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Tag Archives: Black Sabbath

Now Normal Chronicles or: Ruling Mobs

04 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by TGBII in Video

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Black Sabbath, Music, Ronnie James Dio, Video

Salutations™!!

Today is the 39th anniversary of the Ronnie James Dio-led version of Black Sabbath’s Mob Rules album. I have never been a big fan of RJD. I respect him but really never listened to him. I especially didn’t listen to him with Black Sabbath. This is a good cover. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If you listen to fools, the mob rules!”
– “The Mob Rules” (Dio/Iommi/Butler)

Now Normal Chronicles or: TGIF

25 Friday Sep 2020

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Black Sabbath, Boy George, Creatures, Gang Of Four, J.Geils Band, Ringo Starr, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sugarcubes, The Doors, The Psychedelic Furs, They Might Be Giants, Village People

Salutations™!!

Strange Days from The Doors is 53 today. Beaucoups Of Blues from Ringo Starr is 50. Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 is 48. Nightmares…And Other Tales From The Vinyl Jungle from J. Geils Band is 46. Technical Ecstasy from Black Sabbath is 44. Cruisin’ from Village People (with “Y.M.C.A.”) is 42. Entertainment! from Gang Of Four is 41. Wild Things EP from Creatures (Siouxsie Sioux and Budgie) is 39. Forever Now from Psychedelic Furs is 38. Lincoln from They Might Be Giants is 32. Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! from Sugarcubes is 31. How could I pass on this? And with Boy George singing it? Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Young man, there’s a place you can go, I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough. You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find many ways to have a good time. It’s fun to stay at the YMCA” – Y.M.C.A. (Morali/Wills)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Black Blizzard

17 Friday Jul 2020

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Black Sabbath, Live Aid, Music, Video

Salutations™!!

One of the many things that happened during Live Aid was reunions of classic bands. This is one of those. Black Sabbath had all but disbanded completely. Ozzy left in 1978 or 1979 or so, and Geezer Butler and Bill Ward both jumped ship, leaving only Tony Iommi as a “member.” He did some solo stuff with the touring keyboardist from Black Sabbath. The entire band was back on stage for the first time in seven years. According to Geezer Butler, they were all drunk during this performance but they all got drunk on their own, separately. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Is he alive or dead? Has he thoughts within his head? We’ll just pass him there. Why should we even care?” – “Iron Man” (Iommi/Butler/Ward/Osbourne)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Skipping Ahead

24 Friday Apr 2020

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Black Sabbath, Music, Ozzy Osborne, Ronnie James Dio, Video

Salutations™!!

There isn’t much that came out today that I am even remotely interested in talking about, so I’m picking something from tomorrow to play today. Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the first Black Sabbath album to feature Ronnie James Dio when he replaced Ozzy, Heaven and Hell. This is a pretty good cover of the opening track. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Oh no, here it comes again. Can’t remember when we came so close to love before. Hold on, good things never last. Nothing’s in the past, it always seems to come again. Again and again and again.” – “Neon Knights” (Dio/Butler/Iommi/Ward)

Sounds Like Saturday or: That Shot

22 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by TGBII in Sounds Like Saturday, Video

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Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler, Music, Ozzy Osborne, Phil Soussan, Randy Castillo, Sounds Like Saturday, Zakk Wylde

Salutations™!!

Today is the 34th anniversary of my favorite Ozzy album, The Ultimate Sin. I understand that Ozzy purists will slam that album as polished and over-produced and yeah, it may have been. Or, it may not have been. The biggest complaint the Oz-man himself had was the production. Ron Nevison is revered as a producer but something about it, Ozzy just doesn’t dig. Oddly enough, too, is that this is the only classic Ozzy album that has yet to be remastered. Ozzy said if he had the opportunity, he’d love to remix and remaster it.

The reason it’s my favorite is that it was my Ozzy introduction. I’ve talked about the perils of growing up in rural WV with teetotalling parents and not having access to all the musics in “wild and wonderful.” That was in addition to the onset of the PMRC and the religious zealots who wanted to control our rebellious rock and raunch tendencies. So, I was taught to fear what Ozzy was and could be. I mean, “OMG! He sings about suicide and bites heads off of doves and bats and stuff…” Give me a break.

