9/29/25

Renaissance- Ashes Are Burning (1973)- ****

Geese- Getting Killed (2025)- ***1/2
(Wild and wacky, with moments of musical brilliance and stretches of nerve-shredding nonsense. Never boring. This will definitely get a second spin. Maybe.)

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band- Legendary A&M Sessions (1984)- ****

Amanda Shires- Nobody's Girl (2025, about half)- **1/2
(Meh.)

Beat- Live (2025, select songs)- ***
The Zombies- Odessey & Oracle: 2025 MONO RM (1968/2025)- ****
The Left Banke- Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina (1967, Stereo)-****
The Black Crowes- Three Snakes & One Charm (1996, Sides A, B & D)- ****

Material Issue- International Pop Overthrow (1991)- ***1/2
(Good record. Been a long time since I heard it. I do think its rep grew to mythical proportions far greater than the actual music on the record. Still, a fun listen. I like the track below a lot.)

 

9/28/25

Terry Riley- Shri Camel (1980)- ***1/2
The Band- S/T (1969)- ****

St. Vincent w/The Jules Buckley Orchestra- BBC Proms, 9/3/25 (about half)- ***
(Stripped down to an orchestra, much of St. Vincent's catalogue loses its bite. Was looking forward to this, but ultimately prefer the records.)

Suede- Antidepressants (2025)- ****
v/a-Truckers, Kickers, Cowboy Angels: The Blissed-Out Birth Of Country Rock, Vol.1, 1966-1968 (2014)- ****

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen - S/T (2022)- ****
Dr. John- Locked Down (2012)- ****
(Great double feature!)

David Bowie- "Heroes" (1977)- ****

Jack White- No Name (2024)- ****
(After laying off this record for a while, it came back stronger than ever. One of the most exciting rock records in ages!)

The Beatles- Magical Mystery Tour (MONO, 1967/2025)-****
The Beatles- Beatles For Sale (MONO, 1964/2025)- ****
The Rolling Stones- Steel Wheels (1989)- ****

9/27/25

Mulatu Astatke- Mulatu Plays Mulatu (2025)- ****
(Beautiful and exciting! A must listen.)

Toquinho- S/T (1970)- ***

Sloan- Based On The Best Seller (2025)- ***1/2
(Digging it...but I still like "Steady" more.)

The Candy Butchers- S/T (1996)- ***1/2
The Pursuit Of Happiness- Love Junk (1988)- ****

Utopia- Swing To The Right (1981/82)- ****
(This is a big record for me for a bunch of reasons. The official release date is February 1982, but I had it in summer of 1981. You can read about that, if you have any interest at all, in my Utopia Buyer's Guide. I've got so many memories attached to this record, including dragging myself with a 102 degree fever to The Palladium in April of 1981 to see Utopia. I couldn't keep my head up, but I did hear it all. The band was playing most of this album almost a year before it finally came out. Okay, I'm done. Love this record.)

Thin Lizzy- Black Rose (1979)- ****
Dillard & Clark- The Fantastic Expedition Of...(1968)- ****
Hortense Ellis- The Queen Of Rockers (1982)- ***
David Bowie- Station To Station (1976)- ****

Jeff Tweedy- Twilight Override: Disc One (2025)- ***1/2
(Some nice stuff here. Looking forward to the rest.)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Armed Forces (1979)- ****
Carlene Carter- Blue Nun (1981)- ****

XTC- Mummer (1983)- ****
(I love this record, but I'd love it even more if "Toys" were on it and "Human Alchemy" wasn't.)








 

9/26/25

Terry Riley- In C (1968)- **
v/a- Lake Charles Or Bust: A BW Weekend Mix (2025)- ****

The Kinks- Are The Village Green Preservation Society: Kevin Gray MONO Master (1968/2018)- ****
(I think the stereo beats the mono by a hair.)

The Everly Brothers- Roots (1968)- ****
(Essential EB! This sounded fantastic today. Might go back for more Everlys later.)

The Beach Boys- Surf's Up (1971)- ****

The Zombies- Odessey & Oracle: 2025 MONO RM (1968/2025)- ****
(No definitive word yet on whether this is all analog or digital. I'm going with digital since it's been said for years that the original MONO tapes were gone. Sounds great, nonetheless.)

Neko Case- Neon Grey Midnight Green (2025)- ***1/2
(Good record from Neko. I'm a fairweather fan, but I enjoyed a lot this. Beautiful opening track.)

