Tag: Salem MA
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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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Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Vol 1., 2017 on Mercury Nashville
Stapleton was a fairly successful Nashville based songwriter for more than a decade before his 2015 debut LP Traveller, as well as fronting a bluegrass band (The Steeldrivers) and a southern rock band (The Jompson Brothers). Ironically his big hit – “Tennessee Whiskey” is a cover of a David Allen Coe song (written by Dean…
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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 Connection, 7 Nights to Rock, 2013 on King Yum Records
This may actually be called Connection Collection Vol 1 – there’s no real title on the cover or the labels but that’s what it is currently called on Bandcamp (which also says it came out in 2012). But the “one sheet” for the release I found on Facebook (see below) calls it “7 Nights to…
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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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David Bowie, Hunky Dory, 1971 on RCA Victor
Bowie’s fourth full-length studio LP and one of my all-time favorites. This followed The Man Who Sold the World but all these early Bowie albums are so great they sound to me like they have just always existed. It can be hard to find decent early pressings of these but there have been many great…
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Wet Leg, Moisturizer, 2025 on Domino
Eagerly awaited follow-up to the 2022 self-titled debut album from Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, here joined by Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobarki. Produced by Dan Carey aka Mr. Dan. Great energy, catchy songs, and funny lyrics – no sophomore slump here. Love it from the drop. My copy—via the Record Exchange in…
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The Cure, Wake Me In the Dark, 2023 on Mind Control
Another live vinyl bootleg from The Cure (said to be an FM radio broadcast), this one from November 1st, 1987 at Forest National in Brussels Belgium. Many tracks from the then-new Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me album. This has also been bootlegged as Belgian Kisses on Casino Records. You can find audio from the…
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Various Artists, The Vinyl Series Volume One, 2021 on Island
Great collection of Reggae / Ska / Rocksteady singles from the early days of Island Records, said to be hand-picked by label founder Chris Blackwell. There’s already been a Volume Two and Volume Three (going into the 70s) – not sure if there will be more or not. Somewhat idiosyncratically includes The Spencer Davis Group…