4/28/24

The Zutons- The Big Decider
James Booker- The Piano Prince Of New Orleans: Live, Hamburg 1976
Bob Marley & The Wailers- African Herbsman
Juliana Hatfield- Sings ELO

4/27/24

Mance Lipscomb- Texas Sharecropper & Songster
Earl King- Street Parade
U-Roy- Version Galore
Paul Weller- Wake Up The Nation
The Kinks- The Village Green Preservation Society (Kevin Gray Stereo Master)
The Who- Live At Leeds
The Jam- The Gift
St. Vincent- All Born Screaming
Todd Rundgren- The Hermit Of Mink Hollow
Leon Russell- S/T (Kevin Gray Master)

4/26/24

New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars- Tipish
(First album in 15 years! And it's a good one!)

Billy Nicholls- Would You Believe?
(Legendary "lost" album, though easy enough to find on CD these days. Been a while since I gave this a spin. Still great.)

St. Vincent- All Born Screaming
(First listen, pretty perfect Side One. Side Two, not so much. Still, so much better than her last. I imagine it will be a grower.)

Aerosmith- Toys In The Attic
(It caught my eye.)

Paul McCartney- McCartney
(Never gets old.)

The Beach Boys- Sounds Of Summer (2021 Stereo Mixes, Sides A, D, I & J)
(Just watched a clip of The Lemon Twigs performing an encore of "Good Vibrations" from their show on 4/25. Unreal! Put me in a Beach Boys mood.)

The Black Crowes- Happiness Bastards
(Still ain't tired of this one.)

4/25/24

Tin Men- Live From The Jazz Fest Blues Tent, 2024
(A brilliant, hilarious and manic set, as usual.)

Todd Rundgren- Second Wind
(Not one of my faves, but a friend texted me this morning, said he was listening and really digging a lot of it, so I decided to do the same. And I did, actually. More than enough solid tracks.)

 

Neil Young & Crazy Horse- Fu##in' Up
(Only...ONLY because I love "Ragged Glory"did I even bother. I gave it four songs. Pointless. Ragged live versions of already ragged studio tracks. Meh.)

Leyla McCalla- Sun Without The Heat
(Def a keeper.)

John Boutte- Live From The Jazz Fest WWOZ Jazz Tent, 2024
(Typically fun set from John, with covers of Ron Sexsmith's "God Loves Everyone" and Allen Toussaint's "Brickyard Blues" and his usual crowd faves. Wish I was there.)

Pet Shop Boys- Nonetheless
(Every PSB album is guaranteed to have at least three or four pop gems, but this one is different. Only one pass so far, but it was a really good pass. Weak start, but things picked up with Track Three and did not let up. Looking forward to another spin. Best record in a while.)

Paul Weller- Studio 150
(Paul knows how to do a cover! Lotsa good ones.)

 

Junior Murvin- Police & Thieves
(I realize that this is a reggae classic...but I don't like it. I've tried numerous times. It's Murvin's falsetto. It doesn't work for 40 minutes. One song, like the title cut, and it's fine. But, a whole record gives me the twitch.)

4/24/24

Tinted Windows- S/T
(I didn't think this record was anything special when it first came out, but people seemed to love it. Now, all these years later, it gets a vinyl release for Record Store Day, so I decided to go in again. It still leaves me cold. Third rate Fountains Of Wayne. What am I missing?)

 

Electrafixion- Burned
(Another RSD release that I had totally forgotten about. Can't say I remembered anything about this album when I put it on, but I really enjoyed it. Great stuff. Like Echo & The Bunnymen with bigger balls.)

Pearl Jam- Dark Matter
(Still loving this.)

The Candy Butchers- Play With Your Head
(Revisiting, since I don't recall liking this record. I still think it's quite dull for the great Mike Viola.)

Adrian Belew- Here
(One of his best.)

 

 

V/A- Darker Than Blue: Soul From Jamdown, 1973-1980
(One of the greatest comps of all time, reggae covers of soul hits. Every track a winner.)

 

 

Julie Driscoll- 1969
(If you've never heard this record, it's time. Very special.)

Bash & Pop- Friday Night Is Killing Me
(Giving this a farewell spin. Sold it this week. I know it's not the 'Mats but it is still in my Top 5 'Mats albums.)

