6/29/2026

The Holmes Brothers- Speaking In Tongues (2001) ****

Bruford/Borstlap- Every Step A Dance, Every Word A Song (2004) **1/2

Traffic- Far From Home (1994) **

The Holmes Brothers- Where It's At (1991) ****

Elvis Presley- Spinout (1966) ***

Roy Harper- Valentine (1974) **1/2

Rush- Roll The Bones (1991) ***1/2

Yes- Steven Wilson Remixes: A Personal Compilation (2018/2026) ***1/2

Shaun Cassidy- Wasp (1980) ****

 

 

A few records caught my eye as I scrolled through various websites, blogs and social media accounts this weekend, and I included them on my daily playlists.

I was a bit of a Holmes Brothers fanatic for a while, and their records from 1991 through 2007 got tons of play at NYCD and at home. But it's been years since I thought about them, so going to fix that this week.

I had totally forgotten about the Traffic reunion record and four songs in, I realized why. It's a Traffic record in name only. What it sounds like is a mediocre Winwood solo record. Traffic would never have used that awful 80's synthesizer sound and Steve shouldn't have been using well into the 90's. This record is a bore and sounds more dated than Traffic's classics sound now. I shut it off after four songs.

Also still in a Rush phase thanks to this tour. Nothing will beat the run from "Fly By Night" to "Moving Pictures," but the records I've dismissed for years are sounding much better these days, including "Roll The Bones." Those later records aren't bad, they are just different. 

There was a Shaun Cassidy post on Power Pop today, so of course I had to listen to the "Wasp" record. A few of the covers on this record teeter on the unlistenable, though the cover of The Who's "So Sad About Us" is sublime, regardless of what a few Power Pop readers had to say. The Todd originals written for this project are actually terrific, and if you are a Todd diehard, you will recognize riffs and melodies on these songs that became other songs on follow-up Utopia records. This is a fun record...if you're a Todd fan. And I actually love this record now. I didn't for a long time.

6/28/2026

Cimafunk & La Tribu- Te Toca (2026) ****

Fela Ransome-Kuti & His Africa 70- Fela Fela Fela (1970) **1/2

Nigel Hall, Ari Teitel & Terrence Higgins- Maple Leaf Bar, New Orleans: 3/17/2026 (2026) **

Neil Finn- One Nil (2001) ****

Sly & The Family Stone- Woodstock (1969/2019) ***1/2

David Bowie- Lodger (1979) ****

Spirit- Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus (1970) ****

Nick Curran & The Lowlifes- Reform School Girl (2010) ****

AC/DC- High Voltage: U.S. (1976) ***1/2

Cheap Trick- Special One (2003) ***1/2


 

I caught a little bit of Cimafunk live in New Orleans back in 2018 or 2019. There was a lot going on on stage and he was clearly playing to the crowd as bands do in New Orleans. Lots of audience participation. "Let me hear you scream!" That kinda shit. So it didn't leave a good impression. But I keep hearing good things so I went in on the new one and I am sure glad I did. I think this record sounds like what I had hoped Bad Bunny would sound like. It's more musical. It's played well. It's sung beautifully. It's organic, which I don't feel with Bad Bunny. Some of it rocks and some of it is just truly wonderful music.

And speaking of New Orleans, this Nigel Hall & Friends jam from the Maple Leaf didn't translate well to just audio at home. A cocktail and a crowd at the club, and this stuff works wonders.

Between the Fela, the live Maple Leaf jam and Sly at Woodstock, I needed to get back to basics. Both "Lodger" and "Dr. Sardonicus" were as a good as ever. And as much as I enjoyed the Neil Finn, that record could use an edit.

Nick Curran! Gone way too soon. This record kicks ass! And it ends with an AC/DC cover, which took me to "High Voltage."




 

 

6/27/2026

Fela Ransome-Kuti & Africa-70- Fela's London Scene (1971) ****

The Paragons With Roslyn Sweat (1974) ****

Fela Kuti & Africa 70- Before I Jump Like Monkey Give Me Banana (1976) ***1/2

My New Band Believe- S/T (2026) ***

The Bluerunners- Honey Slides (2005)- ***1/2

Bob & Marcia- Pied Piper (1971) ***1/2

v/a- Todd/A True Star (1997) ***12

Fela Anikulapo Kuti & Afrika 70- Ikoyi Blindness (1976) ****

Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons- 25th Anniversary Collection: Single Disc Edit (1987/2026) ****

Barry Manilow- 11 Songs: Personal Playlist (2026) ****

The Lords Of The New Church- S/T (1982) ****

Tages- Studio (1967) ****

I acquired the complete works of Fela Kuti this week, a little over 40 records. So, he's been the centerpiece of today's listening. I only knew a few of his records and haven't listened to those in some time, so I decided to randomly pick titles. This stuff is great and worthyof its reputation. 

