Great Rock Albums of 1987: Night Ranger- Big Life

After their 1985, “7 Wishes” album, Night Ranger were yet another hard rock band I accused of selling out. That album, in my mind cemented my belief that Night Ranger were not heavy metal. Even though I was in England in 1987, I couldn’t get away from them. They are considered two-hit wonders in the UK, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “Sister Christian” being the hits. The former tune was played without fail every Friday night when I went to Oscar’s for heavy metal night. Still, when a friend of mine who was a huge Night Ranger fan informed me that they had a new album out, I wasn’t waiting with baited breath to hear it. But I did hear it and man I am glad I did.

No one can accuse Night Ranger of selling out on “Big Life.” The album starts with two great hard rocking tracks, the title track and my favourite track, “Color of Your Smile.” Here’s the weird thing, on both of those songs, Night Ranger sound a lot like KISS. In fact, if I close my eyes, I can hear Paul Stanley singing both of those songs. There are some good power chords and a great guitar solo on both. If one hadn’t heard a single note from Night Ranger and heard these two tracks first, that person would have thought they were a metal band.

Things head in a more AOR direction on the third track, “Love is Standing Near.” I say heading but they don’t quite go as far as “Sentimental Street” from the last album. I don’t mind the keyboard domination on this song because Alan Fitzgerald is one of the best keyboardists in the business and there is a great guitar solo. I’m not sure who plays which guitar solo on which song but let me tell you this. “Big Life” solidifies the fact that Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson were a formidable guitar duo.

Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis leading the way for Night Ranger

When I heard the track, “The Secret of My Success,” my reaction was that this track would have been perfect on a 1980s film soundtrack. Then I remembered that in 1987, there was a film starring Michael J. Fox called “The Secret of My Success” and that track is on the soundtrack. Oh damn my Swiss cheese memory. On a side note, I had a look at the soundtrack and I have put it down for a post when I get to soundtracks of 1987. There are some good songs on it.

Another plus to the album is there are not one but two mind blowing power ballads! “Rain Comes Crashing Down” and the closer, “Hearts Away,” have everything a great power ballad needs. Tear jerking vocals, although neither song makes me want to cry because the power chords are that explosive and the guitar solos are top notch. Of the three tracks which fall between the movie soundtrack song and the mind blowing power ballad closer, the hidden gem is the middle track, “Better Let it Go.” It has a cool acoustic guitar first verse and then the power chords kick in. I love how the song just builds in intensity right up to the great guitar solo. Not that there is anything wrong with the two tracks on either side of the song. The one after is a good steady rock tune although the one before is the closest track to filler. They’re okay and do their job to convince me that this is a Night Ranger album which I like.

Track Listing:

1. Big Life
2. Color of Your Smile
3. Love is Standing Near
4. Rain Comes Crashing Down
5. The Secret of My Success
6. Carry On
7. Better Let it Go
8. I Know Tonight
9. Hearts Away

Night Ranger

Jack Blades- bass, lead vocals

Kevin Keagy- drums, lead vocals

Brad Gillis- guitar, backing vocals

Jeff Watson- guitar

Alan ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald- keyboards

If Night Ranger were here, I would apologize to them for ever doubting them. True, “7 Wishes” was a sell out album but in my mind, they totally redeemed themselves with “Big Life” and proved they can still rock on!

Next post: Carly Simon- Coming Around Again

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Rock Albums of 1987: Pink Floyd- A Momentary Lapse in Reason

The last thing I would have expected to hear back in 1987, was a new album from Pink Floyd. After their previous album, “The Final Cut,” the band seemed to go their separate ways. In 1984, both Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour put out successful solo albums. Furthermore, when asked about Pink Floyd in an interview, Roger plainly stated that he didn’t care to discuss the topic. Plus, he was taking legal action against the band. Therefore, I, along with many others, thought that Pink Floyd would be no more but in 1987, we were all proved to be wrong with the release of “A Momentary Lapse in Reason.”

