Ranking the Studio Albums: The Firm
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- Join Pete Pardo as he ranks the albums of '80s supergroup The Firm, featuring Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, Chris Slade, and Tony Franklin. #thefirm
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Just started listening to The Firm - fking love it!
Mean Business was my first Firm album in 1986 after seeing All the Kings Horses on MTV as a 10 year old already into Zeppelin. Then seeing Live in Peace I had to get the album and I loved from the get-go.
Thanks for covering The Firm. I listened to the albums a lot when they first came out. I remember not knowing what to expect before the first album came out. They had a unique sound.
I always loved the sound of much of Jimmy's guitar on those albums where he used his Telecaster fitted with a Clarence White B-bender .
The video for the song Satisfaction Guaranteed has none other than Les Paul in it playing the bartender.
My favorite song by the Firm, very cool video as well.
I was just saying yesterday that Paul Rodgers did not receive any love from the Hudson Valley squares on Monday. Good to see Pete was quick with this the next day!
Fretless bass work is awesome on these albums, agreed.
The Firm had a few really great songs over the course of those two albums. I still love “Radioactive” now as much as I did when it was released.
The Firm was a superb band to listen to for fun and I've been looking forward to find their 2nd album mean business this year or next year and I have their 1st album on CD and I have been a die hard fan of the group itself since 1985
The album cover of the first was designed by the father of one of my good high school friend's. It was cool as a teenager to see the original art hanging on his studio wall. He did mention that he'd been really excited about meeting Page but Page was a mess and he came away disappointed.
Saw them twice at the Garden, still have my stub too!
When the 1st Firm album was released, I was a senior in high school and had just started my obsession with Zeppelin. I have to agree with you that with all the hype that behind that album, it didn't seem like Page was too present. Although, it became one of my favorite albums of my high school years. I loved the drumming that Chris Slade brought to the band. I completely agree that the star that came out of the band was Tony Franklin on his fretless bass.
The 2nd album was released in February of 86 and I'm not sure where I was in my musical tastes. Ozzy's Ultimate Sin was released later in February and Van Halen's 5150 in March. So, I may have been so into those 2 albums at the time that Mean Business may have been shuffled to the side in my listening habits at the time. But "All the King's Horses" was definitely a highlight for me at the time.
And Jimmy playing the guitar with the beer bottle in the video.😁 I saw them twice live
I'll give it another listen, I was always a fan of the first album, but never got into Mean Business. Thanks Pete for talking about these albums, I have revisited a lot of music because you have reminded me of it. Thanks!
I enjoyed both of their albums and I really liked Jimmy's guitar work throughout. He made great use of his Botswana Brown Telecaster that was fitted with a Clarence White B-bender . His guitar sounded very original, lush and expressive . I also think that his time in The Firm gave Jimmy renewed confidence and enthusiasm and he actually seemed to be happy and chilled performing live with the band.
I really wish they had put out more albums. Loved them. I’m with you, mean business is my favorite. And loved the cover art
Love The Firm. Great first album, pretty good second one. Time for a Bad Company ranking soon.
The right band in the wrong time period! Cheers!
Not to be mistaken with another UK band called The Firm who released the novelty song Star Trekkin’ in 1987. 😂
I remember that song and video lol.
Great show, Pete! Two of my all time favorite albums...
Hey, Pete. Have you given Page's Outsider album another listen. I'm curious what you think about it all these years later.
Haven't heard it in like 25 years or more
I like it much more today than when it came out in '88. Maybe it's just 'cause I'm older... Anyway, was thinking you might have a similar experience.
Really strong album and the guitar army was in town
With skyscraping talents like Jimmy Page (my music hero) and Paul Rodgers (as great a voice as we have heard) the expectations were through the roof for The Firm....I was expecting great things....I have learned to be a lot more measured with my expectations, ever since!
Live in Peace is my favorite. Always liked Spirit of Live, too.
Yes, 'Spirit of Love' has a gospel vibe to it that sounds glorious !
I've only ever heard the first album, but I enjoy it. I'll check out the second one, too. Any thoughts on The Honeydrippers EP? Also, I remember that you did a Top Ten Songs of Status Quo a few months back - any chance of some type of album list? Probably a top ten. Their career always reminds me of Golden Earring in that they're huge worldwide, but never got that big in the USA.
Thanks for the content, Mr. Pardo!
