Show Commentaries 3

Track and Show Commentaries Commentary Index

Shows 7 - 9

Rock Show 7

I’m starting today with a band who call themselves ‘The Damned’. They are of course a British punk band formed in London in 1976 and despite their rather daunting and austere title they are a very good band. "Alone Again Or" is a song originally recorded in 1967 by rock group Love but here it is given a bit of updated punk treatment from the 1986 album Anything and it works very well! It’s Alone Again Or sung by ‘The Damned’ and it’s quite melodic considering!

Tom Petty is an American singer-songwriter who’s recorded a number of hit singles with the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist, many of which are heavily played on rock shows. I’m playing a track from his 1989 solo album, Full Moon Fever and it’s called Free Fallin' . It‘s one of his most famous and his longest charting track, and it was written and recorded somewhat remarkably in the space of just two days! Coming up right now, Free Fallin' by Tom Petty.

Feeder are an excellent alternative rock band from Newport, Wales, formed in 1991. Lost and Found was a single and is one of three fresh songs featured on their 2006 compilation album, The Singles. On we go with Lost and Found by Feeder.

Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock. Perfect Strangers is the title track of their 1984 album Perfect Strangers. So let’s have Deep Purple and Perfect Strangers.

That Smell is a somewhat curiously titled song by the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and was released in 1977 on the album Street Survivors. It was written as a warning about the consequences of careless overuse or abuse of drugs and alcohol. Right, on with That Smell by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Roxy Music was an English art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry that lasted through to 2005 before Bryan Ferry went solo. Avalon is a single from their 1982 album of the same name. By way of note, Avalon is a legendary mystical island of very good fortune and healing, which was a prominent feature in Arthurian legend (That’s legends about King Arthur and the Round Table if you’re listening in from outside the UK!) Great track anyway - Roxy Music with Avalon !

Rare Earth was the first all-white Motown band and though still performing they particularly prospered from 1970 to 1972. Get Ready was the band's first recording for Motown released in 1970. It is of course a cover version of Smokey Robinson’s hit Motown song, performed originally by The Temptations in 1966, let’s have the Rare Earth cover version and the title is Get Ready.

Tom Cochrane is a Canadian singer musician who has had a very successful solo career. Mad Mad World is a really excellent track from his same named 1991 album. So Tom Cochrane and Mad Mad World.

The Allman Brothers Band are a US Southern Rock /Blues Band. Ramblin' Man featured on their 1973 album Brothers and Sisters and is their biggest chart hit. On with The Allman Brothers Band and Ramblin' Man.

The Velvet Underground was a great American rock band formed in New York active from 1964 to 1973, though there was brief reunion in 1992. They are rated as one of the most influential bands of the 60s. I’m Waiting For The Man was written by Lou Reed and it was first released on Velvet’s 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. I’m Waiting For The Man performed by the Velvet Underground.

Dirty Pretty Things were an English rock band formed 2005, after the breakup of The Libertines in 2004 and lasting through to 2008. Bang Bang, You're Dead was released by them as a single in 2006 from the band's debut album Waterloo to Anywhere. It was used as the theme tune to the BBCs series ‘Sorted’. And let’s have Bang Bang, You're Dead by the Dirty Pretty Things.

Wishbone Ash is a very successful British rock band who achieved their greatest success in the early and mid-1970s. They’ve always been considered a most excellent band to see perform live! Leaf And Stream is a track from their third album Argus,which is the most popular album by Wishbone Ash and widely considered their greatest work to date. On then with Wishbone Ash and Leaf And Stream .

The immensely popular British singer/song-writer Rod Stewart has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best selling artists of all time. Don’t really need to say much about Maggie May as it’s such a famous song. Anyway it was recorded by Rod in 1971 for his album Every Picture Tells a Story and subsequently released as the B-side to ‘A Reason To Believe’ but then reclassified as the A-side! The really great Maggie May by Rod Stewart.

Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. Semi-Charmed Life was released in June 1997 as a single from their self-titled debut album, released in 1997 and was a major hit of the 1990s. How about Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind.

Blind Melon are an excellent rock band who formed in California in 1989 but stopped performing out of respect for the loss of their lead vocalist who died in 1995 but have since reformed from 2006 on with a new lead vocalist. With The Right Set Of Eyes is a great track from their 2008 albumFor My Friends which is their first new album in twelve years. OK it’s Blind Melon with With The Right Set Of Eyes .

Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They became known as Styx in 1972, with most of the band having played together for some years previously, and lasted until 1984. Boat On The River is a melodic song, from their 1980 album Cornerstone. It was released as a single and though not charting in the US, did very well in several European countries! Let’s listen to Styx and Boat On The River .

There’s a post-punk-influenced rock band from London called Dogs who formed up in 2004. London Bridge is from a double A-side single London Bridge/End of an Era released in 2004 and both songs featured on the band's debut studio album, Turn Against This Land. Great track coming up and this is London Bridge by Dogs.

The Automatic are a Welsh rock band from Cardiff who started up as The Automatic in 2005, having played together for some years previously under the band name White Rabbit. Monster is a single from their 2006 debut album Not Accepted Anywhere, and released in the States the following year. OK, let’s have a listen to Monster by The Automatic.

Foghat are a British rock band who had their peak success in the mid- to late-1970s. Slow Ride first appeared on their 1975 album Fool for the City and is Foghat’s most successful single released to date. Right, gonna play Slow Ride by Foghat.

Remember Woodstock? Too young? Not to worry, Woodstock was a really rave US Music and Art Festival held in 1969. Matthews' Southern Comfort had just one big hit and split as just Southern Comfort in 1971. The song concerned Woodstock, was written by Joni Mitchell but had it’s greatest success when performed by Matthews' Southern Comfort as a one hit wonder! So here we are the very famous track, Woodstock by Matthews' Southern Comfort.

Leonard Cohen is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician who is 77 years of age. He is up there almost with Bob Dylan for his musical prowess. Chelsea Hotel #2 is a musically very beautiful song and it’s from his 1974 album New Skin for the Old Ceremony. Have a relax to Leonard Cohen and Chelsea Hotel #2.

The Ordinary Boys are an English Indie rock band formed in Worthing in 2002, who played together up ‘til 2008; but have recently reformed with some major band member changes. Lonely At The Top is a 2006 single by them and preceded their album How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps, on which it also appears. Here’s The Ordinary Boys with Lonely At The Top.

Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965 who were a pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement. My Best Friend is a really great track from their second album Surrealistic Pillow which came out in 1967, with the band lasting together until 1972, though they reunited briefly for a tour in 1989. OK, Jefferson Airplane and the schmaltzy but still great My Best Friend.

Rainbow were an English rock band, run by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who played from from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997 though with numerous line-up changes. I Surrender is a track from their 1981 album Difficult to Cure. Rainbow with I Surrender

The Plastic Cloud were a Canadian psychedelic rock band based in Ontario and formed in 1967, who unfortunately languished in somewhat undeserved obscurity. You Don't Care is a great 1968 track from one of the best psychedelic rock albums ever, self-titled with the band’s name . To close the show today here’s part of You Don't Care by The Plastic Cloud.

Rock Show 8

Robert Palmer was an English singer-songwriter who died in 2003. His music had an eclectic mix of styles combining soul, jazz, rock, pop, reggae and blues. Addicted To Love is a song of his released in 1986 and I’m playing the version featured on his 1985 Riptide album. Ok let’s start off with Addicted To Love by Robert Palmer.

The Spencer Davis Group were a mid-1960s British beat group from Birmingham who had a string of hits, Gimme Some Lovin’ was such a UK single, reaching #2 in the Autumn of 1966. So coming up right now - The Spencer Davis Group with Gimme Some Lovin’ .

The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989. They recently had a 6 year break but reunited in early 2010. The Song Linger became the band's first major hit in 1993, The song’s writer says the song is about her first serious kiss. So let’s Linger and it’s by The Cranberries.

Iggy Pop or by his proper name James Newell "Jim" Osterberg is an American singer, songwriter and musician who as well as a very successful solo career has played in David Bowie’s band. Real Wild Child is an Australian written song that has been covered by a number of high-profile artists. The song was again covered in 1986 when Iggy Pop included a version on his album Blah Blah Blah. We’ll move right on with Real Wild Child by Iggy Pop.