Mike Viola- Lurch (2007)- ****
(Just about every song on this record is a perfectly crafted pop gem. It's so good, I'm posting a two-fer. Looking forward to seeing him next month. )

 

 

 

Pete Townshend- Psychoderelict: Music Only (1993)- **1/2
The Everly Brothers- It's Everly Time! (1960)- ****
Bad Brains- Omega Sessions (1980/1997)- ****

Bad Brains- I Against I (1986)- ****
(As far as hardcore/punk/reggae records go, this is the king of them all.)

 

Cheap Trick- In Color (1977)- **** 

9/25/25

Cate Le Bon- Michelangelo Dying (2025)- **1/2
Terry Riley A Rainbow In Curved Air (1969)- ***1/2

Robert Plant w/Suzi Dian- Saving Grace (2025)- ***
(I really enjoyed the two Alison Krauss records. But the somber, "tripping in a desert arrangements" are getting old. This is not to say I want three 80 year old men to make a bad Led Zep reunion record. I am just kinda done with the sound of Plant's solo stuff, especially if it continues with this same vibe.)

Toots & the Maytals- True Love (2004)- ****
Dave Douglas- Alloy (2025)- ***
Guerilla Toss- You're Weird Now (2025)- **1/2

Sloan- Based On The Best Seller (2025)-***1/2
(First pass didn't quite knock me out the way "Steady" did, though the opening nod to fellow Canadians The Guess Who was a great start. Good record that I expect will get better after a few more spins.)

Bad Brains- Build A Nation (2007)- ***
Sex Pistols- Never Mind The Bollocks...(Kevin Gray AAA Master, 1977/2025)-****

9/24/25

Paul McCartney- McCartney (1970)- ****
David Bowie- Blackstar (2016- ***1/2

Suede- Antidepressants (2025)- ****
(Shaping up to be one of my faves of the year.)

Roxy Music- Stranded (1973)- ****
Paul McCartney & Wings- Band On The Run- ****
Genesis- A Trick Of The Tail: Nick Davis Remix (1976/2008)- ****

Brendan Benson- My Old, Familiar Friend (2009)- ****
(Played this to death when it was released and haven't heard it in ages. Better than ever. Arguably his best solo record and possibly better than any of The Raconteurs' records.)

Thin Lizzy- Live & Dangerous: Toronto, 10/28/77 (1978/2023)- ****

9/23/25

v/a- Goldband Records Vol.7: 1960-1962, A Rockin' Bandit Compilation (2025)- ****

Prince Buster- Funky Jamaica (2025)- ***
(Japanese compilation of rare late 60's sides covering ska, rock steady and funk. Some wacky stuff, and not what I was expecting on a Prince Buster comp.)

Neil Young- After The Gold Rush (1970)- ****
Jah Stone- The Messiah (1978)- ***1/2
The Who- Quadrophenia: Personal Edit (1973/2022)- ****
The Beatles- Abbey Road, 2019 Remix (1970/2019)- ****

The Cars- Panorama (1980)- ***1/2
(Hated this after "Candy-O." Really dig a lot of it now.)

Kiss- Rock & Roll Over (1976)-****
David Bowie- Let's Dance (1983)- ***1/2

9/22/25

The Four Freshmen- Complete Capitol Fifties Recordings: Disc 7 (2000)-***1/2
(I knew Brian Wilson pretty much based the Beach Boys sound on the Four Freshmen, but I've never actually listened to their music, assuming it was a bit too lightweight. The harmonies are mind boggling, and some of the musical arrangements are pretty hip, too. This is pretty great stuff, every once in a while.)

The Paragons w/Roslyn Sweat- Riding High (1974)- ****
(One of my favorite reggae records of all time.)

Nine Inch Nails- TRON:Ares-Dr. Wu Edit (2025)-****
(A leaner, stronger listening experience! Great job, Dr. Wu.)

Burning Spear- Man In The Hills (1976)- ***1/2
Icecream Hands- The Good China (2017)- ***1/2

Shaun Cassidy- Wasp (1980)- ****
(Shaun Cassidy produced by Todd Rundgren and backed by Utopia is a flawed but fantastic experience. A few of the covers teeter on the unlistenable, though the cover of The Who's "So Sad About Us" is sublime. The Todd originals written for this project are actually terrific. This is a much better record than its rep.)

