The Beatles- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Stereo Remix)- ****
Van Morrison- Common One- ****
(Another record that I have no recollection of hearing before. Pretty intense at times, but there is a lot of beauty on this album. Probably not going to reach for it too often. Seems like an expensive wine, something you take out on special occasions.)
Martin Gordon- Gilbert, Gordon & Sullivan- ***1/2
Graham Parker- Another Grey Area- ***
Little Roy- Tribal War (about half)- **1/2
Bruce Springsteen- Twilight Hours-***
(The sixth LP in the "Tracks II" box is the most frustrating. I can't help but think this material and some of the arrangements would have made a great Scott Walker record. But sadly, the only chance Bruce takes here is recording an album out of his wheelhouse. Otherwise, these songs go nowhere. Like the "Nashville" record in this box, he just doesn't sound comfortable with this Bacharach-esque material. It doesn't suit him. It's not all bad, though "September Kisses" might be one of the worst songs in his entire catalogue. Awful, trite lyrics sung to the melody of Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles." I am keeping it at three stars because I think a number of songs could be pulled and enjoyed on their own.)
Todd Rundgren- Madison, 12/1/83- ***1/2
Irma Thomas- After The Rain- ****
Nick Curran & The Lowlifes- Reform School Girl- ****1/2
(I knew from the first five seconds of this record that it would be the best thing of the day.)
The Replacements- Pleased To Meet Me-****
Professor Longhair- Classics 1949-****
(Nick Curran by a nose.)
7 comments:
If you enjoyed Common One, try this set from the same period. It’s a very good gig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0c9OQYoXLU
- Paul in DK
Sadly for me, I don't get the Nick Curran joke. I've def never heard Common One and I'll check it out after giving the new Van Morrison a spin.
It was just my way of saying that as much as I loved listening to that Fess record, Nick Curran was the better spin.
TBH, I had forgotten about this little side gem of yours, Sal. But your main post reminded me. That said, there was a period where I listened to Common One a lot. I liked to get lost in it. In hindsight, it is a major departure (and IMO a major disappointment) following one of my all-time favorites, Into the Music.
Common One is a surprise to hear after many years. I hadn't heard it for a long time and listened a few years ago. I like a bunch of it, it almost gets kinda James Brown-ish. Irma Thomas, it's a sin she's not on everyone's radar.
Irma Thomas at 84 is a true "Stone Survivor" and still reigns as the Soul Queen of New Orleans. Her recent work with Galactic is fantastic.
I loved this Twilight Hours and thought that Sunday Love and Lonely Town were my favorites of the whole shebang
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