*New format – the three-sentence review.
TRIUMPH – Just A Game (1979 MCA/2003 Round Hill Records remaster)
Landmark album, solid front to back, and a sign of growth for the Canadian trio. Arguably their greatest song, “Lay It On the Line” has the biggest presence here, from soft intro to bangin’ chorus. Highlights include the rocking opener “Movin’ On”, the blues “Young Enough to Cry”, the boogieing “American Girls”, the folksy power ballad “Hold On” and the progressive title track.
4/5 stars
I was doing some online reading the other day, on Wikipedia as we often do. I was curious about the book Moby Dick so I clicked the article and did a quick dive. One thing in the article intrigued me immediately. Someone wanted to determine when the first review of Moby Dick appeared in print, and their length criteria for “review” was “three lines or more”.
That got me thinking.
A lot of you want me to do reviews again, which I have been staunchly resistant to. I’m tired of the extensive work that my type of review required. However, would you be interested in a new kind of review that is only three sentences long? Is that something you’d be interested in?
The key here is making the sentences count. Let’s give it a try below. I was recently given this album by good pal Tim Durling.
TRIUMPH – Thunder Seven (1985 MCA)
Far heavier than I expected, given Martin Popoff’s scathing 1/10 star review in Riff Kills Man. Thunder Seven is fine mix of riffy rock, progressive experimentation, Bluesy licks, thundering songs, and even one choral exploration. Highlights are “Time Goes By”, “Follow Your Heart”, “Spellbound”, “Killing Time”, and the beautiful acoustic instrumental “Midsummer’s Daydream”.
4/5 stars
Thoughts?
The final of my three epic Rik Emmett interviews in the VHS Archives.
August 1990: It was the Magic Summer Tour and the Perfect Gentlemen were opening for New Kids On the Block at the CNE in Toronto. That was the big news. With all that teenage hype looming outside the big glass MuchMusic windows in the form of young girls, in walked Rik Emmett with his first solo material since leaving Triumph in 1988. Nobody knew what to expect!
Interviewer Steve Anthony is his usual goofy self and loosens Rik up with a few joke questions about New Kids, Perfect Gentlemen and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, before diving into the big ones.
Topics discussed:
That’s it for my Rik Emmett treasure from the Archives, I hope you enjoyed them.
VHS ARCHIVES #25: RIK EMMETT OF TRIUMPH – THE HOLY GRAIL OF VIDEOS – POWER HOUR 1987 LIVE PERFORMANCE
VHS ARCHIVES #109: RIK EMMETT – THE AXEMEN COMETH (1988)
Another true treasure from the VHS Archives. When the Pepsi Power Hour ran this guitar-centric special in early 1988, my best friend Bob and I watched it religiously. We drank up, though didn’t fully understand, every word from Rik Emmett. The former Triumph guitarist was (and is) one of our favourites. His knowledge is encyclopedic. Laurie quizzes Rik on a number of the top rated electric guitar players of the time.
Rik demonstrates his favourite passages, and discusses with host Laurie Brown the following axemen in order:
Other topics to stay tuned for in this wide-ranging discussion:
TRIUMPH – Allied Forces 40th Anniversary Box Set (Originally 1981, 2021 Round Hill Records RSD set)
Triumph is under-celebrated. That’s a fact. To the unknowing, they were “the other Canadian power trio with the high voice”. To the Allied Forces, they were Rik, Mike and Gil: Triumph! And really incomparable to Rush except in superficial ways. Finally, some of their back catalogue has received the treatment it deserves and that is Allied Forces, for its 40th anniversary. Overseen by Andy Curran,* this vinyl box set (no CD) features some exclusive music and a wealth of goodies packed within. The usual content like booklets and reprints, but also a little surprise awaits you inside. Released for Record Store Day back in May, limited quantities were later made available for the schmucks like us who couldn’t snag one in time.
Allied Forces itself is pressed on a picture disc. The brilliant yellow A-side shows bullet belts and a Spitfire. Vibrant imagery that only serves to enhance the tunes you’re about to hear. Opening with “Fool For Your Love”, the beautiful picture disc sounds great with low surface noise. Rik Emmett goes deep with some wicked slide guitars, on a good time rocker sung by Gil Moore. In the luxurious liner notes, Rik explains that there are four tracks of guitar layered. Indeed, Canada’s greatest guitarist sounds nice and thick with a delectable crunch. With a nice tasty riff to bite down on, this opener stands as one of Triumph’s most enjoyable pure rockers.
