Top 10 Aerosmith Deep Cuts

With new dates added  by popular demand at the MGM in Las Vegas , Aerosmith: the world's greatest American hard rock band is in no way ready to call it quits. With 46 years in the business in the books, it's hard to forget how many songs the band has penned during that timeline . Here at top 10 deep cuts that need further listening and/or need more recognition .



10. "Woman of the World" Get Your Wings  (1974)

 The closing track to side 1 on the bands stronger  sophomore album , the song was penned by Steven Tyler before he joined Aerosmith with his former band member of Chain Reaction Don Solomon. The song proves that Aerosmith can groove at any tempo . It's a groovy jam in A with a steady yet effective beat provided by Joey Kramer . Tyler's voice in particular shines on this track because he's all over the place with it (in a good way) he goes from soulful to scream so naturally and this song proves that he can be the so versatile .



9. "Hangman's Jury" Permanent Vacation (1987)

Done With Mirrors from 1985 was officially the first comeback album for Aerosmith after years of personal issues and drug and allchol problems were finally curbed , but Vacation really shot the band back into the limelight and fame . The song has catchy FM hits like Rag Doll and Angel , but this song is the standout . It shows that Aerosmith are firm deciples of the blues and their love for it . With Tyler's harmonica chops at the begging , the whole song is a great blues stomp and a damn good time.


8. "Movin Out" Aerosmith (1973)

The 7th song from the bands debut album , the song was created over a guitar lick Joe Perry would use use to warm up with . The song was recorded in the bands apartment on a waterbed at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston . Out of the gate , the band wanted to show that the blues was the greatest art form. You can really hear Joe Perry's influences of Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck both rhythmically and lead wise.


7. "Toy's in the Attic" Toys in the Attic (1975)
The opening title track to Aerosmith's 3rd album , the song kicks it into high gear with thumping guitars, drums, and bass . Musically , the song is defiantly a tip of the hat to early punk rockers Iggy Pop and the Stooges and The New York Dolls.


6. "Get the Lead Out" Rocks (1976)
 The funkiest and most groovin song from the bands masterpiece studio album is a testament to their legacy .Tyler singing with such swagger and the groovy guitar lick by Joe Perry and Brad Withford are just blissful . What's really the icing on the cake is that the guitar is tuned down a half step, which is unusual because with Tyler's vocal range , he can sing the dictionary and it would sound slick, but it works , because its Aerosmith.

5. "Eat The Rich" Get a Grip (1993)

By 1993, Grunge and alternative rock was becoming a force to be to reckon with . Bands like the Smashing Pumpkins released their landmark album Siamese Dream and grunge gods Pearl Jam with their sophomore album VS you couldn't escape the impact . Aerosmith came hitting hard with a song called "Eat the Rich".With the George of the Jungle like opening with maracas and Tyler's screams resembling a chimpanzee  , Perry's incredible riff and solo and even impressive drum chops from Joey Kramer, this song proved that Aerosmith were here to stay, no matter the decade.


4. "Let the Music do the Talking" Done With Mirrors (1985)

The bands comeback album from 1985 was the first new batch of material since the bands poorly received album Night In the Ruts and with the band fully clean and sober. This rocking jam in G with was originally composed by Joe Perry with his side band the Joe Perry Project when Aerosmith was on hiatus. Aerosmith's take is superior for obviously reasons . Tyler back with killer swag and vocals , and the standout is the slide guitar which was a real treat.

3. "No More No More" Toys In the Attic  (1975)

This Toys in the Attic gem is a favorite among loyal fans , including myself . The main reason for me why it stands out is the guitar work provided by Joe Perry .It combines an   arppegiated opening , then shuffles into a B blues and then alternating back to the arppegiated sequence. To top it off, the song is in a alternative tuning which is E5 in which the A string is tuned to B, and the D and G strings are tuned to be in unison to E.


2. "Adams Apple" Toys In the Attic (1975)

Quite possibly the best slide guitar work done by Joe Perry and Brad Withford . The song oozes classic Aerosmith. Tyler sings as narriator as the song is a play on the story of Adam and Eve and how both were tempted to eat the forbidden fruit . Of course , it's in true Aerosmith fashion that song is also hinting on love and lust , and it's perfect .

