Ordinarily. I wouldn't allow a Greatest Hits compilation on a list like this. This isn't an ordinary LP, though, nor is the story of how it got here. #5. The Who - Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (1971) There were several groups that I'd call myself "late to the party" in discovering. Led Zeppelin was … Continue reading Ten Albums: The Who, Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (1971)
radio
Ten Albums: They Might Be Giants, Flood (1990)
Continuing the Ten Albums list as inspired by Facebook posts.... #8. They Might Be Giants, Flood (1990) I first stumbled on They Might Be Giants in my first year in college radio. In the spring of 1988 I was hanging out at the radio station late one night - as we often did - and … Continue reading Ten Albums: They Might Be Giants, Flood (1990)
Ten Albums: R.E.M., Document (1987)
(Above: File under "fire.") We're continuing the Facebook-inspired meme of "post ten albums that mean something to you but don't say anything about them," except that I'm saying something about each of them. Born to be wild. #9 - R.E.M., Document (1987) By now it's probably very clear to readers of this blog that the … Continue reading Ten Albums: R.E.M., Document (1987)
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)
Great playlists: WGRD’s “Big 30 In the Furniture City,” July 15, 1970
(Above: The same groovy look that CKLW, KHJ, and many other stations used for their surveys.) Every few weeks I've made it a point to dig out an old AM radio survey and look at what was popular on a local playlist. Inevitably, two things happen: a) I look at WLS from Chicago, since those … Continue reading Great playlists: WGRD’s “Big 30 In the Furniture City,” July 15, 1970
Sailing and stunting: The Little River Band, “Cool Change” (1980)
(Above: The peace of having the water all to yourself.) I was off the grid for the past week. My wife and I made it a habit for many years to take a week, rent a cottage, and extricate ourselves from all media. The first year we tried it, it went well - except for … Continue reading Sailing and stunting: The Little River Band, “Cool Change” (1980)
Rest in peace, Ed Buchanan: Jonathan Edwards, “Shanty” (1971)
(Above: Uncle Buck, 1949-2018) The Grand Rapids, Michigan radio dial is a quieter place today. Ed Buchanan, known to generations of radio listeners in West Michigan as "Uncle Buck," passed away this morning from an apparent heart attack. Ed had most recently been hosting a Sunday morning program on WLAV-FM called "Breakfast In the Basement," … Continue reading Rest in peace, Ed Buchanan: Jonathan Edwards, “Shanty” (1971)
A letter from camp: WLS Top Forty-Fives, June 27, 1981
(Above: The author at Student Council camp, June 1981. This does not look like camping.) "Is the baseball strike over?" That was the first question I had for my parents when I saw them on June 27, 1981. They had come to pick me up from a week away at camp - the only such … Continue reading A letter from camp: WLS Top Forty-Fives, June 27, 1981
Congratulations to Johnny B! Johnny and the Leisure Suits, “Just Havin’ Fun” (1981)
(Above: In the early 90s, in Chicago, you had this CD. It was the law.) The Hyper Rooster is in the Hall. For the second year in a row a local Chicago radio legend has gotten the call for the Radio Hall of Fame. Jonathon Brandmeier, who held down mornings at WLUP in Chicago through … Continue reading Congratulations to Johnny B! Johnny and the Leisure Suits, “Just Havin’ Fun” (1981)
Great lost hit: Billy and the Beaters, “I Can Take Care Of Myself” (1981)
(Above: The Rhino re-release had a picture sleeve. I don't think the original did.) Early summer of 1981 wasn't a whole lot of fun for me. I was in-between seventh and eighth grades, and - I keep threatening to write about this - junior high school was probably my least favorite time in life. Major … Continue reading Great lost hit: Billy and the Beaters, “I Can Take Care Of Myself” (1981)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 