Ahhh, let’s keep y’all in suspense as you wait for the Top Five favorite bands.  Besides, I feel a bit snarky today and I’m in the mood for some short and sweet reviews so it’s time for another iPod shuffle round!

“Soulshine”, Gov’t Mule Live… With A Little Help From Their Friends

Yer darn tootin’ Gov’t Mule is an awesome band.  Led by monster player and soulful singer Warren Haynes and originally written when he was a member of the Allman Brothers, “Soulshine” is just a fantastic tune.  This live version was cut at a New Years’ Eve gig back in the late 90’s with the original band plus a fine coterie o’ friends that add an extra cool touches via additional slide guitar work, piano, and organ to send this into the stratosphere.

“Stop”, Lonnie Mack Live!  Attack Of The Killer V

A few posts back I lamented the late Lonnie Mack’s death, talking a little bit about my love for the man’s legendary guitar talents and huge voice.  “Stop” is more on that R&B side of things, a slow burner about a hurtful relationship that showcases that warbly Flying V tone and Mack’s smoky vocals.  Although he’s mostly known for his roadhouse rock n blues cuts, don’t ignore this one-  sit back and let it soak in.

“Fake Healer”, Metal Church Blessing In Disguise

Out goes former lead throat David Wayne, who forms a new band made up of  Mike Howe’s old band while Howe joins Wayne’s old band Metal Church as new lead throat (uhhhh… whaaaa?) .  Aaaat aaaany raaaate…  MC intros the new boy with this awesomely stomping thumper with it’s thudding, lurching riff perfect for Howe’s Halford-esque enunciations at the Mike (oh boy, these puns are just killing me…  Mike at the mic!  Ha ha… whatever).  “Fake Healer” is more solid, blue collar metal from these Washington metal mavens.

“Wearing And Tearing”, Robert Plant Live At Knebworth

So 1990 rolls around, Robert Plant is awarded the Silver Clef Award (for outstanding contributions to British music), and as part of the Knebworth gig brings out old pal Jimmy Page for a speedy rendition of (highly underrated) Zep ripper “Wearing And Tearing”-  Plant belts out a killer, revved up version here and Pagey does a great job keeping up with Percy’s much younger solo band.  And I must point out the late Michael Lee on drums…  that boy could PLAY and really does the John Bonham parts justice.

“The Toys Go Winding Down”, Primus Frizzle Fry

Les Claypool and his band of loonies drop an oddly disturbing one on us, led by that throbbing, insistent bass and overall goofy lyric sung in that weirdorama nasally tone courtesy of our favorite bass nutter.  And I mean all this in a good way because, you know, Primus SUCKS!  Ler’s guitar lines are noisy goodness, Herb’s rat a tat tat is in fine form, and Les even treats us to a brief bit of upright bass for those loooooww tooooones.  It’s pudding time, it’s pudding time!

“Mastermind”, Megadeth Cryptic Writings

Really a great mid-period Megadeth cut considering the band was moving away from the relentless, punky thrash of the early days into more of a solid rock unit that could write a simpler riff yet still show off their chops.  This one works as it sports a nice chunky, chugging riff and awesome solos but mostly due to the sinister ‘n snotty old school vocal from MegaDave Mustaine that hearkens back to those first couple of albums.  Ol’ Dave, the king of sneer…

“Rock Hammer”, Hellacopters Cream Of The Crap, Vol. 1

“Rock Hammer” is not fully representative of this band, this cut sounding a bit like some sludgy, loping, drunken mess at the end of a long night of practice.  Guitar riffs are sufficiently grungy but a bit wobbly, kinda like you left this record in the sun too long and now it’s warped.  Singing style reminds you a bit of Jim Morrison on a week long bender, which adds to the charm of this cut.  Cut was originally a B side to one of their early singles.

“The Gangster’s Back”, Steve Miller Band Rock Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCapUYZ1wUc

Before Steve Miller was flying like an eagle, he and his fellow band of space cowboys had a fine blues outfit in the “peace and love” era in the late ’60s.  “The Gangster Is Back” actually comes from an early ’70s half live/half studio album that features an entirely different cast of characters (Ross Valory, soon to be Journey man, on bass!) backing the Gangster Of Love.  Chase this with “Boom Boom Out Go The Lights” and you’ve got the start of a fun evening.

“(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”, Sammy Hagar The Best Of

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYMC_sa4biI

Yeah, ol’ Sam Hagar would bust out the occasional cover of rock/soul classics because, well, because he had the pipes (and probably the record company forced him into it).  I will admit that this version does not touch the original Otis Redding chestnut, but Hagar does a decent job.  A little too smooth and those seagull effects get a little old after awhile, but his backup band here includes the ultra cool Steve Cropper on guitar, who originally teamed with Redding to write this classic.

“Dimension”, Warrior Soul Salutations From The Ghetto Nation

Debuting in the late ’80s and born in the seedy underbelly of the gutters of New York City come Warrior Soul, with a style that was miles away from the hair that was festering in the LA music scene.  “Dimension” displays what these guys offered, a bit of that darker,  alterna-metal similar to the Jane’s Addictions/Saigon Kicks of the world that were just starting to emerge.  Unfortunately, these guys didn’t get their just due as grunge was soon to sweep the nation around the time that this album came out.

Some tough choices for the week, but I gotta go with this scorching version of “Wearing And Tearing” followed closely by “Stop”, “Mastermind”, and “Fake Healer”.