Roxy Music- Stranded
(Still in Roxy mode, I guess. This. My third fave Roxy album. Very, VERY underrated.)

 

V/A- Licensed To SKA: Studio One 007
(Hitting a lot of my faves today. Another brilliant collection, especially if you're a James Bond fan.)

4/23/24

Gene Clark with The Gosdin Brothers- (Kevin Gray Stereo Cut)
(Had to go in again after yesterday's discovery. A beautiful pressing of an amazing record.)

Ian Hunter- All-American Alien Boy
Ian Hunter- Defiance Part 2, Fiction (RSD Edition w/bonus tracks)
Lou Reed- Coney Island Baby
Nilsson- Nilsson Schmilsson
The Ventures- Walk Don't Run Vol.2

Tommy McCook & Bobby Ellis- Green Mango
(I have been searching for a copy of this for years. And whenever I play it, I want that copy more than before. If any of the six of you reading this has a nice vinyl copy for under $60, I'll buy it.)

V/A- Niney The Observer Presents Lightning & Thunder
"Stunning sounds from the first three years of Niney The Observer on record – a huge amount of rare singles from back in the day, served up in a double-length package that features 22 tracks on CD for the first time ever! The mix of modes here is incredible – and a real demonstration of that made creative genius that made Niney such an important force in the studio and in front of the microphone – as lots of these tracks have really unusual inflections, odd arrangements, and a way of putting over a weird sound that most folks think was only invented by Lee Scratch Perry."-----LOVE IT!

 

4/22/24

Steve Conte- The Concrete Jangle

Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman & Marty Stuart & The Superlatives- Sweetheart Of The Rodeo: 50th Anniversary Live
(I saw this live at Town Hall and I really wanted a souvenir of the night. This recording is stellar, but it is one of the most offensively overpriced Record Store Day pieces since the inception of this stupid event.)

Tom Verlaine- Dreamtime (From The RSD Box, Chris Bellman Masters)
(Like the debut from this boxed set, this record has never sounded better.)

Duke Ellington • Charlie Mingus • Max Roach- Money Jungle

Genesis- ...And Then There Were Three (2008 Remix)

Gene Clark with The Gosdin Brothers- (Kevin Gray Stereo Cut)
(I thought the original MONO was the way to go with album. But this is the first I am hearing the Kevin Gray stereo cut and it is stunning. This is the pressing!)

XTC- Mummer

Roxy Music- Manifesto
(One of my all time favorite underappreciated albums. Opening track is a killer, an apparently, Bryan Ferry thinks so too, as he mentions this and two others--"Sentimental Fool" and "The Bogus Man"---being three of his faves.)

 

Roxy Music- For Your Pleasure
(My second favorite Roxy, with my single favorite Roxy song.)

 

4/21/24

Os Mutantes- S/T (1968)
The Pogues- Hell's Ditch
The Beatles- Please Please Me (U.K. MONO)
Brad Mehldau- Largo
(This is a masterpiece.)

King Crimson- Discipline (Steven Wilson Remix)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Imperial Bedroom (MoFi HSM)
New Radicals- Maybe You've Been Brainwashed, Too
The Rolling Stones- Stray Cats (Sides Three & Four)
Goo Goo Dolls- Personal Playlist
Dr. John- In The Right Place (2023 AP 45 RPM RM)
The Rolling Stones- Hackney Diamonds

4/20/24

Alton & Hortense Ellis- S/T
(One of my very favorite reggae records out of Studio One, and it is not on Mojo's list.)

Prince Buster- Back To Where It All Began: The Blue Beat Singles (RSD Release)
(This collection is the bomb! There are probably $500 worth of 45s on this two-LP set. One of the best releases this RSD.)

V/A- The Power Of The Heart: A Trobute To Lou Reed
(Really disappointing. The Keef cover of "Waiting For My Man" was fine once. Some of it, like the Joan Jett and the Rickie lee Jones are downright horrible.)

Ann Savoy- Another Heart
(By the book covers of Bruce, Ray Davies, Richard Thompson. Meh. Wanted to like this more.)

Tom Verlaine- S/T (From The RSD Box, Chris Bellman Masters)
(Wow! What a phenomenal pressing. First four Verlaine's in a box. Great, smart RSD piece.)