Two questions emerged from the release of “AMLoR.” The first was: How good would Pink Floyd be without Roger Waters? The second: How much would their sound change? Let me try to answer the second question first. Being the late 1980s, the main concern would be whether or not Pink Floyd would bow to pressure to be more synth pop. My answer to that concern and the question was no. The album sounds very much like the Pink Floyd I listened to as a teen back in the 1970s. On the other hand, while I like “AMLoR,” it doesn’t make me want to stop listening to their classics like “The Wall,” my personal favourite Floyd album, “Dark Side of the Moon” or even “Animals.” I will say this though, some of you might remember my comments on other blogs on how my ex wife forbade me from playing “Animals” in the car because she called it “music to slit your wrists to.” “AMLoR” doesn’t make me want to do that.

As for the answer the life without Roger question, I have to say that they are still good without him. Dave Gilmour’s vocals on the album aren’t too far from what Roger had done with the band. The main difference is that this album is not a concept album but that doesn’t take anything away from it. Like with so many Pink Floyd albums, the tracks bleed into each other and it is definitely enjoyable while vegging out in a quiet place while puffing the magic dragon. There are the famous sound effects which start at the very beginning of the album with some great eerie keyboard work and a some great guitar solos from David Gilmour. His best effort is on the track, “Learning to Fly.” So in conclusion, in spite of one critic who said that ‘someone was missing from the album,’ Pink Floyd for had life after Roger, even if he did try to sue to keep them from using the band’s name.

Like with just about every Pink Floyd album I’ve listened to, “AMLoR” just has me sailing along, enjoying the music and then a standout track comes along. In the case of this album, that track is “On the Turning Away.” It’s keyboard followed by acoustic guitar intro provides an ear catching hook before going into some great keyboard and guitar work which includes a cool solo from Dave. Another standout track for me is “Yet Another Movie” with its foreboding doom feel and some more great guitar work. The spoken words in the background add to the effect. Still, you need to listen to all of the tracks to fully appreciate the album. “Terminal Frost” is a cool instrumental.

Track Listing:

1. Signs of Life
2. Learning to Fly
3. The Dogs of War
4. One Slip
5. On the Turning Away
6. Yet Another Movie
7. Round and Round
8. A New Machine (Part 1)
9. Terminal Frost
10. A New Machine (Part 2)
11. Sorrow

Pink Floyd

David Gilmour- vocals, guitar, talk box, keyboards

Nick Mason- drums, sound effects, spoken vocals

Richard Wright- piano, organ, backing vocals

Additional Musicians

Bob Ezrin- keyboards, percussion

John Carin- keyboards

Patrick Leonard- synthesizers

Bill Payne- organ

Michael Landau- guitar

Tony Levin- bass, Chapman Stick

John Keltner- drums

Carmine Appice- drums

Steve Foreman- percussion

Tom Scott- alto and soprano saxophones

John Heliwell- saxophone

Scott Page- tenor saxophone

Darlene Koldenhoven- backing vocals

Carmen Twillie- backing vocals

Phyllis St. James- backing vocals

Donnie Gerrard- backing vocals

In 1987, when everyone thought they were just a memory of some great progressive space rock, Pink Floyd came back with a great album in “A Momentary Lapse of Reason.” It might not have been as good as their 70s classics, it’s still Pink Floyd and a great album.

Next post: Night Ranger- Big Life

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Happy 80th Birthday Bob and Congratulations Italy!

Yesterday, the legend Bob Dylan turned 80. I have always been a fan since my teens and his album “Hard Rain” was the first live album I ever owned. No one needs me to tell about his great legacy which has spanned more than 60 years! So, I hope you will all join me in wishing him a happy 80th birthday. Everyone has their favourite Bob Dylan song, I thought I’d share mine.

Last Saturday, Europe had its annual Eurovision song contest. While the UK entry failed to score any points, the contest was won by Italy represented by the heavy metal band Maneskin with their song “Zitti E Buoni.” I think it’s a cool song and don’t you love when a heavy metal band rubs it into face of the establishment? Well done Maneskin, metal rules in Europe for a year. Maybe they’ll play Bloodstock.

Of course, their victory was not without controversy. The lead singer was accused of snorting cocaine, something the band vehemently deny and are willing to undergo drug test. Needless to say, I read about this in the UK’s number one heavy metal hating newspaper, The Sun.

