Tag Archives: Def Leppard

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/19/20

20 Sunday Dec 2020

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I got up early, ate breakfast outside in the cold at Young Cardinal, went record shopping at our favorite “candy” store, Underdog Records, and listened to good music yesterday. A laid-back and relaxing day. Here’s the haul.

@Mercury

Eels – Daisies Of The Galaxy — The BCPF had Jonathan order this for her. She used to work at Old Salem and when she was preparing the store she worked in for opening, she would play this album to get her in the mood. It takes her back. I can dig it. Eels are a good “band.” It was a fun listen. New.

Def Leppard – High ‘N’ Dry — Def Leppard’s second album, its biggest hit was “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak.” I am not a fan of most of Def Leppard’s early stuff. This album and On Through the Night just don’t do it for me, but I thought it important to own it. It was the last with Pete Willis on guitar before Phil Collen came into the band. New.

The War On Drugs – Future Weather — A six-song EP from one the BCPF’s newest favorite bands. They are a good band, too. New.

Various – Live From High Fidelity: The Best Of The Podcast Performances — Limited Edition, Translucent Green. Limited edition pressing of 1,000 for Record Store Day, 2014. We got it still sealed which means it’s still new even though it was previously owned. The performances were from many indie singers including Grant-Lee Phillips (who was the Troubadour on Gilmore Girls) and Sam Phillips (ex-wife of T-Bone Burnett) who was the “lala” song lady, also from Gilmore Girls. The two Phillips were not related at all.

Donna Summer – She Works Hard For The Money — I’m not sure I have the right version listed here because this is a “club” pressing. CRC which means “Columbia Record Club.” But, I do have it. VG+.

Manos Hadjidakis – Never On Sunday (Original Sound Track Music) — Mono. Original sound track from Jules Dassin’s motion picture “Never On Sunday” staring Melina Mercouri. On the back cover there is a resume of the movie and a profile of Manos Hadjidakis. I love movie soundtracks and even though I’ve not heard of this film, why not? It was like $3 and while it’s from 1960, it’s still sealed. The cover shows wear but I’m sure the vinyl is in NM condition.

That’s the haul. Short but sweet. Don’t forget to get yourself or a loved one (or tell your loved ones you want one) an Underdog Records Gift “Certificate.” They’re done on old 45RPM records. It’s cool. It helps Jonathan. It makes a great gift. Do it! Shop for new vinyl day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Use Discogs to keep track of your collections, no matter the format.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Onetta there in the corner stands and wonders where she is. And it’s strange to her, some people seem to have everything. Nine A.M. on the hour hand and she’s waiting for the bell. And she’s looking real pretty just wait for her clientele.” – “She Works Hard For the Money” (Omartian/Summer)

Spinning Sunday or: Record Store Day Drop One

30 Sunday Aug 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a national holiday for record collectors, although it didn’t feel like it. In recent years, I would have camped out overnight in front of Underdog Records in anticipation of Record Store Day. And, it would have been mid- to late-April. But, all that went out the window with C-19. RSD was postponed and then they decided to do it in three drops. One each in August, September, and October. Jonathan did the right thing and set it up in a lottery system where interested parties registered to enter. There were over 100 entries, maybe close to 200. Only 36 slots were available: 3 people every 15 minutes from 8am (the normal start time for RSD) and 11am. Underdog then closed and Jonathan took an inventory of the leftovers and, also for the first time, he was able to sell RSD titles online the day of.rsd drops

I was lucky enough to draw one of the spots. I was a 1015am slot. No overnight camping was allowed, which I don’t mind missing at all, I just missed hanging with my friends. And, no mad scramble for records, although with our crew (or Crüe as we call it), it was fun to do that together. All of these are new and I include (where applicable) the limited issue. So, with that in mind, here’s the haul:

