Hydra - Hydra (1974 US Southern Rock with Great Vocals & Guitars - Wave)

Hydra was one of those 70´s Southern rock bands that didn´t quite reach the commercial success they deserved. Hydra released three excellent albums between 1974 and 1977 before becoming frustrated with the growth of their success along with some management issues. They broke up in 1977 and have since only played handful of live shows in few different occasions.
Hydra was started in Atlanta, Georgia around 1968 by Steve Pace (drums) and Spencer Kirkpatrick (guitar) and Wayne Bruce (vocals/guitar) under the name Noah Mayflower. They briefly changed their name to Osmosis before taking the name Hydra in 1971 and added Orville Davis to bass.
After building a reputation as killer live band by supporting various major bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band and ZZ Top, Phil Walden signed them to his Capricorn Record label in 1973. Hydra´s self-titled debut album came out in 1974.
After year of touring and writing new songs  on the road, their sophomore effort, Land Of Money, was released in 1975 and bassist Orville Davis left the band soon after to launch his own career as a country singer.
In 1976 Hydra signed a deal with Polydor Records and Rock the World came out in 1977 featuring three piece band with Wayne Bruce moving from guitar to bass, but by the end of 1977 Hydra broke up only to make a brief come back in 1997 with handful of live shows.
In 2005 Hydra played two more live dates, which were recorded into a live album called Hydra: Live After All These Years. The band haven´t  completely shut out the option of recording new music under Hydra name in the future.

Tracklist
01- Glitter Queen - 4:04
02- Keep You Around - 5:20
03- It's So Hard - 4:49
04- Going Down - 3:06
05- Feel A Pain - 6:25
06- Good Time Man - 3:23
07- Let Me Down Easy - 4:23
08- Warp 16 - 4:22
09- If You Care To Survive - 2:59
10- Miriam - 7:42

Credits
Spencer Kirkpatrick - Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar
Wayne Bruce - Vocals, Guitar 
Steve Pace - Drums
Orville Davis - Bass Guitar

Randall Bramlett - Alto Saxophone
Oscar Jackson - Tenor Saxophone
Earl Ford - Trombone
Todd Logan - Trumpet

Link

Bob Seger - Seven (1974 Great US Classic Rock - Wave)

On 'Seven', released in 1974, Bob Seger introduces his Silver Bullet Band (consisting of Drew Abbott on lead guitar, Chris Campbell on bass, Rick Manasa on keyboards, and Charlie Martin on drums), which would soon carry him to fame and fortune with his subsequent albums 'Beautiful Loser' and 'Live Bullet'. 'Seven' is, obviously, Seger's seventh album, but the dice on the cover, which add up to seven, suggest Seger was also hoping for a bit of luck as he rolled out this release. 'Seven' was following Bob's best album (IMHO), 'Back In '72', which only aspired to number 188 on Billboard's album charts, and the artist simply had to be wondering just how good he would have to be in order to achieve steady, national recognition. 'Seven', unfortunately, would not crack the Top 200. No surprise then that Bob began penning songs such as 'Beautiful Loser'. 
But 'Seven' is far from being a loser. Unlike many musicians, who put out a lot of dubious work before gaining widespread acclaim, Seger had been putting out quality albums and singles since the mid-1960's. He was signed by a major label and toured extensively, so his inability to bask in the limelight is a mystery. Ironically, several of the songs on 'Seven' mark the transition in Seger's musical style that would finally turn popular attention his way. 
'Seven' is a short disc, tallying just 30:24 over nine tracks. There were three singles released from the disc, the adrenalin-laced rockers 'Get Out of Denver' and 'Need Ya', and the bit more restrained, upwardly mobile 'U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)'. Each song received significant airplay but failed to crack the Top 40. Nevertheless, each of these songs found a place in Seger's setlists in his more fertile years. 
The first five tracks represented the opening side of the original vinyl version of 'Seven', and it was rock and roll heaven. Every song is infused with high levels of energy and emotion, especially 'Get Out Of Denver' ("...'cause you look just like a commie and you just might be a member...") and 'Need Ya'. Seger seems to be offering a history lesson on William Jennings Bryan with 'Cross Of Gold' ("you can crucify the world on a cross of gold") and a lesson on long-distance lust on 'School Teacher'. 
Side two on the original vinyl opened with the mid-tempo rocker 'U.M.C.', featuring a nice wah-pedal guitar from Abbott, which unfortunately was becoming passe in the mid-1970's. 'Seen a Lot of Floors' is a barroom stomper, and probably the weakest track offered. On '20 Years From Now', a piano ballad, Seger heralds in the sound that would evolve into solid hits such as 'Like a Rock'. The closer, 'All Your Love', is a country rock number with a catchy melody and chorus suitable for Texas line-dancing. The last two songs make it apparent that Seger is branching out into unexplored territory, genres beyond the traditional garage-rock fare that had fueled so many of his previous discs. 
As Seger moved beyond 'Seven' he left me behind. I may be a bit unusual in that I find much of Bob's earliest work to be his best. Tracks like 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man', '2 + 2 = ?', 'Heavy Music', 'Ivory', and 'Rosalie' represent the Seger sound I love. Unfortunately, Bob has divorced himself from his early releases, so great albums such as 'Back In '72' and 'Seven' will cost you an arm and a leg to purchase in the CD format. I used a cassette to make this review, but Seger could give those fans who loved his music when others ignored it a real gift by re-issuing the CD versions. Doesn't sound like a bad way to make a buck, does it Bob? By Running Man (Chesterfield Twp., MI)