I was reminded by an old friend/Todd Rundgren fan, of a 1997 CD featuring Japanese artists, almost all unknown to me, covering some really deep cuts a few obvious choices. It's all so weird and different, but some of it is truly inspired. Anyway, that was a lot of fun. And weird. 

My pal hpunch suggested listening to My New Band Believe, the new solo record from Cameron Picton, singer and bass player of Black Midi. When I told him I wasn't really on board with Black Midi, he said he wasn't either and that's why he likes this solo record. A bit uneven, but when it's good, it's like a solid Roy Harper record, at least to my ears.

As for Barry Manilow, a friend of mine went to see him on Friday night and it reminded me of how much I love good ballads that modulate. Solid record making on these hits, and I enjoyed this playlist more than I expected to. "This one's for YOOOOU!"

 

 

6/26/2026

John Coltrane Quartet- Plays (1965) ***1/2
Stranger Cole- "Forward" In The Land Of Sunshine (1976) ***1/2
Book Of Love- S/T (1986) ***
Joe Jackson- Hope & Fury (2026) ****
v/a- CamPark: On The Northern Side, Vol. 1 (2002) ***1/2
Mountain- Climbing! (1970) ****
Van Halen- For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991) ****
Tages- Studio (1967) ****1/2
The B-52's- Wild Planet (1980) ****
The Jaded Hearts Club- Live At The 100 Club (2020) ***
Blossom Toes- We Are Ever So Clean (1967) ****

The new Joe Jackson gets better and better. Also, I can't remember the last time I listened to Mountain. "Climbing!" is fantastic. 

That VH album is their best with Sammy. I love the production on that record. 

Back in the early 80's, when my band Pep In The Cat was playing regularly and I was working at the copy shop, Susan Ottaviano would come in and get copies made of flyers for her band Head Cheese. We had a few fun chats. Three years later, Book Of Love came out on Sire. Def a better band name than Head Cheese. Fun record that I haven't heard since 1986.

Steve Simels' Friday question over at Power Pop was "Best Opening Song" on an album. I won't say "Party Out Of Bounds" on "Wild Planet" is the best, but Fred Schneider's "Surr-PRIZE" is pretty damn hilarious. 

That Stranger Cole album is super rare and today was the first time I got to hear it. Really wacky in the best way and it will most likely end up "Reggae Album Of The Week" on Monday.

But the Tages record "Studio" takes the cake today. That one hit the spot. It also put me in the mood for the Blossom Toes, which is a close second to Tages. Thanks, Mr. Maida.

6/25/2026

The Breaks- Live At The Toulouse Theater, New Orleans: 4/22/2026 ***1/2
(Very nice capture and a solid performance which you can listen to HERE.) 

The Stooges- Fun House: Kevin Gray Master (1970/2026) ****

The Beatles- Let It Be...Naked (1970/2003) ****
(It's Global Beatles Day!)

The Lemon Twigs- Live a Fip (2026) ***

Deep Purple- Burn (1974) ****
(An Ian Paice tour de force!)

The Wild Tchoupitoulas- S/T (1976) ****
Traffic- Heaven Is In Your Mind: Rare U.S. MONO, Kevin Gray Cut (1967/2021) ****
Lloyd Price- Specialty Profiles (2006) ***1/2
Ultravox!- S/T (1977) ****
Ultravox- Systems Of Romance (1978) ***1/2
The Slits- Cut (1979) ****
Thin Lizzy- Bad Reputation (1977) ****

6/24/2026

Sonny Rollins/Don Cherry- The Complete 1963 Paris Concert (2008) ***
XTeeHee- Fossil Fools (2024) **

v/a- Loggins & McDonald: Personal Playlist (2026) ****
(Had to tweak this a bit, but those changes made it even better.)

