The College Crowd Digs Me

" Well, it will hook your Sue and Johnny. (You're so full of bull, Sam)" ~ John Kay/Steppenwolf ~ "Steppenwolf...the Second" (1968) ... has John Kay and the boys throwing down a sophomore effort that does not disappoint. Filled with a blend of traditional rock...earthy psych...and somewhat tasty blues jams, all delivered in that solid John Kay throwback style very much missed today. If all you know are the terrific, but overplayed Steppenwolf classics... "Born To Be Wild" & "Magic Carpet Ride" ...then prepare to have your eyebrows raised. "Don't Step On The Grass, Sam" ...is a wicked... "thumb in the eye" kiss-off ...to the stiff-minded establishment.  Churning rhythm guitar trade-off bites and props to Goldy McJohn for some nice crushing keyboad work. One of the better protest songs. Turn it up! Have you heard this one? Starin' at the boob tube, turnin' on the big knob Tryin' ...

"When we were kids... we hated things our parents did." ~ Red House Painters ~ "Songs For A Blue Guitar" (1996) ...was an unexpected must own CD by the Red House Painters . It was recorded during a bunch of label contract fubars and is essentially a solo recording from leader Mark Kozelek . And can often be found in discount bins. Among this eleven song offering...are three surprising covers. One from...Wings...Yes...&...The Cars. Each are uniquely mind-blowing filled with soft vocals with elongated electrical axe work ...mixed with gentle folk guitar . Nicely done. But the real lost gem from this RnR paint can is the opening track. "Have You Forgotten" ...is a haunting acoustical gem that exposes painful bittersweet memories in thoughtful and mature strokes. Have you heard this one? I can't let you be cause your beauty won't allow me wrapped in white sheets like an angel from a bedtime story shut out what they say...

" On a mountain range I'm Dr. Strange for you. " ~ T. Rex ~ "Electric Warrior" (1971) is arguably T. Rex's best release...though "The Slider" could easily hold that title as well. This is premium ground-cracking stuff with high marks from start to finish. Lost gem... "Mambo Sun" ...is one of the best opening tracks of all time. It's a sleazy horn-dog beggar ...with a wicked groove. Listen for the tasty T. Rex string bends. Have you heard this one? Beneath the bebop moon I want to croon with you. Beneath the Mambo Sun I got to be the one with you. My life's a shadowless horse If I can't get across to you. In the alligator rain My hearts all pain for you. Girl you're good And I've got wild knees for you. On a mountain range I'm Dr. Strange for you. Upon a savage lake Make no mistake I love you I got a powder keg leg And my wig's all pooped for you. With my hat in my hand I'm a hungry man for y...

" It's too late... There's no one left that I even wanna imitate." ~ Jim Carroll ~ Jim Carroll captured lightning in a bottle with his debut album... "Catholic Boy" (1980) . The energy and urgency of each song sounds raw and dangerous. And the poetry prince... Jim Carroll ...spins his verbiage like a Lou Reed arachnid. His words ooze with rare cold truth and we're all the better for it. "It's Too Late" ...is a terrific lost gem filled with churning and burning bass and blaring axe blade.  Sets the table nicely for JC's biting tongue spank. Have you heard this one? It's too late To fall in love with Sharon Tate. But it's too soon To ask me for the words I want carved on my tomb. I think it's time that you all start To think about gettin' by Without that need to go out and find somebody to love. It's too late There's no one left that I even wanna imitate You see, you just don't know I'm here to give y...

"Happy 'Flippin' New Year! ...Already?" Just a quick shout to let everyone know I'll be performing at the annual New Years Eve Bash at the notorious Shamrock Lounge in Wichita, KS. They'll be plenty of good time friends. Great live music. Lots of tasty beers. And the always heady vibe of the Shamrock ...unlike anywhere you'll find. Be there to welcome in...2010! Good stuff. Casey

"I can't demand... anything of myself now." ~ Edgar Winter Group ~ "They Only Come Out At Night" (1972) was Edgar Winter Group's fourth studio release. The line-up was stone solid with Ronnie Montrose ... Rick Derringer ...&... Dan Hartman ...along with other class musicians all helping Edgar Winter wail the wax. And yes...the awesome instrumental... "Frankenstein" was the driving force on this record. Able to overcome a shockingly bad album cover. (scaring off many would-be buyers, I'm sure!) Lost Gem... "Autumn"... is a gentle ballad gem buried deep on side two. Its beauty strikes sudden . And throws the listener into their own personal flashback. The contradiction from the raucous numbers surrounding this special track pushes the CD up an extra notch. Autumn ...(by Winter). Have you heard this one? Autumn... The wind blows colder than summer. Autumn... My love's gone with another. I can't demand anything of m...

"You can never come down. You can never come down." ~ Cheap Trick ~ "Heaven Tonight" (1978) was Cheap Trick's third album. And it is amazing how catchy and tight each song is...without being the least bit cotton.  A perfect meld of..." in your face rock and starburst pop". Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. The title track is a dreamy...eerie gem that brings to mind glimmery shades of...dare I say it... Abbey Road. Have you heard this one? Down the line. Don't go over. There's a limit. You went over. So much time. Time runs out. Time ran out. Make it down. Would you like to go to heaven tonight? Would you like to go to heaven tonight? Oh oh oh oh Downed the line. Couldn't get much. Couldn't get much...higher if you tried And tried and tried. You're as guilty. It's the crime. It's a crime. Would you like to go to heaven tonight? Would you like to go to heaven tonight? Oh oh oh oh ...