Tag: vinylfinds
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Icicle Works, Icicle Works, 1984 on Arista / Beggars Banquet
In the UK (and elsewhere) this was credited to The Icicle Works and was on Beggars Banquet, but in the US it was titled just Icicle Works (no “the”) and was on Arista. Either way this was their self-titled debut album and included their biggest hit, which—like the album—was titled differently in the US. Most…
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Chet Baker, Chet Baker Sings & Plays, 1967 on Joker
Recorded in 1959 in Milan, this was first issued in Italy as Angel Eyes on Celson, and in the US as Chet Baker With Fifty Italian Strings on Jazzland, both in 1960. It was the reissued as Chet Baker Sings and Plays by Joker Hi-Fi Records (Italy) in 1967. It’s also been called Chet Baker…
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A Tribe Called Quest, The Love Movement, 1998 on Jive
Fifth studio album from Tribe, and the last released before Phife Dawg died in 2016 from complications related to diabetes. Tribe announced they were disbanding a month before the album was released. Guests include Busta Rhymes, Redman, Mos Def, Leaders of the New School and Kid Hood. Production by The Ummah (which included Q-Tip and…
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Fleshtones, Roman Gods, 1981 on IRS Records
Debut album from Queens New York’s own The Fleshtones (credited as just Fleshtones here). This included the song – “Shadow-line (to J. Conrad)” – that was included in Urgh, a Music War!. Artwork by Carl Grasso. Produced by Richard Mazda and recorded (mostly) in New York at Skyline Studios. I.R.S. was one of my favorite…
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David Bromberg, My Own House, 1978 on Fantasy
Bromberg’s 9th album as a solo artist, from 1978 – his first on Fantasy after three great Columbia records in the seventies. Bromberg is one of my favorite musicians I feel doesn’t get enough attention. Fewer guest stars here than some of his other albums, but still excellent music from Bromberg, including a number of…
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Sonny Clark Trio, Sonny Clark Trio, 1958 on Blue Note
Sonny Clark with Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums – recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in 1957 in Hackensack. Liner notes by Leonard Feather, cover designed by Reid Miles. Love these renditions of “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” and “Two Bass Hit” – and the “I’ll Remember April” with…
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The Rave-Ups, Chance, 1990 on Epic
The Rave-Ups are likely best known as the band in Pretty in Pink. (Molly Ringwald’s sister Beth was in a relationship with Jimmer Podrasky, and Ringwald brought John Hughes to see the band). This was their third and last studio album of the first go ’round (they put out a new album in 2022 on…
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Squeeze, East Side Story, 1981 on A&M
Squeeze’s fourth studio LP, between 1980’s Argybargy and 1982’s Sweets from a Stranger. This was the first album after Jools Holland departed, replaced by Paul Carrack, who provided lead vocals on “Tempted.” Produced by Elvis Costello and Roger Bechirian, except for “In Quintessence” which was produced by Dave Edmunds. My copy, via Academy Records in…
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Supertramp, Breakfast in America, 1979 on A&M.
Though I imagine it’s the one Supertramp album most folks could name, this was their sixth LP. It’s got “The Logical Song” “Goodbye Stranger” and “Take the Long Way Home” – all Billboard Top 100 singles. Love the iconic cover with the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Kate Murtagh in statue-of-liberty-as-waitress pose.…
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The Jeff Beck Group, Beck-Ola, 1969 on Epic
Beck’s second studio LP, following Truth, and credited to the Jeff Beck Group. The cover is René Magritte’s “The Listening Room.” Ron Wood on bass, Rod Stewart on vocals, Nicky Hopkins piano and Tony Newman on drums. My copy – a 1969 Epic pressing – via a private sale. Amazing record in great shape despite…
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Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On Live, 2019 on Tamla / Motown / UMe
Recorded in 1972 but not released until 2019. More of an album for completists, this is the first time Gaye had performed in a number of years (since the death of Tammi Terrell). It’s a bit uneven – sort of like a live rehearsal bootleg – but worth picking up if you’re a big fan…
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Cat Power, Jukebox, 2008 on Matador
Eighth studio album from Cat Power, mostly covers with two originals mixed in. Pretty eclectic selection of tunes to cover, from Kander & Ebb’s “New York” through Hank Williams and The Highwaymen, to Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell – plus Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain.” Chan Marshall is joined by Erik Paparazzi, Jim White, Judah…
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Tori Amos, Unde the Pink, 1994 on Atlantic
Amos’ sophomore album every bit as compelling and memorable as her debut Little Earthquakes. Very much also on repeat throughout the Eckman household in the 1990s – I can still sing every word of many of these songs: Pretty Good Year, God, Past the Mission, The Waitress, Cornflake Girl. Whenever I find myself in an…
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Fleshtones, Up Front, 1980 on I.R.S. Records
First EP Fleshtones issued, before the release of Roman Gods. Fleshtones were Bill Milhizer, Jan Marek Pakulski, Keith Streng, and Peter Zaremba. Miles Copeland signed them to IRS Records, and got them on Urgh! A Music War. Zaremba may be better known to some as the host of I.R.S. Records Presents the Cutting Edge on…
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Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter, 1969 on Columbia
Johnny Winter’s self-titled official debut album (The Progressive Blues Experiment came out the year before as a kind of unauthorized debut on Sonobeat, then sold to Imperial). Mix of blues standard covers (“Good Morning Little School Girl,” “I’ll Drown in My Own Tears,” and “Mean Mistreater”) along with Johnny Winter originals. Winter produced, and is…
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Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes, 1992 on Atlantic
Tori Amos’ debut album from 1992. I had this CD (and Under the Pink) on constant repeat through graduate school – happy to finally get a copy on vinyl. What an amazing album – still gives me chills 30+ years later. “Me and a Gun” of course, but also “Silent All These Years,” “China,” “Precious…
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Beat Surrender, Foundation, 1985 on Shake Records
Beat Surrender (this one at least – there are many things by that name including the Jam’s last single) was a Boston band made up of Paul Souza, Jackson White, David Matthews, and Ted Lyon. Check out that 1985 look on the back cover! Paul Souza went on to be in The Velveteen Playboys and…
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The Oscar Peterson Trio, Con Alma: Live in Lugano, 1964 on Mack Avenue / Two Lions
First released in 2023, this set was recorded at Teatro Apollo in Lugano Switzerland by RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera (the Swiss Broadcasting subsidary covering Italian speaking Switzerland) on May 26, 1964. Mack Avenue Records is a Detroit label founded by Gretchen Valade who gets executive producer credit here. Two Lions is a label Peterson’s widow Kelly…