Tag: Sterling
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Lake Street Dive, Obviously, 2021 on Nonesuch
This was the seventh album from Boston’s own Lake Street Dive (formed at the New England Conservatory) and the third on Nonesuch. It was originally due to come out earlier but got delayed by Covid and such. Rachael Price is such a powerhouse vocalist it can almost be overwhelming at times, but I like their…
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Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, 2008 on Jagjaguwar
This was self-released in 2007, but came out on Jagjaguwar in 2008. It would have been hard to imagine back then just how much impact Justin Vernon (as Bon Iver and under his own name) would have as a producer and collaborator. But it is just an excellent album all around: famously recorded by himself…
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Eagles, On the Border, 1974 on Asylum
Yes, it really is just “Eagles” not “The Eagles.” This was their third studio album produced mostly by Bill Szymczyk and includes “Already Gone” and “Best of My Love” and I was surprised to find a cover of Tom Waits’ “Ol’ 55.” There’s really some great music hand songwriting here. My copy—via private sale—is a…
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Ray LaMontagne, Trouble, 2004 on RCA / Legacy
LaMontagne’s debut major label album, put out in 2004 on RCA, and then on vinyl in 2008 on RCA & Legacy. (I guess they waited to see how popular it was before committing to a vinyl release – very 2004). Recorded and mixed at Sunset Recorders in Hollywood long before LaMontagne set up The Big…
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Steve Winwood, Roll With It, 1988 on Virgin
Steve Winwood has had an illustrious and extensive career including having been a key member of the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith. Just having written “Can’t Find My Way Home” would earn him a spot in my pantheon. Roll With It was his fifth solo album and was quite successful commercially, including the…
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Nina Simone, Baltimore, 1978 on CTI
The inimitable Nina Simone recorded in Brussels in January 1978 – her first and only record with CTI (Creed Taylor Inc). Apparently she and Creed Taylor did not find good creative collaboration and she disclaimed any choice of material or creative control. “Baltimore” is the Randy Newman song from Little Criminals. Quincy Jones’ version of…
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Katie Webster, The Swamp Boogie Queen, 1988 on Alligator Records
Webster started out as a session musician behind lots of Louisiana artists but then came back as a solo artist in the 1980s. This was her first album as a leader with distribution in the US on Alligator Records. Guests include The Memphis Horns, Kim Wilson, Robert Cray, and Bonnie Raitt. Great album. My copy…
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David Porter, . . . Into A Real Thing, 1971 on Enterprise
Porter was the staff songwriter for Stax – this was his second full length LP issued under his name, following up Gritty, Groovy, & Gettin’ It. Enterprise was a sub-label of Stax, which also released the early Isaac Hayes solo albums. (Apparently label president Al Bell was a Star Trek fan). Wonderful early 70s Stax/Volt…
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McCoy Tyner, Trident, 1975 on Milestone
Tyner (who plays harpsichord and celeste as well as piano) is joined here by Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums), and the album was produced by Orrin Keepnews. It was his eighth LP for Milestone after recording on Blue Note and Impulse! throughought the 60s. (Elvin Jones worked with Tyner in the John Coltrane…
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Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers, Natural Boogie, 1974 on Alligator Records
Second record from Hound Dog Taylor and his band, originally issued as AL 4704. The band her includes Ted Harvey on drums and Brewer Phillips on 2nd guitar, with Hound Dog Taylor on lead guitar and vocals. (Their debut LP had been the first release on newly-formed Alligator in 1971). Great electrified Chicago blues. Unfortunately…
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Marty Stuart, Busy Bee Cafe, 1982 on Sugar Hill Records
No, that’s not the same Sugar Hill that put out Rapper’s Delight – it’s a folk/bluegrass label out of North Carolina, later merged in Concord and now Rounder. Although Stuart’s recorded output starts in the 80s, he spent years touring with Lester Flatt and in Johnny Cash’s road band. This was his second album, the…
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Roberta Flack, Quiet Fire, 1971 on Atlantic
Flack’s third album, with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” as the hit single, but also including covers of Bridge Over Troubled Water and To Love Somebody (among others). Produced by Joel Dorn. My copy is the Vinyl Me, Please reissue from 2021, with listening notes by H. Zahra Caldwell, newly cut laquers by Ryan…
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Sonny Rollins, Freedom Suite, 1958 on Riverside.
Sonny Rollins, Freedom Suite, 1958 on Riverside. Another excellent Vinyl Me, Please reissue from September 2020 via Craft Recordings Pressed at QRP from lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
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The Velvet Underground, Self-Titled, 1969, originally on MGM
The Velvet Underground, Self-Titled, 1969, originally on MGM My copy is a Verve reissue from the mid-eighties, remastered at Sterling and pressed at Hauppauge, with the Valentin mix (as opposed to the Closet mix).