 

Grace Jones- Hurricane
(Just started reading her memoir. Need some music to go along with it. I don't play this one enough. Solid record!

Prince Far I- Cry Tuff Chants On U
(RSD release, first time on vinyl for this collection of guest appearances by the late DJ. Some good, some not so good. Nice to have them all in one place.)

Greg Osby- St. Louis Shoes
(Amazing 2003 session for Blue Note with Nicholas Payton, Rodney Green and Robert Hurst. They turn some standards inside out. Worth it for the Ellington cover. Brilliant!)

  

 

Steve Conte- The Concrete Jangle
(This record plays a lot better if you forget about Andy Partridge, but it's hard to forget about Andy Partridge because Steve Conte has been slinging his name around for the last six months like hash in a roadside diner. I enjoyed this whole thing. It's a solid rock and roll record with some sweet melodies and more than a few hooks. It just ain't XTC. Nothing is. But this is a great record on its own. After a shakey start, it turned out great.)

  

 

Southern Culture On The Skids- The Kudzu Ranch
(It's officially Saturday night!)

4/19/24

Ian Hunter- Defiance Part 2, Fiction (RSD Edition w/bonus tracks)
(After just one pass I think this one is even better than the first. Bonus tracks excellent, one featuring Chris & Rich Robinson.)

 

 

Be-Bop Deluxe- Futurama (Stephen W. Tayler Remix)
(Not sure I hear much of a difference between this and the original, but it certainly didn't sound bad. Always a great spin.)

Television- Live At The Academy N.Y.C, 12/4/92
(I recall enjoying this more at the time. This doesn't translate to vinyl. Feels like a very uninspired performance. Maybe it's the mix.)

Jill Sobule- Things Here Are Different
(Debut produced by Todd Rundgren. She's made a few great records since, but I think this one is her best.)

 

 

Thin Lizzy- Night Life
(I understand why "Jailbreak" finally broke them in the U.S.. But I don't understand how this record and "Fighting" did absolutely nothing. Both fantastic, but I give "Night Life" the edge.)

 

Pretenders- S/T
(One of the all time great debuts, no? I love Chrissie, but nothing else came close to this.) 

 

Paul Carrack- Suburban Voodoo
(Might as well be a Nick Lowe record. So many great tunes.

4/18/24

Dr. Michael White- A Song For George Lewis
(Morning coffee, just like sitting on the balcony in New Orleans, except I am looking out of my office window at the Astoria Con Ed plant.)

 

 

David Bowie- The Next Day Extra E.P
(My favorite track from "The Next Day," left off the album proper.)

Todd Rundgren- The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (Kevin Gray Cut)
(Opening night of the new tour last night. Setlist is mind blowing. Gonna be a lot of Todd on the box between now and when I see him.)

 

Blue Oyster Cult- Secret Treaties
(Their best!)

 

Pearl Jam- Dark Matter
("Backspacer" is my favorite Pearl Jam record and on first pass, this new one reminded me of that. I think I'm gonna like this one more as I play it.)

Judas Priest- Mudd Club '79
(Great invite only set. Long time tape trade among fans, finally gets an official release a few years back in a big boxed set. Good set!)

McAlmont & Butler- The Sound Of...
(Haven't played this one since it came out. Man, what the hell was I doing for 30 years? What a killer record!

Clarence "Bon Ton" Barlow- The Jay Miller Sessions
(There are easily 50 Jay Miller Session records and every one is worth your time.)

4/17/24

The Who- Who Are You
Leyla McCalla- Sun Without The Heat
John Cale- Slow Dazzle
Tom Waits- Bone Machine
Lou Reed- Growing Up In Public
The Nice- Five Bridges

4/16/24

Difford/Tilbrook/Shear/Straw- MTV Unplugged, 1989
(Debut episode. Found this on a hard drive. Fun stuff!)

Kevin Godley- Muscle Memory
(I started listening to this the week it was released, but wasn't immediately taken with it. Four years later, I decided to go back in. Made it through five songs. Nothing is hitting me.)

Dave Edmunds- Tracks On Wax 4
(Saw some posts on Instagram about Dave. His b'day, maybe. Then, listening to Lizzy made me think of their cover of "Trouble Boys." Figured it was time to listen to some Dave himself.)

