It’s that part of the tour of any year where I pay tribute to those artists who have one great song in that year. For 1988, there are three of those who make it to this post. The first one is another example of artists who make it on one side of the Atlantic but not the other. In the UK, Voice of the Beehive will be forever known as one hit wonders for their punk-new wave energised hit, “I Say Nothing.” To my shame, that song has stuck with me ever since I heard it but never dug further. It is my understanding that Voice of the Beehive were much bigger in their native USA.
For the second one, I can’t use the I wasn’t in America at the time excuse because Enya hails from Ireland. My first wife was really into her and her former band Clannad. I never really delved into Enya that much but I do remember this amazing Celtic inspired song “Orinoco Flow.”
Song three comes courtesy of the Australian soap opera “Neighbours.” At the end of 1988, two of the top stars of the soap, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, were married. In the soap, not in real life and this song from fellow Aussie singer, Angry Anderson was the wedding’s theme song. To many, a song from a hard rocking bald buy was controversial but it worked and was a huge hit for him and even I like it. It’s a decent power ballad.
Have a listen to the three songs and take yourself back to 1988 and if you were born after, then just remember we had some great music in that year.
Next post: Doninington- Triumph and Tragedy
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
It’s amazing what can happen! What started out as a B-side record turned into an album which went platinum worldwide. According to the story, George Harrison told Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne over dinner that he needed a track recording for his new album and asked Jeff and Roy to help out, to which they agreed. On the way, George stopped at Tom Petty’s house to pick up a guitar he had left there and ended up having Tom come along. He also asked Bob Dylan if they could use his garage to record in. Originally, Bob was just going to be a host but he joined and contributed songs as well and thus the Traveling Wilburys was born.
It was agreed that they would all use the surname and make up first names for their own personas. (See below.) The first song which came out of the collaboration was “Handle With Care,” which was a huge hit. At least everywhere but the USA, where it only got to #45. “Handle With Care” sets the tone for the rest of the album. Light, melodic folk rock songs which definitely puts the easy into easy listening. While there is a similarity in all of the songs, you can hear each Wilbury’s unique stamp in the them. “Dirty World” is definitely Bob Dylan while there is no mistaking Tom Petty on “Last Night” and you get classic Roy Orbison on “Not Alone Anymore.” However, each of the others back one another up with backing or accompanying vocals. The result is fantastic.
One question I asked at the time and I’m sure many others did was how could all of these rock giants make an album together without the clash of egos? I’m sure there might have been disagreements during the song writing and recording, after all, friends have them all of the time. But there is no sound of any of that when the music starts playing. Like I said earlier, they all seem to compliment each other on the songs.
Now for standout tracks. Of course you get the big singles, “Handle With Care” and the closer, “End of the Line,” which was also a single and George led. While I can’t say there’s a filler track on the album, I did pick out a hidden gem, which happens to be “Tweeter and the Monkey Man.” It’s exclusively sung by Bob and from what I glean for the lyrics, it’s about two drug dealers on the run. It’s a dark song and the heavy guitar adds to the darkness. So does the chorus as the rest of the Wilburys sing “And the walls came down all the way to hell.” It’s brilliantly done.
Track Listing:
Handle With Care
Dirty World
Rattled
Last Night
Not Alone Anymore
Congratulations
Heading for the Light
Margarita
Tweeter and the Monkey Man
End of the Line
Traveling Wilburys
Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison)- lead and backing vocals, guitars, slide guitar
Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne)- lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, drums and cowbell on “Handle With Care”
Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. (Tom Petty)- lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison)- lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan)- lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Additional Musicians:
Buster Sidebury (Jim Keltner)- drums, percussion
Jim Horn- saxophone
Ray Cooper- percussion
Ian Wallace- tom toms
Two months after the album’s release, tragedy struck when Roy passed away from a sudden heart attack. However, the album would go onto win many awards and achieve great things. As one critic put it: The Traveling Wilburys was the greatest commercial coup of the decade. It turns out the elders of rock could teach the younger upstarts a thing or two.
Next post: One Hit Wonders of 1988
If anyone’s interested, I’ve written another wrestling script which is available to buy and download. Go to https://promixedwrestling.com/ and look for “Eva vs. Loxleigh- Grudge Match.”
Action from Eva vs. Loxleigh
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Here’s a prime example of how a mishap on a mainstream channel can have a permanent negative effect on an artist. In 1988, British gothic rock band All About Eve appeared on the British television show, “Top of the Pops,” to perform their song, “Martha’s Harbour,” which was number seven in the charts at the time. As my British readers can confirm, most “live” performances on the show were mimed. All About Eve was introduced and the song started playing. However, the feed didn’t reach singer Julianne Regan and guitarist Tim Bricheno. As a result, the two sat there with Julianne looking more fidgety waiting for the song to start. Fortunately, the technical difficulty was sorted halfway through the song and Julianne and Tim were able to mime to the finish. Unfortunately, All About Eve will be more remembered for this technical blunder not of their doing as opposed to their great debut album.
