5 comments about Get Your Wings.

1. In my opinion this is aerosmiths best album. It was released over 30 years ago and still rocks today. There are 8 excellent tracks here-same old song and dance, lord of the thighs, spaced, woman of the world, sos(too bad), seasons of wither, train kepta rollin and pandoras box. Seasons of wither is my favourite song of all time, check out the live version of it on "Rockin the joint", it will blow you away. This album proves that aerosmith are the best rock band in the world. They were when this was released and they still are today. Get this and i gaurantee you wont be disappointed.



2. I really like this album from Aerosmith. The sound is still fairly raw, but they've improved their song writing over their self titled debut. And Steven Tyler's vocals have improved, as well, over that initial offering. The opener, "Same Old Song and Dance," is a classic, of course, but a number of other tracks really score on this one, including the gritty "Lord of the Thighs" and rockin' "Pandora's Box."



3. It is a great album there second collection of songs and Same Old Song and Dance - Train Kept a Rollin and Season of Wither are of my favorite songs on here. Train Kept a Rollin is the first time on Aerosmith albums that you got the idea of what they were like live. I had the album now I have the CD. Very good and a must for true fans!



4. The era of Aerosmith's Get Your Wings (1974) was back when the "Bad Boys from Beantown" meant something in the world of underground rock. In the mid-1970s this stuff was playing loud at wild parties, on street corners, and blasting from speakers in cars full of partying people. Serious rock n' roll. In Same Old Song And Dance, Steven Tyler sings:
   
   Got you with the cocaine they found with your gun,
   No smooth face lawyer can get ya undone.
   Say love ain't the same on the south side of town,
   You could look, but you ain't gonna find it around.
   
   Then in S.O.S. (Too Bad), he sings:
   
   In Salt Lake City, salt-lickin' bitties,
   Bogus honey stinkin' of gin.
   Well my daddy was hard, his face was pretty scarred,
   from kicking a**, and playing poker to win.
   
   The music? IT ROCKS! Fast, hard, and straight ahead. Lots of great guitar riffs, fast and heavy beats, and the famous Steven Tyler scream-sing. Great stuff! It could lead you into a life of debauchery, but think of the fun you'll have! Like they say, "If you can't be good, be good at it!". And listen to Aerosmith's Get Your Wings (very loudly).



5. Along with the two follow-ups, this is the best Aerosmith there is! This is a powerful document of blues-influenced hard rock, the kind of music Aerosmith helped set the standard for. Surprisingly accomplished for being only their second album, this is chock full of good songwriting, heavy melodies, and the masterful guitar work of Perry and Whitford.
   There are absolutely no clunkers here and things don't really even settle down but for the melancholy Seasons of Wither, and it is one of their best slow songs. The bitchin' Woman of the World is pure Perry delight and the classic rock staples like the stinging funk of Same Old Song and Dance and the homage with a little extra of Train Kept A Rollin' demonstrate that this band not only recognized its influences but was more than willing to pass the torch to a new generation of rock disciples.
   The only real difference between Get Your Wings and the next two albums is the production values; the more money the band made, the better sounding the albums became. Still, the songs are top notch and the band sounds as tight and white-hot as they ever were at the height of their reign during the latter half of the decade. Get Your Wings is essential Aerosmith.

5 comments about Desolation Angels.

1. If you're a Bad Company fan you know this was their last real album and not one of their best efforts. But all the same not a bad reissue on cd media.



2. This was the first Bad Company CD that I ever heard or bought, so as a young person who likes to listen to real music, this was a welcome addition to my collection. Rodgers's voice is enchantingly classic, and though I do have my favorite tracks, there isn't one song that I don't like. This disc is one of my favorites, and I've played the thing so many times it already skips. Definitely underrated.



3. This was a gift for someone who had been looking for this album for a long time. I found it here!



4. This is one of my all time favorite CDs. Every song on it is worth listening to.



5. This is one of the best albums with the original line up. Exceptionally tight. 1979 was a good year for good rock 'n' roll and a good year for Bad Company

5 comments about The Essential Journey.