 

Big Star- #1 Record
(Probably not a popular opinion but I prefer "Radio City" more than "#1 Record" and I prefer Chris Bell's "I Am The Cosmos" more than either.)

Bad Brains- I Against I
(Much different than what was before and what came after, but still my fave.)

The Sons Of Negus- Freedom Sounds
(Essential. Top 10 Reggae record of all time.)

The Meters- Look-A Py Py (Kevin Gray Master)

 

Crowded House- Temple Of Low Men
(Nice interview with Neil Finn in the new Mojo. Talks about how Capitol Records dropped the ball on this record. I remember buying the cassette (!) at Penny Lane Records in Venice Beach, CA. Cannot listen to it without thinking of that beach!)

 

Professor Longhair- New Orleans Piano
(A guaranteed good mood, and that's coming from King Crank.)

4/15/24

African Head Charge- A Trip To Bolgatanga
(Have I mentioned that I love this record? This album always does its job, anytime of day, any day of the week.)

John Cale- Music For A New Society

Bee Gees - Horizontal (Kevin Gray Stereo Master)
(This and the debut absolutely shine with Kevin Gray's master. And if you are a fan of The Posies, listen to the first two Bee Gees records. The Posies borrowed a lot, in all the best ways.)

 

 

Dr. John- Things Happen That Way
(Still loving this one.)

 

Traffic- Heaven Is In Your Mind (U.S. MONO, Kevin Gray Cut)
(One of three different versions in my collection, and as fantastic as this Kevin Gray version, I think the original U.K. mono edges it out.)

 

 

Thin Lizzy- Jailbreak
(Probably uncool, or obvious to pick "Jailbreak" as their best. But it really is something else. "Running Back" needs to be covered by an acoustic duo with Everly harmonies.)

David Bowie- Aladdin Sane
(Bought this on Sheepshead Bay Road in Brooklyn at Sugar Mountain Records when it came out. I was 9 years old. The clerk almost didn't want to sell it to me, but my older cousin was with me. He was 13. People either love or hate the Stones cover below. Guess where I stand?)

Steely Dan- Aja
(Never tire of Steve Gadd's drumming on the title cut.)

4/14/24

Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru- Jerusalem
(Beautiful for a Sunday morning.)

Walter Wolfman Washington- Feel So At Home
(Taking it slow today. The Wolfman's swan song is all vibe. Lovely.)

The Ventures- The Fabulous Ventures
(Still digging into the dozen or so Ventures records that were part of the collection I picked up a few weeks ago. I've enjoyed every one, including this one.)

 

The Ventures- Underground Fire (Side One)
(This one is from 1969 and the organ is featured a bit more than the guitar, which is not necessarily a good thing. Plus, Side One is all originals. They should stick to covers. Meh.)

Elvis Costello- Hey Clockface
(Been some time since I played this and I am happy to say, it still holds up. Loved it upon release and loved it today.)

 

Van Halen- II
(I bought this the week it was released on a recommendation from my old Sheepshead Bay pal Sal. I somehow missed out on the debut. This brings me right back Brooklyn.)

 

4/13/24

Badfinger- No Dice
(I've got Badfinger on the brain after Friday's BW post.)

Procol Harum- S/T (RSD MONO RM)
Procol Harum- S/T (RSD MONO RM, BONUS LP)
(This record never sounded better. An amazing listening experience when compared to all previous original U.S. pressings, and the bonus LP is excellent too, with all the right extras.)

 

The Bluerunners- Honey Slides
(Saw these guys for the first time in New Orleans in 2005. Bought the record the next day. Haven't thought about it in a long time and noticed it scrolling through an old hard drive. One of the best swamp rock/zydeco albums of its kind. You should listen to this especially if you've ever enjoyed any C.C. Adcock...or bits of the Stones' "Exile...")

 

Leyla McCalla- Sun Without The Heat
(Brand new from McCalla. I loved her first two, but 2022's "Breaking The Thermometer" was uneventful. This new one on first pass was terrific!  Always great live when I've seen her in New Orleans. 

The Replacements- Boink!!
(Def one of my go-to weekend records!)

 

Mickey Jupp- Kiss Me Quick Squeeze Me Slow (Personal Playlist)
(Time to start listening to more Mickey Jupp!)

