Tag: 2021
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Neil Young, The Times, 2020 on Reprise
Live recordings from Fireside Sessions at home, released in 2020 on CD and 2021 on vinyl. Includes “Alabama,” “Ohio,” and “Southern Man” as well as a cover of “The Times They Are A-Changing’.” All just Neil himself with acoustic guitar. My copy—via Residency Records in Salem MA—is the US edition pressed at GZ Media.
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Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, They’re Calling Me Home, 2021 on Nonesuch
Giddens was a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, now with several great solo albums under her wings. This is her second with her partner, Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Francesco Turrisi. It’s a collection of traditional songs, all arranged by Giddens and Turrisi and primarily performed by them, with an occasional guest instrument. My copy—via…
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Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins On Impulse!, 1965 on Impulse
Classic album, featuring Rollins with Walter Booker (bass), Mickey Roker (drums), and Ray Bryant (piano). Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in the summer of 1965. Sadly Rollins passed this May (2026) in Woodstock NY. My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is the 2021 Acoustic Sounds Series reissue, supervised by Chad Kassem, cut by Ryan…
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Various Artists, The Vinyl Series Volume One, 2021 on Island
Great collection of Reggae / Ska / Rocksteady singles from the early days of Island Records, said to be hand-picked by label founder Chris Blackwell. There’s already been a Volume Two and Volume Three (going into the 70s) – not sure if there will be more or not. Somewhat idiosyncratically includes The Spencer Davis Group…
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Sarah Vaughan, Live at the Berlin Philharmonie 1969, 2021 on The Lost Recordings
Recorded in 1969, with Vaughan backed by Johnny Veith (piano), Gus Mancuso (bass), and Eddy Pucci (drums). The Berliner Philharmonie is used here as the name of the hall, not the orchestra – built in the 1960s. The Lost Recordings is a French label that, in their own words, “travel[s] the world in search of…
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The Lone Bellow, Half Moon Light: Second Phase, 2021 on Dualtone
This EP followed 2020’s Half Moon Light with two alternate versions (“Good Times” and “Count Me In” plus four additional tracks recorded during those sessions. (Dualtone calls it “an addendum”). My copy—direct from Magnolia Record Club—is what I think is the only edition, on “Black and Bone Swirled Marble” vinyl.
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Clifford Brown and Max Roach, Study in Brown, 1955 on EmArcy
Brown and Roach are joined by Harold Land (tenor), Richie Powell (piano), and George Morrow (bass). Recorded Feb 23rd and 25th of 1955. Fantastic album. My copy—via private sale—is the 2021 Acoustic Sounds Series reissue on 180g vinyl, supervised by Chad Kassem, cut by Ryan Smith, and pressed at Quality Record Pressing. As you’d expect,…
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José González, Local Valley, 2021 on Imperial
José González’s fourth studio album, released in 2021 on Imperial/Mute (in the US). Recorded and produced in Studio Koltrast in Sweden. Cover art by Hannele Fernström. My copy—from the merch table at a José González gig in Beverly—is the green vinyl “Indie Exclusive” limited edition.
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The Replacements, The Pleasure’s All Yours: Pleased to Meet Me Outtakes & Alternates, 2021 on Sire
Released as part of Record Store Day 2021, these are outtakes and alternate versions of songs from Pleased To Meet Me released on vinyl for the first time. Some (most?) of these tracks have been released elsewhere: the expanded CD edition of Pleased To Meet Me or the All for Nothing / Nothing for All…
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Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Barn, 2021 on Reprise
Young’s first post-covid album, recorded in an old (1870s?) barn in Colorado with Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, and Ralph Molina. I like the way it is credited and titled – just three nouns: Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Barn. I love Neil Young and really enjoyed new music from him with Crazy Horse, even if this…
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The Mountain Goats, Dark in Here, 2021 on Merge
Twentieth studio LP from The Mountain Goats, recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals and produced by Matt Ross-Spang. THe Mountain Goats this time include John Darnielle with Peter Hughes, Jon Wurster, and Matt Douglas, supported by Spooner Oldham, Will McFarlane, Susan Marshall, and Reba Russell. Darnielle is such an amazing and interesting songwriter. The…
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May The Circle Remain Unbroken: A Stribute to Roky Erickson, 2021 on LIght In The Attic
Posthumous tribute album for Roky Erickson by the same producer who assembled Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye, which was a 1990 tribute album that introduced my to many of his songs (though I also knew the 13th Floor Elevators LPs). Tracklist and participants: Plus a “Record Store Day only” 7″ flexi-disc single with Erickson…
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Strange As Angels, Strange As Angels, 2021 on Kwaidan
Billed as “Strange as Angels” the hype sticker calls this “Marc Collin (Nouvelle Vague) presents Chrystabell Sings The Cure.” Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux were the masterminds behind Nouvelle Vague, which released bossa nova covers of new wave songs, playing off multiple meanings of Nouvelle Vague. (Nouvelle Vague means “new wave” in French, and Bossa…
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Tori Amos, Unde the Pink, 1994 on Atlantic
Amos’ sophomore album every bit as compelling and memorable as her debut Little Earthquakes. Very much also on repeat throughout the Eckman household in the 1990s – I can still sing every word of many of these songs: Pretty Good Year, God, Past the Mission, The Waitress, Cornflake Girl. Whenever I find myself in an…
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Various Artists, Rip It Up: The Best of Specialty Records, 2021 on Craft
Craft Recordings release from 2021 – but all the original recordings are from the 1950s (and a few from the 40s). Wonderful collection – the Little Richard tracks are likely the most well known, but I love the early Sam Cooke, Percy Mayfield, Lloyd Price, and Jesse & Marvin. Tracklist: Released on yellow vinyl via…
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Neil Young, Live at the Cellar Door (1970), 2013 on Reprise
Recorded in 1970, and long circulating in various bootleg versions, this was released finally om 2013 as part of the Neil Young Archives Performance Series. Young performed over six nights at The Cellar Door in Washington DC – solo with acoustic guitar and piano. (He actually does “Cinnamon Girl” on piano). My copy, via a…
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Charlie Parker, The Mercury & Clef 10-inch LP Collection
This 2021 box collects / reproduces the 10″ LPs put out in the early 1950s: I don’t normally collect 10″ records, but got a good deal on this box, which is very well made, reproducing original covers and labels, and with an included book. Neither of the two “Charlie Parker With Strings” LPs actually has…
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David Bowie, Unplugged & Slightly Phased: Acoustic Broadcasts 1996, 2021 on Parachute Recording Company
Basically a live bootleg, this collects Bowie’s appearances at the October 1996 Bridge School Benefit. Parachute Recording Company labels these things as radio transmissions based on the difference in copyright law regarding things broadcast in the UK (and maybe the EU?). It was previously released as a bootleg under multiple names by different labels –…