1. so I ordered this 2 disc set and by all account it is very good classic and not so classic Journey. Here's my 1 and only major beef. Is it me or is disk 1 simply a copy of greatest hits? Now disk 2 I am very impressed with. The mixture is simply outstanding. And I am looking for someone who might have information on whether or not there are any other Journey DVD's out there. I have purchased the live in Houston, and the greatest hits sets. Extremely happy with both, but would like to find 1. more concert footage and 2. possibly a dvd set of more of their videos. My personal email is dalton1999@clearwire.net if anyone has any information. Anyway if you are someone looking for a good complete set of some very good Journey music you cant go wrong with this one. Thanks for reading.



2. Disk 1 is a veritable Greatest Hits Journey Album, containing most of the great ones, whereas with Disk 2 it's debatable as to whether all of the songs on it are "essential Journey" qualified (Line of Fire, Baby I'm a Leavin You? Uh, I question those selections). Songs arguably more "essential", like `Suzanne' and `Why Can't This Night Go On Forever' were left off. Nevertheless, Disk 2 is still a good one and has mostly worthy songs.
   
   It's my opinion that two of the most significant factors that made Journey the world-class band it was in the 80s was the voice of Perry in singing some of rock's greatest ballads - Open Arms, Who's Cryin' Now, Send Her My Love, to name a few - and Journey's capability to write heart-felt lyrics for those ballads, lyrics that most anyone who has ever loved, or loved and lost, can listen and relate to.
   
   I now realize that Journey's lyrics are timeless, their meanings changing only in their reference with life's experiences and advancing time, but never becoming outdated. Separate Ways (World's Apart) comes immediately to mind: those lyrics have much more relevance to me today then ever before, even after more than 20 years (True love won't desert you; You know I still love you; Though we touched and went our separate ways).
   
   Then there's the classic among classics, the ballad that knows no equal - Faithfully. Only Journey and Perry can do that song justice; only Perry can provide the vocal power that's necessary to convey the emotion of the song. Faithfully is a song that will live with me forever; the memories linked directly to it are unforgetable. Years ago someone dear to me once asked which song I might choose should there ever be a chance to share a dance together. At the time I couldn't answer the question directly but today I answer that it would be Faithfully.



3. For years now, I have listened to selected Journey songs, and felt it was time to get to know the band better. so I bought The Essential Journey; the selection looked varied, with some familiar pieces and a good few new (to me) songs. Disc 1 is definitely my favourite, it contains some of my all time favourites such as 'Faithfully' and 'Open Arms'. These songs resonate and touch deeper than many other things ever could. Perry's voice carries an uncommon power and impact. Among the new songs 'Separate Ways' is just a great song, a song of hope and strength, which seems to be a theme that runs throughout the material. Still working out some of the lyrics though, take "If we can't go on to survive the tide love divides" what exactly does that mean?
   The music on this compilation ranges from happy and sparky, to thoughtful, melancholy, angry, hopeful and back to happy. There is often a song there to just match or modify my mood.
   A regret I have about this selection, is that the accompanyng booklet contains no lyrics. As a language orientated person, I like to listen and read the poetry in the lyrics. Having the lyrics would have added an extra feature to the CDs.



4. This is, personally, my favorite Journey compilation (and god knows there's many of them to choose from). It pretty much gives you all the Perry-era hits you need but oddly some tracks on disc 2 seem slightly arbitrarily chosen. Don't get me wrong all the songs on here are great -- I just wished they saved room for some classic tracks that I feel are sorely absent.
   
   Those most notably missing are:
   
   Feeling That Way
   Dixie Highway
   Why Can't This Night Go On Forever
   Suzanne
   
   Otherwise, this is all the Journey you'd ever need if you're not a hardcore Journey fan and just want a great compilation of all their hits and a few noteworthy B sides.



5. Just a short note to say how much I enjoyed this cd. Many times as consumers unless you are a die hard fan do you find musicians that you love every song. The Essential Journey is a great cd and you will not want to skip a track. ----------Amanda

5 comments about Roger Waters - In the Flesh (Live).

1. Are you a "Fan" of "Pink Floyd"? If you are.... Buy this! the music is fantastic and the light show is great! I absolutely loved it!



2. As an older Pink Floyd fan I appreciate this DVD as much if not more than the original music by Gilmour, Waters, Mason, & Barrett. Waters masterfully blends the music in a great concert that you'll want to watch over and over again. Doyle Bramhall and Snowy White play the guitar riffs and leads even better than the originals of yesteryear. If you watch this DVD your ears will fixate on the auditory teasings and you'll never want to turn it off. I play it while at work on my computer and simply minimize the video. Superb DVD!!!!!!



