Tag: Mystery Train
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Nina Simone, Let It All Out, 1966 on Philips
Yes, back in the day Philips (who you likely know more now as the maker of Sonicare toothbrushes) was also a reputable jazz and classical label. Though the copyright was 1965 they put out this album in 1966. Simone switched to Philips in 1964 and was there (putting out seven LPs) until switching to RCA…
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The Smiths, How Soon is Now? (Maxi-Single), 1984 on Sire
This is a US pressing of the 12″ single, with a “Long Version” on the A-side and an edited shorter version on the B-Side, both of which are different than (or “different to” as they say in the UK) the UK 7″ single version. One of my favorite Smiths songs of all time – that…
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Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, They’re Calling Me Home, 2021 on Nonesuch
Giddens was a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, now with several great solo albums under her wings. This is her second with her partner, Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Francesco Turrisi. It’s a collection of traditional songs, all arranged by Giddens and Turrisi and primarily performed by them, with an occasional guest instrument. My copy—via…
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Talking Heads, A Bar Called Heaven, 2024 on Dear Boss.
Another in a series of Dear Boss. releases (the period is part of their name) which claim to be FM broadcasts and therefore out of copyright in the EU. This one is Talking Heads from December 7th, 1979, at the Electric Ballroom in London (Camden Town). Excellent recording either way – I’ve become a big…
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Steely Dan, The Royal Scam, 1976 on ABC
Fifth studio album from Donald Fagen, Walter Becker et. al., produced by Gary Katz. Steely Dan can be a bit divisive, and gets dismissed sometimes as “Dad rock” but I really appreciate the songwriting and musicianship of all these records. The Royal Scam includes “Kid Charlemagne” and “Haitian Divorce.” My copy —via Mystery Train Records…
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Mary Gauthier, Mercy Now, 2005 on Lost Highway
I’ve been a fan of Mary Gauthier since my wife heard her play in Provincetown in the winter of 1999 – she’s just a fantastic songwriter and compelling performer. This was her fourth full-length, with the title track as well as “I Drink” (later covered by others including Blake Shelton). My copy—via Mystery Train Records…
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Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins On Impulse!, 1965 on Impulse
Classic album, featuring Rollins with Walter Booker (bass), Mickey Roker (drums), and Ray Bryant (piano). Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in the summer of 1965. Sadly Rollins passed this May (2026) in Woodstock NY. My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is the 2021 Acoustic Sounds Series reissue, supervised by Chad Kassem, cut by Ryan…
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The Blues Project, Archetypes, 1974 on MGM
Reissue of 1969’s The Best of the Blues Project, which was on Verve Forecast. There is a whole series of releases titled Archetypes from the mid-seventies on MGM – not sure if they are all reissues or not. Other artists in the MGM Archetype Series are: Charlie Parker, Tim Hardin, Billy Holiday, Blues Project, Velvet…
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Mose Allison, Mose Allison Sings, 1963 on Prestige
Compilation of tracks from Allison’s first albums which had been released on Prestige between 1957 and 1959. Though he was first known as a pianist, he gradually sang more and more. This was the first compilation in which he sang on every track. All were recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, and Ira Gitler wrote the…
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Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, Wanted! The Outlaws, 1976 on RCA Victor
The album that solidified the rise of outlaw country, and was the first country album to be certified platinum. Great collection of mostly previously released songs with a few new titles, including: two songs each from Waylon, Jessi, Willie, and Tompall plus two Waylon & Willie songs and one Waylon & Jessi song. Tompall Glaser…
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Bill Evans and Jim Hall, Intermodulation, 1966 on Verve
This was a follow-up to 1962’s Undercurrent, which also featured Hall and Evans. Produced by Creed Taylor and recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in two sessions in April and May 1966. It’s just Evans on piano and Hall on guitar, starting with two standards (“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “My Man’s Gone Now”)…
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Washboard Sam, with Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Slim, Feeling Lowdown, 1971 on RCA Victor
Released as part of the RCA Victor Vintage Series, “created to bring you selected reissued performances, unavailable for some years, by great personalities of the popular, jazz and folk music worlds.” Washboard Sam, aka Robert Brown, recorded for Victor and Bluebird between 1935 and 1949 – these recordings all come from sessions in 1941 and…
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Stephane Grappelli, with The Hot Club of London, I Got Rhythm, 1974 on Black Lion
Recorded at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London November 1973, and featuring Diz Disley, Denny Wright, and Len Skeat along with Grappelli. Liner notes by Alan Morgan. My copy via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA, which has a pretty impressive Jazz selection
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Stephane Grappelli, Just One of Those Things: Recorded Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1973 on Black Lion Records
Recorded July 4th, 1973, this is Grappelli with Jack Sewing, Daniel Humair, and Marc Hemmeier. My copy via Mystery Train records in Gloucester MA. Black Lion was a label Alan Bates created in 1968 – in 1973 they started to have distribution through Audiofidelity (the AFE logo on the rear cover here). Lots of great…
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Brinsley Schwarz, Silver Pistol, 1971 on United Artists
Brinsley Schwarz is one of those acts that challenges discogs users, because there is both an individual named Brinsley Schwarz, bottom right photo on the rear jacket, and a band that released albums under that name. So does it get filed under Schwarz, Brinsley (as I would for the individual artist) or Brinsley Schwarz as…
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John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Bare Wires, 1968 on Decca
French pressing from 1968. This was the fourth Bluesbreaker’s LP, and the last of the peak 60s era (the name was used again for other releases in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s) with a lineup including Mick Taylor, Mayall, Tony Reeves, and Jon Hiseman – a bit more jazz influenced than some of the earlier…
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Bob Dylan, Desire, 1976 on Columbia.
Bob Dylan, Desire, 1976 on Columbia. Love this LP. Hurricane and One More Cup of Coffee are faves. Scarlet Rivera on violin, Dom Cortese on Mandolin, Vincent Bell on Bellzouku, EmmyLou Harris on backing vocals. Via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA
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Lou Rawls and Les McCann Ltd., Stormy Monday, 1962 on Capitol.
Lou Rawls and Les McCann Ltd., Stormy Monday, 1962 on Capitol. Maybe ought to be “Lou Rawls Sings and Les McCann Ltd Plays Stormy Monday, with Leroy Vinnegar and Ron Jefferson.” Gem of a find – via Mystery Train in Gloucester. Soul / Jazz / R&B.