What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Man, this is a Great Album!

Topper? Do you know about this one?

Love's Been Rough On Me -- CD

Etta James

1997 Private Music, A unit of The Windham Hill Group

5.0 out of 5 stars Another side of Etta, December 18, 1998
By A Customer

This is a TREASURE that might be missed by solid R&B fans or staunch Country audiences - called Ms James' "Country Album", it's truly hard to classify. Etta is beautifully laid back on the selections, not resorting to vocal pyrotechnics but rather lets the simple truth of her voice tell the tale. Brilliant. The cuts are top notch, the production is perfect, and the musicians are wonderfully matched, with inspired guitar work and a seamless horn section. Who would have ever thought Etta James would line up with Windham Hill?! It's that kind of CD. Like the Fleetwood Mac song said, "... If I could sing like Etta James, I'd never change, I'd never change..."

1. The Rock
2. Cry Like a Rainy Day
3. Love's Been Rough on Me
4. Love It or Leave It Alone
5. Don't Touch Me
6. Hold Me (Just a Little Longer Tonight)
7. If I Had Any Pride Left at All
8. I Can Give You Everything
9. I've Been Loving You Too Long
10. Done in the Dark

 

[Dennie]

Arc of a Diver -- CD

Steve Winwood

1980 Island Records

Amazon.com

He wasn't Little Stevie, the 16-year-old phenom who set mid- '60s London blazing with his Ray Charles-like vocals, anymore. He was a half-forgotten ex-member of some of rock's most progressive (Traffic) and vilified (Blind Faith) bands, and he was considering leaving show business while recording this--his second album--alone and without a backup band. Arc of a Diver reflects a resigned-to-fate mood. It boasts a synth-heavy, dub-like ambience, with dirge-y tracks like "Spanish Dancer" and the wistful single "While You See a Chance" all but zoning out of your speakers. The fates were kind, though. Recording the single, Winwood inadvertently erased the drum intro. This spacey alteration, together with his catchiest tune since "Paper Sun," catapulted the song onto the charts. In a few years he would be among the top-selling vocalists in the world. His mood was lighter. He could afford to hire engineers that didn't make mistakes. --Don Harrison

All Songs Written By Steve Winwood & Will Jennings except where noted.

"While You See a Chance" - 5:12
"Arc of a Diver" (Winwood, Vivian Stanshall) - 5:28
"Second-Hand Woman" (Winwood, George Fleming) - 3:41
"Slowdown Sundown"- 5:27
"Spanish Dancer"- 5:58
"Night Train"- 7:51
"Dust" (Winwood, George Fleming) - 6:20

 

[Dennie]

The Long Run -- CD

Eagles

1979 Asylum Records

When released in September 1979, The Long Run debuted at #2 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart and a week later hit #1 dethroning Led Zeppelin's In Through the Out Door and was the last #1 album of the 1970s where it reigned for eight weeks and has sold over seven million copies to date in the US alone (it was certified Gold and Platinum in early 1980 by the R.I.A.A.).

The album spawned three Top 10 singles, the chart-topping rocker "Heartache Tonight", the album's opening title cut and the ballad "I Can't Tell You Why". Those singles reached #1, #8, and #8 respectively. The band also won another Grammy for "Heartache Tonight". "In the City", is a song first recorded by guitarist Walsh for the soundtrack to the movie The Warriors. "The Sad Cafe" and "Those Shoes" received radio airplay, as well.

