musical tastes ranging from Judas Priest to The Electric Light Orchestra with Cheap Trick, AC/DC and Foreigner in between. KISS of course, ruled my teenage planet. So when I first heard ASIA being played on my favorite FM radio stations, I instantly took a major liking to their sound. My infatuation with ELO and The Moody Blues made it very easy for me to embrace ASIA as a young teen… I can thank my late sister Christine for getting me “into” the Moody Blues.

Learning very quickly, that YES guitar great Steve Howe was in ASIA, just gave me the hint that this supergroup was to be reckoned with. I knew of some YES songs, thanks of course to FM once again. I did not own a YES album at all, back in ’82… yes, I do look back in disbelief over that one. It seemed as if everyone else I knew, had at least one YES album to boast of back then. With Carl Palmer on drums, I was familiar with his name being equated to the legendary Progressive Rock band – Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Once again though, I did not own a single Emerson, Lake and Palmer album in 1982 either.

When I learned that bass guitarist John Wetton was formerly with the incredibly diverse King Crimson, it was once again, a Rock Music history lesson for me. What took the Rock and Roll cake for me, upon learning quickly about the members of ASIA, was that Geoff Downes was half part of the New Wave sensation called – The Buggles! Just about every kid I knew, back in 1980, had heard the song – Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles. Heck, Video Killed The Radio Star was actually the very first music video that MTV aired on August 1, 1981! Now, if that isn’t Rock and Roll history… then I don’t know what is!

Well, with all of the ASIA band history aside, it was actually very fun for this sixteen year old in 1982, in becoming more informed about other great Rock bands, that were an indirect part of the formation of ASIA. For the life of me however, I just could not believe how astoundingly textured, layered and inspirational the songs sounded on this very first ASIA album. The bonus was that this debut ASIA album Rocked my ears off of this sixteen year old too! I singled out the song – Sole Survivor… very quickly. I must have dropped the turntable needle onto that Sole Survivor song… more times than I could ever imagine! That section of vinyl that Sole Survivor represented on the album, was for certain, the most worn!

Despite the FM airplay that Sole Survivor, Heat of the Moment and Only Time Will Tell received back in 1982 and into the years ahead, I never wavered away from playing them, in their entirety, on my turntable. As it stands to this very day in 2010, my favorite song from this ASIA album is Wildest Dreams. I like to reminisce about the ultra Classic Rock albums of the past, especially the one’s that made the biggest impact on my music loving life. ASIA is an ultra Classic Rock album for me. I can remember losing my thoughts, amidst the Progressive Rock brilliance of this amazing album. As I look back upon this ASIA album now, it was like music therapy for me as a sixteen year old.

Why I feel this ASIA album has stood the test of Rock Music time, is simply two words: quality musicianship. Once the quality is instilled, the rest seems to always fall into place, regardless of what project is being discussed. The songs on this ASIA album soothed, inspired and yes, as I stated before, Rocked me. I did realize at the time, back in 1982, what a profound Rock Music family tree that ASIA embodied. What I did not realize back in 1982, was that I would carry the same ecstatic feelings and emotions for this ASIA album so many years later into my life… and then be writing about it for the whole world to read in 2010, in an unbelievably vast place called the world wide web.

LONG LIVE ASIA!

Stone.

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HAPPY EASTER FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, family, holidays, life, living, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Happy Easter to all who celebrate this holiday, which represents a renewed inspiration and spirit for life, love, peace and happiness! Spring is the season where all the trees, shrubs, plants, weeds and the grass becomes green once again, (if you live in the cold parts of the world that is). Spring is a time to start anew and put into action every detail and/or project I’ve been wanting to accomplish. The best part of Spring is the warmer weather… for us folks who live in the “Winter States” and/or cold regions of the world, it’s an unreal reprieve!

* An extra special Happy Easter goes out to all of my family and friends… you all know who you are!

One of my favorite bands of my entire living life has been: The Electric Light Orchestra. Mr. Blue Sky from their Out Of The Blue album, (released in 1977), makes for a perfect song to applaud Spring’s arrival and this Easter weekend… with the weather where I live being gem perfect!

If you like to hear this ELO classic, Mr. Blue Sky, just click that magic box below!

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA!

