Tim Durling

Bon Jovi don’t deserve all the hate! Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 654

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 654:  In Praise and Defense of BON JOVI

 

If there is one band who takes the lion’s share of derision in the rock community…it is probably Poison. If there is one band that takes all that derision unfairly…then we come out in defense of New Jersey’s favourite sons, Bon Jovi.

There is much to say in criticism of Bon Jovi. Are they a real band? Is Jon the best singer in his own band? There are already plenty of videos about that, so here is one that takes the opposite tack: in praise and defense of Bon Jovi.

Joining Tim in this episode are myself, Chez, Jose, Chris Preston, John Snow, Drew, and Steve Deluxe. Enjoy the hardy defense!

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 638: What Made Us Get Rush 50?

‘Twas an honour to sit with Rush scholars Tim Durling, Chez Cetra, and Ryan Murphy and talk about this wonderful Rush 50 box set!  You’ve already read my review, but what did these other fine folks have to say about this immersive Rush anthology box set?

Perhaps the most interesting testimony came from Ryan, who initially wasn’t all that psyched about the box set.  His attitude changed when he started digging in.  Why?  You’ll just have to watch and see.  Tim’s words are below.

To celebrate five decades of basically the best music ever, Rush recently released a career-spanning box set: 4 CDs or 7 LPs with a beautiful outer protective box, a stunning book full of information and amazing new Hugh Syme artwork for almost every song included. Ryan from ‪@Rushfans‬, Mike from ‪@GrabAStackofRocK‬ and frequent TVC co-host Chez give our thoughts on the value of owning the RUSH 50 BOXSET.

 

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 602: Top Ten 1980s Live Albums with Mike Ladano

A busy day today at Grab A Stack of Rock HQ, as I make yet another appearance on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions!  When you’re done watching Tim and I on Slogan’s Rock and Metal Extravaganza, then check out Tim and I on the TVC!

Today’s topic was a super, super fun one:  Top Ten Live Albums of the 80s.  The stipulation:  each album had to be released in the 80s, containing at least some material from the 80s.  Some of my picks may prove to be oddballs, but this was a fun episode and informative as well.  What are your top ten live albums of the 80s?

This is what too-kind-Tim had to say about the show:

Sir Mike of Ladano of ‪@GrabAStackofRocK‬ fame joins me to discuss some fab live albums that came out between 1980 and 1989. It’s our Top 10 live albums of the ’80s!

Slogans Rock & Metal Extravaganza: A Triumphant Catalogue: The Sport Of Kings (Bonus discussion of the self-titled debut by Montrose)

Please join Sidney, Logan, Tim Durling and myself LIVE at 3:00 PM EST Saturday January 11 for this special double-header episode!

This is my second ever episode of Slogan’s Rock and Metal Extravaganza, my first being Black Sabbath’s Dehumanizer.  I am excited to discuss this Triumph album, The Sport of Kings, which I have owned for 26 years now.  It has been a love/hate affair over the decades, with some undue influence from Martin Popoff colouring my impressions too much in the 2000s.  Have I come back full circle?  Find out this afternoon.

Then, their bonus review is Montrose’s self titled debut album, a record which I have never tackled on this site.  Check out the back half of this episode for our take on this legendary album, with the expert himself Tim Durling.  I mean, he kinda wrote the book, didn’t he?

Catch us LIVE!

(By the way, there’s a story about the feature image here that I will explain during the show.)

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions: 596: Christmas 2024 – The Gift Of Music

Wanna see what I got for Christmas in video form?  Check that out and a whole bunch of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions viewers’ gifts too.  The TVC episode below features the gift of music in the year 2024.  My segment is roughly 3:00 long.  Have a great new year everyone! Here is what Tim has to say below.

Earlier this week I had put out a request for viewers to film themselves showing off any music they got for Christmas this year, and folks did not disappoint! Thanks ‪@GoNorthDesign‬, ‪@2loud2oldmusic‬, ‪@darcyska‬, ‪@GrabAStackofRocK‬, ‪@Slogan8703‬, ‪@Thunderstruckzzz‬, ‪@rockandmetalinvasion‬ and ‪@MyMusicCorner‬ for sending in videos.

 

A Fun and Frivolous Top Five Albums of 2024 with Harrison, Tim Durling and surprise guest Uncle Meat

The best of 2024 in rock and pop was on showcase this week on Grab A Stack of Rock.  Tim Durling, Harrison Kopp and special surprise guest Uncle Meat brought their Top Fives and runners-up in this fun and action packed show.

What did you miss?  Well, shirtless Jex for one.  That one even scared off Peter Kerr, but did result in some pretty hilarious comments.

