Black List
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 11:37AM 
If you know the real history of sleaze rockers L.A. Guns, then you know Paul Black is the original singer for the band. He was replaced by Phil Lewis because of drug issues. If you'd like to know more about Paul Black's history and success overcoming addiction, please see "Roll the Dice" originally published on August 8, 2007.
I've listened to Black List a handful of times, and I really like the entire disc. Songs like "Looking Over My Shoulder," "One Way Ticket to Love" and "Liquid Diamonds" are a highlight. Of course, "Looking Over My Shoulder" became "Never Enough" on the L.A. Guns release Cocked and Loaded. It's amazing to hear the similarities of both tracks. The music is pretty much exactly the same, but the lyrics are completely different.
Black List begins strong with "Stranded in L.A." A straight-up, dirty rocker, I found myself amazed at how much the song sounded like L.A. Guns...until I caught myself, realizing I was listening to the Guns in their purest - and most Metal -form (save very early vocals by Axl Rose and Michael Jagosz).
Paul Black's L.A. Guns features Tracii Guns on lead guitar, Robert Stoddard on rhythm guitar, Nickey Alexander on drums and Mick Cripps on bass. This album is important to own not only because the music is great, but also because it's a study in anthropology. Record executives tried to rewrite the history of L.A. Guns, and effectively eliminate Paul Black's identity. After Black and Guns reconciled so many years later, they teamed up to remaster the original L.A. Guns demos. Since these demos were confiscated by label executives, one can also assume these original recordings were not well preserved. In many cases, there is audible scratching and popping on the album, but I guess that adds to the history and charm.
If you're a fan of L.A. Guns or Glam Metal, than you need to own Black List. The release even includes "The Devil in You" performed by Black Cherry, Paul's post- Guns band. Black Cherry should have been huge, but the planets never aligned and it simply wasn't meant to be I suppose. At least Paul Black is finally getting his chance to prove his musical ability through the release of Black List and touring with his version of L.A. Guns.
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Reader Comments (4)
Had they gone on and Phil not replaced him, I highly doubt L.A. Guns would've been as popular as they were in the 80's... good luck to him. he's gonna need it, lol