The other day I was driving my oldest son home from the Blue Line El stop. He is a Junior in HS and he always has his headphones on listening to jams. I asked him, "What're listening to, Winger?" He laughed. It was a familiar laugh, one of ridicule. My own son, dissing Winger!!!!!
Well then I took to Facebook and posted about it, and of course I get the classic music snobbery that Hair Metal gets in general, however someone brought up that they thought Warrant was better than Winger. I struggled with this, so I hit the books....
THE ERA
Both bands had their heyday from around 1988-1992 or so. This was the end of the Hair Metal era. Some people will tell you that Hair Metal is a derogatory term for that time period, and that may be so. I just think of it as another way to say "Pop songs played with metal type riffs" My reason for pointing this out is that they both are perfect for comparison as they were peers of the time.
THE BANDS
Winger's front man was of course, the bass playing Kip Winger. His parents were jazz musicians, and he was classically trained. Guitarist Reb Beach was trained at the Berklee College of Music. CREDIBILITY!!!
Warrant's front man was Jamie Lane. He died of acute alcohol poisoning in 2011. SYMPATHY!
THE HITS
Both bands basically had eight chart topping hits!
Winger-From the Lps "Winger", "In the Heart of the Young", and "Pull"
1. Madalaine
2. Hungry
3. Seventeen (MASSIVE HIT) 26 on the charts!
4. Headed for a Heartbreak (MASSIVE HIT) 19 on the charts!
5. Can't Get Enuff (GOOD HIT) 42 on the charts!
6. Miles Away (MASSIVE HIT) 12 on the charts!!!!
7. Easy Come, Easy Go (MASSIVE HIT) 41 on the charts!
8. Down Incognito
Warrant-From the LPs "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinkin' Rich", and "Cherry Pie"
1. Down Boys (MASSIVE HIT) 27 on the charts!!!
2. Heaven (MASSIVE HIT) 2 ON THE CHARTS!!!!
3. Big Talk
4. Sometimes She Cries (MASSIVE HIT) 20 on the charts!
5. Cherry Pie (MASSIVE HIT) 10 on the charts!
6. I Saw Red (MASSIVE HIT) 10 on the charts!
7. Uncle Tom's Cabin
8. Blind Faith
It looks pretty even, but Warrant had higher chart positions. Hmmmm....
THE ALBUMS
"Winger" is excellent with the aforementioned hits plus standouts "State of Emergency" and "Time to Surrender"
"In the Heart of the Young" is solid, but not groundbreaking but it does have "Rainbow in the Rose" and the virtuoso "Baptism by Fire"
"Pull" is pretty much the same as the last one, I like "Spell I'm Under" and "In for the Kill" but nothing to really defend on a mountain.
"Dirty Filthy Rotten Stinkin' Rich" is really nothing much after the hits. There is a lot of filler on this LP
"Cherry Pie", however, is EXCELLENT. The title cut is the worst song on the album! Every cut, is solid! I was kind of taken aback by that actually.
THE MORALITY
You see, Warrant is unapologetic in labeling a woman a "Cherry Pie". That won't fly in today's age!
In "Seventeen", Kip at least understands that she is too young.."Daddy says she's too young, but she's old enough for me" . After careful consideration, he makes his choice. Winger has the courtesy to consult the father BEFORE banging his daughter...that's integrity...
METALLICA FRICTION!
Winger trades some barbs with Metallica after Lars Ulrich TASTELESSLY throws a dart at a pic of Kip Winger in their video "Nothing Else Matters", Winger correctly states that Metallica is incapable of playing with the technical proficiency of Winger, however replied, and I quote "And I'll challenge those chumps to that any day of the week, but we could play their music with our hands tied behind our back"
Awesome..because Metallica blows.
THE VERDICT
Warrant has had more chart success. Winger has technical chops. Warrant has the best overall album of the five talked about (Cherry Pie). Winger has the best song (Seventeen..check out the break after the solo!)
However, there is a tiebreaker...both Kip Winger and Reb Beach have played in Alice Cooper's band. (Kip before Winger, Reb, after Winger)
This is what breaks the tie of a tight race.
Your winner...by a .009 gauge guitar string....WINGER
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Journey is good. This is a fact.
Journey is an easy target when people make fun of popular bands. They had a fuckload of hits, and they rose from the ashes of Santana...(even though Santana wasn't nearly done). They basically owned the late 70s/early 80s...and for GOOD REASON!
Let's get the pre-popular stuff out of the way. The first three LPs
1. Journey
2. Look Into the Future
3. Next
These are all before Steve Perry. Their sound is not at all like you know them. It's really Prog-Rock (no problem with that!) and there are some selected cuts that please. (Of a Lifetime from Journey is quite good and the title cut from Look Into The Future is a straight up TABLE BUSTING JAM) They also do an interesting version of the Beatles' "It's All Too Much". You certainly can't go wrong if you like some good old fashioned, guitar/organ based rock.
I am hear to point out the big Lps and perhaps some tracks you may not hear on the radio.
Infinity-1978
It's got big ass hits: Lights, Feeling That Way/Anytime, Wheel in the Sky
You may be someone who does not like "Lights".
You would be wrong. Put headphones on, sit back, and think of a summer night about 75 degrees, with a slight breeze, and listen closely to the perfectly layered vocals. Understand the brilliance of Neal Schon's solo. It's okay...I'm right all the time.
What I really love about "Feeling That Way" is that it lulls you into a false sense of serene security with Greg Rollie's soothing voice...then THE KNIFE'S EDGE OF STEVE PERRY'S BRIDGE KICKS YOU IN THE BALLS!
Some other lesser known cuts: " La Do Da" (No, this is not the theme song of my friend Sara Sevigny) and
"Can Do" This album is great. You should own it.
Evolution-1979
This has a special place for me as it reminds me of graduating grade school.
Big Hits: Just the Same Way, Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
"Just the Same Way" is a jam, the outro proves it, but I don't need proof...OTHER THAN MY SAY-SO!!!!
If you do not like "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'", I am afraid that you are diagnosed with "Not Liking Any Music" There is a cure, but that's for another post.
Some great lesser known cuts: "Too Late" "City of the Angels" (this is basically the "Anytime" to "Lovin...."
"When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)", "Lovin' You is Easy" "Lady Luck" Just get the Lp already!
Departure- 1980
Jams...pure and simple.
Big Hits: Any Way You Want It, Where Were You
This Lp is stem to stern SOLID. "Walks Like a Lady" is a complete bluesy/groovy jam! "I'm Cryin'" has screaming leads! "Someday Soon", "People and Places" Classic ballads!!!! This LP DOES NOT STOP.
Now these last three are enough to make my case...BUT THERE IS MORE!!!!
Single "The Party's Over-1981
This is off the Captured Live LP. It is in their top 5 songs, easy.
Escape-1981
Big, BIG hits!-Don't Stop Believing, Stone In Love, Who's Crying Now, Still They Ride, Open Arms
Yep, this is where the naysayers get going. Who hasn't heard Open Arms at their prom? I don't care. Stone in love is a jam! Still They Ride is their best song, and perhaps Neal Schon's best solo!
Other cuts: "Mother, Father" (ESSENTIAL JOURNEY TRACK), "Keep on Runnin'"(they don't like "G's" at the ends of words) "Escape"
You cannot go wrong with this lp.
Frontiers-1983
Big fucking hits!: Separate Ways (World's Apart), Send Her My Love, After the Fall, Faithfully
Don't even attempt to tell me that you don't bang on shit when Separate Ways kicks in. DON'T LIE TO ME!!! (Starts to turn into the Hulk, but stops)
Other jams: "Chain Reaction" "Troubled Child"
SOMEDAY, LOVE WILL FIND YOU....
Single "Only the Young"-1985
Great song, from the Visionquest soundtrack. I have news for you. Visionquest is one of the greatest films of the 80s. Do not argue. You will lose. There's a story about a teenage Journey fan dying of cancer who wrote to them and they brought this song to him fresh from mastering the tape so he could be the first person ever to hear it. Journey cares.
Raised on Radio-1986
This is where we will end. I don't consider this Essential Journey, but the hits are pleasant enough
Big Hits: Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You, and Be Good To Yourself
I believe that I have given MORE than enough proof, that Journey is good. You may disagree, that is OK, Charles Manson disagreed...What?!?!!?!
Let's get the pre-popular stuff out of the way. The first three LPs
1. Journey
2. Look Into the Future
3. Next
These are all before Steve Perry. Their sound is not at all like you know them. It's really Prog-Rock (no problem with that!) and there are some selected cuts that please. (Of a Lifetime from Journey is quite good and the title cut from Look Into The Future is a straight up TABLE BUSTING JAM) They also do an interesting version of the Beatles' "It's All Too Much". You certainly can't go wrong if you like some good old fashioned, guitar/organ based rock.
I am hear to point out the big Lps and perhaps some tracks you may not hear on the radio.
Infinity-1978
It's got big ass hits: Lights, Feeling That Way/Anytime, Wheel in the Sky
You may be someone who does not like "Lights".
You would be wrong. Put headphones on, sit back, and think of a summer night about 75 degrees, with a slight breeze, and listen closely to the perfectly layered vocals. Understand the brilliance of Neal Schon's solo. It's okay...I'm right all the time.
What I really love about "Feeling That Way" is that it lulls you into a false sense of serene security with Greg Rollie's soothing voice...then THE KNIFE'S EDGE OF STEVE PERRY'S BRIDGE KICKS YOU IN THE BALLS!
Some other lesser known cuts: " La Do Da" (No, this is not the theme song of my friend Sara Sevigny) and
"Can Do" This album is great. You should own it.
Evolution-1979
This has a special place for me as it reminds me of graduating grade school.
Big Hits: Just the Same Way, Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
"Just the Same Way" is a jam, the outro proves it, but I don't need proof...OTHER THAN MY SAY-SO!!!!
If you do not like "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'", I am afraid that you are diagnosed with "Not Liking Any Music" There is a cure, but that's for another post.
Some great lesser known cuts: "Too Late" "City of the Angels" (this is basically the "Anytime" to "Lovin...."
"When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)", "Lovin' You is Easy" "Lady Luck" Just get the Lp already!
Departure- 1980
Jams...pure and simple.
Big Hits: Any Way You Want It, Where Were You
This Lp is stem to stern SOLID. "Walks Like a Lady" is a complete bluesy/groovy jam! "I'm Cryin'" has screaming leads! "Someday Soon", "People and Places" Classic ballads!!!! This LP DOES NOT STOP.
Now these last three are enough to make my case...BUT THERE IS MORE!!!!
Single "The Party's Over-1981
This is off the Captured Live LP. It is in their top 5 songs, easy.
