**Rock and Roll Reminiscing-LLLL*

Paul Connor

**Rock and Roll Reminiscing - LLLL**

Rock and Roll Reminiscing

30 March 2003 --- Letter Of The Week is “L”

For what this is about and some guidelines please click on the following link:

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum...=&threadid=7234

Yes, it’s a long post, but please read, if you participate.

This week we are only discussing artists whose last name, and groups whose name begin with the letter “L”.

Note: The word “The” doesn’t count, so for example “The Allman Brothers Band” belongs in the "A's" discussion and not in the “T’s” (guideline #5).

When possible, please supply complete title, format, company, year and catalog number when posting recordings.

And so our 26-week odyssey continues…

Hope you come along for the ride…

No smileys this week as Tour is out of pocket.

F1nut

Paul Connor

Dang the luck!

mhw58

I'm a massive Beatle fanatic and John Lennon is one of my
all time favorite artists. His Plastic ono Band and Imagine albums
are must owns and Mind Games and Walls and Bridges were
very good also. I have the Lennon box set that Yoko put together
with alternate takes and it is excellent. I miss John and wonder
what he would be writing these days if he were alive.
Mike

shack

Well...I think it goes without saying...If someone has to tell you about Led Zeppelin then you really aren't much of a R&R fan.

Led Zeppelin I - 1969 - The entire album is excellent - one of the best debut albums of any group.

Led Zeppelin II - 1969 - No let down here another great album.

Led Zeppelin III - 1970 - Ditto.

Led Zeppelin IV - 1971 - "Stairway To Heaven" ( although I like "When The Levee Breaks" better).

Houses Of The Holy - 1973 - another very good album.

Physical Graffiti - 1975 - A good album but this is where they started to slide for me. An ambitious double album where they started to change their style. Not too bad but just not the Led Zep I preferred.

Presence , In Through The Out Door and Coda are ok but just did not appeal as much to me.

Led Zeppelin has one of the best string of albums produced. The first 5 are must have IMO and are all excellent (I have the remastered versions of these and recommend them). They are all albums that I can put on and listen from start to finish. Their 6th is not too bad but a notch below the first 5.

If I have any gripe it is that certain cuts are over played. There are stations today that will play the same few Led Zeppelin songs over and over and ignore the rest of the catalog. Since I don't listen to much FM this is not a real issue. I can sit down and listen to an album and not feel like I've heard parts of it too much lately...but I have heard some say that the overplay on the radio lessens their enjoyment when they listen to an album.

shack

Another band that can't spell ...Lynyrd Skynyrd .

Lynyrd Skynyrd - (Pronounced leh-'nerd skin-'nerd) - 1973 - how can one band come up with an anthem for every "Hippie" and "Redneck" at the same time? That was the case with "Free Bird" in 1973. The "liberal" crowd has now forsaken the song but if you ask any "southern boy" with a mullet, a John Deere cap, driving a pickup truck with a rebel flag in the back window and a "If it ain't rubbin' it ain't racin' " bumper sticker he will know this song (every word by heart - because he's listened to it at least a million times).

That's too bad because in spite of its overplay and it's adoption by the Good Ole Boys as their anthem, it was...and still is a great song. The album in fact is a great album. Another stellar debut. "Tuesday's Gone", "Simple Man" and "Poison Whiskey" are excellent tracks on a very good album start to finish. The Remastered disc is worth buying.

Second Helping - 1974 - I like this one as well as the first. The other "Redneck Anthem" is of course "Sweet Home Alabama" (The same guy knows this one by heart also). The group of 6 songs in the middle of the album "Don't Ask Me No Questions", "Workin' For MCA", "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew", "Swamp Music", "The Needle And The Spoon "and "Call Me the Breeze" is a diverse group of really good tracks. You know they are all from the same band but they are all a little different. Again the remastered CD is worth buying.

Street Survivors - 1977 - is a little below the first two. "You Got That Right", "That Smell" and "What's Your Name?" got lots of airplay and are pretty good but I actually like "One More Time" and "Ain't No Good Life" better. The plane crash that killed Ronnie VanZant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines happend right after this album was recorded and the various re-incarnations of the band have never lived up to the original.

These are three albums that should be in any R&R collection (or at least the first two). If you can get past the fact that it has been labeled "Redneck Rock" it is very good R&R...period. It suffers some of the overplay issues like Led Zeppelin...but this is a result of Conservative Classic Rock station's (Is that an oxymoron or what!?) playlists.

F1nut

LITTLE FEAT:

LITTLE FEAT (S/T) 1971

SAILIN' SHOES 1972

DIXIE CHICKEN 1973

FEATS DON'T FAIL ME NOW 1974

THE LAST RECORD ALBUM 1975

TIME LOVES A HERO 1977

WAITING FOR COLUMBUS 1978/2002 Remaster


Lowell George and the boys doing their spiced up Cajun/Rock/Blues/Country/Folk, you name it style of music. Perhaps one of the most unique styles of music to come about in along, long time. I own all the above and recommend each and every one, the remastered Waiting For Columbus (live) is excellent, I wish they would remaster all of them. I lost count of the number of times I saw them live, they always put on a great show. Parts of the WFC cd were recorded at Lisner Auditorium, right here in DC and I was there. The next day Lowell George died from doing speed balls (heroin & coke), while the rest of the band did continue on, they were never as good. If I was asked to describe their music in one word, I would say, "Magical!"

Paul Connor

Good post on Zep, Shack.

I agree about radio overplaying too many of the same songs while leaving out what I consider my favorites. When I hear Stairway on the radio over and over I want to turn it off.

I would also add that the newer remastered cd's are in my mind much better than the vinyl I have. I'm no sure if it is just a personal thing or something percieved.

