Music Talk Radio

     Did you know that every vocal on Boston's debut album, Boston, is sung by Brad Delp? Brad sang all the harmonies and all the lead vocal work. He was such a fantastic vocalist. He grew up on Wadsworth Street in Danvers, MA. My close friend grew up on the same street! I live a town over in Peabody, MA. Brad was actually born in Peabody, MA. Not that I knew him or ever met him. I didn't. I lived next door to Barry Goudreau (a guitarist in Boston) in my hometown of Swampscott, MA, however. Here's a fun fact, did you know Barry was Brad's brother-in-law?       "More Than a Feeling" is a great song to check out Brad's range. Oh, and Marianne (walking away) in the song  was Tom Sholtz's cousin , whom he had a crush on as a kid. Just another, "Did you know."       Check out "More Than A Feeling" on Spotify:  More Than A Feeling        Gotta love the artwork here, too. The upside-down guitar spaceships an...

     Most of my top live albums don't even rank on Rolling Stone's 50 best live albums. That's okay; I have my own favorites. The following albums are the absolute best live albums. There are only eight albums listed here. I know there are many more live albums. Many I have never even heard. I only know the albums I know. So, if there are other live albums you love, please let me know so I can check them out. I will only bore you with my commentary on my top two live rock albums and why they beat out the rest. So, let's look from number 8 down to number 1. 8. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Live Bullet , 1976 - (Photo by Robert Markliwitz) -   Check it out on Spotify:  "Live Bullet" 7. Grand Funk - Live Album, 1970 - (Photo by Mark Amerling) -  Spotify album link:  Grand Funk "Live Album" 6. Deep Purple - Made In Japan , 1972 -  (Cover Design by Roger Glover, Photo by Fin Costello) - Spotify album link:  "Made In Japan" 5. J. Gei...

     Ok, I used to love the whole feel of getting an album. Remember. Checking out the inside or the back for lyrics. Checking the inside sleeve for any pics. The smell of the album. Pulling out the album for the first time. The whole tactile feel. Remember queuing up the album on a record player. The sound of static after playing the album repeatedly until it got a bunch of scratches. The album skipping, the sound of the needle dropping. I bought a record player two years ago because I missed it so much. I still have to hook it up. I did buy a few albums. Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive . Boston (their debut) and Paul McCartney and Wings, Wings Over America . Stupidly, I got rid of most of my albums years ago. To pay for this or that. I regret getting rid of them. So one of these days, I'll hook up the record player and speakers and re-live the best days in music. The 1970's. The analog days! Speaking of Album Covers, do you remember Led Zeppelin's third album? Albu...

     We are still talking about them! Admittedly, I didn't get them when I was younger. Why they were and are still so great. As I get older and look back, especially in stark contrast to today's music industry and artists, I am starting to understand their musical and cultural importance. I was an early Aerosmith (first 5 albums) and Led Zeppelin fan. My musical taste was influenced by my older brothers. A wide range from James Montgomery, J. Geils, ELP, The Jackson Five, The Commodores, Earth Wind and Fire, and Jethro Tull. Then a bit later, Yes, Styx, and on and on. One of my brothers was a big Beatles fan. Then, he followed Paul McCartney and Wings. I love PM with Wings.       Only now am I starting to listen back and digest what happened way back then? No one was writing the way the Beatles were. Vastly different songwriting and genres on their albums (starting with Rubber Soul) and Sgt. Pepper. Even the Album Art was ahead of its time. It's an ex...

     Stewart Copeland, the drummer for The Police, grew up in Lebanon, Egypt, and England. He was strongly influenced by Arabic rhythms. Skipping the 'One' beat in a measure on many songs. In "Walking On The Moon" from 1979's Reggatta de Blanc , you can hear his use of polyrhythms, which also has a significant effect. It's not your straight-out rock or reggae, that's for sure.       His hi-hat work on this tune is entirely unique. To paraphrase, Stewart expressed on a recent YouTube video that Sting would get frustrated with him not sticking to the usual rock backbeat with snare hits on the 2 and 4 (in 4/4 time). No one plays these types of intricate rhythms in rock. Such finesse, superb dynamics, and ever-changing hi-hat rhythms—not to mention the killer delay on the rim shots from his space echo on "Walking On The Moon."       Stewart's hi-hat work just adds to the song's minimalist structure. His playing makes me forget about th...