Dennis Bovell- Brain Damage (1981) ***1/2
David Bowie- Aladdin Sane (1973) ****
Crabby Appleton- S/T (1970) ***

Todd Rundgren- The Dream Set List: Personal Playlist (2026) ****

Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel
Unloved Children
Long Flowing Robe
It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
The Ballad (Denny & Jean)
Bread
I Don't Want To Tie You Down
Soul Brother
The Verb To Love
The Last Ride
Weakness
Eastern Intrigue
Initiation

~intermission!

The Road To Utopia
Lysistrata
Bad Little Actress
Set Me Free
There Goes My Inspiration
Shinola
The Very Last Time
Crybaby
Trapped
Couldn't I Just Tell You

~encore~

One World
Fade Away
Love Is the Answer
Just One Victory 
Torch Song 

https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/71a73d91bfe2452a899891244916d10esune?ref=dm_sh_VMw4B4BsIublEn5qMr6vAFYlU 

 

6/23/2026

Don Evans- S/T (1983) ***1/2
(One of the legendary Paragons, solid rock steady vibe throughout. Nice record.)

 

King Crimson- Discipline: Steven Wilson Remix (1981/2022) ****

The Claudettes- High Times In The Dark (2020) **
(This did little for me. I prefer the new singer. I prefer the diversity of the new songs. This was very samey to me.)

Todd Rundgren- Second Wind (1991) ***1/2
Rocket From The Crypt- Scream, Dracula Scream: White Trash Soul Edition (1995/2026) **1/2

Utopia- Swing To the Right (1981) ****
(In a just world, "Lysistrata" would have been a monster hit. A pop masterwork!)

 

Graham Coxon- Castle Park (2011/2026) ***1/2
(This one is growing on me.)

Frankie Miller- Once in A Blue Moon (1973) ***
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band- Night Moves (1976) ***1/2
The Who- Sell Out: Stereo Bonus LP (1967/2021) ***1/2 

6/22/2026: Happy Birthday, Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren- Runt. The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren (1971) ****
Savoy Brown- Blue Matter (1969) ****
Todd Rundgren- Initiation: Side One (1975) ****
Haircut One Hundred- Boxing The Compass (2026) ***
Todd Rundgren- Liars (2004) ****
The Winkies- S/T (1975) ***
v/a- The Todd Rundgren Remix Project (2026) ***1/2
The Clash- S/T: U.S (1979) ****

The Lemon Twigs- Live a Fip & Radio Nova (2026) ****
(Was searching for some Rundgren stuff on YouTube and the sidebar--god bless it--showed two acoustic performances from their current Euro tour. Dial them up. They're fantastic.)

John Lennon- Gimme Some Truth: The Ultimate Mix (2020) ****

6/21/2026

v/a- Singin' Shoutin' Prayin': 16 Righteous Boppin' Bible Belters (2026) ***
(More hillbilly "boppin'" than gospel "beltin'." Still fun for a Sunday morning.)

Neu!- S/T (1972) ***1/2

Roy Brown- Good Rockin' Tonight: 1947-1960 (2017) ****
(The early stuff is out of control!)

Laura Nyro- Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) ***

Mississippi Rail Company- Coal Black Train (2012) ****
(Yep, this is the real deal. It turns out I had two chances to see them live at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, but of course, had no idea who they were at the time.)

Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs- True Orleans (2018) ***1/2
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen- Live At Maple Leaf Bar, 1/17/2026 (2026) ****
Pete Townshend/Ronnie Lane- Rough Mix: Abbey Road HSM (1977/2017) ****

The Rolling Stones- Beggars Banquet: U.K. MONO (1968) ****
(I haven't listened to "Salt Of The Earth" ever since Axl Rose ruined it. The record ends with "Factory Girl" in my house. But I could listen to Johnny Adams' version of "Salt Of The Earth" all day.)

Motorhead- On Parole: Steven Wilson Remix (1976/2026) ***1/2
(This is the best these recordings have ever sounded. Still, the band didn't really become Motorhead until "Fast" Eddie replaced Larry Wallis.)

Small Faces- S/T: Immediate, MONO (1967/2023) ****
(Nick Robbins MONO master is a monster!)

The Bobby Lees- Skin Suit (2020) ****

6/20/2026

Julie Driscoll- 1969 (1971) ***1/2

Mississippi Rail Company- Coal Black Train (2012) ****1/2
(Quite possibly the best thing I've heard all week. Gonna play it again to make sure.)