 

The Stooges- Fun House
("LOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRD!!!! Everyone's Saturday night should begin with this record. Hall Of fame riffage! Relentless energy! )

 

Izzy Stradlin & The Ju Ju Hounds- S/T
(My favorite Guns N Roses album, and really one of the best rock and roll records ever recorded. It's a Saturday night staple.)

 

45s
Bobby Ellis- Sweet Meat/Baggy Beef
Dennis Brown- Sitting & Watching/Revolution
Delroy Wilson- I Am Not A King
The Skatalites- Baskin's Hop
Buster Brown- I Love You For Sentimental Reasons/Big Legs Big Stockings

 

4/12/24

Todd Rundgren- Faithful (2024, 2 LP Audiophile RM)
(Now spread over four sides, giving more real estate to this classic. Fantastic sound. And one of my favorite Todd records.)

Black Sabbath- Heaven & Hell
(Big record for me and the Brooklyn gang. A perfect Side One.)

Bob Dylan- Highway 61 Revisited
(Why not?)

Los Straitjackets- Rock En Espanol Vol. 1
(If there was a category for "Most Fun Record Of All Time," this would be in the top 5.)

Sparks- Lil' Beethoven
(This record has been a hard sell since its release, even to some long time Sparks fans. I think it's beyond brilliant and it never fails to thrill me. The structure and attack of "My Baby's Taking Me Home" is nothing short of genius.)

Squeeze- Personal Playlist
(Sometimes you need your own greatest hits.)

  

 

Martin Newell- The Greatest Living Englishman
(Two things: Andy Partridge is credited as producer, as drummer on almost all, and as solo guitarist on one song. But, there is no way he isn't singing harmony on all of it. And, the second thing, speaking of lead guitar, I am pretty sure four or five of Andy's solos would end up on my "ten best guitar solos" list, including the one below. What Partridge does with so few notes is absolutely gorgeous.)

4/11/24

Daryl Hall/John Oates- Northampton, PA: 2/4/75
(Early radio broadcast from the "War Babies" tour. A very rock and roll set, with two unreleased tracks from the aborted 4th album which eventually became the "Silver Album." Solid performance and great to hear almost all of the "War Babies" record live. Below is my fave track from that album, which is one they did not play.)

 

Curtis Mayfield- Superfly (Kevin Gray Master)
(Kevin Gray's cut on this is stunning. One of the best sounding records I have ever heard.)

Dr. John- Locked Down
(I guess listening to this was inevitable, with the Auerbach discussion continuing over on Burning Wood.)

The Hawtsies- Nine Lives
(Debut from New Orleans -by way of Youngstown, NYC & Austin- quartet. Really enjoyed this. Definite slinky vibe throughout, reminiscent of Brinsley Schwarz, both Elvises, Southern Culture On The Skids, Iguanas, Roy Orbison. Out in May! Looking forward to it.)

 

 

The Collins Kids- Introducing Larry & Lorrie
(First time I heard this was 1983. Bob from Rocks In Your Head, a record store on Prince Street insisted I buy it. 30 years later, I got to see Larry & Lorrie at the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans. This record always puts me in a good mood. Rockabilly at its finest.)

 

Kiss- Unmasked
(This was in a small collection I picked up yesterday, which is a little odd since the last collection I purchased had every Kiss record up to this. Anyway, still like about half of this record, though it is where I finally got off the bus 44 years ago. The song below is typically stupid Ace, but man, there are enough hooks to snag a flounder.)

 

Utopia- Swing To The Right
(I always play this record on April 11th because that date and this record go hand in hand. I dragged myself to the Palladium on 4/11/81 with a fever of 103 to catch Utopia on this tour. I sat in the first row of the loge, head back, eyes closed, hallucinating, nauseous, sweating and freezing all at the same time, looking up every now and then to catch a glimpse of the band. Good times! Happy Anniversary.)

 

 

The Beatles- A Hard Day's Night (U.K. MONO)
(There was an article in today's New York Post, digging deep into the lives of The Beatles, with such tidbits as "known as The Fab Four, The Beatles went on to become one of the most popular bands in music history." You heard it here last, folks!)

Yes- 90125
(As a long time fanatic of the first seven Yes records, I didn't want to like this new-fangled, MTV-ready release. But it's pretty damn good. I also only just found out that most of the material on this, the band's biggest selling record(!), stemmed from Trevor Rabin's demos. Good for Trevor.)

