KISS Rare Live Minipost - Part 1

Recently got a request to up some rare live KISS stuff, so here goes!

For Whpprsnppr - First up is a killer live version of KISS opening with "King Of The Mountain" in Utica, New York on April 2, 1986. Say what you will about this era of the band, but the musicianship here is outstanding as is the energy...
http://boomp3.com/listen/byx0dilnz_f/king-of-the-mountain-utica

Up next we have the live version of "All American Man" from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on their "Hit N Run Tour" last summer. Paul wasn't too thrilled to be playing this one live so it went after three shows. Its a shame this one had to go!
http://boomp3.com/listen/byx0hajyi_e/all-american-man-sault-ste-marie

And rounding part one this minipost is "Burn Bitch Burn" from Brighton, UK in September 30, 1984. This was opening night of the entire Animalize Tour. This song would continue to make sporadic appearances in KISS' set until it was dropped for good halfway through the Asylum Tour two years later.
http://boomp3.com/listen/byx0k7wqp_x/burn-bitch-burn-brighton

Be sure and check back with The Archives tomorrow for Part 2 of the minipost series. Part 2 will contain "Flaming Youth", and the infamous live recording of "Hard Luck Woman" from December 1976!

KISS - "Psycho Circus" Post

By request here is a mini-post from KISS' Psycho Circus era. First up is a Gene Simmons demo called "I Am Yours". This is the same "I Am Yours" that Gene made sure to lush about in every interview he gave from 1997 to 1999...after hearing it, I don't blame him. This is a really great tune that should have made the album.

Gene Simmons - "I Am Yours"

http://boomp3.com/listen/byvww84sh_v/i-am-yours-demo

Next up is the so-called Collector's Version of "Raise Your Glasses". This particular cut of the song was used a B-side to the "Psycho Circus" and "We Are One" singles internationally and has not been made available whatsoever in North America. Even in the digital age it is hard to find. This version of the song is far better than the actual album version based on its punch alone. While "RYG" is far from my favorite KISS song - it sounds pretty killer here.

KISS - "Raise Your Glasses (Collector's Version)"

http://boomp3.com/listen/byvx6jk8c_f/raise-your-glasses-collector-s-version

Journey with Jeff Scott Soto

By request on Metal Sludge.

Many of us were shocked when Journey suddenly fired Jeff Scott Soto in early 2007. Many of us also wondered why the band would suddenly fire the frontman that helped them regain their momentum. Not many know that one of the biggest factors in Soto's dismissal was the results of a proper recording session done with producer Kevin Shirley the Spring of 2007. Below is a complete song from said session, "The Winds Of Freedom", penned by Jonathan Cain. The studio work with Soto was met with much disapproval from manager Irving Azoff and guitarist Neal Schon. Soto was formally fired on June 12, and current vocalist Arnel Pineda entered the picture soon after. Now you can judge it for yourselves by clicking below.

Journey - "The Winds Of Freedom"
http://boomp3.com/listen/bysn2zje2_q/the-winds-of-freedom

As an added bonus here is a recording of Journey, with JSS, performing their classic "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" live at Devore, California in November 2006. For you collectors out there, I would highly recommend getting the complete show on CD. It is by far the best bootleg of the tour, next to Atlanta (first night).

Journey - "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"
http://boomp3.com/listen/bysn8hxk4_f/seperate-ways-devore