Escape-1981
Big, BIG hits!-Don't Stop Believing, Stone In Love, Who's Crying Now, Still They Ride, Open Arms
Yep, this is where the naysayers get going. Who hasn't heard Open Arms at their prom? I don't care. Stone in love is a jam! Still They Ride is their best song, and perhaps Neal Schon's best solo!
Other cuts: "Mother, Father" (ESSENTIAL JOURNEY TRACK), "Keep on Runnin'"(they don't like "G's" at the ends of words) "Escape"
You cannot go wrong with this lp.
Frontiers-1983
Big fucking hits!: Separate Ways (World's Apart), Send Her My Love, After the Fall, Faithfully
Don't even attempt to tell me that you don't bang on shit when Separate Ways kicks in. DON'T LIE TO ME!!! (Starts to turn into the Hulk, but stops)
Other jams: "Chain Reaction" "Troubled Child"
SOMEDAY, LOVE WILL FIND YOU....
Single "Only the Young"-1985
Great song, from the Visionquest soundtrack. I have news for you. Visionquest is one of the greatest films of the 80s. Do not argue. You will lose. There's a story about a teenage Journey fan dying of cancer who wrote to them and they brought this song to him fresh from mastering the tape so he could be the first person ever to hear it. Journey cares.
Raised on Radio-1986
This is where we will end. I don't consider this Essential Journey, but the hits are pleasant enough
Big Hits: Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You, and Be Good To Yourself
I believe that I have given MORE than enough proof, that Journey is good. You may disagree, that is OK, Charles Manson disagreed...What?!?!!?!
The Guitars of OKen Part VII/ The Current Crop
I have six of them. Here they are from oldest to newest...
51. American Special Stratocaster.
I wanted a Strat with three single coil pickups. The previous ones I have owned had a humbucker at the bridge. I wanted a traditional set up. I love it. It stays in tune, it sounds amazing, it's dependable as Bolivian Mule carrying shitloads of gold dust up a mountain. I have used this in many gigs and it is a workhorse.
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52. Gibson SG Standard 2013
The last great year of the SG, I had a professional refile the nut so the G does not go out of tune the second you pluck it. It is the best neck I have ever played on. It is the most comfortable guitar I have ever played. It is beautiful and sounds incredible. This will never leave, ever.
53. Fender Stratacoustic
I wanted another acoustic. I want a thin shell. I like the neck. It's for an easy carry to a vocal rehearsal.
54. Gretsch 5622CBT Electromatic Centerblock
Love. Love. Love. Love the three pickups, love the look, love the sound. Put a compressor on this and it melts icecaps. I have not gigged with this as of yet, but rest assured, and the next gig, I will!
55. Gretsch G5623 Bono Red Signature Electromatic.
Yes, I hate signature guitars, but this one is so cool and sounds so great, AND I got if for almost HALF the price!!! I love, love love. my Gretsch guitars. Nothing else sounds like them.
56. Squire Affinity Telecaster
Che-hee-heep, but effective. This is my "Leave it at where we rehearse" guitar. Serviceable. Did I mention cheap? You can't go wrong with some of these Squire brand guitars!
There you have it...all 56! If anything changes, I will keep you updated!
51. American Special Stratocaster.
I wanted a Strat with three single coil pickups. The previous ones I have owned had a humbucker at the bridge. I wanted a traditional set up. I love it. It stays in tune, it sounds amazing, it's dependable as Bolivian Mule carrying shitloads of gold dust up a mountain. I have used this in many gigs and it is a workhorse.
The last great year of the SG, I had a professional refile the nut so the G does not go out of tune the second you pluck it. It is the best neck I have ever played on. It is the most comfortable guitar I have ever played. It is beautiful and sounds incredible. This will never leave, ever.
I wanted another acoustic. I want a thin shell. I like the neck. It's for an easy carry to a vocal rehearsal.
Love. Love. Love. Love the three pickups, love the look, love the sound. Put a compressor on this and it melts icecaps. I have not gigged with this as of yet, but rest assured, and the next gig, I will!
Yes, I hate signature guitars, but this one is so cool and sounds so great, AND I got if for almost HALF the price!!! I love, love love. my Gretsch guitars. Nothing else sounds like them.
Che-hee-heep, but effective. This is my "Leave it at where we rehearse" guitar. Serviceable. Did I mention cheap? You can't go wrong with some of these Squire brand guitars!
There you have it...all 56! If anything changes, I will keep you updated!
Friday, February 20, 2015
The Guitars of OKen Part VI/Epiphone
Holy shit, did I have a lot of Epiphones. They are the budget version of Gibson, and they put out a quality product. I have to say that of the 19...yep 19 that I have owned, I only had one clunker. I currently have none at the moment, and upon reflection, I didn't gig with a lot of them. This is where most of my OCD lies...
34. Red SG with weird ass headstock
This is a late 90s model. Cheap as fuck, rehearsed with it, but never played out.
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35. White SG with EMG pickups
EMGs are active pickups, meaning that you need to power them with a 9-volt. Different sound for sure but not for me
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36. Firebird Studio
Should have kept this one, it sounded great!
.JPG)
37. ES-175
Got it CHEAP. Looked and played great, but I needed to purge and thin out the herd at that point, so it was a sacrificial lamb.
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38. Les Paul Limited Edition Silverburst
Looked great, but the pickups were meh, so I dropped in some Seymour Duncans and it sang! This was a victim of my great purge.
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Damn! It was a looker! I should have kept that one too!!!
39. Les Paul Ultra II
It had a special pickup to make it sound like an acoustic when you flip a switch. It sounded like crap, but the guitar itself was pretty goddamn spectacular. I DID gig out with this one.
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40. Les Paul Goth
Cheap, and I dropped a DiMarzio Super Distortion at the bridge...looked cool.
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41. Les Paul Standard
It was a B-stock and I had it for a month
.JPG)
42. Les Paul Traditional Pro
Had this for 3 weeks..used it to trade for something better
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43. Les Paul Tribute Plus
Another one I had for less than a month. It had Gibson 57 pickups in it, but it did not quite sound like it, plus it was kind of ugly.
.JPG)
44. ES-339 Pro
U.G.L.Y. I honestly don't know what I was thinking when I got this. It sounded decent enough, but it's a small scale guitar with a shape used on a larger guitar.
.JPG)
45. Casino
The first one. I used it as a prop in a play I wrote, then got rid of it because it really had no distinctive sound.
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46. Casino...again
Nope, not the same pic. I was in a full on Beatles mood and I traded for it, but then reality set in. I had it for 5 weeks I think.
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47. Dot Studio
Dirt Cheap...never played out once. Changed the bridge pickup. Sold it.
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48. Dot
This was my "Frankenstein's Monster" guitar. I changed almost everything about this. New pickups, locking tuners, a Bigsby tremolo, new volume/tone dials. I used this one quite a bit. The frets started to go and I don't do fret jobs, and didn't want to pay. I was actually able to trade this one in.
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49. ES-335
Looks just like the Dot but way better sounding. I should have kept this one.
.JPG)
50. Dot...again...
Yep, I did it again, I bought an exact one that I got rid of. This was the only clunker. I had this for less than 2 weeks and brought it back to get my money back. The fretboard was fucked up! The frets had many dead spots...yuck!
Wow! That was a long one! I have one more! I KNOW YOU CAN'T WAIT!!!! The last chapter will be The Current Guitars of OKen!!!!
34. Red SG with weird ass headstock
This is a late 90s model. Cheap as fuck, rehearsed with it, but never played out.
EMGs are active pickups, meaning that you need to power them with a 9-volt. Different sound for sure but not for me
Should have kept this one, it sounded great!
Got it CHEAP. Looked and played great, but I needed to purge and thin out the herd at that point, so it was a sacrificial lamb.
Looked great, but the pickups were meh, so I dropped in some Seymour Duncans and it sang! This was a victim of my great purge.
39. Les Paul Ultra II
It had a special pickup to make it sound like an acoustic when you flip a switch. It sounded like crap, but the guitar itself was pretty goddamn spectacular. I DID gig out with this one.
Cheap, and I dropped a DiMarzio Super Distortion at the bridge...looked cool.
It was a B-stock and I had it for a month
42. Les Paul Traditional Pro
Had this for 3 weeks..used it to trade for something better
Another one I had for less than a month. It had Gibson 57 pickups in it, but it did not quite sound like it, plus it was kind of ugly.
U.G.L.Y. I honestly don't know what I was thinking when I got this. It sounded decent enough, but it's a small scale guitar with a shape used on a larger guitar.
The first one. I used it as a prop in a play I wrote, then got rid of it because it really had no distinctive sound.
Nope, not the same pic. I was in a full on Beatles mood and I traded for it, but then reality set in. I had it for 5 weeks I think.
Dirt Cheap...never played out once. Changed the bridge pickup. Sold it.
This was my "Frankenstein's Monster" guitar. I changed almost everything about this. New pickups, locking tuners, a Bigsby tremolo, new volume/tone dials. I used this one quite a bit. The frets started to go and I don't do fret jobs, and didn't want to pay. I was actually able to trade this one in.
Looks just like the Dot but way better sounding. I should have kept this one.
Yep, I did it again, I bought an exact one that I got rid of. This was the only clunker. I had this for less than 2 weeks and brought it back to get my money back. The fretboard was fucked up! The frets had many dead spots...yuck!
The Guitars of OKen Part V/Fender
Fenders always stay in tune. The 6 tuning pegs on one side, angled so that the string goes straight from bridge to neck makes it so. The issue here is that with Stratocasters (Strats) there is always a floating bridge, or tremolo and if you bust a string during a song, you are fucked. I open up the back and tighten the screws connected to the springs that hold the bridge in place, thus flattening it so it doesn't float. My kingdom for a hard tail Strat! (they do have them...it costs money) Telecaster (Tele) don't have this. I used to hate Teles, but now I love them...and I love you...
Also, there are American made Fenders, Mexican made ones (MIM) and Japanese ones (MIJ)
27. Highway One Stratocaster
This probably should have been in my first post because I used this one quite a bit as well. I LOVE the big 70s headstock and that's all I want on my Strats henceforth...(I said "henceforth")
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28. MIM Satin Strat
Cheap, never played it out. This is when I had 13 or so guitars at once...oops.
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29. Fender Road Worn Stratocaster
It was like 300 bucks off, so I couldn't pass it up. Turns out, I should have. I hate fake relic'd guitars. I had this for less than a month
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30. Fender Modern Player Jazzmaster
My only Jazzmaster, I liked it enough. Looked beautiful, nice humbuckers, perhaps I should have kept it. I liked that vibrato.
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31. MIM Telecaster, red
Returned it in less than a month.
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32. MIM Telecaster, Black
Need the Undo button on this one. Yes, they are all the same model, but some play different than others. This sounded great and I should never have gotten rid of this one. This is one that you have forever, unless you are me and have a condition...
