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John Cougar Mellencamp, Big Daddy, 1989 on Mercury
This was Mellencamp’s tenth studio LP, and the fourth to carry “Mellencamp” after the “John Cougar” era. (It was the followup to Lonesome Jubilee). It was produced by Mellencamp and recorded at his own studio (Belmont Mall in Belmont Indiana). Lisa Germano plays violin, before she kicked off her solo career. My copy—via Gré Records…
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U2, Out of Control in NYC (Live at the Ritz, 18 March 1982), 2023 on Mind Control
Another in a recent series of bootlegs that claim to be from FM broadcasts, based on EU rules around copyright of radio broadcasts. I’m not sure in some cases if they even ever were broadcast. Although the record claims to be March 18th, 1982, it seems to actually be from March 17th, the first of…
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The Sugarcubes, Life’s Too Good, 1988 on Elektra
This is the first album I ever heard featuring Björk Guðmundsdóttir, and it was the debut album for the Icelandic band, which became a college radio hit. I heard it via a friend who (like me) was bound that summer from Minneapolis to Boston to go to Boston University—obviously someone much cooler than me. It’s…
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Ray Price, Ray Price’s Greatest Hits, 1961 on Columbia
I came to Ray Price via Willie Nelson, who did a tribute album of Ray Price songs (For the Good Times) and a 1980 duet album with Ray Price (San Antonio Rose). Great traditional / classic country songwriting and performance. This compilation, out in 1961, obviously doesn’t follow Price into the 60s, 70s, 80s, and…
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The National, Laugh Track, 2023 on 4AD
Tenth studio LP from Matt Berninger, Aaron & Bryce Dessner, and Scott & Bryan Devendorf, better known as The National. (With all the producing Aaron Dessner had been doing around this time I’m glad they found time to make the album). It was announced only days before its release, getting called a “surprise” album by…
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Old & In The Way, Live at Sonoma State: November 4th, 1973; 2025 on Round Records
American bluegrass band with Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, John Kahn, Peter Rowan, and Vassar Clements. This was recorded live (as the title says) in the fall of 1973 at Sonoma State two years before their debut album was released in 1975 (thought it was also recorded in 1973, about one month before this show). Ramblin’…
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Various Artists, Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: The Songs of John Prine, 2010 on Oh Boy
This is the first volume – there was a volume two in 2021. Great collection of musicians here covering one of my favorite songwriters: Most successful I think are the “Unwed Fathers,” “Far From Me,” and “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian” – I enjoy the “Angel From Mongtomery” but it is hard to hear that…
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Julian Lennon, The Secret Value of Daydreaming, 1986 on Atlantic
This was Julian Lennon’s sophomore album, following Valotte. Billy Joel joins on piano on “You Get What You Want.” It was recorded at Compass Point in the Bahamas and produced by Phil Ramone (who also produced his debut). Was startled to see the twin towers on the inner sleeve so close to the 25th anniversary…
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Carole King, Tapestry, 1971 on Ode
Sophomore album from Carole King (her debut album was called Writer), this album is often cited on shortlists of the greatest albums of all time. It was produced by Lou Adler, and won four grammy awards in 1972. It’s been certified 14x platinum. You can find a copy of Rumours in just about any record…
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John Prine, John Prine Live, 1988 on Oh Boy
Recorded live at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, except for the “Angel From Montgomery” with Bonnie Raitt, which was taken from the Steve Goodman tribute concert, and “Souvenirs” which comes from an Austin City Limits episode. It’s mostly Prine and his guitar, telling stories and singing songs – a bit of a filler…
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The Beat, The Beat at the BBC, 2025 on Rhino/BBC
I can’t help but still think of them as The English Beat, since that’s how I came to know them. The spine credits this as “The Enlgish Beat / The Beat at the BBC.” Proofreading is hard, y’all. Collects all the BBC sessions, including three different sessions with John Peel, but also Mike Read and…
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Waylon Jennings, Songbird, 2025 on Son of Jessi
This is a posthumous release, based on material Jennings had recorded between 1973 and 1984 in his home studio with band members from the Waylors. The recordings were selected by Shooter Jennings and overdubs added to flesh out the production, but he has said the production was very minimal. There’s a great episode of The…
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Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg, 1988 on Amiga
This is actually the album released as Talking With the Taxman About Poetry in the US and UK, but retitled for behind the iron curtain. When I found it in the store I thought it was some kind of bootleg live album, not recognizing the tracklist (which I should have recognized). Not sure if Mayakovsky…
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The Blow Monkeys, Wicked Ways, 1986 on RCA
The Blow Monkeys were a really interesting UK pop / new-wave band in the 80s, and “Digging Your Scene” was their big hit in the US. This single was also from the Animal Magic LP that hit was from. Fronted by the self-titled Dr. Robert (Bruce Howard), the band included Mick Anker (bass), Neville Henry…
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John Prine, Aimless Love, 1984 on Oh Boy
Prine’s eighth album and his first on Oh Boy, which Prine formed with manager Al Bunetta and friend Dan Einstein. Some classic Prine songs here: “Unwed Fathers,” “The Oldest Baby In the World,” and “People Puttin’ People Down” among them. Co-writers here include Spooner Oldham, Shel Silverstein, Bobby and Linda Whitlock, and Bobby Braddock –…
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Pet Shop Boys, Actually, 1987 on Gong / Parlophone
Secodn studio LP from Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant aka Pet Shop Boys, released in 1987 on Parlophone in the UK and EMI America in the US. Wonderful collection of songs, including “Shopping” and “What Have I Done To Deserve This” as well as “It’s a Sin” which was a hit single. Production duties split…
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Old & In The Way, Old & In the Way, 1975 on Round Records
Old & In The Way were a bluegrass band that included Jerry Garcia and David Grisman along with Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements, and John Kahn. This was their debut album, put out in 1975 – which would become one of the best selling bluegrass albums of all time. (The soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art…
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The Touch with Terrence Trent D’Arby, Early Works, 1989 on IMP
Introducing the Hardline According To Terrence Trent D’Arby was one of my favorite albums of the late 80. Sananda Francesco Maitreya, as he came to call himself, was such a fascinating and compelling performer and writer. Having served in the US Army, D’Arby was stationed in West Germany. When he left the army in 1983…