When I started playing drums in the early 80's, my drum teacher had me going through Carmine's book Realistic Rock. This book had soundsheets with samples of how the beats would sound etc. But, it had a discography of Carmine's work. I thought it all seemed so cool. So, I went back and bought all the VF albums. Looking back, I think "Near the Beginning" was my early favorite because of "Shotgun" and "Break Song". I bought "Mystery" on a cassette in 1984. I listened to it a lot and still go back and listen to it occasionally. It's more of a nostalgia listen as I am comfortable listening to Carmine's groove and playing. My brother (who currently lives in Ireland) bought me a CD copy of "Out Through the In Door" around 2006. I like listening to this knowing that Zeppelin initially got their early touring career as the opening act for the Fudge. Great list Pete. I'll have to go back and give "Renaissance" another listen.
I may have mentioned this in the past but here it is again. I went to see VF in the 60’s in Baltimore and the unknown opening act was Led Zeppelin. It’s been such a long since seeing them both and given the wafting of smoke in the air I think I enjoyed them both.
Were they actually already billed as 'Led Zeppelin'? If so that must've been around winter '68 (or '69). I believe they completed the Yardbirds' live commitments as 'The New Yardbirds' - that would've been in the summer of '68
True that you don't always have to lay on the gas pedal - but you don't have to drag out a cover for 15-20 minutes either. I think there's a happy medium in between...🤷♂
Great band and great musicans. Has follow them mostly all my life(born 1965)and have all their albums. I also have all other albums by Tim Bogert & Carmine Appice..like Cactus,BBA....! Tim Bogert Rip.
Enjoyed this ranking episode, Pete, as have been listening to this since their albums Renaissance and Near The Beginning. My top three are the same as yours though I would have the debut at 3rd place and the other two in the order just listed. Can remember buying the Renaissance album from a $0.99 cutout bin in at one of the local department stores here in north central Florida. For at least an entire summer, the oft-mentioned older brother, one of our cousins, and I kept imitating the way Tim Bogert says "Thank You!" at the close of his bass work on the Break Song. Don't listen to these albums a great deal these days, this episode reminds me of how much we enjoyed them. As always, thanks for your rankings!
Huey Lewis was hosting "Rockline" back either in March or April or May of 1984 (when the late announcer Bob Coburn was on vacation) & talked to Vanilla Fudge on their comeback album "Mystery". Huey also played "You Keep Me Hangin' On" BUT they did NOT wanted him to play that song BUT Huey did!!!
Saw em in 16, got to meet all of em, they were mind blowingly awesome. They opened for B.O.C, what a great show, casinos folks, actually a great way to catch old bands!
Cool, thank you! I’ve been hoping you’d do the Fudge for a long time. Glad to hear you enjoy Out Through the In Door - me too. Mileage varies, though - I’m a huge prog fan, and I find little to like (and much to dislike) on The Beat Goes On. My instant ranking: 1. Vanilla Fudge 2. Near the Beginning 3. Renaissance 4. Out Through the In Door 5. Spirit of ‘67 6. Rock & Roll 7. Mystery 8. The Beat Goes On
Great ranking show. The debut will always be my favorite, drenched in organ, but I just love Vince Martell`s guitar playing on it, also the vocals are amazing. I give them credit for going in a completely different direction for "The Beat Goes on". Nothing commercial about it at all, but interesting as hell.
I only know their first three, so I'll just rank those. 3) The Beat Goes On (I really don't like this much) 2) Renaissance 1) Vanilla Fudge I'll check out some of your higher ranked ones. Thanks for the ranking, Pete!
VF could reinvent a song like nobody's business. An early youtube video I enjoyed - IIRC, the VF is on The Ed Sullivan Show covering "Keep Me Hangin' On". Psychedelic, fiery, noisy...didn't get much better than that & on network TV.
