Vol II, Issue 5 – Everybody needs a friend (15 Mar 2017)
Name of song– Everybody needs a friend
Band- Wishbone Ash
Album- Wishbone Four
Writer– Martin Turner
Release year– 1973
Similar artists– Blue Oyster Cult, Grand Funk Railroad, Ten Years After, Hawkwind, Argent
Everybody needs a friend
Reviewer- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
Whenever one recalls “Wishbone Ash’, one is reminded of the trademark harmonious twin lead guitars of Andy Powell and Ted Turner. One of the most influential British rock bands of the mid seventies balancing between hard rock and progressive rock, Wishbone Ash are still going strong despite numerous line-up changes. They have always maintained a cult status among classic rock fans and they have been a source of inspiration for various dual guitar bands including Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden.
Album- Greatest Hits (2000) / Hear in The Now Frontier (Re-issue 2003)
Writers– Scott Rockenfield, Geoff Tate
Release year– Greatest Hits (2000) / Hear in The Now Frontier (Re-issue 2003)
Similar artists– Dokken, Magnum, Dreamtheater
Chasing blue sky
Reviewer- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
For many metal fans, Queensryche may sound a pretty unfamiliar name. However, heavy metal would not be same, had it not been for Queensryche. They are the progressive heavy metal band formed in Washington in 1982. They are famous for their heavy metal concept album “Operation: Mindcrime” released in 1988, which is considered probably one of the greatest heavy metal concept album of all times. With various line up changes, they are still going strong till present and they have many albums to their name till date.
“Chasing blue sky” is one of their trade mark song taken from their compilation album-“Greatest Hits” released in 2000. This song was also released as the bonus track from the re-issue of their sixth studio 1997 album “Hear in the Now Frontier” in 2003. “Silent lucidity” from their second album “Empire” in 1990 is perhaps their most successful and well known song. However, when you have to choose, “Chasing blue sky” is also a very good contender.
The song opens up with the nice drum and rhythm, along with melodious guitar plucking. Geof Tate’s amazingly sweet husky voice then drives us into the frenzy. The song describes about ones’ own desire to be free and flow with time and nature along with your loved one. Although the lyrics is short, it is quite catchy and meaningful. The lead part of the song, which also melts along with the humming organ, is also so pleasant to our ears. The smooth melody, husky voice, soft rhythm, brilliantly built lead with organ, all contribute equally to make this song a wonderful piece of rock music.
Although Queensryche may not be every heavy metal lover’s household name, “Chasing blue sky” might perhaps be the song which every heavy metal connoisseur’s can savor. And never to forget, they do have their own contribution to the rock history.
Shakin’ time, she needs
Taking rides to somewhere
Let’s lose our minds, no hurry
I’m the wakeful night, with dreams or something
Chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Taking time from all this worry
Mesmerized by the waves of your smile
I wish that I could say something
But you’re the rose colored glass I see through
I’ll see you through
Chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Ohho, chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Chasing blue sky,
We’re chasing blue sky
Writers– John Bonham, Deniel Edwards, Jimmy Page, David Edward Sutch
Release year– 1970
Similar artists– Jeff beck, The Yardbirds, Cream, The Seeds
Cause I love you
Reviewer- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
Screaming Lord Sutch (David Edward Sutch) was an English musician with deep influence and involvement in mainstream politics. He had stood for numerous elections (with record of losing more than 40 times in the elections that he stood!) and was also the founder of a political party. As a musician, he had worked with a variety of Guitar Gods including Jeff beck, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, Ritchie Blackmore etc. Despite his associations with so many musical prodigies, he could never really make it big. However, he was famous for his horror themed stage shows and shock rock antics and numerous albums with his band “Savages”. One of his most famous single was “Jack the Ripper” which was covered by many bands including Link Wray, The White Stripes etc.
Vol II, Issue 2 – Stoned soul picnic (01 Feb 2017)
Name of song– Stoned soul picnic
Singer- Laura Nyro
Album- Eli & The 13th Confessions
Writer– Laura Nyro
Release year– 1968
Cover versions- The 5th Dimension, Roy Ayers, Swing Out Sister,
Similar artists– Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young
Resources– Wikipedia.org, Last.fm
Stoned soul picnic
Reviewer- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
Laura Nyro is an unfamiliar name for most of the rock enthusiasts. Born Laura Nigro in 1947 in New York, she had her musical career soaring from early childhood. Her poems were deeply regarded, her music highly acclaimed, and her songs were extensively sought after as well as covered. With her roots in jazz, soul, gospel, folk and rock, she clearly had her influence of her hometown, New York, in most of her recordings. She passed away at an early age of 49 years in 1997 with ovarian cancer, but has remained a source of inspiration for many rock enthusiasts as well as rock-stars.
Vol II, Issue 1 – Love you for a life time (15 Jan 2017)
Name of song- Love you for a life time
Band- The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Album- Fourplay
Writer- Hugh McKenna
Release year- 1977
Similar artists- David Bowie, Badfinger, Smokie, T. Rex
Love you for a life time
Reviewer-Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB) was one of the most popular bands to have come from Scotland. Started as an off shoot from a progressive rock band “Tear Gas”, SAHB was formed by Alexander James Harvey (1935-1982) in 1972 in the era of bloom of British glam rock. They were quite successful in Britain however they could not replicate the English success in US. They are particularly famous for their highly regarded albums and exciting live performances, especially during the seventies. Their most successful numbers include “Boston tea party”, “Delilah” (Originally by Tom Jones), “Midnight moses”, “Next”, “The faith healer”, “Love you for a life time” etc. They may have been a perhaps an underrated band, but they have definitely contributed immensely to the progressive development of seventies rock.
