Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Punch The Clock (1983)- **** (This needs a trim, but it still holds up, I think.) The Pleasure Fair- S/T (1967)- **1/2 Appaloosa-S/T (1969)- ** (Carrying over yesterday's chamber pop mini binge, these two were disappointments. Pleasure Fair had its moments, but Appaloosa was horrible. Four songs in and I had enough.)
The Bunch- Rock On (1972)- ***1/2
Key- Fit Me In (1978)- **** (I don't play this enough. Forgotten pop gem so obviously inspired by Paul McCartney, Emitt Rhodes.)
Paul McCartney- Driving Rain (2001)- **** (Two days in a row! I am loving this album.)
iPod on Shuffle: Pandora's Box (Quad Mix)- Aerosmith Try- Marshall Crenshaw I Need A Roof- The Mighty Diamonds Rip This Joint- The Rolling Stones Farmer's Daughter- The Beach Boys It Ain't Easy When You Fall/Shades Off- Ian Hunter Renee- Talk Talk Things Are Gonna Change (The Morning After)- Ray Davies Money & Corruption- The Kinks Something Has Hit Me- The Action Got To Be Sure- Horace Andy It's Up To You- The Specials Don't Listen To Linda- The Monkees Mouth Almighty- Elvis Costello & The Attractions Red Brick Dream- XTC Dusk Til Dawn- Paul Weller Once You Love- Steve Earle The 6th Of January (Yasgur's Farm)- Amy Grant I Wish, I Wish- The Rails Wheels- The Flying Burrito Brothers
Skin, Flesh & Bones- Dub In Blood, Vol. 1 (1976)- ***1/2 (Good one. Thanks Dr. Wu.)
Sly & Robbie- Rhythm Killers (1987)- **** (Loved this the first time I heard it 40 years ago. Not a traditional reggae record, but the rhythms do indeed kill.)
Paul Weller- Saturns Pattern (2015)- **** Paul McCartney- Driving Rain (2001)- **** (Another Paul record that put me off upon release, but over the years has become a favorite. The stretch of seven songs from "I Do" to "Heather" plays as well as anything in his solo catalogue. "Your Way" could have been on "Ram.")
v/a- American Baroque: Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971 (2025)- **** (Excellent collection of faves and many never-heard-befores. Highly recommended, if you dig this type of stuff.)
Eternity's Children- S/T (1968)-***1/2 (The collection above sent me right to this. A Curt Boettcher classic, though as good as it is, it can't hold a candle to The Millennium's "Begin.")
Chris & Peter Allen- Album #1 (1968)- ***1/2 (Working on a post for Burning Wood.)
Tom Waits- Bad As Me (2011)- **** (Surprised I hadn't rated the Waits catalogue for Popsurfing. Just submitted it.
Closing Time- ****1/2
The Heart Of Saturday Night- ****
Nighthawks At The Diner- ***1/2
Small Change- ***1/2
Foreign Affairs- ****
Blue Valentine- ****
Heartattack & Vine- ****
One From The Heart w/Crystal Gayle- *****
Swordfishtrombones- ****
Rain Dogs- *****
Frank's Wild Years- ****
Big Time- ***
Night On Earth- **1/2
Bone Machine- *****
The Black Rider- ***1/2
Mule Variations- *****
Blood Money- ***1/2
Alice- ***
Real Gone- ***1/2
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards- ****
Glitter & Doom- ***
Bad As Me- ****1/2)
Dennis Linde- S/T (1973)- *** (Not bad record from the man who wrote Elvis' "Burning' Love." Hard to categorize as it seems to jump from pop & country to R&B. A few songs sound like Leon Russell. I didn't take it off, so that's a good sign.)
Depeche Mode- Essentials: Edit (2025)- *** Billy Bremner- Bash (1984)- **** Joe Bataan- Singin' Some Soul (1969)- **** (An amazing soundtrack to the dog days of summer im NYC, 1969.)
The Kinks- Something Else By...MONO (1967)- **** The Rolling Stones- Now!: MONO (1965)- **** Paul Collins' Beat- The Kids Are The Same (1982)- *** The Lemon Twigs & Friends- Written By Ronnie D'Addario (2025)- **** Ratt- S/T (1983)- ***1/2 Foxy Shazam- Introducing (2008)- **1/2 Bee Gees- Life In A Tin Can (1973)- ***1/2 (Titus-Oaks, the greatest record store that ever lived on Flatbush and Church Avenue in Brooklyn, had a second floor where they stocked their used records, and off to the right, in the back, were the 99 cent bins. It might have even been 69 cents. It's been a while. I grabbed a lot of stinkers from those bins, including three Bee Gees records--"Mr. Natural," "To Whom It May Concern," and "Life In A Tin Can." All were disappointments...then. Now? All worth your time. Great stuff on all three.)
Dr. Michael White- Blue Crescent (2008)- ***1/2 (Lovely trad jazz from one of my favorites out of New Orleans. I think "A Song For George Lewis" is a better album, but this has some fantastic stuff on it, too.)
Wailing Souls- Fire House Rock (1981)- **** (Thanks for the reminder, Paul In DK. Been a while since I played this one.)
James Booker- Faubourg Cafe, 1981 (1981)- **** (This is insanely good. It's a raw but very listenable tape of Booker playing solo piano, recorded by his friend who drove him to the cafe. I've listened to hundreds of hours of Booker, and his playing during this 30 minute tape might be some of the best. If you have any interest in James Booker, this is a must listen.)
