Great Metal Albums of 1988: Guns N’ Roses- Live From the Jungle

I now know why I hadn’t heard of this live album from Guns N’ Roses for a long time. In 1988, it was only released in Japan. There seems to be a lot of controversy over the tittle of the album, mainly down to the Japanese writing. It is on account of an interpretation of the large red text on the album’s obi strip people have called it “Live From the Jungle.” To be honest, I only write that because it’s part of history so let’s get down to the EP itself.

Three of the six tracks were recorded live at the famous London Marquee Club. Since the performance took place in 1987, I am sure that my old buddy Dave Williams and Co was in the crowd. The first of the live tracks is the opening live performance of “It’s So Easy,” from the “Appetite for Destruction” album. It starts off with the famous English chant, “Here We Go” before the band comes on and gets down to business. To be honest, there is no problem in telling that the song was recorded live on account of the production. Still, it gets things going.

Second track, “Shadow of Your Love” is said to be recorded live but according the notes on Wikipedia, it was a faux live recording with crowd noises dubbed in. The production on this one is definitely better than the opener and I will go out on a limb a bit and say that this could have been a forerunner to the classic, “You Could Be Mine,” as it sounds similar. Axl’s vocals are clear, the band is tight and Slash nails a cool guitar solo. All in all, a great tune, it’s the hidden gem for sure.

“Move to the City” comes in with a nice blues swagger to it. This is one to get the blood pumping and I could say that it’s the best track on the album. No mention of where it’s recorded but the notes state that it’s the same version as on “Live?!*Like a Suicide” album. Following on is an early live version of a song which would be a huge hit for them a few years down the line, a cover of the Bob Dylan blockbuster, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Admittedly, the studio version is more polished than this live recording but I really dig this recording. At least on the live version, Axl’s singing “do-oh” isn’t so magnified. This was the second song recorded at the Marquee Club and this track alone makes me regret not being there that night.

Linking past with the present, when I listen to the final song recorded at the Marquee, Guns N’ Roses cover of AD/DC’s classic, “Whole Lotta Rosie,” I can see why Angus Young would choose Axl to sing for AC/DC on tour. Axl admits he’s no Bon Scott, (there is no other Bon Scott), but he does do the song justice. This is a very likeable cover of a cool song. The EP closes with the only studio recorded song, the famous “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Is there any need to say more about this closer? It’s still my favourite Guns N’ Roses song and I would probably just repeat what I wrote when I reviewed the “Appetite for Destruction” album.

Track Listing:

1. It’s So Easy
2. Shadow of Your Love
3. Move to the City
4. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
5. Whole Lotta Rosie
6. Sweet Child O’ Mine

Gun N’ Roses

W. Axl Rose- lead vocals

Slash- lead guitar

Izzy Stradlin- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Duff ‘Rose’ McKagan- bass, backing vocals

Steven Adler- drums, percussion

It’s a shame that “Live From the Jungle” or whatever you want to call it was only released in Japan. Yes, I know you can get it now these days but if I had known about it back in 1988, I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat.

Next post: Helloween- Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 2

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

To give Bruce Dickinson his well deserved knighthood, along with the postage stamps, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

Great Metal Albums of 1988: Cinderella- Long Cold Winter

“Long Cold Winter” is Cinderella’s second album, following on from their noteworthy debut, “Night Songs.” With this album, they moved away from the glam metal and produced a more bluesy rock album. That comes through straight away on the opener, “Bad Seamstress Blues/Falling Apart at the Seems.” I really dig the bayou sounding intro to the track before it goes into more harder rock waters, although there’s a cool blues type riff in the middle. However, you can still tell it’s Cinderella.

With “Night Songs,” the band was constantly compared to Bon Jovi although it was Jon who helped Cinderella with that album, which led to their success. While I don’t think “Long Cold Winter” is like “New Jersey,” what it does have in common with that album is that it also produced four big singles. After the opener, you get three on the trot. The cool rocker which is “Gypsy Road,” the mega successful ballad, “Don’t Know What You Got, (Till It’s Gone)” and “The Last Mile.” Of the three, it’s the last one I was least familiar with, (I don’t have it on any compilation albums). But I do like the guitar intro before it goes into rock mode. Of the four singles, this is the one I like best. It’s a more straight up rocker, maybe except for the harmonizing at the chorus but the guitar riffs and Tom Keifer’s guitar solo make up for it.