The problem with this album is that it came out at the wrong time. If it had come out five years earlier, it would have been much more successful. All About Eve takes progressive rock in the form of Marillion with and adds elements of hippy rock and more dark alternative elements and makes their own sound, a sound which I really like. The opener, “Flowers in Our Hair,” has a hard edge to it but the next two tracks are more progressive before slipping in the haunting ballad which is “Martha’s Harbour.” I love an album which can’t be pigeonholed and this one is definitely that. The great thing is that in spite of all the different elements, the album flows very nicely.
In the case of my favourite track, “Every Angel,” they take all of these elements and put it all into one song. There’s a hippy sounding acoustic intro before Tim Bricheno’s guitar licks really gets cooking. With the rhythm section in tow, it all sets the stage for the vocals of Julianne. Haven’t having listened to this album for such a long time, I had forgotten what a great singer she is. Additionally, she and the band deliver on “Shelter From the Rain” which has a haunting melody backed up by more great playing. The bassline is clear and Tim cranks out a really nice guitar solo. This is definitely a hippy song for the 80s.
All About Eve completely nail down the sound on the remaining tracks. The dark, trippy, melodic tracks weave their magic all through the remainder of the songs. Even when Julianne is singing “Never promise anyone forever,” over and over again, it doesn’t get boring. Then the closer, “In the Meadow,” with the haunting vocals and guitar licks, stamps the final mark on what is a great album.
Track Listing:
Flowers in Our Hair
Gypsy Dance
In the Clouds
Martha’s Harbour
Every Angel
Shelter From the Rain
She Moves Through the Fair
Wild Hearted Woman
Never Promise (Everyone Forever)
What Kind of Fool
In the Meadow
All About Eve
Julianne Regan- vocals
Tim Bricheno- guitar
Andy Cousin- bass
Mark Price- drums
Additional Musicians:
Mick Brown- drums (I don’t think it’s the same Mick Brown of Dokken fame)
Greg Brimstone- drums
Simon Hinkler- keyboards
Wayne Hussey- backing vocals on “Shelter From the Rain”
Paul Samwell-Smith- drone, horns, piano on “Wild Hearted Woman,” recorder, strings
Ric Sanders- violin
Peter John Vettesse- keyboards
Like I said, if this album had come out five years earlier, I think it would have been huge. More people would have remembered it instead of a technical hiccup. Still, I wish I hadn’t forgotten what a great album this really is. All About Eve should have gone further.
Next post: Traveling Wilburys- Volume 1
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Yet, another great American artist who didn’t quite make it over in the UK. Here, George Thorogood is most known for “Bad to the Bone” and that’s a shame because of what a great guitarist he is. On account of that, it would be several years down the line before I learned of his 1988 album, “Born to be Bad.”
Compared to his previous albums, George doesn’t go full blues rock. Don’t get me wrong, that sound is still there and many of the songs have his trademark opening riffs, like the opener, “Shake Your Money Maker,” originally recorded by Elmore James and covered by many other artists. George’s version does the song justice, especially how he nails the guitar solo.
A number of the songs have a 1950s vibe which would have made Jerry Lee Lewis proud. That sound comes in the form of “You Talk Too Much.” I can easily picture the characters of “Grease” jiving along to this one. Heck, maybe if this song was in the film, I would have enjoyed it more. However, Hank Carter is the star of this track as his sax solo is superb! But he goes back to traditional blues territory on “Highway 49.” His guitar licks are just super cool on here and give full credit to the rhythm section as well.
Things go back to the 50s vibe with the title track and it’s very catchy. Even George’s guitar solos is in the vein of that decade but it still sounds great. That vibe continues on the cover of Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me.” Billy Blough’s bass line is what solidifies this song, it reminds me a little of Johnny Cash and of course, we get another cool guitar solo from you know who. And the 50’s party continues on with “I’m Ready,” which sounds like something out of “Happy Days.” While George and the Destroyers are jamming away on the song, I get visions of The Fonz riding past on his motorcycle. We also get another great sax solo from Hank.
If George had been around in the decade which seems to heavily influence this album, then I could definitely see him playing “Treat Her Right” on American Bandstand. The song would have been huge. It is an original from the band has another cool guitar solo. It was released as a single but failed to chart.
