Author: mikeladano

Metal, hard rock, rock and roll! Record Store Tales & Reviews! Grab A Stack of Rock and more. Poking the bear since 2010.

Everybody’s Working for the Weekend

Working hard, or hardly working?  This Is Spinal Tap was played on the front porch for the first time, in preparation for a special 40th Anniversary examination on Grab A Stack of Rock this Friday!

Retro Gaming Weekend: Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dig, Pole Position & Yar’s Revenge [VIDEOS]

I got my Ms. Pac-Man Plug and Play working again! In combination with an expansion cartridge, this gave me access to Dig Dug, as well as Pole Position. Join me as I play the first game of each of these in a year.

I did pretty well in Dig Dug, but turned in a disappointing Pole Position score. The controller is cool; if you twist the joystick it acts as your steering wheel.

I played two games of Ms. Pac-Man, with the first being the best.

Finally, I dug up the Atari 2600 Flashback machine and played a game of an Atari classic: Yar’s Revenge. Join me as I explain this game in extremely technical terms.

Drone Videos, Deep Purple and the wonders of the beach [VIDEOS]

This could be the last weekend for good drone flying weather at the lake. Here’s what I made, and some great tunes for you to enjoy.  First up we have a Thursday night flight to the tune of “The Roller” by Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye.  Then we have two Deep Purple instrumentals on an unedited Friday morning flight:  “Son of Aleric” and “Contact Lost”.

Notably, the water levels are noticeable lower than two weeks ago, and the river entrance has dried up.  I took the drone a little further to the river than on past flights.  Got up to max altitude each time.  Lots to see here, and some cool flying techniques that really leave you feeling like you’re gliding along with me.

The third flight on Saturday morning might be the most beautiful. The water was so clear, and the reflections from the sun made for beautiful flying. I soared in close to some boulders, and took a look across the river for the first time. There I found an big boulder we used to sit on as kids. The music for this video is “Blue Ocean” by Flying Colors.

Ending the Season in Style: One More Cottage Afternoon Show of 2024 with Jex Russell on Grab A Stack of Rock

Apologies to those who missed the beginning of today’s show; we decided to go early by 15 minutes.

Thank you for joining this fun Friday hangout!  Jex and I both had stacks of CDs to show off, as well an an 8-track tape, a “gas station cassette”, and some vinyl.  Recent arrivals, gifts and thrift finds were on hand today.

Additionally, we offered our opinions of the current goings-on with P. Diddy aka Puff Daddy.  This discussion came by request of my mother.  Jex and I avoid details but have some thoughts on a couple Diddy-related movies we enjoyed.

If you watch from the beginning of the show, you will see me land my drone live on the LakeCam.  Yes that’s right – LakeCam was back on Grab A Stack of Rock with more wildlife sightings than ever before!

Thanks for watching!  See you next week at 7:00 PM for Spinal Tap with Marco D’Auria and the Meat Man.

The Last Hurrah: One More Cottage Afternoon Show of 2024 with Jex Russell on Grab A Stack of Rock

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 71:  The Last Hurrah – One More Cottage Afternoon Show of 2024 with Jex Russell

UPDATED – WE ARE GOING LIVE EARLY – 3:45 est / 4:45 atlantic

It is fall!  The summer 2024 season of Grab A Stack of Rock rolls to a conclusion.

If all goes well, Jex and I will ring out cottage season just as we rang it in:  With an afternoon episode of Grab A Stack of Rock!  There has been a lot (a lot!) going on with both of us lately, so this will not be a big list show or a gigantic show-and-tell.  This is just your chance to come and chill with Jex and I on a Friday afternoon at the cottage.  We do have CDs, and I have some vinyl to show off.  An unboxing, some new music, and some conversation starters!

As always, the comments will be on, and we will be chatting with you, live.  The plan is for a relaxing atmosphere to end the week, and plenty of musical talk.  Maybe even some current events…

Join us live to take part; if not you can check it out on YouTube or Facebook after the fact!

Here’s to an awesome 2024 cottage season, as short as it felt.  Thanks Jex for making this happen two years in a row.  Fear not; we have lots of fall rock action in store, and a winter season to come!

Friday September 20 at 4:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 5:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

REVIEW: Stir of Echoes – Stir of Echoes (2008)

STIR OF ECHOES – Stir of Echoes (2008 Stir Records)

When Hamilton’s near-legendary metal band Mystique broke up at the end of the 1980s, singer Ray D’Auria bounced back with the hard rocking Slam Glory.  That is a story and album unto itself.  D’Auria’s next major release was a full lengther with quartet Stir of Echoes.  The band formed in 2006 with a self-titled CD release in 2008.  According to a note from filmmaker Marco D’Auria, the album was engineered by Steve Negus of Saga fame.  What musical avenues would Ray explore this time, two decades after the end of Mystique?