After the singles, we get into lesser known songs territory. While “Second Wind” is not filler, it’s not the hidden gem on the album. It does it’s job in keeping the album ticking over and in this case, that’s not a bad thing because the title track is a real burner. This is a blues based cooker. The guitars are just awesome, starting with the very blues lead guitar intro. That alone makes it the hidden gem, although Tom’s fits his vocals to the song very well. See, on their first hit, “Shake Me,” from the debut album, Tom was accused by some of trying to sound too much like AC/DC. He definitely silences his critics here. However, I still enjoy the guitar work more.

In spite of my gushing over the title track, it did have some competition from the tracks, “If You Don’t Like It” and penultimate track, “Fire and Ice.” Need I say that the latter isn’t a cover of the Pat Benatar classic? Oh, I just did. It’s a great track in it’s own right and “If You Don’t Like It” shows that Cinderella are still a metal band. I can hear a bit of influence from the Aerosmith classic, “Walk This Way” in places and it sounds as if Tom and Jeff LaBar do a bit of a guitar solo trade off.

Sandwiched between the hidden gem contenders is the fourth single, “Coming Home.” It’s a ballad and a decent one. I like the melodic feel to the song, though Tom could have toned down his vocals a little. “Take Me Back” takes the album out very well as an upbeat rocker.

Track Listing:

1. Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin’ Apart at the Seems
2. Gypsy Road
3. You Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
4. The Last Mile
5. Second Wind
6. Long Cold Winter
7. If You Don’t Like It
8. Coming Home
9. Fire and Ice
10. Take Me Back

Cinderella

Tom Keifer- vocals, guitars, steel guitar, harmonica

Jeff LaBar- guitar, lead guitar on tracks 1 and 8

Eric Brittingham- bass, backing vocals

Fred Coury- drums (credited but does not play on the album)

Additional Musicians:

Jay Levin- steel guitar

Cozy Powell- drums, except track 5

Denny Carmassi- drums on track 5

Rick Cirinti- piano, organ, synthesizer

Kurt Shore, John Webster- keyboards

Paulinho Da Costa- percussion

With this album, Cinderella proved they could succeed in their own right. It’s unfortunate that they would fall away a few years down the line while the other band would continue to achieve great glories. Still, this is a really good album.

Next post: Guns ‘N’ Roses- EP

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

To sign the petition to give Bruce Dickinson his knighthood, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

Last week in the UK, Iron Maiden postage stamps went on sale. Here’s some I bought and I won’t be posting any letters with them.

Great Metal Albums of 1988: AC/DC- Blow Up Your Video

My mind is in a bit of a quandary here in regards to AC/DC’s “Blow Up Your Video” album. I’ve read accounts from people who have rubbished this album on line. One or two have said it’s their worst album. However, my research suggests otherwise. It had amazing chart success and for the most part, good critical reception at the time. So, who am I to believe? The obvious answer is to listen to the album and make my own decision. Okay, it’s a bit rudimentary but I thought I had to bring a little suspense in.

If I could find any fault with the album, I would say that AC/DC were simply painting by numbers when they made it. Then again, they had a great formula which worked for them over several albums so why change it? That brings me to the good point, sure, they might have been painting by numbers but in no way does the album sound tired or done before. The album hosts ten fresh sounding songs. This even includes the penultimate track, “Two’s Up.” If I was to rank all the penultimate tracks from all AC/DC’s albums, then this one would be up in the top five, possibly even number one. Angus’s guitar solo is the best on the album. Another plus for the album is that it’s definitely not the dirge that was “Fly on the Wall.”

Listening to the album opened locks in my mind and let out things that were stored inside for over thirty years. My Swiss cheese mind forgot that there was a good single released from the album in the form of “Heatseeker.” I forgot how good of a track it was and the fact that it did so well in the UK charts. Then again, the purpose of this blog is to get you and me to go back and listen to long forgotten albums and bring back great memories. It worked for me in this case.

