Pat Benatar Ultimate Best of compilation by JRD

The Lady of Rock; Not only a gorgeous woman but also a roaring performer. Pat dominated the early 80's with some of the best songs by female artists in rock and later on with some of the most outrageously catchy pop anthems.In the 90's, when her platimun and golden days were over and hipsters mocked her songs, she continued with some low profile but more than decent albums and of course she never stopped touring. It took me a while to compile these songs, I wanted to gather all her great songs from the glory days, hit or no hits, add some live cuts of her fan favorites and some of the unknown stuff from the latest albums, trace some songs that worked better live than studio etc etc, in short I wanted to give you a clear picture of what Pat benatar really is. Wherever I could I replaced original masters with better sounding remasters, that's why the sound quality varies. No lame singles here, just the crop of the material that was graced with Pat's amazing voice.

01. Heartbreaker (1979-In the heat of the night)
02. Hell is for children (1980-Crimes of passion)
03. Hit me with your best shot (1980-Crimes of passion)
04. Treat me right (1980-Crimes of passion)
05. Wuthering heights (1980-Crimes of passion)
06. Evil genius (1981-Precious time)
07. Fire and ice (1981-Precious time)
08. Hell is for children (1981-From the front row:live)
09. In the heat of the night (1981-From the front row:live)
10. Out of touch (1981-From the front row:live)
11. Precious time (1981-Precious time)
12. Precious time (1981-From the front row:live)
13. Promises in the dark (1981- Precious time)
14. Treat me right (1981-From the front row)
15. We live for love (1981-From the front row:live)
16. Anxiety (1982-Get nervous)
17. Fight it out (1982-Get nervous)
18. I'll do it (1982-Get nervous)
19. Looking for a stranger (1982-Get nervous)
20. Shadows in the night (1982-Get nervous)
21. Tell it to her (1982-Get nervous)
22. The victim (1982-Get nervous)
23. Heartbreaker (1983-Live from earth)
24. Love is a battlefield (edit) (1983-Live from earth:studio song)
25. Promises in the dark (1983-Live from earth)
26. Crazy world like this (1984-Tropico)
27. Painted desert (1984-Tropico)
28. We belong (1984-Tropico)
29. Invincible (1985-Seven the hard way)
30. Sex as a weapon (1985-Seven the hard way)
31. Walking in the underground (1985-Seven the hard way)
32. Fire and ice (1986-Portland bootleg:live)
33. Cerebral man (1988-Wide awake in dreamland)
34. Hell is for children (1988-Philadelphia bootleg:live)
35. Suffer the little children (1988-Wide awake in dreamland)
36. Evening (1991-True love)
37. True love (1991-True love)
38. You and I (1993-Gravity's rainbow)
39. I don't want be your friend (1997-Innamorata)
40. Shooting star (1999-Synchronistic wanderings best of, Harry Chaplin cover)
41. I won't (2003-Go)
42. Out of the ruins (2003-Go)
ENJOY!!!


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DM9I711E

Best Uriah Heep ballads by JRD

Those of you who actually care about my selections rather than just downloading anything from everywhere might be asking themselves: ''why a Heep ballad collection?''. Well I'm under the impression that Heep are widely aknowledged for their rocking material and especially fast paced songs like Easy living, Look at yourself etc. If someone were to think of a Heep ballad the first and probably only that would  jump in mind would be July morning. Think harder and then maybe songs like Lady in black or The Wizard will pop up, but then again those are actually not ballads, at least not in the sense of a ''slow'' song. So I thought it would be worth bringing to the attention of folks not aware of the Heep discography some fine songs that fall into the ballad category as above described. These songs are mostly forgotten and it's a shame. Uriah Heep were blessed with outstanding singers, not only the legendary David Byron, but also John Lawton, Peter Goalby and Berny Shaw, they all had their share and contribution more or less. Melody runs deep in the veins of Uriah Heep. Even when mastermind Ken Hensley left the band it managed to resurface with worthy material despite minor success and criticism.  Just take a look at the softer side of this rock legend and you will be surprised by the gems you probably have overlooked.