For the last three songs, the last two, the best on the album, George and his band go back to their more traditional blues roots. “I Really Like Girls” is a fast, fun jam. “Smokestack Lightning,” is slower but has a great blues sound to it, which even a no rhythm person like myself can follow along with. However, the best is saved for last as “I’m Movin’ On” is what I have liked about George Thorogood all of these years. A good blues number with a tight rhythm section, the best vocals on the album and some great guitar solos.
Track Listing:
Shake Your Monemaker
You Talk Too Much
Highway 49
Born to be Bad
You Can’t Catch Me
I’m Ready
Treat Her Right
I Really Live Girls
Smokestack Lightning
I’m Movin’ On
George Thorogood
George Thorogood- guitar, vocals
Hank Carter- saxophone, vocals
Billy Blough- bass
Jeff Simon- drums
Steve Chrismar- guitar
I have always wondered why George Thorogood wasn’t successful in the UK. He did bring a unique sound to music back in the 1980s and did very well in America. “Born to Be Bad” did hit #32 in the album charts, proving you don’t always need a good single to have a great album.
Next post: All About Eve
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Grim Reaper rode in on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the early 80s. They gave us three albums, one I will be posting about very shortly. After the disbandment of the band, Steve went onto sing with other bands such as Onslaught and Lionheart. Messages of condolence have been coming out. My sympathies go to his family and friends.
I did something stupid yesterday. I had CD1 of the above three CD compilation album in my car, listening to it on my way to and from work. When I got home, I put it into my back pocket to put away but guess what? Yes, sh*t for brains here forgot to take the CD out of his pocket. I only noticed it last night when I took Mrs. 80smetalman out for dinner and went to pay. When I reached for the wallet, I also found the CD and when I took it out, it was broken beyond hope. Yep, I acknowledge it was stupid.
Here’s my question: Is there any way I could just get CD1? I don’t want to buy it again when the CD’s two and three are working fine. Besides, the album was a birthday present from my daughter five years ago, therefore, it has sentimental value. If not, some great songs like Dokken’s “Alone Again,” the famous “Beth” by KISS, “Silent Lucidity” from Queensryche will be lost. Plus, there are songs from Damn Yankees, Free and a rather predictable one from Foreigner.
A term which has been brandished around in the music world, I’ve been know to use it as well, is the ‘sophmore jinx.’ The term relates to bands who have great debut albums but their second album doesn’t live up to the hype created by the first one. Could this be said about the Georgia Satellites’ second album, “Open All Night?” Their debut album turned a lot of heads in their direction and gave them their best known hit, “Battleship Chains.” So, was the second album affected by the sophmore jinx? Some so-called critics thought so but I didn’t.
One thing no one can deny about “Open All Night,” is that the band definitely had a lot of fun recording it. That can be said throughout the album. The title cut opens and it’s good enough to hold interest but it’s the second track which is the song of the album, “Sheila.” They definitely put much fun into this one. I don’t know who Sheila is but the playing is brilliant, especially the guitar solo from Rick Richards.
One ‘critic’ called the cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic, “Whole Lotta Shakin'” a misstep on the album. True, Jerry’s version cannot be topped, although I would put it out for an “Original vs. Cover” post if anyone wants to hear it for themselves but the Georgia Satellites version definitely does the song much justice. I think Jerry Lee would have given it the thumbs up. The other cover is of a Beatles’ rarity, (actually, I discovered the song on the Beatles 1980 “Rarities” album), “Don’t Pass Me By” which was written by Ringo. Again, they totally rock the song out and make it theirs.
Speaking about a rock out, “Cool Inside” definitely does that! This is the rockingest song on the album and Richards delivers some great guitar solos on it. I could call this one the hidden gem as it appears, “Sheila” was the one released as a single. However, the second half of the album isn’t quite as good as the first. Don’t get me wrong, the songs are still good and the band has lots of fun playing and singing them and I find “Dunk and Dine” particularly amusing. It’s about a girl who works in a fast food establishment. “Mon Cheri” is rather amusing and proves that the band had a sense of humour and “Down and Down” has a cool opening riff. The album closes with the ballad, “Hand to Mouth,” which isn’t bad but I’m not sure if Dan Baird’s voice is suited to it.
Track Listing:
Open All Night
Sheila
Whole Lotta Shakin’
Cool Inside
Don’t Pass Me By
My Baby
Mon Cheri
Down and Down
Dunk and Dine
Baby So Fine
Hand to Mouth
Georgia Satellites
Dan Baird- vocals, guitar
Rick Richards- guitar, vocals
Rick Price- bass
Mauro Magellan- drums
The question here is, can a band have fun making an album and be successful at the same time? In the case of “Open All Hours,” the critics would answer, “no.” For them, the album didn’t get past the sophmore jinx but for me, I love this album and don’t care what the critics think.
