200 Lost Gems & Forgotten Diamonds:-->Pt 13

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"You are the music...
while the music lasts."
- T. S. Eliot -


This personal list of "lost gems & forgotten diamonds" continues.
(A reminder...songs will be from the 70s decade...but not exclusively.)

I strongly encourage everyone to purchase the albums for an even better understanding.

Part 13 - Let's Begin...

80:-->BOC -------"The Red & The Black" (5:57) --------Tyranny and Mutation (1973)

"Hornswoop me bungo pony on dogsled on ice.
Make a dash for freedom baby... Don't skate on polar ice."

Treacherous metal riffing coupled with BOC lyric weirdness makes for some tasty head rockin'.


79:-->Bob Welch -----"The Ghost Of Flight 401" (3:12) -------Three Hearts (1979)

"In flesh & bone & clothes it came
on an eastern airline I can't name."

Always a treat...when Welch throws his spooky-cool attitude into the telling of an unexplained occurrence that catches his fancy.

78:-->Stills-Young Band ----"Fontainebleau" (3:58) -----Long May You Run (1976)

"Where the surfer works
'til the break of day...'cause it takes a shark to catch a wave."

A classic composition from Young about the decadence at an infamous hotel with Stills and Young trading fuzz-bite guitar.


77:-->Frank Zappa ------"Zomby Woof" (5:10) ------- Over-Nite Sensation (1973)

"Three hundred years ago
I thought I might get some sleep.
I stretched myself out on an antique bed
And my spirit did a midnight creep."

Monster musicianship abounds with Zappa keeping everyone intensely focused. Catchy. Entertaining. Amazing. One of his best.

76:-->Steve Forbert ----------"Wait" (5:31) ----------Jackrabbit Slim (1979)

"Dancers and snow queens

handsome and lovely
skate on the lake
and fall deeply in love."

Forbert and his uniquely descriptive obs...create vivid snapshots of winter with all its wonders and sadness. Shiver.

75:-->Jackson Browne ------"Rosie" (3:41) -------- Running On Empty (1978)

"Of all the times that I've been burned,
by now you'd think I'd learn...
That it's who you look like, not who you are."

One of JB's best vocals. As honest as it is gorgeous. Say hello to Miss Palm.

74:-->Lou Reed ----------"Kill Your Sons" (3:40) ------------Sally Can't Dance (1974)

"All your two-bit psychiatrists
are giving you electroshock."

A powerful dose of personal truth about shock treatment delivered in matter-of-fact Lou Reed style. Biting guitar spank provided by Danny Weis.

73:-->Ted Nugent -------"Terminus El Dorado" (4:17) -------Scream Dream (1980)

"The crows be pickin' at your flesh...
and you got no control over the situation."

Some wicked funkiness about the perils of taking daddy's car without permish.

72:-->Steely Dan -------"Show Biz Kids" (5:26) ------Countdown to Ecstasy (1973)

"While the poor people sleepin'
with the shade on the light.
While the poor people sleepin'
all the stars come out at night."

Hypnotizing groove. Buzzing guitar spank courtesy of Rick Derringer. Terrific lyrics. And perhaps the most well-placed F-bomb in RnR.


71:-->Grand Funk --"Sin's A Good Man's Brother" (4:51) -Closer To Home (1970)

"Ain't seen a night, things work out right, go by.
Things on my mind, and I just don't have the time
and it don't seem right."

Heavy Metal Poundage, indeed!
Bass. Guitar. Drums...Daddy like.

All good stuff!   ...to be continued.


Casey Chambers
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Video Gold: "Shadow Play" - Rory Gallagher

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"I feel a little strange inside...A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde."
Rory Gallagher


I wanted to share a rock performance on YouTube that satisfies on many different levels.
Now...I'm even MORE of a Rory Gallagher fan.

Rory Gallagher ...an awesome blues/rocking troubadour...never gained the large fan recognition in the States that he had in Europe.

Rory wasn't glamorous. Wasn't flash. And his stage was simple.
But he played the guitar like he was in front of a sold-out stadium...regardless of the size of the venue.

