9/22/2026

Paul McCartney & Wings- Red Rose Speedway (1973) ****

Sade- The Best of... (1994) ****

Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit- The Rose Of England (1985)  ****

Mastodon- Marrow Deep (2026) ***1/2

The Young Rascals- Groovin’ (1967) ****

9/21/2026

Sugar Minott- Wicked Ago Feel It (1984) ***1/2

Lou Reed- Legendary Hearts (1983) ***

Bill Nelson- Chimera (1983) ***1/2

Todd Rundgren- July 19th, 2026: Acoustic Set (2026) ***1/2

Scissor Sisters- S/T (2003) ****

Sweet- Action: The Sweet Anthology, Personal Edit (2009) ****

Roger Joseph Manning Jr.- Hopium (2026) ***

Mott The Hoople- Mott: Kevin Gray Master (1973/2016) ****

The Ramones- Animal Boy (1986) ***

Matthew Sweet- Blue Sky On Mars (1997) ****

9/20/2026

v/a- Stand And Give Praise, Trojan Roots Reggae: Disc One- Dread Out Deh (2010) ***

v/a- Tea & Symphony: The English Baroque Sound 1967-1974 (2007) ***1/2

James Booker- True: Live At Tipitina's, 4/25/78 (2023) ****

Eli Paperboy Reed- Getting There (2026) ***

Dave Edmunds- Closer To The Flame (1989) ****

Bob Dylan- Infidels (1983) ****

9/19/2026

The Lovin' Spoonful- Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful: MONO (1966) ***1/2

John Coltrane- My Favorite Things: Kevin Gray MONO Master (1961/2022) ****

v/a- Louisiana Swamp Pop (1977) ***

Bob Marley & The Wailers- Babylon By Bus (1978) ***1/2

Tin Machine- S/T (1989) ****

Nicole Atkins- Drama (2026) ****

Thin Lizzy- Thunder & Lightning (1983) ***1/2

Eno- Another Green World (1975) ****

Chuck Berry- After School Session: Acoustic Sounds Remaster (1957/2026) ****

Hole - Celebrity Skin (1998) ***

Gyasi- Songs From The Holler (2026) ***

 

•I love "Celebrity Skin" and it would normally get an easy ***1/2-****.  But this new 180g reissue that was released on 9/18 sounds like crap. Buyer beware. The Chuck Berry, on the other hand, blew my mind.  

•Was not expecting an acoustic blues record from Gyasi. I went in knowing nothing about this new one and I was surprised but not disappointed. Worth your time.

9/18/2026

Queen- II, Side Black: 2026 Mix (1974/2026) ****

v/a- Ska Ba Dip: The Essential King Edwards (1989) ***1/2

Echo & The Bunnymen- Apples For Isaac (2026) ***1/2

Roger Taylor- Violence Insane In A Beautiful World (2026) **1/2

Susanna Hoffs- The List (2026) ***

Electric Light Orchestra- A New World Record (1976) ****

Nicole Atkins- Italian Ice (2020) **1/2

The Rumble- Ain't No Dying (2026) ****

Ultravox!- Rare Retro (2016) ****

Whitesnake- S/T (1987) ****

Raido Birdman- Radios Appear (1977) ****

 

• I think the new Echo & The Bunnymen has potential to be a keeper.

• The Susanna Hoffs played like a "musical bio," and I guess it was designed that way. But it wasn't very exciting on first pass. I'm not giving up on this one...yet.

• Okay, "Italian Ice" is exactly what kept me away from Nicole Atkins all these years. Going to stick with the new one and then try something else, maybe her debut.

• The Rumble is shaping up to be a fantastic New Orleans release.

• Didn't realize there was an Ultravox! "Island Years" box. This bonus disc is a killer. If you love the first three John Foxx records, this set of oddities and leftovers is fantastic. Live stuff, remixes, single mixes--it all plays so much differently than what you are familiar with.

• I have no guilty pleasures when it comes to music. I don't listen to music ironically. That said, Whitesnake's 1987 blockbuster is the best of its kind. 

 

9/17/2026

v/a- Tim Burgess & Bob Stanley Present- Tim Peaks: Songs For A Late Night Diner (2019) **1/2

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts- Second Song (2026) *1/2

Nicole Atkins- Drama (2026) ****

Dion - Lovers Who Wander (1962) ***1/2

David Bowie- The Shel Talmy Recordings: 1965 (2026) ***

Daryl Johns- S/T (2024) ***

Nick Lowe- Party Of One (1990) ****

Nicole Atkins- Drama (2026) ****

The Kinks- Are The Village Green Preservation Society: Kevin Gray Stereo Master (1968/2018) ****

The Rolling Stones- Some Girls (1978) ****

Grand Funk- Shinin' On (1974) ***1/2

• "Second Song" is a good title, because that's when I had enough. I mean, JEEZ! Is he kidding with this?  I don't care if the next four songs are as good as "Harvest," the first two gave me the twitch. 

