Category: Rock

Billy Idol – ‘Rebel Waltz’ (Live Bootleg) – Album Review (The Billy Idol Series)

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A few weeks back, Lunchbox records posted on Facebook that they got in a bunch of bootlegs from Duran Duran and Billy Idol.  I will be honest, I don’t care about the Duran Duran bootlegs, but the Billy Idol peaked my interest.  It was around 6:30pm on a Saturday night and I mentioned to my kids we should go to Lunchbox, but we didn’t go.  We did go the next day on Sunday.  We left a little after 12pm and arrived just before 1pm and they were closed (Duh Duh Duh – dramatic music insert).

We forgot to check if they would be open and with the virus going around, I wasn’t sure now if they would open at all.  Lo and behold, they were going to open and that was going to be at 1pm which was in a couple minutes.  We were the first ones in and those Billy Idol bootlegs were still there.  Apparently, there are not of ton of crazies out there buying Billy Idol bootlegs…Who knew!!!

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This is a typical bootleg from the 80’s.  The vinyl jacket is a basic all white cardboard with two print outs…one for the front and one for the back slid in to the clear plastic sleeve holding it all together.  The front cover says: “Billy Idol in New York City: A Hardcore hero comes home.”  Here’s the thing…the show is in Houston, Texas…not New York. Definitely not high quality work here ladies and gentlemen.  However, that is the beauty of these releases.  As you will see below, the actual vinyl doesn’t even have a label. There might have been one at one time, but after 35 years or so, there isn’t anymore. Continue reading “Billy Idol – ‘Rebel Waltz’ (Live Bootleg) – Album Review (The Billy Idol Series)” →

David Coverdale – ‘Into the Light’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)

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After the final Whitesnake Tour back in 1998, David felt lost.  He had been David Coverdale of Whitesnake for so long, he wasn’t sure who he was anymore. He needed to find himself.  After a little break, David Coverdale re-emerged, but this time without the Whitesnake persona.  This time, he was just David Coverdale.  Even though his previous album, ‘Restless Heart’, was supposed to be a solo album, this is now officially his first one since 1978’s ‘Northwind’…and no, Coverdale/Page doesn’t count as a solo album.

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The cool thing about the solo album is that it really is just David and a lot of great, talented musicians pitching in on songs.  You get Doug Bossi, Earl Slick, Marco Mendozza, Tony Franklin and Denny Carmassi, just to name a few, but that is only the tip of the iceberg.  With all these different artist, you don’t get that typical Whitesnake sound.  But you do get hints.  There are some blues tracks, there are some Zeppelin style fare and there is stuff that is truly only David.

The album came out on September 25, 2000 in the UK and it was released with little fanfare. It didn’t blow up the charts or set the world on fire. Heck, it was pretty much non-existent in the States. I accidentally stumbled across back then, but I did add it to my collection.  What it did do was get David back in the music business and working again, if at least for a brief time. Continue reading “David Coverdale – ‘Into the Light’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)” →

The Original vs. The Cover – “Wonderwall”

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For this month’s This Original vs The Cover is the song “Wonderwall” originally by the band Oasis.  The song was released in October 1995 and on the band’s album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory’. The song did really well and went to #8 in the U.S. and #1 in several countries and charts.  The cover version we are battling with is Ryan Adam’s cover which was released back in 2003 on his album ‘Love is Hell, pt 1’ EP.

The song was written by Noel Gallagher and was originally titled “Wishing Stone.  There is a little mix up on who and what the song is about.  Originally the thought was the song was about his girlfriend at the time Meg Mathews who later became his wife and then even later became his ex-wife.  It was after that divorce that the story of the song changed.  It was no longer about his ex-wife, it was now about an imaginary person or friend that shows up and helps you save you from yourself.  Ok.  Noel has stated that it was the media’s fault for the confusion and once it was out in the universe he didn’t want to spoil it for his girlfriend/wife.  But now that they are divorced, I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.

