Tag: 1980s
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Julian Lennon, The Secret Value of Daydreaming, 1986 on Atlantic
This was Julian Lennon’s sophomore album, following Valotte. Billy Joel joins on piano on “You Get What You Want.” It was recorded at Compass Point in the Bahamas and produced by Phil Ramone (who also produced his debut). Was startled to see the twin towers on the inner sleeve so close to the 25th anniversary…
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John Prine, John Prine Live, 1988 on Oh Boy
Recorded live at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, except for the “Angel From Montgomery” with Bonnie Raitt, which was taken from the Steve Goodman tribute concert, and “Souvenirs” which comes from an Austin City Limits episode. It’s mostly Prine and his guitar, telling stories and singing songs – a bit of a filler…
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Waylon Jennings, Songbird, 2025 on Son of Jessi
This is a posthumous release, based on material Jennings had recorded between 1973 and 1984 in his home studio with band members from the Waylors. The recordings were selected by Shooter Jennings and overdubs added to flesh out the production, but he has said the production was very minimal. There’s a great episode of The…
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Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg, 1988 on Amiga
This is actually the album released as Talking With the Taxman About Poetry in the US and UK, but retitled for behind the iron curtain. When I found it in the store I thought it was some kind of bootleg live album, not recognizing the tracklist (which I should have recognized). Not sure if Mayakovsky…
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The Blow Monkeys, Wicked Ways, 1986 on RCA
The Blow Monkeys were a really interesting UK pop / new-wave band in the 80s, and “Digging Your Scene” was their big hit in the US. This single was also from the Animal Magic LP that hit was from. Fronted by the self-titled Dr. Robert (Bruce Howard), the band included Mick Anker (bass), Neville Henry…
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John Prine, Aimless Love, 1984 on Oh Boy
Prine’s eighth album and his first on Oh Boy, which Prine formed with manager Al Bunetta and friend Dan Einstein. Some classic Prine songs here: “Unwed Fathers,” “The Oldest Baby In the World,” and “People Puttin’ People Down” among them. Co-writers here include Spooner Oldham, Shel Silverstein, Bobby and Linda Whitlock, and Bobby Braddock –…
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Pet Shop Boys, Actually, 1987 on Gong / Parlophone
Secodn studio LP from Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant aka Pet Shop Boys, released in 1987 on Parlophone in the UK and EMI America in the US. Wonderful collection of songs, including “Shopping” and “What Have I Done To Deserve This” as well as “It’s a Sin” which was a hit single. Production duties split…
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The Touch with Terrence Trent D’Arby, Early Works, 1989 on IMP
Introducing the Hardline According To Terrence Trent D’Arby was one of my favorite albums of the late 80. Sananda Francesco Maitreya, as he came to call himself, was such a fascinating and compelling performer and writer. Having served in the US Army, D’Arby was stationed in West Germany. When he left the army in 1983…
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The Dream Academy, Remembrance Days, 1987 on Reprise
Sophomore album from Nick Laird-Clowes, Kate St. John, and Gilbert Gabriel aka “The Dream Academy.” Most well known for “Life in a Northern Town” from their debut album. This second release got less attention, but I love it – “Indian Summer” and “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” in particular. Guests here in Lindsey Buckingham, who played…
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Peter Wolf, Lights Out, 1984 on EMI America
Debut solo album from Boston’s own Peter Wolf, after parting ways with the J. Geils Band. Wolf put out a memoir in 2025: Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses. It’s a great read and emphasizes all the unlikely connections and Forrest Gump-like moments where Wolf touched some key artist or milestone.…
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Chaka Khan, I Feel For You, 1984 on Warner Bros.
I suspect this is where I first heard Chaka Khan and knew I was hearing Chaka Khan. The title track was a massive hit, with Grandmaster Melle Mel (of the Furious Five) rapping “Ch-ch-ch-chaka-chaka-chaka Khan” on the intro. Of course Khan also had made many albums with Rufus (some styled as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan)…
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Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Reactor, 1981 on Reprise
This was the last album for Young & Crazy Horse on Reprise before the five album run on Geffin. Some would consider this a kind of punk or even post-punk (is 1981 too early for post-punk?) version of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. It sometimes gets listed as one of their least successful records—the lyrics…
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Various Artists, Miami Vice (Music From The Television Series), 1985 on MCA
Though I can’t say I actually remember any episodes of the series—I’m sure I watched it—I certainly remember the theme song, which was inescapable. There were multiple soundtrack releases (foreshadowing later franchises like The OC?) from Miami Vice but this was the first and most impactful. The main theme is maybe most memorable, but also…
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Scritti Politti, Cupid & Pysche 85, 1985 on Warner Bros
Second album from UK band Scritti Politti, with their breakout single “Perfect Way.” Originally a lefty punk band (the name being a reference to the writings of Gramsci) they’d gone quite pop by 1985. (The LP came out on Virgin in the UK). One of the other major singles / hits was “Wood Beez (Pray…
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Aretha Franklin, Who’s Zoomin’ Who?, 1985 on Arista
From the 90s (Mazzy Star) back to the 80s: Aretha Franklin’s very eighties Who’s Zoomin’ Who?. She actually put out a number of albums in the 80s, but this is the only one I remember. Look at the glorious 80s neon fashion on that cover. The man on the inner sleeve is Franklin’s father, The…
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Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time, 1989 on Capitol
Although this was Bonnie Raitt’s big commercial breakthrough—and maybe where I first heard her?—it was actually her tenth studio album. (Later I’d find her back catalogue which has much to recommend in it). It was also her first on Capitol, having been dropped by Warner Bros. It was produced by Don Was (future Blue Note…
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Acoustic Alchemy, Red Dust and Spanish Lace, 1987 on MCA
This was the debut album from Nick Webb and Greg Carmichael, aka Acoustic Alchemy. They’d later be on GRP after MCA acquired the jazz label. Great album that is also fantastic sounding – recorded by Klaus Genuit at Hansahaus (Berlin). My copy—via Residency Records in Salem MA—is a KM Records pressing that included an original…
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Steve Winwood, Back In The High Life, 1986 on Island
This was Winwood’s fourth solo LP and the most commercially successful. Guests include Chaka Khan (on “Higher Love”), James Ingram (on “Finer Things”) and James Taylor (on “Back In The High Life Again”). That’s quite a set of backing vocalists. Nile Rodgers also adds guitar on “Wake Me Up On Judgement Day.” You couldn’t avoid…