First of all, I’m rather silly for not asking any of the ladies if their group had an official name but no worries, they provided some good entertainment for a Saturday afternoon in Stroud, Gloucestershire in the UK. We went because Mrs. 80smetalman knows some of the group, particularly Sue (on the far left wearing the black hat). They share a granddaughter. So, we went and saw them perform at the venue where Mrs. 80smetalman and Sue play bingo together on Mondays. The show was pretty good and I’m including some snippets of the performance.
Opening song, Walking on Sunshine
Elsie, aged 10, blew a lot of minds, including mine. She has potential.
Singing Heart’s classic Alone. If they kept the guitar solo.
Sue singing Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird.” I wish people showed more consideration
Josie is 16 and pretty good too.
Playing a long to an instrumental
My biggest mistake this day was to put my mobile phone away too soon as they ended the day with Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and Abba’s “Waterloo.” Both songs were done very well. In any case, I hope you enjoy the videos.
Researching a little of the history behind Stevie Nicks’s album, “The Other Side of the Mirror,” I have discovered something which I didn’t know back in 1989. That it was Stevie’s most successful commercial album. What more is the fact that it was her most successful album in Europe, including the UK. Normally, I don’t really care about how successful an album is, all that matters is whether or not I like it and I do like “The Other Side of the Mirror.”
Why do I like this album? For me, it’s because I think many of the songs on it remind me of Stevie’s song on the soundtrack of the 1981 film, “Heavy Metal.” Her song from said soundtrack, “Blue Lamp” is an acoustic sounding song but with a short but sharp rock edge. It closes that soundtrack out so well and if there wasn’t so many other great songs on it, I would have given it more attention when I wrote that post.
Reconnecting with familiarity, I now remember the first song, “Rooms on Fire,” from 1989 and it was her first big hit from the album. I can now see why. However, in light of the mentioned soundtrack, the second track, “Long Way to Go,” is the signature song in that respect. It totally reminds me of her “Heavy Metal” contribution, plus I like the electric guitar on the intro. Then again, like her previous albums, she gets some real top rate musicians to play on it.
One interesting note and something I’m surprised I wasn’t picked up on during the tour of 1986, was her duet with Bruce Hornsby on “Two Kinds of Love.” Oh, the duet wasn’t in that year, it’s on this album and it’s a good ballad-duet but Bruce never got a mention for “The Way It Is.” It should have gotten a mention on the One Hit Wonders post at the very least. Hey ho.
Even though there were a number of singles, some of which were hits, it wasn’t too difficult to find the hidden gem. That happens to be “Ghosts” because it is probably the most rocking song on the album. It’s not a headbanger but that electric guitar is quite prominent. Another good song, which was released as a single and did well in Ireland, was “Whole Lotta Trouble.” I like the horns and when you have one Mike Campbell laying down some cool guitar hooks, then you have one great song!
Runner up in the gem sweepstakes is “Fire Burning.” Another electric guitar backing and if I didn’t know who was playing on it, I might have thought it was a Fleetwood Mac song. This brings up another point. There is little difference between the hits and the deep cuts on the album. While I call “Fire Burning” a hidden gem and “Juliet” is a cool song with an edge, I can say the same for another single, “Cry Wolf.” It just goes to show that Stevie, with the help of some great musicians, put together a great album.
Track Listing:
Room On Fire
Long Way to Go
Two Kinds of Love
Ooh My Love
Ghosts
Whole Lotta Trouble
Fire Burning
Cry Wolf
Alice
Juliet
Doing the Best I Can (Escape From Berlin)
I Still Miss Someone
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks- lead vocals, percussion
Rupert Hine- keyboards, percussion
Rick Nowles- guitar
James West Oram- guitar
Waddy Watchel- guitar
Mike Campbell- guitar, slide acoustic guitar
Vail Johnson- bass
Tony Levin- bass, stick bass
Derek Murphy- bass
Geoff Dugmore- drums, keyboards
Jerry Marotta- drums
Kenny G- soprano and tenor saxophone
Marc Russo- saxophone
Larry Williams- saxophones
Gary Grant- trumpet
Jerry Hey- trumpet
The LA Horns- additional brass
Kelly Johnston- tin whistle
Sharon Celani- backing vocals
Lorri Perry Nicks- backing vocals
Bruce Hornsby- accompanying vocal (track 3) piano, backing vocals
Stevie Nicks could do no wrong with “The Other Side of the Mirror.” Maybe because I’ve mellowed a bit with age, I appreciate this album more but Stevie could sing children’s songs or metal and make them both sound equally good. Especially if she has such quality musicians backing her.