3. Watching this DVD has to be done in an HDTV in order to fully enjoy the visuals. The music is fantastic and roger waters really puts in a performance worthy of the music he plays.
   
   The guitar play is particularly wonderful, just top notch!
   
   Buy the DVD it is an investment that you won't regret
   
   JP



4. Many of my friends have issues with Roger Waters, but as for me I love him and his lyrics. He puts on one hell of show. When I first heard "It all makes perfect sense", I knew I had to get this live album. It is absolutly terrrific. Keep exploring Roger and keep reaching. I'm a fan.



5. I'm not a huge fan of Pink Floyd but purchased this dvd for the sole purpose of seeing Doyle Bramhall II perform. Wow! The whole dvd is awesome and the sound is great. I can't get enough of the guitar jam at the end of 'Comfortably Numb'! Bramhall and Snowy White rock!!! (This is by far one of the best bargains at $14.98....!)

5 comments about Dazed And Confused (1993 Film).

1. I was born in 1976, so I didn't really grow up listening to these songs. However, many of them still get heavy airplay on classic rock stations. Not one song on this album is bad. Personal favorites include "Cherry Bomb" and "Tuesday's Gone." Other solid tracks include "Low Rider," "Tush" and "Love Hurts."
   
   If you've seen the film, you already know that it lives and dies by the music that's constantly played in it. Much like "Swingers," "Dazed And Confused" is a very good film, but the soundtrack selection makes it great.
   
   I gave this album four stars because there are some key tunes missing (most notably "Hurricane," by Bob Dylan). Also, the classic rock vibe is broken up by "Jim Dandy," which doesn't quit fit in as well as the rest of the tunes. It's still a good song, though. This is an excellent album, and if you enjoy classic rock or grew up listening to these tunes, I'm sure you'll enjoy it (and the film). Highly recommended.



2. Loved the CD. The music is a much fun as it was the first time I enjoyed it!



3. I loved the movie and I love the soundtrack. Contains all those songs from the 1970s that were very "feel good". Also highly recommended is the companion CD which contains more songs that this one couldn't fit. Recommend both of them.



4. I was looking to get the DVD of DAZED AND CONFUSED but got the CD. When it was advertised on the AMAZON website it led me to believe that it was a DVD as you see it above. (1993 Film) I had to return it and my expense. Very disappointing transaction with AMAZON. Threfore, i am not impressed.



5. I've owned this terrific CD since waaaay back in 1993 & have lost my numerous copies purchased since then to dear friends & family who come to adore this soundtrack once they've heard it. It's full of great middle & late '70s tunes that if you were alive & aware of hit rock n roll music then, you will remember these tunes with joy & may even sing along to them too. This CD even has "Cherry Bomb" by the Runaways (Joan Jett & Lita Ford's band before they went solo) which is not an easy tune to find in complitations. If you liked the non-disco & non-"AM Gold" sounds of the 70's then this is your next CD purchase! : D The tunes range from Black Sabbath's Paranoid, to Foghat's Slow Ride to the ever popular rock anthem Kiss' Rock & Roll All Night. I love this CD,when I play it the songs take me right back to being a pre-teen/teenager hanging out with the older kids in the shag-van, the smell of ganja wafting around, real rock n roll blaring from the speakers, Ditto jeans, halter tops, Friday nights at the roller skating rink & Pop-rocks! LOL

5 comments about But Seriously, Folks....

1. "But Seriously Folks" CD is awesome. WOW and let me say that backwards..
   WOW. Joe Walsh is "seriously" talented and I loved the music, his
   singing, the instrumentals, all of it. I just wish I had bought it sooner!



2. I can still remember during the summer of '78 when "Life's Been Good..." was a hit on the airwaves(and I was a young lad of 20)seeing my old man,who was 52 at the time and who had no use for rock music, enjoying this song. He got a big kick out of the lyrics.Me too. I still own this on vinyl(when I've gotten rid of a great deal of my vinyl collection over the years) and every so often ,especially during the summer months, I have to put it on the turntable and kick back."Second Hand Store" and "Tomorrow" are outstanding tracks on their own and make this album a must have.Classic album--always will be.



