Month: July 2020

Kiss – ‘Destroyer’ (1976) – Album Review (The Kiss Review Series)

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With the success of ‘Alive!’, Kiss was saved and in turn, so was their record label Casablanca.  With that new success, the band signed a brand new contract with Casablanca after the band’s manager had threatened to walk.  This time though, Kiss was only given a two album deal which really isn’t a very long contract in those times and showed that maybe the label didn’t have much faith the band would have continued success.

While the band was touring the album ‘Alive!’, they started rehearsing for the new album.  Their success was able to land them a high-end producer in the likes of Bob Ezrin.  His success with Alice Cooper had garnered him some notoriety and was going to take Kiss in a whole new direction. Thankfully, the band was still in tact with Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons.

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Whitesnake – ‘The Rock Album’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)

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In the last few years, David Coverdale has been quite busy rehashing old material, but in a good way.  He has brought us deluxe box sets for albums such as ‘Slide It In’, ‘1987’, ‘Slip of the Tongue’ and even ‘Unzipped’ the all acoustic box set.  And next year in 2021, we will get ‘Restless Heart’.  But for now, he is rehashing old material yet again.

This time it is a series called ‘Red, White & Blue’ Trilogy.  The Rock Album (White) is up first and then we will get The Love Album (Red) in October and I believe The Blues Album (Blue, duh) in February 2021 (Tentative dates right now).  Each album is really a glorified greatest hits albums each with its own them and the titles give you those themes quite nicely.

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The big difference on these albums is more than just a remastering.  The songs have been tinkered with and given a little touch-up with some re-mixing and even a little touch-up on arrangements and other little surprises.  The songs aren’t completely re-imagined, thankfully it is no Bon Jovi “This Left Feels Right”.  The songs are still very much recognizable, just enhanced ever so slightly. Continue reading “Whitesnake – ‘The Rock Album’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)” →

“My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, and Drugs, and Guns N’ Roses” by Stephen Adler with Lawrence J. Spagnola – Book Review

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Wow, I think the title really sums up this book.  Steven Adler’s biography details one of the most destructive paths of any rock star out there.  The many overdoses, heart attacks, strokes, it is amazing this many is still alive let alone still able to talk or ever play.  Wait, lets not forget the suicide attempts and the times he spent as a quest of the penitentiary system.  I’m exhausted just thinking about what he went through.

This biography popped up on Amazon for the Kindle at the amazing price of $0. And I will say it was worth more than that price.  I really did enjoy reading his story even though it is the same story as a lot of rock stars except maybe more destructive and he actually survives.  It is told as if Steven is sitting there with you and talking to you and it is a simple, fast-paced and easy read which helps make it a little more enjoyable.

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Charlie Daniels passes away at 83 – RIP

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Country music icon, Charlie Daniels, has passed away at 83 years young from a stroke.  Charlie Daniels was a member of the Charlie Daniels Band (obviously) as well as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Since I am from Georgia, I will tell you that Charlie Daniels was basically taught in school…not really, but everyone knew who he was.  He was the man that made fiddle playing pretty damn cool with the song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”.  If country music can rock out, this is the song that does it.

I believe he had at least 32 studio albums and numerous compilations.  He was one of the cool guys in country and has influenced so many artists over the years.  He left us with a ton of music and he will be remembered for many more years to come.  Rest in Peace Charlie!!  Play that music up in Heaven since the Devil never got your soul!!

Will Hoge – ‘Tiny Little Movies’ – Album Review

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Will Hoge is now on at least a dozen albums and I was completely blown away by what I heard.  “Tiny Little Movies” is just what it says.  It is 11 songs that each one feels like its own tiny little movie.  He brings a little Americana music mixed with his Country and Rock & Roll roots and if you thought John Mellencamp painted a true picture of Middle America and its problems, Will adds more color and texture to that painting and brings it in to the 21st Century.  This isn’t Country though so don’t be concerned. Think more in terms of  Springsteen and Petty and you will have an idea where I place him.

Will’s ability to tell a story that can be bleak at times and uplifting at others is a shot in the arm and shows the power that can be found in music.  His lyrics are an honest interpretation of what is going in America and at times a giant slap in the face.  His genius lies in the words as well as the music and it is that gritty voice that draws you in and makes you care about what he has to say.