Anywhat! I got to play in my first band and one of the first things I learned was “Shot in the Dark” from this album. When I moved here to NC, I bought it on cassette along with the tablature sheet music for it and I was taken in. The videos were cool for their time, too, at least to me. I had to go back and hear Ozzy’s previous solo stuff after the fact. Heck, I didn’t even know any Black Sabbath stuff except for “Iron Man” and that was because I was a wrestling fan and the Road Warriors used it as their entrance music. I was so sheltered.

But in looking for a proper cover, I realized people suck at this so I am going with the OG Oz-Man doing it in 1989 with Zakk Wylde and Geezer Butler instead of Jake E. Lee and Phil Soussan from the album. Randy Castillo (RIP) is playing drums and did on the album. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Out on the streets, I’m stalking the night. I can hear my heavy breathing. Paid for the kill, but it doesn’t seem right. Something there I can’t believe in. Voices are calling from inside my head. I can hear them, I can hear them. Vanishing memories of things that were said. They can’t try to hurt me now.” – “Shot in the Dark” (Osbourne/Soussan)

Honor the Sabbath and Keep It Holy or: Half a Century

13 Thursday Feb 2020

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Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler, Heavy Metal, Music, Ozzy Osborne, Tony Iommi, Video

Salutations™!!

Today is the 50th! Yes, the 50th anniversary of Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut. Hailed by many to be the first “heavy metal” album, and the title track (which means that it’s a song called “Black Sabbath” on an album titled Black Sabbath by a band named Black Sabbath) is considered, again by many, to be the first doom metal song. I have no clue what “doom metal” actually is, but hey, some think it’s what it is. Another intriguing aspect is the song “N.I.B” which over the years people have tried to call “Nativity in Black” but really, Bill Ward had a goatee that was shaped like a pen nib and when it came time to name the piece, Geezer Butler couldn’t come up with a title. So, he called it “Nib” but added the periods to add “intrigue.” It worked. This is one of the few covers I could find and it was released today in honor of the 50th. Woot. She hits some notes, for sure. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Big black shape with eyes of fire telling people their desire. Satan’s sitting there, he’s smiling. Watches those flames get higher and higher. Oh, no, no, please, God, help me!” – “Black Sabbath” (Iommi/Butler/Ward/Osbourne)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/5/19

06 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Black Sabbath, Broadway, Carly Simon, Charlie Parker, Curated by Underdog, Discogs, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Harry Nilsson, Ian Hunter, Joe Cocker, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Mass Gothic, Music, Pink Floyd, Scorpions, Suzanne Vega, The Carpenters, The Clash, The Less Desirables, The Moody Blues, The Who, Tina Turner, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

The first Underdog Records purchase of 2019, woot! It’s going to be a good year all around and it’s going to be a good record year, too. I want to continue to fill my RS list wants and discover things that I didn’t know existed. I’m going to attempt to listen to more new music, but it really isn’t my bag. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

The_Clash_-_Combat_Rock.jpg

©CBS/Epic

  • Pink Floyd – Obscured By Clouds — I had made a post on this blog a few weeks back about this album. How great it was and how I was disappointed that no one had brought it to my attention prior. It was there and I grabbed it. This is the remastered reissue, new. It is a great album!
  • The Clash – Combat Rock — The “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah” album. First pressing in EX/VG++ condition. I couldn’t pass that up.
  • Scorpions – Best Of Scorpions — Jonathan said, “yes and yes” when I brought this album up to the counter. He said that old Scorpions are under-appreciated and I nodded in agreement. The Scorps (no relation to me) have been around in some form or fashion since 1965 and most people don’t know that. So they had stuff that predates the “Rock You Like a Hurricane” era. This is in VG.
  • Mass Gothic – I’ve Tortured You Long Enough — promo copy of this album, it has no official cover but it’s from Sub Pop Records and it’s everything you’d think an album on that label would be. Which means that The BCPF loved it. VG++.
  • Charlie Parker And His Orchestra – Night And Day — The BCPF grabbed this one and I’m not really sure why. She usually avoids the more horn musicians. But, I dig them, so I’m glad she did. VG-.
  • Various – Midnight Cowboy (Original Motion Picture Score) — I like soundtracks and this was from the only X-Rated film to win Best Picture and first gay-related Best Picture. Also, it has Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’,” which I love. VG+.
  • Black Sabbath – Technical Ecstasy — The penultimate Ozzy Sabbath record. He was blitzed most of the time and spent a lot of that time on the beach in Miami whilst Tommy Iommi was left to produce the album. It was recorded at the same studio as the Eagles’ Hotel California was being recorded at the same time. Geezer Butler said that they’d have to go in and scrape the residual cocaine off the mixing board after the Eagles left. VG-.
  • The Who – Who’s Next — I already have this album, but I believe this is a better copy than what I have. VG.
  • Linda Ronstadt – Hand Sown… Home Grown — Ronstadt’s debut solo album after leaving the Stone Poneys. It flopped but we like her so it was a good one to get. VG+.
  • Tina Turner – Private Dancer — The “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Better Be Good To Me” and “Private Dancer” album. I didn’t know that the title track was written by Mark Knopfler, but it does make sense now that I’ve listened to other Dire Straits albums. Ode to oneself and lamenting about the role that they’re the lot of. Plus, it’s an 80s staple and we know I’m a sucker for that stuff. VG+.

