Time to opine on the first ten songs that pop up in shuffle mode on the iPod!

“Blood Stained”, Judas Priest Jugulator

After what seems like ages, the mighty Priest pick up the pieces after singer Rob Halford leaves them high and dry for a few years of self discovery and latches on to one Tim “Ripper Owens”, formerly of a Priest cover band and a decent screamer in his own right.  “Blood Stained” was the lead cut from their Jugulator release, very British steely in metalness and a fine tune to introduce the new boy to the masses.  One of the better Ripper era cuts.

“Confused”, Onslaught In Search Of Sanity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ifzE6S6u9U

Onslaught was one of Britain’s thrashier hopefuls; however, come this album the band (likely?) bowed to record company pressure and brought in former Grim Reaper singer Steve Grimmett to add a more classic metal sheen to the album.  “Confused” is a straight forward dose of metal, barely reaching the two minute mark with Grimmett in fine yet safe voice only to be gone after this album and the band breaking up until the mid-2000s.

“Tomorrow Never Knows”, Living Colour Collideoscope

Living Colour keeps the trippy psychedelia of the Beatles’ original and adds a dose of percussive clatter and guitar noize into the blender while lead singer Corey Glover keeps the spirit of the original vocal.  Soundscape is fairly thick and dense with oddball, distorted guitar tricks from Vernon Reid mixed in with various keyboard/synth textures in this grab bag of sonics.  Fairly cool cover overall.

“Worst Of It”, Prong Power Of The Damager

Prong mainstay Tommy Victor foregoes the industrial leanings of the Rude Awakening era and returns to more of the straight ahead hardcore thrashiness of the band’s early days.  “Worst Of It” is a bit more sing songy for Victor than previous material but the crunchy guitar tones are on full display, marking a welcome return to form.  One of the more underrated heavy bands that fell in that pre-grunge era that deserved more attention.

“Hot (I Need To Be Loved)” James Brown Star Time

Wait a minute…  isn’t this “Fame” by David Bowie?  Why, yes it is.  Recorded a year after the Bowie classic, Brown’s steal isn’t quite up to par to that version even though it cops the chicken scratch guitar and fuzz riff to a tee.  There is a semi funky breakdown midway through but somewhat weak for JB’s standards.  Interesting note, Carlos Alomar (co-writer of the song) was a member of Brown’s band in the 60s before joining Bowie and writing this one.

“Mother Popcorn” Aerosmith Live Bootleg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHQk-yQEKc

Speaking of James Brown!  Oddly enough, this song was my first exposure to the great man’s music as Aerosmith pulls off the rockingly funky cover on their Live Bootleg release.  Drummer Joey Kramer was already a vet of funk bands and guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford plus bassist Tom Hamilton hold their own on this seriously groovy version.  Fine sax, and of course lead singer Steven Tyler is obviously having a ball fronting the band here as he improvises line after line.

“Dressed To Kill” Nazareth Classics Vol. 16

Scottish rockers Nazareth bust out a bit o’ boogie woogie for this 50s style rocker, keeping the mood fairly light in overall feel.  Lead vocalist Dan McCafferty sounds great here, not in full belt mode a la “Hair Of The Dog” but keeping it more in a mid tier range and the rest of the band have some decent guitar runs throughout.  Dig the Jerry Lee Lewis style piano on display here!

“Lazy” Deep Purple Live Montreaux 2006

Yes sirree, there’s still life in these legends yet.  Blackmore long gone, Jon Lord having left the band (RIP!), but ably replaced by Steve Morse on noodly guitar and Don Airey on smoking Hammond organ.  Not quite as tight or fiery as the classic version on Made In Japan but this version rocks nonetheless, Ian Gillan even getting into the fun with some spirited harmonica runs even if his classic scream isn’t quite there.  Good clean fun for all!

“The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg” Iron Maiden A Matter Of Life And Death

Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray rarely pens material for the band but he’s helped co-write a few cool tunes over the band’s history.  Breeg intros with some of that sweet bluesiness from Davey before the rest of the band slowly sets the tone before the gargantuan stomping riff comes in at the two minute mark.  One of my favorite latter period Maiden cuts, so simple in construction but extremely solid playing and Bruce Dickinson in fine fettered vocal form.

“Wild Talk” EZO Fire Fire

Man, good luck finding a copy of this anywhere without shelling out a few extra bucks for a used copy (I’ve got a crappily recorded version from my old cassette tape).  I’ve vouched for this Japanese band in an “Under The Radar” post a year or so ago as one of those unheralded hair era bands that rocked mighty fine.  “Wild Talk” takes the tunefulness of the bands of that time and mixes it with grittier guitar, snarlier vocal, and some kickin’ drumwork. Very underrated, maybe a more melodic Skid Row for comparison.

Talk about an interesting batch here, mostly heavy with a tinge of funk.  Cut of the week is a tough one, but seriously man…  “Wild Talk” is a gem and barely beats out Maiden due to overall catchiness.