Tracklist
01. Get Out of Denver  
02. Long Song Comin'  
03. Need Ya  
04. School Teacher  
05. Cross of Gold  
06. U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)  
07. Seen a Lot of Floors  
08. 20 Years from Now  
09. All Your Love  

Credits
Bob Seger - guitar, vocals 
Drew Abbott - lead guitar 
Tom Cartmell - saxophone (Later known as Alto Reed) 
David Briggs - piano 
Kenneth A. Buttrey - drums 
Chris Campbell - bass 
Tommy Cogbill - bass 
Dave Doran - lead guitar on Long Song 
John Harris - organ 
Rick Manasa - organ, piano 
Charlie Allen Martin - drums 
Jim McCarty - lead guitar on Denver & Floors ,slide on Need Ya 
Charlie McCoy - guitar, rhythm guitar 
Bill Meuller - guitar 
Randy Meyers - drums 
Bill Mueller - lead guitar on School Teacher 
Alto Reed - horn 

Link

Bob Seger - Back In 72 (1973 Great US Classic Rock - Wave)

Released on vinyl in January of 1973, 'Back In '72' cues up Bob and his band (including JJ Cale and the Muscle Shoals Band) on what has always been my favorite Seger recording. It has several strikes against it (it reached only #188 on the Billboard album charts, did not spawn any Top 40 hits, and even Bob has refused to release it on CD due to dismay over the mix and his own vocal performance... which sounds great to me), but it also includes several of my favorite Seger tracks. And my favorites aren't even the ones Bob or his fan base seem most infatuated with. 
'Back In '72' picks up right where Bob left off on his previous album, a collection of covers titled 'Smokin' O.P.'s', with a superb cover of The Allman Brother's 'Midnight Rider'. Bob beefs up the chorus with the soulful sound of Motown backing singers as he lays into "...not gonna let 'em catch the midnight... RIDER!". There's plenty of solid rock and roll where that came from in the form of 'Stealer', a ragged, gritty, love gangster number, and my two favorite Seger tracks, 'Rosalie' and 'Back In '72'. 'Rosalie' roasts one Rosalie Trembley, then program director for one of the most powerful AM radio stations in the world, 50,000 watt CKLW, located in Windsor, Canada, just across the river from Seger's Detroit. At the time, getting your song on Rosalie's playlist all but insured a hit, so Seger's chorus chimes "she's got the power, she's got the tower, Rosalie". It's a churning rock number with a great rhythm guitar riff. The title track opened side two on the original vinyl, and features a solid beat, quality guitar riffs, and fine sax solos. The lyrics trumpet some key national and local political events from 1972, such as "Sherriff Gribbs (elected as the last white mayor of Detroit in 1969), and his grim ad libs, cryin' 'bout the crime in the streets", and "Tricky Dick, he played it slick, something I was afraid he'd do, back in '72". It's first rate from start to finish.
Many Seger fans, however, cherish this disc for the side one closer, 'Turn the Page', which to this day remains one of Seger's favorites, and has become a staple of his concert setlists. This five minute-plus, slow tempo blues track laments the rock and roll road life with lyrics such as "there I go, playing star again". There are two romantic ballads that harken as precursors to Seger's 'Night Moves' sound, 'So I Wrote You a Song', and the nearly six minute 'I've Got Time', which may be too sluggish to serve as an album closer. The remaining two tracks aren't slouches, however. 'Neon Sky' is a pulsing rock number, again lamenting the never-ending money chase, and a cover of Van Morrison's 'I've Been Workin', honoring the blue-collar work ethic of Segers hometown, and featuring a sweet lead guitar solo. 
All in all, it's hard to understand why this particular Seger album failed to gain national acclaim. It did grow up in an era, however, where people had become accustomed to albums that featured absolutely no filler, ranging from The Stone's 'Sticky Fingers' to Carole King's 'Tapestry'. Unfortunately, the fans who loved Seger during lean times, certainly among his most dedicated fans, are the ones from whom Bob is holding 'Back In '72' hostage, regardless of whatever warts he may feel it has. Although Bob has kept open the possibility of re-recording some of these tracks, these songs will never be recorded again with the same vitality and sincerity as Bob and his band delivered them back in '72. Let's just hope that Bob rewards his loyal fan base with a remastered disc, perhaps embellished with out-takes or alternate versions of these great tracks. What do you say, Bob? (By Running Man (Chesterfield Twp., MI)

