John Farnham also did a stupendous cover of “It’s A Long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock and Roll”. Now’t wrong with the original, but in my cock-eyed discovery of music, I heard the JF version first, so have a soft spot for it.I have a song for you that you may know Fog called You're the Voice sung by Oz's arguably greatest vocalist of the rock era John Farnham UK born of course albeit I have many more favourite singers above him his vocal range despite being a 30 a day on the cancer sticks for most of his life is something to behold with magical inflection and an absolute pro.
Songwriters that contributed include Chris Thompson , Alan Parsons , Maggie Ryder , Keith Reid ( WTF ) and someone you might not know Andy Qunta of Icehouse fame.
Now after all these years I am still torn as to the greater impact albeit its brevity in YTV as opposed to Its a long way to the shop if you want as sausage roll as we always sung in the pubs of Melbourne.
I think you are right however I think its fair to say he bagpipes in rock have not been utilised as much as they could have been to date ( bloody tough instrument to master doesn't help ) but its never too late.
Your the Voice is an Australian Anthem and will no doubt be used by the Yes Campaign in the up coming referendum to have our First Nations People enshrined in our constitution later this year with permission of course.
Just words , your a champion on this thread almost City like in aura.Kind words.
I have simply picked favourtie studio albums by my most favoured artists to begin with. JJ Cale, much as I love his music was a bit of a diversion.
Not sure what I will go with next. Got three things in mind.
I am impressed with your knowledge of OZ music Rob , you are not a closet Oz that parades as a Pom are you?John Farnham also did a stupendous cover of “It’s A Long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock and Roll”. Now’t wrong with the original, but in my cock-eyed discovery of music, I heard the JF version first, so have a soft spot for it.
It seems there are some cover versions that I find worthy after all!
No, just a music fan who has discovered the joys of Aussie music over the years.I am impressed with your knowledge of OZ music Rob , you are not a closet Oz that parades as a Pom are you?
His version of Help isn't bad either , better than Tina Turners IMO.
Live and Dangerous – Thin Lizzy
As I’m going away at the weekend, I’m going to go early on this one.
There’s lots of energetic guitars and melodic choruses on display here, the opener “Jailbreak” setting the tone for the rest of the album. Songs like “Emerald” and “Massacre” feature some serious riffing and wild soloing, and “Southbound” has the lyrical richness/storytelling you’d associate with Bruce Springsteen or Van Morrison (another artist I’ve hardly listened to, but I know enough to recognise the similarities in lyrical delivery).
“Still In Live With You” is a nice change of piece, starting as it does with some slow, bluesy guitar.
“The Boys Are Back In Town”, which of course I’m familiar with, is superb song and this is a faithful performance (albeit the crowd get in the way!)
Interesting that Huey Lewis plays harmonica on “Baby Drives Me Crazy”. A lot of people probably don’t know that he spent a lot of time in Europe in his pre-“and the News” days. Later, his band even covered Phil Lynott’s “Tattoo (Giving It All Up For Love)" on their Picture This album.
I have previously mentioned my general preference for studio over live albums. However, in this case, the recording is so good that it is on a par with studio albums of the time. But it does still suffer from those elements that niggle me about live albums. For example, near the end of “Rosalie”, there's one of those moments that are great when you are at a concert but sound a bit naff when listening at home. The band breaks the beat down to drums and bass, the crowd cheer and clap, the singer addresses the crowd.
Live albums work well as a memento if you were at a show that eventually makes it out as a release, or maybe you went to another show on the same tour. Another way live albums work is as a gateway to an artist’s music. My favourite live album – Bruce’s Live 1975-85 – is like this. I’d only heard Born In The USA when I bought it, so this was my introduction to a world of wonder, hearing all those magnificent songs from Born To Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River and Nebraska for the first time: in the latter case, I enjoy the versions on this live album far more than the album originals.
I’m rambling about another artist now, but the point is, if you were getting into music in the late 1970s, I could see Live and Dangerous working in the same way.
Much the same as Big Star – here is an artist from the past that makes for an engaging listen now. But I don’t feel the need to go and catch up on their albums. I’m bouncing around between a 6 and a 7 here, but I’m feeling generous, so I’ll go with 7/10.
Yeah, years ago, I had a Clover album on vinyl when I was seeing what Huey was up to before he made the big time.Huey Lewis was in a band called Clover, who I saw support Lizzy (a couple of times, I think). Phil was a big influence on Huey, bit of a big brother.
I understand why you don't like live albums but obviously don't share your feelings on the matter.
Have a good trip.
Definitely in with a shout.Live and dangerous is a great album but Marleys 'live at the Lyceum' is without doubt the best ever.
Top review.Brilliant review of a fantastic album. As a matter of interest what is the greatest live album in your humble opinion?
Yeah, years ago, I had a Clover album on vinyl when I was seeing what Huey was up to before he made the big time.
It's not that I don't like live albums, it's just that in the majority of cases I'd rather listen to a studio version. I think I enjoy listening to the odd live track here and there, or maybe I'll listen to a part of a live album on Spotify sometimes. But a whole album seems too much most of the time.
Cheers - we're having 12 nights in Walt Disney World - first time back since the pandemic, so looking forward to it.