Next post: George Thorogood- Born to Be Bad
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Here comes another album which didn’t make it across the Atlantic in 1988. Then again, 38 Special kind of shot themselves in the foot during an interview on their previous album, “Strength in Numbers,” when they declared they didn’t need England. Except for some hard core followers, the band was pretty much forgotten in the UK after that. Hell, I didn’t even know they had put out a greatest hits album the year before! I would have covered it here if I had.
“Rock and Roll Strategy” brought about many changes with the band. Singer/rhythm guitarist Don Barnes left to pursue a solo career and they went from two drummers down to one when Steve Brookins also left. In replacement, they added Max Carl to take over the vocals and play keyboards and they added guitarist Danny Chauncey as well. Danny also plays lead guitar so I am left wondering which songs he solos on and which solos are played by long time guitarist Jeff Carlisi. The net isn’t answering that question so any further revelation to this mystery would be completely appreciated.
Another anxiety I had with 38 Special is that the quality declined with each album, although it did seem to level off with “Strength in Numbers.” So, my question was would “Rock And Roll Strategy” continue the downward trend or would it take things back the other way? The answer from me is “Neither.” It seems that with the “Tour de Force” album, music quality seemed to hit a plateau as this album is no better or no worse than the two previous ones.
Actually, when I first heard the album, I thought that the downward spiral was going to continue but subsequent listens have shown me that the album is still pretty good. Many of the tracks have the familiar intros which the band had become known for and while Max’s keyboards provide a good background to the songs, they don’t take over. While it’s true, that the band was bending to the commercial winds of the time, they hadn’t abandoned what got them to the front either.
With the change of singer, I had hoped that there would be a more equal sharing of the vocal duties between Max and long time member Donnie Van Zant. Using the 80smetalman formula, I deduced that the better 38 Special albums were so because of Donnie singing lead on more of the songs. On “Rock and Roll Strategy,” the split is a little more even than on the last three albums with Max singing lead on six songs to Donnie’s five. For me, this makes the album better because three of the Donnie sung songs, “Comin’ Down Tonight,” “Chattahoochee” and the closer, “Love Strikes” are among the strongest tracks on the album.
Saying that, some of the Max sung songs are very good as well. As with Don Barnes, he sings lead on the single, “Second Chance,” which would be the band’s last top ten hit and it’s not bad. However, there are two songs he sings which I enjoy more. “Hot Lanta” is a cool hard rock sounding number with a great horn section, which adds a little jazz element to it. But for me, the hidden gem is definitely “Little Sheba.” This cooker is about a jello wrestler who finds defeat only to come back tougher. As a former US serviceman, I can identify with the theme the song conveys. Some of you might remember my ancient post from the tour of 1983 when I wrote about the night before I got out of the Marines, my local bar had a pudding wrestling event. Ah, the memories!
Not actual action from that night.
Further linking past to present, I have mentioned on previous 38 Special how underrated a guitarist Jeff Carlisi is and I could possibly add Danny Chauncey now. If the video for “Second Chance” is correct, it’s Danny’s solo that makes the song. Maybe a noticeable guitar solo trade off between the two might have helped the album.
Track Listing:
Rock and Roll Strategy
What’s It To Ya?
Little Sheba
Comin’ Down Tonight
Midnight Magic
Second Chance
Hot Lanta
Never Be Lonely
Chattahoochee
Innocent Eyes
Love Strikes
38 Special
Max Carl- lead vocals, keyboards
Donnie Van Zant- vocals
Jeff Carlisi- guitar
Danny Chauncey- guitar
Larry Junstrom- bass
Jack Grondin- bass
Actually, I thought the “Little Sheba” song would be an actual wrestling video.
I wonder if 38 Special ever regretted saying that they didn’t need England. I thought it was a rather arrogant thing to say back then and still think so now. If this album was more known in the UK, I would have snapped it up and maybe their run of success wouldn’t have petered away after.
Next post: Georgia Satellites- Open All Night
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
The world is morning the passing of Olivia Newton-John. She was a great singer, actress, entertainer and few other things rolled into one. Back in the 1970s, her music was more country leaning, crossing over to mellow out rock. In 1978, she made her film debut as Sandra in the film “Grease,” one of the top grossing films of all time. It’s not my favourite film but I fully applauded her in it. It was after “Grease” that she caught my attention with her album, “Totally Hot.” Olivia decided to shed her goody two shoes image and this album went more rock. It’s the only album of hers I posted here and you can read it below.