Rainbow- Personal Playlist (2025)-***1/2

4th Street Orchestra- Leggo! Ah-Fi-We-Dis (1976)-***1/2
(Fun, melodic dub record. "Ah Who Seh? Go Deh" is a better record, but this is worth the time.)

Frank Sinatra- Strangers In The Night (1966, MONO)- ****
(Title track aside, this record swings. The Nelson Riddle arrangements sound like nothing else on record. The organ is a co-star on this album.)

World Party- Private Revolution (1986)- ****
The Beatles- Hey Jude-****

Elvis Presley- Roustabout (1964)-****
(One of the greatest horrible Elvis records.)

9/21/25

Peter Tosh- Legalize It (1976)- ****
R.E.M.- Out Of Time (1991)- ****
Phil Lynott- Solo In Soho (1980)- ****
Raspberries- Side 3 (1973)- ****
Steely Dan- Katy Lied (1975)- ****
 

9/20/25

Yabby You- One Love, One Heart (1983)- **** 
Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys- Bayou Ruler (1998)- ****
T. Rex- Electric Warrior, Kevin Gray Cut (1971/2017)- ****
Cliff Richard- Cooler Than You Think: A Butterboy Compilation (2020)- ***

Stanton Moore, Brian Haas & Skerik- Live At The Maple Leaf, 9/19/25 (2025)-  ****
(Insane improv set!)

David Bowie- The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust...Half Speed Master (1972/2022)- ****
Little Willie John- Nineteen Sixty Six: The David Axelrod & HB Barnum Sessions (2008)- ***
David Bowie- Reality (2003)- ****

Iggy & The Stooges- Raw Power, 1997 Iggy Mix/Kevin Gray Master (1973/2012)- ****
(I still prefer the VU meter-pinning Bowie mix. It makes my teeth hurt in all the best ways. But it's nice to have both, with Kevin Gray's Midas touch cleaning it up just enough to make you notice.)

v/a-No Thanks! The 70's Punk Rebellion, Personal Playlist (2003/2025)- ****

9/19/25

Cheap Trick- In Another World (2021)- ****

Judy Mowatt- Only A Woman (1982)-***1/2
(All Music inexplicably rates this higher than "Black Woman." This record is sweet, but "Black Woman" is one of the greatest reggae records of all time. )

Hermeto Pascoal E Grupo- S/T (1982)- ****
(Hard to categorize, other than wow! Like if Sun Ra made a Tropicalia record. Not a boring second to be found.)

The Divine Comedy- Rainy Sunday Afternoon (2025)- ****
(Lovely new record.)

Los Straitjackets- Somos Los Straitjackets (2025)-***1/2
Joe Walsh- But Seriously, Folks...(1978)- ****
Judas Priest- Painkiller (1990)- ***
Etta James- Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions (1968/2001)- ***1/2
Todd Rundgren- Initiation, Side One (1975)- ****

Paul Westerberg- RKCNDY, Seattle, WA, July 17, 1993 (1993)- ****
(An amazing set list perfectly captured, it's like you are in the room. Great soundtrack for a Friday night. Grab it while you can HERE.)

 

9/18/25

The Mystery Lights- Purgatory (2024)- **1/2
 
Prince- Dream In Electric Blue: AI Curated Single LP In The Style Of "Parade," 2001-2016- **1/2
(So much for AI.)

The Youngbloods- Elephant Mountain (1969)- ***1/2
Bob Dylan- Street Legal (1978)- ***
XTC- Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)-  ****

Mansion Harlots- All Around A Fairground (2019)- ****
(One amazing record and nothing since. This album is a hook fest!)

Burning Spear- Studio One Presents...(1972)- ***1/2
Nine Inch Nails- TRON:Ares (2025)- ***1/2

Thin Lizzy- Thunder & Lightning (1983)-****
(Lizzy fans love this record. I never did. I like it, but I don't love this band trying to be heavy metal. That said, I think I enjoyed this today more than I ever did. This live version is legendary for a number of reasons. It's Phil breaking down in front of our eyes.)

 

Blue Oyster Cult- Mirrors (1979)- ****
(This record is a pop gem, which is why most BOC fans don't like it. Great melodies, harmonies, arrangements and amazing guitar work by Buck Dharma. Plus, The Cars parody is genius.)

9/17/25

The Specials- S/T (1979)- ****

Dub Colossus- Addis Through The Looking Glass (2011)- ***1/2
(Nice recommendation from Paul In DK. Expected more on the reggae side than on the Ethiopian sounds, but it held my interest throughout.)

