Great Bands - By Moses
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Vocalists – Bob Marley
Peter Tosh (Macintosh)
Albums
1. Kaya – Stir it Up, Get Up Stand Up, Buffalo Soldier
2. Uprising – Redemption Song
3. Legend – Greatest Hits Compilation
The greatest Reggae band of all-time is Marley and the Wailers.
Bob Marley was (and still is) considered the most recognizable Reggae musician. His brilliant songwriting and lyrics are the result of his upbringing as a poor boy growing up in Jamaica. ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ and ‘Buffalo Soldier’ recount the fighting within his native Jamaica when Marley was a child, the result of a Dutch Colony that was controlling Jamaica at the time whose leader was Michael Manley. The Wailers were extremely influential in the underground upheaval of the British/Dutch regime bringing Jamaica a true democracy.
‘Redemption Song’ Marley’s greatest musical accomplishment, is a true cry for Freedom and brought to light social inequities.
Marley and Tosh complicated each-other well. Marley was harmony and Tenor, while Tosh was baritone. In Soul Shakedown, Tosh’s vocals in ‘Stop the Train’ add a dimension to the Wailers that few Reggae artists had, a second lead vocals. ‘Duppy Conqueror’ (my favorite Wailers tune), is a masterpiece detailing the ways of the world. ‘The bars could not own me, force could not control me. They tried to keep me down. They tried to push me around. I’m crying.’
Known as a practicing Rustafarian Bob Marley was a true diplomat, and his band took a lot of negative press in North America for their views. For this I would have to say that the Wailers are the most influential band of all-time. It was during an interview with the C.B.C (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) that the question of marijuana use was asked by the broadcaster. Marley was even keel when he said ‘it is part of Rustafarian custom’. The broadcaster was floored that Marley could take such a stance. Marley ended looking like the sane one (I’ll take honesty over passive aggression any day).
The Beatles
Drummer – Ringo Starr
Bass – Paul McCartney
Rythem Guitar – George Harrison/John Lennon
Lead Guitar - George Harrison/John Lennon
Producer and Audion Engineer – George Martin
The Beatles were an underground band in Hamburg, Germany when they put together their first record ‘Love Me Do’, second record ‘Please, Please Me’ and third record ‘Twist and Shout’ – all written by Lennon/McCartney. Their records sold like crazy in Europe and North America. This breakthrough came in 1962. In early 1964 the Beatles toured North America and were introduced to many Americans on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ upon arriving in America in late ‘63. They became a mainstream band through this tour, officially starting the British Invasion (alongside the Rolling Stones and the Dave Clark Band among others).
When they took to the studio again in late 1964 they put together ‘Rubber Soul’ (title track – Eleanor Rigby) and was considered their best studio recording to date. ‘Rubber Soul’ carried a classic strings section, the first Rock and Roll Band to implement overtures of classical music. This led them to ‘Abbey Road’ in 1966. This album carried a number of fictitious characters such as ‘Mean Mister Mustard’, ‘Polythene Pam’, and ‘Maxwell Silver Hammer’. Not only did music critics rave about the style of writing but also at George Harrison’s ballad ‘Here Comes the Sun’, and Paul McCartney’s raspy voice in ‘Oh Darling’ (the rumor there was that McCartney screamed at the top of his lungs for three hours to get that effect)., and McCartney’s songwriting in ‘Hey Jude’.
Their next critically successful album was ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. The title track is considered many to be their time of pinnacle (‘Yesterday’ was on this album – originally titled ‘Scrambled Eggs’ and written on Piano).
The band worked harmoniously through the years. John Lennon and Paul McCartney teamed as a songwriting duo unsurpassed. George Harrison provided a second element of songwriting that complimented Lennon/McCartney, and Ringo Starr was a recognizable figure throughout their years together.
Pink Floyd
Bassist – Nick Mason
Lead Vocalist – Roger Waters
Lead and Rythem Guitar – David Gilmour
Drummer – Various
Producer and Engineer – James Guthrie
Signature Albums
1. Animals (1972)
2. Wish You Were Here (1974)
3. Darkside of the Moon (1976)
4. The Wall (1978)
5. The Final Cut (1981)
Guthrie did most recording at -20 to -40 dbu. This added the element of depth to the recordings that many people confuse with the element of reverb. By recording at low line levels, peak levels carried that much more impact on vinyl.
