Great Metal Albums of 1988: Lita Ford- Lita

If there was anything wrong with heavy metal in the 1980s, it was that it still had sexist attitudes in some areas. In the case of some bands, female singers and musicians were there to wear short skirts and look good. Female singers were often given some leeway in this regard but I never liked the term ‘female fronted bands.’ In fact, I find it insulting and no band should allow themselves to be branded as such. A good band is a good band no matter the gender of the person in front. Now, to the point and then I promise to get off my soapbox. In the 1980s, female shredders had next to no respect from their male counterparts and sadly, this trickled into the metal fanzone. I’m sure Kelly Johnson of Girlschool fame would back me up on this. Fortunately, that began to change in 1988 when Lita Ford wowed the metal world with her most successful album, simply titled, “Lita.”

From the opening track, Lita shows the world that a lady can shred along with the best of men. While some might grumble at the keyboards in the opener, “Back to the Cave,” her guitar solos obliterate any thoughts on that. The same can be said for the track, “Blueberry.” Actually, I’m surprised this was never released as a single because thinking of the 80s singles charts, this song would have done well. There is a strong keyboard accompaniment but in no ways synth pop and a strong bass line. It helped that her rhythm section on the album was Pat Benatar’s. Still, the riffs on the song make it a cool rock song.

Now onto the first of the big singles which made this album so successful. “Kiss Me Deadly” has a vibe which most people, metal or non-metal can dig. You can’t help but to bob your head along to it. Lyrically, we can all identify with having bad days and going to parties on a Saturday night where you didn’t get laid but got in a fight. Actually, neither really happened to me, although a few years earlier, my then girlfriend who would become my first wife nearly broke up with me at a Saturday night party. Still, Lita rocks this song.

In the middle of the album comes one song which was a released as a single and the other the hidden gem, which are the two best songs on the album in my view. The single, “Falling In and Out of Love,” is a great metal tune plain and simple. Again, Lita proves her shredding credentials quite well on this one. A great bassline starts the hidden gem, “Fatal Passion,” before Lita’s guitar kicks in full pelt an of course, another cool guitar solo. Lita is at her best with this one and if anyone back in the 1980s grumbled about keyboards, this song removes any doubt that Lita can’t rock.

On “Under the Gun,” Lita almost goes space rock here. This brings me to another point. While I’ve been rightfully gushing over Lita’s guitar skills and she shreds a plenty on this one, I nearly forgot what a great singer she is and that she’s not afraid to venture into new territories and come out better for it. The album ends with two ballads, the last of which, was the biggest single for Lita. She teams up with Ozzy on the closer, “Close My Eyes Forever” and that was a great move. While Lita takes the lead, Ozzy puts forward his two cents and together make this song a great one. Totally the right way to close the album.

Track Listing:

1. Back to the Cave
2. Can’t Catch Me
3. Blueberry
4. Kiss Me Deadly
5. Falling In and Out of Love
6. Fatal Passion
7. Under the Gun
8. Broken Dreams
9. Close My Eyes Forever

Lita Ford- guitar, vocals

David Ezrin- keyboards

Don Nossov- bass

Myron Grombacher- drums

Additional Musicians:

Ozzy Osbourne- accompanying vocal on “Close My Eyes Forever”

Craig Krampf- additional drums and percussion

Llory McDonald, Mike Chapman- backing vocals

Lita Ford broke through gender stereotypes and proved that a woman can shred. If any Neanderthals out there still think otherwise, then I suggest you have a good listen to the “Lita” album.

Next post: Scorpions- Savage Amusement

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Rest in Peace Gary Rossington

Gary Rossington

Once again, my hopes were in vain. There hasn’t been any major rock deaths since the passing of Jeff Beck in January, so I was hoping that we might get a reprieve. Fat chance! Last night, the final original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, guitarist Gary Rossington, passed away aged 71. Gary had a super career, not only with Skynyrd but with the band Rossington/Collins in the early 1980s. He was a phenomenal guitarist and he along with fellow guitarist Allen Collins provided one of the greatest long time jams in “Freebird.” Lynyrd Skynyrd were also crucial in forming the genre known as Southern Rock. FFI: click the link.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64860924

This song was written after Gary hit a tree with his car.

