SCOTT'S HIDDEN TREASURES #17

[Scott]

Last week we themed a time period centered arond my teenagedom.  For #17 I thought about themeing it again and threw out the idea of doing a take on Unplugged!  But those are so hit and miss I probably couldnt find 10.  But on the way to listening through unplugged albums I ran across some really cool acoustical gems, so I relaxed my theme a bit and came up with 10 really cool tracks that feature an acoustic guitar in some way.

 

No this won't be ballady, but it may be an AOR experience.  I really enjoyed culling these one out of the collection, all were very relevant to me and all have a special place in my past and belong in my musical future.  It was fun getting reacquainted with some of these.

 

I hope you hear something really cool in this list...  Lets go...

 

TITLE: Going Mobile

ALBUM: Whos Next

BAND: The Who

YEAR: 1971

 

One of the best albums of all time.  In fact it is the best, I dont care who voted otherwise, Im not bitter over any of that, Ive moved on...  But after listening to this wouldn't you love to go back and change your vote?

 

TITLE: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

ALBUM: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

BAND: Elton John

YEAR: 1975

 

Probably the last great album Elton John ever made.  Not saying he didn't do good stuff after this, but for me this the last GREAT album.  Cool coverart, and the title track is one of the best ever made.

 

TITLE: Breakaway

ALBUM: REO

BAND: REO Speedwagon

YEAR: 1976

 

The album right before they broke real big.  Its a great effort that gets lost in their catalog.  Rumor is it will se a remaster.  I will have to buy it yet again if it does.

 

TITLE: When You Love Someone

ALBUM: Lost in America

BAND: RTZ

YEAR: 199?

 

From Amazon: Recorded as demos prior to sessions that led to RTZ's eponymous debut and its posthumous release, Lost, the material on Found is a mixed bag of well done and half cooked.

 

The LOST IN AMERICA stuff is mostly well done. This track probably has the least acoustic in it, but I love hearing it as a rhythm instrument on this.

 

TITLE: Headed For A Fall

ALBUM: Undertow

BAND: Firefall

YEAR: 1980

 

This band has a great catalog, most of which you woudl listen to and say, "oh Yeah, I know that one too!" Hopefully just like this one when you hear it.  But dig deeper and you find tons of hidden gems on these guys.

 

TITLE: Midnight Man

ALBUM: Shooting Star

BAND: Shooting Star

YEAR: 1979

 

I cant promote this band enough. I hope you will listen to this one start to finish its a reall slick jam.  Well written and played with a very cool acoustic jam in the middle of it.

 

TITLE: Tonite

ALBUM: Harder Faster

BAND: April Wine

YEAR: 1980

 

This one of the first tracks that came to mind when I reached my decision on this lists content.  April Wine was peaking at this time and the strength of this track shows it.  I love the lyrical content as well as the acoustical feel of it.

 

TITLE: No One At All

ALBUM: 3

BAND: Firehouse

YEAR: 1995

 

I still smile when I hear that Firehouse beat Nirvana for best new artist in 1991.  But by the time this album came out they were done, at least as far as radio and Mtv were concerned.  But 3 is a personal favorite of their catalog.

 

TITLE: Marigold Sky

ALBUM: Marigold Sky

BAND: Hall and Oates

YEAR: 1997

 

Curve Ball?  Guilty Pleasure?  Yup... Cool AOR from a band accustomed to top 40 hits.  This was a reunion album of sorts and it feels authentic.  I think the pressure of producing hits had long past, and these two guys could get back to writing really good songs.  This is one...

 

TITLE: Long Day

ALBUM: You or Someone Like You

BAND: Matchbox 20

YEAR: 1996

 

I like this band.  Great album also.  Its a fun song to end a fun list.

 

 

ENJOY!!!!

 

FIREFOX USERS, HERES YOUR LINK...

http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/b16a1e0cf5aae8703be98122c0a83889

 

EMBEDDED PLAYER...

[Jon]

Nice, fairly mellow list. Really like that Hall & Oates song, never picked up that album, will need to do so now.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I agree with Jon on 2 things. This edition is pretty mellow, which is usually what I prefer when listening at work. And that Hall & Oates song, well, I'll tell you what I think of it in a minute.

The Who - (heard it before) Nice, not as well known tune. Like it.

Elton John - (heard it before) Also a good tune. Like it.

REO - (never heard it) This is a very good tune that is new to me. I'll have to watch for the remaster and pick it up. Like it.

RTZ - (never heard it) I don't recall ever hearing this. Like it.

Firefall - (never heard it) This is a good song. It reminds me a little of Strange Way, which is a fantastic song. I have to get some Firefall in my collection. Like it.

Shooting Star - (never heard it) I don't really care for this one. Don't like it.

April Wine - (never heard it) This one's not really making a connection with me. Don't like it.

Firehouse - (never heard it) Color me different, but I'm not much of a Firehouse fan. Don't like it.

Hall & Oates - (never heard it) Wow! This is a great song. I can understand why it was never on radio, but that's because people are stupid. I'm gonna look this album up myself. Love it.

Matchbox 20 - (heard it) At least I'm pretty sure I've heard it. I think this band is completely wasting their talent. Rob Thomas is an excellent vocalist and although they have some good material, they could be so much better. This song is okay. Somewhat like it.

[Scott]

Interesting that you and Jon really took to the Hall and Oates tune. I was thinking when I posted this that Hall and Oates might not be received well. But its really too good to not share. But this is the point of the SHT list, sharing the deep cuts, not just hits.. Glad you both enjoyed that!

[Jon]

I like Hall & Oates. All their albums have such different styles it keeps you guessing. I EVEN LIKE THEIR 80's HIT ALBUMS, SO THERE!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I dig Hall & Oates as well. I started a group page for them. I'm sure you both are members, right? I always liked "Wait For Me", which doesn't get much attention, and a song called "Somebody Like You", a very nice hidden gem. Like Jon, I like the pop hits as well.

[Niels (Mod)]

I KIND of agree, that "Who's next" is ONE of the best albums ever, and I DID vote for it (I guess). I really like Townshend's singing-voice. Some of my favorite Who-songs, he sings, like "The Acid Queen".

MUCH much better list, than last week, Scott, especially "Going mobile" and "Captain Fantastic", but also the REO Speedwagon-track and the April Wine-track.