8/30/25

Brad Mehldau- Ride Into The Sun (2025)- ****1/2
(Even better on second spin. Contender for my Top 5 of 2025.)

Maurice Brown- Betta Days (2025)-  ***

Paul Weller- A Kind Revolution (2017)- ****
(I was not a fan of this record when it came out. But time has been kind and it's now a favorite. Not sure what I was hearing in 2017.)

Goo Goo Dolls- Summer Anthem (2025)- **1/2

Oasis- Dig Out Your Soul (2008)- ***1/2
(If I had heard this record before, I have no recollection. Not bad. But they just don't keep me engaged. Every album starts to feel like one long song halfway in...except "Morning Glory.")

Belinda Carlisle- Once Upon A Time In California (2025)- ***
(I like the song selection, but she sounds like she is trying to pass an audition, over-enunciating, adding annoying vibrato. These are AM pop hits and she is singing them like a Gilbert & Sullivan musical.)

 

 

Peter Gabriel- S/T (1978)- ***1/2
The Rolling Stones- Between The Buttons (1967, U.K. MONO)- ****

 

 

 

 

8/29/25

v/a- 20 Years: A New Orleans Weekend Mix (2025) - ****
Miriam Batucada- Amanha Ninguem Sabe (1974) - ****
Bee Gees- 1st (1967, Stereo)- ****

Brad Mehldau- Ride Into The Sun (2025)- ****
(I've been a fan of Brad Mehldau from the very beginning. I can't say the same about Elliott Smith. I don't mind some of Smith's music, but it tends to be a bit too samey. So this Mehldau record which features "songs of and inspired by Smith," might as well be all Mehldau originals to my ears, though that Big Star cover stood out. This record is a beauty. My fave Brad record is "Largo," and there are many similarities here on the new one. This is NOT a jazz record. There's no need to label it, other than it's simply fantastic.)

Lewis Taylor- Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica Reborn (1997?)- ***1/2
Bob Marley & The Wailers- Catch A Fire (1973)- ****
Anton Barbeau- Glitch Wizard (2025, four songs)- **1/2
Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys- Grand Isle (2011)- ****

The Beatles- '65 (1965, MONO)- ****
(Gotta look this up, but I think this record is toploaded with John more than any other. "Beatles For Sale" is better, but I haven't heard this in ages, and it hit the spot.)

Aerosmith- Nine Lives (1997)- ***1/2
(There is solid 35 minute Aerosmith record here. But it's hard to find among all the bloat.)

The Rumble- Stories From The Battlefield (2024)- ****

8/28/25

Aretha Franklin- Aretha Arrives (1967)- ****

Harvey Scales- Trying To Survive (2025)- ***
(Twice as much Harvey Scales as I need, but no doubt some good stuff here.)

Joe Bataan- Fania Singles (2021)- ****
(Just great stuff! Perfect summer time music.) 

 

Elvis Presley- That's The Way It Is (1970)-  ***1/2
The Beatles- Rubber Soul (1965, U.S. MONO)- ****

Paul McCartney & Wings- Red Rose Speedway (1973)- ****
(I've got two things to say about this. First, back in 1973, there was a game on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, where you placed a quarter on a number, the man running the booth would spin the wheel, and if your number came up, you could pick NOT a stuffed animal, but a record. 45's were on the bottom shelf. LPs were on top. Three wins got you a top shelf pick. I won "Red Rose Speedway" after about an hour and $19 in quarters. Second, the songs I usually don't care for on this record sounded great today, hence the **** instead of the usual ***1/2.)

Pete Townshend- Another Scoop (1987) - ***1/2
(Some great demos. Some not so great.)

The Beatles- Yesterday & Today (1966, Stereo)- ****

Martin Newell- The Greatest Living Englishman (1993) - **** 
(The harmonies on this Martin Newell record are not of this Earth, especially on the chorus of the title track. The low voice is absolutely stunning.)

 

 

8/27/25

iPod on Shuffle:
No Money Down- Dave Edmunds
Meet Me In Church- Bobby Marchan
Daddy- Toots & The Maytals
I Do Not Miss You- Glenn Tilbrook
Open Letter (To A Landlord)- Living Colour
Loco- The Iguanas
Funny Vibe (Live In Lyon, 6//15/89)- Living Colour
Heavy Metal Kids- Todd Rundgren
Empty Heart- The Rolling Stones
Music For Evenings- Young Marble Giants
Don't Take Your Love- Angel
Little Annie Lou- Bobby Fuller Four

Fleetwood Mac- Then Play On (1969)- ****
Bobby Fuller Four- I Fought The Law (1966)- ****
Elvis Presley- Blue Hawaii (1961) - ***1/2
Pretenders- S/T (1980)- ****

Affinity- S/T (1970)- ***1/2
(Heretofore unknown to me, but thanks to Butterboy's blog, I got to hear this British cult classic. Not quite progressive, not quite jazz rock. Feels more like Brian Auger & Julie Driscoll only a bit harder. Arrangements by John Paul Jones. Fun spin.)

