Great White - Elation

Great White have returned with their new studio album, Elation, and the debut of new frontman Terry Ilous.  Many reviewers may ramble on about 'the change' from Jack Russell to the XYZ singer but I'm not here to criticize their history --  just Elation.  And that my friends is very hard to do as all I want to do is praise it.

The band found two really solid tracks to begin with in "(I've Got) Something For You" and "Feelin' So Much Better."  The former, expected to be the first single and video to be released, blazes to life and will surely be a live favorite.  "Feelin' So Much Better" is a personal favorite here as the vocal harmonies, punchy guitars and intuitive percussion make it a memorable ride.  There is a lot to love about this album.  I do feel that "Resolution" and "Promise Land," while decent tracks, are close but don't meet the caliber of the other 10 tracks.  Overall, the writing is impressive, performances are cohesive and leave little to objectively sneer at.  I enjoy the Louisiana bayou blues beginning of "Love Train," the strut of "Heart Of A Man" and the guitar solo to the ballad "Love Is Enough" as well as the beautiful "Hard To Say Goodbye," playful "Shotgun Willie's" and throwback glam-feel of "Complicated."

Great White have delivered.  Fans have to be feeling the elation too!

4.5 out of 5

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame -- Accountability

Welcome to this on-going post on which we will hold the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its voting members accountable for their inductees and the history of those the do not induct.  As highly subjective as and 'hall of fame' is, it is important to put those so honored into a bigger context.  So here (listed according to year of eligibility) we plan to keep a list of those that aren't in yet.  Enjoy... or just get frustrated.

1980
Johnny Ace

1981
Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio
Marty Robbins

1982
Chuck Willis
Danny and the Juniors

1983
Kingston Trio
Chantels

 1984
Carole King
Patsy Cline
Brook Benton
Neil Sedaka

1985
Jan and Dean
Chubby Checker
Link Wray
Joan Baez
Cliff Richard and the Shadows

1986
Spinners
Paul Revere and the Raiders
Ben E. King
Gary "U.S." Bonds
Marvelettes
Lee Dorsey
Petula Clark

1987

Peter, Paul and Mary
Dick Dale
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Gordon Lightfoot
Glen Campbell
Contours

1988
Billy Preston
Searchers
Lesley Gore
Manfred Mann
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Dionne Warwick
Chiffons
Tammi Terrell
Surfaris

 1989
Zombies
Johnny Rivers
Moody Blues
Marianne Faithfull

 1990
Guess Who

Boz Scaggs
Randy Newman
Golden Earring
Spencer Davis Group
Junior Walker and the All Stars
Tom Jones
Turtles
Herman's Hermits
Cher
Albert Collins
Shangri-Las
Sonny and Cher
John Mayall

 1991
Jim Croce
Monkees
Cat Stevens
Harry Chapin
Grass Roots
Tommy James and the Shondells
Captain Beefheart
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
Love

1992

Procol Harem
Gram Parsons
5th Dimension
Gary Puckett and Union Gap
Iron Butterfly
Troggs
Canned Heat
Ten Years After
Vanilla Fudge
Harry Nilsson

 1993

Jethro Tull

Steve Miller
T. Rex
Steppenwolf

Deep Purple
Blood Sweat and Tears
Delfonics
Johnny Winter
Free
Bar-Kays

1994

Chicago

Grand Funk Railroad
Blind Faith
Flying Burrito Brothers

MC5

Linda Ronstadt
Kool and the Gang
Joe Cocker
King Crimson
Carpenters
James Gang

Yes
Humble Pie
Three Dog Night
Meters
Roberta Flack
Slade

1995

Diana Ross
Warren Zevon

Emerson Lake and Palmer
Todd Rundgren
Supertramp
J. Geils Band

Jimmy Buffett
Badfinger
Ringo Starr
Tangerine Dream
Sweet
Ry Cooder
Uriah Heep
Hawkwind

1996
Kraftwerk
Wings

Little Feat

Electric Light Orchestra

Doobie Brothers
America
REO Speedwagon
Carly Simon
Meat Loaf
Steve Winwood
Thin Lizzy
Weather Report
Stylistics
War
Bill Withers
Rory Gallagher