XTC- Black Sea: Steven Wilson Remix (1980/2017)- ***1/2
The Cynz- Confess (2026)- ***1/2 (Good solid record. I enjoyed the last one, thanks to Shriner's suggestion over at BW, but I think I like this one more. Am I crazy or does the track below sound like a cross between Matthew Sweet and Bruce Springsteen?)
The Beatles- Abbey Road: Giles Martin Mix (1969/2019)- **** Joan Armatrading- Personal Playlist (2026)- **** Althea & Donna- Uptown Top Ranking (1978)- **** (R.I.P., Sly Dunbar.) St. Vincent- Actor (2009)- **** (This sounded great, as it always does. Really only "Daddy's Home" that I can't listen to.) Corey Fonville, Sam Fribush, Charlie Hunter- R&B Organ Trio (2026)- **** (Short and super sweet. Perfect! Dig it below.) https://samfribush.bandcamp.com/album/r-b-organ-trio
Quincy Jones- Walking In Space (1969)- ***1/2 Milt Jackson- Bags' Bag (1980)- **1/2 Kenny Dorham- Trompeta Toccata (1965)- **** v/a-The Harder They Come, O.S.T. (1972)- **** Genesis- The Lamb Lies Down Broadway: Personal Edit (1974)- **** Herman's Hermits- Into Something Good: The Mickie Most Years, '64-'72- Disc Four (2008)- **1/2 The Electric Flag- A Long Time Comin' (1968)- *** The Cramps- Stay Sick! (1990)- **** Lee Michaels- Carnival Of Life (1968)- *** Electric Light Orcheatra- Face The Music (1975)- ****
45s The Staple Singers- When Will We Be Paid The Dells- A Whiter Shade Of Pale Larry Williams- Bad /She Said "Yeah" The 5 Stairsteps-Ooh Child Betty Wright- Shoorah Shoorah
Nino Tempo & April Stevens- All Strung Out (1967)- ****
The Action- Highlights From "Shadows & Reflections": Personal Playlist (2018/2023)- **** (Amazing that these guys never released a proper album, yet there is a 4 disc boxed set that is complete. What's more amazing is that most of the box is stellar, with very little filler.)
Sparks- Propaganda (1974)- **** Bob Marley & The Wailers- Satisfy My Soul Jah Jah, 1971-1972 (1998)- ***1/2 Leon Russell & Mark Benno- Look Inside The Asylum Choir (1968)- ***1/2 Taj Mahal- Mo'Roots (1974)- **** (Best spin of the day, so far. So many perfect minutes. "Cajun Waltz" is simply stunning.)
Lucinda Williams- World's Gone Wrong (2026)- ****
45s The Four Tops- Reach Out I'll Be There
The Supremes: Back In My Arms Again You Keep Me Hangin' On'/Remove This Doubt Where Did Our Love Go Stop! In The Name Of Love You Can't Hurry Love/Put Yourself In My Place Love Child Stoned Love
Martha & The Vandellas- In My Lonely Room Marvin Gaye- Ain't That Peculiar Nappy Brown- Don't Be Angry
James Brown I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me) Give it Up Or Turn It Loose Licking Stick-Licking Stick Pt. 1 I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door, I'll Get It Myself) Pt.1 Mother Popcorn Pt. 1/Mother Popcorn Pt. 2 Get On The Good Foot Pt. 1/Get On The Good Foot Pt. 2 There It Is Pt. 1/There It Is Pt.2 Talking Loud And Saying Nothing Pt.1 Cold Sweat Pt. 1 Hot Pants Pt. 1
The Dominoes- Sixty Minute Man The Jive Five- I'm A Happy Man Eddie Floyd- I've Never Found A Girl Johnny Adams- Salt Of The Earth The Diamonds- The Stroll Phil Phillips- Sea Of Love Berna Dean- I Walk In My Sleep James Booker- Gonzo/Cool Turkey The Passions- Just To Be With You The Jive Five- What Time Is It? Mable John- If You Give Up What You Got/You're Taking Up Another Man's Place Dion- My Girl The Month Of May
Lloyd Parks- Officially (1973)- **** (I don't remember if I ever made this Reggae Record Of The Week. It ventures slightly into southern soul occasionally, but it never abandons its Jamaican roots. Great, great record.)
Nick Drake- Bryter Layter (1971)- ***1/2 Joe Henderson- Page One (1963)- ***1/2 Love Da Capo: Side One (1967)- **** The Chambers Brothers- The Time Has Come: MONO (1967)- **** (This record is not easy to come by in MONO, and yet about 10 years ago, I came across two. I kept one and gave the other to my pal Sal Maida. I had to sell mine out of necessity and have regretted it since. Today, 2/3 of The John Sally Ride went to visit Sal's wife Lisa, when she gave me what was left of Sal's collection after she sold the bulk of the heavy hitters to someone who gave her what I couldn't afford to give her. But guess what? They didn't want the crappy ol' Chambers Brothers, because they probably didn't look to see it was the rare MONO version. A happy ending to a bittersweet afternoon. Plus, I could listen to the groove of "Uptown" for an hour, written by the former Mrs. Miles Davis, Betty Mabry.)
The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Axis: Bold As Love, MONO Remaster (1967/2025)- **** (Jimi's best, I think.)