3. I think this is a great CD. I love Joe Walsh's guitar playing and I enjoy listening to the entire first 4 songs straight through uninterrupted. "At the Station" "Indian Summer" and "Second Hand Store" always make me think of summer time when I was a kid and we used to hang out at the fishing hole drinking beer. Of course, this contains the classic "Life's Been Good" and there's also a great catchy tune called "Tomorrow" and a couple of cool intrumental pieces.
   
   I am a huge Joe Walsh fan so I have to say I am probably playing some favoritism but why not - I think the man is underrated as both a guitar player and lyricist. He may not write mind bending philosophical lyrics 24/7 but he sure knows how to construct a good piece of humoring lyrical content and he has the ability to make you forget about your worries and draw you to another place and time. And isn't that what music is supposed to be about sometimes?



4. This is an old favorite of mine from an artist I have long admired. Since none of these songs are on iTunes, I purchased the CD and I am glad I did. I was particularly glad to be able to hear Second Hand Store, Indian Summer and Life's Been Good again as the cassette I have is well worn. The CD arrived right on time and was priced well; can't argue with that.



5. Remastered by producer Bill Szymczyk, "But Seriously Folks" is one of Joe Walsh's most catchy, ambitious mainstream albums. It's not as experimental as one of Joe's best album "Barnstorm" but this album along with "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get", "So What" and "There Goes The Neighborhood" ranks among his best solo albums. Every song is infectious with great hooks and melodies. It's more like "So What?" than Walsh's first two albums which had elements of the folk/jazz of Traffic mixed into the crunchy guitar chords. Joe writes or co-writes all the songs on the album borrowing the chorus from one of multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale's solo albums (Vitale was a member of Walsh's "Barnstorm" band and has toured with Walsh in just about tour he's done including The Eagles where Joe Walsh hangs a new melody on it (he even borrows the guitar riff he came up with for Vitale for that song)for "At the Station". Every song is a stand out with a bit of experimentation that recalls "Barnstorm" and "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" with the instrumentals "Inner Tube" and "Theme From Boat Weirdos" (a continuing theme and "joke" that plays across several solo albums of Walsh associates).
   
   The big hit, though, was the nearly 9 minute (although it was edited down to 4 minutes for the AM radio version)rocker satire "Life's Been Good". Walsh pokes fun at the rock star lifestyle from trashing rooms, to having mansions that they never see because they are on the road touring so much. It's a great track and was one of Walsh's biggest hits propelling this terrific album into the top twenty.
   
   While we don't get a booklet discussing the making of the album or any lyrics, we do get all the original credits but, more importantly, a beautifully mastered CD that captures the best qualities of the vinyl version released in 1978. The original vinyl had a terrific master by Ted Jensen and Szymczyk goes for broke replicating Jensen's master for a different format. There's a lot of great detail that can be heard on the CD from the cymbals that open "Over and Over" to the crunchy slide guitar work by Walsh on "Life's Been Good".
   
   Featuring a parade of 70's rock stars as guests (all of the Eagles appear the album with Henley, Frey and Schmitt doing backing vocals for "Tomorrow" and Don Felder playing pedal steel on "Second Hand Store" and guitar on another track nicely complimenting Walsh. Jo Jo Gunne and Spirit alumni Jay Ferguson plays keys while Vitale plays drums, flute and other assorted istruments), "But Seriously Folks" was followed by "There Goes The Neighborhood" an album almost as strong as this one with another Walsh hit "Life of Illusion". Highly recommended.

5 comments about If You Want Blood You've Got It.

1. AC/DC live is just like heaven, especially with original lead singer Bon Scott. Now I'm not at all saying that Brian Johnson isn't great; he is, but he can't hold a candle to Bon, in my opinion.
   
   And this live record, originally released in 1978 on Atlantic but reissued on Epic in the early 2000s, proves how great AC/DC is. With songs like 'Whole Lotta Rosie,' 'Rock And Roll Damnation,' and 'High Voltage,' you know this album is gonna rock.
   
   And, I think Epic did an awesome job remastering this. The sound quality is superb.
   
