2/21/2026

Assagai- S/T (1971)- ***1/2
Jimmy Campbell- Son Of Anastasia (1969)- **1/2
Linda Hoyle- Pieces Of Me (1971)- ****
Catapilla- S/T (1971)- **
The Psychedelic Furs- S/T (1980)- ***
Jackson Heights- The Fifth Avenue Bus (1972)- ***1/2
Still Life- S/T (1971)- ***
Warren Zevon- Excitable Boy (1978)- ****
Boz Scaggs- Silk Degrees (1977)- ****
Rod Stewart- Gasoline Alley (1970)- ***1/2
Foo Fighters- Medium Rare (2011)- ****
Michael Monroe- Outerstellar (2026)-****

2/20/2026

Rockin' Horse- Yes it Is (1971)- ****
Gordon Waller- Gordon (1972)- **
Phil Thornalley- Stacked (2026)- ***1/2 

2/19/2026

Jimmy Campbell- Half Baked (1970)-  ****
Beggar's Opera- Act One (1970)- **
James Booker- Such A Wonderful Feeling: Original Instrumentals (2026)- ***1/2
Joe Higgs- Life Of Contradiction (1975)- ****
May Blitz-S/T (1970)- **1/2
Thomas F. Browne- Wednesday's Child (1971)- ****
Gracious- Gracious! (1970)- ****
Cressida- S/T (1970)- ***1/2
Led Zeppelin- Coda (1982)- ****
The Yardbirds- Live At The Anderson Theater, 3/30/68: Remix (2017)- ***1/2

2/18/2026

Curtis Fuller- The Opener (1957)- ****

Curtis Fuller Two Bones (1980)- ***1/2
(Nice 1958 session for Blue Note with Sonny Clark, released in 1980. Good stuff, but after "The Opener," it makes sense that this session remained unreleased. "The Opener" really cooks.)

Willie Colon Canta Hector Lavoe- Crime Pays (1972)- ****

Galactic And Irma Thomas- Audience With The Queen (2025)-****
(Happy Birthday to the Queen.)

It's A Good, Good Feeling: The Latin Soul Of Fania Records: The Singles (2021)- ***1/2
The James Gang- Yer Album (1969)- ****

Motorhead- Overkill (1979)- ****
(This is where I came in and never left.)

Earl King- 1963 Motown Sessions (1996)- ***1/2
v/a- Where The Girls Are- Girl Group Deep Cuts: Personal Playlist (2026)- ****
Martin Newell- The Greatest Living Englishman (1993) - ****
Irma Thomas- Love Is The Foundation (2020)- ****

Wilson Pickett- The Best Of ...(1967)-****
(In MONO!)

 

2/17/2026

Music City- Welcome To Music City (2026)- ****
(Excellent! Thank you, Dr. Wu. More on Burning Wood.)

The Rumble- Stories From The Battlefield (2024)- ****
(Happy Mardi Gras!)

John Ellis & Double Wide- Fireball (2026)- ****
(Great to have new music from Double Wide, which also includes Matt Perrine and Jason Marsalis. This really works for Mardi Gras, in a wonderfully twisted way.)

Allen Toussaint- Southern Nights (1975)- ****

Bad Bunny- Debi Tirar Mas Fotos (2025)- ***
(Finally gave this a go. The difference between this record and the music that purportedly "influenced" this record is that the classic salsa and boogaloo records had discernible songs, whereas this record plays like a 60 minute DJ set, and that exhausted me. There is good stuff throughout, but it ultimately bogs itself down with sameness. Or maybe it just feels that way because it's over an hour long. Not a fan of that reggaeton beat to begin with, so most of those tracks did nothing for me. I'd love to hear a shorter, cleaner version, with space between songs, allowing the listener to digest each mood. I love this music, but would rather listen Joe Bataan, Ray Barretto and Willie Colon. Those records are pure. They are organic. And they are hot! This record felt messy.)

Faces- A Nod Is As Good As A Wink...: 2026 Chris Bellman Cut (1971/2026)- ****

Creedence Clearwater Revival- S/T (1968)- ****
("Suzie Q" continues to be badass, almost 60 years later.)

Bobby Charles- Last Train To Memphis (2003)- ****
The Kinks- Are The Village Green Preservation Society: Kevin Gray Stereo RM (1968/2018)- ****

Jon Cleary- The Bywater Sessions (2025)- ****
(This hit the spot on this Mardi Gras Day in Astoria Queens! And if you dig Jon Cleary, grab this lagniappe. Trust me!)

