SCOTTS HIDDEN TREASURES #48 - Percussiony

[Scott]

Continuing on with our theme of finding hidden treasures that showcase a specific instrument in a song. This week were looking at percussion. At first I thought it would be about the drums, but it turned out to be about more than just a set of drums. There always seemed to be so much more going on with the percussion as I began narrowing the list of tunes on this playlist. You'll see what I mean as you listen...

 

It’s not always about the best and fastest drummer either. Sometimes it’s the rhythm, the production and the overall feel that comes through in the music. I think this was a very cool playlist to put together; I got to reconnect with all sorts of neat sounds and tunes.

 

I think you'll enjoy this one as well...

 

PLAYLIST VITALS

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• 11 distinct tracks
• 46 minutes 49 seconds
• LINK: http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/c7c7ffddd9685a40c63d9d51da659733

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TITLE: Drums

BAND: The Tubes

ALBUM: Inside Outside

YEAR: 1983

LENGTH: 2:20

This is the mood setter, and while it closes the album out for the Tubes, it opens my playlist. At 2:20 it’s a bit short, but I think you'll get why it leads off here.

 

TITLE: One Little Victory

BAND: Rush

ALBUM: Vapor Trails

YEAR: 2002

LENGTH: 5:08

It would be criminal to not have Neil Peart on this list somewhere and why not showcase his triumphant return to recording after a very rough patch in his life with this personal victory. And though the album suffers from compression issues, this track is a blistering assault of drums that lets you know they are back!

 

TITLE: Were An American Band

BAND: Grand Funk

ALBUM: Were An American Band

YEAR: 1973

LENGTH: 3:26

(Pulled from Greatest Hits)

Written by the drummer, Don Brewer, and produced by Todd Rundgren (this guy pops up all over the place). Could this be the original "cowbell" inspiration? It’s a thought... The original album was issued was on a translucent yellow disk. The label, above the side numbers, instructed listeners to play "at full volume."

 

TITLE: All I Ever Wanted

BAND: Santana

ALBUM: Marathon

YEAR:1979

LENGTH: 4:02

The album "Marathon" is a great showcase of percussion. In this track you get a Latin flavor with heavy rock and roll beats. Here’s another example of percussion enhancing the listening experience. Just a cool track to turn up the volume and jam to. The drum production is also worthy to note. Sound quality is high on this album!

 

TITLE: Wind Him Up

BAND: Saga

ALBUM: Worlds Apart

YEAR:1981

LENGTH: 5:46

Electronic drums get a moment in the playlist. Not because they’re electric, but because they are a prominent part of the song and at the time they were loud, in your face and unique. That made me take notice and listen. The back and forth interplay with the drums and the rhythm section is real cool.

 

TITLE: The Prisoner

BAND: Iron Maiden

ALBUM: The Number Of The Beast

YEAR:1982

LENGTH: 6:03

One of my all-time favorite "drum sound and feel" albums ever and Maidens last to feature Clive Burr. This track is here mostly for the feel that the drums give to the track and the bass drum just knocks you off your feet if you can get the volume right. Oh yeah, see if you can guess why this is #6 in the playlist...

 

TITLE: Scene One: Regression / Scene Two: Overture 1928

BAND: Dream Theater

ALBUM: Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory

YEAR: 1999

LENGTH: 2:06, 3:37

Scene 1 and 2 have to go together, it’s the beginning of one of progressive rocks greatest concept albums. And while scene 1 doesn’t contain any drums, you'll hear and feel them in the instrumental scene 2. Portnoy is simply phenomenal! If you don't own this album you’re missing a great ride!

 

TITLE: Love Is Just A Mystery

BAND: The Babys

ALBUM: Union Jacks

YEAR:1980

LENGTH: 3:38

Probably one of my top 3 drum productions of all time. The sound they get out of the drums on this album is way too cool! It permeates all of the music and the Baby’s were writing strong rock and roll at the time. The drummer here is Tony Brock who moved on to work Rod Stewart at the height of his success.

 

TITLE: No Quarter

BAND: Led Zeppelin

ALBUM: Houses of the Holy

YEAR:1973

LENGTH: 7:00

Of all the tracks that one could pick to show Bonzo's work, this is one is my most favorite. The sound, the feel, the production, and the way he is into it is striking. It also helps that Houses of the Holy is the best LZ album! Yah, I said that... :-)

 

TITLE: Bang the Drum All Day

BAND: Todd Rundgren

ALBUM: The Very Best of Todd Rundgren

YEAR: 1983

LENGTH: 3:38

I’m a greatest hits owner so I can’t go back and pull from an original release on this one. I just knew that it had to be included in the playlist. I mean, come on! It’s our dream job!

 

 

[Jon]

The Tubes. SWEET!

[Jon]

Nice listen, very drummy. So drummy I wanted to break out the bongos and call up Matthew.