Since it appears third on the album, I will go directly to the hidden gem, “Meanstreak.” If any track on this album reninded me what I loved about AC/DC over the many years, it’s this one. Traditional AC/DC at its best is all I can say. “Go Zone” is a second but slightly less shiny hidden gem. Not quite as great as “Meanstreak” it too reminds me of what I like about this iconic band. It has a great opening riff and by the way, so does “That’s the Way I Wanna Rock and Roll.”

On the subject of sounding fresh, “Kissin’ Dynamite” is the track. They don’t do anything experimental or go way out there and the AC/DC stamp is all over it but somehow, maybe it’s just my weird mind, it sounds different and fantastic as well. You get some great rhythm guitar riffs on “Nick of Time” and Malcolm and Angus prove why they are such a good lead/rhythm guitar combination.

If I had to pick a least strongest track, and I would only do it under protest, it would “Some Sin for Nuthin.'” It’s not a bad track at all but it just kind of comes and goes. But no worries, “Ruff Stuff” comes and wipes out any doubts as it blows you away. Another hidden gem. After the already mentioned penultimate track, the album goes out on a total high with “This Means War.” It brings back memories of the classic, “Beat Around the Bush” from “Highway to Hell.” All in all, I think “Blow Up Your Video” is a very good album. I won’t rate it as high as “Back in Black” or “Highway to Hell” but it’s a good album in its own right. Definitely needed after some AC’/DC fans began to lost faith in the band. Faith was restored!

Track Listing:

1. Heastseeker
2. That’s the Way I Wanna Rock and Roll
3. Meanstreak
4. Go Zone
5. Kissin’ Dynamite
6. Nick of Time
7. Some Sin for Nuthn’
8. Ruff Stuff
9. Two’s Up
10. This Means War

AC/DC

Brian Johnson- lead vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass, backing vocals

Simon Wright- drums, percussion

It was great to see that an old dog could come up with new tricks. I don’t care what naysayers might say about “Blow Up Your Video,” for me, it’s a great album.

Next post: Bon Jovi- New Jersey

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

To sign the petition to give Bruce Dickinson a knighthood, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

Happy New Year 2023!

Hells Bells at their usual greatness

First, let me wish everyone out there a very happy and prosperous 2023. I won’t reflect too much on 2022 though a lot happened. While I don’t like being a prophet of doom, I can’t help thinking that we will see more of our beloved rock stars from our youth leaving us to go to that great gig in the sky. We had quite a few leave us this past year and at the end, two big sports stars, Franco Harris and Pele. That’s the bad stuff out of the way.

Well, not totally, because with Stone closing down his Metal Odyssey blog, I fear that others might be following suit. It seems that the traffic has decreased. But I can assure you that I will keep posting until I have covered every relevant album, event and gig up to the end of 1989. There is still more to tell about heavy metal’s golden decade. That leads me to my next point. Looking at my list for albums of 1988, the next one is AC/DC’s “Blow Up Your Video.” I was going to delay that album because those of you who have followed me for some time know that I usually post AC/DC albums in line with going to see the tribute band Hell’s Bells. However, looking at their website, Hell’s Bells aren’t scheduled to come to town until September and it’s most likely that I will already be into 1989 by then. Therefore, “Blow Up Your Video” will be the next album I will post about.

This leads me to my New Year’s resolution. That is to go and see at least one live gig this year, even if it is only seeing Hell’s Bells in September. Due to Covid and other distractions, I have only been to one live gig since 2019, so I definitely need to see some live music.

So, it leads me to again wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Next post: David Williams- My Curry With Guns N Roses (Not an album btw)

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@80smetalman

Once again, Bruce Dickinson has been ignored by the honours list. So, I implore all of my British readers to sign the petition. https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

Great Metal Albums of 1987: Helix- Wild in the Streets

In 1987, Helix came out with “Wild in the Streets,” which, judging from what I’ve read, didn’t do too well for the band. It did go Gold in Canada but barely charted in the US. Being in England, I didn’t know this album even existed until recently and only heard of it thanks to my Canadian readers. Still, whatever the history or so-called critics say, I think the album was pretty good.

An AC/DC vibe opens the album with the title cut. The guitars remind me of “For Those About to Rock, We Salute” and the opening vocal salvo from Brian Volmer does sound a little like Brian Johnson. Still the track gives the album a promising start. This is quickly followed by the boogie woogie sounding “Never Gonna Stop the Rock.” The song has an unmissable swagger to it which makes you want to bob along to it and some good guitar solos as well.