The Replacements- Tim: Ed Stasium Mix (1985/2023)- ****
45s Otis Redding: I Can't Turn You Loose/Just One More Day Try A Little Tenderness/I'm Sick Y'all A Lover's Question/You Made A Man Out Of Me Hard To Handle/Amen The Dock Of The Bay/Sweet Lorene
The Bar-Kays- Soul Finger/Knucklehead Booker T. & The MGs- Time Is Tight/Johnny, I Love You Mable John- Your Good Thing (Is About To End)/It's Catching Jean Knight- Mr. Big Stuff/Why I Keep Living These Memories
Sam & Dave When Something Is Wrong With My Baby/A Small Portion Of Your Love I Thank You/Wrap It Up Soothe Me/I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down Hold On I'm Coming/I Got Everything I Need
Eddie Floyd Raise Your Hand/I've Just Been Feeling Bad Knock On Wood/Got To Make A Comeback
Miriam Batucada- Amanha Ninguem Sabe (1974)- ***1/2 Van Morrison- Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge (2026)- *** (20 blues covers. Most are safe, boring, cookie cutter arrangements with no bite. Though, slowing down Fats' "Ain't That A Shame" is genius, and the duets with Taj Mahal are fun. Might have worked better if it was only ten tracks.)
The Just Joans-Romantic Visions Of Scotland (2026)- ***1/2 (Never heard of these guys, though they seem to have been around for 20 years. I was drawn to this description, "Their latest LP mixes their trademark sardonic humour with a new year
music cocktail of Blur, The Kinks, Elastica and The Lightning Seeds." I'm hearing a little of all that, and it's all very interesting. Worth revisiting, or at least visiting.)
Billy Joel- The Nylon Curtain: Sal Edit (1982/2025)- **** Lucinda WIlliams- World's Gone Wrong (2026)- **** (Great first spin!) Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen- Live At The Maple Leaf Bar, 1/17/2026- **** (One of the very best performances I've ever heard. The AMG, plus horns, plus guitar. Two killer sets! Old songs and new! Check it out on the Maple Leaf YouTube page.)
Wet Leg- Moisturizer (2025)- ****
Damned- Not Like Everybody Else (2026)- ** (If you think the Damned's debut is a punk classic, and you think "Machine Gun Etiquette" is close to perfect, and you think "Strawberries" is an amazing change of pace, and you think "Phantasmagoria" was a fantastic way to get into 80's goth/new wave, you should hate this lazy collection of covers as much as I do.)
The Rolling Stones- Between The Buttons: MONO (1967)- ****
The Clash- Give'Em Enough Rope (1978)-**** (Woefully underrated.)
Ennio Morricone- A Fistful Of Dollars (1967)- **** (This is not a record I think about listening to very often, but when I do, it knocks me out.) Prince Lincoln Thompson & The Royal Rasses- Collected (2026)- *** (I knew nothing about these guys, but it was posted on a reggae blog I follow and they rarely let me down. Not bad, once. Kinda dubby at times. Nothing essential.)
Tyrannosaurus Rex- A Beard of Stars (1970)- ***1/2 Robert Plant- Fate Of Nations (1993)- **** (Been awhile. Forgot how good this record is.)
Del Amitri- Can You Do Me Good? (2002)- **** (Hard to beat "Some Other Sucker's Parade," but this follow-up has more than a few gems.)
C.C. Adcock & Friends- The Swamp Pop Summit, Live From Jazz Fest 2005 (2005)- ***1/2 The La's- S/T (1990)- ****
Cheap Trick- All Shook Up (1980) -*** (My annual attempt to like this record. It starts off so strong. 1-2-3-4! Boom. Then it's one lousy song after another.)
Queen- I: 2024 Remix (1973/2024)- **** (Queen "II" remix coming on March 6th. I, for one, am very excited. They did a great job with the first album. I expect the same.)
Fiona Apple- Fetch The Bolt Cutters (2020)- **** Lucinda Williams- Essence (2001)-***1/2 Joe Henderson- In 'N Out (1965)- *** Tom Jans- The Eyes of An Only Child (1975)- *** Winston Groovy- Presenting Winston Groovy (1974)- *** Utopia- Chicago Theater, 5/22/18 (2019)- **** Can- Ege Bamyasi (1972)- ***1/2 Genesis- Foxtrot (1972)- **** Sister Carol- Liberation For Africa (1983)- ***
Frank Sinatra- In The Wee Small Hours: Kevin Gray Master (1955/2025)- ****
Kenny Dorham- Una Mas (1963)- **** (One of my very favorite Blue Note sessions. This swings hard right out of the gate. Joe Henderson on sax, Butch Warren on Bass, Herbie Hancock on piano and a 17 year old Tony Williams on drums back Kenny's trumpet.)
Bob Marley & The Wailers- Keep On Skanking: 1971-1972 (1998)- ***1/2
v.a- Jazz In Paris-50 Reasons To Love Paris: CD 1-Swing From Paris (2007)- **1/2 (I am not a fan of various artists jazz compilations. What I love about a session is getting the feel of the players when each takes a solo. That interaction is most of the joy. Having a CD with 15 different artists playing 15 different styles of jazz is somewhat souless to my ears. That said, there are some nice tracks that I guess could be explored on their own, but this spin bored me.) Class Three Overbite- Horses For Courses (2008)- ***1/2 (New to me, suggested by hpunch. Solid pop, occasionally camp. Great vocals. Like Queen, Scissor Sisters. Great spin.)
David Bowie- Low (1977)- ****
UB40- Signing Off (1980)- **1/2 (This has not aged well. Still love "Food For Thought," but the rest, not so much.)