I love the depth of the sound in the remake of Live In Peace, originally on Paul Rodgers "Cut Loose" album.
Didn't know there was a second album, but the debut blew me away. It's still a great Blues Rock album I'd put on anytime. Page and Rodgers...what more would you want? It sends shivers down my spine.
Hello Pete
If you haven't heard Paul's one off project "The Law", check it out. I wished he would've gone onto produce more with this lineup.
Check it out
Love your content.
Really good album!
I bought it...and then later sold it. Didn't do much for me unfortunately.
Pete: if you thought The Law was bad, they apparently had a second album cut but didn't release it. Unlistenable.
I'll definitely be checking that out.
@@seaoftranquilityprog I agree here Pete. Rodgers is one of THE great rock songwriters, yet from memory this album only contained one or two of Paul songs. It was weak because of this.
I love both Firm albums but the first one has an edge!! 🎼🎤🎸🎵🥁
Hey Pete. I remember hearing Radioactive on the radio (I was very near the end of my second pregnancy with a 10 lb son. And I swear that rocking out to that great song brought on my labor! And I couldn't work it out on my telecaster because I was so huge!) At any rate, I decided that I had to go get the album, and I loved it. Never got the second one, probably because I was really busy w 2 young sons & I don't remember hearing any tracks off it on the radio. Maybe I should pick up the CD now & give it a listen. Happy belated birthday too.🥳🎂
Top summary. Always liked and still play these two albums. Think they get better as time passes by.
Totally aligned with you on this one Pete. Mean Business for me is far superior to the debut. Looking forward to these ranking the albums episodes keep them coming. Thanks
Hard for me to pick one over the other, luv them both.
As a huge fan of Paul Rodgers, I loved THE FIRM. And I agree with your ranking! Great job, Pete!
*to add, the guitar hook in "Radioactive" is actually played by Rodgers not Page.
Yes - I have talked with Tony Franklin and he confirms this
@@STEVENGOSNEY spot on. When Chris Slade mowed my lawn, he’d mentioned to me that he was a member of the Firm. After doubting him, and belting him with a rolled-up newspaper, I began to believe him. Later on, it became apparent that he was telling me the truth!!!
@@benedictdonald4338 That is pretty cool - Now that he is out of AC DC maybe Tony and him could do something with either or both of the others
I like how Pete described Page's guitar playing during this era:
"Textures"
Not the riffs, but textures.
And Tony Franklin was the star of this band. I say that as Page being my favorite musician ever.
You mean the loud siren-type sound?
Thanks Pete! I always love that debut of The Firm, for all the reasons you listed. I knew about Mean Business and All the Kings Horses but never sought it out. However, now, I will.
I do prefer Mean Business over the debut. “Satisfaction Guaranteed” could be my favorite song, but collectively love the songs more on the follow up. “Live In Peace” is totally badass.
I have a recommendation for a future ranking the albums that would be cool; the studio output of the Danish hard rock band Pretty Maids. I have been listening to them quite a bit lately.
Pete, thank you for reminding me how good that second album is. Even songs I wasn’t crazy about 30 years ago I really enjoyed.
Ranking two albums. Yes.
Forgot about the Firm. Love Tony Franklin
Always loved Mean Business when I was in high school. I always thought Spirit of Love could have been a hit single and video if it would have been released as such at the time.
I always loved the gospel feel to that song !
Never really thought they lived up to their potential. That said, Satisfaction Guaranteed is one of my favorite from either album. Can totally see the Bad Company influence in this song.
Paul Rodgers...one of a kind......just something about this mix of legands...not my thing...👍❤🎸🎵🤟
Tony Franklin is very undervalued, and its a shame. He's probably 10 or 15 years younger than a lot of the "great" rock bass players (Squire, J.P.Jones, Geddy, Tony Levin, Entwistle), and he rose to fame in the 80's where synth pop and hair metal ruled the charts. He was simply born too late, but he should be mentioned amongst the best, and not just appreciated by the true hard rock afficionados like Pete Pardo and myself, but by everyone..
Both albums were good, neither was great, I still play them a good bit.
I saw The Firm twice at the Omni International in Atlanta, they put on a killer show both times .I wish they would have put out another album or two, but the two they did put out are great and I love having them in my collection .
saw them at hammersmith around 1984 the studio stuff never matched their live presence great stuff
My favorite is All the King's horse. At night, dark room, headphone, and play this song. Aaahhhh God!
