Ahhh… those good ol’ ’80’s. Billy Squier has always been a staple in my Hard Rock Music collection, since I can remember. This song and video does bring back some good time Holiday memories for me. Seeing some of those MTV VJ’s of yesteryear is a real hoot too. Enjoy this Christmas song and video! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a very Metal New Year to all!
Archive for classic rock music
STYX “PARADISE THEATRE” – 1981 ROCK ALBUM IS A FOREVER FAVORITE OF MINE
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's classic rock vocalists, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's rock bands, Album Review, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock music 1981, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, cool album covers, feel good stories, guitar legends, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, rock & roll, rock album review, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock keyboard musicians, rock music, rock music lyrics, rock vocalists, shopping for rock music, vintage rock albums, vintage rock and roll songs with tags 1970's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock songs, 1981 rock albums, Album Review, chuck panozzo bass guitarist, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, dennis deyoung vocalist, hard rock music, james young guitarist, john panozzo drummer, metal odyssey, Music, paradise theatre album 1981, rock and roll, rock music, styx, styx 1981, styx hard rock band, styx paradise theatre album, styx rock band, styx songs, the best of times song, tommy shaw guitarist on December 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Styx, a Rock/Hard Rock band that didn’t just grow on me in my early teens… instead, I fell over backwards upon my very first listen to their song Come Sail Away from The Grand Illusion album, (released in 1977). Jumping across the Pieces Of Eight (1978) and Cornerstone (1979) albums from Styx, (which both are unreal great albums for me as well), there is Paradise Theatre, (A&M Records), from 1981. Call it music imbedding at age fifteen, this Styx album just reminds me of so many good things about my life as an early teen. Memories, especially the good ones, are priceless. When music, Rock Music, can rekindle cool and fun times through memories… man, I’m not going to stop listening to such respective albums or songs – ever. Paradise Theatre doesn’t remind me of winning the lottery, getting an expensive car, falling in love, achieving straight A’s on my report card, (yeah right), nor does it send me back to a Hawaiian vacation. Nope. What Paradise Theatre does remind me of, is easier times, hanging out, the Christmas Holiday, snow days off from school and having no clue of who or what I wanted to be in life. Honestly, this Paradise Theatre album really reminds me of those things, the smaller things in life that matter too.
I’m certain I can sit here and compile a master list of Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums, that meet the same memory criteria as this Styx Paradise Theatre album bestows for me. Recently, I finally purchased Paradise Theatre on CD, for the first time in my life! It was priced at $7, brand new. There were several, if not dozens of moments where I had this CD in my hands to buy… only putting it back down, because I get so damned conscientious about spending too much money on non essential items for myself. (I have to learn to relax, $7 is chump change compared to what is spent on Wall Street bailouts).
I cannot pinpoint the reason as to why Paradise Theatre reminds me of the previously mentioned. All I know is, come Christmas, these songs from this album just “pop” into my head. Watch out if it snows, it seems like I can actually envision the album cover in my mind as well, all the while I watch a snowfall. I do remember listening to the songs from Paradise Theatre during the Winter of 1981, it seems like yesterday. Funny, how I purchased this CD during the Winter of 2009, all of the variables were in place… some snow was on the ground, Christmas is approaching and I threw danger to the wind by spending an extra $7 on myself. (I guess you can call me a real thrill seeker, on the spending part of it all).
Every song on Paradise Theatre is a winner, that includes the songs that never made it to FM radio too. Quality, substance and an acute attention to lyrics are what makes these songs on Paradise Theatre so unbelievable for me. This album Rocks. There, I got that out of my system, that phrase needed to be stated and has become rather nerdy and extremely cliche too. Back in 1981, I never would understand what the term Classic Rock meant. In 1981, the only music that was really classic was Classical Music. Styx, through their albums of the 1970’s and 1980’s have given true meaning and understanding to the term/genre… Classic Rock.
I have always been a huge fan of Tommy Shaw, following his solo career along with his stints in Damn Yankees and Shaw/Blades. Dennis DeYoung on vocals gives this Styx band and album their trademark Rock essence, a sound that is so much stand alone. Dennis DeYoung’s voice is a trademark musical instrument of Styx. Of course, the aforementioned are all my opinions and interpretations, which I am steadfast about.
Dennis DeYoung sings it so right, on the song The Best Of Times, with these lines:
Our memories of yesterday
Will last a lifetime
We’ll take the best, forget the rest
And someday we’ll find
These are the best of times
Track Listing For Paradise Theatre:
Side One:
A.D. 1928
Rockin’ The Paradise
Too Much Time On My Hands
Nothing Ever Goes As Planned
The Best Of Times
Side Two:
Lonely People
She Cares
Snowblind
Half-Penny; Two Penny
A.D. 1958
State Street Sadie
Styx, as they appeared on Paradise Theatre:
Dennis DeYoung – keyboards & vocals
Tommy Shaw – guitars & vocals
Chuck Panozzo – bass guitar
John Panozzo – drums & percussion
James Young – guitars & vocals
RAINBOW “DOWN TO EARTH” – 1979 ALBUM REVISITED
Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock guitarists, rock music, vintage hard rock albums with tags 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock music, all night long song, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cozy powell drummer, don airey keyboardist, down to earth album 1979, graham bonnet vocalist, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rainbow down to earth album, rainbow hard rock band, rainbow heavy metal band, ritchie blackmore guitarist, rock music, roger glover bass guitarist, russ ballard guitarist, since you been gone song on December 8, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Here is a Rainbow album that I can never get enough of. Down To Earth, released on July 28, 1979. This Rainbow lineup is nothing short of legendary, unreal musicians they were together. I actually saved this vinyl copy of Down To Earth since the mid 1980’s, never having the thought of letting it go. Graham Bonnet on vocals is tops… for me. This album just illuminates Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal legitimacy, in my Metal opinion. To this day, I will crank up, (extremely loud), the two songs: All Night Long and Since You Been Gone. I endorse the other six songs on this album as well… songs like these are what makes a complete and memorable album. I often times, find it hard to believe that Down To Earth was released back in 1979, saying these songs are dated will never cross my Metal mind.
I have always embraced each lead singer that fronted Rainbow over the years. Each new lead vocalist lent a different sound and feel, while the hardness of Rainbow never seemed to wane for me. Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White made each respective Rainbow lineup unique. Sure, you can say that there have been four different Rainbow bands… the more Rainbow music that was made, the better, in my Metal opinion! I could never embrace the gossip or rumors that surrounded each Rainbow lineup, all I ever cared about were the albums that were created. Down To Earth seems to be an album that gets skipped over, when discussions/articles of great Hard Rock releases of the ’70’s are brought forth. Maybe my blabbing about this Rainbow Down To Earth album will inspire someone to give it a listen again or for the first time, it is extremely well worth it.
Listening to this Rainbow album puts me in a darn good mood. Heck, any Rainbow album puts me in a good mood and sets me straight. I wish that Ritchie Blackmore kept the Rainbow brand moving forward. Regardless, I’ll embrace and enjoy the Rainbow albums that did become reality… especially Down To Earth.
The Rainbow lineup for Down To Earth… and what a lineup:
Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
Graham Bonnet – lead vocalist
Roger Glover – bass guitarist
Cozy Powell – drums
Don Airey – keyboards
The track list for Down To Earth… these are songs, no fillers:
All Night Long
Eyes of the World
No Time to Lose
Makin’ Love
Since You Been Gone
Love’s No Friend
Danger Zone
Lost in Hollywood
* Since You Been Gone was written and recorded by Russ Ballard, originally appearing on his 1976 album Winning. Russ Ballard wrote one pretty cool song, in my Metal opinion.
ZZ TOP “ANTENNA” WAS MY RAINY DAY CD TODAY
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's rock albums, blues rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential rock albums, feel good stories, guitar legends, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock music, vintage rock albums with tags 1970's rock bands, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock albums, antenna album 1994, antenna album artwork, billy gibbons guitarist, blues rock, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, dusty hill bass guitarist, frank beard drummer, guitar legends, hard rock music, metal odyssey, michael ray nott illustrator, Music, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame bands, rock music, zz top, zz top antenna album, zz top pincushion song on December 1, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
ZZ Top Antenna cured my rainy day blues today. You bet it did rain, all day long too in Pennsylvania. I turn to music any time it rains, just to get my adrenaline and momentum perked up. This ZZ Top album may not get the notoriety of their Eliminator, (1983) or Degüello, (1979) albums, still this is one dandy of an album. A dynamite Rock album is Antenna. Cutting to the chase here, Cherry Red is one of my favorite ZZ Top songs ever… it has all the vintage Blues Rock and patented Rock Boogie that this Hall of Fame band is super known for. Cherry Red, in my Metal opinion, sounds like a ZZ Top song that would have fit perfectly on their El Loco album from 1981. Lizard Life is one groove saturated, bluesy Rock song that showcases ZZ Top’s flare for all out, old school, jamming. Fuzzbox Voodoo is another knockout song on Antenna. The foot stomping and (kick your worries aside) beat and swagger of Fuzzbox Voodoo is so good. Pincushion was the big hit from this album, a meat and potatoes song from ZZ Top without a doubt, it is a substantive opening track for Antenna.
I re-discovered this Antenna album over this past Summer of 2009, finding it at an antique store in Bird-In-Hand Pennsylvania… believe it or not. When I saw this CD for sale amidst a small bounty of others, my mind was made up as to taking this ZZ Top title home. It really amazes me, that over the years, I just never bought this ZZ Top album. Regardless, I have redeemed myself by buying this used copy. Quite honestly, there are those bands I listen to that are like comfort food… ZZ Top has always been a comfort band for me. Does that sound ridiculous? Maybe, only that is how I feel and see it.
