Classic Rock Bottom

Its been another very busy week and time flew by.  I missed last week's SHT ...  Not that anyone noticed, I think the timing change made it seem like I was posting too many too fast anyway...  So a few days off works out quite ok anyway.  We got a few new people on the board to check it out as well. But I miss digging around the collection to mine out 10 more great tracks.  I did get some musical energy from the creation and discussion in our Billy Joel forum however...

 

So lets start there...

 

Title: The Stranger
Band: Billy Joel
Album: The Stranger
Year: 1977

Smash album, tons of hits, critical acclaim, millions of fans...  So why did'nt this track get more attention?  So many things are right about this track, the whistle and piano accompniament in the opening lull you into thinking this is a laid back crooner type of song, but then the guitar kicks in and the tune takes you into another place.  The lyrics are solid, and the melody perfect.  Has Joel ever produced another set of tunes so rich?

 

Title: Song For You
Band: Chicago
Album: Chicago XIV (14 for those roman numeral challenged)
Year: 1980

Chicago 14 found the band trying to find its new sound without Terry Kath.  This track is so catchy and simplistic in its lyrical content and tune that its easy to get caught up in this one.  Although I would consider it a ballad its not a typical Chicago ballad, its more heartfelt and pure.  It doesnt feel like it came from a cookie cutter style or was targeted for the top 40.

 

Title: When The Spirit Moves You
Band: Touch
Album: Touch
Year: 1980

Heres a band that came onto the FM radio scene in 1980 and abruptly disappeared.  I don't much about this band, and only own this album on vinyl.  I did manage to find 2 MP3's from it though.  This song so grabbed me when I heard it that I went to the local record store and picked it up the LP.  Maybe the spirit moved me (haha).  Anyway, I am interested if this rings a bell for anyone, I would love to find the entire CD, and their follow up titled 'Touch II' if at all possible.  This would have been the ultimate MSoTW, sorry Jon, should have sent this one your way...

 

Title: Hey Baby
Band: Ted Nugent
Album: Ted Nugent
Year: 1975

Ted opened his solo career with a bang, this album rocks.  And while Stranglehold rightly gets all the airplay, this bluesly little rocker gets little to no attention at all.  Derek St. Holmes was a great compliment to Ted.  I wished they could've worked through whatever problems they had because this kinda music does'nt come from Ted anymore, and it should...

 

Title: Without You
Band: Saga
Album: The Security of Illusion
Year:1993

(Pulled fom Defining Moments)
Great drum beats, great chorus, and, as always, a real cool sound from progressive heroes Saga.

 

Title: Hot On The Wheels of Love

Band: April Wine
Album: First Glance
Year: 1979

This is the track that introduced me to April Wine.  This album is awesome, top to bottom there is not a single bad track.  This is the opener and it is scorhing hot.  Check out the guitar interplay after each chorus, and the bass lines.  And this track even features cowbell, and all I can say is...  I got the fever!

 

Title: Electricland
Band: Bad Company
Album: Rough Diamonds
Year: 1982

OK all of those who panned Rough Diamonds did so only because the Bad Company catalog is so strong and there is alot of keyborads on this one.  But this lead off track has a great driving beat and a ballsy blues feel.  And as usual Paul Rodgers is vocals are smokin hot!  Wish we could see new stuff from them.

 

Title:  Get The Funk Out
Band: Extreme
Album: Extreme II - Pornograffitti
Year: 1990

The lyrics say, if you dont like what you see here, get the funk out!  I like the beat, the bass line is hot and the as usual a great guitar solo in the middle.  Its a fun track and nice play on words...

 

 

Title: Miracles Out Of Nowhere
Band: Kansas

Album: Leftoverture
Year: 1976

Check out how tight this band this!!!  The progressive nature of this song is so cool and sounds so natural, the interplay between the band in the middle is one of the coolest recordings ever done in my humble opinion.  As usual, your get really cool lyrics as a bonus.  Listen close, this song is very complex and you may find yourself listening a few times and each time hearing something new.

 

Title: A Life Of Illusion
Band: Joe Walsh
Album: There Goes The Neighborhood
Year: 1981

Sometimes I cant help but feeling that I'm living a life of illusion. Arent we all?  Kidding, What a better way to end this weeks list than with a fun and catchy tune. Walsh always has a certain way with words and his music is always fun to listen to.

 

 

Until we meet again...

 

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Man, I got some stuff to say about this one. Scott says, "Fellas, I put my pants on one leg at a time, just like you do. But when I'm done putting my pants on, I make great SHT playlists". I love the "More Cowbell" skit.

And some of us did notice the lack of SHT for the week, but since we already reminded you about the NMC, we decided not to bug the "SHT" out of you. We knew there was a good reason.

Loved:

The Stranger - great song, great album
When The Spirit Moves You - never heard it but I like it a lot
Without You - I really need more Saga in my collection
Electricland - Paul Rodgers is fantastic
Get The Funk Out - Very cool song
Miracles Out Of Nowhere - Hidden gem out of nowhere
Life Of Illusion - This is played at the beginning of one of my favorite movies, 40 Year Old Virgin. Can't hear it w/o thinking of that movie.

Nicely done Scott. It's great to have SHT back.
I did also notice, that SHT was missing last week, so it's great to have it back. I'll take a listen later today.
Hmmm, I don't know what's wrong, but I can only hear the first two songs on the player?!

It's not the first time, that has happened, and was'nt it Jon that had a similar "problem" the other day?
Sorry, it's working fine now, and I've heard everything now so :

I REALLY enjoy SHT, because it's usually "easy listening" music, and that suits me fine here at work.

The best of the bunch for me was "When the spirit moves you" (Touch), but I also really liked "Without you" (Saga).
Do you own "Beginner's guide to throwing shapes" (Saga) from 1989, Scott? It's a very good album.

Also did I like "Electric Ladyland" (Bad Company) and "Miracles out of nowhere" (Kansas). That song reminded me of Jethro Tull (ca. "Songs from the wood" or "Heavy Horses").

VERY good playlist, Scott.
Thanks Neils, RJHog! Love the uplifting comments, isnt it always good to see people paying attention your stuff?

The 'easy listening' comment is funny. I do so love heavier rock and roll but Ive always leaned towards the styles that are coming through the SHT list, it is truly subliminal and represent my natural taste in music. I love the mid tempo bluesy rockers versus faster paced tracks. I am a melodic rocker, so my lists are proving this to be true.

I used to own the throwing shapes CD, but I think my sons took it over and it is now lost. I need to pick a few more Saga's for my colleciton as well...
You post music? Well, I'll be!
Next week is hidden treasures from the Disco era, just for Jon!

Sweet! Only one rule....every song must feature wocka wocka geetar!

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