That is enough backstory.  Let’s get to the song and we will start with the original version as well always do, no need to change now.

OASIS

oasis-whats-the-story-morning-glory-album-cover-billboard-650 Continue reading “The Original vs. The Cover – “Wonderwall”” →

My Sunday Song – “We Don’t Run” By Bon Jovi

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For My Sunday Song #192, we are going to discuss the very last great Bon Jovi song to ever be written. The song is “We Don’t Run” and it is lead single from their 2015 album ‘Burning Bridges’. The album is a big F U to the band’s record label Mercury.  This was a total contract fulfillment album as the band lumped together some unfinished songs and wrote this particular one for the album.  It isn’t a terrible album, but far from their best.

The song is another in a long line of rock anthems that are meant to be uplifting and empowering which all started with song “It’s My Life” back in 2000.  The song does make you feel inspired as it is telling you to stand up for you believe in and do what you need to do to make it happen.  The song was written with John Shanks who also produced the album with Jon Bon and it also is where the album title comes.  Interesting note, this is the first album not to feature Richie Sambora…and with the exception of this song, it shows.

Musically the song is heavy on the bass and the drum which drives the beat home and is the force behind the song thanks to Hugh McDonald on bass and Tico Torres on drums. The guitar solo on this song is amazing and is handled by John Shanks who earned his chops playing with Melissa Etheridge.  Jon sings the lines in the same force as the drum beat, very powerful and perfect timing on the delivery.  The combo of the drum beat and his vocals, you get worked up and ready to fight for what you want.  On an album that was lacking a lot, this left you feeling good.

81pltOJWVxL._SX425_ Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “We Don’t Run” By Bon Jovi” →

Friday New Releases – April 17th

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The times are crazy and all we have to look forward to is either President Trumps daily Covid 19 updates or music new releases.  For me, it is the music new releases otherwise I would be writing about Trump.  This week though, there is nothing for me I am really interested in.  There are a handful of releases as a lot of artist have been delaying their releases for some reason.  I hope there is something in here for you. Stay Safe!! And have a great weekend.

  • 91ooEsRXzLL._SX522_  Soul Asylum – Hurry Up and Wait – (Blue Elan Records)

  • 81xJMd6Wc9L._SS500_  Incubus – Trust Fall (Side B) E.P. – (Incubus)

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – April 17th” →

Kiss – The Tickler (Bootleg Series) – Album Review

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A month ago, local record shop Hardy Boys Records bought a Kiss collection and offered up for sale. Everything was going to drop on that next Saturday at 10am. I got up, showered, dressed and headed out the door and arrive about 9:50 and luckily only one person was in line ahead of me.  Great conversations were had about our love for Kiss. I picked up 6 different Kiss pieces that were not in my collection one was this Bootleg called The Tickler.

‘The Tickler’ is an independent released bootleg of the bands concert from the Scandinavium which is in Gothenburg, Sweden.  The show was on the Lick It up Tour and dates to November 18, 1983.  It isn’t the full show as that show had 17 songs.  This one is only 8 songs and 2 solos including Gene Simmon’s bass solo and Vinnie Vincent’s guitar solo.

The bootleg is limited to 500 copies (no, it’s not numbered).  It has the green cover as there is one with a red cover floating around as well.  The packaging is very limited.  you get the horrible black & white photos on the front and back of the album jackets is blank.  The labels on the vinyl are pretty basic black with an A & B on each side and the name of the label, Roxy Records.  No special inserts or any bonus items.  Plain and simple.  My guess this came out in the 80’s.  Now the copy I bought was sealed, but to me that is a complete and utter waste.  I want to hear it, so I opened it and played it…SUE ME!!! Continue reading “Kiss – The Tickler (Bootleg Series) – Album Review” →

Whitesnake – “Is This Love” 12″ Promo – Single Review (The David Coverdale Series – Bonus Edition)

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We interrupt the regularly scheduled order of albums as I found another bonus LP out during my crate digging. I am little out of order because I can rarely find stuff in chronological order of my reviews.  This Promo single is for “Is This Love” off the 1987 album simply called ‘Whitesnake’ to some and ‘1987’ to others.  Me, I just call it awesome!  The good news about interrupting the series is I get to spend more time absorbing the next album on the list.