John's Children- A Strange Affair: Singles & Rarities (2013)- ***1/2

Andy Ellison- Cornflake Zoo (2006)- ***1/2
(Fun 60's psych. I always enjoy John's Children and Andy Ellison's stuff.)

Sam Cooke- Mr. Soul (1963)- ****
Dub Judah- Twinkle's Riddim (1992)- ***1/2
10cc- Sheet Music (1974)- ****
The Soft Machine- S/T (1968)- ****
Elvis Costello- My Aim Is True (1977/2001, Kevin Gray Master)- ****

The Rolling Stones- Some Girls Bonus Disc (1978/2011)- ***1/2
(There is a great stuff here. Definitely one of the best CD bonus discs. But it's pretty obvious why none of these tracks made the final cut of "Some Girls.")

The Supremes- Supremes A'Go Go Bonus Disc (1966/2017)- ***1/2
(There are 29 bonus tracks on the expanded edition of this record. I made a solid 10 track playlist and really enjoyed it.)

Foreigner- 4: 2025 Remix (1981/2025)- ****

 

9/16/25

John Holt- The Paragon & Friends (1971)-****
(Great fun to start the day.)

Pink Floyd- Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967, U.S. Stereo Mix)- ****
David Bowie- Young Americans (1975)-***1/2

Soundgarden- Superunknown (1994)- ****
(This was massive! Haven't heard it in ages and man, did it sound great. Funny thing, I started reading the new Mojo while it was playing and Vernon Reid is talking about favorite records and what he sings in the shower. He said, "Soundgarden, 'The Day I Tried To Live'" just as it started to play! Spooky.)

Davey Lane- Finally, A Party Album! (2025)- ****
The Kinks-Kinda Kinks (1965, MONO)- ****
The Beatles- The White Album (1968, MONO, Sides One & Two)- ****
The Kinks- Word Of Mouth (1984)-***1/2

9/15/25

Derrick Harriott & The Crystalites- The Undertaker (1970)- ****
Big Star- Third (1978)- ***1/2
The Beatles- Yellow Submarine (1969)- ***1/2
Beaver Brothers- Ventriloquisms (1978)- ****
Cheap Trick- S/T (1977)- ****
Alvin Robinson- 1969 (1969)- ****
Roxy Music- Viva! Roxy Music (1976)-****
Bad Company- S/T (1974)- ***1/2
Cha Wa- Rise Up (2025)- **1/2
Dead Boys- Young, Loud & Snotty (1977)- ****
X- Wild Gift (1981)- ****
Grondhogs- Who Will Save The World? (1972)- ***

 

9/14/25

Alvin Robinson- 1969: Personal Playlist (2025)- ****

Michigan & Smiley- Sugar Daddy (1983) -***
(Dated dancehall rhythms underneath relentless dual toasting, this was fun for a little while.)

Pete Townshend- NYC, 9/10/95- ****
(Fantastic, mostly acoustic set that opens with a sweet "The Kids Are Alright" featuring Paul Simon on harmony vocals and closes with a Paul, Pete and Annie Lennox vocal on "You Can Call Me Al," that also features a Wynton Marsalis trumpet solo. Fun, unique set.)

Pink Floyd- The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967, Stereo)- ****
(I never play the stereo version, but this was pretty great, too. You need both.)

Preservation Hall Jazz Band w/Various Artists- Preservation (2010)- ****
(An all timer from New Orleans, not a bad track in the bunch, not even the Brandi Carlile track. The Richie Havens track never fails to hit me.)


 

David Bowie- The Next Day (2013)- ****
(Still holding up. Top 10 Bowie.)

Alex Chilton- 1970 (1996)- ***1/2

The La's- S/T (1991)- ****
(A perfect Side One and a near-perfect Side Two.)

Tommy James & The Shondells- 40 Years: 1966-2006, Personal Edit (2008/2025)- ***1/2
Squeeze- Argybargy (1980)- ****

9/13/25

Thelonious Monk- Brilliant Corners (1957)-  ****
Thelonious Monk- Plays The Music Of Duke Ellington (1956)- ****
v/a- Goldband Records Vol. 4: 1958, A Rockin' Bandit Compilation (2025)- ****
Genesis- The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (1974)- ****
The Beat- S/T (1979)- ****
Elvis Costello & The Imposters- Momofuku (2008)- ****
David Bowie- Heathen (2002)- ****1/2
David Bowie- Re:Call 6 (2025, Sides One Through Four)- ****1/2