 

Al Campbell- Ain't That Loving You (1978)- ****
(Another new one for me, solid, bass heavy rock steady. Good record.)

Bruce Springsteen- Grand Rapids, 8/3/05 (Personal Edit)- ***

Sam Cooke- One Night Stand: Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 (1985)- ****
(Legendary! The club was not in Harlem, by the way, but in Miami. An all time great live album.)

Led Zeppelin- Physical Graffiti (1975)- ****

Gary Moore- Dirty Fingers (1980/1984)- **1/2
(Recorded in 1980 and shelved until 1984, this is a weak attempt at heavy metal glory. Of course, Moore shreds wonderfully thoughout, but singer Charlie Huhn is just awful, with his squealing and screeching sabotaging almost every song. Highlights are few and far between.)

Robert Palmer- Pressure Drop (1975)- ****

Bad Brains- I Against I (1986)- ****
(Their best. One of the best of its kind. Always in heavy rotation. Essential)

 
Sam Cooke- My Kind Of Blues (1961)- ****
(He could sing anything. "Night Beat" gets all the acclaim for good reason. But this album is something else. Here's my theme song.)

 

C.C. Adcock- S/T (1994)- ****
(This. Always.)

 

8/25/25

Doc & Merle Watson- Live A Tipitina's, 1984 (2025)- ***
(A strange release from the Tip's Record Club. With all respect to the amazing Doc & Merle, this is just not what I want from this club. Bring on some New Orleans rarities.)

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band- Live At the Main Point, 2/2/75 - ****
(Just about through with friend of Burning Wood, Peter Carlin's excellent book on the making of "Born To Run." 50 years later, that record still kills. And so does this legendary performance from Bryn Mawr.)

Jon Batiste- Big Money (2025)- ****
(Review is up at the other place.)

Gary Moore- After The War (1989)- ***1/2
The Beatles- The Early Beatles (1965, MONO)- ****
v/a- Stiff Records (Personal Playlist)- ****

Motorhead- Ace Of Spades (1980) - ****1/2
(I know, I know. This band is a hard sell. But Jeebus, they fucking kick ass!)

G-Force- S/T (1980)- ****
(Fun facts about this Gary Moore side project. First, keyboardist Joachim Kuhn performed live with Ornette Coleman for one of my favorite Ornette records, "Colors." See? We could all get along. Next, my band Pep in The Cat covered "The Woman's In Love." It never quite gelled, but all five of us really liked this record. And speaking of this record, I loved it in 1980 and I really enjoyed it tonight. It has a few clams, but it's mostly a solid hard rock record with amazing playing throughout. Thanks to hpunch for the nudge.)

8/24/25

Allen Toussaint- American Tunes (2016)- ****
Django Reinhardt- Chronological Classics, 1935-1936 (1993)- ***1/2
Charles Brown- Cocktail Combos (1997)- ***1/2

Homer & Jethro- The King Years (2019, Personal Playlist)- ****
(It was Marshall Crenshaw who hipped me to the fact that these guys were far more than a joke act. Great harmonies, killer guitar playing. Just a whole lotta fun!)

The Beatles- Beatles VI (1965, MONO)- ****
Tommy McLain- I Ran Down Every Dream (2022)- ****
The Beatles- Help Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1965, MONO)- ***1/2
Frankie Valli/The Four Seasons- 25th Anniversary Collection: Personal Edit (1987/2025)- ****
The Beatles- Hey Jude (1970) - ****
Nine Inch Nails- Pretty Hate Machine (1989) - ****

8/23/25

Jon Cleary- Tipitina's, 2/14/88 (1988) - ***1/2
(Man, this is ten years before the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Cleary sounds a tad overzealous on vocals. What was he, 28 or 29 years old? The legendary Smokey Johnson is on drums. Mostly New Orleans classics, it *was* Mardi Gras. Great addition to the NOLA library.)

Jon Batiste- Big Money (2025)- ****
(Yep! Review on Monday.)

Hudson-Ford- Free Spirit (1974) -***1/2
Miles Davis- In A Silent Way (1969) - ***1/2

Paul McCartney- Flowers In The Dirt: 1988 Demos (2017)- ****
(Great stuff here. Nothing beats the McCartney/McManus acoustic demos. And in many cases, the finished tracks that appeared on each of their albums, are better than these 1988 band demos. But the songwriting is so good throughout, every version of every song is a keeper.)

Kathleen Edwards- Billionaire (2025) - ***

Elvis Costello & The Attractions- All This Useless Beauty-****
(A fave. I know it's a hodgepodge of old and new, but it plays beautifully.)

Paul McCartney & Elvis Costello- Flowers In The Dirt Demos (2017)- ****1/2 
(I could listen to these demos all over again right now.)

Queen- Jazz (1978)- ****
(I didn't hate this record when it came out, but I sure didn't like it. Time, Freddie's death, a Queen resurgence and me getting softer as I get older, "Jazz" is now a fave.")