Tracklist
01 - Midnight Rider
02 - So I Wrote You a Song
03 - Stealer
04 - Rosalie
05 - Turn the Page
06 - Back in 72
07 - Neon Sky
08 - I've Been Working
09 - I've Got Time
10 - Persecution Smith (Bonus)
11 - Chain Smokin' (Bonus)
12 - Lookin' Back (Bonus)
13 - Heavy Music - Part 2 (Bonus)

Personnel
Bob Seger - guitar, vocals 
Jack Ashford - maracas, marimba, tambourine 
Barry Beckett - organ, piano, electric piano 
Philip Bliss - steel guitar, vocals 
Eddie "Bongo" Brown - conga 
J.J. Cale - guitar 
Pete Carr - guitar 
Tom Cartmell - flute, saxophone (Later known as Alto Reed) 
Roger Hawkins - drums 
David Hood - bass 
Jimmy Johnson - rhythm guitar 
Marcy Levy - background vocals 
Bill Mueller - guitar 
Jamie Oldaker - drums 
Sergio Pastora - conga, tambourine, timbales 
Scherrie Payne - background vocals 
Dick Sims - organ, piano, keyboard, clavinet, pedal bass 
Luke Smith - background vocals

Link

Detroit With Mitch Ryder (1971 US Great Heavy Rock With Outstanding Vocals - Wave)

Detroit was a latter-day incarnation of Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels; formed in 1970 after the singer returned to the Motor City following a stint in Memphis recording with Booker T. and the MGs, the new group reunited Ryder with his former Wheels drummer John Badanjek, and also featured guitarists Steve Hunter and Brett Tuggle, bassist W.R. Cooke and organist Harry Phillips. An energetic, R&B-influenced outfit firmly in the tradition of Ryder's past projects, Detroit issued their lone self-titled LP on Paramount in 1971, scoring a major radio hit with a gritty rendition of Lou Reed's "Rock and Roll" which so pleased its writer that he later recruited guitarist Hunter to join his own backing band. As throat problems began plaguing Ryder more and more, he was forced to quit singing in 1972, and his relocation to the Denver area a year later dashed any hopes of a second Detroit album; local singer Rusty Day (Amboy Dukes & Cactus) then assumed control of the group, guiding the unit until its 1974 break-up.(By Jason Ankeny From All Music)  

Tracklist
01. Long Neck Goose  
02. Is It You (Or Is It Me)  
03. Box of Old Roses  
04. It Ain't Easy  
05. Rock & Roll  
06. Let It Rock  
07. Drink  
08. Gimme Shelter  
09. I Found a Love 

Credits
Mitch Ryder - Vocals
John "Johnny B" Badanjek - Drums, Vocals
Steve Hunter - Guitar  
W.R. Cooke - Bass, Vocals 
Mark Manko - Guitar  
Harry Phillips - Keyboards
John Sauter - Bass 
Brett Tuggle - Guitar 
Dirty Ed - Congas & Tambourine