I did get to see ZZ Top on this Antenna Tour too, back in 1994 at the Hartford Civic Center. George Thorogood opened up for ZZ Top and he simply put… rocked. My girlfriend (and now wife), bought the tickets to this concert, we both had a great time. Bringing back cool memories is only one of many great qualities of music. I realize that I have mentioned going to this concert in a past ZZ Top related post, please excuse the redundancy. As I listened to Antenna today, I couldn’t hold back the memory of that ZZ Top concert… good times. My daughters had the day off from school, (Thanksgiving Holiday), so we listened to this CD as we played UNO… good times again. I also played this ZZ Top CD in the car as we embarked on our errands, driving around in the cold rain. Long live ZZ Top.
The caricatures of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard on the cover of Antenna are just plain fun. As I look at the front cover of Antenna, I conclude that sometimes artistic creativity is grand in it’s most simplistic design. I have to give a Rock and Roll salute to designer/illustrator Michael Ray Nott for the front cover artwork of Antenna.
HEAVY METAL THUNDER – 1985 BOOK IS VALUABLE HEAVY METAL HISTORY
Posted in 1950's rock music, 1960's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, classic hard rock, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal book reviews, heavy metal chronology, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music books, heavy metal music reference, heavy metal timeline, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music books, vintage hard rock bands, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1950's rock and roll, 1960's classic rock bands, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, classic rock bands, classic rock music, early years of heavy metal, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal book, heavy metal evolution, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal musicians, heavy metal reference book, heavy metal thunder, heavy metal thunder 1985, heavy metal thunder book, heavy metal timeline, history of heavy metal, metal odyssey, Music on November 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Back in 1985, I was nineteen and working part time in a grocery store, spending most of my spare change on Heavy Metal albums or cassettes. I was still a teenager trying to find my college and career path back then, making minimum wage really left me with extremely limited funds. Being picky about my purchases in 1985 was out of necessity. To buy a brand new book back then, it had to be good… Heavy Metal good. I would frequent regularly, (most of the time just to browse), a mom & pop bookstore called Bookworks. This store unfortunately no longer exists, thanks to the gigantic, corporate bookstore chains that invaded every corner of the globe. Um, back to the Bookworks store… you see, I happened upon a book that caught my eye instantly sometime back in 1985, the title Heavy Metal Thunder appeared too good to be true. The front cover of the book said it all… sub headings read: The Music, It’s History, It’s Heroes. Plus, a fully adorned Heavy Metal guitarist playing a flying V guitar, on this books front cover, was more than I could possibly resist. I bought Heavy Metal Thunder willingly for $12.95. This was the full cover price back in 1985, quite a bit of cash considering my economic situation back then.
I can remember walking home with this book under my arm, the feeling of striking Heavy Metal gold was resonating through me. Knowing this was a book documenting the history of Heavy Metal up to 1985, enticed me to become the Heavy Metal scholar of my block. I read this book from front to back repeatedly, taking in the facts and timelines of the Heavy Metal history found within it’s pages. As I look back now, this book was as informative as any Heavy Metal book available back in 1985. As I leaf through the pages of Heavy Metal Thunder today, it is obvious this book was written from the perspective of being in the year 1985. Don’t let the year 1985 fool you however, this book is accurate, informative and fact filled with enough Heavy Metal history to still satisfy me in 2009. I wish there was a companion edition of Heavy Metal Thunder that was written, a book that dates from 1985 to the present. The author, Philip Bashe, compiled a timeline of Heavy Metal evolution, in commendable fashion, with this book.
There are 32 full color pages of band and individual musician photos in Heavy Metal Thunder, each photo seems to capture the essence and significance of the Old School Heavy Metal genre. Dozens of black and white photos of Heavy Meal bands and musicians adorn the pages of this great book as well. The featured bands in this book, being depicted in color photos as well, are: Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Rush, AC/DC, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Quiet Riot and Motley Crue. Arguably, these were the biggest and most commercially embraced Heavy Metal bands back in 1985. KISS, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Mountain, Blue Cheer, Randy Rhoads, Twisted Sister, Lita Ford, Ronnie James Dio and Led Zeppelin do get their justified due in black and white photographs and are recognized for their importance in shaping and creating the Heavy Metal genre as we know it today. Even The Kinks, The Who and Grand Funk Railroad get their significance pointed out.
For it’s time, Philip Bashe does a top tier job at acknowledging a majority of the bands and musicians that were instrumental in the evolution of Heavy Metal, up to 1985, even if it is a short anecdote, quick mention or fact. From Elvis Presley to the The Doors to Fastway, the links and roots of Heavy Metal are touched upon in such an intriguing way by Philip Bashe, that I find Heavy Metal Thunder to still be a valuable read in 2009. The single most incredible aspect of Heavy Metal Thunder, is the Chronology, (timeline and progression of Heavy Metal Music), which is written so very well by Philip Bashe. This chronology begins on April 28, 1958, with guitarist Link Wray and his million selling instrumental single Rumble and ends on December 31, 1984, with the auto accident of Def Leppard’s drummer, Rick Allen. Believe me, the bands and their respective achievements, that are touched upon in between this timeline, is nothing short of a fascinating read.
Heavy Metal Thunder is a soft cover with 214 pages. A large size book, it measures 8.5″ x 11″ and is written with enough factual research that only adds to it’s total historical credibility. Metalheads both young and old, should find this book completely absorbing, with both it’s written and visual content. I have seen Heavy Metal Thunder for sale on Amazon.com, there were several used copies for sale, as recent as today. I saw the used copy price was for far less than the cover price I paid back in 1985. For me, it was money well spent 25 years ago… for I still own Heavy Metal Thunder to this very day.
FOREIGNER – DEBUT ALBUM FROM 1977 STILL PULLS ME IN
Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock, Album Review, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock music 1977, classic rock songs, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, everyday social experiences, family, family pets, hard rock music, life, life stories, metal odyssey, Music, real life experiences, Rock, rock & roll, rock album review, rock and roll, rock music, rock music reviews, rock vocalists, vintage hard rock albums, vintage rock albums with tags 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock albums, 1970's hard rock music, 1970's rock albums, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, cold as ice song, foreigner, foreigner debut album, foreigner double vision album, foreigner first album 1977, foreigner rock band, Hard Rock, hard rock music, headknocker song, long, long way from home song, lou gramm vocalist, metal odyssey, mick jones guitarist, Music, rock and roll, rock music, starrider song on November 17, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
The debut album by Foreigner, (self titled, released on March 8, 1977), was one of my first vinyl record albums that I ever owned. I actually bought the first Foreigner album shortly after receiving their Double Vision album as a birthday gift, back in 1979. (The Double Vision album was released on June 20, 1978). So it is safe to say, that the debut Foreigner album was playing on my turntable sometime in the Spring of 1979. Being an eighth grader in 1979, my exposure to Heavy Metal Music was at it’s most infant state, KISS was the only Heavy Metal Band I owned on album at this time. I always bring up my past history, as to the year of purchase of a said album and what bands I was into at the given time, so to make clarity to the evolvement of my becoming a Metalhead. It was a progression of listening to different Rock genres for me, since I was a kid. This Foreigner album is as integral a piece to that progression, as any other Rock album I ever listened to. Just as the Double Vision album, Foreigner’s debut album had me wanting more and that was a good symptom to have. There definitely was some psychological imbedding that happened to me with Foreigner at a young age, whenever I listen to their albums, (especially the first four), I feel like everything is alright.
What prompted me to blog about this Foreigner debut album is hearing the song Feels Like The First Time on the radio this past Sunday. My family and I just had to endure visiting a sad animal shelter that morning, (we are currently looking to adopt a cat), and all four of us were in quite the funk. I decided to bring my wife to a store that has 70% off of all their Christmas decor, what bargains were truly found – no kidding here. This stop to purchase Christmas decor was just the elixir of happy that my wife and daughters needed after a somber morning of seeing so many poor and sickly cats. My elixir of happy was hearing Foreigner on the store’s radio. As I have stated, Foreigner puts me on the – everything is alright trip. I actually felt my face give off a smile and get all flushed while I heard this Foreigner song. On the drive home from this store, I wished there was a Foreigner CD in the car… trust me, there has been many times.
This experience is just a fine example of how a band and their album can pull me right in… and take me back, while making my mood alright again. That is the magic of Rock and Roll, these are the benchmarks of an album and/or song that cannot be critiqued by lazy Rolling Stone Magazine writers who have not a clue. The personal memories and feelings that are stored within oneself, due to the impact from a Rock Band of any genre, their albums, an individual song or a concert experience from such band… money cannot buy, man. Listening to Foreigner’s debut again, reminds me as to why the Classic Rock genre exists. This album is a Rock Classic. Foreigner is in my Metal Odyssey Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Too bad that big, pompous building in Cleveland, Ohio, doesn’t get it.