The iconic #8 single “Magic Power” introduces Rik’s acoustic contemplative side. Triumph succeeded in marrying all their facets on Allied Forces, and “Magic Power” is a fine example of this. It has a quaint folksy vibe, but when the electric guitar kicks in, it becomes a pop rock classic. With lyrics about drawing a “magic power” from music on the radio, what could be fitting? Mike Levine’s big Hammond B3 is the ultimate accoutrement.
“Air Raid” is an interlude, a sonic experiment honed at the band’s new home studio, Metalworks. It serves as a war-like intro to “Allied Forces”, one of Triumph’s heaviest. A rallying cry for the live setting. According to Uncle Rikky, it’s Triumph letting out their Deep Purple side, and you can certainly hear “Speed King” and “Highway Star” in its DNA. Gil Moore rips it up on drums and vocals. Triumph at their most Purple, and powerful. But to end the side properly, they go for a good-time party rocker in “Hot Time (In This City Tonight)”. Of course in the live setting, this enabled Triumph to honour their host city every night. Just change the words to “Hot time in Cleveland tonight,” as we’ll see! With a hot boogie behind him, Rik Emmett sings some ongodly high notes and wails away a fresh solo laden with wicked licks.
Flipping the record over, Side B depicts a triumphant B-17 bomber dropping its massive payload. A strong graphic statement. “Fight the Good Fight” is the clear album centerpiece. Built upon Rik’s 12-string depth, it boasts many strengths. Gil Moore’s complex beat and Mike Levine’s keyboards accent the song and build upon its heart. Emmett’s solo is a sub-composition until itself, as they often are with him. It has peaks, valleys and hooks of its own. Adding to the true weight of “Fight the Good Fight”, the liner notes add the wrinkle that the song was inspired by a battle with cancer.
“Ordinary Man” is one likely to split opinions. Fans of the progressive side will love the choir and acoustic arrangement. Rawkers will say, “bah, pombous prog bullshit!” Gil expresses regret that they didn’t play it live; it certainly would have been a challenge. Queen-like vocals and guitar layers would be hard to perform by a power trio. Speaking of power, that kicks in around the three-minute mark. That’s when the riffing starts; full-on metal mode.
In the penultimate position, Rik’s classical instrumental (a Triumph institution) is “Petite Etude”, which also boasts some jazzy chords if you listen carefully. Finally Rik ushers in the album closer “Say Goodbye” with more of that juicy slide guitar. A pop rocker in the truest sense, and a Rik construction. Mike and Gil seem a little cool on it in the liner notes. It might not seem like the kind of song that fits on Allied Forces, but it does close the album on a really bright note, which is not a bad thing. Mike’s Hammond B3 returns to add some integrity.
And that’s Allied Forces, a great album with no weak songs. A solid 4.5/5 on a bad day. But this box set has so much more to go.
“Magic Power” (Live in Ottawa 1982) is an exclusive 7″ single. The A-side is the live version of the Triumph classic, unavailable elsewhere. With the Triumph logo emblazoned on the right, a female mechanic services a World War II-era warplane on the sleeve. As for the track, it’s a brilliantly energetic performance although you sure do miss that Hammond B3. Still you can’t beat it for the electricity in the air.
The B-side was a bit of a mystery until we did a little digging. “Allied Forces 2021” is not a re-recorded version by Triumph. It is a new version by former Triumph guitarist Phil X, reportedly for an upcoming tribute album that’s in the works. Phil’s version is way heavier, but he sings it pretty good and the solo work is absolutely wicked. It doesn’t seem to say anywhere in the box that this version is by Phil X, but the RSD site credits the Bon Jovi guitarist properly. It’s certainly far heavier than anything coming out of Jon’s camp these days.
A nice little bonus single here, and a nod to Phil X who helped keep Triumph going in the early 90s.
