The College Crowd Digs Me

" The madman climbed The steeple spire. "Go higher" said the crowd From down below ." Thin Lizzy St. Patrick’s Day, I opted to review an album from a band of Irish descent. So after filling my plate with corn beef and cabbage and refilling my tall glass with green beer, I put in the CD " Vagabonds of the Western World " , an offering by Thin Lizzy released in 1973. At this time Thin Lizzy was just a three piece band led by the legendary Phil Lynott , an underrated bass player and singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland and was backed by Eric Bell /guitar and Brian Downey /percussion.  Lizzy had a much more soulful psycha-blues-rock burn going on...on this one...with plenty of meat on the bone. The band kicks off this overlooked treat with a message of environmental neglect in the powerful " Mama Nature Said ," a driving song that rocks without being preachy. It is interesting that forty years later the message i...

"Listen darlin', I got myself a problem. You know I need a helping hand. I don't want to share my candy. I want my sugar handy. But don'tcha know you got to live according to the law." Point Blank Point Blank is one of those bands that…when you hear them for the first time…make you scratch your head and wonder why they didn’t break out big. Releasing their self-titled debut in 1976 , Point Blank sounded like they were ready for bear. Drawing quick similarities to the best of what ZZ Top had to offer. Point Blank also calls to mind some Hatchet…Skynyrd…and Outlaws . This time a dose of ballsy southern-rock from Texas. But this was ’76, and disco was beginning to strangle all other genres from being heard on the radio, so this album…for the most part…tanked before it even got into the water. Too bad…because this release begs to be re-discovered. A bona fide lost classic …filled with songs screaming to be heard on classic radio. Preferably…while taking a “l...

"When you're with me there's a light and I can see my way. When you speak to me it's a song and I know what to say." The Raconteurs That rapscallion guitar whiz, Jack White ( The White Stripes ) has been keeping his hands very busy the last few years. Jack’s over here. Jack’s over there. Jack's making a movie . Jack’s touring with his band, the White Stripes. Jack’s doing the talk show circuit. Jack’s working with Loretta Lynn . Jack’s getting into fights. Jack’s splitting coconuts with Renee Zellweger . Jack’s hanging with The Simpsons. Jack's comparing notes with Pete Townshend . (Feel free to continue the list). So, to suggest Jack White has been stretching himself... “Nicole-thin” ...would be a slight understatement. And then...when I learned he was recording an album last year with some buddies under the guise, The Raconteurs , well...I have to admit...I was not expecting all that much. In fact, after the initial media blitz and ...

"Did you think I'd take it sitting down and let you walk all over me... Thought you knew me much better than that... I keep much better company." Rod Stewart I suppose this album has become known as the one where Rod Stewart ... "Jumps The Shark" . Turning off most rockers and lovers of FM music with equal aplomb. Considered a huge sell-out by many fans... Stewart's infamous fey disco track... "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" ...went to number one anyway. This song has made the top-ten list for worst song...and for best disco song. So apparently what fans he lost in the rocking community...he equally gained from the dancing crowd. Sadly... Rod Stewart lost mucho respect and would never be completely forgiven by his FM compatriots...and unfairly...so it goes. However...if one cares to skip the opening disco track from "Blondes Have More Fun" ...you have a rock solid album full of tasty venom and horn dog hunting. Throw in a couple of trad...

"Now there's too much Warhol hanging off the wall. And the mystery that there used to be is gone." ~ Fleetwood Mac ~ Many are not familiar with Fleetwood Mac prior to the Buckingham/Nicks era...and that's a real shame. After all... Fleetwood Mac have been together since 1967. Drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie have been with the band from conception. And keyboardist...songwriter...and vocals Christie McVie has been on all but 2 albums. McVie & Fleetwood I'm not going to retell the member history of the band...except to say they went through a number of really good lead guitarists...most notably Peter Green . But it is important to note the musical evolution of Fleetwood Mac ...from blues (early years) jazzy rock (mid years) and pop rock (present). And they were good at what they tried to do...all along the way. Quite respected by peers. But the album that should have broke the band wide open...filled with one great song af...

"I married Isis on the fifth day of May... But I could not hold on to her very long. So I cut off my hair and I rode straight away... For the wild unknown country where I could not go wrong." Bob Dylan From a very early age, I developed a very eclectic taste in the CDs I now enjoy, thanks in part to growing up with an obsessive musical family. And I dare say, I have probably heard more Bob Dylan albums than most of my peers. But as big a fan as I am, it may surprise you, that there are few Dylan albums I truly enjoy from beginning to end. My favorite...and the one I recommend to newbies...is the oft forgotten "Desire" . Released in 1976 , "Desire" was amazingly recorded in just a few nights after several chaotic rehearsals guided BD to go with a "less is more" route...with first-takes usually being sufficient. Along with his band, Dylan invited the gorgeous voice of Emmylou Harris and the haunting violin play of Scarlet Rivera into t...

