Blue Öyster Cult – Secret Treaties

I first heard Blue Öyster Cult on their 1973 album Tyranny and Mutation.  It pretty much rocked out, and with titles like “7 Screaming Diz-Busters” and a guitarist named Buck Dharma, how could you go wrong?  Blue Öyster Cult (BOC) has always marched to their own beat, with a sly …

Tangerine Dream – Soundtrack to Sorcerer

When thinking about what album to focus on, I was in more of an atmospheric mood, so I started going through the albums I have that are more ethereal and electronic in nature.  I set my library on Album View mode and started scrolling through.  I was going to let …

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

I wanted to keep the general atmospheric mood in play that resulted in Tangerine Dream (corresponding post here), so I kept that in mind as I re-scrolled through the Album View.  I hit Pink Floyd, and “Welcome to the Machine” fit the bill!   Wish You Were Here was the …

Quicksilver Messenger Service

While getting less attention and airplay today than their contemporaries Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead & Big Brother and the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service remains an important element of the late ‘60’s San Francisco sound.  The twin guitar work of John Cipollina and Gary Duncan stand out with their …

Wishbone Ash – Argus

Another one for the guitar lovers!  And for lovers of a well constructed album.  And for lovers of iconic album covers! An all round very good, very tight band creating a great album.  Andy Powell’s & Ted Turner’s  guitar playing is excellent – strong soloing, harmonization & synchronization (especially on …

Ten Years After – Live at the Fillmore East 1970

Ten Years After is one of those rare bands whose live albums capture their essence better than their studio versions.  Alvin Lee, Leo Lyons, Chick Churchill & Ric Lee were at their best when jamming and extending songs, allowing them to showcase their combined and individual talents.  If you’re a …

The Police – Outlandos d’Amour

Late night & atmospheric effects often let me pick up radio stations from far away places like Minneapolis and Little Rock, Arkansas.  Minneapolis provided access to the Dr. Demento show, and Little Rock provided songs that were yet to hit the Manitoba airwaves. I used to leave the radio on …

Robin Trower – Bridge of Sighs

This one’s for all the guitar nuts out there!  Released in 1974, Robin Trower’s Bridge of Sighs absolutely gobsmacked the guitar loving me.  Trower’s guitar playing built off the hard blues rock of the early ’70’s with a strong Jimi Hendrix influence it seems to me, plus his time with …

Pacific Gas & Electric – Are You Ready

This is a good ol’ blues rocker of an album.  It’s largely cover material and quite typical of the time.  However, this is all about enjoyment of an album rather than where it ranks in originality.  For me, this is quite an enjoyable album.  If you’re a guitar nut, there’s …