1. "Sick As a Dog" Rocks (1976)

Rocks , in its entirelty , is an album that shows the band at it's most raw and powerful . It is cited to many critics and fans as their finest work. The album was a key influence on fellow hard rock and Heavy Metal bands such as Guns N Roses, Metallica , and even Grunge gods Nirvana. This track is one of the most overlooked songs on the album and from the band in general . Tom Hamilton , who is the bassiest, plays the iconic opening riff which is heavy influenced by The Byrds . It has that jangly , arppegiated feel . Just everything about this song musically perfect , The band is so tight and play so raw, it's more of a garage jam than a studio recording , and it's Aerosmith's cream of the crop.

American Recordings: Jonny Cash's stripped down masterpiece

The year is 1994. Grunge and 90's alternative is at the top of it's game. Bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Weezer were ruling the airwaves. Then on April 26th of that year , the unthinkable happened . Producer Rick Rubin, who was known for producing the Red Hot Chili Pepper's landmark album Blood, Sugar, Sex, and Magik, and Tom Petty's sophomore album Wildflowers made the album that bought The Man In Black back into the limelight . That album is American Recordings.


By 1994, Cash was 62. His record sales in the late 70's and throughout the 80's were at a decline . Despite being a member of the country supergroup the Highwaymen with fellow country legends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson , Cash's solo work had been quiet . But no one knew Johnny Cash's music more than Rick Rubin. For the recording process , Rubin allowed Cash to record in his living room with his Martin guitar, and that is the reason why this album has aged like a fine wine . It's Cash, his haunting and beautiful baritone vocals, and his guitar. That's the magic behind this album .





 The whole album is a masterpiece, but if we're going to pick out key tracks , my two picks are "Delia's Gone" (which Cash previously recorded ) and "The Beast in Me"

Cash's songwriting is so prolific and it shows in both of the tracks . "Delia's Gone" lyrics are so unlike Cash, but he makes it work. Cash plays the role of a husband who would of had Delia as a wife, if he didn't find her in a saloon and shot her down. With lyrics like "First time I shot her, I shot her in the side. It was hard to watch her suffer , but with the second shot she died." only Cash would make violent intentions musically fitting .


"The Beast in Me" was written by Cash's son in law Nick Lowe, but Cash made it his own . With it's lyrics of pain and sorrow , it fit Cash. Cash isn't afraid of pain and sorrow, with the lost of his older brother when he was younger and years of drug and alcohol abuse .


American Recordings is one Johnny Cash's most intimate as a songwriter . It's Cash at his rawest , both lyrically and musically. It's a testament to his legacy, his fans , and it's one of his best studio albums ever.

Greta Van Fleet:Where do I stand ?

Rock N Roll in 2019 , let alone almost for the entire past decade, the community has been all over the spectrum.. Bands like the Foo Fighters, Green Day (with 2016's amazing LP Revolution Radio), and with The Black Keys finally releasing new material since 2014, they're keeping rock n roll alive .


Out of left field back in 2017 came a band called Greta Van Fleet . With the release of their EP Black Smoke Rising( Ep standing for extended play , which is only 3-5 songs so not quite an album), the most standout composition was "Highway Tune " the single that made the Billboard mainstream rock stations in September of 2017. When I first heard it, I thought "Whoa! Led Zeppelin made a new song ?  I wasn't alone .

Greta Van Fleet was formed out of Frankenmuth, Michigan and consists of vocalists Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka, and drummer Danny Wagner. As if my comment above didn't give it away , the band is heavy influenced if not clones of Led Zeppelin. With Jake's Jimmy Page like distorted , heavy, and bluesy guitar hooks and riffs  and Josh's vocals being so close to Robert Plant's howl, the band quickly drew fans and critiques apart . The main debates about this band are as follows : Keeping rock n roll alive ? Or be original and creative . I'm here to give my two cents.


As I said earlier, it's no secret that GVF is heavily influenced on Led Zeppelin . Part of me is happy knowing that kid's my age appreciate the great Led Zep. However, it's one thing to sound exactly like them . This is where I stand 50/50. To see a band play with actual instruments in this day and age, let alone musicianship is something I tip my hat off to . However, as much as I love Led Zeppelin, we don't need another one . Now granted , it's been said and proven that some of Led Zeppelin's greatest songs have been copied and re-written from blues legends of the past . Most notable "Whole Lotta Love" being inspired and copied by Muddy Water's "You Need Love." However, after Zep's two first landmark albums , they went on to create their own sound . This is where  I agree with the other side . If GVF want to become a successful band and have a devoted following , they need to develop their own unique sound and make it their own and to prove that rock is alive and running well . With only one full LP in their catalog Anthem of the Peaceful Army, I hope the band can really dig deep and find themselves . They got the talented for sure. Now make it your own.

