11/29/25

The Iveys- Miniskirts & Rainbows (2025)- **1/2

The Both- S/T (2013)- **** 
(This record was so off my radar, I only realized minutes before listening to it that it was Aimee Mann and Ted Leo. Great record!)

The Lemon Twigs & Friends- Written By Ronnie D'Addario (2025)- ****
(Songs written by Papa Twig and recorded by the brothers with help from Todd Rundgren, Sean Lennon and others. These arrangements owe more than a little to Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach. Great set!)

Love- S/T: Stereo, RSD Remaster (1966/2025)- ****
(The first LP I listened to from the RSD box. In a word, WOW! Chris Bellman's remastering makes this, and hopefully the others, definitive.)

Deep Purple- Burn (1974)- ****
The Byrds- Sweetheart Of The Rodeo: Personal Edit (1968/2025)- ****
The Who- A Quick One: True Stereo, Abbey Road HSM (1966/2022)- ****
James Brown- There It Is (1972)-***1/2
The Stranglers- IV: Rattus Norvegicus, RSD RM (1977/2025)- ****

Johnny Thunders- So Alone Revue: Max's Kansas City, 11/24/80 (1980)- ****
(Relentless junkie rock and roll, as captured...beautifully I might add...on cassette.)

11/28/25

Billie Holiday- The Complete Masters: 1933-1959, Disc 13 (2011)- ***1/2
Alex North/Ray Heindorf Orchestra- A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)- ****

Bob Dylan- Supper Club, 11/16/93: Second Show (1993)- **1/2
(Four songs was enough. I always forget that as wonderful as the band was, and as terrific as the recording is, and as cool as the set lists were, Dylan's vocals were unbearable.)

Simon & Garfunkel- Greatest Hits (1972)- ****
Bebel Gilberto- Tanto Tempo (2000)- ****
Siouxsie & The Banshees- The Scream (1978)- ***1/2
Kirsty MacColl- Kite: Bonus Disc (1989/2025)- ***1/2
Sugar Pie DeSanto- Use What You Got: Complete Singles, 1957-1974 (2021)- ****

The Darkness- One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back: 20th Anniv. Plus Bonus Tracks (2005/2025)- ****
(The debut gets all of the kudos, but this is a better record. The Darkness is a hard sell over at Burning Wood, as is most hard rock and heavy metal, though I think there are at least a half dozen readers who love this band as much as I do. These guys are hook machines. Justin Hawkins is hilarious, and always smart. There is more than meets the ear...here.)

Joan Jett- Bad Reputation: Personal Edit (1980/2024)- ***1/2

11/27/25

The Kinks- The Kink Kronikles (1972)- ****
Cheap Trick- The Latest (2009)- ****

v/a- Mom's Faves & A Few Of Mine: A Holiday Playlist (2025)
I'm Still In Love With You- Al Green
My Whole World Ended- David Ruffin
Big Man In Town- The Four Seasons
It's Over- Boz Scaggs
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To- Art Pepper
Everybody's Out Of Town- B.J. Thomas
Is This Love- Bob Marley & The Wailers
No Matter What- Badfinger
The Things We Do For Love- 10cc
I Wanna Be Around- Tony Bennett
Come Go With Me- The Dell Vikings
You Wear It Well- Rod Stewart 
Back In My Arms Again- The Supremes
I Saw The Light- Todd Rundgren
Hang On To Your Love- Sade
All The Way- Frank Sinatra
Wake Up Everybody- Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
What A Fool Belives- The Doobie Brothers
Stella By Starlight- Ray Charles
Heat Wave- Martha & The Vandellas
Hello Dolly- Harry Connick Jr.
No Not Much- Robert Palmer
A Girl Like You- The Rascals
Everyday I Write The Book- Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I Wish You Love- Sam Cooke
Samba De Orpheus- Charles Neville & Diversity
When You Walk In The Room- Paul Carrack
Cecilia- NRBQ
Azalea- Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington
I'll Be Good To You- The Brothers Johnson
Penny Lane- The Beatles
Your Love (All That I'm Missing)- J.D. McPherson
Things- Dean Martin
The Real Me- Johnny Adams
Our Day Will Come- Irma Thomas
I'll Never Smile Again- Django Reinhardt
Give Me All Night- Carly Simon
All Good Things- Jon Cleary
Hold Back The Night- Graham Parker & The Rumour
Stardust- Charlie Gabriel
This World We Live In- Mina
Two Of Us- The Beatles
Darlin' - The Beach Boys
I Don't Want To Go Home- Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
No Woman, No Cry- Charlie Hunter Quintet
The Place- The Action
You're My First, My Last, My Everything- Barry White
Blackbird- The Paragons w/Roslyn Sweat
Every Kinda People- Robert Palmer
It's Not For Me To Say- Johnny Mathis
Trombone- Nick Lowe
All My Life- Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
Dim All The Lights- Donna Summer
I Can't Help You Now- Bonnie Raitt
Jimmy Mack- Martha & The Vandellas
Steppin' Out- Joe Jackson
Unchained Melody- Sonny & Cher
Mercy Mercy Me- Marvin Gaye
In The Still Of The Night- The Five Satins
Every Night- Paul McCartney
Don't Play That Song- Bruce Springsteen
Just Once In My Life- The Beach Boys
Stoney End- Beth Nielsen Chapman

11/26/25

Mary Flower- Bywater Dance (2005) - ***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.)

