Van Zant Band, The Johnny - No More Dirty Deals

Name: The Johnny Van Zant Band
Album: No More Dirty Deals
Year: 1980
Style: Southern Rock, Hair Metal
Similar Bands: .38 Special, Outlaws, Winger, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Bandera, Marshall Tucker, Molly Hatchet
"One-Word" Review: Fledgling Metal
Based Out Of: Jacksonville, FL
Label: Polydor, Polygram

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

No More Dirty Deals (1980)

1. No More Dirty Deals 5:25
2. Coming Home 4:08
3. 634-5789 - 2:43 (Wilson Pickett cover)
4. Put My Trust In You 2:44
5. Only the Strong Survive 3:34 /
6. Hard Luck Story 3:08
7. Stand Your Ground 3:11
8. Never Too Late 3:44
9. Keep On Rollin' 3:27
10. Standing in the Darkness 4:57 (Tribute to his brother, Ronnie)

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Johnny Van Zant - Vox (Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Austin Nickels Band, Van Zant, Jim Peterik, )
• Robbie Gay - Lead Guitar (Van Zant, Robert Paul Band)
• Erik Lundgren - Lead Guitar (Van-Zant)
• Danny Clausman - Bass (Van-Zant)
• Robbie Morris - Drums (Van-Zant, Shanytown)
• Ron Hinklin - Backing Vox (Modern Barbershop Quartet, Ray Conniff, Bob Alcivar, California Dreamers, Eligibles, Zip-Codes, Hugo Montenegro, Stan Kenton, Bud Shank, Ralph Carmichael, Michael Colombier, Gabor Szabo, Jack Daugherty, Partridge Family, Dominic Frontiere, PF Sloan, Beaver & Krause, David Wagner, Climaz, BJ Thomas, Sarah Vaughn, Gram Parsons. Austin Roberts, Vikki Carr, Paul Williams, John Davidson, Keith Moon, Elkie Brooks, Jack Jones, Danny & Joyce, Cyndi Grecco, Deanna Edwards, Jim Weatherly, The Tubes, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, Donovan, Doonesbury's Jimmy Thudpucker, Wayne Parker, TN Ernie Ford, Sparks, Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Tony Rizzi & Pacific!, Captain & Tennille, Neil Diamond, Alan Price, Jon Bryon, Lalo Schifrin, Westside Strutters, Harvey Mason, Outlaws, Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire, Paul Johnson, David Essex, Sammy Nestico, Nico Ramsden, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Harry Connick Jr, Chipmunks, Elvis Presley, The Yellow Balloon, Vince Gill, Patrick Williams, Monkees, Jan & Dean, Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel, Suzanne Klee, Johnny Koonce)
• John Balhler - Backing Vox (Bahler Bros, LA Voices, Ray Conniff, Bob Alcivar, California Dreamers, Love Generation, Bud Shank,Ralph Carmichael, Dory Previn, Gabor Szabo, Partridge Family, Dominic Frontiere, Climax, David Cassidy, Sarah Vaughn, David Essex, Toto, Association, Elvis Presley, Jerry lee Lewis, Jan & Dean, Carpenters, Love Generation, more)
• Jerry Whitman - Backing Vox (Hollywood Film Chorale, David Axelrod, Michael Colombier, Partridge Family, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Tedd Smith, Ray Conniff, John Strachan, Bob Zwirn, Paul Williams, Phantom of Paradise [sndtk], Cam Floria, Jose Feliciano, Carpenters, Elkie Brooks, The Tubes, Wayne Parker, TN Ernie Ford, Ralph Carmichael, Triumvirat, Grease [sndtk], Jon Bryon, Harvey Mason, Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire, Outlaws, Jimmy & Carol Owens, David Essex, Norman Saleet, Juice Newton, Vince Gill, Frank Sinatra, Werid Al Yankovic, Neil Diamond, Harry Connick Jr, Billy May, Glen Gray, James Newton Howard, Alan Silvestri, Simpsons, Henry Mancini, Charles Bernstein, Ralph Cramichael, Kurt Kaiser)
• Gene Morford - Backing Vox (Modern Barbershop Quartet, Hugo Montenegro, Ralph Carmichael, Jack Daugherty, Michael Legrand, BJ Thomas, David Wagner, Paul Johnson, John Kay, Sarah Vaughn, Sherman Hayes, Paul Williams, John Davidson, Cam Floria, Elkie Brooks, Jose Feliciano, Jim Weatherly, Jon Bryon, Tubes, Elton John, TN Ernie Ford, Shaun Cassidy, Captain & Tennille, Dolly parton, Tony Rizzi & Pacific!, Grease [sndtk], Neil Diamond, Alan Price, Susie Allanson, Jimmy & Carol Owens, Continental Singers, Barry McGuire, David Essex, Kenny Rogers, Parachute, Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire, Laura Branigan, Gail Davis, Toto, John Denver, Roy Orbison, Little Shop of Horrors [sndtk], Frank Sinatra, Weird Al Yankovic, David Foster, Jerry Lee Lewis, harry Connick Jr, Tom Inglis, Natalie Cole, Chipmunks, Clare Fischer, Amy Grant, Simpsons [sndtk], Tom Jones, Suzanne Klee, Johnny Koonce)
• Marti McCall - Backing Vox (Magic, Space Angels, Tuxedo Junction, JOhn Lee Hooker, Linda Ronstadt, Michael White, Righteous Bros, Peggy lee, Paul Williams, Dory Previn, nancy Wilson, Harry Chapin, Jack Jones, Frankie Valli, Seals & Crofts, Blackbyrds, Boz Scaggs, Dolly Parton, David Soul, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Sat Night Fever [sndtk], Donna Summer, Roger Voudouris, Grease [sndtk], Peter Allen, Gloria Gaynor, Christopher Cross, The Babys, Gil-Scott heron, Aretha Franklin, Reba Rambo, Imperials, Striesand, Jose Feliciano, Milt Jackson, Madleen Kane, Booker T, Jermaine Jackson, Kids from Fame, Kenny Rogers, Lou Rawls, Barry Gibb, Bil Withers, Diana Ross, Cher, Linda Ronstandt, Olivia-Newton John, Arlo Guthrie, Glen Campbell, more
• Myrna Matthews - Backing Vox (Hollywood Film Chorale, Magic, Paul Johnson, Saint Tropez, Babettes, Space Angels, Billy Preston, Dusty Springfield, Tim Buckley, Steely Dan, Dory Previn, Quincy Jones, Boz Scaggs, Bill Withers, Don Cornelius, Frankie Valli, TN Ernie Ford, Blackbyrds, Seals & Crofts, Helen Reddy, Dolly Parton, Captain & Tennille, Miracles, Dion Warwick, Shaun Cassidy, Grease [sndtk], Cheryl Ladd, Babys, Roger Voudouris, Christopher Cross, Outlaws, Eddie Money, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand, Booker T, Jose Feliciano, SOS Band, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Imperials, Patti Austin, Barry Gibb, Cher, Whitney Houston, Gary Wright, China Crisis, Teddu Pendergrass, Jon Bon Jovi, Dick Tracy [sndtk], Kenny Loggins, Muppets, Pat Boone, Harry Connick Jr more)
• Lorna Willard - Backing Vox (Maxine Waters/Willard, Scott McKenzie, Pacific Gas & Electric, Michael Colombier, Al Kooper, Marc McClure, David Cassidy, Tim Buckley, BW Stevenson, Willie Hutch. Boz Scaggs, Keith Moon, Bobby Womack, Cydni Grecco, Paul Kelly, Alice Cooper, Lenoard Cohen, Tanya Tucker, Chanson, Moulin Rouge, Ken Lauber)
• Julia (Ardie) Waters Tillman - Backing Vox (Rock Flowers, Sugar, Brothers & Sisters, Darlings, Dynels, Goldman Girls, Waters, Waters Sisters, Stan Kenton, Al Kooper, Carole King, Dave Mason, Boz Scaggs, Funk Inc, Eric Andersen, Jose Feliciano, Carly Simon, Johnny Rivers, Keith Moon, Tina Turner, Righteous Bros, Buffy Saint-Marie, Andy Williams, Rare Earth, Glen Campbell, The Tubes, Cher, Paul Butterfield, Santana, Barbara Streisand, Tavares, Carpenters, Inner Circle, BB King, Patti LaBelle, Ben E King, Tony Orlando, Cuba Gooding, Neil Diamond, Gloria Gaynor, Kiss, Denise Williams, Rick James, Teena Marie, Donna Summer, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Money, Jacksons, Peaches & Herb, Kim Carnes, Diana Ross, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Toni Basil, Sam Harris, Lionel Richie, Commodores, Joe Cocker, Gap Band, Natalie Cole, Harold Faltermeyer, many)
• Bobby LaKind - Percussion (Doobie Brothers, Lauren Wood, Nicolette Larson, Little Feat, Eikichi Yazawa, Paul Barrere, Bonedaddys, Michael McDonald, Chris Hillman, Cheech y Chong, Robbie Patton, Ronnie Hawkin, Freddy Henry, Dirt Band, Four on the Floor, Night, Sneaker, Tom Johnston, Benny Hester, Karen Brooks, Greg Guidry, Spirit, Honeymoon Suite, Glenn Hughes, BulletBoys, Tommy Bolin, Steve Fisher)
• Paul Barrere - Slide Guitar (Little Feat, Chicken Legs, Bluesbusters, Robert Palmer, T Lavitz, Jack Casady, Coco Montoya, Steamroller Wheelies, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Kaz, Carly Simon, John Cale, Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt, Taj Majal, Jackson Browne, more)
• Al Kooper - Producer, Arrangement, Remix, Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to the Man, Four on the Floor, Frankie & Johnny, Rekooperators, Blues Project, Landlords, Musclemen, Royal teens, Sensational Guitars of Dan & Dale, Mike Bloomfield, Sweet Linda Divine, Mose Jones, David Essex, Green on Red, Tim Petty, Bob Dylan, Tom Rush, Peter Paul & Mary, Moby Grape, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Janis Ian, BB King, Rolling Stones, Bo Diddley, Rita Coolidge, The Who, Alice Cooper, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Ravi Shankar Project, Was (Not Was), Roy Orbison, Thelonious Monster, Chuck Prophet, Neil Diamond many)
• Ernie Watts - Sax, Flute (Andreas Pettersson, Buddy Rich, Charlie haden, Doc Severinsen, Gerad Wilson, GRP All Star Big Band, Jasper Van Hof's Face to Face, Karma, Leonard Feather, Liberation Music Orch, Love Unlimited Orch, Nat Adderley, Session II, Bruce Eskovitz, John Dentz, The Meeting, The Mothers, Night Blooming Jazzmen, Sergio Mendes, T-Bone Walker, Cannonball Adderley, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King, Spencer Davis, Diana Ross, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan  many)
• Paul Grupp - Basic Engineer
• Bob Edwards - Overdub Engineer, Remix
• Mark Linett - Background Vox Engineer
• Linda Corbin - Asst Engineer
• Peggy McCreary - Asst Engineer
• Niko Bolals - Asst Engineer
• George Ybarra - Asst Engineer
• Stewart Henderson - Asst Engineer
• Scooter Sandweiss - Production Coordinator
• Charlie Brusso - Mgmt (High Tide)
• George Cappellini - Mgmt (High Tide)
• Aaron Rapoport - Photos
• Ria Lewerke-Shapiro - Art Direction, Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but based on the cover, they make me think of an Ugly Kid Joe meets Journey combination...and that is pretty much what i imagine the music to take form as, too, even if it was 9 years before UKJ.

