What the heck, let's do another tonight... this time in the wake of drummer Pat Torpey's passing, I'll tackle some Mr. Big. When this lineup was announced in late '88 I remember being very excited. I'd known Eric Martin from his solo albums, Sheehan from Talis & DLR Band and Paul Gilbert from Racer X. With Eric's R&B influence, coupled with the chops of Billy & Paul, this had the makings of some phenomenal songs. Luckily, there is a laundry list of memorable tunes to choose from, but here is MY list of favorites. A good helping of these will be outside what most will know, so here's a chance to broaden your understanding of this impressive quartet.
Honorable Mention: Next Time Around - Recorded as they reformed after several years, it was a castoff from Lean Into It... castoff... this was a hit! Oh well, it's always nice to find the hidden gems years later. What a chorus!
10. I Don't Want To Be Happy - Such a perfect tongue-in-cheek offering. "I married my high school drama queen..." LOL! C'mon, that's just gold. "I don't want to be happy, that's why I'm with you"... hilarious!
9. Wake Up - Written by Richie Kotzen along with Richie Zito, this song just flows. Excellent energy throughout and a memorable chorus.
8. A Rose Alone - I just love the melodies on this whole thing. The verses are so understated until exploding into the chorus. Kotzen does some tasty slide on this. Very southern rock feel.
7. Nothing But Love - For the record, those strings at the beginning are actually a guitar being played through a Paul Gilbert designed synthesizer. The solo is really the star of this song as much as the heartfelt singing of Eric Martin.
6. Forever and Back - Off the new Defying Gravity, it takes some listens to really understand the nuances, but that chorus is so LARGE! I particularly enjoy the background "Ah, ah, ah". I marvel at the vocal prowess of Eric Martin at 57.
5. Shine - Straight up mid-tempo rocker written by Kotzen that Eric Martin-izes. Just a perfect blend of melody and music. Hummable, memorable, and, sadly, lost in the wash. Should've been huge...
4. Take Cover - Simplistic, yet quite reliant on percussion and precise guitar acumen. The music really lets Eric's vox shine, letting the vocal melody become a secondary driver of the song. Not the usual Mr. Big fare, but still a song I never skip on the iPod.
3. Just Take My Heart - That opening sounds heartbreaking, which just reinforces the sentiment that comes after. Eric Martin's finest Mr. Big vocal performance, IMO; subtle, pained, understated. Again, the solo really adds to the emotion contained within the composition. I love the chorus modulation after the solo, almost makes it end on a optimistic note.
2. Stay Together - I often call this the best written arrangement ever. Here's why: Just listen to each player independently within the song... EM is on his game. PG plays a solid chord-filled melodic progression. Billy does some amazing Motown bass runs in the chorus. And Pat Torpey throws in some of the tastiest, simple drum fills. I especially enjoy the understated solo section; it really adds some tension to a sad, yet upbeat tune. I contend this is their most "band oriented" song as each player shines within the song.
1. Green-Tinted Sixties Mind - NO BRAINER! Even Mau can't argue with this one... From the finger-tapped opening to the simplistic, melodic main riff into the verse/chorus, it really is a fine song. The sheer lush melody of the chorus makes this far and away their best song. Eric is in fine voice throughout and when Paul launches into that solo, it really takes off.
So germinating from a sad day in Mr. Big land, I thought I'd throw this out there so we never forget that music is really the base of our lives. It has the power to inspire, uplift, upset, and everywhere in between. I hope this challenges you, Interested Listener, into seeking out some more of Mr. Big's impressive musical offerings.
No comments:
Post a Comment