tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705767409531095262024-03-13T10:47:02.997-07:00The Rock Brigade BlogThoughts from the world of Rock music. Classic Rock, New Rock, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Soft Rock and any other random thoughts that come to mind. Enjoy and rock on!Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-55762684833763212892016-02-02T02:22:00.002-08:002016-02-02T05:28:13.666-08:00Happy Listening, Some of My Favorite Podcasts! <div class="MsoNormal">
I love podcasts. I do
a lot of walking. Usually every day I
take a nice long stroll to clear my head and to stay active. While I do I have my ear buds in and most
times I am listening to music. However
at least once or twice a week I take a break from the tunes and listen to a
podcast. Here are some of my favorites. Some are music related, some are not.</div>
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<b>The Rock and Roll Geek Show</b></div>
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Love this one, it's probably my favorite. The host, Michael Butler, is funny
and insightful when it comes to the world of rock. It’s been around for a
long time and I only started listening to it last year. I have discovered more new music from this
podcast than I have anywhere else. His
track by track reviews of albums are the best.
I highly recommend this one for music lovers. And he discusses a variety of music from the
rock and roll genre, from Bryan Adams to Megadeath have been featured on his
show the last few months. He highlights
a lot of music that might not be in the mainstream too and I got some great
pickups from his top ten albums from 2015.
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<b>Eddie Trunk's Podcast</b></div>
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I still love Eddie Trunk.
He is still probably our number one soldier for waving the rock and roll
flag. Great interviews and I have picked
up some new music from here too. For
example, I would have never thought to check out the new <i>Europe </i>album until
Eddie suggested it on his best of 2015 list.
Sad to hear his T.V. show did not get renewed on VH1. Hope it gets picked up and finds a home
somewhere else. In the mean time, the podcast still rocks.</div>
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<b>That Simpsons Podcast</b></div>
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I am a lifelong Simpsons fan. Yes yes I know, it’s not as good as it used
to be, but it’s still enjoyable. I am
old enough to clearly remember when it debuted and I have watched it ever
since. When I watched the season premiere
this season I thought, first time I watched this show I was in high school now
here I am still watching in my forties. That’s wild! It’s been part of my life for a long time.
This podcast usually contains three entertaining and humorous hosts that take
us through the early years of the Simpsons one show at a time. Each show features a new episode and they
play clips, talk about some behind the scenes stuff, discuss the introduction
of new characters and reflect on shows evolution among other things. They also give us <i>‘</i>this day in Simpsons history<i>’</i>
and share with us what was going on in the world when the episode first
aired. It certainly makes me, and the
show, feel old! If you are a Simpsons fan this podcast is great fun!!</div>
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<b>Risk</b></div>
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If you love good story telling you should enjoy this
one. Each podcast falls under a
different theme and various stories from various people are shared from their
own lives falling under that particular theme.
Some are quite humorous and some are quite powerful and moving. I think this pretty much sums this one
up. It’s very good!</div>
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There are many others I listen to at times and I am always
checking out new ones. I might do
another post some time about some others.
I would love to do my own podcast and I even have some ideas but I have
no idea about how to get into the podcast world including the ins and outs of
the legalities of it, if I were for example, to play some music on it. I would preferably like a co-host too! I guess I will stick to the blogging for now.
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If you are a podcast listener I would love some recommendations!! As always, thanks for
stopping by! Comments are welcomed! </div>
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Cheers!</div>
Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-41258120218278460642016-01-28T02:24:00.000-08:002016-01-28T04:22:00.370-08:00Def Leppard, Album Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT4ST6rhYlaqw96vSaqe2ufYl8mwUtsd97XIxlPPqqiGRje0c1aBFkbtmRkRdhLzcNTcQE2APebUyQ8IEWUFVG71UOcaDiEbqYJuNnl8AYsQu47k6GxkOIfXhToWlPDEjyMRghC8Nhw/s1600/defleppardselftitledcdvover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT4ST6rhYlaqw96vSaqe2ufYl8mwUtsd97XIxlPPqqiGRje0c1aBFkbtmRkRdhLzcNTcQE2APebUyQ8IEWUFVG71UOcaDiEbqYJuNnl8AYsQu47k6GxkOIfXhToWlPDEjyMRghC8Nhw/s320/defleppardselftitledcdvover.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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Anyone who’s read either of my blogs when I was writing a
few years back would be well aware of my affection for Def Leppard. <i>Pyromania </i>and <i>Van Halen’s 1984</i> were the first two
albums I can clearly remember falling in love with and they were the first two
bands that I ever really “got into”. And I really got into them too. It wasn’t long after I discovered <i>Pyromania
</i>that I needed more Def Leppard and the first two records, <i>On Through the Nigth</i> and <i>High
and Dry</i> were part of my collection.</div>
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Years passed and I still continue to follow both bands very
closely. I think for a lot of years many
Def Leppard fans have been waiting for an album that would fit right in the
middle of <i>Pyromania </i>and <i>Hysteria</i>, the bands two massive hit records. I honestly think this is finally it. </div>
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There are those Def Leppard fans that think that anything
they recorded after 1981’s <i>High and Dry</i>
or maybe 1983’s <i>Pyromania</i> is garbage.
Don’t get me wrong, I love those early records, but if you are going to think
of the Def Leppard sound it’s <i>Pyromania</i>
and <i>Hysteria</i> onward, for the most
part, that makes them who they are. If you are a fan of Def Leppard but have
not really followed their work in the studio since the early 90’s I think you
should give this one a try and I think you will more than like it. Although not overly detailed or maybe even
that insightful, here is a very quick tour of this latest self titled release. </div>
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<i>Let’s Go</i>: The first song and single has a definite similarity in
places to some of the <i>Pour Some Sugar on
Me</i> riffs. It has a different feel,
is a solid opening track and is already in the live set list, as it should be. </div>
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<i>Dangerous</i>: This is probably my favorite track on the album. An upbeat rocker with catchy riffs, a big
chorus and in places I am almost hearing shades of the song <i>Photograph </i>from <i>Pyromania </i>shining
through. This is what I consider to be
the classic Def Leppard sound. </div>
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<i>Man Enough</i>: A odd but catchy track. It’s driven by a
baseline that is undoubtedly comparable to <i>Queen’s
Another One Bites the Dust</i>. </div>
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<i>We Belong</i>: The album slows down for first time for this
ballad in which all five members of the band take a hand in the lead
vocals. They work through the verses
with each one singing a line. I like
this song a lot. It’s the first slower
Def Leppard number I think I have really enjoyed since the ballads on <i>Hysteria</i>. </div>
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<i>Invincible</i>: Kind of a steady, catchy mid tempo rocker. If I
compared the song's “speed”, think Animal from <i>Hysteria</i>. </div>
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<i>Sea of Love</i>: This one picks up the pace a bit more and the
verses are a little heavier. The chorus
mellows a bit with the typical Def Leppard harmonies. Great song.</div>
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<i>Energized</i>: A slightly different track that sounds a bit
electronic. It slows down a bit to more
of another mid tempo number. It is
catchy again and still sounds very Def Leppard.</div>
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<i>All Time High</i>: Upbeat, rocking, big chorus and needs to be
played live. Another one that you could throw on <i>Pyromania </i>or <i>Hysteria </i>and it
would fit right in. I hope it finds its way into their set list.</div>
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<i>Battle of My Own</i>: A, hmmmm, groovy maybe, acoustic driven
song that is being described by many as the bands nod to Led Zepplin. I like it, another solid track.</div>
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<i>Broke ‘n’ Brokenhearted</i>: I am not sure how to describe this
one. At first I thought, meh, but it
really grew on me. It’s just another
upbeat Def Leppard song that’s easy to listen to. </div>
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<i>Forever Young</i>: When this one starts the guitars sounds like
it could an early Def Leppard song. It’s
another harder upbeat one and again, has that chorus that you can easily sing
along to.</div>
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<i>Last Dance</i>: Another ballad and this one is acoustically
driven. I am almost reminded of that
period in the eighties when every band had to do one of these after <i>Poison</i> struck a huge hit with <i>Every Rose Has it’s Thorn</i>. This one is works for me, probably better
than a lot of those that came out in the eighties. </div>
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<i>Wings of an Angel</i>:
Another solider hard rock track.