Link

Prodigal Sons - Emerge From the Void (1972 Us Great Heavy Rock - Wave)

An extremeley consistent blend of heavy metal style, power-trio hard rock, and some boogie blues driven hard rock, featuring some good wah-wah guitar. This is a great party album, leading one to believe they must have been a truly excellent live act. They were from Ohio.(By Tymeshifter)
Nice hard rockin' release. If you like Wildfire, Tin House and early BTO you will dig this! There's even some British influence (John's Tune, Saga Of Yeti) here.(From RYM) 
Heavy hard Southern tinged rock from circa 1972. Killer cuts like "Water Song" and "Song of Yeti"..This is a killer throughout and unknown heretofore. Sounds great and cool cover completes package....
Sounds like a mix of Bolder Damn and Allman Brothers, with maybe a little Feather Da Gamba. Lost music from a lost time. 'Water Song,' 'Right On.' New." "The mystery and music of The Prodigal Sons continues to thrill and mesmerize listeners to this day. Who are they? Where are they? The answers my friend lay in the vault of the Void. One thing is for certain... they know how to play kickass rock 'n' roll early '70s style before all the head bangin' mumbo jumbo. Listen on, as many have already... to the power and the glory that is and was... The Prodigal Sons as they Emerge From The Void."

01 Water Song   
02 Right On   
03 Lightning Strikes Twice   
04 Gollem   
05 Two Thousand Miles   
06 Movin' On   
07 John's Tune   
08 Saga of Yeti   
09 Goin' Home   

Link

Mark Doyle & The Maniacs - Live At Bear Bones - September 19th 2009 & Live At Shifty's - September 20th 2009

Recorded live on Sept. 19 & 20, 2009, these records captures The Maniacs in top form performing songs from the Shake ‘Em On Down disc as well as killer versions of The Train Kept A’Rollin’ (Yardbirds), Let Me Love You (Jeff Beck Group) and Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac). 
Also features Louisiana Blues and It Hurts Me Too (Savoy Brown), Ain’t Done Wrong (Yardbirds), and a short excerpt of Coming Your Way (Fleetwood Mac). Also dynamite live versions of Shake ‘Em On Down and Needle & Spoon. 

Mark Doyle - lead guitar
Phil Broikos - guitar/harp/keys/trombone and vocals
Joel Kane - bass/guitar and vocals
Frank DeFonda - drums/percussion

Tracklist
Disc 01 (Live At Shifty's)
01- Dave Frisina Intro - 1:03
02- Train Kept a Rollin' - 4:10
03- I'm Not Talkin' - 3:00
04- Shake 'Em On Down - 4:37
05- Messin' The blues - 9:27
06- Smokestack Lightning - 6:38
07- Let Me Love You - 4:43
08- Mystic Eyes - 6:48
09- Sandy Mary - 5:56
10- Oh Well - 4:21
11- Needle & Spoon - 8:58

Disc 02 (Live At Bear Bones September 19 2009)
01- Louisiana Blues (Part 01) - 6:02
02- Louisiana Blues (Part 02) - 1:46
03- Coming Our Way (Excerpt) 1:41
04- Ain't Done Wrong - 3:53
05- Shake 'Em On Down - 4:46
06- Needle & Spoon - 10:48
07- It Hurts Me Too - 5:02

Link

Stan Webb's Chicken Shack - Stan The Man' Live (1995 Outstanding Uk Rock Blues - Wave)

This album is a true representation of Stan Webb's Chicken Shack live set even today, I have seen them as recently as June 2003 and the set still contains some of this material. This is one of the best live recordings I have come across and is a mix of true blues, and rock / blues. The guitar work from both Stan the man and Gary Davis is a pleasure to hear, supported by a strong bass and drum section that is rock solid all the way through.
This album is well worth buying as an introduction to a very sadly overlooked guiter hero who's explosive and soulful style equals most of the top guitar names, also this is a live act well worth seeing for pure power blues at its best.(By David Rea)

Tracklist
01. Going Up Going Down
02. The Thrill Has Gone
03. Love Her With A Feeling
04. Look Out
05. Lost The Best Friend I Ever Had
06. C.S. Opera
07. Broken Hearted Melody
08. (I) Poor Boy (II) Oh Well (III) Poor Boy
09. (I) Dr. Brown (II) Reconsider Baby