9/12/25

Emerson, Lake & Palmer- Tarkus (1971)- ****
Yes- Going For The One (1977)- ***1/2
The Turtles- The Battle Of The Bands (1968)- ****
Adam & The Ants- Dirk Wears White Sox (1979)- **1/2
Husker Du- Zen Arcade (1984)- ***1/2
The Lemon Twigs- A Dream Is All I Know (2024)- *****
Big Star- Radio City (1974)- ****
The Hot Rats- Turn Ons (2009)- ****
 

9/11/25

Cheap Trick- At Budokan: The Complete Concert (1998)- ***1/2
Elvis Costello & The Imposters- The Boy Named If (2022)- ****
The Who- Exciting The Who (Japanese RP, 1968/2021)- ****

Parcels- Loved (2025)- ***1/2
(No idea who Parcels were before last week, when I saw that they were headlining Forest Hills Tennis Stadium with The Lemon Twigs as openers. My curiousity piqued so I checked out the new one. Good stuff. Feels like a late 70's disco vibe- Chic, K.C. & The Sunshine Band--meeting current electronica. Nice layered vocals. Plenty of hooks. A pleasant surprise.)

Led Zeppelin- Live (2025)- ****
(E.P. released for the 50th anniversary of "Physical Graffiti," featuring four live versions of tracks from the album, two from Earls Court 1975 and two from Knebworth 1979. Both "Trampled Underfoot" from '75 and "Sick Again" from '79 are relentless!)

Sex Pistols- Never Mind The Bollocks...(Kevin Gray AAA Master, 1977/2025)-****1/2
(The greatest punk record of all time gets the Kevin Gray treatment. That's a hard one to wrap my head around. This record needs to be hot and grimy, not clean and spacious, which is Gray's specialty. I've had numerous versions of this over the last 50 years, and I can tell you they all sounded different. For years, the original U.K. was the keeper, but I sold that for big bucks in 2012. I've had different U.S. pressings, Rhino represses, none came close to the OG U.K...until now. You need to trust Kevin Gray. It's hot, full of body, which even the OG U.K. lacked. This pressing is definitive.)

James Booker- Sea Saint Studios, May 1975 (1975)- ***
("In May 1975, just weeks after blowing the roof off Jazz Fest, James Booker entered Sea-Saint Studios in New Orleans to record with a dream band: Cyril Neville on congas, Junior "Boy" Brown on drums, and Reggie Scanlan on bass. Booker was in full command — wild, inspired, unpredictable. They laid down four tracks in one session. At the end of the night, Booker insisted on leaving with the master tapes. He left them in a cab. They were never recovered. What survives is a cassette copy made for Reggie Scanlan — the only reason we can hear this music now. What you’re listening to is that tape." 
Glad I have it. But probably won't get a second spin. More of a loose jam than anything else.)

Suede- Antidepressants (2025)- ****
(My new favorite Suede record.)

Cheap Trick- Busted (1990)- ****
The Hives- The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons (2023)- ****

9/10/25

Floratone-S/T (2007)- ***1/2
(This was good. Thanks for the tip Paul In DK.)

v/a- Trojan Nyahbinghi Box (2003, Discs Two & Three)- **** 
v/a- Ska La-Rama: Treasure Isle Ska, 1965-1966 (2022)- ****
Prince- Dirty Mind NYC: The Ritz: 3/21/81- ***1/2
The Beach Boys- Love You (1977)- ****
The Beatles- Revolver (1966, U.S. MONO)- ***1/2
Elvis Presley- From Elvis In Memphis (1969)- ***



 

9/9/25

John Coltrane Quartet- Ballads (1963)- ****
Nico- The End (1974)-**1/2
Wingless Angels-Volume Two (2010)- ****
Pink Floyd- Masters Of Rock (1974)- ****
James Booker- Unknown Club Date (1982)- ***1/2
Marvin Gaye- Here, My Dear (1978)- ***1/2
Tchotchke- Playin' Dumb (2025- **1/2
Bob Dylan- Chula Vista, 5/15/25 (2025)- ***
The Kinks- Muswell Hillbillies (1971)- ****
Jon Cleary- So Swell (2020)- ****

9/8/25

Davey Lane- Finally, A Party Album (2025)- **** 

Suede- Antidepressants (2025)- ***1/2
(Suede has turned into The Cult and I like it!)

