Tag: Salem MA
-
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…
-
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…
-
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”…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.
-
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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
The Cure, Hang On a Second, 2023 on Mind Control
Another bootleg claiming to be from an FM broadcast, this one features The Cure at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle Washington, from October 21, 1984. (It’s actually from October 23rd, 1984 as the night of the 21st was cancelled). As is common with these, it has been widely released and said to be an FM…
-
The Cure, I Hear No Sound: Live at De Melkweg, Amsterdam Dec 12, 1979, 2024 on Dear Boss.
Live bootleg from late 1979, right before recording Seventeen Seconds. De Melkweg – you can find some of the same show on the Internet Archive: The Cure Live – 1979-12-12 Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Melkweg is a music venue in Amsterdam on the site of a former dairy (Melkweg means “Milky Way” in Dutch). Not sure…
-
The Cars, Panorama, 1980 on Elektra
This was the third studio LP from Boston band The Cars, situated between Candy-O and Shake It Up. Includes “Touch and Go.” An underappreciated album in The Cars’ discography: seen by critics as a let down and not as commercial successful as the one before or after. I like it though – more experimental, more…
-
Leo Kottke, 6-and 12-String Guitar, 1969 on Takoma
Kottke’s second album, following 12-String Blues, and what would become reportedly the best-selling LP on John Fahey’s Takoma Records. Writing his own liner notes, Kottke writes “All that is left to be said is that Kottke’s voice does not appear on this album. His guitar does.” My copy—via Salem Flea Marketplace—has the gold and tan…
-
U2, The Joshua Tree Singles: Remastered & Live, 2017 on Island Records
Another fan club release, for subscribers to U2.com, this was pressed in 2017, and features four of the singles from The Joshua Tree, each with one remastered studio trac and one live track recorded on tour in 2017: It’s four 10″ records (45rpm) with an obi wrap to hold them together. The photos are by…