Mott The Hoople- The Hoople (Sal's Version, 1974/2024)- ****
(Removed both "Trudi's Song"- yes, I know it's about Ian's wife, but it's not very good- and "Through The Looking Glass," because the b-side "Rest In Peace" is a better ballad than both. And I added the two last singles "Foxy Foxy" and "Saturday Gigs," because they belong!)

 

Aretha Franklin- I Never Loved A Man...(1967, MONO)- ****

 

 

8/22/25

Bobby Hutcherson- Happenings (1967)- ****
(Bobby's mid 60's run on Blue Note is worth visiting, if you are unfamiliar with these records. Slick and badass.)

 

Hudson-Ford- Nickelodeon (1973)- **** 
(Haven't heard Hudson-Ford in years. Butterboy's blog reminded me of just how good these records are. Very McCartney/Stealers Wheel at times, with just a hint of British folk.)

  

 

Tab Benoit- Voice Of The Wetlands (2005)- ****
(George Porter Jr., John Vidacovich, Cyril Neville, Papa Mali, Dr. John, Anders Osborne and Monk Boudreux backing up Tab on a killer session to save Louisiana Wetlands. Essential.)

 

 

Jon Batiste- Big Money (2025) - ****1/2
(Review on Monday.)

Laufey- A Matter Of Time- ***1/2 
(Needs a Sal edit, then maybe it'll get four stars on the next spin.)

v/a-Blue Beat 45's: The Weekend Mix (2025) - ****
Cheap Trick- S/T (1977)- ****

The Who- Live At The Oval 1971 (2025) - ***
(It’s no “Live At Leeds.” Sluggish performance. Pete’s guitar is out of tune on “Behind Blue Eyes.” “Bargain” has more life on “Who’s Next.” Pretty rocking “Baby Don’t You Do It.” That’s a plus. I thought this was supposed to be a revelation release. I’m crushed. I’d probably like it more if they didn’t fire Zak.) 

The Replacements- Don't Tell A Soul (Matt Wallace Mix, 1989/2019)- ****
(Hey Paul!!! Where the fuck are you??)

 

Kiss- Destroyer (1976)- ****
(An album of ridiculously hooked-filled rock and roll that somehow offends the same people who love The Ramones and Iggy Pop.)

 

 

8/21/25

iPod on Shuffle:
It Must Be Hell- The Rolling Stones
The Kids Are Alright- The Who
You Are Mine- Bob & Marcia
Vanishing Girl- The Dukes of Stratosphear
Sonic Reducer- Dead Boys
Runnin' Down A Dream- Tom Petty
She's Not There- The Zombies
All Down The Line- The Rolling Stones
Who'll Be The One- The Easybeats
Lucky Seven- The Skatalites
Don't Stand So Close To Me- The Police
I'm Still Waiting- The Wailers
Trench Town Rock- U-Roy
Julia- A Girl Called Eddy
The Bob (Medley)- Roxy Music
I'm Only Dozing- World Party
Corn Liquor- Southern Culture On The Skids
One Good Reason- The Tubes
Pictures On A Postcard- Pugwash

Van Duren- Are You Serious? (1978) - ***1/2
The Beatles- Help! (1965 Stereo Remaster)- ****
The Byrds- Fifth Dimension (1966) - ****
Elvis Presley- Back In Memphis (1970) - ****
Bill Nelson- Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam (1981)- ***1/2
The Soft Boys- Invisible Hits (1983) - ***1/2
Aerosmith- Get Your Wings: Quad Mix (1975)- ****

(Sorry, there are no notes, videos or extras. I had a stupid day. I will say this. I love "Full Moon Fever," but "Runnin' Down A Dream" is one of the worst songs to ever become a huge hit. And I am a Tom Petty fan through and through.)

8/20/25

Keith & Tex- Redux (2013)- ***1/3
(Solid collection of rock steady singles recorded in the mid to late 60s. Great cover of The Tams' "What Kind Of Fool.)

Graham Gouldman- The Graham Gouldman Thing (1968) - ****
Todd Rundgren's Utopia- Hammersmith, 10/9/75 (2012) - ***1/2

Savoy Brown- Blue Matter (1969, Side One)- ****
(There was no one like Chris Youlden.)

Bruce Springsteen- Kent State, 1/19/74 (1989)- ***1/2
(For anyone down on Bruce as a guitar player, listen to this set.)

Peter Gabriel- Flotsam & Jetsam (2019, 12 Track Personal Playlist)- ****
(Some of these alternates/remixes are really excellent.)