  • Iggy Pop – Kiss My Blood (Live At The Olympia – Paris France – 1991 — Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, limited to 2,500 copies. Includes printed inner sleeves, a tour poster, and a DVD of the live concert. 3xLP Gray/Red/Gray. New.
  • Ace Frehley – Trouble Walkin’ — Record Store Day 2020 first release, limited to 2,400. 2XLP, 45 RPM, Yellow/Orange splatter. First time on vinyl since 1989. I only owned it on CD, much later.
  • The Cure – Bloodflowers — Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, limited to 7,500 copies. 2xLP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue. I don’t usually do picture discs because a) they sound atrocious and b) they tear the poop out of my needle. But, this album isn’t available on vinyl right now unless you find an old copy.
  • Judas Priest – British Steel — Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, limited to 3,500. 2xLP, Single Sided, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue. Side A is on Record 1, and Side B is on Side A of Record 2. Sides B & D are printed on creating the illusion of a picture disc. Tracklisting on the packaging differs from what is listed on RSD’s website. I’m not sure how this works, I haven’t opened the albums. I got this mainly for the collectability of it.
  • Throwing Muses – Purgatory Paradise — Record Store Day 2020 first release, limited to 950 copies. 2xLP, Reissue. I don’t know that this album (released in 2013) was released on vinyl originally. I think that’s what the first release means. This was a pick from The BCPF.
  • k.d. lang – Drag — Record Store Day Aug 2020 edition. Smoky grey vinyl. 2xLP, 3 sides recorded, side 4 etched “drag.” Special Edition. k.d. lang (I love the lowercase styling) has an amazing voice.
  • Fight – A Small Deadly Space — Record Store Day 29 Aug 2020 exclusive. First-ever vinyl reissue. Limited Edition, Red & Black Marble. For those who don’t know, Fight was the band that Rob Halford started after he left Judas Priest in 1992. This is their second album.
  • Martin Denny – Exotic Moog —  Limited Edition, Reissue, Orange. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive, limited to 1,500 copies. Originally released in 1969.
  • Tones On Tail – Pop — Limited Edition, Reissue. RSD 2020 Release. Limited to 1500 copies. We didn’t get this from Underdog Records. I had talked to someone from the Crüe that I knew had an earlier time slot and I knew that this was on his list. Another part of RSD is you’re only allowed to buy one of each title. I also didn’t know how many copies Jonathan got in, so another member of the Crüe had to go to another store (he didn’t get drawn) and was first in line (that store did allow people to gather) and picked it up for me. This was The BCPF’s “must-have” from the list.
  • Al Green – Green Is Blues — Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Green/Blue Split, 180g. First released for Record Store Day 2020 with an initial pressing of 3,000 copies, of which 500 were sold in the UK. Housed in a tip-on jacket. This means the pictures are glued onto the card stock.
  • The Pale Fountains – Longshot For Your Love — Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue. RSD 2020 release reissue limited to 900 Copies. Black vinyl disc issued in a gatefold sleeve. With inner sleeve featuring liner notes & lots of photographs. This was confusing. Musically it is amazing. Vocally it was awful. The music wins.
  • Roxy Music – Roxy Music — Reissue, Clear, 180 Gram, Gatefold. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, limited to 4,000, gatefold cover. This release is listed as “Roxy Music – The Steven Wilson Stereo Mix“ on RSD’s website, but that title does not appear on the front cover or spine. So, I don’t know if it really is the Steven Wilson stereo mix or not. Some copies with “Made in the Czech Republic” sticker on the back. Mine had that. The debut album from the band in 1972.
  • Gorillaz – G Sides — Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, 180g. Limited to 15,000 worldwide copies according to Record Store Day. Printed inner sleeve. I don’t have any Gorillaz and I don’t know a single tune by them. I figured now is a good time to listen to some of it.
  • Pretenders – Live! At The Paradise Theater, Boston, 1980 — Limited Edition, Reissue, Clear / Red. RSD Drop, August 29, 2020 release. Limited edition of 6500 copies. It’s in a vinyl plastic sleeve that smells like pool floats and beach balls. I dug it. The record is awesome, too.
  • k.d. lang and the reclines – Angel With A Lariat — Limited Edition, Translucent Red, Reissue. Reissue of her 1987 sophomore effort.
  • Tom Tom Club – Genius of Live 2020 — Compilation. Record Store Day 2020. Exclusive limited to only 1200 pressed on yellow vinyl.
  • Dio – Annica — 12″. Picture Disc. Officially released on August 29th, 2020 for Record Store Day. The sticker still lists the date for RSD as April 18, 2020, which was postponed. Limited to 3000 copies. Again, this is more for the collectibility of it than to listen to. I’m not a fan of 12″ single nor picture discs (as I stated).
  • The Charlatans UK – The Charlatans V. The Chemical Brothers — 12″,  Limited Edition, Reissue, Yellow. Record Store Day 2020. Limited to 500 copies. The Chemical Brothers remixed this 12″.
  • Def Leppard – Rock N Roll Hall of Fame — Limited Edition, Special Edition. Released for the first Record Store Day “Drops” 2020. Limited to 4000 copies. Includes a hype sticker. Recorded last year in the Barclay Center during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
  • Ultravox – Sleepwalk — 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Clear. Record Store Day 2020 edition: first time on UK 12″. Cover sticker states Ultravox. 40th Anniversary. 12″ Clear Vinyl Exclusive Sleepwalk. Limited Edition Record Store Day. Rear Cover states: Taken from the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of VIENNA. Note: only one pressing of this has been manufactured for worldwide distribution and there are no separate releases for any specific country. 1,200 copies only.
  • New Riders Of The Purple Sage – Field Trip — Limited Edition, Black. Recorded live at Temple Meadow – Veneta, Oregon August 27, 1972. Taken directly from the original 16-track analog master reel-to-reel tapes running at 15 I.P.S. Previously released as “Veneta, Oregon August 27, 1972” (KUFALA Recordings- KUF 0088) in 2004. Record Store Day Release limited to 1500 copies. I know this is probably a blasphemous statement, but I have never heard of NRPS other than some passing something here and there. I don’t know that if I ever had heard it or anything from them, I wouldn’t know it was them. So, why not check it out?
  • Various – Girls In The Garage Volume 8 — Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition. Some of the artists on this are Claire Lane, The Beas, The Liverbirds, Marilyn Mattson, Shammy And The Famous Ruis Family, Die Sweetles, What Four and Judy Came, just to name a few.