Oh what a great power ballad “Dream On” could have been! Not to be confused with the Aerosmith classic, this song was originally recorded by 1970s Scottish legends, Nazareth. Being a sucker for a great power ballad, Helix’s “Dream On” had great potential but unfortunately, the production doesn’t seem to be up to scratch as compared to the rest of the album. Shame, because everything needed to be a great power ballad is there. Acoustic guitars backed up by piano chops before the power chords kick in. Brian’s vocals sound extremely passionate and there’s a killer guitar solo. It’s just too bad the production is off putting.

Don’t worry, Helix get back to rocking out with “What Ya Bringing to the Party.” My answer is a couple of six packs and a bottle of Jack but this is a great party tune. One for sticking into the car stereo and going for a cruise on a Saturday night. But the party doesn’t end because right after comes my favourite track on the album, “High Voltage Kicks.” I’m not quite sure what high voltage kicks are but what I do know is that this track totally kicks ass. It starts out as a Southern blues number with some cool intricate guitar licks before the song goes total rock out. Even with the faster pace of the song, the backing vocals stay melodic. It’s the fastest song on the album.

Things continue to rock on “Give ‘Em Hell,” another great rocking song with some cool guitar riffs and brilliant solo. It’s proof of how good Helix are when they just let loose and go for it. “Shot Full of Love” is also a fast paced song and though it sounds like it’s all over the place at times, it comes together and makes a good song. It definitely has the best guitar solo on the album.

Now you would think a song called “Love Hungry Eyes” would be another power ballad but comes nowhere close to that! It’s a mid-paced song while not spectacular, keeps the album ticking over nicely. Then we come to the penultimate track, “She’s Too Tough.” This song was written by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot and was meant to be on their “Hysteria” album but instead, it went to Helix and they do a good job on it. I do love the guitar riffs on the intro. However, with the benefit of historical hindsight, if Def Leppard’s intended version of the song was anything like what Helix do here, then it would have been too hard rock for “Hysteria.” Helix close out the album with a song which seems to incorporate everything they’ve done on the rest of the album. It has a progressive intro and there’s that blues party swagger to it and some great guitar work and drum fills. It’s a great way to end the album, even without the cheesy explosion at the very end.

Track Listing:

1. Wild in the Streets
2. Never Gonna Stop the Rock
3. Dream On
4. What Ya Bringing to the Party
5. High Voltage Kicks
6. Give ‘Em Hell
7. Shot Full of Love
8. Love Hungry Eyes
9. She’s Too Tough
10. Kiss It Goodbye

Helix and their friends

Brian Volmer- lead vocals

Brent ‘Doctor’ Doener- guitar, backing vocals

Paul Hackman- guitar, backing vocal

Daryl Gray- bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals

Greg ‘Fritz’ Hinz- drums, backing vocals

Additional musicians:

Don Airey, Sam Reid- additional keyboards

Mickey Curry, Brian Doener, Matthew Fernette- additional drums

My theory is that on “Wild in the Streets,” Helix tried to be all things to all people and while the album sounds great, it didn’t work out for them commercially. Capitol Records would drop them from the label after this, which was a shame but the sign of the times of how one commercially unsuccessful album could be the death knell for a band.

Next post: Great White- Once Bitten

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

To sign the petition to give Bruce Dickinson a knighthood, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson

Great Metal Albums of 1987: TT Quick- Metal of Honor

I’m afraid it’s back to bands who came by and went shortly after, though unlike, Envy, TT Quick would record another album in 1989, but let’s not worry about that now. TT Quick were another band which came to me compliments of my sister sending me tracks of the American metal scene at the time. And of course, the track on the tape led me to explore the band’s album and that’s how I discovered TT Quick’s debut album, “Metal of Honor.”

If the lead singer, Mark Tornillo, sounds familiar, it is because he has been the lead singer for Accept since 2009. That’s the first thing I found amusing when doing my research for the album and band. After the title cut opens the album and grabs your attention, tracks two through five sound as if he is auditioning for his spot in Accept. All of those tracks scream the German band’s name. If more evidence is needed, then the second track, “Front Burner” provides it. Accept have been accused of being AC/DC rip offs, (I don’t think so) but you can not only hear Accept on the track but a bit of AC/DC influence as well. None of this is a bad thing by the way because when you listen to Mark’s vocals through the album, you can hear why he was chosen to replace Udo Dirkschneider, especially on the track, “Child of Sin.”