     The album art for Cream's  Disraeli  Gears doesn't get any more '60s, does it? 1967, to be exact. Talk about psychedelic! It's always been one of my favorite album covers because of its pure insanity. The artwork was done by a gentleman named Martin Sharp. A fine job he did.   From Wikipedia, " Martin Sharp was attempting to capture the sound of the music in the cover, which he describes as a "warm fluorescent sound"   The colors are outrageous in their combination. This had to be the boldest album cover known to man. To me, it represents the 1960s more than any other album cover. Including Sgt. Pepper and Their Satanic Majesties Request. Peacocks, horses, flowers. Who's the green chick in front of Jack Bruce? Anyone? Oh, and the trio in there too. Gotta love it. Check out more on  Classic Rock Magazine . Album Art by Martin Sharp, 1967

     The B52's self-titled album is hysterical. If you are having a bad day and if you suffer from depression, listening to this album is like taking anti-depressants. In particular, listen to "There's a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon.)" Listen to it next time you're feeling down. The simplicity of the lyrics and the robotic, almost sci-fi feel are brilliant. It's a priceless tune. And a priceless band. This song and album will lift your spirit. I know they are "New Wave," but you gotta love them. The B52s are the best anti-depressant going. Check it out on Spotify:  There's a Moon in The Sky (Called The Moon)

     This is one brilliant song. It was released on July 11, 1969. And, not coincidently, the 1st moon landing was on July 16, 1969. A perfect release time for the song. It's so different from anything else at that time. You really go on the ride with Bowie's imagery. Imagine being in the tin can. You feel lonely with "Here am I sitting in my tin can. Far above the world." Of course, this evokes the whole NASA thing with the picture of Earth from out in space. Not to mention the urgency of "Ground control to major Tom, your circuits dead, there's something wrong...". Bowie plays the characters well and nails the role of Major Tom and Ground Control. You don't have to guess who is who. Can you hear me, Major Tom.." We have listened to it a million times.      There are many songs about space, but to me, this reigns supreme: "Rocket Man" by Elton John and "Space Truckin" by Deep Purple, to name a couple.  Because of the timing...

     Mick Taylor was a great replacement guitarist for Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. His keen sense of melody and ability to jam were fresh for the Stones. Think of the end of "Sway." Taylor joined the Stones in 1969.       Taylor played on the following albums from the Stones: Let It Bleed (1969), Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out (1970), The Rolling Stones in Concert (1970), Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main Street  (1972), Goats Head Soup (1973) and It's Only Rock 'n Roll (1974).       When Taylor was in the Stones, he fostered the best and most creative writing and guitar playing. Mick Taylor challenged Keith. They worked well together.       Keith is one of my favorite songwriters, and he upped his game, as did Mick Jagger when Mick Taylor was in the band. Taylor challenged them and intimidated them a bit. They got bluesy, too. Mick Taylor was a great slide player. If you haven't considered him a Rollin...

    Growing up,  I didn't really listen to either of these singers. Why? Because all I heard was Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. With a bit of J. Geils, Grand Funk, and whatever other bands my older brothers were listening to. Here is my point. In my older years, I can now hear what a great singer Steve Perry actually is. Period. In Rock. He reigns supreme in my book. I never got it. I was into hard rock, and Journey was polished and ballady. A friend once said to me (and she was a singer) that Steve Perry was the best rock singer ever. I fought her, saying Robert Plant was. I was wrong. Just wrong.       Freddie Mercury is also a fantastic singer. Not only is he a genius songwriter in my book and an incredible entertainer, but he takes the cake in the all-around category. Entertainer, singer, songwriter. Listen to him on the song "Under Pressure". His vocal range is vast, and his songwriting made Queen what they were.         ...

     Different decades and genres' main musical focus was on specific instruments. In the 20s, 30s, and 40s, there were horn sections. Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and the like. The 50s focus was on piano and a bit of guitar. Think Little Richard, Fats Domino. Jerry Lee Lewis on piano. Chuck Berry paved the way for rock and roll guitarists. The 60s and 70s rock scene was highly focused on electric guitar and keyboards were a bit more in the background. Hendrix and Clapton were the foremost guitarists who brought the instrument to the forefront.      Now, 808s and low bass are prominent in hip-hop. Hi-hats are a main staple, too. How many different beats can you make switching these elements up? It's endless. These sounds are mainly produced by artists with music software. These sounds are not instruments at all. They are created with music software virtual instruments called plugins. Nor is there a band recording together in a room with real instruments. ...

     The Bee Gees were among the most significant bands in the late 70’s. Disco was all the rage then, and I hated it except for the Bee Gees. Come on, admit it, you liked them too. The fantastic songwriting. The dreamy harmonies. The Moog synth on “Nights on Broadway”. The extraordinary falsetto. They “made” the movie Saturday Night Fever. The movie would not have been nearly as popular without them. So, just admit it. You liked them too! No shame.