Guitar Gable w/King Karl- Cool, Calm, Collected: Jay Miller Sessions Vol. 36 (1984)- **** (There are over 50 volumes of Jay Miller sessions. This one is in my Top 5. I am pretty sure C.C. Adcock loves this one, too. It's HERE if you want it. And I am working on a special Weekend Mix for Burning Wood. If you love swamp pop and Louisiana R&B, you will want this.)
Lucinda Williams- World Without Tears: Sal Edit (2003/2019)- **** The Cribs- Selling A Vibe (2026)- ****
v/a- Mississippi Delta Blues: Blow My Blues Away, Vol. 1 (1994)- ***1/2 (The real deal.)
Joe Henderson- Our Thing (1964)- ***1/2
Jeff Beck- Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop (1989)- **** (My favorite Beck record that isn't "Truth." Brian May said "Where Were You" is the most beautiful piece of guitar music ever recorded. That's a big statement, but it's hard to disagree.)
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros- Global A Go-Go (2001)- **** Bob Dylan- John Wesley Harding: MONO (1968)- ***1/2 Xmal Deutschland- Tocsin (1984)- ** (I worked with a guy on St. Mark's Place that was obsessed with this band. I didn't love them then, but I also haven't heard this record since 1990. I lost patience after 4 songs. It was everything I remembered.)
Talk Talk- The Colour Of Spring (1986)- **** The Cribs- Selling A Vibe (2026)- **** Marshall Crenshaw- Life's Too Short (1991)- ****1/2 (His best. Period. The debut is a classic. No question. But this is older and wiser. Every song a hit.)
Yes- Drama (1980)- **** (Very underrated record. Yes meets The Buggles and it really works.)
The B-52's Cosmic Thing (1989)- **** (For a band with three very distinct voices, it's always amazed me that they released a song as gorgeous as the instrumental that closes the album.)
Leon Russell- S/T: Kevin Gray Master (1970/2017)- **** (One of the greatest records of all time sounding the best it has ever sounded.)
Paul McCartney- Working Classical (1999)- ***1/2 (First time hearing this. I'm no expert on classical music, so I have no idea if this is considered good. I did enjoy it though, especially the string quartet's versions of some deep Macca cuts.)
Chico Hamilton Quintet w/Eric Dolphy- Original Ellington Suite (1958)- **** (Hamilton recorded this record twice, once in '58 and again in '59 with different musicians. The original session remained unissued until 2000.)
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass- What Now My Love (1966)- **** (Three seconds in and I am immediately back in Brooklyn. This record was a fave of the entire family and I still think it's pretty damn great.)
Temple Of The Dog- S/T (1991)- **** Judy Mowatt- Black Woman (1980)- ****1/2 v/a- Reggae's Greatest Hits (2026)- ****1/2 (A spur of the moment mix of songs I needed to hear today. It's below, if you're interested.)
Ornette Coleman- Chappaqua Suite: Parts III & IV (1966)- ***1/2 Craig Taborn, Tomeka Reid, Ches Smith- Dream Archives (2026)- **1/2
The Sha La Das- Your Picture (2026)- ** (Wow! A family of four from Staten Island touted as a throwback to doo wop and R&B. Their singing is horrible. The lead singer's falsetto is off key on every song I heard. I made it through four songs. I mean, what the hell?)
Sonny Bradshaw- Do It Reggae: 1969-1975 (1996)- ***1/2
The James Hunter Six- Off The Fence (2026)- ***1/2 (Nothing groundbreaking here, just another solid effort from Hunter. This track stood out.)
The Both- S/T (2013)- ****1/2 Bob Dylan- Oh Mercy (1989)- ****
Judas Priest- Sin After Sin (1977)- ***1/2 (Excellent interview with Rob Halford in the new Mojo. Very likeable guy. It put me in the mood. This was the first record I heard and bought by Priest and I became a fan for life. Still one of my favorite bands.)
Cro-Mags- The Age of Quarrel (1986)- **** AC/DC- High Voltage (1976)- **** Rod Stewart- Every Picture Tells A Story (1971)- ****1/2 The Heartbreakers- L.A.M.F.: The Found '77 Masters (1977/2021)- ****1/2 (It's Friday, and this record is usually my go-to on a Saturday night. I posted this back in October. I still stand by it.)
Brian Eno- Before & After Science (1977)- **** Chuck Prophet- Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins (2017)- **** Sabrina Carpenter- Man's Best Friend (2025)- ***1/2 Paul McCartney- Flaming Pie (1997)- **** John Lennon- Personal Playlist (2026)- **** Bruce Springsteen- Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978)- ***1/2 The Style Council- Cafe Bleu (1984)- *** Mr, Big- S/T (1989)- ***1/2 Yes- S/T: Kevin Gray Master (1969/2019)- **** Donna Summer- Love To Love You Baby (1975)- **1/2
Danny Ray- All The Best (1980) **** (Solid collection of roots reggae, featuring "Revolution Rock," a song many, including myself, first heard on The Clash's "London Calling.")
The Beatles- Let It Be: Giles Martin Mix (1970/2021)- **** Big Youth & Prince Buster's All Stars- Chi Chi Run (1972)- *** (Not bad collection of Big Youth toasting over reggae and ska tunes. This was the highlight.)
