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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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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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Defending ELP’s Love Beach Album and Other Albums Made By Bands That Were Not Successful or the Bands That Made Them Don’t Like Them
I am a fan of albums by bands/artists that for whatever reason were not successful.
There are so many: Aerosmith’s A Night in The Ruts and Rock In A Hard Place, Scorpions Eye II Eye, Black Sabbath Born Again, Seventh Star and Forbidden, Deep Purple The Battle Rages On, KISS Music From The Elder. Twisted Sister’s Love Is For Suckers.
There are sooooo many that were not successful and even the bands/artists that made them don’t even like them. And even fans don’t like them.
Another one is the Emerson Lake And Palmer (ELP) album called Love Beach.
I’ll be honest: I’ve known of ELP for years and knew some of their songs but I was not aware of most of their discography until recently, 2024.
After hearing all of their studio albums and some of their live albums, I can say they were a phenomenal band.
But I also knew that their Love Beach album has been panned by both the band and fans over the years.
After hearing the album, I don’t understand the criticism at all.
OK the album cover may have been and may still be a huge turn off. They remind me of The Bee Gees’ look from that same period, which was the late 70s. Now I’m not knocking that at all, but it’s just the truth. And I actually like the cover so there.
But if you listen to the album, it sounds like any other ELP album and that’s a great thing. They did not turn into a Disco band or change their style all of a sudden to cater to radio. If you are an ELP fan, there is NOTHING on this album you should not appreciate.
I get that bands/artists pan albums they’ve made if they weren’t hits, but why would you pan one if you had fun making it? Or if you didn’t have fun making it, why did you put it out? Maybe that’s just the way it is. You’ve made the album so you must release it. Although I don’t think that’s the case because record companies have shelved many albums over the years.
What I’m saying is that if you are a fan of any band, you should give each album a chance. If you don’t like it, fair enough. But just because the critics hate it, or your best friend hates it, doesn’t mean you will. It may end up being your favorite album by them.
Or so what if the album cover looks different. There may be great music there but you won’t hear it because you’re turned off by the cover.
Just give it a chance.
And for any ELP fans out there who read this or who are interested and aren’t even fans, check out their album Love Beach. You may actually like it.
And if you don’t like it, tell me why you don’t like it. Is there something there I’m not hearing?
Let me know.
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Bon Jovi Forever Album Release
Bon Jovi released their 16th studio album called Forever on June 7 of 2024.
This album is very much a comeback for singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi because he had vocal surgery last year and wasn’t sure he could sing at all anymore.
As of this writing, he is still recovering from this surgery.
However, he and his band, which includes original members Tico Torres (drums), David Bryan (keyboards), Hugh McDonald (bass), and now Phil X (guitar), John Shanks (guitar, and also co-producer and co-songwriter), and Everett Bradley (percussion, backing vocals), were able to make this album while Jon has been recovering.
If you are a fan of everything the band have done since 2000, then you should enjoy this album.
If you just prefer their 1980s material, then stay away from it because it doesn’t sound like those songs.
Me? I’m a fan of all of their albums. Some more than others, but all nonetheless, and I definitely like this one.
It’s Jon being very much a mature singer/songwriter now (think Bruce Springsteen) and he has been this way really since the 1990s.
I think every Bon Jovi album is very much a Bon Jovi sounding album, but again, Jon has really turned into more of a Springsteen type of songwriter, and I don’t think this is a bad thing.
I do wish they still rocked like they did in the 80s and there is still some of that (Living Proof may have been able to fit on one of their 80s albums.), but also, they moved so far away from the You Give Love A Bad Name, Breakout, and In And Out Of Love type songs a long time ago.
But having said that, I still think they rock enough and Jon is an excellent songwriter so I’m good with this album.
Lots of good songs on here. In fact, I don’t think any of them are bad. Some are a bit sentimental (Kiss The Bride is about a father, he actually, giving his daughter away at her wedding, but I do think it’s a good song.) but again, Jon is great at writing these types of songs.
Then there are songs like Legendary, which is the first single, that somewhat rocks, but is also very catchy and again with heartfelt lyrics.
Living Proof, as I mentioned before, definitely rocks.
That and My First Guitar may be my favorites as of this writing. Jon actually mentions my favorite band KISS twice in this song, which I appreciate.
People’s House and Walls of Jericho are favorites too.
Hollow Man is an excellent acoustic song (think Bruce Springsteen Nebraska album era or maybe even Bob Dylan).
Really all of these songs are heartfelt and meaningful, lyrically, and Jon sings them well.
I’m glad Jon and the band were able to make this album and I hope Jon gets his voice back enough to where they can tour.
His voice does sound good on this album, and he’s already sung live a little bit, but he’s been saying he’s not yet able to sing for 2.5 hours multiple nights a week yet. And he’s not sure if he can sing that much anymore. Time will tell.
Anyway, all my best to him because he is indeed a very good singer and songwriter and has matured as both with age.
And his band has always been great.
Rock on Jon and thanks for making another solid, heartfelt album.
I also bought the album digitally on their website because it came with two bonus tracks, one of which is the song That Was Then, This Is Now, which is really good.
Again, I like the album and I’m glad Jon was able to do it.
Is it my favorite? No, but I like it. Keep making music sir!!
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Diamond Head Lightning To The Nations Album Review
Wow I should have listened to this album a long time ago but am just now getting to it in 2024.
Diamond Head, a Heavy Metal band formed in the 1970s, released their first album, Lightning To The Nations, on October 3 of 1980, and wow what a debut album!!!
The band included Sean Harris on vocals, Brian Tatler on guitar, Colin Kimberley on bass, and Duncan Scott on drums.
With this album, I dare say, they influenced a lot of bands that came after them. Most notably Metallica, who have covered at least 4 songs from this album (from their Garage Inc. covers album).
After hearing this album, I can hear the influence and I think this album is one of the blueprints for a lot of Heavy Metal bands.
Diamond Head are definitely innovators.
If you are not familiar with this band, check out their music. Especially this album.
Diamond Head are still together, although guitarist Brian Tatler is the only original member still in the band.
While not working with Diamond Head, Brian is also playing guitar for Saxon, another hugely influential, innovative Heavy Metal band.
Check out Lightning To The Nations.
HOLY COW is it amazing.
I bought the deluxe edition, so it has a lot of bonus tracks. Even a bonus disc. Check it out!!!
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Kerry King From Hell I Rise Album Review
Five years since Slayer’s “Farewell Tour”, guitarist Kerry King has released his first album under his own name.
Called From Hell I Rise, released May 17 of 2024, is very much a continuation of what he did in Slayer, but with a different group of musicians.
Wow what a group Kerry has formed here. It includes singer Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), guitarist Phil Demmel (Vio-Lence, Machine Head), drummer Paul Bostaph (Slayer, Exodus, Forbidden), and bassist Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah, Nothingface).
Kerry wrote all the songs and plays all of the rhythm guitar parts (like he mostly did in Slayer), and a lot of the lead guitar, but Phil does play quite a bit of lead guitar too.
If you are a Slayer fan, you should love this album.
It’s not a complete copy of it, but it’s close enough. And I’m fine with that because I love Slayer and I love this album.
Every song is a banger, as they say.
Mark is singing/screaming as great as he ever has, Kerry’s guitar parts are always amazing, and again, just the whole group Kerry has assembled just bring it.
I know Slayer is reuniting to do at least 3 festivals in 2024, and I’m fine with it if they do more than that, but I think Kerry has a great group here and I hope there is a lot more albums to come.
Rock on guys.
