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’77 ‘High Decibels’ – Hard Rock That’s Old School & Damn Cool!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, heavy metal news, Music, rock & roll, rock albums, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 20, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

’77 – This Hard Rock band ’77 is from Barcelona Spain and man are they… Old School! The second studio album from ’77, High Decibels, is slated for a February 28th release on Listenable Records. This is an album of raw, riff infested and: “share a case o’ beer with your Metal buddy” style of Hard Rock. This is also Hard Rock to crank up in the car, on a long weekend cruise with your chick by your side. Blue collar Hard Rock never sounded so damn fun as ’77 does on High Decibels!

The incredible resemblance that Armand Valeta has vocally to the late Bon Scott is unreal. Musically ’77 does overflow with 70’s AC/DC sound, vibe and feel. With all the AC/DC comparisons aside, what ’77 does very well is they play their Hard Rock with credible passion and they write original songs. The more I’ve listened to High Decibels, the more I hear a band that is fired-up about Rock ‘N Roll and it’s a fever they can easily spread to Rockaholics worldwide like myself.

I am impressed by the old school Hard Rock allegiance that ’77 bestows in their brand of Hard Rock. Too often a band like this will get mocked for being a “rip-off” or dated. My response would be: It’s 77’s style of Rock ‘N Roll that’s spilling from their Rockin’ souls. Metal be thy name. My two favorite songs on High Decibels are:  Backdoor Man and Since You’ve Been Gone. I highly dig the bluesy side of ’77’s Hard Rock! Bad-ass Classic Rock is here to stay with ’77 too.

High Decibels is an album where once you hit “play” that’s it. You can’t stop it until it’s over! It’s like a cool party that just got started… why would you want to end a good thing? If you’re a Hard Rock fan from any generation, you should mark ’77 down and make certain to add High Decibels to your “must need” list of good-times and ass kickin’ Rock ‘N Roll albums. Everyone’s album collection deserves a solid kick-in-the-ass and ’77 shall bring it.

’77:

Armand Valeta – Frontman & Guitar

LG Valeta – Lead Guitar

Johnnie Dolphin – Drums

Mr. Raw – Bass

HIGH DECIBELS – Track Listing:

High Decibels

(Gotta Go) Gotta Hit The Road

Are You Ready For Rock ‘n’ Roll

Let’s Beat It Up

Backdoor Man

Gimme A Dollar

This Girl Is On Fire

Meltin’ In A Spoon

Since You’ve Been Gone

Promised Land

Things You Can’t Talk About

* For more info on ’77, click on the links below:

’77 – facebook

http://www.myspace.com/seventysevenrocks

LISTENABLE RECORDS

LONG LIVE ’77

Stone.

4 Comments »

Metal Odyssey’s #1 Cover Song Album Of 2010 And… “England Rocks”!

Posted in album reviews, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – Cover song albums can either catch me by surprise or bore me to pieces. Other times, a cover song album can be 50/50 with it’s quality of content. Therefore, making a cover song album is always a risky business, when attempting to make songs already known and revered by Rock fans. A band has to really add something to a cover song and make it memorable, let alone an entire album of them. An album of covers most often gets ignored and swept under cases of empty beer bottles anyways. Creating an album of cover songs is not always the “in” thing to do either. So, with all of the negatives attached to tackling a covers album, the likelihood of messing up by releasing such an album is apparently in the Rock ‘N’ Roll cards… unless you are Joe Elliott and your band is named Down ‘n’ Outz.

My ReGeneration was released on July 13, 2010, on Mailboat Records. Joe Elliott’s Down ‘n’ Outz covered Rock classics from the Mott The Hoople family: Mott, Ian Hunter and British Lions. Joe Elliott’s Down ‘n’ Outz not only captured the essence of Classic Rock on this album, they carried it off on their own Rockin’ vibe and did add that extra ingredient of relevance to songs that should never be forgotten. As a bonus, this album does take Joe Elliott away from the Def Leppard comfort zone and showcases him as a vocalist who once again, never over stretches his boundaries by singing within the songs and not over them.

A very addicting album My ReGeneration has been for me, while reminding me of the importance that Mott The Hoople and their spinoffs had on Rock Music history. I highly recommend this album to anyone who digs Classic Rock and Old School Hard Rock like I do. Take a listen and watch the video for England Rocks below, a song from the My ReGeneration album… it will serve you right!

On September 16, 2010, I wrote a more comprehensive review on My ReGeneration. Just click on the huge header below to read all about it!

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – “MY REGENERATION” GENERATES A ROCKIN’ GREAT ALBUM!

LONG LIVE JOE ELLIOTT.

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

Stone.

* Below is a list of other great sites/bloggers that cover Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and will be sharing their “Best Of 2010” lists and thoughts as well. It is well worth the trip to any and/or all of them!

Heavy Metal Addiction —  http://heavymetaladdiction.com

Hard Rock Hideout — http://hardrockhideout.com/

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com/

Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

The Metal Minute — http://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

Stone.

3 Comments »

KID ROCK “Born Free” – Double LP Vinyl Releases December 14, 2010!

Posted in Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KID ROCK – Get ready all of you vinyl lovers out there… the brand new Kid Rock – Born Free is about to get released on double LP – vinyl! The vinyl release date is December 14, 2010. Born Free is Kid Rock’s eighth studio album, released on Atlantic Records. It’s the diversification of Rock ‘N’ Roll, that flows through Kid Rock’s soul, that makes him so damn appealing to me all these years. From Rap Metal to Southern Rock and almost everything else in-between, Kid Rock makes it real.

* Born Free was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin. Mixing was done by Greg Fidelman.

* I have seen this double LP of Born Free for sale on Amazon.com, it also comes with the entire CD of Born Free, from what the site states, it is referred to as a “bonus CD”.

* For more info on Kid Rock, just click on the cool link below:

KID ROCK – Official Website

Track Listing For Born Free:

Born Free

Slow My Roll

Care (Featuring Martina McBride & T.I.)

Purple Sky

When It Rains

God Bless Saturday

Collide (Featuring Sheryl Crow & Bob Seger on piano)

Flyin’ High (Featuring Zac Brown)

Times Like These

Rock On

Rock Bottom Blues

For The First Time (In A Long Time)

LONG LIVE KID ROCK.

Stone.

10 Comments »

Chuck Berry “Run Rudolph Run” – 1958 Christmas Classic Revisited

Posted in holiday songs, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHUCK BERRY – As I was dining today, with the family, at our local Cracker Barrel Country Store and Restaurant, I overheard an all-time favorite Christmas song of mine – Run Rudolph Run, recorded by the ultra legendary Chuck Berry. It’s always a cool thing when a restaurant plays background music that isn’t lame and puts you to tears. While I feasted on some of the best fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes that Stone could ever ask for, Run Rudolph Run just put me in a fine holiday mood.

Kudos to this Cracker Barrel franchise that has a location in the cozy town of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. Usually the “other” big name franchise restaurants serve you cold food or pricey dinners that taste like they came straight from the microwave. This isn’t the case with Cracker Barrel, just good and tasty food from a menu where you can identify what your ordering.

Well, back to Chuck Berry and Run Rudolph Run. Upon my Metal research, I’ve discovered that this classic song was written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie and published by St. Nicholas Music (ASCAP). Chuck Berry made Run Rudolph Run famous, and his vocals to this day can never be copied, nor can anyone seem to come even light years close, in my Metal opinion. Chuck Berry is one of a kind.

Run Rudolph Run was released on Chess 1714 (Records) back in 1958. Run Rudolph Run was the “B” side to Merry Christmas Baby, another Chuck Berry classic. Take a look below to see what the 45rpm looks like:

Apparently, Run Rudolph Run peaked at #69 on The Billboard Hot 100, back in 1958. Gee Metal whiz, I would have thought it charted higher than that! Nonetheless, this terrific Chuck Berry song will forever be a favorite of mine… all year long too.

* I did locate which Chuck Berry CD you can find Run Rudolph Run on, it is on Chuck Berry – Rock’n Roll Rarities. (See image at top of post). There are 20 Chuck Berry Rock ‘N’ Roll Classics on this CD, with Run Rudolph Run being track #15. Of course, you don’t have to buy the entire Chuck Berry CD to own this song, Run Rudolph Run is sold as an individual mp3 on most “popular” music store websites.

* I’m certain there are scores of other Chuck Berry “Best Of” and other Rock ‘N’ Roll compilation CD’s out there that have Run Rudolph Run included as a song. I used this particular Chuck Berry CD as a specific example… plus it really is a solid compilation of his songs, some not so well known too.

* Chuck Berry was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

* For more info on Chuck Berry, click here: Chuck Berry – Official Website

LONG LIVE CHUCK BERRY AND HIS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

CHUCK BERRY… A TRUE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PIONEER.

Stone.

3 Comments »

BOSTON – Classic Self Titled/Debut Album On 180 Gram Vinyl Releases December 7, 2010!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BOSTON – Attention audiophiles worldwide! The self titled/debut Rock Classic from Boston will be released on 180 Gram Vinyl, (Friday Music), on December 7, 2010. Yes, I will readily admit to playing the debut Boston album more times than I could ever remember, so many years ago. I can recall having this album on my turntable for days, being the only album I was listening to. Personally, the songs on this album Rocked my head off as a young lad. My favorite song on this Boston album was and to this very day is… Something About You. I extremely dig Rock And Roll Band too… oh yeah I do. Gee Metal whiz, this entire Boston album has never grown stale for me.

