The College Crowd Digs Me

"...and if I wear apathy's crown... don't call me highness." ~ Michael Penn ~ Under-appreciated songwriter... Michael Penn ...has always been given props and accolades from most music critics...but seems to have never been given a fair-shake from music fans. Maybe because many felt Penn had been blessed with "silver-spoon" opportunities. Fugetabotit ! Michael Penn is very good on his own merits. Mixing folksy with a bit of Rock...and laying down one unexpected killer line after another. Penn demands multiple listens. Just be ready to be hit with a heavy does of shadowy reality with a slice of tongue-in-cheek! Lost Gem:-->   "Long Way Down" ...from "Free-For-All" (1992) ...is an all familiar... light-bulb moment ...of realizing you are in love with the wrong person ...and resigned to a weary acceptance. Penn's vocal delivery is flawless, unapologetic and cuts, oh so very close, to the bone. -->Brilliant! Have ...

"Seventeen and natures queen... you all know what I mean." -->UFO<-- R eleasing the excellent third album... "Phenomenon" ...in 1974, UFO left behind their more spacier sound and began drilling for Hard-Rock oil. It was also the place where a young 18 year old German guitar whiz... Michael Schenker ...began flexing his axe muscles. And lead singer Phil Mogg will forever be the heart & soul of UFO ...whether playing heavy metal acoustic numbers or pounding rock-out jams. "Rock Bottom" ...is a ball-breaking...hard-rock...jam pie. Kid Schenker ends any arguments of his guitar spankage with one of the finest extended solos ever. Not one throw away note. And underrated bassist Pete Way is a thunderclap newman! Have you heard this one? Seventeen and natures queen,you all know what I mean. Twenty-one a lone one, you can see the number's run Now you look so peaceful, lying there asleep With the wings of god above you Before the...

"Nothing  will ever be the same. Some of the best things fade; Some of the worst remain." ~ Greg Kihn ~ The first half of the eighties was Greg Kihn's most commercially successful period. Lots of solid pop-rock swa g that was performed earnestly with just a swig of tongue-in-cheek. Kihn was easy to like. But the late seventies was when Kihn earned most of his RnR battle scars . Touring constantly, playing anywhere and everywhere. In 1978 Kihn released an underrated album... "Next Of Kihn" ...which has a very...close to the bone...vibe. It screams..."Hey! I'm Greg Kihn . And I don't deserve to be ignored." And it's a perfect starting point in understanding this flame. Lost Gem:-->   "Remember" ...is a stunner ...capturing a snapshot of a past relationship in a most haunting and epic way. Have you heard this gem? Silver bird takes off in the night Another's comin' in In any window a light As every night...

" All the money in this world And I don't need it. " ~ Budgie ~ Budgie was a blistering power-trio heavy metal hard rock band out of Cardiff, Wales that should have broke large. Sounding like the best parts of Rush , Purple and Sabbath , Budgie pounded out creative riffs ... trippy lyrics ...and tight, confident playage. But for whatever unfair reason, Budgie could never gain more than cult status in the States. Newbies, who have never heard Budgie , will have a field day exploring the bands loaded catalog. Ray Phillips (drums), Burke Shelly (bass & vocals), Tony Burge (guitar) Lost Gem:-->   "Breadfan" ...the opening track from... "Never Turn Your Back On A Friend" (1973)  is a wrapped-up package of heavy metal riffage with an  acoustic break that screams classic.  A signature track and a perfect starting point . Have you heard this one? Breadfan open up your mind Open up your purse Never never never gonna lose it Bread...

"S he dreams that if only they could've seen heart to heart..." ~ Aldo Nova ~ Aldo Nova set the bar high with the tour-de-force rocker... "Fantasy " ...which opens his self-titled debut. Powerful and exciting ...the song went on to become a staple at sporting events everywhere. But this Canadian rocker was more than just a one-trick pony. Aldo has produced records and written songs for acts as diverse as Bon Jovi ... Blue Oyster Cult ...and the songstress Celine Dion. His fine debut is filled with plenty of good rock songs and ballads ...with a couple of tracks that should have broke large. If you're into cherry-picking, you'll definitely want to checkout... "Ball and Chain" ... "Foolin' Yourself" ...and my "lost gem". Lost Gem:-->   "Heart To Heart" ...is urgency at its finest. Wicked blistering guitar spank  pushes the listener to the cliff-edge.  Have you heard this one? There...

"To bring your woman back home after she's left you for another... You've got to be a man." ~ Derek & The Dominos ~ Derek , of course, was Eric Clapton . And The Dominos consisted of outstanding musicians in their own right. Awesome slide and lead guitarist, Duane Allman , pushes Eric to reach what many have found to be his crowning achievement. And Bobby Whitlock 's presence, on keys, piano, and vocals...can't even be measured. But he was certainly the rock...who kept Eric going. Add legendary Jim Gordon drumming and Carl Radle rolling the bass and you have captured lightening in a bottle. This is passion at its finest. The plea for unrequited love. Lost Gem:-->   "Anyday" ...Eric & Bobby hold nothing back with some heart stopping vocals. And the stinging guitar solo from Duane is tits. Jim Gordon's drumming is outstanding. Have you heard this one? You were talking and I thought I heard you say Please leave me alo...

" Here's to money in my hand and where it went. " ~ Steve Forbert ~  Steve Forbert , as I've referred to him on many occasions...is the bruised-knuckled optimist with a camera eye. The singer who..."makes it all so real." With his unique stutter-step vocals , he delivers his timeless songs with an ageless wisdom. The good stuff. The bad stuff.   Steve is an observer of life and reports what he has learned. "Alive On Arrival" (1978) was this Americana troubadour's debut and thirty years later he is still sharing his thoughtful observations . Me, Steve & the coffee pot in Kansas Lost Gem:-->   "Steve Forbert's Midsummer Night's Toast"   ...immediately strikes the..."we've got a lot in common"...chord in all of us. This catchy declaration will easily have new ears nodding heads in familiar understanding.  A great introduction to an underrated songwriter. Have you heard this one? ...