There is really nothing special other than it being a Promotional copy.  Minimal artwork and what you see on the cover above is all you get.  The funny thing is that everyone on the cover, with the exception of Coverdale, did not play on the song. It was actually John Sykes (who co-wrote the song with David), Neil Murray, Ansley Dunbar and Don Airey.  They were all fired right after production was finished.  The cover has Adrian Vandenberg, Vivian Campbell (damn he looked young), Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge, a pretty stellar line-up too.

The back is solid white.  No inserts or any special packaging. A plain and simple promo that says “Not For Sale”…oops, I bought it so somebody broke the rules. Was it me for buying it or Hardy Boy Records for selling it??  I don’t think either of us will get in to trouble, thankfully.

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Side A had the LP version of “Is This Love” and the late 80’s were known for their ballads and Whitesnake had one of the best with this track.  “Is This Love” which just missed landing at #1 and stalled at #2.  David sounded so sexy and sultry and the music was soft yet maintaining a slight edge to it.  The song was actually written for Tina Turner, but thankfully, David wisely held on to it and recorded it.  In an album that was almost baked to perfection, this was the icing on the cake.

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Side 2 is the “Edit Version” which means it’s a little shorter since this isn’t a dance remix which would then be like 15 minutes long or something ridiculous like that.  This version cuts out the longer synth intro, the solo is a little shorter and the end run out is not as long and drawn out.  It compacts the essence of the song into a shorter and could be a better package.

As far as ballads go, this one is top-notch and easily a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars.  It checks off all the buckets, slow at times, power at others, emotive singing and love in the title.  What else could you possibly need?  That’s right…Nothing!

Up next…David Coverdale – ‘Into the Light’

The David Coverdale Series:

  1. Deep Purple – Burn
  2. Deep Purple – Stormbringer
  3. Deep Purple – Come Taste the Band
  4. Deep Purple – Made in Europe
  5. David Coverdale – Whitesnake
  6. Deep Purple – Last Concert in Japan
  7. David Coverdale – Northwinds
  8. David Coverdale’s Whitesnake – Snakebite
  9. Whitesnake – Trouble
  10. Whitesnake – Lovehunter
  11. Whitesnake – Ready an’ Willing
  12. Whitesnake – Live…in the Heart of the City
  13. Whitesnake – Come An’ Get it
  14. Deep Purple – Live in London
  15. Whitesnake – Saints & Sinners
  16. Whitesnake – Slide It In
  17. Whitesnake – “Give Me More Time” 12″ Single (Bonus Review)
  18. Whitesnake – ‘The Best of Whitesnake (Bonus Review – 1982 release)
  19. Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987)
  20. Whitesnake – “Is This Love” 12″ Promo (Bonus Review)
  21. Whitesnake – Slip of the Tongue
  22. David Coverdale – “The Last Note of Freedom” – Single Review
  23. Coverdale/Page – Coverdale/Page
  24. Coverdale/Page – “Take Me For A Little While 12” Single (Bonus Review)
  25. David Coverdale & Whitesnake – Restless Heart
  26. Whitesnake – Starkers in Tokyo
  27. David Coverdale – Into the Night
  28. Whitesnake – Live…In the Still of the Night (DVD)
  29. Whitesnake – Live…In the Shadow of the Blues
  30. Whitesnake – Good To Be Bad
  31. Whitesnake – Forevermore
  32. Whitesnake – Live at Donington 1990: Monsters of Rock
  33. Whitesnake – The Purple Album
  34. Whitesnake – The Purple Tour (Live)
  35. Whitesnake – Flesh & Blood
  36. Whitesnake – The Rock Album
  37. Whitesnake – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
  38. David Coverdale – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

Other David Coverdale Albums reviewed – (Box Sets and Bootlegs):

