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Nelly Furtado, The Ride, 2017 double LP on Nelstar.
Nelly Furtado, The Ride, 2017 double LP on Nelstar (her own label). If you only know Nelly Furtado from “I’m Like a Bird” you are missing out – this is a great album with Bobby Sparks and Adam Pickrell produced by John Congleton
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The Del Fuegos, The Longest Day, 1984 on Slash Records
The Del Fuegos, The Longest Day, 1984 on Slash Records My favorite Del Fuegos album: Back Seat Nothing, Have You Forgotten, Missing You. Both Dan Zanes and Warren Zanes have gone on to great things They had a reunion benefit show in 2011 at the Paradise which I alas missed
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John Grant; Grey Tickled, Black Pressure; 2015 on Bella Union / Partisan
John Grant; Grey Tickled, Black Pressure; 2015 on Bella Union / Partisan John Grant is one of my favorites of the 2010s – clever, original songwriting, my favorite male voice since Leonard Cohen, and always some unexpected twists. I think I first heard him on a KEXP podcast – probably GMF from Pale Green Ghosts…
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The Smithereens, Especially For You, 1986 on Enigma
The Smithereens, Especially For You, 1986 on Enigma Blood and Roses, Behind the Wall of Sleep, Strangers When We Meet. After this album was a hit they released an album (Green Thoughts) with a song titled Especially for You which is confusing as that song it isn’t on this album.
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Mavis Staples, If All I Was Was Black, 2017 on Anti-
Mavis Staples, If All I Was Was Black, 2017 on Anti- Beautiful release produced by Jeff Tweedy and featuring him on “Ain’t no Doubt About it” Believe seeing her open for Brandi Carlile at Madison Square Garden was my last big pre-covid show. This is a must-have collaboration by two great artists
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Sade, Promise, 1985 on Portrait
Sade, Promise, 1985 on Portrait (a CBS sublabel). The trio of Diamond Life (1984), Promise (1985), and Stronger Than Pride (1988) is unparalleled Sade Found this gem at an antique store in New Hampshire in January
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Jayhawks, Hollywood Town Hall, 1991 on Def American.
Jayhawks, Hollywood Town Hall, 1991 on Def American. Mine is the 2014 remaster & reissue on American Recordings (same label, newer name), which sounds great. (That’s the town hall of Hollywood Township MN)
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Fleetwood Mac, The Alternate Fleetwood Mac, 2019 on Reprise.
Fleetwood Mac, The Alternate Fleetwood Mac, 2019 on Reprise. 25 years after the 1975 self-titled release, which was itself their 10th LP and 2nd self-titled release. It was the first album with Stevie Nicks / Lindsey Buckingham Great early versions here of Landslide, Rhiannon. and Over My Head
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Big Star, Live In Memphis, 2014 on Omnivore Recordings
Big Star, Live In Memphis, 2014 on Omnivore Recordings Recorded in 1994 at the New Daisy Theatre I found Big Star via The Replacements’ song Alex Chilton
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Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Message, 1982 on Sugar Hill Records.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Message, 1982 on Sugar Hill Records. My intro to socially conscious hip-hop, circa 1982. “It’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under”
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Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Look Now, 2018 on Concord Records
Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Look Now, 2018 on Concord Records Costello’s first with The Imposters since Momofuku in 2008. Three songs cowritten with Burt Bacharach, one with Carole King Great album with shades of Imperial Bedroom
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Terence Trent D’Arby, Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D’Arby, 1987 on Columbia Records.
Terence Trent DArby, Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D’Arby, 1987 on Columbia Records. One of the gems of the later 80s – I think every note of this album is perfect. Still sounds current but also fits into that decade. D’Arby is now known as Sanada Francesco Maitreya
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Gary Clark Jr., Live, 2014 on Warner Records / Hotwire Unlimited.
Gary Clark Jr., Live, 2014 on Warner Records / Hotwire Unlimited. I’m a huge fan of Clark – first I heard him was 2012’s Blak and Blu This 2xLP is from his live tour 2013/2014. I haven’t had a chance to see him live in person yet but hope to once touring resumes. Also check…
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Do they no longer teach people about type kerning?
Do they no longer teach people about type kerning? Front cover, iconic, from Blue Note in the 50s. Rear cover, done 2012 for a reissue. What’s up with the E and T bumping into each other? Feels like someone has to go out of their way
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Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna, 1981 on Modern Records.
Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna, 1981 on Modern Records. Nicks’ debut solo album, produced by Jimmy Iovine with Benmont Tench as musical director, Tom Petty on Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, Don Henley on Leather and Lace, and many other guests Recently reissued by Rhino and Vinyl Me, Please – but my copy is from ’81…
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Echo and The Bunnymen, self-titled EP, 1983 on Sire
Echo and The Bunnymen, self-titled EP, 1983 on Sire My favorite era of Echo and the Bunnymen Via In Your Ear in Allston
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Laurie Anderson, Mister Heartbreak, 1984 on Warner Bros.
Laurie Anderson, Mister Heartbreak, 1984 on Warner Bros. Not sure how I first heard of Laurie Anderson, but it would have been around the time of this album. Includes “Excellent Birds” with Peter Gabriel and Nile Rodgers, which was originally composed as part of Nam Jun Pak’s “Good Morning Mr. Orwell” installation, on New Years…