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Black Country Communion V Album Review
In 2009, a very good band called Black Country Communion was formed.
It features Glenn Hughes (Vocals/Bass), Joe Bonamassa (Guitar/Vocals), Jason Bonham (Drums) and Derek Sherinian (Keyboards).
They have released five studio albums, and a live album/Blu-ray.
Their latest album, V, was released on June 14 of 2024.
If you are a fan of classic 1970s hard rock, this album and all their albums are for you.
Glenn Hughes, to me, is one of the greatest singers of all time, and has NEVER lost a step, vocally. He is also a very good bassist too but oh my gosh his singing is out of this world.
Joe Bonamassa is a superstar on his own, having released several solo albums, but in this band, he is mostly the guitarist and if you know his work, you know his playing here is fantastic too.
Jason Bonham is a PHENOMENAL drummer. Son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason has made a solid career himself, playing in Bonham, Foreigner, UFO, The Circle, even Led Zeppelin in most of their one off reunion shows, and to me, he’s as good or better than his Dad on the kit. Truth.
Derek Sherinian has played keyboards for KISS, Dream Theater, Billy Idol, and Sons Of Apollo, and has solos albums also. He brings a lot to the table as a player.
Because of everyone’s schedules, they have not done very many concerts, but hopefully someday, that will change.
Again, this band is very much a classic sounding 1970s hard rock band, but also sounds new and fresh.
Seek out this album V as well as their other albums (self titled, Black Country Communion 2, Live Over Europe, Afterglow, and BBCIV.
All solid.
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The Animals Greatest Hits Live Album Review
The Animals reunited in the early 1980s releasing a great album called Ark and also released a live album of the tour.
Called Greatest Hits Live, released in 1984, it features original members (singer Eric Burdon, bassist Chas Chandler, guitarist Hilton Valentine, keyboardist Alan Price, and drummer John Steel) playing many of their 1960s hits and also features one song from the Ark album released in 1983.
I wish they would have stayed together, but alas.
Still, this is a solid, fun live album and worth checking out if you’re a fan of The Animals.
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The Animals Ark Album Review
The very popular 1960s band The Animals reunited a few times and released an album each time they reunited.
Once in the late 1970s, and once in the early 1980s.
The one I’m talking about here is the 1983 album Ark.
The original members of the band (singer Eric Burdon, bassist Chas Chandler, guitarist Hilton Valentine, keyboardist Alan Price, and drummer John Steel) reunited in the early 80s and made this album that to me still sounds like the band, but also very of the time.
The best way I can describe it is that it’s very 80s, which I love and I’m OK with it.
I think the album Ark is great and I don’t understand why it was not a big hit.
They released one music video for the song The Night, which is awesome.
They also toured this album, releasing a live album too (Greatest Hits Live).
But unfortunately, the reunion did not last.
But I think it was worth the effort because I think this album is great. Everyone sounds great on it and the songs are great and fun to listen to.
That’s what music is all about. Having fun.
Seek out this album. I think you’ll have fun with it too.
Oh and the CD back cover says it was released in 1977. That’s a typo. Their other reunion album, Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted, was released in 1977. Ark was released in 1983.
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Sting Broken Music Book Review
I’ve been a fan of the singer/songwriter/musician Sting for decades.
I’m a fan of his work with The Police and his solo work.
He’s a tremendous talent all around.
I’m also a fan of his book.
Broken Music was released in 2003.
In the book, Sting talks about his upbringing, his parents, school days, first getting into music, early bands, early relationships (including his first marriage and becoming a father), and the initial days of The Police.
It’s a great book, but I do wish he would have talked more about the rest of his career.
But his intention was to talk about his early days, and he does that quite well with this book.
If you are a fan of Sting, you need to read this book Broken Music.
And in order to know what he means by “Broken Music”, you have to read the book.
Please do.
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John Corabi Live ’94 One Night In Nashville Album Review
If you are a fan of John Corabi like I am and are particularly a fan of the album he did as singer of Motley Crue (self-titled) in 1994, then this live album is for you.
It includes every song from that album done by he and his solo band, as well as a song from the Motley EP Quaternary released after it.
I’ve been a fan of that album for 25 years, so to hear live versions of every song is a treat for me.
I love it.
I bought it when I saw Corabi do his one man acoustic show. Definitely worth the purchase.
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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.
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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!!
