Great Rock Albums of 1985: The Firm

 

For a good number of people in 1985, The Firm were considered a disappointment. This was because many people, including yours truly, thought that a band with both Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page in it was going to be some sort of Led Zeppelin/Bad Company hybrid. The Firm's debut album certainly wasn't that. What Rodgers and Page did was make their own unique music with the help of a great rhythm section featuring Tony Franklin and Chris Slade.

The album's first single, "Radioactive," put many metalheads off exploring them more. This is a shame because I knew that there would be better things to come on the album and I was right. This is not to say that there isn't anything wrong with "Radioactive," it's a good song in it's own right. It was just the fact that many people were expecting the song to be the love child of "Stairway to Heaven" and "Bad Company" and "Radioactive" doesn't come close. I still like the song.

Once one has thrown away their expectations of what they thought this album was going to sound like and listen to it with an open mind, one would find that it's a damn good album. Okay, it's definitely not heavy metal, more of a straight forward rock album and if you listen closely, you can still hear some Bad Company influence. Especially in the songs "Make or Break, which is the hidden gem and "Satisfaction Guaranteed." Furthermore, while Jimmy Page doesn't nail down the solos like in the old Zeppelin classics like "Stairway" or "Whole Lotta Love," he still shows he can wail on the guitar. It's just with The Firm, it's not as pronounced like it was with his former band. "Money Can't Buy" is a fine example.

Proof that Rodgers, Page, Franklin and Slade were determined to forge their own path in the rock world is their cover of the Righteous Brothers classic, "You Lost That Lovin' Feeling." The coolest part in the song is Jimmy's guitar solo supported by Tony on the fretless bass, good stuff. Also, Paul's vocals are as good as ever on every song on this album.

Track Listing:

1. Closer
2. Make or Break
3. Someone to Love
4. Together
5. Radioactive
6. You Lost That Lovin' Feeling
7. Money Can't Buy
8. Satisfaction Guaranteed
9. Midnight Moonlight

Paul Rodgers- lead vocals, guitars

Jimmy Page- lead guitar

Tony Franklin- bass, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals

Chris Slade- drums, percussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNfng9F8hqM

Does anyone have a time machine I could borrow? If so, I would like to go back in time and say to all of those people who rejected The Firm back in 1985 because they didn't sound like former bands, "Look, they're not like Bad Company or Led Zeppelin, get over it!" Because their first album shows what they can do on their own.

Next post: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band- Tough All Over

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Great Rock Albums of 1983: Robert Plant- Principle of Moments

 

Here is another example why I stopped trusting commercial radio or MTV for all of my music liaisons. In 1983, the two singles from Robert Plant's "The Principle of Moments" album, "In the Mood" and "Big Log" got a lot of airplay on MTV. If I were to judge this album just on those two songs, I would have thought that Robert Plant had completely abandoned his roots and was making mellow out, commercial songs. I know that even then, Robert wasn't comfortable when people like me said that his former band, Led Zeppelin, were one of the founding fathers of heavy metal but this album shows that he didn't totally abandon his beginnings.

"The Principle of Moments" is a long way from the heavy metal sounding delights of Led Zeppelin "II" or "IV." Nonetheless, it is still a good album with some rock delights for all. When I heard the introduction on the opening song, "Other Arms," I found myself checking the credits on the album because I was sure that Robert had gotten Jimmy Page to play oit. Obviously, I was dreaming but saying that, Robert Blunt does a magnificent job on the six string all throughout the entire album. Does he site Jimmy as an influence? Don't know but it might be worth checking out.

Maybe it's me mellowing in my old age, (I'll be halfway between 50 and 60 in three weeks), but listening to "In The Mood" again after all these years, I've decided it's not as bad as I thought back then. In fact, there's a pretty tidy guitar solo from Blunt which has me wondering how I missed something like that back in 1983. I'll blame the weed. Another really good standout track is "Wreckless Love" which is possibly the hardest rock tune on the album. However, other songs like "Messin' With the Mekon" and "Horizontal Departure" come fairly close. "Thru With the Two Step" is another interesting song on the album. It starts out like it's going to be a mellow one, more in the style of Led Zeppelin's later progressive years. Then it goes into a more hard blues sound with a killer guitar solo from Blunt. God, I have to check this guy out more.

