The Outfield - Play Deep

As for debut records - this one is hard to beat in my book.  Of course there is Boston, Boston - that debut record may top them all, but this is pretty close.  And to me - it just screams summer.  Released in 1985 - it took off with Your Love (Josie's on a vacation far away) in the summer of 1986.  I saw The Outfield at a bar a few years ago.  They were great - but it was rather pitiful - they went from mid-eighties sold out arena rock to a half-empty bar near me.  This album is dangerously close to being on my top five deserted island records list.  There is not a bad cut on it.

David Cassidy - that's right. Any questions?

If I can post a post a Leif Garrett record (I did), then I can post a David Cassidy record too.  This one is called Cherish.  It was David's debut solo album - produced by Wes Farrell, on the Columbia-owned Bell Records, released in early 1972.  You readers will know I am a huge fan of the Wrecking Crew and guess what?  That's right - Hal Blaine drums on this record.  Max Bennett (look that guy up - what a track record he has!) is on bass throughout.  Rounding out the session lineup are: Louis Shelton, Tommy Tedesco, Larry Carlton, and Dennis Budimir – on various Guitars.

Name this Record - higher degree of difficulty.

This is the back cover of an album.  For most of you - this will be a bit tougher.

Here is the quiz:

• Name the band -
• Any band member -
• The album name -

Hint: it's a band named after the band leader.

Rare Earth - Get Ready and One World

Rare Earth - a white Motown band - they have a singing drummer.  So add this band to the list of that unique group.  Get Ready, their second album is on the left.  The photo on the right is the back cover of their 4th album - called One World, released in June 1971.  You will remember "I Just Want to Celebrate" which became a Top 10 Gold certified hit.  "One World", the album would become the 3rd and final Gold album from the ensemble. Those hits over the first 3 years of the decade insured that the band can still tour today, albeit on the oldies circuit. But Rare Earth made their mark.  On side two of Get Ready is Side two is the title track "Get Ready" (by Robinson) – the one and only song on that side, coming in at 21 and a half minutes.

Back in Black - 30th Anniversary:

1979’s Highway To Hell was big, their tour was a success.  Then the sad news of the tragic death of Bon Scott had died.   They considered chucking the whole thing, but figured Bon would want the band to play on.  Legendary produced Mutt Lange suggested Brian Johnson, as Bon's replacement.  They went to Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas.  "I'm a rolling thunder, pourin’ rain. I'm comin' down like a hurricane."   The final song written for the record was "Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution."  Finishing touches were made at Electric Lady Studios in New York.  The result was Back In Black.  The band lobbied for the record cover band name embossed only without any white outlines on the letters (not like the photo) so that with age - the cover would eventually be just all black.   But they later agreed to have the letters set with a thin grey border to appear around their logo.   On their supporting tour the summer of 1980 - they played "Back In Black", "Hells Bells", "What Do You Do For Money Honey", "You Shook Me All Night Long", "Let Me Put My Love Into You" and "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution."