Monday, April 27, 2015

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #23

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week is a feature I run on Young Ears, Fresh Perspective on Sundays/early hours of Monday morning where I pick out 5 tunes that I think are notable and tell you a bit about them. The point is to give you some rocking music to help you deal with your weekday blues. You can either listen to one each day, listen to them all at once, or any other combination that you feel. As long as you can get through the week without the man getting you down, that's all I care about. Without further ado, here are the 5 tracks I've picked out for this week:

 1. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, by Graham Bonnet

Before joining Rainbow in 1979, singer Graham Bonnet put out a self titled solo record Graham Bonnet that featured not only some soulful original material, but great covers as well such as Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, by The Shirelles. Bonnet took this soothing 50's pop classic and made it into his own late 70's dance masterpiece. Though the strings have been replaced with guitar, the song remains as melodic and pleasing as ever. Plus, the amount of passion and power Bonnet put into his vocals really do make the track come alive.


2. Lucille, by Little Richard

Lucille is an early rock n' roll classic. Not only does Little Richard kill it on vocals but he really knows how to play a mean piano as well. In a way it's one of the songs that acts as a foundation and template for many songs in the genre that would come well after its release. Even if all that stuff isn't your bag an average listener can appreciate the kind of upbeat boogie it has to it. Some of the best dance tunes really did come out of the 1950's. It's simple, fun, and right to the point. Some times that's all you need.


3. You Really Got Me, by The Kinks

Many people have their own views on where the punk rock genre came from. Some say it started with The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The New York Dolls, Iggy and the Stooges, etc. Personally I believe it got started with bands like The Kinks and The Who in the early to mid 1960's. You Really Got Me lays down a lot of the musical groundwork that punk would derive itself from later on. It's got big simple power chords with punchy overdrive to back them up. Plus, the rebellious attitude adds that much more to the idea of being a forerunner to punk.


4. Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights), by Pat Travers

This song falls under the musical category I like to call "tough guy blues rock". Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights) exemplifies it perfectly. It's the kind of song I imagine muscular dudes like to listen to while working out or whatever. Either way, it's got some solid blues guitar licks in it. However, its iconic chorus is what sets it apart. Plus, it is a great way to get a crowd pumped up and participating at a concert.



5. Headless Cross, by Black Sabbath

The 26th anniversary of the album this track came from actually came a couple of days ago. It really is one of Black Sabbath's more under rated works. On this track in particular vocalist Tony Martin absolutely wails and puts some real cajones into what he is doing. However, there are also more melodic moments where he shows he can do more than just be loud. Overall the song builds up a mystical and almost spooky atmosphere while Tony Iommi brings his trademark big riffs and iconic solos into the mix. It just goes to show that Black Sabbath can exist quite fine without Ozzy Osbourne.

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