I grin each time I stare at the front cover image of the band, on the Foreigner debut front cover. The first impression is – these are gentlemen. Hard Rock gentlemen, that is. The maturity that this front cover image evokes, also mirrors the maturity of the music heard from this Foreigner album. It wasn’t about boobs and beer, rebellion or political commentary, it was about quality Rock and Hard Rock songs. From the lyrics to each songs structure, Foreigner presented to the world a sophisticated, yet Hard edged sound, that could be radio friendly and street cool at the same time. Two of my favorite songs from Foreigner are not even considered to be hits at all. Headknocker and Starrider are two songs from this album that are individualistic and represent the two sides of Foreigner’s Rock style. Headknocker being the Hard Rock cranker and Starrider introducing Foreigner’s adoration for a more melodic, Rock ballad. I really like Starrider for it’s almost cosmic musical ambiance, the keyboards and chorus are what sets this song apart, for me. This is just me, yet it would be a kick to hear W.A.S.P. or Judas Priest cover Headknocker.
Long, Long Way From Home is without doubt, Lou Gramm singing at his very finest. Man, his vocals alone, makes this song resonate with powerful emotion. Cold As Ice will always be the hit staple from this Foreigner album… rightfully so. I would not argue that it is as important a Rock single as any from the 1970’s. Regardless of decades passing by, this Foreigner debut album is, yes, timeless. It may sound cliche, still those Rock and Hard Rock albums from days gone by, like this very album, need to be revisited and remembered for their Rock and Roll historical importance and sheer quality.
HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY ANTHONY KIEDIS! PLUS “ONE HOT MINUTE” REVISITED
Posted in 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's rock bands, 1990's classic rock albums, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's classic rock vocalists, 1990's college music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, Album Review, alternative rock bands, alternative rock music, alternative rock music albums, classic rock music, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, essential hard rock albums, essential rock albums, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock album review, rock and roll, rock celebrity birthdays, rock guitarists, rock music, rock vocalists with tags 1990's rock bands, 1990's alternative rock bands, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's rock songs, 1995 rock music albums, aeroplane song, alternative rock bands, anthony kiedis birthday, anthony kiedis rock vocalist, chad smith drummer, classic rock albums, classic rock music, dave navarro guitarist, flea bass guitarist, hard rock album review, hard rock music, metal odyssey, michael "flea" balzary bass guitarist, Music, my friends song, one hot minute album, red hot chili peppers, rick rubin record producer, rock music, rock music 1995, the red hot chili peppers, the red hot chili peppers rock band, warner bros. records, warped song on November 1, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Metal Odyssey extends a loud Happy Metal Birthday to Anthony Kiedis! Anthony was born on November 1, 1962 and he turns 47 today. Anthony co-founded and is the lead singer for The Red Hot Chili Peppers. My favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers album is one hot minute, (released on September 12, 1995 on Warner Bros). My three favorite songs from one hot minute are Warped, Aeroplane and My Friends. It is surprising to even me, that I really like the song My Friends such a great deal, due to it being a mid paced Rock ballad. Still, this song seemed to capture my attention back upon it’s release, it still does when I listen to it. The presence of Dave Navarro on guitar makes one hot minute a more heavier sounding version of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, in my Metal opinion. This is an album that I have to honestly say, bridged the gap between Grunge gradually losing it’s stranglehold on popularity and Heavy Metal making a comeback in the public eye. (That is my Metal opinion, I cannot help myself).
One hot minute made total sense to me upon it’s release back in 1995, it still does. The songs carry out a continuous Rock vibe while not adhering to one specific trend of the day. A very polished album, (produced by Rick Rubin), one hot minute is exemplary of what the mainstream was embracing as acceptable heavy, whenever it came anywhere near Hard Rock or (gasp), Heavy Metal. With a toned down Metallica on the loose in the mid 1990’s, The Red Hot Chili Peppers were not toning it down with one hot minute… based on their style of Rock. Their sixth studio album and a multi-platinum seller, one hot minute obviously had some hot chart success. (With that said, I have never been one to judge an album based on chart positions). I have always appreciated this band, what is there not to like about the musicianship of Flea on bass and Chad Smith on drums as well? A Rock rhythm section solidified.
Getting back to Anthony Kiedis… I have and always will be greatly entertained by his vocals. Anthony also has written some clever lyrics that many times touched on his own inner battles with addictions. The diverse style of Anthony’s vocals make him a Rock singer that is without question, truly one of a kind. From Funk to Heavy Metal and everything in-between, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have touched on it all, with Anthony Kiedis cementing his dynamic vocal stamp on each song in their extensive catalog. From my perception, listening to Anthony Kiedis sing using so many styles, leads me to believe he has an admirable respect for all genres of music. The alternative and artistic overlays of The Red Hot Chili Peppers brand of Rock cannot be discounted… neither can the vocals of Anthony Kiedis ever be denied.
MEAT LOAF – Appears In Commercial Endorsing A-1 Steak Sauce!
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock vocalists, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1990's classic rock albums, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's classic rock vocalists, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, cool album covers, essential classic rock songs, food commercials, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll commercials, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music in commercials, rock music on television, rock music vocals, rock vocalists with tags 1970's classic rock music, 1990's classic rock, 1990's rock albums, 1990's rock songs, 1990's rock vocalists, a-1 steak sauce, classic rock, classic rock music, commercials, ghost hunters, I'd do anything for love (but i won't do that) song, meat loaf, meat loaf bat out of hell ll: back into hell album, meat loaf rock vocalist, meat loaf songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music news, ted nugent free for all album, ted nugent guitarist & vocalist, the rocky horror picture show on October 30, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Meat Loaf, Rock Music legend. Meat Loaf, lead vocalist on Ted Nugent’s 1976 Free For All album. Meat Loaf, a guest investigator on Ghost Hunters. Meat Loaf playing the role of Eddie in the cult film classic – The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Oh, heck, I could make quite the list of Meat Loaf career achievements here. I have not even touched on awards, records sold or concert receipts. Meat Loaf has been a lifetime favorite Rock/Hard Rock vocalist for me. I get all happy to see Meat Loaf in the limelight, no matter what the platform may be. I have said it before, Meat Loaf just seems like a down to earth guy that has continuously risen above the star status of plasticity.
I have never been a fan of using vintage Rock songs for commercial purposes. Attaching a legendary song of any Rock or Metal Music genre, to a product for the sole purpose of marketing and selling such product, just takes away from the original Rock spirit of the song. That is my Metal opinion. Step in A-1 Steak Sauce, um, please. You see, I witnessed the other night, while watching whatever on television… Meat Loaf in an A-1 Steak Sauce commercial. Yes I did. Meat Loaf… steak sauce. (I think this commercial appeared during the Yankees vs. Angels game 6 playoff game on Fox). All I know is this commercial came on late, therefore my Metal memory has a few cobwebs. Meat Loaf looked fine, just as he looked on a recent episode of Ghost Hunters. In this A-1 Steak Sauce commercial, he actually looked like a dude you would approach at a family or company picnic… asking him where the cold beer is hidden.
The classic Meat Loaf song – I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), is heard during this A-1 Steak Sauce commercial. Plus, Meat Loaf is shown singing along to this song, apparently showing his affection towards A-1 Steak Sauce. Meat Loaf is also shown wearing a bath robe and bunny slippers too. Yup. Hey, I’m all for a free enterprise, this is America. I also believe in the semi-fabulous words of wisdom… live and let live. Metal be damned though, I will forever now attach this great Meat Loaf song to a stinking bottle of steak sauce. The marriage of commercial products and my favorite Rock songs have an imbedding power within my Metal mind, this has always been the case my entire life. Once the attachment of a Rock song and it’s commercially related product occurs… that’s it. I cannot shake the connection loose once I hear such song(s) again.
There are many positives to be explored with this Meat Loaf meets A-1 Steak Sauce commercial just the same. Three quick positives come to my Metal mind: One – Meat Loaf is in the public eye, where he rightfully should be. Two – Meat Loaf is working and getting paid. Three – I will now and forever link and associate the A-1 Steak Sauce bottle that sits atop many restaurant tables, to a Rock Music icon whose voice has entertained and inspired me for decades. Reaching for that bottle of A-1 Steak Sauce will never be the same for me again. Long live Meat Loaf.
* I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) appears on the 1993 Meat Loaf album – Bat Out of Hell ll: Back Into Hell. This fantastic song was written by Jim Steinman.
My Least Favorite Ozzy Osbourne Song Ever Is…
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1983, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal songs 1983, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, scary album covers, spooky metal album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal songs with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, bark at the moon album, bark at the moon album 1983, Black Sabbath, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock music, heavy metal ballads, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, jake e. lee guitarist, master of puppets tour, Metallica, mtv, Music, Ozzy Osbourne, ozzy osbourne vocalist, queensryche, so tired ballad, so tired music video, so tired song on October 25, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Ozzy Osbourne, the Heavy Metal Prince of Darkness. Ozzy Osbourne – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Black Sabbath. Honestly, I revere the living hell out of this Heavy Metal legend. I did get to see Ozzy Osbourne live in concert twice during my lifetime. For me, those two concerts were unbelievable, with Metallica opening up for Ozzy in New Haven Connecticut, (at the spooky New Haven Coliseum) – it was The Ultimate Sin Tour for Ozzy and Metallica was promoting their legendary Master of Puppets album. The other Ozzy concert I saw had Queensryche open for Ozzy in Springfield, Massachusetts, (at the Springfield Civic Center), on this same Ultimate Sin Tour. Alright, so it is obvious I think the Metal world of Ozzy Osbourne… fine. However, by process of elimination, there has to be my least favorite Ozzy Osbourne song out there and there is one. I do not think much of the song, uh, ballad So Tired from Ozzy’s Bark At The Moon album. This song, ugh, ballad is responsible for my distaste of most Heavy Metal ballads ever released since, by any band. This album was released on December 10, 1983. Don’t get me wrong here, the Bark At The Moon album as a whole, is unreal good. Three songs on this album are incredible for me… Rock ‘n’ Roll Rebel, You’re No Different and of course – Bark At The Moon. These three Ozzy songs I can hold up on a Metal pedestal forever. Plus, Jake E. Lee on guitar is a Metal bonus to listen to.
