A&M Records gave Y&T loads of promo for ‘Black Tiger’. Thankfully this time around, it was an easily acquired LP in most markets outside of the USA.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Y&T
ALBUM: Black Tiger
LABEL: A&M
SERIAL: SP 4910
YEAR: 1982
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Dave Meniketti – vocals, guitars * Joey Alves – guitars * Phil Kennemore – bass * Leonard Haze – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 From The Moon * 02 Open Fire * 03 Don’t Wanna Lose * 04 Hell Or High Water * 05 Forever * 06 Black Tiger * 07 Barroom Boogie * 08 My Way Or The Highway * 09 Winds Of Change
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Y&T Background
It goes without question that Y&T’s ‘Earthshaker’ album was an absolute game-changer in the world of heavy metal in 1981.
An abbreviated name change, and a stylistic change from their two earlier albums saw an improved profile. From 1981 onwards, the Bay Area legends unleashed upon the listening public with a vengeance.
A&M Records gave Y&T loads of promo for ‘Black Tiger’. Thankfully this time around, it was an easily acquired LP in most markets outside of the USA. Unlike ‘Earthshaker’, which was a hard to come by Japanese import.
Y&T came over to the UK to record the album, with boom producer Max Norman at the helm. This album features nine tracks (one is an instrumental).
The album cover features a mechanized ‘transformer like’ black tiger. It was similar imagery to the third Doc Holliday album ‘Modern Medicine’ released the following year. That was also on A&M Records.
The Songs
Indeed, it is that instrumental ‘From The Moon’ which sets the scene. The twin lead guitars from Meniketti and Alves paves the way.
One of the band’s most enduring tracks over the years has been ‘Open Fire’. This is chugging metal, and pretty much continues on from the ‘Earthshaker’ era without blinking an eye.
‘Don’t Wanna Lose’ has more of a melodic tinge to it,. This track keeps to the Night Ranger side of the curb than say Ozzy Osbourne.
‘Hell Or Highwater’ is the band’s party-anthem moment, with Meniketti doing a few chatty moments a la David Lee Roth. You can tell this is a great live number with many audience participation parts included within, especially the outtro chant.
‘Forever’ is one of my favourite tracks on the album, featuring galloping guitars and a very user-friendly chorus.
The title track is next, and prowls across your speaker space with animalistic intent. Meniketti and Alves give this one an elevated presence.
‘Barroom Boogie’ is another anthem, though isn’t really blues based boogie as the song-title might suggest. It’s a continuation of Y&T’s powerful brand of metal.
‘My Way Or The Highway’ much like ‘Don’t Wanna Lose’ earlier on, keeps things closer to a hard rock style. This is a style the band would perfect on later albums; in particular 1985’s ‘Down For The Count’.
The last track ‘Winds Of Change’ is Y&T’s sweeping ballad. Perhaps Part II of their song ‘I Believe In You’? The acoustic intro will have you comparing this to Canadians Triumph at their balladic best.
In Summary
For me, all of the Y&T back-catalogue on A&M during the 80’s era are worth investing in. Some are better than others. But Y&T’s ride during this timeframe was one most of us joined in without a second thought.
Initially, the album was very hard to trace as a CD, though Japan did step up to the plate and released a handful of reissues.
There is a 2008 version from the UK label Kreshendo, though their quality is dubious. In fairness though I haven’t listened to that particular reissue myself.
Dave Meniketti has his own Meanstreak label now, where the Y&T albums can be obtained.
Y&T on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