• I've had a problem with Nicole Atkins for years. I want to like her. Many of my friends do. But I've seen her live twice and she got under my skin both times. And I can't always deal with her style of singing, which often sounds like she is trying to belt out "The Sound Of Music" whether the song calls for it or not. Thankfully, she only resorts to that a few times on this new record and it's very effective when used sparingly. I really loved this first spin, I just hope it's not because it followed that Neil crap. 

• cmealha sent me a text with a link to a song by Daryl Johns and the note, "Do you know this guy? Reminds me of Utopia." Well, I listened to the whole record and it sure does remind me of Rundgren and Utopia...in spots. It's a little too lo-fi for my taste, making it sound more like early Lemon Twigs. Then, I found out he was the Twigs touring bassist for a while. Overall, a worthwhile spin, at least the first half.

• Okay, second time around and the Nicole Atkins held up strong. "Curtain Call" is a stunner!

• I've been wanting to revisit the Grand Funk record since watching the Billy Corgan/Todd Rundgren interview. Billy loved the record. It sounded better than I remembered.

 

 

9/16/2026

Buddy Miller- S/T (2026) ****

Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band- Time (2026) ****

Bruce Springsteen- The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973) ****

Charli XCX- Music, Fashion, Film (2026) ****

Queen II: Abbey Road HSM (1974/2015) ****

The John Sally Ride- Now Is Not A Great Time (2021) ****

Bee Gees- 1st: Kevin Gray Stereo Master (1967/2017) ****

Soul Asylum- Let Your Dim Light Shine (1995) ****


•Okay, I really enjoyed the Buddy Miller. It's a solid Buddy record. His voice is strong. I don't think the guests are in the way, instead add subtle dabs of color and harmony. And those "weepy"songs worked for me. Looking forward to another spin or two.

9/15/2026

The Congos- Congo Ashanti (1979) ****

The Rumble- Ain't No Dying (2026) ****

Creation Rebel- Close Encounters Of The Third World (1978) ***

Rush- Boston, 9/12/2026: Highlights (2026) ***1/2

Cheetah Chrome & The Ghetto Dogs- S/T (1987) ***1/2

The Creed Taylor Orchestra- Shock Music In Hi-Fi (1958) ****

Bob Dylan- Oh Mercy (1989) ****

Yes- Drama: Kevin Gray Master (1980/2016) ****

 

 

• "Heart Of The Congos" is a reggae essential and I play it often. But this was the first time I heard the follow-up, "Congo Ashanti." It's pretty damn great!

• New album from The Rumble is just as great as their last. Great New Orleans, Indian funk. 

• "Shock Music In Hi-Fi" legit scared me when I was a kid. It’s still pretty eerie. But now that I’m older and only mildly creeped out by it, I can appreciate the craft and imagination put into the making of it. Good stuff!

9/14/2026

The Rolling Stones- Now!: MONO (1965) **** 

Bob Dylan with The Band- Planet Waves (1974) ***1/2

Neil Young & Crazy Horse- Ragged Glory (1990) ***1/2

Dwight Twilley- Scuba Divers (1982) ****

The Beatles- A Hard Day's Night: Stereo RM (1964/2012) ****

The John Sally Ride- A New Set of Downs (2017) ****

Queen- A Day At The Races (1976) ****

Thin Lizzy- Bad Reputation (1977) ****

Dead Boys- We Have Come For Your Children (1978) ****

9/13/2026

David Torkanowsky- Steppin' Out (1988) ****

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

Bob Dylan- Love And Theft (2001) ****

Nick Lowe- Jesus Of Cool (1978) ***1/2

The Replacements- Don't Tell A Soul: Matt Wallace Mix (1989/2019) ****

Fountains Of Wayne- Welcome Interstate Managers (2003) ****

Blondie- Eat To The Beat (1979) ***1/2

Dwight Twilley Band- Sincerely (1976)  ***1/2

Be-Bop Deluxe- Futurama: 2024 Remix (1975/2024) ****

Pokey LaFarge- Rent Money (2026) **1/2

Aerosmith- Rocks (1976) ****

Dead Boys- Young, Loud And Snotty (1977) ****

X- Wild Gift (1981) ****

• "Tork" changed my life 25 years ago, when I saw him manipulate a piano at the Funky Butt in New Orleans the way Jimi manhandled his guitar at Woodstock. I’ve been a fan and a friend ever since. His one solo record "Steppin' Out" is worth your time. Trust me, if only for "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most"

• "Eat To The Beat" is my favorite Blondie album and it still needs an edit. 

