Tag Archives: Starz

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul?

31 Sunday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

So, yesterday we actually pull the smallest haul ever, for us, from Underdog Records. It’s the end of the month and funds are tight so we looked through the $1 bin and found three records that we wanted and brought them home. Each surprisingly was in VG and dare I say VG+ condition even though none of the three had inner sleeves. Here’s what we got:

Attention_Shoppers!

©Capitol Records

That’s it! There were plenty of good things that had just come out or was in the “freshly used” bins but we stuck with a minimalist approach. Don’t forget that Record Store Day is on April 13 and the list is long! Underdog Records will be stocking nearly the entire list (according to availability as some are limited quantities). You can see the entire list HERE. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week. And once, we get our RSD titles, we’ll throw them on Discogs and into our collection!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning!
Scorp out!

—
“A stranger came to town his eyes were dark and cold as if to hide something that he did long ago. He took up with a girl who made the evening rounds, had no friends and wanted none. The people on the street just knew him by name of Johnny All Alone.” – “Johnny All Alone” (Starz)

Gone Solo or: Many Kisses (Part 2)

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

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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)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/21/18

22 Sunday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

It was a big week from Underdog Records this time around. Not just yesterday but Friday as well. Jonathan had purchased a large number of records and immediately went in and pulled all the $1 records to go ahead and get those out for sale. I happened across them and snatched about 13 $1 records that I couldn’t let get past me. Here’s what we got:

Eat_Em_And_Smile_Cover

©Warner Bros.

  • Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique — #156 on the RS list. 3B is really into rap/hip-hop so I’m going to show him the stuff that happened before the current trend of mumbling that’s going on. New
  • Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures — The BCPF is a Joy Division fan. She wanted it and, by golly, I like giving her things she wants. Although I am somewhat familiar with Joy Division, I’d say this was like a cross between The Doors and Talking Heads with dark sprinkles on top. It was a great album, though. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Paranoid — #131 on the RS list. I never really cared for Black Sabbath, as a whole, but the more I listen, the more I like. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike them, I just didn’t care one way or the other. I liked Ozzy’s solo stuff. I also liked the Sabbath “hits,” just not the album stuff. Or at least I thought that was the case. It wasn’t, ultimately. “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “Planet Caravan” and “War Pigs.” ‘Nuff said! New.
  • Talking Heads – More Songs About Buildings And Food — #383 on the RS List. I filled quite a few slots on that list this week. This isn’t my favorite Heads album but it’s not bad. I think my only frown on this is that it has the much-overplayed “Take Me to the River.” And, even that isn’t too awful. New.
  • The Beatles – Yellow Submarine — Trying to build up my Beatles collection, too. I also bought a copy of Rubber Soul but I’m going to take that back because it’s the crappy US version and I want the far superior UK version. The songs on this album are great, of course, because it’s the Beatles on drugs. That was the best period or at least my favorite period. I really think George Martin’s orchestrations on the second side are beautiful. VG+
  • Patti Smith – Horses — #44 on the RS list. I caught this one being graded by Jonathan and snatched it right away. It was a great album and we enjoyed listening to it. VG.
  • Cheap Trick – Heaven Tonight — Trying to get caught up on my Cheap Trick needs and this a step in the right direction. It doesn’t make up for my missing In Color both because it’s my favorite CT album but also because it’s on the RS list. But, that being said, this is a fantastic album. VG+.
  • Alice Cooper – Flush The Fashion — I always run my Alice acquisitions by Eugene because he’s my “Alice Guru.” I sent him a picture of this (and the next) and he sent back his approval. I told him that I’m upping my “Alice Game.” He was a happy camper. VG.
  • Alice Cooper – Alice Cooper Goes To Hell — As with the last one, Eug was happy, although less enthused about this as Flush. But, it’s another notch in my Alice collection. VG+.
  • After The Fire – ATF — You know I’m not afraid to buy an entire album for one song, especially when it’s $1 or $2. I did for this one. “Der Kommissar” is on this album and I love their version. It was VG.
  • Elton John – Greatest Hits — #136 on the RS List. Being as it’s a compilation, I didn’t listen when I did the list, but, I didn’t have to, I have had it on CD for many, many, many years. It’s jammed-packed with “hits” and darn good ones, too. VG/VG+.
  • Styx – Crystal Ball — I know Styx gets crapped on all the time, but you know what? I’m unashamedly a fan. Rabid fan? Nah. But, I dig their stuff. It was Tommy Shaw’s debut with the band and he sang the album’s only Top 40 hit, “Mademoiselle.” It was a $1 bin find and in fairly good shape. I’ll go with VG.
  • U2 – Boy — I believe this was one of my two favorite $1 bin finds of the weekend. It’s #417 on the RS list and is, of course, U2’s debut album from 1980. Even though it was in the $1 bin, it’s in really good shape. VG/VG+.
  • Starz  – Starz — Another one that I ran by Eug because he’s also my “Starz Guru.” He sent back “Excellent! Every Starz album is awesome.” So, I’m taking that as it is a win! $1 bin find and VG.
  • Greg Kihn Band – Rockihnroll — Another that I purchased for one song, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em).” Again, it was only $1 so why not? VG.
  • Berlin – Pleasure Victim — I love Terri Nunn’s voice. That, plus this being a $1 pulled me to purchase the album, but it also has “Sex (I’m A…),” “Masquerade” and “The Metro” and you just can’t go wrong with those tunes. VG.
  • Chic – C’est Chic —  “Le Freak” for $1. Okay. VG.
  • Paul Revere & The Raiders – Paul Revere & The Raiders’ Greatest Hits — $1 bin find. VG.
  • The Raiders – Indian Reservation — $1 bin find. VG.
  • John Cougar – Nothin’ Matters And What If It Did — I don’t recognize any of the song titles on this 1980 album but it was $1 and it had Edith Massey on the cover which makes it something I can’t pass up. Massey played Edie the woman obsessed with eggs and the “Egg Man” in John Waters’ film Pink Flamingos. The BCPF considers this her favorite most hated film, ever. It’s in G+ condition.
  • Tom T. Hall – We All Got Together And… — I have really gotten into the country “crap” that I had to listen to from Ma Père growing up. Tom T. Hall was one of those. $1 and G+.
  • Tom T. Hall – For The People In The Last Hard Town – Same as the previous, it’s Tom T. Hall and it has “I Love” on it, so that helps. $1 and VG.
  • The Call – Reconciled — I’m familiar with the name The Call but not the music, at least that I know of. I do know they’re one of those mid- to late-80s pop bands that I like so much, so let’s try it out. It’s only $1 and in VG.
  • The Call – Into The Woods — As is the case with the last one, $1 and VG.
  • The Who – Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy — Compilation album in which the outer sleeve is in dreadful condition. It looks like it had lain in the snow for an entire winter, all puffed and bubbly. The vinyl looks to be in decent condition but I’m rating it at about G+ and it was $1.
  • David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile — The other that I am very excited about. I loved this album from the first time I ever heard it and when I moved to WSNC, it was the first time that I had MTV at my disposal and the video for “Yankee Rose” was one of my favorites! The whole thing was awesome and fun to listen to. It was in the $1 bin but I’m going with VG/VG+, even, because I think it is great shape.
  • Miles Davis – In Person, Friday Night At The Blackhawk, San Francisco, Volume I — Remember from many months back when I came across that bonus stack of records that I didn’t even know I had had for? This was part of that. There is still a huge stack of jazz and classical albums I haven’t even gone through, yet, but I am (very) slowly getting through that and this was one that I dug out for this week. I know nothing of it. I’m going with VG.

Whew! That was a large addition week. Jonathan is taking on some hired help to get Underdog Records up to the next level. He says he probably has tons of sellable inventory that he can’t get to because he’s stuck behind the counter and already works a shload of hours that he just can’t keep up with it all. I can’t wait to see what comes from his findings because I’ve gone through all the used stuff that he’s had for the last bit. But, it should bring in new customers when he (and I because I do a lot of advertising for him) starts advertising the stuff on Underdog Records’ social media platforms. So, be on the lookout!!

I didn’t add any Discogs Marketplace acquisitions this week but I did do some dealings with them. You’ll find out more about those when I get them. It will be good stuff. But, use it to keep track of your collection; it’s a great tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning!
Scorp out!

—
“I was on the outside when you said you said you needed me. I was looking at myself, I was blind, I could not see. A boy tries hard to be a man. His mother takes him by the hand. If he stops to think, he starts to cry. Oh, why? If you walk away, walk away, I walk away, walk away. I will follow.” – “I Will Follow” (Hewson/Evans/Mullen/Clayton)

What!? Whatta You Want? or: Special Forces (Eugeology Entry 16)

27 Thursday Apr 2017

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Salutations™!!