Steely Dan- The Lost Gaucho (1980/2022) ***1/2
(I had no idea this existed before this week, and it's apparently been a Dan holy grail for years. Clearly a bootleg, yet it's available on Amazon. Great sounding outtakes and alternates from "Gaucho.")

Amos Milburn- The Complete Aladdin Recordings: Disc Two (1994) ***1/2
Utopia- Oblivion (1983) ****

Graham Coxon- Castle Park (2011/2026) ***
(This started off strong, but fizzled out in the second half.)

King Crimson- Red: Steven Wilson Remix (1974/2024) ****
Olive Jones- For Mary (2026) ***1/2
Papa Mali- Do Your Thing (2007) ***
Steve Winwood- Ten: Personal Playlist (2025) ***1/2

6/19/2026

Jackie McLean- 'Bout Soul (1968) ***
John Coltrane- Ole (1961) ****
Chicago- Personal Playlist (2020) ****
Marc Bolan- Prehistoric (1995) **
New Age Doom feat. H.R.- Angels Against Angels (2026)- ***1/2
Ella Mae Morse- Rocks (2011) ***1/2
John Cale- Vintage Violence (1970) ****
Television- Marquee Moon (1977) ****

6/18/2026

Frankie Miller- High Life: Original Mix (1974/2011) ****
Dr. John- Ebbets Field, Denver: 9/25/74 (2026) ***1/2
Kenny Loggins- High Adventure (1982) ****
David Bowie- Station To Station: Half Speed Master (1976/2026) ****
David Bowie- Earthling (1997) ****
Paul McCartney- The 7" Singles: Today's Dozen (2022/2026) ***1/2
The Bobby Lees- New Self (2026) ***1/2
The Who- Who's Next: Record Plant Sessions (1971/2023) ***1/2
Queen- A Day At The Races (1977) ****

 

6/17/2026

The Band - Jubilation (1998) ***1/2
Paul McCartney- The Boys Of Dungeon Lane (2026) ****
The Claudettes- Garage Glamour (2026) ****
v/a- Sing Me Back Home: The New Orleans Social Club (2006) ***1/2
The Velvet Underground- White Light/White Heat: Kevin Gray MONO Master (1968/2019) ****
Cream- Wheels Of Fire: Phase Corrected (1968/2026) ***1/2
Rick Derringer- Guitars & Women (1979) ****
Cheap Trick- S/T (1997) ***1/2
Shaun Cassidy- Wasp (1980) ***1/2

6/16/2026

Seu Jorge- The Other Side (2026) ***1/2
(18 years in the making and finally released. This did not disappoint.)

Renaissance- Prologue (1972) ***1/2
Sparks- Kimono My House (1974) ****

The Claudettes- Garage Glamour (2026) ****
(Surprise of the week!)

Fischer-Z- Going Deaf For A Living (1980) ***
Rush- Signals (1982) ***1/2
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Armed Forces (1979) ****

Blue Oyster Cult- Secret Treaties (1974) ****

(I think about June 16, 1981 every time I listen to Blue Oyster Cult, which is often because I love this band. But as each year passes, now 45 of them, the memories from that night in 1981 become foggier than the year before. But this is what I remember...I think.

It was late afternoon and I got on the D train at Sheepshead Bay Road with my friend Mike and my cousin Al and we rode to Times Square. Six or seven hours later, we got back on the D train at what might have been one in the morning or even possibly two in the morning to get back home from a concert that was a bit of a disaster, to say the least.

We arrived around 7:PM and waited until the doors opened at 8:00 for a 10:PM show and by midnight, we were still standing in this legendary space having heard not a note of music. Whatever the technical difficulties were, lights, sound, monitors, it just wasn’t happening. I found out years later that the show was being recorded for a radio broadcast and the recording truck went missing, not to mention there being some serious issues with stage lights and an untuned Steinway piano.

We were very excited about this night. One of our favorite bands, Blue Oyster Cult, was playing a club under their original moniker Soft White Underbelly and we got tickets! Yet six hours after leaving Sheepshead Bay, we only ended up hearing about 30 minutes worth of music, none of which I remember at all. We were falling asleep while standing up, and we just couldn't stand up any longer.

But I have that ticket stub and I still think Blue Öyster Cult deserves a hell of a lot more from the rock ‘n’ roll cognoscenti than being thought of as one hit or maybe two hit wonders. That run from their debut through "Fire Of Unknown Origin" covers a hell of a lot of ground. The band often gets pigeonholed as heavy metal, which I think is unfair and inaccurate. They are too good at too many things to be tossed aside as one thing.)

