“Man of Constant Sorrow”, The Soggy Bottom Boys O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack

My first exposure to this song was from the classic Coen Brothers film “O Brother Where Art Thou” as I’m sure it was to many.  I’m not a huge fan of bluegrass music but when it’s played well I give credit where credit is due.  And no, this IS NOT George Clooney on lead vocals-  that belongs to Dan Tyminski with excellent harmonies from Harley Allen and Pat Enright.  This song is many MANY years old with versions by everyone from Ralph Stanley to Rod Stewart.

“Naturally High”, The Cult The Cult

A bit of an underrated album, “Naturally High” is a cool builder unlike some of the more bombastic guitar led bashers they are famous for.  Kicks off with a Bonham-esque groove, fuzzy bass, and some great distorted wah from guitarist Billy Duffy.  Great subtle touches on percussion and acoustic guitar mix throughout, plus the always great Ian Astbury lays down one of his more laid back bluesier performances.  If you dig The Cult and want something a little different from them this may do you just fine.

“Iron Maiden”, Iron Maiden Another Live In Japan

My ALL TIME FAVORITE BAND, bar none.  I could wax nostalgic on Eddie and the boys but we’ll save that for another post.  This version of “Iron Maiden” comes from a bootleg of the show where they recorded the Maiden Japan EP back in 1981 and it is an absolute scorcher.  Funny, early Maiden can be deemed the punkier side of the band but that’s moreso likely due to the sheer speed and vocal (although Paul spits this one out with plenty of venom).  Guitar tones on the boot are fairly weak, but Clive Burr’s pounding drums and bass from the mighty Steve Harris just pummel the listener into oblivion.  Youthful energy in spades 🙂

Not from the same show, but a killer early version below:

“Green Earrings”, Steely Dan Royal Scam

Talk about talent… the Dan circa Royal Scam was heading in even more of a jazzier vein, with cuts like this one showing off some serious funk and smoking guitar chops.  By this time both Denny Dias and Elliott Randall had played or guested with the band (which is pretty much just Fagen and Becker and chosen talent) since the first album and their leadwork on here is just stellar, reminiscent of classics like “Reelin’ In The Years” and “My Old School”.  Not as bouncy and singalong as those two but you’ll bop your head to the sheer funkiness of it all.

“Dead Of The Night”,  The Answer Everyday Demons

One of my favorite newer bands who deserve more exposure than they currently get, “Dead Of The Night” brings the rock out of the gate immediately with one of the strongest cuts and hooks from Everyday Demons.  Cross Thin Lizzy with the Black Crowes and you’re in the ballpark with this one.  Some of the naysayers may see this as “retro rock” but I see a great young band that is an excellent representation of their influences-  don’t let those people fool you.  Plus, Cormac Neeson is one of the finest young singers out there and is worthy of your attention.

“Takin’ Hold”, The Almighty Powertrippin’

Always kinda cool hearing a movie quote before a song, this one coming from Apocalypse Now as we mentally watch a snail crawling across a straight razor before kicking things off with a bit of feedback and rumble for a good 20-30 seconds or so.  A bit of a Cult-y build before Ricky Warwick and the boys kick it up a punky notch or two-  ballsy and crunchy guitars with solid bottom end.  Great gang vocal in the chorus too topped with awesomely fat, street ratty production.

“Hangar 18, Area 51”,  Yngwie J. Malmsteen  The Best of 1990-1999

Pomp and castle rock at its finest with one of the finest shredders in the land, “Hangar 18” is rife with melody, melodrama, and a great vocal from Mark Boals.  Yeah yeah yeah… I can hear everyone now… “What about the guitar?”  Come on, it’s Yngwie!  Kickin’ riff and off course a solo that swoops high and low, threatening to careen off track as Yngwie mesmerizes with awesome speed and technique.  Hop on the rollercoaster and hold on for dear life!

“As The Years Go Passing By”, Jeff Healey  Cover to Cover

Man…  Jeff Healey had some phenomenal stuff over his relatively short life, dying of cancer at the age of 41 back in 2008.  For those not in the know, Healey lost his sight shortly before he turned one year old due to retinoblastoma.  Amazingly, Healey started playing guitar around the age of three and developed a unique style of playing with the guitar flat on his lap, forming chords and playing leads like no other.  This cover of the classic blues tune is outstanding not just from a guitar and singing standpoint, but also some great organ work from Roy Bittan.  Killer live version attached.