There was and still is something mystical about hearing my favorite albums on vinyl. Just seeing vinyl spinning on a turntable today, brings me back to a time when “holding” and looking at an album jacket was part of the listening experience. The whole connection to a band I was listening to was through their music and the album jacket… with whatever artwork and liner notes that was part of it. There was no myspace music, MTV or youtube videos back in those late 70’s, … just the needle on the vinyl and my ears listening intently.

Loaded with more amazing melodies and vocal harmonies than I can count, this Boston album is a monumental Rock Classic. Plus… Boston belongs in that absent minded place that’s called The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. This Boston debut was one of the first albums I ever owned, well before I became a Metalhead… Metal be thy name. Do I feel old stating this? Heck no. Feeling old is a state of mind and I’m not approaching 90 anytime soon. I’ll be blabbing, ranting, writing and raving about the music I love when I do hit 90 years of age… I hope.

* Boston was released back in America’s Bicentennial Year of 1976, during the month of July.

* Boston was originally released on Epic Records.

* This 180 Gram Vinyl of Boston will be a “limited edition”… so I guess the number of pressings are low, just how low is the million dollar question.

Track Listing For Boston:

More Than A Feeling

Peace Of Mind

Foreplay/Long Time

Rock And Roll Band

Smokin’

Hitch A Ride

Something About You

Let Me Take You Home Tonight

LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OF BOSTON.

Rest In Peace, Brad Delp.

Stone.

13 Comments »

BON JOVI and POISON – Who Cares About Their Recycled “Greatest Hits” Collections Anyways?

Posted in Hair Metal, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BON JOVI/POISON – Metal be damned their back. I’m not talking about the bands Bon Jovi and Poison themselves, I’m talking about their recycled, re-mastered, decades old “hits” that everyone on planet Earth already owns. Yes, both bands have reintroduced to the world, once again, their sacred “hits” and have now decided to call them… “collections”. The sole purpose of these “collections” being released now, is for their being purchased as holiday gifts, the timing could not be any more prosperous for Bon Jovi and Poison.

Some poor dude out there is gonna get this Bon Jovi The Ultimate Collection as a Christmas present this year…  just because he probably mentioned once, during a family reunion picnic, that he digs the song Bad Medicine. That’s so damn unfortunate. Some poor Hard Rock chick (who owns every Poison album already) is gonna receive this Poison Nothin’ But A Good Time Collection as a holiday grab bag gift at work… all due to her saying she has dug Poison her whole life to someone at the company cafeteria. Terrible thought, I know.

Any fan of Poison or Bon Jovi already owns every damn studio album, live album and greatest hits as it is. I don’t think either band is hurtin’ in the big pay day department either… still, it’s all about the $$$ and no remote care in the world for the long-time fans who want “new” studio recordings of songs. This is Bon Jovi’s fourth “greatest hits” album… hello, egomaniacs anonymous? Maybe these new “collections” from both bands are fitting for younger fans who are just getting into their music, I will concede that. Plus, I’m certain there are a ton of Democrat politicians who have been voted out of office this November that will buy this new Bon Jovi “Collection” as well. Those soon to be former Democrat politicians owe Bon Jovi for his supporting them… so there is always that new market to tap into.

How many times does Poison need to release a “greatest hits”? It’s been eight long years since Poison released a studio album of “new” songs, the last being 2002’s Hollyweird. Four “new” songs on Bon Jovi’s Ultimate Collection is like giving their loyal fans a bagged fart, disguised as a secret toy surprise, in the middle of bland tasting cheerios. Oh, I forgot, This Bon Jovi band is too “busy” to make a full-length album these days. This is as perfect an example, as I can point out, to two different bands becoming so commercial and worldly popular, that anything they decide to refry and belch out, is to be automatically accepted by the Rock listening and buying public. NOT!

Seasoned Rock and Hard Rock fans worldwide, save your hard earned money this holiday season and do yourself an “ultimate” favor by staying away from these “ultimate” collections. I’m not taking away from either band being solid and great in their own musical regards, that is not my intent. I really, really, dig Poison, always have and will. However, giving a little extra more money to the Salvation Army kettle, this holiday season, sounds like a much more valiant way to expend any more disposable income that I already don’t have.

Metal be thy name.

Stone.

8 Comments »

SWEET “Level Headed” – Looking Back Fondly, On A Rock Classic

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SWEET – Yes, some call them The Sweet. I prefer to call this British Rock Band by their name that appeared on 8 out of the 9 studio albums they released between 1971 and 1982, which is Sweet. Only their first album, (Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be) has “The Sweet” as their band name on the cover. Whatever, I guess. The plain fact of the Rock ‘N’ Roll matter, is that Sweet was one damn decent Rock Band of their time. Caught in the midst of a post British Invasion and winding down amongst the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Sweet still played their unique brand of Rock… and caught my attentive ears.

The first song that caught my attention from Sweet and had me very psyched-out was – Love Is Like Oxygen. This forever memorable song is from Sweet’s sixth studio album – Level Headed, released back in January of 1978, on Polydor Records. As it always seems to go, so many songs from my Rock fan past still psyche me out like never before. This terrific song from Sweet is no exception. I actually listened to it several times, while writing this post… and I just can’t grow weary of it. Metal be thy name.

Love Is Like Oxygen carries it’s Rockin’ delight through a synthesizer intro, with a most memorable guitar riff that follows… then the combination of these and a rhythm section so bold and pronounced, unveils an all encompassing meaty sound to follow. There are those “breakdowns” in Love Is Like Oxygen, (of the keyboard and acoustic kind), that teeter on the super mellow, only this song is so refreshingly far from being an AM gold hit from yesteryear. This song was born for FM, I can’t even consider trying to recount how many times I heard it played on those cool Connecticut radio stations back then.

When I first bought Level Headed, it was on vinyl and it was stocked at my local Caldor department store. I only knew of Love Is Like Oxygen… so I took the plunge and bought the entire album that one day. It was a gatefold album cover, with a black & white band photo taking up both inside covers. I believe, from my (gasp) memory, it was the band photo that appears on the U.K. cover of Level Headed. The Level Headed cover at the top of this post is the U.S. version. Check out what that U.K. version looks like below:

California Nights is a song with a chorus that tantalizes with that “sing-along” spirit. Bass guitarist Steve Priest sings lead on this song. (Guitarist Andy Scott sings lead on Dream On and Fountain. Brian Connolly sings lead vocals on Love Is Like Oxygen and the remainder of the songs on Level Headed). With a song like California Nights, it came across to me with a wide open vibe of feel-good. This was a song that was tailor made for cruising with the windows down on a hot Summer night… it still is that kind of song to me in 2010.

Dream On, (no it is not a cover of the Aerosmith classic), is a ballad which resonates with an overwhelming “heartfelt” emotion. I can remember the first time this song reached my ears, as this Level Headed album spun on my turntable. Whoa. My Judas Priest and Iron Maiden albums were in full view… I felt as if I got lost and woke up in mellow, mellow land. You want to know something? I loved it. This song may have sappy lyrics and is a ballad, only it was done “right”. As I listen to this song so many years later, I love it still. Honestly, if someone like Chris Daughtry covered this song today… it would be a top ten smash on the charts. I predict it would hit #1. I’m not being a wise-guy and kidding around either. This ballad could be re-released as a single today, in all of it’s original glory and be a hit just as well.

Strong Love is a tad Funky… in a pseudo-Disco sense of the word. This is actually the one song that could be accused of sounding “dated”, the only thing it is a downright catchy listen. This song is not The Village People, so there is no need to worry, all you Classic Rock folks. Anthem, No. 1 (Lady Of The Lake) and Anthem No. II are both strong with their European sounding vibe, these two songs are significant in separating Sweet from the “American” Rock sound of those late ’70’s. The keyboards and string arrangements on both Anthem songs certainly help in providing that European and “royalty” feel.

Level Headed is a Classic Rock album that I shall always look upon very fondly. Sweet seemed to weave their way around in the ’70’s and very early ’80’s with their own style of Rock that won’t be forgotten by me. If anyone out there wants to listen to an album that is diverse with songs, Rocks with efficiency and holds up extremely well with relevance after three decades, this is an album for you.

SWEET as they appeared on Level Headed:

Andy Scott – guitar, synthesizer, lead vocals, background vocals

Brian Connolly – lead vocals, background vocals

Steve Priest – bass, lead vocals, background vocals

Mick Tucker – drums, percussion, background vocals

Track Listing For Level Headed:

California Nights

Silver Bird

Dream On

Fountain

Love Is Like Oxygen

Anthem, No. 1 (Lady Of The Lake)

Strong Love

Lettres D’Amour

Anthem, No. II

Air On ‘A’ Tape Loop

LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OF SWEET.

Rest In Peace, Brian Connolly.

Rest In Peace, Mick Tucker.

Stone.