Next post: Deborah Harry- Def, Dumb and Blonde
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
In my last post, I stated that this post was why it was a shame AC/DC didn’t put out an album in 1989. Actually, I’m surprised no one picked up on it but hey-ho. For those who have been following me for quite some time, know that it was an 80smetalman tradition that my posts about AC/DC albums usually coincided with AC/DC tribute band, Hells Bells, coming to town. I hadn’t seen them in five years due to Covid and the venue not advertising their visit last year. So, I was totally excited about seeing them last night.
A few days ago, Mike Ladano wrote a post about using cell phones at concerts, the pros and cons of which created some debate. My take on this is that first, I agreed with him about people recording the entire show. To me, that takes away the point of going in the first place. You can’t really enjoy what’s happening on stage if you’re behind your cell phone the entire time. However, I have no problem with recording snippets of the show in order for me to share some of the experience with all of you. Now we get to see how effective it was. Here’s the show.
Bombshell begins the festivities
First up was the band Bombshell, who supported Hells Bells in the past. What is great about them is the fact that they take some popular pop songs and really rock them out. If I was to do an ‘Original vs. Cover’ post with them and some of the songs they covered, the cover would win. First up was a really rocking cover of Lady Ga-Ga’s “Let’s Dance.” When I heard this, I knew right then it was going to be a fantastic night. Other songs which got the Bombshell treatment were The Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” and Nena’s “99 Red Balloons,” although the third verse was sung in German. However, they did cover some great rock and metal tunes like my favourite Fleetwood Mac song, “Go Your Own Way,” as well as amazing covers of Guns ‘N’ Roses “Paradise City” and Evanescence “Bring Me To Life.”
I wish Facebook wasn’t messing me around at the moment because I would like to know the names of the singer and the lead guitarist who can really shred. He did go through the crowd as he soloed his way through “Paradise City.” Insert tired cliche but Bombshell set things up for the rest of the evening.
You will see the bassist again because Danny Ball played for both bands.
Hells Bells are back!
The first thing I noticed about Hells Bells when they took the stage was that, except for the singer, the rest of the band had entirely changed. But I guess a lot can happen in five years and the pandemic certainly didn’t help. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop them from totally kicking ass on the night. What I have always loved about seeing Hells Bells is that whenever they come, they never play the same set twice, they mix things up quite a lot. I know that’s quite easy to do with AD/DC’s vast discography but they play the ‘hits’ as well as many of the deep cuts. I never thought they would play, “Shoot to Thrill” but they did and as always, Hells Bells are note perfect in regards to the band they’re laying tribute to. Not wanting to tax my memory too much, I will list the songs I remember from last night but before I do, let me say they were absolutely magnificent.
Riff Raff
Shot in the Dark
Back in Black
Thunderstruck
Shoot to Thrill
Let There Be Rock
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Bad Boy Boogie
You Shook Me All Night Long
Touch Too Much
Highway to Hell
For Those About to Rock, We Salute You (with computerized cannon)
Encore:
Ace of Spades (tribute to Lemmy)
Whole Lotta Rosie
Note: These are the songs I remember from last night, I shouldn’t have drunk 5 pints, nor are they all in the right order. Knowing me, I will remember more and comeback and make additions. I can also add that the lead guitarist did the Angus Young striptease act and we drank a toast to Bon and Malcolm in Rock Heaven. It was truly a magical night.
Lead guitarist being carried through the crowd on the singer’s shoulders
‘Malcolm,’ ‘Cliff’ and ‘Phil’
It was great to see Hells Bells after five years and even better to see and hear that despite the personnel changes, they do AC/DC proud. Full praise needs to be given to Bombshell for being such a great opening act. Finally, bassist Danny Ball deserves a medal from playing in two bands on the night.
