Tribute to Dick Wagner & Steve Hunter

Continuing the tributes to artists that often work behind the scenes and do not get the credit they are due. Dick Wagner & Steve Hunter are two great guitarists that often worked together.  Unfortunately, Dick Wagner passed away in 2014.  They had a long relationship with famed producer Bob Ezrin, …

Another trip into psychedelia

Time to take another little journey into the land of psychedelia. There are a lot of definitions out there, but what I know about psychedelic music is that it is a personal journey.  What makes a good psychedelic song to me?  It has to have several layers, and a different …

Alice Cooper – Love It To Death

Given his longevity in the business and that he’s been a solo act for so long, it’s easy to categorize Alice Cooper as just a glam/shock/schlock performer.  Certainly their early use of theatrics and makeup in their performances were at the forefront of what would become “glam rock” and was …

July 8 – A Special Day

July 8 is a special date for me, so I thought a July 8th centric playlist might be appropriate.  I did some digging on what’s been released on July 8, and came up with a mixed bag of results.  Not too many songs or albums were released that date, but …

Graham Parker – Squeezing Out Sparks

Squeezing Out Sparks was released in March, 1977 and marked a change in Parker’s style.  He dropped his horn section and moved more in line with New Wave.  The guitars & fast pace are front and centre.  His songwriting excellence and gritty tone remain, though, and I think crank it …

More from the Guitar Cousins

A while back I had a playlist that featured instruments that were cousins to the guitar: mandolins, slide & steel guitars, etc..  I thought it would be nice to add a second addition to this.  New instrument inclusions are the banjo, Appalachian dulcimer, sitar and autoharp.  These instruments add a …

Supertramp – Crime of the Century

Released in November 1974, this was Supertramp’s third album and their commercial breakthrough. The production on this album is excellent.  The sound through our stereos at high volume was amazing!  It also came through loud & clear on our car stereos.  How “School” built up was a great start to …

An inevitable story about the love of money…

The love of money is the root of all evil.  A little parable told in song.  (Money – Pink Floyd) Two young lovers get involved in a robbery.  She takes the money and flees.  He almost gets caught, but escapes and catches up to her.  (Take the Money and Run …