Riley B. King known by the stage name B.B. King, is a very as in extremely highly rated American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, though now quite elderly. "The Thrill Is Gone" in 1969 for his album Completely Well, and the single released the same year became a big hit and his biggest chartbuster! Let’s have a listen to B. B. King and The Thrill Is Gone .

Elvis Costello, born Declan Patrick MacManus is a very prolific English singer-songwriter who came to prominence in the 70’s London Pub Rock scene but has continued his repute also into the Punk/New Wave era. He formed up with The Attractions in 1978. (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea is a 1978 track from his first album with The Attractions, titled This Year's Model. Here we go with (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea by Elvis Costello and The Attractions.

10 CC are an English art rock band achieving their greatest commercial success in the 1970s but continue playing with some lineup changes. I’m playing a super track Good Morning Judge from their 1977 album Deceptive Bends. Let’s enjoy Good Morning Judge by 10 CC.

Cher is of course an extremely popular American singer, also known with good cause as the Pop Goddess. Love Hurts is a hit from her 1975 album Stars released as a cover version. How about Love Hurts by Cher.

Robert Frank Grill known as "Rob" Grill was an American lead singer, songwriter and bass guitarist in the rock and roll band, The Grass Roots but left for a solo career in 1977. Rock Sugar is a great single of his released in 1979. On we go with Rob Grill and Rock Sugar.

Status Quo, also known as The Quo or more popularly just Quo, are a very long-standing and very highly successful English rock band who have their own distinctive boogie rock style. They formed up as The Spectres in 1962, later became Traffic and changed their name again to Status Quo later in 1967. The Wanderer was released by them as a single in 1984 and it’s a great little number! Let’s have The Wanderer by Status Quo.

Elton John doesn’t need much in the way of introducing! Crocodile Rock was his first US number one single in 1972 and was to subsequently appear on his Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player album. And let’s rock with Elton John and Crocodile Rock .

Perfect Stranger are a really great American band who started out as a country band in 1982 but have since 2010, become a southern rock band, with a huge amount of promise. Hey Virginia is a fab track from their 2010 album Shake The world. Hope you’ll really enjoy this one, it’s Perfect Stranger and their rock song Hey Virginia !

Rainbow were an English rock band originally established with American rock band Elf's members though having many later lineup changes. Man On The Silver Mountain is the title track on their debut album of 1975 entitled Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Ok it’s Rainbow, with the great rock number Man On The Silver Mountain .

The House of Love are an English alternative rock band formed in 1986 who split up between 1993 and 2003, but then reformed. Shine On is a fantastic single of theirs first released in 1987 and then re-released in 1990 when it did quite well. Let’s Shine On with The House of Love.

The Scorpions are an extremely successful rock band from Hannover, in Germany who formed in 1965 and have sold upwards of 160 million albums and singles worldwide. Tease Me Please Me is a 1990 single of theirs from their Crazy World album of the same year. Great track coming up and it’s Tease Me Please Me by The Scorpions.

Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 who obtained a formidable reputation in the 1970s as an upcoming hard rock band. "Easy Livin'" was released as the second single from their 1972 album Demons and Wizards. It’s another really great number so without further ado, let’s rock right on with Uriah Heep and Easy Livin' .

Someone you don’t normally associate with rock is Chris De Burgh. He is a British/Irish singer-songwriter born in Argentina and his real name is Christopher John Davison. High On Emotion is a rock song from his first live album from 1990 called High on Emotion:Live From Dublin. - And let’s have a listen to Chris De Burgh with High On Emotion .

Asia are a progressive British rock group formed in 1981. Only Time Will Tell is a great single from their 1982 self-titled debut album. So let’s relax to Only Time Will Tell by Asia.

Thunderclap Newman were a British one-hit wonder band who had a big hit with the single Something In The Air in 1969. It’s a marvellous track too. How did they not have any more hits? Here’s Something In The Air by Thunderclap Newman.

The Troggs were an English rock band that had a number of hits in the 1960s. Wild Thing is a famous 1966 single of theirs. Let’s have a wild rock to Wild Thing by The Troggs.

The Beastie Boys are an American hip hop and rap group from New York who formed up as a hardcore punk band in 1979. Fight For Your Right full title "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!)" wasn’t one of the band themselves favourite songs, but I think it’s rather a good song! It was released as single from their debut album Licensed to Ill in 1986. - Right, gonna play Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right .