The next two were not part of the RSD releases but we picked them up while we were in the store:

  • Fantastic Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? — My Kousin Gary turned me on to this during the recording of Asylum: The Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast last week. It’s hard to put him in a genre but you can include, blues, R&B, and some roots stuff. It’s a great listen and The BCPF loved it as well. New.
  • Rolling Blackouts C.F. – Hope Downs — The BCPF really liked the first album we got from Rolling Blackouts C.F. (which was their second album) so she wanted this one (their first), too. New.

I know this was all long and I won’t go into any long-winded diatribe things. Checkout Underdog Records’ website, listen to Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast (and The Less Desirables and The Man Who Ate the Town and… well, the whole TLD Network) and use Discogs for cataloging and collecting!

Until tomorrow, whew! Keep spininn’!
Scorp out!

—
“Have you lost your mind yet? To get free tonight, ah. To all of your friends that come over, uh. And get free tonight, uh. Clap your hands in time. Get free tonight, yeah. Now the whole world is watching. Get free tonight. It’s your mind, body and soul food tonight. Let your mind, body and soul feel it tonight.” – “Chocolate Samurai” (Dphrepaulezz)

Now Normal Chronicles or: A Mild Case…

04 Tuesday Aug 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was the 33rd anniversary of Def Leppard’s Hysteria album. It’s my favorite from the band. It gets a lot of flack because it’s produced and slick and all that mess but it sounds awesome to me. I picked this because I always thought it was overlooked. Plus, it’s a cool Japanese band doing it. I like it. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!!