Parts of it sound like it could be back in the early Def Leppard era
again. Great song.</div>
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<i>Blind Faith</i>: The album closes with perhaps the most
different track on the album. A lot of things
going on here. A slow building guitar
riff, nice sounding guitar solos in a few different places, psychedelic at times and it builds to a bit of a rocker towards the end. Well done! Love this track!</div>
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There you go. Quick
and not overly detailed but hopefully gives you some insight into this record.
The band claimed some different styles going on here and there is certain
evidence of that throughout but at the same time it is unmistakably Def
Leppard. I really do think this is their
best release in a long time. I used to give albums grades before. I suppose I should continue and I will give this one an A+. Why not? It's great fun from one of my favorite bands!</div>
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That’s all for now.
Hope your week is rockin’!! </div>
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Cheers!</div>
Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-24760151827361082312016-01-20T01:48:00.003-08:002016-01-20T05:58:43.059-08:00Some random quick hits and thoughts for the mid week.<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitting here on this Wednesday morning still pondering the
loss of classic rockers lately. It’s
very strange to see so many historically significant and influential artists
gone in such a short time frame for sure. The music will live on but they will
be missed. I am getting to the point
where I am afraid to check my Twitter account in fear of seeing more bad news!
Again, to all those who have recently left us, Rest in Peace and may the music
you made bring joy to many for many years to come.</div>
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Still been playing the <i>All a Man Should Do</i> album by southern
rockers <b>Lucero</b>. Again, they are new to
me, so if you have one of their other records to recommend to me please
do. And if anyone has seen them live
would love to hear about that too. If I get some time I may do a detailed
review of the album.</div>
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However, last night I went on a long stroll and decided to
play a little of one of the newest members to be inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of fame, <b>Cheap Trick</b>. I went
with the <i>Authorized Greatest Hits</i> compilation. They really are just a straight
up kick ass rock band. </div>
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Back when I was blogging a few years ago there were several
blogs I loved to read and follow. I have
noticed many of them have ceased to be updated like mine did for a very long
time. I would love to know if anyone
knows the whereabouts of the writes of the following:</div>
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Mr. Mike’s Media Maddness</div>
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Layla’s Classic Rock blog.</div>
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Good Rockin Tonight</div>
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Their blogs are listed to the right but are not being
updated. If any of them are writing
something else or are just out there reading blogs let me know. Hey if you happen to be reading, I loved
reading your blogs and would love to hear from you again.</div>
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I don’t get excited about much on T.V. anymore but I am
anticipating the new <b>X Files</b> series coming on this coming Sunday. Last weekend I saw the new Star Wars which
took me back to my childhood. Now I am looking forward to a show I was a big
fan of in my twenties (dating myself). I
guess retro themed programming is the way to go. </div>
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That’s it for now. As
we slide into the weekend from here my schedule looks pretty good. Maybe get to try out my new snow shoes, take
in a movie, watch the X Files and hopefully tend to this blog. I want to get something up on the latest self
titled release from <b>Def Leppard</b>. Middle
age mayhem will ensue. </div>
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Enjoy the rest of the week!!</div>
Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-43358440893168729942016-01-19T02:14:00.004-08:002016-01-19T04:17:27.317-08:00RIP Glenn Frey<div class="MsoNormal">
What is going on?
Scott Weiland, Lemmy, Bowie and now Glenn Frey. I can’t remember a
stretch like this ever occurring before? The Eagles music needs no
introduction. They have certainly
resonated with many people for a long time and spanned across generations too. </div>
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There are a lot of fans undoubtedly feeling the sting of this
one today and will continue to. I have some friends who were very passionate
for their love of the Eagles and traveled at great lengths to see them play
live. </div>
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Yet another legendary classic rocker gone too soon. Rest in Peace Glenn Frey.</div>
Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-21326059001482670762016-01-18T02:10:00.001-08:002016-01-18T02:10:10.670-08:00The weekend that was: Lucero and Star Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhUItTBxhXEuIFBHu8NNxXvbH1hxJiOjF6WyVOzuEzUtdnw2WxQb7NP2NiYTBxla9mtyRTvcL1jr8z3IrErgSjnENaohn7imbAoqDxdCP9-MP_SyoA9lACYEZPDYKe2_yEZQYysblVA/s1600/lucero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhUItTBxhXEuIFBHu8NNxXvbH1hxJiOjF6WyVOzuEzUtdnw2WxQb7NP2NiYTBxla9mtyRTvcL1jr8z3IrErgSjnENaohn7imbAoqDxdCP9-MP_SyoA9lACYEZPDYKe2_yEZQYysblVA/s320/lucero.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been thoroughly enjoying the southern rock sounds of
the band Lucero as of late. The latest
release, titled <i>All a Man Should Do</i>, has quickly become a favorite of all the
new music I have listened to from 2015. The
album overall has a mellow feel to it, but all tunes are catchy, and they stick
with me as lead singer Ben Nichols' scratchy voice takes us through the record.
I liked this album after the first listen.
But the more I played it, the more I liked it and began to appreciate it. </div>
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I am new to this band and did not know a lot about them
until recently. Actually, I still don’t know a lot about them apart from a few
Google searches as I listened to this one off and on over the weekend. I am disappointed to learn that they have 11
albums out and I am only discovering them now.
I definitely plan on checking out some earlier releases and if anyone
has a recommendation of where to start please send it along. </div>
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Apart from a recent road trip and listening to Lucero over
this past weekend I finally got out to see the new Star Wars movie. I went reluctantly. It’s not that I didn’t
want to see it. I felt that I just wasn’t
in the mood. Star Wars, Star Wars blah
blah blah is all I have heard about lately. When I got there and the movie
started it was a different story. It was
great fun for sure! It was definitely a
throw back in feel and storyline to the old Star Wars movies that anyone around
my age grew up with. I was glad I went
and I thoroughly enjoyed it. </div>
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It’s just after 6:00 a.m. in my part of the world and this
coffee has the force awakened in me to take on this week. Time to get it started. Hope you have a good
one! Be back soon!</div>
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Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-41231844507651209672016-01-15T02:28:00.004-08:002016-01-15T02:28:25.953-08:00Holler if you hear me! <div class="MsoNormal">
Do you love music? Of
course you do! So do I!! When I was into this a few years back one of
the things I loved the most about it was I actually made some connections with
people around the world who also love music.
We traded a few emails and such discussing our favorites and what not.
Life got in the way. I faded into obscurity.
And now here I am with the big comeback
blog. </div>
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I don’t know about you but in my “real life” I do not have a
lot of people to chat with about music with.
I mean I do, but they are more casual fans, no disrespect intended to
any of them. Technology allowed me to
chat with those who treat it as a little more of a serious hobby. </div>
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So if you are out there drop me a line. I don’t care what you listen to or what your
thing is. I will never mock you, we all
have different tastes and that’s totally cool with me. If it’s not my thing, it’s
not my thing, still tell me why you love it or whatever.</div>
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I am off to start this Friday at work and lead into a busy
weekend of family activities. ‘Middle
aged mayhem’ will ensue. </div>
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Cheers!</div>
Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-49101875573533167312016-01-14T14:40:00.000-08:002016-01-14T14:44:16.018-08:00Farewell Gentlemen, Farewell<div class="MsoNormal">
Not much I can say that has already said about the passing of
musical icons over the last short while.