Credits
Stan Webb - Guitar, Vocals
Gary Davis - Guitar
James Morgan - Bass Guitar
Bev Smith - Drums

Link

Mark Doyle and The Maniacs @ The Redhouse - Messin' The Blues

Spirit - El Mocambo - Toronto - Canada - February 11th 1975 (Flac)

Credits
Randy California : Guitar, Vocals
Ed Cassidy : Drums
Barry Keene : Bass, Vocals

Tracks Listing

Disc 01
1. Maybe You'll Find
2. Veruska
3. Nature's way
4. Like a rolling stone
5. Joker on the run
6. All along the watchtower
7. Guide Me
8. Nature's way
9. Sunrise

Disc 02
1. On The Road Again
2. Happy
3. It's All the same
4. I Got A Line On You
5. Victim of society
6. The Other Song
7. Old Blue
8. Monkey Bite
9. My Imagination

Good Audience, thanks to Fabio (Aka 38f) the original seeder ....

Link

Love - Reel to Real (1974 Us Psychedelic Rock Mixed With Soul, Funk And Rhythm & Blues - Vinyl Rip - Wave)

This was quite a surprise. Love had made a lot of twists and turns during their career, from folk-rock to psychedelia to heavy rock. But I still wasn't expecting to hear funk and soul music. Not that Love completely immerse themselves in soul music here - there are plenty of characteristic moments. And, overall, Reel To Real is a truly excellent album, proving that Lee and crew couldn't make a bad record 

even under lousy circumstances (by 1974, lets face it, noone was paying any attention to Love and the budget here is obviously quite streamlined). Despite the bad reviews often hurtled at this album, it's still an extremely worthwhile work and more than worthy of the Love name. 

Too bad the band wouldn't make another studio album for 18 years.(By burritobroth) 

Tracklist

Time Is Like A River 3:00  

Stop The Music 3:02  

Who Are You ? 3:05  

Good Old Fashion Dream 2:50  

Which Witch Is Which 2:00  

With A Little Energy 2:54  

Singing Cowboy 2:55  

Be Thankful For What You Got 4:22  

You Said You Would 3:02  

Busted Feet 2:50  

Everybody's Gotta Live 3:18 

Credits

Arthur Lee : Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Rhythm Guitar,Harmonica

Joey Blocker : Drums

Sherwood Akuna : Bass

Robert Rozelle : Bass 

Melvan Whittington : Rhythm & Lead Guitar

John Sterling : Slide & Rhythm Guitar

Herman McCormick : Congas

"Buzzy" Feiten : Lead Guitar on "Who Are You"

Art Fox : Acoustic Guitar

Harvey Mandel : Lead Guitar on "Which Witch Is Which"

Joey Deaguero : Vibes 

Bobby Lyle : Organ,Clavinet,Piano

Gary Bell : ARP synthesizer

Venetta Fields,Carlina Williams,Jesse Smith : Background Vocals

Clifford Solomon,John Clauder,Fred Carter,Wilber Brown,Alan De Ville,Billy Sprague : Horns

Miles Grayson & Arthur Lee : Horn Arrangements  

Link

Abraxas Pool - Coach House - San Diego - CA - June 2nd 1996 - Wave

Waiting Here for You

Going Home

Batuka / Nobody to Depend On

As the Years Go Passing By

Guajirona

Baila Mi Cha Cha

Szabo

Black Magic Woman

Oye Como Va

Boom Ba Ya Ya

Toussaint L'ouverture

Gregg Rolie - Keyboards - Lead Vocals

Neal Schon - Guitar

Mike Shrieve - Drums

José "Chepito" Areas - Timbales

Alphonso Johnson - Bass

Mike Carabello - Congas

If you are familiar with Abraxas Pool, then you know that the group contained many of the former members of Santana. The group released only one studio album in 1997. Unfortunately, the cd went out of print and is difficult to find. This is the only live Abraxas Pool known , the concert is fantastic with a really good sound.

Enjoy !!!