—
“In the beginning God made the land, then He made the water and creatures, then He made man. He was born with a passion, love and hate. A restless spirit with a need for a mate. But there was something that was missing, something lost. So he came with the answer, here’s what it cost. One part love, one part wild. One part lady, one part child.” – “Women” (Elliott/Savage/Collen/Clark/Lange)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 5/30/20

31 Sunday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

RHCP-BSSM

©Warner Bros

YES! You read that correctly. The “haul” and not the “listen.” I haven’t decided yet if I’ll put what I’ve listened to in the last week. You’ll know by the time the end of this blog post happens. So, back to what this means. It means that Underdog Records is back open! It also means that there are a lot of new restrictions that you have to abide by to enter the store. Only five customers are allowed in at a time and each must wear a mask and you get a squirt of hand sanitizer when you walk in and other than cash, all forms of payment are “touchless.” I’m good with all of that.

As I’ve said on the podcasts, I’m not sure that I’m ready to reinsert myself into society just yet. I know Jonathan really didn’t want to open this early but, the need kind of superseded his “want.” When we were there (just after 11am), there was one guy in the store. He left and one of my friends walked in. Soon after that, one more person came, got what was being held for them, and walked out. A gentleman and his son came in and we talked about my Pittsburgh Steelers mask and that was it. Jonathan has spaced the “freshly used” section so the rows that aren’t right up against each other. It was a great “first experience back.” To tell the truth, other than smothering in my mask, it was so great to be back. Now that that was more long-winded than I expected. Let’s do this haul!

