The College Crowd Digs Me

"Since my baby left me... I've been losing my mind." --> Deep Purple <-- Deep Purple was a different band from their "Smoke On Water" days. Singer Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover had left the band in '73, leaving axe legend Ritchie Blackmore and bandmates to find replacements. Enter bassist Glen Hughes and then unknown vocalist David Coverdale . Coverdal e (future Whitesnake frontman) had much to prove, daring to replace loyal Purple fans' favorite vocalist... Ian Gillan . But with Blackmore and company's thunder... DP released a solid and very underrated album that stands firmly on its own legs. Lost Gem:-->   "Mistreated" ...buried deep on side two is a searing rock-blues wailer that leaves no doubt of Coverdale's qualifications.   Blackmore's sweet riffing and exit solo make it very clear they can still throw it down. Have you heard this Gem? I've been mistreated, I've been abused. ...

"If I could do just one near perfect  thing I'd be happy." ~ Belle & Sebastian ~ With a plethora of folk-rock/pop indie bands working their craft these days... it can be difficult to separate the Good from the Plentys. However Belle & Sebastian  have created quite a following thanks to the trademark quirky kool lyrics from Stuart Murdoch and the wicked 2-point takedown musicianship of the 6 other members. Lost Gem:-->   "If She Wants Me" ...is breathtakingly good.   Brian Wilson good .  With a light jazzy-funk guitar and organ push, lead singer Murdoch’s falsettos spins a killer hook that is nigh on impossible to forget. Charming, yes...but much too smart to be trite. Have you heard this gem? I wrote a letter on a nothing day I asked somebody 'Could you send my letter away'? 'You are too young to put all of your hopes in just one envelope' I said goodbye to someone that I love It's not just me, I tell you ...

"...I know you probably hate me... that's O.K. with me." ~ Wilco ~ Wilco is the always experimenting rootsy alt-rock band from Chicago led by Jeff Tweedy . "Being There" (1996) is the band's 2nd release...a double album that runs a spectrum of musical influences without losing sight of their roots. The record is a confessional, of sorts, from both listener and musician's point of view. Lost Gem:-->   "Outtasite (Outta Mind)" ...is a raucous upbeat banger with a terrific 'whatever' attitude . Guitars and piano spark from the speakers. A splendid time is guaranteed for all. Have you heard this gem? I know we don't talk much but you're but you're such a good talker, oh-whoa Well I know we should take a walk but y'er such a fast walker, oh-whoa, well alright I know where I'll be tonight, alright Outta mind outta site. Well O.K., I know you don't love me but you'll still be thinking of me, oh...

"Make sure he grows up like me... and I'm a vagabond." ~ Thin Lizzy ~ Thin Lizzy , not surprisingly, finds itself with its 3rd Lost Gem . This time, the title track from their 1973 offering... "Vagabonds of the Western World ". Other songs from this underrated album could easily have been chosen...but the restless Canterbury Tale spirit  that singer/bassist Phil Lynott ...drummer Brian Downey and the awesome...guitarist Eric Bell evoke is ageless . Lost Gem:-- >  "Vagabonds of the Western World " ...One of Lynott's best vocals served with a cock-nasty swagger . And when the Lizzy Boys bring everything together...absolutely nothing is held back.  Nothing! Have you heard this gem? I could tell you the story of a vagabond. A playboy of the western world. One day by chance he came upon A fair young maid, a country girl. He told her that he loved her. And he took all of her silver. He told her that he needed her too. He sa...

"Everyone has a system, but they can't seem to win.   Even Bob Geldolf looks alarmingly thin." ~ Loudon Wainwright III ~ The tongue-wagging folker... Loudon Wainwright III ...appears on the "Lost Gem" list again with a rather resigned look at our world's state of affairs. Pulled from "More Love Songs" (1986) ...the listener will find several songs worthy of owning. Lost Gem:-->   "Hard Day On The Planet" ...has a catchy upbeat push with a rather bleak downbeat message . A musing, in a sad understanding way. Produced by (and featuring) legendary Richard Thompson ...25 years later, the song could have been written this morning. Have you heard this gem? The dollar went down and the President sick. Who's in charge, now? I don't know, take your pick. A new disease every day and the old ones are coming back Things are looking kind of gray, like they're gonna get black. Don't turn on the TV, don't...

"You can't buy my soul with gold,  but my heart is up for hire." ~ Angel City (The Angels) ~ Angel City (The Angels) are a hard-rockin' band from Australia with plenty of songs that should have become classic radio fodder in the States. But, as often happens in the music business...Angel City (The Angels) simply got lost in the shuffle. When Epic Records brought the band to America...the band had to endure several name changes. Originally called..."The Angels"...they quickly became..."Angel City"...only later to become..."The Angels From Angel City". The band's 1980 release... "Face To Face" (US version)...carries a wicked jam-punk factor ...with a slice of AC/DC.   Highly recommended.   Lost Gem:-->   "Can't Shake It" ...is a great head-knockin' rocker with solid power chords and driving beat .  And when singer "Doc" Neeson breaks it down around the 3:00 mark...well...the despera...

"...Sometimes they call me  the great unwashed." ~  The Rutles  ~ The Rutles are actually The Beatles from the Bizarro World .  They simply share their love and respect for The Beatles with pinpoint, needle-nose apple-scruff precision . Each song is carefully crafted with various sounds, instruments, vocal mannerisms and tricks that have become synonymous with the Fab...BUT absolutely unique in that wickedly tongue-n-cheek Monty Python style.   Something completely different...but awesomely familiar. The Rutles Lost Gem:-->   "Joe Public" ...has a fantastic arrangement heavily influenced by... "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "Rain" .  Don't think...just go with it.   Fab Four Perfection! Have you heard this gem? My name is Joe Public - I'm sure you all know me Sometimes they call me 'the man in the street' but I don't mind. I've got my place in society I've got my feet on the ground I've got my...