Pete, I agree, both albums are really strong. I was in a cover band back then and we played a couple of songs from the first album. I wonder what the genesis of You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling on the first album was, just them wanting to do something fun, or maybe a deadline and they didn't have another tune finished or something else? They were great live, though. Honestly, even though he's done great stuff outside of it, I think Page still mourns the loss of Bonham and Zeppelin as his creative entity.
Zeppelin's "swan song" is no doubt an early demo of "Midnight Moonlight" great song!
Live In Peace was originally on Paul Rodgers' first solo album "Cut Loose" (1983), not a bad album, very Free/Bad Company in style (no surprise).
What do you think of the Page/Coverdale collaboration? At least Jimmy had gotten his groove back by then..
MTV aired a live concert from the band shortly after the first album was released (with the debut of a couple songs later on Mean Business). Good show but Jimmy was noticeably awkward,like he didnt want to be there.
Tony Franklin really does star in The Firm -- he is still active playing on many studio releases to this day --- He is one of the coolest people in the music business and has his own TH-cam channel that he posts to occasionally. All the members of The Firm are still around - they should do a reunion - could you imagine how huge that would be?
I like Tony, too. His bass playing was refreshing at that time. I have a friend who said the same thing about The Firm reuniting just a couple weeks ago. Although I agreed that it would be a smart thing to do since they’re all still around, I was not in favor because I get the distinct impression that not only is Page out of playing shape but he wouldn’t be interested in the least. He announced in 2014 that he had plans to assemble his own band but that still has yet to commence
@@MochaDaisy8645 I think you are spot on, but one can dream! Not sure why Page's band cant have Tony Franklin and Chris Slade in it at least! : )
Also PETE / sorry day late. Happy/ HEALTHY “ double nickel “ Birthday! 👍💯
Thanks Gary!
That famous lick in Radioactive is done by Paul Rodgers if I’m not mistaken...
head east would b one to do. i always loved the firm i always had these albums on cassette and were always in my rotation back in high achool
Pete, another band with a small catalog that I would love to see you do a show on is Zebra.
Wow, you are well organized to have that many shows scheduled in the next week or so! Thanks Pete, I've been going through your progressive rock reviews and have enjoyed your rankings.
The other day I was going to suggest that you rate Page's post Zeppelin output, particularly your thoughts on the Coverdale/Page album.
Regardless, I am happy to see this. The Firm live bootlegs are better than the albums though.
Ranking their songs would have filled my belly more-so but still another fantastic show!
Got the debut on cassette. Was solely into metal at the time (ahh the 80’s) so didn’t fit my expectations. Never knew there was a second album, so sampled it just now. Seems awesome.
the first rock supergroup. Rogers ; page ; Tony Franklyn and chris slade 🤘
Hey Pete! I was hoping you could do a show on some these bands: Kayak, A.C.T, Sad Cafe, Horslips and the Strawbs. Also, would like to see the obscure bands show again. Love this channel; keep up the great work!
Sorry, other than a couple Kayak and Strawbs albums, I'm no expert on any of them.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Thanks for responding. You should check out Sad Cafe's early albums as well as Horslips 70's stuff. They sound a lot like Jethro Tull.
I agree all the kings horses should be longer, needs a longesh guitar solo on the end blazing out.
No doubt. Pete is right on about the ominous feel of this song. Love it!
ASIA (original lineup) would be interesting.
I agree about Tony Franklin and he was terrific live with this band. Do you guys think fretless bass, however, is a dated sound? I instantly think “1980s” when I hear it.
Steve DiGiorgio's fretless bass on Death's Individual Thought Patterns shows that fretless bass had successfully moved into the 90s😎
I have both albums on vinyl. But, I agree with you Pete I like Mean Business just a little bit better.
Hi Pete, another great ranking. I would agree... i also prefer the second album. I love "Cadillac"; what a heavy blues, "All The Kings Horses", great single. Yes... "Live In Peace", absolute killer, far better than the original version from Rodgers solo-debut three years before. Greetings from germany... bye and take care.
Great band. Second album seriously underrated
Just listened to both of them. Here is my "list"
1. Mean Business - works better as an album, solid nothing outstanding
2.. Debut - has better individual songs (2-3 are really good), but there are also songs that I want to skip.every time I listen to them.
