Roy Orbison:

Mystery Girl:(1989)

There has never been a singer like Roy Orbison. Never! Now, sure his earlier hits; Pretty Woman, Cryin' etc, are amazing, but this is a great later day album. And, a great album to go out on, as this was Orbison's last. I don't even want to write much about this record, I just want to listen to it. From the exquisite title track, penned by Bono, to one of my personal favorites, The Only One, written by Orbison and Mike Campbell, this album is a gem.

  

Okkervil River:

I Am Very Far:(2011)

The Silver Gymnasium:(2013)

The first time I recall hearing Okkervil River a friend of a friend said, I think you'll really like this band, and played me something off of The Stage Names, I think. Now, I've mentioned before in this blog, that the absolute worst way to introduce any music to me is by saying something to that effect. My brain, for whatever reason, just starts sticking its fingers in its ears and humming really loudly like, heck no. I'm just weird that way. Needless to say, I didn't care for this band upon that listen. Flash forward a few years, and I'm helping my wife research a project for a dialect class. We were finding songs with city names, and trying to analyze how people from different parts of the country sang those cities as a means for mapping dialect, or something like that. Anyway, the song Kansas City from the Okkervil River album, Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See was one we ended up using, and I dug that song. Shortly there after, Silver Gymnasium came out, and I fell in love with that album. Which then led me back to I Am Very Far. There's my story of how I came to dig some Okkervil River stuff.

Laura Nyro:

The First Songs...:(1969)

Nyro's first album was More Than A New Discovery (1967), this album is the 1969 reissue. As a kid I heard Wedding Bell Blues on the radio, catchy tune. I wondered who Bill was, and did he mind being called out on a popular song on the radio... This album also contains the song, And When I Die, but I preferred the Blood Sweat and Tears cover. Nyro was ahead of the game as a performing singer/songwriter, and a woman in the business in the 1960s. I was watching a documentary on Frank Zappa's label, Straight Records, and it was talking about the ill-fated attempt at Zappa producing Nyro. Turns out, he was a fan. But through over commitment, and general craziness, Nyro was left to flounder in the studio waiting on Zappa. Eventually another producer was brought in to finish the sessions. Nyro has such a strong esthetic, I can imagine she Zappa butting heads.

Don Nix:

Hobos, Heroes and Street Corner Clowns:(1973)

Don, who? Don't know the name? You're probably not alone, but you probably DO know his work. Don Nix started out playing sax in the Mar-Keys, who had early hits for Stax records. He then transitioned into production/writing/arranging work for Stax, working with artists like The Staple Singers and Freddie King. Outside the company he worked with Leon Russell, and George Harrison. Here on this '73 release are the gentle sounds of a seventies singer/songwriter album tempered with the Southern flavor Nix had helped cultivate throughout his career. 

Harry Nilsson:

Harry:(1969)

Nilsson Schmilsson:(1971)

Son of Schmilsson:(1972)

Son of Dracula:(1974)

Sandman:(1976)

Oddball. Brilliant. Singer par excellence. All these things, and then some, describe Harry Nilsson. The sympathy for the human condition is buried in the humor, and Pop Rococo of a Nilsson record. "I'd rather be dead than wet my bed" sung with a senior citizen choir. The humor doesn't get much darker, or more empathetic. I was fourteen or so when my godfather gave me most of his old records, but there was one he was not ready to let go of, even though he didn't have a functioning turntable. And that record was Son of Schmilsson. I wondered what was so special about that album, but I didn't push. I didn't even know who Harry Nilsson was. I was just grateful to be getting records. A few years later, when I had procured a copy of Nilsson Schmilsson, I began to understand, and appreciate the magic that this man could put down on wax. It's so out of left field, and yet so mainstream all at the same time. Genius. Timidly, I broached the subject of the lone record with my godfather. After a discussion about Nilsson, he handed me the album. That album still holds a very dear place in my heart.

"I sang my balls off for you, baby."

Randy Newman:

Little Criminals:(1977)

Much to my wife's disapproval, I'm a Randy Newman fan. Can't help it, I find his songs darkly comedic, and often very poignant. I also believe no one can write a sad song like Randy Newman. This was a fairly popular album for him, what with the success of Short People. Which is probably why it was an easy thrift store score. That said, Texas Girl At The Funeral of Her Father, is maybe my favorite song on this album. And the title is almost longer than the song. 

Neutral Milk Hotel:

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea:(1998)

I'll admit, I was a bit of a late comer to this album. In fact it had probably been out for nine or ten years when I was turned on to it. Now, I regard it as one of the most perfect albums I've ever heard. Firstly, the songwriting is incredible. So dense, and graphic, and evocative. Then there's the music, and arrangements that bring the lyrics to life with atmosphere, and power. Lastly, and not least, there's the artwork, which is an excellent match. Which I find to be a rarer thing than most people would think. Anyway, I dig all the Neutral Milk albums, all two of them (and the EP), but I love this album. 