(JCLagniappe) 

The Wild Tchoupitolas- S/T (1976)- ****
(It's Mardi Gras! And I love this Cassandra Wilson sample.)

 

2/16/2026

Elvin Jones- Live At The Lighthouse, Vol. 1 (1972)- ***
Esther Phillips- Atlantic Recordings:1966-1967 (2020)- ***1/2
John Boutte- Live At WWOZ, 2/5/2026 (2026)- ****
The Tubes- Young & Rich (1976)- ***1/2

Phil Thornalley- Stacked (2026)- ***1/2
(This sounds like a lost Weezer record and I don't love Weezer. But the parts that were fun reminded me of Mike Viola and Fountains Of Wayne. Definitely worth a second spin.)  

Brand X- Unorthodox Behavior (1976)- ****
(I hated this record when I bought it '76. It didn't sound anything like Genesis, and that made me angry. Of course, I love it now. Mindblowing musicianship!

Joe Jackson- Look Sharp! (1979)- ****
(This record is so good, even the throwaway novelty "Instant Mash" is fantastic.)

(JJ Covers Six Pack)

Beady Eye- Complete 7" Singles: A White Trash Soul Compilation (2025)- ****
(This is the most I have ever listened to this band. More fun than Oasis, I think. Really dug this. More on BW this week.)

The Plugz- Better Luck (1981)- ****
Crowded House- Temple Of Low Men (1988)- ****

2/15/2026

Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams- Third Plane (1978)- **1/2
Billy Preston- That's The Way God Planned It (1969)- ****
Tomeka Reid Quartet- Dance! Skip! Hop! (2026)- **1/2
Clive Matthews- Jah Live (2018)- ***1/2
Third World- Rock The World (1981)- ***
The Wild Magnolias- Outtakes + Live 1973-1974 (2026)- ***1/2

The Who- Meaty, Beaty, Big & Bouncy: Alternative White Trash Soul Version (1971/2025)- ****
(The creator ditched "Boris The Spider," and added "Circles" and "Call Me Lightning," which I am really okay with. But he tacked on a live "Going Down" from 1971 at the end. As nasty as that live version is, it doesn't belong on the GOAT studio singles collection.)

The Throb- Meet The Throb (2025)- ***1/2
(Another White Trash Soul creation, featuring all 7 known singles by Australian R&B/garage band The Throb, recorded in 1965-1966. Pretty good stuff, if somewhat predictable. Like The Animals meets The Cramps.)

Rod Stewart- Atlantic Crossing (1975)- ***1/2
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen- Highlights From The Maple Leaf, 1/17/2026-****

Bash & Pop- Friday Night Is Killing Me (1993)- ****
(Was this Tommy Stinson's "All Things Must Pass?" Had he been stockpiling brilliant songs that Paul Westerberg was rejecting? A perfect record.)

 

Aerosmith- Rocks (1976)-****

2/14/2026

Abdullah Ibrahim- Water From An Ancient Well (1986)- ****
(The first time I heard the title track was at Preservation Hall, played by the Stanton Moore Trio just six months after Katrina. It was an incredibly emotional evening. This is a beautiful record, by the way.)

(Stanton Lagniappe)

Krasno/Moore Project- Book Of Queens (2023)-****
Queen- Greatest Hits II (1991)- ****
The Dukes Of Stratosphear- Psonic Psunspot (1987)- ****

Paul McCartney- Off The Ground (1993)- ***
Paul McCartney- Off The Ground: Sal Edit (2026)- ***1/2
(This is one of two Macca records that I have never come around on. The other is "Press To Play." Both have a few winners because it's McCartney. But both fail to keep me interested. I guess you could throw "Broad Street" in there, too. I just don't count it as a proper record. I think an "Off The Ground" edit is in order, since a number of the bonus tracks from the complete works of "Off The Ground" are better than what made the album.