1997

Hall and Oates

Styx
Lou Reed
Blue Öyster Cult
Peter Frampton
Joe Walsh
Roxy Music
Scorpions
Big Star
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
Easybeats

1998

New York Dolls
Pointer Sisters
John Fogerty
Barry White
Tina Turner
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Ashford and Simpson
Marshall Tucker Band
Average White Band
Montrose

1999

Kiss
Judas Priest
Commodores
Bad Company
Jefferson Starship
Kansas
Brian Eno
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
Cult
Robert Palmer

2000

Journey
Alan Parsons Project
Rainbow
Television
Tubes
Ted Nugent
Modern Lovers

2001

Boston
Kenny Loggins

Peter Tosh
Triumph
Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes
Runaways
Damned

2002
Jam
Chic

Cheap Trick
.38 Special
Peter Gabriel
Teddy Pendergrass
Eddie Money
George Thorogood
XTC
Foreigner
Motorhead
Buzzcocks

2003

Cars
Toto
Squeeze
Whitesnake
Black Flag
Human League
Dire Straits
Devo
Kate Bush
X
Rick James
Gary Numan
Siouxsie and the Banshees

2004

Cure

Pat Benatar
Def Leppard
Bryan Adams
Sugarhill Gang
Madness
B-52's
Specials
Teena Marie
Iron Maiden
Bauhaus

2005
Go-Go's
INXS
Huey Lewis and the News
Ozzy Osbourne
Robert Cray
English Beat
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Afrika Bambaataa

2006

Stevie Nicks
Depeche Mode
Lionel Richie

Replacements
Duran Duran

Phil Collins

Stray Cats

New Order

Mötley Crüe
Ministry

Eurythmics

Hüsker Dü

Billy Idol
Luther Vandross

2007

Sting

Don Henley

Asia
Janet Jackson
Glenn Frey
Sonic Youth

2008
Smiths
Bon Jovi
Cyndi Lauper
Anthrax

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
Pantera

2009
Whitney Houston
LL Cool J
Sade
Slayer
Steve Vai
Nick Cave
Pogues
Jesus and Mary Chain

2010
Big Audio Dynamite
My Bloody Valentine
Primal Scream
Megadeth

2011
Soundgarden
Babyface
Melvins
Belinda Carlisle
Tesla
Crowded House
Dwight Yoakam
Eric B. and Rakim
Cinderella
Concrete Blonde
Salt-N-Pepa

2012
George Michael

Jane's Addiction
N.W.A.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Rick Astley
Pixies
Richard Marx
Sinead O'Connor
Goo Goo Dolls
Debbie Gibson
Tiffany

2013

808 State

Buckwheat Zydeco

DC Talk

Danzig

De La Soul

Fugazi

Jeff Healey

Keith Richards

Kylie Minogue

Melissa Etheridge

Morrissey

Mudhoney

Nirvana

Paula Abdul

Phish

Taylor Dayne

Tone Loc

Tracy Chapman

Traveling Wilburys

Vixen

Widespread Panic

Winger

 

Eurovision 2012

I mention it on here every so often but, yes, the Eurovision Song Contest is gearing up for next month.  I've already started going through the entries.  I guess, what I really enjoy about the competition is that each European country submits a song and singer to perform and, being on another continent, leaves me no pony in the race.  I've discovered several of my favorite artists (and several of my wife's) via this contest over the last decade.  Expect to hear more about these artists as it moves forward.

If you'd like to look at some of the preview videos for these entrants, visit here.  Find a few new favorites for yourself and... maybe root on another country.  If you happen to be in Europe, "may the odds be ever in your favor."

I Failed To Google

So, I'm sitting at dinner with my family for my father's birthday and I finally let slip one of my new project ideas.  It is possibly more involved, accessible and promising than the show, the newsletter and even the other web site.  After fielding a few questions, the ideas are running around my head and getting me edgy.  Later that night, I am sitting at the computer running through domain name ideas with the wife.  With her help, I commit to a domain and am excited about the next few steps.  Work on a logo begins and a few other format evaluations take place.