On the second half of “Metal of Honor,” TT Quick sound a little less like Accept and more themselves. This could be down to the shredding of guitarist Dave DiPietro. While he lays down some cool solos during the Accept phase, he comes into his own on “Asleep At the Wheel” and goes on that way for the rest of the album. After that track, the band goes a bit boogie blues on the track “Come Beat the Band.” Some so-called heavy metal purists might scoff at this track because of its blues swagger but I think TT Quick do a great job on it. Mark shows that he isn’t necessarily a Udo clone and boy does Dave shred! Of course, you got to give full marks to the rhythm section as well as they keep up very well.

Now we come to my favourite track on the album. Proof that my sister and I are on the same metal page because “Hell to Pay” stands head and shoulders above the rest of the tracks. It sounds like it might be a power ballad but the blasting of power chords at the chorus and beyond is just mind blowing. If there is any track where you can say Dave DiPietro is a brilliant guitarist, it is this one. The way he switches between melodic chords and power ones is excellent and then there is his solo, magnifique!

While “Hell to Pay” is the track of the album, the remainder doesn’t go out in a whimper. “Queen of the Scene” is a cool straight-forward metal tracks which keep things chugging nicely. Then we get to “Glad All Over” which is a Dave Clark Five cover. One reviewer of the album hated this track but I like it. Okay, maybe the chorus sounds a bit cheesy but the way TT Quick metalizes this song, especially with Dave’s shredding, who cares? Saying that, it took me several listens before I came to appreciate the closer power ballad, “Siren Song.” It’s one of those tracks which would be out of place anywhere else on the album.

Track Listing:

1. Metal of Honor
2. Front Burner
3. Hard As a Rock
4. Child of Sin
5. Asleep at the Wheel
6. Come Beat the Band
7. Hell to Pay
8. Queen of the Scene
9. Glad All Over
10. Siren Song

Mark Tornillo- vocals

Dave DiPietro- guitar

Walt Fortune- bass

Erik Ferro- drums

My verdict here is that while “Metal of Honor” is another great metal album which has been forgotten by many, it proved to be a springboard for greater glories for Mark Tornillo and Dave DiPietro as both would have success elsewhere.

Next post: Judas Priest- Priest … Live

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

Great Metal Albums of 1987: Reckless- No Frills

Sometimes some of the tracks on the tapes my sister would send me were somewhat misleading. Often times, I thought that some of these bands were bigger in America than they actually were. Such was the case with New York band, Reckless. The track on the tape was the closer, “Holding On” from their album “No Frills.” I have always liked the song. It’s good straight forward metal. Plus, lyrics like these have always amused me for the past thirty-four years.

JD and Hennessy are old friends of mine

We get together and have a glass

And talk about old times.

As a result, I was somewhat disappointed at the amount of digging I had to do in order to find out the details about this album. My go to sources, Wikipedia, Heavy Harmonies and Metal Emporium did not house them. Fortunately, a general Google search provided the information I required for the post. Saying that, I didn’t need much back story to appreciate their album. Influences can be heard throughout. The opener, “Nitty Gritty” is definitely AC/DC influenced. Maybe a little of The Who as the opening notes do sound a little like their hit “Substitute” but the AC/DC influence is definitely there. The next track, “Wild in the Streets,” has a Judas Priest feel to it while the third, “Deadly Game,” is the closest to a power ballad on the album. It has a slower pace but does speed up in places and a killer guitar solo from Bob Gam.

It is the fourth track that really gets me. It sounds maybe a little too similar to my favourite Twisted Sister song of all time, “You Can’t Stop Rock and Roll.” Then when I read the credits, I discovered why this might be the case. The album was produced by none other than Jay Jay French and Mark ‘The Animal’ Mendoza, yep, those guys from Twisted Sister. In my opinion, the chose the right Twisted Sister song to emulate.