 

Franz Ferdinand- S/T (2004)- ***1/2

Elvis Presley- Elvis Country (1971)- ***1/2
Elvis Presley- Moody Blue (1977)- ***
Elvis Presley- Elvis (1956)- **** 
(I made an attempt at rating the entire Elvis catalogue for the Popsurfing blog. I've always loved all Elvis. One chapter in my book is about an ill-fated business trip to Memphis and a lost opportunity to work with Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana. In that chapter I mention how I get a kick out of it all--Sun Elvis, Soldier Elvis, Movie Elvis, Fat Vegas Elvis, Memphis Elvis---so my ratings are more about how much I enjoy each record, and not whether the "Clambake" soundtrack is as good as "A Hard Day's Night." I enjoyed these three today, for one reason or another.)

The Plugz- Better Luck- ****

 

 

8/19/25

Marvin Gaye- Dream Of A Lifetime (1985) - ***1/2
(This is much better than its reputation. It has low points, no question. But there are five songs that make this a keeper. The song below kills me. What a vocal!)

Marvin Gaye- When I'm Alone, I Cry (1964) - **** 
(Early on, Motown wasn't sure how to market Marvin. He made a few albums of standards before he took off. This one stands out. Stunning.)

 

Stevie Wonder- Hotter Than July (1980) -***12

Steve Hackett- Please Don't Touch (1978, Steven Wilson Remix)- ***1/2
(This is a terrific record. You may not be a Genesis fan, but you could be a Richie Havens fan. Check out this beauty.)

 

Mother Love Bone- Apple (1990) - ***1/2

Rush- A Farewell To Kings (1977) - ****
Television- Marquee Moon (1977) - ****
(Two very big records for me for very different reasons. Both still slay me almost 50 years later.)

Slade- Nobody's Fool (1976) - ****
(As my friend hpunch said, "post glam, pre-MTV resurgence, probably my favorite." Great record.)

 

St. Vincent- Glastonbury, 6/29/25 (2025)- **** 

8/18/25

African Head Charge- A Trip To Bolgatanga (2023)- ****
(Played this a lot when it was first released. Still sounds great after giving it a rest.)

Jonathan Batiste Trio- Live In New York: At The Rubin Museum (2006)- ****
(Years before becoming a late night bandleader turned genuine pop star, Batiste, still called Jonathan, recorded this stunning live trio date. This is how I first saw him perform in New Orleans and it is still what I prefer.)

Iggy Pop- The Idiot (1977)- ****

Jennifer Lara- Studio One Presents... (1981) ****
(This song below sounds like a Frankenstein monster of three different hits, one of which is definitely "Our Day Will Come." Can't figure out what else? It's a gorgeous track, in any event.)

The Flat Five- Another World (2020) - ****
David Bowie- Diamond Dogs (Plus Bonus Tracks, 1974)- ****

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes- Epic (Personal Playlist)- ****
(One of my best friends is really good friends with Johnny. And I have seen my friend tell Johnny to his face how much he thinks he and the Jukes suck. Johnny always laughs. But my friend means it. I never got the disdain for this band. How can you love rock and roll and not love a band that keeps that spirit alive as well as the Jukes?)

   

 

The Pranks- Floobie (1997) - ****
(I know nothing about this band. Our friend Randy passed it on to me a few years ago and I love it. Very Cheap Trick. Take two!)

8/17/25

Lazy Lester- S/T (Flyright)- ***1/2

Stephen Bishop- THIMK- ***1/2
(I have no feelings about Stephen Bishop one way or the other. I was just curious about his "final" album and its special guests. I enjoyed this more than I expected to. Some truly great songs.)

Joe Bataan- Saint Latin's Day Massacre- ****
(An absolute classic boogaloo record. If you've even been curious, start here.)

Al Green- The Reverend (Personal Playlist)- ****
Led Zeppelin- III- ****
Galactic- Ya-Ka-May- ***1/2

Buckingham Nicks- S/T- ***
(This record is ok. With the big reissue coming, I thought I'd go in again. Same three good songs I liked then, I still like now. But other than that, it's kinda bland.)

The Monkees- Me & My Monkees (Personal Playlist)- ****1/2
(Man, I was really in the mood for this.)

Iggy Pop- Lust For Life-****
(Hey, vinyl freaks! The "Back To Black" reissue is absolute crap. My iPod sounded better.)

The Weeklings- 3-****

8/16/25

Bruce Springsteen - The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle- ****
Gal e Caetano Veloso- Domingo-***1/2

Rickie Lee Jones- Traffic From Paradise- ****
(I don't remember liking this back then as much as I did today.)

Secos & Molhados- S/T- ***1/2
(On the Rolling Stone list of essential Tropicalia records. It's a good one, if a bit all over the place.)

Slade- Play It Loud- ****
(The second Slade record, and another I don't have any recollection of hearing. This stuff is great. I know it was "Slayed?" that put them on the map two years later, but I prefer the first two over those thumping glam screamers.)

 

Graham Parker- 12 Haunted Episodes- ***
Wings- At The Speed Of Sound- ***1/2

His Lordship- Bored Animal-****
(Loved the debut. Love this even more.)

