Great Rock Albums of 1978: Alice Cooper- From the Inside

If I could call any album from 1978, my favourite for that year, it would have to be this one. "From the Inside" by the legendary Alice Cooper was one of the first albums that I can say that had me rocking to the rafters. Me and this album went through a lot of things together and I can identify with many of the songs on it personally. It got me through my military days, although I was more fortunate than the topic in the song "Jackknife Johnny." Living among the gambling scene of Atlantic City, I could definitely identify with "Wish I Was Born in Beverly Hills" and for the three years between my discharge from the military and going to England, I really did feel I was on the inside looking out.  "From the Inside" and I rode many miles together and no one could have done it better than Alice Cooper.

It's not uncommon knowledge that Alice Cooper got the inspiration for the album when he was admitted to a sanitarium for his alcoholism. Every song is based on people he knew there, so insanity is the running theme of the entire album. However, Alice being the genius that he is, was able to put those feelings down to some good music and make it all come alive. I know he had great help from Elton John's song writer Bernie Taupin and I give him the credit he deserves here, but it was Alice who performed and lived these songs.

Track Listing:

1. From the Inside

2. Wish I was Born in Beverly Hills

3. The Quiet Room

4. Nurse Rosetta

5. Millie and Billie

6. Serious

7. How You Gonna See Me Now

8. For Veronica's Sake

9. Jackknife Johnny

10. Inmates (We're All Crazy)

• Alice Cooper - vocals
• Dick Wagner - guitar
• Steve Lukather - guitar
• Rick Nielsen - guitar
• Davey Johnstone - guitar
• Jefferson Kewley - guitar
• Jay Graydon - guitar, synthesizer programming
• Kenny Passarelli - bass
• David Hungate - bass
• John Pierce - bass
• Dee Murray - bass
• Lee Sklar - bass
• Rick Schlosser - drums
• Dennis Conway - drums
• Michael Ricciardella - drums
• Jim Keltner - percussion
• David Foster - keyboards
• Fred Mandel - keyboards
• Robbie King - keyboards
• Steve Porcaro - synthesizer programming
• Marcy Levy - vocals

When I first introduced 1978, I said that in that year, the gods of rock were busy at their anvils forging a genre called heavy metal. I still believe this to be the case and I further believe that when they were doing this, they had a copy of this album on their home entertainment centres to give them their inspiration. One song they would have definitely taken note of from this album was the single "How You Gonna See Me Now." This was the first true power ballad in the very sense of the word. The other tracks make this a true rocking bang your head album, great with a few beers.

Next post: REO Speedwagon- You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish

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Great Rock Albums of 1978: Wings- London Town

Once again, I am forced to include another album I left out in the last chapter of great rock albums of the 1970s. This time it's the "Band on the Run" album from Wings. This is particularly surprising for me because the title track to this album was my favourite song throughout most of 1974. Furthermore, I like the song "Jet" almost as much. So I can't explain why such a classic album was missed, so here it is now. "Band on the Run" is a classic rock album in the true sense of the word.

First, let me clarify something I mentioned in a previous post, "1978: The Year the Rivers of Rock Began to Overflow." I said that Paul McCartney and Wings were going disco that year. Not quite, the 1978 Wings album "London Town" is not a disco album, that applies to the next album they put out, which I won't be visiting when I cover 1979. Saying that, "London Town" is not quite as good as "Band on the Run" although some may disagree with me.

In spite of that, there are some good moments on "London Town." Many will remember the pop single "With a Little Luck," an average song that is somehow improved on by the talents of McCartney. However, it is the track, "I've Had Enough" that makes the album for me. I remember watching a clip of this song on the old "Midnight Special" show in the 70s and found myself moving my head the way they were. You could say it was the first song I head banged to.

Track Listing:

1. London Town

2. Cafe on the Left Bank

3. I'm Carrying

4. Backwards Traveller

5. Cuff Link

6. Children Children

7. Girlfriend

8. I've Had Enough

9. With A Little Luck

10. Famous Groupies

11. Deliver Your Children

12. Name and Address

13. Don't Let It Bring You Down

14. Morse Moose and the Grey Goose

Wings:

Paul McCartney- bass, vocals, guitar, drums, percussion, flageolet, keyboards, violim

Linda McCartney- keyboards, vocals

Denny Laine- guitar, bass, vocals, flageolet

Jimmy McCulloch- guitar

Joe English- drums

Comapred to "Band on the Run," it's not the greatest Wings album, but "London Town" is still a good listen.

Next post: Alice Cooper- From the Inside

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Great Rock Albums of 1978: Bob Dylan- Street Legal

I am convinced that Bob Dylan took note of going electric on "Hard Rain" and used it in the making of "Street Legal." This album marked a major departure for Dylan as he used a complete rock style band and included female backing singers. For some, including many critics in the American press, this was too much and many slammed him for it. Some even accused Bob Dylan of selling out. However, I definitely don't agree with that. Back in 1978, there was disco and there are no disco sounding tracks on "Street Legal." If anyone went disco that year, it would have been the Rolling Stones with "Some Girls."

All I know was when I heard the album back then, I liked it. I believed it was a natural progression from "Hard Rain" and his rocking performance in "The Last Waltz." Furthermore, I did read some good reviews in some good music magazines and others I talked to liked the album as well. Since, I have concluded that critics of this album were stuck in the mind of seeing Bob Dylan standing alone by the microphone, playing an accoustic guitar and singing through his nose. This was a bold change in direction and I think it was good.

Track Listing:

1. Changing of the Guards

2. New Pony

3. No Time to Think

4. Baby, Stop Crying

5. Is Your Love in Vain?

6. Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)

7. True Love Tends to Forget

8. We Better Talk This Over

9. Where Are You Tonight (Journey Through Dark Heat)

Musicians

• Bob Dylan – lead vocals, rhythm electric guitar
• Ian Wallace – drums
• Jerry Scheff – bass guitar
• Billy Cross – lead electric guitar
• Alan Pasqua – keyboards
• Bobbye Hall – percussion
• Steve Douglas – tenor and soprano saxophone
• Steven Soles – rhythm guitar, background vocals
• David Mansfield – violin, mandolin
• James Wright - wardrobe
• Carolyn Dennis – background vocals
• Jo Ann Harris – background vocals
• Helena Springs – background vocals
• Steve Madaio – trumpet on "Is Your Love in Vain?"

First, Bob Dylan will never don denim and leather and totally rock out, but "Street Legal" shows a different side to him. His willingness to pick up an electric guitar and incorporate it in his songs shows that he could adapt. This album is a good cross for die hard Dylan fans who also love a little rock.

Next post: Wings- London Town

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