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33. MIM Telecaser, Sunburst
Jesus, it's like I need to go to some type of Purchaser's Anonymous. (it was a trade, no money exchanged)
This never sounded as good as the black one. Never.
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OK! We are in home stretch! Next up is a big one...EPIPHONE!!!!!!
Also, there are American made Fenders, Mexican made ones (MIM) and Japanese ones (MIJ)
27. Highway One Stratocaster
This probably should have been in my first post because I used this one quite a bit as well. I LOVE the big 70s headstock and that's all I want on my Strats henceforth...(I said "henceforth")
Cheap, never played it out. This is when I had 13 or so guitars at once...oops.
It was like 300 bucks off, so I couldn't pass it up. Turns out, I should have. I hate fake relic'd guitars. I had this for less than a month
My only Jazzmaster, I liked it enough. Looked beautiful, nice humbuckers, perhaps I should have kept it. I liked that vibrato.
31. MIM Telecaster, red
Returned it in less than a month.
Need the Undo button on this one. Yes, they are all the same model, but some play different than others. This sounded great and I should never have gotten rid of this one. This is one that you have forever, unless you are me and have a condition...
Jesus, it's like I need to go to some type of Purchaser's Anonymous. (it was a trade, no money exchanged)
This never sounded as good as the black one. Never.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
The Guitars of OKen Part IV/Gibson
Gibson guitars are goddamned expensive...the soup is fucking ten dollars...The most I have ever spent on a guitar has been a Gibson. I've only ever had Les Pauls and SGs. I have detailed a few of them earlier. Here are the rest...
22. Gibson Les Paul Studio (Burgundy)
Gold Hardware (Yuck) 490R and 498T pickups(sounded good) My hand kept getting stuck up and down the neck when it got hot. I never really bonded with it.
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23. Les Paul Jr.
Got in in a trade, I discovered that I don't like p90 pickups (goddamn HUM) plus I noticed it had a repaired neck crack (which I found out they knew that at the Sam Ash I got it from...fuckers!)
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24. SG special 60s Tribute
P90s again...sometimes it only takes me 36 times to learn...
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25. 2014 SGJ(J is for Jr)
Good knock around guitar, the anniversary logo on the 12th fret is stupid, but it was only 400 bucks! I sold this one for 300 cash. (Forrest Gump enters) ..and that's all I have to say about that...
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26. 2013 SG Standard
Gorgeous...WOULD NOT FUCKING EVER STAY IN FUCKING TUNE! There is an inherent problem with Gibsons, especially SGs. The angled headstock, coupled with the 3 x 3 nature of the tuning pegs causes the strings to take an unnatural bend, especially the D and G strings. With the G being unwound and less stable, AND the inferior nuts Gibson puts on their guitars(I mean, Jesus Christ! We're paying a shitload, put a good freaking nut on ALL OF THEM), this causes that tuning instability, thus making it virtually unplayable.
Didn't want to get rid of it, but it drove me nuts (and clearly to walk up short ladders) THANKS OBAMA!!!
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Next up...FENDER!!!!
22. Gibson Les Paul Studio (Burgundy)
Gold Hardware (Yuck) 490R and 498T pickups(sounded good) My hand kept getting stuck up and down the neck when it got hot. I never really bonded with it.
Got in in a trade, I discovered that I don't like p90 pickups (goddamn HUM) plus I noticed it had a repaired neck crack (which I found out they knew that at the Sam Ash I got it from...fuckers!)
P90s again...sometimes it only takes me 36 times to learn...
.JPG)
Good knock around guitar, the anniversary logo on the 12th fret is stupid, but it was only 400 bucks! I sold this one for 300 cash. (Forrest Gump enters) ..and that's all I have to say about that...
Gorgeous...WOULD NOT FUCKING EVER STAY IN FUCKING TUNE! There is an inherent problem with Gibsons, especially SGs. The angled headstock, coupled with the 3 x 3 nature of the tuning pegs causes the strings to take an unnatural bend, especially the D and G strings. With the G being unwound and less stable, AND the inferior nuts Gibson puts on their guitars(I mean, Jesus Christ! We're paying a shitload, put a good freaking nut on ALL OF THEM), this causes that tuning instability, thus making it virtually unplayable.
Didn't want to get rid of it, but it drove me nuts (and clearly to walk up short ladders) THANKS OBAMA!!!
Next up...FENDER!!!!
The Guitars of OKen Part III/Basses and Smaller Brands
Most of my guitars were either Gibsons, Fenders, or Epiphones. I did, however, dabble in some other brands, and owned some Basses, because I'm all about that...(gets kicked by teenagers)...ow...
14. Fender Precision Bass
It's the one you get when you don't know what you should get. Had it for so long it became unplayable.
15. Squire Jazz Bass
Squire is the budget version of Fender. This bass was $199 and it was great. Jazz basses have thinner necks so they are great for assholes with small hands like me! Wish I kept this one...
16. Ibanez RG 220B
My metal/shred guitar...except, I don't shred. GREAT neck! This was the only guitar I had with a Floyd Rose tremelo (those should be called vibratos but I digress) I had 400 bucks from various birthday gifts and I went and bought it. I liked it fine, but changing strings on a Floyd Rose is a pain in my ass!
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17. Paul Reed Smith SE
DAMN IT! I got rid of this one and they don't make these types anymore. A very simple, well built guitar I could play anything with! STUPID OKEN for trading this one in. I HATED every PRS I have played since!
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18. PRS SE Custom 24
Looked cool, hated it...had it for less than a month
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19. PRS SE Santana
HATED this guitar! HATED it! Never stayed in tune and it was SOULLESS! It was a pleasure to trade in!
.JPG)
20. Gretsch G5120 Electromatic
I love Gretschs. I currently own two (more on the my present ones later) This one was beautiful! It was the best piece of ass I ever had..and I had 'em all over the world!!!!!! Wait..got carried away there. It was a looker but I did not like the non secured bridge. It was a reluctant trade, but the right move
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21. Gretsch 5124T Electromatic
The big brother of the last one. Better pickups, looked a little slicker, and I got that plus a case on a trade in that exchanged zero dollars, so I pulled the trigger...then got rid of it 2 months later, because I have issues...
.JPG)
Goddamn! Are you ready for my Gibsons? Be on the lookout for The Guitars of OKen Part IV/Gibsons!
14. Fender Precision Bass
It's the one you get when you don't know what you should get. Had it for so long it became unplayable.
Squire is the budget version of Fender. This bass was $199 and it was great. Jazz basses have thinner necks so they are great for assholes with small hands like me! Wish I kept this one...
My metal/shred guitar...except, I don't shred. GREAT neck! This was the only guitar I had with a Floyd Rose tremelo (those should be called vibratos but I digress) I had 400 bucks from various birthday gifts and I went and bought it. I liked it fine, but changing strings on a Floyd Rose is a pain in my ass!
DAMN IT! I got rid of this one and they don't make these types anymore. A very simple, well built guitar I could play anything with! STUPID OKEN for trading this one in. I HATED every PRS I have played since!
Looked cool, hated it...had it for less than a month
HATED this guitar! HATED it! Never stayed in tune and it was SOULLESS! It was a pleasure to trade in!
20. Gretsch G5120 Electromatic
I love Gretschs. I currently own two (more on the my present ones later) This one was beautiful! It was the best piece of ass I ever had..and I had 'em all over the world!!!!!! Wait..got carried away there. It was a looker but I did not like the non secured bridge. It was a reluctant trade, but the right move
The big brother of the last one. Better pickups, looked a little slicker, and I got that plus a case on a trade in that exchanged zero dollars, so I pulled the trigger...then got rid of it 2 months later, because I have issues...
The Guitars of OKen Part II
Guitar # 9 The Gibson Voodoo SG
Goddammit...I had this one for a long time. It was freaking GORGEOUS! It sounded amazing and with the addition of locking tuners, it stayed it tune really well, which for an SG is next to IMPOSSIBLE! Many, Many gigs/rehearsals with this beauty. I traded it in with another guitar to get a large amp..which I traded in later anyway. This was during my OCD Guitar Acquisition Phase. It's a thing...look it up (don't) If I had the undo button this is DEFINITELY one I would get back. Where's that sharp knife I keep around?
.JPG)
She's a looker....
Guitar #10 Gibson Les Paul Mahogany
Les Pauls are goddamn expensive. A 2015 Les Paul Standard is almost $4000 bucks!
This was under $1000, so I had the cash at the time and bought it. It was my other go-to axe! It started to need more and more work, so I let it go, let it go...couldn't hold it back any..(is smacked in the face by 6 random people)...sorry...
.JPG)
Those were the first 10 I owned and they were long players. I then went thru a shitload of axes starting around 2008 until now. These are all gone now. Chronology is out the window...let's start with the acoustics...
11- The Ovation Celebrity Elite
Sounded great, but I like a medium shell (thickness)
.JPG)
12. The Ovation celebrity
Medium shell, didn't like it
.JPG)
13. The Fender Stratacoustic (first time around)
Yep, some of these I bought, got rid of, and bought the same model again. Know why? Only a clinical Psychiatrist can answer. It sounds weird, but it's easy to play and I like the neck.
I know, YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!!!!!! Never fear, stay tuned for The Guitars of OKen Part III/Basses and smaller brands!
Goddammit...I had this one for a long time. It was freaking GORGEOUS! It sounded amazing and with the addition of locking tuners, it stayed it tune really well, which for an SG is next to IMPOSSIBLE! Many, Many gigs/rehearsals with this beauty. I traded it in with another guitar to get a large amp..which I traded in later anyway. This was during my OCD Guitar Acquisition Phase. It's a thing...look it up (don't) If I had the undo button this is DEFINITELY one I would get back. Where's that sharp knife I keep around?
She's a looker....
Guitar #10 Gibson Les Paul Mahogany
Les Pauls are goddamn expensive. A 2015 Les Paul Standard is almost $4000 bucks!
This was under $1000, so I had the cash at the time and bought it. It was my other go-to axe! It started to need more and more work, so I let it go, let it go...couldn't hold it back any..(is smacked in the face by 6 random people)...sorry...
11- The Ovation Celebrity Elite
Sounded great, but I like a medium shell (thickness)
12. The Ovation celebrity
Medium shell, didn't like it
Yep, some of these I bought, got rid of, and bought the same model again. Know why? Only a clinical Psychiatrist can answer. It sounds weird, but it's easy to play and I like the neck.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
The Guitars of OKen Part I
I have owned 56 guitars in my lifetime. I currently own 6. These may be close to my favourite 6 that I have owned...close.
You may be thinking "OKen, what the hell? You make zero freaking dollars, how could you have owned 56? LIES!"
Nope. Many I have traded for others, some were dirt-ass cheap, others I was stupid and bought them when I had no business doing so. I'm going to talk about them because I want to. It makes me happy, and Sheryl Crow says it can't be that bad.
