Thought I’d change things up with the Shuffle musings-  this time I’m going to offer up a few words on the first ten artists instead of the individual songs, plus give my top three songs well worth your money to download.

Y&T

California’s Y&T are a fine hard rock band that really have never been given their just due.  Fronted by lead singer/lead guitarist Dave Meniketti, the band started out as Yesterday & Today in the mid 70s and eventually shortened it to Y&T come the early 80s and gaining a modicum of success in the intervening years.  If you dig riffy hard rock a la Montrose, Riot, Sammy Hagar, and early KISS this is up your alley, plus also likely had some influence on the 80s hair metal scene.

Choice cuts:  “Black Tiger”, “Mean Streak”, “Summertime Girls”

Metallica

What can you say about Metallica?  I’ve been a fan since Master Of Puppets so I certainly lean more old school, although there is still a lot of goodness in their post Black Album period.   That said, my preferences lean heavily on the first four LPs (plus EPs) where the band made their mark on the thrash metal world before becoming (arguably) the reigning kings of the metal genre and (possibly) the band that has influenced heavy music moreso than any artist in history.

Choice cuts:  “Master Of Puppets”, “Creeping Death”, “Seek And Destroy”

Duane Allman

 

Duane Allman packed quite a punch in his short life, making his mark not only with the Allman Brothers but as a session musician for the likes of Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, and most notably Derek & The Dominoes (you know… with that Eric Clapton cat).  One of those artists where you think “what could have been?” if he had lived, especially with the Allmans becoming such a formidable live band during this period.  His prodigious talents were just starting to blossom.

Choice cuts (choosing solo, session, and Allmans):  “Happily Married Man”, “Layla”, “One Way Out”

The Who

For those dear readers of this blog, you’ve likely seen my “Favorite” band list where The Who ranks #3.  I could talk all day regarding my love for the band, personal influence on me, songwriting talents, and extraordinary musicianship but go read that blog for a good taste.  Fave period of the band of course is the early days up until Keith Moon’s death in 1978, although I do have some love for the early 80s material and their fairly recent Endless Wire disc.  Down to Pete and Rog now, they are still a favorite.

Choice cuts:  “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, “My Generation”, “Who Are You”

The Kinks

My all time favorite list of bands stopped at #5 but The Kinks would certainly be in my top ten.  My favorite period is the late 70s through early 80s, where the band dropped the concept album and became some serious arena rock players, led formidably by Dave Davies’ raunchy guitar riffing and brother Ray Davies’ charismatic stage presence.  And those songs!  Sure, their early years had all of the hits but they really came into their own in the US as they were out to show the punks and hard rockers who was boss.  The “One For The Road” live album is fantastic.

Choice cuts (go with the “One For The Road” versions):  “You Really Got Me”, “All Day And All Of The Night”, “Superman”

Foghat

Boogie!  Talk about a staple of classic rock radio, Foghat had a number of guitar driven rock cuts that slayed back in the day and are still readily heard today.  Led by the great vocals from “Lonesome” Dave Peverett, the band came to fruition in the early 70s behind a solid rhythm section and some fab slide work from guitarist Rod Price, releasing a number of fine studio albums and an excellent live album.  The band still tours today with original drummer Roger Earl and early period bassist Craig McGregor.

Choice cuts:  “Slow Ride”, “Fool For The City”, “Drivin’ Wheel”

Pink Floyd

Interestingly enough, I’ve become more of a Pink Floyd fan in my later years than when I first heard them as a wee lad.  Most likely this is due to their prevalence on the radio during those years, first hearing the hits from The Wall and the omnipresent Dark Side Of The Moon before I really gave the band justice in my late twenties/early thirties.  My preference certainly leans to their early to mid 70s spacier side although I do like the Dave Gilmour led version of the band as well.

Choice Cuts:  “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, “One Of These Days”, “Comfortably Numb”

Testament

People talk about “The Big Four” of thrash and rightly so, but the band that is still releasing product that is better than that lot these days is the mighty Testament.  The Bay Area bashers are still going strong and releasing some outstanding material and the band as a whole is arguably better than ever-  I’ve seen them twice over the past couple of years and this new lineup is incredible.  Hoglan and DiGiorgio are as ridiculously talented as the guitar tag team of Peterson/Skolnick, and Chuck Billy?  The greatest thrash vocalist EVER, bar none.

Choice cuts:  “Disciples Of The Watch”, “Into The Pit”, “Over The Wall”

Sacred Reich

Loading up on thrash bands in this post!  I miss these guys…  sure, they are still doing the occasional tour but they are not releasing any new material.  Which is a damn shame as this band’s mix of Sabbatherian swing, punk roots, and excellent lyrics (often with a political bent) were unique for the genre.  Their five albums, while all heavy, are all slightly different-  everything from muscular punk thrashiness to hefty swinging metal to mountain moving sludgy riffiness (how about those descriptions?)

Choice cuts:  “The American Way”, “Surf Nicaragua”, “Love… Hate”

Nevermore

Metal in the early to mid 90s was pretty much a dirty word-  grunge was king and many of the 80s bands changed their style to match, died an untimely death, or went into hiding.  Finding fresh new sounds was tough, but fortunately I latched onto Nevermore.  Oddly enough, the band formed in Seattle in the early 90s and leaned in a much heavier and atmospheric direction than their counterparts in the area. Featuring the incredible guitar work of Jeff Loomis and the sinister vocal stylings and roar from Warrel Dane, the band has released a number of heavy albums but are currently on hiatus.

Choice cuts:  “Seven Tongues Of God”, “Dreaming Neon Black”, “Born”