Tag: Europe

Talisman – ‘Five Men Live’ (2005) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

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During the early 2000’s, Marcel Jacob came forward and revealed he was suffering from chronic rheumatism and it would limit his live shows. By 2003, he must have felt up to it because the band played several festivals during that Summer and thankfully for us, a lot of those were recorded. Two shows in particular were captured and were finally released by Frontiers Records in 2005. We got a Live CD and then a DVD set. Today, we are talking about the CD set. We’ll do the DVD next time because it has more than just the shows.

The two shows captured were at Club Mondo in Stockholm, Sweden in August 2003 and the second show was from the Sweden Rock Festival from June 2003. This would be the 2nd Sweden Rock Festival live show we’ve been given from the band. The line-up was interesting as the band was usually a 4-piece band. This time we have the return of the great axeman, Fredrik Akesson as Pontus Norgren had left. The other interesting was they added a fifth member with Howie Simon on guitar. Howie at the time was Soto’s solo band’s guitarist and friend. They really brought the music and delivered two great shows so let us get to them.

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Europe – “Let The Good Times Rock” – 7″ Single

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We now on the final of the 6 singles bought at Repo Records and the fourth and final one from the band Europe. The single this time around is “Let the Good Times Rock” from the 1988 album ‘Out of This World’. The song was the third single from the album and was released in January 1989. As far as charting, well, it did chart at #85 in the UK, but don’t see the chart info otherwise.

The song was written by Joey Tempest and the song is basically about a relationship that is going well and they should celebrate it and let the good times rock. A simple meaning behind a relatively simple song.

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Europe – “Superstitious” – 7″ Single

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We are now on single #5 of the 6 I bought at Repo Records a few weeks back. This is also the third Europe single and this time we have the song “Superstitious” from the 1988 album ‘Out of this World’. The single was the first one off the album and was released on July 31, 1988. It did really well going to #1 in Norway and Sweden and as far as the U.S. it broke the Top 40 landing at #31. Not too bad.

The song was written by Joey Tempest and sadly, he doesn’t remember much of what the inspiration was behind the song. He told Greg Prato at songfacts.com that he was probably interested in superstition at the time. The song is basically about a relationship that is going through changes, he isn’t superstitious that something is causing it. He has faith and such trust in love and the other person that things will work out. He is saying that a broken mirror, a black cat, or things of that nature aren’t signs that the relationship is doomed.

My copy is another standard U.S. edition with “Lights & Shadows” as the B-Side which is also from ‘Out of this World’. This is the third copy with the “Demonstration-Not For Sale” stamp which I now is all from the same guy who had them. This one leads me to believe it was a radio DJ that had them because noted on Side A around the barcode is a hand written note that says “cold ending” which means the song stops abruptly rather than fade out. I am sure that is a radio term so they know how the song will end so they can cue up the next track. Pretty cool.

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Europe – “Cherokee” – 7″ Single

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In the batch of singles I found at Repo Records a couple months back, we are now to our fourth single of 6 and second from the band Europe. This one is the fourth single off ‘The Final Countdown’ and is a song that would catch a lot of grief today as the song is “Cherokee”. With today’s over sensitive, my feelings get hurt easily culture, “Cherokee” would probably be frowned upon with a bunch of white guys singing about Native Americans. “Cherokee” was released in November 1987 and didn’t do as well as their other singles, It only went to #72 not getting anywhere close to the Top 40.

The song was written by Joey Tempest. It was inspired by a book the wife of the album producer had. He had read through it and was inspired to write about the plight of the Cherokee nation as the U.S. government relocated them to Oklahoma from their native land of the lower Appalachian Mountains. Over 4,000 died on that march. It was the last song written for the album.

The copy I have is the standard U.S. version with the single being the album version and not the shorter edited version. The B-Side being “Heart of Stone” off the same album. I also have a “demonstration-not for sale” stamp on this one as well, but it is backwards and on the B-Side so not sure what is going on with these. Maybe they were used for Promo purposes…and maybe not.

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Europe – “Rock the Night” – 7″ Single

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After reviewing the two Winger singles, we are now to a set of four singles all coming from the band Europe. I found these all at Repo Records here in Charlotte and they always seem to have a some great stuff. This time around we have the single “Rock the Night” from the 1986 smash album, ‘The Final Countdown’. “Rock the Night” was originally released in 1985 for a movie soundtrack, but was re-recorded for this album. The single was released in the U.S. in April 1987 and saw it break the Top 40 landing at #30 at its peak. It was the second single off the album.

