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Showing posts from May, 2010

Lost Gem: "To Beat the Devil" - Kris Kristofferson (1970)

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"When no-one stood behind me but my shadow on the floor, And lonesome was more than a state of mind." ~ Kris Kristofferson ~ One of the original... country outlaws ... Kris Kristofferson hit the scenes with his self-titled debut in 1970. The album went nowhere...until Janis Joplin covered... "Me And Bobby McGee " .  It was subsequently released again...a year later... and the rest is songwriter history. Admittedly, an acquired taste vocally...(I like it.)...his songwriting talents have never been questioned. In 2004, Kris was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame . Lost Gem:-->   "To Beat The Devil" ...is an incredible shared memory of the struggle to survive on the road as an unknown troubadour. Hopelessly compelled to risk the pain from apathy's grin ...for the all-too-brief moments of euphoric connection on stage...(and maybe a sandwich).   Kris wears it well.  Have you heard this gem? "A couple of years back, I

Lost Gem: "The Revenge Of Vera Gemini" - Blue Öyster Cult (1976)

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"You're boned like a saint with the consciousness of a snake." ~ Blue Öyster Cult ~ "Agents Of Fortune" (1976) was Blue Oyster Cult's most commercially successful album...and is highly recommended. This release was a turning point for the band....pulling away from straight-out heavy metal to a more Alice Cooper-esque vibe...(without the camp). All while keeping their edgy creepiness intact. Creepy, in that you find yourself boppin' your head to songs about suicide, murder, the unknown ...it's quite the oxymoron.  And it's quite good. Lost Gem:-->   "The Revenge Of Vera Gemini" ...is a forgotten standout...filled with organ and an oddly cool guitar lead and reverb. While "Don't Fear The Reaper" is about a double suicide of love... "Revenge..." is more about " taking each other out" ...with a vengeance. Drummer Albert Bouchard and guest... Patti Smith banter back and forth

Lost Gem: "The Concept" - Teenage Fanclub (1991)

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"Says she don't do drugs but she does the pill." ~ Teenage Fanclub ~ The Scottish band... Teenage Fanclub ...released their 3rd album... " Bandwagonesque " in 1991. And it would become their most critically acclaimed release...ending up on several Top Ten Of The Year lists. The record is filled with plenty of catchy melodies and brilliant harmonies. All topped off with jangly pop hooks and grungy guitar riffs. Add just a touch of... TF "slackertude" ...and it makes for a fine RnR pie. Lost Gem:-->   "The Concept" ...Soaring melodies ride atop some neo-psychedelic grunge-pop. Lyrics sounding like afterthoughts... sweetly warm our backstage hearts.  Classic. Have you heard this one? She wears denim wherever she goes Says she's gonna get some records by the Status Quo Oh yeah...Oh yeah... Still she won't be forced against her will Says she don't do drugs but she does the pill Oh yeah...Oh yeah... I didn

Lost Gem: "A Song For You" - Gram Parsons (1973)

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"I loved you every day  and  now I'm leaving.   And I can see  the sorrow in your eyes." ~ Gram Parsons ~ After gigs with The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers , Gram Parsons released his critically acclaimed debut solo album... "GP" ...in 1973 . A few short months later, Gram would die of an overdose at the age of 26. Gram was bringing to virgin ears...the groundbreaking sound of a rock band playing country music. A sound that longhairs could dig,  as well as squares .  Pure. Passionate. Kool. We can also thank Gram Parsons for introducing the sweet honeysuckle vocals of... Emmylou Harris. Lost Gem:-->   "A Song For You" ...is an achingly beautiful...final f arewell , of sorts, to another special place and time.   A hit to the heart. Have you heard this one? Oh my land is like a wild goose Wanders all around everywhere Trembles and it shakes till every tree is loose It rolls the meadows and it rolls the nails So take me do

Lost Gem: "999" - Keith Richards (1992)