Wearing his standard...working man plaid shirt...Rory Gallagher, along with a wicked backing band, easily gave the crowd plenty of spitfire and adrenaline.

Check out Rory's 1979 performance of "Shadowplay" in Montreux. (below) Be sure to stay to the end.

RORY GALLAGHER - SHADOWPLAY (LIVE)

In the flinty light, it's midnight,
And stars collide.
Shadows run, in full flight,
To run, seek and hide.
I'm still not sure what part I play,
In this shadow play, this shadow play.

Well, In the half-light, on this mad night,
I hear a voice in time.
Well, I look back, see a half-smile,
Then it's gone from sight.
Tell me, why everyone have changed,
In this shadow play, this shadow play,
I have to find my way,
In this shadow play.

Sounds come crashing,
And I hear laughing,
All those lights just blaze away.
I feel a little strange inside,
A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde.

Sounds come crashing,
And I hear laughing,
All those lights just blaze away.
I feel a little strange inside,
A little Dr. Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde.
Yeah.........

Thoughts run wild, free as a child,
Into the night.
Across the screen a thin beam,
Of magic light.

Tell me why things don't look the same,
In this shadow play, this shadow play,
I have to find my way,
In this shadow play.
I have to get away,
In this shadow play,
Well help me find my way,
In this shadow play,
Yeah..........

Pick up anything by the RG man.

Good Stuff.

Casey Chambers
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200 Lost Gems & Forgotten Diamonds:-->Pt 12

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"The day 
that I ever become hip...
please shoot me
and put me outta my misery!"
~ Meatloaf

(A reminder...songs will be from the 70s decade...but not exclusively.)

Purchase the albums for an even better understanding.

Part 12 - Let's Begin...

90:-->Ted Nugent -----------"Hammerdown" (4:08) -----------Free For All (1976)

"White line. Double time.
Coming 'round with the hammerdown."

This will definitely get your woofers barking. Lots of heavy highway energy with outstanding vocals from Meatloaf.

89:-->Nazareth -------------"Beggar's Day" (3:55) -------------Hair Of The Dog (1975)

"If this is heaven, then I'm in hell.
If trust is misfortune, then wish me well."

In your face poundage with underrated McCafferty wailing like his finger was slammed in the car door. In other words...he means it!  Wicked smart.

88:-->John Prine ---------"Sweet Revenge" (2:41) ----------Sweet Revenge (1973)

"I got kicked off a Noah's Ark.
I turn my cheek to unkind remarks.
There was two of everything, but one of me."

A rockin' little 'how-do-you-like-me-now' number. Plenty of classic Prine-isms abound. Sweet revenge will prevail...indeed!


87:-->Graham Parker ---------"Empty Lives" (5:00) --------The Up-Escalator (1980)

"I'm cold blooded and completely relaxed.
I'm breaking legs and avoiding the facts.
On the up escalator going down all the cracks."

GP tears it up with some vicious intensity backed by his awesome Rumour band. Hits the RnR mark like an 'elbow-drop' from...Greg "The Hammer".

86:-->Styx ----------"Born For Adventure" (5:16) --------------Equinox (1975)

"I am the thief of the highway.
Rich man you better take hold...
'cause last night while you lie sleeping
I came to steal all your gold."

With guitar riffing reminiscent of Thin Lizzy...Styx pull back on their prog sound a bit and crank out a roundhouse haymaker. Good stuff!


85:-->Lynyrd Skynyrd--------"I Need You" (6:52) ---------Second Helping (1974)

"You know I get so lonely
that I feel I can't go on.
And it feels so good inside, baby
just to call you on the telephone."

Nice soulful Ronnie V slow burn...with Rossington and Collins adding some cool double lead work.

84:-->Jonathan Edwards ------ "Shanty" (2:31) --------Jonathan Edwards (1971)

"We'll take time out to smile a little
before we let it go.
'Cause we gonna lay around the shanty, mama
And put a good buzz on."

From the moment the harmonica blows out the speakers...you'll know...the weekend has finally arrived. Simply a wonderful feel-good song. And album!