Augustus Pablo- Rockers United!-  ****
The Stooges- S/T (John Cale Mix)- ***1/2

8/15/25

Willie Headen- Gospel Train- ***
(Decent enough late 50's R&R/R&B, not gospel as the titles suggests. I have heard better and I have heard worse.)

Dominique Fillon- Detours-****
(As suggested by pmac, a lovely and occasionally thrilling set. Modern piano jazz with just a touch of Brasil throughout. A keeper.)

Jeff Beck- Blow By Blow-***1/2
(20 years after this was released, while unpacking stock for the shop, I discovered the original vocal version of "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" on a Syreeta Wright CD, which preceded "Blow By Blow" by a year.)

 

 

Ambrose Slade- Beginnings- ****
(If I had ever heard this debut by Slade, when they were Ambrose Slade, I have no recollection. It's pretty damn great. More psych and Brit pop than glam. And they cover Jeff Lynne! Thanks for the tip, hpunch.)

 

 

Derrick Morgan & Hortense Ellis- Still In Love- ***
Sutherland Brothers & Quiver- Lifeboat- ***1/2
Lou Reed- Coney Island Baby-****

Todd Rundgren- Me/We: In The Studio (Playlist Based On Current Tour)- **** 

  

 

Rick Wakeman- The Six Wives Of Henry VIII-****
(Don't knock it until you've tried it. A prog classic!)

 

Steely Dan- Can't Buy A Thrill-**** 

8/14/25

Eric Dolphy- Out To Lunch-****
(A favorite. It's far enough out there to keep you on your toes, but knows just where to pull back the reins as to not lose the casual jazz fan...I think. But what do I know?)

Milton Nascimento & Los Borges- Clube da Esquina- ***1/2
Kenny Drew- Undercurrent- ***1/2
David Bowie- Divine Symmetry (An Alt. Journey Through "Hunky Dory": Personal Playlist)- ****

Deep Purple- Made In Japan (Steven Wilson Remix)- **1/2
(There aren't very many records that I once loved but now don't. This did nothing for me today.)

The Idle Race- The Birthday Party (Plus Non-LP Tracks)- ****
The Beatles- Abbey Road Sessions-****

The Beatles- Essen, 6/25/66-****
(This is not as big of a trainwreck as San Francisco. Actually, there are more than a few moments of magic. And there is something charming about hearing the Fabs not so fab. George introduces "Yesterday" as a "song from 'Beatles For Sale,'" and then Paul gets the lyrics of the first verse wrong. It's raw, and they probably couldn't hear a thing, yet they still nail most of the three part harmonies.)

The Beach Boys- Today! (Stereo)- ****
(When was the last time you heard The Students' original version of "I'm So Young?")

 

 

v/a- Porky's Revenge O.S.T.- ****
(George covers Dylan with Jimmie Vaughan on guitar and produced by Dave Edmunds. I'm in.)

 

Joe Jackson- Summer In The City: Live In New York- ****
(All of these shows were special. Joe played dozens of NYC shows in 1999 and 2000. I was at most of them. Every one a winner. I have most of the ticket stubs. The Bottom Line, $20. Radio City, $25 for 18th row orchestra. Joe's Pub, $30. Now in NYC, a balcony seat for Joe's last tour was $125.)

Todd Rundgren- Fort Wayne, 7/15/25- ****
(Fantastic. Tight band. Tight set, Great voice.) 

 

8/13/25

Raspberries- Play On: A Raspberries Tribute (Originals- 2025)- ****
Paul McCartney- McCartney (1970)- ****

New Radicals- Maybe You've Been Brainwashed, Too (1998) - ****
(I still refer to the New Radicals as one of my favorite new bands even though this one and done masterpiece is almost 30 years old.)

Pink Floyd- A Saucerful Of Secrets (1968)- ***1/2
Public Enemy- Fear Of A Black Planet (1990)- ****

Roy Ayers- Stoned Soul Picnic (1968)- ****
(A couple of years before he exploded with Ubiquity. This record kills me. Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Charles Tolliver, Gary Bartz. Amazing playing throughout and incredibly musical.)

Gong- Flying Teapot (1973)-***
Elton John- The Captain & The Kid (2006)- ***1/2

James Walbourne- The Hill (2011) - ****
(Yet another rediscovery during the library reconstruction. Haven't played this gem in ages. Do yourself a favor and track it down. Every song a winner. If you don't know, Walbourne is one half of The Rails with his wife Kami Thompson, one half of His Lordship and long time Pretenders guitarist.)

Oasis- Time Flies...1994-2009 (2010, Personal Edit)- ***
(Even my own mix failed to move me. I repeat, "Morning Glory" is all you need.)

Ultravox- Live At The Rainbow, 1977 (2022)- ****
(Great set! If you love the John Foxx years as much as I do, listen to this. Three unreleased tracks and the classics.)

 

 

8/12/25

Raspberries- Fresh- ****
The Dukes of Stratosphear- Psurroundabout Ride- ****
Raspberries- Side 3- ****
(I think it was inevitable that I'd be listening to these records today. How about one from Wally?)

