Mott The Hoople:

Greatest Hits:(1976)

"Mott The Hoople, and the Game of Life", words sung by Michael Stipe in the R.E.M. song, Man in The Moon. Well, here's Mott the Hoople. If you know one song of theirs, there a good chance it's All The Young Dudes. Which David Bowie wrote for them. Personally, I dig the Bowie version best, although they sound damn near identical. If I was reaching for a song to listen to off this collection, I'd most likely go with All The Way From Memphis, or Foxy Foxy. All in all, this is a great slice of Seventies Rock'n'Roll. 

Van Morrison:

His Band And Street Choir:(1970)

Too Late To Stop Now:(1974)

Veedon Fleece:(1974)

A Period of Transition:(1977)

Into The Music:(1979)

Poetic Champions Compose:(1987)

This man is one of the all time best singers, songwriters, and interpreters of songs. Period. I've always been enamored with how Van seems to be ad-libbing lyrics on so many of his songs. I know he's not, but he seems so in the moment, almost like he's just channeling some divine spirit. But, I suppose that's why his songs are so affecting on me. Now, that said, these albums are not equal to me. Some are so much stronger than others. So goes the artistic life. I'm sure there's an album of his that I don't care for that he would consider a great accomplishment. Right now I'm just enjoying some Van Morrison music.  

Thurston Moore:

Demolished Thoughts:(2011)

Not sure how many times I've spun this album, but it's a lot. It's such a pretty album. The delicate ornamental acoustic arrangements Beck created around this collection of songs from Thurston Moore is unforgettable. This is a late night/early morning record. Meaning, I think it sounds best when played after midnight or as the sun is just starting to cast shadows. Now as strong as both the personalities of Beck and Moore are, and they can be heard in spades here, I still detect a Van Morrison Astral Weeks influence mixed with a Velvet Underground third album feel. As I said, such a pretty album.

The Moody Blues:

In Search of the Lost Chord:(1968)

Got to say, I love the album artwork of the psychedelic era. Also, it's worth restating that no one did psychedelia quite like the British with their ancient music leaning. Hey, I've got a harpsichord and a flute! The concept album loomed heavy, but the Moody Blues were strong enough to carry a concept. In the case of this, their third album, it was supposed to be about exploration on various planes. Timothy Leary, doo doo da doo.... Ride My See Saw is my favorite track on the album. 

Monty Python:

Another Monty Python Record:(1972)

Monty Python's Previous Record:(1972)

Matching Tie & Handkerchief:(1973)

I'm sure you can think up a favorite Monty Python sketch. Or remember the sketch that made you hate them. Comedy is a fickle thing. These three albums, from the peak of their powers, contain the fast paced absurdity and satire that made the group famous. 

 

Wes Montgomery:

Smokin' At The Half Note:(1965)

The Small Group Recordings:(1976)

What a way to start the day! Here's a guitarist so distinctive you could pick him out anywhere. The thumb! I always heard that the reason he played with his thumb, was because his wife hated the sound of a pick. So to rehearse around the house, he had to use his thumb. True? I think so. In any case, this man was brilliant. When I pulled these out this morning, I probably hadn't listened to them in quite some time. Instantly when Impressions came on I was transported back to being a fourteen year old kid discovering this music for the first time.

The Monkees:

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones LTD:(1967)

In recent years many have started to take a more favorable view of the "Pre-Fab Four", and I am here today to throw my hat into that ring, and defend the Monkees. Sure, I enjoyed reruns of their TV show. To be honest, I grew up believing that what they depicted, and The Beatles, was just the way bands were supposed to live. Reality has sadly robbed me of this illusion. 

Now, today, I want to talk about this album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones LTD. It's the band's fourth album, and one where they were trying to wield more control, playing their own instruments, and writing their own songs. The final product is a top notch roly-poly sixties adventure made with a fine Pop sensibility. It also includes a wonderful cover of Nilsson's Cuddly Toy. But, what drew me to the album most, was that it contains the first commercial recording usage of the Moog synthesizer. Which appears first on side A toward the end on the song Love Is Only Sleeping, and again toward the end of side B on the song Daily Nightly. The latter is a particular favorite, exemplifying the best of the Pop psychedelia swirling around in 1967.  

