Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Feb 6, 2006 10:48:44 GMT -5
I had intended on doing a Heart hat trick for awhile and since the 3 CD's in question are here on my desk (I'm at home), what better time!
And, as a sort of theme, my poll today will be Heart!
*NOTE* Now if you wanna get REALLY technical, this isn't a true hat trick-there IS one non compilation, non live album in between. Well, it's not a compilation of previous heard tracks. Heart had recorded one album, Dreamboat Annie, for a previous label and then moved on to Little Queen on Epic. After the success of that album, Mushroom, the previous label, put out of unreleased songs recorded while the band was with them (and had success with the song Heartless). So this album did interrupt the flow, but it was not an album the band intended to release.
Little Queen-They really exploded with this album, which is filled not only with hit singles, but also some great album tracks. This album could be called "Zeppelin does Renaissance music." It begins with the charging Barracuda, an homage to Zep's epic Achillie's Last Stand. This was loved on both sides of the dial. Kick it Out was another balls out rocker which could occasionally get rock radio play today. The title track is a sort of mini epic which get dreamy in the middle while the rest rocks pretty well, but not fast like the two previously mentioned songs. For me the highlight is Love Alive, a mostly slowed down ballad. This one builds up and eventually comes back down. Since I've gotten the CD for Christmas, I've found Say Hello to be another highlight. (BTW-the remastered version has an early take of Love Alive with different lyrics and a live take on Stairway to Heaven.)
Dog & Butterfly-At this point, I know half the 8 tracks. This album kicks off with a live track, Cook With Fire. I actually first learned this from a cover band that used to perform around here. Typical Heart and that's a good thing. After that, it goes into a pretty loud screamer, High Time. Probably the most well known track on the album is Straight On, which is similar to Little Queen in song structure. This still gets FM play today. The title track was another hit, although I never knew it until recent years (despite having their original hits collection since I was a teen). It's really a nice ballad (and a Martina McBride fave!
). (There is 3 bonus tracks now, including a live take on Heartless.)
Bebe Le Strange-This is another one I'm still learning. The title track is a great rocker, and it's become a real fave in recent years for me. Like Dog & Butterfly, I never knew it, despite having it on that collection. One of the reasons I wanted this CD was because my cousin mentioned the song Rockin' Heaven Down and I had never heard of it. It's not bad, but I think I need to give it more time to determine how much I like it. The big song here is Even it Up. I always lump this with Straight On as a sort of "second level" hit after their biggies (Crazy, Magic, Barracuda). (This has 2 bonus tracks, including a live take on one of the songs on the album.)
After these 3 huge albums, the band slipped into mediocracy for 2 albums in the early 80's. Nothing even gets played on the radio these days from Private Audition and Passionworks. (I know Kathyb has some faves on these 2 but maybe she could tell us where she ranks those 2 albums in relation to the hat trick albums.) It wasn't until 1985 when Heart signed up with Capital and released the HUGE self titled album that Heart was on top again.
And, as a sort of theme, my poll today will be Heart!
*NOTE* Now if you wanna get REALLY technical, this isn't a true hat trick-there IS one non compilation, non live album in between. Well, it's not a compilation of previous heard tracks. Heart had recorded one album, Dreamboat Annie, for a previous label and then moved on to Little Queen on Epic. After the success of that album, Mushroom, the previous label, put out of unreleased songs recorded while the band was with them (and had success with the song Heartless). So this album did interrupt the flow, but it was not an album the band intended to release.
Little Queen-They really exploded with this album, which is filled not only with hit singles, but also some great album tracks. This album could be called "Zeppelin does Renaissance music." It begins with the charging Barracuda, an homage to Zep's epic Achillie's Last Stand. This was loved on both sides of the dial. Kick it Out was another balls out rocker which could occasionally get rock radio play today. The title track is a sort of mini epic which get dreamy in the middle while the rest rocks pretty well, but not fast like the two previously mentioned songs. For me the highlight is Love Alive, a mostly slowed down ballad. This one builds up and eventually comes back down. Since I've gotten the CD for Christmas, I've found Say Hello to be another highlight. (BTW-the remastered version has an early take of Love Alive with different lyrics and a live take on Stairway to Heaven.)
Dog & Butterfly-At this point, I know half the 8 tracks. This album kicks off with a live track, Cook With Fire. I actually first learned this from a cover band that used to perform around here. Typical Heart and that's a good thing. After that, it goes into a pretty loud screamer, High Time. Probably the most well known track on the album is Straight On, which is similar to Little Queen in song structure. This still gets FM play today. The title track was another hit, although I never knew it until recent years (despite having their original hits collection since I was a teen). It's really a nice ballad (and a Martina McBride fave!
). (There is 3 bonus tracks now, including a live take on Heartless.)Bebe Le Strange-This is another one I'm still learning. The title track is a great rocker, and it's become a real fave in recent years for me. Like Dog & Butterfly, I never knew it, despite having it on that collection. One of the reasons I wanted this CD was because my cousin mentioned the song Rockin' Heaven Down and I had never heard of it. It's not bad, but I think I need to give it more time to determine how much I like it. The big song here is Even it Up. I always lump this with Straight On as a sort of "second level" hit after their biggies (Crazy, Magic, Barracuda). (This has 2 bonus tracks, including a live take on one of the songs on the album.)
After these 3 huge albums, the band slipped into mediocracy for 2 albums in the early 80's. Nothing even gets played on the radio these days from Private Audition and Passionworks. (I know Kathyb has some faves on these 2 but maybe she could tell us where she ranks those 2 albums in relation to the hat trick albums.) It wasn't until 1985 when Heart signed up with Capital and released the HUGE self titled album that Heart was on top again.
.So it has been quite awhile since I've heard the entire album. I have Barracuda and Little Queen on a mix tape and Love Alive on a mix CD. I really want to add this to my collection.