• After a killer opening track, the new Pokey went downhill fast. Lazy songwriting and basically the same arrangement for every song. Very disappointing.

• Feeling a 40 Essential Punk Albums list coming on, though I may need to do two lists- Punk V. "Punk." Ain't no way Aerosmith's "Rocks" is being left off an essential "punk" list. "Rats In The Cellar" is the "prototype of hardcore punk," said my late, great pal Alan Landess, who fronted NYC punk semi-legends Hammerbrain.

• Just found out Cheetah Chrome passed. I'm stunned. 

 

9/12/2026

Bob Dylan- Blood On The Tracks (1975) ****

Keith Hudson- Brand (1977) ***1/2

The Everly Brothers- Two Yanks In England (1966) ****

David Bowie- Welcome To The Blackout: Live London '78 (2018) ****

Aerosmith- Pump (1989) ****

Ringo Starr- Ringo (1973) ***1/2

The Beatles- Magical Mystery Tour: Stereo (1967) ****

Shack- H.M.S. Fable (1999) ****

Peter Frampton- Frampton: Chris Bellman Remaster (1975/2024) ****

Todd Rundgren- The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect: Side One (1982) ****

Utopia- S/T (1982) ****

 

• "Welcome To The Blackout" kicks "Stage's" ass. 

9/11/2026

Milt Jackson & John Coltrane- Bags & Trane: MONO (1961) ***1/2

Quiet Sun- Mainstream: 2026 Mix (1975/2026) ***1/2

Bryan Ferry- Frantic (2002) ***1/2

Elton John- Blue Moves: Personal Edit (1976/2023) ***

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour- Watching the Tide (2026) ***

Del Shannon- Move it On Over (2011)  ****

Bob Dylan- Love And Theft (2001) ****

Rush- Signals (1982) ***

Squeeze- Cool For Cats (1979) ****

9/10/2026

iPod on Shuffle:
Closing My Eyes- Fleetwood Mac 
Run Devil Run- Paul McCartney
Lady Jane- The Rolling Stones
Red Clay Halo- Gillian Welch
Underway- Fleetwood Mac
Blessed- Simon & Garfunkel
Riding To Vanity Fair- Paul McCartney
Easy To Say- Del Shannon
More Power To You- Harold Burrage
Flyin' Shoes- Townes Van Zandt
I Want To Tell You About What I Want- Robyn Hitchcock
I Wanna Be Loved- The Heartbreakers
Harry Rag- The Kinks
What Can I Do- C.L. Blast
Ruby Baby- Donald Fagen
Submission- Sex Pistols
Draggin' The Line- Tommy James & The Shondells
World Without Tears- Lucinda Williams
Sacrificial Bonfire- XTC
Downtown- Johnny Thunders
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me- Elton John
Cause I Love Him- Alder Ray
Leave- Buffalo Springfield
Be My Wife- David Bowie
Teenage Wildlife- David Bowie 

Townes Van Zandt- For The Sake Of The Song (1968) **1/2

Sir Collins/Various Artists- Peace & Love (1977) ***

XTC- Homespun: The Apple Venus Volune One Home Demos (1999) ****

Swag- Catch-All (2000) ****1/2

Jill Sobule- Things Here Are Different (1990) ****

Cheap Trick- The Latest (2009) ****

The Who- Who Are You (1978) ***1/2

Paul McCartney & Wings- Red Rose Speedway (1973) ****

9/9/2026

Frank Sinatra- Watertown (1970) ****

Tony Bennett & Bill Evans- The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album: Kevin Gray Master (1975/2023) ****

Roy Ayers Ubiquity- Everybody Loves The Sunshine (1976) ***1/2

The Who- By Numbers: Abbey Road HSM (1975/2024) **** 

Bee Gees - Horizontal: Kevin Gray Stereo Master (1968/2007) ****

Ian Hunter- All American Alien Boy (1976) ***1/2

Al Di Meola- Casino (1978) ****

John Coltrane- Plays the Blues: MONO (1962) ****

Eno- Here Come The Warm Jets (1974) ****

David Bowie- David Live : 2005 Mix (1974/2005) ****

 

* Sinatra's "Watertown" never fails to affect me. It's a heartbreaking concept and Frank delivers convincingly. More people need to love this record.