Side one

"The Long Run" (Don Henley, Glenn Frey) – 3:42
Lead vocal by Don Henley
Slide guitar by Joe Walsh and Don Felder
Guitar Solo by Joe Walsh
Organ by Don Felder
"I Can't Tell You Why" (Timothy B. Schmit, Henley, Frey) – 4:56
Lead vocal by Timothy B. Schmit
Guitar solos by Glenn Frey (played by Don Felder in live performance)
Fender Rhodes Piano by Glenn Frey
Organ by Joe Walsh
"In the City" (Joe Walsh, Barry De Vorzon) – 3:46
Lead vocal by Joe Walsh
Slide guitar by Joe Walsh
"The Disco Strangler" (Don Felder, Henley, Frey) – 2:46
Lead vocal by Don Henley
"King of Hollywood" (Henley, Frey) – 6:28
Lead vocals by Don Henley & Glenn Frey
First guitar solo by Glenn Frey
Second guitar solo by Don Felder
End guitar solo by Joe Walsh

Side two

"Heartache Tonight" (Henley, Frey, Bob Seger, J.D. Souther) – 4:27
Lead vocal by Glenn Frey
Slide guitar by Joe Walsh
"Those Shoes" (Felder, Henley, Frey) – 4:57
Lead vocal by Don Henley
Talk box guitars by Joe Walsh & Don Felder
Solo by Joe Walsh
"Teenage Jail" (Henley, Frey, Souther) – 3:44
Lead vocals by Glenn Frey & Don Henley
Synthesizer solo by Glenn Frey
Guitar solo by Don Felder
"The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks" (Henley, Frey) – 2:21
Lead vocal by Don Henley
Background vocals by "The Monstertones" featuring Jimmy Buffett
"The Sad Café" (Henley, Frey, Walsh, Souther) – 5:35
Lead vocal by Don Henley
Guitar solo by Don Felder
Alto saxophone by David Sanborn

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

The Nightfly -- CD

Donald Fagen

1982 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

Donald Fagen's 1982 solo debut extends the sleek, smart pop craft of his work with Steely Dan into the realm of the concept album, taking the Dan's penchant for intricate plotting, evocative narrative voices, and allusive imagery to the logical next step. Fagen's connective thread is futurist nostalgia for the "New Frontier" as anticipated from the prosperous vantage point of late-'50s America. He romanticizes a brave new world of technology in the sultry diorama of "I.G.Y.," celebrating the coming glories of the Atomic Age. He then filters that view through his own suburban adolescence--a would-be seduction in a fallout shelter, the siren song of a graveyard-shift jazz DJ, a not-quite-hard-boiled noir adventure ("The Goodbye Look") that borrows its title from an early '60s Ross MacDonald mystery. Song for song, the set's a stunner and stands apart from Steely Dan thanks to a unique, poignant romanticism embodied in Fagen's yearning "Maxine" and a creamy update of Dion & the Belmonts' "Ruby Baby." --Sam Sutherland

All songs by Donald Fagen, except where noted

"I.G.Y." – 6:03
"Green Flower Street" – 3:42
"Ruby Baby" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller), Arranged by Donald Fagen – 5:39
"Maxine" – 3:49
"New Frontier" – 6:21
"The Nightfly" – 5:47
"The Goodbye Look" – 4:50
"Walk Between Raindrops" – 2:38
"True Companion" (Bonus Track, from The Nightfly Trilogy MVI Boxed Set) - 5:09
"Green Flower Street (Live)" (Bonus Track, from The Nightfly Trilogy MVI Boxed Set) - 4:25
"Century's End" (Bonus Track, from The Nightfly Trilogy MVI Boxed Set) - 5:33

 

[heeman]

Arc of a Diver -- CD

Steve Winwood

1980 Island Records

Amazon.com

He wasn't Little Stevie, the 16-year-old phenom who set mid- '60s London blazing with his Ray Charles-like vocals, anymore. He was a half-forgotten ex-member of some of rock's most progressive (Traffic) and vilified (Blind Faith) bands, and he was considering leaving show business while recording this--his second album--alone and without a backup band. Arc of a Diver reflects a resigned-to-fate mood. It boasts a synth-heavy, dub-like ambience, with dirge-y tracks like "Spanish Dancer" and the wistful single "While You See a Chance" all but zoning out of your speakers. The fates were kind, though. Recording the single, Winwood inadvertently erased the drum intro. This spacey alteration, together with his catchiest tune since "Paper Sun," catapulted the song onto the charts. In a few years he would be among the top-selling vocalists in the world. His mood was lighter. He could afford to hire engineers that didn't make mistakes. --Don Harrison

All Songs Written By Steve Winwood & Will Jennings except where noted.

"While You See a Chance" - 5:12
"Arc of a Diver" (Winwood, Vivian Stanshall) - 5:28
"Second-Hand Woman" (Winwood, George Fleming) - 3:41
"Slowdown Sundown"- 5:27
"Spanish Dancer"- 5:58
"Night Train"- 7:51
"Dust" (Winwood, George Fleming) - 6:20

Thanks for reminding me about this one Dennie! Played this one, over and over and over when it came out. I will give a listen this weekend!

 

[Dennie]

You're welcome Heeman, it is a great album!




Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music...

Two Against Nature -- CD

Steely Dan

2000 Giant Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Never so much a band as the slyly crafted specter of one, Steely Dan's mid-1990s "return" to live performance was as surprising as it was perverse. They'd previously toured only once, round about the era of Watergate, pet rocks, and Shaft. A half-decade after their concert comeback and a mere 19 years after Gaucho seemingly closed out their recording career, the jazz-pop conceit of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen deliberately dropped back into a recording landscape where they weren't so much seasoned vets as alien ambassadors. Two Against Nature, indeed. The tack is instantly familiar: a musical/lyrical reconciliation of Monk and Newman, with familiar harmonic flourishes, nimble studio chops, and an icy, world-class cool, as willfully insulated from hip-hop and techno as it was from disco and Top 40. Less concerned with melodic hooks than a canny sophistication of mood and manner, Becker and Fagen never let a trite melody get in the way of a good story, whether their protagonists are plotting some nefarious obliquity ("Gaslighting Abby"), Southern-fried incest (the deliciously funky "Cousin DuPree"), or bleakly confronting dashed expectations ("What a Shame About Me"). A little more musically languorous perhaps, its trademark cynicism now undercut by hints of sadness and regret, this is nonetheless a Steely Dan album worthy of the name, and like the best of them, one whose subtle charms reveal themselves in surprising ways. -Jerry McCulley

All songs written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

"Gaslighting Abbie" – 5:53
"What a Shame About Me" – 5:17
"Two Against Nature" – 6:17
"Janie Runaway" – 4:09
"Almost Gothic" – 4:09
"Jack of Speed" – 6:17
"Cousin Dupree" – 5:28
"Negative Girl" – 5:34
"West of Hollywood" – 8:21

 

[Dennie]

Inner City Blues - The Music of Marvin Gaye -- CD

Various Artists

1995 Motown Records

Fantastic!, October 11, 2001
By T. Tolksdorf (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
his review is from: Inner City Blues: Music of Marvin Gaye (Audio CD)

I first heard this while deployed in Italy.
The music of Marvin Gaye is beautiful, and the artists on the album give stellar performances. Their renditions are soulful and delivered from the heart. Don't let the fact that the cover says 'Various Artists' throw you off! This is wonderful.

"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" - Nona Gaye
"Save the Children" - Bono
"Let's Get It On" - Boyz II Men
"I Want You" - Madonna and Massive Attack
"Trouble Man" - Neneh Cherry
"Just to Keep You Satisfied" - Lisa Stansfield
"Stubborn Kind of Fellow" - Stevie Wonder
"God Is Love"/"Mercy Mercy Me" - Sounds of Blackness
"Like Marvin Gaye Said (What's Going On)" - Speech
"Marvin, You're the Man" - Digable Planets

 

[Dennie]

Embraceable You - Live -- CD

Sarah Vaughan

1996 LaserLight Digital

great value, December 20, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Embraceable You (Audio CD)

This is a great cd. Laserlight has a knack for bringing otherwise obscure live recordings to light. The sound is very good. Highlights include What Now My Love, and Lover Man , a very endearing encore during which Sassy croons "Turn the lights down low....." and, not being able to get them to turn the house lights down, begins to put in a few little 'sassy' quips about the situation all in a very lighthearted and endearing manner of course! Bob James supports her on piano along with Herb Mickman on bass, and Omar Clay on drums....A very enjoyable live recording by one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