   While Scott was alive, he made some mighty fine records with AC/DC. And 'If You Want Blood You've Got It' (which is one of the best live records ever put out, in my opinion) is one of the best records that AC/DC ever put out.
   
   Highly recommended for any rock or AC/DC fan. Classic heavy metal at it's finest. Well worth listening to, and better yet, owning. ENJOY!!!



2. A great live album showcasing the Bon Scott era of AC/DC, this one really showcases a bluesy, dirty, barroom band that just happened to make it big. A great set of songs, here, with only three ("The Jack," "Problem Child," and "Whole Lotta Rosie") that really get any serious radio play, this album hits on a lot of exceptionally good, yet criminally overlooked material from Let There Be Rock and Powerage. And, of course, it allows for all of us who never had the opportunity to see Bon, a chance to hear him on a great live recording.



3. 
   Start to finish, this is my favorite AC/DC album. Yes, I own "Back in Black" and "highway To Hell", among others, and they're great. But when I want a pure metal adrenaline rush loaded with hooks, nothing satisfies quite like "If You Want Blood...". You can just feel the anticipation of the audience with the amplifier buzz that starts before the boys rip into a searing rendition of "Riff Raff". Then, if that's possible, they up the ante with a totally smoking "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be". And so it goes for the rest of this terrific CD.
   
   This is a great document of one of hard rock's most original bands when Bon Scott was still lead singer and they were virtually unknown outside of Australia. The wildly appreciative Aussie audience couldn't have cared less and clearly knew they were onto something as the trademark AC/DC sound was already fully formed. If you have even a casual interest in AC/DC, then buy or download this album.



4. I had just seen these guys live in Columbus, Ohio in September 1978 and bought this album soon as it was released, hoping to relive some of that experience. Soon as I listened to it, I wanted a refund!
   
   It sounds NOTHING like their live show. The sound is too sanitized, cleaned up, polished, and almost "Top 40-groomed". Happily, in the years since, several other live recordings of this great band have been released, including the far more accurate "Plug Me In" collection. Just listen to the two back to back, and you'll see what I mean.
   
   This band is aptly named, particularly during the Bon era. There was an energy to this band live that was palpable in the crowd, and this record fails to capture this. There are (finally, after years of waiting) better representations of this great band's live act.
   
   By the way - the opening act for this September '78 show? Cheap Trick on the 'Heaven Tonight' tour. What a night!



5. This band was the first rock band I started to listen too.
   This has guitar riff that only Angus can play.
   My rating for this CD is a 7 from 1to10!!

5 comments about Dog & Butterfly [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [EXTRA TRACKS].

1. For a long time this has been my favorite Heart album. It's their mellowest from their early era. Side 2 of the vinyl edition just blew me away, this would be songs five through eight for those unfamiliar with that format. I hadn't owned this album in many years until I got this remastered edition. At first I didn't see why it was my favorite Heart album but upon repeated listenings it's the four songs "Dog & Butterfly", "Lighter Touch", "Nada One" & "Mistral Wind" that really impress me. "Mistral Wind" is one of the best 'mood' songs ever done by anyone. All four of the songs are mellow but "Mistral Wind" has some passages that get heavy.
   
   Ann Wilson is one of rock's greatest vocalists, her gifts are showcased here brilliantly. "Cook with Fire", the opening track, is the hardest rocking song here. The hit "Straight On" is great, maybe not as memorable as "Magic Man" & "Barracuda" but it holds its own with those two classics. "Hijinx" is somewhat funky, very enjoyable. The weakest song on here is the title cut. Many people don't consider this album to be as good as their first two but I disagree. Heart made a conscious effort to be mellow here & somewhat distance themselves from the comparison to Led Zeppelin.
   
   The cd has three bonus cuts "A Little Bit", "Feels" & a live version of "Heartless" which originally was from the album Magazine, many don't consider Magazine to be a 'true' Heart album because it's mostly demos that Mushroom Records released due to Heart's new-found fame. "Heartless" was the best thing from that album & a hit in its own right. Though I'm glad it's here, it doesn't thematically agree with the mellow tone of the original album. Enjoy Heart's last album with their classic lineup of musicians, with Bebe Le Strange changes were happening within the group that would start leading to personnel changes that would hinder the group for a few years.