The comments section was lively, and if you want to catch Johnny Metal’s Top Five of 2024, his were in the comments section which I put on screen.  Meanwhile, there was some minimal repetition, and actually less than I expected.  Mr. Big, Deep Purple, Jon Anderson and Bruce Dickinson were among the artists who scored two hits on tonight’s lists.  There was plenty of love for other artists’ new albums such of Opeth, Paul Di’Anno, Blaze Bayley (of course) and Arkells.

We also took a look at three books that I enjoyed in 2024 – two of them by Mr. Durling!

A fun, passionate and laugh-filled 90 minutes of music appreciation awaits you below.

See you December 31 at 9:00 PM EST for a drop in New Years Eve party!

My list:

 

MR BIG – TEN

THE ARKELLS – Disco Loadout Vol 1

BRUCE DICKINSON – The Mandrake Project

JUDAS PRIEST – Invincible Shield

DEEP PURPLE – =1

 

Ranked: Top Five Albums of 2024 with Harrison and Tim Durling

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 82:  Ranked: Top Five Albums of 2024 with Harrison and Tim Durling

2024 was another fantastic year in music.  From new music from legacy bands, to great reissues and live albums, to new music by newer bands, we saw it and heard it all in 2024.

What were your Top Five Albums of 2024?  Leave them in the comments, or drop them in the live chat tonight, as Harrison, Tim and I talk Top Five Albums of 2024.  I am always personally limited by what I was able to buy and what I had to miss in a given year.  For example, last year I didn’t get Blame My Ex by the Beaches in time to make my list.  This year, unfortunately Blaze Bayley didn’t make it into my inventory in time, nor did the new live Ghost.  However, they may appear on other lists.

Join Tim, Harrison and myself tonight live at 7:00 PM EST to take part in the fun.  Spirits will be high, and I may be drinking alcohol.  We’ll just have to see what happens!  Remember to let us know your own Top Five in the comments section.

Let the fun begin!

Friday December 20 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 591: Sammy Hagar Deep Dive #10 (I Never Said Goodbye)

Today at 4:00 PM EST, join Tim Durling and I as we talk about Sammy Hagar’s followup to VOA:  I Never Said Goodbye, or just plain Sammy Hagar.  It all depends on when you bought it, but Tim breaks the story down for you in this episode.

We go through the album track by track, take a look at a rare B-side, and evaluate our favourites and least favourites.  A lot of this album still sounds great, some less so.  Have a watch.  Here’s what Tim had to say about this episode:

Grab A Stack of Rock is back! Mike and I talk about Sammy’s final studio album in ten years. As usual, our opinions converge and also diverge.

Purchase RED ON BLACK: The Listener’s Guide to Sammy Hagar: https://www.amazon.com/RED-BLACK-List…

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 589: Sammy Hagar Deep Dive #9 (VOA)

This week on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions: #8 in his Sammy Hagar Deep Dive video series.  This all coincides with a new book he has out, all about the Red Rocker’s discography.  V.O.A. is a special album for me personally as it was my first ever Sammy Hagar solo purchase.  I bought it for “I Can’t Drive 55” but I found a whole lot more.

What did Tim and I like, and dislike about this record? Find out today on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions.  Don’t Make Me Wait too long…the show will be up this afternoon!

 

Sammy Hagar, UFOs, and writing books: Red On Black with Tim Durling and Jex Russell

Buy Red On Black: The Listener’s Guide to Sammy Hagar at this link.

A big thank-you to my co-host Jex Russell and special guest Tim Durling for this informative, fun and funny look at the career of Sammy Hagar.  The show was also about this new book that Tim has out about the Red Rocker.

OK, sure, the show went off the rails from time to time, but there were plenty of highlights:

  • A hilarious cold open by Jex
  • A cool 12″ single for “Heavy Metal” with two bonus tracks
  • An inside look at Tim’s process and priorities when writing this book
  • Lots of interesting opinions on Sammy and his various bands
  • Great interaction in the comments section with loads of great questions

Enjoy the show!

Show notes:

 

How do you go about asking Greg Renoff to write a forward. Just “Hey Greg…”?
Thanks for the shout out about the “late tax”.
Do you think Roth still listens to Montrose?
Have you ever heard “Sammy Hagar Weekend” by Thelonious Monster?
Regarding the “contractual obligation album”, there was a lot of information here that I was not aware of before, such as that note inside 5150 that says “Sammy’s solo albums can be found on Geffen records.” When you first notice that?
Capital Special Markets – were these only serviced to certain kinds of stores?

THE QUIZ:
Who engineered Chickenfoot III? – Mike Fraser
What is the name of the alien race that Sammy believes abducted him, and inspired many of his lyrics? – The Nine
Did the Sam & Dave actually happen, or was it just a Mandela Effect?