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!
Monday, April 25, 2011
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!
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