Acforces

©Warner Bros.

Note: I had gotten off on my sequential order. I fixed it. Just so you know. So… Another great one last week, Starz. I gotta be on the lookout for that on vinyl, really. Jon and Eugene are playing catch up. We’ll get their reviews soon. But for now, let’s get to probably the most head-scratching entry we have had on this list yet.

#16 – Special Forces by Alice Cooper.

I’ve never had strong feelings about Alice Cooper, one way or another. There have been great things like Billion Dollar Babies and Welcome to My Nightmare, sure. But, this is not Alice Cooper. I mean, it is, but isn’t. It’s all a bit weird.

There are parts that sound like Alice and some parts that sound like some other person. Now, I know that he was severely f’ed up on cocaine and alcohol at this time. I mean, he does refer to this as his “blackout period” where he had three albums he doesn’t even remember recording from his substance addictions. I don’t know if the guys in his band (or at least the recording band) just went along with him because he’s the boss or were they participating with him, or what, but they complied.

Let me say, though, there’s nothing wrong with this album. I have really gotten into the First Wave/New Wave/Post Punk stuff that happened from about 1980-1983 or so. Stuff I wouldn’t have even listened to 2 seconds of it a mere 10 years ago. The BCPF is a huge fan of that and I’ve started to really get into it. So, this isn’t something I wouldn’t listen to regularly, but for one thing: it’s Alice Cooper. Not that that matters, a good album is a good album. But, is this a good album? I haven’t decided that, yet.

In “Who Do You Think We Are,” once I get past thinking “Turbo Lover” is about to play, I keep hearing Shawn Mullins doing “Lullaby.” Only for a bit, but still it’s there. The rest of that song is Alice, but he’s scattered throughout the album. It’s not a bad song.

I do like the Berlin/Missing Persons-esque sound of the Love cover, “Seven and Seven Is” (originally known as 7 and 7 is). I like that he keeps it synthed-up, too. Oop-ip-ip oop-ip-ip yeah. I like “Prettiest Cop on the Block.” He’s not 6’3″ though (laughs). This song is very much like Alice. The same with “Don’t Talk Old to Me.”

More of the odd (for Alice) synth-based instrumentation on “Skeletons in My Closet” and “You Want It, You Got It.” It reminds me of Robert Hazard or Nails. But, then he goes back to true Alice form with “You Look Good in Rags.” Adam Ant, or the Alice Cooper version, shows up for “You’re a Movie.” This, happens to be my favorite song on the album, by the way. I love his ad-libs. The album ends well with “Vicious Rumours.”

The instrumentation listing should just read “Duane Hitchings and some other folks” because it was mostly a keyboard-/synth-driven album. There were drum machines in lieu of a drummer for a good bit of the album; sucks for you Mr. Krampf. Guitars are present but background material for the better part of the album. Listening on big speakers and headphones and even my laptops’ Bang & Olufsen speakers, Eric Scott’s bass is like Jason Newstead on …And Justice For All, and we all know how that went. Actually, the non-synth songs, you can hear him doing some cool stuff, especially in “Don’t Talk Old to Me.”  It’s just all background to the synths, I think.

So, here’s the thing. I like this album. I think it’s fun, or maybe not fun. I would like this a lot more if it wasn’t Alice treading in his demons. I’m not saying that he shouldn’t have made this album or blaming him for that. I do think it’s a cry for help, which he didn’t get for a while. So, the overall assessment is it’s a great new-wave/first-wave album. It’s not a great Alice Cooper album. But, I dig it for what it was at the time it was. It fit the time.

I want to hear Eug’s take on this and I predict that Jon will find it interesting but not necessarily like it. I could be wrong, I still have a time gauging his like/dislikes. But, it will be interesting, nonetheless.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Bullets repel off my metals. And, my men are in awe when I speak. All chaos my strategies settles. My mere presence gives strength to the weak. For me it seems really alarming. I’m really just only a man. With five million sheep in this army, I seem to be the only one fit to command.” – “You’re a Movie” (Cooper, Hitchings)

Let It All Be For Me or: Attention Shoppers! (Eugeology Entry 15)

20 Thursday Apr 2017

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Salutations™!!

Attention_Shoppers!