* The first three Bee Gees records got the Kevin Gray treatment in 2007 and there is no other way to hear these records. Stunning sound. 

9/8/2026

Glen Campbell- Ghost On The Canvas (2011) ****

Johnny Clarke- Dread Natty Congo (1977) **1/2

Beady Eye- Complete 7" Singles: A White Trash Soul Compilation (2025) ***1/2

Peter Frampton- Frampton: Chris Bellman Remaster (1975/2024) ****

David Bowie- Diamond Dogs: Half Speed Master (1974/2024) ****

Todd Rundgren- Liars (2004) ****1/2

Mahavishnu Orchestra- Inner Mounting Flame (1971) ***1/2

Jethro Tull- Aqualung: Kevin Gray Cut (1971/2026) ****




 

 

9/7/2026

Linval Thompson- Train To Zion Dub (1981) ***

The Black Drumset- Friends In Dark Places (2026) ***

Roger Daltrey- Daltrey: Side One (1973) **

Buckingham Nicks- S/T (1973) ****

The Beach Boys- The Smile Sessions (2011) ***1/2

Stick Men- Let's Thrak Again (Reel One) 2026 ***

Social Distortion- S/T (1990) **

Descendents- All (1987) ***

Social Distortion- Prison Bound (1988) **1/2

Ultravox!- S/T (1977) ****

Genesis- Foxtrot (1972) ****

Aimee Mann- Bachelor No. 2 (1999) ****

Alice In Chains- Personal Playlist (2026) ****


 

• That first Daltrey solo record is worse than I remembered.

• That Buckingham Nicks is better than I remembered. 

•I can't help but think the Stick Men record would have been better with a better drummer. Pat Mastellotto is a great drummer, but for my ears, he is the weakest of all King Crimson drummers. He just whacks with none of Bruford or Giles or Harrison chops or subtleties.

•I knew I wasn't a fan of Social Distortion, but friends caught their show in Asbury Park this weekend, so I thought I'd give them another go. Didn't take. They are boring and their songs stink. And I love the Descendents, but "All" tries too hard. Just do what you're best at. Stop trying to write "songs" and just thrash it out.  

9/6/2026

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

Cheap Trick- Dream Police (1979) ****

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

Descendents- Milo Goes To College (1982) ****

9/5/2026

Keith Hudson- Brand (1977) ***1/2

Los Lobos- Colossal Head (1996) ****

Little Feat- Sailin' Shoes (1972) ****

Lucinda Williams- Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998) ****

Talk Talk- The Colour Of Spring: 40th Anniversary Half-Speed Master (1986/2026) ****

Queen- Greatest Hits II (1991) ***1/2

Mopar Stars- Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil (2026) ***1/2

The Young Rascals- Groovin': MONO (1967) ****

Prince- Dirty Mind (1980) ****

Jon Cleary- The Bywater Sessions (2025) ****

The Rolling Stones- Black And Blue (1976) ****

• First time hearing the Keith Hudson record. Well worth your time. Nice mix of dub and rock steady. Never a dull moment.

• If you're a fan of Talk Talk's "The Colour Of Spring" and you're a vinyl person, it would behoove you to grab a copy of this new half-speed reissue. It is stunning, like Kevin Gray stunning. 

• Freddie Mercury would have been 80 today. Hard to imagine. Plus, that made him older than Bowie, though Bowie's first recordings were six or seven years earlier than Freddie's. Okay, I'm done.

• Mopar Stars is a lot of fun. Thanks Paul In DK. I hear more foo Fighters than 'Mats, but a good spin nonetheless.

 

 

 

  

 

9/4/2026

Squeeze- Trixies (2026) ***

Cal Everett- The Weight Of Early Promise (2026) ****

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

The Rascals- Once Upon A Dream (1968) **1/2

Yes- Tales From Topographic Oceans: Steven Wilson Remix (1973/2018) ****

The Tubes- Love Bomb (1985) ****

Charlie XCX- Music, Fashion, Flim (2026) ****

X-Ray Spex- Germ Free Adolescents (1978) ****

Izzy Stradlin & The Ju Ju Hounds- S/T (1992) ****

Soundgarden- Superunknown (1994) ****

9/3/2026

Irma Thomas- Love Is The Foundation (2020) ****

Jon Batiste, Jason Marsalis, Herlin Riley- Snug Harbor, New Orleans: 4/27/2026 (2026) ***1/2

