• Album Reviews,  Blog

    John Corabi Unplugged Album Review

    John Corabi is a great singer/songwriter/guitarist that has done a lot over the years, but has never quite been as big as he should be.

    He has been in many bands (The Scream, Motley Crue, Union, now The Dead Daisies, and even played second guitar for RATT for several years), but has never become a household name.

    He is a super talent, and this album Unplugged really showcases this.

    This album includes songs from throughout Corabi’s career done in a acoustic style, as well some exclusive songs only on this album.

    In recent years, he has toured as a one man show, singing and playing acoustic guitar, and telling stories.

    I saw one of these shows and let me tell you, it is awesome.

    I think he’s always been awesome, but seeing him do the one man show is really incredible.

    This Unplugged album, which he also sells at these shows and you can get it online too, is a great collection.

    Please check it out.  You will not regret it.

  • Album Reviews,  Blog

    Union (John Corabi, Bruce Kulick, Brent Fitz, Jamie Hunting) Discography Review

    After seeing John Corabi play an acoustic set recently (review here), I became inspired to play some of Corabi’s music again I had not heard in awhile.

    That included the band Union that he formed in the late 1990s with guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, Blackjack, Grand Funk Railroad), drummer Brent Fitz (later of Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators), and bassist Jamie Hunting.

    Union released two studio albums (Union, The Blue Room), a live album (Live In The Galaxy) and a DVD (Do Your Own Thing Live).

    Union was a solid hard rock band that was heavy, but also had soul and melody.

    Corabi sang most of the songs and also played second guitar along with Bruce, who sang part of one of the songs (Dear Friend).

    I’ve always been a fan of Corabi’s voice.  It’s aggressive but soulful.  And I think he’s a very good songwriter too.

    I don’t think Union made a bad song, but some of my favorites from their two studio albums are Old Man Wise, Love (I Don’t Need It Anymore), Heavy D, Do Your Own Thing, Dead, Everything’s Alright, Who Do You Think You Are (that may be my favorite song of theirs).

    As good as the studio albums are, I think the live album is my favorite, though. 

    I love studio albums and usually prefer them, but I am a big fan of live albums too, and theirs, Live In The Galaxy, is very good. 

    It also features some KISS songs from Bruce’s era that KISS never played (Jungle and I Walk Alone from the Carnival Of Souls album), and songs from Corabi’s career (a song by The Scream called Man In The Moon and a Motley Crue song called Power To The Music).

    Also, Union was very good at covering songs by The Beatles.  They covered Oh! Darling and You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away.

    Also, their DVD Do Your Own Thing Live is fantastic.  It features two concerts and other cool extras.

    Union only lasted a few years, but I think they were a good, solid band and if they ever did anything else, I would gladly welcome it.

    Check them out.

    Oh and thanks to Aunt Kim, who got me the Union DVD (signed by Bruce) as a birthday present many years ago.  Thank you so much!!