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Bob Dylan The Philosophy of Modern Song Book Review
Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Pulitzer Prize Winner Bob Dylan released his second book (his autobiography Chronicles Volume 1 was released October 3 of 2005) November 1 of 2022.
Unlike his autobiography, this book is Dylan’s interpretation/examination/opinions on a list of several songs from throughout history.
He gives his thoughts on songs by Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, The Clash, Elvis Costello, Rosemary Clooney, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and several others.
His descriptions of some of these songs are as detailed or more detailed than the actual songs themselves.
He really dove in on these songs.
Some of his thoughts are deep and heavy, but some of his thoughts are even funny.
It is a fascinating book, extremely well written by Dylan, and I recommend it.
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Jack Russell/Tracii Guns Medusa Album Review
Here is my first album review for 2024.
Jack Russell (Lead Singer of Great White/Jack Russell’s Great White) and Tracii Guns (Guitarist of L.A. Guns) collaborated on an album called Medusa.
It was released on Friday, January 12 of 2024.
If you are a fan of both their work in their other bands, you will love this.
Jack’s great vocals and Tracii’s great playing, backed by very good musicians, make up a very rocking album.
This was released by Frontiers Records, who release a lot of albums, and often put musicians together that usually don’t or have ever worked together in a situation where they do work together.
Check out this album. Every song is very good and the album Rocks!!
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I FINALLY Saw My First Celebrity Crush in Concert!! Madonna Concert Review
- Date of Concert: Monday, January 15, 2024
- Location of Concert: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
I have been a fan of Madonna since I was 7 years old, when I saw her in the movie Dick Tracy in the theater in 1990.
She was my first celebrity crush and I have never stopped being a fan.
I really like most of her albums and videos, (she still sings great) but I never saw her in concert.
Until now!!
I saw her in her hometown of Detroit.
She puts on quite a show, with tons of songs from throughout her career, lots of costume changes, dance routines with other dancers, and she had a lot to say.
She told stories about her parents. Her Dad was with her at the show and she said that he taught her hard work and said that “if you think I’m a warrior, you can thank my Dad”. And she said she hopes he is proud of her.
She talked about her Mom (she was pictured during part of the show) and how she’s with her all the time. She also said she is proud to be a Mom (two of her daughters were part of the show, one playing piano, the other doing a fashion show walk) and thanked all the hard working Moms out there.
She talked about how she persevered when she had nothing and ultimately made it because of hard work.
And she thanked all of the fans for sticking by her all of these years. I’m happy to be one of those supporters.
This tour literally is a celebration of her over 40 year career, spanning most of it in various songs, dance/show routines, videos, stage clothes, the works.
She has always been great, in my opinion. A couple of albums I don’t love, but I love most of them and even the ones I don’t love have good songs on them too.
As you’ll see by the pictures and videos I took below are not great because my seat was not the best. There was a piece of stage in the way of my view, but I still enjoyed the show and am very glad I FINALLY saw “The Queen of Pop”.
A DJ opened the show and Special Guest Bob The Drag Queen (a.k.a. Caldwell Tidicue) appeared several times throughout the show as well.
She puts everything she has into the show and in her career. Always has and always will.
I know she is considered controversial at times, but I’ve always been a fan. I know I keep saying that but I mean it.
I think her music is great. I’ve always thought she was and is beautiful. She’s made some good movies too like Dick Tracy, A League Of Their Own, Evita, just to name a few.
This was a big bucket list concert for me.
Thank you Madonna for everything.
You are loved by me and the world over.
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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The Garden Movie Review
The Garden is about a young boy, who has bad dreams, cuts himself, and was just released from a mental hospital.
His dad, who has partial custody of him and is an alcoholic, comes to pick his son up to take him back to his mom’s house, only to get involved in a car accident, going over a hill. No he was not drunk driving.
A man (played by Lance Henriksen) gets them to safety and takes them back to his farm.
Spoiler alert: Everything that happens after this is very interesting. Lance turns out to be the Devil in disguise (Lance does a phenomenal job as always), and he is tempting the boy’s dad by giving him a job on the farm, giving him drinks, and wants him to pick from a tree, which by all intents and purposes, is a tree just like in The Bible in the Garden of Eden.
The boy figures this out and has to fight Lance and try to save his dad.
I really enjoyed this movie a lot.
Sean Young plays the boy’s teacher in it and is very good.
It’s an excellent modern day telling of the Garden of Eden story, basically, but with a Twilight Zone type feel and twist to it.
I love this movie and highly recommend it.
Five stars!!
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The History of Metal and Horror Documentary/Movie Review
I am a HUGE fan of Metal music.