Steve Miller Band- Brave New World (1969)- ***1/2 Black Sabbath- S/T (1970)- **** Tchotchke- Playin' Dumb (2025)- ***1/2 (This was better the second time around. Great arrangements, but I swear their voices got even higher than the first album.) Soul Asylum- Let Your Dim Light Shine (1995)- **** (One of the ten best records of the 90's. I'll stand by that.)
Kyle Rowland- Not Holding Back (2025)- ***1/2 (Really solid record, though I might have given it four stars if it was 20 minutes shorter. Rowland covers a lot of ground, mostly sounding like Jimmie Vaughan and the T-Birds. But there are a few gritty workouts, too.) Fotheringay- S/T (1970)- **** (Sandy Denny post-Fairport, an underappreciated classic, I think.)
Jules Shear- Village Underground, 4/8/03 (2003)- **** (Great solo show where Jules is joined by Brad Jones on bass a few songs in.)
Bobby Charles- S/T (1972)- **** The Who- Sell Out: Japanese True Stereo (1967/2021) - ****
Paul McCartney- Memory Almost Full (2007)- **** (Stephen Thomas Erlewine on All Music: "Memory Almost Full is startlingly bright and frequently lively, an album
that embraces McCartney's unerring gift for melody. Yet for as pop as
it is, this is not an album made with any illusion that Paul will soon
have a succession of hit singles: it's an art-pop album, not unlike
either of the McCartney albums. Sometimes this is reflected in the construction --- the quick
succession of short songs at the end, uncannily (and quite deliberately)
sounding like a suite -- sometimes in the lyrics, but the remarkable
thing is that McCartney never sounds self-consciously pretentious here,
as if he's striving to make a major statement. Rather, he's quietly
taking stock of his life and loves, his work and achievements. On the surface, it's bright and accessible, as easy to enjoy as the best
of Paul's solo albums, but it lingers in the heart and mind in a way
uncommon to the rest of his work, and to many other latter-day albums
from his peers as well.")
Ratt- Out Of The Cellar (1984)- **** (As far as records like this go, it's really one of the best. Hook after hook, great playing, loud and hard. How could you not love the hit, "Round And Round?" B-Side is good, too!)
Foxy Shazam- Animality Opera (2025)- *** (This made my head spin. It's relentless. Some excellent moments that recall Queen at their peak. Sparks, too. But it's a bit of a mess overall.)
Todd Rundgren- Runt: Alternate April 1970 Master (1970/2023)- **** (For 50 years I wondered if full length versions of the songs in the medley existed. Countless reissues and nothing ever turned up. Even Todd had no clue if they existed. Then without fanfare, Rhino releases a third version of "Runt," with not only a different track sequence and alternate mixes, but full versions of "Baby Let's Swing," "The Last Thing You Said," and "Don't Tie My Hands." An absolute revelation that was worth the wait.)
James Booker- Le Trou Perrette, Liege: 11/9/76- *** Todd Rundgren- Runt. The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren (1971)- **** Jules Shear- Dreams Don't Count (2006)- **** Dillard & Clark- The Fantastic Expedition Of...(1968)- **** (Great album. I love the stand alone single, "Why Not Your Baby" that came out a year later, and was slapped on a few reissues. It doesn't belong on this album.)
Tom Verlaine- Dreamtime (1981)- ***1/2
Mike Viola- Paul McCarthy (2023)- **** (My favorite record of 2023, or at least in the Top 3. Also, one of Mike Viola's best. Tried selling a copy for a month, $15, $10, $8. It got as low as $7. No takers. Such is life. In the meantime, listen to the least power pop song on the record and count how many Black Sabbath songs he references. Or how about the Verlaine references in the one below the one below?)
Sun Ra- Singles Volume 1: The Definitive 45s Collection 1952-1961 (2016)- ***1/2 Syd Barrett- Barrett (1970)- ***1/2 Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians- Element Of Light (1986)- ***1/2 (Someone recently said, this album has "John Lennon's influence all over it." I hadn't thought of that, and now that's all I hear.)
Paul Simon- Essentials: Personal Edit (2024/2025)- ***1/2 Wings- At The Speed Of Sound (1976)- **** (Today's listening has been pretty good, but nothing has jumped out as a four star spin until this record. I didn't love this record at first. I bought it the week it came out at Crazy Eddie on Coney Island Avenue and it did nothing for me. I especially hated Linda's vocal on "Cook Of The House." But now, almost all of it pleases me, including Linda's song. "The Note You Never Wrote" is a beauty. The horn arrangement on "Silly Love Songs" is just fantastic. The whole vibe of "She's My Baby" is so perfectly upbeat. I also love the outtake of "Beware My Love" with John Bonham on drums.)
The Salt Collective- A Brief History Of Blindness (2025)- ***1/2 Robyn Hitchcock- Jewels For Sophia (1999)- ***1/2 (Good record. First time hearing it. Best track on first pass...)
Sailor- Trouble (1975)- **** (Wikipedia calls Sailor "a British pop/glam rock group." Okay, they're British. They got that right. They have more in common with Abba than any glam band, but there is also some old British dancehall thoughout. Whatever label, I've always loved this record, as well as the debut. Here's a two-fer.)
Patti Smith Group- Radio Ethiopia (1976)- ***1/2
Lucinda Williams- Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998)- **** (This record is perfect. Every song. Every harmony. Every lyric. Perfect.)
Starbound- Changes (1977)- **1/2 (New discovery, a one and done reggae/lovers rock record with Sly Dunbar on drums. Meh. I listened to half. Sounds like a third rate Curtis Mayfield/Impressions record.) Chris Bell- I Am The Cosmos (1992)- **** (One of the rare records that lives up to the myth. So many gorgeous moments.)
