Author: John EckmanPage 6 of 102

Laurie Anderson, Home of the Brave, 1986 on Warner Bros

If I planned these posting further in advance (i’m just working through records as I add them to my collection), I would have planned this one for the…

Kris Kristofferson, The Silver Tongued Devil and I, 1971 on Monument

This was Kristofferson’s second album, following what was originally released as Kristofferson but later retitled Me and Bobby McGee to capitalize on the hit version released on Janis…

Drop Nineteens, Hard Light, 2023 on Wharf Cat Records

Boston’s own Drop Nineteens were a standout “shoegaze” band in the early 90s but broke up in 1994 – this is their first release since 1993, and it…

David Bowie, Tonight, 1984 on EMI America

Bowie’s follow up to Let’s Dance, produced by Bowie with Derek Bramble and Hugh Padgham, with many of the same musicians, but also with contributions by Iggy Pop…

Stephane Grappelli, Uptown Dance, 1978 on Columbia

Only available on vinyl, cassette, and 8-track, Grappelli is joined here by two different bands – one with Jimmy Rowles, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, and Jay Berliner and…

Various Artists; The Sam Phillips Years: Sun Records Curated By Record Store Day Volume 9; 2022 on Org Music

Great collection timed to coincide with Sun Records’ 70th anniversary, Record Store Day’s 15th anniversary, and Tito’s Vodka’s 25th anniversary – which is why the inner sleeve is…

Midnight Oil, Diesel and Dust, 1987 on CBS / Columbia

Peter Garrett, Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie, and Martin Rotsey are the core of Midnight Oil, the politically earnest band from down under. This was their sixth full length (the band started all the way back in the 70s and released their self-titled debut in 1978), but it was their breakout album in the US, with “Beds Are Burning.”

ABBA (Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Frida), Waterloo, 1974 on Atlantic

Originally released by Polar in Sweden but by Atlantic in the US, this is the debut album for ABBA, made famous when they won the 1974 Eurovision Song…

White Bike, Give Up, 2023 on Turntable Kitchen.

Full album cover of The Postal Service album (of the same name) from 2013 by Portland OR indie band White Bike. I love this series and this album…

Various Artists, This Are Two Tone, 1983 on Chrysalis/Two Tone

In the UK, this was released on Two Tone, but in the US they were distributed by Chrysalis and issued on the Chrysalis label. Sleeve design credit to…

Black Nasty, Talking To The People, 1973 on Enterprise

Enterprise was a sub-label of Stax, and released the early solo work of Isaac Hayes. It is actually named after the Star Trek spaceship – Al Bell was…

Lou Rawls, Come On In, Mister Blues, 1969 on Pickwick/33

One has to be careful about some of these discount releases on Pickwick/33 – they were a discount label for a reason, offering cheap compilations of previously released…

Julie Byrne, The Greater Wings, 2023 on Ghostly International

This is Byrne’s first release on Ghostly International and third full-length. Her collaborator and partner Eric Littmann died suddenly during the recording of the album which he was…

Neil Young, Bottom Line 1974, The Radio Broadcast, 2018 on Parachute

Although this claims to be a radio broadcast (likely to make it appear legit under EU copyright laws which treat broadcasted material differently) it’s likely actually an audience…

Irma Thomas, Down at Muscle Shoals, 1984 on Chess

Thomas recorded for Chess in the late sixties, and made this recording at Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals in 1967, but the album was not released until…

Dr. John, Desitively Bonnaroo, 1974 on ATCO

Dr. John’s seventh solo LP, Desitively Bonnaroo is the source of the name for the Bonnaroo music festival. It was produced by Allen Toussaint, who is also credited…

Nina Simone, Silk & Soul, 1967 on RCA Victor

This was Simone’s second album for RCA, following Nina Simone Sings the Blues, and was recorded in RCA Victor Studio B in New York. It includes great renditions…

Nickel Creek, Celebrants, 2023 on Repair Records

The first Nickel Creek album since 2014 and a welcome reunion for Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, and Sean Watkins, all of whom have been busy doing other things….

The Decemberists, I’ll Be Your Girl, 2018 on Capitol

The Decemberists is one of my top twenty bands of all time – I could leave their discography on repeat all week and never tire of them. That…

Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska, 1982 on Columbia

Springsteen’s sixth studio album, which he recorded himself on a four track to use as demos but then decided to release them directly. (Somewhere in the vaults exist…