4/10/24

O.V. Wright- A Nickel & A Nail-and-Ace Of Spades
(Killer record. This should be as popular as "Otis Blue" or Al Green's "Call Me.")

 

Jackie Mittoo- The Keyboard King At Studio One
(Another from the Mojo "Top Ten At Studio One" list. I love this compilation, but it seems odd to include a recently released collection on an all time list. Maybe it is that good!)

Nine Inch Nails- Hesitation Marks
(Trent Reznor made mention of a new NIN record coming. Finally. Made me pull out the last proper release. I like three others more than this, but this has a number of really great tracks.)

10cc- Ten Out Of 10
(Another 10cc record that I have no recollection of hearing. This one got a great review by All Music. Meh. I thought "Windows In The Jungle" was much better.)

Lou Reed- Growing Up In Public
(Whenever I mention Lou Reed, either back in the days of NYCD or on social media now, my friend always needs to say. "Growing Up In Public is Lou's best." I laugh and that's that. I decided to finally play it forty years later. I remembered none of it and somehow thought it was a stinker. It's not. It's also NOT his best, but it is a solid record. 

My new favorite Lou Reed lyric:
"They both love Chinese food, he hates to dress
He loves to play pinball, she wants to play next
She likes her novels long, he's into comic books
They're gilt-edged polymorphous urban but somehow it works.")

 

 

Lou Reed- Mistrial (six songs)
(Sticking with forgotten Lou records for a bit. This did not fare as well. Both "Video Violence" and "Spit It Out" really got on my nerves.)

Small Faces- S/T (Immediate)
(What a difference in style and attack from the debut to this. Only one year apart. Love them both.)

 

Charlie Rich- That's Rich
(I first heard this in 2021. WFMU played "Turn Around & Face Me" and it knocked me out. It wasn't an easy record to find at an affordable price, but I tracked one down and it's become a fave. If you only have one "Silver Fox"album it should be this one.)

 

The Pursuit Of Happiness- Love Junk
(Top Ten power pop record of all time. Unique! Thanks Todd! This always sounds fresh!)

The Mighty Hannibal- Hannibalism
(Another unsung hero of soul music that I would have never known about if it wasn't for my Cool Jerk bandmates. We covered "The Right To Love You." And then I met the man himself in New Orleans! Look at his hands. I asked if I could take a picture and he said, "Yeah, let me get my money.")

4/9/24

Lynn Drury- High Tide
(Lynn was one of the very first artists I saw on my very first trip to New Orleans. Didn't follow her career. Not my thing, really. But she was always a presence. She has a great band on this new one including Rene Coman from The Iguanas, Papa Mali and Doug Belote on drums. Solid, twangy affair. I enjoyed some of it.)

 

 

Dennis Alcapone- Forever Version
(Another from Mojo's Studio One/Top Ten list. This was an answer to U-Roy's classic "Version Galore." Great record, but the U-Roy record is better.)

Pink Floyd- A Saucerful of Secrets (MONO)
(If "Piper At The Gates of Dawn" didn't exist, this record would be a lot more popular, but instead it's unfairly looked at as a disappointing follow-up.)

 
Paul McCartney- Chaos At Abbey Road
(Intimate performance from July of 2005 with a bunch of "Chaos" tracks, a few covers and some Paul classics. Great stuff.)

Detective- S/T
(This record blew my mind in 1977. I still think it's a classic.)

 

Led Zeppelin- The Song Remains The Same (All but "Moby Dick")
(Someone mentioned this in a BW comment last week, how he and his friends knew these live arrangements inside and out. That struck a chord. My friends actually did it live, less a track or two. Totally underrated live album.)

 

Pat Benatar- In The Heat Of The Night
(Instant five LP Pat Benatar collection in that record purchase a few weeks ago. This was a big record for the Sheepshead Bay gang. My friend Jeff asked me to help him out with the drumming on "Heartbreaker." I'm sure I was no help at all, but I'll always remember that moment in John's garage. It felt good to be asked. This record doesn't quite hold up as a whole. But there are a few keepers. I love the Sweet cover.)