" So I think it's time... because it's too easy t o rely on worshiping devils and strangers in bed, Though they do get good drugs, and they do give good head." Jim Carroll An album that continually brings me pleasure when I spin it...and yet has been unjustly forgotten...is the "in your face" confessional... "Catholic Boy" by former junkie/author/street poet... Jim Carroll. "Catholic Boy" is filled with ten scorching poem/songs...that are as powerful now...as when released in 1980 . The seedy honesty presented by Jim Carroll in each song swirls out of the speakers with an urgency and intensity seldom heard. JC delivers his personal eruption in a speak/singing manner ala Lou Reed with perhaps a more in-tune pitch and a slightly higher vocal range. But never has Reed had a backing band like this one. Playing like every note is life or death...guitars glimmer with city flash and ride the gorgeous bass work to an uncommon level. And ...

"And in my best behavior I am really just like him Look beneath the floor boards For the secrets I have hid". Sufjan Stevens Catching a rebroadcast of Sufjan Steven s on the enjoyable Austin City Limits this past weekend...reminded me of how much I enjoy his 2005 gem... "Illinoise" . Sufjan (pronounced soo-fi-yahn) Stevens , a twenty-something Detroit native started in 2000 releasing music to the Web to little fanfare. A few years later...one couldn't escape surfing the net without reading praise after praise...ad nauseum. It was almost annoying. Nonetheless...the high props and attention were warranted...and though I'm sure I'm preaching to the musical blog choir...this is my first time throwing daisies his direction. And besides...I really enjoy this CD. In 2006, Sufjan was awarded the “PLUG Independent Music Award” for best album with “Illinoise” . This album also attracted the attention of Rolling Stone magazine who threw props his directio...

"Find it, I got to hear it all again... My heart has heard the sound of harmony. Blind to it, as my tears fall again It's only by the music I'll be free." Pete Townshend Rarely does a 30 plus year old album...thumb its nose at time...and sound as brand new...as when it was released. An album that still feels relevant and fresh today. If you can imagine glistening morning dew catching sunlight as the world greets a new day...then you will have a pretty good inkling of the ...joyful and uplifting gift... Pete Townshend has given us...with his unjustly forgotten... "Who Came First" . Recorded in ' 72, Townshend creates an acoustical tour-de force ..that 'rocks out and mellows in' with equal pleasure. In fact, first time listeners will discover...what many already know... Townshend is a most under-rated guitarist. With one listen of “Who Came First“ ...a Townshend fan...you soon will be. The songs throughout reveal a devotion he has for his spi...

"Displayers of affection and all good intentions, why don't you just send me the bill. Don't forget the flowers someday, I know you will." Wilco One of the record business traditions that has long been a thorn in my thumb is the obligatory double album . More often than not...the double album turns out to be a bad case of creativity-diarrhea. This kind of self-indulgence usually leaves me feeling like I've been hosed. Hosed, and scratching my head wondering why the artist didn’t pick the best cherry songs, release a regular CD…and leave the obvious filler cuts on the floor. Having been double-album burned on more than a few occasions...I approach these releases with less than average enthusiam. However...once-in-a-while a double-disc is released by an artist...and it really works. "Being There" by Wilco fits the bill and is a tour-de-force of musical pleasure. Loaded with a collage of 19 eclectic songs written by Wilco founding member, Jeff Tweed...

" I guess the reason I'm so scared of it is I stayed there once and I almost fit. I left before I got out of it." Stills-Young Band In 1976 , the legendary Stephen Stills and Neil Young decided to go into the studio and cut an album to be known as "Long May You Run" . And..."cleverly" calling themselves the Stills-Young Band , expectations from the musical pundits were running high. Unfortunately, the duo’s album was found to be a great disappointment to the ears of critics and fans, alike...quickly... and unfairly ...labeling the music as sloppy and boring. Causing the record to go gentle into that good night. Even worse, the Stills-Young Band split-up only a few months into their promotional tour (more on this later,)... giving fans another reason to turn their backs. Giving this thirty year old CD a listen with fresh ears...I found the music to be a surprising collection of fresh, catchy folk-rock with a touch of some jazzy blues. Even more ...