Tom Verlaine- S/T (1979)- **** (I say this whenever I play this, if this record was Television's follow-up to "Marquee Moon" instead of the mediocre "Adventure," we would be having very different discussions about the band. Though, I would replace "Yonki Time" with "Ain't That Nothin'" from "Adventure.")
Difford & Tilbrook- S/T (1984)- ***1/2
R.E.M.- Automatic For The People: Personal Edit (1992/2025)- **** (Two quick snips, nothing drastic. Forgot how great so much of this record is, especially the one below.)
The Kinks- The Journey Part 2: Sides A & B (2023)- ***1/2 Todd Rundgren- The Individualist (1995)- **** (I've always had mixed feelings about this record. The best songs get bogged down by repetition and a serious need of editing. And some of those great songs get sabotaged by sections with ill-advised rapping. But what's good is really good and that's what hit me today. I don't play this often, and maybe laying off it for so long made it sound better than it really is. Whatever, I really enjoyed it.) Foxy Shazam- The Church Of Rock & Roll (2012)- **** (Make rock and roll fun again!)
Black Sabbath- Technical Ecstasy (1976)- **** (I had a
friend in Brooklyn who carried around his tape player, blasting this
record all day and night, and he would shout from his gut after every
guitar solo, "TOMMY FUGGIN' IOMMI," and we'd calmly say every time, "Its
Tony. Tony Iommi." Love this record and that memory.)
Frank Hovington- Lonesome Road Blues (1976)- ***1/2 (I discovered this record about 5 years ago. They call it "Piedmont Blues," most notably played by Mississippi John Hurt and Blind Blake. But Hovington is no slouch. This is a lovely morning record.)
Snooks Eaglin- Teasin' You (1992)- **** (I miss Snooks. Always a highlight seeing him perform in New Orleans. His best stuff is the early 60's sides with James Booker and George & Bob French. But this electric set with a rhythm section of George Porter Jr. & Herman Ernest III is pretty great, too.)
Television- S/T (1992)- **1/2 (I really want to like this more, but it never takes.) Hans Rotenberry & Brad Jones- Mountain Jack (2010)-**** (I wrote about this 15 years ago and it has been off my radar since, thanks to an iTunes crash where I lost a ton of files. Thankfully, I got it back, courtesy of hpunch and it sounds as great as I remembered it. Hans Rotenberry, from power poppers The Shazam, and the great producer/guitarist/singer/songwriter Brad Jones, team up for a bright and infectious collection of tunes that will surely get into your brain and remain for days. Here is a two-fer.)
Jules Shear- More (2008)- **** (The last great Jules album.)
Jules Shear- Watch Dog (1983)- **** (The first great Jules Shear album.)
Dry Cleaning- Secret Love (2025)- *1/2 (Nope. Made it through three and a half songs.) The Rolling Stones- Metamorphosis (1975)- **** (I love this collection.)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Trust: Bonus Tracks (1981/2003)- ***1/2 (A few classic b-sides, but none of the alternates are better than the ones E.C. chose to release.)
Robert Plant- The Principle Of Moments (1983)- **1/2 (Happy Birthday Jimmy Page! This record bored me. Love the first two tracks, but then it's a snoozefest. Probably why I haven't played in 30 years.) John Waite- Ignition (1982)- **** (One great rock radio song after another. Man, Waite is one great singer.)
Matteo Monico- Alfred Hitchcock: A Portrait In Piano (2025)- ***1/2 Steve Howe- Signals Crossed (2025)- ** (Three song Dylan covers E.P., that I was hoping would be just Howe on guitar. But there's an awful vocalist and backing singers, and it's just lousy.)
Ornette Coleman- Tomorrow Is the Question (1959)- ***1/2 John Cale- Honi Soit (1981)- **** (I love this record, but it's just a few great tracks short to rival the classic Island Records run. Still what is good, is pretty damn great.)
John Waite- Temple Bar (1995)- **** (One of my favorite rock and roll voices, though this record doesn't rock. It's pretty heavy and I still find these ballads incredibly effective.)
Buddy & Julie Miller- Written In Chalk (2009)- ***
Dead Boys- Young, Loud & Snotty (1977)- **** The Pursuit Of Happiness- Love Junk (1988)- **** (These two records are perfect. Sure things. Constant sources of pleasure.)
Henry Badowski- Life Is A Grand... (1981)- *** (I've seen this record countless times over the years, in collections I've purchased, in records stores, at record shows. Hadn't heard a note until now, after seeing it get an anniversary reissue. Not bad, if a bit dated. Sounds like if Syd Barrett fronted an 80's electro-pop band.)
Sinead O'Connor- Essential (2011)- *** 1/2
The Love Affair- Everlasting Love Affair (1968)-**** (I knew the single, of course, but I had never heard the entire record. This was great fun. It's mostly covers, but all of them are convincing, even if the band can't decide who they want to be. Sometimes it's the Small Faces. Sometimes it's Deep Purple. Sometimes it's The Action. But it all works.)
Teenage Fanclub- Howdy! (2000)- ***1/2 (Well, after listening to four different albums, my verdict remains the same. They've got great songs, but not enough to make a great album. I really liked the way this album began, but then halfway through, I lost interest.)
David Bowie- I'm Only Dancing: The Soul Tour (2020)- ***1/2 (It's a shame that this recording isn't better. The band is on fire and the set list wacky.)