‘Wish You Were Here’ – ‘Welcome to the Machine’ was the first cut on this album and showcases Waters vocal range and sets the stage of the record. The next track is ‘Have a Cigar’, and is one of Gilmour’s greatest riffs (notable others - ‘Dirty Woman’ and ‘Run Like Hell’). In ‘Have a Cigar’ Guthrie probably recorded on an AKG 414 with Guthrie dampening his guitar by recording at low-line level with steel plate reverb and shine at 2 kilo-hertz. ‘Wish You Were Here’, the title track, is probably their greatest ballad. ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’ is an extension of the flow of the record.
Dark Side of the Moon was Floyd’s most successful album on the charts remaining in the top 10 in England for six years. The tracks ‘Money’, and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ were the best known from this record, likewise was ‘Dirty Woman’ which some consider among the most brilliant guitar work ever put out, done by the master David Gilmour.
‘The Wall’ will probably be remembered as Pink Floyd’s signature album. It was made on both audio and video platforms, as Alan Parker directed the movie ‘The Wall’ (the lead character played by Bob Geldoff).
This album carries classical themes throughout and is probably Floyd’s greatest musical accomplishment. ‘Run Like Hell’ comes to mind when I think of this album. The movie depicted Waters’ character shaven head to toe in utter shellshock.
The Final Cut was Roger Waters last Album with Pink Floyd. It had classical overtures, similar to ‘The Wall’. One conspicuous Waters Lyric ‘That’s the only time I can really speak to you.’ ‘A memory that is too painful to relive the light of day.’ Is another vivid lyric on the album. My favorite track off the Final Cut would have to be ‘Paranoid Eyes’.
Led Zeppelin
Lead Vocalist – Robert Plant
Guitarist – Jimmy Page
Bassist – John Paul Jones
Drummer – John Bonham
Defining Albums
1. Led Zeppelin 1
2. Led Zeppelin 2
3. Led Zeppelin 3
4. Led Zeppelin 4
5. Houses of the Holy
Defining Tracks – Over the Hills and Far Away, Many Times Been Bitten, Cashmere, Immigrant Song, Whole Lotta Love, Ramble On, Gallows’ End, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Stairway to Heaven, Houses of the Holy, Fool in the Rain
The sound of Led Zeppelin pierced through to the listener as the first real ‘Power Rock’ band. With Paul and Bonham setting a hard rhythmic percussion on the 2 and 4 beats of 4/4 time (the downbeats), this unique sound defined Zeppelin as a pioneer of what many now consider ‘Grunge’.
With Jimmy Page (recruited from the Yardbirds), Zeppelin had one of the best guitarists ever. Page and Plant were masters with respect to songwriting and lyrics, and seemingly pushed the boundary of what was acceptable on the airwaves (notably a seven minute song ‘Stairway to Heaven’ getting airplay to no end when it was released).
In their signature to the music world, Zeppelin 4, the ballad ‘Stairway to Heaven’ appeared and was critically acclaimed. The cuts ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ reaffirmed Zeppelin as the new leader in Metal/Hard Rock.
Considering that they were a mainstay as a band for over 10 years indicates that they fulfilled their promise. It’s still a sour spot to most Rock and Roll fans as to what might have been had John Bonham not passed on suddenly during their prime.
U2
Artists – Bono –Vocals and Lyricist
Edge – Guitarist and Songwriter
Albums that are defining of their music;
1) Boy
2) War – Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day
3) The Joshua Tree – Where the Streets Have No Name, If I Could, With or Without You
4) Rattle and Hum – Desire, When Love Comes to Town
5) Achtung Baby – She Moves in Mysterious Ways, One
U2 is widely considered the greatest band of our day. In the early 80’s they released their critically acclaimed albums ‘Boy’ and ‘War’. Bono’s performance in Band Aid was definitely the cry heard loudest ‘Well tonight Thank G-d it’s them, instead of you.’