Bunny Wailer- Blackheart Man (1976)- ****
Jah Thomas- Jump Around (1984, four songs)- **1/2
Yes- Relayer: Steven Wilson Remix (1974/2018)- ***1/2
The Who- Sell Out: Disc 5, Pete's Demos (1967/2021)- ***1/2

Brian Protheroe- Pinball (1974)- ****
(Such a great record, if you start with Track Two. There's some early Bowie in there, Nilsson, Elton. It's very British and very different. Just skip Track One.)

Allen Toussaint- Toussaint (1970)- ****
(First proper reissue of this classic in 40 years. Excellent pressingon Kent.)

Ron Wood- Now Look (1975)-**1/2
(I remember liking this more at one time. Most of the songs go nowhere. The two R&B covers are good.)

Siouxsie & The Banshees- Through The Looking Glass (1987)- ****
v/a- Goldband Records Vol.1: 1943-1956, A Rockin' Bandit Compilation (2025)- ****

9/7/25

v/a- Trojan Nyahbinghi Box (2003, Disc One)- **** 

v/a- Swing Easy (1969)- ****
(Short but sweet Studio One collection of rock steady and ska.)

Velvet Underground- 1969 (Kevin Gray Cut)- ***1/2
Kiki Dee- I'm Kiki Dee (1968)- ****
The Everly Brothers- A Date With...(1960)- ***1/2

Neil Young w/Crazy Horse- Zuma (1975)- ****
(Controversial opinion here, but this album would play so much better without "Cortez The Killer.")

MC5- Back In The U.S.A. (1970)- ***
Patti Smith- Wave (1979)- ****
XTC- Apple Venus Volume One (1999)- ****
Hudson- S/T (1972)- **1/2

The Hudson Brothers- Ba-Fa (1975)- ***1/2
(Fun record. Sometimes it's Badfinger. Sometimes the Bee Gees. Occasionally, the Raspberries. It's a whole lotta A.M. radio, and I say that in the best way.)

The Kinks- State Of Confusion (1983)- ****
(I've been very critical of The Kinks Arista years. But listening to this record tonight, one I was never kind to, it hit me that Ray made a pretty nice transition to the sound of the 80's. Yeah, these records are not what I want from The Kinks I loved in the 60's, but the records in the 70's weren't exactly what I wanted either and most of those RCA records really hold up. This record is light years ahead of some of the crap being played on MTV at the time. Saga, anyone?)

v/a- That Thing You Do O.S.T (1996)- ****

9/6/25

Duke Ellington & Ray Brown- This One's For Blanton (1975)- ***1/2
The Ventures- Play The Country Classics (1963)- ***1/2

Dennis Alcapone feat. Lizzy- Ba-Ba-Ri-Ba-Skank (1992)- ****
(Solid collection of toasting and early ska, recorded between 1971-1973 with Tommy McCook and The Supersonics backing. Get it HERE, if you so desire.)

Sugar Minott- Wicked Ago Feel It (1984)-****
(An all-timer!)

Todd Rundgren- State (2013)- ***1/2
(Not a fave of mine, but I enjoyed a lot of it today.)

The Midnight Callers- Red Letter Glow (2020)- ***1/2

Brian Dunne- Clams Casino (2025)- ***
(Nice record, if a bit samey. I quite liked the one below.)

Davey Lane- Finally, A Party Album (2025)- ****
(Fun spin. At times, like 80's Utopia/Cheap Trick. A bit of Jason Falkner. I think this is a grower. Looking forward to the second spin.)

Todd Rundgren- Todd: Stems (1973)- ***1/2

David Byrne w/The Ghost Train Orchestra- Who Is The Sky? (2025)- **
(I hated this. Really. It made me angry. Is this a children's record? A cast recording to an off-off-off-Broadway musical? It's not cute at all. Not being in on the joke is always a dealbreaker.)

David Bowie- Aladdin Sane (1973)- ****
(First Bowie record I bought upon release, using allowance money. Sugar Mountain Records on Sheepshead Bay Road in Brooklyn. I will never play this one and NOT have the visual of that store. All that aside, this record still works 52 years later.)

The Dukes Of Stratosphear- 25 O'Clock (1985)- ****
X- Smoke & Fiction (2024)- ****

9/5/25

v/a- Trojan Nyahbinghi Box (2003, Disc One)- ****
(Some of my favorite stuff all in one place. )
 

 

Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band- Clear Spot (1972)- ****
(Accessible Beefheart annoys the pretentious "Trout Mask Replica" fans. This record is "pop" to them. But along with "Safe As Milk" and the "Legendary A&M Sessions," "Clear Spot" completes the trilogy of all I need by the Captain. And maybe "Spotlight Kid.")