Album Review: Greasy rock begins with the needle drop. Not necessarily hard or heavy, just sleazy, southern rock with the two lead guitars, and trying to rock your face off (not not doing it) driving tempos. 

The Van Zant family has its fair share of connection and history with southern blues rock. Johnny is the younger brother of Ronnie (died in the 1977 plane crash), who founded/sang for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny is their current singer (since 1987). He also founded .38 Special with brother Donnie, and later Van Zant also with Donnie. This is the first release of the band that evolved from Austin Nickels Band, who formed 3 years earlier. Skynyrd had their farewell tour in 2018-19, Johnny said they could still record.

Stand Out Track: 634-5789

Links:
Youtube full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Pure Southern Rock
GB Gazette 2018
Madness to Creation
IMDB
Pollstar 2018
1980 Live show - Wolfgang's
USA Today 2019
Metal Music Archives
What JVZ drives

Jacksonville Paper Father's Obit 2018
RTJ Webzine 
MN Star Tribune 2018

UK - Danger Money

Name: UK
Album: Danger Money
Year: 1979
Style: Prog, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Styx, Brand X, Battles, Mike Batt, Emerson Lake Palmer, King Crimson
"One-Word" Review: Cinematic Space Soundscapes
Based Out Of: England
Label: EG Records, Polydor, Polygram Distribution

Cover, Record, Liner Notes

Back, Record, Sleeve Notes

Danger Money (1979)

1. Danger Money 8:12
2. Rendezvous 6.05 5:00 (single)
3. The Only Thing She Needs 7:53 (single) /
4. Caesar's Palace Blues 4:42 (single B-Side)
5. Nothing to Lose 3:57 (single)
6. Carrying No Cross 12:20

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Eddie Jobnson - Writing, Arrangement, Producer, Violin, Keys (Curved Air, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, Legacy, UKZ, Ultimate Zero, Fat Grapple, Roger Glover, Neoteric Orch, Yes, Mark Mancina, Andy Mackay, Bryan Ferry, Dana Gillespie, Amazing Blondel, John Entwistle, Mike Heron's Reputation, Phil Manzanera, Jasun Martz, Spyro Gyra,   more)
• John Wetton - Writing, Arrangement, Producer, Vox, Bass (Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Uriah Heep, Edward Hand, Family, The Human Experience, Jack-Knife, Mogul Thrash, Qango, Renaissance, Wishbone Ash, Ultimate Zero, Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Atoll)
• Terry Bozzio - Drums, Percussion (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, HoBoLeMa, Lonely Bears, Vai, Bozzio Levin Stevens, Brecker Bros, Jeff Beck, Luis Gasca, Barretto, A.Heller, Spinettam Group 87, more)
• John Punter - Engineer
• Geoff Emerick - Recording
• Nigel Walker - Asst. Engineer
• Dave Fidler - Crew
• Graham Davis - Crew
• Hipgnosis - Cover Design, Photos
• George Marino - Mastering
• Mark Fenwick - Special Thanks
• Sam Alder - Special Thanks

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. The cover of a corporate employee washing their hands, couple with the album title Danger Money offer a political commentary on corporate greed and the difficult subjugation. The back show long hairs with their instruments, and overall, i get a hard rock, power pop standing on the edge of metal vibe...if it were not for the 6 tracks at rather lengthy times. That makes me think it is more of a prog act. Not to say the two cannot be blended. Also, I see the name John Wetton, whom I have reviewed previously as a solo artist. So if that gives me any indication, this will still be that fine line of power pop & arena rock.

Album Review: The music emits the feeling of a cohesive theatrical play about psychedelic space adventures, even if that was not the intention. The vocal sections show they can be an arena rock band like Journey, but the rest of the progressive sections tie them to the 8-10 minute musings genre. The first 4 minutes of The Only Thing She Needs is a nice song with some Battles and Genesis sounding sections, but the song pauses and builds itself back up for an extra 4 minutes or so.