Live In Cleveland – 1981 will be the serious bonus here for many fans. Although this concert was released on CD in 1996 as King Biscuit Flower Hour (In Concert), this is its first vinyl release and remastered at Metalworks. By the time Triumph hit Cleveland, they were on their fifth studio album and had plenty of great material to play; all now classics. Only a few tracks from Allied Forces had worked themselves into the set, the bulk of which is still made up of earlier material and long instrumental stretches.
From the previous album Progressions of Power, “Tear the Roof Off Tonight” opens on a Zeppelin-y party rock note. Before you can say “Rock and Roll”, they’re into the second track “American Girls” from 1979’s Just A Game. A nice tasty riff with bite, and two Gil Moore tunes in a row, the drummer working extra hard. Dig that break into “The Star-Spangled Banner” right before the incendiary solo.
Rik’s up with the first epic of the night, “Lay It On the Line”, 12-string majesty ringing clear and true.
“Same old story, all over again. Turn a lover into just another friend. I wanna love you, I wanna make you mine…won’t you lay it on the line.”
Then Rik misses the mark and there are a couple extra power chords before he picks up the vocal where he left off. Things that only happen on true untampered live recordings. This passionate version of “Lay It On the Line” has some of Rik’s most incredible singing ever captured. Period.
First new song of the night is “Allied Forces”, Gil going in extra hard on the lead vocals. Rik screamin’ in the back. Triumph were frickin’ hot in 1981. “Allied Forces” is a work-out before Triumph lets loose some more serious epic material. “Fight the Good Fight”, impressive itself, is followed by “Blinding Light Show / Moonchild”. This is just a solid 15 minutes of compositional and instrumental brilliance. Not to mention a lead vocal tour-de-force from Rik. Serious drum thunder from Moore on “Moonchild”, and Mike Levine relentlessly laying down a melodic rhythm the whole time.
Gil demonstrations his ability to scat out a wicked song intro on “Rock ‘N’ Roll Machine”. It ain’t easy to front a band from behind the drum kit but here he does a song intro to rival Paul Stanley. They blast through that tune, complete with Rik’s signature solo, and then “I Live For the Weekend”. It’s Triumph at their most Van Halen, boogying and soloing with the big boys. Then it’s “Nature’s Child”, a drum solo, and an instrumental jam. They exit on “Rocky Mountain Way” and “Hot Time (In Cleveland Tonight)”, two live standards.
Live In Cleveland is not the definitive live Triumph album. That will remain to be Stages, which had a better song/solo ratio. This is however the heaviest live Triumph album and its rawness and unpolished veridity make it the perfect one to accompany this box set. Listen to the whole thing in one sitting, is my recommendation.
There is a treasure trove of relevant Triumph goodies included inside. Box sets sold in Canada included an exclusive replica poster for Triumph live at Maple Leaf Gardens, New Year’s Eve 1981. For a show at the Gardens, it’s pretty ballsy for them to use a picture of Rik Emmett wearing a Habs shirt. This box set is loaded with Rik in the Habs shirt!
Deke and I also received a Rik Emmett 2021 guitar pick taped to the front shrinkwrap of our sets. Picks are the kind of added bonus we really appreciate. Something material. The included replica backstage pass is also cool, as it looks better than just a piece of paper.
There are lots of paper goods inside too including: a massive 24″ x 36″ poster, three lyric sheets, three sketches, the booklet and Allied Forces replica tour book. Plenty of photos and text to sift through. There are interviews with Rik, Mike and Gil, and a song-by-song breakdown. Everything about the making of Allied Forces from to the music to the iconic cover.
Hopefully the powers that be continue to honour Triumph’s history as it deserves to be. Allied Forces is a triumph indeed but it’s ridiculous that it was released in such limited numbers. Let all the fans have a chance to get one.
5/5 stars
Personal note: This box set was released June 12 2021, for Record Store Day. Deke and I tried mightily but were interviewing Andy Curran at the exact moment the box was released. Having failed to buy the box, Curran advised us not to pay inflated second-hand market prices to get it. “Something special is planned,” he hinted. A few weeks ago, the remainder of stock was made available via Rock Paper Merch. A kind viewer left a comment here with the link to buy, and both Deke and I managed to get one. Thank you Andy, and thank you viewer! It goes great with my official Triumph hockey jersey.
