- Blog
- Profile
- Homepage
-
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, 1988 on Geffen
This was an inescapable album in 1988 – not that I was trying to escape it. It was their studio debut and came out of nowhere to go 2x platinum. You could argue they were one-hit wonders with “What I Am,” with its ear-worm chorus (“What I am is what I am / are you…
-
Willie Nelson, Phases and Stages, 1974 on Atlantic
This was Nelson’s 17th studio album and second (and last) of the Atlantic era, following Shotgun Willie, produced by Jerry Wexler and recorded at Muscle Shoals in Alabama. As the listening notes explain, while Nelson disclaimed the autobiographical elements of the record, “when you make . . . the most devastating divorce record of all…
-
M. Ward, Migration Stories, 2020 on Anti-.
Tenth studio LP from Portland OR’s M. Ward, released on 2020 as his first on Anti-. (Think of Spring came out at the end of 2020; Migration Stories in April). Produced by Craig Silvey in Montreal with contributions by Richard Reed Parry and Tim Kingsbury of Arcade Fire (and others). There is a “migration story”…
-
Sia, 1000 Forms of Fear, 2014 on Monkey Puzzle / RCA
I first heard (at least consciously) Sia on the beautiful “I Go To Sleep” from her appearance on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic in 2006, which then appeared on Sounds Eclectic – The Covers Project in 2007. (I also now know she was a massive fan of the reality TV show Survivor, appearing on some of…
-
Talking Heads, Naked, 1988 on Fly/Sire
Eighth and final studio LP from Talking Heads – talk about going out with a bang! What a great record. They apologized in the liner notes to Minneapolis band The Wallets, who had a popular song called “Totally Nude” that came out in 1986. As a teenager in a Minneapolis that sometimes felt rather provincial…
-
Randy Newman, Sail Away, 1972 on Reprise
Randy Newman’s third studio LP, including the title track and “You Can Leave Your Hat On” which became a big hit for Joe Cocker in the 80s. Quality of songwriting you expect from early Newman, including “God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind).” Musicians include Ry Cooder on guitar, and Earl Palmer, Gene Parsons, and…
-
Gus Cannon, Walk Right In, 1963 on Stax
Jug Band leader Gus Cannon started recording in the late 20s as “Banjo Joe” and reappeared as part of the folk revival in the 50s on Folkways. This was his first and only Stax LP released in 1963. “Walk Right In” the song became a hit for the Rooftop Singers – who were credited with…
-
Herbie Nichols, The Prophetic Herbie Nichols Volumes 1 & 2, 1955 on Blue Note
This 2021 vinyl release in the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series was previously issued only in Japan in 1983 in this form. It combines two 1955 10″ releases onto a single LP with a gatefold cover reproducing the covers of the separate volumes. The band is Herbie Nichols on piano, Al McKibbon on bass, and…
-
Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group at the Shalin Liu in Rockport MA, 5/4/2025
Lyle Lovett is a phenomenal talent and great performer – you should see him any time you get a chance. He was in Rockport at the Shalin Liu with his “Acoustic Group” a few weeks ago – great show. We saw the Sunday “matinee” at 5pm, which meant that you could still see the harbor…
-
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…
-
Various Artists, All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman, 2014 on Rounder
A tribute concert to Gregg Allman with a star-studded set of guests, recorded January 10th, 2014 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, and put out on Blu-Ray, DVD, and CD by Rounder. Allman faced significant health issues in the 2010s, including hepatitis c, liver cancer, and a lung transplant – it’s great they were able…
-
Run D.M.C., Run D.M.C., 1984 on Profile
Run D.M.C.‘s debut album on Profile, a NY area hip-hop label that was distributed by Arista, who would later reissue it. It was produced by Russell SImmons and Larry Smith, and recorded at Greene St. Recording in Soho. Note the credit on the rear jacket to “Music by Orange Krush” – that’s Larry Smith and…
-
ZZ Top, ZZ Top’s First Album, 1971 on London / Warner Bros
Originally issued in the US on London Records (the American imprint of Decca) in 1971, ZZ Top‘s First Album was reissued by Warner Bros in 1978, likely based on the success of Tres Hombres, Fandango, and Tejas – their 1979 Degüello would be their first new album on Warner Bros. The original LP was not…
-
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys, 1969 on Fantasy
This was the fourth LP from CCR, and the third released in 1969 (one in January, one in August, and this one in November) – talk about striking while the iron is hot / saturating the market. John Fogerty, older bother Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford are in fine form, including “Down On…
-
Maggie Rogers, Surrender, 2022 on Capitol / Debay
Rogers’ second studio album on a major label, Surrender was a component of her thesis at Harvard Divinity School. Kid Harpoon (aka Thomas Edward Percy Hull) produced along with Rogers and gets cowroting credit on most of the tracks, sometimes with others (Del Water Gap aka S. Holden Jaffe). My copy via the Worcester Record…
-
Wilco, A.M., 1995 on Sire / Reprise
Wilco emerged out of the breakup of Uncle Tupelo (some of the band remaining with Jeff Tweedy as Wilco, some with Jay Farrar as Son Volt). This was their first album under the name Wilco. Wilco is identified as Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Ken Coomer, and Max Johnston – but guest performers include Lloyd Maines,…
-
Icicle Works, Icicle Works, 1984 on Arista / Beggars Banquet
In the UK (and elsewhere) this was credited to The Icicle Works and was on Beggars Banquet, but in the US it was titled just Icicle Works (no “the”) and was on Arista. Either way this was their self-titled debut album and included their biggest hit, which—like the album—was titled differently in the US. Most…
-
Billy Joe Shaver, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, 1973 on Monument
This was Shaver’s debut album, produced by Kris Kristofferson. I know Shaver more through tributes (2022’s Live Forever) and other famous artists recording his songs more than I knew him. “Live Forever,” the song, was covered by Robert Duvall in the film Crazy Heart but was also done by the Highwaymen. This is the kind…