©Capitol Records

I was really pleased with last week’s entry. That surprised a few people because they know how much I can’t stand Aerosmith. But, a good album is a good album. Jon has been traveling and Eugene has had work things to take care of. As I told them, it’s for fun. So, we’ll get their reviews in due time. Now it’s time for this week’s entry.

#15 – Attention Shoppers! by Starz.

Although I had heard of Starz, I had never heard anything from them. I had heard of them because they were one of the bands in the Bill Aucoin stable. Bill Aucoin was the manager of KISS that pretty much got them rolling like the huge rock mastodons they were. He got them signed to Capitol Records. Good job Gui!

There’s not a lot of info out there about the band, really. It sprouted from what was Looking Glass after their lead vocalist left. Add Rex Smith’s brother Michael Lee Smith on vocals and a guitarist (Richie Ranno) from Stories and you pretty much have Starz.

But I can say that this is power-pop beautifully done. It’s a lot like hard rock meets 50’s early rock. It does remind me a lot of Cheap Trick, which can never be a bad thing. The twin guitars of Ranno and Brendan Harkin are melodic and harmonic all at the same time. Pete Sweval’s bass lines aren’t just mimicking the guitars, either. There are some gritty and nasty bass runs and riffs on this album. I love when drummers aren’t afraid to be hi hat heavy and Joe X. is certainly that. I think a drummer that can tastefully make the hi hat more than a time keeping device, that’s most impressive.

The real star(z) on this record, though, is Michael Lee Smith. The guy has some serious chops and a great rock and roll voice. He can get gritty, he can be velvety, he can have oomph, he can have tenderness and probably most importantly, his range is wide. It’s all there. And the harmonies on this record are amazing. Listen to the opening track. “Hold On to the Night,” and you know you’re in for a fantastic vocal journey and the music isn’t bad either. Other faves of mine are “She,” “(Any Way That You Want It) I’ll Be There,” “Good Ale We Seek” and “Johnny All Alone.” My absolute favorite on the album, though, is “Third Time’s the Charm.” I just love that song.

I really don’t know why this band didn’t get farther than they did. It wasn’t like the 80s when there was an overabundance of musical acts to choose from. There were a few dozen handfuls of bands to choose from in the 70s. I know that’s really a stretch but I am just disappointed they weren’t more popular. Perhaps Cheap Trick cornered the rockin’ pop market and cornered them out? Now, I do understand that their previous albums were a little more raw and that after this album a few members were “relieved of their duties” because they thought they should have stayed this course, whereas the remaining members wanted to go back to the more raw sound. I did briefly touch on Violation, the album prior and it was okay, but this is more my speed. If you like good  great power pop music that seems to have just about all the elements you need for a darn-near perfect album. This is it. Thanks Eug, for this one. Can’t wait to hear your and Jon’s take on this. I know Jon heard a few bars of the opening track in the studio and he seemed to dig it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If you miss it on the first one, you’ve got to be strong, my son. Get up and try it again and again until the pieces fit right in. The third time is the charm. Don’t you know the third time is the charm?” – “Third Time’s the Charm” (Starz)

Deliverance or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week

11 Saturday Apr 2015

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Salutations™!!

This week for The Less Desirables Movie of the Week, brought to you by the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables, a/perture Cinema, I watched the 1972 classic, Deliverance.   The film stars Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty. We all know the “squeal like a pig scene” but film is so much more than that.

First, it’s Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty’s feature film debuts.  Cox was hired because he could play guitar and it was really him playing in the film.  Billy Redden, playing the part of the banjo picking Mountain Boy named Lonnie, however was not playing the banjo. Someone was behind him playing in a specially made shirt to give the appearance of him playing.

Another thing to consider was that the actors did most of their own stunts. According to Wikipedia, the scene where Burt Reynolds fell out of the boat had originally been shot with a dummy but the stunt coordinator thought it looked stupid; looking like a dummy falling out of a boat.  So, the actors did most, themselves.  And the production itself was never insured. I don’t think you can even film a legitimate film without insurance these, the sue-for-anything days in which we live.

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Deliverance (1972)

The “squeal like a pig” line has much controversy from wince it came, but no doubt it is the single-most remarked line from the film with “He got a real pretty mouth ain’t he?” coming in right behind.  Can you imagine your first big role and you’re asked to be hillbilly butt-sexed whilst squealing like a pig?  Ned Beatty was a trooper.