I put Beat Goes On higher. First few times I listened to it, didn’t like it. In the last 2 yrs my music taste has been developing. I’m more open to things I once rejected. A few months ago I listened to it. This time I liked it. First album I’d definitely put higher. A new albums box is coming out. I think later this month. I preordered it. All 60s material. Their first 4 albums, a live concert, I think demos/ singles. I think it's 9 dics, so lots of Fudge.
My friend Vince used to call Vanilla Fudge "the middle C of musical taste" and there was a "Vanilla Fudge line". In other words if the worst album in someone's collection is a Vanilla Fudge album, they probably have some pretty good taste/stuff. Conversely if the best album in their collection is a Vanilla Fudge album, proceed with caution 😅🤷
Never got into this band to any great degree. Some rough vocals at times - for me most notable for the 'splinter' groups that they spawned although can't argue with them being quite influential to the later heavy rock/metal scene. Mark Stein later plays with the great Tommy Bolin & Alice Cooper. Even Derek St Holmes did a stint in the band (Alive/Golden Age Dreams - 1991)... What I hear (I know I'll be in the minority here) - I haven't heard 'em all: Debut - proggy ultra-slowed-down covers (Wiki calls them "half-speed covers"). Best track = "Take Me For A Little While". Not my thing/pretty heavy for '67. It's tough not to imagine listeners being 'under the influence' while spinning this one... Renaissance - for me quite possibly their best album (of the original run anyway). Interesting psyche/prog (when they reign it in), like on "The Sky Cried", "Thoughts", "That's What Makes A Man", "Faceless People". "Season Of The Witch" is just plain weird...Honestly this record had to grow on me but it has over time. The bonus track "People" is good The Beat Goes On - it sure does...Overall a bit too 'experimental' for me. "Sketch" has moments. A lot of this seems like 'musical ideas' or threads of songs to me. Also I'm not huge on classical music - a little goes a long way for me (except for Mozart-the 'father' of prog). If the debut requires some 'substances' to totally get into then ditto for this one... Near The Beginning - meh...The cover of "Shotgun" is again kinda weird. "Some Velvet Morning" is a keyboard/guitar workout in spots but way too long (for me), a lot of the slower middle section just drags. "Where Is Hapiness" strikes me sort of the same way, just too longto support the musical ideas. The jam "Break Song" is just that - at almost 24 minutes! Just too rough for me, not 'polished' enough Rock & Roll - most of the tracks get the shorter treatment (which to me is a positive thing). The album opener is pretty manic but the 2nd track "Lord In The Country" is pretty cool - their version of Gospel rock? "I Can't Make It Alone" & "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody" are good tunes. I get some Grand Funk-type vibes (pre-GFR of course) Mystery - 1984, now this is a pretty good album IMO with 7 solid tracks. Fans of the original band maybe won't recognize this, it's in the AOR lane (and no more heavy Hammond riffs). Jeff Beck contributes a couple of solos ("Jealousy" & "My World Is Empty") - never a bad thing. TBH it's kinda tough to count this as a VF album - it's just so different-sounding from the original stuff that it might as well be a different band Golden Age Dreams/Alive - the 1991 live album with Derek St Holmes (I'm a big St Holmes fan so I gotta like this). Even "People Get Ready" & "Ticket To Ride" sound better here (to me anyway). I like the AOR tunes off Mystery too. Pretty good live album overall!
And to think that Jeff Beck plays on what is your least favourite album (and probably near the bottom for me as well...) under the pseudonym of J. Toad... I have to say "The Beat goes On" would be at #8 for me...just a lot of nonsense imo.