Next post: Transvision Vamp- Velveteen
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
It is my sad duty to announce the passing of Fleetwood Mac keyboardist and singer, Christine McVie who has died today following a short illness. She was married to bassist John McVie and played on the classic albums “Rumours” and “Tusk” as well as other Fleetwood Mac albums. Her contributions to those albums were phenomenal and I am sure she will be sorely missed.
The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that I was not as musically open minded as I thought I was in the early part of 1985. While I make no justification for this, I do think the reason might have been that I was in longing after the wave of heavy metal that was played on commercial radio throughout 1984 became non existent in the early part of the following year. That was probably why I poo-pooed the “Building the Perfect Beast” album from Don Henley. Being honest, I was in Eagles mode (even though they had split up five years earlier) with not just Don but all former members of this iconic band. I expected all of their solo material to resemble the classic “Hotel California” and the singles from this album didn’t do that. So, I ignored it until a friend lent it to me and I had a listen. Then I realized what I fool I had been.
Sure, the big single “The Boys of Summer” doesn’t sound like “Hotel California” but the musicianship on the song is simply fabulous. There is some great guitar work from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Don’s voice is clean on this and all of the tracks. I have really come to like this track in my later years.
Upon further reflection back to 1985, I think that I put music into categories of heavy metal and synth pop. “Building the Perfect Beast” not being metal, I put it into the other category. Again I say “Fool!” at least to myself anyway. There is absolutely nothing synth pop about this album. If anything, there are tracks that take me back to The Eagles more country rock sound from the early 1970s. Tracks that bear evidence to this are the fast paced “Man With a Mission” and my vote for hidden gem, “You’re Not Drinking Enough.” For some reason, that track reminds me of the Eagles’ classic, “Take Me to the Limit.” But it does say “Early Eagles” all through the song. Thinking back to early 85, at the time I was dating a woman who had a drinking problem and now I’m linking this song with that. “Not Enough Love in the World” is another example of what I am trying to talk about. In fact this track would have fitted perfectly on the Eagles’ “Long Road From Eden” album.
One reason for why this album sounds as good as it does is that Don got a load of well known singers and musicians to guest on it. While you know it is definitely Don Henley on every track, these guests, have a look below to see who, add to the quality of the album for sure.
Track Listing:
The Boys of Summer
You Can’t Make Love
Man With a Mission
You’re Not Drinking Enough
Not Enough Love in the World
Building the Perfect Beast
All She Wants to Do is Dance
A Month of Sundays
Sunset Grill
Drivin’ With Your Eyes Closed
Land of the Living
Don Henley
Don Henley- lead vocals, percussion (tracks 5,6,9), drums (tracks 2-4,7), keyboards (track 6)
Danny ‘Kootch’ Kortchmar- guitars, organ (4), synthesizers (tracks 1,3,6), percussion (tracks 6,9,10), keyboards (9), synthesizer guitar and horn solos (8), ormichard (4), horns (3)
Michael O’Donahue, Waddy Watchel, JD Souther, Carla Olson- track 6
Patty Smyth- track 6, 8-10
Martha Davis- tracks 6&7
Marie Pascale Elfman, Dominique Manicelli- track 9
Sam Moore- track 4
Brian Dear, I owe you a thanks for giving me this classic Don Henley album to listen to. Otherwise, I would have been enslaved to my ignorance that “Building the Perfect Beast” was another 80s synth pop album. It is clearly not and full marks to Don for it.
Next post: The Wrestling Album
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When I first heard the first single, “Stand Back,” to Stevie Nicks’s 1983 album, “The Wild Heart,” I have to admit that I was rather blown away. There was an energy behind this song that I can’t explain, especially as it’s not done with hard guitar power chords. Her voice matches this song very well and please, no comments about Stevie sounding like a sheep. Needless to say, “Stand Back” is my all time favourite Stevie Nicks song but I often wonder how it would sound if it guitars dominated the supporting music as opposed to keyboards and of course a cranking guitar solo.
