Month: August 2018

Ratt – ‘Collage’ – Album Review

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After the disappointing sales of their album ‘Detonator’, Ratt seemed to be falling apart.  Robbin Crosby would leave the band due to his substance abuse problem and the dominos would fall from there.  The band went on “hiatus” in 1992 and it felt like the band was done.  Well, the weren’t just year.

In 1997, reunion talks began with the five original members.  However, Robbin Crosby developed HIV due to his substance abuse problem and was in no shape to carry-on.  Juan Croucier would soon afterwards decide he didn’t want to re-join the band.  So that left Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini and Bobby Blotzer and they decided to continue as Ratt and the set out to go on tour.  Before they did that, the decision was made to release a compilation album of B-sides, alternate recordings and even re-work some old Mickey Ratt tunes.

I wasn’t planning on reviewing any compilation albums in my Ratt Review Series, but this one was different as it wasn’t a greatest hits collection.  Being that most of the songs haven’t been on any Ratt album, I decided it was worth getting a review of it’s own.  I will warn you, this is a collection of songs that is strictly for Ratt fans.

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My Sunday Song – “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden

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For My Sunday Song #104, we are covering one of the great songs to come out of the Grunge Era, “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden.  The song was all over the radio although it never broke the Top 40.  It did reach #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.  The song was featured on the band’s fourth album ‘Superunknown’ back in 1994.

The grunge era was permeated with depressing songs and this was no exception; however, there was something more to it.  Whether it was the songwriting, the vocals, or the music itself, Soundgarden was different than the other bands.  They had talent, they had musicianship and they had one of the greatest vocalist at the time with Chris Cornell.  I never got into grunge, but Soundgarden was one of the very few bands I got into because of the songs.

“Black Hole Sun” was juxtaposed with the darkness of a black hole and the brightness of the sun…at least in the title.  It had this really beautiful chorus, but what the song was really about I had no idea.  The words didn’t really make sense (see the lyrics below); however, they sounded great together.  The song is really sad and dark although at times the song doesn’t sound that way.  It all just kinda worked.

Chris was asked about the song after it became a hit and he said this…( SOUNDGARDEN: PAINTING BEAUTIFUL PICTURES by Jennifer Clay)

“It’s funny because hits are usually sort of congruent, sort of an identifiable lyric idea, and that song pretty much had none. The chorus lyric is kind of beautiful and easy to remember. Other than that, I sure didn’t have an understanding of it after I wrote it. I was just sucked in by the music and I was painting a picture with the lyrics. There was no real idea to get across.”

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Friday New Releases – August 10th

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As we get further into August things keep getting better.  One more really, really busy week ahead at work and hopefully things can relax a little.  To help me get over the stress, there are a handful of releases I am going to check out and maybe you will as well.  I have highlighted my choices in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in and if I missed anything interesting (which J. will tell you I usually do!!)

  • 41ZjEis7TUL._AC_US436_QL65_  Rhett Walker Band – Rhett Walker Band EP – (Provident Label Group) – I really dig Rhett’s music.  It is Christian rock with a little southern rock and blues thrown in.  A great combination.  Always powerful and thought provoking at times and all around a joy to listen to when you drop the needle (or push play on your phone…either way works).  My only sadness is that it is an EP and not a full length album…hopefully soon.

  • 51hgLuCCTjL._SS500  Jason Mraz – Know – (Atlantic Recordings):  Jason Mraz finally releases a new album after 4 years…it seems much longer.  The Mr. A to Z wordsmith has a way of writing that is unmatched.  He can go pop, reggae, hip hop and anywhere he wants and it is always fun to follow along.  High hopes for the new stuff as always.

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The Original vs The Cover – “Black Magic Woman”

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When you hear the song title “Black Magic Woman”, most people immediately associate the song with Santana and that is because they have the most famous version of the song.  However, their version is actually a cover version.  I did not know that until a short time ago when I discovered that the original was performed by Fleetwood Mac two years earlier.  My world was rocked as I had no idea.  I don’t know if life will ever be the same.