Maybe not "nonsense" for me but some of their longer workouts are just TOO long - the musical ideas just can't support those track lengths (IMO). I do like 1984's Mystery quite a bit though - but it might as well be by a different band. Good AOR record
@@gwts1171 True - for me there's a 'hole' in his output between There And Back (1980) and Guitar Shop (1989). But then again he only put out one other record/Flash (1985) in that period which I really don't like much (except for the great cover of "People Get Ready"). Even the great Jan Hammer can't save that one for me (plays on one track). I don't harp on production too often but I think that Tony Hymas has something to do with me disliking this record
Yes a big hole 🕳, there and back, the pump, the final peace, ironically heard this when first released, but guitar shop didn't hear or buy till 2000s go figure, missed out on that one for long time, now '99s who else, I bought when first released and no regrets, love it,Psyco Sam, space for the papa, the one with letters and numbers for song title, even odds, Jan hammer plays drums on that one, this ranks top 7 for me easily IMO, so many I wouldn't wouldn't disagree if you had others instead I'm just sentimental about this one because It just stuck on me from first hearing it
Vanilla Fudge, always one of my favorites from 67' to this day. All 4 originals were[are] super talented. R.I.P. Tim
Thanks again Pete for your time. Your top 3. 💯 agree with. 👍💯
When I started playing drums in the early 80's, my drum teacher had me going through Carmine's book Realistic Rock. This book had soundsheets with samples of how the beats would sound etc. But, it had a discography of Carmine's work. I thought it all seemed so cool. So, I went back and bought all the VF albums. Looking back, I think "Near the Beginning" was my early favorite because of "Shotgun" and "Break Song". I bought "Mystery" on a cassette in 1984. I listened to it a lot and still go back and listen to it occasionally. It's more of a nostalgia listen as I am comfortable listening to Carmine's groove and playing. My brother (who currently lives in Ireland) bought me a CD copy of "Out Through the In Door" around 2006. I like listening to this knowing that Zeppelin initially got their early touring career as the opening act for the Fudge.
Great list Pete. I'll have to go back and give "Renaissance" another listen.
My old guitar teacher in the late 80s Teddy Rondinelli played with these guys lots of vids on TH-cam with them.. Really cool
I love Vanilla Fudge! Got one of my friends to get one of their records a few months ago, and he loves it!
I may have mentioned this in the past but here it is again. I went to see VF in the 60’s in Baltimore and the unknown opening act was Led Zeppelin. It’s been such a long since seeing them both and given the wafting of smoke in the air I think I enjoyed them both.
Lucky you. I would have loved to have been there too! Missed it.
Were they actually already billed as 'Led Zeppelin'? If so that must've been around winter '68 (or '69). I believe they completed the Yardbirds' live commitments as 'The New Yardbirds' - that would've been in the summer of '68
@@wolf1977 I don’t recall
It cracked me up when I looked at my collection that the only albums that I have are the debut and Mystery! 😃. - Heather
Mystery's a good one - but obviously not 'vintage' VF
@@wolf1977 Thanks, Wolf! 😃👍⭐🐺.
Thank you for the upload! Renaissance is also my fave 🤘
1. Vanilla Fudge
2. Renaissance
3. Near the Beginning
4. Spirit of '67
5. Out Through the In Door
6. The Beat Goes On
7. Rock & Roll
8. Mystery
Love this band. They teached me that a heavy song has not to be played fast at all. Great material and I totally agree with your ranking!
True that you don't always have to lay on the gas pedal - but you don't have to drag out a cover for 15-20 minutes either. I think there's a happy medium in between...🤷♂
Thank you Pete! This was great
Saw/Heard them circa 1970 in Huntsville, Al.
Great band and great musicans. Has follow them mostly all my life(born 1965)and have all their albums. I also have all other albums by Tim Bogert & Carmine Appice..like Cactus,BBA....! Tim Bogert Rip.
Nope Pete, You had it right at first. The correct song title is " The Windmills Of Your Mind" by Michel Legrand. Totally agree with your Top 3 picks.