By the mid-eighties, through U2’s release of ‘The Joshua Tree’ they proclaimed themselves as a polished sound, with releases ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, and ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’.
Bono and Edge have combined as an unparalleled modern day songwriting duo in the mold of Lennon/McCartney.
The albums ‘Rattle and Hum’ and ‘Achtung Baby’ just reiterated their professionalism. Always looking for that next sound has made U2 the success that they are. When B.B King played alongside U2 in ‘When Love Comes to Town’ he put it best regarding Bono by saying ‘His lyrics are years ahead of his age’.
The Rolling Stones
Lead Vocalist – Mick Jagger
Lead Guitarist – Ron Wood
Rythem Guitarist – Keith Richards
Bassist – Bill Wyman
Drummer – Charlie Watts
Producer – Phil Spector
Defining Albums
1. Let it Bleed – Sympathy for the Devil, You Can’t Always Get What You Want
2. Sticky Fingers – Honky Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar
3. Tatoo You – Start Me Up, Beast of Burden, Little T and A, Waiting on a Friend
The staying power of the ‘Stones is unsurpassed. The Rolling Stones started up in 1964 (around the time of the Beatles) and they’re still going strong. When the ‘Stones released ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction’, they established themselves as one of the top bands globally.
Before Ron Wood, the ‘Stones lead guitarist was Mick Taylor, and although Taylor was instrumental in the bands’ success, he was dropped. Wood came around 1972 for the studio album ‘Let it Bleed’ on the suggestion of Keith Richards (who admired Wood). It was at this time when the ‘Stones went from Rock and Roll stars to the ‘Bad Boys’ of the Rythem and Blues scene.
Mick Jagger is probably the most recognizable front-man of all-time (next to Bob Marley), and provides excellent showmanship as a performer. Keith Richards and Ron Wood have teamed as a great ‘axe’ team, as evidenced in ‘Sticky Fingers’ – a Blues inspired album (Honky Tonk Woman and Brown Sugar come to mind).
By the time ‘Tatoo You’ came out ‘The Stones’ had reached critical acclaim as a band that never commercialized. ‘Tatoo You’ was an album in which Keith Richards shined. His guitar work in ‘Beast of Burden’ was brilliant. In ‘Little T and A’ and ‘You Shouldn’t Take it so Hard’ Richards sang lead vocals and more than held his own. Due to their commitment to the Blues, including ‘Symapthy for the Devil’ the music is what defines the ‘Stones’.
AC/DC
Lead Vocalists – Bond Scott/Brian Johnson
Lead Guitar – Angus Young
Rythem Guitar – Malcolm Young
Defining Albums
1. Dirty Deeds – Dirty Deeds, Sink the Pink
2. Highway to Hell – Ride On, Highway to Hell
3. Back in Black – Back in Black, You Shook Me All Night Long
4. Who Made Who – Who Made Who, DT, For Those About to Rock We Salute You
When AC/DC started out they were a true Rock and Roll band. It was about sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll. Their first lead vocalist, Bond Scott, was the defining image and persona of the band. In their sound, AC/DC employed an edge in guitar-work by the ultra-talented Angus Young. Make no mistake though, this was Scott’s band. Putting out ‘Dirty Deeds’ made them synonomous as ‘Rockers’, however, it wasn’t until they released ‘Highway to Hell’ that they were recognized as being among the elite (Touring as the opening act for Triumph in a worldwide tour).
The band pulled together in 1983 and brought in a fresh new voice to their music. Most thought Scott was irreplaceable. When Brian Johnson joined the band they decided to pay homage to Bond Scott and his craft, and AC/DC put out the critically acclaimed ‘Back in Black’. Johnson did his part, however surprisingly it was Angus Young who became the leader of the band. To this day Angus is considered one of the greatest guitarists ever, playing a bluesy lead to such classics ‘Hells Bells’ and ‘Who Made Who’, likewise his guitar-work in ‘DT’, ‘Back in Black’ and Highway to Hell’.