The song was written by Joey Tempest and is basically talking about how some times you go through some tough times, some pain, but you have to fight and keep going. Take all that energy and just rock the night! Simple enough.

My version of the single is the standard U.S. version, so I thought. But after pealing a price sticker of the vinyl, I noticed there is a stamp saying, “Demonstration-Not For Sale” which leads me to believe this might have been used as a promotional copy. The B-Side is a re-recorded version of the band’s first single called “Seven Doors Hotel”.

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July 2022 Purchases – Vinyl, CD’s and 8-Tracks!!

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We are moving through the year quite fast I believe as it is already the end of July. And it was a hot one, both temperature and purchases. Now, I do have a handful of vinyl, but as prices skyrocket, I am focusing on the albums that mean something to me or from bands that mean something to me so the purchases have slowed. CDs are cheaper and a lot easier to obtain so I seem to be buying way more of those these days. With minor exceptions, I have been laser focused on what I’m buying. Let’s go through the vinyl first. First up is the new album from Shinedown called ‘Planet Zero’. I have all their albums on vinyl as I am a big fan so why not get the new one…

Then it I picked up a couple holy grail type albums. First was one from Kiss that had only been issued for their very limited exclusive Kissteria box set. I didn’t think I’d every own one. Thanksfully, they re-issued it on vinyl and I snagged a copy. Not their best compilation, but one that was lacking in my vinyl collection so couldn’t be happier…My list of missing vinyl is now smaller.

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Europe – ‘Wings of Tomorrow’ – Album Review

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Europe came to fame with the album, and the song, ‘The Final Countdown’.  I mean , come on, who doesn’t know that song as it has been played to death.  Europe became lumped in to the “Hair Metal” title as they did all have big hair and they were MTV darlings for a few years.  However, before the major record deal and all the screaming women, Europe was this hard rock, close to metal band that know one really knew about (at least here in the states).  Their second album, and last released independently, was a gem called ‘Wings of Tomorrow’ which was released on February 24, 1984.

I was out doing some crate digging a couple years ago and I came across this album and thought what a beautiful cover and then I noticed that it said Europe.  I never went back and explore their early catalog before ‘Countdown’, so I thought now was a good time and at $8 for the vinyl, why not.  And I am glad I did as it is now one of my all time favorite Europe albums.

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November Purchases – Vinyl

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First off, November does not have the amount of Purchases as October had as October was an anomaly…which I actually bought the album “Anomaly” by Ace Frehley last month so it was a double anomaly, if that is possible.  November was a more normal month of purchases.  And I am thankful for that. I am thankful for a lot of things.  Oh, and by the way…Happy Thanksgiving!!

I started off the month going back to Noble Records over in Matthews, NC.  They have been open for two months and I have been twice.  I think a regular monthly stop is what I should do and is what I am going to do.  As usual with Noble (even on his Pop-Up stores), I always walk away with some fantastic stuff and this trip was no different. This time, I only walked away with 3 Vinyl and they are great stuff.  They are all 80’s releases and actual 80’s vinyl, not re-issues.  And there are NO TURKEYS in this bunch. (Sorry bad Thanksgiving joke!!!)

First up is the debut album from the band Twisted Sister.  The album is ‘Under the Blade’ and it is the Italian release of the album by Secret Records.  It is also the original mix of the album and not the re-mixed version Atlantic Records released which I didn’t realize when I bought so thank’s to Scott at HMO for that information.

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The 2nd LP was the debut from the band Skid Row simply called Skid Row.  You know this one. It has “Piece of Me”, “I Remember You”, “18 and Life” as well as “Youth Gone Wild”.  It is a beast of a debut and it isn’t a first pressing, but it is the Columbia House Record Club version.  Remember that, for just $.01 you get like a bajillion albums if you buy 500 within two years…something like that.  It is mint shape and still has the plastic wrapper on it.

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The last one from Noble is Europe’s ‘Final Countdown’ album.  I am so sick of the song “Final Countdown”, that I had put off buying this one for years.  Well, Noble had one in one of the best shapes I have seen and at a decent price.  Also, still in the plastic wrapping.  So, I finally bit the bullet and added to the collection.  I am up to 5 vinyl releases for Europe and still a few more to go.

