Vinyl Rhetoric

With a career that spans some 40 years, the debut album by Cyndi Lauper was a smash. The first female debut album to chart four top five singles is remarkable. Selling more than 50 million albums and and 20 million singles this Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winning singer-songwriter is a joy to see live and sets a standard in music that people chase today. Please put your hands together and enjoy the music, and maybe the rhetoric.

For your pleasure today comes the Commodores. This is a Blob selection that may leave you wondering if he has hit his head or something. Not the case literally but with the recognition of the female persuation at this time in his life left him open to love, and the accompanying songs of the generation. Making it big after the addition of Lionel Ritchie and opening for the Jackson 5 this greatest hits displayes some of their best and most popular songs from funk to the love ballad. Hope you enjoy the music as much as the Blob does. If not for the music then the memories of coming of age.

Today Vinyl Rhetoric brings you the self titled album Eddie Money. This singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist features strong vocals and catchy rythyms. A transplant from Long Island to San Francisco,  Eddie Money soon began his career singing in clubs throughout the bay area. Hit songs like "Shakin", "Baby Hold On" and "Two Tickets to Paradise" would vault him to the top of the charts. We hope you enjoy this talented and fiery debut album from a real talent.

Although best known for songs like "Rock Candy", "Bad Motor Scooter", and "Space Station #5" this album was instrumental exploring jazz, rock and acoutic. Produced by the legendary Edgar Winter this offering departs from the usual rock style and presents another side of Montrose that may not have been as acclaimed as much of his later work with Gamma. Be assured that this is offering provides another side of a fantastic artist that left us to soon.

Today we present the Welsh outfit The Alarm. Originally formed as a punk band known as The Toilets in 1977 they soon changed their name. First to Quasimodo, then Seventeen. Under that moniker they opened for The Stray Cats during 1980. 1981 saw the debut of The Alarm which had by then become a more mainstream rock band. Touring with such acts as U2 in the mid eighties shot them into the mainstream. So lets hear the U2 'esque sound of The Alarm.

Formed in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1977 the surviving members, in 1979, became the Rossington Collins Band in an effort not to be seen and a reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd. Difficulties with health issues and personal tradegies, aside from the crash in '77, lead to the demise after just 2 albums. This is the Way is one of those two. Hope you find it musically different than what you might expect.

Our selection this afternoon is another quality Canadian group from the Toronto area.  Most known for its guitar-driven rock songs, such as "Lay It on the Line", "World of Fantasy", "Magic Power", and "Fight the Good Fight". With its progressive rock influences the group produced some rather unique music that did well globally. Some of this was also derived from the classical music style that guitarist Rik Emmet brought to the band. Because of this there is always one classical guitar solo piece on every album. Although criticized by the rock critics by 1978 they were playing to crowds in excess of 100,000. So sit back and and listen to Triumph.

Episode 35 is the Blobs pick. He moves away from the rock environment and back into his first audio enjoyment with a selection that takes him back to his childhood. For your listening enjoyment please welcome our first country choice with the talented fingerpicking style of Jerry Reed.

Tom asked for either Chicago V or II. We have V do we are going with that. Not having listened to any Chicago for many a year, it was nice to get back to some interesting music. I now recall why the were popular and why a variety of talent chose to work with the band. I think you'll pleasantly surprised by this album, I know I was. Tom....good call! Keep sending those requests. We appreciate them all for a number of reasons.

This 1984 release by The Time followed their previous two releases. In a funk pop and ballad style they were to gain much attention. Two of this albums songs were featured in the movie Purple Rain. It was also heavily played in the club scene of the times. Although a Kingcow pick the Blob has high praise for this release. Let's give it a listen, I think you will find it pleasurable.