We have dinner a few days later with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and a friend.  My brother-in-law Greg mentions that he looked for the website (which I'd mentioned the name to previously) and found another site.  I asked about the spelling and any other variations which led us to a domain with the exact name but with "the" in front.  It had been around awhile, done some video work and would have been a costly future trademark affair if I'd launched the site and gotten further in the project.  Almost as embarrassing as scoring a big hit and having a watch manufacturer sue you over using their name in your band until being redeemed later by scoring a hit (albeit a remake) under your new name.

So, I'm out... about $40 but can redirect traffic from that page to the new site when we launch.  So, on top of trying to find an original domain name, selecting one that doesn't include too many numbers (as you have explain the numbers when saying it so they don't type out the words) and trying to express what it's about in a short name, you need to search Google for your name.  It may be available because someone is already using something close.  It's something I knew already but was too antsy and eager to put my foot on the path to execute.

Expect to hear something about the project here by July.

Non-R.I.T.: "I'll Love You Forever"

It's hard to not be a fan of the Monkees. "Stepping Stone," although sung my Micky, is a personal favorite that my mother had on a 45 -- and I played incessantly in my youth. If you don't like their pop music, love their courage to bring little known guitarist Jimi Hendrix out on tour to support them in 1967. Heck, Davy Jones is the reason another David Jones changed his name to David Bowie (to avoid market confusion.) Anyhow, the song below is a live version of Jones' 1984 holiday single which was only released in England. We will love him forever. (Song starts 1:20 into the video.)

Non-R.I.T.: "I Know Him So Well"

Non-random post. Didn't really know how I wanted to approach Whitney's passing yesterday as there was the initial shock, the moment I thought about the loss of Amy Winehouse, the anger at losing one amazing voice and the sadness that her loved ones will face in the future. As a musicologist, I look at her debut album and smile. Duets with Teddy Pendergrass and Jermaine Jackson, bass by American Idol's Randy Jackson, keyboards by Richard Marx, guitar by Dann Huff and backing vocals by her mom Cissy. Huge record setting album but speaking of her mom... here's a duet they did for the follow-up album. The song was written by Tim Rice and ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson for the musical Chess but would become the final single released off Houston's Whitney album in 1988.

R.I.T.: "Free"

Today's R.I.T. is Big Audio Dynamite's "Free." Released in 1989 as the first single off of the soundtrack to Flashback, the song would go to #22 on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. It would not be released on a BAD album (until their 1995 Planet BAD 'best of') but a reworked version called "Kickin' In" would surface on their Kool-Aid album. Really should have also done a show on Big Audio Dynamite when I could... well, and also Mick Jones' previous project, The Clash. Have a great weekend.

Big Audio Dynamite - Free (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Big Audio Dynamite

R.I.T.: "The Seventh Stranger"

Today's R.I.T. is the 1983 album track, "The Seventh Stranger," that closes Seven And The Ragged Tiger. The song was reportedly a favorite of Simon and Nick's that they wanted to see released as a single but their label, Capitol, wanted something more dance oriented. The song, as well as its preceding track "Tiger Tiger," gave the album its title. Crank it up and enjoy.

R.I.T.: "The Sweater"

Today's R.I.T. is Canadian writer/performer Meryn Cadell's amazingly funny "The Sweater." The 1992 single was a surprise Canadian Top 40 hit and received a lot of airplay on college radio (helping it reach #24 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart.) Cadell's first independent album was released in 1988. The album, Angel Food For Thought, was re-issued in 2007.

What defines you?

Had an idea rattling in my brain for the last few hours and wanted to get it down... in 0's and 1's, I guess.  How do you define yourself.  If you were to take 3 things that define who and what you are (in order of importance), what would they be?  Feel free to take a second and write them down.  Don't worry, this page isn't going anywhere and I'm not looking.  Ok, if you took a real hard look at yourself when writing that down, you'll find something interesting.  You wrote down filters.

I'll explain.  Often, people go through life with a vision of themselves.  Be it strength, intellect, gender, race, sexual preference, nationality, political party, wealth, religion or a myriad of other divisors, we always hold something up to set our internal compass.  Let's use intellect for a moment.  You may believe you are a very smart person, absorb knowledge easily, rationalize concepts quickly and value it more than many others.  It's a great quality to have but here is the kicker.  If that was #1 on your list, it's also a filter.  If you put that above all else, you would have an equal distaste for ignorance, stupidity and idiocy.  You'd have to, as it is the top thing that defines who you are as a person.