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Next up is one I finally grabbed from my WishList on Amazon.  I keep a list of albums I am looking to obtain and if the price ever gets right, I grab it.  This one I grabbed because it is a new release and it fell below my $15 threshold.  It actually wound up being only $14 for a 2LP set.  It is not my favorite Billy Idol album which is why I was waiting to grab it at the right price. It is his latest Re-Mix album Re-Vitalized.  I needed it to help complete my Billy Idol collection.  Still need a few more though before I am done.

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And then next up was a Record Show at the Fillmore here in Charlotte…at least I thought it was a record show.  It turns out it was market for mostly vintage clothing and jewelry.  Dang it!  I saw it advertised by Hardy Boy Records and Comics who have a shop over in Mint Hill so I thought it was going to be this huge record show. Wrong.  However, I wasn’t disappointed as I picked up a ton of stuff from the Hardy Boy’s booth as he never disappoints. If you are in or around Charlotte check out the shop at11237 Lawyers Rd in Mint Hill, NC.

Let’s start with the some Motley Crue.  I found The Dirt still sealed for $16.  I have avoided buying it because it is usually over $20 and I don’t like the new songs that much, but I figured for that price why not.  I also found a 12″ Picture Disc of Helter Skelter with the poster…Really cool…

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Next up is a classic Punk record I have been wanting for a while and finally found one in good shape at a good price.  It is The Clash’s ‘London Calling’.

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Then a couple really interesting pieces.  First up is an album I already have called ‘Love at First Sting” by the Scorpions…I don’t have it with this cover though!!  And for $6…sold!

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Next is one that is a round album cover with a blue vinyl which is really strange because yellow and black would have made more sense for an album color since the album is Stryper’s ‘Yellow and Black Attack’.

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And lastly is an album I have rarely seen it and it is usually north of $75.  This one was $15 all because someone named Lori wrote her name on the album cover.  Thanks Lori for saving me at least $60.  It is Kiss – ‘Smashes, Thrashes & Hits’.

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And that is it!  Sorry, no CD purchases this month.  Maybe next month!

Since I don’t post on Saturday, generally and tomorrow is a New Release Friday, I am doing my Purchase Summary today.  Which means, if I grab anything tomorrow for Record Store Day Black Friday, it will be in the December Summary.  I hope that is okay to have purchases from the wrong month included.  Don’t sue me, I am giving you a disclaimer with plenty of advance notice.

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

Friday New Releases – October 20th

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October is flying by and there are a bunch of new ones available this week…even Christmas albums if you are so inclined.  There are some brand new bands, some old favorites and some fabulous reissues/deluxe editions.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know which ones you are interested in with a comment below.  Thanks and have a great weekend.

  • 61tzU2GB7VL._AC_US160_  Sons of Apollo – Pyschotic Symphony – (Inside Out Music):  Another supergroup and another one featuring Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy.  If you liked in The Winery Dogs, this is not the Winery Dogs.  This is a much heavier band with Jeff Scott Soto on lead vocals rather than Richie Kotzen.  Also on the record is Bumblefoot on guitar and Derek Sherinian that make this a massive group with a massive sound.  Can’t wait to dive into this one.

  • 51TQWYRXviL._AC_US218_  Europe – Walk the Earth – (Silver Lining Music):  Europe is still putting out quality albums after 35+ years in the business.  The took most of the 90’s off, but came roar back in the 2000’s and have been non-stop ever since.  I have held off from listening to anything on this one yet as I want to take it in all at once.

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Friday New Releases – July 21st

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Happy Friday.  I am in a very busy season at work and I need some new music to listen to so I can make it through this time.  Sadly, not a whole lot I am interested in this week.  I hope there is something for you.  Mine are highlighted in Blue…

  • 170x170bb-68  Mr. Big – Defying Gravity – (Frontiers Records Srl):  Can’t wait to play this one.  Mr. Big has been back in a “big” way since 2010.  Now they do take 3-4 years between records, but it is better than the 9 years prior to that.  Either way, it is just great to get new music from this very talented band of musicians.  When ever you can have Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheenan, Pat Torpey and Eric Martin together, you have to be excited.  The opening bass line of this song is unbelievable and has definitely got me excited about this one.

  •  61b+59Pq0CL._AC_US218_  Europe – The Final Countdown 30th Anniversary Show: Live at the Roundhouse – (Hell & Back Recordings):  Say it isn’t so…30 years…REALLY!!  Damn!  I am getting old.  If you don’t know, Europe has been doing their thing for all this time and I am happy to see a live album to celebrate The Final Countdown.  This will definitely get a few spins.  I didn’t see a video for this so might as well show “The Final Countdown”.

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