 

Curtis Harding- Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt (2025)- ** 
(Yaaawwwwwwn. More, uninspired retro-soul, without a single hook to grab on to.)

Depeche Mode- Violator (1990)- ***1/2
v/a- The Compact 2 Tone Story: Personal Playlist (1993/2025)- ***1/2

Bryan Ferry- In Your Mind (1977)- ****
(My favorite Ferry record, this came out right after "Siren," my favorite Roxy record, and there are many similarites- drum sound, song structure, etc. As a matter of fact, I wonder how a 12 track playlist combining tracks from both would play. Might be a future Weekend Mix.)

U.K.- Danger Money (1979)- ****

Willie Nile- The Great Yellow Light (2025)- **1/2
(I don't get it. I never got it. I mean, playing rock and roll and roughing it out for 45 years is an amazing thing in a world of Sabrina Carpenters. But at some point, shouldn't your records count for something too? The debut is not enough. This new record is so damn average, like most of Willie's records. Some songs are horrible! "Oo-ah-oo-ah-oo-ah-ay, try to make a living in the USA?" "You look like water, you taste like wine, electrify me one more time?" Come on, now. )

Cheap Trick- Dream Police (1979)- ****

 

9/4/25

iPod on Shuffle:
Love & Affection- Bob Marley & The Wailers
Right Off Rampart Street- Chuck Berry
Mississippi (Unreleased Version 1)- Bob Dylan
The Scarecrow- Pink Floyd
Ping Me- Todd Rundgren
Octopus' Garden- The Beatles
Pretty Vacant- Sex Pistols
Eleanor Rigby (Stereo)- The Beatles
Born In Time- Bob Dylan
Success Story- The Who
One In A Hundred- Gene Clark
Old Friends- Simon & Garfunkel
I Want An Alien For Christmas- Fountains Of Wayne
Early In The Morning- The Merry-Go-Round
Revelator- Gillian Welch
Rock Crazy Baby- Art Adams
Tommy's Coming Home- Paul McCartney & Elvis Costello
Though I Know She Lies- Chris Bell
It Hurts To Be Alone- Bob Marley & The Wailers
One X One- Paul Weller
Lose This Skin- The Clash
Queen Of All The Tarts (Overture)- David Bowie

v/a- Better Times: The Jamaican Upsetter Singles 1971, Chapter II (2025)- ***1/2

Badfinger- Wish You Were Here (1974)- ****
(The secret weapon of the Badfinger catalogue.)

Cargoe-S/T (1972)- ****

The Band- Cahoots (1971)- ****
(This is a better record than its rep.)

Wings- Wild Life (1971, Abbey Road HSM)- ****
(Speaking of better records than their reps, "Wild Life" never fails to knock me out. It's everything Macca haters wish the hit records weren't. Think about that. I swear it makes sense.)


Pete Townshend's Deep End- Face The Face (2016)- ***1/2
The Who- Sell Out (2021, Japanese True Stereo)- ****

Pugwash- Almond Tea (1999)- ***
(I've tried for years to get on board with Thomas Walsh. He has some heavy friends, who I love. He writes songs that remind me of all my heroes--Jeff Lynne, Lennon/McCartney, Andy Partridge. But there is no record in 25 years with a homerun. The records play like a collection of bloop singles, with a rare clutch double. I listen. I like what I am hearing. And then I remember none of it when it is all over...he says, probably writing to no one.)

9/3/25

Dennis Alcapone- Forever Version (1971)- ***1/2
(Another from Mojo's Studio One/Top Ten list. This was an answer to U-Roy's classic "Version Galore." Really good record, but the U-Roy record is better.) 

Trombone Shorty/New Breed Brass Band (2025)- **1/2
(By the books brass band record. Mercifully only 31 minutes long. Any one song works really well.)

v/a- Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend (2022)- ***1/2
(Another good set, though two of my favorite Who songs, "The Kids Are Alright" and "So Sad About Us" are two of the weakest takes on the album.)

John Oates- Oates (2025)-***1/2
(Nice new record from John Oates. Far more enjoyable than Daryl's last solo lemon. Nothing groundbreaking, but good solid R&B. Though the last three songs belong somewhere else.)