Bob Dylan- Blood On The Tracks (1975)- ****
(And I didn't skip "Lily, Rosemary...")

Charlie Hunter- The Loft, UC San Diego: 5/7/10, Late Show (2010)- ****
The Ventures- In Space: MONO (1965)- ****

Carole King- Tapestry: Classics Audiophile Bernie Grundman RM (1971/1999)- ****
(I haven't listened to this record in years. I don't recall it ever sounding this good.)

Black Sabbath- Vol. 4 (1972)- ***1/2
Pink Floyd- The Best of (1970)- ****

Helen Shapiro- Very Best Of : Single Disc Edit (2005/2025)- ***
(First time listening to Helen Shapiro. I've known her name for years as the teen singer who The Beatles opened for. She's got some set of pipes. Material is uneven, some great and some awful. But no question, she was something. I think she is still alive.)

Kirsty MacColl- Kite (1989)- ****
Jack White- No Name (2024)- ****

11/25/25

iPod on Shuffle (Quick Road Trip):
Isn't It A Pity (Version Two)- George Harrison
Punky's Dilemma- Simon & Garfunkel
Boat On The Charles- Todd Rundgren
It's All I Can Do- The Cars
Classy Lassie- Alvin "Red" Tyler & The Gyros
Shiftless When Idle (Live In Chicago, 8/17/84)- The Replacements
Rock Dreams- The Lemon Twigs
Blue, Red And Grey- The Who
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry- John Waite
Timebox- Timebox
You've Been Around- David Bowie
Season Cycle- XTC
Supersonic- Pearl Jam
Good Friday- The Black Crowes
Out Of My Mind- Living Colour
Julia Dream- Pink Floyd
Daniel- Elton John
Back At The Funny Farm- Motorhead
Your Own Backyard- Mott The Hoople
Hurts So Bad- Linda Ronstadt
Nineteen Hundred & Eighty Five- Paul McCartney & Wings
Spooky Girlfriend- Elvis Costello
Terry- Kirsty MacColl
Daydream- The Lovin' Spoonful

Lou Reed- Berlin (1973)-****
Al Campbell- Ain't That Loving You (1976)- ***1/2
The Mommyheads- Future You (2019)- ***
Paul Gilbert- Burning Organ (2002)- ****
Bud Powell- The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume 1 (1955)- ****
The Beatles- Anthology 4: Personal Edit (2025)- ****



 

11/24/25

The Gladiators- Trenchtown Mix Up (1976)- ****
(Reggae record of the week.)

James Booker, Rosy's New Orleans: 3/3/76 (1976)- ***1/2
Jon Batiste- Beethoven's Blues- Batiste Piano Series Vol. 1 (2024)- ****
Bob Dylan- S/T (1962)- ***1/2
Charlie Hunter & Bobby Previte- Come In Red Dog, This Is Tango Leader (2003)- ***
Iggy Pop- Singles & Rarities: Personal Playlist (2025)- ***1/2

Garage A Trois- The Mysteryfunk E.P. (1999)- **1/2
(Charlie Hunter, Skerik and Stanton Moore's debut as GAT is rough. But then these guys followed it up with "Emphasizer," which remains an all time fave.)
 
Frankie Siragusa- Goodbye My Love: Lost Songs Of The Beatles, Covered & Rediscovered (2020)- ****1/2
(One of the best of its kind. It's so smart!)

Wings- Wild Life (1971, Abbey Road HSM)- ****
Kirsty MacColl- See That Girl: The Singles (2023)- ****
Pajama Club- S/T (2011)- ****
Trouble- S/T (1990)- ****

Bad Brains- S/T (1982)- ****
(BB to the rescue. This one never disappoints.)

11/23/25

Charles Mingus- Blues & Roots (1960)- ****

Dr. John- Live At The Village Gate, 1988 (2025)- **1/2 
(This was disappointing. You could tell one minute into the opening number that the only musician on the stage from New Orleans was Dr. John. And the guitar player is horrible. Just bad tone and bad ideas. This sounds like a wedding band trying to sound like they're from the Crescent City.)

Bob Marley & The Wailers- Uprising (1980)- ****
The Black Crowes- amorica. (1994)- ****

Cardiacs- Guns (1999)- **
(I had to shut it off by Track 6. It was giving me an anxiety attack.)

The Byrds- The Columbia Singles '65-'67 (2002)- ****
Eddie Hinton- Very Extremely Dangerous (1978)- ***

Pajama Club- S/T (2011)- ****
(Neil Finn project with his wife Sharon and Johnny Marr. This one really held up. Haven't played it in years and I'm really glad I did.) 