 

 

John Lennon- Plastic Ono Band- ****

Agrovators & Revolutionaries- Rockers Almighty Dub- **1/2
(The 1977 meeting at Channel One is a much better record.) 

Lou Reed- Sally Can't Dance- ***
(This is definitely NOT the worst album of Lou's career, as All Music says. I understand what's wrong with it, but I still dig it occasionally. It's got "Billy" and "Kill Your Sons" on it! How about Tommy Keene's cover "Kill Your Sons?"

 

 

Beastie Boys- Ill Communication- ***1/2
(If you trim the fat, this would rank a very close second to "Paul's Boutique.")

Mike Viola- Lonely Boy-****
(I've had this in my library for years and assumed it was a fan club release. Apparently it's a"fan" release, compiled from various sources and I believe, originally posted on a power pop blog. It's mostly covers and it's mostly great. Where else can you hear sincere reworkings of songs by Andy Partridge, Andrew Gold, Morrissey and Steve Allen! Oh...and the one below, which is pretty damn good, considering the legendary status of the original.)

 

The Duckworth Lewis Method- Sticky Wickets- ***1/2
(Not as hook-filled as the debut, but still ambitious in a good way. Some of it reminded me of Field Music, especially the title track.)

 

 

8/11/25

Gal Costa- Gal (Cinema Olympia)- ***1/2
(All Music says this in their review- "This release, the second of two self-titled albums released by Gal Costa in 1969, set the high watermark in terms of overall insanity and complete experimental freedom." That pretty much nails it. This record is best served whole.)

Willie Nelson- Songbird- ****
(I love this record but I have avoided it for years because Ryan Adams is a creep. I see it, stop and then scroll right by it. Today I stopped and added it to the queue. It's as good as I remembered it.)

 

 

Kraftwerk- Die Mensch Maschine-***1/2

Billy Joel- ...And So It Goes (24 Hand Picked Tracks From The Soundtrack)- ****
(Long time readers know, I make no apologies about loving Billy Joel. I also have no issue with pointing out his crap songs, many of which have been hits. What surprised me about this playlist, was how much I enjoyed the live versions, something that is rarely the case with me. The guy is an amazing performer. Watch the doc.)

 

 

Elton John- The Complete Thom Bell Sessions- **1/2
(Aside from the serviceable albeit anemic "Mama Can't Buy You Love" single, I've never heard this before today. I didn't hate it. If it was a Spinners record, I think more people would accept it. Still, not gonna play it a second time, which says a lot, I guess.

Adam Levy- Naubinway- ***1/2
(Another lost record, recovered during my recent library reconstruction. Honeydogs' leader, Adam Levy and 15 songs about his son's suicide. It's a heavy listen, but often very rewarding. Though, I can see how maybe I lost this one intentionally.)

 

 

The Police- Ghost In The Machine- ****

Terry Adams & Steve Ferguson- Louisville Sluggers-****1/2
("Pea-NUTS!" Only genius rock and rollers would have the balls to cover "Peanut Vendor." God bless Terry and Steve. By the way, this whole record is sublime.)

 

 

Prince- Lovesexy-***1/2

 

8/10/25

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 Witherspoon w/Ben Webster- Roots- ***1/2

v/a- Alternates For Bill (A Classic Burning Wood Weekend Mix, By Request)- ****
(A great comp, if I do say so myself. I forgot if Bill was happy with it. This J.J. cut was on it, which is worth the price of admission.)

 

Sade- Best Of (Abbey Road Half-Speed Master)- ****

The Peppermint Kicks- Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum- ****
(Second spin, still a keeper. Great record.)

 

 

The Beatles- Revolver (Giles Martin Stereo Remix)- ****1/2
Paul Westerberg- Backwash (An NYCD Creation)- ****

XTC- Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)-  ****1/2
(Andy's guitar solo in "Church Of Women" is the second most gorgeous thing in the song. The counter melody played by the trumpet is the first. Fans are still debating the pre-"Big Express" years versus the post-"Big Express" years. I fall on the latter team with all respect to those records before and including "The Big Express.")

ZZ Top- Rhythmeen- ***1/2

David Bowie- Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)- ****
(I wrote this in January of 2022, "This album is what I imagine Bowie haters think all Bowie records sound like. You can hear him posing on every track. His affected vocals even give me the twitch. But there is enough on it to like, even though it has always been one of my least played Bowie albums." My feelings haven't changed much, though I did enjoy it today more than I think I ever have. Check out the full post where I rank every Bowie record here.) I just checked it out myself, and almost four years later, my opinions on quite a few have changed. Might need an update for January of 2026. In other news, I'd love to hear Bowie's backing track of "Kingdom Come" with Tom Verlaine's vocals.)

