Tag: vinylcollection
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UB40, Labour of Love, 1983 on A&M
Fourth studio LP from UB40 – a collection of covers including their giant hit “Red Red Wine” – but don’t hold that against them. It’s really a fantastic album start to finish. “All of these songs were recorded by reggae artists between 1969 and 1972” – they came to “Red, Red, Wine” not via Neil…
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The Pursuit of Happiness, Love Junk, 1988 on Chrysalis
Debut full length from Canada’s The Pursuit of Happiness, with their big hit “I’m an Adult Now.” Produced by Todd Rundgren and recorded at Utopia in the Hudson Valley. I love their lyrics in particular – “Consciousness Raising as a Social Tool” and “I’m an Adult Now” resonated even when I was 18 but resonate…
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Willie Nelson & Leon Russell, One for the Road, 1979 on Columbia
The first in a series of duet albums from Willie Nelson, released in 1979. Nelson went on to release duet albums with Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Webb Pierce, and Roger Miller all in the early 80s. (There were also many more later of course). Double LP from two of my musical heroes – joined by…
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Japan, Japan, 1982 on Epic
Compilation album released (in the US) on Epic in 1982, bringing together most of Tin Drum plus some from Gentlemen Take Polaroids. (Neither of those was formally released in the US until 1994). I’ve got a UK Tin Drum but still looking for a good vinyl copy of Gentlemen. One the best underrated bands of…
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Zuma, 1975 on Reprise
Seventh studio album from Neil Young, and the first credited with Crazy Horse after Danny Whitten died in 1972. The individual song credits have two songs not attributed to Crazy Horse: “Pardon My Heart” (credited just to Neil Young) and “Through My Sails” (credited “with Crosby, Stills & Nash”). “Cortez the Killer” is a 7…
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Michelle Shocked, Captain Swing, 1989 on Mercury
This was Shocked’s third LP and the follow up to the massively successful Short Sharp Shocked which came out in 1988. It’s (deliberately) all over the place in genre but wonderful. The “hidden” track is also present on the vinyl – “Russian Roulette” is not listed on the labels but plays after “Must Be Luff.”…
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Tom Waits, The Heart of Saturday Night, 1974 on Asylum
Second studio album from Tom Waits, following Closing Time, and the first produced by Bones Howe. An absolute must have. Much of Waits’ catalog is now being reissued but I love a chance to find early pressings of these in good shape. It’s amazing to me how timeless he is – this could come out…
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Public Enemy, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, 1987 on Def Jam
Debut studio album from Public Enemy, recorded at Spectrum City Studios and produced by Bill Stephney (of The Bomb Squad, with co-producers Carl Ryder and Hank Shocklee) with Rick Rubin credited as Executive Producer. Still looking for a good vinyl copy of It Takes a Nation of Millions. Def Jam was distributed by CBS/Columbia (thus…
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John Prine, Diamonds in the Rough, 1972 on Atlantic
This was Prine’s sophomore album, following the self-titled John Prine. Prine is joined by Steve Goodman, David Bromberg, Steve Burgh, and Dave Prine. I just love Prine’s songwriting: “Souvenirs,” “Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You” and “Late John Garfield Blues” on this LP. He also does “Diamonds in the Rough” by…
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David Byrne, Rei Momo, 1989 on Luaka Bop / Sire / WB
David Byrne’s first “solo” album which “transforms and pays tribute to the music of Latin America.” (Solo in the sense of not with Talking heads, but with a ton of talented musicians). The vinyl releases omit three songs that were on the CD – would be a great candidate for a deluxe vinyl reissue 2xLP…
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Joni Mitchell, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, 1975 on Asylum
Mitchell’s seventh studio LP and third on Asylum – continuing to draw on more jazz-rock influences and more synthesizers (Moog, ARP). Some find it a step down from 1974’s Court and Spark but I really love this record and this presing. My copy is the 2024 Vinyl Me, Please reissue by Rhino in the Vinyl…
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T. Rex, T. Rex, 1970 on Reprise
Debut album as “T. Rex” for Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn, having previously released as Tyrannosaurus Rex, out on Reprise in 1970. Tony Visconti produced and reportedly added bass and recorder to some tracks. The electric guitar Bolan holds on the gatefold cover signals the shift into a more rock sound from the folkier early…
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Isaac Hayes, Black Moses, 1971 on Enterprise
This double LP was Hayes’ fifth studio album and was the follow-up to Shaft. Wonderful covers of “Never Can Say Goodbye” as well as “Close To You” and “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.” Reportedly the label exec Dino Woodward called Hayes “Black Moses.” The Bar-Kays are here on a few tracks, otherwise the band…
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Dire Straits, Communiqué, 1979 on Warner Bros
Sophomore album by Dire Straits, released in 1979 by Warner Bros. (in the US). This was the last album before David Knopfler left, and went to number 11 on the US charts. I just love Mark Knopfler’s guitar playing and compositions – these albums are all fantastic. Look how young they all are! My copy—via…
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The League Unlimited Orchestra, Love and Dancing, 1982 on A&M
Remix album by The Human League, released in 1982 on Virgin in the UK, Europe and Canada and on A&M in the US. (Name inspired by Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra). I love the version of “Hard Times” here – mostly instrumental versions, remixed by Martin Rushent. This is another filing oddity – I put…
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John Cougar, John Cougar, 1979 on Riva
Third album album from the guy we now know as John Mellencamp, after two (Chestnut Street Incident and A Biography) as “Johnny Cougar.” It was his second on Riva Records but the first Riva put out in the US. Includes “I Need A Lover” which had been a hit in Australia and was covered by…
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Boogie Down Productions, By All Means Necessary, 1988 on Jive
Second album from KRS-One under the Boogie Down Productions moniker, after the 1987 killing of Scott La Rock. Arguably the birth of socially conscious hip-hop, undeniably a key album in it. So, you’re a philosopher? Yes, I think very deeply In about four seconds, a teacher will begin to speak Let us begin, what, where,…
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Oscar Peterson featuring Stephane Grappelli, Peterson/Grappelli, 1974 on Prestige
2xLP from Prestige bringing together Canadian jazz pianist Peterson with French jazz violinist Grappelli. The two also appeared together on a live Pablo album (Skol) in 1982 (recorded in 1979). This double LP was recorded in Paris February 22nd and 23rd, 1973. Peterson and Grappelli are joined by Niels Henning Oersted Pederson on bass and…