I do not have pics for the first few, but I will for most. I will start chronological, then perhaps go by brand...let's see how it turns out.
Guitar #1 Del Rey Strat copy.
This was the guitar I learned to play on. I bought it from my friend Tom Swietlik in, I think, freshman or sophomore year in HS. I purchased it for $25...all in one dollar bills. It was an electric, I had no amp, and no case. I would take the bus to Tom's house so he can teach me chords. I used a garbage bag as a case. If I had a DeLorean, I would go back in time and punch me. My buddy Len Mandro took it apart and painted it green...because I am dumb.
Guitar #2 Some jackass homemade Les Paul Copy.
My parents got this and a homemade amp from this small electronics store on Irving Park 2 doors down from the Patio Theater. This place sold car stereos and 4 guitars. Some guy made them. They were under the tree at Christmas and I went nuts. I knew enough how to play, so this was a good upgrade for me. I used that guitar for quite a few years when I first started playing in bands. It served me well. Needless to say Guitar 1 and 2 are long gone.
Guitar #3 The Epiphone SG (don't worry, I'm not doing a paragraph on all 56, just the important ones)
The first decent guitar I had. I saved up $315 dollars. That's how much it cost...crazy. It was a weird one because it had a Gibson shaped headstock with Ephiphone in Gibson font labeled on said headstock. I remember when I finally had all the money, I had to wait until the next Friday until I could get it and it's ALL I thought about...still wish I had that one.
Guitar #4 The Gibson SG
1980s White SG. I was an SG man (still am), played the shit out of that one. It kinda wore down at the end.
Guitar #5 Gibson Les Paul Studio
Black w/gold hardware. This is when I realized that I did not like gold hardware. That goddamn thing played like a wet dream. THICK!
Guitar # 6 Squire Stratocaster
It was like $150. Lent it to someone for like 5 years, then used it for a wedding in Vegas, then it fell apart. I still have the neck.
I then started trading things in...
Guitar #7 Epiphone BB King Lucille
I got this one and Guitar # 8 by trading in my two SGs. I was in the mood, I wanted something new. This was a beautiful guitar, but I never really played it. It sounded ok, not great.
Guitar #8 Texas Lone Star Strat
My first Fender...used this for a LOT of gigs for a long time...PIC!!!!
.JPG)
Well that takes you through the early OKen years! Next comes a whirlwind of guitars coming in and out! Stay tuned for Part II!
You may be thinking "OKen, what the hell? You make zero freaking dollars, how could you have owned 56? LIES!"
Nope. Many I have traded for others, some were dirt-ass cheap, others I was stupid and bought them when I had no business doing so. I'm going to talk about them because I want to. It makes me happy, and Sheryl Crow says it can't be that bad.
I do not have pics for the first few, but I will for most. I will start chronological, then perhaps go by brand...let's see how it turns out.
Guitar #1 Del Rey Strat copy.
This was the guitar I learned to play on. I bought it from my friend Tom Swietlik in, I think, freshman or sophomore year in HS. I purchased it for $25...all in one dollar bills. It was an electric, I had no amp, and no case. I would take the bus to Tom's house so he can teach me chords. I used a garbage bag as a case. If I had a DeLorean, I would go back in time and punch me. My buddy Len Mandro took it apart and painted it green...because I am dumb.
Guitar #2 Some jackass homemade Les Paul Copy.
My parents got this and a homemade amp from this small electronics store on Irving Park 2 doors down from the Patio Theater. This place sold car stereos and 4 guitars. Some guy made them. They were under the tree at Christmas and I went nuts. I knew enough how to play, so this was a good upgrade for me. I used that guitar for quite a few years when I first started playing in bands. It served me well. Needless to say Guitar 1 and 2 are long gone.
Guitar #3 The Epiphone SG (don't worry, I'm not doing a paragraph on all 56, just the important ones)
The first decent guitar I had. I saved up $315 dollars. That's how much it cost...crazy. It was a weird one because it had a Gibson shaped headstock with Ephiphone in Gibson font labeled on said headstock. I remember when I finally had all the money, I had to wait until the next Friday until I could get it and it's ALL I thought about...still wish I had that one.
Guitar #4 The Gibson SG
1980s White SG. I was an SG man (still am), played the shit out of that one. It kinda wore down at the end.
Guitar #5 Gibson Les Paul Studio
Black w/gold hardware. This is when I realized that I did not like gold hardware. That goddamn thing played like a wet dream. THICK!
Guitar # 6 Squire Stratocaster
It was like $150. Lent it to someone for like 5 years, then used it for a wedding in Vegas, then it fell apart. I still have the neck.
I then started trading things in...
Guitar #7 Epiphone BB King Lucille
I got this one and Guitar # 8 by trading in my two SGs. I was in the mood, I wanted something new. This was a beautiful guitar, but I never really played it. It sounded ok, not great.
Guitar #8 Texas Lone Star Strat
My first Fender...used this for a LOT of gigs for a long time...PIC!!!!
Well that takes you through the early OKen years! Next comes a whirlwind of guitars coming in and out! Stay tuned for Part II!
Gotta start postin' again!!!
Refreshin' the blog!
Time to start posting my music musings once again!
Coming soon: THE GUITARS OF OKEN!!!!
Time to start posting my music musings once again!
Coming soon: THE GUITARS OF OKEN!!!!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Fuzz Box reviews: Part 2!!
5. Swollen Pickle
FROM: Way Huge
PRICE NEW: $ 129.99
WHAT'S GOOD: This is basically a Big Muff with some more bells and whistles. There is a small scoop knob which boosts the mids and a crunch knob which can push the box towards a more classic distortion. It sounds great, and it's plenty loud, and the versatility is a major plus
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: I don't think you're getting much more for the price you're paying. It has a HUGE footprint and will take up a lion's share of your pedalboard.
RECOMMENDED BUY? This one is all on your personal taste. I say try it out. Compare it to the Big Muff w/tone wicker and I'll bet that you buy the Big Muff
LINK: http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/swollen-pickle
6. Filmore Thunder
FROM: Elite Tone
PRICE NEW: $177.00
WHAT'S GOOD: This one gets you that classic "psychedelic 60's" fuzz sound, plus it has a separate switch for an octave up, so you can totally get the Jimi Hendrix "Purple Haze" sound. It has four knobs with the bias knob the most interesting. If you go completely counterclockwise, you get your basic, "bare-bones" fuzz tone. If you go clockwise you get the completely psychedelic, almost fading in and out fuzz sound.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: Quite a bit, actually. The Fuzz and Gain knobs are worthless unless cranked. It's really only good for two sounds, the octave up 60's sound and the "over under sideways down" type of sound, and for that price point. It should be better.
RECOMMENDED BUY? Not for that price. It's simply not worth it and NOT versatile enough. What it does, it does well, but it needs to knock about $75 of the price.
LINK: http://www.elitetone.com/fillmore.html
7. Peppermint Fuzz
FROM: Analogman
PRICE NEW: $195 Goddamned dollars!!!
WHAT'S GOOD: I think that this is a more streamlined version of the Elite Tone Filmore thunder. It has a smaller footprint, it can run on a 9-volt forever, and it really captures that psychedelic 60's sound. It also is pretty versatile, as it can get a lot of classic 60's and 70's fuzz tones with the tweaking of the knobs.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: If this thing were $100 less it would be my #1 recommended fuzz, but it's just WAAAAY too goddamned expensive, PLUS you have to wait for-friggin'-ever to get one. I know Analogman is a holy grail of stompboxes, but that guy needs to hire some people so he can service his customers. The Elite Tone does the same thing for $20 less. You can get any number of Devi ever pedals that can easily stand side by side with this for 1/2 the price!
RECOMMENDED BUY? Only if you have lots of disposable income. I mean, it is a good pedal, but it's not a $195 pedal, then again, few of them are.
LINK: http://www.buyanalogman.com/Peppermint_Fuzz_p/am-peppermint-fuzz.htm
That's all I got for now, more pedal reviews coming soon!
FROM: Way Huge
PRICE NEW: $ 129.99
WHAT'S GOOD: This is basically a Big Muff with some more bells and whistles. There is a small scoop knob which boosts the mids and a crunch knob which can push the box towards a more classic distortion. It sounds great, and it's plenty loud, and the versatility is a major plus
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: I don't think you're getting much more for the price you're paying. It has a HUGE footprint and will take up a lion's share of your pedalboard.
RECOMMENDED BUY? This one is all on your personal taste. I say try it out. Compare it to the Big Muff w/tone wicker and I'll bet that you buy the Big Muff
LINK: http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/swollen-pickle
6. Filmore Thunder
FROM: Elite Tone
PRICE NEW: $177.00
WHAT'S GOOD: This one gets you that classic "psychedelic 60's" fuzz sound, plus it has a separate switch for an octave up, so you can totally get the Jimi Hendrix "Purple Haze" sound. It has four knobs with the bias knob the most interesting. If you go completely counterclockwise, you get your basic, "bare-bones" fuzz tone. If you go clockwise you get the completely psychedelic, almost fading in and out fuzz sound.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: Quite a bit, actually. The Fuzz and Gain knobs are worthless unless cranked. It's really only good for two sounds, the octave up 60's sound and the "over under sideways down" type of sound, and for that price point. It should be better.
RECOMMENDED BUY? Not for that price. It's simply not worth it and NOT versatile enough. What it does, it does well, but it needs to knock about $75 of the price.
LINK: http://www.elitetone.com/fillmore.html
7. Peppermint Fuzz
FROM: Analogman
PRICE NEW: $195 Goddamned dollars!!!
WHAT'S GOOD: I think that this is a more streamlined version of the Elite Tone Filmore thunder. It has a smaller footprint, it can run on a 9-volt forever, and it really captures that psychedelic 60's sound. It also is pretty versatile, as it can get a lot of classic 60's and 70's fuzz tones with the tweaking of the knobs.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: If this thing were $100 less it would be my #1 recommended fuzz, but it's just WAAAAY too goddamned expensive, PLUS you have to wait for-friggin'-ever to get one. I know Analogman is a holy grail of stompboxes, but that guy needs to hire some people so he can service his customers. The Elite Tone does the same thing for $20 less. You can get any number of Devi ever pedals that can easily stand side by side with this for 1/2 the price!
RECOMMENDED BUY? Only if you have lots of disposable income. I mean, it is a good pedal, but it's not a $195 pedal, then again, few of them are.
LINK: http://www.buyanalogman.com/Peppermint_Fuzz_p/am-peppermint-fuzz.htm
That's all I got for now, more pedal reviews coming soon!
Long time, no see...time for some Fuzz reviews!!!
Oooh, been gone a long time. I've been doing a lot. One of those things is jammin' out to some fuzz boxes!!!