2. The live "cook with fire" is worth the price. Anne Wilson has the sexiest voice in Rock. Everything on this record is excellent. You should really check out their entire catalog. Still love these women.



3. It took me a few listens to fully appreciate "Dog & Butterfly"; at first it seemed too bluesy and eclectic compared to their other records. But after a few listens it really grew on me, and now it's one of my favorite Heart records.
   
   "Cook With Fire" is arguably Heart's toughest-rocking opening track, and they had QUITE a few of those, believe me. I really like their decision to make this track a live performance rather than a studio recording - it increases the energy and intensity of this track tenfold. Nancy Wilson "plays a rippin' harmonica(!) on this song.
   
   Next is "High Time", with a bouncy rhythm that anticipates the sound of "Bebe le Strange", their next record.
   
   "Hijinx" is an sly little blues ditty, but seems to be missing something.
   
   "Straight On" is one of Heart's signature tunes; listen to the sample if you've never heard it before. If you don't like it, don't bother with this record and abandon any hope of ever calling yourself a Heart fan.
   
   "Dog & Butterfly", the title track, is probably Heart's most heartfelt song (pun not intended I swear). Just listen to the lyrics; they're warm, melancholy, and metaphorical all at the same time. It's also one of the few songs that has made me cry. This version is quite good, but I prefer their live version of this song from "The Road Home".
   
   "Lighter Touch" is a typical Heart depth cut, laid-back and soothing, but there's nothing particularly special about it. Ditto for "Nada One". You'll either love them or skip over them while listening to this CD.
   
   Then there's "Mistral Wind". This is about as close to "Stairway to Heaven" as Heart ever got. "Mistral Wind" is absolutely epic, capturing the two moods of lying on a boat in a period of calm and then getting tossed around by a sudden tempest. It's an allegory for falling in love. The lyrics to this track are truly poetic and smack of Robert Plant. It's my favorite song on this CD and probably my favorite Heart track from this period in their careers.
   
   This CD remastered edition features three bonus tracks - a live version of "Heartless" and two studio outtakes. The live version of "Heartless" isn't that different from the studio version on "Magazine", just roughed up a little. "Feels" is a great song, probably an earlier version of "Johnny Moon" (from "Passionworks"), judging by the chord progression. "A Little Bit" is just an acoustic guitar ditty.
   
   With "Dog & Butterfly", Heart begins to move away from the folk-rock of their earlier albums and towards a more blues-rock sound. It's not flawless, but it's one of the better albums out there.



4. Only a few songs stand out to me on this CD, and that's everything past, and including, "Dog and butterfly". These are some beautiful songs. I started listening to Heart during their big-haired glam 80's days, so I had to travel back to appreciate this CD. And while I prefer the pop-synth 80's variety of Heart, "Dog and Butterfly" does have it's charms as well.



5. Of course now Dog & Butterfly is a rock classic, but in 1978 the Wilson sisters wanted to keep doing what they love and make a record that was significant in their career. They achieved their accomplishment with an idea to create an album that was half melodic and half cut your teeth Rock'n'Roll. Besides the radio hit "Straight On,"(#18 on the singles chart)they made an album that brims with sophisticated imagery and melodies that visit both camps on many of the songs. My favorite tracks would be "High Time," the Zeppelinish "Mistral Wind," and the title track, which is a masterpiece of a song as it combines string acoustics with Ann's poetry and fades into a serene backdrop of sound effects. A significant piece of the band's history was the end result, and as Ann Wilson said several years back during an interview on the Bravo network, "It was a bottleneck time because Creem magazine was starting to write about us and we had a Rolling Stone cover or two, and there was the question of women being relevant to rock and women being credible in rock. They weren't sure about us, and so that album really was the one where we felt like we had to push. We had to prove ourselves."

5 comments about Fly by Night.

1. Of course, the self-titled Rush album was first, but Fly By Night sounds like a completely different band. The Rush album is pure heavy metal; Fly By Night is much more mature and developed, although with still a way to go. The band would not put out another album with this many tracks for some time, opting for longer, progressive rock compositions. (Although some, such as the 2112 suite, are merely medleys, or dare I say, 'rock operas.') I really liked this when it was released, and continued to buy Rush albums right up through Hemispheres. The band would continue to develop their craft on Caress of Steel and the hugely popular 2112, but the true peak of the band is preserved on A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres. Check out Fly By Night for a glimpse of the road that lay ahead.



