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Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Barn, 2021 on Reprise
Young’s first post-covid album, recorded in an old (1870s?) barn in Colorado with Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, and Ralph Molina. I like the way it is credited and titled – just three nouns: Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Barn. I love Neil Young and really enjoyed new music from him with Crazy Horse, even if this…
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Keb’ Mo’, Good to Be . . . , 2022 on Rounder
Fifteenth studio album from Keb’ Mo’ whose career I’ve followed for a long time, since his self-titled debut (as Keb’ Mo’) in 1994. He’s joined by Darius Rucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Kristin Chenoweth (yes, that Kristin Chenoweth) on specific tracks. Nominated for a Grammy for best Americana album in 2023. I was super…
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Dr. John, Things Happen That Way, 2022 on Rounder
Dr. John’s final studio LP, posthumously released by Rounder after he passed in 2019. Guest appearances by Aaron Neville (“End of the Line”), Willie Nelson (“Gimme That Old Time Religion”), and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (“I Walk on Guilded Splinters”). Great covers here: Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” Hank Williams…
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Sarah Jarosz, Polaroid Lovers, 2024 on Rounder Records
Seventh studio album from Jarosz (who is also part of I’m With Her), produced by Daniel Tashian and recorded at Sound Emporium in Nashville TN. Tashian, Natalie Hemby, Ruston Kelly and others share co-writing credits on different tracks. My copy—direct from Rounder Records’ Store—is a Memphis Record Pressing issue on “purple translucent marble” vinyl.
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Indigo Girls, Look Long, 2020 on Rounder Records
15th album from Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, with guests including Lucy Wainwright Roche, Lucy Jules, and producer John Reynolds. Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath and Reynolds’ own New Aer Studios in Kilburn. Loved seeing the Lilith Fair documentary Building a Mystery and the role Indigo Girls seemed to play in…
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Blood & Chocolate, 1986 on Columbia
Costello’s 11th studio LP and 9th with The Attractions, as a follow up to King of America, and produced by Nick Lowe. Didn’t do so well commercially at the time, but now called one of his best. Costello is credited on the rear sleeve as “Napoleon Dynamite” – which is also the name of the…
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Billy Strings, Me and Dad, 2022 on Rounder
Love this album which features Billy Strings and his dad, Terry Barber. It includes a print of artwork Billy did as a child “When I grow up, I want to be a bluegrass player.” Mission accomplished, I’d say. There’s also a great long concert on YouTube live from Traverse City Michigan: My copy, direct from…
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Imperial Bedroom, 1982 on Columbia
Seventh studio LP from Costello and the sixth with The Attractions, out of F-Beat in the UK and Columbia in the US. A must have for collectors of Costello or indeed the whole new wave / alternative era of the late seventies to mid eighties. My copy – direct from the artist at a show…
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Black Pumas, Chronicles of a Diamond, 2023 on ATO
Sophomore album from Black Pumas – following up the giant success of their self-titled debut in 2019 with “Colors” which was a bit inescapable (and brilliant). Doesn’t get as much attention as the debut – the dreaded sophomore slump – but I think it is every bit as good an album. My copy, via Barnes…
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Sturgill Simpson, The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, 2021 on High Top Mountain Records
The seventh studio album from Sturgill Simpson with guest Willie Nelson on “Juanita.” A concept album set in Kentucky during the Civil War, this may be the last album under his own name. I just love Simpson’s approach to music and composition as well as the whole band here, which includes: Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan,…
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The Cars, The Cars (Self-Titled), 1978 on Elektra
Debut album from Boston’s own The Cars, out in 1978 on Elektra, and produced by Thomas Baker. Killer debut, with “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll,” and “Moving In Stereo.” Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, David Robinson, and Greg Hawkes in the original lineup. My copy, via a private…
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U2, Live “Under a Blood Red Sky, ” 1983 on Island
I always thought of this as recorded at Red Rocks in Colorado, but with additional tracks from the Orpheum in Boston (“11 O’Clock Tick Tock”) and Rockpalast in Germany (all of Side B, “I Will Follow”). There was a live video – Live at Red Rocks: Under A Blood Red Sky, which was the full…
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Sir Douglas Quintet, Texas Tornado Live, 2023 on Liberation Hall
Recorded Sept 1971 at the Troubadour in LA, but released in 2023 as part of Record Store Day. The Sir Douglas Quintet, led by Doug Sahm, out of San Antonio TX via San Francisco CA. Great collection including probably their best known song “She’s About a Mover” and “Dynamite Woman.” My copy via a private…
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The Pretenders, Get Close, 1986 on Sire
Fourth Pretenders LP, with “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “My Baby,” both of which were hits in the US. This is after the deaths of Pete Farndon and James Honeyman-Scott, and would be the last LP with Martin Chambers for nearly a decade. Lots of session players here across multiple sessions, but overall a great…
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Drop Nineteens, 1991, 2025 on Wharf Cat Records
While this was written and recorded by Drop Nineteens back in 1991, it was remixed by the band and Max Rose and released in 2024 on tour and 2025 on vinyl. My copy direct from the band.
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The James Hunter Six, Nick of Time, 2020 on Daptone
James Hunter puts out records under his own name and as leader of the James Hunter Six, as well as his first band Howlin’ Wilf and the Vee-Jays. Consistent with being on Daptone, it’s a roots/revival R&B Soul sound – his breakout People Gonna Talk came out in 2006 on Rounder. I got a chance…
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The Dream Syndicate, The Dream Syndicate (Self-Titled), 1982 on Down There Records / Enigma
Another band associated with the Paisely Underground / Paisely Punk movement of the early 80s, Dream Syndicate were Steve Wynn, Kendra Smith, Dennis Duck, and Karl Precoda. This was their debut EP on Wynn’s own Down There Records label before they signed to Slash in 1982. My copy, via a private sale, is on red…
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The Three O’Clock, Baroque Hoedown, 1982 on Lolita / Frontier
The Three O’Clock were part of the so-called paisley punk scene in the early eighties, on Frontier records – after changing their name from Salvation Army under threat of legal action. Baroque Hoedown was their debut release under the new name. This copy, via a private sale, is a French pressing on Lolita – with…