 

The Dukes Of Stratosphear- 25 O'Clock (1985) ****
 
The Who- Live At Leeds: Abbey Road HSM (1970/2016) ****
(I listened to this last week and my copy was a bit too noisy after years of abuse. I found a copy of the Half Speed Master for $15. No goodies. No inserts. But amazing sound. This will be the go-to version from here on out.)

 

6/15/2026

Alice Coltrane- Universal Consciousness (1971) ***1/2
James Chance- Irresistible Impulse: Disc Two (2003) **1/2 
Pink Floyd- 8-Tracks (2026) ****

The Beatles- Yesterday & Today: Deidre's 2026 Stereo Mix (2026) ****
(I'm not usually a fan of fan made remixes, but this was absolutely stunning. It's on YouTube, and there is a link to download WAV files in the comments.)

The Mamas & The Papas- Golden Album (1968) ****
(Japanese only vinyl hits collection on RCA Living Stereo! Did not know this existed but I'm thrilled that I found it. Perfect song selection and fantastic sound.) 

Jennifer Lara- Studio One Presents...(1981) ****
Rush- Anika's Third Night, Inglewood: 6/11/2026 (2026) ****
The Kinks- Misfits (1978) ***1/2

Lou Reed- Rock 'n' Roll Animal: Complete (1974/20??) ****
(This album and "Lou Reed Live" edited together and resequenced by someone, sometime ago. "Lou Reed Live" is often considered a throwaway, but I like it more than "Rock 'n' Roll Animal" and this "deluxe" edit is a killer. It's the only way to fly.)

6/14/2026

Cannonball Adderley- Somethin' Else (1958) ****
Allen Toussaint- Songbook: Expanded (2013/2026) ****
Judy Mowatt- Black Woman (1979)- ****
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Goodbye Cruel World: Rhino Bonus Disc (1984/2004) ***1/2
XTC- Skylarking: Steven Wilson Remix (1986/2016) ****
Jason Falkner- Presents Author Unknown (1996) ****

Jason Falkner- Genius: Personal Playlist (2022) ****
(This-

Play Myself Some Music
Johnsberg, Illinois
Pretty Ballerina
Author Unknown
Very Best Years
The Neighbor
The Lie In Me
Eloquence
Maybe The Universe
Friend of Mine
Follow Me
Afraid Himself To Be
Revelation
All God's Creatures
Runaway
Moving Up
Both Belong
I Go Astray
Both Sides Now-First Version)

Cyril Neville- Don't Wait Til I'm Gone (2026) ***
Los Straitjackets- Rock En Espanol Vol. 1 (2007) ****
Motorhead- Another Perfect Day (1983) ****

6/13/2026

Ry Cooder- S/T (1970)  ***1/2

Will Bernard- Blue Plate Special (2008) **** 
(Almost the Stanton Moore Trio, but with John Medeski replacing Robert Walter on keyboards, and Andy Hess on bass. Been awhile, but it still sounds great.)

 

 

Bonerama- So Much Love (2026) ****
Robert Walter, Eddie Roberts, Stanton Moore- The Breaks (2026)- **** 
Brenda Holloway- Motown Unreleased 1966 (2017) ***1/2
Neil Young- Walk On (1973-74/2020) ***1/2
Todd Rundgren- Something/Anything?: Sides 1-3 (1972) ****
Led Zeppelin- III (1970) ****
Rush- Fly By Night (1975) ****


Dave Edmunds- Tracks On Wax 4 (1978) ****
(Who did it better?)

  

Squeeze- East Side Story (1981) ****

The Bluebells- Sisters (1984) ***
(I prefer Bananarama's version of "Young At Heart.)

6/12/2026

Johnny Cash- American VI: Aint No Grave (2010) ***1/2
Grateful Dead- American Beauty: Kevin Gray Master (1970/2024) ***1/2
Nat "King" Cole- Personal Playlist (2026) ****
Pink Floyd- Animals: 2018 Remix (1977/2022) ****
Ringo Starr- Ringo (1973) ***1/2
The Zombies- Odessey & Oracle: 2025 MONO RM (1968/2025)- ****
Daryl Hall/John Oates- War Babies (1974) ***1/2
Lou Reed- New York (1989) ****
Nazz- Nazz Nazz: MONO (1969) ****
The Replacements- Pleased To Meet Me (1987) ****
Jon Spencer- Songs of Personal Loss and Protest (2026) ****

6/11/2026

Girl Satchmo- Blue Beat 45s (2023) **1/2

Earth, Wind & Fire- I Am (1979) **** 
(My fave EWF album. I used to warm up to "In The Stone" before band rehearsal.)

