Author: John EckmanPage 5 of 102

The Romantics, The Romantics, 1980 on Nemperor / Epic

“What I like about you, you hold me tight / tell me I’m the only one / wanna come over tonight” The Romantics were a Detroit power-pop /…

M. Ward, Rockport MA, August 2nd, 2024

Got a chance to see M. Ward last night at the beautiful Shalin Liu in Rockport MA It’s a beautiful venue, but the lighting seems to have foiled…

Michael Franks, The Art of Tea, 1975 on Reprise

Franks is an interesting figure – from my pov very over looked these days, but quite successful at the time. He was the center of the so-called “Quiet…

Mary Gauthier, Dark Enough to See The Stars, 2022 on In The Black Records

I’ve posted a number of Mary Gauthier records before – been following her career from the beginnings as she transitioned from chef/owner of Dixie Kitchen on Mass Ave…

Syd Straw, Surprise, 1989 on Virgin

Syd Straw’s career started as a backup singer for Pat Benatar, and fronting Golden Palaminos on a couple of their albums. This was her solo debut, with MIchael…

Duke Ellington, The Intimate Ellington, 1977 on Pablo Records

Recorded in NYC between 1969 and 1971, with a variety of players. Includes “Moon Maiden” with just Ellington singing and accompanying himself on Celeste, and also some great…

The Beatles, Revolver, 1966 on Parlophone / Capitol

Classic Beatles LP as they started shifting toward innovative studio techniques, took more drugs, and got more experimental – continuing the shift that started on Rubber Soul with…

The Dropkick Murphys, Turn Up That Dial, 2021 on Born & Bred Records

The Dropkick Murphys formed in Quincy Massachusetts in the mid 90s, with Ken Casey, Rick Barton and Mike McColgan – Casey’s the only one still involved as of…

Toto, Tovo IV, 1982 on Columbia

Toto came together as a group of studio / session musicians, including Jeff, Steve, and Mike Porcaro with Steve Lukather and David Paich. This was their breakout album,…

Paul Collins’ Beat, The Beat, 1979 on CBS / Columbia

Paul Collins’ Beat was originally just called “The Beat” (as is evident in the artwork) but was renamed Paul Collins’ Beat to avoid confusion with that other “The…

Various Artists, Newport Broadside: Topical Songs at the Newport Folk Festival, 1963; 1964 on Vanguard

The Newport Folk Festival for 2024 is coming up this week. This record collects performances from 61 years ago, by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Sam Hinton,…

Chet Baker, Chet Baker Sings, 1956 on World Pacific Records

Chet Baker is on of my all time favorite jazz trumpeters and singers. The tone in both his trumpet and his voice is just amazing – subtle, warm,…

Iron and Wine, Lori, 2023 on Black Cricket Recording Co

Tribute EP to Lori McKenna, released as a limited edition sky blue vinyl record in 2023. It’s a double-sided EP, with the same four tracks on each side,…

Laurie Anderson, Big Science, 1982 on Warner Bros.

I posted another Anderson album last week – Home of the Brave – but this was her major label debut in 1982. The songs here are a subset…

Butterfield Blues Band, Live, 1970 on Elektra

Paul Butterfield and band (sometimes labelled as The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, here just last name) live at the Troubador in Los Angeles, produced by Todd Rundgren, engineered…

Dave Brubeck Quartet, Brubeck On Campus, 1972 on Columbia

This is actually a reissue of two earlier LPs: Jazz Goes To College (1954) and Jazz Goes To Junior College (1957). The former featured Bob Bates (bass), Joe…

Wet Leg, Wet Leg, 2022 on Domino

Wet Leg’s “Chaise Longue” was hard to miss back in 2022 – appearing in multiple movies and shows as well as many many best of the year podcasts….

Various Artists, Atlantic Blues:Guitar, 1986 on Atlantic

Great two-LP set of blues guitar greats recordings on Atlantic, including: Blind Willie McTell, Mississippi Fred McDowell, John Lee Hooker, Stick McGhee, Texas Johnny Brown, T-Bone Walker, Chuck…

The Clash, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, 1978 on CBS / Epic

The follow up to the self-titled debut, and the first with Topper Headon on drums. It was actually the first Clash album released in the US – the…

Son Volt, Day of the Doug: The Songs of Doug Sahm, 2023 on Transmit Sound

Jay Farrar and Son Volt performing the songs of Doug Sahm, over 20 years after he passed in 1999. This was a “Record Store Day First” release back…