The only stone left unturned is the vocals of Plant himself. They are as good as ever here. Sure, he doesn't scream like he did back in the 1970s but he still shows he has a decent range.

Track Listing:

1. Other Arms
2. In the Mood
3. Messin' with the Meckon
4. Wreckless Love
5. Thru With the Two Step
6. Horizontal Departure
7. Stranger Here... Than Over There
8. Big Log

 

Robert Plant

Robert Plant- vocals

Robbie Blunt- guitars

Paul Martinez- bass

Jezz Woodroffe- keyboards

Phil Collins- drums on tracks, 1-3, 5,6, 8

Barriemore Barlow- drums on tracks 4 and 7

John David and Ray Martinez- backing vocals

Unlike "In the Mood," my thoughts haven't changed much on "Big Log." Maybe it's that image conjured up from the video of Robert Plant swimming in the pool. But don't let that spoil your enjoyment of "The Principle of Moments" because it is a good album. Classic Robert Plant.

Next post: Jackson Browne- Lawyers in Love

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Great Rock Albums of 1982: Robert Plant- Pictures at 11

What is probably the biggest misconception in the world about heavy metal founding fathers, Led Zeppelin, is that most people tend to remember them more for their hard rock/heavy metal sound from the early 1970s. Many supposed Led Zeppelin officianados forget that in the middle and latter part of that decade, they were moving away from the heavy sound for a more progressive sound. There were many reasons for this which I have already stated when I visited some Led Zeppelin albums in the past. Unfortunately, some of those same people had this same misconception when Robert Plant released his first solo album in 1982, "Pictures At 11."

This album is definitely more Led Zeppelin in the late 70s and I think that Robert wanted to continue in this vein and he does a very good job in doing so. The opening track, "Burning Down One Side" is a sure fire reminder of the Zeppelin days from the opening riff. It definitely makes a statement for the rest of the album. However, Plant does seem to venture more into new territories as well. The slower second track "Moonlight in Samosa" bears testimony to this. Things go a bit more up tempo with "Slow Dancer" and it is the first track where I was tempted to begin comparing guitarist Robbie Blunt to Plant's former band mate. Fortunately, I was able to resist temptation and make judgement on Blunt in his own right. My verdict: he can certainly play guitar as evidenced on not only "Slow Dancer" but "Worse Than Detroit" and "Fat Lip" and no, Sum 41 would not make a cover of that last song twenty years later, not even close. Sorry, forgive my weird sense of humour. However, those last two tracks are further evidence of Plant wanting to go forward into new areas. Then, almost as some anti- climax, the closing song, "Mystery Title" reminds me of two Led Zeppelin classics, "Trample Underfoot" and "When the Levee Breaks," not that I'm complaining.

Track Listing:

1. Burning Down One Side

2. Midnight in Samosa

3. Pledge Pin

4. Slow Dancer

5. Worse Than Detroit

6. Fat Lip

7. Like I've Never Been Gone

8. Mystery Title

[caption id="attachment_2636" align="aligncenter" width="196"] Robert Plant[/caption]

Robert Plant- vocals

Robbie Blunt- guitar

Jezz Woodroffe- keyboards, synthesizers

Paul Martinez- bass

Phil Collins- drums, except tracks 4 & 7

Cozy Powell- drums on tracks 4 &7

Raphael Ravenscroft- saxophone on track 3

It was always great to see that Robert Plant had moved on after Led Zeppelin, as did Page and Jones. He managed to find some good musicians to help him on the album and got Collins and Powell to play drums which was an added bonus. "Pictures At 11" marked a triumphant return for Plant.

Next post: Steve Winwood- Talking Back to the Night

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A Tribute to Great Blues Guitarists

Like I did with the "Who's the Greatest Rhythm Guitarist?" poll, I have decided to put in an extra thought between the years of my metal history tour. So, since I have finished with 1980 and before heading into 1981, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on some of the great blues based guitarists I have come to know and love over the years. Now, I have always been a sucker for a good long guitar solo played in the mentioned fashion. Even when they were performed by guitarists who may not have been known for such a style. That is probably why my all time favourite Jimi Hendrix song is "Hey Joe," although the lyrics may have something to do with it as well. Then the other day, I was listening to the Rainbow "Anthology" album and I must say that I was relatively blown away by Ritchie Blackmore on the final song, "Difficult to Cure." 

