Despite being a bluegrass picker, I was a Kiss fan as a kid, probably because it really upset my parents...
Fast forward 10 years or so to dusty southern New Mexico, where I was invited to join a country-rock band because the lead singer/rhythm guitar player was on the run from the law and they needed someone to fill in...
The Kiss tribute CD Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved was released with a mystery singer doing a freakin' awesome version of Hard Luck Woman. I recognized that it was Garth Brooks immediately and almost went crazy. My band mates would not let me do it on stage; our crowds were too traditional. My Bob Seger renditions were about as edgy as we got.
Anyway, here it is, a classic rock ballad redone: Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley*, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss* on drums, with ... Garth Brooks on vocals. It's a great example of how genre really doesn't matter. Good music is good music. I love the acoustic guitar riffs...
Endnote: Wikipedia reports that Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeaters did a cover version on their 2005 album "Long Playing". Ain't the innerwebz just full of useful tidbits?
* Update from Bastiatarian: Ace Frehley and Peter Criss aren't in this one. "I think that's Eric Singer on drums and Bruce Kulick on guitar. (They were in the band in 1994.)"
Have a great weekend!
14 comments:
I think that's Eric Singer on drums and Bruce Kulick on guitar. (They were in the band in 1994.)
Danish band Pretty Maids does a pretty good version of this as well. (A cover of Osmonds hit "Crazy Horses" is a bonus track on the same album. A metal band covering The Osmonds!)
Ahhh... I wondered if that was the original line up or not. I knew Ace Frehley had some drug problems and had to leave the band at some point, but I had forgotten it was on and off with Peter Criss as well.
I remember seeing them on TV back in the late 90's and thinking Paul Stanley was the only one that had taken care of himself. He must have managed to avoid the drugs...
Thanks for the correction!
Whoooa, way cool
Fine, fine, just as long as they don't trot out "Beth." Gawd...
Aw, Rob... I was going do that one next Friday. Now you've ruined it!
I took about 2 seconds of the song and stopped. I was never a huge KISS fan, but glad you like them.
When I was a teen it was Metallica and Ozzy.
I've listened to Kiss since the seventies. Love 'em. As ostentatious as they were, their music lacked any pretense. They were pure fun. Love 'em. Coincidentally, of the three CDs I happen to be listening to in the car these past few days, Kiss is right there with Jimi (Axis) and the Beatles.
That said, Brooks is a little off here. He's forcing it. He's not a D/F guy (I am). He's fine in the range, but uncomfortable in the key. I've heard country guys sing great rock - usually better than vice-versa - but this isn't one of those occasions. Just the same, Brooks was his usual highly competent self and conveyed that he was having a lot of fun with it, and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks! That was fun!
JMJ
Thanks, I needed that... on top of tax time, I just got back from D.C...god I hate going there.
Jersey: I think he sounded better on the CD, but they did have good energy. For the record, they are tuned down 1/2 note.
What's a "D/F guy?"
Finn: DC? Better you than me.
Oh, I meant that he's not comfortable in the key of Dm.
JMJ
Off topic, sorry, but you may want to read my public open apology w/explanation. You can pat yourself on the back for being part of the onus that had me rething it all. Thank you silverfiddle. God bless you! :)
@silverfiddle. Is there a reason you deleted my comment about Kiss? Have I offendended you in any way? The comment was right under Leticia's. Am I not welcome here anymore? My comment was innocent and not derogatory in any manner. Should I be apologizing for something I unwittingly said, which I said nothing wrong? I will not post here if you do not want me to. I do not want to be considered a spoiler or be unwelcomed. I just want peace. Sorry, for what I am not sure, but sorry. :(
Jersey: They're actually doing it in C#m, but I see what you mean. Garth does "Thunder Rolls" in Dm, but I think tuning down and then singing higher is what did it. Maybe he was nervous?
I know Neil Young backwards and forwards, guitar, harmonica, and all the vocal variations. I can do the entire Live Rust in my living room on a Friday night with the bbq grill going and having a few beers with friends. I'd still be nervous as hell if I actually got a chance to play with him.
Even if I were (newly) famous as Garth was at that time, I would still be nervous singing with my childhood rock heroes live!
Layla: Of course you are welcome here! An of course you've said nothing even close to offensive.
Even if you did I would not delete. You wanna talk offensive? Have you seen any of Jersey's comments? (present thread excepted, Jersey! ;)
Unlike some pinched, censorious control freaks in Left Blogistan, I do not run my blog as a dictatorship, gleefully hitting the delete comment button.
I have checked the spam filter and you didn't get caught there, so your comment must have been sucked into the Blooger Black Hole.
So please, post away. I enjoy hearing your take on things.
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