The Doobie Brothers- Takin' It To The Streets (1976) ****
(My fave Doobies album. Listen to "Wheels Of Fortune" with headphones. The instrumental break is badass. Two drummers grooving perfectly without stepping on each other's toes.)

Bill Kirchen- Cat Out Of The Bag (2026) ***
World Party- Give It All Away: Studio Rarities By Rob/Dbs (2026) ***1/2
Nine Inch Nails- Broken (1992) ****

The Stooges- Fun House: Kevin Gray Master (1970/2026) ****
(No question, the best version I have ever heard. You can feel it in your chest. I am glad I pulled the trigger on the vinyl. Some of the reviews turned me off, but it's one of my favorites of all time and so I took a chance. It paid off. It sounded so good, I let "L.A. Blues" play until the end.)

Tom Waits- Mule Variations (1999) ****
Blue Oyster Cult- Fire Of Unknown Origin (1981) ***1/2
The Beatles- Magical Mystery Tour: MONO (1967) ****

6/10/2026

James Chance- Irresistible Impulse: Disc One (2003) **1/2
v/a- Studio One Archives, Vol. 3 (2026) ***
Culture- Two Sevens Clash (1977) ****
Rush- Clockwork Angels (2012) ***1/2
Pretenders- S/T (1980) ****

Badfinger- Personal Playlist (2022) ****
https://amazon.com/music/player/user-playlists/c2b8bf172d7842dcaa2ac9c0d2c0cd05sune?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_fslYNBeiLjJRlHA4me0zLQHZM

Cal Everett- The Weight Of Early Promise (2026) ****
Queen- I: 2024 Remix (1973/2024) ****
The Ventures- In Space (1964) ****
World Party- Private Revolution (1986)****

6/9/2026

Joao Donato- A Bad Donato (1970) ***
Jason Marsalis- Brian Wilson Set: New Orleans Jazz Fest, 5/3/2026 (2026) ***1/2

Os Novos Baianos- Acabou Chorare (1972) ****
(#1 on Rolling Stone's list of Top 100 Brazilian records and for good reason. An amazing set of music!)

Frank Sinatra- Watertown: 2022 Mix (1970/2022) ****
(A misunderstood failure when it was released, it's now regarded as a gorgeous but incredibly sad classic. I loved it since day one.)

Rush- Hold Your Fire (1987) ***1/2
Simon Phillips- Protocol 6 (2026) ***

Elvis Costello & The Attractions- The Alternate "Imperial Bedroom" (1982/2022) ****
(If you love this record, you will love this alternate version. No song has been officially released on any version of the album. THIS and more was found HERE.)

Lennie Hibbert- Creation (1969) ****
Peter Gabriel- Sal's Berry Hill: Personal Playlist (2026) ****
Peter Gabriel- S/T (1977) ***1/2
Mink DeVille- Cabretta (1977) ***1/2
Graham Parker & The Rumour- Squeezing Out Sparks (1979) ****

6/8/2026

Chicago- II: Steven Wilson Remix (1970/2017) ****
Rush- Hemispheres (1978) **** 
Class Three Overbite- Rendezvous (2007) ***1/2
Grand Funk- Closer To Home (1970) ***
Tyrannosaurus Rex- Prophets, Seers & Sages (1968) ***
Peter Gabriel- Security (1982) ***1/2
The Replacements- Don't Tell A Soul (1989) ****
The Band- Jericho (1993) ***1/2
The Who- Sal's Odds & Sods (2026) ****
Todd Rundgren- Todd: Personal Edit (1974/2024) ****
Peter Frampton- Where I Should Be (1979) ***1/2 

6/7/2026

v/a- Studio One Archives, Vol. 2 (2026) ****
(15 volumes of Studio One a-sides and b-sides ripped from vinyl, courtesy of:
https://compartilhandoreggae.blogspot.com/) 