4 Comments »

THE BIG BOPPER “Chantilly Lace” – Reflecting On Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Roots

Posted in 1950's rock music, people, Rock, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Big Bopper, (Jiles Perry “J. P.” Richardson, Jr.), was a pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Singer, songwriter, musician and an American disc jockey, The Big Bopper’s multi-tasking career was truly cut short tragically in 1959. February 3, 1959 is historically known as “The Day The Music Died”, with the untimely passing of The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, due to their being in a small plane that crashed, from presumably flying into an Iowa blizzard. The pilot, Roger Peterson, also passed away from the crash.

While growing up as a young lad, I remember this story being told to me time and again by my parents. Eventually, the multitudes of television documentaries on 1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll more than adequately covered this tragically historic event. I can remember playing my mother’s Buddy Holly 45 rpm’s and thinking about that awful day in Rock ‘N’ Roll history. I took to heart, the reality of this event despite my adolescence, I imagine it was due to the way I was raised by my parents.

The one true side story to this unimaginable day in 1959, was the one as told by Country legend, (the late), Waylon Jennings himself in many well documented articles and interviews. Apparently, Waylon Jennings was supposed to fly on this very same small plane, only he gave up his seat to The Big Bopper… due to The Big Bopper having the flu. Whoa. That is one side story I could not believe, even though I have seen documented footage of Waylon Jennings telling it himself. I guess when it is “your time”… that’s it.

Waylon Jennings had a remarkably legendary career, singing and playing his guitar in the Country, Outlaw Country and Country Rock genres. I missed out on two opportunities to see Waylon Jennings live, both times he played very close to my hometown in Connecticut. One such venue was The Warner Theatre, in Torrington, Connecticut. This unreal cool and Art Deco Theatre still plays host to many incredible bands crossing all music genres, along with a diverse mix of entertainers and shows. From the late George Carlin to Foreigner… The Warner Theatre has had them all, it seems. Waylon Jennings passed away at the very young age of 64, back on February 13, 2002.

I guess missing out on seeing Waylon Jennings two times, so close to home, serves as a reminder for me to cherish each Rock ‘N’ Roll performer and Metal Band I do get to see… from Slayer to Pat Benatar. Well, getting long winded on the roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll is something I’m very good at. It’s just the pure history, the factual beginnings of the music that I and so many billions of other people love so much, that I find so difficult to ignore.

Today, I ventured out with my wife and daughters on a Sunday cruise to do some shopping. Thankfully, the weather was 100% pure Autumn and sunny, with no rain or dreary weather to get in the way of our plans. One stop was to a store called Christmas Tree Shops, it is a semi-discounted department store, that focuses on a ton of items that my wife really digs. Plus, there usually is a small display of discounted CD’s for sale there too. Today however, I did not find a CD display… whatever, I’ll live. This store is where The Big Bopper came back to life again in my ears… his song Chantilly Lace was played on the rotation of music that was heard, while we shopped. Once again, my mind wandered right back into some Rock ‘N’ Roll thoughts…

A fabulous, Classic and Rock Historical song is Chantilly Lace. Just the vocals of The Big Bopper are enough for me, while I listen to this song. Flamboyant and loaded with Rock ‘N’ Roll confidence were the vocals of The Big Bopper. Metal as my witness, his vocals alone are enough to put me in a great mood. “Oh baby you know what I like”! Just the way he describes this girl in Chantilly Lace is legendary. “A wiggle in the walk and a giggle in the talk”, “Make the world go ’round”… the lyrical rhyme scheme is Rock ‘N’ Roll perfection at it’s earliest beginnings.

Despite Chantilly Lace being a Rock ‘N’ Roll song from 1958, there is something about it that radiates a relevant cool to me. This song always has been a “1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll” favorite of mine, since the first time I heard it as a young lad. The incredible aspect about this song, is that there are no “in-your-face” guitars, drums or bass and it still Rocks like there is no tomorrow. The subdued volume of the instruments played on Chantilly Lace does help catapult the vocals of The Big Bopper and his enthusiasm for this song can’t be denied each time I hear it.

The girl is referred to as “honey” and “baby” during Chantilly Lace, making for as true a listen into Rock ‘N’ Roll’s innocence as you could ever ask for. Compare “honey” and “baby” to some of today’s female referenced adjectives you hear in popular music… and yes, Chantilly Lace is innocence. I don’t like to think of “what ifs” when it comes to life, The Big Bopper was here and he left us all with some incredible Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Chantilly Lace is a song that is immeasurable in it’s worth to Rock ‘N’ Roll History. I’ll always be a fan of The Big Bopper and be grateful for what he and his fellow peers accomplished back in those fabulous 1950’s. The Rock ‘N’ Roll seeds they all planted back then, have certainly grown into quite a remarkable existence in both music, culture and personal emotion.

* To learn more about the Warner Theatre, in Torrington, CT, click the link below:

The Warner Theatre

Rest in peace, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Roger Peterson, Waylon Jennings… and George Carlin too.

Stone.

4 Comments »

Heavy Metal, Hard Rock And All Extreme Music Rules. Always Has, Always Will.

Posted in classic rock music, extreme music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, news, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

So let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal told.

Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and all Extreme Music Rules. There you have it. That’s how I feel and no one can change my Metal mind on this. When I reference “Extreme Music”… it is an all encompassing and generic term that I personally use. This includes Punk Rock, Death Metal, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Grindcore, Hardcore and any and all sub genres of such Extreme Music. Metal be thy name.

* To all of the plastic mainstream “awards shows” that are televised throughout the year and continue to ignore the music and bands that are, (gulp), Heavy, (except for Revolver Magazine’s Golden Gods Awards), they can all kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: (I think you all know this one is coming), you can kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all the phony millionaire/billionaire record executives throughout the decades that shunned Heavy Music so that zit-faced boy bands and lip syncing performers could get “pushed” up the charts and on radio… you can all really pucker up… and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To those “Four Cartels” of the music industry, that abolished Heavy Metal from FM airplay and MTV back in the early ’90’s… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You losers.

* To all the writers who give “lousy” reviews on a band’s album, (while not bothering to listen to the given album), due to a respective band having conservative views… you all can really kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know who you are too, you political phonies with dumb-ass agendas.

* To all the liars behind the misleading and bias “record charts”, just keep on fooling the public and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass while your at it.

* To all the members of the “Flavor Of The Month Club” when it comes to music: Hey! Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass! You bet you know who you are… now your embarrassed.

* To that old and cranky, dictatorial political group known as the PMRC, that wanted to “change the world” through their radical thoughts and abuse of power, many years ago… see below:

* To the idiots that decided to have “amended” versions of CD’s to sell, go ahead… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. Censorship IS NOT COOL, especially when it comes to music. Um, wasn’t there something once known as – Freedom Of Speech in America? Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass again, you pathetic censor morons.

* To any band or musician who openly supports a presidential or any political candidate and gets mixed up in the immoral and unethical world of politics, by having a benefit concert for “political fundraising”… I don’t want you to kiss my ass. Please, just keep Rock ‘N’ Roll out of electing any millionaire/billionaire politician. Here’s a Metal thought: instead of having a fund-raising concert for some slimy politician, try having a fund-raising concert for a children’s hospital or orphanage. Duh. Duh again.

* To all the Phd’s, text book scholars and lawyers who “think” Heavy Metal promotes and causes violent behavior and deplorable acts on society… you can all take a bow… and while your bending over… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all those who are annoyed that I use the fabulous word “Metal” so much in this and other posts on Metal Odyssey… um, you don’t have to kiss my Metal lovin’ ass at all. I actually have pity for you, due to the symptom you have, which is called: Metal envy. It must suck to have it.

I’m in a Metal lovin’ mood of the highest degree today, obviously. Then again, I’m always in a Metal lovin’ mood, only today it just feels so damn good. To all the nay sayers and antagonists of Heavy Music throughout the decades… hey… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know why? Hell, we Metalheads, Punks and Extreme Music fans WON. The bands and the Heavy Music we love never hid, dried up or ran away. Many Heavy and Extreme bands have come and gone… still countless of these bands are still touring and making music to this very second.

I consistently try to remind visitors to Metal Odyssey, that there are scores of pathetic and narrow minded groups of people in our society that want to “control” and censor the Heavy Music that has made my life and countless other lives better. Self righteous and mean spirited groups like the PMRC need to be brought up over and over again, so fans of Heavy Music know of their censorship agenda that they set into place more than two decades ago. You can try to bury something that stinks and pretend it never existed… only the “stench” still lingers.

One last thought. To all of the idiots and “deep thinkers” that years ago would tell me “someday you will mature and stop listening to Heavy Metal and all that other garbage your listening to”… KISS MY METAL LOVIN’ ASS.

Metal Be Thy Name.

Stone.

20 Comments »

SAMMY HAGAR – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SAMMY HAGAR – On October 13, 1947, Sammy Hagar, the “Red Rocker” was born. Sixty Three years later, Sammy Hagar stands tall as one of the greatest in all of Rock. I, along with Scott Coverdale and the entire Metal Odyssey family, wants to wish Sammy a LOUD and fun filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My wife especially, well, she wanted to make certain to wish the Red Rocker a happy birthday today… she really digs him and rightfully so.

If Stone could buy a beer today for Sammy… I’d buy ’em by the rounds! A lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Sammy has a vocal presence that is undeniably infectious and resonates nuthin’ but Rock ‘N’ Roll at 100% proof. There is something about listening to Sammy Hagar’s vocals that makes me and countless others feel like everything is alright… it’s all about good times.

