For What It's Worth

Song: The Beat
Artist: Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Album: This Years Model

One of my Elvis Costello favorites. Some great organ and guitar work in this song. Elvis was one of the innovators of the new age era and was imitated by many artists in the early 80's.

Probably not much. But Dave Barry manages to find some humor in this serious subject. Click on the title to link to the article.

Song: So Good To See You
Artist: Cheap Trick
Album: In Color

This is one of those hidden gems. Cheap Trick fans know this song and album, but I don't think its too well known. It was from their album "In Color (and Black and White)", which I think was their second. I think it is a decent album, my personal favorite Cheap Trick album, but there were no hits from it. I think I've seen it in closeout buns in the past. Their next two albums were probably their best known, "Heaven Tonight" and "Dream Police" along with the live album from Japan.

This song has some great vocals and guitar. The guitars always have a great sound on Cheap Trick records, some nice power chords and just the right amount of distortion.

I don't think I ever heard one song from this album on the radio, I believe I probably read about it in Rolling Stone magazine or something. This was around 1977, so I think I was in the era of disposable income being still single and living at home. So I have a large number of albums from that time, and this probably set me back $3.90.

For 99 cents in today's money for this song, I think you'll be happy.

Song: Where Do You Think You're Going
Artist: Dire Straits
Album: Communique

This song was on Dire Straits 2nd album, and after the success of their first and Sultans of Swing, it might have been looked at as a sophomore slump. But it is really a good album, with this one being my favorite. Starts off with a nice A minor then F chord on an acoustic guitar, which almost guarantees a good song. It starts off slow with a couple of verses and a nice melodic refrain on the guitar which the song kind of builds around.

It speeds up near the end, with some Mark Knofler soloing on his Stratocaster as the songs fades out. Its one of those songs that seems like it ends too early. He certainly could have played an extended guitar solo at the end, and really showed off his fingerpicking prowess and it may have been one of those well known classic rock songs that people are always requesting.

Still a great song, even if I wish it went on for a couple more minutes. As someone who grew up with vinyl records, 8-Tracks, Cassettes, I really appreciate the ability to press one button and play it again.

I've been on an AC/DC kick recently. I got their new CD, and listening to some old ones, and transferred some from vinyl. I also caught some AC/DC live on VH1 Classic recently.

I remember back in the 80's we saw them on MTV playing live, I'm not sure what it was exactly, but Kim started calling Angus Young rubberneck, because of the way he bobbed his head up and down while he played. I would get a headache just watching him. But he seemed like he never stopped. Though I never saw them in person, I've seen them on TV over the years, and if the drums are going, so is his head. They must have played thousands of shows over the last 35 years, and you've got to wonder how his brain is holding up to the punishment. Sure, its not like taking a punch from Joe Frazier, or even Leon Spinks, but I keep expecting him to start slurring his words.

I have noticed that recently his bobbing has become less violent. Hopefully his Doctor knocked some sense into him.

I would recommend some AC/DC to download, but I don't think they are not available anywhere to download (at least not individual songs).

But from the new CD, my favorites are Rock and Roll Train, Big Jack, War Machine, Rocking All the Way, and Black Ice, though all 15 songs are pretty good. I think it ranks up there with anything else they've ever done.

Song: My Country
Artist: Midnight Oil
Album: Earth and Sun and Moon

Midnight Oil is an Australian band who came out of the new wave era in the early 80's. I think they are still around but I don't know if they have put out an album in a while. I have three or four of their albums, and they are all very good. Other than one single, "Beds are Burning", I don't think they ever caught on that much in the US.

This song is from around 1993. I think it's about an incident during the Gulf War, and how war sometimes overcomes principles, but politics aside it is musically an excellent song. It has an intensity about it, great guitars, and some great hooks. They are just great musicians.

Song: Cracking Up
Artist: Nick Lowe
Album: Labour of Lust

I heard this song once on the radio, in 1979. From that I bought the album.

Nick Lowe was a step son-in-law of Johnny Cash for a time (married to Charlene Carter). He was part of the back to basics English crowd in the late 70's, along with Dave Edmunds. This song probably fit into the English New Wave category which was gaining popularity at the time. I think Cruel to Be Kind is on this album, which was probably his biggest hit.

This is my favorite though. Cool sounding guitars, deadpan vocals, and a great refrain "I Don't Think Its Funny No More".

Song: Rock Me Right
Artist: Susan Tedeschi
Album: Just Won't Burn

Not a whole lot to say about this one. Just a great singer and performer. Pretty basic straight ahead rock and roll with some pleasantly wacky guitar. Reminds me that I need to get some more Susan Tedeschi music.

Song: Things Have Changed
Artist: Bob Dylan

This song won Bob Dylan an Oscar. It was part of the soundtrack for the Movie "Wonder Boys" (2000). It also appears on the Bob Dylan collection "Dylan".

What can you say about Bob Dylan. Probably the best lyricist ever. Nobody has the command if words and how to fit them in a song. Few people can tell a story in a song like hecan, like "Tangled Up in Blue", or "Hurricane". Many people dislike Dylan because of his voice. Personally it is part of what makes him great. He knows how to use his voice, how to emote.

This one has a nice steady backbeat and some great acoustic guitars. This is one of those songs that when it comes up on my stereo, I need to play it a few times.

Song: Pure and Easy
Artist: The Who
Album: Odds and Sods, or 30 Years of Maximum R&B

One of the many Who songs that would blast from my car stereo before I could afford air conditioning. I still blast it from my car stereo, but usually the windows are closed which probably makes the population of western NY happy. This song first appeared on 1973s Odd and Sods. It was a collection of recordings that never were released on an album (or B sides of a single). Which is amazing, as Postcard, Little Billy, Glow Girl, Put the Money Down, Naked Eye, Long Live Rock are all great songs. This one though, is probably my favorite from the album. It originally showed up on a Pete Townshend solo album, Who Came First, but his own version of the song.

This one was recoded during the Who's Next sessions, and could have easily been part of that great album. A refrain from the song is actually also heard in "The Song is Over".

To add to the confusion, a different version of this song is on the Who's Next CD w/ Bonus Tracks. Unfortunately, I feel that version is the weaker of the two.

Anyway, Roger Daltry was in top form here, and Pete Townshend's guitar is prominent. I've always liked his playing style. Very unique, very different from most guitarists of his era. Not based on the blues, more melodic lead guitar, and a great rhythm style.

So get this one and blast it in your car. But with the windows closed.