I am also now a Horror movie fan.
So when I found out about this, I wanted to see it.
Unlike most documentaries, which it definitely is a documentary, it also has a little movie wrapped around and within it, which I found very interesting.
It starts off with a guy walking the streets and finding these old tapes and guitar and goes back to seemingly where he lives.
It turns out he is the last survivor on Earth.
He tries out these tapes, one of which is about the history of Heavy Metal and one is about Horror.
They don’t work unless he plays them together. So when he does, a man (played by Michael Berryman) comes on the screen and starts talking about Metal and Horror and throughout this, many music and Horror movie people (Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Scott Ian, Marky Ramone, Phil Anselmo, Kane Hodder, Corey Taylor, John Carpenter, Dave Mustaine, some of the band GWAR, Boris Karloff’s daughter Sara, Nick Castle, Tom Savini, Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein, and many more) talk about Metal and Horror.
Other than the movie parts, it’s essentially a documentary, but it’s well done, giving both subjects more or less equal time and the movie parts are pretty cool I think.
If you are a fan of either genre or both, then I highly recommend watching this.
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Trick or Treat (1986) Movie Review
This movie is about a high school kid named Eddie Weinbauer (Marc Price) that is bullied (sadly I can relate) but he’s also a hard rock/heavy metal music fan (I can happily relate).
His biggest musical hero is a fictional rock star named Sammi Curr (Tony Fields), who ends up dying in a hotel fire. However, he leaves behind one more recording that a DJ named Nuke (Gene Simmons of KISS) is going to play at midnight on Halloween.
Eddie just happens to be a friend of Nuke’s and so he gives Eddie a copy of this recording to listen to before the broadcast.
Well, spoiler alert: when the record is played backwards, Sammi Curr is actually speaking to Eddie telling him things like how to exact revenge on the people bullying him and how he is going to wreak havoc on the town.
Sammi ends up coming back alive with supernatural powers and causes trouble, to say the least.
One of my great friends let me borrow this movie many years ago because two of our mutual favorite singers/musicians, Gene Simmons of KISS and Ozzy Osbourne, were in it.
Judging by the DVD box, it looks like they are the leads in it.
Misleading because they are barely in it.
Still, I wanted to check it out.
It took me until recently to finally buy it because frankly, I just wasn’t wild about it when I initially watched it.
But since I’ve slowly become a horror movie fan, I wanted to give it another watch, and this time, I enjoyed it more.
It’s just a fun low budget horror movie, and being such a music fan, I love seeing all the cool posters the lead has in his room, and seeing Gene and Ozzy in a movie is always cool in my book.
And Ozzy is hilarious because he’s playing a Reverend on a TV screen saying that Heavy Metal is bad for the kids. Considering Ozzy is one of the creators of it with his band Black Sabbath and that he was attacked for subliminal messages (not true), I find this so ironic and hilarious.
And Gene is cool as the DJ Nuke.
Speaking of messages, this movie touches on what was going on in the 1980s when music like metal was considered bad for kids, which I disagree with wholeheartedly.
It’s music just like any other form. You either like it or you don’t. I happen to love it and always will.
Charles Martin Smith (Toad in the American Graffiti movies, one of The Untouchables in that movie, and many more projects) directed this movie and has a brief part in it during a high school dance scene.
OK in short, I enjoyed this movie, and if you are a hard rock/metal fan like I am, or just want to see a fun horror movie, then this is for you.
It’s nothing super special, but it’s fun.
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Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III Movie Review
I’ve never been a big fan of horror movies.
However, I’ve really liked the old 50s horror movies and the Halloween franchise for a long time, but not really any other movies.
But for some reason, I’ve warmed up to the idea of checking some more horror movies out in the last few years.
This includes the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, Friday the 13th movies, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies.
I’m still discovering these, and for the most part, I’ve enjoyed them.
I have yet to watch all of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies, but I will.
I’ve only seen the first 3 (reviews of 1 and 2 are here) and here is my review of the 3rd movie.
I heard that this movie was not that great and that a lot of editing was done to this movie.
But after seeing the Unrated version (I did not watch the Theatrical version because it seemed to just be shorter.) I enjoyed it.
It was more serious in tone than the 2nd one and seemed to try to get back to more of how the first movie is.
None of these I’m sure will have the legacy or impact the first one has, but again, I enjoyed this.
If you’re a fan of 1 and/or 2, you should see this.
Again, I don’t know why I’m becoming a horror movie fan, but I am.
I look forward to discovering more.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Movie Review
Director Tobe Hooper, who made the first The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie, returns with this long awaited sequel to the 1974 horror movie classic.