1. Embraceable You
2. Scat Blues
3. Lover Come Back To Me
4. Round Midnight
5. Sassy's Blues
6. Misty
7. Just One Of Those Things
8. Alfie
9. What Now My Love
10. I Had A Ball
11. The Theme
12. Lover Man


15335

 

[Dennie]

Bat Out Of Hell -- 24k Gold 20-bit SBM CD

Meatloaf

1977/1994 Epic Legacy/Sony Mastersound

Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's first album together, May 13, 2000
By Robert Storm (Finland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Bat Out of Hell (Audio CD)

Before Bat Out of Hell, singer Meat Loaf had already recorded a quite nice soul album called Stoney and Meatloaf for Motown Records. Songwriter Jim Steinman had composed several musicals. He had worked with Meat Loaf on the musical More than You Deserve, and Meat had recorded a single of its title track. However Bat Out of Hell was the first full-length album they made together. It's a true classic album featuring Steinman's amazing songwriting, Loaf's voice at its best, Todd Rundgren's production and such talented instrumentalists as Rundgren, Roy Bittan and Edgar Winter.

The title track is a progressive rock song with many different parts, a majestic yet hilarious story about motorcycle crash and death. You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth is simply a perfect piece of pop. Heaven Can Wait is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written. The arrangement (piano, strings and french horn) is lovely. The song is about someone who already was a cynical grownup but found his childlike innocence again. Meat's voice sounds very young and innocent on this song, maybe better than on any other song. All Revved Up With No Place to Go is the most basic rock song on the album, very energetic. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad is a country ballad made with tongue in cheek. Many people consider Paradise by the Dashboard Lights a major masterpiece. I think it's a bit overrated but a lot of fun anyway. The lyrics are funny but at the same time quite tragical. After that song the mood changes completely. For Crying Out Loud is a very serious song about saving someone's life and soul. It's sort of religious, sort of a love song. It's one of the most amazing songs Jim Steinman or anybody else has ever written.

Side one
No. Title Length
1. "Bat Out of Hell" 9:56
2. "You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)" (intro spoken by Steinman and Marcia McClain) 5:04
3. "Heaven Can Wait" 4:38
4. "All Revved Up with No Place to Go" 4:19
Side two
No. Title Length
5. "Two out of Three Ain't Bad" 5:23
6. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" (duet with Ellen Foley) 8:28
7. "For Crying Out Loud" 8:45

 

[Dennie]

All Day Music -- 24k Gold 20-bit CD

War

1971/1994 Avenue Gold Collection

Summertime classic, March 28, 2002
By "nwlover" (tacoma, washington) - See all my reviews
This review is from: All Day Music (Audio CD)

Eric Burton had no idea what would happen when he left war. What happened was that War became The band of the early 70's. All day music was playing in the park all summer that year and the song perfectly describes War. Tight harmonies, great musicians, and lyrics that paint beautiful pictures. Ya had to be there, like I was. However, their music still stands the test of time. That's What Love Will Do, There Must Be A Reason, and Slippin' Into Darkness could of each been singles, as they are all great jamss.
A fabulous group with a distinctive fusion of soul, rock, blues, funk and jazz. Couldnt ask for anymore from anygroup at anytime.

All tracks composed by War (Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, Howard E. Scott), except where indicated.

Side one

"All Day Music" (Jerry Goldstein, War) – 4:04
"Get Down" (Goldstein, War) – 4:29
"That's What Love Will Do" (Milton James, War) – 7:17
"There Must Be a Reason" – 3:50

Side two

"Nappy Head (Theme from Ghetto Man)" – 6:05
"Slipping Into Darkness" – 7:00
"Baby Brother" – 7:38

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

Downright Upright -- CD

Brian Bromberg

2007 Artistry Records

Product Description

On Downright Upright, acclaimed bassist BRIAN BROMBERG leads an all-star line-up to create a musical tour de force!