Great Rock Albums of 1987: Foreigner- Inside Information

If there was any band which polarized metalheads in the 1980s, it was Foreigner. Some accused the band of selling out because of the increased use of synthesizers and ballads which got them singles success. Others pointed out that they were simply moving along with the times and they were still able to rock. They pointed out some of the harder rock tunes which appear on their 1987 “Inside Information” album as evidence. Using the wisdom of my advanced years, (pause for laughter), I have come to the conclusion that Foreigner simply walked the tightrope between sounding commercial and incorporating their hard rock roots and I think they did that successfully. One thing however, probably their biggest single from their previous album, “Agent Provacteur,” did provide the source for a hilarious joke.

Back to the “Inside Information” album. If I point to any song which best demonstrates the band’s ability to walk that dreaded tightrope, it has to be the opener, “Heart Turns to Stone.” True, it’s synthed out for commercialability, but if you listen closely, you can hear the fuzz of Mick Jones’s guitar. It is catchy. They also stack the the three singles in the first four songs of the album. The most successful single from the album, “Say You Will,” which isn’t bad, but it’s not one for the power chords. Right after is the ballad “I Don’t Live Without You.” It was no surprise by this time that Foreigner were unashamedly writing ballads. After all, it got them lots of success and this one is all right. Not up their with “Waiting for a Girl Like You” or “I Want to Know What Love Is” but not bad. However, I think there is a better ballad on the album. The number two song, “Can’t Wait,” is a brilliant power ballad and I can’t think as to why it failed to crack the top 100 in the Billboard charts. That’s probably why I don’t trust Billboard.

After the singles, Foreigner waste no time in showing that they can still rock with “Counting Every Minute.” This song is guitar driven from beginning to end and Jones cranks out his first cool guitar solo. It’s definitely my choice for hidden gem. However, right after, the title track sounds like they are going a little 80s synth pop but Foreigner can even make a track like this sound pretty good. “The Beat of My Heart” and “Face to Face” are both solid rockers, although the latter song uses much more keyboards. Penultimate track, “Out of the Blue,” begins like a true progressive metal tune and though it tones it down after, it’s still a powerful song. The rocker that is the closer pounds the point that Foreigner hadn’t completely abandoned their hard rocking ways.

Track Listing:

1. Heart Turns to Stone
2. Can’t Wait
3. Say You Will
4. I Don’t Want to Live Without You
5. Counting Every Minute
6. Inside Information
7. The Beat of My Heart
8. Face to Face
9. Out of the Blue
10. A Night to Remember

Foreigner

Lou Gramm- vocals

Mick Jones- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Rick Willis- bass, backing vocals

Dennis Elliot- drums

Additional Musicians:

Tom Bailey- additional keyboards

Kevin Jones- Sinclavier

Ian Lloyd- backing vocals

Hugh McCracken- Spanish guitar

Sammy Merendino- electronic percussion

Mark Rivera- saxophone, backing vocals

Peter-John Vettesse- keyboards

Like I said earlier, Foreigner successfully walked the tightrope between commercial stardom and musical integrity. While they had the synth ballad like hits, they also showed they were still capable of a good rock tune or three.

Next post: Pink Floyd- A Momentary Lapse in Reason

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Rock Albums of 1987: Cher

I don’t remember Cher ever coming onto my music radar back in 1987 and if it wasn’t for Damien McKee including her 1987 self-titled album in his list of suggestions for albums, I would have passed it by. After listening to it, I’m glad he did. When the opening track, “I Found Someone,” came blasting through the speakers, memories of the song came flooding back. I had forgotten that Cher was capable of rocking out a little as that song in particular does rock. Before that, the only Cher songs I could say I liked was “If I Could Turn Back Time,” from her next album and the 1971 hit, “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.” Now, there’s at least one more song, I can add to that list.

What makes the album good is the fact that she had a great army of musicians and producers behind her. Most of the album was produced by Desmond Child, but there are contributions from Michael Bolton, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. The last three also contribute to backing vocals and Richie rips a mean guitar solo on “We All Sleep Alone.” That’s another great track by the way. An interesting track is number three, “Bang-Bang,” which was written by her ex-husband Sonny Bono. The lyrics about her baby shooting her down wasn’t one I would have expected from Sonny but they’re very good. Then Jon and Ritchie put their production spin on it and the song really rocks. Although not quite as good as the previous track, Richie’s guitar solo on it is good.