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Vocalists – Bob Marley
Peter Tosh (Macintosh)
Albums
1. Kaya – Stir it Up, Get Up Stand Up, Buffalo Soldier
2. Uprising – Redemption Song
3. Legend – Greatest Hits Compilation
The greatest Reggae band of all-time is Marley and the Wailers.
Bob Marley was (and still is) considered the most recognizable Reggae musician. His brilliant songwriting and lyrics are the result of his upbringing as a poor boy growing up in Jamaica. ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ and ‘Buffalo Soldier’ recount the fighting within his native Jamaica when Marley was a child, the result of a Dutch Colony that was controlling Jamaica at the time whose leader was Michael Manley. The Wailers were extremely influential in the underground upheaval of the British/Dutch regime bringing Jamaica a true democracy.
‘Redemption Song’ Marley’s greatest musical accomplishment, is a true cry for Freedom and brought to light social inequities.
Marley and Tosh complicated each-other well. Marley was harmony and Tenor, while Tosh was baritone. In Soul Shakedown, Tosh’s vocals in ‘Stop the Train’ add a dimension to the Wailers that few Reggae artists had, a second lead vocals. ‘Duppy Conqueror’ (my favorite Wailers tune), is a masterpiece detailing the ways of the world. ‘The bars could not own me, force could not control me. They tried to keep me down. They tried to push me around. I’m crying.’
Known as a practicing Rustafarian Bob Marley was a true diplomat, and his band took a lot of negative press in North America for their views. For this I would have to say that the Wailers are the most influential band of all-time. It was during an interview with the C.B.C (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) that the question of marijuana use was asked by the broadcaster. Marley was even keel when he said ‘it is part of Rustafarian custom’. The broadcaster was floored that Marley could take such a stance. Marley ended looking like the sane one (I’ll take honesty over passive aggression any day).
The Beatles
Drummer – Ringo Starr
Bass – Paul McCartney
Rythem Guitar – George Harrison/John Lennon
Lead Guitar - George Harrison/John Lennon
Producer and Audion Engineer – George Martin
The Beatles were an underground band in Hamburg, Germany when they put together their first record ‘Love Me Do’, second record ‘Please, Please Me’ and third record ‘Twist and Shout’ – all written by Lennon/McCartney. Their records sold like crazy in Europe and North America. This breakthrough came in 1962. In early 1964 the Beatles toured North America and were introduced to many Americans on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ upon arriving in America in late ‘63. They became a mainstream band through this tour, officially starting the British Invasion (alongside the Rolling Stones and the Dave Clark Band among others).
When they took to the studio again in late 1964 they put together ‘Rubber Soul’ (title track – Eleanor Rigby) and was considered their best studio recording to date. ‘Rubber Soul’ carried a classic strings section, the first Rock and Roll Band to implement overtures of classical music. This led them to ‘Abbey Road’ in 1966. This album carried a number of fictitious characters such as ‘Mean Mister Mustard’, ‘Polythene Pam’, and ‘Maxwell Silver Hammer’. Not only did music critics rave about the style of writing but also at George Harrison’s ballad ‘Here Comes the Sun’, and Paul McCartney’s raspy voice in ‘Oh Darling’ (the rumor there was that McCartney screamed at the top of his lungs for three hours to get that effect)., and McCartney’s songwriting in ‘Hey Jude’.
Their next critically successful album was ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. The title track is considered many to be their time of pinnacle (‘Yesterday’ was on this album – originally titled ‘Scrambled Eggs’ and written on Piano).
The band worked harmoniously through the years. John Lennon and Paul McCartney teamed as a songwriting duo unsurpassed. George Harrison provided a second element of songwriting that complimented Lennon/McCartney, and Ringo Starr was a recognizable figure throughout their years together.
Pink Floyd
Bassist – Nick Mason
Lead Vocalist – Roger Waters
Lead and Rythem Guitar – David Gilmour
Drummer – Various
Producer and Engineer – James Guthrie
Signature Albums
1. Animals (1972)
2. Wish You Were Here (1974)
3. Darkside of the Moon (1976)
4. The Wall (1978)
5. The Final Cut (1981)
Guthrie did most recording at -20 to -40 dbu. This added the element of depth to the recordings that many people confuse with the element of reverb. By recording at low line levels, peak levels carried that much more impact on vinyl.