ENJOY!!!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WSCXDR8E

WHITE SISTER- White sister (1984)

White Sister released their debut in 1984 with the help of ex-Angel and future House of Lords keyboardist Gregg Giuffria who discovered and produced them. With such a great debut the future looked bright fro White Sister. Massive guitars, fine keys, two great lead singers and a songwriting power able to produce gems like Can't say no should be enough for success. Still White Sister didn't make it. They released a follow up in 1986, then changed name to Tattoo Rodeo for another two albums in a blues/sleaze hard rock style and finally called it quits in the middle 90's. Recently they reunited for some shows (you can check some videos from the Firefest festival on youtube). I'd love to hear more stuff from this outstanding outfit.

ENJOY!!!

https://rapidshare.com/files/461072601/White_Sister-_White_sister__1984_.rar

ROMANTIC ROCK BALLADS VOL.2

Some songs that really moved me and brought back great memories...

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/435287487/Romantic_Rock_Ballads_Vol._2.rar

MADISON- Diamond mistress (1984)

Since the previous post was related to Goran Edman I decided it was the perfect timing to upload his first official album release way back from year 1984. At that time he was lead singer in Madison, a very talented Swedish band. Madison played a mixture of early melodic heavy metal and hard rock. The band sounded like a rougher version of early Europe. Edman's high octave vocals sounded a little unpolished compared to his later works, but he was a pleasure to listen to. It was obvious he was a gifted singer who would make a respectable career later on. Madison only lasted until the follow up album ''Best in show'' (1986) which was also very good.

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/400422610/Madison-_Diamond_Mistress__1984_.rar.html

WASHED- Blue (1991) (Re-uploaded 2021)

One of the most obscure and unlucky bands in the whole hard rock/heavy metal universe. Washed released a string of cassette only releases (two demos in 1987 and an album in 1991) before disbanding and fading into obscurity. 

Some years ago (around 2007-2008 if my memory doesn't fail me) the band had a myspace page and was trying to get a record deal for an official rerelease of the ''Blue'' cassette album (1991), but their tracks were lost shortly after that. The band page went inactive and nothing more was heard. During the myspace days the band sent out some of the ''Blue'' material to several labels and fans (this particular fan included) and at some point ''Blue'' was bootlegged in Brazil (in cd-r format). 

Their underground anthem I need an angel is quite popular among hard rock enthousiasts, a song that speaks highly of the bands qualities. Just listen for yourselves. The fact that this band didn't even get a record deal is one of the greatest mysteries. I need an angel could be a huge hit, posessing the same cathiness as songs like You give love a bad name (Bon Jovi) or Nightrain (Guns 'n' roses). The ballad Steel could feel pain ranks among the best, showcasing tremendous power and emotional depth. When Washed got louder there were few metal bands that could match them. Guilty, Armed and Dangerous, Crawlin', three monumental heavy power songs that rivaled the best US metal bands. This band knew how to shift from melodic hard rock to uncompromised metal power. I wish we will hear of them again and this material will get the official re-release and recognition it deserves.

Here you can find 8 out of 12 tracks the ''Blue'' cassette album included. The album front/back covers are selfmade. This stuff needs to keep floating on the net in order to preserve the bands legacy.

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/xl40hq0imowor00/Washed-+Blue+(1991).rar/file

Q5- ''Steel the light'' (1984) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Q5 are a classic choice among followers of 80's heavy metal. Though the band never achieved any significant commercial success (even though guitarist Floyd Rose is the inventor of the famous tremolo system) they are still remembered due to some of the best songs ever written in hard rock/heavy metal. Lonely lady, Steel the light, Come and Gone, Missing in action. A perfect sound, the bridge between the heaviest bands of the 70's and the uprising heavy metal of the 80's. The album does have some fillers, but when Q5 are up for a good song, they're up to it for good!