Even though I was quite pleasantly surprised as to how Cher can rock on this album, I have always admired her fantastic singing voice. Hers is a very powerful one and she can take it down low when needed. This vocal versatility shows best on the power ballad “Main Man.” But once the power ballad is over, Cher goes back to full on rock with “Give Our Love a Fightin’ Chance.” This is my vote for hidden gem as it does really rock. Richie is not credited with the guitar solo on the song but John McCurry does a great job with it.

Singers Bonnie Tyler and Darlene Love bring in the track, “Perfection” and this song too rocks. Maybe these three ladies should have done more songs together. The guitar and keyboards work well giving the song a Bon Jovi feel and McCurry shows he’s a capable guitarist. Actually, this album basically rocks. In fact, the only song that really doesn’t rock is “Skin Deep,” which seems to have a synth pop feel. I also had a misconception about the track, “Working Girl,” which I thought would have been on the soundtrack of a film of the same name which came out around the same time, it’s not on it. The power ballad, “Hard Enough Getting Over You,” takes the album out beautifully.

Track Listing:

1. I Found Someone
2. We Sleep Alone
3. Bang-Bang
4. Main Man
5. Give Our Love a Fightin’ Chance
6. Perfection
7. Dangerous Time
8. Skin Deep
9. Working Girl
10. Hard Enough Getting Over You

Cher

Cher- lead vocals

There are so many contributors to the album that it would take ages to list them all. Therefore, I will name a few of the more known names.

Jon Bon Jovi

Richie Sambora

Michael Bolton

Steve Lukather

Dave Meniketti

Tico Torres

Bonnie Tyler

Darlene Love

Joe Lynn Turner

Bob Rock

David Bryan

Down deep, I always knew that Cher could rock, now this album proves it. Thing is, she would have made a great singer in a metal band.

Next post: Foreigner- Inside Information

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

This week, I experienced the circle of life. All of your condolences for Teal for his biological father, Steven Parker were warmly welcomed. Steve’s funeral was this past Monday and his send off was accompanied by the songs, “Fairies Wear Boots” by Black Sabbath and Ozzy’s “Bark at the Moon.” Today, I would like all of you to join me in welcoming to the world, my granddaughter Primrose Anderton-Pearson.

Congratulations to my Jake and daughter in law, Grace.

Great Rock Albums of 1987: Heart- Bad Animals

Heart’s 1987 “Bad Animals” sort of posed a bit of a dilemma for me. It’s a decent album and there is no doubt behind the reasons why it was their best selling album, with the possible exception of their previous self-titled album but for me, it’s not my favourite Heart album. I still prefer much more hard rocking albums such as “Dreamboat Annie” and “Dog and Butterfly.”

It’s the further reliance on keyboards which has formed my opinion on “Bad Animals.” I get that the use of keyboards and synthesizers was the key to success for many bands in the 1980s, however, I get the impression that secretly, Heart wanted to rock out more but they were under pressure from their record company to sound more ‘commercial.’ What gives me this impression was when I saw them live in early 1988 with The Jitters supporting. On the album, the title track sounds okay but still a little synthed out and the guitars are turned down too much. However, when Heart came out on stage, they opened the show with it and the guitars were definitely turned up, it sounded awesome! It would have been better if they had done it that way on the album. On the other hand, “Who Will You Run To” wasn’t a bad choice for album opener. There is a hard rock spark to it that grabs your attention but I’m afraid, their live performance of “Bad Animals” makes me wish that version of the track opened the album.

My feelings are similar to the single which went all the way to number one, “Alone.” It’s a great song and I love Ann Wilson’s melodic scream on the second verse. An old friend used to try to copy said scream after a few drinks and actually, her attempt wasn’t that bad. Again, and I know I probably shouldn’t compare it with other songs, but for me, Heart produced the great power ballad ever with “Allies” off the “Passionworks” album. One point to note, “Allies” doesn’t have a guitar solo and Howard Leese’s guitar solo on “Alone” is top notch but I still prefer “Allies.”