Let me review some for you.
1. Big Muff Pi w/tone wicker
FROM: Electro-Harmonix
PRICE NEW: $89.25
WHAT'S GOOD: You get a great range from your classic harder edged distortion to the "buzzy bee" style fuzz. It has a toggle switch that shuts off the tone knob and it becomes louder and more of a classic distortion. The wicker toggle switch boosts the mids and let's you cut through the mix better. If you had to get one fuzz and were on a tight budget, this is the one. It will not let you down!
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: Nothing, really, it is your basic fuzz box and if you are looking for some of those insane death-type fuzz tones, you won't get those here, but then again, that's not what you're paying for.
RECOMMENDED BUY? Absolutely
LINK: http://www.ehx.com/products/big-muff-pi-with-tone-wicker
2. Torn's Peaker
FROM: Devi ever
PRICE NEW: $97.50
WHAT'S GOOD: Everything...Devi ever consistently makes the best pedals for the money, if you're looking for some insane ass fuzz! This pedal has a range from hardcore metal distortion to a knock-your-balls-off "oh, shit, the cone on my speaker exploded, but it rules" sound. All of Devi's pedals are LOUD! If you put the volume anywhere past 9 o'clock, you will blow anyone out of the room. This is a good thing. This pedal is really, really versatile, and I think can do the job if you only had room for one fuzz on your pedal board. The small footprint is a plus as well.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: My only beef is that the DC plug is on the side, and that's a pain in the ass when it comes to plugging in your pedals on your board. MXR does that too. It drives me nuts.
RECOMMENDED BUY? If you have the cash this is WELL worth it.
LINK: http://www.deviever.com/fx/bigfuzz/torns-peaker/
3. U.S. Fuzz
FROM: Devi ever
PRICE NEW: $97.50
WHAT'S GOOD: This one is an acquired taste, but once you acquire it, you won't go back! This has a sputtering , velcro-type fuzz that trails off hard once you start to mute it. It's also gated so when you're not playing, you hear nothing! This really is such a different sound from the other fuzzes out there and it ads a great flavour to your sound if you switch it up now and then. Once again...LOUD! This is a great second fuzz to put on your board.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: You have to get used to using it. There are times it could sputter out on you before you want it to. It's good to use a compressor along with this if your playing rhythms. This is also not a fuzz box that you would have exclusively on your board. You could not use it on every song. This is more of a change of pace pedal (there's nothing wrong with that). Once again the plug on the side...AAAHH!
RECOMMENDED BUY? If you have the cash and are buying up fuzz boxes, this should be the second one that you buy!
LINK: http://www.deviever.com/fx/gated-fuzz/us/
4. Trumpet Fuzz
FROM: Mellowtone
PRICE NEW: $82.99
WHAT'S GOOD: This little ditty gets you kind of a lo-fi fuzz tone and as you turn the attack knob all the way clockwise, you get that "octave up" type of tone. Good for a change of pace, "coming thru my old Zenith Allegro speakers" type of tone. The price is right as well.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: This is very limited in tone, and it is NOT that loud. You have to crank the level up all the way to keep it the same as your amp. It's also just not up to par with many other better fuzzboxes out there.
RECOMMENDED BUY? If you like that lo-fi sound and have expendable cash on hand, it's not bad, but I think your money could be better spent elsewhere
LINK: http://www.fattoneguitars.com/Mellowtone_Trumpet_Fuzz_Effect_Pedal_p/mel04.htm
Stay tuned for part 2!!!
Let me review some for you.
1. Big Muff Pi w/tone wicker
FROM: Electro-Harmonix
PRICE NEW: $89.25
WHAT'S GOOD: You get a great range from your classic harder edged distortion to the "buzzy bee" style fuzz. It has a toggle switch that shuts off the tone knob and it becomes louder and more of a classic distortion. The wicker toggle switch boosts the mids and let's you cut through the mix better. If you had to get one fuzz and were on a tight budget, this is the one. It will not let you down!
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: Nothing, really, it is your basic fuzz box and if you are looking for some of those insane death-type fuzz tones, you won't get those here, but then again, that's not what you're paying for.
RECOMMENDED BUY? Absolutely
LINK: http://www.ehx.com/products/big-muff-pi-with-tone-wicker
2. Torn's Peaker
FROM: Devi ever
PRICE NEW: $97.50
WHAT'S GOOD: Everything...Devi ever consistently makes the best pedals for the money, if you're looking for some insane ass fuzz! This pedal has a range from hardcore metal distortion to a knock-your-balls-off "oh, shit, the cone on my speaker exploded, but it rules" sound. All of Devi's pedals are LOUD! If you put the volume anywhere past 9 o'clock, you will blow anyone out of the room. This is a good thing. This pedal is really, really versatile, and I think can do the job if you only had room for one fuzz on your pedal board. The small footprint is a plus as well.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: My only beef is that the DC plug is on the side, and that's a pain in the ass when it comes to plugging in your pedals on your board. MXR does that too. It drives me nuts.
RECOMMENDED BUY? If you have the cash this is WELL worth it.
LINK: http://www.deviever.com/fx/bigfuzz/torns-peaker/
3. U.S. Fuzz
FROM: Devi ever
PRICE NEW: $97.50
WHAT'S GOOD: This one is an acquired taste, but once you acquire it, you won't go back! This has a sputtering , velcro-type fuzz that trails off hard once you start to mute it. It's also gated so when you're not playing, you hear nothing! This really is such a different sound from the other fuzzes out there and it ads a great flavour to your sound if you switch it up now and then. Once again...LOUD! This is a great second fuzz to put on your board.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: You have to get used to using it. There are times it could sputter out on you before you want it to. It's good to use a compressor along with this if your playing rhythms. This is also not a fuzz box that you would have exclusively on your board. You could not use it on every song. This is more of a change of pace pedal (there's nothing wrong with that). Once again the plug on the side...AAAHH!
RECOMMENDED BUY? If you have the cash and are buying up fuzz boxes, this should be the second one that you buy!
LINK: http://www.deviever.com/fx/gated-fuzz/us/
4. Trumpet Fuzz
FROM: Mellowtone
PRICE NEW: $82.99
WHAT'S GOOD: This little ditty gets you kind of a lo-fi fuzz tone and as you turn the attack knob all the way clockwise, you get that "octave up" type of tone. Good for a change of pace, "coming thru my old Zenith Allegro speakers" type of tone. The price is right as well.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD: This is very limited in tone, and it is NOT that loud. You have to crank the level up all the way to keep it the same as your amp. It's also just not up to par with many other better fuzzboxes out there.
RECOMMENDED BUY? If you like that lo-fi sound and have expendable cash on hand, it's not bad, but I think your money could be better spent elsewhere
LINK: http://www.fattoneguitars.com/Mellowtone_Trumpet_Fuzz_Effect_Pedal_p/mel04.htm
Stay tuned for part 2!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Covering Dylan
Bob Dylan…One of the greatest songwriters of our time…(although early in his career, he relied on 12-bar blues patterns WAAAAY too much). Over the years there have been countless artists covering his work. In this article, I would like to pick out and compare some well known ones, and some of the offbeat ones as well.
1. All I Really Want To Do: Off of Another Side of Bob Dylan: Covered by The Byrds on the lp, Mr Tambourine Man: The Byrds covered like 400 Dylan songs, but this stands out as my favorite. At this period in Dylan’s early career, this was just another acoustically, chingy, poem-y, Dylan tune. The Byrds put some life into the song, not to mention the compressed Rickenbacker 12 string of love!!!!
2. It Ain’t Me Babe: Off of Another Side of Bob Dylan: Covered by The Turtles on the lp It Ain’t Me Babe: One of the more melodic Dylan acoustic numbers that the Turtles popped up and made a hit back in 1965. They also covered a shitload of his songs. I prefer the Dylan version here, but I heard the Turtles version first, so it has a special place in my heart
3. Mr. Tambourine Man: Off of Bringing It Back Home: Covered by the Byrds on the lp Untitled: Obviously this was the cover that put the Byrds on the map, but in this case I am referring to a live version on this classically underrated album. At this point Roger McGuinn was the only original member left, and he replaced everyone with some kick-ass musicians as the focus of the band shifted from heavy vocals, to expert musicianship. This version rocks ever so subtley! The Dylan version kind of goes on for 3 hrs.
4. It’s all Over Now Baby Blue: Off of Bringing It All Back Home: Covered by Richie Havens on the lp Stonehenge : Havens covered his fair share of Dylan but this is one of my favorites. Havens has such a gravelly angelic voice, it simply needs to be heard. I could do with a little less of the orchestration, but he lets it fly here. Dylan’s version is equally magnificent. One of his best set of lyrics…because you know…he can write….
5. Like a Rolling Stone: Off of Highway 61 Revisited: Covered by Bowie and Mick Ronson on the Mick Ronson lp, Heaven and Hull: There are many kick-ass versions of this one, Hendrix, the Stones do a great version on Stripped, but this is a obscure little gem of the posthumous aforementioned album from the great Mick Ronson. This is pure rock and roll, plus Bowie brings it home here. This is a MUST listen for fans of both!
6. Highway 61 Revisited: Off of Highway 61 Revisited: Covered by Johnny Winter on the lp, Second Winter: Johnny kicks the shit out of Dylan here, I’m sorry. I have been recently been getting into Johnny Winter and he simply defines the term “rippin’ it up”. If he lived in Wisconsin, he would be “Ripon it up”. Dylan does his job here, but you can’t crank it, like the Winter version!
7. All Along the Watchtower: Off of John Wesley Harding: Covered by some guy named JIMI HENDRIX on the lp, Electric Ladyland: This is a classic example of how the cover became his own. Everyone has heard the Hendrix version. Any depiction of the 60s, or drugs, or Vietnam in film or tv must have this song playing over it. Sorry Bob, this is Jimi’s song now.
8. Tonight, I’ll Be Staying Here With You: Off of Nashville Skyline: Covered by The Jeff Beck Group off the lp, The Jeff Beck Group: This is another little known gem. First of all the Dylan version is fucking awesome, from an awesome album that is like 20 minutes long both sides! Jeff slows it down here and wails away tastefully. This is an album you should really have in your collection. There are a ton of great songs on this one.
9. If Not For You: Off of New Morning: Covered by George Harrison off the lp, All Things Must Pass: The Dylan version is rather boring quite frankly, as George incorporates his trademark songs stylings on this. He makes the song a tad more melodic, plus he’s got that classic Harrison voice. This is one of the few cases where overproduction works.
