Roy Buchanan “You’re Not Alone”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#381 in the Series) is Roy Buchanan, You’re Not Alone. Many of you are aware of Roy Buchanan. In fact, we’ve featured him once before. You probably know him as this guitar slinging blues player with the fastest licks in the business. This would be true, but this album is a little different. Yes, he still plays those killer notes. The music still has some blues base to it, but this was still quite different. OK, what makes it different? Firstly, Roy tackles some pretty well known cover tunes on this record. He plays Neil Young’s” Down By the River” and Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone.” Another interesting aspect here was the use...
Atlanta Rhythm Section “Champagne Jam”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#364 in the Series) is Atlanta Rhythm Section, Champagne Jam. Earlier we looked at my favorite Atlantic Rhythm Section album Red Tape. Today we’re going to look at their most popular album, Champagne Jam. It reached #7 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. They were on a nice little run there. The previous album, A Rock and Roll Alternative peaked at #11. A Rock and Roll Alternative’s success was fueled by the top ten single “So Into You.” Champagne Jam had three songs that received considerable air play. Possibly even four. “Imaginary Lover”,” I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight”,” Champagne Jam” and “Large Time.” Atlanta Rhythm Section got their name...
The Walker Brothers “Night Flights”
Today’s Cool Album Of the Day (#314 in the Series) is The Walker Brothers, Night Flights What do David Bowie, Brian Eno, Midge Ure of Ultravox, and Iggy Pop all have in common? One unlikely musical hero: Scott Walker. Okay, let’s dispense with the shameless yellow journalism right out of the gate: no, it’s not THAT Scott Walker. In fact, none of the Walker Brothers, the subject of today’s Cool Album, are actually Walkers by birth, but, rather, took the Ramones approach to pop stardom, way back in the early 60s. A little history: The Walker Brothers started as a pop group in pre-British Invasion Los Angeles, and found themselves positioned as a unique (and somewhat feeble) American “counter-strike”....
Thin Lizzy “Live and Dangerous”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#283 in the Series and #19 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Thin Lizzy, Live and Dangerous. I was so into Thin Lizzy in the mid-seventies. We here in Chicago remember the days back in 1975 when they were considered the ‘house band’ on WXRT. Keep in mind that this was during the Fighting era. Most of the country didn’t catch on until a year or so later when Jailbreak hit. They were at least four songs deep on that Fightin’ album. It’s always fun to on a band when most people don’t know who in the hell they are! One of the things that I always liked about Thin Lizzy was...
Warren Zevon “Excitable Boy” ..Today’ “Cool Album of the Day”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#579 in the Series) is Warren Zevon, Excitable Boy. I don’t usually pick an artist’s most popular release. But this one is just too darn good, and too darn cool. Yes, it contains “Werewolves Of London.” That track still sounds good. It was the song that you could say put Warren on the map with the mainstream. I once heard a great saying by a stand-up comedian. You can’t be considered a superstar until my mother knows who you are. Lets say that many mothers knew of Warren because of “Werewolves of London.” “Werewolves might have been the most popular track on the album, but it will have to get way back...
Toto “Toto”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#204 in the Series) is the debut, self-titled release from Toto. Could they be the most musically talented band of all time? Could they be the most misunderstood band of all time? Toto has always been an enigma. If you say ‘Toto’ you get some interesting takes. Someone who knows just hit radio…. We’ll they’ll most likely remember Toto IV and the huge hits and Grammy Awards that that album produced. ‘Rosanna, Africa, I Won’t Hold Back’ were all over the airwaves. As a rocker and you might get a look like ‘What the heck you listening to them for man?’ But ask a musician. Ask someone that can really play and they’ll...
Ted Nugent “Double Live Gonzo”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#199 in the Series, and #7 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Ted Nugent, Double Live Gonzo. Ted Nugent lit up radio the mid to late seventies. He released three huge albums after leaving the Amboy Dukes. They were the self-titled, Ted Nugent (1975), Free For All (1976) and Cat Scratch Fever (1977). Or as my dear friend ‘Hoss’ used to call it, Rat’s Ass Fever. He always had an interesting way of renaming things you could say! Building on the success of those three albums, Uncle Ted released his classic live album, Double Live Gonzo. Released in 1978, Double Live Gonzo was another hit. It featured most of the best songs...
Bruce Springsteen “The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story” -Box Set
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#195 in the Series) is Bruce Springsteen’s Box Set, The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story. As it has been discussed for weeks, today is release day for the new Springsteen Box set. I had a chance to see the tour for this album at the spectacular Auditorium Theater in Chicago. How have the times changed? Well I bought tickets the day of the show! Here’s what’s you’ll get. CD 1 – “Darkness On the Edge of Town” (Remastered) Badlands Adam Raised a Cain Something In the Night Candy’s Room Racing In the Street The Promised Land Factory Streets of Fire Prove It All Night Darkness On the Edge of...
Todd Rundgren “Back to the Bars”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#172 in the Series and #2 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Todd Rundgren, Back to the Bars. Adventures in Utopia is the Todd album that I’ve spun the most. I would have to say that a close second would be Back to the Bars. Back to the Bars was released shortly after Hermit of Mink Hallow in 1978. It’s a Utopia live album with a bunch of friends joining in on the fun. Double album, four sides of various tunes from Todd as a solo artist and of his work with Utopia. Highlights are many. Here’s what I’d recommend. Real Man, Love of the Common Man, Love in Action, Black Maria,...
John Prine "Bruised Orange"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#139 in The Series) is John Prine, Bruised Orange. John Prine’s debut album, called simply John Prine is considered his masterpiece, and rightly so. It’s quite the feat when you think that he wrote Sam Stone, Illegal Smile, Donald and Lydia, Angel From Montgomery, Paradise, Six O’Clock News, You’re Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore and of course, Hello in There ALL before he was 25. Looking at that track list you can see why that album is held in such high regard. I am, however, going to feature Bruised Orange. I’m not sure why this album was always so high on my list of Prine classics. Part of it might...