2. Fly By Night is Rush's second album and marks the departure of drummer John Rutsey and the beginning of current drummer Neil Peart's time with the band. There is a lot to find on this album from start to finish; Rush's first epic (By-Tor & the Snow Dog), the summary of Neil Peart's outlook on life and the height of his Ayn Rand influence (Anthem), and a song where no percussion is found anywhere but Geddy Lee's voice along with Alex Lifeson's acoustic guitar work together to create a truly beautiful and magical sound (Rivendell).
   From the beginning of the album Rush makes listeners take notice with their explosive sound. Lifeson uses a combination of powerful chords, amazing solos, and soft acoustic accompaniment throughout the album. Geddy Lee displays his talent on the bass guitar and microphone, leaving the synthesizers for a later day. And while it would be a fallacy to call this album the height of Neil Peart's talent, his skills as a percussionist can be highlighted by this album just as well as by citing any of the band's later works.
   Everything about this album is just plain great. Great music, great lyrics...even the track arrangement makes one think about the musical genius that is Rush. At this time the band had nowhere to go but up; and they knew it. With founding member Alex Lifeson, seasoned bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, and the band's newest member, Neil Peart, this album goes a long way to silence any doubt as to why Rush is the legendary act they have become.
   I'm not a professional review writer (obviously) so I'm just writing this as a tribute to Rush. Fly By Night is one of their best albums, and I hope that current Rush fans and new listeners alike will gain something from my opinions and perspective. That's the only reason I'm writing this. Below is what I think about each song individually. This will explain why I even had to mention that the track arrangement for this album is amazing.
   Anthem starts the album and it's loud and in your face. The band makes a statement with this song, in my opinion, that it's important to remember to look out for oneself. Life can be strange sometimes, and while it's good to be selfless and good to one another, sometimes you just need to move on and look out for you.
   Next up is Best I Can. The band's youthfulness and rock and roll attitude spill over from their debut self-titled album into this track. Peart's percussion grabs you from the beginning and never lets go. The rhythms he creates and the way they blend with Lifeson and Lee's guitars is sheer classic.
   Beneath, Between, and Behind is up next. I really can't say too much about this one because I may be wrong, but to me it seems to be a song about America. The Canada natives express that while America is a beautiful country, it has strayed far from the founding principles the nation was built upon. Great guitar riffs and drum fills galore in this one.
   Moving on to Rush's first ever "epic" track, By-Tor and the Snow Dog. Many would come after (The Fountain of Lamneth, 2112, etc.) but this eight minute story was certainly a good jumping off point for the whole epic concept. I've heard it's based on a funny story the band members heard about a friend's dogs fighting. They manage to take such a simple story and turn the characters into mythical creatures engaged in a battle of epic proportions. The guitar effects, the build of the song to the climax, and the lyrics that tell the tale of this struggle make for a truly awesome listening experience.
   On to the title track, Fly By Night. This song does a great job capturing the feel of the album in my opinion. Geddy Lee's voice is as high pitched and distinctive as ever in this one. The song is about changes and life taking you different places. Great lyrics along with some of Peart's finest drumming to date make this song an absolute classic worthy of sharing the album's name.
   Then on to Making Memories. Once again the youthful air of the band during this time can be felt full force. They're new, they're gaining more listeners and fame everyday, and trying to enjoy the road life is taking them down. Wanderlust and homesickness make for an interesting ride in the limelight, and the band does an excellent job of conveying this message.
   Next up is the beautiful, almost haunting track, Rivendell. As mentioned before, Peart's sound is absent, but not necessarily missed in this song. Lee's voice and Lifeson's acoustic guitar make plenty of magic together in this soft fairy tale of a song.
   Last but not least (and this is where the track arrangement really shines) is In The End. The song doesn't take the listener through too drastic a transition after the soft and melodic Rivendell. Rather the track starts off slow and soft and eventually leads to a more heavy riff that takes the song into overdrive. Any ideas about the band being young and brash are cleared up upon listening to the lyrics of this song, in my opinion. It's not that the band members don't care what people think, or are young and too cocky, but rather they may just be different from other people. The way you handle things says a lot about who you are, and not all reasoning and actions are black and white.
   Well, I don't know how many people read to the end of this. I know it was quite a chore if you did. But as I said before, I'm an avid Rush fan and wanted to reflect upon this album with fellow fans and grant some insight to those of you who may be pondering giving it a listen. Enjoy.
   
