Missionaria Protectiva

         In Lee Kerslake, we have another example of a drummer who while you probably have never heard his name mentioned (not often, at least), you most certainly have heard his thunderous playing. Case in point, if you’re a Heavy Metal fan, then you probably are a fan of Ozzy Osbourne, and if you’re a fan of Ozzy, then I am sure you’ve looked into his seminal albums Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman . Have you ever wondered who played drums on those albums? Yes, that is the one and only Lee Kerslake AKA “The Bear” backing up Ozzy on the radio staple and instantly recognizable track  'Crazy Train'.   Sadly, it seems that Lee had some sort of falling out with Ozzy, and while he did handle all of the drum tracks on Diary of a Madman , Tommy Alderidge continues to be unfairly credited for work he did not perform on the record. Perhaps lesser known is the fact that Lee Kerslake was the long-time drummer for seminal Progressive Rock outfit Uriah Heep....

  BERNIE MARSDEN  Look At Me Now  (Parlophone,1981) - Hard rock       The lineup wasn't quite as extensive as on his solo debut album, "And About Time Too," when Whitesnake's Bernie Marsden recorded the follow-up album "Look At Me Now" in 1981, but it was still top-notch enough to nail down these songs in just three weeks. These days, you'd barely be adjusting the drum mics.      While the guitarist had leaned heavily on a 70s West Coast style on the previous album (you know, sometimes you want to try something different), "Look At Me Now" was significantly rockier. The driving riffs at the beginning of the title track announce this in true Whitesnake fashion, and with Ian Paice and Neil Murray, Bernie had their driving force on board, along with Jon Lord, their keyboard specialist at the time. Only Lord's Polymoog flourishes point a little too obviously back to the 80s. Bernie's voice, as usual, lacks the power of his Whitesnake lead s...

  WHITESNAKE  Trouble  (EMI,1978) - Hard rock       The band’s debut album was the first to feature Coverdale’s former Purple bandmate Jon Lord. Trouble served as a template for all albums until 1987 : good-time rock delivered with varying and mostly loveable degrees of success.       Take Me With You , the title-track, the instrumental Belgian Tom’s Hat Trick all do the business and in Lie Down (A Modern Love Song) with its chorus of “ Lie down, I think I love you, lie down, I think I care… ” Coverdale managed to be both sexist and funny. TRACKLIST:  Take Me With You                          Love To Keep You Warm                          Lie Down (A Modern Love Song)                          Day Tripper           ...

  BERNIE TORME  Turn Out The Lights  (Kamaflage,1982) - Rock       Bernie's debut solo album, Turn Out The Lights , highlights why Gillan wanted him in his band, and why he formed such an integral part of the classic Gillan line-up. Punk metal, explosive energy, touches of blues a la Hendrix.       The single 'America' is here, and the title track is as good as anything he did with Gillan, it nods at Tobacco Road, exquisite.       There's some melodic touches too. Genius throughout.   TRACKLIST: Turn Out The Lights                      Painter Man                      Lies                      America                      Getting There                     ...

  IAN GILLAN BAND  Child In Time  (Polydor/Oyster,1976) - Jazz rock/Fusion       This album is Ian Gillan's solo debut after he left Deep Purple in early 70-s. Released on small Oyster label, he didn't succeed, mostly because he didn't offer much to ex-Deep Purple fans.       Looking on this album as independent product, open ear listener can find some nice moments though. First of all - "Child In Time", remake of the possibly the best Deep Purple 's song. Not too much similar to original, no way better than it, it offers softer, warmer and much more emotional version. With many progressive rock elements and excellent Gillan's vocals.       Five first songs (all A-side) are all short and more straightforward heavy funk-rock numbers with some r'n'b elements, great Gillan vocals, but not too complex. Even if not so great, these songs are worth listening unless you hate funk in your music or are hungry to listen pseudo-symphonic o...

  GOOD RATS  Ratcity In Blue  (Platinum, 1976) - Rock       The Good Rats are a band that comes to mind quite easily when listening to great Rock & Roll groups that should have become bigger than they actually became. Hailing from Long Island, New York in the 1970s, The Good Rats were immensely popular in the New York area.         The Good Rats Ratcity In Blue . album was released in 1976 on the Platinum Records label. It was an album of 11 songs composed by Good Rats bandleader Peppi Marchello. The album was produced by Stephan Galfas who would go on to work with artists such as the Allman Brothers Band , Meat Loaf and Cher.       Every song on the Ratcity In Blue album is great. There was not one clunker among the 11 great tracks. Of course, we all had our personal favorites but there were a handful of songs on that record  we all agreed stood out among the rest. The first would be the album’s great...