  

 

Joe Jackson- Laughter & Lust (1991)- ****
Thin Lizzy- Fighting: 2024 Remaster and Remixes (1975/2025)- ****

The Replacements- Let It Be: Alternates & Demos (1984/2025)- ****
(I enjoyed the sloppy shenanigans of the demos and covers more than the album proper.)

11/22/25

Astral Drive- S/T (2018)- ****
Jackie Edwards- Tell Me Darling (1978)- **1/2
v/a- Action Packed: A BW Weekend Mix (2025)- ****

Allen Toussaint- Fan Club Cassette (198?)- ***1/2
(I had no idea this existed before this past Thursday. Thanks to a friend and his rip of the tape to MP3, I got to finally hear it. Ten songs, just Allen, a drum machine and electronic keys, save one song with background singers, and it's better than it sounds. Think pure Toussaint, though in demo form. You can feel what could have been a solid album from the songs, if only The Meters were behind him.)

Charlie Hunter- The Loft, UC San Diego: 5/7/10, Early Show (2010)- ****
(Great trio set with Charlie doing his thing, Eric Kalb on drums and Shane Endsley on trumpet. Cool and hot!)

Thin Lizzy- Night Life: 2024 Mix (1974/2024)- ****

Sid King & The Five Strings- Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight (1980)- ****
(Great recommendation from our friend Randy. Not your standard Texas country/rockabilly, these guys have something special going on, including the sound of their recordings, which are close to 70 years old, but at the same time, sound modern. Great stuff!)

The Kinks- The Village Green Preservation Society: Swedish Version, Kevin Gray Cut (1968/2018)- ****

The Kinks- Personal Playlist (2021)- ****
(Here it is, if you're interested.

A Well Respected Man
Nothing In The World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl
Too Much On My Mind
Autumn Almanac
Strangers
Susannah's Still Alive
God's Children
(A) Face In The Crowd
Sweet Lady Genevieve
Mindless Child Of Motherhood
Get Back In Line
This Man He Weeps Tonight
This Is Where I Belong
Oklahoma U.S.A.
Sitting In My Hotel
Scattered
Something Better Beginning
Time Song
Waterloo Sunset
Better Things)

The Lords Of The New Church- S/T (1982)- ****
X- Los Angeles (1980)- ****

 

11/21/25

St. Vincent- Actor (2009)- ****
Bruford Levin Upper Extremities (1998)- ****
v/a- That'll Flat ... Git It! Vol. 1: Rockabilly From The Vaults Of RCA Records (1993)- ***1/2

Prince- Around The World In A Day: 2025 Remix/Personal Edit (1985/2025)-  **1/2
(I didn't love this record when it came out, and my edit really didn't help much.)

The Stone Roses- S/T (1989)- **1/2
(Easily one of the Top 5 overrated records of all time. A friend and I were discussing this record the other day. We both didn't get it. But honestly, I didn't remember anything on it, which says a lot about how much I cared for it at the time. A certain generation talks about this record the way my generation talks about "Pet Sounds," so I decided to go in again. I enjoyed a bit more than I expected to, but in the grand scheme of things, it's still pretty mediocre.)

The Beach Boys- Today! (1965)- ****
The Mommyheads- New Kings Of Pop (2020)- ***1/2

Michael Monroe- Nights Are So Long (1987)- ****
(This record never fails to put me in a good mood. And I love the Dead Boys cover!)

 

 

Small Faces- S/T: Decca MONO (1966)- ****
Kiss- Wildwood, N.J.: 7/23/75 (2025)- ***

11/20/25

Aerosmith/Yungblud- One More Time- ***
(Wasn't expecting much, yet I'm still disappointed. It's loud and brash with lots of bells and whistles and really nothing more.)

The Beatles- Anthology 4 (2025)- ****
(This was great! Some of the alternates were brand new to me. Hearing an extended "Baby, You're A Rich Man" was particularly thrilling, as was hearing "Good Night' with three part harmony and a guitar part that sounded very similar to "Julia." Nice addition to the Fabs catalogue.)

The Replacements- Let It Be: 2025 RM (1984/2025)- ***1/2
The Jam - All Mod Cons (1978)- ****
Brendan Benson- Upstairs At United, Vol. 1 (2011)- ****
v/a- Brazilian Nuggets: Back From The Jungle, Volume 1 (2011)- **1/2

11/19/25

v/a Rockin' Bones: 1950's Punk & Rockabilly, Disc One (2006)- ***
Black Uhuru- Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1983)- ***1/2

In Crowd- Natural Rock 'N' Reggae: Disc One (2025)- **1/2
(This was new to me. A band of famous studio musicians out of Jamaica who recorded in the late 60's to the early 80's. Disc One of this compilation was all over the place, doo wop, disco, dancehall, rock steady, and little of it was clicking with me.)

Devo- Personal Playlist (2025)- ****
Traffic- The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (1971)- ****
Paul Weller- On Sunset (2020)- ****

Derek & The Dominoes- Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)- ****
(This needs a Sal edit.)