UK were a supergroup, with each member coming from 3-5 different popular bands from King Crimson, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa to name a few (obviously i'm not well versed enough in these bands or I may have picked a name out.). The end of Prog's popularity & differences in stylistic direction plagued the band, as this is their second of two studio albums (where the first one had four members, one of whom was a different drummer [Bill Bruford], and they did not replace the guitarist [Allan Holdsworth]), and they broke up while touring for the album. But their differences were not enough to burn any bridges, as these three all worked together in various projects, and reformed together for a US tour in 2012.

Stand Out Track: The Only Thing She Needs

Links:

Youtube full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Music Aficionado (first album)
Prog Archives
classic rock history
Q104.3
Under the Bridge 2015 show promo
John Wetton
Something Else!
Progrography
The Progressive Aspect
Rate Your Music
Music Street Journal
all about jazz

Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan - Peculiar Friends

Name: Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan
Album: Peculiar Friends
Year: 1971
Style: Classic Rock, Psychedelic Funk, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse
"One-Word" Review: Gritty Psych Show Tunes
Based Out Of: New Jersey / NYC
Label: Polydor

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Inner Gatefold, Sleeve, Record

Peculiar Friends (1971)

1. Peculiar Friends 0:19
2. The Night I Got Out of Jail 3:44
3. Shootin' the Breeze 3:19
4. The Pickpocket 3:48
5. No Next Time 4:34 (single) /
6. Love Me 5:05
7. Fourteenth Street (I Can't Gat Together) 5:49
8. I Had Him Down 3:52
9. Down in the Cold 6:09 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Aram Schefrin - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Guitar (Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Lou Reed)
  
• Michael Zager - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Keys (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Moon Band, M-Zee Band, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Take Five, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Mary lou Retton, Elusion, Spinners, Johnny Guitar Watson, DJ Valium, Genya Ravan, Street Corner Symphony, Cryer & Ford, Saint & Stephanie, Dee Edwards, Alvin Fields, more )
• Geyna Ravan - Writer, Arrangement, Vox, Harp (Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Denny Greene, Lou Reed, Blue Oyster Cult, Ronnie Spector, Gamma, Joy Rider. Flowerpot Men, Joey Ramone, Doughboys, Palmyra Delran, Fanny Walked the Earth, Michael Des Barres, Shady Lady, Kracker, Goldie Zelkowitz, Jay-Z)
• Blake Hines - Bass
• David Williams - Drums
• Alan Gauvin - Reeds  (Woody Herman, Bill Wartrous, Pratt Bros Big Band, Killer Force, Thundering Herd, Buddy Rich, Twiggs, Rich Shemaria)
• Dean Pratt - Trumpet (NY Neophonic Orch, Panama Friends & Savoy Sultans, Pratt Bros Big Band, Clifford Jordan, Killer Force, DMP Big Band, NTXSU Lab Band, Joel Kaye, Chris Robison, Buddy Rich, Bill Warfield, Leon Redbone, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (3:00 Lab Band, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to the Man, Dude Skile's Hot Combustion, Gil Evans, Orquesta Palenque, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack Horns, CBS Orch, Mon Night Orch, NTXSU Lab Band, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, Ultimate Onions, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, Mylon, OT Zappo, more) 
• Danny Stiles - Trumpet (Sal Salvador, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Bill Watrous, Woody Herman, Herman & Puente, Maxwell Davis, Chris Connor, Bill Russo, Peggy Lee, Incredible Jimmy Smith, Oscsar Peterson Trip, Manny Albam, JJ Johnson, Pat Williams, T-Bone Walker, Singers Unlimited, Jake Hanna, Bette Midler, Nat Pierce, James Brown, Gerry Mulligan)
• Frank Frint - Trumpet
• Jay Messina - Engineer
• David L'Heureux - Cover Art, Album Design
• Triano-Gatefold Art
• Lou Podover - Photos
• Chuck Pulin -Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I always enjoy a nice gatefold album I've never heard: that usually means more care has gone into the album & packaging. I do like the Alice in Wonderland-like artwork, calling them peculiar friends, which is also the album and lead track name. Never heard of the name dropped singer, Genya Ravan, but from the design, I imagine this is pretty straight forward classic rock, maybe with a touch of Psych from the Alice/Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired sketches.

Album Review: The album is definitely a classic rock with powerful female vocals, thinking Joplin/Slick with all the variants present within the classic rock realm: psych, garage, funk, rock, gospel, and even some slow ballads. Even through The Night I Got Out of Jail is a driving, fun rocker, overall this is not for me, but it sounds typical of the sound & period.
The band had already found considerable success and acclaim by this, the third album, and Rayan was ready to leave the band. They had played some big festivals and high profile venues like Fillmore East (where Rayan performed part of the show topless with body paint) and Carnegie Hall. The band survived 6 years total, a lead singer and record label changes, but it was a big starting block for Michael Zager's disco career. The band was also inspirational in the face of a male dominated field for Bette Midler & her writing of The Rose.

Stand Out Track: The Night I Got Out of Jail

Links:
Full Youtube Album
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Underappreciated Rock Guitarists
Rock Tour Database
Robert Christgau
Rate Your Music
Who Sampled
Billboard
Urban Dictionary
Sputnik Music

Bionic Boogie - s/t

Name:Bionic Boogie
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Disco
Similar Bands: Kool & The Gang, Musique, Lightning Lightning, Lemon, Philly Cream, Bee Gees, KC & the Sunshine Band, Gloria Gaynor
"One-Word" Review: Orchestral Disco Funk
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Polydor, Polygram

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Bionic Boogie (1977)

1. Dance Little Dreamer 3:48
2. Ricky Changes 6:21
3. Don't Lose That Number (Mumbo Jumbo) 4:55
4. Boogie Boo 5:21
5. We Must Believe in Magic 5:00
6. Stop The Music 4:56
7. Feel Like Dancing 4:00
8. Big West 4:58

