Rated X (Pat Benatar cover)

[StephenM]

"In The Heat Of The Night" was the first album released by the great Pat Benatar in August of 1979.
It was late that year or early the next when I first heard the song "Heartbreaker" and I was hooked.  So I bought the album, and made a cassette of it (remember when we did that?).  That way I could listen to it while driving everywhere.

Needless to say I really enjoyed the entire album.  She did a lot of covers and Rated X is a song written by Nick Gilder and James McCulloch.  Remember the song "Hot Child In The City" done by Nick Gilder?  If you go back and listen you will hear similarities to that some of Pat's songs.  The common thread being the producers Mike Chapman and Peter Coleman from Chrysalis records, which did both of the albums mentioned. 
As a side note Pat claims in her book "between a rock and heart place" that Neil Giraldo in fact had done much more of the work in recording, mixing, and producing, all while the exec producer kind of slept on a couch.  I can sort of believe at least some of that.  However it is impossible to not notice the similarities in sounds etc from some of these songs on the albums. 

I know this is long oh well.  I personally liked the first 3 albums Benatar did as she used 2 guitarists in the band and they never could get that live when they went to the keyboard after Scott Sheets left the group.  However, in fairness to Pat, some of her biggest hits had major keyboard contributions and all of her work I loved.  As a pure rock band though Charlie Giordano (good as he is) was not the same.

I actually worked very hard at this cover.  I spent hours and hours on it.  I actually re recorded several times and thought about doing it again.  Instead I spent hours working on the mix.  I just couldn't get it quite right.  Finally though, after adding the second voice I liked it alot better.  Also I really was intrigued by the 38 Special like chords progression at the intro and the bridge.  It's really cool and it took me a little while to figure out. 

I used my HB PRS on this. 

[Pete C]

Great Cover ! Particularly digging the 2 guitars, love the tone of the rhythym guitar and the lead tone is really cool !

Pete

[Rene Asologuitar]

Hi Stephen,
The guitar track is so nice, and your vocals has the warmth to match this song, plus the harmony is quite original!!!
Love the guitar solo, always good execution of your solos!!!
Sometimes, we can really get some hours burned on making these covers, I fully understand.
Really appreciate this song, and your version did it full justice, my friend!!!
Thanks for this beauty!
Rene

[Bluesberry]

Great energy.......I also love Pat Benatar........she was incredible on those early albums.....what a voice on that tiny woman........holy man, what a voice she had.......love your rocking guitar

[TPB]

Wow brother this so so good guitars vocals are all icing on the cake
Tim

[Jean Pierre]

I spent hours and hours on it

the mixing is sometimes a bit laborious ..but it's the main interest when you work alone in your studio...and for the blow you have succeeded formidably (in my opinion, I don't know this song)

there is a lot of punch in this production, bravo Stephen and thank you

[Zoltan]

There's this smoky and hazy vibe to this version of the song that i really like. Kinda like someone sprinkled some pixie dust all over.

I might prefer watching Pat Benatar, but as for the music goes i'd rather hear this than the original. There's something slightly "cold" (in a lack of better term) in the original version that makes it somewhat tiring to the ears. This version is warm all over.

I think your reverence towards Benatar works for your benefit. I remember those times when i had to take pictures (with amateur gear) of famous artists(* and hoped i wouldn't mess it up... Somehow just the plain passion towards the subject helped to make everything work all right.

And this is more than all right! It's hot love!

(* Ok, i did mess up with King Diamond photographs, but at that time A) i wasn't a fan, B) i was rushed, C) Maybe i just wanted to take pictures of leather boots? Who needs heads anyway! Art is a subjective thing.

[chapperz66]

Brilliant stuff, Stephen.  This cover is so pro sounding. the guitar parts are just splendid and the vocals are just perfect for the song.  Very impressed my friend.

Paul