Cheap Trick- All Washed Up (2025)- ****

11/18/25

Cecil Taylor/Buell Neidlinger- New York City R&B (1972)- ***1/2
(1961 free jazz session, also featuring Archie Shepp and Billy Higgins. Chaotic but not noisy or unbearable like a lot of Taylor's work. I enjoyed this.)

Steely Dan- Aja (1977)- ****
Chettini & The Turkish Trio- Oriental Soul (1972)- ***
v/a- Downbeat The Ruler-Killer Instrumentals: The Best Of Studio One Volume 3- (1988)- ***1/2

The Mommyheads- No Quietus (2025)- ****
(Even better second time around. Loving this record.)

Mundell Lowe- Blues For A Stripper (1962)- ***1/2
David Bowie- The Next Day: Personal Edit (2013/2025)- ****
David Bowie- The Man Who Sold The World (1970)- ****

The Rolling Stones- Tattoo You (1981)-****
(Lotsa talk about Side Two over at Burning Wood, decided I needed to get in on it. This record has always worked for me. It also triggers a few too many memories. Maybe you'll read about them in my book...some day.)



 

11/17/25

Willie Nelson- Countryman (2005)- ***1/2
(All Music's review makes this record sound unlistenable. It's very listenable with more than a few excellent tracks.)

Midlake- A Bridge Too Far (2025)- ***1/2
(Lovely new record.)

Traffic- Mr. Fantasy: U.S. Stereo (1967)- ****
Linton Kwesi Johnson- Bass Culture (1980)- ****
Bonzo Dog Band- The Doughnut In Granny's Greenhouse (1968)- ***

David Bowie- Montreux Jazz Fest, 2002 (2025)- ****  
(I've been avoiding this because of its length, but I went in finally, as I needed a long soundtrack while working on something else. I am really glad I did. A great recording of an inspired performance! Highly recommended.)

James Hunter- The Hard Way (2008)- ****
The Slits- Cut (1979)- ****
Queen- The Game (1980- ****

11/16/25

Billy Boy Arnold- More Blues From The South Side (1965)- ***1/2
(Solid 60's date and much better than his 70's or 80's stuff.)

Maurice Brown- The Cycle Of Love (2009)- ****
v/a- The Jay Miller Sessions, Volume Three: Rooster Crowed For A Day (1976) - ***1/2

Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive (1981)- ****
(Working on a Burning Wood post.)

Ego Ella May- Honey For Wounds (2020)- **1/2
(I listened to about half on a rec from our friend Randy over at BW. Better voice, I think, than Erykah Badu, but it's still that same trippy R&B that lacks enough melody to keep me interested.)

The Zombies- Decca Stereo Anthology (2002)- ****

Graham Parker & The Rumour- Heat Treatment (1976)- ****1/2
(This one turns 50 next year. WTF?)

Led Zeppelin- IV (1971)- ****
Duke Special- Songs From The Deep Forest (2007)- ***1/2

Blur- 13 (1999)- **1/2
(Not sure why this is widely considered to be their best, or why "Leisure" is considered to be their worst.)

Stiff Little Fingers- Inflammable Material (1979)- ****








 

11/15/25

Dexter Gordon- Clubhouse: Kevin Gray Master (1965/2019)- ***1/2

Bill Evans- You Must Believe In Spring (1981)- ***1/2
(Worth it for the "Theme From "M*A*S*H.")

The Beach Boys- Pet Sounds: Kevin Gray Stereo Cut (1966/2015)- ****
The Honeys- Capitol Collectors Series (1992)- ***
Steve Kelly- Here's The Thing (2025)- ***1/2

The Mommyheads- No Quietus (2025)- ***1/2
(I enjoyed this far more than I expected to. I have been on and off these guys for almost 40 years, As a matter of fact, when I saw Crowded House at CBGBs in 1986, a band called Pajama Garden opened and I believe they became The Mommyheads. In any event, this record kept my interest for its entirety, something I don't call with too many of their records. Def going back for a second spin.)

 

 

Frank Sinatra- In The Wee Small Hours: Kevin Gray Master (1955/2025)- ****
(The first Frank to get the Kevin Gray, Tone Poet treatment from Blue Note and man, is it a stunner! It's like being in the control room at the studio. Never heard a Sinatra record sound like this before.)

The Rolling Stones- Earl's Court, 1976 (1976/2025)- **1/2
(Listened to the first seven songs. Band sounds great. Mick does not. He's barking every song.)

Squeeze- Frank (1989)- ***1/2
The Cult- Ceremony (1991)- ***

Thin Lizzy- Jailbreak: Kevin Gray Master (1976/2022)- ****
Boston- S/T: Kevin Gray Master (1976/2010)- ****
Queen- A Day At The Races (1976)- ****
(Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1976!)





 

11/14/25

Linton Kwesi Johnson- Bass Culture (1980)- ****1/2
(This is one of those special reggae records that plays like few others. Johnson was a master and there isn't a dull moment here.