Spring reminds me of all the good that is in my life. (Hello family, friends and Rock and Roll). It also reminds me not to sweat the small and ridiculous stuff. ELO has always grounded me, giving my musical soul that positive jump start it needs from time to time.

Stone.

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QUEEN – “THE GAME” MADE 1980 A YEAR I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, family, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, people, personal stories, real life experiences, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

QUEEN – I can remember like it was yesterday, it was 1980 and I wanted so badly, as a Christmas gift from my Mom and Dad, Queen’s The Game album. I can recite what and how many albums I received as gifts from my parents when I was young, due to the fact that I so deeply appreciated each one. While growing up, my family may not have been “rich” with money, instead we were pretty “rich” with love. As a young dude, I never expected more than one album as a gift from my parents, with each passing Christmas and birthday. Receiving an album a few times during the year, as a thank you for helping out around the house and yard, was reality as well. Therefore, that “one” album at Christmas held some weight… and each album gift was always one of my choices that I made known to anyone who would listen.

1980 came upon me as a breakout year in my life… for I finally broke out of eight years of parochial school. (A Catholic School). I was now an official high school student… enrolled as a freshman. My Rock and Roll taste buds were changing by the week it seemed… so many bands I was hearing on the FM dial, still, so little funds to buy them.

When Christmas of 1980 finally rolled around, I was anxious as to whether or not an album would be under the tree at all. If there was an album, which one would it be? I had jotted down just about every KISS album on that wish list back in 1980, save for Double Platinum and Dynasty, which I already owned. I remember putting Queen’s The Game down on my wish list, I needed a real Queen album and this one would be as good as any. All I did own of Queen at this time in my life was the 45 rpm of We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions. Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Another One Bites The Dust were enormous hits for Queen on the FM dial in 1980. Each time I heard these two songs back then, it felt like Rock and Roll magic in my brain.

Once I heard these next two songs from this powerful Queen album, I was literally covered in ostrich bumps: Play The Game and Need Your Loving Tonight. The Hartford, Connecticut FM stations were very cool back in the late ’70’s on through the ’80’s, their spinning these deeper album cuts from The Game only made it more clear to me, that I absolutely needed this album! Listening to the song Play The Game made me feel like I was walking on air. It still does have that affect on me. Sure, Another One Bites The Dust has been overused commercially over the decades, I do understand. This entire Queen album still makes me feel more powerful than I really am… it’s as if it lifts me up and puts the troubles of the day below my feet.

I did see a wrapped album under the Christmas tree, that Christmas morning back in 1980 and it had my name on the tag. It was from Mom and Dad. Once the wrapping was taken off, (gently I might add, as not to damage a cool album), my eyes widened as big as Pennsylvania Dutch pancakes on a Saturday morning. Queen. The Game. In my hands, the entire album. Yes, I played it on my turntable every day during my freshman year in high school. Back in 1980, hearing the song Dragon Attack was a quick study in Hard Rock 101 for me.

This Queen album, single handedly inspired me as a high school freshman, in ways that I cannot even explain. The operatic and prolific vocals of the late and ultra legendary Freddie Mercury, the ever distinguishable guitar tone of Brian May and the rhythm being solidly accented by John Deacon on bass and Roger Taylor on drums. A Rock album for the ages was and still is – The Game.

LONG LIVE QUEEN. REST PEACEFULLY, FREDDIE MERCURY.

Stone.

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JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” LIMITED EDITION CD SINGLE I’LL SHOW YA!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock music, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, album covers, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rare heavy metal cds, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – By now, hopefully all Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans know that a brand new, studio album of 12 previously unreleased songs by this legend of guitar legends are being released on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. The album is titled – Valleys Of Neptune. A limited edition, CD single has already been released in front of this forthcoming Jimi Hendrix album, it is aptly titled: Valleys Of Neptune as well. This limited edition CD single is just that… each CD single is individually numbered too!! A total pressing of only 15,000 were passed along to the whole planet! My CD single is numbered 13060/15,000. I bought mine at Walmart… sometimes there are those Metal finds at Walmart… sometimes.

As I see it, whenever a CD, vinyl album or DVD is individually numbered, it is adding credibility to it’s limited edition tag. With just 15,000 of these CD singles available upon it’s release, I would have to guess that there are not enough to go around? C’mon, there has to be throngs upon throngs of Jimi Hendrix fans out in the world that would want to own this CD single… I would hope.