When I talk about the commercial success of “Bad Animals,” I am totally spot on. It went to number two in the US and peaked in the top five in Canada and four other countries and it hit number seven in the UK. Take that synth pop trendies! It also had four singles, two of which I have already mentioned. “The other two, “There’s the Girl” and “I Want You So Bad” are okay but not the rockers I loved about Heart in the late 1970s.

In spite of my talk about synthesizers, there are some rocking moments on the album. While “Who Will You Run To” might not have been my choice for an opener, it is still a good solid rocking track, my favourite on the album. However, I can’t call it a hidden gem because it did get to number seven in the US singles charts. The hidden gem is the penultimate track, “Easy Target.” It is here where guitarists Leese and Nancy Wilson are finally completely let off the leash and allowed to rock out. There are some power chords as well as some intricate sounding guitar hooks and a great solo from Howard. If more songs sounded like this, then I would have loved it more although the masses around the world don’t share my opinion.

Track Listing:

1. Who Will You Run To
2. Alone
3. There’s the Girl
4. I Want You So Bad
5. Wait for an Answer
6. Bad Animals
7. You Ain’t So Tough
8. Strangers of the Heart
9. Easy Target
10. RSVP

Heart

Ann Wilson- vocals

Nancy Wilson- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Howard Leese- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Mark Andes- bass

Denny Carmassi- drums

I think the problem with me is that my musical tastes and Heart went in different directions in the 1980s. They went for the more softer commercial sound while I was thrashing out. Therefore, I didn’t show the album the love I could have but instead reminisced about their 70s classics, all of which they played that night I saw them.

Next post: Cher

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

I will be away from my desktop from Saturday till Wednesday to attend Steve’s funeral. So you’ll have to wait a week for the next post.

Great Rock Albums of 1987: The Jitters

Technically, I didn’t discover Canadian band, The Jitters, until March of 1988 and that was only by accident. One evening in said month and year, I went to see Heart at Wembley Arena. According to my ticket, the support act was supposed to be The Hooters but when the support act hit the stage, it was immediately clear it wasn’t them. The band onstage instantly clarified this fact and introduced themselves as The Jitters from Toronto, Canada. Obviously, I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t going to see The Hooters, but by the end of their forty-five minute set, The Jitters had won me over and proved to be a very good consolation prize.

Even though, they made a lasting impression on me, finding their debut album proved to be an impossible task. No record store I went to had it and more than one sales assistant looked at me as if I had three heads. Therefore, I had to rely on thirty-three years of memory until I very recently, found their self-titled debut album on Spotify. It only took one listen, although I have listened to it several times now, for me to remember why I liked this band so much.

If I could guess which of the ten tracks on the album would be single-worthy, I would have to guess, the opener, “Closer Every Day.” The song starts off with a drum beat, followed quickly by the bass and then a melodic keyboard accompaniment. It all gels well together to make a good song which should have been on the radio. Maybe it was in Canada but definitely not in the UK. Then again, most, if not all of the tracks could have been released as singles because they do fit nicely into the genre of pop/rock. The a cappella harmonizing at the beginning of “Last of the Red Hot Fools” is done really well as is the lyrics about a disgruntled lover who let his heart rule is head. Then there is the ballad “Mad About You,” which reminds me a little of Huey Lewis and the News, so that could have made a good single.

Since the album was pretty much unknown, all of the songs could be classified as hidden gems but the one that gets the vote from me is “Justanotherfineexample.” This song is more rock than pop with a more harder guitar driven edge. Plus, the politically driven lyrics also combine to take it to the top spot in my estimation. The track “Hard as Nails” is no less hard rock and has a horn accompaniment that works very well within the song. Furthermore, it also contains the coolest guitar solo.

The second half of the album is definitely harder than the first. Even the more pop leaning “That’s When I Need You” has some impressive power chords in the background. There is some intricate guitar work going on behind the scenes as well. The lyrics are definitely a love song but who cares, the song rocks! It sounds slightly like 38 Special. On the other hand, the intro on “What About Me” sounds almost Bruce Springsteen like but the song moves away from there as it progresses and it does have good harmonizing in the backing vocals. “There Goes Love” is another ballad with some great harmonizing and great keyboard and guitar work. The closer is what a good closer should be. It has a catchy melody which you want to bob your head along to singing the chorus. It’s a great way to end the album.