83:-->Foreigner ----------- "Spellbinder" (4:43) ----------Double Vision (1978)

"I found out the hard way...
some things you just can't get."

A great atmospheric sound with drumming, guitars and keyboards jumping in and out in a tasty minimalistic way. One of Gramm's best vocals.


82:-->Lowell George -- "20 Million Things" (2:51) --Thanks, I'll Eat it Here (1979)

"I've got mysterious wisteria hanging in the air.
The rocking chair I was supposed to fix...
Well it came undid."

Tastier than a roasted corncob & fried catfish feed. Great southern front porch sound. Perfect.

81:-->Bob Seger ---"Fine Memory" (2:56) ---Beautiful Loser (1975)

"Last night I saw you walking
past my bed late at night.
And the moon shone
Through your gown."

A gorgeous ballad Seger sells to the nines...like hotdogs at a ballpark. Instantly creates cause...to pause.

All good stuff!   ...to be continued.

Casey Chambers
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200 Lost Gems & Forgotten Diamonds:-->Pt 11

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"Music expresses that
which cannot be said...
and on which it is impossible to be silent."
~ Victor Hugo

(A reminder...songs will be from the 70s decade...but not exclusively.)

I strongly encourage everyone to purchase the albums for an even better understanding.

Part 11 - Let's Begin...

100:-->John Mellencamp --"To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)" (4:50) --Nothin' Matters... (1980)

"Hope you didn't lose that innocent laughter.
Oh, God, I hope time didn't take that away."

Everything about the song is perfect...from John's weary vocals to the melancholic piano. A sadly sweet memory.

99:-->ELO --------------"Laredo Tornado" (5:30) ----------------Eldorado (1974)

"Cold wind blows cool...
so cold to make you die."

A funnel of funky Jeff Lynne tweakery makes this one a keeper.
One F5 twister that does NOT blow.


98:-->Van Morrison -------------"Wavelength" (5:44) -------------Wavelength (1978)

"You are everywhere you're supposed to be.
And I can get your station...
when I need rejuvenation."

Van tears it up on this soulful rockin' love song. Just snatch on to the groove and "...come back baby, come back".


97:-->Ten Years After ------"Working On The Road" (4:20) ------Cricklewood Green (1970)

"I've been working on the road about fifteen years.
Been blowing my mind, I've been blasting my ears.
Don't you know, babe?"

Excellent rocker...filled with devilish organ runs and gnashing Alvin Lee guitar riffing.

96:-->Elton John -------"Grey Seal" (4:00) ----------Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

"On the big screen they showed us a sun...
but not as bright in life as the real one."

Awesome bass work and over the top piano makes this a killer jam. John gettin' his heavy on.

95:-->Tommy Bolin -----------"Dreamer" (5:10) ---------------Teaser (1975)

"So take the train today, and don't look back again.
Live the dreams you have, don't dwell on what has been."

This 5 minute ballad/rocker only improves with age. Powerful dog-on-a-leash guitar foreplay borders on orgasmic. Should've broke large.



94:-->Warren Zevon -"Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner" (3:47) -Excitable Boy (1978)

"Roland aimed his Thompson gun...he didn't say a word.
But he blew Van Owen's body from there to Johannesburg."

An epic song one would swear has been around for centuries. Unbelievably catchy chorus that begs real men of all ages to raise their grog and join in song. Fantastic.

93:-->Jim Croce -------------"Box #10" (2:27) --------------You Don't Mess Around... (1972)

"I was gonna be a great success.
Things sure ended up a mess...
but in the process I got messed up too."

Warm chicken soup vocals with an open-faced honesty seldom heard in music. With partner Maury Muehleisen wielding his guitar like a heart surgeon...Jim sings of early-goin patches of bad luck and delivers a head-nodding sing-a-long tour-de-force.

92:-->The Cars ----------------"Double Life" (4:14) ----------------Candy-O (1979)

"When you idle at the stop light...
you better get the signal right."

Lots of ear-candy textures abound with especially nice guitar work from Elliot Easton. Criminally underrated.