  • The Smiths – Louder Than Bombs — Although I skipped most of the compilation albums on the RS list, I stated in my review that I “broke my own rule” and listened to it. The BCPF is huge on the Smiths and my views on them have changed since then, too. I enjoy them… at least in small doses. This is #369 on that list. 2xLP. New.
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik — #310 on the RS list, this is my favorite (and to most extents the only one I like) RHCP album. The first time I ever played and “slap bass” in front of anyone was on “Suck My Kiss.” I still love that song. It’s 2xLP and is probably about 5 songs too long, but I don’t mind it. New.
  • R.E.M. – Document — #462 on the RS list, this has some really good stuff on it: “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” “Finest Worksong,” “Oddfellows Local 151” and “The One I Love.” The latter being one of the most misunderstood “love songs” I know of along with “Every Breath You Take” from the Police and “You’re All I Need” from Motley Crue. These songs are not love songs, people. New.
  • Yo La Tengo – Summer Sun — Yo La Tengo is one of The BCPF’s bands. I can’t tell you much about them except that they scatter their styles and I don’t mean just album to album. They are basically all over the place on each album, too. She digs them, so there. 2xLP. New.
  • Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass — Same as before. She said this was one of her faves in college. 2xLP. New.
  • Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See — I know nothing about Mazzy Star. This is another of The BCPF’s doing. I know they are a California band and a female lead singer. That’s all I know. This is a reissue and new.
  • Bauhaus – In The Flat Field — Yet another fave of The BCPF. I knew the name of the band when I met her and heard “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” and their cover of “Ziggy Stardust,” and knew of Peter Murphy and more intently Love and Rockets (all from SiriusXM’s 1st Wave) before I met The BCPF. So, basically, you take Peter Murphy and David J from the band and you have Tones On Tail. Insert David J back and you get Love and Rockets. This was their (Bauhaus) debut album. Reissue. New.
  • Bauhaus – Mask —  Their second album and ditto on the previous entry. New.
  • Def Leppard – On Through The Night — The debut album from Def Leppard. I know this is the favorite DL album of several of my friends. I don’t get that. It’s good. But, even The BCPF (who admittedly doesn’t listen to this kind of music) asked after it was played, “that was Def Leppard? That didn’t sound like them.” I liked the more polished, hit-driven Def Leppard better. New.
  • Coldplay – A Rush Of Blood To The Head — The sophomore effort from Martin & Co. which is the follow-up to one of my all-time favorite albums, Parachutes. This has some great stuff on it but isn’t its predecessor by any means. That doesn’t excuse the fact that this album is on the RS list at #466. New.
  • Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters — I will admit that I am not a huge FF fan but I respect the heck out of them. I want to like them and love watching documentaries and specials about the band. Songs from this album, though, I really do like. I have it on CD and now I have it on vinyl. Yay me! New.
  • Superchunk – Here’s Where The Strings Come In — Another fave of The BCPF and one that I have actually seen (I think twice) live with my girl. They put on a good live show. It’s not flashy as I’d prefer but it is high energy. I don’t know about this album but she saw it and wanted it. ‘Nuff said. New.
  • Verdi – Great Men Of Music — It was in the used section but it was still in shrink wrap and is in NM condition so I’m going to say it’s new. It’s a box set with 4xLP.
  • The Coup – Coup De Grace — There is nothing that I can find about this band online. This is a cut-out but sealed copy. It’s listed as “classic rock” on Discogs. That’s what I know. I’ll report when I know more. NM.
  • Patty Smyth – Never Enough — Smyth’s debut solo album after leaving Scandal. NM/EX.
  • Eric Carmen – Boats Against The Current — This album is chock-full of big-name guests from the 70s/80s. Ollie Brown, Andrew Gold, Jeff Porcaro, Bobby Keys, Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnson from the Beach Boys, etc. It’s a sealed cut-out and is listed in NM/VG++.
  • Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper – The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper — Another I know nothing about but according to Wikipedia: “The performances, recordings and production cannot be described as flawless; in his sleeve notes, Kooper describes the difficulties of finding rehearsal space, Bloomfield’s insomnia,[1] and the failure of a vocal microphone during “Dear Mr Fantasy”; the track “I Wonder Who” is faded during a Bloomfield solo for no apparent reason. Nevertheless, the album remains an important, if raw, document of a live blues-rock performance of the period and, apart from its intrinsic qualities, is notable not only for one of the earliest live recordings by Carlos Santana but also for Bloomfield’s debut as a vocalist.” It’s kind of beat up and is listed as VG.
  • Commodores – In The Pocket — It is the last Commodores album to feature Lionel Richie, as he left the band to start a solo career the following year. I wish I had blue jeans with The Less Desirables logo embroidered on it like on this cover of this album. NM/EX.
  • Saint-Saëns / Charles Dutoit, Montreal Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 Organ — I love Camille Saint-Saëns. I don’t know how I feel about the organ part, but I love his work. We’ll see how this goes. It’s NM/EX.
  • Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells — This album celebrated its 47th anniversary on Monday. I have heard about it but don’t know much about it. The vinyl is VG+, the cover is VG.

So, this is a huge haul. It was necessary, at least to me. I needed that. My spirit raised exponentially. To see and talk with Jonathan was amazing, even if I couldn’t and didn’t shake his hand. Being able to rummage the bins was therapeutic. Jonathan will still be doing deliveries and the store will only be open a few days a week but when it is, it will be regular store hours. You can follow him on the social channels and you can always purchase new vinyl any time, day or night, by visiting the Underdog Records website. We haven’t quite gotten back to the TLD/UR special of the week but we are hoping to, soon. Thank you, Jonathan, for keeping it going. I loved my visit to the candy store. Also, I use Discogs to track my collection and it has come in handy for random listening.

To that, I think I have decided that as long as I am working mostly from home that I will continue to use the random method that I have been using and will use Monday’s post for reporting that. I know my blog has become more music-based with anniversaries and such, but music is and has always been such a bit part of my life that I think it fits. Speaking of music and what I do, I have a couple of podcast projects in the works that are music-focused. I’ll certainly talk about it here. You know I will.

So, until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“So, if there’s something you’d like to try… If there’s something you’d like to try, ask me, I won’t say no, how could I?” – “Ask” (Marr/Morrissey)

 

 

Now Normal Chronicles or: Is This Nowhere?