The area where the film was shot, the fictional Cahulawassee River was actually the Chattooga River in Northwestern Georgia and the Tallulah Gorge was where the rock climbing scene was filmed.  The Chattooga River’s headwaters are in Jackson County, North Carolina, not far from the Triad.  Nothing in this state is “far” from the Triad.

The film was quite memorable and is considered a thriller, which I think fits it.  It’s a lot of “what’s going to happen next” and let’s face it, hillbillies scare the bejeezus out of Flatlanders. Growing up in WV, I can see there are some scary parts, but really once you get to know them, they’re usually swell people. I think where the main characters messed up was when Burt Reynolds’ character, Lewis disrespected the mountain folk. They didn’t like it and didn’t stand for it.  Not sure if the rapists were part of the same clan or not but I’m sure it wouldn’t help matters even if the answer is “not.” But, I do believe that disrespect and perhaps disdain for them caused the mountaineers to turn to violent tactics when they did.

The film was directed and produced by John Boorman based on a book by James Dickey. Dickey actually appears in the film at the end as a Sheriff. Rotten Tomatoes rates the film at 93% fresh and an audience score of 82%. I saw the film on Starz and highly recommend it. I rate it 4.5 stars. I’d like to hear your thoughts, and your rating of the film. Drop me a line and tell me what you think. Also, give me some recommendations for future Movies of the Week.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!!

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“You gonna do some prayin’ for me, boy. And you better pray good.” – Toothless Man (Herbert “Cowboy” Coward), Deliverance (1972)

Over the Top or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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Salutations™!!

When I think of cheesy ’80s films and their actors, I think of Sylvester Stallone.  Not Rocky I-IV, mind you, but just about everything else he did.  There may be some other exceptions but they’re not coming to mind right now.  This week’s The Less Desirables Movie of the Week is no different.  You’d think it was called K-R-A-F-T.  Does cheese make it bad film?  Not necessarily.  Sometimes cheese in film is like cheese on a sandwich, it makes it better.

Overthetop

Over the Top

The film this week is Over the Top, starring the aforementioned Sylvester Stallone as Lincoln Hawk, a struggling-to-make-it truck driver who makes extra money by competing in arm wrestling contests, be it on a small barroom scale or a massive tournament plane.  He has a son, Michael (who uses his mother’s name and not Hawk’s) who is in military school and a total tool; misguided but a tool nonetheless. Michael’s mother, who still loves Lincoln is rich and is the daughter of a big-headed @$$hole played by the incomparable Robert Loggia, has a terminal illness and had sent Hawk to pick up Michael and bring him to see her.

Loggia’s character, Jason Cutler, hates Hawk with all his being and wants his grandson to have nothing to do with him.  He has Michael kidnapped, but Hawk gets him back.  However, by the time they get to the hospital, Michael’s mother has already passed away. Michael believes having to travel with Hawk, via his truck, made him late to see his mother and disassociates with him at his grandfather’s mansion.  So Hawk is arrested for trespassing when he tries to retrieve Michael by using his truck as a ram prow through the gates.

Michael comes to see Hawk in jail and forgives him but wants to stay with his grandfather. Then Hawk runs off to Vegas for the World Armwrestling Championships.  Michael has a change of heart after finding years worth of letters written to him in which is grandfather hid.  He fights to make his way to Vegas, which apparently, no one notices a pubescent driving a stolen truck on California highways and into Vegas.  Anywhat! You can probably figure out how it all ends, standard, par for the course fare for these kind of films.

The soundtrack is pretty good with acts like Robin Zander (of Cheap Trick), Sammy Hagar, Eddie Money, Frank Stallone and the theme song “Meet Me Half Way” by Kenny Loggins.  The soundtrack was probably the best part of the film.  The cheese factor that I mentioned earlier, well it’s certainly cheesy and no, really, it didn’t make it any better. The film was so-so at best and there was no cinematic breakthroughs, highlights or anything remarkable to even talk about.  Now, that being said, it was fun as long as you keep in mind it’s an overall horrible film.  In fact, Rotten Tomatoes gives it only 36% approval, if you put stock in that kind of thing.

Overall, I recommend it only from a nostalgic ’80s view, but if you’re looking for cerebral enlightenment? Not so much. The film was directed by Menahem Golan and I watched it on Starz. I rate it 2.5 stars. If you’re so inclined, watch it and let me know your thoughts on the film.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“The world meets nobody halfway. When you want something, you gotta take it.” – Lincoln Hawk