George writes:
And another “damn, that was the third not second album” moment happened today when I discovered “The Likes Of Us”. This meant I was unable to write about “Jesus Christ Superstar”. But it also spared me listening to“Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”. Yes, dear reader, I listen to every album featured here in its entirety. Instead, there will be music from a genre that I do not think has featured on these pages before, heavy metal. There was a comment the other week about the picture I had posted at the top almost putting them off further exploration of the article. I’m wondering if today’s picture will put anyone off (their breakfast, maybe?)
Anyway, for today, never fear dear readers, it’s not Rush, AC/DC or Judas Priest. I do have to like the album that I claim is the better one. No, it’s Birmingham’s finest. Not ELO, not Wizard, but possibly the band who invented the genre that is heavy metal.
I was a bit late to this lot, not buying any of their albums until ca. 2008, and there are three on the shelves. My first purchase was their first album, the second purchase the second, and the third was their third.
The first album was recorded in one day, over a 16 hour period according to the digitally-challenged (and former member of Jethro Tull) Tony Iommi. Some of the tracks are obvious HM tracks, but there’s also a bluesy-hard rock feel to some, like this one:
“Black Sabbath” is not an outstanding album, but a damned fine one, and I play it more often than the follow-up, despite “Paranoid” being a better album. Which doesn’t make sense (and as we know, as Judge Judy says, “if it doesn’t make sense it’s not true” but this is an exception). It’s not the best produced album you’ll hear, the lead vocal is a bit thin and reedy and not as powerful as Plant or Gillan. But if the songs are strong enough, and the playing good enough, you get a decent album.
The second album is a great heavy metal album. Impossible to play quietly, and I had it blasting from “War Pigs” on, in the belief that next door was unoccupied. This turned out to be wrong. No complaints, though, and no GNR pounding on the door.
But what a racket, great heavy riffs (of course), great songs, great album,
“Paranoid”, the quintessential heavy metal album, and another example of Second Is Better Than First.
Thank you kindly
CC writes
Heavy bloody metal. George what are you trying to do to me and more importantly the readers?
Love this album, indeed I was playing it last week and agree that it is better than the first. The first four albums are worth owning but after that the law of diminishing returns applies until 1980's Heaven and Hell where Ozzy had been replaced by Ronnie James Dio. Believe me I know, I had all of these albums before the age of 13 with the exception of Technical Ecstasy which my pal Ian had and after hearing didn't bother to buy,
ReplyDeleteVelvet Underground and Black Sabbath
DeleteWe are being good to you this week Drew!
Paranoid is undoubtedly better than the debut and Master of Reality is pretty decent too, but Volume 4 & Sabbath Bloody Sabbath find the band at their absolute peak. I caught Sabbath live a couple of times, on the Sabotage tour in 1976 and on the Never Say Die tour in 1978 - past their peak, but still a force to be reckoned with.
ReplyDeleteCome on CC, everyone had at least a flirtation with Metal didn't they?
One of these days CC will reveal to the world his secret stash of NWOBHM albums
DeleteSabbath influenced the whole doom metal genre that I have a bit of a penchant for - those slow, heavy minor chords; the overbearingly ominous vibe. Paranoid is a superb album and one that deservedly gets mentioned in greatest albums lists regularly.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's just a hunch, but I reckon CC has at least one Saxon record in his collection. "She's got wheeeeeeeeeeeels, wheels of steel..."
Saxon, Praying Mantis, Angel Witch, White Sprit, you name it, he's got it
DeleteI've got a Rainbow album - and that's it!
Deletehttps://charitychicmusic.blogspot.com/2014/11/albums-i-havent-listened-to-in-over-30.html
DeleteI once found myself at a heavy metal disco night in Moldova - its a long story - and got approached by a very excitable young man who apparently had never met an English person before but had a burning question he had always wanted to ask one.
DeleteThe question was "Do you like Whitesnake?"
Going against the grain here by supporting Black Sabbath quite some way above Paranoid. Was planning to outline a detailed track by track evaluation/comparison of both but in deference to our host, I'll keep my trap shut.
ReplyDeleteGood man
Delete