J. Geils Band in retrospect

Ronin writes:

Since I have the Rhapsody service and can listen to any album they have, I've been listening to a lot of J. Geils Band, especially older stuff.

I have to say by and large, their most popular stuff from "Freeze Frame" is vastly inferior to the older stuff that doesn't get any airplay.

I'll take "Cruisin' For Love" over "Centerfold" anyday. It's got far more soul and groove than that vanilla white trash MTV anthem and damn if I don't want to cover "First I Look at the Purse."

Funny, but Rhapsody doesn't even have their last album "You're Getting Even While I'm Getting Odd" that was recorded after Peter Wolf left. J. Geils is probably emabarrassed by songs like "Concealed Weapons."

8/30/2008 3:39:01 PM

Morganic writes:

I agree completely. The old stuff has balls and party attitude. The later stuff was put out just to please the record company dweebs who wanted a 1980's pop-rock hit. Once you abandon your soul, the thing that makes you what you are, you're just an empty shell.

And, THE END RESULT is playing "First I Look At The Purse" with Kevin McDonough these days... great song!

8/30/2008 6:12:21 PM

Darxis writes:

I hear the "Chimes".

8/31/2008 12:35:05 AM

Arte K writes:

I kind of watched their evolution through concerts, starting with my first concert at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in 1975 through several shows at the old Boston Garden from the Blow Your Face Out era to Freeze Frame. By the end, Peter Wolf was forgetting lyrics to the older tunes, and it was getting clear that they were done.

But aside from that Freeze Frame show, they were one of the best live acts I've ever seen, holding their own with many of the big acts I've seen (Springsteen, Jethro Tull, Bob Seger, etc.)

And yes, Freeze Frame was a blatant (and successful) attempt to pander to the masses to get their big hits for the record company. And I think it ended up destroying the band because they broke up shortly afterward.

8/31/2008 9:11:18 AM

Saxman writes:

from wamma jamma, house party,must got lost,
southside shuffle,
those are and will always be the true J.Geils fans music,
I was so disappointed with Freeze Frame when it came out
but that was the way of the record companys back in the early 80's
everything had to be candy ass to get airplay

and wayne I was pretty psyched when I saw Purse on the set list Friday at Johnnys
we played that with my old band Drive all Night and it was always a crowd pleaser.

8/31/2008 11:04:52 AM

Ronin writes:

Outstanding, Morganic!

We've added "Where Did Our Love Go" to our setlist (so I can wail away on my harp) and I'm hoping to add another down the road that's of the older variety yet will appeal to the masses.

8/31/2008 11:10:35 AM

chippa writes:

you guys are wicked old

9/1/2008 12:00:35 AM

solvocals writes:

I remember when I was a kid, m dad had the album with the "Egg Head Guy" on the cover. It had Freeze Frame on it. I was frightened by the album cover for some reason, hahahahaha

9/1/2008 6:25:50 AM

Almac77 writes:

I'm taking bets that Wayne still has 'Full House "on 8-track

9/1/2008 8:36:19 AM

Arte K writes:

You'll be here sooner than you think, Chip. ;-)

9/1/2008 9:06:14 AM

milhouse writes:

consealed weapons aughta be against the law.

9/1/2008 9:45:39 AM

Carl Ayotte writes:

I have "Full House" on vinyl here in my living room, and I think I'm gonna listen to it Today!

As for their old vs. newer stuff, I love it all. Sure the older stuff had much more soul and live power, but the later stuff was pop gold. The afternoons I spent watching MTV waiting for the Centerfold video to come on so I could get close to the screen in a vain attempt to see up the teddy of my favorite school girl in the video...

9/1/2008 9:50:19 AM

Almac77 writes:

I've got "Ladies invited" on vinyl still.It was a giveaway from some DJ.Alot of the other stuff flew the coup.

9/1/2008 10:05:30 AM

milhouse writes:

im with carl. its all good.

i like those soft fuzzy sweaters, too magical to touch.

9/1/2008 10:08:29 AM

« Back to General Discussion or All Forum Discussions

Login or Register to Post a Reply

Discussion Quick Find:

All messages are the express view of the author of the message and not those of LowellRocks.com or its affiliates, advertisers, or sponsors. Neither the owners of LowellRocks.com nor its affiliates will be held responsible for the content of any message. LowellRocks.com does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message.