The song was written by Peter Green who was the original singer for the Fleetwood Mac and he came from John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers where he originally replaced Eric Clapton on guitar.  There is whole story around that and the formation of Fleetwood Mac which we will have to save for another time as this post is about comparing the two versions of “Black Magic Woman”.

FLEETWOOD MAC

The Fleetwood Mac version of “Black Magic Woman” was  a real bluesy track, heavy on the drums and the bass with little guitar riffs thrown in.  Then there is a great guitar solo that comes in about a minute into the song and goes on for about 45 seconds.  It is really great and what would you expect from a guy that replaced Eric Clapton in another band.

Peter sounds great vocally as well and after listening to it, I realized I have heard the song many times before but probably thought it was the Santana song, of course it doesn’t have the same feel, but they aren’t completely different songs.

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Bon Jovi – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

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Formed in 1983, just a mere 35 years ago, Bon Jovi defined the 80’s music scene.  They have since had 13 studio albums, 3 live albums, numerous compilations and even a box set.  With so much music, some of course is bad, some is good, some is great and some is legendary.  They have had line-up changes as most bands have had and yet the still keep rolling on.  They have even made it in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Since there is so much about the band, they deserve to have their albums ranked from Worst to First.  I am going to do all 13 of their studio albums, plus 1 compilation which I thought was a studio album, but apparently not…who knew.  So, 14 albums in total will be coming at you.  I hope you have time to get through all of them.

And as always, let’s start with my least favorite album and work our way to my favorite…so sit back and enjoy…

15. THE WORST – ‘THE CIRCLE’ (2009):

‘The Circle’ was supposed to be the band’s return to rock after a very Nashville based previous album, ‘Lost Highway”.  The big problem for me with this album was the lack of credibility the songs had with me.  They tried to return to a “working man” sound such as “Work for the Working Man”, but I didn’t believe it.  It felt forced and fake.  Nothing on this album resonated with me in the least bit.  Even today, I can’t think of the names of the songs on this album.  They were not memorable and just seemed stale and uninspiring.

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Friday New Releases – August 3rd

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We are not into August. Summer is in full swing, but releases are not.  Only a handful this week and nothing I am overly excited about, however, there a couple I will listen to as I listen to everything they put out…they will be highlighted in Blue (as usual). Let me know what you have a hankering for this week or if I missed anything.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

  • 518UpIs4YxL._AC_US320_QL65_  James – Living in Extraordinary Times – (BMG):  James has been around since 1982 and have been solid all along so I will give it a listen for that reason.  I am not ready to run out and buy anything, but a good stream will suffice nicely.

  • 51XTXkyOEeL._SS500  Phil Wickham – Living Hope – (Phil Wickham):  This Christian singer has one heckuva voice and always has some standout tracks on his releases so of course this one will be played.  Always happy to fly his flag when he puts something out and this will be no different.  Give him a try!!

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Ace Frehley – “Bronx Boy” – 12″ Single

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Back in April 2018, Ace Frehley released his first single from his upcoming (yet unannounced) album.  The day was actually April 27th which was Ace’s birthday…do you think they planned that??  This the first new track since his 2014 album ‘Space Invaders’.  He did have a new album back in 2016, but it was a cover’s album so nothing new there.

The reception of the new music was so great, that a special limited edition 12″ Single has now been released (3 months later).  They had no intentions of releasing a physical copy of the song, but the people spoke and Ace & the record company listened and BAM!!  Physical product.

I was able to pick up one of these Limited Numbered Edition 12″ Singles with the White/Black Marble vinyl.  And they weren’t kidding about being numbered.  I am #3701 out of #4000, I believe.

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The new song “Bronx Boy” is a heavy guitar driven track…what else would you expect, it is Ace “freakin’ Frehley.  There is a raw, grittiness to the song that harkens back to his early days growing up in the Bronx, New York.  The song opens with a quick, nasty guitar riff and jumps right into the vocals describing Ace’s life as a “street kid” and his “street life”.  The vocals are rough and classic Ace which is what is great about the song.  Plus, the guitar solo is what we know and love from the Spaceman and he doesn’t disappoint.

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