14 Thursday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the anniversary of several albums. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere from Neil Young & Crazy Horse (#210 on the RS list) celebrates 51 years today. The Carpenters’ self-titled third album is 49. Relics: A Bizarre Collection of Antiques & Curios, a compilation album from Pink Floyd is also 49. Little Queen, the second album from Heart is 43 today. Breaking All the Rules from Peter Frampton is 39. Combat Rock from The Clash is 38. Chicago 17, my personal favorite Chicago album is 36. Spellbound, the second album from Paula Abdul is 29. Slang, the sixth studio album from Def Leppard is 24 as is Long Line from Peter Wolf and All This Useless Beauty from Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Maladroit from Weezer and Down the Road from Van Morrison and Vapor Trails from Rush are all 18 today.  That’s a lot of albums. The last three were released the day before my son was born. I guess you can figure what tomorrow’s post will be about, huh? Anywhat! This is what I decided to play today. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Loneliness is such a sad affair. And I can hardly wait to be with you again. What to say to make you come again? Come back to me again and play your sad guitar.” – “Superstar” (Bramlett/Russell)

Spinning Sunday or: The Listens 4/18/20

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

As has been the case for the last month, we haven’t really gotten anything new because Underdog Records is affected just like everything else in the world right now. So, in the spirit of “normalcy,” or the “Now Normal” that I call it, I used my listening time during the week hitting Discogs’ awesome shuffle feature and picked albums that I have and streamed them. I pay for Napster (the same that used to be arsehats and cheat artists out of their money, but they’re legit – they used to be Rhapsody) and the artists get paid for my listens, so yay for that. So, here’s what I listened to this week under headphones (not counting what I listened to for Beeswax Vinyl & More):

ListeningCollage419

That’s a pretty good “listens” list, I think. Then yesterday, The BCPF and I got to listen to some records. We did our usual alternating turns and it was all “random grab” via Discogs shuffle. Here’s that list (in no particular order):20200419_113623

That’s my listening for the week. I really cannot wait until Underdog Records opens back up. This is really hard. It’s like having to ween off candy. Jonathan is my “candy man” and the records my candy. Well, you can still purchase things from him. Just go to their Instagram and Facebook pages and see what he’s putting out for sale. He’ll deliver to you, either personally or ship them to you. You can shop via the Underdog Records website, as well. You can also purchase one of the new Underdog Records t-shirts and proceeds go to Underdog Records to help them stay afloat. See how here.

You see the marvel of Discogs already in this post.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“You are here and warm but I could look away and you’d be gone. ‘Cause we live in a time when meaning falls in splinters from our lives. And that’s why I’ve traveled far, ’cause I come so together where you are.” – “Sentimental Lady” (Welch)

A Week of Albums or: Remember…

12 Wednesday Feb 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 40th anniversary of Bryan Adams’ first album, which was titled, Bryan Adams. Forty years. I saw BAdams a few years back with Eugene when we went to Raleigh to watch him and Def Leppard. He sounded really good. I don’t know when this video was shot but he’s playing bass and there’s only three of them. This is probably my second favorite Bryan Adams song. “Run to You” is my first. But, this is a great tune. It sounds so… well, “Canadian.” Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“It’s hard to believe that I held her up and then she let me down. It’s all the same to me but she broke my heart and left me spinnin’ ’round and ’round and ’round – Ohh… Remember the time we spent together.” – “Remember” (Vallance/Adams)

Happy Birthday, Pops or: A Cool Bday Share

08 Wednesday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is my dad’s birthday. I got to talk to him a little bit and I’m glad he’s here for me to do that. He’s a great man and no matter how hard I try I’ll never be the man he is. But, he lets me be the man I am and that’s awesome, too. But, he shares a birthday with several names in music.