Zep IV is my personal favorite. Going to California is a great track.

Here is an interesting thought. Has anyone ever considered the possibiliy of Led Zeppelin being an acoustic band? You normally see them listed as metal, but I'm not so sure.

Tour2ma

F1,
Could not agree more on Little Feat... need a remastered big boxed set badly... maybe Rhino will some day. Until then it's mostly vinyl for me with ...Columbus on CD. "Spanish Moon" is a personal favorite of mine.
Also saw them three straight years during Fall Weekend at college. They's come out and do a hour-long set and then stay on to back-up Bonnie Raitt for another hour.... great stuff everytime.
Saw the latest version of them a couple years ago... just not the same without Lowell.

Now I offer you one of the greatest entertainers you've likely never heard of...
Buzzy Linhart
The Time to Live Is Now - 1971 Kama Sutra
Buzzy (The Black Album) - 1972 Kama Sutra
The Best of Buzzy Linhart - 1976 Kama Sutra
... but chances are you've heard some of his music. Buzzy wrote, or had a hand in writing, Carly Simon's hit, 'The Love's Still Growing" and several Bette Midler tunes including "You've Got to Have Friends". The latter offers a peek at the humor that pervades much of his work.

Although born in Pittsburgh, Buzzy grew up in Cleveland. Buzzy had a cult follwing with twin epicenters, Cleveland and New York. I saw him perform twice. He had a "Buffet-like" ability to engage and entertain. He was unpredictable, totally unafraid of making a fool of himself and often ended up laughing with his audience at some of the stuff he did.

In addition to playing a fine guitar, Buzzy also was decent drummer and excelled at playing the vibraphone, a rather unique musical skill for a rocker. He appeared on a Hendrix album, Cry of Love, playing the vibes and was among Jimi's friends. In part their friendship was owed to a common drug addiction which Buzzy overcame.

Buzzy still writes some but is retired from performing due to health reasons. Here's a link to his web-site:
http://www.buzzylinhart.com/

jgido759

Paul,

When Zep came out in '69 they were classified as a Blues Band.

Anyone remember Nick Lowe of Rockpile fame? His solo stuff was pretty good.

"Pure Pop For Now People" had hits like "So It Goes", "Heart Of The City", & "They Called It Rock" while the more commercial "Labour Of Lust" produced the FM friendly "Creul To Be Kind".

joe6pak

Those are all good bands, but lets go back near the so called start of rock & roll. Everybody has heard of Richard Wayne Pennimam. He was there to help start all this. Of course he was known as "Little Richard." Tutti Fruitti, Slippin & Slidin, Long Tall Sally, Jenny Jenny, Keep a Knockin, and Good Golly Miss Molly to name a few. He was a big influance on the Beatles, Stones, and several other British groups.

Next up is Rock's original "bad boy" Jerry Lee Lewis. You name it he has done it. A real Wild Man. Hell, he married his 13 year old cousin. He also managed to put out some pretty nice music. Whole Lotta Shakin Going On, What't I Say, and Great Balls Of Fire are some of the best.

Liberace anyone?

joe

F1nut

There were too many "Feats" to list like I usually do, but now I'm back to form.



LEVEL 42 - WORLD MACHINE 1984 Polydor 829627-2 CD

British band that had some success here, kinda rock/pop, good lyrics, great bass tracks! Although they have many other releases, this is the only one with this line up and the only one I think is good. The last song, "Lying Still" is my favorite.


ROBERT LUCAS - LUKE AND THE LOCOMOTIVES 1991 JVC XRCD 0024-2 CD

Labeled as Chicago blues, but they rock. Lucas has a great voice and plays a mean harmonica. A mix of originals and a few classic covers that are recorded the old fashion way, "Live" direct to two track. The sound quality is excellent, the music is hot and Willie Dixon says, "You'll love this band." I say, "Highly recommended."

Tour2ma

jgido759 I've got a little Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit in my stuff. Pretty good.

Joe goin' with the oldies... and why not. The first 45 I ever bought was "Great Balls of Fire" and I still have it.

F1, I'll look up the Robert Lucas, sounds interesting.

F1nut

Tour,

Great! And I'm going to check out Buzzy. When you mentioned his name, I knew I'd heard of him. Now I know where, Cry Of Love, which is one of my favs.

F1nut

ANNIE LENNOX - DIVA 1992 Arista 18704-2

Solo effort from the singer of the Eurythmics. Once again she show cases her incredible vocal talents. The first 6 songs are great, with "Money Can't Buy It" as the stand out. The last 5 are so-so, still a cd worth owning.

danger boy

F1nut,

I agree completely on Diva by Annie Lennox. I was listening to it just last night. I recently rediscovered that CD. Annies voice is so incredible. Have you watched her DVD Live in Central Park? that's a must have if you are an Annie Lennox fan. ALthough the audio mix is just so so.

F1nut

Thanks for the tip. One of these days I'll break down, buy a DVD player and check it out. Actually, I'm waiting until the player/recorders come down in price, then I'll make the move. Nice to see someone else appreciates her talents.

joe6pak

We can't forget The Lovin' Spoonful!

Do You Believe In Magic, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, Younger Girl, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Daydream, Nashville Cats, and Summer In The City. These were on the hit AM radio all the time in the mid to late 60s. I only have the cd titled "All The Best Of The Lovin' Spoonful." The sound quality is not very good. Is anyone aware of a quality remastered cd by the Spoonful?

Louisiana's Le Roux.

This band really rocks. I would recommend their debut (late 1970's) self titled album. Their song New Orleans Ladies got some air play but the rest of the platter was more to my liking. Their 2nd work called Keep The Fire Burnin' was pretty decent.

joe