Some musical artists’ passing hits you and resonates with you more than
others depending on your own history with them. <br />
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As a fan of heavy metal and hard rock you cannot understate
the legendary status of <b>Lemmy Kilmister</b>. I will
fully admit that Motorhead has dabbled in an out of my playlist over the years. Every time, every time, it’s been there I
have enjoyed it. But there was something
about Lemmy that seemed to speak to every hard rock fan. And no matter who your personal favorites
are, if you have followed them closely at all over the years, you undoubtedly
heard them speak fondly of Lemmy and probably listed him as an influence. I found
myself for days after news of his death perusing the various tributes and kind
words said about him. I also find it
comforting to hear that in addition to his impressive catalog of music, he
has always been spoken of as a sincere, kind and gentle soul. The news of his
passing is one stuck with me for sure. </div>
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With the dust not even settled from this news the world
learned that the icon and legend in every sense of the word, <b>David Bowie</b>, has
left us. Is there any true lover of
music and artistic expression that was not a fan of Bowie? This news, just like the passing of Lemmy,
lingered on. I again found myself for days reading the various tributes and
words about one of the greatest artists of our time. Virtually every genre of music has key
players who list Bowie as a major influence. Is there anyone else ever who has
transcended musical influence across so many styles as Bowie? I really don’t
anyone has, and I really don’t think anyone comes close. <br />
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My words here don’t really come close to the many other
heartfelt and in depth tributes that have surfaced all over the Internet. Those who knew them, those who work have worked
with them and those who make music can sum up these two lives, work and genius
far better than I could even pretend to.
But as one who proclaims to be passionate about music and a very amateur
blogger how could I not at least say a few words. So take time and read some good stories about them and
tributes to them, while listening to some of their music. Because both of these gentlemen will never be
replaced. </div>
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RIP Bowie and Lemmy</div>
Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-18280151883118362092016-01-14T03:06:00.002-08:002016-01-14T03:06:41.530-08:00This still works!!Wow! After a few years I actually remembered my password and managed to get logged in. I really want to resurrect this blog and start writing and connecting with music lovers out there again. Does anyone still follow? Anyone see this? Or maybe I should say "just nod if you can hear me?"<br />
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So much to talk about in the world of music. And so much new music I have enjoyed! My goal is after a long absence is to have a new blog post up real soon. <br />
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Hey, if you read this let me know. <br />
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Cheers and keep rocking!!Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-32626393814079609352011-12-12T05:10:00.000-08:002011-12-12T05:10:24.459-08:00Where did November go??<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well it’s hard to believe I went the full month of November without a post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is life, it gets very busy sometimes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fall is always that way for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to have some posts up real soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holidays are right around the corner, which usually means some downtime and some time to check out some new music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I was a young lad Santa has always brought me music for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with LPs, then cassettes, followed by CDs and the last couple of years it has been itunes gift cards. It is evident now I will forever remain a rocker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What medium will Santa use to bring me music in 20 years, 10 years or even 5 years…things change so fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Santa!</span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a holiday celebrator in the next few weeks I hope you are enjoying it to the fullest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not recognize the holidays then I hope your life continues to run smoothly and happily. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheers to all!! </span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I should be back sooner and later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is always much to discuss in the world of rock!!</span>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-82353533916133261882011-10-26T16:56:00.000-07:002011-10-26T16:56:32.616-07:00Metallica and Lou Reed thoughts...well not on the music.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow....it’s been a while since an update.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thought I would take a few minutes to weigh in on the new Metallica/Lou Reed project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it’s available to listen to in its entirety online and will be available for purchase soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I go on, I haven’t heard it yet, not a single note. But I have read a great amount of reaction to this upcoming release and most of it very negative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have no problem with someone listening to this, saying they don’t like it, and sharing their opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But many have been condemning Metallica for quite some time now just for doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if I will like this or not, but I am looking forward to hearing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I do respect Metallica for daring to do something different and not just sticking to the same heavy metal formula that they have for years, not that there is anything wrong with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it marks the measure of a true artist who dares to go out on a limb, step outside their element and paint a completely different scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many (not all) metal enthusiasts subscribe to the “death to all but metal” school of thought and the mere mention of these legends stepping outside of the genre is sacrilege to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because they are trying something different doesn’t mean they won’t be back doing what they do best with another excellent metal album in time I am sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I say if it doesn’t appeal to you, let them (the band) have their fun and wait for them to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are far too harsh claiming they’ve lost respect and will never support the band again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I for one will be checking it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My curiosity is certainly peaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may hate it, I may love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter, as with all new music I will still enjoying spinning it at least once and offering up some thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned...have a Happy Halloween everyone!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-1349232129789142022011-10-10T05:18:00.000-07:002011-10-10T05:18:21.913-07:00Beyond the Lighted Stage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMRgosJdmlc_mpJpEMp-Uwto5BHkFVQU0ubfmmSoLTC2HqPku5j4B3SEeiFQ-GiX-_HbhXydJ-nDLB0OcN7jwjCTG99C-FpPxQ1W7yBmtioewjN47hu4qNSVx3z6pAMuAluupNCSIuw/s1600/rush+movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMRgosJdmlc_mpJpEMp-Uwto5BHkFVQU0ubfmmSoLTC2HqPku5j4B3SEeiFQ-GiX-_HbhXydJ-nDLB0OcN7jwjCTG99C-FpPxQ1W7yBmtioewjN47hu4qNSVx3z6pAMuAluupNCSIuw/s320/rush+movie.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Beyond the Lighted Stage</em> is a great documentary and a must see for any Rush fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you are only a casual fan I would recommend this film; you will learn plenty about the Canadian trio and gain much respect for their accomplishments over their 30 year career.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The movie takes us from the early days by briefly profiling each band member’s beginnings as school kids and young adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It contains interviews with family members and also has Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson walking around some of their old stomping grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson have been friends since childhood forming a close bond in junior high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>World renowned drummer Neil Peart entered the scene a little later but his family life and beginnings as an artist are also profiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The film moves at a very nice pace and we do not get bogged down with lengthy profiles of childhood memories and family life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon it is taking us through the first tours and recording of the first few albums including the break through,<em> 2112</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many artists are featured throughout the film offering comments on Rush including Jack Black, Billy Corgan, Sebastian Bach, Trent Reznor and many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is obvious that there early work was a huge influence on these folks as many of them were impressionable kids at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gene Simmons also weighs in on the band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Rush’s beginnings they filled the opening slot on a lengthy tour for Kiss.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The movie takes us through many phases of Rush’s career and there are several, which is part of the appeal of this band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The different directions and sounds are all discussed throughout, again moving at a nice pace and never becoming boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also featured in the movie is the band's mass appeal and their loyal fan base that has helped them stand the test of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rush has never really been mainstream yet continues to be touring force playing to large crowds all over the world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Towards the end of the movie it details a very dark time for the band as they were forced to deal with personal tragedy when drummer Neil Peart suffered the loss of his daughter and wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This horrific time is detailed as Peart goes on a bit of a spiritual journey leading him back to recording and performing with Rush after about a 4 year hiatus. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always been a fan of Rush and this movies solidifies what makes them so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never fitting any sort of category, having their own unique sound yet continuing to change it and evolve, doing things their own way and continuing to be very relevant for three decades and counting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all it’s a great rock documentary about a great band!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-60282652273182566312011-10-01T04:22:00.000-07:002011-10-11T16:31:37.097-07:00Welcome 2 My Nightmare, Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0T58GY3w9x7Z19q-EtI-h2wwj1svKfkZDCZ_YYpfxM_7wwa47wYEOMo_ezjMtAu8tfFpr4RXB2XbuUK4hFz1VGK8jw4CdzI2bpQt1srBgIOYHfEmOBIdhJUWnb3tEht7GAU3-2mI4Q/s1600/welcome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0T58GY3w9x7Z19q-EtI-h2wwj1svKfkZDCZ_YYpfxM_7wwa47wYEOMo_ezjMtAu8tfFpr4RXB2XbuUK4hFz1VGK8jw4CdzI2bpQt1srBgIOYHfEmOBIdhJUWnb3tEht7GAU3-2mI4Q/s320/welcome2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you follow my twitter account you know already that this is going to be a very a favourable review. I fell in love with this album pretty quickly. I had been anticipating it for some time now as the original 1975 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Welcome to My Nightmare</i> is a favourite of mine. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love this recording for the same reasons as I love the 1975 original. First of all, it is a concept album. I admit to being a bit of a sucker for concept albums. I love listening to an CD in its entirety as a complete work of art and the concept album completely plays into that.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Furthermore, like the first, this CD contains many different musical styles throughout.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Hard rock, ballads, a touch of disco (although done somewhat sarcastically), southern rock, seventies, and others are all thrown in the blender that is the album.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">Having said that, this is predominantly a hard rock record.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;">There are also some different </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">instruments</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%;"> used throughout as well as various sound bites and narrations for an overall quirky, humorous and fun adventure.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I won’t go into a whole lot of detail about the story here, I don’t want to give too much of it away for anyone who may want to indulge but a few brief details none the less. It opens with our main character (is it Alice or Steven or are they one in the same, I was never quite sure) fighting sleep. He eventually succumbs to tiredness and the nightmare continues. Throughout the ride we get tons of typical twisted Alice Cooper imagery. I won’t reveal how it ends. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for the songs themselves just a few highlights as well. It opens in similar fashion as the original release with a bit of a creepy slow to mid temp introduction to the story. This track, titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am Made of You</i> will not become the classic like the opening <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Welcome to my Nightmare</i> title track on the 1975 record, but it is an awesome tune. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are several rockers on here including track number two, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caffeine</i>. It fits in here as the protagonist of the story is still fighting sleep. Other rockers include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Runaway Train</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ll Bite Your Face Off</i>. There is also the much talked about duet with Kesha titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What Baby Wants</i>, another great tune on the disc. This one is also a harder rocker and Kesha’s vocals fit in perfectly.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also worth mentioning is the song, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Underture</i>. It is an instrumental number that blends together many of the melodies from this current recording as well as those from the original 1975 Nightmare. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I often use the word disc in this and all my reviews, I actually purchased this one on itunes and with it came a near 20 minute track of Alice talking and taking us through the album one song at a time. He talks about the influences and musical style of each number and walks us through the story one step at a time. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this too. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I often find when you are anticipating something for a long time it can never live up to the hype. Well for me, this one did. I have read some mixed reviews out there, but I think just like the first one, it’s great fun and very worthy of being called a sequel to the original classic. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grade: A +</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favoutite Tracks: Put it on and let it play from start to finish. But I do particularly enjoy I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Made of You, Caffeine, </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I Gotta Get Outta Here.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-55333916347776846142011-09-25T06:15:00.000-07:002011-09-25T06:17:24.452-07:00Thoughts on the REM Split<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The whole REM breakup thing troubles me a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did enjoy REM’s music over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was never a fanatical fan, but I own a few of their CDs and understand their significance and why many people adore them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not what troubles me however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This band has been together for 31 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part they have had the same line up at its core, continued to be successful and make good music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why put it out there that you are split?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just doesn’t make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not just say you are currently not active and there are no current plans to tour or record?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you come back again great, if not, then fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, even use the word retirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But using the words like “broke up” and “split” after a 31 year legacy just doesn’t seem right to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe I am just agonizing over semantics and word choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe there is the inevitable reunion tour in 5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any event, congrats to REM on 31 years and good luck on whatever is next, even a reunion tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"></div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-55053117494519985112011-09-23T15:58:00.000-07:002011-09-25T06:18:13.444-07:00Rock Rock Til You Drop<div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Musical Memories, A True Story Featuring Def Leppard</span></strong></div><br />
How life has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once upon a time there is little I would have done short of selling my soul to see a rock concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recall my first opportunity to see my beloved Def Leppard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of 20 years old at the time I had just spend virtually all of my teenage years growing up to the sounds of Pyromania, Hysteria as well as their earlier two efforts High n’ Dry and On Through the Night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>When I heard this concert was rolling into town excitement and stress overwhelmed me at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concert was to take place in August and I had a bit of a drive from my hometown to get to the city where the concert was to be held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the spring and fall I lived in the city while attending university but during the summer months I returned home, found a job and tried to save a few pennies to assist in furthering my education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>This particular summer I was doing quite well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My boss had taken quite a liking to me and I logged many hours and as a result was banking more than I was used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My boss was as good man with a good sense of humour but he appreciated young men with a strong work ethic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The type who were up early and worked late and not concerned with foolishness such as attending rock concerts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose at the time he viewed me as one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did appreciate the hours and the money, but now I knew to attend this concert, this monumental life event, I had to request time off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think he would appreciate it, he had counted on me so much through that summer and there were others who could have used the time, but he chose me again and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was I to do?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I reasoned it out over and over again in my own mind and really there was no choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not miss this concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concert was to take place in mid August and I would have worked for about two more weeks after that before returning to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that if necessary I would simply quit my summer job and sacrifice my last two weeks pay in order to guarantee my time off to see Def Leppard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sad but true decision I had come to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really could have used that last two weeks pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then again…Def Leppard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have let a man down who had come to respect me and helped me out so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then again…Def Leppard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And worst of all, my parents helped me out as much as they could financially and this extra money would also take some of the burden off of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then again…….it was Def Leppard!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">With the decision made late one Saturday evening I was at the local bar when who should stroll in but my boss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had spent many a Saturday evening there that summer, but never seen him there once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I know that the rock gods were intervening that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was apparently attending the bachelor party of a friend and he was also more <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">obviously</span> feeling the effects of many consumed beverages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he saw me his drunken face lit up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began to buy me many beers and tell me how awesome I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a lot of work that needed to be done that summer and not everyone could be counted on and apparently I had answered the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did he know I was about to leave him high n’dry (lame Def Leppard pun).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>In the drunken conversation he made reference if there anything I needed just let him know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…..thanks to a bit of “liquid courage” I went on to explain that I knew it would be an inconvenience but I could use a day or two off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to know what was up….attending a wedding?….family reunion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I was smart enough not to lie and explained to him that there was this band I always liked and it would be neat to see them in concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, I can actually remember using the word “neat”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a pat on the back and as a reward for all my hard work I had his blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I probably didn’t handle the days leading up to the concert very well because I never spoke of this promise until the day before my time off and neither did he.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting ready to check out for the day and wouldn’t you know it he says he needs me earlier the next morning and we would probably punch a late one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good chance to get a bit more overtime pay” was the exclamation point on his sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I had no choice but to lay my trump card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t you remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gave me a couple days off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked confused, hesitated, then said that he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I really don’t think he had any recollection.