Top 10 forgotten/underrated Beatles songs

What hasn't been said about The Beatles already ? They are hailed as the greatest rock n roll band to and changed the landscape for popular music as we know it. However, with most FM classic rock stations , lots of The Fab Four's most popular hits are constantly rotated. Why not dive deep into the bands catalog to find 10 of the most forgotten, or more appropriately ,underrated Beatles songs.


10. "It Won't Be Long"  With The Beatles (1963) 

"It Won't Be Long " is the brilliant opening track for The Beatles 1963 sophomore album With The Beatles. The song was written  by John Lennon , with help from Paul Mccartney. The use of the phrase yeah is used during the opening harmonies by Mccartney and Harrison which were used on their masterpiece 'She Loves You." Written as a love song, the song lyrics can be traced back to Lennon's childhood . Lennon lost his mother in a fatal car crash at age 9, and his father leaving him. This song is a reflection on his rejection and abandonment .Musically , the song uses great use of major and minor chords, along with sharp 7's , a common theme that would be use later on other recordings .


9.  "I Need You" Help! (1965)

Written by George Harrison for their 1965 album Help!,  it is a beautifully melodic love song for Harrison's future wife Patti Boyd. What makes this song stand out is the Vox overdub pedal Harrison used to record his rhythm guitar part, which is commonly known now as the wah wah pedal. For Harrison's first time out as a songwriter , it's a fabulous start .

8."I'm Only Sleeping" Revolver (1966)

Written entirely by Lennon, his original draft for the song was titled "I'm sleeping" which was scratched on the back of a letter from the post office and was a reminder that he owed 12 pounds and three shillings for a phone bill . With it's carefree lyrics such as "Everybody seems to think I'm lazy, I don't mind I think they're crazy" it was Lennon's love for his bed. But most importantly, it was his about his troubles and worries about the Beatles . To cope, he would spend countless hours inside and just lazy around his house in Kenwood .Worrying aside, it's safe to say that this track is very playful and a real gem off of Revolver.

9. "For No One" Revolver (1966)

Sir Paul's shining moment from the LP, the song is crafted beautifully thanks to the haunting melody and the superb horn section played by Alan Civil . Mccartney wrote the song while on holiday with then girlfriend Jane Asher . The lyrical content is a flashback on their relationship , and how love can disappear after a period of time; which is scary and can happen in any relationship .

8. "I'm Looking Through You" Rubber Soul  (1965)

From their 1965 LP masterpiece, this song is another composition by Mccarntey and is targeted around his relationship with Jane Asher. Paul was the romantic of the group, and this song showed that he can write love songs from any point of view . It showed Mccarntey at his most bitter lyrically . He was having a hard time coping with the fact that Jane put her career first before her relationship . What drives the greatness for the song, in my opinion , the acoustic guitar work and melody.

7. "You Can't Do That" A Hard Day's Night  (1964)

Written entirely by John , as was most of the songs on the LP (he would contribute 10 out the 13 tracks) the idea was to write the song in the style of the great Wilson Pickett ,the legendary American R&B artist at the time . Musically , the song shows Lennon playing lead , and marked the first time George Harrison played the now iconic 12-string Rickenbacker guitar . Most if not all pop songs revolve around major chords and major changes . Lennon changed that with his iconic intro for this track by adding a minor second into a rock song, which at the time was unheard of .

6 "Tell Me Why" A Hard Days Night (164)
Another classic from the LP, the song was written for there to be an "upbeat" number for the concert sequence in the film . John had the Chiffons or the Shirelles in mind when penning it . It's classic John . His girl lied to him and cries and cries . He appeals to the girl that he will put it right .

5."Please Please Me" Please Please Me (1963)
With major hits like I Saw Her Standing There , the band's cover of Twist and Shout, and Love Me Do as the driving lead single , this song is always overlooked on the bands strong opening LP. The song has everything going for it. Guitars and backing vocals harmonizing perfectly , the woo' and ahh's, and the classic harmonica opening played by John . The Beatles have stated their love for American rock n roll and their admiration for Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, This was written with the vision of Roy Orbison singing this iconic song, thanks to John's countless plays of Orbison's "Only the Lonely."