Playing both acoustic and piccolo bass, Downright Upright is a complete turnaround from 2006's Wood II. Instead of a traditional trio, this release shines with many new collaborative touches, including those from pianists GEORGE DUKE and JEFF LORBER, saxophonists GARY MEEK, BONEY JAMES, and KIRK WHALUM, drummer VINNIE COLAIUTA, trumpeter RICK BRAUN, and guitarists GANNIN ARNOLD and LEE RITENOUR.

Track listing

1. Cantaloupe Island
2. Mercy Mercy Mercy
3. Cold Duck Time
4. Sunday Mornin'
5. Hacha Cha Cha, The
6. Chameleon
7. Serengeti Walk
8. Leisure Suit
9. Slow Burn
10. Shag Carpet

 

[Dennie]

Greatest Hits -- CD

Earth, Wind & Fire

1998 Columbia Legacy

It's time to jam, so "Let's Groove". . ., May 15, 2000
By Melissa P. Cooper "kymissyin" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Earth Wind & Fire: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

. . ."Shining Star" came out the spring I graduated from high school. During choir tours in college, someone always brought along EWF tapes to play on those long bus rides. I have fond memories of singing right along with "Sing a Song." By the time I was in my early 20s, "Boogie Wonderland," "Getaway" and "Let's Groove" were popular in the discos. And I'd forgotten about their superb remake of "Got to Get You Into My Life" which was originally recorded by four guys who answered to the names of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Twenty-five years after I first heard these great songs, I finally got this collection. Do these songs still sound like funky fun and make me feel 20 all over again? Absolutely. Are they worth keeping for the next generation? You better believe it. One of my colleagues and I are using "Shining Star" as background music for our students to write about their dreams in our college class for undecided students. And my five-year-old daughter asks me to play it as soon as we get in the car to go anywhere. Did I even mention that a cappella meisters Take 6 and contemporary Christian music's Point of Grace included covers of "Sing A Song" on some of their 1990s albums? A positive, healthy message NEVER goes out of style--especially when it's wrapped around some of the most awesome riffs ever dreamed up. The only thing more fun than listening to these guys is catching them on a cable-TV special or better yet, in person. Put the top down, slide this one into your stereo, and enjoy. . .

1. "Shining Star" 2:50
2. "That's the Way of the World" 5:43
3. "September" 3:34
4. "Can't Hide Love" 4:07
5. "Got to Get You Into My Life" 4:10
6. "Sing a Song" 3:22
7. "Gratitude" 3:27
8. "Serpentine Fire" 3:50
9. "Fantasy" 4:36
10. "Kalimba Story" 4:00
11. "Mighty Mighty" 3:03
12. "Reasons" 4:58
13. "Saturday Nite" 4:01
14. "Let's Groove" 5:35
15. "Boogie Wonderland" (ft. The Emotions) 4:47
16. "After the Love Has Gone" 4:24
17. "Getaway" 3:55

 

[Dennie]

The George Benson Collection -- CD

George Benson

1981/1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

When George Benson was making these recordings in the 1970s, he was considered a talented jazz guitarist who had crossed over to pop-soul vocals. While there's certainly pure pop and an emphasis on vocals here, there's also something else: smooth jazz. Included are classics of the genre like the instrumental "Breezin'" and the King Pleasure vocalese "Moody's Mood." Benson's hit versions of songs like "On Broadway" and "This Masquerade" are memorable, too, with him singing scat in unison with his guitar. In Benson's hands, Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" becomes a quasi-symphonic instrumental with touches of flamenco, and the vocal duets "Love All the Hurt Away" with Aretha Franklin and "We Got the Love" with Chaka Khan are solid soul ballads. --Adam Rains