So Tired is a song that in my Metal opinion, is overwhelmingly dull and depressing and does absolutely nothing but annoy me beyond belief. Who exactly is supposed to be so tired in this song? Is it Ozzy himself? Someone that Ozzy knows? I really do not care in the darn least who is tired. I get tired too, yet I never whine about it like Ozzy did in this song. Sure, maybe the tired theme was about waiting around for a love lost… who cares. So Tired is a perfect example of what happens when a Heavy Metal icon decides to go the Pop and Bubble Gum Music route with a song. Sappy city is open for tourists with So Tired. Get out the kleenex, So Tired is now playing… sniffle, sniffle, I am so moved. The orchestration in this song only annoys me more.
To me, So Tired just never seemed to fit in with the Bark At The Moon album. So Tired is a downer in the midst of some riveting Heavy Metal songs, a huge let down, like the depressed dude at a party trying to bring everyone else down with him. The video for So Tired, (which was on MTV too often back in the day), was so ridiculous that even I felt embarrassed for Ozzy. When the Bark At The Moon album was reissued, So Tired should have been omitted from the track list… it is that lousy – for me. In my Metal opinion, So Tired is the lowest moment of Ozzy Osbournes unparalleled and ultra legendary Heavy Metal career.
How I Discovered Motorhead And My Favorite Motorhead Song Ever
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's rock music, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting metal music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, feel good stories, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1983, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Motorhead, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs, vintage rock albums with tags "fast" eddie clarke guitarist, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, filthy animal taylor drummer, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, lemmy kilmister bass guitarist, lemmy kilmister vocalist, metal music, mikkey dee drummer, Motorhead, motorhead heavy metal band, motorhead iron fist album 1983, motorhead killed by death song, motorhead no remorse album 1984, motorhead promotional posters, motorhead songs, Music, phil campbell guitarist, rock music, strawberries records & tapes, vintage heavy metal albums on October 21, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Motorhead is and always will be a core favorite Heavy Metal Band of mine, (a top 3 band without a doubt). I was first introduced to this prolific band back around 1983, a friend of mine in high school gave me an 8-track of a live Motorhead bootleg. (This dudes name was Rich, I am glad we had crossed paths back then). The sound was enormously awful, (the actual 8-track didn’t help), the lead vocals were beyond raspy and unclear and the Heavy Metal Music being played was raw, uncommercial and unlike anything I had ever heard before in my young life. I loved it. I was beyond thrilled at listening to this Motorhead 8-track. I was enamored by every unpolished intricacy that my rookie Metalhead ears heard. Here is this band, on a beat up 8-track, recorded as a live bootleg somewhere far away in the world, that only a dozen or so dudes in my high school even knew about at that time in 1983. All that was written on the blank white sticker on this 8-track was a barely legible – Motorhead Live. I’ll never forget that… an Old School Metal memory at it’s most innocent. I was awe struck by the unnatural vocals of Lemmy Kilmister and his bass was over powering to boot. Gimme some more Motorhead is what I said.
I wound up buying the Iron Fist album by Motorhead first, (on vinyl of course). This Iron Fist album was released on April 17, 1982, I bought it sometime in 1983… owning a real Motorhead album became a dire Metal necessity then, I needed to get the Metal ball rolling in starting my Motorhead collection. Not having too much money as a teenager, I did not make another Motorhead album purchase until the double album No Remorse was released – which was September 15, 1984. (I can’t recall if I actually bought No Remorse on it’s release date, who would care now? I do remember that I bought it right away though!). Buying No Remorse heightened my awareness, attitude and respect for Metal Music in 1984 – I now had a legitimate greatest hits of Motorhead in my possession. My favorite Motorhead song ever, is on No Remorse, it actually was a brand new song added to this greatest hits track list at the time. Killed By Death. An unreal and damn incredible Metal song for me then… still is now in 2009.
When I listen to Killed By Death today, it is like I am hearing it for the very first time again. I cannot figure that out, why bother? All I know is what this song does for me, it gets me extremely pumped up and motivated beyond Metal belief. The Heavy Metal and Roll vibe and groove that Killed By Death bestows is unlike any Motorhead song pre-1984. I was so fascinated back in 1984, while holding the double album jacket, staring at the front cover artwork of Snaggletooth, a.k.a. War-Pig and having my ears being ignited by Motorhead Metal. It felt like my little teenage world was made into a more tolerable place to exist in, with the Heavy Metal of Motorhead being at the ready for me to escape in. I could never forget just how much this No Remorse album of greatest hits means to me still, especially the song Killed By Death. Yes, I still have this No Remorse album, this double album is like Metal gold to me. I have kept it in pristine condition since September of 1984, this album is one of the fortunate ones that never was traded, sold, lost or given away by me.
I bought No Remorse at the no longer existing – Strawberries Records & Tapes. I even begged, bribed and pestered the Strawberries manager for months, to give me the Motorhead No Remorse promotional poster that hung on the store wall. (Back then, large record stores had class, they would actually give away any and all promotional posters for free, that is correct… for free). This Strawberries manager turned out to be a Metal hero for me… upon one of my extremely many trips there, he saw me enter the store and informed me the No Remorse promo poster was mine. That’s one cool memory – simple, innocent and Metal. This Motorhead No Remorse promo poster was hung up on my college dorm wall at Central Connecticut State University and survived. (I don’t know how it survived either). This same poster now adorns my basement wall… surrounded by many, many other Metal posters. However, this Motorhead No Remorse promo poster will forever remain as the Metal epicenter of my Rocked out basement, while the No Remorse album will remain as an integral reason as to why I revere Motorhead and Metal Music in the first place.
*My original copy of this Motorhead No Remorse – double album, depicts the same artwork on the front cover, however, the graphics Motorhead No Remorse are in deep red type.
TONY IOMMI & GLENN HUGHES – 1996 DEP SESSIONS ALBUM- OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL
Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1986 heavy metal albums, 1986 heavy metal music, 1990's classic rock albums, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, Black Sabbath, century media records, classic hard rock, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting music, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential rock albums, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, hard to find rock albums, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock music, rock vocalists, tony iommi heavy metal guitarist, vintage hard rock bands, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1970's hard rock music, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, black sabbath heavy metal band, black sabbath seventh star album, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, deep purple hard rock band, glenn hughes bass guitarist, glenn hughes vocalist, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, iommi and glenn hughes, iommi with glenn hughes the 1996 dep sessions album, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, the 1996 dep sessions album, tony iommi guitarist on October 20, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
I found IOMMI With Glenn Hughes – the 1996 Dep Sessions on the Century Media Records online store CM Distro.com. This CD set me back 3 bucks plus shipping. (I bought a few CD’s so the total shipping cost of 5 bucks was reasonable to me). This CD was in the clearance section at CM Distro.com, proving to be a cool Metal find for me. Tony Iommi is the lead guitarist for the ultra legendary/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – Black Sabbath. Glenn Hughes has had a stellar career of his own, most notably being a vocalist and bass guitarist for Deep Purple on their Burn and Stormbringer studio albums from 1974. Glenn Hughes is also on the Deep Purple studio album – Come Taste the Band from 1975, as well as several Deep Purple live albums, the most notable being Deep Purple – Made In Europe, from 1976. Glenn Hughes was a member of Black Sabbath, (hey, it is an official Black Sabbath album – Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi – Seventh Star). This studio album, Seventh Star, was released back in January of 1986 and Glenn Hughes was the lead vocalist only… Dave Spitz played bass on Seventh Star. This background information on Glenn Hughes is to help anyone who may be unfamiliar with his musicianship and/or career. Trust me, it would be a very long post to acknowledge everything Glenn Hughes has done during his illustrious music career dating back to 1968.
I have always revered the vocals of Glenn Hughes, not to mention his bass guitar exploits. When I listen to Glenn Hughes sing, it is the real deal for me… real Hard Rock vocals, real Heavy Metal vocals and yes, even soulful vocals on some of his solo work as well. Tony Iommi in my Metal opinion, is… if not the founding father of Heavy Metal guitar, then one of the very first. The combination of Glenn Hughes on vocals and Tony Iommi on guitar worked just fine for me on the Black Sabbath album, Seventh Star. Certainly, it was not the most famous music achievement for either Tony Iommi or Glenn Hughes, still it remains a standout album for me due to it’s Old School – Heavy Metal resonance and quality of songs.
This 1996 DEP Sessions album seems to rekindle that Old School Heavy Metal and Old School Hard Rock sound from the late 1970’s into the ’80’s. Do not expect a layered and very heavy album here, you will not be listening to Heaven and Hell or Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Even the Heavy Metal fog storm of Seventh Star is not revisited here by Iommi and Hughes. What I hear, is an appropriate blend of Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal vocals from Glenn Hughes, to correspond with the diverse guitar brilliance of Tony Iommi. The riffs are plentiful, extremely distinguishable that this is Tony Iommi – the Old School, Heavy Metal riff king himself. Iommi does not shy away from writing and playing tremendously melodic leads as well, in a Metal nutshell… Tony Iommi’s guitar is the dominant musical force on this 1996 DEP Sessions album, (of course). Unlike the Black Sabbath albums with Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums, the rhythm section on this album honestly does take a back seat… albeit intentional during production or it just may be my aging Metal ears.