As for the two songs heard on this CD single:

Valleys Of Neptune – this song grooves along, (really, it is a groovy song), Jimi Hendrix sounds great, (as he always did), on vocals. Jimi plays the guitar with his distinctive tone coming through with vintage brilliance. In all Metal honesty, I have listened to this song dozens of times since I bought this CD single, obviously I really like it! I only live once and I’m thankful these new Jimi Hendrix songs have landed in 2010. This song was recorded on September 23, 1969/May 15, 1970!

Peace In Mississippi – this is an instrumental… and it’s all about Jimi Hendrix and his guitar licks. The Godfather of riffs and Heavy Metal leads is heard by me ears as if it were a gift from Heavy Metal heaven. This heavy instrumental is 7:02 long and I wish it would carry on for an hour. This instrumental was recorded on October 24, 1968! I was 2 years and 10 months old when Jimi Hendrix recorded this!!

Jimi Hendrix is in the same class as any of Rock and Roll’s largest of legends, any new songs from him is equivalent to hearing a newly released Beatles or Elvis song. This is in essence, Rock History, re-educating me once again where the true roots of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal were sown.

* The recording dates for these two songs are courtesy of the liner notes.

* This CD single was released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings.

So there you have it, two newly released Jimi Hendrix songs on this limited edition CD single, just a heavy prelude to the full length album of 12 songs.

GOD BLESS JIMI HENDRIX.



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RUSH – “WORKING MEN” ROCKS LIVE WITH VINTAGE CUTS

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's progressive rock bands, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's progressive rock bands, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's progressive rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, current rock bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive hard rock albums, progressive hard rock music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RUSH is a band that lures me into their progressive Hard Rock world, like an insect flying into a backyard bug lamp. The main difference between me and an insect, (besides my being a human being), is that once I get zapped by the electrifying sound of Rush, I don’t turn crispy and bite the dust. Rush could very well release an album every year and I would buy it. This ultra iconic band’s albums brings back memories and makes new memories for me, on a consistent basis. Metal truth be told, the older I get, the more I have taken a stronger liking to the music of Rush. (I cannot figure this out, therefore, I won’t try to). Rush has released a total of nine live albums over their brilliant career, (counting Working Men), with All The World’s A Stage from 1976 starting this chain. Working Men will never go down as being the greatest live Rush album ever… yet it will not be considered sub standard either. This legendary band can’t compete with themselves, each live album they release, is a signature of where they are as elite musicians. What Rush does best, is give their fans consistency over the decades, while not sacrificing integrity in their musical product. Working Men exemplifies this integrity, with songs that are the most popular from their extensive album catalog.

Geddy Lee, (lead vocals, bass guitar & keyboards), Alex Lifeson, (guitar & vocals) and Neil Peart on drums, possess the uncanny abilities to keep their songs relevant and vibrant. It’s refreshing reality to know that Rush continues onward, entering their fourth decade of creating Progressive Hard Rock, in which they laboriously and consistently helped catapult into a beyond legitimate genre.

All 12 songs are taken from previously released live DVD’s, with the exception of One Little Victory, which is stated as previously unreleased. I come to the conclusion, that this “particular” live version of One Little Victory has never been released, it has appeared on Rush In Rio Live. The studio version of One Little Victory is the opening track for the 2002 Rush album – Vapor Trails. (A tad confusing as to the exactness of the previously unreleased meaning).

Working Men does meld the classics of Rush past, embarking on decades of gems… this live album opens with Limelight, (1981’s Moving Pictures) and Far Cry, (2007’s Snakes & Arrows), is track number six. Having Far Cry in the mix, is a standing true reminder, that Rush is ever the creative trio in recent years. The Snakes & Arrows studio album is an exemplary offering of modern day, Rush Progressive Hard Rock. To acknowledge such a recent Rush song like Far Cry, amidst this vintage lineup of live tracks, was the right move. How can any fan of Rush or such songs as Limelight, Tom Sawyer, Freewill, Working Man or Closer To The Heart resist such a classic compilation of live and Progressive Hard Rock excellence? I can’t resist, no matter how many live go rounds Rush gives these songs.

* The live DVD’s from which these Rush songs were taken from, to compile Working Men: Rush In Rio (2003), R30 (2005) and Snakes & Arrows Live (2008).

