Tag: vinylfinds
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The Wailers, Burnin’, 1973 on Island
Sixth LP from Marley and the Wailers, recorded at the same time as Catch a Fire. The front cover credits The Wailers, but this modern reissue credits Bob Marley & The Wailers on the labels. This was the last album before Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer all pursued solo careers. What a fantastic album,…
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Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five, Piano, 1989 on New Day Records
After the split between Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel, Mel took the “Grandmaster” role and continued with the Furious Five splitting. On this record the Furious Five include Cowboy, Scorpio, Rahiem, and Kidd Creole (credited as Kid Creole), but no Flash. The Furious Five with Flash did reunite in 1988 for On the Strength, on…
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Natalie Merchant, Keep Your Courage, 2023 on Nonesuch
Merchant’s first collection of new work since 2014’s self-titled album – in between she did some releases of new versions of existing songs. I love everything Natalie Merchant touches – she’s a great singer, songwriter, performer, and all around human. A model for the independent artist who keeps her ability to do what she wants…
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Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Midnight Special, 1977 on Fantasy
This 2xLP release is a reissue of two earlier albums: 1960’s Blues & Folk (sides 1 and 2) and 1961’s Blues All Around My Head (sides 3 and 4). Fantasy often put out these reissues as double LPs, as the earlier blues artists were being rediscovered again – good way to get the earlier material.…
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Dave Van Ronk and The Hudson, Dave Van Ronk and The Hudson Dusters, 1967 on Verve Forecast
The Hudson Dusters were Dave Woods, Ed Gregory, and Rick Henderson – Phillip Namanworth also appears here as “Pot” on the rear cover. They took their name from an early 20th century NY gang. Picked this up on a lark because I enjoy Dave Van Ronk – no idea how rare or common it is.…
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Amanda Shires, Take It Like a Man, 2022 on ATO Records
Eighth solo LP from Amanda Shires, recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville. I’m cautious not to read any songwriter too literally or autobiographically, but it is hard not to (now) read this as foreshadowing her divorce from Jason Isbell, making it part of a group of records about the dissolution of their marriage. Guests…
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Bob Marley and The Wailers, Live!, 1975 on Island / Tuff Gong
Recorded at the Lyceum Theatre in London, July 1975, and released by Island Records. Fantastic live album. The only thing wrong with this album is that isn’t a 2xLP or longer. My copy—not sure where I picked this up—is a post 2015 reissue by UMe on Tuff Gong labels, including a fold-out poster.
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Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Barn, 2021 on Reprise
Young’s first post-covid album, recorded in an old (1870s?) barn in Colorado with Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, and Ralph Molina. I like the way it is credited and titled – just three nouns: Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Barn. I love Neil Young and really enjoyed new music from him with Crazy Horse, even if this…
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Indigo Girls, Look Long, 2020 on Rounder Records
15th album from Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, with guests including Lucy Wainwright Roche, Lucy Jules, and producer John Reynolds. Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath and Reynolds’ own New Aer Studios in Kilburn. Loved seeing the Lilith Fair documentary Building a Mystery and the role Indigo Girls seemed to play in…
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Blood & Chocolate, 1986 on Columbia
Costello’s 11th studio LP and 9th with The Attractions, as a follow up to King of America, and produced by Nick Lowe. Didn’t do so well commercially at the time, but now called one of his best. Costello is credited on the rear sleeve as “Napoleon Dynamite” – which is also the name of the…
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Billy Strings, Me and Dad, 2022 on Rounder
Love this album which features Billy Strings and his dad, Terry Barber. It includes a print of artwork Billy did as a child “When I grow up, I want to be a bluegrass player.” Mission accomplished, I’d say. There’s also a great long concert on YouTube live from Traverse City Michigan: My copy, direct from…
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Imperial Bedroom, 1982 on Columbia
Seventh studio LP from Costello and the sixth with The Attractions, out of F-Beat in the UK and Columbia in the US. A must have for collectors of Costello or indeed the whole new wave / alternative era of the late seventies to mid eighties. My copy – direct from the artist at a show…
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Black Pumas, Chronicles of a Diamond, 2023 on ATO
Sophomore album from Black Pumas – following up the giant success of their self-titled debut in 2019 with “Colors” which was a bit inescapable (and brilliant). Doesn’t get as much attention as the debut – the dreaded sophomore slump – but I think it is every bit as good an album. My copy, via Barnes…
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Sturgill Simpson, The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, 2021 on High Top Mountain Records
The seventh studio album from Sturgill Simpson with guest Willie Nelson on “Juanita.” A concept album set in Kentucky during the Civil War, this may be the last album under his own name. I just love Simpson’s approach to music and composition as well as the whole band here, which includes: Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan,…
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The Cars, The Cars (Self-Titled), 1978 on Elektra
Debut album from Boston’s own The Cars, out in 1978 on Elektra, and produced by Thomas Baker. Killer debut, with “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll,” and “Moving In Stereo.” Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, David Robinson, and Greg Hawkes in the original lineup. My copy, via a private…
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U2, Live “Under a Blood Red Sky, ” 1983 on Island
I always thought of this as recorded at Red Rocks in Colorado, but with additional tracks from the Orpheum in Boston (“11 O’Clock Tick Tock”) and Rockpalast in Germany (all of Side B, “I Will Follow”). There was a live video – Live at Red Rocks: Under A Blood Red Sky, which was the full…
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Sir Douglas Quintet, Texas Tornado Live, 2023 on Liberation Hall
Recorded Sept 1971 at the Troubadour in LA, but released in 2023 as part of Record Store Day. The Sir Douglas Quintet, led by Doug Sahm, out of San Antonio TX via San Francisco CA. Great collection including probably their best known song “She’s About a Mover” and “Dynamite Woman.” My copy via a private…
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The Pretenders, Get Close, 1986 on Sire
Fourth Pretenders LP, with “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “My Baby,” both of which were hits in the US. This is after the deaths of Pete Farndon and James Honeyman-Scott, and would be the last LP with Martin Chambers for nearly a decade. Lots of session players here across multiple sessions, but overall a great…