Spoiler alert: More killing from Leatherface and his family happen in this movie.
Dennis Hopper plays a Texas Ranger bent on seeking revenge on the Sawyer family, consisting of Leatherface, Chop-Top (played by Bill Mosely), Cook (played by James Siedow, who is the one returning cast member from the first movie), and Grandpa. A radio DJ is also involved in helping Hopper.
The first movie is much more a real scary thriller but with a documentary feel to it.
This movie is still wild, but it’s not meant to be taken seriously.
As grotesque as it gets at times, it’s just a fun horror movie, I think.
If you like the first movie, you should like this one. Maybe more so, who knows.
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Biblical: Rob Halford’s Heavy Metal Scriptures Book Review
I was super late to this, but I FINALLY read one of my favorite singers/people Rob Halford’s second book (His first book his is autobiography Confess.) called Biblical: Rob Halford’s Heavy Metal Scriptures.
Even if you are not a fan of his or of his band Judas Priest, that is OK. Because as long as you are a music fan, you will LOVE this book.
Of course, it would be great if you are a fan of his, because hey, you should be.
Anyway, onto the book.
Rob really breaks down what goes into being in a band in this book.
The good, bad, ugly, absurd, funny, everything.
This book is Band 101.
Rob has so many stories, having been in music since the late 60s/early 70s.
And many of these stories are in this book.
I would give/recommend this book to anyone just getting into music or interested in how bands work, and to people who know all about what goes into it.
This book is for everyone. You just have to be a music fan.
AWESOME book.
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My Favorite Albums of 2023
Happy New Year everyone!!
As I type this on January 1 of 2024, I’m thinking back on the great albums that were released in 2023 and I enjoyed and will continue to.
I still have not heard every album released in 2023 that I want to, but I can definitely say I have heard enough to compile a list of my favorite 2023 albums.
So here they are:
- Dirty Honey Can’t Find The Brakes-Definitely my album of the year. It was tough because a few others I will list were number 1, but this one really blew me away. Dirty Honey are a newer rock band, with one EP and now two full length albums. I sadly missed them in concert in 2023 (Maybe this year I will see them?!), but judging by the clips I have seen, they are amazing live too. Their latest album, Can’t Find The Brakes, is just perfect, from top to bottom. Great rocking songs and some great mellower tunes also. Check this band out.
- The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds-This was my number 1 album for a little while, and even though it’s number 2, it’s phenomenal. “The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World” are still putting out great albums and doing great concerts. These guys are in their 80s and 70s and are still better than most could possibly imagine to be. This album is amazing. I want to see these guys still rocking when they’re 100 years old. I think they can do it.
- L.A. Guns Black Diamonds-This album was my number 1 for most of the year. It’s sooooooo great. L.A. Guns have been putting out stellar albums since singer Phil Lewis and guitarist Tracii Guns reunited in 2017. This is their 4th album since their reunion (The band never truly broke up, but these two guys had not worked together in many years.). What can I say? These guys are on a roll and I have read they have another album coming out this year. So I can’t wait for that. And if you get a chance to see them, please do. I will be seeing them again this year so that will be exciting too. Keep on rocking guys!!
- Angel Once Upon A Time-One of my favorite bands of the 70s reunited a few years ago (singer Frank Dimino and guitarist Punky Meadows are the sole original members now, although classic bassist Felix Robinson is playing a couple of shows with them this year) and have been playing a lot of shows and have released two albums since reuniting. This album I think definitely has the most variety of different songs on it, but yet, still sounds like Angel, which is great. I know they worked hard on this album and they should be proud of it and all their other albums. Sadly, this band never got the attention and success it deserves, but I am glad they are still around and doing what they do best. I was lucky enough to see them twice in 2023 and meet them, and I can say they are great people too. Thank you guys for everything.
- Metallica 72 Seasons-I have been a Metallica fan for 25 years, and I have loved almost every album they have made (I do not hate any of them.). This album they initially premiered one night only in limited theaters around the country. I was able to attend one of these listening parties and it was a great experience. I have heard that some people feel this album is a grower. I loved it immediately and I still do. They are one of the biggest bands in the world and I feel they still are putting out awesome music and I think they can go as along as The Rolling Stones have. Rock on guys!!
- Winger Seven-Winger got slagged so much by Beavis and Butt-Head (and Metallica for that matter in one of their videos), but to me, they are just a phenomenal band. Singer/songwriter/bassist/keyboardist/leader Kip Winger is just a musical genius, as far as I am concerned. His voice has always been great and he and guitarist Reb Beach (one of my favorite guitar players) continue to write great rocking, catchy songs. And all the band are just great musicians. Please check out Winger. Their albums are great and they are still playing great concerts too.