I thought I would put the picture in the post because it was a good shot of Jay Jay French and Mark Mendoza. Twisted Sister come out and play, taken at Bloodstock 2016

The second half of the album, while in no way bad, isn’t quite as good as the first half. I think the problem is that Reckless were so influenced by other bands that they never really stamp their uniqueness on the album. Another example is that the track “Breakin’ Up” sounds pretty much like what KISS was doing at the time and though they do it quite well, there is nothing that screams, “Reckless is different.” It’s a bit of shame because listening to the album, I can say that Reckless are a very capable band. You get some good riffs and solos from Gam. Chris Cintron is a very good vocalist. He doesn’t have to scream but delivers a sound performance on every song. Furthermore, Gary Kriss and Bob Smith make an excellent rhythm section, as good as any out there at the time.

A perfect example of what I am trying to convey is the track “Railroad Alley.” The performance of the band on this track is absolutely phenomenal. However the song is let down by a rather lackluster chorus. Speaking of influence, I do believe I hear a Motorhead influence on “Eye For an Eye” and it’s another example of a great band playing an “it’s all been done before song.” Anyway, Reckless do stamp their own mark on the already mentioned closer, “Holding On.” Even though I have listened to the album four times now, this song is still the best one on the album. They literally save the best for the last.

Track Listing:

1. Nitty Gritty
2. Wild in the Streets
3. Deadly Game
4. Voices in the Night
5. Crazy Over You
6. Breakin’ Up
7. Night After Night
8. Railroad Alley
9. Eye for an Eye
10. Holding On

Reckless

Chris Cintron- lead vocals

Bob Gam- guitar, backing vocals

Gary Kriss- bass, backing vocals

Bob Smith- drums, backing vocals

Normally I lament over why a band such as Reckless didn’t go further. They definitely had the tools to do so. However, what they needed is better song writing and to find their own niche instead of letting so many influences dictate. Still, this is a good album which should be dusted off and listened to.

Next post: Def Leppard- Hysteria

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

An Early Happy New Year

Not a bad haul. I must have been a good boy this year.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! As you can see, Santa was good to me this year. Not only did I get the new AC/DC album, I got a few albums I wasn’t expecting. The Metallica, Ozzy and Thin Lizzy, which for some reason isn’t in the photo, were upgrades as I had all of these on either cassette or vinyl. FTR, the Thin Lizzy was “Live and Dangerous.” Anyway, I hope all of you had good hauls as well.

Repeating what many other people have said, 2020 was a bust. Fortunately, I had my music and a lot of music which many of you have shared on your blogs. We all seemed to pull together and help each other get through, which was good to see and although there is still more shit ahead, the end might be insight. This past year was the first year since 2014 where I didn’t go to any live gigs. The lockdown meant that Hells Bells couldn’t come to town and my plan to go to Bloodstock for the Sunday was also put on hiatus. However, the good news about Bloodstock is that most of the line up planned for 2020 will be there for 2021. That means Judas Priest will still headline on the Sunday with Saxon on right before them! Additionally, and this has me considering coming out of retirement and going to Bloodstock for the full three days, Mercyful Fate is now headlining on the Saturday. Devin Townsend headlining the Friday makes it even more tempting.

Since, I will be working over the New Year’s period, I would like now to wish all of you an Happy New Year and may your 2021 be a joyous one.

Next post: Vyper- Afraid of the Dark

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

Merry Christmas to All!

A few years ago, I posted my top ten favourite Christmas songs. Now that I can paste them on here from Youtube, I thought I’d share them again while giving you a chance to listen to them and get in the festive mood. Besides, since that post, my top ten has shuffled a little. Listen and enjoy.

10. Slade- Merry Christmas Everybody

9. Joe Diffie- Leroy the Redneck Reindeer

8. The Darkness- Christmas Time

7. ACDC- Jingle Hell’s Bells

6. Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio- Walking Around In Women’s Underwear

5. Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio- Frosty the Pervert

(Author’s Advisory) This song is not for the young or those who are easily offended

4. The McKenzie Brothers- 12 Days of Christmas

3. Stryper- Winter Wonderland

2. Weird Al Yankovic- The Night Santa Went Crazy

1. In the original post, I put the entire Twisted Christmas album but for time’s sake, I chose what is my favourite song from said album

Twisted Sister- Let It Snow

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and get lots of good music in your stockings and party away the festive season. Here’s some of my provisions, yes, it’s the same as last year.