My three favorite songs on this 1996 DEP Sessions album are: Gone – which plays out as the heaviest song, the opening riff is vintage Tony Iommi. I‘m Not The Same Man – has reality check lyrics and is driven with melodic hardness at every nook and cranny. Fine – is a Hard Rock ballad that just grabs my attention on a personal level, plus Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes really deliver a genuine song here. All eight songs are memorable and good quality, both musically and lyrically. I won’t yell out loud that this album is unreal great and the best stuff these two Heavy Music legends have ever done. I will attest that this album has been a damn cool listening experience for me though. 1996 DEP Sessions is definitely worth picking up if you are a fan of Old School Heavy Metal and/or Hard Rock, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Glenn Hughes and Tony Iommi fans have to own this album of course, the value is in the overall musicianship and diversity in songs. I will be playing this album regularly in the future, the combination of Glenn Hughes and Tony Iommi is just too cool to ignore.
Track Listing For: IOMMI with Glenn Hughes the 1996 Dep Sessions:
Gone
From Another World
Don’t You Tell Me
Don’t Drag The River
Fine
Time Is The Healer
I’m Not The Same Man
It Falls Through Me
* the 1996 Dep Sessions IOMMI with Glenn Hughes was released on September 28, 2004, on Sanctuary and Mayan Records.
DRIVIN N CRYIN – 1993 ALBUM “SMOKE” IS HARD ROCK BLISS
Posted in 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1990's classic rock albums, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's college music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, Album Review, classic hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock album finds, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, current hard rock bands, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, essential hard rock albums, essential rock albums, feel good stories, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock bands from georgia, hard rock drummers, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, rock & roll, rock album review, rock and roll, rock music, rock vocalists with tags 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's rock albums, Album Review, buren fowler - guitarist, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, drivin n cryin hard rock band, drivin n cryin rock band, drivin n cryin rock songs, drivin n cryin smoke album, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock music, island records, jeff sullivan - drummer, kevin kinney vocalist & guitarist, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, the who, tim nielsen bass guitarist, tom petty guitarist & vocalist, turn it up or turn it off song on October 16, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
There are those select few bands, select few albums throughout my life that I have listened to, that I can say – resonates with me. Drivin N Cryin is one of those bands and their 1993 album – Smoke, (on Island Records). I confess, I never owned a copy of Smoke until October 14, 2009. Unbelievable, how great Rock Music can slip by you. I have vindicated this slip-up by now taking ownership of this great album… finding it on CD during one of my many thrift store Hard Rock and Metal hunts. Rock diversity is a strong point with Drivin N Cryin, their talent to create credible and memorable songs are sensationally a musical characteristic. Smoke is a Rock meets Hard Rock album that even upon it’s initial 1993 release, can be construed as a throwback – to the days when writing Rock songs wasn’t about a race to the commercial finish line. After three consecutive and thorough listens to Smoke on Wednesday, all I could think about that night was listening to Smoke on Thursday! For me, this album is that good… I mean great.
Drivin N Cryin does bring back a very cool Rock memory for me. I saw Drivin N Cryin open up for the ultra legendary – The Who. This concert was at the Meadows Music Theater in Hartford, Connecticut, I think the year was around 1997. (Heck, I cannot remember the exact year). My wife and best buddy Scott were with me for this unreal great night of Rock and Roll. We did not know upon entering this outdoor amphitheater that Drivin N Cryin were opening for The Who that night… we were beyond thrilled when Drivin N Cryin hit the stage, they were simply put – tremendous. I will always remember that night, for Metal sakes, it was The Who taking center stage after all! However, Drivin N Cryin was the Hard Rock bonus that was so unexpected that evening… an unbelievable bonus it was!
There is no hiding from the fact that I uphold Metal Music and I am a Metalhead, with that said, I also uphold quality Rock and Hard Rock Music as well. Drivin N Cryin enables me to embrace their songs through their vivid musicianship and clarity of their lyrics. With Smoke, there are no illusions going on, no flamboyant and over the ropes attitudes to be heard, just straight -up Rock Music that hits home for me. The first three songs, Back Against The Wall, She Doesn’t Wanna Go and Smoke on Smoke are a 1-2-3 Hard Rock can of whoop ass. 1000 Swings and 1988 are by far cool Rockers as well. Whiskey Soul Woman is just one incredible Rock song to cruise to, it has a Classic Rock vibe swirling all around. When You Come Back is a laid back, Blues Rockin’ song that shows just how diverse Drivin N Cryin can be with Rock. Patron Lady Beautiful can be justified as an epic Rock song for Drivin N Cryin, at 7:36 it plays out with the Rock mellowness that I need to hear every so often and takes it’s twists and turns with Hard Rock heaviness – in real Classic Rock style. What’s The Difference and Eastern European Carny Man has some Tom Petty influence happening, both vocally and musically, not a bad influence for my ears to hear at all.
My favorite song on Smoke, (if I am forced to choose), has to be Turn It Up Or Turn It Off… this is a Hard Rock Classic for me, man these guys jam on this song. There is a hidden track on Smoke, right after the last song, therefore there are really thirteen songs on this album. This hidden song has Classic Rock oozing from it’s every crevice, with the guitars giving way to 1970’s style licks that are beyond cool for me. When it is all said and done, quality Rock musicianship and vocals will always save the day and stay relevant for decades on end. Drivin N Cryin is just this band, extremely credible song writing and musicianship and Rockin’ to this very day. I really dig the vocals of Kevin Kinney, he is at his unreal best on Smoke. I most highly recommend Drivin N Cryin and all of their music to any fan of Rock, Classic Rock and Hard Rock. Smoke turned out to be a hidden Rock gem for me, sending me off to Hard Rock bliss.
* I have not seen this CD for sale on Best Buy online, I have seen it for sale at Amazon.com, as recent as today.
Drivin N Cryin as they appeared on Smoke:
Kevin Kinney – vocals and guitar
Tim Nielsen – bass
Jeff Sullivan – drums
Buren Fowler – lead guitar
John Fogerty – “Eye of the Zombie” a 1986 Creepy & Rockin’ Halloween Song
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's rock musicians, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's rock bands, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, halloween songs, metal odyssey, Music, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music lyrics, rock vocalists, scary album covers, song lyrics, spooky album covers, vintage rock albums with tags 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock songs, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock vocalists, creedence clearwater revival, eye of the zombie album 1986, eye of the zombie lyrics, eye of the zombie song 1986, halloween, halloween songs, john fogerty, john fogerty eye of the zombie album, john fogerty guitarist & vocalist, Music, rock and roll music, rock music, scary halloween songs, warner bros. records on October 11, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Here I go again… pulling out another great and scary Rock song that is just eerily perfect for the Halloween season. In 1986, the ever legendary John Fogerty released his solo album – Eye of the Zombie, (on Warner Bros. Records). The cool release date of October 1st made this song all the more fitting for Halloween too. I was introduced to this song and album by my late sister, back in ’86, she knew this particular song was right up my Metal alley. With all of my time being occupied by Metal Music back in the ’80’s, I knew I could always count on my sister, to hook me up to some very cool mainstream Rock albums and songs from time to time. If my Metal memory serves me correct, the video for Eye of the Zombie, (which MTV played frequently then), was damn spooky and cool too. Just the way in which John Fogerty sings this song gets the creep out meter moving. Musically, this song Rocks in a very unique and spooky way.
As for the entire album of Eye of the Zombie, I don’t find it difficult to recommend to any Classic Rock or Rock Music fan at all. This song and album may not have been the blockbuster of John Fogerty’s career, still, Eye of the Zombie is a song and album that I reflect upon for it’s originality and cool Rock vibe. Too many times, it is the Rock album and/or song that does not find chart success or critic praise that turns out to be the true Rock and Roll wild card of a musicians career. Change in the Weather was the song talked about most from this album, with it’s Creedence Clearwater Revival roots, yet it is the allure of the song Eye of the Zombie that had me listening to the entire album itself. The front cover album artwork for this album is a visual nightmare image of a horrible looking creature… a zombie perhaps, only to me it appears to be more of a half man, half lion monstrosity. Very cool image nonetheless, something you would expect on a Metal Band’s album cover. In the end, if it has always been construed that John Fogerty took a Rock Music risk with this album, then I will be Metal bound to say it was a fabulous risk to take. The song Eye of the Zombie is one not to miss listening to this Halloween season… nor is it not a risky bet to get into the rest of this album any time of the year.
Here are the lyrics to this great song, if this doesn’t spook you out then you are too cool:
Eye of the Zombie
Hoo! Oooooh!
Shadows on the mountain,
And the night begins to fall;
Gather up the children,
‘Fore the darkness takes us all.
Tribe has come together,
Standin’ naked against the night;
Twenty feet from the fire,
The evil waits with zombie eyes.
Chorus:
Eye-eye-eye eye of the Zombie!
Eye-eye-eye eye of the Zombie!
Oh! Sneakin’ through the long grass
On leopard feet silently,
A beast already dead comes
To join the dance on the zombie.
Ooh! Time has come again
Again the moment of truth;
The terror is at hand,
And there’s nothin’ you can do.
[Chorus]
Oh! Hoo! Aaa-aah! Hoo! Aaa-aaa-aaaah!
From out of nowhere he’s there,
Flashing hideous teeth,
Panic in the crowd,
Helter-skelter,
We’re brought to our knees.
