Ultimate Album #1 Boston Boston

Okay so if you didn't get the hint the first album I'm covering is Boston's first release titled Boston.
Now let me say this, anyone who plays guitar, is thinking about playing guitar, or anything along those lines, needs to know who this band is.  Why, you ask. one man Tom Scholz. 

The brains and the brawn behind the five plus year effort to get a major record label deal.  Not only that but this guy has a masters degree in mechanical engineering from MIT.  He built his own studio in his basement, and while recording and playing, he invented what came to be known as the chorus, distortion, compression, echo pedals all combined into one package.  This little gadget became known as the Rockman Amp.  Yep this guy invented this thing in his basement.  A couple of facts concerning the Rockman Amp: Steve Stevens, you might know him from Billy Idol or the song Dirty Diana by Michall Jackson; Alex Lifeson of Rush; Phil Collen and Steve Clark of Def Leppard; Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top; Neal Schon of Journey; Dave Mustaine of Megadeath (Peace Sells Album), all users of the Rockman Amp. So now you have this really smart inventor/guitarist.  Okay next you have in my opinion one of the most recognizable voices in all of rock, Brad Delp. This guy had a range like nobody else, soaring vocals and range, he was said to have "a golden voice".  Not only that but he could play too.  Guitar, harmonica, and keyboards, then on top of all that the guy could write songs to. 

Not to take away from the other guys in the band, but these guys were truly what made "The Boston Sound" the Boston sound.  So why this album you ask, well waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back long time ago in a galaxy far far away, there was this kid who wanted to play drums, he finally got a drum set and this was the first cassette (yes cassette) that he put into the player crawled up in the headphones and learned to pound the skins.

Yep that's me behind my old Ludwig set, them was the days, this is circa 1990.

So back to the album the track listing is as follows:
1. More Than A Feeling
2. Peace Of Mind
3. Foreplay/Long Time
4. Rock and Roll Band
5.Smokin
6. Hitch A Ride
7. Something About You
8.Let Me Take You Home Tonight.

Released in 1976 this album was the best selling debut album ever until Guns 'n Roses Appetite For Destruction,  and it still sits at number two behind that album to date.  Lets put it like this it was released July 25, 1976, and went platinum November 22, 1976.  Platinum certification per the RIAA is 1,000,000 sold units.  They did it in 4 months.  Not too shabby.  So now for some of the fun stuff, the Track Breakdown.

More Than A Feeling- nice acoustic intro, powerful electric riffs and Brads soring vocals.  This song has made all time greatest lists from here to England to Italy.  I'll post a link later to the greatest website of music lists.  But on a special note, it made the Rolling Stones magazine 500 greatest songs of all time, in at 500.
Peace Of Mind- Acoustics electric snappy little beat, the vocals going up and down, harmonization. 
Foreplay/Long Time-Organ intro, not synthesizer, but a big ass Hammond B3 organ.  Scholz wrote the intro Foreplay in 1969, it was the first piece of music he ever wrote.  Another interesting fact, when this album was mastered for the record label Scholz did it in his basement with a 12 track tape recorder at this time everyone was using 24 track. so what did he do,he recorded every piece over again, played it back through his Rockman Amp and played it again on the guitar while recording, this guy was incredible, oh and the hand claps, their real recoded played back and recorded again with more hand clapping, genius.
Rock n' Roll Band- The tribute to the bar band and the struggles they go through, and once again Brad's voice harmonizing with himself, much like Tom did with the guitars, Brad did the same with his vocals, sing the lead, go back sing the harmonies slightly different key record it all, do it again.  
Smokin-  The guitars and the bass on this are just kick ass, then the vocals the harmonies the drums just keeping the beat going, if you listen to this song and don't tap your feet, you might want to call a coroner, cause you are dead dude.  Oh yeah can any one say organ solo!
Hitchin A Ride- Sweet acoustic intro with Brad getting a different key than any other song, it is my favorite song on the album, I would play rewind play rewind over and over again trying to learn how to play the drums to this song, Hours and hours I spent with this song.  The solo on this song just sends chill bumps down my arms, the chorusing, the different notes, I swear it tells a story all in itself, then to finish with the high E's if I'm not mistaken.  Ungodly.
Something About You- This one I swear it's like there is 10 guys playing guitar exactly the same, remember this is 1975-1976, on a twelve track recorder, Once again Brad's voice on leads and back up, go back and listen to it again pay attention to the back up vocals that's Brad singing, and from what I've read his voice never got tired.
Let Me Take You Home Tonight-a little side bar from the norm slower more country sound then picks on up toward the end, but still a great song for Brad to show off his writing skills.

So to sum it all up this album was where I learned some of my chops on the drums, experienced near ethereal contentment and bliss, listening to the magic workings and harmonies of Tom Scholz playing that guitar like a God, and Brad singing right along with him in perfect pitch.  I hope you enjoy this and I tell you this album is not given the credit it deserves, nor does Brad or Tom get the praise and distinction that they should from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine.  Brad R.I.P., Tom, I applaud you and bow before the throne of Rock for this masterful creation of music.

P.S. The link I promised:
http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/
I don't know who this guy is but I love this site, if you are into music and its' history, this site will definitleey tickle your fancy.