In general they didn't meet expectations!
Hi Pete, how about a look at Enchant? Ted Leonard from Spock's Beard original band. Some great driving prog with strong emotional melodies. I would love to hear your opinion on their work.
Few weeks back I did a video saying how Mean Business gets forgotten. Enjoyed your thoughts on the albums. I love the LPs but yes I agree on the cover song. I seen both tours '85 '86 in Chicago and I thought the were great no Bad Co no LZ though Page did do the bow solo done in Dazed and Confused. I wonder if given more time that more songs would evolve I kinda fee like their time together was rushed. Enjyed this Pete, thank you. Cheer-VK
I’m so glad you did the firm. I agree completely with your ranking. Both albums are great, but I find myself going back to Mean Business more than the debut. I completely skip over you lost that loving feeling. Do not like their version at all. Satisfaction guaranteed is haunting and one of my favorites.
Yeah! Yeah! Rank Box of Frogs albums next! I don't think anyone has trouble deciding which one is the clear number two.
Will have to listen again. But my favorite was the debut album.
I agree that the second album was better. I really liked it back in the day. I have to listen to them again.
I only have the debut. Btw, I dig their cover of You've Lost That Love And Feeling. I think that maybe they didn't want to perform any Zep or Bad Co to break ties with the past. Similarly, Blind Faith not doing any Cream. Plant didn't do many Zep tunes in his early solo shows.
Plant did not start including any Led Zeppelin material in his live concert set lists until his third tour circa 1988/1989 when he was promoting his fourth solo album. Plant felt at the time that his 1970's Led Zeppelin "cock rock" stage persona was being ripped off by Whitesnake lead singer David Coverdale, so he wanted to remind music fans that he, not Coverdale, was the real deal when it came to "lemon" squeezing.
I saw the Firm at the Philly Spectum. Joe Walsh opened i think when Confessor came out
I think Paul Rodgers was at the top of his game. Truly a great singer in this era.
Saw them at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on their second tour. Great show...no Zep, Bad Co or Free, but it rocked. Better than Plant, who was also not doing Zep and I also saw that year.
Still have my t shirt, pin and ticket stub!
I was there too agree with you ! Still have my stuff too.
Pete i think other than you and myself, i don't think I've ever heard any critics or friends tell me they liked " Mean Business" over the first album. I like the songs better on Mean and it does rock harder than the first. Hey how about Ranking the Live albums of Dream Theater? Look forward to future ranking of albums and also the Hudson Valley Squares- was really surprised by the picks from a lot of you, so keep on rockin!
Well, take a read through the comments here and you'll see Mean Business has a lot of fans.
I love bands with two great albums. Firm, Sanctuary, Point Blank.
PS Pete your camera is kind of blurry.
Looks fine to me. Could have been a lighting issue, as I recorded this early in the morning.
Also, Sanctuary have 5 albums, and Point Blank I think 6 or 7.
Maybe it is the lightning. I know about Sanctuary but for my money not the same as their early stuff.
Exellent band 👏👏👏
Here's another short rankings idea - Jellyfish
Or Cardiacs? Never heard them mentioned on this channel, but I reckon a lot of the Gentle Giant heads would love them
Hi Pete, if you haven't done yet, could you make a David Byron solo carrer ranking? Thank you and congratulations as always for the channel...cheers from italy👋👍😃
There was a lot of the small minded "it ain't Zeppelin" That didn't help.
Pete, I was thinking if u can do top-to-bottom Ritchie Blackmore albums both Deep Purple and Rainbow
Wow, that would be an undertaking.
Saw them at the Spectrum. Remember it being a good show. Maybe they needed another album or two to find their way? Haven't listened to them in many years. Gotta dig them out.
Loved the Firm have both albums since they came out in the mid-'80s. Always wished they would have released more albums. All hopes of Bad Company continuing are lost with Mick Ralphs condition since the stroke he had here will not be able to continue. Would be nice to see Page, Rodgers, Jason Bonham, and John Paul Jones form a group.
I also somewhat prefer Mean Business. I saw them on that tour and enjoyed the show. I prefer that version of 'Live in Peace' over Paul's solo version primarily because of Page's solo. Also 'Spirit of Love' is great.
Pete, I don't know if you have reviewed Framptom, but that would be a cool review.
Don't have anything other than the live album.
