Posts

Showing posts from November, 2009

Lost Gem: "Cadence And Cascade" - King Crimson

Image
"Sad paper courtesan. They knew him just a man." ~ King Crimson ~ King Crimson's second album... "In The Wake Of Poseidon" (1970)...was initially met with disappointment by many fans/critics. But listening to this album with fresh ears...nearly forty years after its release...I find it inspiring and a great follow-up. Plus the music holds my interest all the way through...something King Crimson's classic debut never quite does. Lots of tasty ear candy float from the speakers. Flutes...mellotron...sax...piano...and wonderful Robert Fripp guitar. And the variety of drum strikes (courtesy of Michael Giles ) are wicked nice. Great prog. "Cadence And Cascade" is a gentle and beautiful ballad that never fails to calm. Dig the soothing...whimsical... flute of Mel Collins . Have you heard this one? Cadence and Cascade Kept a man named Jade; Cool in the shade While his audience played. Purred, whispered, Spend us too: We only

Lost Gem: "You Won't Change Me" - Black Sabbath

Image
"Still I wonder what it's like to be loved... Instead of hiding in myself. ~ Black Sabbath ~ "Technical Ecstasy" (1976) was Black Sabbath's seventh album. And one that is too often dismissed. If not for two stinkers in the mix...this Sabbath offering would be must own. But what is left is simply wicked Iommi guitar burns that beg repeated listens. "You Won't Change Me" catches one of Ozzy's best vocals ...ever...with awesome Tony Iommi laying down one of several great solos. Terribly underrated . Have you heard this one? I'm just a man and I am what I am, yeah Nobody will ever change my ways I don't need money and I Don't need no lies, yeah I only need to live for today But I'd like to talk things Over with you I want to hear the things That you say today Although you won't change me Anyway. Oh, no way. I wish you'd come and see me I'd like to hold you I want to set my mind all free You understand me, woman

Lost Gem: "Fates Right Hand" - Rodney Crowell (2003)

Image
"Trot-line Freddy's got his dogs in the trunk." ~ Rodney Crowell ~ "Fate's Right Hand" (2003) is just one of a long list of must-own CDs from the Houston Kid... Rodney Crowell . Filled with Americana roots attitude and honesty... Crowell is a good-ol'-hoss troubadour who leaves nothing on his plate. Cool as a rule. The title track is killer . Pick up this gem right away. Have you heard this one? Cool as a rule you don't learn in no school You can't brown nose the teacher from a dunce hat stool It's the hum and the rhythm of the birds and the bees The momma's and the poppa's and the monkeys in the trees It's the brothers and the sisters living life on the street Play a hunch pull the punch and you'll likely get beat By the junk food tattooed white dude true blued Honky with an attitude coming unglued Fate's right hand.....I don't understand at all Billy loves women like a junky loves dope

Lost Gems: "The Late Show" - Jackson Browne

Image
"I thought of all the empty miles ... And the years that I've spent looking for your eyes." -->Jackson Browne<-- Jackson Browne's third album... "Late For The Sky" (1974)...is filled with layers and layers of emotional watercolors. Like a surgeon, Browne exacts just the right words and tones for each song. And his dead-on observations of our feeble attempts at controlling the dice of love...reminds us... how clumsy and scared we truly are. "The Late Show"... is an honest endeavor of pointing out...that through all our aches and breaks along our journey for the perfect love...sometimes we just try too hard. Tasty guitar slide from David Lindley ...and dig the sound of two car doors shutting near the end. It's gonna be all right. Have you heard this one? Everyone I've ever known has wished me well Anyway that's how it seems, it's hard to tell Maybe people only ask you how you're doing 'Cause that's easier than let

Lost Gem: "Open Up The Door" - Head East

Image
" A reason to carry on ... is the feelin' when the music's done ." -->Head East<-- Head East's self-titled album (1978) was the band's fourth studio release and is often referred to as the..."Road Sign" album. Led by underrated vocalist... John Schlitt , this Midwest band churned out no-frills...straight ahead rock. Head East never quite achieved monster status...but they did earn a reputation for hitting the stage hard...as if every show might be their last. Definitely a workingman's band. "Open Up The Door" ...is a great feel-good rocker to start your day. Incredible vocals surrounded by Mike Somerville 's guitar spank and teasing keyboard from Roger Boyd . Seeing these RnR cartographers tear up this firebox would be slice. Have you heard this one? We started out a long time ago We didn't know what to do Knockin' our romances, we took the chances That a lot of us do Well, we've seen strange places We fell on

Lost Gem: "Black Licorice" - Grand Funk

Image
" She's got evil in her eyes... and catnip is her taste." ~ Grand Funk ~ In 1973, Grand Funk dropped...Railroad...from their name and released... "We're An American Band" . It was hugely successful...with the title track becoming a prideful rock anthem heard regularly on every classic rock station across the country. But among a couple of lost gems from this CD...is the oft-forgot... "Black Licorice" . "Black Licorice" is awesome highway driving fuel filled with wicked grinding keyboard (courtesy of newly added member... Craig Frost ). And excellent trademark Mel Schacher bass clearing the roads. And finally... Mark Farner's vocals is surprisingly burning ice! Have you heard this one? Whooo ... wheee! You there, comin' up the stair, the feelin' is ice-blue cold. Shake, it's more than I can take, I'm startin' to lose control. Watch out, what's that noise, there&#

Lost Gem: "Spin It On" - Wings

Image
" Off to the flicks with the piddle in her nicks, to the fair with her hair in curlers." ~ Wings ~ "Back To The Egg" ( 1979) would prove to be Wings' final studio album. And one of their more heavily criticized efforts, to be sure. Looking back...maybe they only dropped a... few ...shells into this rock and roll omelet. Maybe it was the climate of the times...new wave, punk, etc., but spinning this disc 30 years later...I find it a bit uneven, perhaps...but still pleasant enough. "Spin It On" is a great little Wings jammer. Fast-paced, loud and fun. Easy to dismiss until you notice how toolbox tweaked this band plays. Who knows...but they sure sound like they were having a good time. Silly, but solid. Have you heard this one? "Spin It On" (This is it) Spin it on, don't stop. Take it back to the top. 'Cos I got whole lotta love for you I wanna spin it on. Spin it on! Off to the fli