The College Crowd Digs Me

" So let's take advantage of the freedom they gave us ." ~ Crawler ~ This self-titled debut...released in 1977 is often mistaken for a Whitesnake album simply from the cover art. Crawler (formerly Back Street Crawler ) lost founding member...Free guitarist... Paul Kassoff to a heart attack in 1976 but continued on with a slightly different sound...more bluesy rock with a welcome dose of some tasty jazz influences. Not a must-own album...but there are at least four solid songs worthy of your hard-earned cash...with "Stone Cold Sober" being the creme de la creme . Lost Gem:--> "Stone Cold Sober" ...lays down an awesome blues rock groove...almost dreamy in texture...and perfect for that late night drive. Creates an unusually cool vibe . What happened to these guys?! Have you heard this one? Must be something in this life Everybody in the world is criminal This rat race of a place Where we can't live. I don't think They can blame us

"... he's busy lighting candles at both ends. P laying king with all his friends." ~ Steve Walsh ~ Steve Walsh had been the excellent keyboardist/vocalist with prog-rock band... Kansas ...since 1974 before releasing his first solo album. The album was a highly energetic rock offering that had little likeness to the proggier Kansas sound. Much looser to the goose. Yea, Steve lightens up a wee bit...even while feeling the need to break some balls. Lost gem:--> "Schemer Dreamer" is a piano driven rock-breaker with killer vocals and wicked fun lyrics. Deserved better airplay. Have you heard this one? Well the schemer's world is dizzy by the look of things he's busy lighting candles at both ends playing king with all his friends. And his big plans for the future lay on someone else's shoulders but he never tells them so, well he don't want them to know. I don't think I like the schemer's scheme: they use abuse and I've paid my due

"I carried you... now carry me a little." ~ Dr. Hook ~ "Sloppy Seconds" (1972) was a Dr. Hook good-time tour de force filled with one catchy song after another. The tunes are all sung with an enthusiastic playfulness that is contagious and often achingly heartfelt. A terrific underrated one-of-a-kind country rock album. Lost Gem:--> "Carry Me Carrie" ...is an awesome plea for some assistance (written by Shel Silverstein )...and sung by the soulful... Dennis Locorriere . The rascally pirate... Ray Sawyer and the rest of the boys bring it on home. If you can't get "hooked" by this one..you're a frozen fish. Good stuff! Have you heard this one? Second Street and Broadway Sitting in a door way Head held in his hands Looked to all the world like he was praying. Foot wrapped in an old rag Bottle in a brown bag I saw him try to stand Then I heard the words that he was saying. He said come on Carrie, carry me

"There was blood on their hands  and a plague on the land. They drew a line in the sand and made their last stand. " ~ Steve Earle ~ "Jerusalem" (2002) was Steve Earle' s tenth album and I found it to be his best offering since "Copperhead Road" (1988). This Americana troubadour throws down the gauntlet with thoughtful courageous lyrics...that shows his love for America and bitterness towards our politicians. Released when our country's wounds were still festering and far from healing...it was songs like Springsteen's ... " The Rising " ...that people needed to hear...and, perhaps, rightfully so. Eight years later...I find "Ashes..." as equally necessary. Definitely room for both. "Ashes To Ashes" ...is an edgy and hypnotic rocker with echoes of "Exile..." era Stones. Nice churning guitar and an awesome harmonica break seals the deal. Have you heard this one? A shes to ashes, dust to dust A

"And I have crossed myself in anger. All your mercy can't save me." -->Nazareth<-- Nazareth ...that little ol' band from Scotland...was wailing hard in 1975 with their classic... "Hair Of The Dog" album. Heavy blam from start to finish...it became Nazareth's masterpiece. "Beggar's Day" ...written by Nils Lofgren ...is owned by shred-vocalist Dan McCafferty who delivers what can only be described as inspired interpretation . Lead guitarist and mastermind... Manny Charlton ...along with the rest of the band...butters the bread. Have you heard this one? If this is heaven, then I'm in hell. If trust is misfortune, then wish me well. While I think of sadness, baby Your light shines through, your light shines through Your light shines through Because it's beggar's day Because it's beggar's day Because it's beggar's day I've lost control of my darker side A world all for free, on a nastier ride And