If you read the comments in the post, you will see that I was accused of being misogynist because I went back to my then 17 year old self when the album came out and remembered that Olivia had put on a little weight after “Grease” and looked good for it. I did apologize to the commenter for my crystal ball not working. If I had known when I wrote the post in 2012 that I would cause offense in 2021, I wouldn’t have commented on her weight. Whatever the case, a true musical legend has left us and gone to the great gig in the sky and let us remember her for that. This is my all time favourite ONJ song.
At least the 80smetalman curse can’t be blamed for the lack of success of Night Ranger’s “Man in Motion” album. For those who don’t know, the 80smetalman curse is that if I really like a band or a record it seems to be doomed not to be big. Examples, take three bands I have plugged on here. Black Emerald have broken up, Slave to Sirens are on a hiatus and are looking for a new singer and drummer and though Greywinds are still going, they haven’t gained that much attraction. However, back in 1988, I didn’t even know that Night Ranger had put this album out because in the UK, they were and probably always be known for two big songs, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “Sister Christian.” The thing is that now I have listened to “Man In Motion,” I think it’s now my favourite Night Ranger album.
When I heard this album, I was blown away how much it rocked! The power chords come in straight away on the opening title cut. The heavy keyboards from their previous two albums were toned down and the guitars turned up. Now, this could have been down to the departure of keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald, which in one sense was a shame because he was good but on the other hand, it did open the door for guitarists Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis to show what a great guitar duo they were.
Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis leading the way for Night Ranger
Here’s another paradox which confronts me in regards to the album. Normally, the hit single is not my favourite track on most albums but in this case, it is. “Reason to Be” is a cooker of a song which wouldn’t be out of place on many metal albums. After an ear catching acoustic intro, the song kicks into full gear and just simply rocks out and has a cool guitar solo. It was released as a single and was the highest charter making it to #’48. Logic dictates that I shouldn’t like it but I really do.
The second best track, I guess I can call this one the hidden gem, comes right after. “Don’t Start Thinking (I’m Alone Tonight)” takes me back to Night Ranger’s first two albums, “Midnight Madness” and “Dawn Patrol.” When I listen to this track, I keep thinking that they should have kept this sound all along. And the party doesn’t end there. A heavy metal intro brings in “Love Shot Me Down” and that metal sound continues all through the song. Man, I do love the guitar solo but unfortunately, Wikipedia isn’t letting onto which guitar virtuoso plays the solo on it.
Flashbacks of “Sister Christian” come through when I hear “Restless Kind.” I think they were definitely trying to recapture that former glory with this one and I do say that it comes pretty close but let’s be honest here, there is only one “Sister Christian.” Still, as far as power ballads go, it’s a good one. They go in a KISS direction on “Halfway to the Sun” as it does sound comparable to 80s KISS. It’s still a good song.
“Here She Comes Again” is more 80s pop rock and maybe should have been released as a single. It’s not a bad song but definitely not my favourite on the album but the fickle record buying trendy public might have bought it. More KISS vibes come through on “Right On You.” If fact, this one sounds more KISS than the previously mentioned KISS sounding song. It’s a great fun song to rock out to and things keep on rocking with “Kiss Me Where It Hurts.” It has the classic Watson/Gillis guitar solo tradeoff which is something I have always liked about Night Ranger.
The album closes with two decent but unspectacular tracks, “I Did It For Love” and “Woman in Love.” The former was released as a single abut only got to #75. Listening to it, I thought it might have done better but there’s better tracks on the album. “Woman in Love” does bring the album to a rocking close and it’s a good way to end things because I have difficulty picturing it being anywhere else on the album.
Track Listing:
Man in Motion
Reason to Be
Don’t Start Thinking (I’m Along Tonight)
Love Shot Me Down
Restless Kind
Halfway to the Sun
Here She Comes Again
Right On You
Kiss Me Where it Hurts
I Did It for Love
Woman in Love
Night Ranger (1988)
Jack Blades- bass, lead and backing vocals
Brad Gillis- guitar, backing vocals
Jeff Watson- guitar
Kelly Keagy- drums, lead and backing vocals, percussion
Jesse Bradman- keyboards, backing vocals
Additional Musicians:
Alan Pasquale, Claude Gaudette, Eric Persing, Joyce Imbesi, John Purdell- additional keyboards
John Purdell, Kevin Chalfant- additional backing vocals
It was great that on “Man in Motion,” Night Ranger went back to a more hard rocking sound and without sounding like Rick Springfield. This is a cracker of an album which was why it didn’t have the commercial success it should have.
Next post: 38 Special- Rock and Roll Strategy
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
80smetalman's Blog 