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Gregg Diamond - Producer, Writer, Arc. Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, Wurlitzer (Five Dollar Shoes, Disco Explosion, Luther Vandross, Michael Wendroff, Melane, Ian Lloyd, Gloria Gaynor, Jobriath, The Creatures)
• Godfrey Diamond - Engineer, Production Assistant
• Lance Quinn- Guitar (Gloria Gaynor, Jimi Hendrix, Danny & the Fat Boys, Linda Lewis, Gary Glitter, Jimmy McGriff, Grace Jones, Meco, Frankie Valli, Maynard Ferguson, Lemon)
• Steve Love - Guitar (Black Light Orch. Stories, Ian Lloyd, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Gunhill Road, Jobriath, Gloria Gaynor, Spinners, Hall & Oates, Vicki Sue Robinson, Janis Ian, take Five, Luther Vandross, Spyro Gyra, Lennon & Yoko, Roches,  
• Jim Gregory - Bass (Five Dollar Shoes, Pacesetters, Pepper, Michael Wendroff, Andrea True Connection, Ian Lloyd, Gloria Gaynor, Delores Hall, Rhetta Hughes, Peter Wolf)
• Alan Schwartzburg - Drums (Mountain, Group With No Name, Hollywood Vampire, Peter Gabriel, Bobby Gosh, Barry Mann, BJ Thomas, Henry Gross, Melissa Manchester, MaryTravers, Judy Collins, Melanie, Janice Ian, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Harry Chapin, Gloria Gaynor, Jimi Hendrix, Frankie Valli, Herbie Mann, Aztec Two Step, Alice Cooper)
• Jimmy Maelen - Percussion (Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Jacksons, Talking Heads)
• Gene Orloff - Strings (Al Cohn, Billy Byers, NY Phikharmonic Orch, Pond Life Orch. Cannonball Adderley, many more )
• Lony Loniere - Strings
• Hary Lookofsky - Strings (Al Cohn, Gil Evans, NBC Symphony Orch, Ahmad Jamal, Quincy Jones, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Connie Francis, Blood Sweat & Tears, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Mongo Santamaria, Grover Washington Jr, Deodato, Roy Ayers, Don McLean, David Ruffin, Janis Ian, Bette Midler, Patti Austin, Peter Allen more )
• Sandord Allen - Strings (NY Strings, Hip String Quartet, NY Philharmonic (first African-American), Miriam Makeba, Milt Jackson, Pucho & Latin Soul Bros, Roberta Flack, Don McLean, Sister Sledge, Yusef Lateef, Deodato, Jimmy McGriff)
• Jesse Levy - Strings (Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds, Escorts, Bob James, Chet Baker, Stanley Clarke, Milt Jackson, Rupert Holmes, David Ruffin, Joe Thomas, Bob James, Janis Ian, Joe Beck, Ave. White Band, Herbie Mann, Jimmy McGriff, Deodato, Van McCoy, Wing & a Prayer Fife & Drum Corps, Chet Baker, Barbara Cook, Peaches & Herb, Meco, Tropea, Sesame Street)
• Kermit Moore - Strings (Hip String Quartet, Ron Carter Nonet, Quincy Jones, Ornette Coleman, Milt Jackson, Yusef Lateef, Mongo Santamaria, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Kool & The Gang, Bette Midler, Roy Ayers, Don McLean, Deodato, Sister Sledge, Frankie Valli, Janis Ian)
• Pete Ecklund - Trumpet Doveman, Orphan Newsboys, Geoff & Maria Muldaur, Loudon Wainwright III, Bonuie Raitt, Hungry Chuck, Martin Mull, Paul Butterfield, David Bromberg, Gloria Gaynor, Steve Forbert, Roches, Leon Redbone, Hot Club of Cowtown, Mammals)
• Charley Miller - Trumpet (Dr. John, Gregg Diamond)
• Joe Ferguson - Sax  (Fraser & deBolt, David Bromberg, Sam Rivers, Milton Marsh, Ronnie Boykins, Lou Donaldson, George McCrae, Andrea True Connection, Gloria Gaynor)
• John Kelly - Trombone (Tito Rodriguez, Lou Donaldson, Garnet Mimms)
• Brad Baker - Arranger
• Michael Brower - Recording Assistant
• Phil Schrago - Recording Assistant
• Ramona - Recording Assistant
• Bill Stein - Recording Assistant
• Gwen Guthrey - The Group
• Yolanda - The Group
• Zach Sanders - The Group
• Ernest Thormahlen - Cover Design, Artwork
• Mick Rock - Cover Design, Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i remember seeing this at The Thing in Brooklyn, and had to see what kind of disco this was, because it was obviously disco. Very cool & sexy "smoking hot" cover art and silver & red backdrop, emphasizing the band name and style of music quite explicitly.

Album Review: The music was good enough to buy and add it to this blog. This is the first of three albums, and it contains smooth orchestral and funk production with fun bouncy bass lines and never stop moving tempos. Its funny listening to this right after bouncy new wave or post punk records, how much the dance-ability is similar, but the executions, lifestyles, and sentiment could not be more opposite. Like the yin & yang; devil & angel of energetic music genres.

Stand Out Track: We Must Believe in Magic

Links:
Wiki Gregg Diamond
Discogs
NTS Live
Rate Your Music
Who Sampled
Allmusic

Darling - Put It Down to Experience

Name: Darling
Album: Put It Down to Experience
Year: 1979
Style: Power Pop Rock
Similar Bands: Pat Benatar, Scandal, Ex Hex, Spider, Threshold, Heart
"One-Word" Review: Sliced T-Shirt Power Rock
Based Out Of: London, UK
Label: Charisma, Polydor

 Cover, Record

Record, Back

Put It Down to Experience (1979)

1. Storm Warning 2:25
2. Tip of My Tongue 3:44
3. Do You Wanna 3:09
4. Voice on the Radio 3:24
5. Stuck On You 3:08 /
6. Precious Cargo 3:31
7. The Word is Out 2:33
8. Dream Street 4:58
9. Save Me 3:06
10. Slot Machine 4:32

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
Alice Spring - Vox (Slack Alice, Nana Love, Sandra Barry)
Hal Lindes - Guitar (Dire Straits, Tina Turner, Fish, Steve Ewing)
Mick Howard - Bass (Slack Alice, Skitzofrenik)
Paul Varley - Drums (Arrows, Little Free Rock, Purple Haze, Streak, Alan Merrill)
Mark Rivera - Sax (Tycoon, Foreigner, George Wallace, Billy Joel, Lou Gramm, Holly  Knight, Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band)
Richard Gottehrer - Producer
Rod O'Brien - Engineer
Thom Panuzio - Engineer
Gregg Caruso - Asst. Engineer
Rob Freeman - Engineer
Eric Block - Asst. Engineer
Sheila Rock - Photography
Rocking Russian - Album Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, and there is quite a diveristy in what this could be, but it is only going to lean one way or the other 100%: Hard Power Pop Rock, or synth inspired dark pop. Looking at the instruments & members, plus 1979, I'm leaning rock.

Album Review: This turned out to be a solid album...the songs are all upbeat, and fun rockin jams. It was the style of music that Ex Hex has more recently captured again. But here in its raw, original form, it is fun. Alice's vocals are high, but trained well (reminds me of Toyah). It is straightforward power pop that might show up in a pub sometimes. The final track Slot Machine has something of a secret track, where the last minute and ten seconds or so is a different composition after a normal length of track separation, perhaps called Lost and Found. Their sax player is linked with Billy Joel on many of Joel's albums, and Guitarist Lindes played with Dire Straits for a bit. Apparently Spring had a vocal career in the 60's under the name Sandra Barry and a minor film career as Sandra Alfred. The

Stand Out Track: Voice on the Radio

Links:
Discogs
Rate Your Music.
Allmusic

Novo Combo - The Animation Generation

Name: Novo Combo
Album: The Animation Generation
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Police, Survivor, REO Speedwagon, Journey, ELO
"One-Word" Review: Whispy-Commercial-Ready-AOR
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Polydor, PolyGram Records

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

The Animation Generation (1982)

1. Animation Generation 5:32
2. Too Long Gone 3:51
3. Slow Fade 5:17
4. Keep Your Love Alive 3:28
5. Anyone Can See 4:10 /
6. Welcome Innervision 5:38
7. Chained Man 4:08
8. Follow the Love 3:53
9. She Runs 4:22
10. No Wonder 4:10

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Elliot Scheiner - Producer, Remix
• Stephen Dees - Vox, Bass (Hall & Oats, Tony Carey, Bandees, Pat Travers, Victor Wainwright)
• Pete Hewlett - Vox, Guirar (Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Joe Jackson, Julian Lennon, Amy Grant, Eric Carmen, Peter's Pipers, Sweet Lightning, Euclid Beach Band, The Hit Men)
• Carlos Rios - Guitar, Backing Vox (Gino Vannelli, Lionel Richie, Boz Scaggs, Herb Alpert)
• Michael Shrieve - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vox (Santana, Abraxas Pool, Automatic Man, HSAS, Stomu Yamashta's Go)
• Sanford "Sandy" Ross - Personal Mgmt
• Glenn Orsher - Personal Mgmt
• Ted Jensen - Mastering
• Rob Mounsey - Synth Programming
• Wayne Yurgelun - Digital Doctor
• Bill Roach - Digital Doctor
• Larry Franke - Asst. Engineer
• Gregory Mann - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Morongell - Asst. Engineer
• Kevin Halpin - Asst. Engineer
• Cheryl Smith - Asst. Engineer
• Dean Janoff- Photography
• SchaefferBoehm - Art Direction
• Ronnie Cooke - Styling

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. Based on their name, I assume it is has an adult contemporary sound, with attention to genres that have specific dances, be it Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa, Mambo, etc. However, the artwork shows a group of four, slightly hipper guys that are trying to look cool, but come off as a bunch of parents trying on their kid's stylistic clothes. They are tapping into the popular-at-the-time idea of animation, but also the popularity of arcade games, further trying to adapt to a youthful culture. I imagine this to be some very light AM radio music trying to fit into a New Wave world.