The Spirit of Radio, 2112, Dreamline, Subdivisions, and YYZ are the remaining tracks heard on Working Men.

Rush – Working Men was released on November 17, 2009, on Anthem/Atlantic Records.

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DOUG FIEGER – REST PEACEFULLY AND THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC

Posted in 1970's #1 rock songs, 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1979 rock albums, 1980's rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history, rock vocalists with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I remember buying this debut album from The Knack, Get The Knack brings back some fond memories for me. My late sister and I made a beeline to the Caldor department store to buy this album, sometime during the Summer of ’79. We got the biggest kick out of this album, especially the hit My Sharona. I recall listening to the song Good Girls Don’t and feeling really cool about it too. Doug Fieger and The Knack made a fun and good old fashioned Rock and Roll album with Get The Knack. Just a classic album period. I had sold this album years ago… and truly regretted it afterwards, for vinyl was no longer on store shelves. On one of my journey’s last year for Heavy Metal finds, I found a beautiful copy of Get The Knack at a thrift store for 50 cents. This new found copy is for keeps.

Thank you for the music Doug Fieger, rest in peace.

Doug Fieger – 1952 – 2010

Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter

In 2009, HammerFall covered The Knack classic – My Sharona. This cover song is found on the HammerFall album – No Sacrifice, No Victory. This is an excellent example of how Doug Fieger and The Knack are an influence in respective Heavy Metal circles. When I first heard this cover of My Sharona by HammerFall, I was reminded of just how great this song really is. HammerFall paid an incredible tribute to this song and The Knack, in my Metal opinion. Of course, no band can top The Knack in covering My Sharona, this is a Heavy Metal salute to a legendary Rock and Roll Band and musician, whose music shall live on.  So, crank up this My Sharona cover by HammerFall below, sing along if you will, let’s all give a Heavy Metal tribute and thank you to Doug Fieger and his Rock and Roll legacy!

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ANGEL – “THE WINTER SONG” IS MY BLIZZARD OF 2010 THEME SONG!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal music, classic rock 1978, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, everyday experiences, everyday people, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

It is Thursday, February 11, 2010. The cleanup begins. The cleanup after the Blizzard of 2010 that is. This unreal blizzard attacked the East Coast yesterday, with the great state of Pennsylvania directly in it’s angry path. I’ve seen some major winter storms in my life, this one was a monster in it’s own right. Upwards of nearly two feet of snow blanketed Pennsylvania after 24 hours of snow falling from the sky. Ah, the cleanup that will take place up and down the Eastern Seaboard today… patience shall be a virtue for us all.

As I listened to various music yesterday, I was thinking all along about picking out the perfect blizzard song, a winter song… alas, I was reminded of Angel – The Winter Song. This 1978 song sums it up best… about the spirit of Winter and looking upon this cold, stormy and sometimes isolated season in a different light. Once the holiday season comes to a close, the Winter season takes on it’s own ominous and elongated meaning unlike any other time of year. Still, Winter is here, the blizzards will come and life goes on. Winter, I have learned, is what you make of it. As long as I’m alive to experience this season despite the often times chaotic weather events it brings, I should just be happy that it’s a brand new day.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY UNMISTAKABLY LOYAL AND LOVING WIFE TODAY! 15 YEARS! IT’S THE OFFICIAL DAY! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND FOR WORKING SO HARD HONEY! THIS SONG IS FOR YOU TOO!

LONG LIVE ANGEL AND MY MARRIAGE!

If you feel like it, you can check out the post I wrote about Angel and their 1978 Angel album – White Hot, by clicking the header below. I wrote this post back on April 4, 2009.

Angel – Heavy Metal roots from 1978

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THE WHO – “GREATEST HITS” IS MY ANNIVERSARY GIFT!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's classic rock bands, 1960's rock & roll british invasion, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, current rock bands, family, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, life, life stories, living, metal odyssey, Music, real life experiences, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

My wife and I will celebrate our 15 year Wedding Anniversary on February 11th. Wow, how time has flown by! Tonight, while strolling about at K-Mart, my wife informed me my anniversary gift from her is The Who – Greatest Hits. (Not too shabby, in my Metal opinion). Heck, I’m the guy, I never expect an anniversary gift to begin with… I always make sure my wife gets a gift for certain, still, this feels like a bonus to me!