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Off I went and enjoyed the concert to the fullest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like a bit of a pilgrimage. Seeing my heroes up close and personal playing all the songs that were the soundtrack my teenage years was a bit of a religious experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was back to work two days later and the relationship with my boss was not damaged in the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, he called looking for me the following summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I got to see them perform again 16 years later when I flew half way across the country to check them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second experience was just as enjoyable as the first and again was a sort of pilgrimage like experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t however, risk or jeopardize my now well established teaching career to get there, nor could I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>But there was a day that I would have dropped everything that was important to me just to rock out for a couple of hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the power of music!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the power of rock and roll!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although I could never sell out my family or colleagues for it anymore, it is still the reason why I remain an avid fan (bit of a nut actually).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still why I get excited about putting on a pair of headphones and getting lost in a new album or cranking up the stereo so loud in the car that I can hear nothing else but the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I still attend the occasional rock concert, if it doesn’t conflict with work or my kids’ hockey practices or music lessons. But perhaps because I am a grounded career and family man, the escape is even more important to me now than when I was in my youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need still rock and roll like I hope it needs me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">See you next time....as Def Leppard would say...Rock Rock Til You Drop! </div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-58481381188591092972011-09-15T16:43:00.000-07:002011-09-15T16:43:59.763-07:00Theory of a Deadman's The Truth Is (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYr-reQY_Sb-7Ajzvrvw6y9fsj2yyXyy16xAG-Z738TujlQgPojcVbqX7p4MRhQE5IKdLceU2ip4W-csiaTy5oJ19ftRohP3MBfFwvX8tgY3dYyaVzmBqEUR2lGRXKjzrYcby9sZ7tA/s1600/theoryofad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYr-reQY_Sb-7Ajzvrvw6y9fsj2yyXyy16xAG-Z738TujlQgPojcVbqX7p4MRhQE5IKdLceU2ip4W-csiaTy5oJ19ftRohP3MBfFwvX8tgY3dYyaVzmBqEUR2lGRXKjzrYcby9sZ7tA/s320/theoryofad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last few records I have reviewed on this blog have been all old school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time to check out something that was released this year so I turned to Theory of a Deadman’s latest effort, <em>The Truth Is.</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is their forth release and the first one I have purchased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up to now I have been tempted to check out their music, I have heard some of their songs on the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some I have liked and others I was not too keen on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in the mood for some no nonsense rock and roll and something new so it was time to try this band out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, if it’s quantity you like you certainly get your money’s worth here with 19 tracks if you get the album only bonus tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not you are getting 12 songs in total.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in my opinion the quality is great too with the album fully entertaining me from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music itself is certainly straight up rock and roll and its fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have used fun to describe recent albums like Night Ranger’s latest and Def Leppard’s <em>Mirrorball</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is a different kind of fun, it’s a little heavier for the most part but still melodic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lyrically it is definitely the most fun record I have heard in a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Songs like <em>Lowlife</em>, <em>The Bitch Came Back</em>, <em>Gentlemen</em> and <em>The Truth Is (I lied About Everything)</em> are filled with humorous themes, clever lyrics and catchy guitar riffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parental advisory label is well earned here with some of the themes and plenty of F bombs dropped throughout, all in good humour.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are also songs like <em>Can’t Get You Out of my Head</em>, a solid power ballad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to this tune there are also tracks like <em>Easy to Love You</em> and<em> Love is Hell</em> to fit into the power ballad category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I am not sure if with lyrics such as “Love is hell, love is shit ....” would make the song qualify as a ballad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also get additional acoustic versions of <em>Can’t Get You Out</em> <em>of my Head</em> and <em>Easy to Love You</em> included in the bonus tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition to the songs I have mentioned all the rest in between work for me too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Songs like <em>Hurricane</em>, <em>When We Were Men</em> and <em>Drag Me to Hell</em> take a break from the humour and offer more serious themes and lyrics with great the power chords and riffs continuing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So the end result here is I am glad I purchased Theory of a Deadman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may even try out some of their previous work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read mixed reviews on <em>The Truth Is</em>, but I like it and I can’t really compare it to their earlier albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been having fun with this one for a while now and the truth is...this is good rock and roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha, lame ending....see ya next time!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grade A</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite Tracks:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>Lowlife</em>, <em>The Truth Is (I lied About Everything),</em> <em>Hurricane</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-30677990005108805992011-09-09T12:46:00.000-07:002011-09-09T12:46:25.291-07:00This is Gonna Hurt Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpofsTr6mC_A2yah27O8CHvjCq8dkR6CLxSFdH53ByPpJEldnukYL3fP5pqAuiimvDCtWmPSURLjxJi9BEK23u-Szf80JqEJ5sEObjBBLPZPvdBzs448lr7Rxg9QQNQwgjNqroxY-KYw/s1600/nikki-sixx-this-is-gonna-hurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpofsTr6mC_A2yah27O8CHvjCq8dkR6CLxSFdH53ByPpJEldnukYL3fP5pqAuiimvDCtWmPSURLjxJi9BEK23u-Szf80JqEJ5sEObjBBLPZPvdBzs448lr7Rxg9QQNQwgjNqroxY-KYw/s320/nikki-sixx-this-is-gonna-hurt.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I recently tweeted that I feel like I spent the summer with Nikki Sixx.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started back in June when I picked up a copy of Sixx AM’s latest CD This is Gonna Hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved it and it has been a bit of a fixture in my car and ipod ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then got to see Motley Crue play live, read Sixx’s first book The Heroin Diaries and I’ve completed the latest, titled the same as the Sixx AM album, This is Gonna Hurt. <br />
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This book is a very different offering from the first book by Sixx and very different from any other book I have read by a rock star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all in addition to Sixx’s words this is also a collection of photography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sixx is an avid photographer and throughout the book there are many pictures captured through his “distorted lens”, as he describes it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pictures are usually of something or someone that the majority of people would care not to display in the dining room or above the couch in your living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is just Sixx’s point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sees beauty in things we normally don’t and challenges us all to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Reading this book will take you to several different places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It opens with a chapter on Sixx’s love of photography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells us how he came to discover the hobby and shares stories of some of his more interesting and stranger photo shoots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the rest of the book you will read some about his childhood and family life and how it affected him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most compelling I found to be thoughts on his now passed on sister who was never a part of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also gets a little into his three fellow bandmates, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t leave Sixx AM out either and talks about the formation of that band and the creative processes that has ensued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And h</span>e puts his own emotions on the pages when talking about finding love again and the heartbreak that followed after the relationship ended.<br />
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Apart from all of the above Sixx also shares his own views and philosophies on life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nothing too Earth shattering but I will admit at times he can be compelling and thought provoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And such is that when it comes to philosophizing life I think; it doesn’t have to be too deep to make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything Sixx says on such matters makes total sense and it doesn’t hurt to ponder these things at any given moment in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait a minute….this is suppose to hurt according to Sixx.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, you know what I mean.<br />
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The book ends in similar fashion as the Heroin Diaries by Sixx offers some of his own diary entries from a 2009 tour with Motley Crue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very interesting to compare the diary here with the diary he wrote in 1987 as provided to us in the Heroin Diaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The later is full of references to excessive drug use, alcohol consumption and endless sex and the more recent reflects on life, work and seeking out strange places and people to photograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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All in all it was another interesting read from an interesting man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Sixx tweeted earlier this summer that there will a third book in the works as well, but I’m not sure what this one will be about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am impressed enough by the first two to be interested enough to give whatever he writes a chance next time too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Have a great weekend everyone!!Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-30281823035116199702011-09-02T06:45:00.000-07:002011-09-02T06:46:39.717-07:00School House Rock, Part Three<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Labour Day weekend everyone!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really the end of summer now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to school for me next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I have just two songs featured in the final instalment of my School House Rock selections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy the weekend everyone!!