Whitesnake – ‘Slide it In’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)

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Recording of the ‘Slide it In’ Album started some time in 1983 and this time around Eddie Kramer was onboard to handle productions duties.  And let’s just say things did not go well, but was it a band problem (as there were ton of those) or a producer problem, I don’t know.  But Eddie was replaced quickly with longtime Snake producer Martin Birch.

The band problems were many on this record and for this tour.  Micky Moody was back and recorded the album, but things did not go well on tour and David became an ass to Micky and he had enough and quit after the European tour and his last gig was in October 1983, prior to the release of ‘Slide It In’. His replacement was John Sykes who was the guitar player for Thin Lizzy at the time.

At the same time Sykes was brought on board, Colin Hodgkinson was let go as the bass player and former Whitesnake bass player Neil Murray was brought back in to the fold.  Cozy Powell was now the drummer as Ian Paice had left after the last album and then Jon Lord left in 1984 to go reform Deep Purple so Richard Bailey was brought in to fill in.  The band was in complete disarray during this time.  It is amazing anything got done.

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The Original vs. The Cover – “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”

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For this month’s The Original vs. The Cover, we are going to cover the classic 80’s pop song, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”.  The original is by Robert Hazard who wrote the song and the cover we are going to use is Cyndi Lauper’s.  I know, you thought that was her original song, didn’t you?  Nope.  Not hers.  I guess an argument could be made that Cyndi’s is not really a cover since Robert’s song was only a demo and never released and I can see that argument, but I am ignoring for that so I have a post.

Robert Hazard wrote the song in 20 minutes while taking a shower in a motel. I guess you listen whenever inspiration strikes.  He made a demo in 1979, but the demo never went anywhere.  That was until Cyndi’s producer, Rick Chertoff, remembered hearing the song and took her to meet Mr. Hazard.  After meeting, Cyndi wanted to do the song and Robert allowed her to tweak a few lyrics to fit the song coming from a woman’s perspective as the original is taken from a man’s perspective.

Robert’s version comes from a guys point of view and talking about what he wants to do with girls and that they really want to have “fun” in the sleazy sort of way.  Cyndi of course turns it as she is the one one out late getting in to trouble because she and all girls want to have fun. It became more a feminist anthem and is now so recognizable as Cyndi’s song since she truly made it her own.

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My Sunday Song – “You Speak My Language” by Collective Soul

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For My Sunday Song #178, We are tackling the song “You Speak My Language” by Collective Soul off the 2000 album ‘Blender’.  The song was never a single, but one that stood out for as there was something special about it.  It was very different.

Why is it different you ask? This song is very different for Collective Soul for two reason…one, it is not written by Ed Roland and two, it is a cover song!  Two very rare events for Collective Soul.  The song was written by Mark Sandman of the band Morphine and Mark had died a year earlier.  I believe it was done as a tribute to Mark and what a fine tribute it was.  For me, the song is about walking around this world and not finding anyone that understands you for YOU!.  That is until you find the one.  The one that speaks the same language as you.  That gets you, that knows you better than anyone.  When you find that, grab hold.

Musically, Collective Soul attack this song with so much energy and ferociousness that you are taken back by how heavy and wild the song is.  Ross Childress’ guitar playing is brutal with a killer riff and beast of a solo.  This might be the heaviest the band ever got.  Ed Roland sounds great and his lyric delivery is both deliberate and effective and with a little special vocal effect on the mic for added impact.  The song is also mixed throughout with sound effects normally not found in their songs which adds to it as well.  But no matter what the song is, you still hear Collective Soul and they turned a cover song into their own song.  Brilliant!

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Neil Peart – Dies at only 67

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I had stopped doing memorials for musicians that had died, but this was Neil “fucking” Peart!  The best drummer…EVER!!!

My gateway in to Rush was the album ‘Moving Pictures’ and the song was “Tom Sawyer”.  That sound, that drumming, that everything grabbed my attention and I have been a fan ever since.