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/pxpyzampfuhh764/Q5_-_Steel_The_Light_%25281984%2529.rar/file

2009 Best Releases- The JRD compilation

I don't post new albums, but I thought I should let you know which 2009 albums I enjoyed most. This compilation contains one track from each album. If you haven't heard the albums check them out immediately. Support the artists in every way you can. Either by bying the albums or attending their shows, or by spreading the word. Help our music stay alive forever!

01. Altaria- Danger zone (Unholy) melodic heavy metal
02. Bad Sign- Whispered in the wind (Bad sign) melodic hard rock
03. Robin Beck- In a crazy world (Trouble or nothing rerecording) AOR
04. Candlemass- If I ever die (Death magic doom) doom metal
05. Cirrha Niva- Running from the source (For moments never done) progressive metal
06. Constancia- Troublemaker (Lost and gone) melodic hard rock/metal
07. Dr. Grind- Time will tell (Speechless) heavy metal
08. Farcry- Fineline (High gear) melodic hard rock
09. Herman Frank- Heal me (Loyal to none) melodic metal
10. Pictorial Wand- Struggle of Autumn leaves (Face of our fathers) progressive rock/metal
11. Places of Power- In your wildest dreams (Now is the hour) AOR
12. Place Vendome- I'd die for you (Streets of fire) AOR
13. Prodigal Earth- Crossroads (Zenith II Zero) power metal
14. Steel Panther- Eyes of a panther (Feel the steel) hard rock

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/338001082/Best_releases_2009.rar

LIONSHEART- Lionsheart (1992) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Not to be be confused with the band Lionheart that released ''Hot tonight'' in 1984. This is the band led by former Grim Reaper shouter Steve Grimmett. The vocals of Grimmett and the virtuoso styled guitars are the highlights of this album. Most of the songs are hard rock, and only a couple cross the border towards melodic heavy metal. The song that became some kind of a classic is the superb Portrait, a metal epic reminiscent of Malmsteen's best work. If you've read ''The portrait of Dorian Grey'' by Oscar Wilde then you know what this song is about. Truly a masterpiece. On the hard rock side of things you get tracks like Can't believe and So cold, great examples of Grimmett's admiration towards David Coverdale. Lionsheart released three more albums, sadly of declining quality. 1994's ''Pride in fact'' is not a bad choice but this one is an absolute MUST! 

ENJOY!!! 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/cic06a777sj3sds/Lionsheart+-+Lionsheart+(1992).rar/file

TANGIER- Stranded (1991) (Re-uploaded 2021)

This is the third album (second official) of the band and unfortunately the last. Released in 1991 it had few chances of being successful... Yet it is a great example of bluesy melodic hard rock/AOR with focus on songwriting and singing. Mike Le Compt has one of the most beautiful voices in melodic hard rock. Such a shame I haven't heard anything else from him. Similar to the Cinderella singer but quite cleaner, still very warm. Some of the songs may sound a little light but this is meant to give you a good time after all! My personal favorites are Down the line (a mean rocker), Caution to the wind (southern blues melodic rock gem), You're not the loving kind (bluesy hard rock), Since you've been gone (cheesy but great ballad), Stranded (just fantastic AOR!). The later had a nice video clip featuring young Pamela Anderson but it's not on youtube anymore. Someone must do something about it!

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xo2igh60hcaqrv/Tangier-+Stranded+(1991).rar/file

UPDATE: Surprise surprise! Someone actually did something about the video clip of Stranded!

