As expected...
a little sumthin-sumthin about Boston...
I think I mentioned that the first lead singer of Boston, Brad Delp, just died last week and after reading such a lovingly written post from owlyfriend, I was inspired to go out and buy the recently remastered CD.
Now I have heard tracks from this album since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I have a VERY vivid memory of listening to "Foreplay/Long Time" while playing four-square in my back yard with three other neighbor girls. The music was coming from the house next door and the boys that were playing it would pop their heads over the fence every now and then and yell "Boston RULES!" at us. But I had never actually ever purchased the album. So many of the songs just get so much play on the classic rock stations that I never thought to have it at home. In fact, part of the reason I never got it is the fact that, although I know 6 or the 8 songs on the album... I never new most of their names. The only songs I recognized on the CD cover were "More Than A Feeling" and "Peace of Mind".
As I played the album all the way through for the first time, I kept yelling at M, "OH I KNOW THIS SONG!" (I had headphones on.) It's easy to see why it is in the list of 1001 Albums to listen to. It is an amazing collection of arena rock songs that just make you feel good. The full sound of the tracks and tracks of guitar layered one upon the other is amazing. It makes you remember what ROCK is. It's fun, sunshine, good times, freedom. When I took the headphones off and played the album out loud again, M said, "It's sooooo summer." It is too.
I don't think I've heard a Boston song without Brad Delp's voice. The only other Boston purchase I have ever made was the 1986 single "Amanda" which I have on 45 rpm. That's the last album that he recorded with them. I can't imagine what it would be like. Just like Journey without Steve Perry or Van Halen without David Lee Roth... I can't see how it would work.
Anyway, I just realized that I never read the blurb in the 1001 Albums book, I don't know what's more to say. Boston IS classic rock. Personally, it was a big part of my childhood and teenage years. (How 'bout driving at 85mph down 805 basting "Peace of Mind" in my '65 Mustang?!) Now, it's more than just old memories, it's just as fresh and fun and powerful sounding as it was then. Rock ON!
... and here's a look back... Boston in 1976...
I think I mentioned that the first lead singer of Boston, Brad Delp, just died last week and after reading such a lovingly written post from owlyfriend, I was inspired to go out and buy the recently remastered CD.
Now I have heard tracks from this album since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I have a VERY vivid memory of listening to "Foreplay/Long Time" while playing four-square in my back yard with three other neighbor girls. The music was coming from the house next door and the boys that were playing it would pop their heads over the fence every now and then and yell "Boston RULES!" at us. But I had never actually ever purchased the album. So many of the songs just get so much play on the classic rock stations that I never thought to have it at home. In fact, part of the reason I never got it is the fact that, although I know 6 or the 8 songs on the album... I never new most of their names. The only songs I recognized on the CD cover were "More Than A Feeling" and "Peace of Mind".
As I played the album all the way through for the first time, I kept yelling at M, "OH I KNOW THIS SONG!" (I had headphones on.) It's easy to see why it is in the list of 1001 Albums to listen to. It is an amazing collection of arena rock songs that just make you feel good. The full sound of the tracks and tracks of guitar layered one upon the other is amazing. It makes you remember what ROCK is. It's fun, sunshine, good times, freedom. When I took the headphones off and played the album out loud again, M said, "It's sooooo summer." It is too.
I don't think I've heard a Boston song without Brad Delp's voice. The only other Boston purchase I have ever made was the 1986 single "Amanda" which I have on 45 rpm. That's the last album that he recorded with them. I can't imagine what it would be like. Just like Journey without Steve Perry or Van Halen without David Lee Roth... I can't see how it would work.
Anyway, I just realized that I never read the blurb in the 1001 Albums book, I don't know what's more to say. Boston IS classic rock. Personally, it was a big part of my childhood and teenage years. (How 'bout driving at 85mph down 805 basting "Peace of Mind" in my '65 Mustang?!) Now, it's more than just old memories, it's just as fresh and fun and powerful sounding as it was then. Rock ON!
... and here's a look back... Boston in 1976...