The Drifters- Golden Hits (Kevin Gray MONO Master)- ****
(The definitive version of one of the greatest collections of all time.)
Bruce Springsteen- Born To Run- ****
Nellie Lutcher- Real Gone: The Singles Collection-***
Todd Rundgren- No World Order Lite- ****
(Another record I really disliked upon release that has grown on me over the last 30 years.)
Donovan- Cosmic Wheels- ***
(All Music doesn't like this record, especially Side One. I decided to listen since a) I had a copy sitting around and B) I had never heard it before. It's nutty for sure, and I preferred the rockier Side one more than the typical Donovan fare on Side Two. Title track is excellent, by the way.)
Queen- Greatest Hits III- ***1/2
Jessie Hill- Naturally-****
(Hot off the presses from the Tipitina's Record Club. Haven't heard this in years. It's still a greasy blast.)
The Rolling Stones- Undercover- ****
(This was great tonight!)
Faces- A Nod Is As Good As A Wink...****
(The way Kenney Jones stumbles in to "Miss Judy's Farm" will never not thrill me.)
Jon Cleary- Occapella-****
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Harry Connick Jr.- Lofty's Roach Souffle- ***1/2 (Good record, if a bit long. But it pays off big time with the last song.) Jimmy Wither...
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Iron And Wine- Light Verse (Twice, Back To Back) (The ultimate test, playing it over again once it finished. Love it more.) Tom Waits- Rain ...
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John Boutte- Boutte Call (Personal Playlist) (Great performance at The Bitter End on Saturday night. A rare NYC visit for Mr. Boutte, I had ...
7 comments:
Is Undercover the last of the great Glimmer Twins productions of the seventies? Lol!
It’s really the follow-up to Emotional Rescue recorded in 1979, much more so than Tattoo You. The band is still bringing in new influences and wants to be on the dance floor. Continued interest in South American politics. The album ends with ‘It Must Be Hell’, which has similarities to Exile’s ‘Soul Survivor’. It feels that subsequent albums were more brand consolidation to me. I find them less interesting for the most part. Also, this is the last Atlantic Records release. :)
From an album that I readily dismissed two days ago as lesser to now I’m looking for cult membership opportunities to celebrate it. Well done, BW! :)
P.S. Listened to Queen’s A Kind of Magic (AKOM) for the first time in nearly 40 years. Another revelation upon reconsideration. I’ve basically dismissed everything beginning with Hot Space for decades. If pressed saying that The Works was okay to demonstrate openness. Lol! I submit that AKOM is Apex Predator Queen from the band’s own perspective. They were cowriting more. This was material to be played only in stadiums and large outdoor festivals. This was the last tour. Another album I was wrong to disregard. I like this more than The Works. This seems more confident. It certainly can keep company with an album like Queen’s Jazz or The Game for me (And I love Jazz!). Where’s that ‘Highlander’ soundtrack that’s been promised? Lol!
Thanks for all you do, Sal! :)
Have you read somewhere that "Undercover" was recorded in 1979? As far I can tell, the sessions all took place a few years after "Emotional Rescue." And in regards to what followed, I think "Steel Wheels" remains as strong as anything in the catalogue. All else is mostly bleak, give or take three or four highlights per album, until "Hackney Diamonds," which is great fun throughout.
You’re correct, sir. However, Tattoo You is really an outlier as its famously outtakes from sessions from earlier albums. Undercover, to me, picks up where Emotional Rescue ends. It’s the first time in four years the band has been together in the studio. Mick is still kind of dominant as Keith tries to reassert (the videos from this period express the band’s animosity towards Mick. Lol!). I agree that Steel Wheels is awesome but, it was specifically made to sound like a classic Stones album. Other than a little taste of eastern influence, this is meant to reestablish the brand for the world tour. I do love Steel Wheels but, there was no more dancing. Lol! :)
Hackney Diamonds is amazing but, alas no Glimmer Twins (tear).
Thanks again for challenging lazy and old opinions. :)
Ooh, I'd really love to hear that Mono vinyl pressing of The Drifters. And some love for a hits compilation! That jazz cover of "And I Love Her" was good but it can't compete with that dreamy image of Paul.
Another great jazz version of And I Love Her was done by Marc Copland. https://youtu.be/ID1P62SwStU
- Paul in DK
Thx Paul! That was great too
A Nod Is AsGood As a Wink is such a great record from top to bottom. Best Faces, and one of Glyn John’s’ magic moments. Ron Woods’ best record too!
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