GROANIN MITCHELL'S ROCK AND ROLL BBS NEWSLETTER Volume 2, Issue 5 August
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GROANIN MITCHELL'S ROCK AND ROLL BBS
NEWSLETTER
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Volume 2, Issue 5
August 27, 1990
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ALBUM REVIEWS
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Salutations for another week!! How's things in
musicland? We're going to keep the format of the last couple of
weeks. That is, a current album review and a classic album
review. If you would like to write a review and have it posted
here, please feel free to. Any music, any style, whatever you'd
feel like doing..Anyway..here we go..
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CURRENT ALBUM
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ROCKLAND
++++++++++++
KIM MITCHELL
++++++++++++++++
I know, I know!!! I'm a Kim Mitchell freak. Oh well,
tough!!! This week, I'm going to go back about a year and look at
"Rockland". Put it this way, I hadn't bought it yet, and it gave
me a good excuse to get it.
Now for the familiar diatribe...Kim Mitchell used to be
the main man behind Max Webster. He's garnered a reputation for
being a guitar wizard. Seriously, it's well deserved. Max Webster
started out in the clubs playing Frank Zappa and The Who covers.
In Kim's earlier work you can hear Zappa's influence. Most of
Mitchell's previous stuff have been rather developed guitar
vehicles, or soft emotional ballads.
In "Rockland", he sets somewhat of a more moody air.
With the exception of two or three songs, the album drifts in a
melodic, almost understated style. It's beautifully crafted and
shows his diversity and creativity.
For this album, he uses Lou Molino on drums, and
Matthew Gerrard on bass. Both are top notch players. "Rockland"
was recorded mainly in Hollywood and Burbank, California. It was
mixed up here at Triumphs "Metalworks" studio. Mitchell has taken
complete control of the production.
The title track, "Rocklandwonderland", is a tribute to
the Kingswood concerts he plays every summer at Canada's
Wonderland. It's a neat, anthem, type of song. As always, his
constant musical cohort, Peter Freddette, sings all of the
accompanying vocals. Great tune!!
The most popular tune on the L.P. is "Rock and Roll
Duty". It's a typical Kim Mitchell scorcher. The opening power
chords will incite any true hoser to raise his fist in
appreciation. "Lost Lovers Found" is a moody ballad which sets
one's soul at ease. "Moodstreet" is vaguely reminiscent of "I Am
A Wild Party" off of his up and coming live release, except that
it's slow and dreamy, instead of wild and raunchy!!
As in all Kim's material, Pye Dubois writes the lyrics,
and Mitchell writes the music. This partnership has produced some
of the best Canadian rock and roll to ever be recorded. Rik
Emmett even does a guest track on "Expedition Sailor".
It's a great album, but then so is everything Kim
Mitchell puts out. Really, he makes me feel like a true Canadian.
Beers, cottage country, turn up the stereo...let's party!!!
Note: I'm going to include the review of "I Am A Wild
Party", as well. I know you might have read it already, but
hey..let's get in the spirit...eh!!!
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GROANIN MITCHELL'S ROCK AND ROLL BBS
NEWSLETTER
KIM MITCHELL BAND
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I AM A WILD PARTY
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For Kim Mitchell fans, this is what we've been waiting
for all along!!! A true quality recording of him playing live. It
features mostly material from "Shaking Like A Human Being" and
"Wonderland". Let me say first, it's really a guitar album. Kim
is ripping and tearing into the heavy stuff, and playing with
precision and taste in the lighter tunes. "Battlescar", "Rock And
Roll Duty", "Lager And Ale" all are played with a toughness that
demonstrates what Mitchell does best. Wailing!!!
Peter Fredette plays Bass on the whole thing. His high
harmonies and answering melodies are almost flawless. "All We
Are", a slow dreamy love song that trades verses between him and
Kim, is captivating. He's come a long way since paying his dues
in Ottawa bar bands.
The title track, "I Am A Wild Party", is almost a
archetypical "Max Webster" tune. The carnival atmosphere of the
chorus and the crowd chants combine with a power chord verse, to
define what is unique about Kim Mitchell.
Sounds great, plays great, the tunes are great! To me,
Mitchell represents Canadian rock for what it is. A bunch of
hosers just having a good time. But, he is good enough that he
elevates his fans into a place where they share a comradarie with
each other. If you've ever been to one of his concerts, you'll
know what I mean.
Just one more thing. Keep it under you're hat, but the
most of the album was recorded in a sound stage!!! Not live in
concert, but recorded off the floor from a huge warehouse sized
room. Also, the drummer from the band "Loverboy", Matt Frennette,
has joined the band. Apparently, there was some attitude problems
with the drummer that played on the album.
Good release..I'll give it eight, out of ten!!!
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CLASSIC ALBUM
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THE LONG RUN
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THE EAGLES
++++++++++++++
Other than "Hotel California", this is the best and
most prolific of all the albums recorded by the Eagles. Don
Henley and Joe Walsh are simply at the top of their form on this
one. Joe Walsh has always been one of my very favourite guitar
players. The old "James Gang" material was truly amazing. I know
most of you will recognize "Heartache Tonight". That was the
first single off "The Long Run". The second single release, "I
Can't Tell You Why", is almost the best tune The Eagles every
recorded. It's the most stirring of ballads, with a haunting,
nostalgic melody.
Joe Walsh takes centre stage on the tunes, "In The
City", (off the soundtrack for the movie, Warriors), and on "King
Of Hollywood". The later is my all time fave Walsh tune. The
line, "And he gets out his little black telephone book". so
epitomizes the hollywood agent, that it gives me goose bumps..
Really!!!
The title track is a good time tune, countryish tune,
with Walsh's slide guitar floating effortlessly throughout.
Unfortunately, this 1979 album was the last album for
The Eagles as a unit. Of course, Don Henley has gone on to huge
stardom as a solo artist, Randy Meisner had brief success
himself, and good old Joe Walsh, is still what he always was..One
of the most stylized guitar players to ever come out of the
states. Cleveland to be exact!!!
Give "The Long Run" a listen one of these days..
You'll love it!!!
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I hope you liked the album reviews, and the newsletter
in general. Next week, I'll review "The Northern Pikes" new
album. "Snow In June". I think that album is going to break them
in the states..
'Till next week.....See ya...
Rock Star...
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