What’s very exciting about getting this CD from my wife is the pure fact: I have never owned The Who on CD my entire life!! You read that correctly… never did I upgrade The Who to CD, after all these years. Go figure. Of course, I have owned some, (not all), of The Who titles on vinyl and cassette… still have them floating around somewhere. It’s an invigorating feeling to have this Greatest Hits by The Who now… 19 songs and all! What sweetens the deal about this CD is that it was on sale for $9.99! Yes, maybe I have given off hints now and again that I am frugal… it’s from growing up in New England for most of my life… in extremely expensive Connecticut. Believe me, if you live or ever lived in Connecticut, you know what I mean. Living there, man, you have to know how to cut corners and clip coupons… or go broke trying.

Back to The Who… my wife and I, along with my best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale, saw The Who back in the mid ’90’s… seeing them was a thrill beyond belief for me. Drivin N Cryin was the opening band too. I’m thankful I was able to witness John Entwistle live, on bass as well. This legendary show was at the Meadows Music Theater in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Who is a band that I can never, ever, grow tired of. Honestly, The Who just strikes that certain chord within my psyche… and I’m not concerned about figuring it out either. Seeing Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend Rockin’ out during the Super Bowl XLIV half-time special… was something special. I could only hope and pray, that I am in that kind of shape when I hit that age! Sure, Roger Daltrey may not sound like he did in 1980… yet c’mon… he belted it out for the world to know that The Who is still around and damn proud! Pete Townshend also reminded us all, that he too… can still kick some Rock and Roll ass.

My favorite song ever, from The Who, is: Eminence Front. I’m not going to attempt any explanation here, other than this is THE song. You know how it is… there’s always that one particular song from a band that resonates with your mind and soul… Eminence Front is just that song by The Who. I’m thankful for my beautiful wife of 15 years and counting… nothing beats the memories, life experiences and love we have both shared with each other. (We actually have been together since 1988, married in 1995). I’m also thankful I have the memory of seeing The Who, live, with my wife and best friend. Money can’t buy love and memories… but $9.99 can buy me the coolest wedding anniversary gift – The Who, Greatest Hits.

The Who – Greatest Hits was released on December 21, 2009.

LONG LIVE THE WHO!

Reflecting on the good memories of life and staying positive and true to yourself… is what it’s all about. Music is the stimulus of good life memories for me… the Rock Music of The Who is no exception.

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BILLY SQUIER – “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” Video Is Worth Revisiting Again!

Posted in 1980's hard rock vocalists, 1980's rock vocalists, 1980's hard rock guitarists, christmas rock songs, classic hard rock, classic rock, classic rock christmas songs, classic rock christmas videos, classic rock music, classic rock songs, hard rock vocalists, holiday songs, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music christmas songs, rock vocalists with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 20, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Ahhh… those good ol’ ’80’s. Billy Squier has always been a staple in my Hard Rock Music collection, since I can remember. This song and video does bring back some good time Holiday memories for me. Seeing some of those MTV VJ’s of yesteryear is a real hoot too. Enjoy this Christmas song and video! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a very Metal New Year to all!

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STYX “PARADISE THEATRE” – 1981 ROCK ALBUM IS A FOREVER FAVORITE OF MINE

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's classic rock vocalists, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's rock bands, Album Review, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock music 1981, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, cool album covers, feel good stories, guitar legends, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, rock & roll, rock album review, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock keyboard musicians, rock music, rock music lyrics, rock vocalists, shopping for rock music, vintage rock albums, vintage rock and roll songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Styx, a Rock/Hard Rock band that didn’t just grow on me in my early teens… instead, I fell over backwards upon my very first listen to their song Come Sail Away from The Grand Illusion album, (released in 1977). Jumping across the Pieces Of Eight (1978) and Cornerstone (1979) albums from Styx, (which both are unreal great albums for me as well), there is Paradise Theatre, (A&M Records), from 1981. Call it music imbedding at age fifteen, this Styx album just reminds me of so many good things about my life as an early teen. Memories, especially the good ones, are priceless. When music, Rock Music, can rekindle cool and fun times through memories… man, I’m not going to stop listening to such respective albums or songs – ever. Paradise Theatre doesn’t remind me of winning the lottery, getting an expensive car, falling in love, achieving straight A’s on my report card, (yeah right), nor does it send me back to a Hawaiian vacation. Nope. What Paradise Theatre does remind me of, is easier times, hanging out, the Christmas Holiday, snow days off from school and having no clue of who or what I wanted to be in life. Honestly, this Paradise Theatre album really reminds me of those things, the smaller things in life that matter too.