The rest are $1 albums and unless otherwise noted, they’re at least VG.

  • Carpenters – Now & Then — 3-way gatefold cover that shows Richard and Karen driving by the house they bought for their parents.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Brain Salad Surgery — I love the H.R. Geiger cover, which was somewhat an inspiration for the film Alien. “Karn Evil 9” is one of their better-known songs but it’s a long one.
  • Suzanne Vega – Solitude Standing — “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner.” Nuff said.
  • Various – How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (The Original Broadway Cast Recording) — I like my “original Broadway cast recordings.”
  • Ian Hunter – You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic — I like Mott the Hoople and some of his other solo stuff so let’s give it a try. Plus, it’s a great album title.
  • Carly Simon – Carly Simon — The debut album by Simon, it was produced by Eddie Kramer who produced both Alive! and Alive II by KISS.
  • The Moody Blues – Seventh Sojourn — The eighth album by the band and had “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” on it.
  • Various – An Officer And A Gentleman – Soundtrack — Again, soundtrack. The 80s. Cocker. Warnes.
  • Joni Mitchell – Song To A Seagull — Three major female voices of the 60s/70s and three debuts in one haul. That’s pretty impressive. This was Joni’s debut album.

Jonathan had a lot of “fresh” stuff that he was going through yesterday which only means you’re going to have a lot to choose from. Now, something new for 2019 that Jonathan is doing is called “Curated by Underdog” which is a subscription service that you can have Jonathan (and I’m sure his trusted associates) curate your collection with criteria of your choosing. Like only indie things? Like 80s music? Only want new records? Only want used records? Want a combo of the two? Well, Jonathan and Underdog Records have you covered. You’ll receive your subscription either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. The lowest cost package comes in at just $12. I think that’s a pretty good deal. It’s also a way to find things you may not have thought about. For more information visit the Curated by Underdog site. Also, listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to find out what that week’s TLD/UR special is.

Curated by Underdog and I both use Discogs. Underdog to help create and manage your subscription and me to make sure that I don’t get multiples of things. It also has a cool “shuffle” feature that picks a random album (upon your request).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Welcome back, my friends To the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside! There, behind a glass, stands a real blade of grass. Be careful as you pass. Move along! Move along.” – “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2” (Lake/Emerson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/3/18

04 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Billy Joel, Black Sabbath, Discogs, Don McLean, Earth Wind and Fire, Electric Light Orchestra, Foreigner, John Ralston, Joy Division, Lionel Richie, Music, Nicole Atkins, Nirvana, Ozzy Osborne, Prince, Records, Rockwell, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Smokey Robinson, The Less Desirables, The Less Desirables Network, The Who, Underdog Records, Warsaw

Salutations™!!

Started out yesterday with some crépes and headed on over to Underdog Records, one of The BCPF’s and my favorite places! Here’s what we got!