The Rolling Stones- Ladies & Gentlemen... ****

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/9/25

Bobby Hutcherson- Stick-Up!- ****

The Beach Boys- Pet Sounds (Kevin Gray Stereo Cut)- ****
(Stereo or mono? Mono, because that is what was originally intended, right? Wrong. Once you hear the Analogue Productions release of the Kevin Gray stereo cut, you will never want to hear the mono again. One of the greatest sounding slabs of vinyl I have ever heard.)

Kraftwerk- 2- ****
Grateful Dead- Live/Dead (Sides One & Two)- ***
Dave Edmunds- Swan Songs: The Singles, 1976-1981-****

Errol Dunkley- Militant Man- ****
(First time--really nice rock steady record with a bit of a dub twist to it. A keeper.)

Buster's All-Stars- Blue Beat 45s- ***1/2
Derrick & Patsy- Blue Beat 45s- ***1/2

The Rolling Stones- Garden State '78- ****
(Legendary! Relentless!)

8/8/25

The Mothers Of Invention- Freak Out!- ***
(This didn't age well, though I still dig it from time to time.)

The Lionel Hampton-Art Tatum- Buddy Rich Trio- S/T- ***1/2
(Swingin' suggestion from Michael Giltz.)

Bushrangers- Stuntman-***
(Strange, supposed classic "lovers rock" record from 1977 that just got a first time reissue. Decent enough, but I'll never listen again.)
 
Chicago- Personal Playlist- ****
(A bunch of great albums and many amazing singles for the first seven years. Then, a whole lotta schlock for the last 50 years.)

The Peppermint Kicks- Pop Rocks In My Chewing Gum- ****
(Great blast of rock and roll, with a touch of glam. Good one! Def going in again.)

The Soft Boys- Underwater Moonlight-****
Perfect- Once, Twice, Three Times A Maybe-****
The Boys- Alternative Chartbusters- ***1/2

Elvis Presley- Sunset Boulevard (Sides One & Two, & A Few Bonus Tracks)- ***1/2
(This was fun. I like all Elvis, for one reason or another.)

The J. Geils band- Bloodshot- ***1/2
Iggy Pop- Mantra Studios, 3/28/77-****
Pugwash-Eleven Modern Antiquities-****

The Beach Boys- L.A. (Light Album)- ***
(Four really great songs among the dreck.)

8/7/25

Bobby Hutcherson- The Kicker- ****
(Killer 1963 session which remained unreleased until 1999. Joe Henderson, Grant Green, Duke Pearson. Swingin!)

Mary Flower- Bywater Dance- ***1/2
(Flower's excellent acoustic blues guitar picking backed by some of New Orleans' finest, including Jon Cleary, Dr. Michael White, Matt Perrine and Henry Butler. Another record I haven't heard in 25 years.)

Sexmob- Cinema, Circus & Spaghetti: Sexmob Plays Fellini (about half)- **1/2

The Duckworth Lewis Method- S/T- ****
(Thomas Walsh of Pugwash and Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy with a very British pop concept album about cricket. Excellent. Influenced by all your favorite English pop stars and yet very original.)

Michael Carpenter & the Cuban Heels- By Request, Volume 1- ***
(Safely played covers collection. Nice stuff, but nothing here better than the original. A few are worse.)

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen- Ronnie Scott's London, 7/23/25- ****
(I've heard the AMG with a horn section before, but usually sax and trombone. This is with a trumpet player, Dave Priseman, and it makes a world of difference. A great, new wonderful sound for Cleary and Gents.)

Alune Wade- New African Orleans (two songs)- **
(I was drawn to this because Herlin Riley is drumming, but it was not what I was expecting or wanted. Maybe I'll go in again another time.)

Prince Muhammed- No One Remember Africa- ***1/2

Marvin Gaye- That's The Way Love Is- ****
(A forgotten gem in Marvin's catalogue.)

Richard Lloyd- Alchemy- ****

Roy Orbison- The Big O (a little more than half)- **1/2
(Meh. Mediocre stuff from the MGM years.)

Guitar Gable w/King Karl- Cool Calm Collected- ****
(A classic Jay Miller session. Louisiana swamp pop at its finest!)

The Dirtbombs- Ultraglide In Black- ****
(It never lets me down. Play it loud.)

Iggy Pop & James Williamson- Kill City (2010 Remix)- ****
Marvin Gaye- Moods Of Marvin Gaye- ***1/2

8/6/25

Scott Walker- Scott 4- ****
Colin Blunstone- Ennismore- ****

Bob Marley & The Wailers- Kaya- ****
(It's nice to hear "Is This Love" is its original context instead of in a travel commercial.)

Del Amitri- Some Other Sucker's Parade-****
(A perfect Side One, and a damn good Side Two.)

Small Faces _ S/T (Immediate, MONO)- ****
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow- S/T- ***1/2

Dave Edmunds- Information- ****
(I love Jeff Lynne through and through, but I totally get why people don't like the sound of the records he produces. That said, this record is damn good! And I think some of those great harmonies and melodies may just be because of Jeff Lynne, bad drum sound aside.)