Rush…they were one of the best bands I have ever seen live.  I was able to see them back in 1996 and it was a show I won’t ever forget.  There was no opening act and it was all Rush!!  They played “2112” in its entirety which was mind blowing!!  I never saw them again, sadly, which in part is probably due to me thinking that they couldn’t top that show…and you know…they definitely would have been able.

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Neil Peart died from brain cancer after a long battle and when Rush called it quits a few years back, we knew then that it was the last time we would ever see the amazing trio ever play together again.  There would be no reunion and then another farewell tour, we actually believed Rush when they said they were done.

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Friday New Releases – January 10th

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Wow!  We are in 2020 and we are now to our first Friday of new releases.  2020!  It is hard to imagine another decade.  How time flies when you are having fun.  And we are having fun…aren’t we???  Anyway, here is our first batch of releases for the new year and if you are in to Pop music, there might be some music for you.  If you are in to some pretty Heavy Metal music, there might be something for you as well.  Otherwise, not so much.  Me, there is nothing I am interested in which is great as I am still digesting my big purchase from a couple weeks ago.  Let me know what you like or if there is something I missed or if there is nothing for you…whatever the reason, leave a comment and have a wonderful music weekend.

  • 71woOwjz-TL._AC_UL115_  Selena Gomez – Rare – (Interscope Records):  An album that was supposed to come out in 2017, finally sees the light of day.  Selena had to work through a lot of issues to get to this point. My kids are interested in this, sadly, not much interest from me.  Apparently a lot of people are interested as the video below is pushing 200 million views.  Good for her.

  • 91eKtR1Hh7L._SS500_  Echosmith – Lonely Generation – (Echosmith):  The pop band that brought us “Cool Kids” is back with another release.  Good luck to them as no dollars will come from me.

And the rest…

A little bit country…

  • 912zz6-zksL._SS500_  Ronnie Dunn – Re-Dunn – (LWR, LLC)

And a whole lot of rock & roll…with a heave dose of metal…

  • 71gF+e-HRRL._SX522_  Apocalyptica – Cell-O – (Silver Lining Music)
  • 81yMFIpzCuL._SS500_  Poppy – I Disagree – (Sumerian Records)
  • download-1  Behemoth – Live from Maida Vale E.P. – (Metal Blade Records)
  • 81kgWPW2Y2L._SS500_  Brothers of Metal – Emblas Saga – (AFM Records)

Rick Springfield – “Don’t Talk to Strangers” (The 45 Single)

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When I am out on my record store digging adventures, I always go through the 45’s to see if there is anything I like and occasionally I find something.  I am a closet Rick Springfield fan.  Yes, I am out of the closet now and will admit openly, I like Rick Springfield!!! There, I said it.  I feel so much better that it is out in the open now.  Thank you for that!

I found this single in the $1 bin and was happy to grab it.  The single of is for the song “Don’t Talk To Strangers” from his 1982 album ‘Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet’.  The single was released in March 1982 and went all the way to #2 on the Billboard.  It was Rick’s second biggest hit after that little song you might know called Jessie’s Girl.

The song is about Rick’s girlfriend at the time (future wife). When Rick was traveling and touring for his career, he had a lot of insecurities that his girlfriend was out with other guys.  This was his way of expressing those feelings.  The irony is that Rick was screwing around as he was touring and such.  Such a hypocrite.

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Gene Simmons – ‘The Vault’ – Album Review (Part 2 of 15 – Disk 1)

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Welcome back to the Gene Simmons The Vault review.  We are starting with Disk 1, naturally, and I will try and keep some consistency between each disk.  I will go through each song and mention who wrote, who played on it and what I think about the song. I won’t go through all the stories as you should get the vault to get all the information.  I will grade each song (ranking 1 to 5, 5 being best) and then take an average of the grades for the score of the disk.  I know most of these are demos, so I won’t be taking quality of the sound in to play that much because I know what I am getting and I am more interested in the overall song.