My provisions for Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Metal Albums of 1985: AC/DC- Fly On the Wall

Most of you have probably guessed that the reason why I am writing about AC/DC’s 1985 “Fly on the Wall” album is because tribute band Hell’s Bells came to town. I know I’m being predictable but who cares? Seeing Hell’s Bells gives me great motivation when writing about AC/DC albums, especially when the band didn’t play any songs off this album. Saying that, they may do so next time they come because this time, they played a song from the “74 Jailbreak” album which I posted about last time. They played “Jailbreak” as well as many other great songs. The great thing is that Hell’s Bells always mix up their selection of songs so you don’t get the same ones all the time. Yes, they played many of the classics, “Back in Black,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Highway to Hell,” “TNT” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” but they played others as well. “Thunderstruck,” “Shoot to Thrill” “Let There Be Rock” and “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be” were played to the crowd in Stroud. The only unfortunate moment was that the band had brought two canons in order to play “For Those About to Rock, We Salute You” but the venue wouldn’t allow it. Anyway, this was probably Hell’s Bells’ best performance and I have to say I was quite impressed with support act, Foo Fighters tribute band, Fighters Foo. If you remember, last time they played under the name Pity the Foo but the lead singer announced that they had to change the name for political reasons. It was a great evening and what I found most amusing was that the venue was packed while the trendy pub nearby having their Halloween party was dead. I guess Hell’s Bells were the bigger draw.

Fighters Foo

A better shot of them. BTW, I have come into modern times with an up to date mobile phone.

Obviously, I got closer to the stage for Hell’s Bells

Hell’s Bells in action

AC/DC will go on forever. I thought it was great that the band brought this boy up on stage.

It has been said in many circles that “Fly On the Wall” was probably AC/DC’s worst album. For many years, I thought it true about “Flick of the Switch” but recently, after listening to both, I have come to the conclusion that someone must have put acid in my drink back in 1983 because I don’t find that the case any more. Still, I don’t know if I would now call “Fly on the Wall” their worst album because I thought it was okay, just okay back then and even today, it has its moments. Sure, there are tracks on the album which I would agree sound a bit of a dirge, a term I’ve heard other bloggers use to describe the album but there are still some good tracks on the album and those are the ones I’ll focus on.

The title track starts things off on the album and the sound of the fly buzzing around in the background during it makes no difference to the song for me. It doesn’t make it sound amusing nor does it detract from it. It’s just a decent song. The next track is the best one on the album. “Shake Your Foundations” takes me back to the glory days of the “Back in Black” era. AC/DC put everything that made them who they are into this song and it shows. “Danger” comes a real close second and although lead singer Brian Johnson has been criticized for mumbling on “Fly on the Wall,” his vocals come through quite clear and well on this track. “Sink the Pink” is also a very good track and I have to include “Stand Up” among the best tracks here. What you get with “Fly on the Wall” is half a great album and half filler tracks but even the filler tracks aren’t that bad so overall, it’s a good album.

When Johnson settles down and enunciates, he sounds really good. However, it is Angus Young who shines the most on the album with some blistering guitar solos. His best one is on “Stand Up.” Back then, all eyes were on new drummer Simon Wright who replaced Phil Rudd. I have always thought that he did a credible job here and when I saw them live on this tour. They were phenomenal that night and I probably didn’t do their concert full justice when I wrote about it in “Rock and Roll Children.”

Track Listing:

1. Fly On the Wall
2. Shake Your Foundations
3. First Blood
4. Danger
5. Sink the Pink
6. Playing With Girls
7. Stand Up
8. Hell or High Water
9. Back in Business
10. Send for the Man

Brian Johnson- lead vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar and backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass, backing vocals

Simon Wright- drums

Not only did “Fly on the Wall” receive mixed reviews at best from the critics and fans, they would also run into difficulties in another way in 1985 when a mass murderer claims he was influenced by their song “Night Prowler” to commit his crimes. This led the religious zealots in America to go after the band and call them Satanic. In spite of that, AC/DC continue to remain in the hearts of many millions of fans to this day.

Next post: Slayer- Hell Awaits

To download Rock and Roll Children, go to: https://fkidshelves.ml/print/free-download-rock-and-roll-children-by-michael-d-lefevre-pdf.html