 

Ray Barretto- Acid (1968)-****
Bonnie Raitt- Souls Alike (2005)- ****

The Rolling Stones- Black And Blue: Steven Wilson Remix (1976/2025)- ***1/2
(Not sure what to make of this remix. My ears are hearing less of a punch and snap in Charlie's drums, which is not a good thing, and I think I am hearing more space around the guitar interplay, which isn't a bad thing. But both "Hot Stuff" and "Hand Of Fate" seemed to have lost something. They are not as hot. I think the Half Speed Master is much better.)

The Black Crowes- Tallest (1994/2025)- ****1/2
(As far as "unreleased" records go, this has got to be one of the best. This is worth the price of the big box.)

Roxy Music- Stranded: Abbey Road HSM (1973/2022)- ****
The Beach Boys- The Smile Sessions (2011)- ****
The Clash- S/T: U.K. (1977)- ****
Cheap Trick- All Washed Up (2025)- ****
The Rolling Stones- Through The Past Darkly: U.S. Stereo (1969)- ****

AC/DC- Powerage (1978)- ****
(If you are of the mind that every AC/DC album sounds the same, then surely you'd be okay with just one! This is the one!)


 

11/13/25

Car Seat Headrest- The Scholars (2025)- ***
(This is the first CSH record I've listened to from start to finish. It was not what I was expecting and it definitely kept me on my toes. That was good for a while, but then I just wished it would let up. Seems a bit heavy on ambition and a bit light on actual songs. Still, I didn't hate it. Thanks for the rec, Dr. Wu.)

The Black Crowes- Marie Laveau Sessions (1992/2025)- ****
(Finally! Been waiting for an official release since the first time I heard the song "Exit" in concert in 1992. Though the sound is only marginally better than the bootlegs that have been around for years, it's still a great release.)

Linton Kwesi Johnson- In Dub Vol. 1 (1980)- ****

The Doraemons- Brain Salad Surgery (2025)- **
(Definitely the weirdest thing I've listened to this week. Japanese Anime soundtrackers tackle classic rock. These guys have 55 records out and also cover Queen, King Crimson, Michael Jackson, etc. Pretty horrible.)

The Telephone Numbers- Scarecrow II (2025)- ***
(Pleasant enough jangle pop, like a lightweight Tommy Keene. Okay once.)

Cheap Trick- All Washed Up (2025)- ****
(No complaints here!)

Husker Du- First Avenue, 1/30/85 (2025)- ****
(23 songs in 60 minutes. Total fire!)

Dr. Alimantado- Best Dressed Chicken In Town (1978)- ****
The Rolling Stones- Black And Blue: Outtakes And Jams (1976/2025)- ***
The Rolling Stones- Between The Buttons: MONO (1967)- ****
Susannah Hoffs- Bright Lights (2021)- ****

11/12/25

Olu Dara- In The World From Natchez To New York (1998)-  ****
(This is a really special record. If you've never heard it, I suggest putting it on your to-do list.)

Mavis Staples- Sad And Beautiful World (2025)- ****
v/a- It's All Her Fault: A Tribute To Cindy Walker (2025)- ***
v/a- The Jay Miller Sessions, Volume Two: Gonna Head For Home (1976) - ****

Skerik · Andy Coe · Stanton Moore · Robert Walter- The Portland Get Down, 10/11/25 (2025)- ****
(Live preview of a forthcoming record. Da BOMB! And because I love you all so much, cut and paste this link and you'll get both sets.   http://s141.servername.online/~burnw0/getdown.zip)

Dwight Yoakam- Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room (1988)- ***
v/a- Liverpool Sunset: The City After Merseybeat, 1964-1969 (2025)- ***1/2
Humble Pie- Town & Country: 2025 RM (1969/2025)- ***1/2

11/11/25

Cheap Trick- Dream Police (1979)- ****

Neil Finn- Home Concerts: Personal Playlist (2020/2025)- ***1/2
(This was a series of live streams recorded during the early days COVID lockdown. I accumulated 128 songs between 3/18-6/6. Lots of covers, hits, deep cuts from all parts of Finn's life. It's really great stuff, though I still have a hard time listening as it reninds me too much of that period.)

Utopia- Ra: Side One (1977)- ***1/2
Chris Hillman- Bidin' My Time (2017)- ****
The Replacements- Songs For Slim (2013)- ****

The Who- Who Are You: Disc Four, Shepperton Rehearsals (1978/2025)- ***
(Sloppy, raw and rocking...at times. Will never listen a second time, but I really enjoyed some of it, especially hearing "Run Run Run." Though I was none too pleased that "Won't Get Fooled Again" cut before Moon's break. Was it so bad? Inquiring minds want to know.) 

Suzi Quatro- A's & B's & Rarities (2025) - **1/2

X-Ray Spex- Germ Free Adolescents (1978)-****
(Needed to wake from the Suzi Quatro slumber.)