Gary’s passing marks the end of an era. While, Lynyrd Skynyrd will probably continue on with Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke leading the way, all the original members are now playing together in a better place.

Rest in peace Gary, the Freebird will forever fly on!

Original vs. Cover vs. Cover: The Boys Are Back in Town

Unfortunately, I am not ready to post the intended next post which was Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone “Best of” album. Owing to a busy week and the fact that the album is seventeen songs long, I wasn’t able to give the number of listens I give an album before I go to post. Instead, I thought I would treat you to an Original vs. Cover post but I am adding an extra cover. The song in question is the Thin Lizzy classic, “The Boys are Back in Town.” Will either cover be better than the original? And which of the two covers is the better one? Have a listen and judge for yourself.

Thin Lizzy

I can still remember back in 1977 this song blasting through my AM radio. I rocked to it then and more than 45 years later, it still rocks. There’s not much more about this classic which hasn’t already been said.

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi’s cover of the song was known to me via the “Make A Difference” compilation album. For those not in the know, the album featured artists covering songs from ones who left the mortal plain. I did find Ozzy’s rendition of “Purple Haze” quite interesting. Anyway, Bon Jovi covered the Thin Lizzy classic.

Briar

While they never became a household name like Thin Lizzy or Bon Jovi, English metal band, Briar, covered the song on their 1988 “Crown of Thorns” album.

My Verdict:

The original wins this one hands down. For a song to be so well known after so many years says a lot about the band which recorded it. This song was a crowning achievement for Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy. As for the covers, my opinion on that score hasn’t changed. Briar wins out easily. Their hunger to make it big is reflecting in the way they record the song and I do like the echoing guitars as the song makes its exit. It was also good to give Phil a shout out at the beginning.

Have a listen to all three and let me know your thoughts. Remember dissent is always welcome on 80smetalman.

Next post: Paul DiAnno’s Battlezone- Warchild, The Best of

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On another note, the petition to have Ozzy knighted as reached 35,000 signatures.

Great Metal Albums of 1988: Armoured Saint- Saints Will Conquer

Like Riot, Armoured Saint was another great metal band from the 1980s who never got to the level of stardom they should have achieved. The major advantage Armoured Saint had over Riot in regards to my loyalty is that I’ve seen Armoured Saint live, twice. Although the first time I was too drunk to fully appreciate them. However, they totally kicked ass when I saw them at Bloodstock 2015 and their 1988 live album, “Saints Will Conquer,” reminds me of just how good this band is live.

“Saints Will Conquer” was recorded live in Cleveland in October of 1987. From the outset, the mentioned intensity comes through with the opener, “Raising Fear.” It does what any good concert opening song should do, it gets you on your feet and pumping your fist in the air. “Nervous Man” carries that intensity forward and takes it further. The guitar solo is absolutely mind blowing. Then comes the good full speed metal on “Chemical Euphoria.” Three songs in and I have come to the conclusion if they had played this exact set of songs, these days, I would have been reaching for an oxygen mask by now. Still, it’s too bad that I didn’t get to see it in 1988 as the then 27 year old me would have been able to keep up no problem.

I love the power chords which open the track, “Book of Blood.” While slower and clunkier, the power chords and vocals of John Bush and a cool bass line from Joey Vera make this probably the best song on the album. On things pertaining to John, he does show his skills as a frontman as he gets the crowd participating on “Can U Deliver.” Some might say that what he says to the crowd is somewhat predictable but he does it with flair. If I was in the audience, I would be trying to deliver, especially with that drum solo from Gonzo Sandoval near the end.

