Sampling IN ANOTHER WORLD, track by track...
“Light Up the Fire”
Nielsen says he played his interpretation of Jeff Beck’s solo on the Yardbirds’ “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” [which also features Jimmy Page on guitar]. “I stole — or was very influenced by — their song,” he says. “If you listen to both songs, you’ll see I’m not as good, but I really liked the Yardbirds.” Nielsen recalls seeing the Yardbirds in 1965 and says he sold Beck a guitar in 1968, the second Les Paul he ever owned, a 1959 model with serial number 91864. “[Jeff] was my favorite guitarist then and he’s still my favorite,” Nielsen says. “I know him; we’ve played together... He was great and very innovative, and he’s just always improved. A lot of other guitar players, they’re still good — but he’s just one of the best, taste-wise, tone-wise, and his playing is impeccable.”
“Another World”
“It’s kind of like an inspirational church-ish-sounding recording,” Nielsen says. “It’s got a nice anthem feel to it and [it’s] a bit inspirational — [from] a kind of church I wouldn’t mind going to.”
“The Summer Looks Good on You”
“Straight Rolling Stones rock ’n’ roll, with a little bit more harmony than they use.”
“Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll”
Nielsen says this riff was a challenge to play as he had to block out the riff to “Takin’ Me Back” from 1978’s Heaven Tonight. “It confused me every time,” he says. “I don’t think I thought about it while we were doing it, but as it gets done it reminds me of the Rolling Stones and Stooges and a tinge of old Aerosmith. But otherwise, it’s just Cheap Trick.”
“Gimme Some Truth”
This John Lennon cover — the original version of which was transcribed in GW’s December 2021 issue — features former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. It was a poignant experience for Nielsen as he and original Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos worked on the sessions for Lennon’s 1980 album, Double
Fantasy, his last album to be released during his lifetime. The original versions of “I’m Losing You” and Yoko Ono’s “I’m Moving On” featuring their performances weren’t used on the album, but the former was later released as part of John Lennon Anthology. “[John] will always be one of the best writers in the business,” Nielsen says. “Working with him was one of the highlights of my career. But that was 40 years ago. So it didn’t really have any personal impact on me other than to bring back memories. I’m still as sloppy as I was back then, and the song called for it.”
“Final Days”
This swampy Chicago blues tune features harmonica by Grammynominated singer and Wet Willie frontman Jimmy Hall. “We’d never really worked together, but [Jimmy Hall and Steve Jones are]
are all pro, and they know what they’re doing. I think they got a kick out of playing with us,” Nielsen says. “Jimmy, he’s terrific. And Steve, he’s fun to work with.”