TRIUMPH – Never Surrender (1983 RCA, 2004 Universal remaster)
Triumph, the other Canadian power trio, scored multiple hits with their sixth album Never Surrender. “When the Lights Go Down” was a popular music video. “A World of Fantasy” was a concert staple. The title track is an absolute (pardon the pun) Triumph of epic songwriting and performance. It’s easy to hear why Never Surrender is so beloved.
Drummer Gil Moore opens the album with “Too Much Thinking”; steamhammer drums pumping hard. Rik Emmett comes in with a slaying riff while bassist Mike Levine, the glue, rolls out some determined bass grooves. Emmett’s talkbox solo is well constructed and extra cool. This riff rocker has the silhouette of topicality, with Reagan samples and lyrics like “Prophets of doom fearful of the violence, preaching to no one at all.”
Triumph ballads were often too brilliant for their own good. Not really “ballads” but more like melody-based compositions. “A World of Fantasy” is one such song, a real accomplishment and unmistakably Triumph. Triumph always had panache and they backed it with Rik’s strength as a guitar player. Rik’s voice, sometimes compared to Geddy Lee’s, was well suited to heartfelt rock like this.
Rik Emmett also takes the lead vocal on a battle cry called “All the Way”, preceded by a classical piece entitled “A Minor Prelude”. Get it? The guy is a tremendous and monstrously intelligent guitar player. Rik could have shredded circles with all the other lead guitarists, but that was not his focus. He realized that you can play really fast as much as you want, but less is actually more.
“All the Way”, which sounded like a battle cry, is actually followed by “Battle Cry”, vocalised by Gil Moore. It’s a slower, more determined metal track; the heavier side of Triumph. Rik’s crystal clear chords keep it from being too generic.
Back when albums had sides, the second half opened with “Overture (Procession)”, a short guitar intro backed by Levine’s synth. It sets the scene for the album centerpiece, “Never Surrender”, which itself is nearly seven minutes of pure undiluted awesome sauce. Constructed with distinctly different sections, “Never Surrender” was just a tad progressive and more than enough song for the average mortal.
Out in the streets inspiration comes hard,
The joker in the deck keeps handin’ me his card.
Smilin’ friendly he takes me in,
Then breaks my back in a game I can’t win.
Jivin’, hustiln’, what’s it all about?
Everybody always wants the easy way out.
Thirty golden pieces for the Judas kiss,
What’s a nice boy doin’ in a place like this?
Gil Moore’s drums are sometimes considered simple, or basic. That may be the case, but are they not the perfect backbone on “Never Surrender”? Who can resist when Gil throws down a big, long drum roll from high to low? Hey, he might not be Neil Peart, but he works those songs! His fills here are just as essential as Peart’s in “Tom Sawyer”. Meanwhile, Rik’s guitar chords can only be described as shiny. One of the classiest players in rock can really do no wrong here, as he goes from funky chunky strumming to full shred, all within the confines of some damn catchy riffs.
As if that wasn’t enough, Triumph goes for round two on “When the Lights Go Down”. This time, the acoustic intro is swampy, but soon that riff will hit you square in the face. Gil Moore’s back on the microphone, so let’s not forget how hard it is to sing and play drums at the same time. They had to play this stuff live, and they did! This is just pure rock, four on the floor. “Let the party roll!” sings Moore in this paean to the concert stage.
Rik goes for the brightest of melodies on “Writing’s On the Wall”, a really “triumphant” sound, and great way to draw the album to a close. All that’s left is a soft guitar outro called “Epilogue (Resolution)”. This beautiful piece illustrates where Rik would go in his future solo career, decades down the road. Hints of jazz and classical pointed the way.
There are several songs that you don’t want to leave out of your life. Own Never Surrender.
4/5 stars
This one goes out to good pals Mars and Sarca Sim! I know they love the nostalgia of old MuchMusic bumpers. Here’s a collection of them that I assembled into one mega-bumper!
The bumpers are generally somebody saying, “Hi, I’m [insert name] from [insert band], and you’re watching the Power Hour on MuchMusic!” Some flub their lines (Craig Goldy), some put in that extra 10% (Poison) and some do both (Anvil).