Ranking the Studio Albums: Manowar
I have the first one haven't listened 2 album in years I might have give a listen soon.
How about a Yardbirds album ranking Pete? I know it was more about the singles back then, but they had a few. I personally wouldn't count the album Birdland released decades later with only Chis and Jim and a bunch of special guest guitarists, but hey it's your show lol! 😁
Saw them at the Omni in Atlanta back in '85, the show was going along great until the broke into "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", and the whole arena just deflated. Should never have done that song!! They recovered for the rest of the show, but it still wasn't the same as before they did that song.
First time I as a young kid had the chance to see Jimmy Page perform live in person was a concert by the Firm in Irvine, CA circa 1985/1986. Whether it was because of drugs or lack of rehearsal, Page was downright awful that night, and I say that as someone who actually appreciated the Firm's studio albums. Fortunately, Page did redeem himself as a live performer in my eyes ten years later when I saw him do a show with Robert Plant. Those two concert experiences combined with having listened to many of Page's live recordings (both official and bootleg) over the years have convinced me that since at least the early 1970's the guy has always been either hit or miss when it comes to playing live despite his iconic status and legendary reputation.
Page is my guitar God-but many, many "party favors" ruined his live work....kills me to type this!
Hey Pete howabout ranking the albums of the Amboy Dukes that should be an interesting group to know more about👍😎
Yes indeed-I've added to my to-do list!
The Firm could have been so much more! As you rightly say Pete, the band didn't live up to expectations, sadly. The greatest rock singer of them all with Led Zep's Jimmy Page, with the under-rated Chris Slade (a Welsh legend who started off with Tommy Scott (Jones) and the Seniors back in the early 60s) and Tony Franklin from Roy Harper's band on bass. Back in the day I loved both albums, but in hindsight I don't think they have aged that well to be honest. Certainly not as well as all of Free's, led Zeppelin and Bad Company's classic albums. I was lucky enough to see the band from the front row at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon in December '84 on their 1st UK mini Tour. Rodgers showed that night that he was still the greatest goddamn vocalist in the rock genre. Sadly no Free or Bad Company songs. Would love to have heard Rodgers sing a coupe of led Zeppelin songs too. I'm with you once again Pete, the 2nd album is slightly the better of the two. Their best two songs, Fortune Hunter, and All the Kings Horses were on this LP. Saw them once again on their 2nd UK mini tour in May '85 at Birmingham NEC, one of those horrible cavernous venues. Didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as the first concert. as me and my mate were quite far back from the stage. Best song of the night? An awesome encore of Solomon Burke's 'Everybody Needs Somebody to Love'. Rodgers showing here his love of 60s soul to the max. I'm sure if the band had done a proper UK tour along with a US one they could have been mega. As disappointing as they were by not living up to expectations, they were certainly head and shoulders above anything else that was being released in '84 and '85 in the rock field. Being a huge Rodgers fan, I was just grateful that he was recording and touring again. Sadly, it's my opinion (from what I have been told by one or people that knew Page around then) that drugs had taken over his life, and so the band spluttered to a stop.
There was a 4-song EP or a 12" single for Radioactive which had a great Jimmy Page song on it called "City Sirens". It was performed live on the EP and was not included on either of the Firm's studio albums. The track kicked ass. There was also a live version of Live In Peace on it and another studio track (maybe "Together") on there. I don't know if it's still in print but if it is and you're a Firm fan, pick it up just for the 2 live tracks.
City Sirens is off of the Death Wish ll soundtrack
I thought, and I could be wrong, that the version on DW2 was an instrumental. The Firm version has Paul Rodgers on vocals.
Was a vocal on the soundtrack. Not sure of the singer
@@chipsdeluxe8622 Not Paul Rodgers on the DW2 sndtrk. Possibly Chris Farlowe.
Pete I know you have a lot of CDs there and that first Firm album you have is in a decent plastic case with the two longer slide out pins/tabs inside on the right hand side of the case to help slide out the booklet easier, But on your Mean Business album case you have those very annoying and always potentially damaging plastic dots on that case I hate those type of CD cases...I have replaced all my plastic cases with the better ones with the longer tabs that help slide the booklet out and don’t damage it...Maybe something for you to do and replace with these better cases when you get any spare time because it’s well worth doing 👍😀👍
2. Mean Business
1. The Firm