Scott Coverdale and I can never get enough of The Red Rocker… he is as cool in 2010 as ever. Chickenfoot, ’nuff said. To keep the relevance fires burning in Rock Music like Sammy continues to do, only reflects on just how legitimate and honest he is as an all-around musician. Thanks for all of the fabulously memorable music you have created over the years Sammy!! Don’t ever stop ROCKIN!

Here is a roll call of the bands that Sammy has been a major part of, over his illustriously Rockin’ career:

MONTROSE (1973-1975)

That’s Sammy pictured in the far right corner of this album photo. This is the Montrose self-titled debut album from 1973. A classic band is Montrose, we’re talkin’ about Hard Rock & Heavy Metal roots here.

SAMMY HAGAR (Solo)

Sammy has released 11 solo studio albums over his legendary career. Street Machine was the fourth solo album from Sammy, released in 1979 on Capitol Records.

My favorite Sammy Hagar solo album is – Standing Hampton. This album was my very first Sammy Hagar album. Standing Hampton was released in 1981 on Geffen Records. I remember buying it at Bradlees department store in the early ’80’s. I worked in a grocery store in the same plaza as Bradlees… this album probably cost half of my paycheck back then, only it was well worth every penny. Baby’s On Fire is probably my favorite Sammy Hagar song ever. There’s Only One Way To Rock is a song that kicks ass from sunrise to sunset. Plus, Heavy Metal is a downright heavy hitter of a song too. Even if you own a Sammy Hagar “Greatest Hits” CD… buy Standing Hampton… you’ll thank Stone later.

HSAS – Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve – Released back in 1984, HSAS was a cool supergroup led by Sammy Hagar on lead vocals. Neal Schon (Journey) on guitar, Kenny Aaronson (Dust) on bass and Michael Shrieve (Santana) on drums. This Through The Fire album from HSAS kicks ass, it’s a great Hard Rock album that deserves more attention than it gets. No, this HSAS album is NOT dated… it has that deeply rooted sound that some of today’s Hard Rock Bands can’t capture.

VAN HALEN – Or, if you prefer, Van Hagar. Just an unbelievably smooth transition Sammy Hagar made in becoming the lead vocalist for Van Halen back in 1986… whoa. The debut album showcasing Sammy with Van Halen was 1986’s 5150 and that album will always be an incredible listen for me. If I had to choose a favorite Van Halen album with Sammy on lead pipes… it’s OU812 from 1988. Cabo Wabo, Feels So Good and Black And Blue are three songs that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Metal be thy name.

SAMMY HAGAR and THE WABORITAS / WABOS – Just good times, feel good, party Rock ‘N’ Roll is Sammy’s Wabos band. If you have never checked out any of their albums, your missing out. This band Sammy assembled can Rock, Rock Hard or simply play it ultra-cool at times. My favorite Wabos album is Livin’ It Up from 2006.

CHICKENFOOT – Sammy’s second venture into forming a “supergroup” has succeeded in my Metal opinion. Chickenfoot ROCKS. ‘Nuff said. The detractors of Chickenfoot are just plain jealous, they have what is diagnosed as: Chickenfoot envy. Released in the Summer of 2009, the self-titled, debut album from Chickenfoot has all that Hard Rockin’ Summertime vibe I crave. With Joe Satriani on guitar, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony… yup, it’s a super-duper group.

LONG LIVE SAMMY HAGAR!

* For more info on SAMMY HAGAR, just click on the link below:

RED ROCKER.com

SAMMY HAGAR = GOOD TIMES!

Stone.

 

12 Comments »

Jerry Lee Lewis – Happy Birthday From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JERRY LEE LEWIS – Metal Odyssey wants to extend a LOUD and ROCKIN’… Happy Birthday to Jerry Lee Lewis! On September 29, 1935, this living Rock ‘N’ Roll Legend was born. At age 75, Jerry Lee Lewis is still Rockin’ the house down wherever he plays! It is real Rock ‘N’ Roll Legends like Jerry Lee Lewis who wrote the book on Rockin’ stage presence. Be it Rock ‘N’ Roll, Country or the genre he helped to shape into form, Rockabilly, Jerry Lee Lewis is without question… a timeless singer, songwriter and performer. A pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll is he.

When I was just a young lad, I can remember watching the live concert footage of Jerry Lee Lewis on numerous Rock ‘N’ Roll documentaries. My Dad would tell me: “son, Jerry Lee Lewis use to cause quite the ruckus wherever he played back in the ’50’s!” My Dad actually did get to see Jerry Lee Lewis perform live at a theater in Hartford, Connecticut… back in those Rockin’ late ’50’s. He told me time and again, as I grew up, that Jerry Lee Lewis “live” was incredible stuff. From the stories told to me from my Dad, other unreal legends of Rock ‘N’ Roll played at the local Hartford area theaters as well… Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, The Everly Brothers and so on.

There are those moments, where I wish I could go back in time, just like Michael J. Fox did in those fun Back To The Future movies. Just to see the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis performing live, in the decade of those fabulous ’50’s, would be a Rockin’ time traveling experience for certain. Aw, heck, I would want to see all the legends of Rock ‘N’ Roll playing live back then… making for a very long stay, on a trip back through time. I guess those good ‘ol news reels and live concert footage from the ’50’s, that make up so many Rock ‘N’ Roll documentaries, will have to do for now.

* Jerry Lee Lewis was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

* Jerry Lee Lewis has a brand new studio album out, it’s titled: Mean Old Man and was released on September 7, 2010, on Verve Forecast/Shangri La. There are some very cool and legendary guest musicians on this album with Jerry Lee Lewis too. Here are just “some” of the great names: Ringo Starr, Kid Rock, Slash, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Wood, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow and… Eric Clapton! This is an abbreviated list too! I feel it’s pretty fine when some of the biggest names in Rock and Country Music can rally around Jerry Lee Lewis like that for his new album. A Metal kudos to all of ’em!

* There are 10 songs on the standard issued CD of Mean Old Man, with 18 songs on the deluxe edition.

* My personal favorite Jerry Lee Lewis song is Great Balls Of Fire. Sure, it may seem like an obvious choice, only it is my favorite from him. This song was covered by an all-time favorite band of mine… the MISFITS. Great Balls Of Fire can be heard on their 2003 studio album – Project 1950. This is an album of ten cover songs… all legendary hits from the fabulous ’50’s. The Misfits Jerry Only sings Great Balls Of Fire the only way that he can… and it’s fiendishly great. I highly recommend Project 1950 to any fan of Rock ‘N’ Roll… any.

I think the album cover for Project 1950 is very cool.

LONG LIVE JERRY LEE LEWIS!

LONG LIVE THE MISFITS!

AW, HECK…  AS THE LATE AND ULTRA GREAT RONNIE JAMES DIO ONCE SANG… LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!!

4 Comments »

ALICE COOPER – Is Finally “Nominated” To The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… Now What?

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALICE COOPER – Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for “acknowledging” that Alice Cooper exists! Wow… that must really had been a strenuous and heated debate for all of you “corporate” board of directors over there to make. So, what are all of us Alice Cooper fans supposed to do now? Are we supposed to be excited? Are we all supposed to fall for your phony “corporate” game over there at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame? This is the same “institution” that nominated the uncannily iconic KISS last year and then decided not to induct them. DOLTS! Now… KISS isn’t even nominated this year!? WTF? Alas, the whole KISS debacle is for another post… another day.

Rock ‘N’ Roll History 101 to the “corporate” Rock Music scholars over at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame: Alice Cooper was known as a “band”. That’s right, Alice Cooper (The Band). From 1969 to 1973, Alice Cooper (The Band) released 7 studio albums. Alice Cooper then went solo, with the release of Welcome To My Nightmare in 1975. Alice Cooper (solo) has released a total of 18 studio albums from 1975 to 2008.

SO… WHICH IS IT… ALICE COOPER (THE BAND) OR ALICE COOPER (SOLO) THAT IS NOMINATED? GET IT STRAIGHT ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF SHAME. GET WITH IT. IT SHOULD BE BOTH THAT ARE NOMINATED, YOU POP-MAINSTREAM DUNCES. DOLTS!

I have been a lifelong fan of Alice Cooper (The Band) and Alice Cooper (Solo). No, I am not seventeen years old either, there are those days I wish I was though. I am old enough to know that the selection process for the nominees and inductees into this Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame is politically motivated by a clique of decision makers who thinks ABBA carries more “musical excellence” than the likes of: RUSH, Cheap Trick, KISS, T. Rex and The Moody Blues. (LOL). There are many more to add to this legendary list, however, my Metal point has been made clear.

At the end of the day, true fans of Alice Cooper (The Band & Solo), will never tire of their loyalty. A true fan cherishes the music their favorite bands and musicians create, regardless of what some millionaire CEO and his “out of touch” board of directors may say, in some overpriced building in Cleveland, Ohio.

A Rock ‘N’ Roll icon such as Alice Cooper does not need to be reassured of his status and acceptance by induction into any damn hall of fame. Sure, it is an honor to be inducted… only it should be a bigger honor to know your fans revere your music and accept you for who you are, regardless. Alice Cooper is BIGGER than The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… and that “establishment” knows it.

