Three for the Ride: Styx, Alice Cooper, Prince

Some days, I take the train to work. Other days, I drive. Either way, I listen to music on the way. I put the iPhone music player on shuffle, and off I go. Calling my collection eclectic would be an understatement. It's often an interesting mix. There are songs though, that I really wish the world could appreciate as much as I do. Songs that make me say, "Ooh, listen to THIS! Isn't it great?!"

Here's what I heard this morning:

Styx: "Pieces of Eight"
I might be one of the only people alive who turn the radio station when "Come, Sail Away" is played. I think the only song I hate more than that is Styx's "Babe." So, I can't tell you how or why I ended up with a copy of Pieces of Eight (1978) except that it must have been through one of those damned record clubs. That said, I love this record and I think it stands out in Styx's catalog. Dennis DeYoung is the band's primary singer, yet oddly, my favorite songs on this record are the ones that Tommy Shaw or James Young sing. That said, this song, sung by Dennis DeYoung may not be my favorite song on the record, but it's close. And I also like "I'm O.K.", another of DeYoung's tracks on the record.



Alice Cooper: "The Awakening"
In 1975, Alice Cooper released Welcome to My Nightmare, a masterpiece produced by Bob Ezrin. This is one of my favorite tracks on it. I have no idea what the song is about. It's so dark and so beautiful at the same time. I love the range it shows in Alice's voice and the sound of the piano and the guitars. It's a short one, but a great one. By the way, ignore the video and listen to the song.



Prince: "When Doves Cry"
Purple Rain was released in 1984 as the soundtrack for the movie of the same name. There were a lot of hits on that record, and Prince had finally broken through into the mainstream. This was the first single from that record and it was #1 on every relevant US chart, including Billboard's Hot 100. Rolling Stone eventually listed the song as #52 of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. I dont' know that I'd go THAT far, but I like it.

Unfortunately, Prince's stuff isn't as readily available. (In other words, it's not on YouTube.) But, here's a link to the video

Until next time...

Three from the Train: Wendy and Lisa, The Beatles, Ramones

Wendy and Lisa: "Crack in the Pavement"
OK, I'm gonna get grief for this. Wendy and Lisa are an example of the chicken/egg paradox. I really appreciate what Prince has accomplished as an artist. But none of his stuff (with maybe the exception of the Purple Rain soundtrack) appeals to me as much as Wendy and Lisa's 1990 album, Eroica. There are songs on this record that are devastating. And in listening to the sound of this record, it begs the question, who had the bigger influence on whom? I KNOW that it's blasphemy to suggest that Prince wasn't the bigger influence, but I'm not convinced that it couldn't have been the other way around. Either way, enjoy this track and please, check out the rest of this record.



The Beatles: "She's A Woman"
Released Thanksgiving, 1964, "She's a Woman" was the b-side of the "I Feel Fine" single. It wouldn't show up on an album until Past Masters Volume 1, released in 1988. The song did appear briefly in the movie, HELP! What stood out to me, this morning, was Paul's killer vocal on the song and his piano part in the background.



Ramones: "Commando"
First rule is: Listen to Ramones
Second rule is: Like Ramones
Third rule is: Listen to More Ramones
Fourth rule is: Repeat.
Originally from 1977's Leave Home (the version I heard this morning), Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Ramones "Commando" live...