Off The Ground
Hope Of Deliverance
Mistress And Maid
Keep Coming Back To Love
Golden Earth Girl
The Lovers That Never Were
Long Leather Coat
Sweet Sweet Memories
C'mon People

Sal's "Off The Ground" Edit)

Lydia Loveless-Nothing's Gonna Stand In My Way Again (2023)- ***
The Beatles The River Rhine Tapes (2010)- ***1/2
Judas Priest- Screaming For Vengeance (1982)- ****

2/13/2026

Curtis Mayfield- There's No Place Like America Today (1975)- ***1/2
David Bowie- 'hours...'- (1999)- ****
The Beach Boys- Smiley Smile: Stereo (1967)- ***1/2
Desmond Dekker & the Aces- Intensified (1968)- ****
David Bowie- Diamond Dogs (1974)- ****
Rainbow- Down To Earth (1979)- ****
Mink DeVille- Where Angels Fear To Tread (1983)- ***1/2
Todd Rundgren- The Hermit Of Mink Hollow (1978)- ****
Sparks- Mad! (2025)- ***
NRBQ- Grooves In Orbit: Remastered & Expanded (1983/2026)- ****
Dead Boys- We Have Come For Your Children (1978)- ****
Eurythmics- Savage (1987)- ***1/2
T. Rex- Electric Warrior (1971)- ****

(Today's Playlist)

 

2/12/2026

John Coltrane- Giant Steps: MONO (1960)- ****

The Beach Boys- We Gotta Groove: Disc Two, "Adult/Child" Sessions and Outtakes '74-'76 (2026)- **
(This was a tough listen. I guess I wasn't familiar with the "Adult/Child" bootlegs because this not what I was expecting. It plays like an off-Broadway musical and it isn't very good. I am looking forward to the other two discs, but I'll never listen to this again.)

Opeth- Damnation (2003)- ***1/2
(After being blown away by the hard, heavy and epic "Ghost Reveries," the relatively tame sounds on this record are a bit of a disappointment. I don't miss the death metal growling. There's none of that here. But there's not much change from song to song either. It's a solid mid-tempo affair throughout, more along the lines of The Moody Blues or early Genesis, but without the latter's knack for melody.)

Bill Wyman- S/T (1982)- ***
(I always liked the singles off this record. I still do, though there are some real bad clams on the album.)

 

The Beach Boys- We Gotta Groove: Disc Two, "15 Big Ones" & "Love You" Outtakes and Alternates (2026)- ***
(Stick with the original albums. The new mixes are not better. The outtakes are mediocre.)

Charli XCX- Wuthering Heights (2026)- **
(Snapped out of my coma just in time to type this up.)

Esther Phillips- Release Me: Reflections Of Country & Western Greats (1962)- ****
(Thanks to a tip from a pal, I got to hear what one writer said was "the greatest country record you've never heard." He was right. I never heard it. It's pretty damn great. It's streaming under "The Country Side of Esther Phillips," and might I suggest pairing this with Charlie Rich's "That Rich," my favorite C&W record. That one is streaming, too.)

Sparks- Terminal Jive (1980)- ***1/2
(Not as Moroder-ish as "No. 1 In Heaven," but a solid record nonetheless.)

Bad Brains- Rock For Light (1983)- ****
("WE WILL NOT DO WHAT THEY WANT OR DO WHAT THEY SAY NO NO!")

Van Halen- Fair Warning (1981)- ****

Badfinger- Wish You Were Here (1974)- ****
(Arguably, their best. Inarguably, their most consistent.)

(Badfinger Lagniappe)

Dion & The Belmonts- Together Again (1967)- ****
(I don't know which came out first, this record or "The Velvet Underground & Nico." But man, this is one helluva double feature. Trust me.)

Tim Hardin- 1 (1966)- ****
(See above. Make it a three-fer.)

2/11/2026

Ellis Marsalis- For All We Know (2020)- ****
(His final recording with his son Jason on vibes. A gorgeous record. Here's a nice vinyl rip, since it is unavailable to stream.)

Pink Floyd- Animals: 2018 Remix (2020)- ****
Gang Of Four- Entertainment! (1979)- ****

The Harvey Averne Dozen - S/T (1969)- ****
(A quintessential Latin boogaloo record! Put this on your list to listen to.)

The Electric Prunes- Release of An Oath (1968)- ***1/2
(The Prunes meet David Axelrod, though no actual Prunes are on this record. It's basically The Wrecking Crew--and you can tell that the rhythm section is Carol Kaye and Earl Palmer from the second they start playing---performing Axelrod's music. Really compelling work, especially if you are a fan of Axelrod's "Song Of Innocence" and "Songs Of Experience" records.) 