Thelonious Monk:

Underground:(1968)

Amongst Jazz composers, few were as innovative, or as willing to go as far out passed the road sign as Thelonious Monk. This was a man of vision. And, he didn't seem to care particularly if you liked his vision or not, he was moving forward. Always moving forward. On this album, sax player Charlie Rouse appears on only half the album because he had to miss one recording date for a funeral. There was no waiting for him to grieve. Much the same way the music stands on its own, and doesn't make time to explain itself to the listener, it says its piece, and moves on. A tremendous album by a tremendous artist.  

Molina and Johnson:

Molina and Johnson:(2009)

This is a mournful record that moves at it's own pace, and that pace is slow. As slow, and sad as it can get at times, I love this album. It feels like you're driving back in time through a vintage painting of broken American scenes. When I purchased this album I had no idea who either of these songwriters were. In fact this was one of my many "album cover based" purchases. See kids, artwork is important. Anyway, I enjoy spinning this album in the early morning hours, just as the sun is ascending through the trees.

Mofungo:

End of The World, Part 2:(1987)

This is a band that I can only imagine coming out of New York. This record is everything I love about digging in dusty bins in thrift stores for records. They sound like...well... kind of No Wave, kind of Jazzy, kind of Post-Punk, kind of Art Rock, and political. I bought this record without knowing anything about the band, or what it sounded like in the grooves. From the opening of Ku Klux Klan on side one, I knew I was going to dig this whole album. There's a charm that jumps out immediately in the jagged melodies and instrumentation, and singer who sounds a little like Tom Verlaine. Favorite track: SR-71 Blackbird.

Modest Mouse:

This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About:(1996)

Interstate 8:(1996)

The Fruit That Ate Itself:(1997)

The Lonesome Crowded West:(1997)

Strangers To Ourselves:(2015)

Interesting melodies, and lyrics, that's what drew me in with Modest Mouse. I stayed for the music. I was first made aware of them through the owner of a Liquor Store in Colorado in about 2003. But, I really got into their catalog in 2004 living in Santa Cruz, CA. Since then The Lonesome Crowded West has become one of my absolute favorite traveling albums, and can usually be heard from my car window on cross-country trips.

Moby Grape:

Moby Grape:(1967)

 WOW:(1968)

My folks had both of these albums in their collection, although, I don't recall them listening to them much when I was a kid. But, they must have at some point, because they're a little trashed. The album covers always intrigued me. Particularly the WOW cover. When I started listening to these records in my teens, I pointed out to my parents that Don Stevenson was flipping off the camera on the cover of the first album, they were both shocked that they had never noticed. 

This is some crazy 1960s Rock'n'Roll. If I was picking a favorite track, I'm going with Murder In My Heart For The Judge.  

Joni Mitchell:

Ladies of The Canyon:(1970)

Blue:(1971)

Court And Spark:(1974)

Miles of Aisles:(1974)

The Hissing of Summer Lawns:(1975)

Hejira:(1976)

No one has ever sounded or written quite like Joni Mitchell. In fact, she is kind of a genre unto herself. Talk about an artist of vision. Growing up, my mother was a fan, particularly of Court and Spark, so I heard that album a lot. Hejira is one of my favorites. Right now, check out Coyote or Black Crow. Blue! The confessional of the personal on that record is something very few artists have come close to achieving. Needless to say, I find something comforting in the work of Joni Mitchell.

The Minus 5:

Dungeon Golds:(2015)

Scott McCaughey's other band (the other one being Young Fresh Fellows). I love this band. I was first turned onto them with the release of Down With Wilco in 2003. This may be the only piece of vinyl of theirs I own at the moment, but it is a cherished part of their overall collection I have in rotation (I'm a huge fan of Killingsworth and Gun). Though this album was culled from a massive multi-disc collection, it is extremely cohesive, and is chock full of the kinda of jangly Rock'n'Roll and dark humor that one can expect from McCaughey and company. Love this record!

Joe Meek:

The Emotional, Cosmic & Occult World of Joe Meek:(2014)

Record producer, studio innovator, songwriter, oddball... All seem to hit Joe Meek. In 1962 he dreamed up the instrumental hit Telstar, which for the first time landed a British act at number one on the US Hot 100 Chart. I first heard this reissue compilation album when a friend brought over some records for a day of porch drinking, and vinyl listening. It is a nice cross section of Meek's body of work from the Rock'n'Roll melodrama of John Leyton's Johnny Remember Me to the abstractions of the Blue Men.  