Speed metal goes full frenzy on “Long Before I Die.” Great guitar work from Dave Prichard adds a further dimension. Some cool speed riffs bring in “Madhouse” and in case anyone is wondering, it’s not a cover of the Anthrax classic. It’s its own speed metal bash. Closing out the album is the only studio recorded song, “No Reason to Live.” This was an unreleased song from the band’s 1983 demo and it’s probably the closest they ever came to a power ballad. The song is slower and more bluesy but the guitars are cool, John sings it with marvelous conviction and the rhythm section is spot on. So, what’s not to like?

The album has been criticized for not representing Armoured Saint’s early era well. Missing from the album is their famous “March of the Saint” from the debut album and their radio hit, “Isolation.” I’ll give 200 80smetalman points to anyone who knows a reason why these two tracks weren’t on the album. I know that the band nailed both of these when I saw them live so it doesn’t figure why they’re not here. If they were, it would have made a great album even greater.

Track Listing:

1. Raising Fear
2. Nervous Man
3. Chemical Euphoria
4. Book of Blood
5. Can U Deliver
6. Long Before I Die
7. Madhouse
8. No Reason to Live

Armoured Saint

John Bush- vocals

Dave Prichard- guitar

Joey Vera- bass

Gonzo Sandoval- drums

Phil Sandoval- guitar

You know what? I’m not going to get all bent up over what songs didn’t get on this great live album. “Saints Will Conquer” confirms how great Armoured Saint is live, no matter what songs they play.

Next post: Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone- Warchild, The Best of

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Riot- Thundersteel

In most cases, bands who try to be all things to all people on an album, usually fail on all accounts. People like putting things into nice little pigeon holes and if they can’t then it’s ignored. However, in the case of Riot’s “Thundersteel” album, they did that very thing successfully. The band intentionally took parts of everything metal had to offer in the 1980s, put it all together on one album and the result was a smashing album.

Riot took a long break in the mid 1980s. “Thundersteel” was their first album since the 1983 “Born in America” album and maybe that worked to their advantage when recording the album. The reason for the band’s five year inactivity isn’t known but Riot was one band that always seemed to be one album away from achieving superstardom, which always seemed to allude them. So, it can be speculated that since Riot had no label put on them, there was no pressure on them to sound a certain way.

What Riot did was pay attention to what was going on in the metal world and take all the best pieces of everything and put it on the album. The album kicks off with a very thrash metal sounding title track which definitely gets the blood pumping and lets you know that in no uncertain terms, Riot are back. An example of doing things right on the album comes in the form of the second track, “Fight or Fall.” Unlike some bands who might stick a ballad after the thrash metal, (yes, fools) “Fight or Fall” is a very strong power metal song and I do emphasize the power.

Next comes not only the best song on the album and proof that Riot knew exactly what they were doing, “Sign of the Crimson Storm.” Not only is it the best song on the album, it’s my second favourite Riot song of all time. Number one goes to “Swords and Tequila” from the “Fire Down Under” album. On this track, Riot successfully combine power and progressive metal. You get power chords and melodic parts together and Tony Moore’s soaring vocals add the right kind of spice to it.

You get speed metal on “Flight of the Warrior” only slowing down for the choruses. The rhythm section is spot on here and shows you can have a bit of fantasy with some speed and that speed carries on with “On Wings of Eagles.” The chorus isn’t as melodic as its predecessor but it doesn’t have to be as the drums and guitar riffs totally beat you to death. Then we come to the hidden gem, “Johnny’s Back.” A groovy bass line starts it off and then Riot show why they are considered by many as a power metal band. There’s power galore in this tune from start to finish and a very interesting guitar solo from Mark Reale.