91:-->Wishbone Ash ----"No Easy Road" (3:47) -----Wishbone Four (1973)

"Rock 'n roll keeps dragging me...
Where, I don't know and you can't see."

A trippy little boogie jam from the 'Ash'. Very catchy with some tasty and surprising horns thrown in the mix. Delicious mayhem.


All good stuff!  ...to be continued.

Casey Chambers
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200 Lost Gems & Forgotten Diamonds:-->Pt 10

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"On a saxophone you can play sleaze.
On a bass you can play balls.
But on a guitar you can
be truly obscene."
~ Frank Zappa


This personal list of "lost gems & forgotten diamonds" continues.
(A reminder...songs will be from the 70s decade...but not exclusively.)

I strongly encourage everyone to purchase the albums for an even better understanding.

Part 10 - Let's Begin...

110:-->Johnny Winter ------"All Tore Down" (4:31)------- Still Alive And Well (1973)

"You know I went out to buy me a bottle
and try to soothe the pain.
Before I left the cashier
he was hasslin' me about the change."

A raucous highway jam...tough and real. This bad boy whips and cuts with minimal mercy.

109:-->Uriah Heep ------------- "High Priestess" (3:41) -------------Salisbury (1971)

"Then let's get together in the sky...
To leave the lonely world to wonder why."

An upbeat rocker with nailed banshee wail from David Byron that Judas Priest would be proud of. Plus the furious guitar spank of Mick Box is all over this one.


108:-->Bruce Springsteen ---"Adam Raised A Cain" ----Darkness On The E.O.T. (1978)

"He was standin' in the door. I was standin' in the rain...
with the same hot blood burning in our veins."

Perfect speaker food. Perhaps his most under-appreciated song. Soaked in coolness with a nice wood-chip on the shoulder...daring to be knocked off.

107:-->Crack The Sky ---------"Sleep" (6:25) ------------Crack The Sky (1975)

"Oh, I could be a hero.
I could be a lover of a thousand movie queens."

Gorgeous harmonies and delicious time-signatures. Instantly familiar and hooks like a Peter Pan pirate.


106:-->Budgie --------"Crash Course In Brain Surgery" (2:40) -------- In For The Kill (1974)

"Raven black is on my track.
Please show me how to neutralize the knife."

Great heavy-metal churn with awesome vocals. Should have broke large in the states if there was any RnR justice.

105:-->Wings --------"Beware My Love" (6:26) -------At The Speed Of Sound (1976)

"I don't believe that he's the one...
But if you insist,
I must be wrong. I must be wrong."

"Beware..." is a knock-down keeper. And one I wished the Beatles would have recorded. John would have enjoyed getting his licks in on this one. Nevertheless, no 'silly' love song this time.

104:-->Pete Townshend ------ "Sheraton Gibson" (2:40) ----Who Came First (1972)

"I'm sittin' in the Sheraton Gibson playin' my Gibson...
thinkin' 'bout a sunny barbecue."

Beautiful guitar ditty with Pete wistfully longing to be home once again. Super catchy and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.


103:-->Ron Wood ------------"Seven Days" (4:10) ------------Gimme Some Neck (1979)

"I'll be waiting at the station for her to arrive.
Seven more days, all I gotta do is survive."

Backed by familiar band mates, Wood takes this Dylan penned song and fills it with a ballsy energy easily making his own.


102:-->Frank Zappa -----------"Stink-Foot" (6:33) ---------- Apostrophe (1974)

"My python boot is too tight.
I couldn't get it off last night.
A week went by, and now it's July.
I finally got it off and my girlfriend cried"

The song story is nails. And the guitar solo ranks up there with his best. Absolutely no missteps. Smell it!

101:-->Leon Russell -----"Alcatraz" (3:51) ----The Shelter People (1971)

"Here comes Uncle Sam again...
with the same old bag of beads."

Original snarly LR vocals are surrounded by a spirited bunch of good time musicians. Clapton provides his guitar flex on this one.


Good stuff!  ...to be continued.

Casey Chambers
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