 

R.E.M.- Green (1988)- ***1/2
Pete Townshend- Who Came First (1972)- ****
Nico- Desertshore (1970)- ***
Little Feat- Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974)- ***1/2
NRBQ- Dummy (2004)- ***1/2


The Bees- Free The Bees (2004)- ****
(NYCD's entire staff's favorite record of 2004.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/10/2026

The Byrds- The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)- ***1/2
(A friend casually mentioned this being his favorite Byrds album. I'd put it at #5 or #6 at best, but thought I should listen again first. I stand by my initial thoughts.)

Crosby, Stills & Nash- S/T (1969)- ****

The Beatles- More River Rhine (2010)- ***1/2
(I realize this stuff has been out there for ages, but there is so much I haven't heard. This 2010 boot on the legendary Swingin' Pig label is a blast. Great sound and selection. Love hearing Paul harmonizing with George on "Let It Down," even if it's only a minute. Paul and John singing "Across The Universe" is another gem.)

Opeth- Ghost Reveries (2005)- ****
(More on Burning Wood.)

Joe Bataan- Singin' Some Soul (1969)-****
Stanton Moore Trio- Crawfish Fest, N.J.: 6/2/12 (2012)- ***
Cheap Trick- All Washed Up (2025)- ****
v/a- Downtown Soulville! (1998)- ****
Dead Boys- We Have Come For Your Children (1978)- ****

 

 

2/9/2026

Ken Peplowski- Unheard Bird (2024)- ***1/2
Al Di Meola- Elegant Gypsy (1977)- ***
Sharks- First Water (1973)- ***1/2

Boxer- Below The Belt (1975)- ***
(I love Timebox. I love Patto. But Boxer just didn't do it for me. There are a handful of solid tunes on this debut, including the one below. But overall, it falls flat compared to their earlier works.)

Billy Preston- Encouraging Words (1970)- ****
(Billy's first record for Apple had him backed by Eric Clapton & George Harrison on guitar, Keith Richards on bass (!) and Ginger Baker on drums. This album is basically Billy with Derek & The Dominoes, as well as Klaus Voorman and Ringo Starr. Both records are getting reissued in a few weeks and both are really solid spins.)

The Toms- Sound Bytes (2025)- **1/2
(Stick with the debut. It's legendary. This did not work for me at all. It tries too hard and the songs lack the hooks and melodies of the debut.)

The Plugz- Electrify Me (1979)- ****
(One of the greatest punk records of all time! The follow-up, "Better Luck," is excellent too, just not as aggressive. Both are essential.)

(Plugz Lagniappe)

Clifton Chenier- King Of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco: Disc Two (2026)- ***1/2

James Taylor- New Moon Shine (1991)- ***1/2
(I hadn't listened to James Taylor in ages. No reason, really. I am a fan, saw him live a number of times in the late 70's and 80's, but I just stopped paying attention in the 90's and beyond.  I really enjoyed seeing him on the Colbert show and it put me in the mood. Listened to this record for the very first time and it's quite good. It's got Bob Dylan's favorite James Taylor song on it, according to J.T..)

  

Faces- A Nod Is As Good As A Wink... (1971)- ****

Pixies- Trompe Le Monde (1991)- ****
(I've always loved this album because this tour was the only time I saw the band live other than opening for U2. I had V.I.P. treatment. Reserved seats in the front row of the balcony at The Ritz, pre-show meet and greet where I had drinks with Frank Black, Joey Santiago and David Lovering. No Kim. Just a great night. The record still holds up. Really solid, even without the memories.)

Bryan Ferry- In Your Mind (1977)- ****
(My favorite Ferry. This record sounds like the perfect follow-up to "Siren" and a perfect lead-in to "Manifesto.")

2/8/2026

John Cale & Terry Riley- Church Of Anthrax (1971)- ***1/2
Nara Leao- Dez Anos Depois (1971)- ***

Sky High & The Mau Mau- African Vengeance (1990)- ***1/2
(I couldn't resist! Aside from the name of the band, the musicians include Earl "Chinna" Smith, Errol Brown, "Family Man" Barrett and "Horsemouth" Wallace. Not bad. A big time Black Uhuru vibe. I've heard worse. Worth a second spin.)

James Taylor- Classic Songs: Slightly Tweaked (1987/2026)- ****

The Searchers- Personal Playlist (2026)- ****
(Terribly underrated Brit Invasion band! Solid 30 minute mix is here, with a dozen of my faves.)