After six songs, one might be wondering if Riot incorporate everything, where’s the token ballad? Well, the closest they come is on the very soft acoustic intro on “Bloodstreets.” However, that intro is short lived as things go into early Judas Priest territory and I think Riot would have made Priest proud on this one. They stick to that formula with penultimate track, “Run For Your Life.” In fact, Tony Moore’s vocals are very similar to Rob Halford’s on this one. “Thundersteel” closes with a very progressive “Buried Alive (Tell Tale Heart)” which is the longest track at over eight minutes. It starts with a funeral and then some more spoken words backed up by a cool lead guitar riff. All right, if I haven’t done so in the past, I will add Mark Reale to my list of great under appreciated guitarists. The song goes way out there in the progressive concept world. It’s a take on Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” and Riot put a good metal spin on it, making it the perfect closer.

Track Listing:

1. Thundersteel
2. Fight or Fall
3. Sign of the Crimson Storm
4. Flight of the Warrior
5. On Wings of Eagles
6. Johnny’s Back
7. Bloodstreets
8. Run For Your Life
9. Buried Alive (Tell Tale Heart)

Riot

Tony Moore- vocals

Mark Reale- guitar

Don Van Stavern- bass

Bobby Jarzombek- drums

And because I didn’t put this one on the post when I posted about the “Fire Down Under” album, I’m including it now.

In Riot’s case, maybe the five year layoff was a good thing because they came back with a blinder of an album in “Thundersteel.” While it still didn’t propel the band to superstardom, it’s still a great album.

Next post: Armoured Saint- Saints Will Conquer

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Megadeth- So Far, So Good, So What

After a couple of lite metal albums, I thought I would go full on thrash with Megadeth’s “So Far, So Good, So What” album. Just like in 1986, what is now known as ‘The Big 4,” put out cool albums in 1988, although I won’t say they were pivotal in the careers of any of the Big 4 bands. And though it’s not intentional, having covered the albums of the other three bands, Megadeth is the last of the group whose album I’m writing about. I did the same in 1986 and I swear it just happened that way.

Megadeth went through some lineup changes following their previous blockbuster, “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying” album and this one. Drummer Gar Samuelson and guitarist Chris Poland were dismissed from the band for disruptive behaviour. Dave Mustaine claimed that Poland was selling the band’s equipment in order to score drugs. Samuelson was replaced by the band’s drum technician, Chuck Behler, although Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo considered joining the band. Mustaine would go through a few guitarists before sticking with Jeff Young. Apparently, Slash was considered.

“So Far, So Good, So What” begins with a lot of fanfare on the instrumental “Into the Lungs of Hell.” I like this song because it shoots down the Duranie belief that heavy metal musicians can only play three chords. It opens with a medieval sounding intro and goes a bit progressive at some points with the guitar even venturing into Joe Satriani territory. However, it retains the aggression which Megadeth has been known for. That aggression increases on “Set the World Afire.” It begins with a fast and furious intro slowing down to some cool riffs and the always sinister voice of Dave. It’s the first song he wrote after being fired from Metallica.

One song which has been the focus of much debate is the cover of the Sex Pistols classic, “Anarchy in the UK.” Some say that this was evidence that Dave was running out of fresh ideas while others praised the band’s cover of the song. I agree with the latter, it’s a great cover of a classic and bringing in Sex Pistols guitarist, Steve Jones, to play on it was, in my view, a stroke of genius. Megadeth go a bit concept on “Mary Jane,” which is a song about a witch who was killed by her father and cursed so that if anyone disturbs her resting place, they would suffer instant death. There does seem to be a lot happening at once in the song, the lead guitar in the background borders on distracting but that improves when that goes and the band gets down to business.

If you have ever been pulled over by the cops, then you might appreciate the theme of “502.” It’s the California code for drink driving, something Mustane would get busted for in March of the following year. It’s a fast paced speed metal song with some good guitar work. This is one you can play when driving down the highway at 90mph. If you don’t have a car, then it’s also good for a mosh pit. “In My Darkest Hour” was written in response to the death of Cliff Burton. The mood is set with the gloomy acoustic guitar intro followed by some harsh power chords. This song would have fit well on Metallica’s “Black Album” but Dave’s sinister voice puts the Megadeth stamp on it. The rhythm guitar on this song is very catchy, hypnotic even and it gets my vote for song of the album, especially with the guitar solo.