Track Listing:

1. Closer Every Day

2. Last of the Red Hot Fools

3. Go Ahead ‘N’ Love Me

4. Mad About You

5. Justanotherfineexample

6. Hard as Nails

7. That’s When I Need You

8. What About Me

9. There Goes Love

10. Almost Convinced

Blair Packham- vocals, guitar

Danny Levy- guitar, backing vocals

Vic D’Arsie- keyboards

Matthew Greenberg- bass, backing vocals

Randy Cooke- drums

I am sending out a request to my Canadian readers or anyone else who might remember The Jitters. Any further information on them would be greatly appreciated as the internet is not forthcoming. After all, they did have a fine debut album in 1987 and they made a considerable impression on me when I saw them live.

Next post: Heart- Bad Animals

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Metal Albums of 1987: Ozzy Osbourne- Randy Rhoads Tribute

This post is dedicated to Steven Parker, the biological father of my stepson Teal Parker-Camps. Steve sadly passed away on the 24th of April. I always knew he was an Ozzy Osbourne fan but it was only when we were clearing his flat last week that I discovered just how much of an Ozzy fan he was. Since I am now touring the albums of 1987, what better album to dedicate to Steve than Ozzy’s live “Randy Rhoads Tribute” album, which itself was a dedication to the great deceased guitarist.

Naturally, since Randy only played on the first two Ozzy solo albums, most of the material would be from those albums. Therefore, I thought it was no surprise to kick things off with “I Don’t Know.” Though, I was slightly surprised to see that the classic single, “Crazy Train,” would follow second. The two times I saw him live, that song was played closer towards the end of his set but no matter, it fits in well. Then again, I wouldn’t get in a twist over any order in which the songs were played. “Believer” from the “Diary of a Madman” album proves my point coming straight after. If I had seen Ozzy on this tour, I would have been on my feet as soon as the song started as that is what Ozzy seems to do on the record.

Ozzy’s kick ass show, Download 2018

For me, things really pick up on the fourth song, only because it is my all time favourite Ozzy song, “Mr Crowley.” This song is phenomenal enough on the “Blizzard of Ozz” studio album but hearing it live on this album, it just goes through the roof, as it did the two times I saw him perform it live. Furthermore, hearing Randy shred away on the guitar solo makes me deeply regret not having seen him live. (I was in the service at the time.) Then, after two more well performed song, especially “Flying High Again,” where Ozzy tells the crowd to keep smoking them joints, we get to “Steal Away (The Night)” which features a drum solo from Tommy Aldridge and that makes a good halftime break in the action.

The second half of the album kicks off in grand style with “Suicide Solution.” Another of my favourite Ozzy songs but with the added bonus of a guitar solo from Randy. I can shut my eyes and just imagine him on the stage by himself just bending the six strings on the axe to his will. When your blown mind is recovering from that, Ozzy then goes back to his Black Sabbath days with “Iron Man,” “Children of the Grave,” where Ozzy and his band simply sound fantastic. Of the three Sabbath songs which are on this album, that one is my favourite. The keeping with tradition, Ozzy finishes with “Paranoid.”

Randy Rhoads

While the first eleven songs were recorded in Cleveland, Ohio, except for Randy’s extended guitar solo on “Suicide Solution,” which was recorded in Canada along with the remaining songs. Okay, the closer, “Dee,” was a compilation of studio outtakes from Randy but it was a fun way to end such a great live album.

