Blondie, Autoamerican, 1980 on Chrysalis. Autocorrect wants to make Blondie into Oldie but I resist. Blondie”s fifth studio album, with The Tide Is High and Rapture Via Spinnaker…
Young M.C., Stone Cold Rhymin’, 1989 on Delicious Vinyl / Island. My copy is the Vinyl Me, Please edition via Craft Recordings from 2022. Don’t just stand there,…
Professor Longhair, Crawfish Fiesta, 1980 on Alligator Records. At one point in my life, when I had hair, I could have been called Professor Longhair (or Dr. John,…
Peter Case, Peter Case, 1986 on Geffen. Self-titled debut album – great version if Pair of Brown Eyes as well as strong originals Produced by T Bone Burnett…
Various Artists, Atomic Cafe: Radioactive Rock ‘n Roll, Blues, Country & Gospel, 1982 on Rounder Records. Soundtrack to a 1982 documentary The Atomic Cafe – songs inspired by…
Billy Bragg, Talking With the Taxman About Poetry, 1986 on Elektra. Title comes from a Mayakovsky poem printed on the inner liner – I appreciate much more now…
The Robert Cray Band, False Accusations, 1985 on Hightone Records. Third studio LP and the second on Hightone (after Bad Influence) – before signing to Mercury.
Hooters, Amore, 1983 on Antenna Records. If you know The Hooters, it’s likely from “All You Zombies,” or “And We Danced” which were on heavy MTV rotation in…
Let’s Active, Afoot, 1983 on I.R.S. Records. Mitch Easter may be more famous for his production work with R.E.M. and others, but Let’s Active was also a great…
Various Artists, Folkways: A Vision Shared (A Tribute To Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly), 1988 on Columbia. Great tribute album that was part of my introduction to the progressive…
Paul Simon, Graceland, 1986 on Warner Bros. Gotta be in my top 20 albums of all time. The tremendously talented Paul Simon and an equally talented group of…