Enjoyed this ranking episode, Pete, as have been listening to this since their albums Renaissance and Near The Beginning. My top three are the same as yours though I would have the debut at 3rd place and the other two in the order just listed. Can remember buying the Renaissance album from a $0.99 cutout bin in at one of the local department stores here in north central Florida. For at least an entire summer, the oft-mentioned older brother, one of our cousins, and I kept imitating the way Tim Bogert says "Thank You!" at the close of his bass work on the Break Song. Don't listen to these albums a great deal these days, this episode reminds me of how much we enjoyed them. As always, thanks for your rankings!
I find myself going back to rock and roll when I wanna hear a bit of the Fudge❤
Huey Lewis was hosting "Rockline" back either in March or April or May of 1984 (when the late announcer Bob Coburn was on vacation) & talked to Vanilla Fudge on their comeback album "Mystery". Huey also played "You Keep Me Hangin' On" BUT they did NOT wanted him to play that song BUT Huey did!!!
Saw em in 16, got to meet all of em, they were mind blowingly awesome. They opened for B.O.C, what a great show, casinos folks, actually a great way to catch old bands!
Need Love on the Rock And Roll album kicks butt
Cool, thank you! I’ve been hoping you’d do the Fudge for a long time. Glad to hear you enjoy Out Through the In Door - me too. Mileage varies, though - I’m a huge prog fan, and I find little to like (and much to dislike) on The Beat Goes On. My instant ranking:
1. Vanilla Fudge
2. Near the Beginning
3. Renaissance
4. Out Through the In Door
5. Spirit of ‘67
6. Rock & Roll
7. Mystery
8. The Beat Goes On
Excelent review ranking the albums of Vanilla Fudge Pete.I like more their early albums.
Led Zeppelin opened for Vanilla Fudge way back when. I actually like Immigrant song from that album. I agree with your rankings all the way.
Great ranking show. The debut will always be my favorite, drenched in organ, but I just love Vince Martell`s guitar playing on it, also the vocals are amazing. I give them credit for going in a completely different direction for "The Beat Goes on". Nothing commercial about it at all, but interesting as hell.
...just peeked at Amazon - 9-cd VF boxset due out in October.
I only know their first three, so I'll just rank those.
3) The Beat Goes On (I really don't like this much)
2) Renaissance
1) Vanilla Fudge
I'll check out some of your higher ranked ones. Thanks for the ranking, Pete!
VF could reinvent a song like nobody's business.
An early youtube video I enjoyed - IIRC, the VF is on The Ed Sullivan Show covering "Keep Me Hangin' On". Psychedelic, fiery, noisy...didn't get much better than that & on network TV.
1. Vanilla Fudge
2. Renaissance
3. Rock and Roll
4. Near The Beginning.
Never cared for the rest.
You picked my top two.
Their ticket to ride cover
Is one of my Beatles favorite covers
I put Beat Goes On higher. First few times I listened to it, didn’t like it. In the last 2 yrs my music taste has been developing. I’m more open to things I once rejected. A few months ago I listened to it. This time I liked it. First album I’d definitely put higher. A new albums box is coming out. I think later this month. I preordered it. All 60s material. Their first 4 albums, a live concert, I think demos/ singles. I think it's 9 dics, so lots of Fudge.
"Renaissance" blew my 17-year-old mind when it came out... and still does. Brilliant album!! (and Pete, your ranking was right on, IMHO)
Saw Fudge, mid 68, headlining over Canned Heat. C.H. brought their A game.
Killer band
My friend Vince used to call Vanilla Fudge "the middle C of musical taste" and there was a "Vanilla Fudge line". In other words if the worst album in someone's collection is a Vanilla Fudge album, they probably have some pretty good taste/stuff. Conversely if the best album in their collection is a Vanilla Fudge album, proceed with caution 😅🤷
Never got into this band to any great degree. Some rough vocals at times - for me most notable for the 'splinter' groups that they spawned although can't argue with them being quite influential to the later heavy rock/metal scene. Mark Stein later plays with the great Tommy Bolin & Alice Cooper. Even Derek St Holmes did a stint in the band (Alive/Golden Age Dreams - 1991)...