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Wow What a Show!! Tom Keifer Band and John Corabi Concert Review
- Date of Concert: Saturday July 20 2024
- Location of Concert: Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY
Holy cow!!
That was quite the concert.
My good friend Brandon Lange and I went to see the Tom Keifer Band with opener John Corabi.
I had seen Corabi play guitar for RATT in 2007 and sing for The Dead Daisies in 2016 (met him then too) but I had not seen him do his acoustic show.
I’ve been a fan of his since 1999.
He has such a great voice and is a great songwriter and very good guitar player too.
For his acoustic set, it his just him singing and playing an acoustic guitar.
He sings songs from throughout his career (The Scream, Motley Crue, Union, The Dead Daisies, and covers).
He tells stories (I finally bought his book Horseshoes And Hand Grenades at the show) and has a great sense of humor.
And like I said, what a voice and very good guitar player!!
Even acoustic, he was quite loud, which is great.
I loved it!!
I also bought a live album he did singing all of the songs he did on the Motley Crue self titled album from 1994 (including one song from their Quaternary EP).
Thank you sir!!! And I can’t wait for the next album by The Dead Daisies.
Next up was the Tom Keifer Band.
This was the second time I had seen them (other review here) and like before, they did NOT disappoint.
Tom and his band rock!!!! Lots of songs from his band Cinderella, some solo songs, and even a cover song.
Tom had a lot of vocal issues many years ago, but you would never know it now because he is as great as he ever was.
He’s been a favorite of mine for many years too and I’m glad he’s still rocking!!
I hate my life most of the time and I’m super scared of the future, but on this night, I forgot about all of that and had a great time.
Thank you Brandon for the ticket and for inviting me. I appreciate you sir!!
And thank you John Corabi and the Tom Keifer Band for rocking my world. I love you all.
Rock on!!!
John Corabi Set List:
- Love (I Don’t Need It Anymore)-Union Song
- If I Never Get To Say Goodbye-Solo Song
- Father, Mother, Son-The Scream song
- Dead And Gone-The Dead Daisies Song
- Daydream Believer-The Monkees Cover Song
- Hooligan’s Holiday-Motley Crue Song
- Man In The Moon-The Scream Song
Tom Keifer Band Set List
- Life Was Here
- Hot & Bothered
- Heartbreak Station
- The Death Of Me
- Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin’ Apart At The Seams
- Coming Home
- Nobody’s Fool
- Solid Ground
- Night Songs
- Somebody Save Me
- The Last Mile
- Shake Me
- Shelter Me
- Don’t Know What You Got Til’ It’s Gone
- With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker Cover version)
- Gypsy Road
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Do I Look Like Ron Jeremy To You?! I Hope Not!!
I was made fun of and bullied throughout school and I thought I got past that.
Well, a few years ago, this strange thing started happening.
I once posted a picture of me standing next to The Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, at a convention, on a post he had on Facebook.
Now I post pictures of myself with celebrities I’ve met and pictures of concerts I’ve gone to because I like to share them with people.
Well, this one time, two people were conversing back and forth with each other saying I looked like Ron Jeremy.
Now, 20 years ago, I may have taken that as a compliment.
I don’t anymore because this former porn star is spending life in prison on rape charges.
That is not funny.
Even though I was offended, I just took it as two jerks on Facebook ridiculing me and left it at that.
Well, a few years later, I go to another convention and one of the celebrities I meet is Kane Hodder.
Kane is most known as playing Jason Voorhees in four Friday The 13th movies and has done a lot of other work.
I’ve become more of a horror movie fan in recent years and became a fan of Kane during this time.
I got my picture taken with him, which was great.
I went to a Q&A that he was involved in and was lucky enough to ask him a question about one of the movies I really like that he did, which was Jason X.
He told me about the making of it and I liked his answer a lot.
I ended it by saying that I thought he was great.
He said thank you and then in front of this fairly sized audience said in reference to me and I quote “Ron Jeremy ladies and gentlemen”. The crowd started to laugh but then went “Oooooooohhhhhhh”.
I was taken aback but did not say anything and once the Q&A was over, I honestly did not even give it a second thought, even though initially I was shocked, and just let it go. And Kane has a smart ass sense of humor so I took it as that at the time.
