Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#838 in the Series) is Jimmy Spheeris, Isle of View For today’s album review I wanted to pick someone out that has been overlooked for the most part. Jimmie Spheeris had all of the makings to go down as one of the quintessential singer-songwriters of the 70s. He had a poetic lyrical sense, a unique voice, and an intriguing history. His poetry conjures up vivid imagery and his voice fits perfectly within the scenery he has laid out. Part of the reason for such an uncanny ability to describe such vibrant settings is probably from his childhood. Jimmie was born into a traveling carnival family. This unique upbringing would be referenced in...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#832 in the Series) is Michael Johnson, Moonlit  Déja Vu (Red House Records) Moonlit  Déja Vu is Michael  Johnson’s first studio album in 15 years. The album proves that as a producer, songwriter and performer, Michael Johnson is at the top of his game. He is best known for his hit song “Bluer Than Blue” and for several number one Billboard-charting country songs, including “This Night Won’t Last Forever” and “Almost like Being in Love.”  Along with being a great songwriter himself, Michael Johnson has always had the ability to choose great songs written by others.  The minimal instrumentation and great song choices on the new album are reminiscent  of his early albums...

  Today is the 20th anniversary of the release of Rosanne Cash’s great album titled The Wheel.  Rosanne was kind enough to share some tidbits about the album and its recording with her facebook friends today. We’ve gathered them together for you here. If you’re a fan of Ms. Cash I highly suggest that you check out her facebook page. It’s mostly run by her and she does a great job keeping every one informed about her goings on. Here’s a link. While you’re at it, her twitter account is also very lively. Here’s a link. — Larry Carta Here’s Rosanne’s tidings on The Wheel. ———————————————————— I can’t believe this, but my album The Wheel came out twenty years...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#810 in the Series) is Bobby Charles, Bobby Charles Bobby Charles is one of those artists that you know intimately, has been in your life for a long time, but you just can’t remember, or never really knew how the relationship got started. Born in 1938, a true Cajun by birth, Charles was one of the swamp rock founding fathers, a genre that deliciously combines zydeco, boogie rock, rockabilly, and old juke joint rhythm and blues.  A typical “he’s big overseas” artist, in his early days he was generally known as a songwriter penning “See You Later Alligator,” famously covered by Bill Haley and the Comments, and “Walking to New Orleans” for...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#808 in the Series) is Dave Alvin, Blackjack David I’d like to write a little about Dave Alvin. Because I LOVE Dave Alvin. Not in a physical way you understand, I don’t even know the man after all and neither of us are that way inclined (as far as I’m aware). Nevertheless, as a fan, an admirer and purchaser of his superb music, an attendee of (sadly only) one of his shows, I love Dave Alvin. The guy’s bloody brilliant. Oh and, specifically, I’d like to write a little bit about Dave’s crowning glory, his masterpiece, and of the very best albums of the last 20 years or so – Blackjack David....

    Today’s Cool Album of Day (#802 in the Series) is Eddie Holstein, Eddie Holstein When Eddie Holstein sings “I’m goin’ down to Morton Grove, baby do you want to go?” the answer is yes.  And that is just how it is, after all these years and clubs and sing-a-longs and tributes, Eddie Holstein still makes you want to go. The slightly fat sound of his free finger picking style on the folk guitar and the weathered but still potent voice takes you back to the days when folk singing was the bomb. Or, against the bomb.  But he isn’t singing strident protest tunes on this set; no full-throated, head back sincerity ala Bob Gibson or Joan Baez....

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#799 in the Series) is Cat Stevens, Catch Bull At Four  Catch Bull at Four was, surprising to me, Cat Stevens most popular album in the United States. If forced to guess I would have named Tea For The Tillerman or Teaser and The Firecat.  Most listeners I know consider those albums superior to this one. They directly preceded this one and I’m sure that the sales here were caused as  a result of those albums popularity. Tea For The Tillerman peaked at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. Teaser and the Firecat reach all the way up to #2 on the strength of three huge singles, “Morning Has Broken,” “Moonshadow” and “Peace Train.” By...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#774 in the Series) is Glen Campbell  & Jimmy Webb, Reunion: The Songs of Jimmy Webb. This album had its beginnings in those wonderful Glen Campbell hits of the late 60’s, five absolute gems released between 1967 and 1970 : “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Galveston’” “Where’s The Playground Susie ?”, “Honey Come Back” and, of course, the ever shining jewel that is “Wichita Lineman.”  All five were written by one of the very best up-and-coming songwriters of the era, Jimmy Webb. Before those recordings both men had careers which were very much on the ascent but when Glen decided to record the first of those songs (Phoenix) as the...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#753 in the Series) is Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time. In 1988, Bonnie Raitt was one of many performers that would continuously pound out good release after good release but never really popped!  We’ve seen a ton of these acts. “Wow is she good. I’m surprised that she’s not better known.”  There was the odd “Me and the Boys” or “Angel From Montgomery,” but the lady from California still wasn’t a household name.  Heck she might not have been as well-known as her stage star father John Raitt. Don’t get me wrong. She did have a nice following, she just wasn’t a star. Then she met Don Was.  Don was a producer...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#751in the Series) is Dave Mason, Let it Flow. Dave Mason has put out a big ol’ chunk of good music,  from the days he spent with Traffic through a long solo career.  His latest album, 26 letters – 12 Notes is also strong as Dave still remains relevant to this day.  It’s too bad radio didn’t go near it.  He commented from the stage at a recent show I saw, “It’s like ‘I’m Selling Encyclopedias to them.” Let it Flow was released in 1977.  Yup, that’s 35 years ago folks! It contained his biggest hit. “We Just Disagree.”  I think it’s one of the best  “this just ain’t workin’ babe” songs...