‘Wish You Were Here’ – ‘Welcome to the Machine’ was the first cut on this album and showcases Waters vocal range and sets the stage of the record. The next track is ‘Have a Cigar’, and is one of Gilmour’s greatest riffs (notable others - ‘Dirty Woman’ and ‘Run Like Hell’). In ‘Have a Cigar’ Guthrie probably recorded on an AKG 414 with Guthrie dampening his guitar by recording at low-line level with steel plate reverb and shine at 2 kilo-hertz. ‘Wish You Were Here’, the title track, is probably their greatest ballad. ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’ is an extension of the flow of the record.
Dark Side of the Moon was Floyd’s most successful album on the charts remaining in the top 10 in England for six years. The tracks ‘Money’, and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ were the best known from this record, likewise was ‘Dirty Woman’ which some consider among the most brilliant guitar work ever put out, done by the master David Gilmour.
‘The Wall’ will probably be remembered as Pink Floyd’s signature album. It was made on both audio and video platforms, as Alan Parker directed the movie ‘The Wall’ (the lead character played by Bob Geldoff).
This album carries classical themes throughout and is probably Floyd’s greatest musical accomplishment. ‘Run Like Hell’ comes to mind when I think of this album. The movie depicted Waters’ character shaven head to toe in utter shellshock.
The Final Cut was Roger Waters last Album with Pink Floyd. It had classical overtures, similar to ‘The Wall’. One conspicuous Waters Lyric ‘That’s the only time I can really speak to you.’ ‘A memory that is too painful to relive the light of day.’ Is another vivid lyric on the album. My favorite track off the Final Cut would have to be ‘Paranoid Eyes’.
Led Zeppelin
Lead Vocalist – Robert Plant
Guitarist – Jimmy Page
Bassist – John Paul Jones
Drummer – John Bonham
Defining Albums
1. Led Zeppelin 1
2. Led Zeppelin 2
3. Led Zeppelin 3
4. Led Zeppelin 4
5. Houses of the Holy
Defining Tracks – Over the Hills and Far Away, Many Times Been Bitten, Cashmere, Immigrant Song, Whole Lotta Love, Ramble On, Gallows’ End, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Stairway to Heaven, Houses of the Holy, Fool in the Rain
The sound of Led Zeppelin pierced through to the listener as the first real ‘Power Rock’ band. With Paul and Bonham setting a hard rhythmic percussion on the 2 and 4 beats of 4/4 time (the downbeats), this unique sound defined Zeppelin as a pioneer of what many now consider ‘Grunge’.
With Jimmy Page (recruited from the Yardbirds), Zeppelin had one of the best guitarists ever. Page and Plant were masters with respect to songwriting and lyrics, and seemingly pushed the boundary of what was acceptable on the airwaves (notably a seven minute song ‘Stairway to Heaven’ getting airplay to no end when it was released).
In their signature to the music world, Zeppelin 4, the ballad ‘Stairway to Heaven’ appeared and was critically acclaimed. The cuts ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ reaffirmed Zeppelin as the new leader in Metal/Hard Rock.
Considering that they were a mainstay as a band for over 10 years indicates that they fulfilled their promise. It’s still a sour spot to most Rock and Roll fans as to what might have been had John Bonham not passed on suddenly during their prime.
U2
Artists – Bono –Vocals and Lyricist
Edge – Guitarist and Songwriter
Albums that are defining of their music;
1) Boy
2) War – Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day
3) The Joshua Tree – Where the Streets Have No Name, If I Could, With or Without You
4) Rattle and Hum – Desire, When Love Comes to Town
5) Achtung Baby – She Moves in Mysterious Ways, One
U2 is widely considered the greatest band of our day. In the early 80’s they released their critically acclaimed albums ‘Boy’ and ‘War’. Bono’s performance in Band Aid was definitely the cry heard loudest ‘Well tonight Thank G-d it’s them, instead of you.’
