Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

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Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

41Forever
Jun 10 2018 06:22 PM

The mention of Gene Simmons’ solo album in the IGT had me thinking about other bands and when members get loose with side projects. What are your favorites?

Here are the rules: Artists have to be members of a functioning band at the time the album is released. So Clapton’s post-Cream/Derek stuff, Robert Plant’s post-Zep stuff doesn’t count. Phil Collins’ first couple solo albums count because he was still in Genesis at the time.

cooby
Jun 10 2018 08:53 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Don’t have any real experience with either album, but I know steve Perry and Beyoncé both put out solo albums before their bands disbanded and there were good songs on both

Zvon
Jun 10 2018 09:36 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

I think McCartney qualifies (and pissed off John). I loved this album, and still do. IIRC Teddy Boy was even recorded by the Beatles during the Get Back sessions.

cooby
Jun 10 2018 10:35 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

I remember that sweet photo

batmagadanleadoff
Jun 10 2018 10:54 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

This "solo album" category was always strange to me. It's not as if the so-called solo artist was all alone and had to play all the instruments by himself in the making of the "solo" album. He had musicians all around him just the same as he had them with his non "solo" albums. If anything, the guy out on a temporary "solo" run has the freedom to get better musicians than the ones in his regular band. It's the "solo" designation that makes little sense to me.

d'Kong76
Jun 10 2018 11:07 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Beyoncé was in a band? Lol

smg58
Jun 10 2018 11:39 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Full Moon Fever might be stretching the definition a bit, but if it counts it ranks very high.

The same could be said of Nebraska.

Pete Townshend's Empty Glass qualifies for sure, and also ranks high.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 10 2018 11:42 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

This is a great question.... easier for me to think of lousy solo albums than good ones.

the "solo" part is the credit not the description, obviously.

I think Lou Gramms song Midnight Blue is better than any single Foreigner song but not sure the album holds up.

Empty Glass is a great suggestion. Solo Pete was crushing the Who by then.

Zvon
Jun 10 2018 11:47 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

This "solo album" category was always strange to me. It's not as if the so-called solo artist was all alone and had to play all the instruments by himself in the making of the "solo" album. He had musicians all around him just the same as he had them with his non "solo" albums. If anything, the guy out on a temporary "solo" run has the freedom to get better musicians than the ones in his regular band. It's the "solo" designation that makes little sense to me.

Than McCartney more than qualifies. :)
I have nothing against Lovely Linda but she is not a musician and she don't count.

Paul McCartney – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, piano, organ, percussion, Mellotron, xylophone
Linda McCartney – harmony vocals

41Forever
Jun 10 2018 11:53 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Good call about Pete Townsend and Lou Gramm!

I think some of Stevie Nicks early solo stuff was really strong.

If I'm ranking the Kiss solo albums:

1) Paul Stanley
2) Ace Frehley
3) Paul Stanley's "Live to Win"
4) Gene Simmons
5) Peter Criss
6) Gene Simmons' "Asshole"

Ace and Peter have had long solo careers post-Kiss, and Peter's "All for One" is legendary for its awfulness -- dude covered "Send in the Clowns."

d'Kong76
Jun 11 2018 12:20 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Solo Pete >>> (yes, 3 >'s>) better than any solo Kiss stuff. I never really
got the love of solo Kissdom... to me it was kinda kitschy.

41Forever
Jun 11 2018 12:37 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

d'Kong76 wrote:
Solo Pete >>> (yes, 3 >'s>) better than any solo Kiss stuff. I never really
got the love of solo Kissdom... to me it was kinda kitschy.

You gotta love "New York Groove!"

batmagadanleadoff
Jun 11 2018 12:41 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

d'Kong76 wrote:
I never really
got the love of solo Kissdom... to me it was kinda kitschy.

Just the solo stuff?

d'Kong76
Jun 11 2018 12:48 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

41Forever wrote:
You gotta love "New York Groove!"

Sure, it's a fun song. At the end of the day, it's Billy Joel only with a
a bunch of loud Marshall stacks to me.

The New York TImes, The Daily News... wake me when it's over!

d'Kong76
Jun 11 2018 12:50 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

batmagadanleadoff wrote:
Just the solo stuff?

I know, but I've grown fonder of Kiss in my later years.

41Forever
Jun 11 2018 12:50 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

The guys in Rush have a couple solo albums.

I can't say I enjoy Alex Lifeson's "Victor." But Geddy Lee's "My Favorite Headache" has some great cuts. Check out "Grace to Grace."

