SCOTTS HIDDEN TREASURES #23

[Scott]

A couple weeks back there was a posting about riff's.  So I wanted to call out some of the best hidden riffs I could find and make that a Hidden Gems post.  Then I got angry at the AMA's and changed up the order of what I was going to post.  So here is what I had ready for last week - Hidden Gem Riff's!  

I have to concede the entire AC/DC catalog could fit on here, but I'm looking for a bit of a different feel to this list, riffs that maybe didn't come to your mind when you very first thought about the topic, but when you hear them you think, "YES, that is a great riff!"

Let get started...

TITLE: Love Is Like Oxygen
BAND: Sweet
ALBUM: Level Headed
YEAR: 1978
(Pulled from the Best of collection)
OK, bubble gum rock, pop rock, whatever you call it.  I've got 10 bucks that says you totally air guitared this song when it was popular, and maybe you even did it when you played it just now?  Admit it...  It has to be on my list because the riff is so recognizable.  I'm not a big Sweet fan, but they do have 'some' good tracks

TITLE: Feelin' Satisfied
BAND: Boston
ALBUM: Don't Look Back
YEAR: 1978
Killer opening riff! Call Boston what you will, they came up with some brilliant riffs on their first three releases.  The riff used in the chorus is also great! Two riffs for the price of one.  Riffage galore!

TITLE: Heading Out To The Highway
BAND: Judas Priest
ALBUM: Point of Entry
YEAR: 1981
Lots of riff's to choose from when looking through the Priest catalog, but some of them lose a bit as the songs go on, this one doesn't.

TITLE: Never Let You Go
BAND: Third Eye Blind
ALBUM: Blue
YEAR: 1999
90's bands aren't really known for memorable riff's.  But if you listen close enough some bands really have good ones, this is one that really stands out as a really cool and catchy one to me.

TITLE: Decadence Dance
BAND: Extreme
ALBUM: Pornograffitti
YEAR: 1990
Love the riff's that can be heard on their first 3 releases!  This one is a personal favorite though!

TITLE: I'm Ready
BAND: Bryan Adams
ALBUM: Cuts Like A Knife
YEAR: 1983
Adams doesn't really come to mind when talking about riff's, but this album and the follow up, "Reckless", are chock full of great riff's.  While this is a personal favorite, check out "One Night Love Affair" from Reckless as well.

TITLE: Walk Away
BAND: James Gang
ALBUM: Thirds
YEAR: 1971
Joe Walsh has written some of Classic Rocks most recognizable riffs. But does he come to mind when talking about great riffs?  He should, pick a track any track, and you'll find some serious riffage.  I picked this James Gang track that I've always loved.

TITLE: Unchained
BAND: Van Halen
ALBUM: Fair Warning
YEAR: 1981
One of my favorite riff's ever!  This is a band that has ton of great riffs, but this one is special


TITLE: Theres Only One Way To Rock
BAND: Sammy Hagar
ALBUM: Standing Hampton
YEAR: 1981
Brilliant!  Seems only right to pair these two tracks together.  Straight ahead Les Paul in my face!  haha.


TITLE: Lay It Down
BAND: Ratt
ALBUM: Invasion of Your Privacy
YEAR: 1985
My favorite 80's riff.  Warren DeMartini is a great guitarist, seem him do this live perfectly!

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Couple of notes...
I had REO's Back on the Road Again listed originally, but since Jon posted a few days ago I made an adjustment, and lastly I also need to mention that Bon Jovi will get no love from me on this topic. (Sorry RJ)  :-)

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HERE YOUR LINK...
http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/d21e33b372925ffe761e87933a113451

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[RJhog (Admin)]

No need to apologize my good friend. I know what you and most of the folks that post here think of Bon Jovi, and I'm totally at peace with it. But don't think that will stop me from pointing out some of their stuff that I think is killer.

This playlist looks great. I'm looking forward to checking it out tomorrow. You know, for some reason, I always thought that Sweet song (Love Is Like Oxygen) was an ELO song. Although I don't recall seeing it in the ELO catalog. Hmmm.

I don't think I could ever hear Walk Away by James Gang too much. That is a true masterpiece, but I'd have a tough time picking that riff over Funk # 49. Both are outstanding.

I agree with you on the Unchained riff. To me, it's only rival is Mean Street, and you can find 'em on the same album. How 'bout that?

Last thing I'm gonna say until I listen is that you are also right on the money with Lay It Down by Ratt. That is one bad-ass riff!! Even if someone doesn't like the song, I don't think they could honestly say that's not a killer riff.

[RJhog (Admin)]

As I suspected, a very nice post Scott.

[Jon]

Nice list, Scott except for one song (take a guess), it was enjoyable. Bummer though that you used the shortened version of "Love Is Like Oxygen"?

[Scott]

I always have to have one that throws you for a loop. In this case its one of two potential tracks... Third Eye Blind or Bryan Adams...

By the way... one of these is the track I had to add in due to your posting of the REO track recently... :-)

[Jon]

I am such a bastard! It's the Third Eye Blind track...

[Scott]

BINGO! hahahahaha

[Niels (Mod)]

I'm looking forward to listen to this playlist. Of course, I know many of the songs, but I love a good guitar-riff.