Fernando Perdomo- TRGTR: The Music Of Todd Rundgren (2021) **1/2
Allen Toussaint- Life, Love And Faith (1972) ****
Yes- Relayer (1974) ***
Rush- Moving Pictures (1981) ****
John Doe- A Year In The Wilderness (2007) ****
Patti Smith Group- Wave (1979) ***1/2
Say She She- Cut & Rewind (2025) ****
Bad Brains- S/T (1982) ****
The Clash- S/T: U.K. (1977)- ****
Violet Grohl- Be Sweet To Me (2026) ****
The Who- By Numbers: Abbey Road HSM (1975/2024) ****

 

6/6/2026

Kraftwerk- Trans Europa Express (1977) ****
(Weekend Mix under construction.)

v/a- Put On Your Best Dress- Sonia Pottinger's Rocksteady, 1967-1968 (1990) ****
(Every volume of this series is outstanding.)

Jason Marsalis- New Orleans Jazz Fest, 5/3/2026 (2026) ****
(Missed Jason's Brian Wilson shows by two days on two separate trips to New Orleans. Thankfully, most of his recent Jazz Fest set was dedicated to Brian. Had to buy it. Just amazing stuff.)

(Jason/Brian Lagniappe- Grab it while you can!)

The Who- My Generation: Japanese 2016 True Stereo (1965/2016) ****

David Bowie- Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) ****
(I wrote this in January of 2022, "This album is what I imagine Bowie haters think all Bowie records sound like. You can hear him posing on every track. His affected vocals even give me the twitch. But there is enough on it to like, even though it has always been one of my least played Bowie albums." My feelings haven't changed much, though I do enjoy it more now than I think I ever have.)

Cheap Trick- Rockford (2006) ***1/2
(Good, forgotten record. More than a half dozen gems.) 

Stevie Wonder- Signed, Sealed & Delivered (1970) ****
(New episode of Billy Corgan's "The Magnificent Others" features Todd Rundgren and Todd mentions this Stevie record as being a favorite. I think he said, "Not a bad song." He's not wrong, though maybe two or three songs are merely very good.)


The Heartbreakers- L.A.M.F.: The Found '77 Masters (1977/2021) ****
Crowded House- Temple Of Low Men (1988) ****
The Replacements-Tim: Ed Stasium Mix (1985/2023)- ****

6/5/2026

Van Morrison- Remembering Now (2025) ****
The Rising Sons- S/T (1966/1992) ***1/2
The Bluebells- This Is...(2026) ***1/2
The Black Crowes- Tallest (1993/2025) ***1/2
Adrian Belew- Young Lions (1990) ***1/2
Prince-1999: Personal Edit (1982/2019) ****

6/4/2026

Ry Cooder- Chicken Skin Music (1976) ***1/2

Derek Douget- Love Is Supreme: A Tribute To John Coltrane, Live At The N.O. Jazz Fest, 4/26/2026 (2026) ***1/2
(Stellar set from my man Derek, one of the greatest sax players out of New Orleans. It's HERE, so grab it while you can.)

v/a- Tabu, Vol. 1 (1999?)- ***1/2
Jah Ruby- Dread Affairs (1977) ****

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66- Foursider (1972) ***
(Two sides are plenty.)

Boston- S/T (1976) ****
Paul McCartney- The Boys Of Dungeon Lane (2026) ****

Squeeze- Dodgy Argybargy (1980/2026) ****
(I did some tweaking and it sounded great. But I may need to tweak it again. It's essentially Side One with some changes to Side Two. Out go "Here Comes That Feeling," "Vicky Verky" and "Wrong Side Of The Moon" and in come "Funny How It Goes" and "What The Butler Saw.")

Grace Jones- Nightclubbing (1981) *****
(There is nothing wrong with this record. There isn't one nit to pick. It's perfect. It’s unique. It’s sublime. And sexy. And slick. And smart. And a dozen more words that start with “S.” And Sly & Robbie are driving the bus the whole way. And the records before and after are nothing to shake a stick at either. What a trifecta!)

Iggy Pop- The Idiot (1977)- ****1/2
(I'm thinking this and Grace Jones' "Nightclubbing" on shuffle. Need one or two more. Maybe Robert Palmer "Clues." Or the obvious, Side One of "Low" and "Heroes?" Maybe "Marquee Moon?") 

The Replacements- Hootenanny (1983)***












 

6/3/2026

Lone Ranger- Learn To Drive (1985) ***

Violet Grohl- Be Sweet To Me (2026) **** 
(Did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did.)