Lesley Gore- My Town, My Guy & Me (1965)- ****
(One of the rare 60's pop records that has no filler. Just perfect from top to tail.)

Handsome Jack- Barnburners! (2026)- ****

Pete Townshend/Ronnie Lane- Rough Mix (1977)-****1/2
Pete Townshend- Empty Glass (1980)- ****

Squeeze- Play (1991)- ****
(I play this more than any other Squeeze record and each time I play it, I am convinced it's their best.)

2/7/2026

Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard- Sweet, Sweet Spirit (2026)- ***1/2
(I was hoping this would take me right back to the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and it did just that. Exactly what I was hoping for. Also, nice touch to have Ron Carter's bass up front and featured throughout.)

Duane Eddy & The Rebels- $1,000,000.00 Worth Of Twang (1960)- **1/2
Boss Capone Meets George Dekker- Blackfire (2024)- ***1/2

Gene Clark with The Gosdin Brothers: MONO (1967)-****
(This record gets played a lot. It's perfect.)

Stevie Ray Vaughan- Couldn't Stand The Weather (1984)- **1/2
(I played in a band for a few years in the early 90's, and the guitar player was obsessed with SRV. We had about 15 songs in our repertoire, and seven of them were SRV covers. I couldn't listen to SRV for years after this. This record caught my eye today, but it's not doing it for me. This isn't about Stevie's ability. It's just that the record sounds dated. The 80's production does this type of music no favors. I made it through half. It didn't age well.)

Pixies- Doolittle (1989)- ****
(A Six Pack for those who may not be familiar with the band, or for those who love the band and just feel like getting a quick Pixies fix.)

Patto- Hold Your Fire (1971)- ****
(An Ollie Halsall tour de force!)

Handsome Jack- Barnburners! (2026)- ****
(Swampy goodness! These guys have been around for 20 years and this is the first I've listened. Excellent new record.)

Boz Scaggs- Dig (2001)- ***1/2

Todd Rundgren- Todds & Ends: Personal Playlist (2026)- ****
(Stray tracks, covers, remixes, guest appearances, etcetera. There must be at least three Todd fans reading, so it's HERE. You might dig it. I did.)

The Ventures- Where The Action Is (1966)- ***1/2
The Rolling Stones- Some Girls (1978)- ****

Queen- Sheer Heart Attack (1974)- ****
(How about Neko Case covering John Deacon's track from this album?)

QUINN MARTIN EPILOGUE:

That Handsome Jack record knocked me out. They've got something, but I am sucker for anything that sounds even remotely like C.C. Adcock. If anyone has been a fan of these guys, what do you think of the new one and what should I listen to next? 

 

2/6/2026

Miles Davis- Complete Plugged Nickel, 1st Set: 12/22/65 (1992)- ***1/2

Lennie Hibbert- Creation (1969)- ****
(One of my favorites and also one of the strangest reggae records in my collection. It's reggae exotica! I love all of it, especially "Nature Boy," which is clearly not "Nature Boy," but "It Was A Very Good Year.")

(Lennie, if u want)

Shocking Blue- At Home (1969)- ***
(Never heard a note other than "Venus," but my pal Sal Maida was a fan, so I decided to go in. Not bad. A little trippy. I liked this one, though it does sound a bit like "Venus.")

Blue Öyster Cult- Tyranny & Mutation (1973)- ****
(Once every two years or so, I post a BÖC appreciation on Burning Wood for those who have either pigeonholed the band as heavy metal or only know "Don't Fear The Reaper" and "Burning For You." This band is so much more.)

(BÖC Lagniäppe) 

Be-Bop Deluxe- Drastic Plastic: Stereo Remix (1978/2020)- ***1/2
v/a- CBGB-A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986: Personal Playlist (2026)- ***1/2
Scott Walker- Scott 3 (1969)- ****

v/a- Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals, 1961-1984 (2025)- **1/2
(The press release made this collection sound like a must-have. Job well done, PR people. I bit! Unfortunately, so did this comp. I could only listen to 12 of the 24 tracks. It's all fine, second rate, mid-tempo soul. But nothing stood out. Essentially, a boring playlist, though I imagine any one of these two dozen tracks would delight elsewhere, just not all at once here.)