Keyboards is the theme of “The Wild Heart” album since it was the oncoming trend of the decade. However, having the quality musicians who play on the album, the keyboards are done intelligently. Then again, all of the songs have the same quality musicianship in each of them. The title track opens things very well and sets the tone for the rest of the album. This is quickly followed by the second single from the album, “If Anyone Falls.” Not a bad song, very over done with the keyboards but it doesn’t hold a candle to “Stand Back.” “Gate and Garden” is more of a ballad but there is a guitar solo on it and that saves the song. An interesting note is the track, “Enchanted.” This song is reminiscent of the song “Dreams” from the classic Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” album.
After my favourite song, Stevie once again teams up with Tom Petty like she did on her previous album, “Belladonna.” Written by Petty, “I Will Run to You” opens with a promising guitar riff but for me, it doesn’t quite have the magic they produced on “Stop Dragging My Heart Around” but it does have a few catchy hooks, so it’s not a bad song. The rockiest song here is “Nothing Ever Changes.” The only song where I can hear guitar over the keyboards. Then again, Don Felder does play guitar on the track and is allowed to play a small solo but it is the saxophone that stands out the most for this track. “Nothing Ever Changes” is the climax to the album because the final two songs don’t really do anything for me.
Track Listing:
The Wild Heart
If Anyone Falls
Gate and Garden
Enchanted
Nightbird
Stand Back
I Will Run to You
Nothing Ever Changes
Sable on Blonde
Beauty and the Beast
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks- vocals
Lori Nicks- backing vocals
Sharon Celani- backing vocals
Guest Musicians
Tom Petty- guitar, vocals on track 7
Sandy Stewart- piano, keyboards, backing vocals on tracks 1,3,5,6,8,9
Mike Campbell- guitar on track 7
Benmont Trench- keyboards, organ on tracks 3-5, 7
Howie Epstein- bass on track 7
Stan Lynch- drums on track 7
Mick Fleetwood- drums on track 9
Steve Lukather- drums on track 6
Don Felder- guitar on track 8
Prince- keyboards on track 6
There were many session musicians on the album as well but the list would be extremely long.
In 1983, Stevie Nicks was probably the most successful of the members of Fleetwood Mac on solo projects, probably the most successful of all time. What was best about her voice was that it could stretch to sing a range of music. While she shows this with “The Wild Heart” album, I often wonder what she would sound like with a metal band.
Back in 1982, music video was still very new to many artists. MTV had only been up and running for a year and there were many households throughout the USA who did not have the channel. There would have been no way that having it on any of the base televisions would have even remotely considered. Therefore, the only music video I got to see was if I happened to catch “America’s Top Ten” and that wasn’t something I went out of my way to watch, unlike “World Championship Wrestling.” So, it was just luck of the draw that I managed to catch it on one Saturday. That week, REO Speedwagon and John Cougar had the only songs I thought of any worth in the top ten but then Casey Kasem showed the video for the new single from Fleetwood Mac, “Gypsy.” I liked the song, thought the video was okay and was glad to hear that they had put out a new album.
“Mirage” is a pretty good album, the problem for me and I suppose many people, is that after putting out an album like “Rumours” five years earlier, it would always be an extremely difficult feat to measure up to. Back in 1979, I should have seen the “Tusk” album as a sign. The problem with “Mirage” and “Tusk” for that fact is that it lacks the variety of the all time great. While listening to “Mirage,” I patiently waited for a rocking jam like “Go Your Own Way” or a killer guitar solo from Lindsey Buckingham similar to “Don’t Stop.” Plus, I don’t think it would have been too much to ask if they allowed John McVie to pump out a killer bass line like on “The Chain.” Even an amusing little ditty like “Second Hand News” would have been cool, but none of these things are present on “Mirage.”
Enough of the negative because it is still an enjoyable album. One thing that does come over from the “Rumours” album and I’ve always loved her dearly for it, is the eccentricity of Stevie Nicks. It’s her vocals on “Gypsy” that made me check out the album in the first place. She does a similar job on “Straight Back.” That is the first track where Buckingham stops being introverted with his guitar and plays a decent solo. That combination makes it the best track on the album for me.