Pink Floyd- The Piper At The Gates: Stereo (1967) ****
Fripp & Eno- Healthy Colours (1979/1994) **

Little Feat- Ebbets Field, Denver: 7/19/73 (2026) ***1/2
(Maybe you've heard or maybe not, but a huge lot of soundboard recordings from both The Capitol Theater in Port Chester and Ebbets Field in Denver have leaked and many have been turning up online. This is from that huge leak. And it's pretty great. You can find it and lots of more HERE.)

The Replacements- Boink!! (1986) ****

Squeeze- Some Fantastic Place (1993) ****
(I didn't love this record when it came out.  But whenever I play it, I love it more & I find new brilliance.) 

The La's- S/T (1990) ****

6/2/2026

iPod on Shuffle: 

Crazy Egypt- John Cale
Seize The Rainbow- Sonny Sharrock Band
At Last (I Found A Love)- Taj Mahal
Sinner- Neil Finn
Never The Same- The Cribs
Gentle On My Mind- Lou Rawls
I'm Going Out (The Same Way I Came In)- Kiki Dee
I Don't Know- The Replacements
Everything- Adrian Belew
Break Into Your Heart- Iggy Pop
Feathers- The Black Crowes
For The Love Of Him- Bobbi Martin
Everytime You Go Away- Hall & Oates
27 Spanishes- Los Lobos
My List- Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer
Come To My Side- Dion & The Belmonts
Different Strings- Rush
Superman Lover- Johnny "Guitar" Watson
Suicide- Thin Lizzy
You're So Fine- Pee Wee Kershaw
Sacred Cow- Crowded House
Toys In The Attic- R.E.M.

The Pale Fountains- Pacific Street (1984) **1/2
The Replacements- Pleased To Meet Me (1987) ****
Paul McCartney- Working Classical (1999) ***1/2
Sally Baby's Silver Dollars- Festival Internationale, Lafayette: 4/25/2026 (2026) ***1/2
India Ramey- Villain Era (2026) ***
The Rolling Stones- Black & Blue (1976) ****
The Greenberry Woods- It's All Good, Sugar...(2026) ****
Blue Oyster Cult- Mirrors (1979) ****
The Greenberry Woods- House (2018) ***

Creme Soda-Tricky Zingers (1975) ***
(Sorry. No notes or lagniappes today. But man, do I have a story about this record.)


 

6/1/2026

David Bowie- "Heroes" (1977) ****
Squeeze- Trixies (2026) ***1/2
801-Live (1976) ****
The Beatles- Abbey Road (1969) ****
Sly & Robbie- Power House Dub (2026) ***

Dogstar- All In Now (2026) **
(This was one early U2 song rewritten 12 times.)

Billy Joel- Turnstiles (1976) ****

The Greenberry Woods- It's All Good, Sugar...(2026) ****
(Even better second time around. Review coming soon.)

Izzy Stradlin & The Ju Ju Hounds- S/T (1992) ****
(Better than any GNR record. There. I said it. And the track Izzy left off the album is the best JuJu Hounds groove of all. This track rocks!)

 

5 /31/2026

Paul McCartney- The Boys Of Dungeon Lane (2026)- **** 
Sonny Rollins- Plus 4 (1956)- ***1/2

v/a- Spirit Of New Orleans- The Genius Of Dave Bartholomew 1992)- ****
(One of the greatest New Orleans collections out there. Here's a little six pack to pique your interest.)

(lagniappe)

Ry Cooder- Boomer's Story (1972)- ****
(There are few pieces of music as beautiful as "Maria Elena.")

Todd Rundgren- Runt. The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren (1971)- ****
(This record turns 55 years old today! That is nuts!)

The Byrds- Fifth Dimension (1966)- ****

The Greenberry Woods- It's All Good, Sugar... (2026)- ****
(Review coming soon.)

Bob Dylan w/The Band- Planet Waves (1974)- ***

The Reekers- Meet The Reekers (2007)- **
(This was new to me, found on a blog I subscribe to, so I trusted it. It's crazy! It spans 15 years or so, going from 60's garage rock, which was great, to Dickey Betts southern rock, which wasn't bad, to straight out bad rock and roll. Weird little comp.)

Lou Reed- New Sensations (1984)- ****
Paul McCartney- The 7" Singles: Today's Dozen (2022/2026)- ****
Paul McCartney- The Boys Of Dungeon Lane (2026)- ****