11/10/25

Paul McCartney- McCartney (1970)- ****
Paul & Linda McCartney- Ram (1971)- ****
Wings- Wild Life (1971, Abbey Road HSM)- ****
The Beatles- Let It Be...Naked (2003)- ****
John Lennon- Walls & Bridges (1974)- ***1/2
Nilsson-Pussy Cats (1974)- ***1/2
(Finished Ian Leslie's "John & Paul:A Love Story In Songs" and fell into this binge. I can't say enough about that book. Over 65 years later and there is still more to be said about The Beatles. Read that book!)

The Band- S/T: Remix (1969/2019)- ****
Miriam Batucada- Amanha Ninguem Sabe (1974) - ****
Family- Bandstand (1972)- ***1/2
Television- Live At The Old Waldorf, 6/29/78 (2003)- ****
Weather Report- Heavy Weather (1977)- ****

 

11/9/25

Cartola- S/T (1976)- ***1/2
(I've gone back to this record a number of times since I first discovered it a year or two ago. One way to describe it is "Brazilian folk music," but it also can be described as a Buena Vista Social Club in Brazil. Lovely either way.)

Johnny Cash- American Recordings (1994)- ****

Willie Nelson- Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle (2025)- ***1/2
(I wasn't going to bother, as much as I love Willie. But with a thumbs-up from a friend, I went in and I am glad I did. Nice session, if a bit samey on the arrangements.)

Steely Dan- The Royal Scam (1976)- ****
Squeeze- East Side Story (1981)- ****

Pearl Jam- Backspacer (2009)- ****1/2
(Not a huge PJ fan, though I did love them when they first appeared and still dig their first two records. There's a whole lot I don't know and a few I truly didn't care for. But "Backspacer" is by far, my favorite.)

David Bowie- Lodger (1979)- ****
The Rolling Stones- Ten In Dolby Atmos: Personal Playlist (2025)- ****
Hanoi Rocks- Back To Mystery City (1983)- ****

Skip Bifferty- S/T (1968)- ****
(Long before World Party and Ian Dury & The Blockheads and Talk Talk, guitarist John Turnbull played with Skip Bifferty. This record is an excellent snapshot of late 60's psychedelia. It occasionally wanders into the weeds, but it's mostly terrific. The band's single with the Small Faces is damn good, too.)
 

11/8/25

iPod on Shuffle:
Only A Fool- The Black Crowes
And So It Goes- Billy Joel
Willie Mays Is Up At Bat- Chuck Prophet
Sea & Sand- The Who
Xanadu- Juliana Hatfield
Dominoes- Paul McCartney
Something Else- Sex Pistols
They're Blind (Matt Wallace Mix)- The Replacements
Opportunities- Pet Shop Boys
Chariot Choogle- T.Rex
Waiting On A Friend- The Rolling Stones
Queenie Eye- Paul McCartney
Walkin'- Paul Weller
Deep Cuts- Squeeze
Don't Leave Me Alone With Her- Sparks
Sugar Cane- The Iguanas
Why'd You Have To Go?- Bad Brains 

Miles Kane- Sunlight In The Shadows (2025)- ****

Flash & The Pan - S/T (1978)- ****
(I haven't listened to this record in over 40 years. I liked it then, but I don't recall loving it. I loved it today. That new Harry Vanda single put me in a Vanda/Young mood and I'm glad I went for this instead my usual Easybeats binge.)

Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac- Greatest Hits (1971)- ****
Symarip- Skinhead Moonstomp: Bonus Tracks (1970/2008)- ***1/2

David Bowie- Never Let Me Down : Mario McNulty Remix (1987/2018)- ****
(Mario McNulty did the impossible and turned one of the worst records of Bowie's career into something very listenable. I genuinely like this record now.)

Little Feat- Sailin' Shoes (1972)- ****
v/a- Life Moves Pretty Fast: The John Hughes Mixtapes- Single Disc Edit (2022/2025)-***1/2

11/7/25

Icecream Hands- Giant Fox Pineapple Tree (2025)- ****
(Solid new one! A keeper.)

The Beatles- The White Album: Sessions Disc Three (1968/2018) -***
v/a- The Jay Miller Sessions, Volume One: Tag Along (1976) - ****

Dropkick Murphys- For The People (2025)- ***
(I dig this band in small doses. The five bonus tracks on the new CD didn't help matters, but a fun listen anyhow.)

Squeeze- 6 Squeeze Songs Crammed Into One Ten Inch Record (1979 )- ****
P. Hux- Deluxe (1995)- ***1/2
The Who- Pontiac Superdome, 12/7/79 (2025)- ***

Mike Viola- The American Egypt (2018)- ****
(This is what I wrote back in 2018 after my first pass through: "The American Egypt" is one of the most raw and intense collections of songs I have heard since Lennon's "Plastic Ono Band." By no means a conventional power pop record, the sounds, melodies and particularly the words, play out almost like a stream of consciousness confessional. I sat frozen, as each story unfolded in ways most pop music would not dare to unfold." I haven't changed my mind. This record really works me over in the best ways.)

