R.I.P. Jimmy Bain

Jimmy Bain

What is going on with 2016? January isn't over and another great rocker is taken from us. This time it is Rainbow/Dio bassist Jimmy Bain. Details of his death haven't been released but he was 68. Jimmy played with Rainbow from 1975-77 but he was best known for his time with Dio, especially on their first five albums. Less known is that he co-wrote with Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy on some of his solo albums.

Dio

Okay, some may say that Jimmy Bain wasn't the legend that some of the others who have recently passed but for me, he was a part of the band that made my 1980s. Therefore, I too will be listening to some Dio and early Rainbow over the next few days and it's probably a given which album I'll be posting about next.

R.I.P. Jimmy Bain

Wayne's World's Top Ten Party Killing Songs

In case anyone is wondering which are the top ten party killing songs according to Wayne's World, I thought I would print the list here:

Top Ten Party-Killing Songs

01 Any Disco Tune

02 Anything by Toto

03 "From A Distance" by Bette Midler

04 "Billy Don't Be A Hero" by Paperlace

05 "Lovin' You" by Mimi Ripperton

06Le "Color My World" (nice flute solo... Not!)

07 "More Than Words" (chick song by the inappropriately named Extreme)

08 "Hotel California" (No, really, it's a great party. I'm just going for a walk)

09 "Freebird"

10 "MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris

How many of these do you agree with? Let's start a discussion.

Great Rock Albums of 1980: Toto- Hydra

I still do not agree with Wayne Campbell from Wayne's World fame when he listed "Anything by Toto" as number two in his list of "Top Ten Party Killing Songs" in his book "Extreme Close Up." Saying that, there are quite a few others in that list I wouldn't agree with either, but that's not the point. In no way is the single "Hold the Line" from the first album a party killer. The closest any song comes to be a party killer is "99" from this album, "Hydra." While it wouldn't kill the party, that song would signal to me that the party is beginning to wane. That could be said with many of the songs in the album.

Okay, "Hydra" is not an album I would use to get the party into full swing but that in no way makes this a bad album. The first four tracks, or side one if you listen to it on cassette or vinyl, is more suited to softer rock and yes, "99" is one of those four songs. It isn't until the fifth song, "All Us Boys" that Toto have any inclination to go heavy in the way of "Hold the Line" and the only other song that is similar to "All Us Boys" is "White Sister." The rest of the album is a more mellow sound with ballads like "Loraine" and the closer "A Secret Love." However, all of the songs are done very well and credit where due, Toto are all very good musicians and this helps to make this album into what I call, a good late night listen.

Track Listing:

1. Hydra

2. St George and the Dragon

3. 99

4. Loraine

5. All Us Boys

6. Mama

7. White Sister

8. A Secret Love

Toto

Bobby Kimball- lead and backing vocals

Steve Lukather- guitars, vocals

Steve Pocraro- keyboards, electronics, backing vocals

David Paich- keyboards, lead and backing vocals

David Hungate- bass

Jeff Pocraro- drums, percussion

"Hydra" may not be a party enhancer but it is definitely not a party killer. It's more of a chill out in your room type of album and the musicianship of Toto makes it a very good album in which to do that.

Next post: A series of announcements

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1980: The Soundtrack to The Blues Brothers

What happens when two known comedy actors produce a cool musical album? Well back in 1980, Dan Akroyd and John Belushi took their characters of Jake and Elwood Blues and made a hilariously smashing movie with a fantastic soundtrack. "The Blues Brothers" was probably the funniest film of 1980, (the only other contender would have been "Airplane",) and ranks up there in the all time list. But what makes this film stand out more is that fact that not only was it a funny film that had me rolling in the aisle, but it had one hell of a soundtrack.

Some people were slightly disappointed that none of the songs from the Blues Brothers' studio album "Briefcase Full of Blues" were featured in the film, especially the hit single "Soul Man." My answer to that was that it didn't need  to be. The songs in the film were totally magnificent enough to stand on their own. Many of the songs still had that great sound with Belushi, or should I say Jake Blues' vocals powering away with a phenominal assembly of studio musicians behind him. Elwood (Dan Akroyd) also lends his hand in both the lead and backing vocals department. In addition, there are some songs from the great artists who graced the screen with their talents like Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and Artetha Franklin. The result is a great mix of good old fashioned blues and soul that is completely mind blowing.

Blues Brothers with Aretha Franklin

Track Listing:

1. She Caught the Katy

2. Peter Gun Theme

3. Gimme Some Lovin'

4. Shake a Tail Feather (vocal by Ray Charles)

5. Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

6. The Old Landmark (vocal by James Brown)

7. Think (vocal by Aretha Franklin)

8. Theme from Rawhide

9. Minnie the Moocher (vocal by Cab Calloway)

10. Sweet Home Chicago

11. Jailhouse Rock

The Blues Brothers Band

Jake Blues (John Belushi)- vocals

Elwood Blues (Dan Akroyd)- vocals, harmonica

Steve Cropper- guitar

Matt Murphy- guitar

Donald Dunn- bass

Murphy Dunne- keyboards

Willie Hall- drums

Alan Rubin- trumpet

Tom Malone- tenor saxophone

Lou Marini- alto saxophone

So if you want the combination of a good laugh and some great music, then go and watch The Blues Brothers film. I know that you will find that this film has plenty of both to go around.

Next post: Toto- Hydra

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Happy New Year, 206!

For the first time in seven years with the company, I am working a sleepover on New Year's Eve. At least I get double time for it. Therefore, I will wish everyone a happy new year now and reflect on 2015 and what there is to look forward to for 2016.

Amon Amarth at their best

Huntress

Savage Messiah

The year started with a great concert in Bristol featuring Amon Amarth with special guests, Huntress and Savage Messiah. I can't think of a better way to start any year. While it seemed that on some occasions in the year, I was in danger of disappearing up my own rectum, with work, blogging and other commitments, music of past and present kept me sane. Although, I did have a wonderful break in August to go to Bloodstock and see three bands, two of them I missed in the 80s and the third, I was too partied out to fully appreciate them. They were Nuclear Assault, Armoured Saint and Overkill plus I headbanged to the likes of Sabbaton and Trivium that day while discovering a great little known band in Fire Red Empress. I hope the new year brings all of those bands greater success.

Overkill playing to the crowd

Fire Red Empress entertaining the crowd

Nuclear Assault in full assault

Armoured Saint establishing their dominance

Sabaton wowing with their sound

Trivium in full swing

As so many of you have pointed out, there was some great music throughout the year with new releases from Iron Maiden, Queensryche and the Scorpions to name a few. Plus there was a new album from The Darkness. Let's hope their resurgence continues into the new year.

Of course, we can't forget out losses with the recent passing of Lemmy and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. Two-thirds of a great band gone in the same year is nothing short of a tragedy. However, I am confident that they are jamming away together in another place. On a personal, non musical note, the year also saw the final episode of my favourite television show, "Sons of Anarchy." Fortunately, my eldest step son got me the entire series on DVD for Christmas, so there will be some happy viewing for me.

Lemmy

Like with every year, the new year gives everyone a chance for a new start or things to look forward to. For me, while Sons of Anarchy is gone, I still can watch "The Blacklist" and so far in season 3, I like what I'm seeing. Then there's the chance to see Twisted Sister's farewell gig at Bloodstock this year. That is something I intend to move mountains to go to.

Twisted Sister

So it leads me to say that whatever your hopes and dreams for the new year are, I hope it all works out for you. Just remember one thing, no matter what the year may bring, there will always be some great music to keep you going.

Happy New Year!