Jimi Hendrix

One guitarist who many have considered one of the all time greats was old slow hand himself Eric Clapton. I had the pleasure of seeing him live in 1985 and despite the fact that the record company was trying to get him to go new wave, that night he played many of his classic guitar jams. In fact, I thought it was an act of sacrilege when the other guitarist in his band played a solo on "Cocaine." Still, Eric showed why he is one of the all time greats.

Eric Clapton

Rory Gallagher

Pat Travers

Robin Trower

True most the guitarists I have featured here were from the years I have been visiting here on 80smetalman's Blog but these were the ones who I have first come to know and appreciate. By the late 1980s, there were some who claimed that the blues guitarist was buried dead in the past. I can see their argument as so many great metal lead guitarists were stepping into the limelight. The blues guitarist may have been pushed to the side but they weren't totally gone and then in the mid 90s, a new guitarist would take his place in the spotlight. His name was Kenny Wayne Shepherd. His album "Trouble Is" took me back to those days of listening and playing along to long bluesy guitar solos and the world was balanced once again.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

I could go on naming more great guitarist from this style, Jimmy Page was known to lay down a killer blues riff or two and right now Mark Knopfler's efforts on "Sultans of Swing" comes to mind. For me, these were the pioneers of great guitarists. I loved their style and still do. That doesn't mean I'm not open to a good ripping solo from one of today's metal giants. It's just I like to reflect back on some of the blues guitarist that first got me into rock and then metal. I hope you've enjoyed the ride too.

Next post: 1981- The Dam Continues to Break

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1980: Triumphs and Tragedies Part 2

First of all, I owe a debt of gratitude to KramerTunes for saving me from committing a very fatal error in my first post of Tragedies and Triumphs. How stupid would I have looked if I had gone through 1980 and not mentioned the death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. His death from asphyxiation caused by too much alcohol intake would shock the rock world to its foundations and resulted in the band calling it a day on the grounds they couldn't continue without him.

John Bonham

Bonham would serve to be a major influence on not only drummers who were around at the time like Joey Krammer, Roger Taylor and Peter Criss, he continues to influence many a rock drummer to this very day. Drummers like Tommy Lee, Dave Lombardo and Dave Grohl all site John Bonham as their biggest influence as well. He created a legacy for rock drummers that will never die and I feel slightly sick that I won't be going to see Led Zeppelin tribute band Whole Lotta Led when they come to Stroud this Friday night.

Now the triumph. In 1980, the first of what was to be a line of great metal festivals took place at Donington Park near Derby in England on August 16 of said year. Rainbow would be the headliners for this mammoth event and supporting were the likes of Judas Priest, The Scorpions,  April Wine, Saxon and Riot. From what I've read and heard from people who were at the event, there were a lot of near mishaps including a pyrotechnics explosion the night before. Plus the rainfall on the previous days cause a quagmire on the actual day. Still, as can be expected, metal won the day and it turned out to be the start of a legacy that would go on for over a decade. (Although it can be argued that it still goes on under the name of Download.)

Shot of the first Donington

If you want to read more about this historic event, click this link:

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/donington-1980.html

Many years have their own triumphs and tragedies and in 1980, the rock/metal world had more than its share. Especially as one more was yet to happen. Still, we can reflect back to the good times and raise a glass to those who left us.

R.IP. John Bonham

Next Post: Thin Lizzy- Chinatown

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Great Rock Albums of 1979: Led Zeppelin- In Through the Out Door

If a metalhead who had been one since the 1980s or later was to listen to "In Through the Outdoor" by Led Zeppelin, they would have serious doubts about the band being one of the founding fathers of heavy metal. This album is a far cry from their earlier and much heavier material. There are no songs with that heavy rocking sound such as "Whole Lotta Love," "Communication Breakdown," "Rock and Roll" and my personal favourite, "Black Dog." Two reasons are cited for this: i) After the death of Robert Plant's son in 1977, he no longer was in the mood to sing, "It's been a long time since I rocked and rolled." I can't in any way blame him for that. ii) Led Zeppelin stated that they were looking to achieve some sort of musical integrity. 

Saying all of that, this is still a great album containing the high quality work one would have expected from Led Zeppelin. There is a little bit of humour to the album in my mind with songs like "Fool in the Rain" and "Hot Dog." The other tracks carry a more defined sound and the ten minute plus long "Carouselambra" is a classic trademark of the talented people that Led Zeppelin were. One minor note, if I was in any way producing the album, I would have put the excellent track, "All of My Love" at the very end. This would have been a great way to end the album and when I listen to it in its full, after hearing the aforementioned track, I don't really want to listen to the concluding track, "I'm Gonna Crawl" and that's not fair to it. 