The Pretty Things- S/T (1965)- ***
Utopia- Adventures In Utopia (1979)- ****

The Black Crowes- Lions (2001)- ***1/2
(In 2001, Don Was took some time off from ruining the Rolling Stones to ruin the Black Crowes. But the vacay didn't last long, as he went right back to ruining the Stones in 2005 on "A Bigger Bang." That said, I enjoyed this record tonight because it has a few of my favorite Crowes tracks. But it also has some of my least favorite. I blame Don. But "Soul Singing" is infectious. It's always the best moment live.) 

Demolition 23- ST (1994)- ****
I am a fan of all things Michael Monroe, but this may be his high point. Thanks, Steven Van Zandt.)

11/6/25

Tyrannosaurus Rex-Prophets, Seers & Sages...(1968)- ****
James Booker- Corner Cafe: New Orleans, 5/7/82- **1/2

Mavis Staples- Sad And Beautiful World (2025)- ****
(A few really amazing and moving songs here. Solid throughout.)

Bob Dylan- Buffalo, 8/8/25-***
(One of a handful of soundboards from the Outlaw Festival- fun listen, once.)

La Gusana Ciega- Conejo En El Sombrero (2011)- ***
(I really enjoyed the track posted over at Power Pop, so I had to track down the whole record. Good stuff. Might have enjoyed it more if I understood the language. Tropicalia works in Portuguese, but power pop not so much in Spanish.)

Q65- Revival (1969)- ***1/2
Squeeze- Argybargy: Personal Edit (1980)- ****
Squeeze- Play (1991)- ****

11/5/25

Vin Gordon- African Shores (2019)- ***1/2
Mikey Dread- At The Control Dubwise (1979)- ***1/2
The Mad Lads- In Action (1966)- ***
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds- The New Religion (1966)- ***1/2
Arthur Alexander- A Shot Of Rhythm And Soul (1983)- ****

Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys- Bayou Ruler (1998)- ****
(Produced by C.C. Adcock, I think I read that purists were disappointed that the Playboys ventured into some other territories like rock & roll and rockabilly. I think that's the appeal. This one always kills.)

The Pretty Things- S.F. Sorrow (1968)- ***
(I know it's a classic and people love it, but I don't. It tries too hard. Good stuff, but def overrated.)

Rush- Signals (1982)- **1/2
Faces - Early Steps (2025)- ***

Glenn Tilbrook- Happy Ending (2014)- ***1/2
(This one is a sleeper. Some really beautiful music here. Tilbrook is a master.)

Jerry Lee Lewis- Rock & Roll Time (2014)- ****
(I missed this one somehow. It happens. The lineup: Keith and Ronnie, Neil Young, Robbie Robertson,  Nils Lofgren, "Hutch" Hutchinson, Ivan Neville, Shelby Lynne, Jon Brion, Waddy Wachtel, the amazing James Walbourne and the amazing Jim Keltner who also produced the whole thing. Such a great record!)

11/4/25

Jackie Mittoo- Keep On Dancing (1969)- ****
Lee "Scratch" Perry- Africa's Blood (1971)- ****
Little Roy- Bongo Nyah (1981) - ***1/2

Harold Battiste- Next Generation (1996)- ***
(Great players and great playing, but the material is just so-so. Though, this is a really nice version of "The Saints.)

 

 

Richard & Linda Thompson- Sunnyvista (1979)- ***1/2
The Beatles- Magical Mystery Tour (MONO, 1967/2025)-****

v/a- This Love Was Real: L.A. Vocal Groups, 1959-1964 (2021)- ***1/2
(Nice collection of doo-wop and R&B, mostly top notch performances of second rate songs which are basically rewrites of bigger doo-wop hits. But there were a few real winners. They just don't write'em like this any more.)

Terry Adams- Holy Tweet (2009)- ****
The Psychedelic Furs- Mirror Moves (1984)- ****
Steve Winwood- Ten: Personal Playlist (2025)- ****

11/3/25

Warren Storm- King Of The Dance Halls: The Crazy Cajun Recordings (2000)- ***1/2
v/a- Hillbilly Halloween (2024)- ***1/2

Hal-Mel- Alone Together (1976/2025)- ****
(Recorded in the spring and early summer of 1970, but not released until 1976 after Melvin Lastie's death, these duo recordings between Lastie and New Orleans legend Harold Battiste have now been properly reissued for this month's Tipitina's Record Club release. I had never heard a note of this record before today, but man, it is something else. It's a strange, almost psychedelic take on jazz. Eerie at times, like the soundtrack to a cult horror film, but also stunning at times, like the gorgeous version of "Alfie." A great surprise!)


Jon Cleary- Occapella (2012)- ****
(This record of Allen Toussaint covers is not your typical covers record. Cleary really delivered something special. It's mostly just him on all instruments and vocals, but Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen show up for a few tunes. If you don't know it, get on it, toot sweet!)


 

John & Beverley Martyn- Stormbringer! (1970)- ****
(Their Woodstock record, which most don't love and I don't get that.)