Well, some time later, I went to a gas station to get gas like I have so many times. I went inside to pay for the gas and right after I did and was leaving to go pump the gas into my car, this gas station cashier said and I quote “have a nice evening Mr. Jeremy” and snickered. Again, I did not say anything but I wanted to.
I was hoping that was the end of this ridiculous comparison.
Well, yesterday, July 16 of 2024, I posted a picture of me and former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle at a show he and his great band, The Artimus Pyle Band, did the previous week, on Lynyrd Skynyrd fan group on Facebook.
I was just wanting to show this picture to share it with fellow fans, and what do I get? Someone said and I quote “is that Artie with Ron Jeremy? Lol”.
Where does this come from? I know I’m overweight. I know I have messy hair and am losing it day by day. I know I have a mustache which apparently to some is not acceptable in society anymore.
But does that make me look like this guy spending life in prison on rape charges?
If you want to compare me to someone, compare me to someone who has done positive things or better yet, don’t compare me to anyone.
I know I need to lose weight and hopefully I someday will be skinny again. But if I’m not, skinny again, then I just won’t be.
Someday I’ll get a hair cut again. Maybe I’ll even be completely bald someday.
I occasionally shave off my mustache, but I do love my mustache too. Is that a crime?
So my question is: do you honestly think I look like former porn star Ron Jeremy?
If you think yes, then please unfollow me on all social media platforms I’m on and if you have my number, please lose it.
I can’t believe I’m actually typing this nonsense, but I felt I had to because it is something that really bothers me and I don’t like it.
I’m almost 42. This is not school anymore. And I’m way too old for this crap.
This is what I get when I try to do something fun and positive. I get insulted. So much for showing something fun and positive.
Don’t worry about me. I’m just insulted that I’m still being bullied/insulted like I was when I was in middle school or high school. One of many reasons why I hated school and always will.
OK rant over.
Please comment because I want to know what you think.
I’m not posting any pictures on here, so if you need to see what I look like, then look on my socials and other posts on this website.
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Holy Cow!! What A Great Time I Had at Fanboy Expo 2024 in Knoxville, Tennesee
I went to Fanboy Expo for the first time on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, TN.
I had tried to go there a few times, but ultimately things kept happening which prevented me from doing so.
I was somewhat hesitant to go this year because the person I wanted to see the most canceled (They’ve tried to get this person, Dolph Lundgren, at least 3 times, but I get it because he’s busy. Hopefully someday.) and because of the travel (4 hour drive there and 4 hour drive back).
But I went and boy am I glad I did!!
I got to meet a lot of my favorites and saw even more of them.
I got to meet actors Danny Glover (the Lethal Weapon franchise, Predator 2, Silverado, Lonesome Dove, Angels In The Outfield, Witness, The Color Purple, Grand Canyon, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Prince Of Egypt, Saw and Saw III, Badasses and tons more), Danny Trejo (Machete and Machete Kills, From Dusk Til Dawn 1, 2, and 3, Heat, Death Wish 4, Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects, Conair, Desperado, Spy Kids 1, 2, and 3, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Rob Zombie’s Halloween II, Bad Ass, Bad Asses, and SO MUCH MORE), Michael Rooker (Guardians Of The Galaxy 1, 2, and 3, The 6th Day, The Walking Dead, Replicant, Tombstone, Horizon Chapters 1 and 2, JFK, Cliffhanger, The Suicide Squad, and a lot more), and Dave “The Snake” Sabo and Rachel Bolan (co-guitarist and bassist and main songwriters, respectively, of the band Skid Row). I got pictures with and autographs from all of them (Rooker’s autograph I actually got for my girlfriend Mariah because she loves him so much and couldn’t go with me.)
I also met Roger Christian, who worked on Star Wars, The Return Of The Jedi, Alien, Star Wars The Phantom Menace, and many others. I could not afford a picture or autograph from him, but I had to shake his hand and thank him for his great work and that it’s so important. He appreciated me saying that and said “this is why I do it”.
The celebrities I saw but didn’t meet were Lee Majors (I’ve met him a few times but almost bumped into him today.), Jon Lovitz, Rob Schneider, Peter Cullen, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Williams, Pam Grier, a lot of The Wonder Years TV show cast (Olivia d’Abo, Jason Hervey, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, and Josh Saviano. Danica McKellar was there but I didn’t see her.), David Wenham, Jaleel White, Sean Gunn, Lana Parrilla, Ray Park, Gina Carano, Brendan Wayne, C. Thomas Howell, Mark Metcalf, Patricia Velasquez, Maxwell Caulfield, Christopher McDonald, Adiran Zmed, wrestlers The Big Show (Paul Wight), Kane (Glenn Jacobs), Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Hacksaw Jim Duggan (met him before, great guy), Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Macey Estrella (alson known as Lacey Evans), and Nic Nemeth (also known as Dolph Ziggler).
