Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Strange Man
Company: MCA
Catalog: MCA-5351
Year: 1982
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap; opened and played once; lower right corner is creased
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4731
Price: $9.00
Cost: $66.00
Success has a way of breeding success. That seems to be the case with Brian Johnson. Prior to replacing Bon Scott in AC/DC Johnson had spent the mid-1970s fronting the band Geordie. While the band was quite popular in their native Australia, they couldn't get arrested throughout the rest of the world. That all changed post-"Back In Black".
While the liner notes are scant, 1982's "Strange Man" serves to pull together ten tracks from the 1974-77 Geordie catalog. Largely penned by guitarist Vic Malcolm, I have to admit that material such as ''Got To Know' , 'Give You Till the Morning' and 'Ain't It Just Like a Woman' is surprisingly good in a radio friendly Zepplin influenced way. Elsewhere Johnson's instantly recognizable voice makes it easy to see why AC/DC grabbed him. While virtually every one of these ten tracks is worth hearing, though I'm a little puzzled with the track selection. None of Geordie's mid-1970s glam-influenced hits are includes ('All Because of You' and 'Can You Do It). Still, the album should appeal to AC/DC fans and anyone who likes stuff like Def Leppard.
"Strange Man" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Got To Know (Vic Malcolm) - 3:21
2.) So What (Vic Malcolm) - 4:10
3.) Mama's Going To Take You Home (Rob Huxley - S. Birnbach) - 2:55
4.) Give You Till Morning (Vic Malcolm) - 3:50
5.) Ain't It Just Like a Woman (Vic Malcolm) - 3:50
(side
2)
1.) She's a Teaser (Vic Malcolm - Joe D'Ambrose) - 3:17
2.) Strange Man (Vic Malcolm) - 3:28
3.) Can You Do It (Vic Malcolm) - 3:10
4.) All Because of You (Vic Malcolm) - 2:48
5.) House of the Rising Sun (traditional arrangement) - 4:56