 

4/8/24

Cedric Im Brooks- Im Flash Forward
(One of Mojo's ten essential records out of Studio One. First time hearing it. Really wonderful. Top 10? I don't know. Gotta play it some more.)

The Traveling Wilburys- Vol. 3
(Many people dismiss this record, but there are at least a half dozen killer tracks on this, and I particularly love George's delivery on "She's My Baby.)

The Toms- Applestation

Dub Specialist- Dub Store Special
(Another on Mojo's ten essential records out of Studio One list. Another first time spin and this one is fantastic, if you are into dub. Great pick, Mojo.)

v/a- You Gave Me Reason To Live: Southern & Deep Soul From Louisiana)
(Stumbled upon this 2021 compilation while searching for "Big Boys Cry" by Bobby Charles. Played about 1/3 of it. Lots of 3rd rate soul. Okay, once. No real keepers.)

Syd Barrett- Barrett
(A few gems, but can't hold a candle to ""The Madcap Laughs.)

Small Faces- Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
(I usually only play Side One but this time I went all in, which reminded me that I should just stick to Side One.)

The Damned- Machine Gun Etiquette
(Big comeback after their sophomore slump.)

The Black Keys- Ohio Players
(I liked almost every song on this new record. That they all sounded like the same song is something I'll need to deal with. But what a great one song, 14 times!)

4/7/24

Billy Joel- Turnstiles
(My fave Billy Joel record, though "All You Wanna Do Is Dance" kinda spoils the party.)

Television- Sketches (The Demos, 1974-75)
(An excellent bootleg of the early Eno stuff on Side One and other studio recordings of T.V. faves they've played live on Side Two.)

New Orleans Nightcrawlers- Atmosphere
(A Grammy winner. Good litmus test to see if you are in or you are out, re: New Orleans.)


R.E.M.- Life's Rich Pageant
(My favorite R.E.M. record. Picked up a copy at Angry, Young & Poor, my new favorite record store, while in Lancaster P.A. fot a wedding.)

 

The Black Crowes- Happiness Bastards
(Shaping up to be one of my faves of the year.)

The Rolling Stones- Made In The Shade
(Not a definitive collection. Not a hits collection. Not a "Best Of." Just a terrific playlist. Loved this record from day one.)

  

 

Deep Purple- Machine Head (Kevin Gray Master)
(The recent release of Dweezil Zappa's remix made me revisit this Kevin Gray master, which is superior.)

4/5/24

The Hamiltones- In Space

4/4/24

Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Get Happy!! LIVE!! (1979-1981)
Todd Rundgren- Global
Culture- Two Sevens Clash
Joe South- Games People Play
Rolling Stones- Out Of Our Heads (U.K. MONO)
The Lemon Twigs- Live At Lake Effect
Goo Goo Dolls- Dizzy Up The Girl
Robert Palmer- Clues
John Doe- A Year In The Wilderness
X- Los Angeles

 

4/3/24

Alison Moorer- Blood
Shelby Lynne- S/T (2020)
Bob Marley & The Wailers- Exodus (Side One)
Deep Purple- Personal Playlist
Tages- Studio
Ray Barretto- Barretto Power
The Creation- Action Painting

4/2/24

Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru- Spielt Eigene Kompositionen
(Solo piano by an Ethiopian nun who passed away at 99 in 2023, suggested by Norah Jones. Stunning.)

 

 

Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru- Jerusalem
(I enjoyed the first one so much, I went back for more. This collection is a bit more diverse. A couple of French vocal tracks. Less meditative.)

Shelby Lynne- The Servant
(Loving this on the second pass. Rootsy gospel music with a southern, swampy feel. So good. "Wayfaring Stranger" is hauntingly beautiful.)

 

 

Daryl Hall/John Oates- S/T (Silver Album)
(Sill holds up. Only just hit me after 50 years "Nothing At All" is a sorta rewrite of "She's Gone.")

Utopia- POV
(New 2024 vinyl remaster with two bonus tracks. Great remaster, but still my least favorite Utopia album.)

The Animals- Retrospective (Sides Two & Three)
(I am not an Animals fan. Never have been. A few singles here and there, but mostly was turned off by Eric Burdon's voice. Plus, "When I Was Young," "Monterey" and "Sky Pilot" are right up there with my most hated songs. But I like this two -LP set because it's the only collection to cover everything, including "Spill The Wine," which isn't even The Animals. I felt like listening to some of it, but I'm sure it'll go right back on the shelf for another three years.)