The answer is:  if Mystique was metal, and Slam Glory was hard rock, then Stir of Echoes is good old rough n’ raw classic rock.  A heavier Led Zeppelin, perhaps.

Ray’s voice has transitioned to a rougher, more raspy delivery though still with the power and range we expect.  Opener “Sentimental” boasts some slippy-slidey guitar bits and bites, while a locked-in bass/drum groove keeps things moving.  This bluesy rocker is world class.  I like how the rhythm guitar part drops out when the solo comes in – very live sounding.  That’s Marco Ciardullo on guitar.

Track two, “Alone” is an upbeat rocker with Ray shredding the vocal cords throughout.  It’s actually a bit of a drum showcase on the side, with plenty of solos and fills by Darryl Brown.  There’s a bit of Zeppelin in the vocal delivery when Ray sings, “I, I…” at the midway point.  A brilliant track that smokes with a bass solo (by Carmine…just Carmine) and impressive musical exposition.

The groove of “Sold It All to Fame” recalls the classic British blues of bands like Humble Pie.  It sounds like it was born from a jam.  There’s a tasty guitar riff to bite into.  Following this groove, they go heavier on “Bonefoot” which might recall a Sabbathy vibe, circa the first three or four albums, in the riff and looseness.  “Lies, lies, lies!” screams Ray D’Auria like a man wronged.

Stir of Echoes slow things to a nocturnal crawl on the blues “In the Cold”.  Many classic heavy rock bands boast a classic slow blues, and this sounds like Stir of Echoes’ stab at the genre.  The band gets to stretch out musically while Ray focuses on the pain.  “All of this time…alllll of this time…”  Like a classic-era rock singer, Ray sounds out of another decade.

The burner gets turned up to 10, and things start smoking again on “Little Dog”, an absolute blitz.  Then they go for a more fun vibe on “Shot Gun”, which has one riff that definitely reminds us of Zep’s “How Many More Times”.  You have to question how Ray could sustain this kind is singing!  It’s top level, at all times, with the rasp and high notes!  At the end of the song, they ignite the afterburners and the whole thing goes stratospheric.

The first respite on the album lies within the acoustic intro of “Burning in the Rain”, the closest thing they offer to a power ballad.  Emphasis on the power.  Really, it’s more of a bluesy showcase for Ray to offer up some of his most passionate singing.  “Shake” takes things back to boogie, and the mid-tempo groove really allows the bassline to breathe.  This is a great song to dance or drink to.

The only song you might consider “soft” would be the acoustic closer “Too Late”.  Very Zeppelin III in feel.  The lack of volume allows Ray to lay back a bit and really just sing.  It’s just him and some acoustics, so the spotlight is on, and he uses it well.  Brilliant performance.

Except “Too Late” isn’t the closer!  There is an unlisted bonus track called “Wild Eye” which may be the best of the bunch!  It’s certainly one of the most memorable.  The stuttery opening riff is just a little different from the pack.

Stir of Echoes aren’t as diverse as Mystique, and the subject matter is more grounded.  Stir of Echoes is more laser-focused on a specific kind of rock, and they go all-in.  They do what they do very well.  The last band that attempted this kind of sound and did it this well was called Badlands.  If you know, you know.  Get it.

4/5 stars

#1155: When Bob Came Back

RECORD STORE TALES #1155: When Bob Came Back

My best friend, Bob Schipper, spent most of the summer of 1986 out on Alberta with his brother Martin.  The two of us had been joined at the hip for summer after summer.  He was gone for about six weeks:  the majority of the holidays.  He was excited to have some independence out there with his brother, far from parental supervision.  I missed him terribly.  It just wasn’t the same without him.  My partner in crime was gone, and I was lonely.

We wrote back and forth.  I’ll never forget the day my first letter from Bob arrived in the mail.  My mom came into my room excited that my letter from Bob had come.   I could have cried, I missed him so much.  His letter did not disappoint.  It was loaded with drawings and stories, and I read it over and over.  It helped alleviate the pain.  I wrote back immediately of course.  I think I wrote my letter on the family computer.  Bob wanted one so badly.  In his letter, he said “When I come back, I’m getting a computer and a dog.”  My parents laughed at that.  They knew there was no way his parents would agree to a dog!  Bob was showing that independent streak that he was picking up.

I was counting the days until he came home.  We had so much to discuss.  Bob had missed six weeks of WWF wrestling!  There were heel turns he knew nothing about.  I had new music to show him on my VHS collection.  Most seriously though, I was weeks away from starting high school.  Bob was going to show me the ropes and help me buy school supplies.  He knew exactly what I’d need and what to be prepared for.  While I was excited to start highschool, far from the Catholic school bullies that tormented me for eight years, I was also extremely anxious.  I didn’t know the building and I had heard about hazing “niners”.  I needed reassurance.