I’m certain I can sit here and compile a master list of Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums, that meet the same memory criteria as this Styx Paradise Theatre album bestows for me. Recently, I finally purchased Paradise Theatre on CD, for the first time in my life! It was priced at $7, brand new. There were several, if not dozens of moments where I had this CD in my hands to buy… only putting it back down, because I get so damned conscientious about spending too much money on non essential items for myself. (I have to learn to relax, $7 is chump change compared to what is spent on Wall Street bailouts).

I cannot pinpoint the reason as to why Paradise Theatre reminds me of the previously mentioned. All I know is, come Christmas, these songs from this album just “pop” into my head. Watch out if it snows, it seems like I can actually envision the album cover in my mind as well, all the while I watch a snowfall. I do remember listening to the songs from Paradise Theatre during the Winter of 1981, it seems like yesterday. Funny, how I purchased this CD during the Winter of 2009, all of the variables were in place… some snow was on the ground, Christmas is approaching and I threw danger to the wind by spending an extra $7 on myself. (I guess you can call me a real thrill seeker, on the spending part of it all).

Every song on Paradise Theatre is a winner, that includes the songs that never made it to FM radio too. Quality, substance and an acute attention to lyrics are what makes these songs on Paradise Theatre so unbelievable for me. This album Rocks. There, I got that out of my system, that phrase needed to be stated and has become rather nerdy and extremely cliche too. Back in 1981, I never would understand what the term Classic Rock meant. In 1981, the only music that was really classic was Classical Music. Styx, through their albums of the 1970’s and 1980’s have given true meaning and understanding to the term/genre… Classic Rock.

I have always been a huge fan of Tommy Shaw, following his solo career along with his stints in Damn Yankees and Shaw/Blades. Dennis DeYoung on vocals gives this Styx band and album their trademark Rock essence, a sound that is so much stand alone. Dennis DeYoung’s voice is a trademark musical instrument of Styx. Of course, the aforementioned are all my opinions and interpretations, which I am steadfast about.

Dennis DeYoung sings it so right, on the song The Best Of Times, with these lines:

Our memories of yesterday

Will last a lifetime

We’ll take the best, forget the rest

And someday we’ll find

These are the best of times

Track Listing For Paradise Theatre:

Side One:

A.D. 1928

Rockin’ The Paradise

Too Much Time On My Hands

Nothing Ever Goes As Planned

The Best Of Times

Side Two:

Lonely People

She Cares

Snowblind

Half-Penny; Two Penny

A.D. 1958

State Street Sadie

Styx, as they appeared on Paradise Theatre:

Dennis DeYoung – keyboards & vocals

Tommy Shaw – guitars & vocals

Chuck Panozzo – bass guitar

John Panozzo – drums & percussion

James Young – guitars & vocals


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RAINBOW “DOWN TO EARTH” – 1979 ALBUM REVISITED

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock guitarists, rock music, vintage hard rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Here is a Rainbow album that I can never get enough of. Down To Earth, released on July 28, 1979. This Rainbow lineup is nothing short of legendary, unreal musicians they were together. I actually saved this vinyl copy of Down To Earth since the mid 1980’s, never having the thought of letting it go. Graham Bonnet on vocals is tops… for me. This album just illuminates Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal legitimacy, in my Metal opinion. To this day, I will crank up, (extremely loud), the two songs: All Night Long and Since You Been Gone. I endorse the other six songs on this album as well… songs like these are what makes a complete and memorable album. I often times, find it hard to believe that Down To Earth was released back in 1979, saying these songs are dated will never cross my Metal mind.

I have always embraced each lead singer that fronted Rainbow over the years. Each new lead vocalist lent a different sound and feel, while the hardness of Rainbow never seemed to wane for me. Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White made each respective Rainbow lineup unique. Sure, you can say that there have been four different Rainbow bands… the more Rainbow music that was made, the better, in my Metal opinion! I could never embrace the gossip or rumors that surrounded each Rainbow lineup, all I ever cared about were the albums that were created. Down To Earth seems to be an album that gets skipped over, when discussions/articles of great Hard Rock releases of the ’70’s are brought forth. Maybe my blabbing about this Rainbow Down To Earth album will inspire someone to give it a listen again or for the first time, it is extremely well worth it.