Willie Nelson:

Shotgun Willie:(1973)

The Troublemaker:(1976)

"hello walls":1978)

Stardust:(1978)

Waylon & Willie:(1978)

Pretty Paper:(1979)

Always On My Mind:(1982)

Few people will ever be famous, and fewer still will attain the "Icon" status that Willie Nelson has. Has the man written great songs? Yes. Has the man recorded some great covers? Yes. Has the man made a few cringe-worthy recordings? Yes, but come on, he's also got over a hundred albums to his credit in a career that's lasted over sixty years. Hell, included in these seven bits of vinyl that I posses, is even a Christmas album. And, I don't care for Christmas music. But, It's Willie Nelson. There's something so comforting about his voice. It instantly makes me feel at home. And as a guitar player, I have to drop massive amounts of praise on Willie for being such a distinctive player. Unmistakable, really. I recently heard one of Willie newest songs, It Gets Easier, and all I could think was, "Well, damn. That's why he's the master."

Graham Nash:

Songs For Beginners:(1971)

This is such a good solid album. Not quite Nash's debut, but his debut as a solo artist. As a kid I heard Carrie Anne by the Hollies, which was probably the earliest song sung by Graham Nash that I dug. And of course there's CSN. But, this album has a special magic to it. The song, Simple Man, is worth the price of admission in itself. Then you've also got Chicago, and Military Madness. 

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.

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.

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!

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.  

John Mellencamp:

Uh-Huh:(1983)

The Lonesome Jubilee:(1987)

Say what you will about John Mellencamp, and some of it is probably true, but I stand by that he is an underrated songwriter. I'm not sure it's ever been cool to like Mellencamp, but records have been sold, and people know the lyrics. Now, as much as I dig the hits on these earlier albums, I've got to say, the stuff he's been putting out in recent years is some of his all time best. Go check out No Better Than This, and Plain Spoken. Anyway, these are the two pieces of Mellencamp vinyl I own. Now, maybe I'm wrong, but these represent the man at the height of his popularity, so I'm sure you know the songs. 

A concert promoter that used to book me once said, that he figured the work of John Mellencamp would be in much higher estimation in about twenty or thirty years when people look back, and realize how honestly and unpretentiously he wrote about middle America. 

Melanie:

Leftover Wine:(1970)

This was a record in my Mom's collection. And, I can tell that she never listened to it a lot, because it's fairly clean. And now, I don't listen to it very much, but I kept it because I thought it was interesting. Oddly enough, I hear a ton of women singing with voices similar to Melanie's these days. If they were influenced or not, would be an interesting question. Hmm... 

 

Don McLean:

American Pie:(1971)

You're already singing THE song from this album in your head, aren't you? A classic song to lost innocence. The other "hit" song on this record, Vincent, is a song that, to me, feels like it's a bout a week long. I'm not a fan of that song. The rest of the album I find to be a bit of a flatline. But, so it goes.

Paul McCartney:

McCartney:(1970)

I love this, somewhat, lo-fi album. This was one of the first albums I heard, and though, 'hey, I could record an album at home'. Not to mention, I rank Maybe I'm Amazed as one of the greatest love songs ever. That said, Hot As Sun/Glasses might be my favorite track.

Ram:(1971)

This album is a fucking masterpiece. I own two vinyl copies of this one. It's just so interesting, and layered, and Ram On. I recently read a piece that made the argument that this album was the first Indie-Rock album. Possibly. It might be a valid point. The only real box this album fits into, in the context of 1971, is the box of McCartney. A man, who at this time, was reinventing his arsenal of colors with which to paint. 

"Wild Life":(1971)

Some people say, McCartney is too 'Pop' for their liking... Fair enough. But, there is "Wild Life". This is a weird experimental rock album. There's really nothing poppy on this record. 

Red Rose Speedway:(1973)

Red Rose Speedway is another album, more polished than "Wild Life", but kind of in the same vein. However, on this album McCartney is starting to get back into crafting the well written Pop tunes, as only he can. I'm talking about, My Love. A tune so saccharine sweet it attracts bees when it's played. It also contains a killer guitar solo by Hugh McCullough.   

Band on The Run:(1973)

OK, so here's another album of which I own two vinyl copies. It's just so damn good. McCartney and Wings seem to be so far at the top of their game here, it's ridiculous. How many classic tunes are on this record? Four? Now, as much as I love, Jet, Mamunia might be my favorite track.

Wings At The Speed of Sound:(1976)

It might have been a jab at McCartney to say all he did was write silly little love songs, but he turned it into a helluva hit song. Like he does. But, even though I dig that tune... I always hear the horn riff as a bit of lift from Willie Mitchell's horn arrangement on Al Green's L-O-V-E. 

London Town:(1978)

There are cool tunes on this album, but... This album always felt a little light to me. It's cool in the context of the catalog of a prolific artist, but it's not an album I reach for a lot.

Wings Greatest:(1978)

So, obviously, I keep Wings in the Paul McCartney section of my collection. And, why not? After all, Paul is the driving creative force in all he does, no matter who's playing behind him.

Back To The Egg:(1979)

I like this album, I really do. It's just that it feels like the band is running out of steam a bit. And, it would be the last Wings record. This is also around the time when the production starts getting a little too slick. Rain water runs right off it. Old Siam, Sir is a killer track. As is, Arrow Through Me.

Give My Regards to Broadstreet:(1984)