Back to the darkness,
Back on the mountain he stands,
You can’t fight a shadow,
You can’t kill a dead man.
[Chorus x4]
KISS “KLASSICS” – ROCKS HARDER THAN EVER!
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's rock bands, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's rock music, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, guitar legends, hard rock album review, hard rock music, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, vintage hard rock bands, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs with tags 1970's classic rock music, 1970's kiss songs, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, black n' blue heavy metal band, classic hard rock music, classic rock bands, classic rock music, eric singer drummer, gene simmons bass guitarist, hard rock music, kiss, kiss 2009, kiss army, kiss classic rock songs, kiss classics, kiss greatest hits, kiss klassics 2009, kiss klassics album, kiss klassics cd, kiss klassics track listing, kiss sonic boom album, kiss sonic boom album cover, paul stanley guitarist, paul stanley vocalist, tommy thayer guitarist, tommy thayer vocalist on October 10, 2009 by Metal OdysseyThe second studio CD packaged inside the new KISS – Sonic Boom is KISS Klassics. I am not holding back on this – Whoa. Whoa does KISS rock harder than ever on these re-recorded KISS “greatest hits” – (oops), Klassics that is. I slapped in the Klassics CD, preparing to hear some subtle differences in these re-recorded songs, instead I opened up my mind and ears to a can of KISS whoop ass! Metal be damned, Tommy Thayer can play his Metal heart out – Black Diamond is unreal heavy and good. After just one listen to Lick It Up and I was re-enrolled into KISS Rock and Roll 101 – all over again. Lick It Up has a ton more KISS attitude now, (sounds unreal, understand it is holy crap good). Harder, heavier, with heaping Metal waves of relevance crashing all around is this KISS Klassics. For many KISS fans, Animalize was an album that, well, was very much a commercial Hair Metal phase for this band. Let KISS introduce you to their re-recorded – 2009 version of Heaven’s On Fire… I really, really, really, like this song a Metal ton now.
In my most honest Metal opinion, Paul Stanley sings like he has been reincarnated into his 1977 body. Gene Simmons vocally sounds like a man who has been reborn himself. Metal be my witness, this KISS Klassics has done to me, what it was probably intended to do by KISS in the first place… realize that this band is age defying and generation fusing and yes, damn great at playing these songs that are decades old. The last thing I want to sound here is as a biased, middle aged KISS fan… hell, if KISS was to have dropped the Metal ball on this one, I would be the first one screaming NO! What once was old is new again, for Metal sakes, KISS is new again! There are subtle differences in guitar leads, solo’s, riffs, yet Tommy Thayer plays each and every song like a Metal pro. Ace Frehley is legend, no question, yet Tommy Thayer has taken these songs from the master and has put his very own KISS signature on them. Eric Singer is just an excellent drummer period. His years with KISS alone, has established his icon status for me.
Back to more of these Klassics… I Was Made For Lovin’ You still holds that melodic extremity to it that some misguided folks confused with – disco. I will fight till the end of Metal time and refute any damn comparison of this song to disco. Hotter Than Hell is just that… this 2009 version has given me a brand new, psyche me out song to crank up LOUD. I Love It Loud is cool, yet this re-recorded version does not beat out the original, thank you very Metal much. Don’t get me wrong now, I will still raise my Metal fist in the air to this 2009 version of I Love It Loud – hell yeah. Christine Sixteen has always been a genius of a KISS song, Gene Simmons gives it a robust Metal boost in this 2009 recording, his vocals this time around has re-energized this Klassic. I always get a Metal kick out of the piano intro to Christine Sixteen. What would a KISS Klassics be without Rock And Roll All Nite? It is here on this Klassics CD, more emboldened by KISS than ever before. Forever is the lone KISS ballad to be found on Klassics… since I belong to the KISS Army, I will listen to this ballad. Forever is a good song, Paul Stanley and KISS bring it back for this Klassics curtain call for that same reason. There are throngs of fans who emotionally relate to this KISS song, heck, that is what ballads do.
In closing Metal summary, if you are a KISS fan, (no matter for how long), you NEED to buy Sonic Boom with this KISS Klassics included. The time to re-enlist into the KISS Army is NOW. If you never have been a fan of KISS, do not buy Sonic Boom with KISS Klassics… hell, the KISS Army is looking for Rock and Roll warriors anyway – so critics can stay away.
Track Listing For KISS Klassics:
* Deuce
* Detroit Rock City
* Shout It Out Loud
* Hotter Than Hell
* Calling Dr. Love
* Love Gun
* I Was Made For Lovin’ You
* Heaven’s On Fire
* Lick It Up
* I Love It Loud
* Forever
* Christine Sixteen
* Do You Love Me
* Black Diamond
* Rock And Roll All Nite
NAZARETH “NO MEAN CITY” – 1979 HARD ROCK ALBUM IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, scary album covers, spooky metal album covers, vintage hard rock albums, vintage hard rock bands with tags 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock music, 1970's rock music, Album Review, classic rock albums, classic rock albums 1979, classic rock music, dan mccafferty rock vocalist, darrell sweet drummer, hair of the dog album, hard rock albums 1979, Heavy Metal, jimmy murrison guitarist, lee agnew drummer, manny charlton guitarist, may the sunshine song, Music, nazareth, nazareth hard rock band, nazareth heavy metal band, no mean city album 1979, pete agnew bass guitarist, record cut-out bins, star song by nazareth, zal cleminson guitarist on October 9, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
I have owned the vinyl album of No Mean City by Nazareth since 1983. No, I could never part with this album at all over the years, never. For years I could never find No Mean City on CD, it most likely had been out of print for some time. To this day, No Mean City does not seem to be that readily available anywhere, on CD and especially on vinyl. Who knows, maybe there is an independent record store somewhere that has dozens of copies in their inventory… I just never come across this Nazareth classic myself. With the brilliant, Old School, Classic Hard Rock heard on this album, combined with the album cover artwork, makes for a keeper. I actually bought this album as a cut-out, back when Strawberries Records & Tapes was around. Back in the early 1980’s, cut-out bins found in any record store was Rock and Roll Heaven! You could always find cool albums in these cut-out bins at real discounted prices, many times there were hidden heavy gems in them. My copy of No Mean City has a cut in the top right corner of the album jacket – this never bothered me one bit. The enjoyment this album’s music has given me all these years more than makes up for any cosmetic defect on it’s exterior.
Remembering the actual price I paid for No Mean City back in 1983 is a tad gray now… it probably set me back three or four bucks at the most. This is one of those albums that I would hold and stare at the front cover artwork, while my turntable played the tunes. The artwork for No Mean City screams Heavy Metal, still this is a true Hard Rock album from Nazareth. Getting nostalgic about Rock and Roll is something I cannot shake loose, Nazareth is one of those bands that epitomizes Classic Rock and gets my nostalgia adrenaline going. No Mean City takes me back to when I had nothing to worry about other than graduating High School. Whenever I listen to this album, everything feels cool around me, uh, that is real cool.
All eight songs on this great album are terrific, there are a few standout favorites of mine, beginning with Simple Solution Part 1 & 2. This song is loaded with strong grooves, carrying it’s melodic Hard Rock weight due in part to Dan McCafferty on lead vocals, Pete Agnew on bass and backing vocals and Manny Charlton on guitar. Star is a Hard Rock ballad that maintains it’s heaviness through Dan McCafferty’s raspy, sandpapered vocals. To this very day, I still cannot believe that Star was not a huge hit from this album. The lyrics and music of Star are just as great as the Nazareth cover song Love Hurts from their Hair Of The Dog album, in my Metal opinion. May The Sunshine is a Folk Rock meets Hard Rock song. This song is just a great sing along, upbeat in it’s lyrics and melody, a song I never expected to hear upon my very first listen to No Mean City. Since my first introduction to this album all those years ago, I could not see my music collection being the same without it. If you are into Classic Rock and/or Hard Rock, especially from the late ’70’s, Nazareth and No Mean City is a must listen – Hard Rock treasure.
* The late Darrell Sweet was the drummer and Zal Cleminson was also a guitarist for Nazareth on No Mean City. Both of these musicians were just as important to making this album sound so great to me.
* No Mean City was released on A&M Records, in January of 1979.
* No Mean City was the tenth studio album from Nazareth.
* Nazareth is still Rocking to this day… with original members Dan McCafferty on lead vocals and Pete Agnew on bass. Pete Agnew’s son, Lee Agnew, plays drums and Jimmy Murrison plays guitar. This Nazareth lineup released a new studio album – The Newz, in 2008… and it is damn cool and good. I will leave The Newz album for another post in the future.
My Favorite KISS Song From “SONIC BOOM” Is…
Posted in 1970's classic rock music, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock albums, classic rock music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock and roll, rock music, vintage hard rock bands, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1970's hard rock music, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock music, eric singer drummer, gene simmons bass guitarist & vocalist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, kiss, kiss albums, kiss heavy metal band, kiss never enough song, kiss sonic boom album, Music, never enough song, paul stanley guitarist & vocalist, sonic boom album 2009, tommy thayer guitarist on October 7, 2009 by Metal OdysseyI’m on a KISS high right now, thank you very Metal much. Sonic Boom is a tremendous album from the legendary KISS. Anyone who slams KISS and Sonic Boom either has never liked KISS to begin with or they are extremely constipated or they just don’t get it at all. Sonic Boom is rooted with a Classic KISS sound from the 1970’s… I don’t hear any influence from the KISS Asylum or Animalize albums from the roaring ’80’s – nope. This is one hell of a legitimate album of Heavy Metal songs from KISS. Tommy Thayer is unreal good on lead guitar, (I didn’t expect anything less), Gene Simmons sounds great on bass and vocals and Eric Singer is his usual outstanding self on drums. Onward with my favorite song from Sonic Boom – Never Enough. I always liked Paul Stanley’s vocals the best, (my personal preference), plus this song’s lyrics are upbeat as hell. Paul Stanley f***n nails it down on vocals with this song. Never Enough psyches me out of my Metal mind and that serves me right. I listened to this song at least six times before I continued forward through Sonic Boom… holy Metal crap is this song great. The whole Sonic Boom album is great. I am such a happy KISS fan right now, I am farting rose scented happy faces all over the place. Long live KISS Rock and Roll!