ELODiscoveryalbumcover

©Jet/Columbia

  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Superstition — The BCPF loves Siouxsie and the Banshees. It fits her once goth modus operandi. I like them pretty good, too, but she’s the true fan. This is from 1991 but is a reissue from 2018, It has “Kiss Them For Me.” New. In fact…
  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Tinderbox — This is a little older, from around 1986 with “Cities in Dust.” It’s the 2018 reissue and is new.
  • Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York — I actually picked this up on Thursday, but didn’t enter it into Discogs until yesterday. Some disagree with me, but I think this is a fantastic album! It’s raw and you can almost hear Cobain’s pain but at times you can hear him sounding relaxed and chipper. Still, it’s great. #313 on the RS List. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath — #243 on the RS List, this album was heavy, dark and awesome! It’s a great debut album. Possibly the birth of doom metal or heavy metal, this. New.
  • Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman — So, if we go with Black Sabbath, why not go with its former singer? Yep. This is a great album. I don’t like it as much as Blizzard of Ozz or The Ultimate Sin, but I do like it a lot! New.
  • Nicole Atkins – Goodnight Rhonda Lee — I discovered Nicole Atkins last week whilst finding something by someone playing locally and found a song that I liked on the first try and once I grabbed what I needed, I didn’t stop the album from playing. I then listened to it again. I felt it was something that The BCPF would like and I knew that I liked it, so I had Jonathan order it for me. She loved it. It’s like Dusty Springfield mixed with some Stevie Nicks with swing and jazz stylings that rocked. This is a must-listen, Dear Reader! New.
  • Warsaw – Warsaw — When Joy Division did their first demo, they were still going by Warsaw. So, this is that demo. The BCPF said she had it when it was actually Joy Division and the album was called Warsaw but this is an “unofficial release” and it sounded pretty good, albeit bass heavy. Not the gloom-and-doom Joy Division we came to know. New.
  • John Ralston – Shadows Of The Summertime — John played at Underdog Records on Friday night and we purchased this. Haven’t listened to it, yet, but we enjoyed him. New.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Raise! — The one with “Let’s Groove” on it. I love that song; probably my favorite EWF song. VG+.
  • Prince – Controversy – I found this in VG- condition but I still couldn’t pass it up. I mean, it’s Prince and I didn’t have it already. So, now I do.
  • Smokey Robinson – Blame It On Love & All The Great Hits — I’ve never been a huge fan of Smokey. He’s got a great voice but I just don’t like most of the songs. The BCPF wanted it. She got it. VG+.
  • Lionel Richie – Great Love Songs With The Commodores & Diana Ross — I had this on CD, one of the first 100 or so that I got. I got it (on CD) exclusively for the song “Endless Love” but all the songs are great tunes. VG++.
  • Don McLean – American Pie — Let me go on record and say that I absolutely LOATHE the song “American Pie.” It ranks up there with “Freebird” as the worst song ever. But, The BCPF said we should have it in our collection. Okay… It was in the $1 bin so there’s that. VG.
  • Billy Joel – Turnstiles — Billy Joel for $1? Yep. I’ll take it. And, it looks to be in fairly good condition. I’m calling it VG+. This album has “New York State of Mind,”  “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,”  “Prelude/Angry Young Man” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).”
  • The London Symphony Orchestra – Tommy — 2xLP box set with Daltrey, Townshend, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr and a plethora of guests with the London Symphony Orchestra. A $1 bin find it’s in VG+ shape.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Discovery — “Shine a Little Love,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Last Train to London,” “Confusion” and “The Diary of Horace Wimp.” I love ELO and didn’t really realize how much until I was researching for the VSS stuff last year. A $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me — This was sitting on the counter in front of Jonathan and I asked about it. It’s Berry Gordy’s son and has that one catchy tune with Michael Jackson. $1. VG+.
  • Foreigner – Double Vision — I had this (their sophomore effort) already but it was the 2nd pressing cover. This is the original cover. Including “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and the title track. I found it in the $1 bin and it is VG+.
  • Foreigner – Foreigner — The debut album with “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice” and “Long, Long Way from Home.” It was in the $1 bin and it’s also VG+.
  • Various – Peter And The Wolf / The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — Side 1 is Peter, Side 2 is Apprentice. $1 bin find. Not in the greatest of shape. Good at best. Fair most likely.

This haul was the biggest we’ve had in a while. Underdog Records was celebrating their fifth anniversary and there were sales happening. Remember that Underdog Records is THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Make sure you listen to the latest episode each week (on Wednesday night) to hear the weekly TLD/UDR special.