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Another Brick in the Wall, by Pink Floyd</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is another no brainer to be included on a school rock song list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I really say about this Pink Floyd classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song tells of an education system that simply treats us all the same, haves us all regurgitate the same information and does not account for any uniqueness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all just bricks in the wall, serving a greater "good".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately the education system I currently work in has come a long way and we recognize and celebrate the individual strengths and unique attributes of each student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a system we may have a ways to go but we are getting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, now I am starting to sound preachy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll end this one by simply saying I love the walking hammers in this video, for some reason they scared the crap out of me as a kid! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Grade 9, by Barnaked Ladies</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Canada’s Barenaked Ladies gives us this boppy little number about the awkwardness of adolescence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many of their songs it contains good humour but at the same time I bet there is many a person out there who can relate to the experiences in this tune, me being one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the lines in the songs says “I guess I shouldn’t tell them that I like Duran Duran”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I was and forever will be a rocker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time I secretly loved it when my favourite music video programs would play Duran Duran and Michael Jackson .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I dare not admit that in the halls of the school with my acid wash jean jacket laced with sewed on patches of Def Leppard, Ratt, Van Halen and Quiet Riot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Barenaked Ladies continue to record and perform, but Steven Paige, one of the band’s lead vocalists has left leaving the quintet a foursome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-3301966267380787052011-08-31T04:38:00.000-07:002011-08-31T04:38:27.722-07:00School House Rock, Part Two<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part two of my School House Rock songs to commemorate the opening of school next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three more songs featured below starting with a double dose of Alice Cooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Great American Success Story, Alice Cooper</u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I am presenting a pair of Alice Cooper tunes to the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am beginning with the lesser known of the two from the 1986 album <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Constrictor</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song is an upbeat rocker that tells the story of a down and out person trying to turn his life around, clean up and go back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the song progresses it appears he certainly did make it back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, once he is there it appears he simply gets infatuated with his female teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always liked this song and I always liked this album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only recently learned that Kip Winger, from the 80’s band Winger played base on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Constrictor</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See....you really do learn something new everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>School’s Out, Alice Cooper</u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This song most definitely has to be on any list of school rock songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a rock anthem that I probably should be writing about in June at school’s end and not now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song was originally included on Alice Cooper’s fifth album of the same name released in 1972.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was when Alice Cooper was known as a band and not a solo artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a school I worked at for 8 years we would play this one through the P.A. system as the students would exit the building on the last day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us would be standing in the doorway with high fives, handshakes and the occasional hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would see the gleam in the eyes of my students and I know they saw the same in mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With much mutual respect for each other (I hope) we smile, bid farewell and at the same time have an understanding that we are glad to be taking a break from each other too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Teacher Teacher, by 38 Special</u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">38 Special released this song in 1984 as part of the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teachers</i> soundtrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song is a great catchy rock track and if you watch the movie it is actually played in just about its entirety during the opening credits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I re-watched this moving this summer and I loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of it hits school life dead on and some of the themes ring through to this day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for 38 Special, this is my favourite song by them although they’ve had other catchy radio friendly singles such as <em>Caught Up In You</em>, <em>Hold on Loosely</em> and <em>Back Where You Belong</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend of mine had a greatest hits CD and it was a decent collection of songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an aside I have used the song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teacher Teacher</i> as one of my custom ring tones for anyone who is a work colleague of mine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">One more installation of School House Rock songs to come!</span></span></div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-56195121173325065792011-08-29T05:30:00.000-07:002011-08-29T09:44:55.522-07:00School House Rock, Part One<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am a teacher and I love my work immensely, but yes one of the perks with the territory is a lengthy summer vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Summer 2011 is about to come to a close and in a matter of days I will be back in the classroom with my students. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In honour of the reopening of school I thought all week I would feature some songs with school, students and teachers as part of the themes somehow.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The songs that will be featured are a collection of songs that I recall hearing at some point in my life quite frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I decided to do this I quickly jotted down a list, there are tons more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I completed my own list I did a quick google search and there are hundreds, many of which I had forgotten about. </span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In any event, here are the first three from my musical memory repertoire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started with three songs about school all of which in some way deal with promiscuity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stayed tuned for others throughout the week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>High School Confidential, by Rough Trade</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This smooth moving song was one of Canadian band Rough Trade’s biggest hits. Rough Trade was essentially a duo featuring Carol Pope and Kevan Staples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This song came from their 1980 album <em>Avoid Freud</em> and proved to be their commercial break through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song’s music and lyrics has a very sexy and provocative feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, the song met some controversy at the time because of some lesbian themes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being I was only 9 years old when this song hit the airwaves I didn’t pay too much attention but later when I was in high school and attending university I would hear this song a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anytime there were older guys around at parties with one of their mix tapes this song was often played. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The band Rough Trade had some success with a couple of albums that followed but since the late 80’s/early 90’s have just played in a serious of reunion shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Hot for Teacher, by Van Halen</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keeping with the provocative themes on the first set of school related songs is this rocker from Van Halen from the hit album <em>1984</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love Van Halen and I love this album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cassette was in my first dozen or so purchases when I started to become a serious collector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This song is classic Van Halen, the opening drums, the lead in classic Eddie Van Halen guitar and David Lee Roth screams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The video itself was fun too, much of it set in a classroom where the students ogled over their scantily dressed teacher dancing on her desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eighties....</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Don’t Stand So Close To Me, by The Police</u></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keeping with sexual tension comes this one from The Police but with more serious themes and lyrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This song first appeared on The Police’s third album <em>Zenyatta Mondatta</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The track tells of a student’s yearning for her young teacher and perhaps some yearning of him for her too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tension between the two ensues and as result there is much talk, rumours and accusations around the classrooms, hallways and staffroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song was re-recorded as part of a 1986 greatest hits package and is toned down particularly during the chorus, which was a little boppy in the original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music in this new version gives the song a more serious overall mood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back later this week with more School House Rock!</span>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-52343709206091515902011-08-24T04:01:00.000-07:002011-08-24T04:49:17.272-07:00My thoughts for the next Def Leppard tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0XKEjyP0TqTxIM6LhNifV-n_XJ81Cejp7Ivj3GrE0AFUj_jsZVAR0ZKclrsh80dYAogaedmtEK4xdYLNlWe92Y8ITvrP9PmA9PxyrUY_0qEMbrnFE-DGnGvtIod-cWJ4zXjKAppzkA/s1600/def_leppard_hysteria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0XKEjyP0TqTxIM6LhNifV-n_XJ81Cejp7Ivj3GrE0AFUj_jsZVAR0ZKclrsh80dYAogaedmtEK4xdYLNlWe92Y8ITvrP9PmA9PxyrUY_0qEMbrnFE-DGnGvtIod-cWJ4zXjKAppzkA/s320/def_leppard_hysteria.