“Liar” is directed specifically at Chris Poland and Dave’s belief that he was selling equipment for drugs. It does have a cool guitar riff trade off at the beginning and the rhythm section really shines on it. I do love the line, “Your girlfriend got herpes” and the guitar solo which follows the line “You fuckin’ liar.” Bassist David Ellefson lays down a great bass line on the closer “Hook in Mouth.” The line is backed up with some cool thrash metal riffs and a guitar solo tradeoff. Pure thrash and the best way to end this album.

Track Listing:

1. Into the Lungs of Hell
2. Set the World Afire
3. Anarchy in the UK
4. Mary Jane
5. 502
6. In the Darkest Hour
7. Liar
8. Hook in Mouth

Megadeth

Dave Mustaine- lead vocals, guitars

David Ellefson- bass, backing vocals

Jeff Young- guitars

Chuck Behler- drums, percussion

Additional Musicians:

Steve Jones- guitar on “Anarchy in the UK”

It has been said that “So Far, So Good, So What” is largely overlooked in regards to other Megadeth albums. I admit that I am guilty of this as well, so I am glad that I went back and had a great thrash out.

Next post: Riot- Thundersteel

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Stryper- In God We Trust

“In God We Trust” is one Stryper album I know the least about. I knew of its existence but I listened to it very little and now that I have had a couple of good listens, I am asking myself., “Why did I ignore this album?” I could probably throw out several semi viable excuses but that would serve no purpose because the album is far better than what I remembered way back in 1988.

My first impression of “In God We Trust,” has me thinking of a recent post by Aphoristical on bands who do really good harmonies. Well, the harmonizing on this album is superb! It could be down to Michael Sweet doing a lot of the backing vocals himself with support from guitarist Oz Fox. Needless to say, we all know what a great singer Michael is. He, along with the rest of Stryper is my main argument against those who claim that Christian rock bands were made up of second rate musicians. As far as singers go, I put Michael Sweet in the top class along with Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, do I need to go on? Still, the harmony vocals on this album are just great and if you want a good example of Michael’s vocals, the track I recommend is the power ballad, “I Believe in You.”

Harmonies aside, the real star of this album is Oz Fox. He just rips solos all throughout the album and while many people acknowledge his guitar playing ability, it doesn’t get shouted out as much as it should. Oz Fox is one kick ass guitarist, end of story. I could site just about every track on the album to back up my argument but I think the best track to do that is “The Writings On the Wall.” He just solos his way all throughout the track and even the rhythm guitar breaks on it are mind blowing.

Like with the previous Stryper albums, the Jesus lyrics come through loud and clear. All songs tell the listener to turn to the Lord and be saved or face eternal damnation, although they don’t use those words directly. Those of you who have been following me for awhile, know that lyrics don’t bother me. When I listen to the album, I feel no inclination to burn my Mercyful Fate albums and pour my beer down the drain. BTW, back in the 1980s, I often listened to these two bands together. I called it my ‘Heaven and Hell’ moments. Anyway, the fact that they are singing about Jesus is not important because the music behind it is just fantastic.

Jesus lyrics or not, they must have done something right because three singles were released from the album with two, “I Believe In You” and “Always There For You,” breaking into the top 100. Both of those and the non- charting third single, “Keep the Fire Burning,” are all good songs but for me, the best tracks are the already mentioned “The Writing’s On the Wall” and my vote for hidden gem, “It’s Up 2 U.” They get the nod because they both showcase Oz’s guitar work the best.

Nit picking here but one criticism of “In God We Trust” is the order. In my humble opinion, “Come to the Everlife” should have been the closer. It just has that closer vibe with the melody and certainly the melodic guitar solo ending the track and what better way to end a Christian metal album than to invite everyone to join them in the everlife. The tracks following “Everlife” are good but feel stuck on after. Still, it’s one minor point with an album which is so good in so many other ways.