[Scott]

I liked this list a lot too, it was one of the funnest playlists to put together...

[Niels (Mod)]

1. I don't know much about The Tubes. I remember seeing them for the first time in some mag. in '78, where the singer were dressed all up with his d... sticking out, and it read "This band is gonna be bigger than KISS". Yeah, right. I did'nt like this track, but I did get it!!

2. This is a great "newer" track from RUSH. I agree, that it would be criminal not to have Peart on the list, but where's Keith Moon?? Now, THAT'S criminal!!!!!!

3. What can I say? An okay track. Oh, it was on this list, because it was written by the drummer. Clever!!

4. I like this track. Yeah, there's some good percussion on it. I remember the Santana-drummer from the Woodstock-movie, just a kid, but he was GREAT!!! Is it the same drummer?

5. Once I REALLY liked Saga, but it sounds a bit to dated to me. I don't like the drumming here.

6. Oh yeah, THIS is great drumming. I LOVE the drumming on this track. AWESOME!!! Clive Burr was one of my favorites. Poor man. I think he's quite sick these days. I'm glad I got to see him play live.

7. I've only bought one Dream Theater-album, and I think it was the debut-album. I was'nt that impressed. I know, they are supposed to be GREAT musicians. But I don't really get it. Maybe some day?? They sound to much like Maiden, RUSH and Queensrÿche, and I like originals better. I'll guess I'm missing a great ride.

8. I thought Carmine Appice was Rod Stewart's drummer at the height of his succes??

9. The MASTER himself!!! And NO, it's NOT the best LZ-album. It's just barely in Top-5.

10. A nice and funny track to end this list. 

[Scott]

I cant answer you on the Santana question. I really have no idea. 

 

On the Rod Stewart Topic, Brock joined him around 81-82, so he was still pretty big at the time.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay, I'm a little behind from my vacation last week, but I hope to get everything caught up in the next few days.  This weeks playlist had 11 songs technically, but we count them as 10 because of the 2 part Dream Theater song(s).  I'm at 60 per cent.  I really didn't care for the opener.  but the next 5 I liked.  I really liked the Santana track, and I'm not a particular fan.  Definitely some nice percussion there. 

 

The two DT tracks weren't bad, but weren't great IMO.  I guess you could say I'm indifferent there.

 

I also really liked tha Babys track.  John Waite has an outstanding voice, and it still works quite well as we have heard recently in NMC.

 

But the last 2 tracks I just don't care for.  Yes, I know the first is Led Zeppelin, but I just can't make myself like that song.  And I've never liked the last track.

 

Still, overall a nice playlist.  Here are my stats for it.

 

Approval: 60%

Songs I've Never Heard: Six (60%)

Songs I Have Heard: 4 (40%)

Best Song I'm Familiar With: Wind Him Up

Best Song I'm Not Familiar With: All I Ever Wanted/Love Is Just A Mystery (Tie)

[Gordon Williams]

Just now checking this play list out, so here are my observations:

 

The Rush track is my favorite one from that album. I still have the yellow vinyl for the Grand Funk release. Have never heard the Santana track until now, but like it very much. Great sing-a-long chorus...and is it just me, or does the lead vocalist remind anyone else of Steve Perry? I dont have a clue who it is, but I hear some...uhh, Perry-ness in it!

The Prisoner is one of my all time favorite Maiden songs, and that is saying a lot!! Just a killer groove to this track, and the drumming sets it all up. The Saga tune is so keyboard heavy (umm, and maybe Saga, as a band, is keyboard heavy)...well I'll just say I'm not into keyboards that much, unless it is in a Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, or Led Zeppelin type of feel and sound to the keyboard playing. So, with that being said, not into The Babys very much either.

The Dream Theatre easily shows off the skilled musicianship, but for some reason, I cannot listen to them for an extended time. A little here and there is great, but I cant listen to a whole disc all the way through. Dont have a clue why.

The Todd Rundgren is enjoyable because of the humor in it. I enjoy humorus "stylings" in rock-n-roll. And finally, the Zep...by Zep standards...is only an average song, IMO. But...average Zep is still better than a lot of stuff you hear.

Kudos again to Scott on his series highlighting certain instruments!

[Scott]

Thanks !!!

 

The Santana vocalist at the time was named Alex Ligertwood - he does sound like Perry and I enjoyed his output while he was with Sanatana, a great run highlighted by his vocals..  Here some additional info from Wikipedia on him ...

Alex Ligertwood (born 18 December 1946, Glasgow) is a Scottish singer, guitarist and drummer, best known as the lead singer of Santana (on such hits as "You Know That I Love You", "Winning" and "Hold On"). He has also performed with The Jeff Beck Group, The Senate, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express and the Average White Band.

 

PS: Stayed tuned for my 80's series, he gets another highlight ....