Tag: 2023
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The Cure, Wake Me In the Dark, 2023 on Mind Control
Another live vinyl bootleg from The Cure (said to be an FM radio broadcast), this one from November 1st, 1987 at Forest National in Brussels Belgium. Many tracks from the then-new Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me album. This has also been bootlegged as Belgian Kisses on Casino Records. You can find audio from the…
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The Cure, Hang On a Second, 2023 on Mind Control
Another bootleg claiming to be from an FM broadcast, this one features The Cure at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle Washington, from October 21, 1984. (It’s actually from October 23rd, 1984 as the night of the 21st was cancelled). As is common with these, it has been widely released and said to be an FM…
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Grant Green, Green is Beautiful, 1970 on Blue Note
Green joined here by Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Claude Bartee (tenor sax), Emmanuel Riggens (organ), Jimmy Lewis (bass), and Idris Muhammad (drums) plus Richard Lendrum (bongos) and Candido Camero (congas). Recorded in 1970 by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. My copy—via Salem Flea Marketplace—is the 2023 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series reissue, mastered by…
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Big John Patton, Let ‘Em Roll, 1966 on Blue Note
Patton joined by Otis Finch (drums), Grant Green (guitar), and Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), and recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Fantastic Hammond B3 driven mid-sixties Blue Note jazz – can’t go wrong. My copy—direct from Amazon, which often has deals on these—is the Blue Note Tone Poet series reissue from 2023, with…
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José González, Veneer, 2003 on Imperial Records
Hard to believe but this was González’s debut album back in 2003 (2005 in the US). His sound is already so fully formed and just wonderful in “Heartbeats” but also “Deadweight on Velveteen” and “Lovestain” and others. Just an all around brilliant debut. My copy is actually the 20th anniversary edition issued on Mute in…
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Bob Dylan, Shadow Kingdom, 2023 on Columbia / Legacy
This is Dylan’s 40th (!!) studio album and is also technically a soundtrack to Alma Har’el’s film of the same name: Shadow Kingdom: The Early Songs of Bob Dylan Great album whether you are a Dylan die-hard and life long fan (as I am) or just discovering him. My copy—via Academy Records in NYC—is a…
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Lucinda Williams, Stories from a Rock N Roll Heart, 2023 on Highway 20 Records
Lucinda Williams just keeps putting out great music, including this 15th studio LP of original material (alongside the jukebox series of cover albums). She’s joined by Bruce Springsteen and Patty Scialfa on two tracks and Tommy Stinson, Angel Olsen and Margo Price on one each (among other guests). My copy—via Academy Records in NYC—is the…
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Natalie Merchant, Keep Your Courage, 2023 on Nonesuch
Merchant’s first collection of new work since 2014’s self-titled album – in between she did some releases of new versions of existing songs. I love everything Natalie Merchant touches – she’s a great singer, songwriter, performer, and all around human. A model for the independent artist who keeps her ability to do what she wants…
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Black Pumas, Chronicles of a Diamond, 2023 on ATO
Sophomore album from Black Pumas – following up the giant success of their self-titled debut in 2019 with “Colors” which was a bit inescapable (and brilliant). Doesn’t get as much attention as the debut – the dreaded sophomore slump – but I think it is every bit as good an album. My copy, via Barnes…
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Sir Douglas Quintet, Texas Tornado Live, 2023 on Liberation Hall
Recorded Sept 1971 at the Troubadour in LA, but released in 2023 as part of Record Store Day. The Sir Douglas Quintet, led by Doug Sahm, out of San Antonio TX via San Francisco CA. Great collection including probably their best known song “She’s About a Mover” and “Dynamite Woman.” My copy via a private…
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David Bowie, A Divine Symmetry, 2022 on Parlophone
Divine Symmetry was first available as a box set in 2022, with 4 CDs and a Blu-Ray disc (or a 72 track digital download). This single LP vinyl edition, with the subtitle An Alternative Journey Through Hunky Dory was released in February 2023. Hunky Dory is one of my all time favorite albums, so getting…
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Freddie Hubbard and Art Blakey, Feel The Wind, 1989/2023 on Tidal Waves Music
Originally issued in 1989 on Timeless Records out of the Netherlands, this was reissued by Tidal Waves music in 2023. Hubbard and Blakey are joined by Leon Dorsey (bass), Benny Green (piano), and Javon Jackson (tenor sax). The last track swaps Lonnie Plaxico for Dorsey and Mulgrew Miller for Green. Blakey died in 1990 so…
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M. Ward, Supernatural Thing, 2023 on Anti-
M. Ward‘s 12th solo album and followup to his Billy Holiday covers album Think of Spring. He’s joined by First Aid Kit on “Too Young To Die” and “Engine 5,” by Jim James and Kelly Pratt on “For Good”, by Shovels & Rope on “Mr. Dixon,” and by Neko Case on “Dedication Hour.” Includes a…
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Brandy Clark, Brandy Clark, 2023 on Slate Creek / Warner
Clark’s fourth studio album, self-titled, and produced by Brandi Carlile, who provides backing vocals, piano and guitar on a number of tracks and is featured on “Dear Insecurity,” which they performed live at the Grammys in 2024 – and for which she won a “Best Americana Performance” Grammy. She’s been a great songwriter for many…
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Herbie Hancock, Sextant, 1973 on Columbia
1973’s Sextant was the last LP with the so-called Mwandishi-era sextet: Bennie Maupin, Eddie Henderson, Julian Priester, Buster Williams, and Billy Hart. It was also his debut on Columbia after Blue Note and Warner Bros. Columbia would also release Head Hunters later the same year. Great, funky collection – side 2 is one track, the…
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Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes, 1992 on Atlantic
Tori Amos’ debut album from 1992. I had this CD (and Under the Pink) on constant repeat through graduate school – happy to finally get a copy on vinyl. What an amazing album – still gives me chills 30+ years later. “Me and a Gun” of course, but also “Silent All These Years,” “China,” “Precious…
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The Oscar Peterson Trio, Con Alma: Live in Lugano, 1964 on Mack Avenue / Two Lions
First released in 2023, this set was recorded at Teatro Apollo in Lugano Switzerland by RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera (the Swiss Broadcasting subsidary covering Italian speaking Switzerland) on May 26, 1964. Mack Avenue Records is a Detroit label founded by Gretchen Valade who gets executive producer credit here. Two Lions is a label Peterson’s widow Kelly…
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Grateful Dead, Anthem of the Sun, 1968 on Warner Bros / Seven Arts
Second LP from the Dead, assembled together by Garcia and Lesh out of a mixture of live and studio recordings to make a new hybrid. Very much a psychedelic and experimental record, as the cover and song titles would suggest. My copy is the Vinyl Me, Please reissue from 2023, which was manufactured for Rhino.…