By the mid-eighties, through U2’s release of ‘The Joshua Tree’ they proclaimed themselves as a polished sound, with releases ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, and ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’.
Bono and Edge have combined as an unparalleled modern day songwriting duo in the mold of Lennon/McCartney.
The albums ‘Rattle and Hum’ and ‘Achtung Baby’ just reiterated their professionalism. Always looking for that next sound has made U2 the success that they are. When B.B King played alongside U2 in ‘When Love Comes to Town’ he put it best regarding Bono by saying ‘His lyrics are years ahead of his age’.
The Rolling Stones
Lead Vocalist – Mick Jagger
Lead Guitarist – Ron Wood
Rythem Guitarist – Keith Richards
Bassist – Bill Wyman
Drummer – Charlie Watts
Producer – Phil Spector
Defining Albums
1. Let it Bleed – Sympathy for the Devil, You Can’t Always Get What You Want
2. Sticky Fingers – Honky Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar
3. Tatoo You – Start Me Up, Beast of Burden, Little T and A, Waiting on a Friend
The staying power of the ‘Stones is unsurpassed. The Rolling Stones started up in 1964 (around the time of the Beatles) and they’re still going strong. When the ‘Stones released ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction’, they established themselves as one of the top bands globally.
Before Ron Wood, the ‘Stones lead guitarist was Mick Taylor, and although Taylor was instrumental in the bands’ success, he was dropped. Wood came around 1972 for the studio album ‘Let it Bleed’ on the suggestion of Keith Richards (who admired Wood). It was at this time when the ‘Stones went from Rock and Roll stars to the ‘Bad Boys’ of the Rythem and Blues scene.
Mick Jagger is probably the most recognizable front-man of all-time (next to Bob Marley), and provides excellent showmanship as a performer. Keith Richards and Ron Wood have teamed as a great ‘axe’ team, as evidenced in ‘Sticky Fingers’ – a Blues inspired album (Honky Tonk Woman and Brown Sugar come to mind).
By the time ‘Tatoo You’ came out ‘The Stones’ had reached critical acclaim as a band that never commercialized. ‘Tatoo You’ was an album in which Keith Richards shined. His guitar work in ‘Beast of Burden’ was brilliant. In ‘Little T and A’ and ‘You Shouldn’t Take it so Hard’ Richards sang lead vocals and more than held his own. Due to their commitment to the Blues, including ‘Symapthy for the Devil’ the music is what defines the ‘Stones’.
AC/DC
Lead Vocalists – Bond Scott/Brian Johnson
Lead Guitar – Angus Young
Rythem Guitar – Malcolm Young
Defining Albums
1. Dirty Deeds – Dirty Deeds, Sink the Pink
2. Highway to Hell – Ride On, Highway to Hell
3. Back in Black – Back in Black, You Shook Me All Night Long
4. Who Made Who – Who Made Who, DT, For Those About to Rock We Salute You
When AC/DC started out they were a true Rock and Roll band. It was about sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll. Their first lead vocalist, Bond Scott, was the defining image and persona of the band. In their sound, AC/DC employed an edge in guitar-work by the ultra-talented Angus Young. Make no mistake though, this was Scott’s band. Putting out ‘Dirty Deeds’ made them synonomous as ‘Rockers’, however, it wasn’t until they released ‘Highway to Hell’ that they were recognized as being among the elite (Touring as the opening act for Triumph in a worldwide tour).
The band pulled together in 1983 and brought in a fresh new voice to their music. Most thought Scott was irreplaceable. When Brian Johnson joined the band they decided to pay homage to Bond Scott and his craft, and AC/DC put out the critically acclaimed ‘Back in Black’. Johnson did his part, however surprisingly it was Angus Young who became the leader of the band. To this day Angus is considered one of the greatest guitarists ever, playing a bluesy lead to such classics ‘Hells Bells’ and ‘Who Made Who’, likewise his guitar-work in ‘DT’, ‘Back in Black’ and Highway to Hell’.
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