Link

Abraxas Pool - Abraxas pool (1997 - Ex Santana Members - Wave)

01- Boom Ba Ya Ya (Carabello, Rolie, Schon)

02- A Million Miles Away (Rolie, Schon, Shrieve)

03- Baila Mi Cha-Cha (Areas)

04- Waiting for You (Rolie, Shrieve)

05- Going Home (Rolie)

06- Szabo (Schon, Shrieve)

07- Guajirona (Areas)

08- Cruzin' (Rolie)

09- Don't Give Up (Rolie, Schon, Shrieve)

10- Ya Llego (Areas, Carabello)

11- Jingo (Olatunji)

Gregg Rolie - Keyboards - Lead Vocals

Neal Schon - Guitar

Mike Shrieve - Drums

José "Chepito" Areas - Timbales

Alphonso Johnson - Bass

Mike Carabello - Congas

This record SHOULD have been huge, but alas that was not to be. With four members of 1969 Santana Band: Greg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello, Joined together with Santana's most famous 'Second' Guitarist and founding member (With Greg Rolie) of Journey, Neal Schon and later-day Santana bassist Alphonso Johnson. All the elements are here, with the powerful percussion force of Shrieve/Areas & Carabello and those smooth vocals and keyboards of Greg, the stellar guitar of Neal Schon, This CD is something special. The fact that only a few of us would hear this amazing music is quite a shame.

That said "Abraxas Pool" is a CD that BELONGS in any music collection. With the BIG drum sound of the opening number "Boom Ba Ya Ya" it is clear to all that this train has not lost any steam, to Describe the sound of these musicians is like describing being charged by a runaway elephant in some steamy jungle. The second tune: "A Million Miles Away" would have sounded real good on the radio. Also of note are the great tunes: "Going Home" and "Don't Give Up" that are as good as anything from The 1969 -1971 period that these musicians remember with great fondness. Mr. Neal Schon get's a showcase number on the wonderful: "Szabo" that has the pure emotion of the best of The Santana Band. But "Abraxas Pool" is not locked in the past, this music is new & fresh and the production is top-notch. Just one listen to the new version of "Jingo" will prove that to your ears.

Except for a short tour of the west coast and this stunning CD, Abraxas Pool is no more. Pick this up whilst it is still available.(By Philip S Wolf)

Enjoy !!!

Link

Lightning - Lightning (1968-1974 Us Hard Rock - Wave)

Arf! Arf! Records presents a taste of Lightning, a Minnesota-based rock band that grew out of White Lightning, a "power trio" consisting of ex-Litter guitarist Zippy Caplan, bass guitarist Woody Woodrich, and drummer Mick Stanhope. Woodrich is said to have pioneered the use of redline compression on his instrument, before such compressors were generally available to the public. The music heard here was performed by this trio and a quintet formed by the addition of second guitarist Ronn Roberts and percussionist Bernie Pershey, who can be heard operating a xylophone on "When a Man Could Be Free." Technically, at least, Lightning was the name usually applied to the five-piece band. They engaged in such colorful crowd-pleasing routines as an electrified rendering of Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture" (first performed in this version at the New City Opera House during the autumn of 1968), and a freaky take (à la Jeff Beck's "Bolero") on "Ghost Riders in the Sky" that featured Stanhope singing through a Moog synthesizer. "Of Paupers and Poets" was first released as a 45 rpm single on the Hexagon record label and made it to number five on the Top 40 in Minneapolis/St. Paul in January 1969. "They've Got the Time" was composed on September 18, 1970 in response to the death of Jimi Hendrix and was also dedicated to Janis Joplin and Brian Jones. Lightning was well received at rock festivals throughout the Middle West. They opened for (and reportedly upstaged) Grand Funk Railroad on December 31, 1970 at a concert in Des Moines, IA. One source claims that White Lightning (named after a notoriously potent brand of lysergic acid) existed in five distinct combinations between the years 1968-1974, and that six different Lightnings came and went between 1969 and 1990. None of these Lightnings are to be confused with Detroit's short-lived post-Guardian Angel five-piece unit that went by the name of Lightnin'.(By arwulf arwulf)

Tracklist

01 Prelude to Opus IV
02 Hideaway
03 When a Man Could Be Free
04 Madame Sunrise
05 1930
06 Freedom (Is Life with Living)
07 They've Got the Time
08 (Ghost) Riders in the Sky
09 William
10 Of Paupers and Poets
11 (Under the Screaming Double) Eagle
12 What Have I Now
13 Rat
14 Hideaway
15 Freedom
16 William Tell Overture (The Lone Ranger Theme)