“Monument”, Fates Warning  Still Life

Technical metal time from one of the earlier masters, sporting a killer bass intro from Armored Saint’s Joey Vera on this live version.  Full of tricky time signatures throughout, especially “mad scientist” drumwork from the always fascinating Mark Zonder.  Sometimes I can get a little lost with stuff like this but this one ticks all of my boxes with all the bells, whistles, chime-y and slippery riffery, and passionate singing from Ray Adler.  A great example of a song where everyone seems to carry a different riff or melody but as a whole makes a great song overall.

“Vampire Sun”, Cathedral The Carnival Bizarre

Stealing a page from the book of Sabbath, Cathedral puts their own stamp on things with a little more swinging guitar on this one with some fairly straightforward drumwork, but the kicker is the always delightful beastly roar of the one and only Lee Dorrian.  Unlike Ozzy’s manic wail, Dorrian goes for a more guttural approach, “ooh yeah”ing and “alright”ing with lecherous glee.  Some might call him a bit sloppy and out of tune at times and definitely “not” a singer, but he’s got a style all his own that is easily identifiable, something not everyone can lay claim to.  Dare I call it part of his charms, ha ha ha.

Best song of the week… hmmm… tough tough tough choice but I gotta go with Iron Maiden with everything else tied for second (yeah, these tunes are that good).

We all have favorite bands.  For those of us reared in the 70’s and 80’s we’ve likely got favorite bands that have lost members due to various reasons:  artistic differences, solo careers, bad breakups, substance abuse issues, death, etc.  As a fan I’ve got mixed feelings about bands that have carried on without key members.  Some I’ve been fine with as I was not as familiar with their earliest incarnations at the time (AC/DC, Genesis), some I’ve supported due to band infighting (Queensryche, Van Hagar), some the jury is still out (Van Halen/Roth reunion, but minus Michael Anthony), and some I’ve been saddened by (Sabbath reunion with Ozzy after Ronnie James Dio’s passing).  But one where I must give respect where respect is due…  the non-reunion of:

Yeah, for you sticklers out there I know this graphic has Bonzo’s symbol on it but that’s part of the problem, especially in the eyes of the one that seems to be holding up any sort of reunion:  Robert Plant.  But I must give the man major props for not wanting to reunite.  I think in some ways maybe he would like to do something; in a recent interview with Uncut magazine he made comments about “giving a whirl” to any acoustic music that Jimmy Page may have laying around but that seems to have fallen on deaf ears.  However, it seems Page may have other ideas as to what type of music he would like to pursue especially with his recent comments about starting a new band and performing material spanning his entire career.  And who knows where John Paul Jones would fit in to any of this?

So let’s step back almost 34 years ago now to a tragic moment in Zep history by posting the following quote:  “We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend, and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were”.  The death of John Bonham brought a most insurmountable end to the band back in 1980 that in at least one band member’s eyes (Plant) is too much to overcome.  Plant and Bonham were mates pre-Zep and had an unshakeable bond that only death could break.  Sure, there have been one offs here and there (Live Aid, Atlantic 40th anniversary bash, RRHOF, Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert) and Page/Plant efforts (Unledded, Walking To Clarksdale), but Plant has been coy about reunion talk for years.  Much of this certainly comes down to the passing of Bonzo but as time has worn on the expectations have become much too great.  Plus, I feel Plant would like to rejigger the Zep machine and restructure songs similar to their Unledded work or how they’ve been broken down on his most recent solo tours.  I just don’t think he wants to be a carbon copy of his “Golden God” persona.  The “Celebration Day” release from the Ertegun concert was a nice glimpse of the past and seems to be a bit of closure for him.

Would I like to see a reunion?  Yeah, although I’d love to hear some new material with whatever they do.  And there’s the rub…  just what could they do that would even come close to the glory days?  Do I want another “Whole Lotta Love”?  Do I want another “Ten Years Gone”?  Do I want another “Stairway”, or “Achilles”, or even “In The Evening”?  Yeah kinda, but that’s some lofty expectations and that’s also me being a selfish fan.  But that’s also asking a whole lot of a group of men that are quickly approaching (or are) 70 years of age.  Shoot, I’d love to hear something like “Wonderful One” that they did for Unledded.  I think they could accomplish that but who knows how many that would please-  we all have our own personal views as to what “Led Zeppelin” is.

So in closing, I respect Robert Plant’s decision not to be “part of a jukebox” and crank up the Zep machine again.  I will continue to enjoy his solo albums (check out “Lullaby… And the Ceaseless Roar”, it has some really good stuff on it), although I would love to see him do a rockabilly type album a la The Honeydrippers again.  As for Page, I just want him to do SOMETHING again once all of the remasters are complete.  And don’t forget about John Paul Jones!  Outside of Zep diehards, he is an unsung talent that’s been involved in a number of cool projects over the years from his solo work to working with Diamanda Galas.  Here’s hoping Josh Homme calls him and Dave Grohl and puts out another Them Crooked Vultures release!