   "Listen to my music and hear what it can do
   there's something here as strong as life
   I know that it will reach you"
   -Rush, 2112



3. I have been a RUSH lover since 1977. I have truly enjoyed their more recent work and tours and after seeing the Snakes & Arrows tour both times, i.e., July 28, 2007, Whiteriver & May 31, 2008, The Gorge, I decided it was time to reconnect to the older albums. I just loved hearing these songs again! Rush has never dissapointed me in all these years and I highly recommend their entire body of work! Enjoy! Rush Girl J



4. Fly By Night is one of my all time favorite Rush albums.
   The energy is absolutley stunning.
   This is the first Rush album with Neil, after the departure of John.
   I will never stop listening to this album.
   This is a must-have album. GET THIS NOW! You won't regret it.



5. Yes, that is what this is. FLY BY NIGHT (and RUSH's music in as a whole) is a record that I gravated to in my early music phase, however learning more about rock music and other bands afterwards I see that this (and many of RUSH's records)is nothing but a cheap copy of greater/bigger rock acts. The songs themselves are alright I guess. The tunes tend to be catchy but too often annoying. ANTHEM, BENEATH, BETWEEN AND BEHIND, and BEST I CAN are your basic disposable 70's rock tunes. When ever I listen to this (not too often any more) I get the feeling that I'm listening to some poor Led Zeppelin cover band. I swear most of these songs sound like they were nicked right of of LED ZEPPELIN III, only much worse. Listen to cuts like IN THE END, RIVENDELL, MAKING MEMORIES, ect. The only qaulity tune on here is that title track, which is a radio station staple and quite nice actually. The comedy factor comes in with BYTOR AND THE SNOW DOG, which is about a talking dog that travles to hell to battle a wizard of somekind....wow, these guys must of been taking some heavy drugs. Makes me wonder how these guys ever made it and never ended up on VH1's "Where Are They Now?" programe.
   
   FLY BY NIGHT is a o.k. 70s rock record, nothing to write homeabout. Just as the debut record was a Cream ripp-off, this follow up is a blatant Led Zeppelin ripp-off. Take it for what it is, I'm sure there are many people who enjoy McDonalds over a gourmet meal.

5 comments about BBC Sessions.

1. I like this album for the most part, I own every recording by LZ (except some rare imports), including DVD versions and DVD-A (5.1). The second disc is recorded with reasonably good sound for that period. The first disc is MONO not stereo, which ruins it for me. Still a good purchase for any true Zepp fan.



2. I first heard this album while hanging with a buddy of mine. I didn't get it right away but with I would have. Since purchasing it I bet I have listened to it dozens of times. I think it is their best live album.



3. This is another must-have for anyone who can't hear enough live Led Zeppelin.
   This album seems a little less polished than the other live recordings; the tracks
   are older and there are multiple versions of some of the classics. There is nothing
   on this I don't enjoy listening to.



4. One should never question an album with Led Zeppelin on it. This one proves that they did it. They rocked the 60s into the 70s. These sessions are raw proof of their live abilities, stay away from the knobs, Satan! If you believe in real music, without overdone overdubs, but just real musicians getting it on at blues and rock, you cannot be wrong buying this one. For everybody else: buy this one and start getting a life!



5. I absolutely love early Led Zeppelin, especially with regards to their live material when it still reflected their blues influence. This recording makes very good use of space while documenting an important transitional time in their career, ie You Shook Me through Stairway to Heaven. My most favorite part of the album is John Paul Jone's contributions. His organ and bass work really carry the band. He was extremely underrated for his ability. My biggest gripe about this disc is something that stands out sooo much, but isn't discussed, which is overdubbing. While Traveling Riverside Blues is excellent and many here agree, it has many overdubs over the open slide part, ie. solo at the end. Other tracks have them as well, but not as overbearing as "On Stage" by Chuck Berry, "Got Live if you Want it" by The Stones or "Skull and Roses" by the Grateful Dead. Overall, its a great album, but just be aware that even the best have to add a little extra to spice it up.