The Ventures- In Space: MONO (1964)- ****
(Never fails! It's been said it was Keith Moon's favorite record. It's definitely one of mine.)

(Ventures Lagniappe)

Kiki Dee- I'm Kiki Dee (1968)- ****
(Released as "Patterns" in the U.S., this record is pure bliss. Big, sweeping arrangements calling to mind Phil Spector, Burt Bacharach, John Barry, Scott Walker. And still, very girl group. Great, forgotten record. Here's a two-fer.)

 

Elvis Costello- This Year's Model (1978)- ****
Graham Parker & The Rumour- Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)- ****

 

QUINN MARTIN EPILOGUE:

"Scott 3" and "I'm Kiki Dee" is a great double feature, as is "This Year's Model" and "Squeezing out Sparks." 

2/5/2026

John Cale- Vintage Violence (1970)- ****
Ken Peplowski- Enrapture (2016)- ****
Al Di Meola- Casino (1978)- ****
Yes -Tales From Topographic Oceans: 2026 Steven Wilson Remix, Sides one & Four (1973/2026)- ***1/2
Jules Shear- The Eternal Return (1985)- ***1/2
Sly Dunbar- Sly-Go-Ville (1982)- **1/2
The Walker Brothers- Personal Playlist (2020)- ****1/2
Clifton Chenier- King Of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco: Disc One (2026)- ****

2/4/2026

Erik Satie- Tout Satie! Complete Edition: Disc One, Orchestral Works & Ballets (2015)- ***1/2

Ken Peplowski- Little Dogs (2003?)-****
(This is a record Ken gave to me around 2003 or 2004. It was a CDr that he said was unreleased stuff he hoped would eventually come out. As it turns out, almost all of the songs did indeed come out over several different records, some newly recorded. I love this set because it's mostly duets. "Love Locked Out" is a fave. The newly recorded version is below from his 2010 release "Noir Blue.")

   

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. Never thought I'd see it on vinyl, but Real Gone just released a fab pressing, which sounds terrific.)

Dennis Bovell & The 4th Street Orchestra- Ah Who Seh? Go Deh! (1976)- ****

Pink Floyd- The Wall: Dr. Wu's Edit (1979/2026)- ***1/2
(Much better than my edit, though I still think it needs to end with "Comfortably Numb.")

Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris- Trio (1987)- ****

NRBQ- We Travel The Spaceways (2012)- ***
(You need to be there, in person. It's always better in person with The Q.)

Jeff Beck Truth (1968)- ****

2/3/2026

Leon Redbone- Double Time (1977)- ***1/2
King Crimson- In The Wake Of Poseidon: Steven Wilson Remix (1970/2025)- ***1/2

The Necessaries- Completely Necessary: Anthology, 1978-1982-Disc One (2026)- ***1/2
(Completely missed these guys first time around. Solid, post punk. Very hooky, a few tracks border power pop.)

The Kinks- Are The Village Green Preservation Society: Kevin Gray Stereo Master (1968/2018)- ****
John Cale- Fear (1974)- ****
Al Green- To Love Somebody (2026)- ****

R.E.M.- Accelerate (2008)- ****
(Man, this was great! I remember loving it at the time, but I haven't played it in years. It's lean and mean, with songs and hooks you could hang onto.)

Paul McCartney- Egypt Station: Sal's Version (2018/2025)- ****
(Removed some, added some from the Travelers Edition and singles.

Opening Station
I Don't Know
Happy With You
Who Cares
Confidante
Hand In Hand
Dominoes
Do It Now
Get Started
Home Tonight
Get Enough)

And dat's dat.)

The Power Station- DLX: Raw Instrumentals (1985/2026)- ****
(New remaster just out with extras that include raw instrumentals. What a revelation! If you like this album, you need to hear this. 80's reverb all the way down. Fewer overdubs. Just these amazing musicians laying down the tracks. Killer.)

Van Halen- For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)- ****
The Lemon Twigs- A Dream Is All We Know (2024)- ****

2/2/2026

Jaume Vilaseca Trio-Jazznesis II: The Music Of Genesis 1970-1974 (2015)- ***1/2
(This was really good! Vocals were a bit offputting, but thankfully it was only two songs. Thanks Paul In DK, for the rec.)

Bonerama- So Much Love (2026)- ****
(Excellent return to form from one of my favorite brass bands out of New Orleans, though I'd be hard-pressed to name favorite brass bands from anywhere else.)