So, if you place your birthplace (city, state or nation) above all else, you become less forgiving of other locales.  If your #1 personal definer was gender, you would support and promote it and look less favorably at the opposite sex.  If you were dirt poor, as were your parents and their parents, you would look unfavorably at the well-to-do if your made what defines you was the belief you'd always be poor.  This list can keep going.  Religion can easily easily go that route as can political ideology and sexual preference.  I won't belabor that point further.

The passion of what defines you makes that #1 on your list pretty darn important as it also becomes a filter for who and what we let in and deflect.  We could very well put "human being" at #1 on the list and not believe that we will hate or go on crusades against dogs, cats or horses... although one may go with "living being" if they were averse to eating animals and saw them as an equal.  I've had and still have friends that have a #1 on their list that clears rooms, creates enemies and leaves a bunch of unhappiness in their wake.

You really can be what you want to be.  You can define yourself.  But, finding a definition of ourselves that lets others into our own little world is important... and it is how I view tolerance.

R.I.T.: "Long Long Way To Go"

Today's R.I.T. is Def Leppard's "Long Long Way To Go." Released in 2003 as a single off of their X album, the song went to #40 in the U.K. The song is currently their last hit to chart there. Brilliant lyrics and haunting undercurrent. I was honored when the label asked to use my album review to help promote the single... just wish it got a little airplay here in the U.S. Instead, the U.S. market pushed the song "Four Letter Word" (which would be their most recent chart hit here.)

R.I.T.: "Donald, Where's Your Troosers?"

Today's R.I.T. is Andy Stewart's "Donald, Where's Your Troosers?" No, really, that's the song and how it's spelled. It's a rendition of a traditional Scottish song by the then popular musician and television personality. The 1961 novelty #37 U.K. hit by the Scotsman resurfaced in late 1989 in the U.K. peaking at #4. Be sure to hear the whole song, though.

R.I.T.: "Dominoes"

Today's R.I.T. is "Dominoes" by Robbie Nevil. Released as the second single from his self-titled debut album in 1986, the song would go to #14 in the U.S. Nevil started his career songwriting for Earth Wind & Fire, the Pointer Sisters, El DeBarge, Al Jarreau among many others before getting his moment in the sun. After a few more albums, he'd return to songwriting for Starship, David Lee Roth, K-Ci & JoJo, Aaron Neville, Jeff Lorber, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers and something called High School Musical. I think I need to reappraise my blame for the last three.

R.I.T.: "One In A Million"

Today's R.I.T. is The Romantics' "One In A Million." Possibly my favorite track by the band, pure power-pop rock. Released as the 3rd single off their In The Heat album in 1984, the song would go to #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #22 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Time for a dose of reality, though. "What I Like About You" (which still gets a lot of airplay) is their third biggest hit, landing outside the U.S. Top 40 at #49 in 1980. 1983's "Talking In Your Sleep" was their biggest hit going to #3 in the U.S. (and #1 on the U.S. Dance chart.)

R.I.T.: "Johnny, Are You Queer?"

Today's R.I.T. is "Johnny, Are You Queer?" by the smokin' hot Josie Cotton. The song would go to #38 on the Billboard Club Play Singles chart in '82, #2 on Canadian radio and be 1 of 3 songs she'd contribute to the Valley Girl soundtrack. According to Cotton, L.A. punk act Fear performed an early version of the song with no reference to Johnny but producers/managers Bobbie and Larson Paine would re-write the lyrics for their clients... the Go-Go's. The song became a live favorite for the group but the Paine brothers would forbid them from using the song after the band parted ways with management. Cotton lobbied to record a demo of the song which became the single and the rest is pretty much history. An official video wasn't filmed as her label, Elektra, was in financial trouble... thankfully, she filmed one later.

R.I.T.: "Stand"

Today's R.I.T. is "Stand" by Liquid Jesus. This 1990 cover of the Sly And The Family Stone classic made it's mark appearing on the Pump Up The Volume soundtrack (and being played at the end of the film.) Liquid Jesus' pop sensibilities lay in the fusion of gospel, folk, jazz, rock and blues that would fit right in with Woodstock... no, the first one. It's just too bad that this cover is so much better than other recorded works including their Pour In The Sky album. Looking to find your groove today, play this!