10. Knocking On Heaven’s Door: Off of The soundtrack to Pat Garret and Billy the Kid: Covered by every Goddam Heavy Metal Band Ever! Apparently, most bands thought Dylan’s version was too short..I mean, it’s over before you know it, but it works out perfectly, and if you saw the movie, it’s used to perfection! Covered by bands like Guns ‘N Roses, and Heaven. They feel the need to insert 25 solos in it. I’m all for solos, but they don’t always work here. I also am no a fan of Axl’s “Hey, hey…heyheyhey”
1. All I Really Want To Do: Off of Another Side of Bob Dylan: Covered by The Byrds on the lp, Mr Tambourine Man: The Byrds covered like 400 Dylan songs, but this stands out as my favorite. At this period in Dylan’s early career, this was just another acoustically, chingy, poem-y, Dylan tune. The Byrds put some life into the song, not to mention the compressed Rickenbacker 12 string of love!!!!
2. It Ain’t Me Babe: Off of Another Side of Bob Dylan: Covered by The Turtles on the lp It Ain’t Me Babe: One of the more melodic Dylan acoustic numbers that the Turtles popped up and made a hit back in 1965. They also covered a shitload of his songs. I prefer the Dylan version here, but I heard the Turtles version first, so it has a special place in my heart
3. Mr. Tambourine Man: Off of Bringing It Back Home: Covered by the Byrds on the lp Untitled: Obviously this was the cover that put the Byrds on the map, but in this case I am referring to a live version on this classically underrated album. At this point Roger McGuinn was the only original member left, and he replaced everyone with some kick-ass musicians as the focus of the band shifted from heavy vocals, to expert musicianship. This version rocks ever so subtley! The Dylan version kind of goes on for 3 hrs.
4. It’s all Over Now Baby Blue: Off of Bringing It All Back Home: Covered by Richie Havens on the lp Stonehenge : Havens covered his fair share of Dylan but this is one of my favorites. Havens has such a gravelly angelic voice, it simply needs to be heard. I could do with a little less of the orchestration, but he lets it fly here. Dylan’s version is equally magnificent. One of his best set of lyrics…because you know…he can write….
5. Like a Rolling Stone: Off of Highway 61 Revisited: Covered by Bowie and Mick Ronson on the Mick Ronson lp, Heaven and Hull: There are many kick-ass versions of this one, Hendrix, the Stones do a great version on Stripped, but this is a obscure little gem of the posthumous aforementioned album from the great Mick Ronson. This is pure rock and roll, plus Bowie brings it home here. This is a MUST listen for fans of both!
6. Highway 61 Revisited: Off of Highway 61 Revisited: Covered by Johnny Winter on the lp, Second Winter: Johnny kicks the shit out of Dylan here, I’m sorry. I have been recently been getting into Johnny Winter and he simply defines the term “rippin’ it up”. If he lived in Wisconsin, he would be “Ripon it up”. Dylan does his job here, but you can’t crank it, like the Winter version!
7. All Along the Watchtower: Off of John Wesley Harding: Covered by some guy named JIMI HENDRIX on the lp, Electric Ladyland: This is a classic example of how the cover became his own. Everyone has heard the Hendrix version. Any depiction of the 60s, or drugs, or Vietnam in film or tv must have this song playing over it. Sorry Bob, this is Jimi’s song now.
8. Tonight, I’ll Be Staying Here With You: Off of Nashville Skyline: Covered by The Jeff Beck Group off the lp, The Jeff Beck Group: This is another little known gem. First of all the Dylan version is fucking awesome, from an awesome album that is like 20 minutes long both sides! Jeff slows it down here and wails away tastefully. This is an album you should really have in your collection. There are a ton of great songs on this one.
9. If Not For You: Off of New Morning: Covered by George Harrison off the lp, All Things Must Pass: The Dylan version is rather boring quite frankly, as George incorporates his trademark songs stylings on this. He makes the song a tad more melodic, plus he’s got that classic Harrison voice. This is one of the few cases where overproduction works.
10. Knocking On Heaven’s Door: Off of The soundtrack to Pat Garret and Billy the Kid: Covered by every Goddam Heavy Metal Band Ever! Apparently, most bands thought Dylan’s version was too short..I mean, it’s over before you know it, but it works out perfectly, and if you saw the movie, it’s used to perfection! Covered by bands like Guns ‘N Roses, and Heaven. They feel the need to insert 25 solos in it. I’m all for solos, but they don’t always work here. I also am no a fan of Axl’s “Hey, hey…heyheyhey”
Thursday, December 31, 2009
In This Place....
One of the mose underrated voices in Rock is that of James Dewar. He was a Scottish Bass player/Singer that was in a relatively unknown band called Stone the Crows and later with Robin Trower. For my money, one of the best singers in the history of Rock!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Dewar_(rock_vocalist)
What a great voice! Soulful. Powerful. If you can track down the first Stone the Crows Lp, simply entitled Stone the Crows, you will be pleased. It's kind of a weird combo of Big Brother and the Holding Company mixed with soulful blues. James alternates with a Janis clone named Maggie Bell, and they compliment each other perfectly! I can't find the tracks I need to put on the list, so I will give you some of his finest work with Robin Trower. In particular, "Daydream" is a classic!!!
Do yourself a favour and grab the Robin Trower lps..Twice Removed from Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, and Long Misty Days. You will be treated to some great guitar and some fantastic underrated singing!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Dewar_(rock_vocalist)
What a great voice! Soulful. Powerful. If you can track down the first Stone the Crows Lp, simply entitled Stone the Crows, you will be pleased. It's kind of a weird combo of Big Brother and the Holding Company mixed with soulful blues. James alternates with a Janis clone named Maggie Bell, and they compliment each other perfectly! I can't find the tracks I need to put on the list, so I will give you some of his finest work with Robin Trower. In particular, "Daydream" is a classic!!!
Do yourself a favour and grab the Robin Trower lps..Twice Removed from Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, and Long Misty Days. You will be treated to some great guitar and some fantastic underrated singing!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Album of the Week 12/17/09
Ah…an underrated classic, Manic Frustration, by Trouble. I first heard the song “Memory’s Garden” on a local hard rock station in 1991. I can’t remember which. I heard it was Trouble, and went to by the lp. I was not disappointed.
Here is the Wikipedia entry on them..Chicago boys!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouble_(band)
After a couple of independent albums, they got with Rick Rubin, basically the Ultimate Producer in the late 80s early 90s and whipped out this classic.
Me and my buddy Dan would always wonder why this album was not a smash hit for them. It has all you want in Heavy Metal, along with some wild psychedelia! Unfortunately I can’t post any songs on my playlist because Playlist.com is VERY limited in what you can find. I will remedy that in the future. If you are a metal nut, just trust me and go and get this album!!!
Now on to the songs!
1. Come Touch the Sky- Starts off the lp with a riffin’ bang!!!! I love the fact that they go with the fuzz type distortion for the most part. Classic metal structuring here!
2. ‘Scuse Me- This jam starts as though it is being heard from a faraway, poor reception, half broken, AM radio, then kicks you in the face as it kicks in proper. TBJ all the way!
3. The Sleeper- No rest here. All riffs. All jams.
4. Fear-The singing through the megaphone effect done to perfection here. Fuzzy, wah-wah, loud. A must listen! I love that they can put in a totally melodic bridge amidst the crunch!
5. Rain- Time to break it up with a ballad. I LOVE this song. I think that every song entitled “Rain” is good. Uriah Heep, The Beatles…..um….other bands…..
6. Tragedy Man-False start acoustic opening into hard ass riff…the way to my heart. I’m easy that way. Take me to dinner, have your way with me….
7. Memory’s Garden- The one that started it all for me. A perfect blend of 60s/70s psychadelia and Heavy Metal. Impossible to listen to if you don’t have a volume control that goes past 6…(and who would have that anyway?)
8. Manic Frustration-The title cut is a solid number. Ironically one of the weaker tunes here, but still a good one
9. Hello Strawberry Skies- Flowery 60s hippie title…complete TBJ. Nuff Said.
10. Mr. White-This could have fallen into the “Should have been a #1 Hit” category. A good solid groove.
11. Breathe- An epic ballad that goes right into the coda for Donovan’s “Atlantis”. Fucking awesome.
Go and find this album and buy it now. Crank it loud and make your cats hide. Maker your significant other ask you to turn it down, and you say…no.
Here is the Wikipedia entry on them..Chicago boys!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trouble_(band)
After a couple of independent albums, they got with Rick Rubin, basically the Ultimate Producer in the late 80s early 90s and whipped out this classic.
Me and my buddy Dan would always wonder why this album was not a smash hit for them. It has all you want in Heavy Metal, along with some wild psychedelia! Unfortunately I can’t post any songs on my playlist because Playlist.com is VERY limited in what you can find. I will remedy that in the future. If you are a metal nut, just trust me and go and get this album!!!
Now on to the songs!
1. Come Touch the Sky- Starts off the lp with a riffin’ bang!!!! I love the fact that they go with the fuzz type distortion for the most part. Classic metal structuring here!
2. ‘Scuse Me- This jam starts as though it is being heard from a faraway, poor reception, half broken, AM radio, then kicks you in the face as it kicks in proper. TBJ all the way!
3. The Sleeper- No rest here. All riffs. All jams.
4. Fear-The singing through the megaphone effect done to perfection here. Fuzzy, wah-wah, loud. A must listen! I love that they can put in a totally melodic bridge amidst the crunch!
5. Rain- Time to break it up with a ballad. I LOVE this song. I think that every song entitled “Rain” is good. Uriah Heep, The Beatles…..um….other bands…..
6. Tragedy Man-False start acoustic opening into hard ass riff…the way to my heart. I’m easy that way. Take me to dinner, have your way with me….
7. Memory’s Garden- The one that started it all for me. A perfect blend of 60s/70s psychadelia and Heavy Metal. Impossible to listen to if you don’t have a volume control that goes past 6…(and who would have that anyway?)
8. Manic Frustration-The title cut is a solid number. Ironically one of the weaker tunes here, but still a good one
9. Hello Strawberry Skies- Flowery 60s hippie title…complete TBJ. Nuff Said.
10. Mr. White-This could have fallen into the “Should have been a #1 Hit” category. A good solid groove.
11. Breathe- An epic ballad that goes right into the coda for Donovan’s “Atlantis”. Fucking awesome.
Go and find this album and buy it now. Crank it loud and make your cats hide. Maker your significant other ask you to turn it down, and you say…no.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Secret Jams
Imagine you are sitting at your computer minding your own business..you are typing a paper, or perhaps working on an Excel spreadsheet. You sip your Coke Zero. You eat a chip. You tell your kids to stop fighting. You stop…you look at your speakers in amazement. You know the song that was playing, but then you got hit with a brick wall of JAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When did this happen?!?!?!? How!?!?!?
My friend, you have been attacked by a Secret Jam.