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of one of the biggest selling albums of the 80s, Def Leppard's <em>Hysteria</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some artists have decided to play an entire album from their repertoire on a tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well here's a great idea for a tour next summer for Def Leppard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They, like other bands, come under some criticism for not mixing up the setlist too much over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is an interesting debate in itself and one I will not get into right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always thought they should play a few extra songs from Hysteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, it did sell over 10 million copies, so chances are a lot of people in your audience would be familiar with anything from that record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well let's go one better than that and hit the road in 2012 and play the entire thing from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album clocks in at a little over an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be precise my old CD player used to display 62:40 as total playing length every time I loaded it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The band could hit the stage starting with the opening chords of the first track <em>Women</em> and proceed through the 11 that follow until the last one <em>Love and Affection</em> is complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assuming this would take them a little over hour it could allow for a brief intermission and they could return for another set of songs from the rest of their recordings including the other massively selling album, <em>Pyromania</em>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some cons to this could be that although Hysteria had 7 singles released, 6 of them would be played during the first 30 minutes or so of the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tracks one through six were all singles, the only exception being the title track, <em>Hysteria</em>, the tenth song on the album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally there would be some build up to signature songs such as the number one smash <em>Love Bites</em> and the massively popular <em>Pour Some Sugar On Me</em>, but here they would be songs 4 and 5 respectively. Of course they could always mix up the playing order too, but that would take away from the purity of playing a classic album live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There would still be plenty to hang on four if it is just the hits you are there for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second set could contain staples from <em>Pyromania</em> such as <em>Rock of Ages, Foolin’</em> and <em>Photograph</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also songs such as <em>Do you Wanna Get Rocked, Two Steps Behind</em> and <em>Bringin on the Heartbreak</em> from their catalogue for more sing-along moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Playing Hysteria in its entirety just makes sense to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should satisfy fans who want to hear all the hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also causes them to change their setlist slightly and maybe silence some (some) of the critics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it deservedly marks the anniversary of one of the most recognizable and successful rock albums in the last 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So come on Def Leppard let's hit the road again next summer and do this thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it would be very well received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here's my proposed setlist for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first set being the Hysteria album and the second being some staples and some personal favorites thrown in.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Set One: Hystreria album in its entirity</u></strong></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Women, Rocket, Animal, Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar On Me, Armageddon It, Gods of War, Don't Shoot Shotgun, Run Riot, Hysteria, Excitable, Love and Affection.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Set Two<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let It Go (from High N' Dry), Foolin (from Pyromania), Rock On (from Yeah!), Wasted(from On Through the Night), Promises(from Euphoria), Nine Lives(from Songs from the Sparkle Lounge) , Two Steps Behind(from Retro-Active), Bringing on the Heartbreak(from High N' Dry), Photograph(from Pyromania), Rock of Ages(from Pyromania)</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Encore:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you Wanna Get Rocked(from Adrenalize)</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am torn to what the opening number of the second set should be, as always, <em>Rock Rock til you Drop</em> (from Pyromania) is a good choice used by them as an opening many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other candidates could also be <em>Stage Fright</em>(from Pyromania) or <em>Undefeated</em>(from Mirrorball) being used on their current tour as their concert opener.<o:p></o:p></span></span>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-82996723280219573152011-08-19T17:03:00.000-07:002011-09-02T12:13:13.138-07:00What a Rush!<strong><em>Turning the clock back on two classic albums from a classic band.</em></strong><br />
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After spinning 1975’s <em>Welcome to my Nightmare</em> by Alice Cooper for a few listens I got inspired to stay in that decade and moved on to Rush’s <em>2112</em> also released in 1975, which further inspired me to stay with the band and spend some time with 1981’s<em> Moving Pictures</em>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Hailing from my homeland <country-region><place>Canada</place></country-region>, the trio of musicians have been a mainstay in the business for over 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a recent poll by Rolling Stone magazine they were voted the number one prog rock band of all time by a landslide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rush continues to have an allegiance of loyal fans and they continue to tour the world to large crowds putting off electrifying performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzrvoSDa8pp8zJqf8SgXTrzg581Y2ZaMOjGNPqZq6GYUvDrwpgKh_WNJGLJEUvmwk7-u43aL1f3iHFA7ZnQbrezy67hoSaEN1qekjgc4OgiHv16mdwbVTl0q_CbjByg649EJJe52fxA/s1600/2112_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzrvoSDa8pp8zJqf8SgXTrzg581Y2ZaMOjGNPqZq6GYUvDrwpgKh_WNJGLJEUvmwk7-u43aL1f3iHFA7ZnQbrezy67hoSaEN1qekjgc4OgiHv16mdwbVTl0q_CbjByg649EJJe52fxA/s1600/2112_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The album <em>2112</em> is their forth release and a concept album, sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It opens with a twenty plus minute track titled <em>2112</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is the concept piece of the album. </span>It is broken down into seven parts each with its own subtitle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song tells the story of a futuristic world ruled by the priests of Syrinx where there is no music, among other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The protagonist of the story finds a guitar, learns to play it and presents it to the priests hoping for change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
The song is certainly one of my favourites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musically it moves in many different directions and I have always enjoyed the story written by lyricist and drummer for the band, Neil Peart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favourite parts of the song is when vocalist Geddy Lee is singing in the voice of two different characters, the protagonist who has found the guitar and the priest who quickly dismisses and condemns the discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geddy sings the part of the guitar’s discoverer in a more mild tone and then switches to his trademark high pitched shrill as the priest continues to condemn the finding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This musical conversation goes back and forth for some time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
After the opening number is complete there are five additional stand alone tracks that do not relate to the concept of the opening number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each one is a solid Rush song in its own right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album clocks in at just under 40 minutes.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIPohRxi2RkqdM0Bp6WrAhjbFpAvBQaVY4hsTh84q6BWgEz3IsJyjkK79HDe5RAgexy-ij97_HYpEpIjGiwZ2F_HGIHXP0xMVMn9b2rTdGo5FQXCQydHLTsxhX4NbgAbhrPWohAQO7Q/s1600/movingpictures" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIPohRxi2RkqdM0Bp6WrAhjbFpAvBQaVY4hsTh84q6BWgEz3IsJyjkK79HDe5RAgexy-ij97_HYpEpIjGiwZ2F_HGIHXP0xMVMn9b2rTdGo5FQXCQydHLTsxhX4NbgAbhrPWohAQO7Q/s1600/movingpictures" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Next up is 1981’s Moving Pictures, their most successful release to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It contains only 7 songs and in total also clocks in under 40 minutes .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t make them like this anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would much rather hear an album with less songs if they are all stellar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the days of 10 songs per album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess as time moves on I am getting more and more old school all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I digress…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
Back to <em>Moving Pictures</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album opens with arguably their most well known song, <em>Tom Sawyer</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It keeps moving from there with my favourite song on the album called <em>Red</em> <em>Barchette. </em>Although not an epic piece like 2112's <em>Overture</em>, <em>Red</em> <em>Barchette </em>has plenty of imagery created by the songs lyrics and music and also tells the strory of a futuristic world where some vehicles have been outlawed. </span>The next track shows off the band's musicianship again with a great instrumental number called <em>YYZ</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Next up is another </span>of their signature and well known songs, <em>Limelight</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also another lengthy piece next, clocking in at <time hour="10" minute="24">10:24</time> called <em>The Camera Eye</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the lengthy epic songs that we don’t see enough of anymore either. The album closes out with two final numbers, <em>Witch Hunt</em> and <em>Vital Signs</em>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
The album, like <em>2112</em> showcases the talents of the band, lyrically and musically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On their most recent tour <em>Moving Pictures</em> was played in its entirety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to see the same for<em> 2112</em> sometime too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are fantastic records but I will give the slight edge to <em>2112</em>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<strong><u>2112</u></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Grade:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A +</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Favourite Tracks:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to pick one here, but all of the <em>2112 </em>track, <em>A</em> <em>Passage to Bangkok</em> and <em>Lessons</em>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<strong><u>Moving Pictures</u></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Grade A</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Favourite Tracks: <em>YYZ</em>, <em>Red Barchette</em> and <em>The Camera Eye</em>.</div><br />
