Pantheon II

I think something we often lose sight of as fans, and ESPECIALLY as music bloggers is the fact that a pretty sizable majority of Thee Greatest R&R Ever Made wasn't created by long-forgotten artists with two songs to their credit. Nor is it measured by "only five copies ever pressed but three were smashed by the bass player's girlfriend" rarity. Nope. It's all about passionate performances and excellent songwriting. Music that is LIVED to: be it when you discovered you could do more'n pee with certain organs, or when you needed a tonic to sooth the lingering sores left in the aftermath of such discoveries (literally and figuratively). I admit I'm as guilty as anyone of such elitist bullshit, so here's an attempt to not only remedy that situation--if only a small step towards doing so--as well another heapin' helpin' of some unabashed honesty...


THIN LIZZY - Bad Reputation (1977)

The very first Lizzy LP I ever owned. I'm almost positive that at the time I had no knowledge of the fact they were the outfit responsible for mega-hit "The Boys are Back in Town" -- I was about eleven years old at the time, only beginning my lifetime music obsession. This was part of a pile o' stuff an elder relative passed on to me, knowing I had a taste for arena-sized hooks and power chords (as I've pointed out elsewhere, my first vinyl purchase was Cheap Trick's "Live at Budokan"). And what can I say? From the sinuous keyboard lines that open one of Phil Lynott's many excellent anti-war hymns, "Soldier of Fortune" to the autobiographical tale (I'm guessing) of young lust set to a smoky, lounge-pop groove that is "Dancing in the Moonlight," Lizzy album #8 has it all. Everything that is, except the sweet guitar tones of Brian "Robbo" Robertson. Although he's credited, the patented Lizzy twin axe harmonies are handled exclusively (through the modern marvel of overdubbing) by his partner-in-shred, Scott Gorham. Shit, how wasted would ya hafta be to get the boot from this band??! Well... guessing from Robbo's future behavior in Motörhead, like wearing a pink tutu onstage and refusing to play "Ace of Spades," I'd say veerrry.

But fuck all that. What's important is that this album still sounds as great as it did more years ago than I care to remember, although one thing I gotta mention, simply cuz it's stuck in my craw as of late: the rumor mill has been reporting that one of the mucho bland dorks from CSI (Gary Dourdon, who was recently arrested with a veritable pharmacy in his car) is slated to play Phil in an upcoming biopic based on the book his Ma wrote, "My Boy." Hollywood: please fuck off. Your record of properly portraying the lives of rockers fills me with the same kinda confidence I have in Tom Cruise's views on modern medicine and religion. On a brighter note, here's Phil's Memorial statue in Dublin-- finally, someone who actually deserves to be immortalized!



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AC/DC - Bon Scott Rarities (Bootleg)

Whew! 'Twas a chore deciding which slab to represent my undying love for Ackyl Dackyl. "Powerage" is the first one that actually shook me all night long, but I'm sure any self-respecting fan already has it-- probably in multiple formats. Dammit though, I hadda scribe something about thee Masters of Antipodean Thunder so I decided to split the difference by yankin' out this bootleg of demos, alternate takes and b-sides. In truth, the title is a bit of a misnomer as a sizable chunk o' the cuts featured here will be old hat to Aussies and collector geeks. Shit, for all I know some of 'em have been added to recent reissues-- I wouldn't know; all my AC/DC stuff has always been, and shalt forever be, on sweet, cracklin' vinyl.

Now don't get me wrong, ol' Helium Lungs Brian Johnson deserves a lotta credit for stepping into a difficult situation and comin' up boxcars with "Back in Black"-- this only a fool could deny. Yet he never exuded the reptilian confidence of his precursor. What the hell is it about Bon Scott that holds so many of us in thrall for all these years? The guy was a midget with a nasal, borderline irritating voice but we can't let thee legend die. And don't give me the "cuz he's dead" line-- I was a fan while he was alive, so I know different. Nope, I think it's something I touched on at the beginning of this screed: it's music you can live to, and sounds lived in. There's never a doubt in yer mind that Bon Scott experienced firsthand every goddamn filthy misadventure he spat out; that alone provides more'n a few vicarious thrills. I certainly recall a whole lot more shock than surprise upon hearing of his untimely demise. His death seemed all but a foregone conclusion. Regardless, this fine collection of odds & sods should delight all and sundry-- particularly those who haven't heard 'em all yet.

Track list:

1. Dirty Eyes
2. Touch Too Much (Alt. Take)
3. If You Want Blood (Demo)
4. Back Seat Confidential
5. Get It Hot (Alt. Take)
6. School Days
7. Crabsody in Blue
8. RIP (Rock in Peace)
9. Love Song
10. Little Lover (Alt. Take)
11. Stick Around
12. Cold Hearted Man
13. Can I Sit Next to You, Girl? (Original version)
14. Rockin' in the Parlour
15. Down on the Borderline

Oh, and Hey Sydney! Where's Bon's statue?

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