(Above: This is not the version of the LP that I own, but I've been looking for one of these for years. It's the promo release.) We're getting to the top of the list of my favorite LPs. The list will become more predictable from this point, but I've got stories for each of them. … Continue reading Ten Albums: Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run (1975)
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Ten Albums: The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965)
Our Ten Albums list continues, and we have our first controversy: #4* - The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965) So, why the asterisk? Well... I've limited myself to one album per artist, which is going to necessarily leave out some thing terrific. I've also spent time on this blog writing about Revolver, an album that I … Continue reading Ten Albums: The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965)
Ten Albums: Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
(Above: Paul Simon sports the puffy shirt years before Jerry Seinfeld.) Our series of Ten Albums continues today. #6 - Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966) Right around the time I turned 14 was when I made the second major raid on my parents' abandoned music collection. I've written much about taking … Continue reading Ten Albums: Simon and Garfunkel, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
Ten Albums: Dire Straits, Making Movies (1980)
Continuing up the list of the Top Ten Albums, as determined by a very unscientific study (n=1) by yours truly.... #7. Dire Straits, Making Movies (1980) In a post I wrote in the early days of this blog about the song "Skateaway," I indicated that I wasn't sure where to put this album in terms … Continue reading Ten Albums: Dire Straits, Making Movies (1980)
Ten Albums: Too Much Joy, Cereal Killers (1991)
(Above: You don't have this one?) There's been this thing going around on Facebook where people are posting up their ten favorite albums, or ten albums that meant something to them, or so on. You've probably seen this: you get tagged, you make the post, you tag someone else. I got tagged in one last … Continue reading Ten Albums: Too Much Joy, Cereal Killers (1991)
Mixtape review: “WJTW Backs Of the Racks” (1989)
(Above: You really shouldn't store your cassettes in the middle like that, especially not for almost thirty years.) I was digging through a box of cassettes at home this week and found a cassette that I have alluded to in the past, said that "I should write about," and never did - until now. … Continue reading Mixtape review: “WJTW Backs Of the Racks” (1989)
Rest in peace, D.J. Fontana: Elvis Presley, “My Baby Left Me” (1956)
(Above: D.J. Fontana and the singer that he's best associated with.) Word spread this morning that Dominic Joseph Fontana passed away peacefully last night at the age of 87. There is no question that you have heard him play the drums. D. J. Fontana was recruited to accompany Elvis Presley along with Scotty Moore and … Continue reading Rest in peace, D.J. Fontana: Elvis Presley, “My Baby Left Me” (1956)
A summer vacation soundtrack: The Billboard Hot 100, June 9, 1984
(Above: The end of sophomore year. Someone please get this kid a haircut.) The first full week of June 1984 would have meant the start of summer vacation. I had just completed my sophomore year at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park. The bulk of my daytime activity that summer involved something that … Continue reading A summer vacation soundtrack: The Billboard Hot 100, June 9, 1984
So you wanna be a rock and roll star: Dora Hall, “Did He Call Today, Mama” (1965)
(Above: Gift with purchase.) A few years ago music fans were subjected to Rebecca Black's "Friday," a song that, while not fantastic, also wasn't as purely terrible as people claimed that it was. (I mean, the poor girl got threats over it. What's wrong with people?) What we learned from the process of "Friday" becoming … Continue reading So you wanna be a rock and roll star: Dora Hall, “Did He Call Today, Mama” (1965)
Bookends at fifty: Simon and Garfunkel, “America” (1968)
(Above: What was Frances McDormand's line from Almost Famous?) Fifty years ago today - April 3, 1968 - Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel released the LP Bookends. This was one of the first LPs that I recovered from my parents' stash upon finding that they had more than just 45s in a box. (I touched … Continue reading Bookends at fifty: Simon and Garfunkel, “America” (1968)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 