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.)
1 comment:
100% with you on Cleary's Occapella album. It's a killer - probably my favourite of his and hard to beat for a batch of Toussaint covers (though Stanton Moore's is obviously up there).
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