It’s either they got only one take, or these are the best ones!
Check out these hilarious rock star ads below, including (in order): Mark Metcalf, Motorhead, Poison, Lita Ford, Anvil, Dio, Rik Emmett, David Coverdale and a couple surprises.
It’s Friday so here’s something you’ll want to watch from start to finish. This episode of the Pepsi Power Hour on MuchMusic should be considered a “Holy Grail” find for fans of Triumph. Foreshadows of Triumph’s impending breakup can be sensed in this excellent interview, coupled with a performance of “Let the Light (Shine On Me)” and a guitar duel with protégé Sil Simone! All on live, national television.
Rik was always comfortable in the Much studios and gave great interviews. (I have at least two more on tape.) He is one of the world’s premier guitarists, as you will hear in the guitar duel! Rik also performs Triumph’s “Let the Light (Shine On Me)” acoustically. (Listen for that one bum note! Live television, people.)
Topics discussed include going solo (seriously!), guitar, heavy metal, Whitesnake, Steve Vai, and more.
Believe me when I say you won’t regret watching this whole interview/performance. Special mention must go to Erica Ehm, a charismatic host who had great rapport with Rik.
Had I got it in time, this album could have made the Top Five of 2016 list.
RIK EMMETT & RESolution9 – RES 9 (2016 Mascot Music)
Rik Emmett had a long productive career as 1/3rd of Triumph, but he has rarely looked back. Post-Triumph he has released a steady stream of jazz, rock, blues and acoustic music, sometimes revisiting Triumph songs in re-arranged form. Finally the ice thawed and Triumph successfully conquered Sweden Rock. In 2016 Rik released RES 9, a new rock album with his new band RESolution 9.
RES 9 is in fact a time machine. Dial up track 1. You will be transported back to 1990 with the rock boogie of “Stand Still”. This is a spiritual sequel to “Drive Time” from Rik’s first solo album Absolutely. Then punch track 2. “Human Race” (not a Red Rider cover) could have been a single from 1986’s The Sport of Kings. With Alex Lifeson guesting on guitar, Rik and the band tapped into the hookiness of 80’s Triumph, but with a modern integrity. When you hit up track 3, you will find yourself in the future. Accompanied by fellow Canadian James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Rik turns in a modern rock anthem with “I Sing”. Big and uplifting choruses preceded by mellow verses are built for radio. LaBrie’s vocals are the perfect compliment. Without a shred of hyperbole, “I Sing” is absolutely one of the best songs Rik’s ever recorded.
The bluesy soul ballad “My Cathedral” gives Rik a chance to show off his impeccable chops. His tone — unbelievable! Moving on to “The Ghost of Shadow Town” effectively dials up 1976 in the time machine, with a dark heavy Zepp-ish blues. “When You Were My Baby” continues down smoove blues street, throwing in some jazz licks. “Sweet Tooth” is turn down a brightly lit side avenue, a sweet treat indeed.
A hard Triumph-like vibe permeates “Heads Up”, another fine hard rocker for the radio. “Rest of My Life” adds the jangle of acoustic guitars to the rock and roll mixture, creating another fine concoction just begging to be a hit. Things toughen up with the pure rock power of “End of the Line”, featuring the returns of LaBrie and Lifeson. The sheer star power of all these Canucks in one studio must have driven the temperatures well below freezing. Still the track smokes, and if you’ve ever wanted to hear Emmett and Lifeson go head to head, then wish no more.
But it is not the end of the line. Back to the future, we have a bonafide Triumph reunion featuring the full trio of Emmett, Gil Moore and Mike Levine. This long awaited reunion happens on the bonus track “Grand Parade”. The genuine surprise here is that it’s not a hard old time hard rocker, but a thoughtful and musically deep blues ballad. It strikes me as appropriate that this much anticipated track sounds nothing like old Triumph. That was, after all, a long time ago.
With RES 9, Rik has re-established his rock credentials. Whether he does another album like this is beside the point. RES 9 is the point; a damn fine album indeed.