  1. Whitesnake – 1987 (30th Anniversary Edition) – Box Set
  2. Whitesnake – Slide It In (35th Anniversary Edition) – Box Set
  3. Whitesnake – Unzipped – Box Set
  4. Whitesnake – Slip of the Tongue (30th Anniversary Edition) – Box Set
  5. Whitesnake (Snake) – Still of the Night Live in Battle Creek, Mich. July 26, 1987 (Bootleg)

Lit – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

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The band Lit actually started way back in 1988.  The were first known as a band called Razzle, then they dissolved and back Stain.  They released a demo and signed with a record label in 1995, but there was a problem.  The name Stain was already claimed, so they changed their name to Lit. Their debut album was released in 1997 and the rest is history.

The members from the classic Lit era (the late 90’s to early 2000’s) was A. Jay Popoff, Jeremy Popoff, Kevin Baldes and Allen Shellenberger.  The would make their first 4 Lit albums together before the line-up changed slightly in later years.  The members weren’t the only thing to change as did their sound.  They went from this Southern California Pop Punk type sound to more of a Pop Rock beachy feel all the way to Country on their last album.  Quite a journey.

I have followed them ever since their 2nd album ‘A Place in the Sun’ all the way until today, but I haven’t enjoyed the entire journey.  There have been hits and misses as with most bands.  If they continue with the Country sound though, I am pretty much done with them.  But until we see what happens, let’s go through their catalog and rank the albums from Worst to First.

And away we go….

THE WORST – ‘THESE ARE THE DAYS” (2017):

Continue reading “Lit – The Albums Ranked Worst to First” →

My Sunday Song – “Runaway” by Bon Jovi

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For My Sunday Song #191, we are going to discuss the first of ten songs from Bon Jovi.  We will start it off with the first single and first song off their debut album called “Runaway”.  It was officially released in February 1984 and hit #39 on the Billboard charts. It was the first of many hits to come from this New Jersey band.

The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi and George Karak and was first recorded by Jon back in his Power Station Demo time period around 1981.  Then in 1982, he recorded it again as Jon Bon Jovi and The All Star Review.  This band included Hugh McDonald on bass…hmm…where have we heard that name before?  Oh yeah, he became the bass player for Bon Jovi in 1994 after original bass player Alec John Such left the band.  The band also had Tim Pierce on guitar, Frankie LaRocka on drums (cool name) and Roy Bittan on keyboard.  However, Mick Seeley actually wrote the keyboard intro for the song. I know Aldo Nova played a little on the album, but not sure exactly if he was on this song or not (BTW, I’m an Aldo fan so that any connection is cool to me).

If you haven’t figured it out, none of the original Bon Jovi band members are actually on this song.  And this is the version you hear on the album and the radio.  The band would be pieced together after the song started to become a hit on New Jersey radio and Jon needed a band.  And the rest is history at that point.

640full-bon-jovi-cover Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Runaway” by Bon Jovi” →

Friday New Releases – April 10th

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Happy Friday.  We made it through another week and in today’s world, that is saying something.  As your reward, we have a batch of new releases for you.  And let me tell you, I need this pick me up.  There are a few I am interested in hearing and they are highlighted in Blue as normal.  Let me know what you see that you want to hear or maybe I missed something so let me know.  I hope there is something for you.  Have a great weekend!!!

  • 71HREvVvBmL._SX522_  Joe Satriani – Shapeshifting – (Sony Music);  I love Satriani.  The first guitarist I dug that released his own solo albums. Well, maybe it was Vai and Satriani.  Joe has been pumping out music almost annually and I couldn’t be happier.  I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us this time around.

  • 61Ccbs8LyvL  The Strokes – The New Abnormal – (RCA):  The Strokes are back.  How long has it been? It has been 7 years since their last release.  I am not a huge fan, but I am interested to see what they bring to the table in 2020.  I like garage rock and they were kings for a short time, will they regain the reign…we will see.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – April 10th” →