There were also the cast of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 1990 movie but I didn’t see all of them, but I had seen most if not all of them at another convention. Richard Usher, part of the group Partners In Crime who did the song “Turtle Power” for the movie, was there too.
And there were others too but I did not see them.
Anyway, I first met the Skid Row guys Snake and Rachel. Very nice and cool guys. A lot has been said, especially lately, about their singer situation (They’re without a singer again, although Rachel told me they have a few possible singers in mind, but they’re taking their time with it.) but I told them I love all of their stuff (which I do) and I will support whatever they do in the future with their new singer. Whoever that is. And I meant it. They appreciated me saying that and that it meant a lot.
Yeah I would love for Sebastian Bach to be their singer again too, but it will never happen. And I like to think it’s the best of both worlds if you’re a fan.
Sebastian is making great music on his own, and so is Skid Row. I had Snake and Rachel sign their most recent album from 2022 called The Gang’s All Here. Very good album. And I have all of them. They all rock. And I can’t wait to buy their new live album/DVD Live In London soon.
Thank you Snake and Rachel for being so cool and regardless of what anyone says, I love all you guys and keep on rocking.
I then met Danny Glover. I did not know until this year that he even did these events, but he does. I’m glad too because I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. He’s one of those great actors that is great in everything he’s ever done. I especially love him in the Lethal Weapon movies and Predator 2 but really everything I’ve ever seen him in, which is a lot. I got him to sign a Predator 2 picture and told him how much I love that movie. He kept saying “alright alright!” He’s a very nice man and seems happy to meet his fans. I appreciate you sir.
I then met Danny Trejo. Wow what a cool, nice man. He told me he loves doing these events because he gets to meet all kinds of different people.
I asked him if there will ever be a third Machete movie because I LOVE his movies Machete and Machete Kills SO MUCH. He told me that Robert Rodriguez (the director/writer of the movies and one of Danny’s cousins) needs to be texted about it.
I hope it happens, but if not, I love those movies and Danny has done so many movies, TV, animation, music videos, you name it.
He even has his own brand of tacos and shops called Trejos Tacos.
He’s lived quite a life and has lived to tell it and has done very well. And on top of all that, he is a nice and caring person. Thank you sir for everything.
I then met Michael Rooker after my first photo op with Snake and Rachel of Skid Row. I’ve been a fan of Rooker’s for many years too. In more recent years, he’s become very known for his character Yondu in the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies, but he’s been in so much, including Horizon recently, which my Dad and I really enjoyed. He was wearing a Horizon hat as a matter of fact. He can appear to be animated and eccentric (He actually grabbed a fan by the arm at one point and walked him out of the autograph line because this person was taking pictures of Rooker when he shouldn’t have, but ultimately Rooker took a picture with him anyway, so it was fine.) but he’s a nice person too.
For some people in front of me, he offered one of them to pick a free picture for him to sign, and when there was a group that included several kids, he told the leader of the group that he would take a picture with all of them at the photo op later.
When I told him I couldn’t afford to get his autograph for me but I wanted to get one for my girlfriend and just a picture for me, he understood.
But when I told him that my girlfriend made a quilt of his character Yondu some years ago and showed it to him, he thought it was fantastic. He even added a heart to the autograph for her. And he wanted me to tell her thank you and that he was sorry she couldn’t be there with me. I thanked him and he said “next time”.
Then later on, after I had walked around to look at all the vendors, I got my pictures taken with Danny Glover and Danny Trejo together, and then finally one with Michael Rooker.
I wanted to show off the picture Rooker signed for my girlfriend and he asked me if I wanted to do that. And when I said yes, he offered to hold it.
All Great people and I really appreciate not only their work but for their service to us fans at these conventions.
They do NOT have to do this, and yes they get paid well for these and probably one reason why many do it now, but I still find it to be a great service.
Thank you all!!!!
And thank you Fanboy Expo for the great time.
If you keep running this event like you did today, you will be just fine. Thank you!!
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