4.5/5 stars
This Christmas has been tinged with sadness. Rick Parfitt, George Michael…and a man you haven’t heard of named Peter Cavan Sr. I grew up with his son Peter Cavan Jr. Pete was the best man at my wedding, and his dad Peter Sr. always treated me well. The Cavans made me feel like part of the family. In my first year of university, I decided to stay home from the cottage on Thanksgiving weekend, so I could study for my first exam undistracted. Alone that Thanksgiving, Pete’s family had me over for dinner. I’ll never forget their kindness. I always enjoyed Peter Sr.’s stories, of growing up in Germany during the Second World War. Those are tales you don’t hear every day. And he was funny. Peter Sr. was truly funny. Whether intentionally or not, I knew his stories entertained us for many hours over the years. I received the sad message on Christmas morning that Peter Sr. passed after a short battle with cancer, peacefully at home that morning.
So it is with profound sadness that I give you this year’s annual post-Christmas commentary. My entire family knows and loves the Cavans, and we hope Pete and Joanne know we are there for them.
As it does every year, Christmas began early for me, at our office Christmas luncheon on November 25. Just look at that food. When you like the people you work with, an office Christmas party is a very rare and special chance to unwind with them.
My sister hosted Christmas Eve at her new place. What a spread she put out! Cheesey good appetizers, steak fondue, cheese fondue (the surprise winner), and chocolate fondue to boot. The guests had a spirited debate on the merits of CD versus vinyl, with myself being the only holdout who still prefers CD. (I know I’m not alone, just ask rock journalist Mitch Lafon which format he prefers.) My sister did a great job of decorating her tree. Have a gander.
And now, on to the good stuff. Broken down into categories, let’s give’r!
Stuff You Listen To:
I have only played the Rik Emmett so far, given to me by Mrs. LeBrain who met Rik back in highschool as part of her guitar class. Pretty cool! It features a Triumph reunion on the bonus track, “Grand Parade”. The Queen set is six discs of radio recordings. The Rush set I am both grateful for and bitter about. This is the third time I’ve received Rush 2112 as a gift in the last five years! First as part of the Sector 1 box set, then the “deluxe edition“, and now this 40th anniversary edition which has some tracks not included on the deluxe (and a slew of artists covering Rush including Jacob Moon, Alice in Chains and Foo Fighters). However, the 40th anniversary edition doesn’t include the 5.1 surround mix of the album, meaning…you kinda need both. It’s sad that Rush reissues have become so exploitive.
The Keel reissue of The Right to Rock has a bonus track, a remix of “Easier Said Than Done”. And this is my first time owning any version of Jethro Tull’s first album, This Was.
Stuff You Read:
Stuff You Play With:
The Force Is With This Stuff:
Stuff You Watch:
The Sopranos set I orchestrated myself. Sometimes-contributor Thussy and I both always said: “If the blu-ray set drops below $100, we’ll buy it.” A few weeks ago he texted me that Amazon has it on for 24 hours only at just $80! So this Christmas holiday, we will be enjoying some Sopranos and Italian food.
Stuff That Transforms From Stuff Into Robots:
Pictured below are the official Transformers Titans Return Astrotrain figure and a couple very interesting third party figs. These are Masterpiece scale and heavy as fuck with plenty of die-cast parts. Please meet Generation 1 Decepticon Reflector, incarnated here as KFC’s Eavi Metal series “Opticlones”. Representing the Autobots is Dinobot Snarl, produced by the excellent Fans Toys in their Iron Dibots line as “Sever”. I long ran out of room for more Masterpiece figures (especially Dinobots)…but who cares.
And finally…
Stuff That Flies:
I always wanted to try flying a drone. My mom and dad surprised me with this starter drone, and is it ever a lot of fun. I can almost get it to hover! Getting it to fly in the direction I want is still a challenge. So far there are no serious injuries. Jen has a couple bruises. I think my mistake was calling her into the room when I got it into the air, rather than when I figured out how the controls worked. That was a lesson there.
That’s another Christmas for the books! I hope each and every one of you had a safe and happy holiday. As I think of my friends the Cavan family, I ask you to remember that life is short. Tell the people who matter that you love them. Let’s try and make the world a better place in 2017.
LeBrain
mikeladano.com 