Although I select favourtite tracks here I recommend setting aside some time and playing each of these albums from start to finish. Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-77601262750801684962011-08-14T15:20:00.000-07:002011-08-14T15:20:15.044-07:00Welcome to My Nightmare<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBybuZ2Goo_lkzMKp2K5aOosql5-bEbX8cH-y2sFhRh2Be4WkFOCZTzxtUACq18cba72QYLCGKm_gj5Aw8Ueh1YVuRtdv8uiOz5KUpk2P-H9sMeA6BgBUR0arxcq1T-3bYt_wFTiqMA/s1600/Nightmare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBybuZ2Goo_lkzMKp2K5aOosql5-bEbX8cH-y2sFhRh2Be4WkFOCZTzxtUACq18cba72QYLCGKm_gj5Aw8Ueh1YVuRtdv8uiOz5KUpk2P-H9sMeA6BgBUR0arxcq1T-3bYt_wFTiqMA/s1600/Nightmare.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Anticipating Alice Cooper’s September release <em>Welcome 2 My Nightmare</em> got me in the mood to fire up the original 1975 release <em>Welcome to my Nightmare</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never actually owned a copy of this album until a couple of years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have followed Alice Cooper’s career and being an 80s teenager the first album I ever owned by Cooper was 1986’s <em>Constrictor</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It contained the single <em>He’s Back (the Man Behind the Mask)</em> which was featured in Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> Part VI:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason Lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I enjoyed this album and picked up some other Alice Cooper recordings, but a couple of years ago when perusing a used CD store I cam across 1975’s <em>Welcome to my Nightmare</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went home, lay back with my head phones on and listened to it from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard most, if not all the songs before, but this was the first time I listened to the concept album in its entirety in one sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have several times since and it very quickly became a favourite of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to being a concept album centering around the tribulations of a character named Steven it has some great Alice Cooper music. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">There are different styles, instruments and sounds throughout the album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes for a very intriguing and enjoyable listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your hard rockers are on here with tracks such as <em>Devil’s Food</em>, <em>Black Widow</em> and <em>Cold Ethyl</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your ballads are there including the well known <em>Only Women Bleed</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then are your strange and quirky songs with that B-movie or haunted house sounding keyboards such as <em>Steven</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will also hear horn sections and other assortments of sounds and effects including a spoken word narration from Vincent Price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice himself changes his voice at times singing in a high pitched creepy childlike voice assuming the role of Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">All in all there is never a dull moment on the record. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy listening to the music, the concept and the imagery <city><place>Alice</place></city> creates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of everything I’ve heard from Alice Cooper this one is far and above my favourite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Grade:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A +</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Favourite Tracks:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to pick but I will go with <em>Devil’s Food, Black Widow and Department of Youth</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for me this album is best enjoyed as a complete package.</div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-14246923257184191772011-08-12T07:13:00.000-07:002011-08-13T04:44:37.032-07:00RIP Jani Lane<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">There are many tributes all over today for the passing of former Warrant front man Jani Lane at the age of 47.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like most I was first introduced to Lane in 1989 when Warrant released their debut album <em>Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was vacationing in <state><place>Florida</place></state> at the time and saw the video for <em>Down Boys</em> on MTV and was instantly hooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left our hotel room walked to a store and bought the CD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This album turned out to be one of my favourites from the opening <em>32 Pennies</em>, to the first single <em>Down Boys</em>, the power ballads <em>Heaven</em> and <em>Some Times She Cries</em> and the hard rockin’ title track. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disc got lot of play from me and continues to be one my favourites from that era, an all round fun feel to it. <br />
<address> </address></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Watching the videos at the time it was obvious that Lane was a great performer and front man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the look, the moves and the voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I never embraced any of Warrant’s releases as much as their debut I continued to follow their career, including Lane’s solo efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Unfortunately we have heard the last of Lane's musical efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Condolences extended to family, friends and band mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0RHENr6Xe70?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Jani Lane and Warrent music video for Down Boys. <br />
Long live the spirit of the 80's and the spirit of Jani Lane<br />
and others who have left us too soon.</div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-11084000377743904122011-08-09T04:38:00.000-07:002011-08-09T07:48:51.737-07:00More Good Reading, Sammy Hagar's Red<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXPu9Fv-St7Rl-05Vop1op4maOqedgq_uVI74vVcMrjPRhwTkyaFLeKWWBHdr9ciU3xyKJt59LagfZGsrIh6cgoQTz75KjbEXW3caCpnp3qelA_ZojE0hCiua90eq3X-rwC6gmJyzbg/s1600/Sammy-Hagar_Red-book-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXPu9Fv-St7Rl-05Vop1op4maOqedgq_uVI74vVcMrjPRhwTkyaFLeKWWBHdr9ciU3xyKJt59LagfZGsrIh6cgoQTz75KjbEXW3caCpnp3qelA_ZojE0hCiua90eq3X-rwC6gmJyzbg/s320/Sammy-Hagar_Red-book-cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I recently finished Sammy Hagar’s life tale that he titled, what else but <em>Red</em> of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing about the life of the Red Rocker from his own perspective proved to be another great read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sammy takes us through it all from his childhood and family life, to his days with the band Montrose, his first solo albums, his first stint with Van Halen, their split, the reunion, life after the second split and everything in between.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I enjoyed every chapter in this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beginning pages of such books that talk about the childhood can sometimes bore me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s face it; we want to hear the stories about the making of the albums and tales from the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I enjoyed Sammy’s early memoirs too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the early beginnings you can start to see Sammy’s strong work ethic that is evident throughout the rest of his book and his entire career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Throughout the book you will also learn about Sammy Hagar, the businessman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he had successful businesses but I didn’t know he was an entrepreneur so early in his career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are stories of him attempting such ventures in the mountain bike business, a clothing line and many others, some successful and some not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found all these stories entertaining as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">But there is no denying the meat of the book contains the rock and roll tales which make up the bulk of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you would expect it isn’t too kind to Eddie Van Halen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Sammy appears honest enough giving Eddie his due throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He speaks of Eddie’s charming nature and brilliant musicianship, but also the opposing stories of his outlandish behaviour, controlling nature and alcoholism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then of course there is a chapter discussing the tour when he and David Lee Roth went out on the road together, both as solo artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, not a lot of kind words shared about Roth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">He doesn’t spare himself either and shares stories of his own debauchery from the road of a rock and roll star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all in all Sammy holds it together through good times and bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today he sits on a fortune with successful business ventures and has found new musical happiness with the bands the Wabos and most recently Chickenfoot (new album due out in September). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If you enjoy these rock and roll biographies I highly recommend this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I read this one I finished Nikki Sixx’s <em>Heroin Diaries</em>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are less jaw dropping moments in Red (although there are a few), but I found it to be just as interesting and enjoyable of a read. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Since finishing this book I have already turned to reading Nikki Sixx’s latest book, <em>This is Gonna Hurt</em>, details to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070576740953109526.post-13231095822656629822011-08-05T17:25:00.000-07:002011-08-05T17:25:07.485-07:00Rock and Roll Blood!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I had a road trip today with my two sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and my nine year old visited one of my favourite music stores to buy a CD for part of the drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has an extensive used section and we were both flipping through seeing if something would catch our eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my boy he could pick something out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found a Black Eyed Peas’ disc, Avril Lavigne and a greatest hits Twisted Sister CD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The first two pop selections he found in the stacks he would know from school and the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his familiarity with Twisted Sister comes from my own version of the s<place><placetype>chool</placetype> of r<placename>ock</placename></place>. I have spent hours with my sons going through my CD collection, listening to the old tracks and sharing stories with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dee Snider’s face from my <em>Stay Hungry</em> disc is unforgettable and thanks to Sponge Bob he was more than familiar with <em>I Wanna Rock</em>. If you are unfamilar in one of the final scenes of the Sponge Bob movie he wails this song. I also played <em>We’re Not Going To Take It</em> for him on more than one occasion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Well, I held the three selections in my hand, swallowed hard, and said he could have whichever one he wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a very brief pause, which played out a little longer in my mind, he selected Twisted Sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he liked the music he heard by them more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so proud. I walked to the checkout with a lump in my throat, paid for the purchase and we were on our way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">On our drive, in addition to the anthems <em>We’re Not Going to Take It</em> and <em>I Wanna Rock</em> we listened to songs I haven’t heard in years such as <em>Stay Hungry, Leader of the Pack, Under the Blade, You Can’t Stop Rock and Roll</em> and <em>I’ll Never Grow Up, Now</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed every song of the hard grinding straight up in your face metal to the fullest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I don’t know if my son’s selection was my influence or Sponge Bob’s, but I’ll take the credit (no disrespect to the Sponge).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In honour of Twisted Sister I am including this <a href="http://therockbrigadeblog.blogspot.com/p/blast-from-past.html">Blast from the Past</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think this song is one of their more well known ones, but I was always fond of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not on our new CD and I googled Twisted Sister’s recent setlists and they don’t play it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a song titled <em>Hot Love</em> from 1987’s <em>Love is for Suckers</em> album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, long live rock and roll! </div><br />
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Twisted Sister, Hot Love from 1987's Love is for Suckers.</div>Rock Brigade Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07268160942747683574noreply@blogger.com0