Joe Higgs- Life Of Contradiction (1975)- ****1/2 (Hard to argue against Peter Tosh- "Equal Rights" being the greatest reggae record of all time. But I need to toss this album into the ring.)
Todd Rundgren- Solo In Clearwater, January 28, 2003 (2019)- *** (A handful of amazing vocal performances amidst a whole lotta slop, why this show was chosen for release is beyond me.)
Ananda Shankar- S/T (1970)- **1/2
Bee Gees- Cucumber Castle (1970)- ***1/2 (The Bee gees binge continues. Good record, though they did the big drama much better on "Odessa.") Emitt Rhodes- S/T (1970)- **** (Pure coincidence that the last three records are all from 1970. I've had this one on my mind since someone left "Live Till You Die" in the comments on Burning Wood. The great, lost McCartney album, though so much of this record sounds like "The White Album.")
Soul Syndicate- Harvest Uptown (1977)- **** (I don't remember if this was a "Reggae Record Of The Day," but it needs to be.)
Velvet Underground- White Light/White Heat: MONO (1968)- ****
The Miles Davis Quintet- Steamin' (1961)- **** Cecil Taylor Workshop Ensemble- Legba Crossing (1989)- *1/2 (I knew exactly what I was in for and it scared me anyway. I lasted about 18 of its 48 minutes.) Paul Weller- A Kind Revolution (2017)- **** (This record grew on me. Thought it was so-so upon release. Now, I think it's fantastic.)
Teenage Fanclub- Songs From Northern Britain (1997)- ***1/2 (I liked more than I didn't. Standouts: "Control You," "Bad World," "Winter," and "I Don't Care.")
Alton Ellis- Sings Rock And Soul (1967)- ***1/2 Charlie McCoy- The World Of Charlie McCoy (1968)- ***
Jason Falkner- All Quiet On The Noise Floor (2009)- ***12 (Another year and no new Jason record...as promised. Not getting any younger, ova heah!)
Teenage Fanclub- Grand Prix (1995)- ***1/2 (Half great. Half like what I think most TF sounds like. Six from this and six from "Northern Britain" would make one great album.)
Bob Dylan- Blonde On Blonde: Personal Edit (1966)- **** (No "Rainy Day Women" or "Sad Eyed Lady.") v/a-The Frisco Records Story (1998)- *** (Not bad
collection from Ace, front cover states "New Orleans R&B to Early
Soul," and it delivers exactly that. Nothing outstanding, but I didn't
skip anything either. Fine, once.) Bee Gees- Mr. Natural (1974)- **** (Another forgotten gem from the Brothers Gibb. Even I had forgotten about it. Thanks to hpunch for the nudge. Not quite in their pop/disco phase yet, this is a perfect mix of classic Bee Gees and a new foray into soul (?) music. Really only one or two weak tracks. The harmonies on the title track are stunning.)
Blur-Essentials (2019)- ***1/2
The I Don't Cares- Wild Stab (2016)- ****1/2 (I always say "Boink!!," "14 Songs" and "Friday Night Is Killing Me" are my three favorite Replacements records. I'm not completely serious, but I do play those a lot. Going to add The I Don't Cares "Wild Stab" as number four. What a killer record!
Genesis- Duke (1980)- ****
Genesis- Trespass: Nick Davis Mix (1970/2007)- **** (Never liked this record, or I thought I didn't like it. My original U.S. copy on ABC/Impulse was such a muddy pressing, it took away from the music. Once I heard the Nick Davis mix and Abbey Road Half Speed Master, this record became something else completely. Now I love it. Don't be afraid! It's only prog rock.)
The Who- Meaty, Beaty, Big & Bouncy: Abbey Road, HSM (1971/2017)- **** Thin Lizzy- Chinatown (1980)- **** Thin Lizzy- Thunder & Lighting (1983)- ***1/2 (The great Phil Lynott gone 40 years today.)
Bob Marley & the Wailers- Survival (1979)- ***1/2 (I rarely reach for this record, but I just read a review of the upcoming Lucinda Williams album and there is a duet with Mavis Staples on "So Much Trouble In The World." Lucinda said something like, "Bob sings it so well, not sure what I can do with it." So, I needed to hear it for myself. I can hear why I never reach for the album. It's fine. No real standouts, other than "So Much Trouble In The World." So many other better Wailers records.)
Allen Toussaint- The Bottom Line, 2/6/87: Late Show (1987)- *** (This set features Bernard Purdie on drums with a few other New York musicians, and from Allen's banter, it sounds like this show was a warm-up before the March, NYC opening of "Staggerlee," the musical Toussaint co-wrote with Vernell Bagneris. Fun set, but Pretty Purdie is a little heavy handed behind the kit. As great as he is, he doesn't have the subtle New Orleans swing and backbeat. And neither do the rest of the band.) John Boutte- Good Neighbor (2008)- **** (One of my favorite records from one of my favorite artists out of New Orleans. It also has one of my favorite cover versions.)
Jon Cleary- Do Not Disturb: Hotel Room Ruffs (2007)- ***1/2
The Beatles- The White Album, U.K. MONO: Sides Two & Three (1968/2025)- **** Average White Band- The Essential Selection: Disc One (2025)- ***1/2 (I found out today that Chaka Khan's excellent hit single "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" was actually a cover of an Average White Band song. I had no idea. I think Chaka's version is better. Here are both.)
