DAMN YANKEES
"Damn
Yankees" (Warner Bros; 1990)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
I know that critics thought that putting Ted Nugent, Tommy Shaw, and Jack Blades together would produce some kind of
ungodly noise. They ragged on Tommy Shaw for being at least partly responsible
for “Mr. Roboto” so the deck was stacked against him. The same crinkled brow was given to Jack Blades for “Sister
Christian,” and they called The Nuge “washed up.”
Of course those critics are now the ones who would be caught singing along with the hits this CD produced. The guitar was full on and the vocals of Jack and Tommy were harmony made in heaven. I love super
groups; I've created a few in my mind and -- although I would not have put these guys together
-- I’m glad they found time to release this arena rock disc. “Come Again” has the best solo I have ever heard Ted blister out.
This CD was indomitable because they took the best solos Ted played and put them with great lyrics for a gritty sound via Jack and Tommy. The drummer, Michael Cartellone, was
comparatively unknown by some standards (although he did play for Lynyrd Skynyrd)
so the talent in the studio was electric. Although they called this type of rock “hair metal” there were no posers in this group. This is a favorite to revisit if you haven’t heard it in a while.
The best Yanks are “Coming Of Age,” “High Enough,” “Come Again,” and “Piledriver.”
Damn Yankees: Jack Blades, Tommy Shaw, Ted Nugent, Michael Cartellone.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Nov 2024 13:33:12 -0500.