R.I.T.: "Moonbeam"

Today's R.I.T. is the 1987 single, "Moonbeam," from Men Without Hats off of the Pop Goes The World album. The song was a follow-up single to the Top 20 U.S. hit "Pop Goes The World" and would go to #46 on the U.S. Dance and #23 on the Canadian charts. The Quebec act scored 7 hits in their homeland from 1893 to 1991. Fun to see a goofy video like this pop up once in awhile.

Thank you, Grandpa!

Today my grandfather was buried.  He's just walking distance from my father-in-law.  Boy, there are a lot of things I could say about him and my feelings this last week.  I'm just going to keep it minimal.  If you look at a lot of the photos of him we have, you'd see that he loved his recliner.  Well, not as much as his family.  He came from a large family (being one of 10 children) and himself helped create a large family.  The first part of that was during his 22 years of military service.

I was talking with one of my aunts that I don't see that often and she told me how happy she was that I was able to spend as much time as I did with him.  I could sense some hurt in her voice.  You see, a career military man serving during several wars would not be home often and a chunk of your connection is lost when you don't spend time together.  Compound that with seeing your parents split and it's really rough for a child.  You can't fix the past, though.  What you can do is analyze what you've gained through those connections.

My grandfather lived a lot of his pre- and post-military life in the state of Idaho.  He was a pillar of his community, serving as fire chief, postmaster general, mayor and owner of the local store.  We would see him during some holidays and have longer visits during the summer when we'd stay there.  As a child, you focus on very centric things -- me, me and me.  Food, playing, sleeping and more playing would take precedence over real thoughtful conversation.  I wasn't happy with chores (which included moving irrigation pipe) and having only one TV in the house.

But lets, look at what I gained there.  I learned what it was like to do a form of physical labor, where eggs come from (by grabbing them myself), find adventure in a town trusting enough that they didn't lock doors, appreciate a town that isn't 'go, go, go' and to embrace quiet moments with family.  I never really understood grandpa's love for Westerns and military films and obsession with the news.  But, I would adopt the latter myself.

I lost a grandfather while in high school.  I lost another one after high school (when I returned from Reno.)  But, you remember when I related loss with the quality of your connection.  I can't say that I spent 5% of the time with either of my other grandfathers and the weight of this loss is that much stronger.  Knowing that his time was coming to a close, my first project after ending Talking 80s Music was to spend some quality time with grandpa and record his life story for myself as well as the rest of the family.  The me-focused child needed to fill in the gaps and use my interview skills for something greater.  I can say that I am better equipped to deal with his passing by doing it.  I think we said an unspoken long-farewell then.

His recliner isn't empty.  It's just moved closer to the Lord.  I could miss what I didn't have with him but I won't.  I will cherish the time he spent with me and share what I can with the family.  Spend time with your family, your elders.  Harry Chapin's song "Cats In The Cradle" plays in my head this week.  We don't have to be that kid!  We don't have to be that adult!  Connect!  Don't mourn the living!  The time is now!

R.I.T.: "Love Is Like A Rock"

Today's R.I.T. is "Love Is Like A Rock" by Donnie Iris and The Cruisers (no, not Eddie.) Released in 1981, the single would go to #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. It's a great example of a song that worked its way up the chart from mid-December of 1981 until late February of 1982 -- all without an official promotional video. His biggest U.S. single, "My Girl," would be the follow-up but both are often forgotten behind his 1981 U.S. hit "Ah, Leah!" In late 2010, Iris released his 11th studio album, the Christmas-themed Ah! Leluiah!

R.I.T.: "Last Summer's Evil"

Today's R.I.T. is "Last Summer's Evil" by TNT. The song is track 4 on Antony Harnell's 1984 debut album with TNT, Knights Of The New Thunder. Love the strut of the song and Tony's vocal harmonics here. Odd that it would come up randomly today as Mr. Harnell recently put the silver album award he was presented for Knights Of The New Thunder on eBay with 10% of the final sale going to Breast Cancer Action in memory of Tony's mother who passed away from the disease in 2009. You can find it at http://bit.ly/xxbmgn