Track Listing:

1. I Don’t Know
2. Crazy Train
3. Believer
4. Mr. Crowley
5. Flying High Again
6. Revelation (Mother Earth)
7. Steal Away (The Night)
8. Suicide Solution
9. Iron Man
10. Children of the Grave
11. Paranoid
12. Goodbye to Romance
13. No Bone Movies
14. Dee

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osboure- vocals

Randy Rhoads- guitar

Rudy Sarzo- bass

Tommy Aldridge- drums

Lindsay Bridgwater- keyboards

Bob Daisley- bass on “Goodbye to Romance” and “No Bone Movies”

Lee Kerslake- drums on “Goodbye to Romance” and “No Bone Movies”

Teal with his souvenir from the festival, Bloodstock 2015

While “Randy Rhoads Tribute” is a magnificent live album, there would be a downside to the story. At the time, it was said that Ozzy’s tribute to his former guitarist would be the cause of his then guitarist Jake E. Lee to part company with Ozzy out of jealousy. In reality, Jake was fired out of the blue by Sharon and my personal theory is that the Osbournes concocted the jealousy story as a distraction. Whatever the history is, one still can’t fault how good an album the tribute to Randy is. I’m sure Randy and Steven Parker are looking down with a smile.

Rest in peace Steven Parker.

Next post: The Jitters

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Rock Albums of 1987: The Hooters- One Way Home

First of all, Mrs. 80smetalman, Teal and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words last week. Sadly, Teal’s father passed away about an hour after I posted last Saturday. This past week was spent clearing his flat and helping Teal with all the phone calls and other related things. It was a very busy week for all of us and when we returned home, we were well and truly knackered. Again, thank you all for your support! Now onto a very interesting album from 1987.

“One Way Home” was the album which featured the single which made The Hooters one hit wonders in the UK. “Satellite” went to number 22 in the UK charts and when they made their only appearance on the British chart show, “Top of the Pops,” I drove my then wife mad by constantly pointing out that they were from Philadelphia throughout their performance. To refresh your memory, when I posted about their 1985 album, “Nervous Night,” I wrote about how great it was to see a band from my local area gain national success. So you can imagine my glee when two years later, my local heroes gained international success. Not that they didn’t deserve it, because they definitely did. “Satellite” is an excellent new wave/rock crossover song which takes the pee out of television evangelists. What’s not to love? It’s an excellent song!

However, (add tired repeated phrase), one song does not a good album make. Needless to say, the rest of the album holds its own with some really good songs. All of the songs feature some great musicianship and lyrics which give plenty of food for thought. I love how the band uses some unusual instruments such as a mandolin, the melodica and an accordion and yet maintain a rock edge. “Karla With a K,” “Johnny B” and “Fightin’ On the Same Side” are great examples. It’s especially the case with the last song mentioned as the accordion and mandolin are used in the intro and can be heard clearly throughout.

However, of all the great tracks on “One Way Home,” the hidden gem for me is “Graveyard Waltz.” This track seems to be about young lovers experiencing intimacy for the first time ever late at night at a graveyard. While the song is done very well, what stands out for me is the guitar solo from Eric Bazilian. I knew he could shred a bit from one of my other favourite Hooters songs, “All You Zombies,” from the previous album but this song really shows how good he is. He also cranks a cool solo on “Washington’s Day” and lays down a few cool riffs.

One point which has been noted about The Hooters through the years is that most of the limelight seems to go to Eric and keyboardist, Rob Hyman. It’s true, they do share mike and play all of the unusual instruments, plus Eric plays the saxophone as well. He does play it well on the reggae influenced title track but I must add that they are backed by a fine rhythm section in John Lilley, Andy King and David Uosikkinen. Together, they help make the album the great album it is.

Track Listing:

1. Satellite
2. Karla With a K
3. Johnny B
4. Graveyard Waltz
5. Fightin’ On the Same Side
6. One Way Home
7. Washington’s Day
8. Hard Rockin’ Summer
9. Engine 999

The Hooters

Eric Bazilian- lead vocals (tracks 1, 2, 6, 7, 8), guitar, saxophone, mandolin, harmonica

Rob Hyman- lead vocals (tracks 3, 4, 5, 9), keyboards, melodica, accordion

Andy King- bass, backing vocals

John Lilley- guitar

David Uosikkinen- drums

In 1985, from my home in New Jersey, I could say that The Hooters had definitely made it in the US. In 1987, thanks to their album, “One Way Home,” sitting in my old bedsit in London, I got to say that they made it in the UK. It was great to see that happen.

Next post will be dedicated to Teal’s father Steven Parker who was a big Ozzy fan. It will be Ozzy Osbourne- Tribute

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com