Bruce Springsteen “Wrecking Ball”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#651 in the Series) is Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball The Boss is back and he’s an angry man! I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d fully enjoy a new Springsteen album again. Much as I love the man and his music, recent efforts have left me fairly underwhelmed. But come on, it’s Bruce! He’s never going to entirely let me down and both Magic and Working on a Dream certainly have their moments. Some fine songs between them but in terms of putting out an album that was a great listen all the way through, well, I thought it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. Which just shows how much I know…………..this...
Sinéad O’Connor “How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#649 in the Series) is Sinéad O’Connor, How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? Simple question: Why should anyone, in 2012, care about a new Sinéad O’Connor album? And the answer is, of course, because she’s still so damn good at making the things! You could, of course, be forgiven for thinking otherwise though because when this lady makes the news pages these days it tends to be for non-musical reasons, the latest escapade being well documented. First she got married (for the fourth time) then announced her intention to file for a divorce mere days later, amid lurid tales of going out searching for drugs in Las Vegas. Or something....
Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters “Bikers Welcome, Ladies Drink Free”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#648 in the Series) is Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters, Bikers Welcome, Ladies Drink Free Life is just full of surprises. I know you’ve heard that one before. I particularly enjoy when those surprises come at you from the field of music. I’ve been a fan of good music since I was a wee lad. I guess you can say that music has played a large part in my life for over 45 years. I can honestly say that without a doubt one of the biggest surprises I’ve ever had in the field of music is this new album from Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters Bikers Welcome, Ladies Drink Free. I say...
Andre Williams “Hoods and Shades”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#640) Andre Williams, Hoods and Shades (Bloodshot Records) The story of Zephire “Andre” Williams, or as comedian Red Foxx famously nicknamed him, “Mr. Rhythm”, is harsh in its simplicity; yet at the same time it is a complex cautionary tale about how to navigate the streets and traverse the backrooms, back alleys, and juke joints where the blues is a way of life not just a musical genre, and where the means don’t always justify the end, but they certainly can pay the bills. Andre Williams was “The Man” from his early purple suit wearing days in the mid 1950’s and on into the 1960’s when he was a song slinging crooner...
Craig Finn “Clear Heart, Full Eyes”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#636 in the Series) is Craig Finn – Clear Heart, Full Eyes Craig Finn is better known as the singer and main songwriter in The Hold Steady, an excellent band who seem to exist somewhat out of time. What I mean by that is that despite some great music, notably the album Boys & Girls In America, they just aren’t as well-known as they really should be and that, I feel, if they’d been around in the 80’s they would be hailed by now as a Classic American Band. On a par with the likes of The Replacements, Green On Red and BoDeans maybe. Hopefully that will all change soon but for...
Ringo Starr “2012”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#621 in the Series) is Ringo Starr, 2012 I do like this album, don’t get me wrong, but 28 minutes of music Ringo? Really? That’s the best you can do? Maybe Barbara has been running around the house with her cave woman outfit or something. I’ll tell you what. If that’s all the effort you can come up with, then I’m only going to spend 28 minutes preparing and writing your album review. So if I don’t get to everything I want to say, it’s your fault. When time runs out, that’s it. Ringo has stated that this album is a continuation of his 1973 release titled simply, Ringo. Oh, and for...
The Little Willies “For The Good TImes”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#602 in the Series) is The Little Willies, For the Good Times (Milking Bull) Those of you that have been Norah Jonesing for an encore to The Little Willies and their eponymous album that featured fun eclectic versions of classic country songs like “ I Gotta Get Drunk” and “Nightlife” alongside the masterpiece “Streets of Baltimore”, and a rousing original song that sings the praises of Lou Reed called, appropriately enough, “Lou Reed”, need wait no more. This time around For The Good Times, the second release for the band that consists of Lee Alexander on bass, Jim Campilongo and Richard Julian on guitar, Dan Reiser on drums, and the incomparable Norah...