At the end of all the reviews, we will average the score of each review and come up with an overall ‘The Vault’ score which I hope will be a fair representation of the whole package.  I am going to do my best to do one a week, but as I said before, life sometimes gets in the way so I am not going to promise one a week.  Plus, this is 11 disks to digest and that is a lot as I am also doing the David Coverdale Series at the same time.  That is a bunch of music to go through.

The songs aren’t in chronological order.  Gene states they are more of a mood or vibe.  The first three or four discs appear to be pretty much the Rock selections and I am quite happy to start with those.

Well, are you ready?  Then let’s get right to it.

The first disc is housed in a picture of Gene with a lot of Platinum albums behind him…

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Whitesnake – ‘Saints & Sinners’ – Album Review (The David Coverdale Series)

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After the album ‘Come an’ Get It’, the band was starting to crack.  Issues were developing, tensions were rising.  They started to work on the album during 1981, but it wasn’t a smooth ride.  In December 1981, Micky Moody left the band.  Then in early 1982, David Coverdale put the band on the back burner and took some time off to be with his daughter who had become ill.

The sick daughter wasn’t the only reason Coverdale put things on hold.  The band was having financial troubles and he couldn’t understand where the money was going.  During the hiatus, he parted with his management and Coverdale started to handle the business side of things.  Also during this time, three other members left the band (or were fired). They would be Ian Paice, Bernie Marsden and Neil Murray.  Jon Lord was the only one to stay in the band with David. And of course Martin Birch still produced. He hadn’t left yet either.

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As a result, David needed a new band.  Not to finish the album because it was basically done, but to tour with.  David found guitarist Mel Galley from Trapeze and Cozy Powell on drums from Rainbow and lastly, Colin Hodgkinson on bass.  The band was complete.  However, the album still had some backing vocals needed so Micky came back briefly to finish the backing vocals along with Galley.  Galley is the only new player to appear on the album.

 

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My Sunday Song – “Them Blues” by Collective Soul

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For My Sunday Song #177, we are discussing a new song from Collective Soul called “Them Blues” from the 2019 album ‘Blood’.  The album finds the band still hitting on all cylinders even after over 25 years together.  “Them Blues” is a mature band with serious topics still showing they can pull brilliance out when most bands are passed their prime.

Musically, the song was inspired by Prince’s album “Purple Rain” as Ed Roland loved the chord progression and when he was tinkering around with it on the piano while listening to that song,  “Them Blues” developed from there. Lyrically, the theme is about life and what was going on in his families life as his wife was going through some hard times.  The song was for her and to let her know that this too shall pass and though it is hard now, it will get better.  A rather touching song.

The song turned into a piano-based song that is very blues influenced and takes a more serious tone.  I love the slow opening piano notes and then a really cool and short guitar riff.  Ed’s (or E as he likes to be called…WTF??) vocals are great, the style switch is a nice change of pace and it seems to take the band into a more serious realm as they captured the emotions nicely.  The best part is the super long guitar solo by Jesse Triplett to end the album…it is killer.  It lifts the song when it needing lifting and it made you feel all was going to be right with the world.  It is a time where lyrically and musically, everything that they wanted you to take away from the song comes across loud and clear.

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Motley Crue – “Helter Skelter” (12″ Picture Disc)

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With Motley Crue back in the news and announcing a return to touring with Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, I thought it perfect time to discuss this really cool 12″ Picture Disc I recently found of the band’s cover of the Beatles classic “Helter Skelter”.  It is a thing of beauty.  It is a promotional copy and it was in mint condition.

How beautiful?  Well look at the picture above.  And if that isn’t enough, look at the picture on the B-Side…

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Stunning pictures on both side.  You also get an insert with the lyrics on one side showing a refrigerator with bloody handprints on it…

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