Album Review: For having some musical greats...or at least folks that worked beside musical greats (Santana, Hall & Oats, Billy Joel, Joe Jackson) , this is a light forgettable album whispy and floating radio pop with nothing that seems challenging or deep. There are some lofty island jams, and musician's musician performances, so i can see why there was comparison to the police. Many of the songs are repetitive and irritating, basically good fodder for advertisements. There are not really any good tracks, but the title track at least has some fun dated lyrics about arcades and computers.

Stand Out Track: Animation Generation

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Rate your music
Spotify
Glory Daze
Allmusic

Yachts - S.O.S.

Name: Yachts
Album; S.O.S.
Year: 1979
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Devo, Majik, 3-D, Romantics, XTC, Squeeze, the A's
One-Word Review: Spinning-Top-Bouncy-Anxious-Pop
Based Out Of: Liverpool, UK
Label: Polydor

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

S.O.S. (1979)

1. Yachting Type 2:49
2. Semaphore Love 2:40
3. Love You, Love You 3:07
4. Tantamount to Bribery 2:16
5. Mantovani's Hits 3:05
6. Box 202 3:28 /
7. Look Back in Love 2:20
8. Then and Now 3:50
9. I Can't Stay Long 3:52
10. In a Second 3:19
11. Heads Will Turn 3:15
12. Suffice To Say (live) 4:17

Album Rating (1-10): 10

Members & Other Bands:

• Martin Watson - Gutair, Vox (Albert Dock, Alber & The Cod Warriors, Chuddy Nuddies)
• Henry Priestman - Keys, Vox (Albert Dock, Alber & The Cod Warriors, Bette Bright & The Illuminations, Its Immaterial, Wah!, The Christians, Chuddy Nuddies)
• Martin Dempsey - Bass, Vox (Albert Dock, Alber & The Cod Warriors, Pink Military, Chuddy Nuddies, Mel-O-Tones)
• Bob Bell - Drums, Vox (Albert Dock, Alber & The Cod Warriors, Chuddy Nuddies)
• Richard Gottehrer - Producer
• Lawrence Diana - Mixing
• Nick Walker - Asst Mixing
• Richard Boote - Fire Extinguisher
• Malcome (Able Images) - Sleeve
• Clive Langer - Producer (look back in love)
• Tom Sheehan - Front Cover
• Bob Gruen - Pics

Unknow-ness: Never heard of them. Like the collage of images and thematic Yachting artwork. Looks like there is a lot of fun, goofy energy in this band, so i am hoping that translates to neurotic new wave.

Album Review: And the music does not disappoint. It's albums like this that keep me buying dollar records to see what lost gems there are out there. The anxious, jittery keyboards remind me of the A's and Elvis Costello's exciting stuff at times, and the harmonizing and fast tempo would have made them a fun band live I imagine. Interesting to see Clive Langer as a producer on a track, which fits their style, along side acts like Dexy's Midnight Runners and Madness. Apparently an early incarnation of this band opened for Sex Pistols in '76 or so, and their first gig as Yachts was supporting Elvis Costello. This SOS album is the US release, and was self titled in the UK.

Stand Out Track: Heads Will Turn [*]

Links:
Discogs

Wiki
Nostalgia Central
Punky Gibbon
Psych Baby Mag

New Adventures - S/T

Name: New Adventures
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Pub Rock & Blues
Similar Bands: J. Geils Band, Foriegner
One-Word Review: heavy-greasy-back-alley-pub-rock
Based Out Of: Winschoten, Groningen, Netherlands
Label: Polydor

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

New Adventures

1. Come On 3:00
2. Drive Me Wild 2:52
3. Spacelab Cowboy 2:49
4. You Can't Do That 2:45
5. Right to Cry 2:57
6. Bachus Beckett 3:18
7. Money 2:10 /
8. Backdoor Lovers 3:26
9. Late Late Show 3:15
10. If Your Mamma Don't Like It 3:43
11. Rock & Roll Woman 2:40
12. Genie Dance 3:13
13. Back to the Pit 2:30

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Bootsman - Guitar Vox (New Legend, AA & The Doctors, Home Flight Selection, Doggersbank, Harley Jay, Wild Romance )
• Harry de Winter - Bass, Keys, Vox (New Legend, Roxette, Purcus Education)
• Henk Torpedo - Drums, Percussion (New Legend, Upsidedown)
• George Kooymans - Producer (Golden Earring)
• John Kreik - Engineered
• George Cramer - Art Direction
• Fernando van Teylingen - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. From the album cover, it looks like an edgy new wave band, promising to be neurotic, jittery keyboard heavy pop. Year checks out, 1979-1980.

Album Review: This Dutch band was an award winning band back from 1978 - present day, as they will still get together to perform on occasion. With 5 albums between 1980 - 1985, they played straight forward blues inspired pub rock, with a heavy edge. Covers of Beatles and Chuck Berry are on the album, and their Berry cover, "Come On" was their biggest single.

Stand Out Track: Come On [*]

Links
New Adventures Bootsman's site (in Dutch)
Facebook
Wikipedia
Discogs
Soundcloud
Interview- Blues Mag

Girlschool - Hit & Run~ Screaming Blue Murder*

Name: Girlschool

Albums: Hit & Run~, Screaming Blue Murder*

Years: 1981~, 1982*

Style: Metal, Hard Rock

Similar Bands: Motorhead, The Runaways, Ramones, Heart, L7, Lita Ford, The Donnas

One Word Review: Metalized-Power-Punk

Based Out Of: London UK

Label: Bronze Records Ltd, Original Sound Recordings, Polydor, Ariola Group of Companies

Hit and Run~ - Cover & Record

Hit and Run~ - Back & Record

Screaming Blue Murder* - Cover & Record

Screaming Blue Murder* - Back & Lyric Sheet 

Hit and Run (1981)~

1. C'Mon Let's Go 3:35
2. The Hunter 3:15
3. (I'm Your) Victim 2:42
4. Kick It Down 3:03
5. Following the Crowd 3:08
6. Tush 2:15/
7. Hit & Run 3:08
8. Watch Your Step 3:20
9. Back to Start 3:32
10. Yeah Right 3:20
11. Future Flash 4:27

Screaming Blue Murder (1982)*

1. Screaming Blue Murder 3:22
2. Live With Me 3:22
3. Take It From Me 2:48
4. Wildlife 2:47
5. It Turns Your Head Around 3:05/
6. Don't Call It Love 3:39
7. Hellrazor 2:40
8. When Your Blood Runs Cold 3:19
9. You Got Me 3:13
10. Flesh And Blood 2:24

Album Rating (1-10):~8.0

*8.0

Members & Other Bands:

Kim McAuliffe - Rhythm Guitar, Vox~* (Painted Lady, Doro, Motorhead, Infa-Riot, Fastway)

Kelly Johnson - Lead Guitar, Vox~* (Headgirl, Motorhead, Fleetwood Mac, John Foster, Infa-Riot)

Enid Williams - Bass, Vox~ (Painted Lady, Headgirl, Doro, Motorhead)

Denise Dufort - Drums~* (Headgirl, Motorhead, Motorschool, Doro, Infa-Riot)

Gil Weston - Bass, Vox* (The Killjoys)

Vic Maile - Producer~

Nigel Gray - Producer, Engineer*

Chris Tsangarides - Mixing, Producer, Engineer*

Alan Daniels - Illustration~

John Dent - Mastering~

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band, but when I saw them in a 2 / $1 bin, I had to pick them up. It looks like the energetic girl rock music that I've been into lately, so I was excited to check out these, especially since they were from 81-82. I like the rough and ready look, Ramones/Twisted Sister metal vibe to their covers.