MY SUPER WALMART FINALLY PUT OUT KISS “SONIC BOOM” TODAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009
Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic hard rock, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current hard rock albums, current heavy metal albums, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, hard rock music, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock and roll, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage rock albums with tags 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's hard rock music, 1970's kiss albums, 1970's rock music, 1980's heavy metal, classic heavy metal, classic rock albums, classic rock music, current heavy metal albums, eric singer drummer, gene simmons bass guitarist, Heavy Metal, kiss, kiss 2009, kiss dvd live in buenos aires, kiss heavy metal band, kiss klassics 2009, kiss sonic boom album, kiss sonic boom cd packaging, kiss sonic boom liner notes, Music, only at walmart, paul stanley guitarist & vocalist, super walmart, tommy thayer guitarist & vocalist, walmart on October 7, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
It’s always great to vent. Vent I did in my last post – where I needed over 1,100 words to express my disappointment in not being able to purchase the new KISS CD – Sonic Boom at my local Super Walmart on October 6, 2009, (the release date for it). Just as I hoped for and predicted, at 4:00 p.m. EST, I entered the Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, Super Walmart and took hold of my very own copy of Sonic Boom. (Phew). I can now say I bought this new KISS CD on it’s release date… yes, it means something to me. I have my core Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Bands that I have followed for decades, when they release a new album I try my very best to buy it on the release day. Metal case closed. I went to this Super Walmart twice during the morning of October 6, (the release date), my last visit was at 9;30 a.m. EST, as I left empty handed. I will say this much… the packaging for this Sonic Boom CD is INCREDIBLE! Once I get to crank up Sonic Boom for a couple of listens, I will post my Metal jubilation. Here are some quick tidbits about my Sonic Boom shopping experience at Super Walmart, plus other related notes:
* I give credit where credit is due – Sonic Boom, is being sold (exclusively) at Walmart for a cool $12! The credit is the price of $12 – not the “exclusive” part.
* As a 3 disc set, Sonic Boom is: disc 1 – is 11 new KISS songs! disc 2 – is 15 KISS Klassics! (re-recorded with the current KISS lineup and disc 3 – is a DVD of KISS live in Buenos Aires! Not too shabby for $12!
* The Sonic Boom digipak opens up four times across – 4 panels! With each KISS member having his own image on a panel. Cool.
* The liner notes are a Metal kick! 20 pages of complete lyrics! A center photo spread of the entire KISS Band! Facsimile autographs of each KISS member are on the center spread photo as well. (They aren’t real autographs just to make it very clear). Cool enough for me. These liner notes are like a Sonic Boom mini-book.
* There is a KISS KORNER after all! (It did not exist at my Super Walmart the morning of October 6th). My daughters actually found it… up in front of the store, just in front of one register lane. It is not as big as I anticipated, still it is cool enough for me. You can buy a complete set of KISS cards, (33 card set), that are inside a very cool box. I bought the Gene Simmons box version… it has the classic Gene Simmons “The Demon” face all over it. There are also some crazy looking KISS character dolls, blankets and tee shirts too. The blankets and tee shirts have the Sonic Boom album cover artwork all over them! I was unfortunately pressed for time on my third trip to Super Walmart today, therefore on my next visit there I will inspect the KISS KORNER thoroughly, making certain I know of every little KISS goodie that is available to buy.
* The Sonic Boom CD was in the front rack of the CD aisle – filed under new releases. Sonic Boom also was found in the area of CD’s which housed the re-issued Beatles CD’s for the last couple of weeks. Sorry, Beatles. (And I do revere the Beatles). Again, this was not the case at this Super Walmart on my first two trips there that morning. No Sonic Boom CD’s were in sight between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. EST.
* Another credit goes to Walmart – you can buy KISS CD’s from their 1970’s catalog for – $5!!! You read that right… five bucks man! I did not see or find any 1980’s KISS CD’s for this price. That is cool, for the CD’s priced at $5 that I did see were: Dressed To Kill, Hotter Than Hell and Rock and Roll Over. These KISS CD’s might have been the first batch or whatever to get into this Super Walmart, the selection hopefully will grow into the whole catalog of KISS CD’s. Again, these were the only KISS CD’s that I for certain identified and were there for $5.
Am I still upset with Super Walmart for not having Sonic Boom stocked at 8:00 and then 9:30 a.m. EST – the morning of it’s release? You bet I am. This is not the first time I have gone to this Super Walmart on a new release Tuesday… several times in the past few years I have had to make a return trip later in the day, (or go to Best Buy, Target or f.y.e. instead), to get a newly released CD that I wanted to initially buy at Super Walmart. This instance where it involved the new KISS Sonic Boom, well, it just was the Metal straw that broke the donkey’s back for me. The service or vendor that Walmart uses to stock their CD’s should be held accountable for failing to get new releases on the shelves before the doors open to the public. I still hope Gene Simmons would somehow get wind of this blunder that has occurred at Super Walmart in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania… it’s the fans that get screwed out of enjoying Sonic Boom for the whole first day of it’s release like I did. I guess you just can’t get between, (or mess with), a middle aged, (male), Metalhead and his adoration and loyalty to KISS.
MY SUPER WALMART HAS NOT PUT OUT KISS “SONIC BOOM” AS OF 9:30 A.M. EST ON IT’S RELEASE DATE!
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, bad shopping experiences, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting classic rock, collecting music, collecting rock music, common complaints, corporate greed, current heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal music shopping, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, personal list of complaints, rock and roll, rock music, rural pennsylvania, shopping for music, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1970's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, ac/dc black ice album, ac/dc heavy metal band, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, Gene Simmons, gene simmons bass guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, kiss, kiss army, kiss exclusive cd, kiss heavy metal band, kiss sonic boom album, kiss sonic boom release date, Music, new kiss album, only at walmart, rock music, sonic boom album, super walmart, trexlertown pennsylvania, walmart on October 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Way to go Super Walmart. With all of the hoopla leading up to the new KISS album in well over a decade, throw in an “Only at Walmart” exclusive for this KISS album, then… do NOT HAVE Sonic Boom out on the shelves for sale at 8:00 a.m. EST, on it’s release date of October 6, 2009!! I went to the Super Walmart located in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, first thing at 8:00 a.m. EST this morning… with my twin daughters who were very excited about getting the new KISS CD with their daddy. The disappointment was even greater for them, for they love KISS and wanted to hear a few new songs before they went to school. To make matters even more somber, Sonic Boom was playing extremely loud in the CD/electronics department at this Super Walmart too… obviously a Super Walmart employee had a copy of it – forget about the customers!! I thought for certain, my daughters as well, that by hearing the new KISS being played, that there would have been the great KISS KORNER awaiting us – no such luck. Why advertise a release date and then not honor it? Why advertise a KISS KORNER and then not have one? Oh, Super Walmart with their trillions of dollars in profits could care in the least.
I returned to this same Super Walmart at 9:00 a.m. EST, would you believe… SONIC BOOM IS STILL NOT OUT FOR SALE!!!! WTF? So, having a very large grocery list in hand, I proceeded to buy $100 worth of groceries and necessities while there. Just before I was to check out my grocery order, I checked one last time for KISS – Sonic Boom. Forget it – not out. Oh, wait a minute, it kinda was… there were several large boxes in two grocery carts, parked at the end of the CD aisles, right next to the over priced HD televisions. On these large and sealed boxes were very large white stickers… with black printing on them… that read: time sensitive material – street dated material. No music rep to be found though. You see, Super Walmart employees are not allowed to put out the new releases… or any CD’s for that matter. That is exactly what a music rep and Super Walmart employee once told me months ago. I was not about to wait around any longer and allow my time sensitive groceries to thaw out in the cart. Nor was I going to hunt down the music rep who was supposed to be doing his/her job… I have been the KISS Gomer Pyle for too long this morning, enough.
Here are some talking points I have, concerning this inexcusable scenario I endured today:
* If Walmart wants to handcuff music fans with their “exclusive” CD’s… (where you can only buy Sonic Boom at Walmart), then get with the program and have the damn new release out for customers to buy – period. Especially on the release date… there are passionate fans out there like myself who have schedules to follow, I can’t sit on my butt in the middle of the Super Walmart CD aisle all day waiting for the KISS KORNER to get going.
* How come the kiosks were loaded and ready, as soon as the doors opened at this Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, Super Walmart for the release dates of AC/DC Black Ice and the re-issues of the Beatles CD’s and not KISS? Hell, the morning of the release date for Black Ice, I was greeted by a huge, very huge, cardboard advertisement of Angus Young and AC/DC right at the front door of this same Super Walmart!! Plus it was 8:00 a.m. in the morning of the Black Ice release date too!! I was psyched out of my Metal mind that morning… grabbing Black Ice that early on it’s release date was cool.