I say this time and again… that I revere many of the bands and musicians that have been inducted into this building. The slimy political posturing, that affects the nomination and induction process is what ruins what would have been a very grand idea from the very beginning… to have a credible Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for fans to gravitate to. Sadly, that “type” of Hall Of Fame just doesn’t exist for this Rock ‘N’ Roll fan.

* Here is the “original” band lineup for Alice Cooper (The Band)… maybe someone can pass this information along to the Rock Music “scholars” that oversee who gets inducted into that building in Cleveland.

Alice Cooper – vocalist

Glen Buxton – guitarist

Michael Bruce – guitarist, keyboardist

Dennis Dunaway – bass guitarist

Neal Smith – drummer

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER!

Stone.

12 Comments »

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.

15 Comments »

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – “MY REGENERATION” GENERATES A ROCKIN’ GREAT ALBUM!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – The news is out… the very famous lead singer for the very legendary Def Leppard has revealed his favorite Rock Band and he has done so through My ReGeneration. The band? None other than… Mott the Hoople. Not too shabby of a favorite I might add. Apparently, Joe Elliott was invited by Mott the Hoople to “participate in some capacity” in their reforming for a week’s worth of shows at the ol’ legendary… Hammersmith Odeon, (now named Hammersmith Apollo), last October of 2009. This experience proved to be the incubus for Joe Elliott forming Down ‘n’ Outz and making an album of cover songs from “spin offs” of Mott the Hoople.

My ReGeneration contains cover songs from Mott, Ian Hunter and British Lions. The last song on this album, The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk, was written by Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh. Quite honestly, it is refreshing to hear songs, good Rock ‘N’ Roll songs, that I would probably never have listened to if it wasn’t for this Rockin’ grand idea by Joe Elliott. Um… thanks Joe… and Down ‘n’ Outz too! To absorb what Joe Elliott and his band has assembled here play, is a lesson in British “Old School” Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Mott the Hoople obviously spawned some inventive and historical Rock Music during their too brief, six year tenure of existence – 1969 to 1974. The creative Rock Music minds that did “spin off” from Mott the Hoople are impressive to say the least. Guitarist and founding member of Mott the Hoople, Mick Ralphs will always be my sentimental favorite… for Mick being a founding and current member of Bad Company is all that to this Rockaholic.

While listening to My ReGeneration, I found that yes… this is Joe Elliott singing, only this is not the lungs of power, ultra charismatic, throat scorching vocalist that has fronted Def Leppard either. What I do hear is Joe Elliott – Rock ‘N’ Roll vocalist extraordinaire. Man, do I dig the vocals of Joe Elliott on My ReGeneration. Now, don’t get too down, all you Def Leppard fanatics out there. Joe Elliott has taken his vocals to a magnificent level here, he has in essence, proven to be as well rounded a Heavy Metal meets Rock vocalist as any other, in my most humble and Metal opinion.

Overnight Angels more than stands out as an incredibly memorable song to my Metal brain, this song just unequivocally makes me feel really good. As a bonus, Joe Elliott more than flirts with delivering some Def Leppard vocals on Overnight Angels, he flat-out sings this song as if it could have been on 1999’s Euphoria album as well. A Hard Rockin’ good time listen that doesn’t subside with it’s up-tempo. Alright, you got me, this song is my favorite on ReGeneration. Hey Joe Elliott… this one cover song alone is worth the purchase of ReGeneration! There, I said it, just like the corn dog I sometimes am.

After a couple of listens to England Rocks and I honestly have to agree… ENGLAND ROCKS! ENGLAND ROCKS! ENGLAND ROCKS! Please excuse me… this song really does ROCK. Shouting And Pointing has an overwhelmingly great Classic Rock vibe from beginning to end. The guitar solo by Paul Guerin is very cool, to be quite simplistically honest. Paul Guerin lays the Heavy down on Shouting And Pointing and Heavy is always welcomed in Stone’s ears. Joe Elliott has some fabulous vocal moments on this song, playing around with his pitch and melody only adds more psyche-out flavoring to the overall dish.

Hey Joe… this Down ‘n’ Outz band does… ROCK. Uh… YEAH! Obviously this band behind Joe Elliott is seasoned, knows their Rock ‘n’ Roll and how to play it.

O.k., here comes the sad and short ballad. Apologies is this song. Clocking in at 1:02 long. Stone don’t likey. Now, that is not to say it is a lousy song, I just don’t do very short and sad ballads. Metal be thy name. Down ‘n’ Outz still does ROCK, um, Joe. Who Do You Love is a bar hoppin’, foot stompin’, beer mug clangin’, it’s Friday night even if it’s Sunday, damn good Rock ‘N’ Rollin’ song. Turn it up!

By Tonight kicks in with a familiar guitar segue that is startling close to that from High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night) from Def Leppard’s sophomore album from 1981… High ‘n’ Dry. Stone does likey very much though. This is a Hard Rock song personified and Down ‘n’ Outz jams on it, pushing this song to it’s maximum Rock-Out potential.

I do enjoy the cover songs that Joe Elliott and Down ‘n’ Outz have compiled on ReGeneration. This album is a fun trip down Mott the Hoople’s “spin off” memory lane. Thanks to Joe Elliott though, now I’m gonna have to spend more $$$ and buy all those really cool albums from Ian Hunter, Mott and British Lions. Gee Metal whiz, Joe. I’ll Let It Go though, Joe. Joe Elliott’s Rockaholism only fuels mine and what am I supposed to do? Cranking up the volume on ReGeneration is really the only option here… (make sure to turn it down for Apologies though).

Good Times is a fitting song to be included on this album, this is a good times listen after all. This song is what Rock ‘N’ Roll is all about… “gonna have a good time tonight, Rock ‘N’ Roll Music’s gonna play all night”. This Good Times song is one big blast of feel good vibe. The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk plays out as a 1:38 long take from a jam session and it Rocks along with cool ease, putting a close to this ReGeneration album.

As noted earlier, it appears that Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh wrote The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk, I am coming to the conclusion that Down ‘n’ Outz jammed on it. There are no details other than (Elliott/McHugh) within the liner notes regarding this last song, so if anyone out there knows more about it, please feel free to comment. Up to this point of writing this review, I have no further information on the song – Apologies, other than (Major) as a writing credit. Anyone with further knowledge on Apologies as well can comment, it’s very welcomed.

Fans of Joe Elliott, Def Leppard, Classic Rock, Mott the Hoople and every spin off band from them should give a thorough listen into what Joe Elliott’s Down ‘n’ Outz have done with My ReGeneration. These cover songs are dripping with relevancy, giving these true Classic Rock songs a spotlight and new Rockin’ life. It has been fun for me, to branch off into the direction of the spin off bands of Mott the Hoople and listening to these great songs. Now I have more bands from Rock Music History to delve deeper into and that doesn’t bother me at all!

* My ReGeneration was released on July 13, 2010, on Mailboat Records.

Down ‘n’ Outz:

Joe Elliott – lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, some piano, various percussion

Paul Guerin – lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Guy Griffin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Keith Weir – keyboards, backing vocals

Ronnie Garrity – bass guitar

Phil Martini – drums, backing vocals

* Ron Garrity is the bass guitarist for the Rock/Hard Rock Band – Raw Glory. Paul Guerin, Guy Griffin, Keith Weir and Phil Martini are all members of the Hard Rock Band – The Quireboys.

Track Listing For ReGeneration, Listed With Original Artist:

Golden Opportunity (Ian Hunter)

Storm (Mott)

Overnight Angels (Ian Hunter)

Career (No Such Thing As Rock ‘n’ Roll) (Mott)

England Rocks (Ian Hunter)

Shouting And Pointing (Mott)

By Tonight (Mott)

Apologies (credited to “Major”)

Who Do You Love (Ian Hunter)

One More Chance To Run (British Lions)

3000 Miles From Here (Ian Hunter)

Good Times (Mott, originally recorded by The Easybeats)

The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk (Elliott/McHugh)

Stone.


5 Comments »

HEART “RED VELVET CAR” – IS 100% PURE CLASSIC HEART!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HEART – Ann and Nancy Wilson have revived their very own Classic Rock roots, to such an extent that Red Velvet Car is unmistakably 100% pure Heart Classic Rock. I don’t think I can hear a single note on this new Heart album to tell me otherwise. Released on August 31, 2010, on Sony Legacy, Red Velvet Car is the thirteenth studio release from Heart. This new album of Heart songs won’t reveal an Even It Up from 1980’s Bebe le Strange, nor will you hear anything remotely close to What About Love, from their 1985 self titled album Heart. What I hear is Ann and Nancy Wilson making a triumphant return to the sound that captured my very own heart, some thirty plus years ago.

Throughout the decades, I’ve listened to so many bands try to reinvent themselves, through sound, style and/or persona. Sure, Heart may have dabbled in some of their very own “change” in the mid 1980’s, only it was never drastic enough for these two incredibly talented sisters to cease making memorable Rock Music. I went along for that stylistic ride back in 1985… seeing Heart in the arena setting of The Hartford Civic Center, with the ever charismatic Autograph as the opening act. There was always a place for Heart… in my Metal heart, ever since my first album of theirs was spinning on my turntable, that album being Bebe le Strange.

