The College Crowd Digs Me

"Johnny tell the chaplain go and polish his tombs." --> The Buggles <-- The Buggles , and their now-famous and delightful opening video for MTV , will always be an answer on some game show somewhere. And that ain't such a bad thing. But The Buggles were more than a one-hit-wonder. They were blending synth sounds and tones creating a unique electronic pop experience that masked a darker future of a more antiseptic society. The band consisted of just two guys experimenting in the studio...making moods. But with one rare difference. They were outstanding musicians. Trevor Horn & Geoffrey Downes Geoffrey Downes spun his magic over the keyboards and percussion ...while Trevor Horn pottered the bass, guitar and vocals. When the  legendary prog band... Yes ...heard The Buggles debut... "The Age Of Plastic" (1980) ...they quickly asked them to produce and also join the band. Now that's some pretty strong cred. LOST GEM:--> "C...

" For your life to begin ol' Money Bags, your life will have to cease. " --> White Witch <-- White Witch were a gifted group of young Florida boys who oddly signed with a Southern Rock label (Capricorn) ...but who were not Southern Rock. On this 2nd and final album, " A Spiritual Greeting" (1974) ... White Witch were RnR chameleons...sounding Beatlesque one minute... Bowieglam the next. Sabbath another time and Uriah Heep yet another. But White Witch were not merely imitators. Their songs stand as Premium Original 70's rock jams . Played and performed at Premium Octane level . This range, however, would sadly prove to be their undoing. Capricorn obviously didn't know how to market them...so they didn't. LOST GEM:--> "We'll All Ride High (Money Bags)" ...The intro is a "hoist-your-beers" feel-good chant that quickly turns into a guitar-burn.   Wicked vocals preside over a cemetery burial. A sacr...

"I'd cried for every lesser thing... Whiskey, pain and beauty." --> Guy Clark <-- Guy Clark is a kool hoss singer/songwriter...and he is absolutely one of the best. C rafting each song with a surgeon's steady hand and a rebel's defiant turn, it's no wonder other artists line up to cover his songs. And "Live From Austin, TX" is a great Guy Clark introduction. LOST GEM:--> "The Randall Knife - Live" ... a deeply personal telling of a father's passing. The song captures perfectly how hurt feelings left unspoken can turn into a powerful matzo ball. Have you heard this gem? My father had a Randall knife My mother gave it to him When he went off to WWII To save us all from ruin If you've ever held a Randall knife Then you know my father well If a better blade was ever made It was probably forged in hell My father was a good man A lawyer by his trade And only once did I ever see Him misuse t...

"But the beaver was quick And grabbed him by the kiwis."  --> Primus <-- Primus unfairly lost a few followers when they began stepping outside of the imaginary genre thrust on them. Like a sponge, they were drawing ideas from other styles of music. Not stealing...Pushing. Stamping the envelope and pounding it in the mail slot. This is fresh..wicked...smart stuff and well worth owning. LOST GEM:--> "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" ...funky groove that trips with a devilish quirk that would've made Zappa smile. Bassist-extroidinare Les Claypool . ..turns loose like a Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil. And guitarist Ler LaLonde shreds in and out like customers at a hooker's factory. Silly, sure...but silly ain't never sounded this good! Have you heard this gem? Wynona's got herself a big brown beaver and she shows it off to all her friends. One day, you know, that beaver tried to leave her, So she caged him up with cyclon...

"You're like a woman I've never seen." --> Doobie Brothers <-- The definitive Doobie Brothers album... "The Captain and Me" (1973) ...is filled with their trademark twin guitar and twin drum assault. (This is pre-Michael McDonald stuff, babies...and that's a good thing!) While Tom Johnston (vocals and guitar) was fronting the California band...the Doobs sounded like The Eagles on a Red Bull chug-fest.   Plus, they had a touch of Southern spirit in their sound. With underrated Patrick Simmons adding to the fiery guitar churn ...it was no wonder the Doobie Brothers were quickly endorsed by the wildest of biker clicks and chicks. LOST GEM:--> "Dark Eyed Cajun Woman" ...creates a mysterious vibe...with vocals and melody perfectly matched for the ride. Timeless and lures me to the car for leaving... Anywhere!  Windows down. Thunderstorms, be damned. Have you heard this gem? I think back to the time When I first s...

" I'm the perfect sample of a bad example gone forever from their graces ." --> Rodney Crowell <-- Since 1972, Rodney Crowell has been writing and performing great songs, yet somehow has always been one of Americana music's best-kept secrets . (His rebellious nature at the direction mainstream country was taking probably had a lot to do with it.) After signing with an indie label... Rodney made jaws drop and eyes raise with his brilliant release... "The Houston Kid" (2001) . Quite simply, from beginning to end... RC ...hangs the laundry out in the wind for all to see. The songs feel real...and personal. Fact or fiction? I imagine a little bit of both. LOST GEM:--> "Highway 17" ...This raw acoustic story song is filled with raw memories of bad people, bad deeds...and bad luck .  His chilling delivery is  like a festering wound... and rides shotgun with the best. Have you heard this gem? I put away fifteen grand doing ...

"But I'm a howler monkey.   Moreau's half & half-man." --> Blue Oyster Cult <-- I've always been a fan of Blue Oyster Cul t . But sometime in the eighties, BOC sorta fell off my rocknroll radar after back-to-back (to back)...dud releases. It was only by lucky accident , I stumbled upon their "Heaven Forbid" (1998) CD and was able to take it with me on a 3 hour Tulsa road-trip.   Surprise ! Blue Oyster Cult are swinging their scythes again. Original members... Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma ...have unburied the coffin. LOST GEM--> "Damaged" <-- is classic Buck Dharma with an agenda. Bruising churn & burn riffs quickly push a left-of-center intro out of the way. Hey, I admit it. I thought this band was over the hill. But these cemetery chord bangers are fit...and don't they know it. Have you heard this gem? Wish I was a better person With more control Turn the other cheek When the punch comes, r...