Credits
Tom "Zippy" Caplan - Guitar
Ronn Roberts - Guitar, Vocals
Woody Woodrich - Bass Guitar
Herb Pilhofer - ARP Synthesizer, String Arrangements
Mickey Stanhope - Drums, Vocals
Bernie Pershey - Drums
Jerry McGee - Keyboards
Gus Gustafson - Horn Section
Rick O'Dell - Horn Section 

Link

The Del Lords - Bottom Line - New York, NY - May 1st 1988 - Fm (Wave)

Credits
Scott "Top Ten" Kempner : guitar, lead vocals 
Eric "Roscoe" Ambel : guitar , vocals 
Frank "Choo-choo" Funaro : drums 
M. "Manuelo" Caiati : bass , vocals 

Disc One:
01.Get Tough
02.River Of Justice
03.Crawl In Bed
04.Shame On You
05.Cheyenne
06.Johnny 99
07.Poem Of The River
08.Judas Kiss

Disc Two:
01.True Love
02.I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend
03.I'm Gonna Be Around
04.DJ
05.Heaven
06.Jumpin' In The Night
07.DJ
08.Tallahassee Lassie
09.DJ 

Link

The Del Lords - Howlin' At The Halloween Moon (1988 Great US Power Rock'n'roll Live - Wave)

This budget-priced live CD has its heart in the right place, and although it's the best...Lords since Frontier Days, it still represents a holding pattern more than a return to past glories. The overall sound is pretty hot: Eric Ambel's slide raunch cuts a swath through Scott Kempner's scratchy (and underrecorded) rhythm guitar (Scott guitar is on left channel; Eric guitar is on right channel), while Frank Funaro and Manny Caiati bash'n'crash like a runaway train. The set list is strong (good cover of The Flamin' Groovies' "Jumpin' in the Night"), despite the fact that much of it was taken from their last two so-so records. But, to their credit, "True Love" and "Judas Kiss" have never sounded better...

Tracklist
01- True love 
02- Jumpin' in the night 
03- Wastin' time talkin' 
04- The cool 'n' the crazy 
05- Judas kiss 
06- I play the drums 
07- Tallahassee Lassie .

Credits
Scott "Top Ten" Kempner : guitar, lead vocals 
Eric "Roscoe" Ambel : guitar , vocals 
Frankie "Choo-choo" Funaro : drums 
Manny "Manuelo" Caiati : bass , vocals 

Link

The Del Lords - Based On a True Story (1988 Great Us Power Rock'n'roll - Wave)

Formed in the early ‘80s by ex-Dictators guitarist Scott Kempner, the Del Lords combined elements of ‘60s garage rock with country, blues, and folk influences to become one of the initial progenitors of roots rock. Kempner recruited former Joan Jett guitarist Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, bassist Manny Caiati, and drummer Frank Funaro, and the Del Lords released their first disc, Frontier Days, on Enigma/EMI in 1984. The album was noted for its guts, street smarts, and twangy guitars, a balanced blend of Springsteen meets Johnny Thunders. Their follow-up Enigma/EMI release, Johnny Comes Marching Home, found Pat Benatar producer Neil Geraldo at the helm. While the band had became tighter, Geraldo applied a poppy gloss that seemingly toned down the grittier aspects of their debut. All the right elements fell into place by the time their album Based On a True Story was released in 1988, with Geraldo commendably pulling back his slicker production technique, allowing the louder aspects of the band to break through. The album is also notable for the support of guest vocalists Pat Benatar, Syd Straw, Kim Shattuck, and Mojo Nixon.

