Ramones “Rock and Roll High School”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#184 in the Series) is the soundtrack to the movie, Rock and Roll High School. ”Gabba, Gabba, Hey!! Just pure silly fun in the movie and on the soundtrack! I started today’s choosing by looking at the Ramone’s catalog and tried to make a decision. I just couldn’t find one album to feature! So I decided to do something slightly different. So today’s album is the soundtrack to Rock and Roll High School. It’s features mostly songs by the Ramones, but has a couple other goodies in there as well. Tons of Ramones here. ‘Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Sedated, She’s the One, Rock and Roll High School, Sheena is a Punk Rocker,...
Carlos Santana Mahavishu John McLaughlin ‘Love Devotion Surrender’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#183 in the Series) is the 1973 release from guitar virtuosos Carlos Santana and Mahavishnu John McLaughlin titled Love Devotion Surrender. This was released on the heals of the Santana album Caravanserai. Both albums somewhat mystified die hard Santana fans. Both albums were a major turn from the latin-tinged Jam Rock that was featured on the bands first three releases. Santana’s second and third albums (Abraxas and the one known as III) had been number one sellers. Caravansarai peaked at number eight and this release peaked at 14. So the new sound showed an effect on sales. It would take the band 26 more years to hit the top of the charts. (Supernatural,...
Lynyrd Skynyrd “One More From The Road”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#178 in the Series and #3 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Lynyrd Skynyrd, One More From The Road. One More From The Road was the only live album that Lynyrd Skynyrd released during their classic era of 1970-1977. It was recorded on the tour following their fourth studio album, Gimme Back My Bullets. I played this album over and over back then. They were one of my favorite bands at the time. The actually were not as big as people remembered at this time. I remember seeing them right about this time and “Free Bird” was still a cult classic. It was not as well-known as it would be later even...
Waylon Jennings “I’ve Always Been Crazy”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#176 in the Series) is Waylon Jennings, I’ve Always Been Crazy. Waylon Jennings always put out cool albums! This one was one of the coolest. I’ve Always Been Crazy was one of his strongest efforts from beginning to end. This album actually rocked quite a bit. Yeah, there were a few ballads, but the title cut, “Don’t You Think This Outlaw Thing’s Done Got Out of Hand,” “A Long Time Ago” all rolled along pretty good. “A Long Time Ago” was co-written with the great Shel Silverstein. Silverstein was long known for his cartoon work and even wrote A Boy Named Sue. He also wrote another song on the album called “Whistlers and...
Judas Priest “Sad Wings of Destiny”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#175 in the Series) is Judas Priest, Sad Wings of Destiny. Back to some metal. I’m sure some might be saying ‘ug’ while others are saying, ‘It’s about time,’ but as you know, We try to spray to all fields here. Sad Wings of Destiny is EARLY Priest, real early. This was released in a period when they weren’t even sure if they were going to make it. This was their second album. One of the things that I always liked about this album was the fact that it did have a touch of prog-rock in it. I think that was something missing from some popular metal bands later. To each, his own....
Rickie Lee Jones “Rickie Lee Jones”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#173 in the Series) is the debut self-titled album from Rickie Lee Jones. Rickie Lee Jones, 1979, was one of the most successful debut albums in the seventies, both critically and commercially. It produced a hit single, “Chuck E.’s in Love,” which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Singles chart while the album peaked at #3 on the Billboard Album chart. It also won her a Grammy for Best New Artist. “Youngblood” was also successful single, but for personal preference, give me “Danny’s All-Start Joint.” It was way too cool to be a single but was among the best tracks on the album. “Last Chance Texaco”still gives chills. “Coolsville” was great if you...
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,...
Rod Stewart “Every Picture Tells a Story”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#169 in the Series) is Rod Stewart, Every Picture Tells a Story. When you look back at his career, it’s amazing how many times Rod Stewart has reinvented himself. He’s segued from blues rocker to disco to rock and roll to crooner etc. His popularity also was all over the place. He went from loved to hated to questioned to loved and everything in between. During all that time, he never released a better piece of music than Every Picture Tells a Story. I feel this will always be considered his Magnum Opus. Gasoline Alley was strong, Blondes Have More Fun sold more, Foot Lose and Fancy Free had more airplay. But you...
Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On?”
Today’s Cool Album of The Day (#168 in the Series) is Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On? I have been neglect in my lack of Rhythm and Blues on our listings. I’m changing that today with what is arguably the best Rhythm and Blues album of all time. We usually stay away from blockbuster albums as well. This album is just so good that sometimes gotta do what you gotta do! In fact, looking at the numbers, this album wasn’t a blockbuster. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Album Charts. However, it did spend nine weeks at #1 on the R+B Charts. I see it on tons of lists of best albums of all time. In fact it’s ranked...
Grateful Dead “Europe ’72”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#165 in the Series, and #1 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is the Grateful Dead, Europe ’72. As you can see by the intro, we are breaking new ground this evening. Previously, we have not feature ‘live’ albums on our blog. I’ve only written up two in all these days. They were Poco, Live at Columbia Studios, Hollywood 9/30/71 and Little Feat, Waiting For Columbus. The Poco entry was to help promote a great new release while the Feat album was to honor the drumming of Richie Hayward. Hayward had just passed away. But this evening that all changes as from today on, we start anew. Every Saturday we will be featuring...