1. "Turn Your Love Around" ♦ 3:51
2. "Love All the Hurt Way" (with Aretha Franklin) ♦ 4:10
3. "Give Me the Night" 3:43
4. "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" 6:51
5. "Never Give Up on a Good Thing" ♦ 4:06
6. "On Broadway" (Drifters Cover) 5:18
7. "White Rabbit" (Jefferson Airplane Cover) 6:58
8. "This Masquerade" 3:19
9. "Love Ballad" 4:17
10. "Nature Boy" 4:20
11. "Last Train to Clarksville" 5:01
12. "Livin' Inside Your Love" 6:38
13. "Here Comes the Sun" ♦ 2:33
14. "Breezin'" 5:39
15. "Moody's Mood" 3:26
16. "We Got the Love" (with Chaka Khan) 3:28
17. "The Greatest Love of All" 5:33

 

[Dennie]

Greenhouse

Leo Kottke

1972 Capitol Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Fingerstyle guitar legend Leo Kottke has released his share of duds over the years (virtually all of his albums with the exception of his seminal 6 & 12 String Guitar have a few throwaway tracks), but this disc is one of his most consistent efforts. Originally released in 1972, it features Kottke's trademark blend of playing--an infectious mix of New Age (still not invented at the time of this recording) and bluegrass sounds--as well as a few surprises. "Bean Time" has classic Kottke wizardry; it's a tune many proficient guitarists are still trying to figure out. "In Christ There Is No East or West" features Kottke on the 12-string, paying homage to his mentor, John Fahey. Sure, many of us could do without Kottke warbling through "Tiny Island" or "From the Cradle to the Grave," but this is still a great recording, loaded with some of the greatest playing to ever happen on acoustic guitar. --Jason Verlinde --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Side one

"Bean Time" – 2:32
"Tiny Island" (Al Gaylor) – 3:46
"The Song of the Swamp" – 3:00
"In Christ There is No East or West" (Traditional) – 2:12
"Last Steam Engine Train" (Sam McGee, John Fahey) – 3:00

Side two

"From the Cradle to the Grave" (Leo Kottke, Ron Nagle) – 3:23
"Louise" (Paul Siebel) – 4:02
"The Spanish Entomologist" (Traditional) – 2:24
"Owls" – 5:00
"You Don't Have to Need Me" – 4:37
"Lost John" (Traditional) – 2:15


15420

 

[Dennie]

Quah

Jorma Kaukonen

1974 Grunt Records

Quah is the first solo album by Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane. The album was recorded with Tom Hobson. The initial plan was to have side-A be Kaukonen and side-B be Hobson. However, RCA felt that Hobson's recordings would not be accepted by the public. Initially the record was planned to be released in mid-1973, but because of the issues with Hobson, Kaukonen returned to the studio to record new tracks for side B in May 1974. Only "Blue Prelude" and "Sweet Hawaiian Sunshine" of the original 1974 release feature Hobson's lead vocal, although he also plays guitar on "I'll Let You Know Before I Leave." On the CD reissue, Hobson is featured on all bonus tracks except for "Lord Have Mercy."

In 1980, Grunt Records reissued the album with a different cover that used the photographs that were originally used inside the gatefold. In 1987, Relix Records released the album under license from RCA. It was released on vinyl and was one of the first CDs released by an independent record label in the USA. The first Relix version was pressed in Switzerland, then Japan and finally manufactured in the USA. Relix also released a remastered and graphically revised version in the late 1990s with computer improved tracks from the original masters. BMG (incorporating the former RCA) re-released the original album on CD in 2003, along with the bonus tracks featuring Hobson.

Side One

"Genesis" (Jorma Kaukonen) – 4:19
"I'll Be All Right" (traditional, arranged by Rev. Gary Davis, Kaukonen) – 3:08
"Song for the North Star" (Kaukonen) – 2:52
"I'll Let You Know Before I Leave" (Kaukonen) – 2:17
"Flying Clouds" (Kaukonen) – 4:07
"Another Man Done Gone" (Ruby Pickens Tart, Vera Hall, John Lomax, Alan Lomax) – 2:54