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown are an English psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 who were another one-hit wonder band. Fire is a that 1968 song released as a single and on the band's self-titled debut album Crazy World of Arthur Brown and it was a very big smash hit too, I think they literally burnt their boats with this one, not being able to repeat its success! Ok, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Fire .

The Boomtown Rats were an Irish punk rock band that had a series of Irish and UK hits in the late 70s and early 80s, their biggest claim to fame being the very well-known Bob Geldof as their lead singer I Don't Like Mondays is a song written by him released in 1979 and was the band's second number one hit single. Next on, I Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats.

Eric Burdon & The Animals were an English rock band of the 1960s who had a number of big hits to their credit. Paint It Black is a Rolling Stones song, covered by Eric Burdon & The Animals in 1967, for their debut album, Winds of Change. It’s a great version and well worth a listen to. Let’s move on with Eric Burdon & The Animals and Paint It Black .

Sweet Home Alabama is a song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd that first appeared in 1974 on their second album, Second Helping. I’m closing the show for today with Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd!

Rock Show 9

‘Against All Will’ is a rock quartet from LA California, formed in 2007 whose first album A Rhyme & Reason came out in 2009. Tomorrow & Today is a great 2007 single of theirs, but it isn’t on the album! They have released a 9 singles but only the one album so far. Let’s kick off with Tomorrow & Today by ‘Against All Will’.

Michael Lee Aday better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor. He is noted for the Bat Out of Hell album trilogy consisting of the 1977 Bat Out of Hell, 1993 Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell and 2006 Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose albums. Bat Out of Hell has sold more than 43 million copies. After more than 30 years, it still sells an estimated 200,000 copies annually and stayed in the charts for over nine years, making it one of the best selling albums of all time. And what better than the title track from the first of these Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf.

INXS (pronounced "in excess", In-XS) are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales, And Elegantly Wasted is the first single and title track of the album Elegantly Wasted. It was said to have been written after Hutchence from IN-XS and Bono from U2 went out for a "night on the town. So let’s get Elegantly Wasted and it’s by IN-XS!

Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982. They started off as a dance band. The track I’m going to play was their first leaning towards the classic rock style they are now better known for. Rocks is from the group's fourth album, Give Out But Don't Give Up. and was released as a single in 1994. We’ll have Rocks with Primal Scream.

Do you believe in Rock? I do, as in a force to be reckoned with in changing people’s lives for the better, stopping wars and making world peace. Then there’s the sheer exhilaration and focus and enjoyment of great rock music! Changing all our lives for the better! Well what can we play after that than a track from the 75 album Toys in the Attic that started a string of big hits Sweet Emotion , and it’s by Aerosmith of course.

Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in California, in 1972 but their real success started in 1978. Why Can’t This be Love is a delightful track from the ‘86 album 5150 coming out also as a single and EP, On we go with Van Halen and Why Can’t This be Love .

Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades. Lovely singer she is too! "Blowin' in the Wind" is a Bob Dylan song recorded by him in 1963. Marianne Faithfull covered the song as a single in 1964. Super version! Marianne Faithfull with Blowin’ In The WindWish I could find some answers out there sometimes!

Whitesnake are an English hard rock band, founded in 1976 and I’m playing their biggest hit. Here I Go Again is a #1 hit song recorded by them and originally released on the1982 album of theirs, Saints & Sinners. How about Here I Go Again by Whitesnake. Cracking good song!

ZeeZee Top is a successful American rock band from Texas formed in 1969. Sharp Dressed Man is a song from their ‘83 album Eliminator. So here we are with ZZ Top and Sharp Dressed Man

Thin Lizzy formed up as an Irish rock band in 1969. The Boys Are Back in Town is a very well known track of theirs and was a big hit single from their 1976 album Jailbreak. Let’s move straight along withThe Boys Are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy.

The Association is a pop music band from California who play folk rock or soft rock. During the 1960s, they had numerous top hits and they are still playing to this day. Windy was recorded by them in 1967 and it was a big chart hit, certainly one of the song’s I very well remember from my youth and listened to on the Pirate radio station Radio Caroline at the time! Here’s a gutsy Live version they played, much better than the original single! Windy by The Association.

I’ve some really big ones as well today, and here’s one to really relish. Dire Straits and Brothers In Arms from the same named album of 1985. It’s a fantastic and tremendous track, melancholy and very very melodic!