Buzzcocks- Love Bites (1978)- ****
The Beach Boys- Wild Honey: New Stereo Mix (1967/2017)- ****

NRBQ- Wild Weekend (1989)- ****
("Little Floater!" A more sublime love song to a car has yet to be written.)

The Lovin' Spoonful- French 60's E.P. Collection (1995)- ****
(So many amazing singles! I've had a two-LP anthology for sale for months at $3. Three dollars! No one one pulled the trigger. Hard times. I included it as a freebie with someone's order. Maybe they'll appreciate the band.)

11/2/25

Brad Mehldau- St. Moritz, 7/8/21 (2021)- ****
Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane (1961)- ****
John Martyn- Solid Air (1973)- ***1/2
Mavis Staples- You Are Not Alone (2010)- ****
Fats Domino-The ABC Paramount Recordings 1964-65: Personal Playlist (2025)- ****

Bunny Wailer- Protest (1977)- ***1/2
(This never had a chance after "Blackheart Man," but it's a solid record nonetheless.)

v/a-Warner Pop Nuggets, Volume 6: I Hear You Knocking (2018)- ****
(Some deep cuts and some favorites and lots I never heard before! Fun series.)

Richard Thompson- Still (2015)- ****

Be-Bop Deluxe- Axe Victim (1974)- ****
(Two of my ten favorite guitar solos of all time are on this record.)

Thin Lizzy- Renegade (1981)- ****
(Speaking of favorite guitar solos, this album is full of 'em.)

Led Zeppelin- In Through The Out Door (1979)- ****
(This record felt like a "fuck you" to LZ fans when it came out. One friend said, "Stop with the synthesizers already," and another repeated the line "No leads? No leads? No leads?" over and over again, as Page was pretty much in a heroin stupor at the time of recording. But then, Jimmy comes through with a classic heartbreaker of a solo on the last track, "I'm Gonna Crawl." It has aged nicely and I think it deserves more. I actually love it now.)

Crowded House- Afterglow (1999)- ****

11/1/25

Duncan Browne- Give Me Take You (1968)- ***1/2

Winston Francis- Mr. Fix It (1969)-****
(Love this record. It's like Sam Cooke's reggae record.)

Donald Harrison Jr. & Dr. John- Indian Blues (1992)-****

v/a- Killed By Deaf: A Punk Tribute To Motorhead (2025)- ***1/2
(Better than I expected.)

John Martyn- Sunday's Child (1975)- ***1/2

Moody Blues- Long Distance Voyager (1981)- ***1/2
(I've never liked the Moody Blues, not even the hits. I always felt like they were average players and their records were hokey. Then I read something on All Music, where they say "Long Distance Voyager" might as well be an ELO album. I remember hating those videos when they would come on MTV. But, that was 45 years ago. "Long Distance Voyager" is really good! I swear, it's a really good 80's ELO album. I'm stunned.)

Elton John- Tumbleweed Connection (1970)- ****

Blossom Toes- We Are Ever So Clean (1967)-****
(Essential 60's psychedelia!)

The Beatles- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: Giles Martin Stereo Remix (1967/2017)- ****

Moody Blues- Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)- **
(Nah. Gave up at Track Four. I prefer the Moodies when they sound like ELO.)

Electric Light Orchestra- Zoom (2001)- ****
(Every song on this album is a Top Ten hit, yet the album and tour tanked! Wrong place, wrong time. Then, years later, Jeff Lynne becomes a hit once again, deservedly so. This record might as well be considered lost. It needs a reissue. Sorry, just riffing here.)

Dead Boys- We Have Come For Your Children (1978)- ****
("Young, Loud & Snotty" is an all-timer for me. It's a perfect punk record. It's so perfect that this record, which is perfect, doesn't seem perfect. Point? Both Dead Boys records are perfect.)

The Runaways- Queens Of Noise (1977)- ***1/2

10/31/25

Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition- Album Album (1984)- ****
Jon Batiste- Big Money (2025)- ****
John Martyn- Bless The Weather (1971)- ****

The Who- Who Are You: Glyn Johns Mix & Alternates (1978/2025)- ***1/2
(Subtle differences. Nothing mindblowing, but hearing Pete sing "New Song" is pretty damn great.)

Florence & The Machine- Everybody Scream (2025)- **1/2
(Not for me. I tried when she first hit big and the band did nothing for me. Tried again and still nothing.)

The Grateful Dead- Blues For Allah: Steven Wilson Remix (1975/2025)- ***
(Great sound, but I still don't love this record.)

Guided By Voices- Thick Rich & Delicious (2025)- ***1/2
(Not bad for a GBV record.)

Bobby Hutcherson- Oblique (1979)- ****
(1967 session released in 1979. Herbie Hancock, Joe Chambers. Great stuff.)

Wire- Pink Flag (1977)-****
Faces- Long Player: Personal Edit (1971/2015)- ****
Nazz-S/T: MONO (1968)- ****