Dennis Wilson “Pacific Ocean Blue”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#562 in the Series) is Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue The only member of the Beach Boys who actually surfed, Dennis Wilson always had that little brother chip on his shoulder. Even though he was the middle brother, he had an undeserved reputation as the Fredo Corleone to Carl’s Sonny and Brian’s Michael, along with a somewhat deserved reputation as the “Bad Boy” of the group. Showing up late for gigs and hanging out with Charles Manson did little to dissuade his detractors, and the almost “Ringo-esque” way he was spoon-fed songs to feature on Beach Boys albums did not help to spotlight his songwriting talent and his ability to stand alone...
UFO “The Chrysalis Years (1973-1979)”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (# 553 in the Series) is UFO, The Chrysalis Years, (1973-1979). I am going to delay with the normal album review inroduction and substitute it with: IT’S ALL HERE! ALL YOU COULD WANT FROM THIS SEMINAL 1970’S HARD ROCK JUGGERNAUT. AND IT COSTS LESS THAN NINETEEN DOLLARS ON LINE! Now that I have that out of my system…… UFO was a great heavy rock band that my friends and I worshipped as teenagers in suburban Chicago. My first show was UFO at the Aragon Ballroom on October 10, 1975. This group had everything. UFO possessed the piledriving rhythm section of Peter Way (bass) and Andy Parker (drums). They featured serviceable short term...
Nils Lofgren “Night after Night”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#537 in the Series and #56 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Nils Lofgren, Night after Night. (A+M) I never could place it, I never could put my finger on it, but there has always been something about Nils Lofgren’s songwriting that I just love. I know I should be able to describe it in more concrete terms, but I just can’t. I’m not even referring to his guitar playing, we know that he has a whole second career as a great side-man guitarist, but I always loved his songs and his music as a front man on his own. Nils’s first step into a music career was actually in Crazy Horse,...
Billy Joel “The Stranger”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#474 in the Series and # 26 in the Whale Wednesday Series) is Billy Joel, The Stranger. We don’t feature greatest hits albums here on “Cool Album of the Day.” I swear we don’t! Yeah, I know this had about five of them on it, but it’s not a greatest hits album, I promise, it’s not! The Stranger was released in 1977 and houses some of Billy Joel’s most well-known songs. It just might have been the peak of his career. It answers “yes” to the question about “Standing the test of time.” Many of these tracks are part of his live shows to this day. Many of these songs are still being...
Steely Dan “Aja”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#446 in the Series, #22 in the Whale Wednesday Series) is Steely Dan, Aja 1977, that’s when Steely Dan, Aja was released. Yes, in 1977. Does it really seem like 34 years ago? Well heck no, not only does it not seem like 34 years ago, but give this a listen again. It also seems hardly true from a musical and recording standpoint. Aja was recorded in 1977. It just seems hard to believe. This is jazz-rock at its finest. These are the finest written songs, with the finest musicians giving life to those songs. Some people like their music straight forward in three minute pop tunes, so do I. Some people like...
Eric Clapton “Slowhand”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#439 in the Series and #21 in the Whale Wednesday Series) is Eric Clapton, Slowhand Slowhand was a major, major release for Mr. Clapton. It was one of the few that featured some strong radio friendly top 40 hits. Now there is a thing where something can be a top 40 hit and still be a good song. So, so many times hear from people that think just because something is a huge hit that it’s no longer a quality piece of music. Well let me tell you, those are usually the hardest songs to write. OK, so maybe this wasn’t the usual blues guitar heavy rock album that we had grown accustom...
Dave Edmunds “Get It”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#280 in the Series) is Dave Edmunds, Get it. This was Dave Edmunds third album. It was originally released on Peter Grant’s Swan Song label. You remember that label and classic logo from the Led Zeppelin albums. Bad Company was on it as well. Like all of Dave albums, you get a ton of songs. There are thirteen on Get it. The longest being 3:23. Get in and Get off! He picked some interesting covers here. Bob Seger’s “Get Out Of Denver.” Graham Parker’s “Back to School Days” and others. Like many Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe albums from this era, this is almost a Rockpile album. Three quarters or Rockpile appear on the...
Joe Walsh “You Can’t Argue With a Sick Mind”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#269 in the Series) is Joe Walsh, You Can’t Argue with a Sick Mind. How things can change in the way we look at an artist. I used to really love Joe Walsh. He was great as the leader of The James Gang, Barnstorm and then as a solo act. Now as we know he’s in The Eagles. Musically they’ve always been one of the most talented bands around. But something just hasn’t rang true with me since, oh.. about when Joe Walsh joined them. But this isn’t about ‘that’ era of Joe Walsh’s career. It’s about 1977 and before. This is really when he was really writing some of his best music....
The Babys “Broken Heart”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day(#256 in the Series) is The Babys, Broken Heart. Broken Heart was the second album by The Babys. It was released in 1977 and contained one of the bands biggest hits, ‘Isn’t It Time.’ It was produced by Ron Nevison. We’ve heard from him quite a few times. Dave Mason, UFO, Joe Cocker etc. It peaked at #34 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Tw singles also charted. The previously mentioned ‘Isn’t It Time’ made it to 13. The follow up was ‘Silver Dreams.’ Unfortunately, ‘Silver Dreams’ only made it to #53. The main Baby was John Waite. His solo career was even more popular than his Baby’s career. He would have some...
Television “Marquee Moon”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#222 in the Series) is Television, Marquee Moon. If it’s a ‘best of album list from the 70s, then this album appears on it. It’s too bad that more people haven’t heard it. Well if you have not, then you can below. Marquee Moon was completely written by Tom Verlaine. It was released in 1977 and it was produced by Verlaine and Andy Johns (Free, Humble Pie, Van Halen Joe Satriani, etc). It did not chart. Personnel Tom Verlaine – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Richard Lloyd – guitar, vocals Fred Smith – bass, vocals Billy Ficca – drums Track Listing All songs written and composed by Tom Verlaine, except where noted. Side...