If it was up to me, I would have left the first four tracks of this album off and started it with “Gypsy.” From there on is where the album shines with tracks like “Hold Me” and a little bit of “Second Hand News” humour on “Empire State.” The closer, “Wish You Were Here,” is where Lindsey finally gets into full swing with the guitar making it the best song contributed by Christine McVie. That track gives an all well that ends well feel to things.
Track Listing:
1. Love in Store
2. Can’t Go Back
3. That’s Alright
4. Book of Love
5. Gypsy
6. Only Over You
7. Empire State
8. Straight Back
9. Hold Me
10. Oh Diane
11. Eyes of the World
12. Wish You Were Here
Fleetwood Mac
Lindsey Buckingham- guitar, vocals, keyboards
Christine McVie- keyboards, vocals
Stevie Nicks- vocals
John McVie- bass
Mick Fleetwood- drums, percussion
My advice to anyone who wants to listen to “Mirage” by Fleetwood Mac is to not think about “Rumours.” The albums don’t compare and you may feel disappointed. If you listen to it with an open mind, you will find the album very much enjoyable. It was still one of the better softer rock albums in 1982.
Stevie Nicks has one thing in common with George Harrison in a sense. I have already mentioned that George’s solo material his my favourite among The Beatles. Likewise, of the solo productions from the members of Fleetwood Mac, it is Stevie Nicks’s material that comes out number one for me. I have heard all of the comments about her having a voice like a sheep. In fact, I enjoyed South Park’s little parody about that. The thing is that I don’t care whether or not she sounds like a sheep, I like her voice and the music that accompanies it. The album “Bella Donna” being one of them.
Thinking back to when the songs of this album were played on commercial radio, I am reminded why I don’t like it very much. Back in 1981, the two songs that seemed to get all of the air play were the two duets that appear on the album. One was done with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, okay not really a duet, but “Stop Dragging My Heart Around is a decent song. So is the other duet she performs with former Eagles drummer Don Henley, the mellower “Leather and Lace.” I heard this song played on radio several months back and at its conclusion, the deejay only attributed the song to Stevie Nicks. It made me quite cross the Henley didn’t get a mention in the credits, especially as it was a classic rock station and have played Eagles songs in the past. Okay, rant over.
The point I was wanting to make pre-rant was that while the two mentioned songs are decent and so are the other tracks on the album, one song stands head and shoulders above the rest. It is “Edge of Seventeen” that has me banging my head every time I hear it and that is quite often as it’s on one of my MP3s. For Stevie, this is a great rock tune and shows that she can sing rock with the best of them. It is also a song that I would love to hear covered by a metal band.
Track Listing:
1. Bella Donna
2. Kind of Woman
3. Stop Dragging My Heart Around
4. Think About It
5. After the Glitter Fades
6. Edge of Seventeen
7. How Still My Love
8. Leather and Lace
9. Outside the Rain
10. The Highway Man
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks- lead vocals
Lori Perry- backing vocals
Sharon Celani- backing vocals
Tom Petty- guitar, accompanying vocals (Track 3)
Michael Campbell- guitar
Don Felder- guitar
Benmont Trench- piano, organ, backing vocals
Stan Lynch- drums
Don Henley- drums, accompanying vocals (Track 8)
Fleetwood Mac may have been on a hiatus in 1981 but Stevie Nicks was tearing up the rock world with this great album. She showed that she was perfectly capable of making it on her own. Even if some people think she sounds like a sheep.
First of all, I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and got all of the things you wanted and the same goes for any who don’t celebrate it. I did get the Black Sabbath “13” album and am looking for an excuse to go out in the car so I can play it. Also, I might have gotten another CD from my daughter but I won’t see her until Sunday.
Fleetwood Mac has always been one of those intriguing, controversial bands who put out some great albums in the 1970s and 80s. Most everyone knows of their best known “Rumours” album and a good many can say the same for the follow up “Tusk” album. Both are great albums and probably one of the reasons they put out a live album on the wake of the previous two. Much of the material from the mentioned studio albums is to be found on “Live” and for good reason. Those albums gave us so many great classic songs. For me, however, and this will be an ongoing theme for me throughout the tour of 1981, it had some personal meaning in my own life at the time. One of my comrades in arms bought this album at the PX in Rota, Spain just before we sailed back to the USA. It got played a lot on the voyage home and it was this album that made the trip home a lot easier.