Can’t get much bigger than The Rolling Stones and especially Jumping Jack Flash. Jumping Jack Flash was a massive and huge hit for them in 1968. It’s features in many films and Stone’s compilation albums. The Rolling Stones with the inimitable Jumping Jack Flash !

Well many have tried, but none have matched up to the Stones and their very own version!

You may or may not have heard this one from Germany’s top band, but if you haven’t, you’re in for a real treat. Here’s The Scorpions and a track from their from their 1984 album Love at First Sting Still Loving You - Should have been a much bigger hit!

Here’s a really good one to rock along to. It’s by the fab Aussie outfit AC DC There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’, and it’s from their 76 album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. AC DC and There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’ .

Well, another super hit coming up and it’s another smash hit by Rod Stewart from 1972. You can find it on his album Never a Dull Moment . So without more ado Rod Stewart and You Wear It Well.

Here’s another one I remember very well from the 60’s, California Dreamin’ by the well known Canadian/ American group The Mamas & The Papas actually from 1965. It’s about a man in the winter longing for the Summer warmth in California. I had a half- sister living in the States who over-summered in Buffalo, Ontario to avoid excess summer heat and over-wintered in California to avoid Canada’s long cold winters, so I’ve a great deal of empathy for this song! It’s California Dreamin’ and it’s by The Mamas & The Papas.

Almost on a par with Flowers In The Rain and the track Woodstock, that one!

Now for some punk music. It all started back in Sept 2001, when Ray and JP, who at that time were both in a band Spirit of '77 (that’s not the same band with the same name, who are a present punk tribute band!), anyway they decided to decided to form the UK Oi! Punk band Subculture. They have since made steady progress and significant inroads in and into the alternative UK music scene. Subculture released Loud and Clear as a single in 1983 and it features on several notable Oi! compilation albums. So here’s Loud and Clear by the UK punk band Subculture.

Crux are another UK punk band, a very street-wise, often street-based and very anti-establishment outfit, if you would call them that! I rather like this 1985 track of theirs, Streets At Night. It’s from the Oi! The Rarities 5 CD compilation album set. Right, gonna play Streets At Night by Crux.

The next track is very much one of my all-time favourites. It’s a long track, but it’s split into three distinct parts, so it’s well worth playing and listening to it right through. It starts off very melodic, then goes quite hard rock, finishing up a mixture of melody and more hard rock but in a different vein. It’s called Time Was and it’s by Wisbone Ash from their best ever and most popular, - 1972 album Argus. Let’s have a listen to Wishbone Ash and Time Was you might want to put up your feet for this one!

"Zombie" is a protest song by the Irish rock band The Cranberries from the 1994 album No Need to Argue. In particular it protests about the killing of two children in a bombing by the IRA in Warrinton on the UK mainland at the time of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Next on, The Cranberries with Zombie served I’m afraid on this occasion without Turkey. The killing of innocent children, one just 3 years old instantly and the other 12 years old, who suffered a lingering death afterwards, marked an all-time low in the IRA campaign, where bombs had been placed in litter bins close to Boots and McDonald’s, and to Argos in Warrington. We remember them with The Cranberries and Zombie.

Ok let’s lighten the mood a bit. Carrie is a 1987 hit single power ballad released by the Swedish rock band Europe. It was the third single released internationally from the album The Final Countdown

Time for another ballad and a super one at that! Please Forgive Me is a single by Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams released in 1993. And here’s Please Forgive Meby Bryan Adams

Ok a bit more upbeat if melancholy number that’s also very melodic. Streets of Philadelphia is an Oscar winning song, written and performed by American rock musician Bruce Springsteen, and he wrote it for the first mainstream film on HIV/AIDS in the 1993 film, Philadelphia. It’s a great track and it was a big smash hit internationally when it was released, and in fact his biggest UK hit.. So we’re going to have Bruce Springsteen with Streets of Philadelphia

Wasn’t sure if I was going to have time for the next one. It’s a soft and gentle one with a good bit of rock to it! It’s called Walking on the Milky Way and was released as a single by OMD a British New Wave band in 1996 appearing the on their album titledUniversal a month later. Very nice track to close the show with. OMD and Walking on the Milky Way .

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