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... ****
16 comments:
3.0 is looking great.
My top six XTC: English Settlement, Black Sea, Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch, Apple Venus, Wasp Star. Not sure about the order, but English Settlement is #1.
Also, I never heard Jacky Terrasson except the one he did with Cassandra Wilson. Now I’ve got a whole catalog to explore. Beautiful Smile.
Okay, I couldn't resist.
Nonsuch
Skylarking
Wasp Star
Apple Venus
Psonic Psunspot
25 0'Clock
Oranges & Lemons
Mummer
English Settlement
Drums & Wires
Big Express
Black Sea
White Music
Go 2
I think it's cheating to add Dukes records. And I think you just like Skylarking because Todd produced it. 😁 And Mummer before English Settlement! Sacre bleu!
First, the "judges" will allow the Dukes records. It's new material played by XTC and officially released by a major label. The only thing different is the band name.
Next, I love "English Settlement." Truly. But, records for me, need to be looked at by more than just the content. "Settlement" is too long and with some tightening, could have been a better record. But that's me. "Mummer," on the other hand plays beautifully to my ears. Plus, the strength of "Beating Of Hearts" > "Wonderland" > "Love On A Farmboy's Wages" > "Great Fire" alone make this record brilliant. Add "Ladybird" and "Me & The Wind," then toss in the b-side "Toys" and it's hard not to call this record one of their most underappreciated.
As for Todd, I purposely placed "Skylarking" at #2 to avoid any heckling! That record changed my life and XTC's life, and tomorrow, it could easily take the #1 spot.
Guess I've got to put Mummer on the listening list. I like Skylarking, but it has never grabbed me like it did so many others. And Todd did a fine job, even if he fought with Andy the whole time.
Have you ever see "This Is Pop," the XTC doc? I've watched it a number of times, it's that good. I will say this. Todd has always been a bit of an ass, and that's putting it mildly. BUT...after watching that documentary, I put all the blame on Andy. Even Colin and Dave feel that way.
The best quote that I heard about the Andy/Todd dynamic- "Andy was always the smartest person in the room. Then, Todd showed up."
Great minds think, well, not alike at all. I'll try to track down the doc. I love XTC.
“This is Pop” https://youtu.be/ytc9fv96ZGg?si=UCJXq8jipIMJY1jl
Thanks Dr
XTC you say?
Skylarking
Oranges and Lemons
Psonic Psunspots
Nonsuch
Mummer
Wasp Star
English Settlement
Apple Venus
The Big Express
Black Sea
Drums and Wires
Go2/White Music (don’t ever listen to these two)
I'm in total agreement about XTC. I got into them after Big Express and they just got better and better with each new release. After that rub I went back with a better appreciation of the earlier, quirkier stuff. One of the most awesomest bands ever. Andy Partridge is high on my list songwriting heroes. What a way to go out!
Good ranking Sal. I'd swap Skylarking w/Nonsuch, and ES would be up at #5. What a phenomenal catalog from those guys
I can't believe how far down the list Black Sea is on people's list. I have have it at second place right behind Skylarking. There was an XTC fan festival recently where Thomas Walsh of Pugwash interviewed Dave Gregory. It can currently be heard on the XTC podcast What Do You Call That Noise?. And of course Todd is discussed.
For me, the only serious competition to XTC’s imperial phase that began with Skylarking is Waxworks: Some Singles 1977-1982 - an album I purchased in early 1986 and played continuously until the fall, when Skylarking was then played on repeat. Will confess that I’m less familiar with the Apple Venus Volumes as they’re not readily available on most streaming platforms.
Viva Waxworks!!! :)
I’m still loving The Peppermint Kicks album! Appreciate the introduction. Hope you have a great day! :)
Oops! Omission: The Dukes of Stratosphear albums are brilliant! Every time I hear ‘Pale and Precious’, I immediately return to ‘Vanishing Girl’. It’s Pavlovian. Lol! :)
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