While there are those bands that changed and never recovered, there are still other’s that seem to have forgotten their Rock ‘N’ Roll roots with an almost defiant glee in their eyes. Not Ann and Nancy… not Heart. These two gals have taken not just a piece of their Rock ‘N’ Roll past for Red Velvet Car, they have taken it all and this album essentially salutes it with a double high five… throughout all ten songs. As I took a ride inside the Rock Music of Red Velvet Car, I not only took a ride into the Classic Rock past, I am also taking a ride into the Classic Rock present of Heart for as the legendary Bob Seger has sung… “Rock ‘N’ Roll never forgets”.

Ann Wilson’s vocals on each and every song she sings comes through with the same spirit and resonance as the earliest of Heart albums. To listen to Heart’s 1976 debut album, Dreamboat Annie, immediately following Red Velvet Car is quite the Rockin’ treat, realizing that both albums are nearly 35 years apart is astonishing. The same can be said for Nancy Wilson’s guitar, being over three decades removed from Dreamboat Annie doesn’t seem real when the similarities in sound, style and fresh energy are so comparable.

There is even a slight demo-esque feel and quality about Red Velvet Car that makes it all the more alluring to me, whether this is intentional or not, the end result separates this album from having that overly polished and deliberate commercial gloss. From the onset, There You Go sets the tone as to the exact direction Red Velvet Car steers towards. There You Go is acoustically brash with an attitude usually reserved for a hungry up and coming Rock band, only this is Heart in 2010 and thus they are rejuvenated with their song writing. It only get better…

WTF has Nancy’s guitar tone emanating the feeling and desire of 1977’s Barracuda, making me wish I owned a vintage Chevy Nova jacked up and ready to go for that Summertime road trip to the beach. If WTF doesn’t grab you, then you have never listened to Heart before. Ann sounds as invigorated and Rockalicious as ever on the song Red Velvet Car… velvet vocals and all. If I am to drift off into Heart never, never land… then this is the song to bring me there.

Alright, this is the “stand up” and get your groove on portion of Red Velvet Car… Queen City is now playing. When Ann cry’s out – “yo-ho, yo-ho gotta keep afloat” it’s enough to make me feel like Heart has taken back what once was old and made it new again. Let’s not forget that Nancy Wilson can sing with a sparkle like a dew covered peach in the morning Summer sun. Hey You is an acoustic, up-tempo, semi-sweet ballad that carries it’s Rock fragrance of Heart with it’s infectious melody and Nancy’s sweet harmony.

Wheels and Safronia’s Mark both have the atmospheric sound and sensory feel of all things glorious about Classic Heart. Ann and Nancy please, take a bow now for you both have put me on a Classic Rock cloud that is drifting me further away from the lame-o and negative laced Rock Music that devoured everyone in the ’90’s. Hallelujah and Metal be thy name.

I’m going to make it a point to listen to Death Valley and Sunflower, while laying on the grass of my backyard on one of these last hot Summer days… and stare up at the blue sky and puffy white clouds with a retro grin on my middle-aged face that stretches from ear to ear. Is it wrong for my classifying Red Velvet Car as a Classic Rock gem? Calling out Heart’s return to Classic Rock prowess? I don’t think so. Exemplary Rock Music will always rise to the top, despite what is being played on radio or (gasp) MTV. Classic Rock exists for it will never go away, as it rears it’s triumphant head whenever a legendary band such as Heart brings it to life through their albums… both past and present with Red Velvet Car.

Classic Rock has rescued me once again, thank you Ann and Nancy. Red Velvet Car has the Classic Rock ‘N’ Roll fuel and I’m telling anyone whose listening to hitch a ride. Heart has pulled up in their Red Velvet Car and taken me for ride that I’m looking forward to taking again on a consistent basis… for a very, very, long time.

* I have not yet obtained any bonus tracks from the European release of Red Velvet Car, nor was I aware of the two bonus tracks found on the Target version of this CD, until it was too late. (I bought Red Velvet Car at f.y.e. before knowing of the “Only At Target” release).

* For more info on HEART, just click here: HEART-MUSIC.com

Track Listing For Red Velvet Car:

There You Go

WTF

Red Velvet Car

Queen City

Hey You

Wheels

Safronia’s Mark

Death Valley

Sunflower

Sand


LONG LIVE HEART!

Stone.

4 Comments »

VALIENT THORR “STRANGER” – A FUNTASTIC, ROCKIN’, THRASHIN’, METAL MASHIN’ OLD SCHOOL METAL BASH!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VALIENT THORR – One look at the above headline for this Valient Thorr – Stranger album pretty much says it all. Or does it? Well, the headline probably could suffice with most Old School Metalheads who don’t give a crap about details… an album is supposed to just deliver the Heavy Music goods and be done with it. Have no fear fellow Metalheads, party freaks, moshers, space travelers, Punks, Thrashers and Old Schoolers… Valient Thorr does deliver something for all of you with Stranger. This is Valient Thorr’s fifth album in seven years, releasing September 14th on Volcom Entertainment. With nearly 250 shows a year for most of this run, touring with everyone from Motorhead to Joan Jett, Valient Thorr has certainly proven they are a knuckles pounding the pavement, no bullshit band with those numbers.

Years ago, I mean decades ago, when the cool word floating around was “crossover”, with bands such as D.R.I. and M.O.D. and to an extent Anthrax, they were taking a little bit of every Hard & Heavy genre out there and incorporating it into their very own sound. Valient Thorr doesn’t just have shades and influences of just about every cool music genre in the history of modern day Rock ‘N’ Roll. This Universe exploring band is potently stocked with all of the hell raising, fist pumping, shot-gun beer swilling and garbage can kicking qualities one could only wish for… and then some. Valient Thorr knows how to play some kick ass music.

Is it appropriate for me to state that Valient Thorr has created a “funtastic” album with Stranger? You bet it is. You see, as I listen to the music, (lyrics aside), of Valient Thorr, it makes me feel like jumping right into this album and being a part of the whole damn scene that is going on within these songs. Lyrically, these songs are not just about chugging down a beer and playing darts. Valient Thorr has something to say and they are more than psyched-out to get their point across.

Escapism is a necessity for me and I seek it out through music, through Rock ‘N’ Roll, um, Metal. Hitching a ride on the escapism Space Shuttle that Valient Thorr is navigating is one hell of a trip. I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t need his steak “cooked to perfection”, in other words, I sometimes like ’em raw. Valient Thorr is spreading their raw talent and raw sound across this globe for good reason… to one day hopefully make all those Kidz Bop CD’s disintegrate into millions of pieces, from the sheer presence of this band’s musical existence.

Plus, Valient Thorr is no slouch band either, fans of Heavy Music will either connect with their sound or run for cover. If running for cover is the option one chooses, then they should make sure to bring along a case of laxatives with them… cause they are obviously chronically constipated. Gillionaire is a wake up call to the materialistic morons of Planet Earth and I can only second Valient Thorr’s strong and resounding message they convey here. Oh, yeah… Gillionaire Rocks with plenty of pent-up attitude and blue collar angst that makes the vibe thrive, through every note.

Sleeper Awakes is even more attitude laced with gang vocals aplenty and scorching guitar leads, with a searing guitar solo that fortifies my hunger for… Metal. Disappearer mixes some speed, speed and more speed with it’s overall… speed. Metal be thy name does Disappearer grab my damn attention and smacks it senseless. Double Crossed has some wholesome Old School rhythm and does not shy away from being guitar friendly. Riffs and solos abound on Double Crossed that semi-convinced me it was 1984 all over again. “You will pay, I’ve just been double crossed” might very well be my #1 Metal chorus of 2010… and beyond.

The more I listen to Stranger, the more I wonder if the members of Valient Thorr were born on Planet Lemmy Kilmister. Why I think that you query? It’s the I don’t give a shit – take our Rock ‘N’ Roll or bust attitude that Valient Thorr radiates so, um, eloquently. Sudden Death Is Nothing is kinda easy for me to point at and declare as my favorite song on Stranger. Whoa… it’s the blitz of Thrash that races unapologetically straight into my ears, that makes Sudden Death Is Nothing so damn memorable.

Woman In The Woods is for all Metal intents and purposes… eerie… and I like that. The guitar tones and even the tempo shifts are haunting. Is there really anything that Valient Thorr doesn’t experiment with musically? Maybe Kidz Bop. “Vision Quest” is relevant Metal, while also being a reminder that Old School Metal never dies. I catch onto some late 80’s Anthrax vibration while listening to “Vision Quest” and “Habituary”, both with the Metal, gang vocals and vocals of Valient Himself.

It would be a dream come true to have Valient Thorr play at one or both of my daughters weddings someday. Hell, it would be the best damn music to ever invade my ears at a wedding for Metal sakes. Throw in the Metal fact this band is just down right contagious, with their free spirited attitude towards Heavy Music and yes Virginia… there is a Thorrior Claus. Valient Thorr would tear the roof off of a wedding hall and I would want to be there to witness it. Um, I wouldn’t want to pay for the damage though.

One final song to mention, “Future Humans” might be a spine-chilling look into the future of mankind, regardless, this song freakin’ Rocks like there is no weekend, um, I mean tomorrow. It’s the thunder stomping beat and guitar driven nature of “Future Humans”, that makes me want to jump up and down on the hood of a pristine limousine, parked outside of a five-star restaurant. Metal be thy name.