Steve Miller:

Sailor:(1968)

Number 5:(1970)

Fly Like An Eagle:(1976)

Book of Dreams:(1977)

Yes, yes, we all know the hits this man has had. But, the first Steve Miller album I had, and was familiar with was Sailor. A Glyn Johns produced bit of psychedelia that is dream like, and subtle. Clearly it was created in a time before the band hit on their chart topping formula that would land them as a permanent fixture on radio for decades to come. However, by the mid-seventies the band had tidied themselves up to give us Take The Money and Run, and Jungle Love. I wouldn't say I'm a huge Steve Miller fan, but you put on a record of his, and I'm probably going to sing along, or at least think, 'damn, I dig this tune.' 

Roger Miller:

The Return of Roger Miller:(1965)

The 3rd Time Around:(1965)

Words and Music:(1966)

A Tender Look At Love:(1968)

Roger Miller featuring Dang Me:(1969)

I was predisposed to like Roger Miller. Why? Because, the Disney version of Robin Hood was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and Roger Miller was the voice of the singing rooster and narrator, Allan-a-Dale. So, years later when I fell in love with the song King of The Road, and tracked down a Roger Miller record, his voice was familiar and comforting. 

There are very few songwriters who can master, and pull off, the combination of humor and genuine sentiment. In fact, the two that instantly come to mind are John Prine, and Roger Miller. Songs like, You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd, My Uncle Used To Love Me But She Died, Kansas City Star, and Dang Me all have some dark humor getting a character through hard times. There's also an interesting mix of musical influence coming out of Miller. It's Country, but also Folk. It's Vaudeville, but it's Pop. It's, well...Roger Miller. I'll listen to a Roger Miller record anytime, and be happy.  

Glenn Miller:

The Original Recordings Bye Glenn Miller and His Orchestra:(1964)

Glenn Miller was a master. And he was popular music. I don't clean this record. Somehow it feels like the pops and clicks are supposed to be there. They have attached themselves to the molecules of the music, and sing in harmony, as though they were born for the part. It thickens the atmosphere. Perhaps each one is a musician's ghost come back to continually sit on his recorded human shoulder... In any case, it was a pleasure to wake up, and spin this record.

Pat Metheny:

New Chautauqua:(1979)

Not an album I would usually own... But, when I was fourteen, getting into guitar playing pretty heavy, my godfather gave me most of his record collection. This album in particular, he wanted me to take because of the guitar playing. Now, I'll admit, I haven't listened to this record much at all. At fourteen, I just wasn't into instrumentals. Let alone new age jazz instrumentals. In fact, I probably haven't listened to this record for fifteen plus years. But I kept it, and all the records my godfather gave me, out of respect to him. And now, as I sit here this morning listening to this, it's not so bad. There's some interesting stuff in there. Still not going to be one I put on a lot though.

The Meters:

Second Line Strut:(1980)

You will not find any band funkier, or more talented than the Meters. I'm instantly transported to New Orleans when I here them, and isn't 'transportation' what music is all about. This record has been in rotation on my turntable for three days now. That's usually the case when I pull this one out. 

 

Men At Work:

Business As Usual:(1981)

I consider this a classic album. That said, I didn't pay much attention to it until my Grandfather's neighbor impressed it's value on me. I was fourteen/fifteen, and getting way into music. A new family moved into the house next door to my Grandparents, and I would often hear music blasting from the work shop they had out back. The first time I met Calvin, he invited me to come check out his record collection. There in that metal building of a work shop he had a pool table, and all four walls lined with records. He told me he had been collecting records since 1968, and he told me how he'd made his living for a decade in Chicago as a pool shark. So we played pool, and listened to records. Now, I'd heard the hits of this album on the radio, but always just relegated it out of hand to the bin of cheesy 1980's music, that I (at the time) had no use for. Calvin said, no man You've got to check this out. This guy Colin Hay is a really good songwriter, just listen. So I did. And, right there, that day I became a fan of Men At Work. As I stated, this is a classic album.