Tag: Residency Records
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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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The Decemberists, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, 2015 on Capitol
Seventh studio album from Portland Oregon’s The Decemberists. The album was a bit of a return to the band following a hiatus of a couple of years after The King is Dead. So many great songs here, many of which get stuck in your head for weeks. My favorite is maybe a toss-up between “Carolina…
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U2, How to Re-assemble an Atomic Bomb, 2024 on Island
Let’s see if the title gets flagged by the bots. This was the “shadow album” released alongside the 20th anniversary edition of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb and features songs from the sessions for that album. Basically any U2 vinyl I don’t already have (or don’t need an upgrade copy) is on my wantlist,…
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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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Bill Callahan, Resuscitate!, 2024 on Drag City
This was the follow-up to 2022’s Reality – a live double album recorded at Thalia Hall in Chicago, on March 6, 2023. Callahan is joined by Matt Kinsey, Jim White, and Dustin Laurenzi – great band captured midway through this tour. I’ve yet to have the chance to see Callahan live, but this feels like…
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Bill Callahan, Reality, 2022 on Drag City
Some people write this as Ytilaer, based on how it appears mirrored on the cover and labels. Drag City’s website lists it as YTI⅃AƎЯ, and on discogs they call it Reality, which is what I think of it as. Whatever you call it, it’s the eight solo album Callahan’s put out on Drag City. Recorded…
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James Taylor, Walking Man, 1974 on Warner Bros.
I became a James Taylor fan in the 80s via a CD of Greatest Hits but as I’m rebuilding my vinyl collection have been picking up his early 70s albums. Walking Man was his fifth, out in 1974 on Warner Bros. (after his debut had been on Apple Records). It was less successful commercially than…
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Bill Callahan, Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest, 2019 on Drag City
Bill Callahan’s sixth studio album under his own name (he previously led a project under the name Smog), recorded at Wonder Chamber in Austin Texas, which is Brian Beattie‘s home studio. Beattie plays on the record along with Matt Kinsey, Adam Jones, Gary Newcomb, and Callahan. Callahan is a consistent and prolific artist – maybe…
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Regina Spektor; Home, Before and After; 2022 on Sire
I was a bit obsessed with Soviet Kitsch, Spektor’s major label debut, when it came out in 2004 via Sire (she’d previously self-released it), as well as Begin to Hope which included the song “Samson”. This is Spektor’s eighth full-length album and her sixth for Sire. It was produced by John Congleton (along with Spektor…
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Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Sonny & Brownie, 1973 on A&M
Not to be confused with the earlier Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee album on Fantasy records, Sonny & Brownie was recorded in the early 70s at Paramount in LA and released in 1973 by A&M. Great 2xLP collection, including covers of Randy Newman’s “Sail Away” and Michael Franks’ “You Bring Out the Boogie in Me”…
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The National, The National, 2001 on Brassland.
This was the debut album from Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Bryan Devendorf, Scott Devendorf, with Bryce Dessner listed under additional performers under “with” rather than as part of the band. Maybe the harshest reviewed records in The National’s catalog. I’d agree it is not their strongest but it it where it all started. Who knew…
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Eli “Paperboy” Reed, 99 Cent Dreams, 2019 on Yep Roc Records
Boston’s own (Brookline via Somerville) Eli “Paperboy” Reed’s sixth full length and his second on Yep Roc, 99 Cent Dreams was recorded in Memphis at Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis with Matt Ross-Spang producing and engineering. My copy—via Residency Records in Salem MA—is an RTI pressing and sounds great.
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Neil Young, The Times, 2020 on Reprise
Live recordings from Fireside Sessions at home, released in 2020 on CD and 2021 on vinyl. Includes “Alabama,” “Ohio,” and “Southern Man” as well as a cover of “The Times They Are A-Changing’.” All just Neil himself with acoustic guitar. My copy—via Residency Records in Salem MA—is the US edition pressed at GZ Media.
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Steve Earle, Townes, 2009 on New West Records
Steve Earle tribute to Townes Van Zandt, with guests including Tom Morello (on “Lungs”), Allison Moorer (married to Earle at the time), and son Justin Townes Earle (who’s middle name of course was inspired by Van Zanndt). A companion record, Townes (The Basics), was released for Record Store Day in 2021. Earle’s done a number…
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Various Artists, Red Hot + Fela, 2013 on Knitting Factory
Another entry in the set of benefit compilations from the Red Hot Organization (who also put out Red Hot + Blue, Red Hot + Latin, and others) this Fela Kuti covers album was released in 2013, raising money (and awareness) for HIV/AIDS education and relief worldwide. Lots of interesting takes here: tUnE-yArDs, Questlove, and Angelique…
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Pretenders, Extended Play, 1981 on Sire.
Pretenders, Extended Play, 1981 on Sire. Label’s a bit off center on this one (see photos). Extended Play came out six months before Pretenders II, but had Message of Love and Talk of the Town plus a live version of Precious from their debut album via Residency Records, Salem MA
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The Blasters, The Blasters, 1981 on Slash.
The Blasters, The Blasters, 1981 on Slash. Their second album but first on Slash records- Border Radio, American Music, Marie Marie. via Residency Records, Salem MA
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R.E.M., Life’s Rich Pageant, 1986 on I.R.S.
R.E.M., Life’s Rich Pageant, 1986 on I.R.S. Key soundtrack to my high school years – fourth full length from Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Bill Berry, and Mike Mills. Fall on Me, Cuyahoga, Swan Swan H, even the closer which is a cover of a 1969 Clique single – not a bad note on this LP…