What I hear (I know I'll be in the minority here) - I haven't heard 'em all:
Debut - proggy ultra-slowed-down covers (Wiki calls them "half-speed covers"). Best track = "Take Me For A Little While". Not my thing/pretty heavy for '67. It's tough not to imagine listeners being 'under the influence' while spinning this one...
Renaissance - for me quite possibly their best album (of the original run anyway). Interesting psyche/prog (when they reign it in), like on "The Sky Cried", "Thoughts", "That's What Makes A Man", "Faceless People". "Season Of The Witch" is just plain weird...Honestly this record had to grow on me but it has over time. The bonus track "People" is good
The Beat Goes On - it sure does...Overall a bit too 'experimental' for me. "Sketch" has moments. A lot of this seems like 'musical ideas' or threads of songs to me. Also I'm not huge on classical music - a little goes a long way for me (except for Mozart-the 'father' of prog). If the debut requires some 'substances' to totally get into then ditto for this one...
Near The Beginning - meh...The cover of "Shotgun" is again kinda weird. "Some Velvet Morning" is a keyboard/guitar workout in spots but way too long (for me), a lot of the slower middle section just drags. "Where Is Hapiness" strikes me sort of the same way, just too longto support the musical ideas. The jam "Break Song" is just that - at almost 24 minutes! Just too rough for me, not 'polished' enough
Rock & Roll - most of the tracks get the shorter treatment (which to me is a positive thing). The album opener is pretty manic but the 2nd track "Lord In The Country" is pretty cool - their version of Gospel rock? "I Can't Make It Alone" & "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody" are good tunes. I get some Grand Funk-type vibes (pre-GFR of course)
Mystery - 1984, now this is a pretty good album IMO with 7 solid tracks. Fans of the original band maybe won't recognize this, it's in the AOR lane (and no more heavy Hammond riffs). Jeff Beck contributes a couple of solos ("Jealousy" & "My World Is Empty") - never a bad thing. TBH it's kinda tough to count this as a VF album - it's just so different-sounding from the original stuff that it might as well be a different band
Golden Age Dreams/Alive - the 1991 live album with Derek St Holmes (I'm a big St Holmes fan so I gotta like this). Even "People Get Ready" & "Ticket To Ride" sound better here (to me anyway). I like the AOR tunes off Mystery too. Pretty good live album overall!
And to think that Jeff Beck plays on what is your least favourite album (and probably near the bottom for me as well...) under the pseudonym of J. Toad...
I have to say "The Beat goes On" would be at #8 for me...just a lot of nonsense imo.
Maybe not "nonsense" for me but some of their longer workouts are just TOO long - the musical ideas just can't support those track lengths (IMO). I do like 1984's Mystery quite a bit though - but it might as well be by a different band. Good AOR record
Yeah, that's weird about Jeff Beck. Although his stuff at the time wasn't great either, now that I think of it.
@@gwts1171 Same period as Jeff Beck's Flash, but this one has a lot more better tracks and also a couple of great tracks which Mystery lacks imo...
@@gwts1171 True - for me there's a 'hole' in his output between There And Back (1980) and Guitar Shop (1989). But then again he only put out one other record/Flash (1985) in that period which I really don't like much (except for the great cover of "People Get Ready"). Even the great Jan Hammer can't save that one for me (plays on one track). I don't harp on production too often but I think that Tony Hymas has something to do with me disliking this record
Yes a big hole 🕳, there and back, the pump, the final peace, ironically heard this when first released, but guitar shop didn't hear or buy till 2000s go figure, missed out on that one for long time, now '99s who else, I bought when first released and no regrets, love it,Psyco Sam, space for the papa, the one with letters and numbers for song title, even odds, Jan hammer plays drums on that one, this ranks top 7 for me easily IMO, so many I wouldn't wouldn't disagree if you had others instead I'm just sentimental about this one because It just stuck on me from first hearing it