4. "Dear Prudence" The Beatles (White Album) (1968)
 My all time favorite Lennon piece that he wrote with The Beatles . The second song on the White Album ,  this song is driven by Lennon's then newly acquired guitar technique  from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan; Travis Picking . Travis Picking is a style of guitar in which you use your thumb to pluck the lower E string and use your index and middle fingers to pluck the high b and e strings . The other fingers can be use to play strings on off beats. This song also showed the bands musical capabilites . George Harrison's flowing bass line , and Paul's impressive drumming chops he provided to fill in for Ringo Starr, who temporally  left the group due to constant fighting and tension while recording the album .

3. "I've Just Seen A Face" Help! (1965)
Paul has been playing this tune on piano for quite some time and the tune goes back to when he would play it at family gatherings in Liverpool . It was originally titled "Auntie Gin's Theme" after his aunt . What makes this track shine is the opening guitar line, being played all over the neck and a great chord progression that drives the verses . It's one of the few Beatles songs Paul would play with the Wings in live shows.

2. Happiness is A Warm Gun" The Beatles (White Album) (1968)
Regarded as Lennon's best Beatles compositions, this song again shows the Travis picking guitar style that Donovan taught the band . The song title is based on images from an acid trip Lennon had at house that Derek Taylor and friends were renting , and from a cover of an American gun magazine cover with the issue titled "Happiness is a warm gun in your hand." The "man in the crowd with multi-coloured mirrors on his hobnail boots" came from John reading a newspaper article about a soccer fan having toe caps on his shoes to look up girls. The song's highlight is the ballad type chords played on the closing verses and the ironic "bang bang shoot shoot" backing vocals .

1. "I Want to Tell You" Revolver (1966)
This track is my personal favorite on Revolver and my favorite Harrison composed song he wrote with the band. George wrote the song as a way of expressing frustrations and statements to say but having a hard time articulating them . The song can be thought of as a love song, since we can all relate to wanting to tell someone we like them, but can't quite find the words to say. The highlight for me in this tune is Harrison's melodic and repeating guitar lick in they key of A.

My tribute to Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman (1947-2017) Farewell to the Midnight Rider

BY: Ethan Herzinger 

Above is a tribute for Gregg Allman that I wrote for my previous college , The College of Saint Rose. I'll have  an original piece up by tomorrow , but I just wanted to post this so you guys can get a feel for what I will be writing about . ENJOY!

EH

  

Gregg Allman, lead singer of Southern Rock’s most influential and  co- founder of the Allman Brothers Band, died of of liver cancer failure this spring  on May 27th, 2017.
Born on December 8th, 1947 in Nashville, Gregg Allman was the youngest child in the Allman family. His older brother Duane, who was the founder of the Allman’s as well as the lead slide guitarist, was born a year earlier in 1946. After moving to Jacksonville, Florida, Allman was influenced by music at an early age, thanks to his older brother having a guitar lying around the house.
Allman and his brother were eventually acquainted with music and formed two bands prior to the Allman Brothers called The Allman Joys and Hour Glass. However, it all came together for Alman in 1969, when the Allman Brothers band was formed and their first album, their self titled debut, The Allman Brothers Band  was released.
What made the band stand out from the rest of the bands on the circuit, was that the Allman’s were influenced by many genres including blues, gospel, soul, and jazz. Gregg’s voice particularly shines on his own composition “Not My Cross to Bear.” With Gregg’s opening blues screech and Duane’s slide playing in the key of B, you knew these guys meant business.
Allman has been called the best White blues singer of the 20th century and for good reason. His voice absolutely shined on the Allman brothers first live album Live At the Fillmore East .
When his brother Duane died in a motorcycle accident on October 29th, 1971, life for the Allman’s seemed short. However, with the release of 1972’s posthumous album without founder Duane, Eat a Peach, the band was back on top of their game if not better than before. Gregg’s voice particularly shines on the bluesy live take on “One Way Out”, when the band stops and Gregg’s voice does improvisation , and his own composition , “Melissa” .
Allman however also had a successful solo career with his 1973 solo masterpiece, Laid Back, which includes his best version of Midnight Rider and a cover of Jackson Browne’s These Days.  
The rock community mourned on May 27th, 2017 when news of his passing was released. I, personally, was extremely crushed. I loved the Allman’s from a young age, and was inspired by Greg’s singing and the band’s guitar work. I was very fortunate and blessed to have seen the Allman’s play their final show at the Beacon Theater in New York City on October 14th, 2015.
Gregg Allman , the greatest southern rock blues singer who has ever lived , will never been forgotten, You are free from the Whipping Post. Fly high, you midnight rider.