[youtube:3b92vs1e]https://youtu.be/R66l7iv-3TY[/youtube:3b92vs1e]

41Forever
Jun 11 2018 12:59 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

And Keith went solo for Christmas:

[youtube:23eh5hsf]https://youtu.be/KDMDMLF2j1A[/youtube:23eh5hsf]

Fman99
Jun 11 2018 01:08 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

I'm a big fan of Gregg Allman's Laid Back album, from 1973. Different feel from the ABB stuff.

Rockin' Doc
Jun 11 2018 12:13 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

The first one to come to mind is "All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison.

Edgy MD
Jun 11 2018 12:27 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

That's a post-Beatles album.

Although it would be hilarious if he used up that much material while the Beatles were still active.

sharpie
Jun 11 2018 01:40 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Every Picture Tells a Story - Rod Stewart was with Faces at the time
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case was still with New Pornographers

batmagadanleadoff
Jun 11 2018 01:52 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Neil Young put out Harvest in between his CSNY stints. Pretty good "solo" album. Not sure if it technically counts, though.

seawolf17
Jun 11 2018 02:16 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Eddie Vedder released a largely-acoustic soundtrack album a few years back, and a ukulele record. Both of those are pretty good.

metirish
Jun 11 2018 02:20 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

seawolf17 wrote:
Eddie Vedder released a largely-acoustic soundtrack album a few years back, and a ukulele record. Both of those are pretty good.

The Into the WIld soundtrack?, absolutely loved it

sharpie
Jun 11 2018 02:23 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Neil Young put out Harvest in between his CSNY stints. Pretty good "solo" album. Not sure if it technically counts, though.

The first Stephen Stills solo album (containing Love the One You're With) was pretty good. CSN(&Y) always seemed to be solo projects in search of a group.

cooby
Jun 11 2018 02:33 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

batmagadanleadoff wrote:
Neil Young put out Harvest in between his CSNY stints. Pretty good "solo" album. Not sure if it technically counts, though.

If it counts it gets my vote

cooby
Jun 11 2018 02:34 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

By the way everything I post lately goes double. I think it’s my phones fault

Edgy MD
Jun 11 2018 02:37 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

sharpie wrote:
Every Picture Tells a Story - Rod Stewart was with Faces at the time
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case was still with New Pornographers

I never knew Neko Case was ever with the New Pornographers.

41Forever
Jun 11 2018 02:47 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 11 2018 03:35 PM

I'd think that Joe Perry's Joe Perry Project albums would not count, since he was separated from the band at that point. But his 2005, 2009 and 2018 releases would count. I love the Joe Perry Project stuff, but haven't heard the newer things.

Steven Tyler's country album, while a mystery to all, would count.

sharpie
Jun 11 2018 02:48 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

She was a founding member. She stopped touring with them at some point (tho' I saw her when she did tour with the band) but I believe she is still technically in the group.

smg58
Jun 11 2018 03:03 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Edgy MD wrote:
sharpie wrote:
Every Picture Tells a Story - Rod Stewart was with Faces at the time
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case was still with New Pornographers

I never knew Neko Case was ever with the New Pornographers.

She's always been, and still is. I can't believe I hadn't thought of her, especially since she has a new record out. I guess anything of hers would qualify, then, so I'll go with Blacklisted.

seawolf17
Jun 11 2018 04:14 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

41Forever wrote:
I'd think that Joe Perry's Joe Perry Project albums would not count, since he was separated from the band at that point. But his 2005, 2009 and 2018 releases would count. I love the Joe Perry Project stuff, but haven't heard the newer things.

Steven Tyler's country album, while a mystery to all, would count.

The recent JP records are hit or miss overall. Steven's album I enjoyed a lot, though.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 11 2018 05:09 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

I can't ever get over how cheesy Ben Orr's solo album was. Sorry I feel like I post this stupid video every day but I can't not watch it.

[youtube:367urpru]KEAsMniRZCc[/youtube:367urpru]

Edgy MD
Jun 11 2018 05:28 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Townsend! Townsend!

Edgy MD
Jun 11 2018 05:32 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

How about splinter albums, with two or more members doing a side project while a band is still together? Like Tom Tom Club, Hot Tuna, or Power Station. Same category or new category?

41Forever
Jun 11 2018 05:43 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Edgy MD wrote:
How about splinter albums, with two or more members doing a side project while a band is still together? Like Tom Tom Club, Hot Tuna, or Power Station. Same category or new category?

Good question! I think there was another Duran Duran splinter, too. Arcadia?