Perfect- Once, Twice, Three Times A Maybe- ****1/2
(Holy crap! I totally forgot about this record. Recorded in 1997, four years after Bash & Pop's "Friday Night Is Killing Me," Tommy Stinson and friends in Ardent Studios, gettting produced by Jim Dickinson. The record doesn't come out until 2004. It's a bashin' and poppin' killer.)

Parthenon Huxley- Homemade Spaceship-****
(Forgot about this beauty, as well. A gorgeous approach to ELO, recommended for those who love Jeff Lynne's songs but not his productions. P. Hux nails it.)

Terry Reid- S/T- ****

8/5/25

iPod on Shuffle:
Warrior In Woolworths- X-Ray Spex
Backwater- Brian Eno
Darlin'- The Beach Boys
Cinny's Waltz- Tom Waits
Miss Shapiro- 801
Zig Zag- George Harrison
Skauling Johnny- Johnny Moore 
Billy The Kid- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Every Night & Every Day- Cheap Trick
Love Is The Answer- Utopia
4th Dimension- Paul Weller
Team Mate- Kaiser Chiefs

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Echo-****
Marshall Crenshaw- Good Evening- ****

The Who- Sell Out (Japanese True Stereo)- ****1/2
(Stunning!)

David Bowie- Black Tie White Noise- ****
Carlene Carter- Musical Shapes- ****
The Meters- Struttin' (Kevin Gray Master)- ****
The Rolling Stones- Stripped- ****

8/4/25

John Cale- Vintage Violence- ****
Alexis & The Samurai- Move Into View- ****
Eddy Arnold- The Best Of...- ****

Martha & The Vandellas- Watchout!-****
(There aren't very many Motown standalone records that play with high quality. This is on that short list. Fantastic.)

Todd Rundgren- Initiation (Side One)- ****
Roxy Music- Siren- ****1/2
The Tubes- Remote Control- ****
The "5" Royales- Baby, Don't Do It- ****

Gary U.S. Bonds- Dedication-****

 

8/3/25

Roy Ayers' Ubiquity- He's Coming- ****
(Some say it's his masterpiece. First time I heard it, I liked four or five other Roy records more. But this morning, it hit the spot. I can't argue. It might be his masterpiece. It's a beautiful record.)

Grant Green- Feelin' The Spirit- ****
(An insanely good session. This and "Sunday Mornin'" are two Grant Green essentials.)

Prince Buster- It's Burke's Law-***
Bob Dylan- Blonde On Blonde (MONO)- ****
Ella Fitzgerald- Sings Rodgers & Hart (Disc One)- ***1/2
Little Village- ***1/2
Allen Toussaint- Southern Nights-****

Grand Funk- We're An American Band- ***1/2
(This was a lot of fun after not hearing it for years.)

The Meters- Cabbage Alley- ****
Talking Heads- Speaking In Tongues (Extended Mixes)- ****
Roxy Music- Manifesto- ****

8/2/25

XTC- Drums & Wires- ****
Joe Jackson- Fast Forward (New York Side & New Orleans Side)- ****
Rush- Permanent Waves-****

Small Faces- S/T (Immediate, MONO)- ****1/2
(Nick Robbins MONO master is a monster!)

Little Buck- The Complete New Orleans Recordings, 1966-1970- ****

8/1/25

Sly & Robbie- Blazing Horns In Dub- ***1/2

Catina De Luna feat. Otmaro Ruiz- Lado B Brazilian Project- ***1/2
(Lovely record, and different than what I expected.)

The Cars- Heartbeat City-***1/2
Culture- Two Sevens Clash-****

Alice Cooper- The Revenge Of...- ***
(I wanted this to be great, but it isn't. There are a few good tracks, but a few too many cringey ones, as well. Though, I am surprised at how good Dunaway & Smith sound. Makes me wonder if it's really them on bass and drums.)

The Groundhogs- Blues Obituary- ***1/2

Elton John- Rock Of The Westies- ****
(This aged well. "Street Kids," "Feed Me, "Robert Ford," "Grow Some Funk"...all excellent.)

Richard Hell & The Voidoids- Blank Generation- ***1/2
The Rolling Stones- Hackney Diamonds- ****
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Hard Promises-****

7/31/25

Roy Harper- Stormcock- ***1/2

Elton John- A Single Man-***1/2
(Decided to revisit some of Elton's supposedly "bad" albums of the late 70's and 80's. This was a major disappointment when it was released. Gary Osborne's lyrics are third rate compared to Bernie Taupin. But this isn't a throwaway. There are at least 5 solid tracks, plus a few really good bonus tracks that are better than what made the album proper. Good revisit.)

Elton John- The Fox-**1/2
(Yeah, this is still a stinker.)

Small Faces- S/T (Decca, MONO)- ****
Massive Attack- Blue Lines-***1/2

Aerosmith- Paul's Mall, 3/20/73-****
(Legendary! My favorite Aerosmith performance.)

Dave Edmunds- Tracks On Wax 4-****
The Jam- The Gift- ****