Great Rock Albums of 1980: George Thorogood and the Destroyers- More George Thorogood and the Destroyers

The 1980s also saw the rise of a great blues guitarist and yet another great American rock act not to crack the UK, George Thorogood. Throughout the 80's he, along with his band The Destroyers, would rock with some brilliant songs and albums played in his very unique style. What I didn't realise until now that my all time favourite Thorogood jam "House Rent Blues" also known as "One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer" was on his debut album in 1977. I was always under the impression it was much later. But in 1980, he put out this album "More George Thorogood and the Destroyers which also rocked.

This album radiates cool blues rock with some great guitar efforts from the man himself. Every song has a cool enough guitar solo and quite a few of them are also accompanied with the saxophone efforts of Hank Carter. The opening song, "I'm Wanted," kicks things off in style and even when there is a slower moment with the third song, "One Way Ticket," it kicks back up two gears with "Bottom of the Sea." "Night Time" and "Tip In Baby" keep the pace and when the album belts out another slower blues track with "Goodbye Baby," it goes back to finish on a faster pace with "Restless" being an adequate closer. The whole album is what you would expect from George and company.

Track Listing:

1. I'm Wanted

2. Kids From Philly

3. One Way Ticket

4. Bottom of the Sea

5. Night Time

6. Tip In Baby

7. Goodbye Baby

8. House of Blue Lights

9. Just Can't Make It

10. Restless

 

      George Thorogood

George Thorogood- guitar, vocals

Billy Blough- bass

Jeff Simon- drums

Hank Carter- saxophone

George Thorogood seems to have been forgotten in recent years but believe me, in the early and mid 80s, many in America knew his name. He put out some great albums including this one and for me, his music will always continue on.

Next post: Talking Heads- Remain in Light

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Great Rock Albums of 1980: Bob Dylan- Saved

"Saved" was Bob Dylan's second album after his conversion to Born Again Christianity and like his previous album "Slow Train Coming," he uses his music to express his beliefs. I never had a problem with this but then I used to listen to Stryper and Merciful Fate in conjunction with each other calling it my heaven and hell moments. Unfortunately, a lot of people did as I remember reading letters to rock magazines stating that Dylan should keep his religious beliefs out of his music. Then again, I sometimes wonder how people could say that in the first place because I found that Dylan seemed to mumble a lot through these songs so you couldn't always tell whether or not he was singing about Jesus.

Many of the songs on here have a perky, uplifting gospel rock feel to it. It didn't convert me but I did like many of the songs irrespective of the subject sung about. The title track "Saved" is definitely the stand out for me on this album. "Covenant Woman" is also rather a strong track. The rest of the album is more of a relaxed sound and it's got me thinking about Pink Floyd now because I would use this album to mellow out like I do with Floyd and the content on the album would not stop me from puffing the magic dragon.

Track Listing:

1. A Satisfied Mind

2. Saved

3. Covenant Woman

4. What Can I Do For You

5. Solid Rock

6. Pressing On

7. In The Garden

8. Saving Grace

9. Are You Ready

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan- vocals, guitar, harmonica

Tim Drummond- bass

John Keltner- drums

Spooner Oldham- keyboards

Fred Tackett- guitar

Terry Young- keyboards, backing vocals

Carolyn Dennis- backing vocals

Regina Havis- backing vocals

Clydie King- backing vocals

Monalisa Young- backing vocals

Whether you are religious or not, this is still an album worth listening to, something to mellow out with. Bob Dylan's future albums would steer away from religion but that's another story. However, I remain convinced that it was these two Dylan albums that paved the way for Christian rock and that if it wasn't for Dylan, than we might not have had Stryper.

Next post: George Thorogood and the Destroyers- More George Thorogood and the Destroyers

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1980: Triumphs and Tragedies

Yes, I know it should be the other way around but I always like to start with the bad and end with the good, I think most people are inclined to do the same. Therefore, I will start with the tragedy. Unless you've been living on Pluto, you would have known of the tragic death of AC/DC singer Bon Scott.