The album can rock out with songs such as my personal favorite “The Overthrow” which doesn’t speak too fondly of today’s leaders and Will takes on the slimiest of people in “Con Man Blues” filled with some dirty, blues guitar.  With “The Curse”, I’m taken back to his early days with albums like ‘Blackbird on a Lonely Wire’ with a little more catchy groove and chorus.  I mentioned Petty earlier, I feel his influence all over “That’s How You Lose Her”, it is splendid. Continue reading “Will Hoge – ‘Tiny Little Movies’ – Album Review” →

My Sunday Song – “Blindman” by Whitesnake

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For My Sunday Song #203, we are going with a song of ‘Ready an’ Willing’ with the track “Blindman”. This is a deep cut and not a single and one of the songs that is the reason I love the early Whitesnake sound so much.  Okay, actually this song is not originally a Whitesnake song, but a David Coverdale song as it was released on his solo album back in 1977 called…well…’White Snake’.  So, I can use for this set of Whitesnake songs, I am covering the cover version he did with his band. I don’t think that is cheating.

The song is a pure blues rock track.  Think Free or Bad Company as it has that same killer vibe.  It starts off as slow burner and builds slow until it becomes a full on scorcher.  Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody both hammer it home on the guitar and Bernie’s solo helps make the song such a classic song.  You can’t forget the ryhthm section of Ian Paice on drums and Neil Murray on bass either.  They keep the pace and groove going perfectly.  And listen closely to the beautiful keyboard playing of Jon Lord.  They all standout in their little moments.  However, the highlight is that sultry David Coverdale vocal style.  His vocal talent lies perfectly fit for the blues rock sound.  With this more of a slow song, David exudes all the heart he needs to give the song the powerful, emotive feel it needs.

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Friday New Releases – July 3, 2020

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Happy July 4th Weekend.  Man, this country needs to celebrate something because right now, there hasn’t been much worth celebrating.  This country is more fractured than ever, hopefully the rise of protests will actually bring some much needed and long overdue change.  We will see.  Anyway, back to the music.  There aren’t many releases this week because usually releasing around a holiday isn’t good for sales, but no one told these artists.  There is only one I am actually interested in (in Blue) and hopefully there is something for you. Tell me what you want to hear and what I missed.  Thanks and have a great weekend!!

  • download-11  Trapt – Shadow Work – (Crash Collide):  This California based rock band is back on their 8th album and I have followed them off and on through all their line-up changes and they still have the lead singer and bass player as original members which I am good with.  It is solid, modern rock and something great to have on when I need something a little heavy. Looking foward to see what they bring to the table this time around after 4 years since the last one.

  • A1qn0cDqM4L._SX522_  Willie Nelson – First Rose of Spring – (Sony Music):  Willie is back!!  That is enough for me.  I might get around to this one when I have time as he as earned that.

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Whitesnake – ‘Flesh & Blood’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)

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After The Purple Tour, the band would continue and finally record a new album full of all new original Whitesnake songs.  This would be the first album of new material since ‘Forevermore’ back in 2011.  This would also be the first album that Joel Hoekstra gets to actually perform and play songs that he actually helped write and record and not be a Deep Purple cover band.

Speaking of writing, David likes to write with his star guitarists.  This time though, David really has 2 star guitarists that are both very capable and talented writers.  David has 3 songs written with Reb Beach and 4 written with Joel.  And to get even better, he has 2 written with both of them.  And to go even one step further, they all co-produced the album along with Michael McIntyre.

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‘Flesh & Blood’ was supposed to come out in early 2018, but was delayed in to the Summer of 2018 due to an illness with David. This is actually the 2nd time an illness had delayed an album. If you remember this happened back for the 1987 album and John Sykes almost staged a coup and move on with out David.  Yeah, and that didn’t end well for John. Continue reading “Whitesnake – ‘Flesh & Blood’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)” →

Kiss – ‘Alive!’ (1975) – Album Review (The Kiss Review Series)

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With ‘Dressed to Kill’ out and sales only slightly better than ‘Hotter Than Hell’, the only thing the band really had going for them was their live shows.  Their record label was nearly bankrupt and Kiss was about to lose their record deal and it was about to all coming to a crashing halt. The band had yet to receive any royalties after their pittance of an advance and their manager, Bill Aucoin, along with the band were ready to sue and get out of the contract.

In a last ditch effort to save the label and the band, Neil thought a Live album was the way to go.  The Live shows is where people finally understood what Kiss was all about.  With Gene Simmons spitting blood and breathing fire, with Ace Frehley’s electrifying guitar solos, Paul Stanley’s charm in his dialogue to the crowd and Peter Criss’ drum riser and solo, Kiss was a Live band that needed to be heard LIVE!!  Plus, this was cheaper than an album, so they could afford to do this route.

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‘Alive!’ was recorded over four stops on the Dressed to Kill Tour.  You had May 16 at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan, naturally; June 21 at Cleveland Music Hall in Cleveland, Ohio; July 20 at RKO Orpheum Theater in Davenport, Iowa; and July 23 at Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood, New Jersey.  With four shows recorded, they could piece together a perfect live album…well…maybe not!

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