There are many kinds of Secret Jams. Some are actual jams. Jams that you know. All of a sudden, there is an element you discover that converts it into a TBJ!!!!!! There are others that you realize halfway through the song that there are jams happening. They lull you into a false sense of security, then the guitar creeps in and attacks you like Godzilla!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!
Examples:
1. The King Will Come: Wishbone Ash-This is from the immortal Argus lp. I have gone over this one before, but it starts out rather inconspicuously, then before you know it, by the middle you are surrounded by guitar solo jams!
2. Love is Only A Feeling: The Darkness-From Permission to Land. It starts rather plodding. Hell, they even have mandolins going at one point. Then they get to the chorus. The first 2 lines…fine, rocking to the groove of the riff, then the last line is when you realize you have been rocked as the riff just takes you to the end of the chorus in that third line….wow!
3. Fight the Good Fight: Triumph-What? You say that already is a jam? Sure, they give you dynamics at the beginning, but by when the chorus actually kicks in the riff FORCES you to play it loud and band your head to it. There is no other choice.
4. Everything’s Alright: Jesus Christ Superstar-The Original 1970 cast recording. This whole album is a secret jam. It’s a musical, right? Listen to this song. Oh, it starts out sweet. Isn’t that nice. That first verse is lovely. Lovely little background vocals. Then comes the next verse. Drums come in telling you that this is not to be trifled with. Then comes Judas…he brings it home. Then we bring it down, then Jesus, then a build up to stop you from breathing! The same could be said with “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”. Listen to how the drums sneak up on you by the second bridge!
5. There Goes Another Love Song: The Outlaws- Country rock, yes. Vocals aplenty, yes. By the last solo into the chorus, you want to mount a horse and run it as fast as you can to the next town!!!!
These are to start. I will post as many as I can onto the playlist, but there will be more to come!
My friend, you have been attacked by a Secret Jam.
There are many kinds of Secret Jams. Some are actual jams. Jams that you know. All of a sudden, there is an element you discover that converts it into a TBJ!!!!!! There are others that you realize halfway through the song that there are jams happening. They lull you into a false sense of security, then the guitar creeps in and attacks you like Godzilla!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!
Examples:
1. The King Will Come: Wishbone Ash-This is from the immortal Argus lp. I have gone over this one before, but it starts out rather inconspicuously, then before you know it, by the middle you are surrounded by guitar solo jams!
2. Love is Only A Feeling: The Darkness-From Permission to Land. It starts rather plodding. Hell, they even have mandolins going at one point. Then they get to the chorus. The first 2 lines…fine, rocking to the groove of the riff, then the last line is when you realize you have been rocked as the riff just takes you to the end of the chorus in that third line….wow!
3. Fight the Good Fight: Triumph-What? You say that already is a jam? Sure, they give you dynamics at the beginning, but by when the chorus actually kicks in the riff FORCES you to play it loud and band your head to it. There is no other choice.
4. Everything’s Alright: Jesus Christ Superstar-The Original 1970 cast recording. This whole album is a secret jam. It’s a musical, right? Listen to this song. Oh, it starts out sweet. Isn’t that nice. That first verse is lovely. Lovely little background vocals. Then comes the next verse. Drums come in telling you that this is not to be trifled with. Then comes Judas…he brings it home. Then we bring it down, then Jesus, then a build up to stop you from breathing! The same could be said with “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”. Listen to how the drums sneak up on you by the second bridge!
5. There Goes Another Love Song: The Outlaws- Country rock, yes. Vocals aplenty, yes. By the last solo into the chorus, you want to mount a horse and run it as fast as you can to the next town!!!!
These are to start. I will post as many as I can onto the playlist, but there will be more to come!
Should Have Been a Number One Hit
Sometimes you listen to songs that rule so much in a pop sense, and you think. “Why wasn’t this a #1 hit?” Most of the time the songs had zero radio airplay. I have compiled a partial list of songs that I put in the “Should have been a #1 Hit” category. I will periodically post more as I think of them, but start out with these!
1. So Sad About Us: The Who-This is from the album A Quick One. Not even a hit, just a catchy-ass tune that you NEVER forget!!!!
2. Perfect: Alice Cooper- This is from the 2005 lp Dirty Diamonds. Just one listen and you will be confused that it was not on the Billboard charts!
3. Between Heaven and Hell: Zakk Wylde- This is from the 1999 gem, Book of Shadows. If you don’t have this lp, find it. Mostly acoustic with jammin’ solos, this leadoff track is the stuff of Allmans!
4. Come On: Whitesnake- From the appropriately titled Whitesnake album. A pure harder edged pop ditty…yes, I said ditty!
5. Feelings: Uriah Heep-From the 1980 album, Conquest. No one bought it. They were on there 3rd singer. It sounded nothing like they did before. The rest of the album is….questionable, but there is no doubt that this is a toe-tapper..80s style!
6. Too Young To Know: UFO-Virtually ALL of UFO’s songs should have been # 1 hits! This is one that didn’t get even that much FM airplay. This is form the album Phenomenon.
7. I Only Want My Love to Grow In You: Strawbs- From the lp Deep Cuts in 1976. This actually did get radio airplay but did not chart well. It should have. You can’t get more poppy than this!
8. We All Die Young: Steel Dragon- Yeah, they aren’t a real band, they are the band in the movie “Rockstar” with Mark Wahlberg, but Goddammit, they did it right here! This would have been a big hit in the 80s with the rest of the hair metal!
9. I’ll Be Your Sister: Motorhead- From the lp Overkill, you will disagree with me, you are wrong. This should have been a #1 hit!
10. I’m In Disgrace: The Kinks- From the VERY overlooked lp, Schoolboys in Disgrace. Yeah, they already have a shitload of hits, but this one got by everybody!
1. So Sad About Us: The Who-This is from the album A Quick One. Not even a hit, just a catchy-ass tune that you NEVER forget!!!!
2. Perfect: Alice Cooper- This is from the 2005 lp Dirty Diamonds. Just one listen and you will be confused that it was not on the Billboard charts!
3. Between Heaven and Hell: Zakk Wylde- This is from the 1999 gem, Book of Shadows. If you don’t have this lp, find it. Mostly acoustic with jammin’ solos, this leadoff track is the stuff of Allmans!
4. Come On: Whitesnake- From the appropriately titled Whitesnake album. A pure harder edged pop ditty…yes, I said ditty!
5. Feelings: Uriah Heep-From the 1980 album, Conquest. No one bought it. They were on there 3rd singer. It sounded nothing like they did before. The rest of the album is….questionable, but there is no doubt that this is a toe-tapper..80s style!
6. Too Young To Know: UFO-Virtually ALL of UFO’s songs should have been # 1 hits! This is one that didn’t get even that much FM airplay. This is form the album Phenomenon.
7. I Only Want My Love to Grow In You: Strawbs- From the lp Deep Cuts in 1976. This actually did get radio airplay but did not chart well. It should have. You can’t get more poppy than this!
8. We All Die Young: Steel Dragon- Yeah, they aren’t a real band, they are the band in the movie “Rockstar” with Mark Wahlberg, but Goddammit, they did it right here! This would have been a big hit in the 80s with the rest of the hair metal!
9. I’ll Be Your Sister: Motorhead- From the lp Overkill, you will disagree with me, you are wrong. This should have been a #1 hit!
10. I’m In Disgrace: The Kinks- From the VERY overlooked lp, Schoolboys in Disgrace. Yeah, they already have a shitload of hits, but this one got by everybody!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Album of the Week 12/09
The album of the week this week is Badfinger’s Straight Up. Badfinger was one of the first bands to sign on the Beatles’ Apple Records. They are known for four hits. “Come and Get It”, “Day After Day”, “Baby Blue”, and “No Matter What”. That only tells a small portion of their musical story. I submit to you that 90% of their albums are great! I am focusing on this one because it was the first full album I got by Badfinger. They kind of represent the pop side of where the Beatles might have gone, had they stayed together..Maybe. All I know is that they are damn good songwriters and know their way around their vocals!
Let’s get to it!
1. Take It All-A great starter. Ringing piano to haunt you in it’s first notes, until this unbelievably catchy song invades your psyche!
2. Baby Blue-You all know this one. Not one note out of place. Not one sound imperfectly executed. One of the greatest songs of all time. I will not take discussion to the contrary
3. Money-This reminds me of something off an early Paul McCartney album, what a great tune! Perfect dual vocals, and it goes right into…
4. Flying- A perfect companion piece to the last tune. Beautiful vocals here. Perfectly blending the piano right into the guitars here.
5. I’d Die Babe- A sort of change of pace. More McCartney influence here. You know what? There’s nothing wrong with that.
6. The Name of the Game- This would be the 11 O’Clock number on this lp. Just a beautiful “epic” 5 minute plus tune. This is why we listen to music.
7. Suitcase- Normally this would scream “filler” but after the last song, I’m still in ecstasy, so I can dig it!
8. Sweet Tuesday Morning-Good acoustic tune here. Beautiful melodies. See? Everything doesn’t have to be all distortion for me!!!!!
9. Day After Day- Another MASSIVE hit, and with good reason. George Harrison played leads on this. Couldn’t ya tell? If you have never heard this song, I can’t help you!
10. Sometimes- A nice little rocker, kind of like a Monkees tune here. Bop till you drop!
11. Perfection-Just some Goddamn good songwriting here! They should be fly fishermen they’re so catchy!!
12. It’s Over- Another great riff and guitar/piano/vocal blend. What a great closer. This lp is so solid from top to bottom , it’s not even fair. I LOVE when albums give you a great song to close it out.
Well, that’s it! I’ll throw some of these songs on the playlist.
Other Great Badfinger lps:
1. Ass
2. No Dice
3. Magic Christian Music
4. Wish You Were Here
Enjoy!!!
Let’s get to it!
1. Take It All-A great starter. Ringing piano to haunt you in it’s first notes, until this unbelievably catchy song invades your psyche!
2. Baby Blue-You all know this one. Not one note out of place. Not one sound imperfectly executed. One of the greatest songs of all time. I will not take discussion to the contrary
3. Money-This reminds me of something off an early Paul McCartney album, what a great tune! Perfect dual vocals, and it goes right into…
4. Flying- A perfect companion piece to the last tune. Beautiful vocals here. Perfectly blending the piano right into the guitars here.
5. I’d Die Babe- A sort of change of pace. More McCartney influence here. You know what? There’s nothing wrong with that.
6. The Name of the Game- This would be the 11 O’Clock number on this lp. Just a beautiful “epic” 5 minute plus tune. This is why we listen to music.
7. Suitcase- Normally this would scream “filler” but after the last song, I’m still in ecstasy, so I can dig it!
8. Sweet Tuesday Morning-Good acoustic tune here. Beautiful melodies. See? Everything doesn’t have to be all distortion for me!!!!!