Fleetwood Mac “Live” not only had great musical memories, it also gave me one small regret and hearing again after so many years brought it back. That regret is the fact that I never saw them live. Listening to this album, I can safely say that it would have been totally awesome to see Fleetwood Mac in concert. Not just the great songs on it, but the energy they put behind each of the songs they play. I have always said the Lindsey Buckingham does not get the respect he deserves as a guitarist, his efforts on the live album are proof of that. I mean, the man can play. Of course, the rest of the band are all very good on the album.
While, the album is heavy laden with songs from “Rumours” and “Tusk,” there are some classic gems from Fleetwood Mac’s past that pop up on the album too. I absolutely love the live version of “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” is nicely done as well. Then there is the live version of my all time favourite Mac song, “Go Your Own Way.” If there is a heavy metal cover of this song anywhere, someone please let me know because I would love to hear it. This song would sound fantastic if it was metallised. Saying that, if I have to pick out one personal disappointment about “Live,” it’s the absence of “The Chain” on it. I would have loved to have heard John McVie play my all time favourite bass line live. By way, I have heard Shark Island’s cover of said song and it is done well.
Track Listing:
1. Monday Morning
2. Say You Love Me
3. Dreams
4. Oh Well
5. Over and Over
6. Not That Funny
7. Sarah
8. Never Going Back Again
9. Landslide
10. Fireflies
11. Over My Head
12. Rhiannon
13. Don’t Let Me Down Again
14. One More Night
15. Go Your Own Way
16. Don’t Stop
17. I’m So Afraid
18. The Farmer’s Daughter
Fleetwood Mac
Lindsey Buckingham- guitars, vocals
Stevie Nicks- vocals
Christine McVie- keyboards, vocals
John McVie- bass
Mick Fleetwood- drums, percussion
My fellow music blogger Every Record Tells a Story recently posted his view of the top ten double live albums. This album wasn’t mentioned. I’m not saying that it should be in the top ten of any double live album list, especially against the albums ERTaS lists. However, this album is worth a definite mention as a great double live album. For me, it will forever be the closest I ever get to seeing Fleetwood Mac live.
There’s no denying it, it is a fact that 1979 was the year for Blondie. They began the year with their 1978 release “Parallel Lines” which included the number 1 hit single “Heart of Glass.” One of the few songs to successfully make the rock-disco crossover that year. Debbie Harry became a common fixture on the walls of many teenage boys, including mine. Then they ended the year with “Eat to the Beat,” also a good album. Along with “Get the Knack” and “The Long Run” by the Eagles, this was also one of the albums that first greeted me when I came home on leave from that no contact with the outside world three month period I call boot camp.
Debbie Harry
I won’t go into a compare/contrast with “Parallel Lines” the way I did with Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” album. “Eat to the Beat” took Blondie into a more new wave direction. The hard rock sound is still there but it seems more melodic this time around. There are some very good tracks like the singles, “Dreaming” and “Atomic” and I really like “Accidents Never Happen.” It is a good album on its own and kept Blondie at the top of the rock music hill for 1979 and early 1980.
Track Listing:
1. Dreaming
2. The Hardest Part
3. Union City Blues
4. Shayla
5. Eat to the Beat
6. Accidents Never Happen
7. Die Young, Stay Pretty
8. Slow Motion
9. Atomic
10. Sound Asleep
11. Victor
12. Living in the Real World
Blondie
Deborah Harry- vocals
Chris Stein- lead guitar
Jimmy Destri- keyboards, backing vocals
Nigel Harrison- bass
Frank Infante- guitar, backing vocals
Clem Burke- drums
“Eat to the Beat” was the second of two great albums from Blondie and the reason why 1979 was their year. Many boys like me first listened to them because they liked the lead singer, but stayed with them because of the music. It was something great to come home from boot camp to.
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