Solo album side note: Twisted Sister's "Love is for Suckers" was supposed to be a Dee Snider solo album. But once it was done, the label said, "Nope" and issued it as a Twisted album. Since Dee is Twisted's sole writer and didn't stray far from the formula for much of the album, it makes sense.

Edgy MD
Jun 11 2018 06:09 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Same thing happened to The Replacements "Don't Tell a Soul." The label sent a Paul Westerberg solo album back to him and told him to get the Replacements to play on it and tour for it or they'd be in breach of contract. The hard-to-muster-enthusiasm tour, including opening for Elvis Costello at his brief hockey arena peak in the US market, was a death march for the 'Mats, who openly joked about their intent to break up within minutes of the tour's end.

41Forever
Jun 12 2018 12:03 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Dave Matthews' "Some Devil" would fit in there with the Petty and Springsteen albums where they stepped away from their long-time backing bands.

seawolf17
Jun 12 2018 12:49 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

seawolf17 wrote:
41Forever wrote:
I'd think that Joe Perry's Joe Perry Project albums would not count, since he was separated from the band at that point. But his 2005, 2009 and 2018 releases would count. I love the Joe Perry Project stuff, but haven't heard the newer things.

Steven Tyler's country album, while a mystery to all, would count.

The recent JP records are hit or miss overall. Steven's album I enjoyed a lot, though.

Also, the first Whitford-St. Holmes record wouldn't count, but their Reunion record from two years ago would, and it's absolutely one of my favorite records of recent vintage.

Mets Willets Point
Jun 12 2018 02:58 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

batmagadanleadoff wrote:
This "solo album" category was always strange to me. It's not as if the so-called solo artist was all alone and had to play all the instruments by himself in the making of the "solo" album. He had musicians all around him just the same as he had them with his non "solo" albums. If anything, the guy out on a temporary "solo" run has the freedom to get better musicians than the ones in his regular band. It's the "solo" designation that makes little sense to me.

Stevie Wonder has recorded albums under this strict definition of "solo."

Mets Willets Point
Jun 12 2018 02:59 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

I've seen both CSN(&Y) and The New Pornographers mentioned but I see those both as projects where solo artists come together rather than groups from artists go solo.

HahnSolo
Jun 12 2018 03:43 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Joe Walsh's But Seriously, Folks came out in 1978 while the Eagles were still together. So even though he had solo work both before and after joining the Eagles I guess that album counts. Life's Been Good is a pretty enduring classic rawk track.

smg58
Jun 12 2018 05:02 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

I've always loved the line "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do."

RealityChuck
Jun 12 2018 07:22 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Jerry Garcia's Garcia has to be up among the best. It was definitely a solo effort -- Garcia played every instrument except drums -- though many of the songs were later added to the Dead's repertoire.

Jim Capaldi's Oh How We Danced was recorded while he was still with Traffic.

John Entwistle recorded Smash Your Head Against the Wall and Whistle Rymes while the Who was still active. Both are pretty good albums.

OTOH, Keith Moon's solo album, released at about the same time, sucked.

John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jun 12 2018 07:43 PM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

Not really Klassik Rawk but I've been getting into the Old 97s a bit lately and their singer Rhett Miller has a couple of solo albums that are distinct from the band but also good in a different way.

In a related note I've just begun reading Steven Hyden's new book: TWILIGHT OF THE GODS: A Journey to the End of Classic Rock

His perspective is a bit younger than mine inasmuch as the "Classic Rock" era sort of predates him moreso than me but in it he makes the proposal that Classic Rock started with "Sgt. Pepper" and ends with Nine Inch Nails' THE FRAGILE in 1999. I never though of classic rock as anything more than a friendly way radio stations could say "oldies" but his argument, which incorporates that as well, makes sense. I'm only starting it tho.

Rockin' Doc
Jun 13 2018 12:37 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

My son really likes the Old 97s.

Frayed Knot
Jun 13 2018 03:21 AM
Re: Classic rawk: What are the best solo albums?

smg58 wrote:
Full Moon Fever might be stretching the definition a bit, but if it counts it ranks very high.

The same could be said of Nebraska.

The thing about Bruce (and one that a lot of folks don't recognize) is that only albums of his live/concert material output were billed as ' ... and the E Street Band'.
Everything else was simply a B.S. record whether is was a total solo shot like Nebraska; "Tunnel of Love' & 'Lucky Town' with that LA area crew, or his long-running, though credited only in the liner notes, East
Streeers'

Nebraska, though, qualifies for this category since it's TOTALLY him.