Can we all live with this as the last on stage performance?

“Thank You”, Led Zeppelin II

This song always reminds me of Christmas as it was an album my parents bought for me and my brother around ’84 or ’85.  An early Zep classic if there ever was one and a song that almost paves the path of Robert Plant’s solo career, especially these days (meaning, the mellow acoustic pieces and not the all out banshee screaming).  Great subtlety from Page, Plant, and especially Bonham topped off with outstanding organ work from unsung member John Paul Jones.  An outstanding song from an outstanding band.

“Doctor Doctor”, Michael Schenker Group MSG

From the 2009 re-release of the Mad Axeman’s second solo album comes a pretty good version of UFO classic “Doctor Doctor”, Gary Barden doing his best Phil Mogg by keeping it in the pocket and not going too far overboard.  Schenker and Raymond provide the classic intro, then Cozy Powell almost runs away with the rhythm but holding back just enough to let the band whomp and swing through the end of the song.  Michael playing fairly simple here but with typical style and class, bending those notes ever so gracefully.

“Such A Woman”, Neil Young Harvest Moon

I was going to say Neil takes a left turn here but Neil takes left turns ALL of the time!  A song of subtle beauty, Neil at the piano accompanied by strings with a dash of harmonica.  The vocal work is impressive, Neil fairly hushed but come chorus time he’s backed beautifully by the angelic voice(s?) of Linda Ronstadt and/or Nicolette Larson.  Written with wife Pegi in mind-  unfortunately, they have filed for divorce recently after almost three decades of marriage.

“Wheel Of Time”, Grand Magus Grand Magus

Last iPod Shuffle post I’d mentioned how I started getting into stoner rock in the late ’90s in the post grunge world.  Grand Magus is an example of another band that I got into, “Wheel Of Time” building on a bit of Sabbath musical swagger but with a voice quite different from ol’ Ozzy, much bluesier and blustery (interestingly enough, lead singer JB ended up with Spiritual Beggars on a few releases).  Intros with quite a mighty riff, a touch of Kyuss in the air before JB croons (more like bellows) through the verse, throwing in a few “yeah”s and “oohs” here and there.  A great early cut from the band.

“Guitar Talk Love and Drums”, Gary Myrick Language

Kicking off with an electronic drum attack, Dallas, Texas’ Gary Myrick whammies, shucks, and jives his way through this track, which seems to be a flat out rock song dressed up in 80s new wave clothes. A great build with the drums and keys until chorus time, when the song kicks into another gear with Myrick adding a variety of guitar colors and nuances, sounding like a siren one minute and a roaring animal the next.  One of those songs that were a huge part of my formative years listening to the radio late at night in my bedroom.

“100 Years (Of Tears On The Wind)”, Masters of Reality Sunrise On The Sufferbus

An acoustic builder awash in strings and subtle drumwork of  Mr. (Ginger) Baker, “100 Years” is an example of the more laid back work of these desert rock denizens.  Chris Goss’ dreamy vocal deftly weaves (or moves “syrup slow” per the lyric) in and out of the string arrangement, lulling the listener into a trancelike state with only Baker’s drums keeping you from falling off the edge of the world.  Good headphone listening with the lights out.

“Shinbone Alley/Hard To Exist”, Spin Doctors Pocket Full Of Kryptonite

“Moonlight through the chicken wire”…  huh?  Never mind, follow along to the stream of conciousness lyrics and welcome to the world of the Spin Doctors, hot jam band from 1991 or so with some of the absolutely funkiest in the pocket drumming and Hendrix-esque guitar from the time.  If you like twelve minute jam songs, this certainly fits the bill and was probably a staple of the Doctors’ shows of the day.  About as far away as you can get from “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”, two of the hits on this CD.

“Squealer”, AC/DC Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Oh man…  I’ve forgot how much I’ve loved this song- everything about this damn thing is just awesome ’cause it’s AC/DC with Bon Scott!  Not sure you can classify this as a song as it just builds and builds and doesn’t really change, but that’s why it’s so cool.  Crashing chords topped with pulsing bass and kick drum beat, with Bon telling it like it is.  Is this a song about sex?  Ha ha, aren’t all AC/DC songs about sex? (well almost).  Maaaaaan… and Angus just belts out an awesome lead.  My most favorite part though are those background vocals…  SQWEEEELAAAHHH!!!!

Favorite song this round goes to “Thank You”, although in my younger days it may have gone to AC/DC or Gary Myrick.