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"Well, I can't shake it  off of my back,  damn monkey." ~ Keith Richards ~ "Main Offender" (1992) is Keith Richards second solo album...and it's a pretty solid outing. Hearing Keith out in front...can be a welcome respite from the "Mugging Mickster"...and, on this biscuit,  the glimmer twin sparkles. And Stones fans will find plenty of jams and kool grooves to keep them satisfied...til the next "Jagger/Richards" fanfare. In fact, the  Stones should blister this hot! Lost Gem:-->    "999" ...is a thunderous rocker with a wonderful... seamy, sleazy demeanor only someone with 40+ years of hard RnR livin' can pull off. And Keith plays and sings like a fat kid in a penny candy store. Have you heard this one? Makin' it, doesn't matter how many Takin' it Well, I can't shake it Off of my back, damn monkey It's either too tight Or it's too slack How much That's all it is

Lost Gem: "I Want To Live In A Wigwam" - Cat Stevens (1971)

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"I don't want to live in no palace. There's too many empty rooms." ~ Cat Stevens ~ Cat Stevens released a second compilation of songs pulled mostly from the early seventies entitled... "Footsteps In The Dark". (1984) Most are what you would refer to as ... deep cuts . This is folk singer Cat Stevens at his most innocent...least controversial stage. Cat is a seeker , for sure, sharing his journey of self-discovery.  And not a bad place at all to start for newbs. Lost Gem:-->   "I Want To Live In A Wigwam" ...is so childlike and simple, but not cheap.  And it's because of his warm and calming voice that we sometimes too quickly dismiss.  Like his best songs...this is timeless and joyful.  And the surprise ending is just about perfect! Have you heard this one? I'd like to live in a wigwam Yes I'd like to live in a wigwam I'd like to live in a wigwam and Dance round the totem pole. I'd like to live in

Lost Gem: "This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying)" - George Harrison (1975)

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"Can't understand or deal with hate. Responds much better to love." ~ George Harrison ~ George Harrison' s last recording session with The Beatles was on 4 January 1970. In 1975, GH released... "Extra Texture" .  This would be the last studio album recorded on Apple. And finally, "This Guitar..." would become the first solo Beatles single to miss the charts. While the LP is not his best work...there are no real throw-away songs either.  And, at the very least, "Extra Texture" hides four gems that should be on everyone's Pod. Lost Gem:-->  "This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying)" ...Comparisons are inevitable to that "other" song... but nothing to get hung about .  This is not George trying to recapture lightning in a bottle.   The storm's passed. Rather more a simple re-examination...written at another station on the journey through life.  His guitar work is beautifully familiar and qu

Lost Gem: "World Without Tears" - Lucinda Williams (2003)

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"How would misery know.. which backdoor to walk through?" ~ Lucinda Williams ~ Lucinda Williams ... is everything that's right with Americana music.  And "World Without Tears" (2003) is another example of great songwriting. And let there be no doubt... Lucinda's singing/songwriting skills...easily finds her sitting comfortably alongside the likes of... Seger or Springsteen or Browne ...with no deference. You can't hide truth...and Lucinda brings it...with a precise emotional eye ...that makes one beg for mercy...but not to stop. "World Without Tears" ...is a quizzical list of simple matters-of-fact...that seem preposterous to even imagine. Preposterous...because who hasn't felt, all too well, the numerous stings much too hurtful to share. Have you heard this one? If we lived in a world without tears How would bruises find The face to lie upon How would scars find skin To etch themselves into How would broken find the

Lost Gem: "Forty-Five Hundred Times" - Status Quo (1973)

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"There's nobody  on  the end of my line. I'm in time but somebody's missing." ~ Status Quo ~ The English rock band... Status Quo ...amazingly recorded more chart hits in the UK...than any other rock group in history. The band, more or less, has been ignored in the states...but that didn't keep Status Quo from being a champion in wickedly fun... hard rock boogie poundage. "Hello" (1973 ) ...was SQ's 6th studio LP and is burning...churning... party rock n roll at its finest. Nothing complicated or groundbreaking, for sure...just solid 12 bar blistering...slap the frown off your face...boogie. Lost Gem:-->   "Forty-Five Hundred Times" ...is a drivin' good thunder-time grab-bag of tempo changes and catchy guitar hooks. Have you heard this one? There's nobody on the end of my line I'm in time but somebody's missing Maybe I can find a hand for my hand If I find a well for my wishing Be my friend,