          What a great song. Joe Walsh is so talented and underrated. I can see why this song is remembered as one of the all-time classics. The best part of this song is the interaction between Joe Walsh and Rocke Grace. During the guitar solo, if you are in your car, listen to the left speaker for the keyboards (an Arp Synthesizer) and the right speaker for Joe Walsh's guitar. They are distinctly separated in the mix, so you can tell them apart quickly. This section of the song gives me goosebumps every time.   The main riff gets a bit hangy sometimes, but all is forgiven when you consider Joe Walsh's slide-and-talk box performance in this song. Check it out on Spotify:  Rocky Mountain Way

       I love Neil Young. He is a fantastic songwriter and acoustic player. His storytelling is phenomenal as well. What is fitting and so "Neil Young" is his single-note solos. Like in "Cinnamon Girl" and "Cowgirl in the Sand," to name a couple. I just laugh when I hear them. Not because I am laughing at Neil Young but because he gets away with it. It makes me smile because no one else has ever done this that I know of. Oh ya. Andy Summers of The Police on "Bring On The Night," But I digress. It's as if Young doesn't want to take the time to add another note or has no interest in melody, and you know what! Who cares. He is no Carlos Santana, and who cares. He's Neil Young. Himself. Bold and straight at you with a single note. A big "F" you to us. There is no way you can't tell that you are listening to a Neil Young solo. And when he does take a chance outside the "one" note approach, it can get awfully messy. ...

       One of the greatest rock bands. Why? Simplicity. Their riffs and band interaction are "together" in every sense. The rhythm section is simply solid. Everyone listening knows what comes next, and they can sink into the groove. "TNT" is a great example. Hypnotic in simplicity and perfectly fitting for the lyrics. The band leaves space. It's breathable rock. "It's a Long Way To the Top (If you Wanna Rock and Roll)" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" are great examples, too. Of all the rock bands in the world, there is no other band capable of grabbing your attention and pulling you in.       The drums are a huge part of ACDC. They never get too complicated and sound big. You can't resist that straight-at-you rock beat. More than anything in ACDC, the drummer keeps you anchored, and you just can't break away. The drummer (Phillip Rudd) is what makes ACDC so good. The rest is icing on the cake, and that is not to take away from t...

1. Carlos Santana. Why Carlos? He is simply the most elegant, sexy, melodic player on the planet. His tone is superb. He never steps on anyone's toes he plays with, but he sure knows when to stick his head out! Love him. 2. Duane Allman. Best rock slide player ever. Soooo great at such a young age. Melody and phrasing! Incredible. Actually, he was a melodic genius. 3. Eddie Van Halen. Oh, Eddie. Unique. No one like him. Technical wizardry. He could play a hook like no one else. Fantastic songwriter. Visionary. He couldn't afford guitar pedal effects, so he made do with otherworldly fretboard tricks and whammy bar assaults. Thus, his style emerged. 4. Jimmy Page.  My first. Mythic and mystical depth. Fantastic blues player! Think "Since I've Been Loving You". No Quarter. Wow, he can take you deep. They all can in that band. The band I was obsessed with in high school. 5. Billy Gibbons.  Attitude. Big Attitude. Can play lead and rhythm simultaneously. Hah! Kickass r...

     Stevie Nicks is one of my favorite female artists and songwriters. I had yet to learn that she dated guitarist Joe Walsh and drummer Don Henley of Eagles fame. Clearly, she's an Eagles fan. According to People,  She dated a list of famous men . We all know her involvement with her former bandmate Lindsey Buckingham and all the hoopla around the Rumors  album, so I won't get into that right now.      You may not know that  Nicks had an affair with Mick Fleetwood, too. The drummer of Fleetwood Mac. Oh, and Mick Fleetwood's former wife, Jenny Boyd, was the younger sister to Patti Boyd. You know Patti Boyd, for which famous songs have been written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, like Layla, Something,  and Wonderful Tonight.      Of all the men Nicks has dated, she claimed in Far Out magazine that Joe Walsh was her greatest love.

     If you don't know, Clarence Clemons was Bruce Springsteen's saxophone player. On my favorite Springsteen album,  Born to Run, which came out in 1975, is a song called Jungleland. Bruce can tell a story and pull it off with genius imagery. He can surely paint a picture. In this case, it is about gangland and the death of the "Magic Rat."       So, if you can put that aside and listen to the song Jungleland again, focusing on the CC solo, you'll catch my drift. Wow. I mean, wow. Talk about setting the mood. The phrasing is incredible. He never overplays. He knows when to boost the intensity and when to bring it down. When to hold a note and when to keep it short and sweet. His sense of melody is top-notch. It's the best sax solo in rock if you ask me.       Check out the tune again. Sometimes, we don't hear a song for a long time and can't fully appreciate it. As a teenager in 1975, I didn't appreciate the subtlety and powe...

     Back in the 60s and 70s, musicians played instruments! Don't get me wrong, I love all music, but back in the '70s, my time, musicians played the actual instruments. There were no virtual computer instruments, drum machines, or music software. There was no copy and paste your chorus in your DAW (music software) or drum samples, for that matter. There wasn't even music software to record in at all. It all went directly to a reel-to-reel tape machine. There was no Autotune to fix the pitch for vocals or even for effect, like in hip-hop.       So, I say some of the best and most talented musicians are from this decade and before. Mmmm, 50s music. They didn't even have multitracking, so playing live in the studio was the way to record! On a single track! Just saying.