Luther Perkins (who was guitarist for the Tennessee Three, Johnny Cash’s band), Shirley Bassey (singer of three James Bond theme songs), Cristy Lane (country and gospel singer), Robbie Krieger (guitarist from The Doors), Terry Sylvester (The Hollies), Mike Reno (singer from Loverboy), Paul Hester (of Split Enz and Crowded House), Dave Weckl (drummer for Paul Simon, Madonna, George Benson, Michel Camilo, Robert Plant,  Anthony Jackson and Chick Corea Elektric Band), Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone), R. Kelly, Torry Castellano (drummer of The Donnas), and probably a few more.

The two big ones, though, in my opinion, are Elvis Presley and David Bowie. That’s the two that I always talk about, but that list is pretty impressive. So, since it’s Bowie’s birthday, too, well, here’s a little something for you. Enjoy and happy birthday, Pop!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Ziggy played for time, jiving us that we were Voodoo. The kids was just crass. He was the naz. With God-given ass. He took it all too far, but boy, could he play guitar.” – “Ziggy Stardust” (Bowie)

It Ain’t Funky or: Rose Tattoo (Eugeology Entry 44)

10 Friday Nov 2017

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Salutations™!!

Last week, I actually dug what Eugene was throwing down. Much better than the previous week’s anyway. This week kind of reverts to the previous week. Oh, Jon, where art thou!? Let’s hit it.

RoseTattooSelf

©Repertoire

 

#44 – Rose Tattoo by Rose Tattoo.

“They” talk about Def Leppard being a cursed band. And, they very well could be. But, this band from Australia, called Rose Tattoo, may be even more so. This is almost reminiscent of the cast and crew of the film The Conqueror (1956). In that film – produced by Howard Hughes – the cast, the director and a few others, all were diagnosed and eventually died or was dying from cancer. The theory of that was that they filmed on a nuclear test site in Utah and when they moved back to California to do the set scenes, they moved some of the radioactive dirt there, too, so the sets would match. I’m not saying they did the same thing, recorded in a contamination zone, or anything. But, all but two members of the band (the singer Angry Anderson and replacement bassist (but most prominent) Gordie Leach), eventually died from cancer. Weird and scary stuff, I say.

Anywhat! The original bass player (and one of the cancer victims), Ian Rilen left after the initial recording sessions to form the legendary punk band, X. I say legendary. If I’ve heard of them and don’t listen to that style, I say it’s legendary. It’s my blog, I win. That’s why Leach came in and recorded most of the bass lines for the album.

I think I was unfair in the intro when I said this reverted back to the prior week’s sentiment, but that’s not really true. I like this better than Deep Purple. Not a whole lot, but I do. Again, I think it goes to the singer. Angry Anderson has a strong voice with a lot of range, but I just don’t like listening to him sing a few songs on the album. For the most part, though, he does a decent job. The musicianship on the album is pretty good. I don’t hear a whole lot of bass as it’s buried deep behind the rest of the mayhem going on, but I’m sure I’d miss it if it weren’t there.

I think what bothers me the most is that it is a bit noisy and punkish. Just a bunch of hurried nonsense at times. It doesn’t sound bad, it just isn’t “me.” That being said, there are times when I do enjoy it. For example, I do like “Butcher and Fast Eddy” and “Stuck on You,” especially. It could be that they’re not trying to slap me in the face but have some song design. And, they mention the band and album title in the latter.

Another reason for my apprehension could be my disdain for slide “blues” guitar and Peter Wells plays that (it’s his official designation) throughout the album. Mick Cocks is credited as both lead and rhythm guitarist for this album. Dallas “Digger” Royall is a solid drummer but there’s nothing too flashy about him. That is probably a good thing. He’s straight-forward and on it.

