The College Crowd Digs Me

"Sure, we was acting like a couple of kids. Good to remember, you know that it is." ~ David Lee Roth ~ The close relationship between the high-flying front-man David Lee Roth and guitar whiz Eddie Van Halen ...for all intents and purposes...dissolved in 1985. The two had sadly reached an..."I don't want you here" / "I don't want to be here"...impasse. Harsh words said. Uncool things done.  Yada, Yada, Yada.  And the point of no return gets crossed right before your very eyes. Great music was made.  Great friendships were made. The music will last.  Unfortunately, and sadly, the once "tight as shite" band   bond is lost forever. Which makes Roth's greatest solo song...toll all the more deeper. Lost Gem:-->   "Damn G ood" ...This acoustic olive branch is a great tribute to old friendships long past . And gets better with every drop of sand. Not often, if ever, does Roth drop the ego mask...which makes this...

"And there's some little jerk in the FBI keepin' papers on me six feet high." ~ Rolling Stones ~ "It's Only Rock 'n Roll" (1974) ...was the 1st album produced by Jagger and Richards under their fictitious name... " The Glimmer Twins ." This was also Mick Taylor's last album as a Rolling Stone...soon replaced by Ron Wood . The record received mixed reviews...and the Stones didn't even honor their new release with a tour til long after a year had passed. Nonetheless..."Fingerprint File"...deserved better. Lost Gem:-->   "Fingerprint File" ...is the last track and it burns with a wicked hypnotic wah-wah funky freakout churn. Taylor and Richards are in perfect balance...with Mick hitting the sleaze button phase that certainly foreshadows things to come. Crank it up at your next party and just try to sit still...btw...the delicious clavinet/synth sounds are courtesy of underrated Billy Preston ...

"There's a big old goofy man  dancing with a big old goofy girl." ~ John Prine ~ Look up the phrase... kool breeze ...and you're liable to find a picture of John Prine . For over 40 years (and all of my life) John has been a fixture in our household...his timeless songs spinning around every room.   A rare artist who taps into all of our everyday frailties without making us feel guilty of our shortcomings. John Prine is an American treasure. A folk singer/songwriter with a catalog of music that inspires, sometimes amuses and always comforts. So familiar a voice, he's become almost a surrogate big brother for me as I go stumbling through adulthood. So it's always a good thing when I get another opportunity to turn someone on to the k ool breeze . Lost Gem:-->   "It's A Big Old Goofy World" ...is a gentle and sweet conglomeration of cliched similes effortlessly tied together into a retrospect of life lessons learned.  Simple in nature...

" I had excuses... those little boy lies ." ~ Squeeze ~ Squeeze was a guitar pop/new wave band out of London with pleasant similarities to the Lennon/McCartney sound. Founding members Chris Difford , wrote the lyrics and Glenn Tilbrook worked out the musical arrangements. Together...they were best friends making...a whole lot of exciting magic. Seldom heard on American radio, Squeeze had an uncanny sense for clever...catchy and unusual hooks that were equal to more popular acts. Glenn Tilbrook & Chris Difford Lost Gem:-->   "Another Nail In My Heart" ...a terrific breakup number. The definition of a well-crafted song . Right down to the almost fake ending.    Highly recommended . Have you heard this gem? The case was pulled from under the bed. She made a call to a sympathetic friend and made arrangements. The door was closed there was a note. I couldn't be bothered Maybe I'll choke No more engagements With where have you been...

"You crawled into my bed like a cockroach." ~ Sweet ~ In 1976, British rock band Sweet , for the first time, was given complete artistic control...and the band certainly took their gloves off...with "Give Us A Wink" . Sweet tuned down their T Rex glam a bit and opened up a fresh jar of fiery-ass rock , while retaining their catchy hook ways. They were a hair band...five years ahead of their time. 1976...was the year Sweet put on their balls. Lost Gem:-->   "Cockroach" ...weaves the band together like an afghan.   Mick Tucker's drumming and Steve Priest' s  bass thunder are ice.  Frontman  Brian Connolly  wails swag venom pushed nicely by Andy Scott's  guitar churn.  Great mid-break and outro. Top of their game! Have you heard this gem? You crawled into my bed like a cockroach. The things you said made me lose my head like a waterfall. You've got a mouth like a VC ten. But I love you. You've got me in your arms And...

"Two  slightly distorted guitars." ~ Mike Oldfield ~   Mike Oldfield , composer & multi-instrumentalist, played more than twenty different instruments on his debut album... "Tubular Bells" . Thirty years later, Oldfield re-recorded the original "Tubular Bells" using updated technology and corrections to what he saw as flaws. I like the original just fine, (don't like tinkering with history)...but "Tubular Bells 2003" is a very strong offering of what I already saw as a masterpiece. Lost Gem-->   " Finale "  ...is an epic 8 minute tour-de-force led by a rhythm run that will not be denied. Different instruments are added on this delicious mind warp prog-ride ...each receiving a proper and grand introduction...leading to an orgasmic flush with the title instrument finally making its appearance. Have you heard this one? Good Stuff! Casey Chambers Follow Me On   FACEBOOK   &   TWITTER

"Darker, darker. Don't let her talk her way into you." ~ Dan Fogelberg ~ In 1974, singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg released...what I think...was his most enjoyable album... "Souvenirs" . Sounding like Poco and the Eagles, Fogelberg was on the money. And no wonder, with artists like Don Henley...Randy Meisner...Graham Nash...Glen Frey...& Wichita's own homeboy... Joe Walsh ...lending support.   In fact, Walsh was producer on this gem, as well. Lost Gem-->  "As The Raven Flies" ...captures a different side of Fog-ster ...an angrier side and he delivers the message like a pissed town-crier.  And it's studio cream...when Walsh  and Fogelberg  start trading guitar run-bites that swag from right to left speaker. Have you heard this Gem? I see the raven's made her nest in your eyes. She's got you thinking that her love is a prize. And you'll go under from the weight of her lies. As the raven flies. As the raven fli...