Exploring unheralded rock songs from many genres including classic rock, hard rock, psych, garage, metal, proto-punk, punk, post-punk, and the occasional blues tune...
Released as a single on the Siamese label in 1977(B-side was Gimme Some Skin), this was actually recorded in 1972/3 as a precursor to the legendary Raw Power sessions. Featuring James Williamson on guitar, this song smokes.
Most songs take a few listens to really get into, but this one grabs you from the first few notes and doesn't let up. This tune, like all Stooges' efforts featured Scott Asheton on drums who died earlier this year of a heart attack. RIP Scott!
Up until a few years ago, I was largely ignorant of rock music from places other than the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. I've since discovered some great rock music of the classic era from other countries. Here is a prime example. Toad was a Swiss hard rock band in the early 70's. This is an awesome tune, but to be truthful, I could have selected just about any song off either of their first two albums(and maybe will again, someday).
Described on his Wikipedia page as an American saxophone virtuoso, I only needed to hear this instrumental version of Hey Joe to confirm this. The ~9 second sustained note played by Curtis in the middle of this song made me stop what I was doing when I was first casually listening to this track.
Oh, and this version also features Duane Allman on guitar during Duane's Muscle Shoal studio session days...Unfortunately, both King Curtis and Duane Allman would both be dead less than three years after this was recorded.
Back in the early days of MTV, in addition to playing videos of the time, the station also interjected videos of bands from the 60's. These were usually from live performances or promotional videos made at the time. I imagine that the only reason MTV did this was because they needed to fill a 24/7 schedule with videos and couldn't play the 'Safety Dance" more than 10 times in a day.
I remember seeing videos by the Beatles, CCR, and other standard 60's bands that I was already familiar with. I also remember watching Blue Cheer's version of Summertime Blues in black and white with some terrible psychedelic effects. By this point, I was familiar with Eddie Cochran's version of Summertime Blues, so this version was way over the top. I don't think I enjoyed this version, but I would watch it whenever it came on because it was so heavy. Later, I came to love when hearing it on stereo.
Of course, it took me decades to discover that Blue Cheer made a lot of other great music in the late 60's. Here is a tune from their 1968 LP, Outsideinside.
This is reportedly one of the only Yardbirds songs featuring both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. It is has been highly debated if this every really occurred, though. Whether or not this was actually the case, this song stands out. Forget about Heart Full of Soul and For Your Love, this Jeff Beck sung tune goes to the core of what the Yardbirds were all about.
It's Christmas Day(Merry Christmas everyone!) I know, I know, I should be posting my favorite underserved rock n' roll Xmas song. But, since I'm only three days into this blog, I will save that for next year.
Instead, enjoy this track from Golden Earrings sixth album. These Dutch rockers made a lot more music than Radar Love and Twilight Zone...
When I was in college, I couldn't escape the Steve Miller Bands Greatest Hits 1974-78. At any house or apartment party, this cassette was likely to be popped in the stereo by 11PM. For the most part, I didn't care. I was just there to have a good time and the music was peppy enough. As the years went by, though, my tolerance for the same set of Steve Miller songs would wane. Eventually classic rock radio beat these songs into dust.
Then, recently, I discovered two things. 1. Jet Airliner was not an original Steve Miller song and 2. The original, by Paul Pena, was much more soulful.
Paul Pena was born in Massachusetts. He was completely blind for most of his life and beset by health problems that ultimately ended his life at the too young age of 55. None of these challenges prevented Paul from making some great music, though. Check out his most recognizable song.
I recently heard this song for the first time and it was the inspiration to finally start a blog about hidden rock gems. I mean, how did I not know about this song? Well, actually I do know why. I was a teenager in the mid-1980's. Naturally, the popular music of the time left a lot to be desired both musically and stylistically. Having limited funds and limited knowledge, I just gravitated over to the newly popular "Classic Rock" stations broadcasting in the Boston area(Yeah, I'm looking at you WZLX and WCGY). I found great music from the 60's and 70's that gave me more joy than I knew music could provide. This was a terrific enlightenment for me. However, in a couple of years, it seemed like I heard all that there was to hear. I knew all three songs that Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, and the Who each recorded. I knew all ten songs that the Beatles made. If only they made more music...
Well, of course, they did make more music and not to mention all of the lesser known bands musical output that did not make the classic rock radio station playlists of the 80's.
In any case, enjoy this tune from Thin Lizzy and seek it out in better quality to really get the most out of it.
My lofty goal for this blog is to create a new entry every day featuring an undiscovered or forgotten-too-soon song in the rock universe. I will be linking a song and writing about it briefly. If I am to post every day, I will need to keep it brief!
Note that I am not a musician, just a music lover who is always seeking out interesting rockin' tunes to enjoy. I have tried to listen to a lot of different genres and periods, but have found(like many) that the late 1960's/early 1970's to be the most fruitful time frame. As a result, many of the songs I choose for this blog will be from around period. However, I will stretch it out on occasion into the 80's, 90's, and beyond.
