The Rock Show 090

Check out this week's "The Rock Show" with Michael David, where the rock music does all the talkin'.  This week we'll hear new music from Motley Crue, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and Bonnie Raitt, we'll hit the Boneyard with all things hard rock/heavy metal with Sixx: A.M., the Album Spotlight of the Week is "Frehley's Comet" from Ace Frehley, we'll open the Vintage Vinyl Vault and pull out records from Loverboy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Frank Marino and Paul McCartney, and the Artist Spotlight of the Week is Kiss. You can download the zip file here

THE ALBUM SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock (1977)

Are you ready for some loud raunchy nasty rock 'n' roll? If so then LET THERE BE ROCK!!!  This is the best of the Bon Scott era AC/DC albums, released 35 years ago in 1977.  It reached number 154 on the US Billboard Album charts.  This, the bands 4th studio album, was the last to feature bassist Mark Evans. The title track 'Let There Be Rock', 'Bad Boy Boogie', a shortened version of 'Problem Child', 'Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be' and 'Whole Lotta Rosie' are the highlights, and that's nearly the whole album.  Bon Scott and the boys are in your face throughout the whole record, showing just how bad these boys are.  One of the things about this record I like best is that it shows the youth of the band, how raw they approached their music, and it shows in the musicianship just how hard these boys were willing to work to please their audience.  It definitely has that 70's hard rock feel to it, which is fantastic.  Highly recommended, especially if you haven't heard this album before.  After you hear it again (or for the first time) you will declare "LET THERE BE ROCK"!!!

(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

The Rock Show 089

Check out this week's edition of "The Rock Show" with Michael David, where the rock music does all the talkin'.  We'll hear new music from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Melissa Etheridge, we'll hit the Boneyard, with all things hard rock/heavy metal with Accept and Godsmack, the Album Spotlight of the Week is 'Let There Be rock' from AC/DC, we'll go inside the Vintage Vinyl Vault with Krokus, Kansas, Led Zeppelin and John Lennon.  Also, this week we lost yet another special talent as Jon Lord, keyboardist for Deep Purple, passed away on Monday the 16th so we have a tribute.  You can download the zip file here

Deep Purple Keyboardist Jon Lord Dies

R.I.P. Jon Lord of Deep Purple

August New Releases

August 7
Bob Marley, ‘Marley: A Film by Kevin McDonald’ (DVD, blu-ray)
Elvis Presley, ‘Fame and Fortune: Lost in the Sixties’
Elvis Presley, ‘King Creole: The Alternate Album’
Elvis Presley, ‘Loving You: The Alternate Album’
Roxy Music, ‘The Complete Studio Recordings’ (Box Set)
The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent ‘Live in Concert at Metropolis Studios, London’ (CD/DVD)
10 Years, 'Minus The Machine' (CD)
Rob Zombie, 'Mondo Sex Head' (CD, vinyl)

August 14
David Bowie, ‘Bowie in Berlin’ (DVD)
Loverboy, ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival’
The Prog Collective, 'The Prog Collective‘ (features members of Yes, Asia, King Crimson and XTC)
Steve Vai, 'The Story Of Light'
Various Artists, 'Just Tell Me That You Want Me - Tribute To Fleetwood Mac'
Incubus, 'Incubus HQ Live (2 CD/DVD)

August 21
Glen Cambpell, ‘Inspiration Collection’
Humble Pie, ‘Winterland 1973′ (Vinyl)
The Kinks, ‘The Kinks at the BBC’ (Box Set)
Kiss, 'Destroyer Resurrected' (Deluxe Edition vinyl)
Lynyrd Skynyrd, 'Last Of A Dying Breed'

August 28
Art Garfunkel, 'The Singer' (Two-disc hits collection)
Triumph, ‘Live at Sweden Rock Festival‘ (CD/DVD)
The Who ‘Quadrophenia: The Criterion Collection’ (DVD)
10 Years, 'Minus The Machine' (vinyl)

ALBUM SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK Def Leppard Hysteria (1987)

This week we check out Hysteria, the 4th studio album from Def Leppard, released 25 years ago in 1987.  It reached number 1 on the US Billboard Album charts.  It has sold more than 20 million copies worlwide.  Personally, this album holds so many memories for me.  First, it had been 4 years since the release of their last album Pyromania. Second, I was anxious to hear how the band would sound with a one-armed drummer.  Rick Allen had lost his arm in an auto accident December 31, 1984.  In the next couple of years MTV played videos from the album constantly, thus Hysteria pushed the "hair metal" to new heights and popularity.  I remember playing tracks from this album at parties throughout the late 80's.  The music is much more 'polished' than their 3 previous albums were.  That due to the producing direction of Robert John "Mutt" Lange, known for producing AC/DC, Bryan Adams, Foreigner, Nickelback, his ex-wie Shania Twain, and more recently Lady Gaga and Carrie Underwood.  At times the album might sound a bit over-produced but this album still rocks.  The lead off track "Women" is probably the rockinest track as the others are more slick and Top 40ish.  "Love Bites" did hit number 1 on the US Billboard Singles charts.  "Pour Some Sugar On me" is still a fan favorite.  This one is highly recommended, but I'll bet just about everyone reading has heard this one for themselves.

(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

The Rock Show 088

Check out this weeks "The Rock Show" with Michael David, where the rock music does all the talkin'.  This week we'll hear new music from the Dave Matthews Band, hit the Boneyard with all things hard rock/heavy metal, the Album Spotlight of the Week is "Hysteria" from Def Leppard, we'll open the Vintage Vinyl Vault and the Artist Spotlight of the Week is Shinedown.  You can download the zip file here

The ALBUM SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK Sammy Hagar - I Never Said Goodbye (1987)

Whenever I tell people that I prefer the David Lee Roth led version of Van Halen better than the Sammy Hagar led version some think that I don't like Sammy.  On the contrary...the Sammy era had some fantastic music.  Hagar has consistently put out some rockin' jams, whether it be with Montrose, Van Halen or Chickenfoot.  As a solo artist Hagar has proven equally capable of putting out a fine album.  "I Never Said Goodbye" is the spotlight in this review as it is the 25th anniversary of its release in 1987.  It reached number 14 on the US Billboard album charts.  It is the only solo album Sammy released while he was a member of Van Halen.  As I have been spinning this album the last couple of days I have been reading other reviews for the record and they are not to kind (just click the link below for the Allmusic review, you will see what I mean).  I would have to disagree.  It is a fine record.  The opening track When The Hammer Falls is a fantastic rocker.  Give To Live and Eagles Fly are other highlights.  I recommend you check it out, it is worth the listen.  I never have understood music critics anyway.

(CD, vinyl, Allmusic review)

The Rock Show 087

Check out this week's "The Rock Show" with Michael David, where the rock music does all the talkin'.  This week we check out new singles from Shinedown, Jackyl and Kiss, we'll hit The Boneyard with all things hard rock/heavy metal, the Album Spotlight of the Week is "I Never Said Goodbye" from Sammy Hagar, we'll open the Vintage Vinyl Vault and our Artist Spotlight of the Week is the band that has the new number 1 Rock Track in America for this Week (you gotta listen to find out who it is).  You can download the zip files here