Category: music
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Nico, Chelsea Girl, 1967 on Verve
This album originally came out in ’67 as Nico’s solo debut, in the same year as the release of The Velvet Underground and Nico on which she sang three songs. I absolutely love these versions of Jackson Browne’s “These Days” and Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Keep It With Mine” My copy is a 2017 reissue by…
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Sylvan Esso, No Rules Sandy, 2022 on Loma Vista / Psychic Hotline
My copy is the VMP limited, numbered edition on orange vinyl, pressed at Memphis Record Pressing. There’s a partially opaque slipcover through which you can see the tracklist with “No Rules Sandy” on the slipcover fitting into the ( ) on the printed cover. Amelia Meath and Nicholas Sanborn perform as Sylvan Esso, out of…
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The Alarm, Equals, 2018 on The Twenty First Century Recording Company
The Alarm joined here by Billy Duffy from the Cult. The Twenty First Century Recording Company was set up by Mike Peters back in the 90s. The Alarm have actually put out six records since 2011, though I’ve not followed them as closely as I did back in their heyday in the 80s. They are…
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Modern English, After the Snow, 1982 on Sire
This was Modern English’s second album, following Mesh & Lace, and had the massive hit “I Melt With You” which I think was so iconic in the early 80s. Doesn’t always fare well in reviews – Melt With You is definitely the stand out on the album, but I actually really like the whole thing.…
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Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, So Far, 1974 on Atlantic
I didn’t realize until many years later this was a compilation album – basically [Greatest Hits] So Far because I was coming to their music so many years later. Wikipedia tells me (and i believe them) that the 11 tracks here represent 50% of what the band had put out at that point, as studio…
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Desmond Dekker, The Israelites, 1969 on Pyramid
The title track was top 10 both in the UK and in the US in 1969, making Dekker one of the most visible early stars of reggae outside Jamaica. My copy is a 2016 mono reissue through BMG, reproducing the Pyramid label from the 1969 UK release. Via Reykjavik Record Shop in Iceland.
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Bonny Light Horseman, Rolling Golden Holy, 2022 on 37d03d
The sophomore album from Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, and Josh Kaufman, joined here by Mike Lewis, and JT Bates. (Does this make BLH technically a supergroup, given all those three do outside this trio?) My copy via Secretly Society – this was the December 2022 release
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Bonnie Bishop, Ain’t Who I Was, 2016 on Plan BB
I first heard the title track of this album on a Paste Sampler from 2017 so was happy to find the LP (produced by Dave Cobb) at Dyno Records in Newburyport. Here she is performing it at the Paste Studios: Bishop is from Austin TX (but may now be in Nashville?) and has been putting…
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Andrew Bird, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, 2005 on Righteous Babe / Grimsey
The original came out in the US on Ani Di Franco’s Righteous Babe Records, but my copy is a later reissue on Stillwater Minnesota’s Grimsey Records. Andrew Bird is a great, eclectic, constantly interesting musician – I first came across him in the Squirrel Nut Zippers but he’s had a great, long, and compelling solo…
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Various Artists, Footloose: Original Soundtrack of the Paramount Motion Picture, 1984 on Columbia
So in 1984 I’d have thought myself too cool for the Footloose soundtrack: Kenny Logins and Deniece Williams? But I also would have secretly loved it (as I do now unashamedly): the title track, Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Holding Out For A Hero, Dancing In The Sheets, and Almost Paradise. My copy via…
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Ry Cooder, Boomer’s Story, 1972 on Reprise
I love Ry Cooder’s career – so many different threads, all of which are wonderful. This was his third studio album in a roots/Americana/blues tradition. Randy Newman guests on piano on “Rally ‘Round The Flag” and Sleepy John Estes on “President Kennedy.” The title track gets credited to “Traditional” here but is actually “The Railroad…
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The Zombies, Begin Here, 1965 on Decca
My copy is a later reissue (2013) on Repertoire Records, half-speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios from HD 24 bit audio – the original was on Decca in the UK . Wonderful to hear their on Muddy Waters’ “I Got My Mojo Working” and Ellas McDaniel’s “Road Runner” – great quality pressing. My copy via…
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Gil Evans, Gil Evans & Ten, 1957 on Prestige
My copy is the 2023 reissue by Craft Recordings for Record Store Day. Players: Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, this was Gil Evan’s fist recording as a pianist. Not sure if Lee Konitz couldn’t appear under his own name for contractual reasons (he was recording with Gerry Mulligan Quartet and solo at this same time).…
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The Magnetic Fields, i, 2004 on Nonesuch
All the songs on the album start with the letter i, a very Stephin Merritt thing to do. (Is this also related to the “i” in his first name?). The front page of the insert lyrics and credits sheet, which shows through the die cut “i” in the cover, is Fred Tomaselli’s Gravity in Four…
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Fugees, The Score, 1996 on Columbia / Ruffhouse
Very hard to find original pressings of this – my copy is a 2021 reissue. This is an absolute must have, alongside The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which followed 2 years later. How Many Mics, Ready or Not, Killing Me Softly, No Woman No Cry – so much of this album is just perfect. It’s…
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INXS, Listen Like Thieves, 1985 on Atlantic
This was INXS’ fifth studio album, but had their first US breakthrough hit with “What You Need.” Recorded at Rhinoceros in Sydney and produced by Chris Thomas. Includes “This Time” and “Listen Like Thieves” which are also great. My copy via Beverly Coin & Jewelry in Beverly MA.
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Bonnie Raitt, Takin My Time, 1973 on Warner Bros
Raitt’s third full length album, produced by John Hall. Great versions of Mose Allison’s “Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy” and Jackson Browne’s “I Thought I was a Child.” Guests include Taj Mahal, Bill Payne, Jim Keltner, and Lowell George. My copy via a record fair at Mill No 5 in Lowell MA
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John Mayall with Eric Clapton, Blues Breakers, 1966 on London Records
This was the debut studio album for Mayall and the Bluesbreakers but credited to John Mayall with Eric Clapton. The band here includes Mayall, Clapton, John McVie, Hughie Flint, Johnny Almond, Alan Skidmore, and Dennis Healey. London Records was the US distributor for UK label Decca. Clapton left to form Cream with Ginger Baker and…