Discogs is where I keep my collection in check. It’s a great app and tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“All that I have left is the sound of my own breath and then darkness falls so quiet. Here’s a feeling I’ve had many times before. Every time you leave it’s your arms that I bereave then the next time to leave’s yours. I watch the ghosts of your footsteps by our door.” – “Darkness Falls So Quiet” (Atkins)

The Next One or: Not So Bad

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by TGBII in Movie Review

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Bauhaus, Billy Idol, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Devo, Grand Funk Railroad, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal 2000, Journey, Julie Strain, Life, Michael Ironside, Monster Magnet, Movies, Pantera, Percy Rodrigues, Queens of the Stone Age, Rotten Tomatoes, Sammy Hagar, Stevie Nicks, Superfan Damien, System of a Down, The Less Desirables, The Less Desirables Network, Voivod

Salutations™!!

So, whilst doing the social media for The Less Desirables, and on the recommendation of Superfan Damien, I decided to watch Heavy Metal 2000. He was right to a point, The storyline is more linear and makes a little more sense, but it’s really just one story and not pieces. It’s not about the Loc Nar as the first one was. I mean, the Loc Nar is insinuated but, it’s not the focus.

Heavy_Metal_2000_poster

© CinéGroupe, Artisan Filmworks and The Montecito Picture Company

Another thing that’s missing is the cool soundtrack. Yeah, there are songs and yeah, they’re more actual “metal,” but it’s just not got the same feel. Instead of Cheap Trick, Journey, Grand Funk, BOC, Black Sabbath, Sammy Hagar, Devo and Stevie Nicks, we get less memorable songs from Pantera, System of a Down, Voivod, Monster Magnet, Bauhaus, Queens of the Stone Age and Billy Idol, who actually lends his voice to Odin, the guardian of the ancient fountain that gives the bad guy his powers and such. The fountain guardians aren’t the bad guys, by the way. But, is Odin one of them, really? Hmmm… I’m not getting into the plot and all that. The saddest part, though, is that Percy Rodrigues isn’t voiced in this film (he was alive then, couldn’t he have done something?).

The whole thing is kind of disjointed and like I said makes a little more sense, it just isn’t any better. It also is not and was never the cult classic the first one was. The movie rating site, Rotten Tomatoes rates the first one at 61% Fresh (67% Audience Score). This one, however, is a dismal 10% Rotten (36% Audience). Yeah, the more I think about it, it really did suck, pretty much.

The main female character, Julie, is actually modeled after, drawn in the likeness of and voiced by softcore porn actress and 1993 Penthouse Pet of the Year, Julie Strain. Michael Ironside plays the main villain, Tyler.

It’s really a crappy film, but it’s somewhat entertaining when you have to have something going on while you’re doing social media, you know?  Yeah… I guess so.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“What does it take to get laid around here?” – Tyler

Gone Solo or: Many Kisses (Part 2)

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

Posted by TGBII in Music Review, Records

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Ace Frehley, Alive II, Alive!, Allan Schwartzberg, Animalize, Anton Fig, Asylum, Bill Aucoin, Black Sabbath, Bob Kulick, Bob Seger, Bobby Lewis, Camine Appice, Cher, Craig Kampf, David Bowie, David Letterman, Disney, Donna Summer, Double Platinum, Eddie Kramer, Elliot Randall, Eric Carr, Eric Nelson, Gene Simmons, Helen Reddy, Janis Ian, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Jeff Glixman, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Perry, Kansas, Kate Sagal, KISS, Love Gun, Michael Benvenga, Michael Des Barres, Mikel Japp, Music, Neil Jason, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Richie Ranno, Rick Neilsen, Russ Ballard, Sean Delaney, Stan Penridge, Starz, Steely Dan, Steve Buslowe, Steve Lukather, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Toto, Underdog Records, Vini Poncia, Will Lee, Yngwie Malmsteen

Salutations™!!

The month of September is a huge month for KISS fans, even if they don’t know it. Why you may ask? Because the month of September is the anniversary month for the releases of TEN KISS albums. I’ve talked about Alive!, Animalize and Asylum.

20090517004510!Solo_inner_sleeve

©Casablanca Records

Now, today, September 18th is a doozie. In 1978, all four solo albums were released on this day. Three other KISS albums were released on this day as well, we’ll get to those.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the release of all four KISS solo albums. When I got into KISS, I was 7 going on 8 and that’s about when the whole Love Gun, Alive II, Double Platinum era was going on and then these were just coming out. Because of my newness to the band, I didn’t understand what was going on. I thought it was just 4 albums, one featuring songs by each member. I thought that was cool. And, in a way, it was. In other ways, it wasn’t. In many ways, actually.