Track Listing:

1. In the Evening

2. South Bend Suarez

3. Fool in the Rain

4. Hot Dog

5. Carouselambra

6. All of My Love

7. I'm Gonna Crawl

Led Zeppelin

Robert Plant- vocals

Jimmy Page- guitars

John Paul Jones- bass, keyboards

John Bonham- drums

This would be the last studio album made before the tragic death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 and for most people would spell the end of the band. Like so many, I associate "In Through the Outdoor" as their last hurrah but it is still a great one to finish off with and to me, they definitely achieve their musical integrity. 

Next post: Soundtrack- The Rose

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Led Zepplin- Physical Graffiti

Although released in 1975, this is another album I didn't get to hear until the early 1980s mainly owing to my self imposed repression back in my teenage years. I first heard this album in late 1980 or early 1981, I can't pinpoint the exact time. All I know was that at the time, I was in the marines serving on a troop transport, which can get very boring. Therefore, in order to preserve sanity, we opened our musical minds and explored new horizons, something I am now very grateful about.

Enough about that though, before I heard "Physical Graffiti," my main experience of these legends of the 70s was the fourth album, which really rocks out and a few odd tracks. My mind set of Led Zeppin was the standard four piece singer, guitar, bass and drums laying down some really cool hard rock. Therefore, I was at first surprised by the wide range of music the album had to offer. However, it didn't stop me from liking the album any less. You could say that "Physical Graffiti" helped to expand my mind.

Track Listing:

1. Custard Pie

2. The Rover

3. In My Time of Dying

4. Houses of the Holy

5. Trampled Under Foot

6. Khashmir

7. In the Light

8. Bron- Yr- Aur

9. Down By the Seaside

10. Ten Years Gone

11. Night Fright

12. The Wanton Song

13. Boogie With Stu

14. Black Country Woman

15. Sick Again

Led Zepplin

Robert Plant- vocals, harmonica, accoustic guitar

Jimmy Page- electric, slide and accoustic guitars, harmonica, mandolin, synthesiser

John Paul Jones- bass, accoustic guitar, electric piano, meltron, mandolin, synthesiser, clavinet, organ

John Bonham- drums, percussion

I always have wondered what today's put music neatly into categories world would make today if a noted heavy rock band like Led Zepplin put out a diverse album such as "Physical Graffiti." Would the hardcore rockers accuse them of selling out? Fortunately, back in the 7os, people tended to listen to music with a more opened mind, which is why this album was so successful and is why it is listed among the albums you should listen to before you die.

Next post: Black Sabbath- Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Led Zepplin IV

Of all the people in my age group I have met over the years, I have only ever met one person who had never heard the famous song "Stairway to Heaven." For forty years, that song has been a classic anthem with rockers both young and old. I mean who hasn't been to at least one music shop where there's a sign on the wall banning people from playing it on the guitar in the shop. "Stairway to Heaven" is definitely among the top classics. However, if Led Zepplin had been around in the 80s, it would have been classed as their token ballad or they might have been accused of selling out by some metalheads.
While "Stairway to Heaven" is one of the reasons why Led Zepplin IV is such a great album, it isn't the only good song on it. There is an argument for all eight songs on the album to given the spotlight. I've seen both "Rock And Roll" and "Misty Mountain Hop" on juke boxes and my favourite has always been "Black Dog." Five out of the eight songs appear on the "Mothership" album. Each and every song makes this album such a classic.

Track Listing:

1. Black Dog

2. Rock and Roll

3. The Battle of Evermore

4. Stairway to Heaven

5. Misty Mountain Hop

6. Four Sticks

7. Going to California

8. When the Levee Breaks

Robert Plant- vocals

Jimmy Page- guitar

John Paul Jones- bass

John Bonham- drums

I will not debate anyone who mentions the many other great albums which Led Zepplin put out in the 70s. "Physical Graffiti" and "Led Zepplin II" already come to mind. However, it is "Led Zepplin IV" that shows the true rock talents of Led Zepplin and why it is one of the greatest rock albums ever.

Next Post: Deep Purple, Machine Head

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