THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 415 of 491)

FOGHAT – Fool For The City

July 3, 2021 /

The band were formed when three quarters of the band, Roger Earl, Tony Steven’s and Lonesome Dave Peverett, left British blues based rockers Savoy Brown. They were joined by slide player Rod Price to complete the line up. The band would relocate to the US where success would easily be found. US audiences lapped up heir brand of blues based boogie with that southern edge. Although the band were quite big in the US (nearly every album was certified gold or platinum), the band were virtually unknown back in Britain.

Other than their kick ass live album, Fool For The City is the band’s best loved and it spawned two classic tracks; the title track and Slow Ride, which everyone seems to know. The production on the album is very loud and in your face and adds to that live feel, which they were so good at. This album is a really good mid-seventies rock and roll album and does exactly what it says on the tin. The other stand out track for me is the cover of Robert Johnson’s Terraplane Blues., as it highlights the two contrasting guitar styles of Price and Peverett. Drummer Roger Earl is still touring the band, and if you get a chance go see them, it’s a fun night out.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

FASTER PUSSYCAT – s/t

July 2, 2021 /

Often named as one of the reasons that hair metal disappeared off the face of the earth at the hands of grunge, Faster Pussycat got a bit of a bad rap IMHO. They actually sold quite a lot of records and were successful, whereas a lot of other bands weren’t selling much at all. It was all about the sleezy image with these guys, and the music seemed to take a back seat to all the drink and drugs image. Taime Downe was one hot mess of a front man, with not much of a voice, but I guess that was the point so he was perfect for this band.

Equal parts Rolling Stones, New York Dolls, mixed with an alien from the planet tharg, and you are somewhere close. It’s a fun rock and roll record, no more no less, and if you took away their image you would be left with The Faces. Don’t Change That Song, Bathroom Wall, Cathouse, Shooting You Down, and Ship Rolls In are all good songs. If someone asked me to describe the whole sleaze rock thing I would give them a copy of this record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Stained Class

July 2, 2021 /

For me, this is the album that started and cemented the modern Priest legacy. Before this, all of the albums were a bit patchy, and the full-on Judas Priest Heavy Metal Experience manifested itself fully on this album. There is not one bad second on this album and it is a classic of the genre. All tracks are original compositions, apart from the cover of Better By You Than Me, which was a Spooky Tooth tune.

The album opens with Exciter, and you could say this was the genesis of the whole speed metal movement as the seeds were sown with this gem. All the elements of future classic Priest are here in this one track. Killer tune! White Heat Red Hot follows and Halford’s vocals are incredible, they have the full on range mixed with a great riff – it’s classic British metal. The aforementioned Spooky Tooth cover follows, and it sounds nothing like the original as it’s been given the JP treatment. The title track is next up and it starts with a good old gallop (which Maiden would steal to great effect a couple of years later), mixed with some great guitar dueling from KK and Glenn – we have a winner! Invader closes out Side 1 and the riff has a very seventies feel to it mixed with a super catchy chorus – it has more of a hard rock vibe than metal.

Saints In Hell opens up Side 2 and Halford’s vocals are superb, what a range he had in his prime, I don’t think anyone could touch him back then – plus this song has a great middle section as well. Savage is next up and it has a very Ian Gillan era Deep Purple vibe to the whole thing, which never struck me before. An all time classic Priest tune in Beyond The Realms Of Death is next up, and all of the elements of every great rock song ever are all here. The slow acoustic intro, the big build up, the explosion of power, and the solo section – the template to every great metal epic is right here folks. Heroes End closes out the album and is, what I would call, a stock Judas Priest song, a pretty simple riff elevated by the outlandish vocal.

This would be the beginning of a six album run culminating in Defenders Of The Faith where Priest could do no wrong.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACKFOOT – Tomcattin’

July 1, 2021 /

I’ll admit to having a huge admiration for Mr. Ricky Rattlesnake Medlocke, this guy has lived it, breathed it, and walked it all at the same time. In early ’71, before Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their first classic album, he was a member of the band when they did demos at Muscle Shoals. We all know he would rejoin the band at a much later date – he also had a lung removed! Ladies and gentleman this guy has lived.

Blackfoot were actually a band in ’72 and the name was chosen as three of the band are Native Americans. This album is actually the fourth album, and the first to bring them to the attention of a wider audience. Very southern in style, but with that very hard rock edge. All sorts of influences from the southern ages are evident, but for me ZZ Top are the main one as I can hear Billy G’s influences everywhere.

The album opens with the great Warped, a good hard rockin’ opener. On The Run has lots of ZZ grooves added to the mix – a great song with a great vocal from Medlocke. If you have heard the Tejas album by ZZ, you will know where the inspiration for Dream On came from – a wonderful track. Street Fighter is up next and is the perfect blend of southern fried groove and hard rock. The side closes out with Gimme Gimme Gimme, a good old fashioned boogie woogie drinkin’ song to get the party started.

Side 2 starts with possibly the band’s best known song, Every Man Should Know Queenie, a song that has everything: the big riff, the catchy chorus, the sing-a-long section, and it’s very well written. In The Night starts with the Mr. Big drum groove, but slightly faster, and has some mean harp playing care of Shorty Medlocke. Reckless Abandoner is another great solid track with a perfect vocal from Medlocke. Spending Cabbage is next up and wins the head scratching award for what the hell does that mean?! A very southern/country traditional ditty. The album closes out with Fox Chase, and an awesome intro again from Shorty. It’s my favourite on the album.

A very enjoyable album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2026 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