While I pride myself on knowing my KISStory, at that time I had no such knowledge. I didn’t realize that Peter and Ace were both becoming victims of their own demons and weren’t pulling their own weight. They were constantly being pitted against Gene and Paul and were coming out on the losing side. As would be the case in any partnership/band/biz, that led to dissension. Ace and Peter were becoming more and more disillusioned with the “other side.” Gene and Paul were becoming less and less patient with Ace and Peter. Ace and Peter, whether right or wrong, felt that Gene and Paul were abusing their power and not allowing the others their creative freedom. Peter was threatening to quit as was Ace.  This is not just Gene’s and Paul’s long-heard version of the story, Sean Delaney backed this up when I talked with him several years ago. More on Sean later.

To keep the semblance of the band together, Gene and Paul, along with manager Bill Aucoin proposed that the individual members release their own album under the KISS moniker and let each showcase their influences, skills, desires, etc. Eraldo Carugati did the cover art of each and they looked cohesive, as they were supposed to. To the fans, including the newbies like me, it was to look like a cool thing they did in the name of creativity. I guess it was in some strange instances. They each dedicated their individual albums to each other, except Peter who added a dedication to Michael Benvenga who was in Chelsea and Lips with him, pre-KISS.

Ace’s album was all about the rock. Not, any pop or fluff really, even in the Russ Ballard tune, “New York Groove.” His guest list was not really extensive when you look at the other members’ tracks. He did recruit Anton Fig and Will Lee to play on his album, both of which would go on to be part of The World’s Most Dangerous Band from David Letterman. Fig would go on to be the drummer on the next two KISS studio albums (Dynasty and Unmasked) and when Ace finally blew the joint, he was part of Frehley’s Comet. Ace, being Ace decided he would do most of the other instruments himself, including most of the bass duties (Lee played on “Ozone,” “I’m in Need of Love” and “Wiped-Out”). There’s nothing wrong with that, he did it for the next few KISS albums, at least on his songs. Ace had Eddie Kramer produce his album (Ace co-produced it). Kramer was associated with Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Beatles, and the list goes on. He also produced Alive! and Alive II. “New York Groove” was the only tune from this album that charted (#13). Ace’s was the only album to chart (#26) and was the highest selling.

Peter’s album was about soul, R&B, jazz, and rock and roll. kind of stuff. Peter’s background was in jazz drumming, not necessarily the hard rock that he was known for. His influences were older. Diverse. Most of the tracks on this record were written by Stan Penridge. The credits go to Penridge and Peter, but I’m suspicious of how much Peter actually wrote. He may have done some lyrics, I guess. Peter’s cover of Bobby Lewis’ “Tossin’ and Turnin'” was pretty good. KISS did it on the Dynasty tour, at least for a few shows. It was pretty awful from what I’ve heard of it. But, Sean Delaney wrote two songs on the album (“Rock Me Baby” and “I Can’t Stop the Rain”). What is remarkable about this is Sean actually produced Gene’s solo album but was asked to write for Peter. He did both. Peter had many guest musicians including Steve Lukather of Toto fame, Neil Jason (who also played all the bass on Gene’s album), Penridge, Allan Schwartzberg (who also played on Gene’s album and was credited as “additional drum overdubs” on several of the 80s-era KISS albums) and more. The album was produced by Vini Poncia who produced Dynasty and Unmasked. Incidentally, it’s the only one of the four that had a “credits insert” and the only one that released two singles, even though neither song charted.

Paul’s album has been touted as the “most KISS-like” and I disagree. I think that would be Ace’s (which could be one reason why I like it less). Now, Paul’s has KISS qualities but it sounds like Paul’s KISS songs. The addition of outside musicians changes the feel than that of a KISS album. I think Paul’s has the best-written tunes. A little bit of “Starchild” and a little bit of the “lover” is how I’d describe the album. Ballads, power-ballads, hard rocking tunes and some pop aspects. There’s not a song on this album that I don’t dig. While there are three songs (“Move On,” “Ain’t Quite Right” and “Take Me Away (Together as One)”) that were co-written by Mikel Japp, this is the only one of the four solo albums not to feature a cover tune. Paul had some notable guests on this album. Carmine Appice and Craig Krampf (co-writer of “Oh Sherrie” and session drummer for many big-named artists) on drums, and of course, Bob Kulick on guitar. Steve Buslowe played bass on side one and Eric Nelson on side two. I wonder if that was by design? I find it odd. The album was produced by Jeff Glixman who has worked with Kansas, Yngwie Malmsteen, Black Sabbath and more.