One day in mid-August, Bob came home.

I gave him some time…a little bit…to settle back in.  Then I raced over and rang that doorbell.  His mom always greeted me with a warm smile.  Bob had great parents:  Tina and John.   They treated us so well.  I can still see his mom’s smile and hear her voice, every time she greeted us at the door.  Then Bob came downstairs.  We didn’t hug or shake hands.  Kids didn’t do that back then.

“HEY!” I said.

“HEY!” he returned.  Simple as that.

We went out on the back porch, and talked and talked and talked.  There was show and tell, gifts, and stories.  Importantly, Bob had returned with Kiss.

The vinyl copy of Killers that he brought home with him is the very copy I own today.  I think he also arrived with Kiss Alive II on cassette.  I taped both immediately!  Taping Kiss records from Bob meant I didn’t have to tape them off creepy George next door.  There were a few songs we were quickly obsessed with:  “All American Man”, “I’m A Legend Tonight”, and “Nowhere To Run”.

Bob also brought home for me an unusual gift:  a defused hand grenade!  Imagine putting that in your luggage today.  I don’t know what happened to it.  I should still have it in a box of stuff in storage somewhere.  It was hollow inside, but heavy as hell!  I played with it so much I eventually broke the pin off.

It wasn’t a long visit.  Bob promised to help me with school supplies before the end of the summer, and he was true to his word.  I knew he’d also shield me from anyone looking to haze a “niner”.  I just couldn’t wait to get back at it with him:  drawing, creating, listening to music, watching wrestling, and raising havok everywhere we went.  It had been a quiet summer, spent collecting GI Joe and Transformers figures, and playing with them in the yard by myself.  But now…the kids were back.

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW: John Williams – Boston Pops – Pops In Space (1980 cassette)

JOHN WILLIAMS – BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA – Pops In Space (1980 Phillips)

January, 1980.  John Williams succeeds Arthur Fiedler as the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra.  Fiedler passed in July of 1979.  Williams had received 14 Academy Awards nominations, 8 Grammies, and had conducted over 50 movie scores.  Later that year, Phillips released Williams’ first recording with the Pops:  a selection of his science fiction “greatest hits” so to speak.  The audible differences between these and the original cinematic recordings are minor, but there for the diehard fan to enjoy.  If not, the casual fan will be able to hear some of the best bits from Williams’ beloved scores to date.  The Empire Strikes Back was a new release, and three cuts were recorded for this release.

1978’s Superman: The Movie truly made us believe that a man could fly, kids and adults alike.  The Superman main theme is one of Williams’ greatest refrains in his long storied career.  Triumphant, strong, and bright, it glows with the power of our yellow sun.  You can envision Christopher Reeve (the greatest Superman) smiling and waving as he casually swooped across the silver screen.  Williams’ music embodied Superman, and the optimistic spirit that the film represented.  It bears similarities to other familiar themes, such as Indiana Jones, which was in production.  It is a Williams “trademark” theme if you will; instantly identifiable and unmistakable.  It has highs, lows and an incredible outro.  This is followed by Lois Lane’s love theme, which we liked even as impatient kids who hated romance in our superhero movies.  Some of Superman’s theme has a soft reprise here, but the piece is its own.

The brand new Empire Strikes Back is represented by three classic pieces:  the action packed “Asteroid Field”, Yoda’s jaunty theme, and of course, “The Imperial March”, already on its way to becoming a thumbprint anthem for scum and villainy.  There is not much to add here, because words are not sufficient to describe the sheer momentum of “The Asteroid Field”!  Or the joyful playfulness of “Yoda’s Theme”.  Or the symphonic metal majesty of “The Imperial March”, as we watch those monolithic, grey Star Destroyers cruising menacingly through space.

More Star Wars on side two, with the film Star Wars (not yet known as A New Hope – that happened in April 1981).  The two themes included are the main title theme, and Leia’s theme.  I noticed the most difference on the main title – the third note of the opening “bah bah bah…” part is held just a little longer.  As for Leia’s theme, it is softer of course, but the violin strain is so memorable.  So plaintive, yet beautiful.  It grows in power towards the lush end, which is magnificent.  Perfect for our princess in distress, though her reputation for kicking butt was starting to form!

The final piece included is a “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” suite, including the extended ending, added to the special edition.  This 10 minute suite is a rollercoaster, as we recall scenes of awe and wonder.  A bit of “When You Wish Upon A Star” plays, some piano tinkles, and we are swept away with Roy Neary on that starship, whether we wanted to see the inside or not.

As a “greatest hits” of Williams early science fiction music, Pops In Space is a treat to play.  A concise treat, representing a small slice of Williams’ work, yet that little slice has some of his most indelible music.

