I saw Warren Zevon perform but I just can't remember where. In L.A., of course. Aquarius Theater? McCabe's? The Troubadour? He was okay, but I'm sure even he'd agree that the artists who covered his tunes probably did them better.
Hidden Gems in Classic Rock Albums
Please share songs you love that get overlooked on classic albums that most consider among the best ever--for example, those that regularly appear on the Rolling Stone top 100 list. Last weekend I played "Hotel California" all the way through and was really digging "Try and Love Again". Can't get it out of my head. Oddly, a Randy Meisner tune with great bass guitar and unique bass drum work by Don Henley--pumping it twice rather than once not sure why. There is some really great stabbing guitar lines, awesome rhythm guitar licks and a nice lead guitar. As always, great harmony vocals to boot. A really great song that seems to fly under the radar because it is on an LP that has so many "hits" and really great songs.
Share yours!
119 responses Add your response
@jafant +1 Bad Company - Silver, Blue and Gold (Run With The Pack) |
@charliech good catch on those early Iron Maiden albums. Recently re-purchased Killers, was humming and hawing bout Number of the Beast...you've given me a nudge The tracks that called out to me across the decades were the first two, Ides of March and Wrathchild, which i kinda think of as one track, much like Fleetwood Mac's the Chain, where one half sets the table for what follows. I love the post-punk energy, the almost space rock feel to it. Like Black Sabbath, that one has aged well Conversely, i was dreadfully disappointed with my repurchase of Piece of Mind. The first heavy metal album i bought with my own money, aged 13 Oh dear-...children's music |
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@tonykay I saw Romeo Void live back in the day and it was one of the best concerts I remember seeing. The guitar, bass and drums were just locked in and could create incredible tension just with dynamics since there really wasn't any solos played by the guitarist. |
dz13, I never saw Romeo Void in concert. I caught the song years ago on one of the rock stations in the Bay Area. I bought the CD, and thought it was pretty good for an unknown group. You probably won't find them in Rolling Stone's Top 100. sokogear, One Trick Pony is a favorite, as well as Hearts and Bones. There is no question who the songwriter was in S&G. Good choice! |
@slantgut + 1 - recently got the box set of Electric Ladyland; I don't think I'd heard it since the early 70's, and I forgot how awesome that song (1983) was; Jimi's take on prog (before there was prog?)... That whole album is a masterwork. |
@larsman The box set was not on my radar, thanks for the heads up! |
All of these "Classic Rock’ albums could be considered Top 100 entries. I selected one album from each year of the 1970’s since IMO that defines "Classic Rock". Yes, all of these albums make my personal Top 100 list, FWIW I selected 3 albums from 1971 which I consider the strongest year of the 1970’s. I also avoided(tried?) any song that was released as a 45rpm single to make sure these were "deep" tracks. 1970-Grateful Dead-American Beauty-Attics Of My Life 1971-Alice Cooper-Love It To Death-Black Juju Don Mclean-American Pie-The Grave The Who-Who’s Next-My Wife 1972-Steely Dan-Can’t Buy A Thrill-Midnite Cruiser 1973-Montrose-ST-Make It Last 1974-Kiss-ST-Black Diamond 1975-Fleetwood Mac-ST-Crystal 1976-Bob Seger-Night Moves-Sunburst 1977-Heart-Little Queen-Love Alive 1978-Van Halen-ST-Atomic Punk 1979-The Knack-Get The Knack-Lucinda |
