Still checking off boxes, I make my way back to Pat Benatar. She's an artist that has been long since been in my 80's collection for the obvious reasons. However, she's not one who I've necessarily sat down and made an effort to get from point A to point B with. So, it's time to rectify that.
She's one of the rare artists who I went back to the 70's for, and have actually done a Retro Spin on her 1979 debut, In The Heat Of The Night. I've also already go through her first 80's album, Crimes Of Passion (1980), and her last, Wide Awake In Dreamland (1988). So, essentially, it's time to fill in the gap, and let's do that by diving right into 1981's Precious Time.
Things start out with the massive hits, Promises In The Dark, and Fire And Ice. We then dive into the Paul Revere & the Raiders cover, Just Like Me, which is pretty good. While I would normally be quite critical of a cover, I don't actually know the original version to compare it to. I will say that one of the things I came to learn about Benatar in previous Spins was her heavy reliance on covering other people's music.
I was quite surprised at the title track, Precious Time. I'm surprised it didn't get much airplay back in the 80's. It's pretty solid, as far as I'm concerned. I suspect the six (plus) minute runtime probably had a lot to do with that.
Things kept firing on all cylinders with It's A Tuff Life. At first, I thought I wouldn't really like this tune with its reggae style beat, and generic punk sound. However, it quickly grew on me. Tracks taper off from there, remaining good, but not necessarily memorable.
Benatar circles back to the world of cover tunes, and finishes the album off with her rendition of The Beatles Helter Skelter. Since I'm not necessarily a fan of the Fab Four, nor the song, it's kind of a take it or leave it song for me. It's decent, definitely hard rocking, and a solid cover
Overall, it was a good listening session, and one that invigorates me to want to hear more from her. Good thing I have three more albums to go. I'm hoping the momentum can stay high, and that I grab a whole lot more for my ever expanding, and probably bloated, shuffle list.
Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.
Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution. |
| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS November 23, 1985 |
No comments:
Post a Comment