If anything, fans of physical media need to get this album on any format, just for the cool cover art.  The orchestra can be seen playing on a floating platform…in the vacuum of space!  Far out.

5/5 stars

REVIEW: Jeff Beck, Tim Bogert, Carmine Appice – Beck, Bogert & Appice (1973)

JEFF BECK, TIM BOGERT, CARMINE APPICE – Beck, Bogert & Appice (1973)

Supergroups often flicker in and out and existence.  Beck, Bogert and Appice recorded one self-titled studio album in 1973.  That album continues to be cited as an influence on bands, and you can hear it instantly.  One listen to Beck, Bogert & Appice and you can immediately hear the echoes of the bands that followed.  Beck, Bogert and Appice were touring before the even recorded the album, so they were already well prepared.  Jeff Beck came in with a song that Stevie Wonder worked up with him on Talking Book.  All three musicians write and sing lead vocals on the album.

“Black Cat Moan” is a Don Nix blues (who also co-produced the album).  It sure seems that Rose Tattoo must have ripped it off for “Rock and Roll Outlaw”!  It’s marked by a a sting of slide guitar, a wicked blues grind, and Jeff Beck’s understated lead vocals.  Carmine Appice plays it pretty straight, but this track just thuds!  Bass heavy and weighty like lead, “Black Cat Moan” was some of the heaviest blues on offer this side of Black Sabbath.  Stay tuned for some of the slidy-est slide guitar Beck ever recorded.

Appice sings lead on the the gut-busting groove of “Lady”, written with members of Atomic Rooster.  Bogert’s melodically thunderous bass takes center stage.  The production is so crisp, you can hear every finger pick, even flying at the speed they are.  Listen carefully for a quick part in the song that Rush lifted for “2112”. The layered lead vocals sounds like they were taking inspiration from Cream.  This track simply smashes everything in its way, letting the bass level the countryside before Beck plants some bluegrass with some twangy guitar licks.  Meanwhille, Appice keeps the engine running with a tasty cymbal pattern and earthquake drum fills.

The ballad “Oh To Love You” is also sung by Appice and features piano and Mellotron accompaniment.  It sounds like stuff David Coverdale was doing in his early pre-Whitesnake career a few years down the road.  Carmine has a really nice swing on the beat, but that Mellotron really takes it home when it comes in.

“Superstition” ends side one with Tim Bogert’s first lead vocal.  This version, worked up by Wonder with Jeff Beck, was supposed to come out first, but due to delays, “Superstition” was first heard in its Stevie Wonder incarnation.  Once again, a rolling groove dominates the soundscape, with Jeff Beck stabbing guitar licks here and there, drawing blood every time.  This arrangement is guitar heavy compared, with none of Stevie’s clavinet or keys of any kind.  Beck goes caveman midway, like a prototypical Ace Frehley, who must have been studying every note at home.  Then, Jeff Beck takes it high again, laying waste to the land as a guitar innovator like a rarified few before him.  Carmine’s drum outro was later ripped off by Kingdom Come on “Get It On”.

The Rolling Stones recorded “Wild Horses” in 1971, and here is Beck , Bogert and Appice opening “Sweet Sweet Surrender” with similar sound.  This, however is more a slow soul-rock lament.  Carmine sings lead on this side-opener, and Beck colours the blanks with distant guitar.  Tim Bogert takes things more upbeat the pop rocker “Why Should I Care”.  This is the kind of song that Kiss would strive to write over and over again in the early 1970s.

Things get funky in a heavy on the brilliant “Lose Myself With You”, the vocal melody of which sure sounds a lot like Judas Priest ripped it off for”Saints In Hell”.  This is funk of the heaviest order, a rare isotope of plutonium that you can only get with the fusion of these kinds of musicians.

Carmine sings lead for the remainder of the album.  “Livin’ Alone” has a vibe not unlike early ZZ Top.  Fast, blues based rock with melodic lead vocals.  The shuffle sure recalls a few famous bands that would be known for such things later on.  This is a potent, energized blast of rock.

Unusually, the album closes on a Curtis Mayfield soul classic:  “I’m So Proud”.  A slow dancer like this actually works well at this point of the album, because the listening is exhausted, quite frankly!

5/5 stars

 

 

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 558: Canadian Top 100 Singles September 14, 1974 with Mike Ladano

This was a fun show to do.  Recorded at the cottage in the summer, Tim and I had a look at the Canadian Top 100 Singles chart, for September 14, 1974.  There were plenty of head-scratchers and a few well-known hits.  Tim provided the education, all I did was read the listings!  Even so, a majorly fun episode to do.  Here’s what Tim had to say:

 

Mr. Lebrain is back and we REWIND the CHARTS back an even half century. We discuss the most popular songs in Canada on this date in 1974.