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Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman, 1988 on Elektra
Its popularity has recently resurged, due in no small part to Luke Combs’ cover version and their duet at the Grammy’s but this record never went out of rotation for me. Technically I know it’s not true, but I like to imagine Tracy Chapman’s voice was still echoing around Boston from her busking days when…
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Art Pepper + Eleven, “Modern Jazz Classics,” 1960 on Contemporary Records
Classic west coast jazz from Contemporary Records – sometimes just gets call Art Pepper + Eleven, sometimes Modern Jazz Classics. Not sure if 12 people counts as a big band – Wikipedia says “a small big band.” Marty Paich did the arranging. Songs composed by Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, and Sonny…
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U2, Two Hearts Beat As One, 12″ Single, 1983 on Island
This has long been one of my favorite U2 songs whether in this “Club Version” or the Francois Kevorkian remix or the original. I love the photo here of the lads out in a wheat field. My copy—via Music DNA in Methuen MA—is a UK pressing 12″ 45 rpm on the vibrant Island labels.
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Sonny Rollins, Way Out West, 1957 on Contemporary
This was the first Rollins album with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne, and the first time he recorded with only bass and drums. I love this cover photo emphasizing the New York native was out west. My copy—direct from Craft Recordings—is the 2009 Original Jazz Classics reissue which was remastered back in 1988 and repressed…
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The Blues Box, 1966 on Verve Folkways.
3xLP box set featuring Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and Jimmy Witherspoon. On a couple of sides Hopkins plays with Terry & McGhee. The recordings were all made in Los Angeles – the first two LPs are taken from the Ash Grove on July 6th and 7th, 1960, and the third LP says…
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U2, Pride (In the Name of Love) (single), 1984 on Island
One of my favorite U2 singles from the early 80s, released as the lead single just ahead of The Unforgettable Fire. Also has one of my favorite mistakes, when they sing “Early Morning, April 4.” I always figured the lads were not used to the American habit of not using 24 hr time. (They fixed…
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Cliff Jordan, Cliff Jordan, 1957 on Blue Note
Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack NJ, Jordan is joined by John Jenkins (alto sax), Art Taylor (drums), Ray Bryant (piano), Curtis Fuller (trombone) and Lee Morgan (trumpet). This is one of two Blue Note LPs he put out in 1957 (the other was Blowing in From Chicago with John Gilmore). My copy—via Amazon—is…
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Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Live Alive, 1986 on Epic
Recorded across four live performances between July 1985 (Montreux Jass Festivale) and July 1986 (Austin Opera House and Dallas Starfest). Includes his take on “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Superstition,” and “Vodoo Child (Slight Return).” The CD versions leave off “Live Without You.” Brother Jimmie Vaughan guests on four tracks, other personnel are Tommy Shannon…
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Bill Evans, Evans in England, 2019 on Resonance
Another late sixties (December 1969) set from Evans, Eddie Gomez, and Marty Morell, recorded at Ronnie Scott’s. (Live at Ronnie Scott’s, released in 2020, came from recordings made in July of 1968). Great production and packaging. My copy—via private sale—is the Record Store Day 2019 2xLP deluxe edition, numbered and limited.
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Colin James Hay, Looking for Jack, 1987 on Columbia
Solo debut from the man more well known (to me at least) as the lead singer of Men At Work, which he fronted from 1978 to 1986. He’s actually had quite a lengthy solo career and done a lot of really interesting work. This album may not be the pinnacle of that work, but it…
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Horace Silver Quintet, Silver’s Serenade, 1963 on Blue Note
The quintent here is Silver joined by Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Junior Cook (tenor sax), Gene Taylor (bass), and Roy Brooks (drums). Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, with Alfred Lion producing. My copy—via Amazon—is another Blue Note Tone Poet Series reissue from 2024. Yes, I realize there are other jazz labels and other…
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Suzanne Vega, Flying With Angels, 2025 on Cooking Vinyl
Vega’s tenth studio album and her first of new material since 2014. Bob Dylan gets cowriting credit on “Chambermaid” as a kind of alternate version of “I Want You.” “Speaker’s Corner” is a great song as well: I have a newfound sympathy For the madman in the square Who rants and raves his rhetoric Into…
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Freddie Roach, Good Move!, 1964 on Blue Note
Freddie Roach’s third album as a leader, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliff with Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Eddie Wright (guitar), and Clarence Johnston (drums). Tunes include “It Ain’t Necessarily So” (Gerswhin) and Pastel (Garner) as well as “T’Ain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That You Do It).” Great…
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M. Ward , A Wasteland Companion, 2012 on Merge.
M. Ward’s 7th studio album, including a cover of Daniel Johnston’s “Sweetheart.” He’s joined by Mike Coykendall, Mike Mogis, Jordan Hudson, Adam Selzer and others, including vocals from Zooey Deschanel. M. Ward produced. I just love M. Ward’s voice and his approach to songwriting and production – across his solo work and She & Him.…
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Big John Patton, Let ‘Em Roll, 1966 on Blue Note
Patton joined by Otis Finch (drums), Grant Green (guitar), and Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), and recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Fantastic Hammond B3 driven mid-sixties Blue Note jazz – can’t go wrong. My copy—direct from Amazon, which often has deals on these—is the Blue Note Tone Poet series reissue from 2023, with…
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Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead, Dylan & The Dead, 1989 on Columbia
Recorded live in July 1987 during the six-city tour of that summer. While the shows from that tour typically had a first set of Dead material followed by a set with Dylan, this recording highlights the Dylan songs with the Dead serving as a backup band. Got some harsh critical reviews a the time as…
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Bill Evans, Behind the Dikes: The 1969 Netherlands Recordings, 2021 on Elemental Music
Zev Feldman of Resonance Records teamed up (as Producer, Liner Notes, and Researcher) with Elemental Music for yet another Bill Evans live set from the 1960s. These were often bootlegged but get official high quality treatment here. The recordings were made at KRO Studio I in Hilversum March 26th, 1969 and RAI Congrescentrum Amsterdam November…
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Lou Donaldson, Midnight Creeper, 1968 on Blue Note
Donaldson joined here by Leo Morris (drums), George Benson (guitar), Lonnie Smith (organ) and Blue Mitchell (trumpet). Very groovy soul-jazz LP from late sixties Blue Note. Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs and produced by Francis Wolff. My copy—via Amazon—is the Blue Note Tone Poet reissue from 2024, mastered by Kevin Gray and…