- Jethro Tull Rokflote-Singer/songwriter/flutist/leader Ian Anderson is still going strong. Many are not wild about his voice anymore (He talk sings more these days so I understand people’s frustrations) but it does not bother me. I still think he’s great and I really like this album. And I saw them live last year and had fun. I know my Jethro Tull concert review got a lot of attention, and I understand if people do not want to see the band anymore, but I still think the band is great and Ian is still writing great songs. I am not apologizing for liking it.
- Greta Van Fleet Starcatcher-Greta Van Fleet is the biggest newer rock band in the world. They have the big rock show. Their albums seem to actually sell. They have a rabid fan base (especially females). They still get compared a lot to Led Zeppelin, and I understand that, but to me, they just sound like a 70s rock band, period. And that is not a bad thing. They are phenomenal. I have seen them live and trust me, they really are huge. They have worked hard for it and I am glad to see a younger rock band make it!!!! As a rock fan, I want to see more bands like Greta Van Fleet make it. Dirty Honey I hope are on their way. The Struts are doing well but could be even bigger. There is a newer band called Lost Hearts that I have high hopes for. Greta Van Fleet has proven that it still is possible to be a rock band and make it in the music industry. Keep on rocking guys.
- Dokken Heaven Comes Down-Singer Don Dokken is still Rokken!! This is the band’s first album since 2012. If you are a Dokken fan, you should like this. It’s great.
- Uriah Heep Chaos & Colour-This band has been around since the 60s and is still putting out great albums. This is their 25th studio album. I hope I will get to see them this year (they are announcing a U.S. Tour with Saxon January 8th. Fingers crossed!!).
- Lynch Mob Babylon-Former Dokken Guitarist George Lynch has released what I think is maybe his best album he has ever made outside of Dokken. His current lineup of Lynch Mob is maybe his best band since he was in Dokken. This album is phenomenal. Please seek it out!!
- Mike Tramp Songs of White Lion-White Lion singer Mike Tramp released an album of re-recordings of White Lion songs in 2023. The arrangements are a little different, but still sound like White Lion and I really like them. I was lucky enough to see and meet Mike last year. Such a great and talented guy. Keep on rocking sir!!
- Paul Rodgers Midnight Rose-One of the greatest singers ever put out a great album in 2023. Anything this man sings is gold. Check it out.
- Vandenberg Sin-Great album from guitarist Adrian Vandenberg. Sounds very much like Whitesnake (which he was in for several years) which is not a bad thing. I am seeing him in March and cannot wait.
- Alice Cooper Road-Alice has been around since the 60s and still as great or better than he has ever been. This album is another masterpiece in his massive masterpiece of a discography. I could have ranked this much higher, but a lot of great albums came out in 2023. And please go see him live. He’s phenomenal.
- Black Oak Arkansas The Devil’s Jukebox-Singer Jim Dandy is still going strong. He and his band released a mostly covers album in 2023 and it is very good. I am so happy Jim is still around and I soooooooooo want to see him and Black Oak in concert. Please?!?!
- KK’s Priest The Sinner Rides Again-Former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing and former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens have released their second album under the banner of KK’s Priest. Very heavy album. If you are a Heavy Metal or Judas Priest fan, you should really like this one. I cannot wait to see the band in March.
- Ian Hunter Defiance Part 1-Such a great album from Mott The Hoople singer/songwriter Ian Hunter. Lots of guests on this album too. I hope I can see Ian in concert and I truly hope there will be a Part 2.
- Sweet & Lynch-Stryper singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet and guitarist George Lynch released their third album in 2023. If you are a fan of these guys’s work, you need to check out their albums together. They make a great pair and I hope they will make more together.
- Plow Horse Plow Horse II Blood On The Plow-This is my friend Kevin Montavon’s band out of Ohio. He is the singer/songwriter of the band. I was truly blown away by this album. A great hard rock album. All originals except for one cover by John Mellencamp. And wow what a cover it is. You can check out this album on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Pandora, and Spotify. I have the physical copy, which to me is always the best. Thanks Kevin. This album rules.
- Extreme Six-Great album by singer Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger, and drummer Kevin Figueiredo.
- Dolly Parton Rockstar-Dolly Parton put out a very good double album of original and classic rock songs in 2023. Lots of guests on it too. She and all the guests did a great job on this.
OK that is my 2023 album list. I am sure there is more and maybe I will add them to this list at a later date.
But until then, be healthy and safe everyone. And I cannot wait for great albums to be released in 2024, along with more great concerts.
Rock on!!