Album Review: Girlschool is the longest running all girl metal band. The band is accurately summarized by the editor of Revolver’s comment “Punk-metal mix tough, but poppy enough for radio” (mar 2006). Based out of the UK, Lemmy from Motorhead was majorly responsible for their success as he championed them and worked with them many times over both of their careers (Headgirl & Motorschool). These are their second and third albums (of 12 so-far), and the third album was the first that was supported with a US tour. Many critics said there was a drop off between albums, but as far as I could tell listening to them back to back, I could not decry any sort of decrease in quality.

“C'Mon Let's Go” was the third single released. It begins with a heavy guitar revving up in the stage right speaker, reminding me a little of Life Of Agony. A punishing drum beat follows, and the song kicks into full metal gear, with heavy power-pop-like chord changes, and a voice not unlike Joan Jett. The chorus is a fun call and response “Let’s Go!” And the chugging guitar/drums duo reminds me of Bow Wow Wow, and Adam Ant too.

“The Hunter” was the b-side to “Yeah Right.” A plotting guitar sets a heavy stomping tempo, and this song’s basic melody, and the way the vocals are sung in the verse reminds me of Adam Ant again. The stalking melody is conniving and the hushed vocals help to illustrate a big cat stalking its prey.

“(I'm Your) Victim” pushed the ball down the hill right away, and the song drives along full throttle. The female vocals have a calm punk attitude about them, and the choir of girls harmonically supporting the lead creates a powerful message as a group. The lead guitar solo is blistering, but holds within the melody’s boundaries. The song ends with the chorus of “Run and hide.”

“Kick It Down” has the band tuning up, and sounds as if it would be a great first track, as the instruments are giving feedback. The song then launches into a heavy version of a grimy Detroit garage rock song. I imagine the song could be changed little to become “Kick Out the Jams.”

“Following the Crowd” has a jittery guitar intro, but that is quickly overtaken by a heavy lead guitar hook. The song chugs along like a backing track for a kick boxing tournament montage. The lyrics are sung powerfully and inspired. The chorus has a darkness to it with the minor chord changes.

“Tush” is a cover of the ZZ Top song. The band keeps the bluesy swagger and the vocals are short, punchy and growly. They let loose on the guitar solos, bring the metal edge in where they can.

“Hit & Run” was a top 40 UK single. The vocals sound honest and thoughtful, while the music fires on all cylinders. The chorus finds the group of girls repeating the song title three times. The drums are crashing in the chorus, but otherwise, the song is a general solid heavy rock song. The vocals are not threatening, and even come off as somewhat delicate and sincere.

“Watch Your Step” kicks in with a fast paced drum beat, and the rhythm guitar comes in to match. The lead guitar adds extra volume to the “Ace of Spades” style melody. The instrumental lets the guitar run wild, and it ends with a simple bass-drums reset. This is followed by a rendering of the song title repeated through distortion like a megaphone. The song begins to slowy fade out, and then it drops away quickly.

“Back to Start” has a slow-yet-aggressive drum beat introduction. Metal-Enhanced back alley pub rock guitars are added to give it a sinister swagger. The chorus has white-water rapid style guitar playing, where the roughness smoothes out for a second only to return to the chugging roughness.

“Yeah Right” was also a single. The band sets the stage with two measures of guitar and drums, only to grab it with lead guitars and aggressively drag it forward. The steady singing is punctuated with shouts from the rest of the band of the title. The song is a rebuttal, spit in your face retort to parental figures employing their rules and regulations over the listener. This is a theme embraced by Twisted Sister, and it really speaks to the young, misunderstood teen listener. But the bottom line, as they say in the song is, “You can’t go back.”

“Future Flash” creeks and grows slowly with atmospheric interference, and then suddenly starts with the precise combination of heavy guitars, buried bass and skipping drums. Amidst the ear bleeding guitar solos and abrasive rhythm guitars are minimal synth-like effects, assumingly related to the song title.  Heck, maybe it was just once, and I’m now just imagining that it happened.

“Screaming Blue Murder” picks up right where you left the last track: aggressive guitars and drums. But this time, they use aggressive vocals to match. They’ve embraced the theatrics of metal vocals just enough to sound more menacing than all the songs on the first record put together. Other than a fun song to sing along with at a live show, the song does not present anything too new or catchy. It just has some shifting chord changes, and whiny metal guitar in the ending instrumental that fades right out.

“Live With Me” is a Rolling Stones cover. And the band puts on the fuzzed out metal guitar make-over. The vocals maintain the aggressiveness from the first song. The melody is catchy, as is expected with a RS song. The guitar solo in the instrumental section feels reserved, and follows along with the basic melody.

“Take It From Me” has power chords played in a chugging rhythm guitar style in the introduction. The vocals and guitar hook trade barbs, and each one goes away to allow the other spotlight, never overlapping. But that is just a great pop song cue. This is a solid pop song dressed up in metal.

“Wildlife” was on the “Wildlife” EP that preceded this album and was rerecorded for here. A scroll down the neck of the guitar, and a stomping tempo give life to this song, with vocals that remind me of Sleater-Kinney a little bit. The chorus is another call and response with the backing group chanting “Get Ready.”

“It Turns Your Head Around” feels like a rock-a-billy punk song at the beginning. But the vocals are performed in a snarling manner. The chorus is a fun and catchy sing along of the title. It matches the tinny, Rancid style lead guitar with rhythm guitar power-pop chord shifts.

“Don't Call It Love” was on the “Wildlife” EP that preceded this album and was rerecorded for here. The beginning features a precise, vocal melody like guitar intro that then gets absorbed into the sea of the song, but reemerges when it gets to the verse. By the time the chorus hits, the guitar shifts to a secondary hook, with the same precision of the first one. A tone shift occurs near the end, and the now-familiar melody pushes up an octave for a pleasant change.

“Hellrazor” is a jarring wall of noise that is molded into a charging forward onslaught with its head down and bayonet held right in front. The vocals are a smooth calmness that brings a balance between the aggressive tempo and rolling melody. The song continues to rise right to the very end, where it spins out into the finish.

“When Your Blood Runs Cold” displays the heavy-yet-catchy side to the band. The vocals are confident and bold, but produced differently; the melody and vocals could be a Pat Benatar song. The poppy guitar solo just enhances the already laid melody. And after its brief eruption, the bass and drums reset the song in a well-timed reorganization.

“You Got Me” is another template of a well-organized pop song featuring heavy production values, like chain-enhanced drums, and the buzzing guitar. The verse builds nicely to the chorus, and it features the requisite instrumental after two verse-chorus run throughs, which leads right back into the chorus.

“Flesh And Blood” has a bold use of drums setting the tonal melody, and a rhythm echoes a single note to the same beat. An effect is placed on the lead guitar making it oscillate with reverb on a loop. Breathy, echoing vocals are overlays, as if an invisible presence is whispering the vocals flesh and blood over the basic instrumental. And the whole drum-lead melody quietly fades out. 