The Del-Lords’ debut album, Frontier Days, sounded too sparse and didn’t kick hard enough, and the follow-up, Johnny Comes Marching Home, sounded too slick and was weighed down with clichéd 1980s drum and guitar sounds. In the grand tradition of Goldilocks, the band’s third LP, Based on a True Story, was where they finally got the proportions just right. While Neil Geraldo returned as producer after Johnny Comes Marching Home, he applies a much lighter hand on Based on a True Story, and Frank Funaro’s drums sound a lot more natural and have regained their natural hard-swinging grace on this set. A number of guest musicians were brought in for Based on a True Story, but this time they add new textures rather than cluttering the arrangements, and Johnny Powers’ wailing harp on “River of Justice”, Lenny Castro’s beatnik bongos on “The Cool and the Crazy,” and the uncredited but wildly honking sax on “Whole Lotta Nothin’ Goin’ On” are welcome additions that help the songs come alive. Mojo Nixon’s addled preaching on “River of Justice” is both hilarious and kicks up the song’s righteous energy, and if Geraldo pushes Pat Benatar’s backing vocals too high up in the mix, hey, they were married and she was probably working for free. And though Scott Kempner was always a fine songwriter, Based on a True Story is the most solid and consistent set of tunes he ever crafted for the Del-Lords, and whether he’s wistful (“Cheyenne”), righteously pissed-off (“Crawl in Bed”), taking a stand (“I’m Gonna Be Around”), or just getting goofy (“Whole Lotta Nothin’ Goin’ On”), he brings his A game. Hard touring had turned the Del-Lords into a tight, impressively powerful band, and they rarely sounded better than they did on Based on a True Story, with Kempner and Eric Ambel’s guitars roaring like a fine-tuned machine, and Funaro and bassist Manny Caiati laying down the rhythm with fury and precision. If they never made an album that quite captured the glory of their live shows, the Del-Lords never had a finer hour in the studio than on Based on a True Story, and it tells their story remarkably well. 

Tracklist
01. Crawl in Bed
02. Judas Kiss         
03. Ashes to Ashes         
04. I’m Gonna Be Around         
05. Poem of the River     
06. The Cool and the Crazy 
07. Cheyenne         
08. A Lover’s Prayer         
09. Whole Lotta Nothin’ Goin’ On 
10. River of Justice

Personnel:
Eric Ambel - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Manny Caiati - Bass, Vocals
Frank Funaro - Drums, Vocals
Scott Kempner - Guitar, Lead Vocals

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The Smithereens - Green Thoughts (1988 Us great power classic rock - Wave)

The Smithereens' second album release, Green Thoughts, is another great album and ranks just a shade below their debut Especially for You as their best. Pat DiNizio constructs another batch of songs with memorable melodies and personal lyrics. Green Thoughts doesn't rock as hard as Especially for You or their next album, 11, but the craftsmanship is still there. "Only A Memory" would be a huge hit on college radio and even crossover to the lower reaches of the pop charts while the energetic "House We Used to Live In" and the melancholy "Drown in My Own Tears" are two gems that would get some airplay as well. Like their first album did with "A Lonely Place", Green Thoughts has a stylistic detour, this time in the jazzy and beautiful love song "Especially for You". The atmospheric "Deep Black" and the sunny "Elaine" are reminiscent of the Byrds with their jangly guitars while the melodies of "If The Sun Doesn't Shine" and "Something New" also bring back a `60s feel without sounding like a blatant ripoff. Other strong tracks include the mid-tempo rocker "The World We Know" and the title song. All told, Green Thoughts is another excellent album from the very underrated rock n' roll band that this is the Smithereens.(By John Alapick)  
The Smithereens were one of the top forgotten band of the 1980s & Green Thoughts was a top notch album.
Spearheaded by the top 40 hit Only A Memory there were no weak tracks on this collection. AOR favorites House We Used To Live In, World We Know & Drown In My Own Tears made this a must have for fans of the band. Toss in concert favorites Something New, Deep Black & the title song & you have one of the most underrated albums of that entire decade!
Recommended for fans & for those who want to explore a really great album.(John Crotty)

Track listing
01 "Only a Memory" – 3:42
02 "House We Used to Live In" – 4:00
03 "Something New" – 1:55
04 "The World We Know" – 3:47
05 "Especially for You" – 3:09
06 "Drown in My Own Tears" – 3:09
07 "Deep Black" – 2:55
08 "Elaine" – 2:31
09 "Spellbound" – 4:09
10 "If the Sun Doesn't Shine" – 3:31
11 "Green Thoughts" – 2:28

Personnel
Pat DiNizio – vocals, guitar
Jim Babjak – guitar, vocals
Dennis Diken – drums, vocals
Mike Mesaros – bass

Additional personnel
Steve Berlin – saxophone on 5
Don Dixon – guitar, piano, vocals
Marti Jones – vocal on 1
Kenny Margolis – piano on 2, 5, 9, harpsichord on 10, accordion on 3
Del Shannon – vocals on 4

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