* Who’s fault is this? Who dropped the Metal ball by not having Sonic Boom on the CD shelves on the morning of it’s release date?
* Music Rep – this is the only person who is supposedly allowed to handle and deliver the CD goods. Where was he or she? Why were the boxes of CD’s left in the aisle unopened until 9:30 a.m. EST on it’s day of release?
* Super Walmart Store Manager – yup, you better believe this person is to blame. This is money we are talking about here, money to be spent. No goods available, no money for the registers. With all of the hype about this Sonic Boom exclusiveness to Super Walmart, plus it is KISS, you would think that the store manager would want to get the ball rolling the night before and have everything set up for loyal customers like myself. My advice for the Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, Super Walmart Store Manager – GET TO WORK AND OVERSEE YOUR DAMN STORE.
* Gene Simmons – you better believe he is to blame too. If Gene Simmons is such a shrewd businessman, I wonder what he would think if he knew his Sonic Boom was not even out, in a Super Walmart CD aisle on it’s release date at 9:30 a.m. EST? Who knows when this Super Walmart will get around to putting out Sonic Boom today, on it’s supposed release date. Gene Simmons could probably care less about my ordeal. Gene Simmons obviously signed an “exclusive” contract with Super Walmart, he obviously thought his new album would be available to customers on it’s release date at ALL Walmarts. I would be bewildered if the contract between KISS and Walmart specified that Sonic Boom would be put on the store shelves, on it’s release date, once the music rep gets around to it. A release date to me, means a new CD is available, once a store opens it’s doors to the buying public – period. Gene Simmons agreed to this “exclusiveness”… instead it is a monopoly. Free enterprise yes, fairness to an open and competitive marketplace, uh, are you kidding?
PLUS, WHY WOULD AN EMPLOYEE OF SUPER WALMART HAVE A COPY OF SONIC BOOM TO PLAY – IN THE CD/ELECTRONICS AREA, WHEN THIS SAME SONIC BOOM CD WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS? HYPOCRISY AT IT’S MOST EXTREME LEVEL.
I have learned a long time ago… it does not take a NASA Rocket Scientist to figure this out… Super Walmart is greedy, the record industry is DUH? and too many legendary Rock and Heavy Metal Bands become greedy and corporate as they get bigger. I will listen to a blue collar Heavy Metal Band today, a band that hopefully will never catch onto this mean spirited and greedy Super Walmart “exclusiveness”… ANVIL. Gene Simmons knows he has his loyal KISS ARMY behind him, I will still try once again to buy the new KISS Sonic Boom… hopefully it will be on the Super Walmart shelf by 4:00 p.m. EST today, on it’s release date. There is no other outlet to go and buy Sonic Boom… Walmart and Gene Simmons made it that way with their overpaid plastic lawyers. You can count on seeing that greedy “Only AT Walmart” sticker on the Sonic Boom packaging too. Don’t worry Walmart, you won… you have way too many trillions of dollars to give a crap about screwing the customers like myself.
I know there are worse things in life to worry about than this crap, still, it is defeating when you make an extra 15 minute car trip – twice in one day, for a CD of a band you have been following since you were a kid, only to find out no one has bothered to put out such CD. All the while knowing, that this inconvenience I experienced twice in one day, is all due to people not doing their damn job in the first place.
The Charlie Daniels Band – “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” is one scary, cool song
Posted in collecting music, collecting rock music, country music albums 1980, country music songs 1980, country rock legends, country rock musicians, country rock vocalists, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock country albums 1980, rock country songs 1980, rock music, scary country music songs, scary halloween songs, scary rock music songs, southern rock music, vintage country music albums, vintage country music bands with tags 1970's classic rock music, charlie daniels, classic rock music, country music, country rock music, epic records, full moon album 1980, full moon country music album, halloween, Music, scary country music songs, scary halloween songs, scary southern rock songs, southern rock music, the charlie daniels band, the charlie daniels band 1980, the charlie daniels band greatest hits, the legend of wooley swamp song on October 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Back in 1980, sometime towards the Fall season, The Charlie Daniels Band released the studio album Full Moon, (Epic Records). I can remember this like it was yesterday, my late sister and I would sit around and listen to this great Charlie Daniels album and get the biggest thrill out of it. One song in particular, The Legend of Wooley Swamp was our favorite. This song evokes great memories of my late sister, with us being brought together through the music of the Full Moon album. This song scared the heck out of us back in 1980, it still gives me the jitters today. Talk about a cool and scary song… this one I should have put on my list of Scary Halloween Songs I posted recently. I really do not know how this legendary song slipped my Metal mind while compiling that list. Here is the story of The Legend of Wooley Swamp:
The lyrics tell the story of Lucius Clay, a greedy old man who would love and care for money more than people. Lucius Clay stored all of his money in mason jars, burying the jars all around his yard. On Summer nights, if the moon was right, Lucius Clay would dig these money filled – mason jars out of the ground. He would empty the jars of money on the floor of his shack and run his greedy fingers through it. Three young men named “the Cable boys” were trouble, they knew of Lucius Clay and all of his money. One night the oldest Cable brother decided he and his two brothers would go down to the Wooley Swamp and get the Lucius Clay money. Well, these brothers did find Lucius Clay, as he was digging up mason jars of money under a full moon. They beat Lucius Clay and threw his body into the swamp, watching as he was sucked down. As these Cable boys tried to run away with the jars of money, they realized they were being dragged down in quicksand themselves. As the Cable boys sunk to their death, they could hear the old man, (Lucius Clay), laugh. As Charlie Daniels relates the spoken word at the end of The Legend of Wooley Swamp – It’s been fifty years ago and you can go by there now. There’s a place in the yard in the back of Lucius Clay’s shack where the ground is forever wet. On summer nights, when the moon is right, down by the dark footpath, you can hear three young men screaming and you can hear one old man laugh.
This story as told in the song by Charlie Daniels, with his band behind him, is vintage. Yes, it is one hell of a scary song too. The Legend of Wooley Swamp makes for a perfect song to get ahold of for this Halloween season. Aw, heck, get ahold of the entire Full Moon album for Metal’s sake, it’s worth every penny. I am one Metalhead that is proud to admit my total fondness for this album, and the upmost respect for The Charlie Daniels Band and the music Charlie Daniels has created for five decades running. Call this song Country, Rock Country or call it Southern Rock. I like to call this song and the entire Full Moon album by The Charlie Daniels Band an American Classic.
You can find The Legend of Wooley Swamp on the Full Moon album, of course. This song is also found on many of The Charlie Daniels Band – Greatest Hits albums as well or on itunes. (I actually bought an extra copy of this song off of itunes myself). Regardless of what Rock genre you hold allegiance to, The Legend of Wooley Swamp and the Full Moon album is worth many, many, listens.
For a great look into the history of The Charlie Daniels Band, with tons of cool stuff, be sure to check out The Charlie Daniels Band website: http://www.charliedaniels.com
THE KINKS – Two Songs From This Band That Sums Up Most of My Days
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The Kinks – another legendary Rock and Roll Band, (and Hard Rock Band too), that I have never forgotten about… no Metal way. I first caught on to this great band upon their Low Budget album being released – back on September 7, 1979. The Kinks were huge back in the day… I specifically remember the late 1970’s into the 1980’s version of The Kinks. This band had one hell of a work ethic – always touring. There used to be a horde of kids wearing The Kinks concert shirts to High School back in the early ’80’s… as a Metalhead back then, I thought that was cool, due to my fondness for this band. I never was lucky enough to catch The Kinks in concert… back in the early 80’s would have been the choice time too. That is alright, I can always Rock out to The Kinks by listening to their songs whenever I want, like I have been doing since 1979. The Kinks were rightfully inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1990. I could not endorse a band like The Kinks any louder to the younger generation of Rock/Classic Rock fans… they really put out some incredible music spanning four decades.
Oh yeah, here are the two songs that sum up most of my days, courtesy of The Kinks. I just bought these two songs from itunes recently… I confess that I never upgraded The Kinks from cassette tape to CD after all of these years. Hey, I still plop my (gulp) cassettes into my (yikes) stereo cassette decks. That is correct, I own numerous cassette players still. Label me retro, I am hurting no one… at least I am not an overpaid loud mouth like David Letterman or a dude named Jon that left eight kids stranded.
Here they are:
(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman – (from the 1979 Low Budget album) – the B side of the 45 rpm of (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman that I owned back in 1979 was the super cool song Low Budget. There are countless days where I would really like to change the world and save it from the mess it’s in. That line is taken right out of this song… man, if I could be Superman for one day. Then again, I never thought Lois Lane is that cute anyways. That goes for all the portrayals of Lois Lane from Hollywood movies, television series and in the comics too.
State of Confusion – (from the 1983 State of Confusion album) – yeah, between all of the talking heads on television, just hearing their sound bites puts me in this state alone. Throw in bills, junk mail, nosey neighbors, politicians, lousy drivers on the road and people on television calling monkeys their children (!)… well, you get the point.
Really, if you do not own any of The Kinks music, at least go and buy these two songs… it should set you back a measly two bucks. (Any worthless Sunday newspaper costs more than that). You hopefully will find that these two songs Rock the crap out of a ton of the newer Rock music that is being shoved at us in 2009. Ray and Dave Davies are Rock and Roll geniuses, they made some impeccable albums of song with The Kinks. These two songs from The Kinks have served me right for years… they could or should serve you right too.
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