Stand Out Track: ~C'Mon, Let's Go

*Take It From Me

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3-D - s/t

Name: 3-D
Album: s/t
Year:1980
Style: New Wave, Power Pop
Similar Bands: The A's, Code Blue, Cars, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker
"One Word" Review: Surfy Piano Synth Pop
Based out of: New York
Label: Polydor, Polygram Distribution

3-D - Cover, Liner Notes, Record

3-D - Back, Lyrics, Record

3-D (1980)

1. Telephone Number 2:47
2. It's No Fun 4:09
3. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow 3:24
4. Pin Up Girl 4:00
5. Back to You 3:58 /
6. X-Ray Eyes 4:25
7. All American Boy 4:21
8. Carnival 4:13
9. All Night TV 4:20

Album Rating (1-10): 10

Members & Other Bands: (Wonderland Band, Trans-Lux)
Rick Zivic - Vox (Red White and Blues Band)
Ted Wender - Keys, Vox (White Cloud, Loudon Wainwright III, Doobie Brothers, Red White and Blues Band)
Mike Fink - Drums (Ronnie Wood, Bo Diddly, Whippersnapper)
Keiv Ginsberg - Vox, Guitars (Boffalongo, Blues Brothers Soundtrack)
Ken Scott - Engineer, Producer
Nick Stevens - Bass, Vox(Impulsive Manslaughter, Holy Heart Failure)
John Doumanian - Management
Premier Talen - Booking Agent
Phil Jost - Asst. Engineer
Tim Garrity - Asst. Engineer
Bernie Grundman - Mastering
David Alexander - Cover Photo
Chris Callas - Inner Sleeve Photo
Rod Dyer - Design
Andy Engel - Design
AGI - Art Coordination

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band, but from the looks of the album artwork, it will be some sort of new wave act. I like the angular, chaotic chunks of broken mirror reflecting the band. Makes me think that the contents will be fun, angular hooks as well. The logo of the name looks as if it was quickly written, which keeps me optimistic that the music will be fast paced too. 1980 is a good year for the style, so I’m looking forward to this one.

Album Review: So this band had a bunch of tour dates opening for bigger bands such as J Geils and the Ramones, and they even reached critical success as a performer on SNL back in May of 1980. There were three singles from the album: “Telephone Number” “X-Ray Eyes” and “All Night TV.” And thourhgout the album, they follow the mold set by Elvis Costello and Graham Parker and the A’s with nasally pop new wave. There is not one bad song on this record. Nothing comes close to being bad. The main two musicians Ted & Ric have moved on to form their own production company, and it looks as if drummer Mike Fink is more known for his album designing (20^th Century Millennium Masters Collections) rather than drumming.

“Telephone Number” begins with a jaunty piano intro, followed by drums and a upbeat piano pop somg. The vocals are nasally like a nice balance from Elvis Costello and Richard Bush (from the A’s). This is very shiny, pleasant and catchy song. And has a general naivety present in most of the late 50-early 60’s pop songs, but sung with a distinct late 70’s early 80’s new wave style.

“It's No Fun” enters with a bass line, and the same nasally vocals. After the first verse follows through, instrumentation bridges the gap into the second verse, and the bouncy organ and a singular, non-harmonized doo-wop melody carries through the chorus. The bass line carries the song through, presenting the back bone for the light ska harmonies and a bit of laid back island/surf tempo.

“Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” has a self-paced drum and keyboard melody creating a steady driving tempo. The piano and synth combination bring a lot of hooks and keep the songs feet straddled perfectly between pub piano pop and odd new wave. Bottom line, the song is a straight forward pop song, full of energy. The song is generally fun with throwaway hooks buried deep and burned up without thought.

“Pin Up Girl” again embraces simple surf elements possible in new wave synth. This song sounds just like Richard Bush. I would be hard press to do the “cola challenge” and not guess that this was an A’s song.  Except there is a falsetto section in the chorus that is unique to the band.

“Back to You” feels like a much more pub rock style song, built on guitar and drums. The song is driving, with a cars like tempo, with minor broken moments in the steady beat, which amplifies the urgency in the song. After an instrumental punctuated with a rolling drum section, the guitar melody borrows from Mony Mony.

“X-Ray Eyes” drives right off of side one with a pounding drum beat in a nervous rhythm, and it is coupled with synth sounds and a rapid pulsing bass line. This is some fine breeding of powerpop and new wave, and to wave the fear of sounding repetitive, it sounds just like the A’s first album material. This might be the catchiest hook on the album, as the chorus melody is just a clarified version of the verse.

“All American Boy” has an anthemic like intro, and delves into a creepy relaxed pace with a dark synth sound. The vocals are basically spoken at a marching cadence leading up to the chorus, which does not quite deliver all the energy it builds up. But the second time through, it is a little better. There is a music box like breakdown, twinkling and light. Dammit, even the theme in the song is ripped directly from the middle American plots to the A’s songs. There must have been a build-a-band kit available in the late 70’s that both bands purchased.

“Carnival” brings back the atmosphere of island/light ska keyboards from “It’s No Fun,” and rather than be creepy and carousel-like, it is a nostalgic trip to carnivals from the early 60’s with a playful bass line and hand clap percussion. On top of that I thoroughly enjoy the singer’s percussive throat flourishes of “Uh-Oh-Uh-Oh.” It adds a great accent to the melody.

“All Night TV” brings the straight forward power pop sound to the album finally with some powerful chord changes. The guitar chords are supplemented with a keyboard changes once the verse gets going. The song embraces the strutting, marching tempo by the second verse, and just when it might go on for too long, the prog-ish breakdown reinvigorates the song, and it come marching back with a stronger energy. The harmonized chorus of the word Television evokes a bold, Bee-Gees or Supertramp comparison. 

Stand Out Track: Telephone Number

Links:
Wiki
SNL episode IMDB
Ric's Linkedin page
Red White & Blues band's reverb page
Brooklyn Vegan's RWB band description
Ric & Ted productions
newspaper show review from 1980
allmusic
Discogs
Rate Your Music

Blackjack - s/t

Band: Blackjack
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Hard Rock
Similar Bands: Bob Seger, Michael Bolton, Mr. Big, Jackson Browne, Foriegner
"One-Word" Review: Rockin'-Boltin'
Based Out Of: Miami?
Label: Polydor

Blackjack - Cover & Record

Blackjack - Back & Record

Blackjack (1979)

1. Love Me Tonight 2:58
2. Heart Of Stone 3:54
3. The Night Has Me Calling for You 4:35
4. Southern Ballad 3:45
5. Fallin' 3:32 /
6. Without Your Love 3:45
7. Countin' On You 3:35
8. I'm Aware of Your Love 3:37
9. For You 4:44
10. Heart of Mine 2:55

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:Michael Bolotin - Vocals (Michael Bolton)
Bruice Kulick - Guitar (Kiss, Hookfoot, Good Rats)
Sandy Gennaro - Drums (Pat Travers)
Jimmy Haslip - Bass (Tommy Bolin, The Yellowjackets, Carillo)
Jan Mullaney - Keys (Carillo)
Chuck Kirkpatrick - Backing Vox
Tony Battaglia - Backing Vox
Tom Dowd - Produced
Steve Gursky - Engineer
Rick Allison - Asst. Engineer
Michael Guerra - 2nd Asst. Engineer
Jim Sessody - 2nd Asst. Engineer
Mike Fuller - Mastering
Phil Lorito - Career Consultant
Gerrard Heurta - Cover Illustration, Design
Jim Houghton - Photography
Abie Sussman - Design, Art Direction

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band. But I do love the packaging for the record. The optical illusion of a full deck of cards, and opening with a flap, like a deck, is very cool. I had to pick it up just for that. The idea of a band called Blackjack makes me think that they will be straight up Southern Guitar Rock. But from the images on the back, the band looks more like a Hair Metal Band.

