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.")
7 comments:
Couldn't agree more re POB. I really, really want to like it, but anytime I put it on, I get bored.
Tiddlywinks. My favorite NRBQ. After you mentioned Yesterday and Today, I put my vinyl copy on. It's the US "new improved" stereo version. At first I didn't like the weird hard separation of elements, but it allowed me to hear some things really analytically very well. Now I need to get the mono out and compare. Also got my three LP Supremes Anthology out recently, and yes, they had their production act together in Detroit.
I kind of like but certainly don't love the Dennis Wilson too. And I too pull it out and think, "Surely this is great!" and give it another spin. As for Neil Young, well of COURSE you can create a better playlist than what is likely some random, crappy algorithm!
And hello, 4.0!
Two Al Greens that make me grin (not just smile): "I Want To Hold Your Hand ("Shut up, Al Green") and God Is Standing By (that chorus!).
Happy New Year, Sal. Thanks for the Sly download. Haven't heard that one. Totally agree about The Last DJ. No standout songs, and if memory serves, nothing rocks hard enough to make up for their mediocrity. Finally, I like your idea for Now Playing 4.0. Looking forward to reading and hopefully commenting more than I do.
Agree on the Dennis Wilson. I've read lots of praise for that album over the years and every time I give it a go, I am whelmed (as an old boss of mine used to say).
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