It is doubtful whether the first
L.A. Guns album was their best, but it's certain that it was the most successful release. Several songs featured on the first album were dated back to
L.A. Guns' first line-up consisting of Paul Black, Tracii Guns, Robert Stoddard, Mick Cripps and Nickey Alexander. Lead vocalist Paul Black is now releasing the songs which the first
L.A. Guns line-up recorded in the period of 1985 to 1987. These songs are before L.A Guns got a deal and Phil Lewis wrote new lyrics to the songs
The band originally started as
Faster Pussycat but changed to
L.A. Guns. Paul Black, Tracii Guns and Robert Stoddard are responsible for most songs on "Black List".
So why are these songs released so many years after?
L.A. Guns' management and Polygram Records claimed that the master tapes of all their recording sessions prior to the debut album had been erased. Luckily Tracii, Paul, Robert, Nickey and Mick decided to go through their collections of old tapes and that led to this album. The sound quality is varied, but overall it is brilliant and much better than expected.
One More Reason To Die and
Show No Mercy were both featured on
L.A. Guns' debut album with other lyrics but the music intact. Paul Black's voice isn't that far away from Phil Lewis.
For the Hardcore
L.A. Guns fans it is impossible not to acknowledge Paul Black's influence in the band. Just listen to
Love & Hate, where Paul Black is credited for both lyrics and music. If that isn't
Sex Action then my name is Phil. Phil Lewis did write his own lyrics, but the music is a true transcription of what we know as
Sex Action. Also the Tracii Guns/Paul Black penned
Looking Over My Shoulder ended up on "Cocked and Loaded" as
Never Enough
I earlier
praised the
L.A. Guns' ballad
One Way Ticket To Love as amazing and Phil Lewis's vocals being perfect for the song. Paul Black does a great job and maintains the emotion of the song. It sure does sound like the same lyrics to me! That is the only criticism of this CD. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to hear the exact lyrics.
There are several songs that are very typical for the mid eighties era like
Stranded in L.A., album highlight
On and On and the heavy and whining guitar on
L.A.P.D.
Black City Breakdown sounds similar to
Nothing to Lose - it definitely has the same kick ass vibe.
Robert Stoddard earlier played with Dogs D'Amour. Stoddard and Dogs D'Amour frontman
Tyla have written
Wired And Wide Awake.
Paul Black and Tracii Guns was a great pair. When hearing what great melodies Tracii is able to put together - it is devastating to listen to the latest
Brides of Destruction compared to this. Another album highlight
Liquid Diamonds is way better than anything on the latest Brides record and even though this is from a tape the sound quality is really good.
The material at the end of "Black List" isn't as strong.
A Word To The Wise Guy,
Love Is A Crime and
Stoddard's
Everything I Do doesn't' match the other songs.
"Black List" is pure Hard Rock history and a must have for all
L.A. Guns fans. The sound quality is really good considered this is old recordings that have been stocked in shoeboxes for more than 10 years. The sound quality is actually better than some of today's releases.
Paul Black's L.A Guns are rawer, non-polished and snottier than the
L.A. Guns we know.
There certainly is value for money with 18 tracks. There is also a track from Black Cherry featuring Paul Black. T
he Devil in you is a great track. Furthermore there is a 16 page booklet with never before seen pictures and liner notes about the history of the early
L.A. Guns line up
Written by
Michael Monday, December 19, 2005
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