Valient Thorr is a band that is difficult not to admire and gravitate to. They are a gritty working man’s Heavy Music band that should really gain some major Metal momentum with the release of Stranger on September 14th. Fans of NWOBHM, Old School/Traditional Metal, Hard Rock and well… any Metal, should hopefully dig Valient Thorr like I do. This band already has some fiery momentum happening already, it’s just the thought of them gaining legions more Thorriors worldwide and galaxy wide that makes me sleep better at night. I’m now a Thorrior… and it serves me right.

VALIENT THORR:

Valient Himself – vocals

Eidan Thorr – guitars

Nitewolf – bass

Sadat Thorr – guitars

Lucian Thorr – drums & percussion

* Stranger is set to release on September 14, 2010, on Volcom Entertainment.

* Stranger is produced, recorded and mixed by Jack Endino.

* For more info on Valient Thorr, just click on the links below:

VALIENT THORR – myspace music

VALIENT THORR – Official Website

Track Listing For Valient Thorr – Stranger:

Gillionaire

Sleeper Awakes

Disappearer

Double Crossed

Night Terrors

Sudden Death Is Nothing

Woman In The Woods

Vision Quest

Habituary

The Recognition

Without Hope, Without Fear

Future Humans

Thorriors Of The Galaxy Assemble!

Stone.

2 Comments »

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.

5 Comments »

THE DOORS “13” – Reflecting On My First Album By This Beyond Legendary Band

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, psychedelic rock music, Rock, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE DOORS – Today was a gorgeous late Summer day where I live. Eastern Pennsylvania has had it’s fair share of oppressive humidity the last few months, so taking advantage of more mild temperatures with little to no humidity is essential for the mind, body and soul. Outdoor activities are once again in the fold for Stone and his family! So, the family and I set out for some mini golf this afternoon. My wife found what I consider to be the cleanest and most fun mini golf course I’ve ever seen or played. Sittler Golf Center is quite the place… with a driving range, pro-shop, take-out window and of course, mini golf. This cool place is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.

There are those many moments in my life, where being somewhere and hearing a song sparks a memory. Today there were two songs I heard being played at Sittler Golf Center, they were Touch Me and Light My Fire by the beyond legendary – The Doors. Listening to these kind of Rock Classics while playing mini golf makes Stone very happy. The memory these two songs sparked in my mind were of the first vinyl album I ever owned by The Doors, which was 13.

It was an immediate vision in my minds eye, the album 13. I could see it as plain as day as I moved about the mini golf course today. 13 is a slab of classic vinyl I wish was still in my collection. All I kept thinking to myself as the vision of this album drifted through my mind was… why did I get rid of so many damn great albums years ago? This question gets brought up by me so frequently and the answers are always the same. CD’s were invented and I traded or sold many of my vinyl albums so I could buy… more vinyl albums and/or CD’s! It was an economic cycle I was in for years, buying and then selling my favorite albums. I guess now I know better, the collector and nostalgic parts of me helps to keep my collection intact.

Yes, I did not own a studio album from The Doors until after this “greatest hits” of 13 ran it’s Rockin’ course through my young Rock ‘N’ Roll hungry veins and consciousness. 13 was as terrific a starting point as I could ever ask for in exploring The Doors. I believe I bought 13 sometime around 1983. I remember choosing this 13 album over The Doors Greatest Hits album, due to my liking the album cover of 13 much better. 13 has all four members of The Doors on the cover, with of course Jim Morrison taking up the majority of the cover… and rightfully so. I can honestly remember, holding both albums, debating which one to buy, while standing in the record aisle at the Caldor department store.

Here is what The Doors – Greatest Hits looks like:

Granted, both album covers have a fantastic photo of Jim Morrison. My thinking back in ’83 was to get the “greatest hits” of The Doors that everyone else was passing over. Thinking back, it seemed most of my friends and cousins had bought the Greatest Hits from 1980. L.A. Woman, Not To Touch The Earth, Break On Through and Riders On The Storm are not on 13 and on the Greatest Hits from ’80. However, 13 did have… 13 songs versus the 10 songs heard on the “original” Greatest Hits album from ’80. So, three more songs plus I liked the album cover better, making 13 my first album of choice in adding The Doors to my record collection and life.

It’s funny, yet as I played 13 over and over again back then, my favorite song on this album was You’re Lost Little Girl. Why it’s funny is that this song was never a huge hit for The Doors. I can recall hearing this song being played on WCCC, WHCN and maybe WPLR up in very expensive Connecticut while growing up, only very rarely. Heck, compare this song to the timeless classics of Light My Fire, L.A. Woman, Riders On The Storm and Hello I Love You and forget about it… these songs were staples in the FM rotation of any reputable station back in the 80’s, today as well for some.

What lured me in first and foremost, upon my initial listening experiences of 13 was the voice of Jim Morrison. Whoa. Jim Morrison sounded like no other dude I was listening to of any band at the time. This wasn’t Rob Halford, Ozzy, Paul/Gene/Ace or Peter of KISS, Dennis DeYoung, Lou Gramm, Tom Petty, Bon Scott, Brian Johnson, Jeff Lynne or Robin Zander. Nope. This was a more mysterious voice I was being exposed to at this time of my young life. The previous names I mentioned were all being digested by my ears and mind around 1983, slightly before my “real” exposure to the Thrash Metal movement that enriched my life to this very moment. All of these vocalists I named off are extremely unique and I admire them all greatly.

The voice of Jim Morrison to this day, makes me wonder as to what exactly was going through his mind as he sang. The only other vocalist that I could consider mysterious, with an unreal alluring X -factor, is the late and so sadly missed by me and countless others… Ronnie James Dio. To me, the voice and persona of Jim Morrison was Rock ‘N’ Roll in it’s most profusely exposed state. Sure, I could rant on about the drugs and misfortune of Jim Morrison here, only that’s not what I take from this legend of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Just knowing at that young age back in ’83, that drug abuse defeated Jim Morrison was enough for me to understand the consequences of living such a lifestyle.

13 motivated me to buy this amazing book:

This fabulous biography, No One Here Gets Out Alive, was written by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman and was printed back in 1980. I remember being mesmerized by the content that I absorbed from these pages. Whoa… was I becoming schooled on the life and times of a Rock ‘N’ Roll legend. I was so fascinated by this book, that I can admit to reading it several times over before I graduated high school. I can remember that my mom was just happy that I was reading a book at all! So many kids had this book under their arm, in their locker or tucked away in their stash back in those early ’80’s that it was alarming.

My memory of watching this album, 13, spin around on the turntable seems like yesterday to me. Yes, I held that album jacket and stared at The Doors. I even read No One Here Gets Out Alive as this album played. Listening to Ray Manzarek on keyboards, Robby Krieger on guitar and John Densmore on drums was a lesson in how American Rock Music was formulated in the late 1960’s and into the early 1970’s. I remember back in ’83, as I still do now, the feeling of amazement that The Doors released their debut album in 1967… when I was only 22 days from turning 1 years old!

The Doors and their 13 album only enlightened my adoration for Rock ‘N’ Roll, making me all the more better prepared for the onslaught of Metal Music that has been an important part of my life for so long now. This is not nonsense about The Doors actually pushing me head first into exploring so many other cool and historical bands when I was a teenager. I actually took a keen interest in listening to The Animals, The Rolling Stones, The Who and a slew of other Rock Music heavyweights back in those early to mid ’80’s due to this remarkable album called… 13.

* The Doors – 13 was released back in November of 1970, on Elektra Records.

* The Doors – 13 was their first “greatest hits” album release.

* Apparently, 13 has never been released on CD. I’m going to find it on vinyl again someday… hopefully in the same mint condition as I once owned it!

* For more info on The Doors, just click here: THE DOORS – Official Website

* For more info on Sittler Golf Center, just click: Sittler Golf Center – website

Track Listing For The Doors – 13:

Light My Fire

People Are Strange

Back Door Man

Moonlight Drive

The Crystal Ship

Roadhouse Blues

Touch Me

Love Me Two Times

You’re Lost Little Girl

Hello I Love You

Land Ho!

Wild Child

The Unknown Soldier


LONG LIVE THE DOORS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

R.I.P. Jim Morrison & Ronnie James Dio

Stone.

4 Comments »

TEN VERY UNCOOL HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS PART II

Posted in classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?

I don’t advertise myself to be an “expert” in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album cover design. Nor am I a photography expert either. What I do know is this… a Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album cover should entice fans or potential fans to buy the album. Skulls, flames, guitars, dragons, sword & sorcery, space aliens, monsters, spooky landscapes, the paranormal and the macabre is right up my Metal alley when it comes to album covers. You won’t find this cool stuff on the album covers below. Marketing Hard Rock and Heavy Metal should be simple, right? Well, that is not always the Metal case, as you shall see from the following list of ten very uncool album covers that I have compiled… just for you… and it’s “Part II”!

Years ago, I did earn a degree in Graphic Communications, therefore I think I know what cool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album artwork is supposed to look like. Then again, what do I know? Some, if not many of the albums in this top ten list have probably sold millions of copies worldwide… so my opinion on these very uncool album covers is probably one big, nasty and smelly fart in the wind anyways.