Yes- Close To The Edge: Steven Wilson Remix (1972/2018) ****

The Kinks- Where Was Spring: 1968-1969 (2026) ***1/2

Prince & The Revolution- Parade: Kevin Gray Master (1986/2016) ****

Elton John- 11/17/70: Sal's RSD Edit (1971/2017/2026) ***1/2

Wilco- Solid Sound, 6/21/13 (2013) ***1/2

The Beach Boys- 20/20 (1969) ****

The Beatles- Second Album: 2024 MONO Remaster (1964/2024) ****

Rush- Moving Pictures: Side One (1981) ****

Aerosmith- Permanent Vacation (1987) ****

Spin Doctors- Pocket Full Of Kryptonite (1991) ****

9/2/2026

Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart- Rhombus (2026) ***1/2

Elizabeth Cook- Great Television **1/2

Paul McCartney- Chaos & Creation In The Backyard (2005) ****

Todd Rundgren- (re)Production (2011) ***

Santana- S/T (1969) ***1/2

Geddy Lee- My Favorite Headache (2000) ***1/2

Devo- 50 Years Of De-Evolution: 1973-2023, Sides A & B (2023) ****

Radio Birdman- Radios Appear (1977) ****

The Edgar Winter Group- They Only Come Out At Night (1972) ***1/2

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

9/1/2026

Stefon Harris + Blackout -Legacy Dances (2026) ***

Erykah Badu & The Alchemist- Before The World Blows (2026) ***

The Rascals- Time Peace: Greatest Hits (1968) ****

St. Vincent- Actor (2009) ***1/2

Aerosmith- Draw The Line (1977) ****

The Beach Boys- Sunflower (1970) ****

The Jayhawks- Sanctuary Park (2026) ***1/2

Jethro Tull- Stand Up: Kevin Gray Cut (1969/2026) ****

Prince- Timeless (2026) ****

Duwayne Burnside- Red Rooster (2025) ****

Rhetta Hughes- Re-Light My Fire (1969) ***1/2

 

• "Legacy Dances" is a pretty terrific jazz record from Stefon Harris, and it would have rated higher if not for the ill-advised vocal tracks. 

• The new Badu is two records in one- a really good 35 minute record and a pretentious 35 minute load of nothing. Unfortunately I wasn't paying attention to song titles as it played, so I can't make an edit and I'm not sure I want to spend another 70 minutes figuring it out. But, there were many moments where I thought, "Hey! This is good!" And, there were just as many where I said "Oh shut up!" out loud to no one.

• Some nice stuff on the new Jayhawks. See how it goes on the second spin.

• "Stand Up," like "This Was" is stunning!  

• I heard the Duwayne Burnside record a few days after I posted my best of 2025 list. If I heard it earlier, it would have been bubbling under the Top Ten. A great record!

8/31/2026

Yes- Relayer: Steven Wilson Remix (1974/2018) ***1/2

Jethro Tull- Thick As A Brick: Kevin Gray Cut (1972/2026) ***1/2

Bunny Lee & The Aggrovators- Dub Will Change Your Mind (2011) ***

Prince- Timeless (2026) ****

The Meters- Struttin': Kevin Gray Master (1970/2023) ****

Led Zeppelin- In Through The Out Door (1979) ****

The Flying Burrito Brothers- The Gilded Palace Of Sin: Vinylphile Edition (1969/2026) ****

10cc- ...Meanwhile (1992) **1/2

The Wild Magnolias- They Call Us Wild: Kevin Gray Cut (1975/2026) ****

The Cramps- Smell Of Female (1983) ***1/2

Prince- Timeless (2026) ****

 

• "Thick As A Brick" sounded really good, probably the best this record has ever sounded. But it did not take my breath away the way "This Was" did.

• In a word, "WOW!" This Vinylphile Burritos LP is outstanding.

•I have two memories of this 10cc "reunion" record. I didn't like it and it was hardly a reunion. But I saw it scrolling the library and the truth is, I didn't remember any of the music. And so, according to the credits, Godley & Creme only lend their voices to four songs, and there is only one song where all four are credited together. In other news, Dr. John plays piano on three songs. He needed the work in 1992, I'm sure. Overall, this record is soaked in 90's reverb and half the songs sound like they belong in some late 80's/early 90's rom-com. Pretty weak crap, though Gouldman and Stewart's knack for melody shines through on a few tunes, but the production sabotages any chances for repeated plays, like on the last track, which is a McCartney co-write. 

• The first ever vinyl repress of The Wild Mags second album is put in the hands of Kevin Gray, who recently cut the Wild Mags first album. Well worth the wait! Fantastic.