Great Rock Albums of 1978: Foghat- Stone Blue

I suspect everyone thinks back to a classic song they haven't heard in ages and then that song remains in the head for ages after. For me that song has been the title track to "Stone Blue" by the great Foghat. As a result, for the past week I have been singing to myself over and over the chorus, "Stone blue, but rock and roll sure pulled me through." Great lyrics to a great song from a fine album.

"Stone Blue" has more of a bluesy sound compared to the more rocking albums like "Live." Then again, I have been told that Foghat have always been a great live band and I regret never having seen them. However, it still show cases the talents that make up the members of Foghat.

Track Listing:

1. Stone Blue

2. Sweet Home Chicago

3. Easy Money

4. Midnight Madness

5. It Hurts Me Too

6. High on Love

7. Chevrolet

8. Stay With Me

Foghat

Dave Peverett- rhythm guitar, vocals

Rod Price- lead/slide guitars

Craig MacGregor- bass

Roger Earl- drums

As I post, another song from this album is now running through my brain housing group. I'm now singing the lyrics to "Chevrolet" not out loud of course. This shows what a good album "Stone Blue" is. The songs come back to memory very easily and let you know the legend that was Foghat.

Next post: Jethro Tull- Heavy Horses

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Foghat- Live

I had never heard of Foghat before until I saw them advertised as the headliner at the Philadelphia Spectrum one evening in June 1978. I didn't go to the concert as I was heading across the street to Veterans Stadium to watch the Phillies play the Dodgers. Obviously, I missed what probably was a memorable concert, but the band's name stuck in my mind. Fast forward a few months later when my cousin took out this live album and played it to me. After hearing this great live album, I can say that things changed for the better for me in a musical sense.

As I said before and will probably say many times more, there are many good album and show opening tunes out there, but there are smaller number of those which are truly great. These songs are the ones that grab you by the throat and say, "You're going to listen to us and like it!" Two posts ago, I included "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith and on this album, the opening track, "Fool for the City," is also one of those songs. Whenever I hear it, I can't stop to quicken my step and headbang away. "Fool for the City" sets the tone for the rest of the album. There are other great tracks which carry on the good vibe of Foghat "Live" from where "Fool for the City" leaves off. Two tracks that definitely stand out are "Slow Ride" and their version of "I Just Want to Make Love to You." Both are great party songs and I'm speaking from first hand experience here. The rest of the album supports these and it is what makes this album one of the best live albums of all time.

Track listing:

1. Fool for the City

 2. Home in My Mind

3. I Just Want To Make Love To You

4. Road Fever

 5. Honey Hush

6. Slow Ride

Foghat

Dave Peverett - rhythm guitar, vocals

 Rod Price - lead guitar, slide guitar

 Craig MacGregor - bass

Roger Earl - drums

I realise that I am in great danger of calling every live album I visit, one of the greatest live albums of all time. However, for Foghat- "Live," I can say that the shoe definitely fits on this one.

 Next Post: Kansas- Point of Know Return

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Other Great Metal Influences: Part 10, The Honourable Mentions

As this is the last in the great metal influences series, I thought it best to end it with some of the great unsung heroes of the 1970s who influenced the metal of the 80s. The list here is in no means exhaustive and there are probably a lot more acts that can be included in the list. These are the ones for me.

The first of these has to be without question, Slade. You only have to look as far as Quiet Riot to know that these guys were a big influence on 80s metal. It's a shame that they never really made it in America until the 80s, but throughout the 70s, they were a major player on the rock scene in Britain. Any doubts, you can ask my wife, she's met them.

Many will say that I should have given Blue Oyster Cult a solo spot in the series and there is great argument for this. They began to make huge strides into the rock scene in the late 70s, especially with their hit, "Don't Fear the Reaper." They were also the first band I heard of the be labelled "Satanic." The band's name gives that impression. I will be speaking a lot more of them when I begin my albums series.

Smashey and Nicey will love me for including Bachman Turner Overdrive in this list and with good reason. These rockers tore up the charts in the mid 70s with hits like "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and "Taking Care of Business." Unfortunately, when I saw them in the 80s, they had declined and became what my friend described as a bunch of fat, burned out, 40 year old bikers.

Another great rock act from the early and mid 70s was Grand Funk Railroad. Back then, many rock fans put them on a par with Black Sabbath. However, they seemed to disappear into obscurity after that.

My final honourable mention has to go to Foghat. In the late 70s, they sold a good number of albums and were considered a great live act. I was jealous of two friends who saw them open for Blue Oyster Cult in 1981. The report was that the concert was fantastic.

Last but not least and I should be shot for almost forgetting them and I thank the Metal Excess blog for reminding me, is Heart. Throughout the 70s, they had a string of great rocking albums and songs that was so heavy, many acts from the 80s would have been jealous. Great hits like "Heartless," "Barracuda," "Magic Man" and Crazy on You" will forever linger in my memory as classic rock hits. Ann And Nancy Wilson proved to be great role models for the future ladies who would go on to carry the rock chick banner. Heart will be another band I could have included on their own in the series.

I hope you have enjoyed the entire series of great rock influences and will continue reading this blog in the future.
Next post: The Great Guitarists of the 70s.
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