Alice In Chains- Essentials (2023) - **** (This Apple Music "essentials" has 34 songs, which I think means Apple is saying, what? That AIC's entire output is essential? I don't get the randomness of this series at all. Are they fan made? I cut this down to a tight 16 tracks and I think I may be able to get it down to a dozen. What's great is really great by these guys. But an almost three hour playlist is silly.)
XTC- Skylarking (1986)- **** Teenage Fanclub- Essentials (2023)- **** Marty Stuart & The Superlatives- Space Junk (2025)- ***1/2
Neil Young- Essentials (2022)- ***1/2 (I recently discovered the Apple Music "Essentials" series, which so far seems like completely random collections of hits and a few deeper cuts, ranging in length from 45 minutes to almost three hours! They come in handy when you're in the mood for one artist and the official "hits" release just isn't good enough. On some, I did my own editing. In the case of the Neil Young, it's mostly the obvious hits, with odd picks like "From Hank To Hendrix" and "Powderfinger," as well as CSNY's "Ohio" and the Stills/Young hit, "Long May You Run." I think I could make a better Neil playlist.)
Al Green- The Reverend: Personal Playlist (2025)- **** (I think this is a good one. His "To Sir With Love" is an all time great cover, though not better than Lulu, of course.
Right Now, Right Now Love & Happiness I've Never Found A Girl Call Me Simply Beautiful Take Me To The River I'm A Ram How Can You Mend A Broken Heart Look What You Done For Me Here I Am Driving Wheel What A Wonderful Thing Love Is Tired Of Being Alone I'm Still In Love With You For The Good Times You Ought To Be With Me To Sir, With Love Let's Stay Together)
David Bowie- Diamond Dogs: Bonus Tracks (1974/2004)- **** (One of the best bonus discs of the deluxe CD age. This plays almost as well as the album proper, and to my ears sounds like a perfect transition from "Diamond Dogs" to "Young Americans."Plus, it has what I think is the superior U.S. single mix of "Rebel Rebel.")
Sly & The Family Stone- Dutch Radio, 9/10/70 (1970)- ***1/2 (I've had this set for years and it's been years since I played it. It's a wild one.
Dance To The Music I Want To Take You Higher M'Lady Music Lover Sing A Simple Song Stand Thank You
It's here, if you want it. That link will expire on February 1st.)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- The Last DJ (2002)- **1/2 (I've never warmed to this record. I was excited for it after reading about Jon Brion's involvement. But the songs are weak. Not terrible, by any means, but pretty lousy for Petty.)
Dennis Wilson- Pacific Ocean Blue (1977)- *** (I revisit this record every few years, hoping it finally hits me. It never does. I was prompted this time from a piece in the new Mojo. The album's cult status is far greater than the music within. It's a nice record, but there isn't one homerun. Dennis' ballads work great one or two at a time on a Beach Boys record, but not when there are eight or nine on a 12 track album.)
De La Soul- 3 Feet High And Rising: Sal's Six Pack (1989/2025)- ***1/2 Bad Brains- Live At The Bayou, 7/14/80 (2025)- ***1/2 (Solid live show almost two years before their classic debut was released. Manic cover of Sabbath's "Paranoid" is a highlight.)
The Supremes- Essentials (2024)- **** (Find a stereo version of "Love Child," put on headphones and be blown away by the individual parts being played. Jeebus! Motown records are not of this Earth!)
NRBQ- Tiddlywinks (1980)-****
The Rolling Stones- Beggars Banquet: U.K. Stereo (1968)-**** (The original "Prodigal Son.")
The Zombies- Odessey & Oracle: 2025 MONO RM (1968/2025)- **** (Pretty perfect start to the new year!)
XTC- Apple Venus Volume One (1999)- **** (A modern day "Odessey & Oracle?" I hadn't thought of that before today, but man do these records sound great back to back!)
Wings- Venus & Mars (1975)- ***1/2 (After "Band On The Run," this record felt flat. And at the time, "Wings At The Speed Of Sound" felt even worse. I like both very much now, and actually enjoy "Speed Of Sound" more than "Venus &Mars." But "Call Me Back Again" is one helluva Paul vocal.)
Brad Mehldau- Largo (2002)-**** (Brad Mehldau's "Largo" was a game changer in 2002. Produced by pop
genius Jon Brion, "Largo" was nothing like the piano jazz of Mehldau's
previous records. This record blew my mind then and continues to blow my mind still. Even if you are not a jazz person, I suggest listening
to these tracks, and if you like them even a bit,
you might be compelled to hear more. )
The Salt Collective- A Brief History Of Blindness (2025)- *** (Saw the recommendation from Paul In DK, but was hesistant since I've never been a Chris Stamey or Mitch Easter fan. But then I read a few more things, including the participation of Jason Falkner and Aimee Mann, as well as an Andy Partridge co-write. It was a nice spin, but less power pop than I was hoping for. The Andy track sounds like an Andy track, though.)
Tom Petty- Personal Playlist (2025)- **** (I like 20 Tom Petty songs more than I like "American Girl." But man, the minute I hear "American Girl" my whole body changes. What a great record. That said, going to edit my playlist a bit. "Learning To Fly" slowed down the festivities. And still, my favorite TP song remains the one below. A deep cut from "You're Gonna Get It." That intro with those suspended chords is worth the price of admission. It also has one of my favorite Petty lyrics: "And we both know It's too late to save it Betcha feel proud about it baby You taught me how to hurt.")