Gene’s album seems, to me, like a huge party. It’s like he gathered all of his friends, girlfriends, a previously-released KISS tune, bits of horror, hard rock, The Beatles and his favorite Disney films and threw himself a shindig. If I knew he wasn’t so straight-edged, that could be the case, but other than a few impromptu orgies, I don’t see the party happening. The album opens with something that reminds one of The Omen and is hellish before hitting the hard rock “Radioactive” which has a very cool (complete with choreographed dissonant passing notes) classical guitar interlude into “Burning Up With Fever” which on the original CD versions put both of those songs together and you had to either just listen through or fast forward to get to the latter. This is the only one of the four that re-recorded a KISS song (“See You In Your Dreams”) because he wasn’t happy with the original that was on Rock and Roll Over. Gene has always maintained that he learned English from watching Disney films. So, while it sticks out like a sore thumb on the album, it makes perfect sense that he’d cover “When You Wish Upon a Star” because hey, it gives him an extra tune and you love what you love, especially when it fits your story. Now, his guest list is incredible. He plays no bass on this album, just acoustic and electric guitar. He leaves the bass work to Neil Jason, who along with Allan Schwartzberg on drums, also played on Peter’s album. Elliot Randall, who is probably best known for his guitar solo on “Reelin’ in the Years” from Steely Dan handles most of the main guitar work but also, Rick Neilsen, Joe Perry, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Richie Ranno of Starz do guest spots. And back up singers? Bob Seger, Helen Reddy, Donna Summer, Cher, Janis Ian, Michael Des Barres and a then-unknown young lady by the name of Kate Sagal (yes, Peggy Bundy) all lent their voices. Sean Delaney, as I said, produced the album. Sean claimed, to me, that he never got paid for that job and that Gene cheated him. Again, that’s an allegation and not necessarily a fact. But, the fact that he and Gene had a falling out about this time and as far as I know never really reconciled, I can see it. It wasn’t my business and I hope they talked before Sean passed away in 2003.

You’ll notice the order in which I talked about the albums. This order is important because it is in reverse order my favorite/preferred list. Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace. I get looks and furrowed brows when I say Ace’s is my least favorite. There are several reasons for this. One, I just am not a huge fan of Ace’s. I feel he squandered an opportunity and let KISS fans down in general. Yes, Peter flaked first and was a little byotch about it. But, I felt we got the better deal because Eric Carr was a much better drummer and a rock drummer at that. Ace’s also is just boring to me. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, it’s just my least favorite. I felt the reason for the solo projects was to show a bit of freedom and influence and step out of the KISS box. If you’re going to sound like KISS, record a KISS album and don’t be a byotch. Peter, Paul and Gene all got experimental and showed range, for better or for worse. Don’t argue, you have your favorites and I have mine!

All four had cool posters that you pieced together and the ones I have on 180g vinyl (from Underdog Records, of course) are pretty good. I had to buy my Paul Stanley used and it is missing the poster. I never had all the posters as a kid, either, so I’m looking for a replacement. I talked earlier about the good and bad of the solo albums. I love them for what they are, in varying degrees. The bad, however, was that no matter how crappy Peter’s performed, he still thought he was better and needed more from KISS. They showed him the door. Ace, on the other hand, got bolder as his album did the best and it proved, at least in his head, that he was more important. I feel he was, but disagree with how he dealt with it. Plus, he and Peter’s demons really got in their way beyond “just ego.” What are your thoughts on the solo albums, Dear Reader? I know you’ll disagree on the Ace placement but it is how I see it.

This got a lot more overly verbose than I expected, so I’ll continue the others either in a separate post for today or just do it tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Until tomorrow (or later today), stay in the Useless Things Groove!
Scorp out!

—
“You were standin’ and I was thinkin’ ff all the time that I spend hangin’ around. Situation could only get better. I got closer to see what I found. In the mornin’, movin’ easy. Everything seems so right. But when the night comes, I’ve been dreamin’… Dreamin’ ’bout leavin’ you one more time. Girl, you gave me good love but it ain’t quite right.” – “Ain’t Quite Right” (Stanley/Japp)

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