The Midnight Callers- Rattled Humming Heart (2023)- ***1/2
(Fun record! These guys have got something. Maybe need some work in the songwriting department. No real home runs, but no real clams either. Good power pop.)

 

 

The Hives- The Hives Forever Forever The Hives (2025)- ***1/2
The Beatles- Something New (1964, MONO)- ****
Badfinger- Straight Up (1971)- ****

v/a- Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies (2023)- ***1/2
(The Midnight Callers strike again. Best entry on this set.)

  

 

Del Amitri- Some Other Sucker's Parade (1997)- ****

9/2/25

Procol Harum - A Salty Dog (1969)- ****
Icecream Hands- No Weapon But Love (2020)- ***1/2
v/a- Jem Records Celebrates David Bowie (2025)- ****
Daniel Romano's Outfit- Do (What Could Have Been)"Infidels" by Bob Dylan & The Plugz (2020)- ****

Greg Osby- St. Louis Shoes (2003)- ***1/2
(This a good, not great session. But the Duke Ellington tune is a killer.) 


The Beths- Straight Line Was A Lie (2025)- ****
(First pass and I think I enjoyed it more than their last, which I really liked.)

iPod on Shuffle:
Old Mister Time- 10cc
Smithers-Jones- The Jam
I Wanna Marry You- Bruce Springsteen
Night People- Stanton Moore Trio w/Maceo Parker
Could I- Slade
I'm Nobody's Baby Now- Reparata & The Delrons
 

9/1/25

Bob Marley & The Wailers- The Capitol Session '73 (2021)- ****
(Stellar performance. Even better watching the video. Then you can see just how amazing The Wailers were as a band.)

v/a- Still I Dream Of It: Rare Works Of You: Rare Works Of Brian Wilson (1993)- ***1/2

Squeeze- Cradle To The Grave (2015)- ****
(This record is already ten years old, so can it still be considered a late career masterpiece? Check out how musical the melody is in "Haywire?" It's quite amazing to me, compared to what passes for composition these days.)

 

 

Ron Sexsmith- Hangover Terrace (2025, about half)- ***
Television- Adventure (1978)- ***1/2

Neil Finn- One Nil (2001)- ****
(This felt like a disappointment after "Try Whistling This," Neil's 1999 release, which I loved. But after a few mediocre Crowded House records, and a few more so-so solo records, "One Nil" sounds fantastic 25 years later.)

 

Big Star- #1 Record (1972)- ****
Bread- Anthology (1985)- ****

Colosseum II- Electric Savage (1977)- ***1/2
(Fun, fusion shred fest, sabotaged by one awful Gary Moore vocal track.)

Cheap Trick- The Latest (2009)- ****
(The beginning of the renaissance, I play this record more than any CT record other than the debut. Credit to Julian Raymond!)

The Rolling Stones- Let It Bleed (1969)- ****

8/31/25

Alex McMurray- The Recent Future (2022)- ****
("If you can't make it clean, you can still make it shine." One of my very favorite lyrics.)
 

 

 

Sam Cooke- Swing Low (1961)- ***
Otis Rush- I'm Satisfied: The 1956-1962 Cobra, Chess & Duke Sides (2018)- ***1/2
Boz Scaggs- Silk Degrees (1976)- ****
Benny Goodman- The Capitol Small Group Recordings, 1944-1955: (1993, Personal Playlist)- ****
v/a- Diggin' In Kingston (Personal Playlist, 2023)-****

The Hives- The Hives Forever Forever The Hives (2025)- ***1/2
(The first Hives record I've listened to since their debut, and I barely recall that debut. Pretty rocking new album. Definitely worth a second spin.)

Marshall Crenshaw- From The Hellhole (2025)- ***1/2
(Marshall's "new" album. Is this YepRoc's thing now? Nick Lowe's "new" album last year featured six previously released tracks. "From The Hellhole" is ALL previously released tracks. Just call it what it is, for Pete's sake. It plays really well, but it's NOT a NEW record.)

Yes- Fragile (Steven Wilson Remix, 1971/2018)- ****

Johnny Thunders- So Alone (1978)- ****
(Marriott, Lynott, Cook, Jones, Chrissie, Johnny--so many of my fave miscreants on one record!)
 

 

Lowell George- Thanks I'll Eat It Here (1979)- ****
(This record deserves more. Second cover of Toussaint today. Hard to beat Boz, but Lowell's version is right there.)

 

Leon Russell- S/T (1970/2017, Kevin Gray Master)- ****