Electric Nights Mix Tape

Before playlists became an iTunes sensation, people who grew up before the internet called em “Mix Tapes”. One thing I enjoy is listening to different artists when I am cruising, and this is just one of those kind of mix tapes.

And I have no idea why I called it “Electric Nights”. It feels like a pretty lame title.

I also try to sequence my playlists/mix tapes like how I would like an album to be sequenced. My rough guide is;

• TRACK 1 – The Killer Opening Track with Serious Riffage

• TRACK 2 – The Fun Track

• TRACK 3 – The Meant To Be “Big Hit” Track

• TRACK 4 – The “Ballad Song” or “Experimental Song” or “We Dont Know What to Do With” Song

• TRACK 5 – The Killer Side 1 Closer

• TRACK 6 – The Killer Side 2 Opening Track

• TRACK 7 – The Song That Will Not Be Played Live

• TRACK 8 – The Cover Song or The We Are Running Out Of Ideas Song or The Melodic Rock Song We Are Not Sure Our Fans Will Like

• TRACK 9 – The We Ran Out Of Time Song

• TRACK 10 – The Killer Speed Metal Closer or The Killer Epic Power Ballad Closer

• TRACK 11 – The Bonus Track

SIDE A

Black Hearted Woman – Blue Murder

John Sykes brings the riffage to kick off the imaginary album with the killer opening track.

Jet City Woman – Queensryche

Then Eddie Jackson brings the bass for track number 2 and we have lift off.

• Fantasy – Project Driver

The supergroup project of Tony MacAlpine, Tommy Aldridge, Rob Rock, Rudi Sarzo bring the melodic rock for the track which was meant to be the big hit on the album.

• Had Enough – Tesla

And those Sacramento rockers bring the bar room brawls with our experimental song.

• You’re All I Need – The Scream

John Corabi and his Scream buddies bring the ballad.

Hold The Line – Toto

I used to cover this song in bands and to this day, I can’t turn it off whenever it comes on. Steve Lukather decorates the songs tastily with power chords and melodic leads.

• Tell Me Why – The Scream

A blues rock track with Corabi showing his vocal chops.

• I Can See It In Your Eyes – Project Driver

Another melodic rock gem from this supergroup.

• Freedom Slaves – Tesla

The intro of the bass and the military style marching beat is enough.

• Nobody Rides For Free – Ratt

The palm muted guitars with the bass and drums building. A perfect closer for the perfect imaginary album.

SIDE B

• Bad Boys – Whitesnake

And another John Sykes cut to bring the riffage.

• Look What The Cat Dragged In – Poison

Shoot me but I dig the main riff from CC DeVille in this song.

• For A Million Years – Lynch Mob

One of my favourite cuts from “Wicked Sensation” with Lynch riffing and rolling, while Oni Logan delivers a stellar vocal performance.

• This Time – Y&T

I always enjoyed the ballads.

• The Morning After – Ratt

The riffage from the real Ratt and Roller, Robin Crosby cements this song.

• Temptation – Y&T

Harmony guitars, a melodic rock chorus and Meniketti’s brilliant voice.

• You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again – Whitesnake

At this point, the imaginary album needed to be picked up with some serious riffage, so off to John Sykes I went.

• Dust In The Wind – Kansas

One of my favourite acoustic pieces.

• Too Late To Say Goodbye – Richard Marx

Marx is a rocker to me, and when he rocks, he does a good job.

• Run For Your Life – Twisted Sister

One of my favourites from “Under The Blade”.

• Lightning Strikes Again – Dokken

And we close off the album with some serious riffage from George Lynch and Don Dokken screaming, Lightningggggggg, Lightning strikes again.

Iron Maiden – Piece Of Mind and Eric Clapton/Metallica/Maiden Mix

Yeah what a tape.

An awesome Maiden album (which I have already written about in my 1984 year posts, plus will revisit when I get to my Record Vault collection of Iron Maiden), along with some Clapton songs from various albums, plus some live Metallica and Maiden stuff which would have appeared on B sides of CD singles.

Magellan – Hour Of Restoration and Impending Ascension

When I look at the song titles, I cannot even remember a lick or a word or a vocal melody. But once upon a time, it felt important to copy this from my cousin.

Aerosmith – Get A Grip

My mate, Mofartin had it, and I copied it and it served its purpose at the time, until I purchased the CD which I have covered in my Aerosmith Record Vault post.

Bad News

One of the best albums from the worst ever Rock and Roll band that ever was. Spinal Tap has nothing on these guys…