Album Review: So the singer, Michael Bolotin, is the more famous Michael Bolton, infamous for his terrible soft pop songs of the 80’s. It will be very interesting to hear him in a hard rock band. Also, the guitarist is from KISS, so there’s that element too.

“Love Me Tonight” is their single. When I first head this, before I knew it was Michael Bolton, I was thinking it sounded rough, like Bob Seger or something, but once I knew who he was, he was instantly recognizable. Musically, it is light, melodic rock. Vocally, it is the standard Bolton raspy and quaking sound. The song reminds me a lot of the Fast Times at Ridgemont High famous song, Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby.”
“Heart Of Stone” is a little heavier. The metal guitar is used lightly, but it definitely has the whining sorrow of a metal guitar. Then Bolton’s vocals ruin the atmosphere…but that’s probably because I’m thinking too much of where those vocals are coming from and what Bolton became. He has range, and his singing style is an emotional, raspy wavering. The music lightens up and becomes pop rock with a bit of metal guitar flurry buried in the background as if that is the only style his voice can be supported by.
“The Night Has Me Calling for You” features a bit of bold electric guitar setting the melody in the beginning, reminding me of Queen. But again, Bolton comes in and basically brings the song to a halt. It picks up and has a fun driving sound for a bit in the bridge, but the chorus is a return to the slow, momentum-less melody. The song ends boldly with a winding down instrumental climatic finish
“Southern Ballad” is a guitar ballad, as the name would suggest. It is like a poor version of “Have I Told You Lately,” with none of the interesting, loving melody, just similarity of the title being sung in Rod’s song.
“Fallin’” starts off with a lot of energy, stored up from the last song, presumably. It is driving and energetic, but not overly emotional. But as it progresses through the general pop rock melody, the harmonized backing vocals of the chorus devolve into a rip off of The Police song “So Lonely.”

“Without Your Love” begins as a strong southern metal rock song with a swagger and a nice metal guitar sound. The drum beat carries the driving tempo through Bolton’s light vocals. It builds well to the chorus, and the chorus is pretty catchy, based in the consistent southern rock style that sounds very familiar with much more emotional vocals.
“Countin' On You” begins as a slow & light, pub band rock song. There is a mystique and slyness to the key of the guitar & bass.
“I'm Aware of Your Love” has a very energetic and catchy beginning, and sounds like a solid, fun guitar pop rock song. The music drives full force, building up power to be released in the chorus, which raises the pitch and intensity of vocals. The major downside is that it is very repetitive, as it is just the title repeated over and over again. This detracts from the over all appeal of the song, which would otherwise be shockingly good.
“For You” takes it back down to the slow plodding pace of a cigarette lighter-held ballad. This could be a lesser Bolton song in his solo heyday.
“Heart of Mine” starts with a catchy pop, near-jangley guitar hook. The initial vocals are week, but the song corrects itself rather quickly once it reaches the first fake-out bridge. It has a power- pop rock composition of short verse and repetitive chorus with harmonized vocals in support. It is catchy and swoops up and down the scale. The first two stanzas are naturally sandwiched with a guitar solo before coming back for one last verse-chorus fade out attack.

Stand Out Track: Heart of Mine

Links:Wiki

Michael Bolton Fan Page
Promo Film on NME
Allmusic
Melodic Rock Message Board

Metal Minos

Pop Dose

Seriously OMG

Bruce Fan's Review
Yperano
Bruce Bio
WNEW.com

(the) Inmates - First Offence

Name: (the) Inmates
Album: First Offence
Year: 1979
Style: Garage / Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Rollign Stones, J. Geils Band, Steppenwolf, Ace, Charlie & The Pep Boys, Van Morrison
"One Word" Review: R, B & Roll Rebirth
Based Out Of: London, England
Label: Radarscope Records, Radar Records, Polydor

First Offence - Cover & Record

First Offence - Back & Aquarian Clipping.

First Offence (1979)

1. Dirty Water 3:00
2. Love Got Me 3:36
3. Midnight to Six Man 2:20
4. The Walk 2:44
5. You're The One That Done It 2:29
6. Jealousy 2:57 /
7. Mr. Unreliable 2:52
8. Three Time Loser 2:33
9. I Can't Sleep 3:03
10. If Time Could Turn Backwards 4:04
11. Back In History 2:17

Album Review (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:Ray Beavis - Sax (Tenor)
John Bull - Drums
Ben Donnelly - Bass
John Earle - Baritone Sax
Laurie Garman - Harmonica
Malcolm Garrett - Design, Sleeve Design
Peter Gunn - Guitar, Vocals
Dick Hanson - Trumpet
Eddie Hedges - Drums (Blessed Union of Souls, The Vibrators)
Bill Hurley - Vocals
Vic Maile - Producer
Tony Oliver - Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals
Gavin Povey - Keyboards, Organ
Tim Read - Design
Sheila Rock - Photography

Unknown-ness: I love the look of the band, the name’s random capitalization / logo, the dark color and the play on words with the band name and album title. Whoever got rid of this record included a neat artifact in the record sleeve: a page out of the NJ music mag Aquarian around the time the album came out, and when the band was touring the states. From these elements of judgment, I’d guess that this band is going to be a great, angular new wave pop band with bouncy melodies and a driving vibe. I’m kinda excited to listen to and review this record.

Album Review: So it turns out the band is British, and consists of mainly pub & garage rock roots, taking aim at early Stones style. And their first track was their “hit,” which is a cover of the Standell’s “Dirty Water.” The band is also, apparently, still somewhat active with an updated website and all, as of 12/19/11.

“Dirty Water” immediately feels like it is a live recording in a pub. And the vocals are borrowed straight from Jagger. The guitar is a simple hook, and the rhythm is steady, but not really driving. The guitar solo is gritty and feels grimy like the best of pub rock.
“Love Got Me” starts right off with a guitar right out of Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild.” It is song best listened to while driving. And just when I got the feeling that there was going to be an ultra catchy chorus, the song just reverted back to the verse melody. There is not much diversity to the song, as it stays fast to the simgle melody.
“Midnight to Six Man” is a much more motivated, 60’s inspired garage band song. It features a harmonic dual vocal that splits apart in the chorus.
“The Walk” feels like a happy-go-lucky R&B strut. It also feels a little dopey, as in I could see back a dopey, aw-shucks character in a film montage. Maybe it feels like it should be in a Kids In The Hall sketch.
“You're The One That Done It” has a start stop bass groove that feels a little like Depeche Mode (whom I’m not a fan of) It covers its tracks well with the R&B slide guitar and Jagger vocals.
“Jealousy” drives right from the get go with a motor like bass line and a guitar that feels like the echo of a train passing a station. The chorus here does carry through with an anticipated catchy chord progression and I’d imagine the energy in the song performed live would be quite intense.

“Mr. Unreliable” is slower and darker, and actually feels like a different vocalist. Not to say this is a slow song, because the bass line is still full of punch and the guitar does not let you sit. The song has a building feeling like it has the chance to go faster, but it is comfortable at its set course.
“Three Time Loser” blasts off with a horn section, and immediately settles itself in for a groovy, bluesy, confident tempo. The vocals n this song remind me of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night”
“I Can't Sleep” takes us back again to a simple 60’s garage rock song. It is simple in composition, and relies heavily on the bass groove. It is just a bit too simple and lacks a musical challenge.
“If Time Could Turn Backwards” slows things down tempo and singing wise. This is the sweaty, mid-show-stopper “Time Is On My Side” ballad that makes the ladies swoon. “Back In History” has a somewhat annoying use of the vocals, hanging onto the word baby. The rest is great example of classic rock n’ roll: a Chuck Berry esq song.

Stand Out Track: Midnight to Six Man

Links:

Subversive Sound
Sons of the Dolls
Wiki
Last FM
Riverside Records
Allmusic
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