ENJOY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvTFtLlTe28

SARACEN- Heroes, saints and fools (1981, 1992 reissue) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Saracen were filed under the NWOBHM movement mainly because of their origin and time of appearance. Everything with guitars in 1981 was supposed to be NWOBHM in one way or another. But what I hear is prog/pomp hard rock. The same titled masterpiece and songs like Horsemen of the apocalypse and Ready to fly are lengthy, with nice atmospheric parts and interesting arrangements. The ''hit'' Rock of ages is the only straight rocking song on the album (just as good as those great NWOBHM anthems: Angelwitch, Rock brigade, And the bands played on etc...). Furthermore tracks 8-14, which are basically no bonus tracks but tracks from the second album ''Change of heart'' (1984) showcase a strong AOR feeling that leaves no room for misunderstandings. Like expected, Saracen handle every different style with the same class. Seabird and A face in the crowd actually exceed any expectations, and personally I tend to believe the second album is even better than the first (though I love the prog elements of the debut). Special note has to be made about Steven Bettney -this guy has the voice of an angel! Anyway, the meaning of this post is to persuade you about the greatness of this band, they are still alive and kicking, releasing great albums (check ''Vox in Excelso'' from 2006 on my blog) and they are a fantastic live band too, with Bettney sounding like he's 30 years old! I saw them live in 2018 and I couldn't believe me ears...

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/3iw4ke99h4j98bm/Saracen+-+1981+-+Heroes,+Saints+&+Fools.rar/file

BLACKFOOT- Marauder (1981) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Another Blackfoot album I love. After touring with AC/DC and Scorpions they released their fifth album ''Marauder''. It was obvious that they were more than just a southern rock band, as they had started incorporating elements of hard rock/early heavy metal. The best exaple of that hybrid is the epic Fire of the dragon. Two great ballads were included, Diary of a workingman and Searchin, both classics you shouldn't miss. It's very funny that albums like ''Marauder'' and ''Siogo'' marked the commercial decline of this great band... Check it out and... ENJOY!!! 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/i428ivgkb3aeuan/Blackfoot-+Marauder+(1981).rar/file

MARK FREE- The JRD compilation

I've been wanting to present this compilation for months. Mark Free is one of the greatest singers ever to serve our music. Though he never had the luck to meet great success,he deserves to be included in any hall of fame ever existant. This compilation includes the best songs he ever recorded.The first part includes songs from his official albums and the second songs from the numberous demos he recorded. I could easily make ten posts about Mark Free related albums but I chose to present you the very best of his work. Check this out, it's really worth it, especially the second part with the demo songs that are quite hard to find.

UPDATE 18-10-2009: Mark (nowadays Marcie, due to a sex change), will appear as the lead singer on a new Unruly Child album! That's great news, check it out when it get's released (sometime in 2010).

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/232681502/Mark_Free-_The_JRD_compilation_part_1.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/232702761/Mark_Free-_The_JRD_compilation_part_2.rar

COO- Rock eyes (1982) (Re-uploaded 2021)

This is a rarity that's not easy to find. Actually it was nowhere to be found but I delayed ripping it so some greek blog got it up first. Anyway here's the rip of my lp copy. Thanks to my friend Vaggelis for ripping it. Coo is exactly the same band as Booby Trap I have already posted. The Coo album was released just a year before ''Women''. Better production but musically more flawed than ''Women'', ''Rock eyes'' isn't actually a real gem throughout, but it has some glorious moments. My favorite is the pomp rock opener The days of mauve and grey. The opener's and closers of every side are nice tracks but inbetween there are some fillers. Let's say half of the stuff is good and half bad. Anyway, I felt like uploading something really rare for once (though my surprise was ruined, lol).

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/3ux7holo4358zlh/Coo-+Rock+eyes+(1982).rar/file

Romantic Rock Ballads

This one should be treated with deep respect. It's related to some personal moments of mine, a collection of love songs I compiled for someone special. We had the chance to drift away on a beautiful night after a whole day we spent together. We went to a hill with the view of the city beneath us and danced to the songs. Wonderful memories...

Share these songs with someone you cherish...