Frank Zappa- Essentials: Personal Edit (2022/2026)- ****

Tyler Ballgame- For The First Time, Again (2026)- ****
(Second time around was very rewarding. I think I paid more attention to it. Some great stuff here.)

Todd Rundgren- With A Twist (1997)- ****
New Radicals- Maybe You've Been Brainwashed, Too (1998)- ****

Nico- The End (1974)- ***
(I bought this a year after it came out, as I was into all things Roxy, Eno & Cale. I was mortified! I stopped listening at Track Three. My friend and cousin were laughing at me. Now, 50 years later, I really don't mind it. It's a tough spin, but like a trainwreck that you can't look away from, I keep listening. The YouTube description of the song below says "avant-folk!")

 

Willy DeVille- Victory Mixture (1990)- ***
(The roster of New Orleans legends on this record should have made it a much better session than it is. It's not terrible, just a bit lifeless for a New Orleans record.)

NRBQ- Workshop (1973)- ****
(The Q to the rescue...every time!)

(Q4U)

Ultravox!- S/T (1977)- **** 
(Another record that always comes through.)

Kula Shaker-Kollected: The Best Of (2002)- ***1/2
(Hayley Mills kid doing a more interesting version of Oasis. Loved the debut, then it became a blur. There's a new one out so I decided to prep with a "best of." Good stuff.)

2/1/2026

Sam Rivers- Fuchsia Swing Song (1965)- ***

Sly & Robbie, Nils Petter Molvaer- Nordub (2018)- ***1/2
(I enjoyed a lot of this. Thanks Randy!)

Roger Nichols & the Small Circle Of Friends- S/T (1968)- **1/2
(Sunshine pop, cult classic that I've tried to get into a number of times over the years, but it just never takes. Not even this time.)

Willy DeVille- Loup Garou (1995)- ***
(First time hearing this and it is not what I was expecting at all. Stylistically all over the place, and Willy doesn't always sound like Willy. Not terrible, but still weak, though it got better as it played. The Brenda Lee duet is pretty nice, but "White Trash Girl" sounds a little too much like C.C. Adcock.)

Led Zeppelin- Houses Of The Holy (1973)- ****
Small Faces- S/T: Immediate, MONO (1967/2023) - ****
Steely Dan- Countdown To Ecstasy (1973)- ****

Pink Floyd- The Wall: Personal Edit (1979/2026)- ***1/2
(Imperfect. Tried to tighten it up and make it lighter and more song oriented, but some of the transitions are abrupt. Back to the drawing board.)

Aerosmith- Permanent Vacation (1987)- ****
Ronnie Spector- The Very Best Of... (2015)- ****

 

1/31/2026

Sam Rivers- Dimensions & Extensions (1967/1986)- ****
(1967 session that remained on the shelf until 1986. This is an excellent hard bop showcase for both Rivers and Donald Byrd. It occasionally wanders off into free jazz territory, which makes it all the more exciting for me.)

v/a- Ultra-Lounge One The Rocks, Part One (1997)-***
(I know many find muzak and swingin' pop versions of rock and soul classics sacrilege, but for reasons I can't fully explain, I find some of the arrangements really appealing. I don't recommend a regular diet of this, but once in a while, it's fun.)

Willy DeVille- Backstreets Of Desire (1992)- ****
(One song, "Chemical Warfare," is a major speed bump on an otherwise brilliant record. Unquestionably, Willy's best.)

R.E.M.- Collapse Into Now (2011)- ***1/2

Mink DeVille- Coup De Ville (1981)- ****
(Really enjoying Willy today.)

(Willy Lagniappe) 

 
Mississippi River Revival- Live At NOLA Funk Fest, October 2025 (2026)- ***
(Supergroup featuring Stanton Moore & Rob Mercurio from Galactic, Roger Lewis & Gregory Davis from the DDBB, Big Sam, Luther Dickinson and Jennifer Hartswick. I bet this was fun in person. On tape, it seems very bland, with the usual NOLA covers and extended jams.)

R.E.M.- Reckoning (1984)- ***1/2
The Replacements- Live At City Gardens, 1984 (2025)-***1/2

Mink DeVille- Cabretta (1977)- ****
Johnny Thunders- So Alone (1978)- ****
Mink DeVille- Le Chat Bleu (1979)- ****
(An inadvertent chronological trifecta of brilliant junkie music!)