Listening to this Rainbow album puts me in a darn good mood. Heck, any Rainbow album puts me in a good mood and sets me straight. I wish that Ritchie Blackmore kept the Rainbow brand moving forward. Regardless, I’ll embrace and enjoy the Rainbow albums that did become reality… especially Down To Earth.

The Rainbow lineup for Down To Earth… and what a lineup:

Ritchie Blackmore – guitar

Graham Bonnet – lead vocalist

Roger Glover – bass guitarist

Cozy Powell – drums

Don Airey – keyboards

The track list for Down To Earth… these are songs, no fillers:

All Night Long

Eyes of the World

No Time to Lose

Makin’ Love

Since You Been Gone

Love’s No Friend

Danger Zone

Lost in Hollywood

* Since You Been Gone was written and recorded by Russ Ballard, originally appearing on his 1976 album Winning. Russ Ballard wrote one pretty cool song, in my Metal opinion.


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THE OUTLAWS – THIS LEGENDARY BAND CURES MY SOUTHERN ROCK FIX

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's southern rock albums, 1970's southern rock music, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's rock music, 1970's southern rock bands, 1970's southern rock songs, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock vocalists, 1980's southern rock music, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's southern rock, 1990's southern rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, essential southern rock albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school southern rock music, rock music, southern rock, southern rock albums, southern rock music, southern rock music legends, southern rock songs, vintage southern rock albums, vintage southern rock bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 3, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

There are many moments I dive right into the Southern Rock genre. My wide array of favorite bands crosses over many Rock genres and I am all the better for it. (Metal will always be #1 for me, that will never change). The blue collar, American made and guitar enriched sound of Southern Rock, both past and present, just sticks to me like molasses. I honestly can’t go very long, without nurturing the country boy side of me, with this ever important branch of American Rock and Roll. Aw heck, Southern Rock serves my city boy side just as well too. The Outlaws have been my recent listening choice to cure my Southern Rock fix. A classic of a band indeed are The Outlaws. Great songs and down to earth lyrics has this band written. The Outlaws may not be as heavy as Molly Hatchet or as popular as Lynyrd Skynyrd, still they managed to differentiate themselves amongst their peers by staying true to their own style. The Outlaws have their respectful place in Southern Rock history… Rock history too, for that matter.

The Outlaws, through their own songs, have never pretended to be anything but Southern Rock. I have always admired any band that never compromises their own genuine sound, The Outlaws are one of these bands. Does all this sound like I am overextending praise towards The Outlaws? In my opinion, no. Sure, all of the accolades you read here are from my personal standpoint, yet I would gamble to guess I am not alone in my viewpoint. I really enjoy the Southern Rock that The Outlaws have created, this goes all the way back to my teen years of the 1980’s. Green Grass & High Tides, (from the 1975 debut album Outlaws), the almost ten minute Southern Rock epic, just sends me into a care free mood where things seem to feel alright. This is a song that encompasses the true energy, passion and sound of mid 1970’s Southern Rock. I have always liked this song so much, it is like listening to a three minute song for me.

All of the most memorable and legendary songs from The Outlaws are from 1975 to 1980. Counting the Ghost Riders album from 1980, The Outlaws released three studio albums during the 1980’s, while releasing Diablo Canyon in 1994. The main constant and founding member of The Outlaws, Hughie Thomasson on lead vocals and guitar, is a musician I have and always will appreciate tremendously. He penned Green Grass & High Tides, while co-writing There Goes Another Love Song, two of perhaps the most recognizable Southern Rock songs of the 1970’s, both from such an important debut album. Hurry Sundown, (from the 1977 album Hurry Sundown) and (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, (from the 1980 album Ghost Riders) are two more unreal favorites of mine from The Outlaws.

I bought The Outlaws Super Hits recently, a greatest hits that spans their albums 1975 thru 1980. To have ten solid songs from The Outlaws, on one disc, is a recipe for Classic Southern Rock to the highest degree. This CD set me back just 5 dollars… fifty cents a song. Not to sound cliche here… that is priceless, especially when these songs from The Outlaws make me feel so darn good.

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