Bon Scott

It was in 1980 when Bon Scott lost his battle with acute alcohol poisoning. To many AC/DC fans, his death couldn't have come at a worse time as the band was just reaching the zenith of their popularity. Many doomsayers predicted that it would spell the end of the band, thank God they were proved wrong. In fact, that proof would come that very same year and I will be going there in a future post. But even after thirty-three years, the memory of Bon Scott carries on. His contribution to his band and to music as a whole will carry on forever.

Now for the triumph:

Paul Kantner- Jefferson Starship

We nearly lost another famous rocker in 1980 as well when Jefferson Starship rhythm guitarist and founding member Paul Kantner suffered a cerebral brain haemorrhage. At first, things weren't looking too well and doctors thought that he would need an operation as at thirty-nine, most people don't survive a haemorrhage without one. Triumphantly, for Kantner and for rock, he would later go on to joke that is stay in hospital was more a vacation as he never needed the operation.

Some of you are itching to tell me of one other tragedy that occurred in 1980 and the reason why I am not mentioning it on this post is because that tragedy shook the entire world so much, that I feel it needs its own post. It also happened at the end of the year so I thought it would be a fitting remembrance to finish my tour of 1980 with it.

Next post: Bob Dylan- Saved

R.I.P. Bon Scott

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Great Rock Albums of 1980: Pat Travers- Crash and Burn

Back in this year, I used to belong to one of those mail order record clubs. You know, you join by buying six albums for a penny and then you have to buy a certain amount of albums in two years. I think RCA ran the one I belonged to. They had an album of the month and if you didn't say that you didn't want that album in time, they would send it to you. I always got my no response in time, especially after my friend who didn't and got sent an album by KC and the Sunshine Band. I bought a number of albums this way: Alice Cooper- "From the Inside," Van Halen II, ZZ Top- "Eliminator" and I know for a fact that the very last album I purchased this way was Black Sabbath- "Live Evil." Whenever, I would go through the booklet of albums to buy, this album "Crash and Burn" by Pat Travers was always in it. I never bought it, even after listening to his great previous live album, "Live! Go For What You Know." Having finally heard this album, I regret never buying it all those years ago.

Pat Travers is responsible for rekindling my love for blues based guitar rock. I love the slow but hard riffs accompanied by a long guitar solo in the middle. His talents shine on the fore mentioned live album and they continue to do so on his 1980 effort, "Crash And Burn." Saying that, you might be fooled by the opening title track as it's more of a progressive rock song. However, the second track, "(Your Love) Can't Be Right) goes back to the style Mr Travers has been best known for. Then comes the very famous "Snortin Whiskey" and you know that all is well. This is probably the most mind blowing song he's done, at least in my limited experience of Pat. A great hard rocker with a just as amazing guitar solo. It bears all the trademarks associated with this great musician. The pace is then set for the rest of the album after that but I do love his take on the Bob Marley written "Is This Love" which is done with total pinache. The album goes well all the way down to its exciting closer, "Material Eyes" and sends the album out on a very definite high.

Pat Travers

Track Listing:
1. Crash And Burn
2. (Your Love) Can't Be Right
3. Snortin Whiskey
4. Born Under a Bad Sign
5. Is This Love
6. The Big Event
7. Love Will Make You Strong
8. Material Eyes

Pat Travers- lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards
Pat Thrall- lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Peter Mars Cowling- bass
Tommy Aldridge- drums/percussion
Additional Musicians
Dawn Shahan- backing vocals
Michael Shrieve- percussion
First of all, I apologise for the lack of photos on this post. I don't know what the problem is here but it's not letting me do so at the moment. If I can sort it, then I will add them. Still, you don't need photos to know what a great rocking album "Crash and Burn" is. I bet that Pat Travers hasn't gotten anywhere near a nomination for the Rock Hall of Fame, sad.

Next post: 1980- Tragedy and Triumph

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