One of my early influences was an album from REO Speedwagon, it was a self-titled album often referred to as “COW” because of the cover art and the branded image of the REO in the skin of the hide. It’s likely the most cohesive REO album you can find or hear. At the time I had no idea that it represented a band coming together again, I just knew every song I heard was well written, played and catchy as catchy gets! But also the guitar works was special. This was my introduction to Gary Richrath. From this intro, I was able to go back and hear REO “T.W.O.”, and “Ridin’ The Storm Out” thanks to some friends and my brothers album collection. Around the same time their “Live: You Get What You Play For” album came out, which blew up FM radio with their live rendition of “Ridin’ The Storm Out” and “157 Riverside Avenue”. So for me real REO started with REO, make sense?
So that’s the backdrop for why I love the Gary Richrath era of REO. Though he was always creative and unique, his guitar work really started to become distinct and stand out even more with the COW album. That’s the reason this week Hidden Treasures highlights Gary Richrath and the songs he wrote, or co-wrote....
Enjoy!
PLAYLIST --> http://www.podsnack.com/sgabbert/avk5eh11
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I like Richrath. But I'm one of those folks that prefer the radio-friendly tunes from Hi Infidelity. To me, that's just a hook and groove filled pleasure palace. I like the follow up as well (Good Trouble), and I believe I'm the only one here who does.
I actually have all of these, but I've never listened to most of 'em all the way through. Lightning is a nice tune. I dig Cronin's voice and can't imagine Richrath's being as good. I'll try to check the entire album out soon. The piano and lead guitar solo on the live cut are both terrific. The bass solo is kind of just "there" to me.
I will be very surprised, If I'll like this.
1. Start makes me think of Neil Young. That's the sound of the guitar. This song actually ain't half-bad. I'm surprised. It has that 70's-sound, that I love. If I had a time-machine, I would go back to 1975. An okay guitar-solo as well. Not bad at all.
2. Start makes me think of Status Quo. A straight forward rock-song. Not bad, but not that good either. Something I've heard too many times. I'm bored.
3. And now I'm thinking Cheap Trick, at the start, that is. Yeah, it does sound like 1979, and I did like the sound of 1979, and still do. It's not bad, but again it's a straight forward song, nothing special. I'll forget it in 2 sec. But not as bad, as I'd expected.
4. Now I don''t think of other bands than REO. This is kind of the sound I think of, when I think REO. Do I ever think REO? Certainly not. Another boring song. Apparently they got worse and worse. Not a good song at all. I have a difficult time listening to it.
5. Yeah, this do nOT appeal to me at all. The only surprisingly good song was the first one. This last one is the worst. I can almost sense the squaredance...ydrk!
Do you know what the greatest album is that has never been released?
I have four of these on CD, actually had the same four on vinyl. Don't know why I had the live album on vinyl, it came with a set on CD so that explains that. The only song that I can remember is the one here, I think I played that a lot.
"Nine Lives" is their best album with one of the greatest album closing songs of all time. Good thing I did that set some time ago AND COPYRIGHTED IT. That way, nobody else can claim it was their idea.
Ok. Of course someone had to mention "In Your Letter", one of the worst songs of all time. It ranks up there with "Muskrat Love". Even though the song you posted is ok, just thinking of THAT song has made me ill.
I really, really like "Wheels Are Turnin'" for some reason. I mean REALLY like it. I remember the inside sleeve had this thing you could cut out and put on a turntable and it would have been really cool to cut it out and put it on the turntable but then you would be ruining the album. Why would you do that?
Oh, and the answer to that question at the very top is Bruce Hall's solo album, of course.
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Norma Jean Fox
(11/30/1945-9/7/2010)
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