SCOTT HIDDEN TREASURE #58 - Suit and Tie Only

[Scott]

Seems like the site is on a bit of a Corporate Rock slant lately with all the Styx and Journey albums being showcased, so that’s where I’m going too...

Corporate Rock Hidden Treasures...

The origins of arena rock were in the 1960s, sometimes dated to when The Beatles played Shea Stadium in New York in 1965. As the increased power of amplification and sound systems allowed the use of larger and larger venues.  Smoke, fireworks and sophisticated lighting shows became staples of arena rock performances.  It has been argued that the rise of arena rock marked the end of the idealism of 1960s, particularly in the disillusionment that followed the Altamont Festival of 1969, for a more commercial form of rock.
 
The use of commercial sponsorship for the large-scale tours and concerts of this era began to lead to the music being branded as corporate rock.  The commercialism, and "overblown" spectacle of stadium rock has been seen as promoting a number of reactions, including the pub rock and punk rock movements in the 1970s. In the 1980s arena rock became dominated by glam metal bands, following the lead of Aerosmith ...

Sounds like a good place to start!

PLAYLIST VITALS

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LENGTH: 19 minutes 21 seconds
LINK: http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/c57e305eb3882d99a4f544dda1005178

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SONG: Combination
BAND: Aerosmith
ALBUM: Rocks
YEAR: 1976
LENGTH: 3:40
DID YOU KNOW: Rocks ranked #176 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Additionally, it has greatly influenced several people in the hard rock and heavy metal community, including members of Guns N' Roses and Metallica

I’ve beefed about this band enough, but I can’t let them totally go because this era of the band is just killer!  Love this album the most for sure!

SONG: Mademoiselle
BAND: Styx
ALBUM: Crystal Ball
YEAR: 1976
LENGTH: 3:59
DID YOU KNOW: This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The track "Mademoiselle" was Tommy Shaw's vocal debut.

Just like the buying public, I totally missed this album when it came out.  I had heard Equinox and the wooden nickel stuff, but didn’t really jump on the bandwagon until The Grand Illusion was released.  It was then when I went back and discovered this album.  The album contains some of my favorite geetar work from this band.

SONG: Heavy On Your Love
BAND: REO Speedwagon
ALBUM: Nine Lives
YEAR: 1979
LENGTH: 3:35
DID YOU KNOW: The title Nine Lives was chosen because the album was the band's ninth, including their live album, and it also featured nine songs. It was the last REO album to prominently feature a more hard rock sound.

By the time this album came out I was on the bandwagon.  After two successful albums this was supposed to be a massive release.  I remember the displays in the record store even.  I bought it and loved it!  To this day it’s a mystery to me why this album didn’t catch on.

SONG: Lovin' You Is Easy
BAND: Journey
ALBUM: Evolution
YEAR: 1979
LENGTH: 3:37
DID YOU KNOW: "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" appears as part of "The Big Medley" on Dream Theater's EP, A Change of Seasons. The original recording of "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" appeared in the pilot episode of Glee and was used and recorded by the cast of Glee for a mash-up with "Any Way You Want It" for the first season finale.

Am I the only one that thinks the Glee information is weird?  Anyway ... My first Journey experience was seeing Just the Same Way played on the Midnight Special.  That appearance translated into purchasing this album and I was hooked.

SONG: Whats Your Name
BAND: Boston
ALBUM: Walk On
YEAR: 1989–1996
LENGTH: 4:28
DID YOU KNOW: For the second album in a row, and for the second time in a decade, Scholz's work was delayed by renovations to his studio. In the end, eight years passed between Third Stage and Walk On, which was released in June 1994. Walk On was certified platinum by the RIAA, but only reached #7 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. It failed to chart in the Top 5 like all their previous albums. It produced one hit single, "I Need Your Love" which was widely played on some rock radio stations.

I love this bands entire body of work, even with all the fuss and internal shuffling of members their output is consistently strong and bombastic!  I love the "technical" aspect of Scholtz's work.  What I don’t like is the time between releases!

 

Adieu!

 

 

[Jon]

Are you saying that Rjhog and I are now suits????

[Scott]

You know that mental image you have of someone you only know from online?  Well, what can I say ...

[Jon]

Crap. I wear a suit. Busted!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Nice playlist Scott.  Although I have Aerosmith's "Rocks", I have never listened to it.  But I really, really like this song.  Very cool.  You might expect some more corporate rock in a few weeks.

 

I almost posted Crystal Ball from Styx as AOTW this week, but decided to go with Pieces Of Eight instead.  I love the album, and the song you picked (my favorite off of the album is the title track, just a magnificent example of Tommy Shaw's ability, writing and performing).

 

I saw that Boston CD at the used CD store yesterday, but wasn't sure about it.  It's around 4-5 dollars.  Who is the vocalist?

[Jon]

YOu should get it just for the "Walk On" medley and song. It's awesome.

[Scott]

Love the Get ORGANized piece of that Medley the most, just cool cool stuff!

[Gordon Williams]

5 for 5 on this one Scott! Like all the songs, and all the albums, although I thought this Boston album was weak compared to the earlier albums.

Now, no disrespect meant to our fearless leader, but....what does it say when someone has so many CD's that they have not even listened to them all? The sickness continues...  (take some time and listen to Rocks, RJHog! Its a definite classic, just like all of the first 4 releases from Aerosmith were/are!)

[Scott]

Thanks for chiming in always good to hear from you in this forum!  And I agree, sounds like our Fearless Leader needs to put together another give-away with all those CD's laying around!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I actually have all of those first five, but have only listened to the first one all the way through.

[Alan Christensen]

I have not played that Boston CD in a LONG! LONG! Time. It was a favorite in High School, and a favorite from Friends! Awesome CD and band! I need to play it again and remember the greatness! :)