* Just because an album cover is uncool, doesn’t necessarily mean that the music contained within is lousy. This list, as with the first list, only points out those Hard Rock & Heavy Metal album covers which Metal Odyssey finds so extremely boring and embarrassing that they are… well, uncool.

Here are Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers Part II, enjoy! Or, try to enjoy.

#10:

Hard Rock Essentials: 1980’s (1995)

Wow. Is that supposed to be a guitar in the center? Um, it’s missing some parts. Ahhh! Those two skulls are so NOT scary! These aren’t the skulls and guitar that I’m looking for on an album cover! This is what a record company gets, when they don’t want to pay the $$$ for decent Hard Rock artwork. Instead, it looks like some record company gave a kindergartner the “go” on this one. Or, it’s some overpaid record executive’s fourth grade kid that did it. Either way… this artwork stinks like rotten cabbage.

#9:

Metal Church – The Human Factor (1991)

Look, anyone who knows me, knows I revere Metal Church… every Metal Church lineup too. With that said, this album cover does this Metal Church lineup NO Metal justice whatsoever. It looks like these guys are laying down on a (gulp) Disco dance floor from Saturday Night Fever. The Metal Church “classic logo” is there, only it’s not enough.

#8:

Torben Enevoldsen – Heavy Persuasion (2007)

Alright, Torben, sit right there and hold up your guitar’s neck directly in front of your face… o.k., a little to the right, hold still now, why aren’t you smiling? Sit still… done! What a picture we got! That didn’t take too long now, did it? Man, Torben, this is gonna make an awesome album cover!

#7:

Lee Aaron – Metal Queen (1984)

Um, yup. Anyways, Lee Aaron really doesn’t look like a queen here at all. Instead, let’s be real, she looks more like a lady barbarian. Where’s the queen’s clothing? Hey… that’s a cardboard sword! Is that backdrop a soiled shower curtain? Regardless, this is not the sword & sorcery I’m talkin’ about. Where’s Doro Pesch when we really need her!?

#6:

Koushik – be with

Apparently, Koushik is a Canadian electronic musician. That’s what my Metal research has uncovered. Despite the lack of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal tags associated with Koushik, this album cover is just a MUST to make this list. I should have never thrown away my kids drawings from when they were one years old. Damn, I could be selling them right now… to record companies as album covers! I could have been rich! I could understand if this cover was for Kids Bop though.

#5:

Symphonity – Voice From The Silence (2008)

Trust me… these dudes called Symphonity ROCK. However, the Power Metal & Speed Metal that this cool band is great at just does NOT resonate on this album cover. Honestly, if I did not know about this Symphonity band, I would swear this was a Gospel album.

#4:

Helloween – Chameleon (1993)

As with Metal Church, Helloween is a band that I honestly revere. Helloween invented Power Metal for Metal sakes. Helloween F’n Rules. However, Chameleon is hands down, my least favorite Helloween album ever released… and it has the worst Helloween album cover ever created. Yes… Metal be thy name.

#3:

Heavy Metal: Head Bangin’ Hits (2003)

It’s some girl wearing a Dee Snider Halloween wig and Jerry Garcia glasses. Um… not my idea of a “Heavy Metal Chick”. It’s covers like this that makes me ask… WTF?

#2:

Heart Of Metal 2 – Various Artists (2001)

Yeah, o.k., like every Metalhead out there is gonna give their sweetheart a barbed wire heart, as a token of their Metal love. Here baby… I love you baby… uh, don’t get cut on this barbed wire heart. Over the years, it never ceases to amaze me, the over zealous stereotyping that we Metalheads receive. Like we are all a bunch of cash strapped barbarians, that rummage through landfills for anniversary gifts. If I gave my wife a barbed wire heart… she would then know that I totally lost my Metal mind, plus I’d get kicked out of the house as well. Hey, not even Hot Topic sells these barbed wire hearts. Not yet anyways.

#1:

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Road Songs That Rock – Hand Picked by Guy Fieri (Compilation) – (2008)

F’n Whoa. Hey, I don’t need that Food Network or Guy Fieri hand picking ANY Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal songs for me. Stick to eating your high cholesterol foods Guy. Plus, I don’t see the F’n connection between the Food Network and Rock ‘N’ Roll anyways. Furthermore, I NEVER connected Guy Fieri to Hard Rock, Heavy Metal or any Rock Music for that F’n matter. All of a sudden, Guy Fieri is the second coming of Wolfman Jack.

Do you think the Food Network would let me have a 30 minute show called… Cooking With Stone? Bet your Metal butt they wouldn’t. Yet it’s alright for the Food Network to set loose their “food experts” on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal world. Gee Metal whiz.

This is a perfect example of a corporate entity getting involved where they DON’T BELONG! It’s all about the quick $$$ isn’t it Food Network? By the way… the track listing is not too shabby on this CD. I don’t own it and would never buy it… due to the Metal fact it has a damn Food Network logo on it with Guy Fieri laughing all the way to the bank… or should I say refrigerator?

Stone.

5 Comments »

BLACKIE LAWLESS OF W.A.S.P. – HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY!!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BLACKIE LAWLESS – On September 4, 1956, Blackie Lawless was born. On that day, the history of Heavy Metal was solidified and secured. Blackie Lawless turns a Metal cool 54 today! Happy Metal Birthday Blackie Lawless! You are a Metal Odyssey – Lifetime Metal Warrior. With 14 studio albums and 4 live albums as the founding Metal leader of W.A.S.P., I and Scott Coverdale give you a Metal salute and a rousing THANK YOU!

THANK YOU Blackie Lawless for also standing up against the PMRC back in 1985… our freedom to listen to the music that we love in America was on the brink due to this PMRC “group” and WE WON due to our Metal and Music community banding together as one. Scott Coverdale and I don’t forget what you stood up for back in those late 80’s. Stone and Scott Coverdale shall never forget their Metal roots, therefore, we shall never forget the history of Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P.!

THANK YOU for creating Babylon. This 2009 studio album of unreal & supercharged Metal was heralded as the #1 Heavy Metal album of 2009, right here, on Metal Odyssey! On December 28, 2009, Metal Odyssey posted their “Top 25 Heavy Metal Albums Of 2009”. Anyone who missed it can read all about it and check out W.A.S.P. Babylon being #1, just by clicking on the big and cool link below:

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP 25 HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 2009

* After the release of Babylon, I was so psyched out of my Metal mind about this album, that praising one song at a time from it seemed like a logical Metal choice. Here is the post, from November 14, 2009, that gives Metal praise to the Chuck Berry classic Promised Land, that W.A.S.P. so admirably covered on Babylon:

W.A.S.P. COVERS CHUCK BERRY CLASSIC – “PROMISED LAND” ON “BABYLON” ALBUM

* On November 11, 2009, I gave a Metal thumbs up to the song Crazy from Babylon:

W.A.S.P. “CRAZY” FROM “BABYLON” ALBUM IS WOVEN WITH HEAVY METAL MATURITY

* And on November 10, 2009, I ranted and Metal raved about W.A.S.P. covering the Deep Purple classic Burn that is heard on Babylon:

W.A.S.P. COVERS THE DEEP PURPLE CLASSIC “BURN” WITH HEAVY METAL PRIDE ON BABYLON ALBUM!

* On March 10, 2010, Metal Odyssey posted about just how incredible W.A.S.P. Live… In The Raw truly is. You can check it out by clicking on the magic link below:

W.A.S.P. – “LIVE… IN THE RAW” RESONATES THE LIVE POWER AND SOUL OF HEAVY ROCK ‘N ROLL!!

* On January 14, 2010, Metal Odyssey featured a post about the collector side of Stone when it comes to W.A.S.P., the 12″ single of The Real Me is shown in all of it’s Metal glory! Click that jim dandy link below to check it out:

W.A.S.P. – “THE REAL ME” 12″ SINGLE FROM 1989 REVISITED!

* On December 30, 2009, Metal Odyssey got all Metal giddy about the 1989 picture disc of The Headless Children. Yes… that fine link below will take you right to this post:

W.A.S.P. “THE HEADLESS CHILDREN” 1989 PICTURE DISC IS FOR KEEPS!

* Going back to April April 24, 2009, Metal Odyssey wasn’t bashful about being Metal psyched about the 1985 studio album – The Last Command. Metal be thy name, this is a fabulous W.A.S.P. album! Read for yourself, if you so choose, by clicking the link below:

W.A.S.P. “The Last Command” is a Heavy Metal classic!

* Back on March 21, 2009, Metal Odyssey celebrated 26 years of W.A.S.P. Heavy Metal! A terrific post was written to celebrate this amazing and historic Heavy Metal event. The link below shall guide you to this Metal read:

Celebrating 26 years of W.A.S.P. Heavy Metal!

* For those who want to learn about more incredible W.A.S.P. albums from the past, all you need to do is click on the links below. These are all album reviews written by Stone!

* From March 15, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – DYING FOR THE WORLD

* From March 15, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – STILL NOT BLACK ENOUGH

* From March 15, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – HELLDORADO

* From March 14, 2009:

W.A.S.P. – THE CRIMSON IDOL

So, as anyone can see, Blackie Lawless and his amazingly important and Metal historic band W.A.S.P. are and forever will be embraced here on Metal Odyssey.

LONG LIVE BLACKIE LAWLESS!

BLACKIE LAWLESS = HEAVY METAL & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LEGEND

Stone.

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