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/204084568/Romantic_Rock_ballads.rar

BLACKFOOT- Siogo (1983) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Blackfoot are known as one of the greatest southern rock bands. Albums like ''Strikes'' and ''Marauder'' prove that true. In 1983 they released an album with a more hard rock/ AOR sound. Uriah Heep's Ken Hensley had just joined the band and he contributed a lot to the new sound. Send me an angel and Teenage idol are the most known songs on the album and they are pure masterpieces of 80's hard 'n' heavy. But the album has more to offer than just those two songs. Some songs sound a little too commercial for a band that was into southern/hard rock, but they are nice too. Especially Crossfire, Sail away and Run for cover count among the best moments of ''Siogo''. And there's this overlooked gem, a pure to the bone southern hard rock piece, White man's land. 3 minutes of guitar frenzy and raw vocals. Got to tune that one up! Check out 1994's ''After the reign'' it's a very solid effort too, though at that time the only surviving member was singer/guitarist Rick Medlocke (now in Lynyrd Skynyrd). ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/7zkenpylq37e5dy/Blackfoot+1983+-+Siogo.rar/file

RIOT- Born in America (1983) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Riot is one of the premier heavy metal bands that never got the recognition they deserved. They should have been huge. They did get close a couple of times but it wasn't meant to be...1983 found the band with a new singer and a new musical direction. Rhett Forester was a very strong frontman and vocalist. His voice raw, yet emotional. Sounds a little bit like Coverdale but in his very own style. I love the hard 'n' heavy sound of the album. Sometimes a local dj plays You burn in me and it makes me wanna scream and put my hands in the air! Nice feeling! Hope you feel it too... 

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/sg4702dh158h6az/1983_Born_in_America.rar/file

RICHIE SAMBORA- Stranger in this town (1991)

Richie Sambora is the guitarist of Bon Jovi. In 1991 he released his first solo album. His skills as a guitar player and songwriter were known at that time, but most people probably hadn't really noticed he has a very powerful voice too. You can witness everything listening to this album. It's not typical Bon Jovi stuff. The majority of the songs is very calm and quite bluesy. Candlelight music for sure. Of course Richie wouldn't completely disappoint Bon Jovi fans, so we have an absolute hard rock anthem in Rosie (co-written with Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child), an AOR masterpiece in Ballad of youth and one of the best hard rock ballads in Father time (co-written with Desmond Child). Add the magic of songs like Church of desire, Stranger in this town, One light burning and you get a very satisfying album with strong musicianship and beautiful melodies.

I had to take down the link due to complaints, so check these videos instead!

MAGNUM- Chase the dragon (1982, 2006 re-release with 8 bonus tracks) (Re-uploaded 2021)

I think everyone knows a little bit about Magnum. And I also think everyone should at least know about this wonderful album they released in 1982. To me Magnum were one of the best examples of pomp rock and ''Chase the dragon'' their masterpiece. Anthemic, epic, majestic, melodic, heavy when needed, this album combines almost everything I love about rock. Imagine the melody of the Foreigner debut or Styx's ''Grand illusion'', the heaviness of early NWOBHM, genius keys, an alltogether 70's sound and on top of everything one of the greatest singers in rock history, Bob Catley. It's obvious the band had a lots of creative juices flowing, mastermind/guitarist Tony Clarkin delivered 3-4 of his best compositions and the rest is history. It's a shame this album never got the degree of recognition it deserved, it went to No 17 in the UK charts but I think it should be considered among the classics of hard rock history. 

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/b3apdhir5uvfb4f/1982+Chase+the+dragon.rar/file

AXE- V (1996) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Axe were a very promising band of the late 70's early 80's. In that period they released 4 albums of which the best is ''Offering'' from 1982. Unfortunately in 1984 they disbanded after a tragic car accident that caused the death of guitarist Mike Osbourne and the serious injury of guitarist/singer Bobby Barth . Barth revived the band in the 90's and in 1996 they released ''V''. Surprisingly this is their best album! Barth no longer singed lead, but Bob Harris did a great job replacing him. The songwriting is high level throughout the album. Check out tracks like Magic in your eyes, Sting of the rain, Anyplace on this highway is home, Battles (a remake from their debut album). Anthems that will stick in your mind. The melodies are really touching. Listen for yourselves.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/4s7axjzh7awxszd/Axe+1996+Five.rar/file