9. Day After Day- Another MASSIVE hit, and with good reason. George Harrison played leads on this. Couldn’t ya tell? If you have never heard this song, I can’t help you!
10. Sometimes- A nice little rocker, kind of like a Monkees tune here. Bop till you drop!
11. Perfection-Just some Goddamn good songwriting here! They should be fly fishermen they’re so catchy!!
12. It’s Over- Another great riff and guitar/piano/vocal blend. What a great closer. This lp is so solid from top to bottom , it’s not even fair. I LOVE when albums give you a great song to close it out.
Well, that’s it! I’ll throw some of these songs on the playlist.
Other Great Badfinger lps:
1. Ass
2. No Dice
3. Magic Christian Music
4. Wish You Were Here
Enjoy!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Namesake
You are probably wondering why I named this blog “The Mesmerization Eclipse”.
You may or may not know of the classic band Captain Beyond! They are an early 70s band comprised of former members of Deep Purple, Johnny Winter, and Iron Butterfly. They have three albums. The first one is a masterpiece, the second one is an underachiever when compared to the first one. The third one has a different singer, but is pretty good.
I am going to focus on this first lp simply titled Captain Beyond.
What is peculiar about this album is that they list 13 tracks, when in actuality there are only 5 with certain songs having different sections named for them.
Here is the technical running order:
1. Dancing Madly Backwards (On a Sea of Air)
2. Armworth
3. Myopic Void
4. Mesmerization Eclipse (OOOOH!!! See what I did there!!?!?!?!?!?!?)
5. Raging River of Fear
6. Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Intro)
7. Frozen Over
8. Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)
9. I Can’t Feel Nothin’ Part I
10. As The Moon Speaks (To the Waves of the Sea)
11. Astral Lady
12. As the Moon Speaks (Return)
13. I Can’t Feel Nothin’ Part 2
You see, most of these tracks are simply parts of one song. Here is the REAL track list.
1. Dancing Madly Backwards/(On A Sea of Air)- (jam…no debate….none)
2. Mesmerization Eclipse -(Still a fucking Jam!!!!)
3. Raging River of Fear- (TBJ to the highest degree)
4. Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)-(Three parts of love!)
5. I Can’t Feel Nothin’ (A perfect closer…keep all breakables away!)
Nevertheless…still complete jams! The lead singer for the first two albums was a guy named Rod Evans. He was the first singer for Deep Purple. You might remember that he is singing the classic hit “Hush”
Listen to the namesake for the blog in the playlist. It’s in 6/8 time..and still jams hard…and will make you hard!!!!!!
You may or may not know of the classic band Captain Beyond! They are an early 70s band comprised of former members of Deep Purple, Johnny Winter, and Iron Butterfly. They have three albums. The first one is a masterpiece, the second one is an underachiever when compared to the first one. The third one has a different singer, but is pretty good.
I am going to focus on this first lp simply titled Captain Beyond.
What is peculiar about this album is that they list 13 tracks, when in actuality there are only 5 with certain songs having different sections named for them.
Here is the technical running order:
1. Dancing Madly Backwards (On a Sea of Air)
2. Armworth
3. Myopic Void
4. Mesmerization Eclipse (OOOOH!!! See what I did there!!?!?!?!?!?!?)
5. Raging River of Fear
6. Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Intro)
7. Frozen Over
8. Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)
9. I Can’t Feel Nothin’ Part I
10. As The Moon Speaks (To the Waves of the Sea)
11. Astral Lady
12. As the Moon Speaks (Return)
13. I Can’t Feel Nothin’ Part 2
You see, most of these tracks are simply parts of one song. Here is the REAL track list.
1. Dancing Madly Backwards/(On A Sea of Air)- (jam…no debate….none)
2. Mesmerization Eclipse -(Still a fucking Jam!!!!)
3. Raging River of Fear- (TBJ to the highest degree)
4. Thousand Days of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)-(Three parts of love!)
5. I Can’t Feel Nothin’ (A perfect closer…keep all breakables away!)
Nevertheless…still complete jams! The lead singer for the first two albums was a guy named Rod Evans. He was the first singer for Deep Purple. You might remember that he is singing the classic hit “Hush”
Listen to the namesake for the blog in the playlist. It’s in 6/8 time..and still jams hard…and will make you hard!!!!!!
12 Bars of Immortality
The 12 bar blues song…we’ve all heard it… a million times. Think of every Chuck Berry tune, or perhaps any number of 50s tunes by Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, or hell, even the Beatles did it!
It’s time honored, for all guys in bands, you all know it as the I-IV-V pattern. It is the single most used formula in music.
It is also the laziest!!!!!
Hell, I’m always up for a good 12 bar tune, but Goddamn, there’s only so much you can do with it.
Sometimes it’s an excuse for a guitarist to say “Hey, look…I can do hours of solos!”
Other times it’s an excuse for pulling out the acoustic and slide and bringing things down a bit.
Sometimes, your just too damn lazy to write an actual song, so you write lyrics and just put it to any 12 bar key. Try listening to every Bob Dylan lp in the 60s and early 70s. For every “All I really Want to Do” there are 57 “Black Crow Blues”. I mean, yeah, we know the guy can write lyrics, but damn was he lazy back in the day!
This is my issue with a lot of great 60s and 70s bands. When they play some straight up rock tunes, they are excellent, but then they bog down ¾ of the lp with 12 bar blues excuses for solos with “feeling”.
Some notable examples:
1. Cream-One of the very first super groups. Great Jams such as “NSU”, “White Room”, “Tales of Brave Ulysses”, “Badge”! Yeah, I know you get “Crossroads” and “Strange Brew” but Goddamn..there’s a lot of “Sleepy Time Time” and fucking “Spoonful” HOW MANY TIMES ARE YOU GOING TO PUT A 30 MINUTE VERSION ON AN ALBUM!!! IT’S NOT A GOOD SONG!
2. Ten Years After- All jams, but lotsa 12 bar filler…and yes, I know they are a blues band, but their straight rock and roll tunes are so good!!! Songs like “I’d Love to Change the Word” “Positive Vibrations” “I’m Coming on” kick my ass! I will tell you that this is the one band that keep the 12 bar thing sustainable for long periods of time because they understand variation. I will get to that in a bit
3. Rory Gallagher- Perhaps the biggest offender of this phenomenon..no wait…that could be Eric Clapton’s solo work…anyway, this guy jams so hard on songs like “Bad Penny” “I’m Not Awake Yet”, “Follow Me” “Tatoo’d Lady” and such, but man can he bog down some albums! His first band The Taste is another primo example. Complete jams like “Blister on the Moon” and “What’s Going On” then 8 songs of LedBetter impersonations!
4. Eric Clapton’s solo work-Especially lately, the pure definition of lazy! Dude! You used to write the hardest jams ever!!!! Why?!?!?!?!
What I enjoy is when bands take the 12 bar and beat it to within an inch of its life!!!!!
Examples:
1. Led Zeppelin-“Since I’ve Been Loving You” –They take the 12 bar and bash it into submission, but it’s still there. It creeps up on you, then before you know it, you are being fetish raped by Jimmy Page’s solo!!!! I get hard just thinking about it!!!!
2. Cream-“Strange Brew”-Yeah, I know I just complained about them a little, but this one fools you. You are caught up in the whimsy and Psychedelia , that you forget the blues!
3. Black Sabbath-“Warning”-This is what I call “Punch you in the face Blues” …no thinking, just a good smack…and you like it! Yes, Aynsley Dunbar wrote it and recorded it first. Sabbath showed them how to do it Koreshly!
Now I’m not knocking the Blues…it’s just that it has a finite window for listening in one sitting. Like right now! I’ve got the Blues!!!
It’s time honored, for all guys in bands, you all know it as the I-IV-V pattern. It is the single most used formula in music.
It is also the laziest!!!!!
Hell, I’m always up for a good 12 bar tune, but Goddamn, there’s only so much you can do with it.
Sometimes it’s an excuse for a guitarist to say “Hey, look…I can do hours of solos!”
Other times it’s an excuse for pulling out the acoustic and slide and bringing things down a bit.
Sometimes, your just too damn lazy to write an actual song, so you write lyrics and just put it to any 12 bar key. Try listening to every Bob Dylan lp in the 60s and early 70s. For every “All I really Want to Do” there are 57 “Black Crow Blues”. I mean, yeah, we know the guy can write lyrics, but damn was he lazy back in the day!
This is my issue with a lot of great 60s and 70s bands. When they play some straight up rock tunes, they are excellent, but then they bog down ¾ of the lp with 12 bar blues excuses for solos with “feeling”.
Some notable examples:
1. Cream-One of the very first super groups. Great Jams such as “NSU”, “White Room”, “Tales of Brave Ulysses”, “Badge”! Yeah, I know you get “Crossroads” and “Strange Brew” but Goddamn..there’s a lot of “Sleepy Time Time” and fucking “Spoonful” HOW MANY TIMES ARE YOU GOING TO PUT A 30 MINUTE VERSION ON AN ALBUM!!! IT’S NOT A GOOD SONG!
2. Ten Years After- All jams, but lotsa 12 bar filler…and yes, I know they are a blues band, but their straight rock and roll tunes are so good!!! Songs like “I’d Love to Change the Word” “Positive Vibrations” “I’m Coming on” kick my ass! I will tell you that this is the one band that keep the 12 bar thing sustainable for long periods of time because they understand variation. I will get to that in a bit
3. Rory Gallagher- Perhaps the biggest offender of this phenomenon..no wait…that could be Eric Clapton’s solo work…anyway, this guy jams so hard on songs like “Bad Penny” “I’m Not Awake Yet”, “Follow Me” “Tatoo’d Lady” and such, but man can he bog down some albums! His first band The Taste is another primo example. Complete jams like “Blister on the Moon” and “What’s Going On” then 8 songs of LedBetter impersonations!
4. Eric Clapton’s solo work-Especially lately, the pure definition of lazy! Dude! You used to write the hardest jams ever!!!! Why?!?!?!?!
What I enjoy is when bands take the 12 bar and beat it to within an inch of its life!!!!!
Examples:
1. Led Zeppelin-“Since I’ve Been Loving You” –They take the 12 bar and bash it into submission, but it’s still there. It creeps up on you, then before you know it, you are being fetish raped by Jimmy Page’s solo!!!! I get hard just thinking about it!!!!
2. Cream-“Strange Brew”-Yeah, I know I just complained about them a little, but this one fools you. You are caught up in the whimsy and Psychedelia , that you forget the blues!
3. Black Sabbath-“Warning”-This is what I call “Punch you in the face Blues” …no thinking, just a good smack…and you like it! Yes, Aynsley Dunbar wrote it and recorded it first. Sabbath showed them how to do it Koreshly!
Now I’m not knocking the Blues…it’s just that it has a finite window for listening in one sitting. Like right now! I’ve got the Blues!!!
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