So, I guess what I’m saying is that I didn’t mind it. I liked it better than Deep Purple. Perhaps what I’m questioning is why it’s on this list. That was something that I asked regularly on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time list. Why? It’s definitely not as good as most of the previous albums and while I liked it I’m thinking it’s not even as good as some of the ones that I didn’t like. I am going to assume that it’s here as a “possible gem.” If you remember the list is called Eugeology: Eugene’s List of Hard Rock Albums and Possible Gems. Bottom line, I don’t really care for it but I see its merit as a good album for those into that. I’m not. It did have some good moments for me but overall, I’m not a fan. Thanks, though, Eug, for introducing me. Jon. Well, Jon.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Got tattooed arms and rings in my ears. Never gonna suffer a straight man’s fears. Better have a drink, crankin’ with the mates. Movin’ fast I’m gonna make the grade. That’s why they call me one of the boys.” – “One of the Boys” (Leach, Anderson, Royall, Wells, Cocks)

Behind the Times or: Missed It By ‘That’ Much

07 Monday Aug 2017

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Salutations™!!

This is one of those “to make you feel old posts.” This past Thursday, when I was posting the review of the latest Eugeology entry, I totally forgot the mention that it was the 30th anniversary of Def Leppard’s Hysteria album. Yeah, take that in, again… 30 years.

hysteria

©Mercury Records/UMe

 

The album was #464 on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time. Here’s what I wrote when I reviewed it:

I was 17 going on 18 when this album came out.  My high school years were summed up around that time.  The entire first side (thinking of the cassette copy I wore out) was awesome with the screaming guitar of “Women” to the processed drums of “Rocket” to the bright sounds of “Animal” and the dark torture of “Love Bites” and the saccharine-flavor of “Pour Some Sugar On Me” to the clever play on words of “Armageddon It.”  Side one of this album by the “World’s Most Cursed Band” really did rock my 17-year old behind! “Gods of War” had one of the coolest, yet simplest basslines of my youth.  The title track was the best thing on Side Two for me.  Side One plus two songs on Side Two makes a damn fine album.  The rest of the songs are ok, but nothing that knocks me over. DUG IT!

It was a great time in my life. Innocent. I loved the album, at least side one. I wore that out. I also wore out the CD. Now, I own it on vinyl as well. This was Def Leppard for me. Yeah, I get Pyromania and all that, but it doesn’t move me like this one did. High and Dry was okay, but it was a little rough for me. I have never made any bones about my favor of slick production over raw and rough production. Robert “Mutt” Lange slicked this up like nobody’s business. And, remember, Rick Allen had already lost his arm and yet he pulled this performance off with flying colors. Yes, the drums are processed and they’re electronic but at that time, it was all they could really do. Yes, it was

Yes, the drums are processed and they’re electronic but at that time, it was all they could really do. Yes, it was heavy on the synths and keyboards, but I love that stuff, too. Seven singles from the album were released. “Women” was the first for the US. It only made it to #80 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then, “Animal” which made it to #19 on that chart. The title track was up next and made it to #10. The album’s (and the band’s) biggest hit ever came next: “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” Oddly enough, even though “Sugar” has the distinction of being the band’s biggest name song, it only made it to #2. The sad anti-ballad “Love Bites” was next and that rode the “sugar wave” all the way to #1; the band’s only #1 in their career, thus far.  Still riding the high, “Armageddon It” made it to #3 and then “Rocket” to #12.

It has sold over 25 million copies and is certified 12x Platinum (diamond level), according to the RIAA. It is about #23 on the all-time album sales in the USA. It lasted a long time on the charts as a whole and it seemed it wasn’t going away. It wasn’t, I suppose. I was quite okay with that.

I’d never say it was a favorite of mine, overall, but I will say it’s my favorite Def Leppard album. Happy 30th to you, my high school friend. See you in another 30 (and before).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“In the beginning, God made the land. Then He made the water and creatures, then He made Man. He was born with a passion, love and hate. A restless spirit with a need for a mate. But there was something that was missing, something lost. So he came with the answer, here’s what it cost: One part love, one part wild, one part lady, one part child. I give you: Women.” – “Women” (Elliott, Savage, Collen, Clark, Lange)