Side Two

"I Am The Light Of This World" (Davis) – 3:46
"Police Dog Blues" (Blind Arthur Blake, arranged by Kaukonen) – 3:45
"Blue Prelude" (Gordon Jenkins) – 4:05
"Sweet Hawaiian Sunshine " (Tom Hobson) – 2:42
"Hamar Promenade" (Kaukonen) – 4:34

 

[Dennie]

Mudslide Slim and The Blue Horizon

James Taylor

1971 Warner Bros. Records Sweet and moving., June 22, 1998

By A Customer
This review is from: Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon (Audio CD)

Mud Slide Slim is probably my favorite JT album, the one I consistently go back to -- like comfort food. I've listened to the album hundreds of times since I first discovered it in the early eighties, and I still don't think I'll ever tire of hearing it. My album favorites? I guess they'd have to be "You Can Close Your Eyes" and "Long Ago and Far Away." I've even learned to play them in rudimentary fashion on the guitar. Thank you, James, for nearly half a lifetime of musical nourishment for my soul! All songs by James Taylor unless otherwise noted.

"Love Has Brought Me Around" – 2:41
"You've Got a Friend" (Carole King) – 4:28
"Places in My Past" – 2:01
"Riding on a Railroad" – 2:41
"Soldiers" – 1:13
"Mud Slide Slim" – 5:20
"Hey Mister, That's Me up on the Jukebox" – 3:46
"You Can Close Your Eyes" – 2:31
"Machine Gun Kelly" (Danny Kortchmar) – 2:37
"Long Ago and Far Away" – 2:20
"Let Me Ride" – 2:42
"Highway Song" – 3:51
"Isn't It Nice to Be Home Again" – 0:55

 

[Dennie]

My Maria - Includes Shambala

B.W. Stevenson

1973 RCA Records

The Very Best of B.W. Stevenson, November 22, 1999
By Martin G. Klein (Wichita, Kansas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Very Best of B.W. Stevenson (Audio CD)

Album brought back memories of an outstanding artist in the Texas Music Scene. The more popular songs like My Maria and Shambala overshadow the body of his work while he was alive. Some other songs that would be nice to hear would be On My Own and California Shores(El Camino take me Home).However, this CD has some great songs too like A Good Love is Like a Good Song and Sunset Woman. Anyone who likes good folk/rock/country music will enjoy hearing this CD.

1. My Maria
2. Be My Woman Tonight
3. Sunset Woman
4. A Good Love Is Like a Good Song
5. Grab on Hold of My Soul
6. Shambala
7. Lucky Touch
8. I Got to Boogie
9. Remember Me
10. Pass This Way

 

[Botch]

Radiohead

 

[Dennie]

Pretzel Logic

Steely Dan

1974 ABC Records

Amazon.com essential recording


Pretzel Logic marked a transition for Steely Dan from a studio-bound rock band producing hits such as "Reeling in the Years" and "Do It Again" to a looser constellation of studio musicians under the direction of songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. That later version of Steely Dan would paint its masterpiece with Aja. Pretzel Logic is much more playful than that, and also jazzier than the albums that came before. The jazz intentions are made perfectly clear on "Parker's Band," a swinging tribute to bebop titan Charlie Parker, and a crafty cover of Duke Ellington's "East St. Louis Toodle-oo." The lyrics displayed their own twisted logic, presenting a tumble of images in search of a unifying principle that most often remained elusive. Steely Dan was that rare act that could work such purposeful obscurity to its advantage: "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was a top-five hit even though nobody had a clue as to what it was about. Or, perhaps, everybody had a clue, but nobody could agree. --John Milward Original album version

Side 1

"Rikki Don't Lose That Number" – 4:30
"Night by Night" – 3:36
"Any Major Dude Will Tell You" – 3:05
"Barrytown" – 3:17
"East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" (Duke Ellington, Bubber Miley) – 2:45

Side 2

"Parker's Band" – 2:36
"Through with Buzz" – 1:30
"Pretzel Logic" – 4:28
"With a Gun" – 2:15
"Charlie Freak" – 2:41
"Monkey in Your Soul" – 2:31