The Ventures- Surfing
(Hitting that box of Ventures again. It's hard to go wrong with any of their records, though nothing beats "In Space.")

Rick Derringer- All American Boy
(Been thinking about this record since I played "Guitars & Women" last night. This is where I came in, having no idea in 1973 that Rick was in The McCoys. Still love this album.)

iPod on Shuffle:
Pull Up To The Bumper- Grace Jones
Stranger In My Own Home Town- Elvis Presley
39- Queen
Land Of Sea & Sun- The Paragons
This Is Always- King Pleasure
Haitian Divorce- Steely Dan
Street In The City- Pete Townshend & Ronnie
Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot- Sting

4/1/24

Beyonce- Cowboy Carter
(About 48 minutes too long.)

Mahavishnu Orchestra/John McLaughlin- Inner Worlds
(First time hearing this one. Read a great review so I was curious.  Great opening cut, but the vocal tracks are cheesy and overall, a disappointment.)

Kim Gordon- The Collective (three songs)
(What a load of pretentious crap.)

Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle- One From The Heart
(One of the greatest soundtracks ever to one of my favorite films ever.)

Syd Barrett- The Madcap Laughs
(Few records in recorded history so perfectly capture the heart, spirit and personality of the artist as well as this album. Just brilliant.)

 

10cc- Windows In The Jungle
(There wasn't just one copy of this record in the collection I bought a little over a week ago. There were three copies! Even stranger, I didn't recognize it. As a lifelong fan of 10cc, I was shocked that I had never listened to this 1983 release. It was their swansong so I might have given up by then. What a surprise. Nothing groundbreaking, just solid pop tunes, mostly sung by Eric Stewart. I expected crap, but instead got what feels like a new 10cc record!)

 

Van Halen- Fair Warning
("Women & Children First" crushed me. I hated that record after "Van Halen II." This album immediately erased that disappointment. "Mean Streets," "Unchained," "So This Is Love" all killer!

Rick Derringer- Guitars & Women
(Two records in one! A great Derringer record and a great Utopia record! Also, my very first set of liner notes was for this CD release.)

3/31/24

Shelby Lynne- The Servant
(Big thanks to long time friend of Burning Wood JAYESSEMM for the heads-up on this. I had no idea it existed. A fantastic, low-key and very soulful gospel record released in 2021. Perfect for a Sunday morning.)

 

 

Shelby Lynne- The Healing: A-Tone Recordings
(Like "The Servant" above, this record from 2020 was also digital only and completely off my radar. This seems to be a collection of songs, as opposed to a traditional album, recorded for a publishing company for placement in films, or that's what I have gathered from discussions on the Hoffman forum. Great stuff, very similar to "I Am Shelby Lynne.")

 

 

Susanna Hoffs- Bright Lights
(The Nick Drake, Syd Barrett and Chris Bell covers are exquisite!)

 

 

Steely Dan- Pretzel Logic

The Termites- Do The Rock Steady
(This record makes me really happy and I wish more people would feel the same.)

The Black Crowes- Happiness Bastards
(Gave this a rest for a week or so. Still sounding great!)

Juliana Hatfield- Sings ELO
(This record knocks me out. I am NOT a fan of Hatfield or the Blake Babies, but I just love how she sings these tunes! You can feel the love in her phrasing, and the sparse arrangements really work.)

 

 

Paul McCartney & Wings- Red Rose Speedway
(Trying again. I love half. The other half is a problem...for now.)

The Ventures- Play the Country Classics
(There were about 20 Ventures records in that collection I bought last week. Just need the other 486 and I'll the band's entire output. This one is fun, by the way.)

Lowell George & the Factory- Lightning-Rod Man
(First time I heard this was long after I became a Little Feat fan. It blew my mind. Listen to it, especially if you are NOT a Little Feat fan.)

Queen- Greatest Hits In Japan (As Selected By Japanese Fans)
(Finally got a hold of this. The Japanese have the same taste as I do! Great selection of hits and album cuts, though there is no reason to include "Radio Ga Ga" over countless others.)

Queen- The Game
(Our pal Wardo has a fun review of this record over at his place. Pretty damn accurate. Go read it.)