My other question is why is bassist Tim Gaines absent?

Track Listing:

1. In God We Trust
2. Always There for You
3. Keep the Fire Burning
4. I Believe in You
5. The Writing’s on the Wall
6. It’s Up 2 U
7. The World of You and I
8. Come to the Everlife
9. Lonely
10. The Reign

Stryper

Michael Sweet- lead and backing vocals, guitar

Oz Fox- lead guitar, backing vocals

Robert Sweet- drums

Additional Musicians

Billy Meyers- keyboards

John Van Tongoren- keyboards

Steven Croes- Synclavier programming

Brad Cobb- session bassist

Whatever your views on Christian rock or rock from any religion, one can’t deny that with “In God We Trust,” Stryper deliver their message in cool metal style.

Next post: Europe- Out of This World

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Virgin Steele- Age of Consent

Not sure if I said this in a previous Virgin Steele post but I was introduced to this band in 1983 by the ultimate metal sister, the late Stacy Kroger. While I got into their previous three albums, the fact that this 1988 album, “Age of Consent,” received little promotion and therefore fewer sales combined with the fact I was living in the UK, this album totally passed me by. To be honest, it’s a pretty good album but it does sound like they compromised their sound a little in order to gain more commercial success. Maybe they should have stuck with what they knew.

Tribute to a Metal Sister- Stacy Kroger

“Age of Consent” starts off well enough with a good opener in “On the Wings of the Night.” The theatric keyboard intro draws you in and then the power of the guitars comes in with a powerful but catchy vibe. Exactly what a good album opener is supposed to do. I won’t call the next few songs a let down as they keep the album ticking along satisfactorily but none of them really grab my attention either. I also get the feeling that “Tragedy” was meant to be the single from the album. It ticks all the boxes for a single but for me, there are better songs on the album.

Things change somewhat when you get to the fourth song, a cover of Uriah Heep’s “Stay on Top.” This is a rock song with a bit of 70s swagger and it does generate a renewed vigor to the album. Furthermore, it sparks life into the middle of the album. “Chains of Fire” remind you that Virgin Steele are still a metal band. Then we get to my favourite song of the album, “The Burning of Rome (Cry for Pompeii).” True, there is a bit of history in the lyrics but if more history was taught with music like this in the background, a lot of metalheads would have gotten A’s in history, especially with that guitar solo from Ed Pursino.

Two songs after comes the other standout track from the album, “Lion in the Winter.” While not as theatrical as “The Burning of Rome,” it’s a great straight ahead power metal tune with a catchy melodic chorus. It’s probably singer David De Feis’s best vocal effort. Then the album goes out, first with the power ballad, “Cry Forever,” which is decent but unmemorable and I can say the same about closing track, “We Are Eternal.”

Another reason behind the album’s lack of success was the turmoil going on behind the scenes. During the recording of the album, the band was besieged by financial and legal setbacks. On top of that, bassist Joe O’Reilly was ghosted by Pursion and lead singer David DeFeis. That explains why Pursino is listed in the credits for playing bass on the album.

Track Listing:

1. On the Wings of the Night
2. Seventeen
3. Tragedy
4. Stay on Top
5. Chains of Fire
6. The Burning of Rome (Cry for Pompeii)
7. Let it Roar
8. Lion in the Winter
9. Cry Forever
10. We Are Eternal

Virgin Steele

David DeFeis- lead vocals, keyboards

Ed Pursino- guitar, bass

Joe O’Reilly- bass

Joey Ayvazian- drums

The end result for “Age of Consent” is that it with all the issues surrounding the band, it would lead to its unofficial break up. Virgin Steele wouldn’t record another album for five years. The tragic aspect is that this album, while I’m not bowled over by it, it’s not bad either. In fact, it’s pretty good.

Next post: Wratchild- The Biz Suxx

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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.