HIDDEN TREASURES - GOIN' SOLO (TESTING THE WATERS)

[RJhog (Admin)]

Week number two of guest hosting Scott's Hidden Treasures is upon us.  Let me tell you, thinking of a subject on a weekly basis is much harder than I imagined, so my hat is off to Sir Scott G.  I did manage to come up with a subject for the week, and I certainly hope it's not a repeat.  If so, my apologies.  

It has happened so often.  The lead vocalist, or sometimes a different member of a successful band, feels the need to break out on his or her own.  Sometimes it works wonderfully (think Phil Collins) and sometimes it bombs terribly (think Scott Stapp).  Either way, I'm sure it can be a nerve wracking experience.  So below I have a four song playlist, each artists having a previous successful run in a band before breaking out on his own.  What do you think, was it a success (creatively or popularly)?

Playlist: http://www.podsnack.com/my-playlists/details/a1u9a1dv

Robin Zander

Robin Zander

1993

Did You Know? Robin Zander's second solo album has yet to see an official release.  It is widely bootlegged and almost made this playlist.

1. I've Always Got You

Robin Zander has spent the bulk of his career as front man for Cheap Trick.  But you knew that already.  His self-titled debut solo album, released in 1993, remains his only "officially released" solo album.  The album didn't fare well commercially, but it's a cool listen nonetheless.  There are some pretty big names on the co-writing credits for the album like Mike Campbell, J.D. Souther, Dave Stewart and Maria McKee.  The album also contains covers of Harry Nilsson's Jump Into The Fire and Neil Young's I Believe In You. The song you hear here was written by Campbell, Souther and Zander.  If you ask me, I could easily hear it as a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers song.

Eddie Vedder 

Into The Wild 

2007

Did You Know? Director Sean Penn handpicked Vedder to provide the soundtrack for the film Into The Wild.  Vedder had contributed songs to the films Dead Man Walking and I Am Sam, both of which starred Penn.

2. Long Nights

Eddie Vedder, as you once again know, is the frontman for Pearl Jam.  His debut solo album basically provides the soundtrack for the film Into The Wild.  The film is the story of Chirstopher McCandless, an American wanderer who decided to live alone and live off of the land in Alaska.  Vedder watched a rough cut of the movie and started writing songs.  He would take those songs to Director Sean Penn, get feedback, write more and the bring those to Penn.  The album does contain two covers as well and, as you can probably tell from this track, has a folk sound. That sound fits the film perfectly.

Kip Winger

This Conversation Seems Like A Dream

1997

Did You Know?  Rod Morgenstein, drummer for Kip's main band Winger, performed the drums for this album.

3. Monster

Kip Winger is best known for his duties in the band named after him.  This Conversation Seems Like A Dream was his first foray into solo territory.  If you are looking for the hard rocking, heaviness that you get from a Winger album, you would probably be disappointed.  His solo stuff, including this release, is much more laid back.  Monster is a groove-laden track that's best listened to through a pair of head phones.  Winger is a very talented artist who has caught much ridicule in his career, although it was misplaced.

Gerry Rafferty

City To City

1978

Did You Know? The Stealers Wheel song Stuck In The Middle With You was featured prominently in the film Reservoir Dogs (no way can I hear the song now and not think of that movie) during a torture scene.

4. Whatever's Written In Your Heart

Gerry Rafferty's story is just slightly different from the artists above.  He started out in a pop/folk group called the Humblebums.  Then, after releasing his first solo album, he and Joe Egan co-founded the band Stealers Wheel. Finally, in 1978, he released his second solo album City To City.  It contained the huge hit Baker Street, as well as the moderate hits Right Down The Line and Home And Dry.  The album reached number one and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Whatever's Written In Your Heart is as good of an example of a hidden gem as there is.  It's just a beautiful song that should be heard by the masses.

[Scott]

Timely Playlist given Steven Tylers announcement of a solo country album. Let's hope Tylers output never makes its way on here. Will check back on this soon. Looks very interesting as I only own the Rafferty album. ...

[Scott]

• Strangely sounds exactly like a Tom Petty tune with better production.  Very mellow and poppy, apparently this solo effort is Adult Contemporary?
• I had initial interest in the Vedder album/soundtrack, but that didn't last long enough to purchase, or survive the reviews.  Kind of weird to hear him enunciate.  Who knew he was singing in English?  Seriously, I do like the acoustic work, its quite nice, but the tune kind of drones and there's no real chorus or catchy hook.
• I think we all have pet artists that find their way into a majority of what we do on this site.  Winger is yours, clearly.  When I hear him, my mind goes to the infamous spin move he does.  So that's whats in my mind as I listen.  A second droner in a row..  Monotone vocals is the theme?  Honestly its better than expected, I do love the keyboards in the background and the geetar work is quite melodic and adds to the tune.  But...  vocally, I'm in eh-ville...
• Best tune of the 4, easily...  Rafferty is special, the dude can write and sing and is totally unique.  Too bad he drank hi career into the gutter, he could of done so much more!

Nice post, and I'm not sure I've done this topic before, I tried to look but didnt find anything, so thats cool!  Nice work!

[Jon]

I forgot I have the Zander album. Actually had to look to make sure. Maybe I'll listen to it. I believe it sounds nothing like Cheap Trick, but don't remember. This song doesn't sound like CT, but it's quite fine. 

The goodness of the first song was ruined by the warble of the second song. Quite a boring, warbly song. Good movie, though. Hope Sean doesn't punch me in the face for disliking this song.

I have a Kippy solo album. It has a blue cover. It's not like Winger. It could be prog. This song is a bit funky. He kinda lost me when he moaned, but the song isn't bad at all, except for the moan. 

The last song is really nice. I have this album. I like the cover. I like the album.

Still wish Scott was doing this. He wouldn't have any warbly songs.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Undoubtedly, me doing this forum for a few weeks was all that was needed to get the real Jon back. 

[Scott]

Kippy.... hahaha