Jeff Healey Band “See The Light”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1024 in the Series) is Jeff Healey Band, See The Light See The Light was the break through album by Canadian Blues guitarist Jeff Healey. It was released in 1988. It was steep in Blues-Rock but actually featured a hit that was John Hiatt (with help from Fred Koller) penned ballad, “Angel Eyes.” “Angel Eyes” wasn’t the only Hiatt tune on the disc. Healey does a killer job on “Confidence Man.” Some other highlights include the title cut, “See the Light” plus “My Little Girl,” “Hideaway” and “Someday, Someway.” Jeff also does a wonderful version of ZZ Top’s, “Blue Jean Blues.” See the Light was produced by the great team of Greg Ladanyi and...
Ivan Neville ‘If My Ancestors Could See Me Now’
Today’s Cool Album Of the Day (#1016 in the Series) is Ivan Neville, If My Ancestors Could See Me Now. If My Ancestors Could See Me Now is a fantastic album by a fantastic musician, Ivan Neville. Ivan is a multi-instrumentalist and the son of the great singer, Aaron Neville. It was released in 1988. I guess you could describe it as two parts funk, one part new wave and one part rock and roll. Toss in a little blues as well. It did well but nothing special, sales wise. It did much better with the critics. Unfortunately something went bad shortly thereafter. There was a fall out between Ivan and his then label Polydor. Due to that...
Keith Richards “Talk is Cheap”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1013 in the Series) is Keith Richards, Talk is Cheap. I think I listen to this album more than any Stones album. Great songs, great arrangements, great musicians, great performances. But talk is indeed cheap. So give a listen to “Struggle,” ” Take It So Hard,” “You Don’t Move Me” and “I Could Have Stood You Up.” The latter definitely channels one of Keith’s favorites, Chuck Berry. One of the more interesting cuts on the album is “Make No Mistake.” Here Keith has written a song that Al Green would be proud of. It’s a nice departure with some great duet vocals by Sarah Dash. Word has it that this 1988 recording was during a period...
Nanci Griffith “One Fair Summer Evening”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#977 in the Series ) is Nanci Griffith, One Fair Summer Evening. “Variety; Learning about different types of music; bringing different genres to different people.” These were just some of the objectives that we publically discussed when we started this project just about a year ago. We’re most definitely going to continue in that direction tonight. This is one of those albums that requires you to “be in the proper” mood. However, when you are, this album is about as good as it gets. “What mood is that?” you ask? Mostly a mellow feeling I’d say, interested in hearing some wonderfully written songs being sung by a woman with a marvelous voice that...
The Pixies ‘Surfer Rosa’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#969 in the Series) is The Pixies, Surfer Rosa Playing my Surfer Rosa album last night reminded me that the album is not just The Pixies first album, but my favorite album as well. It also reminded me why I keep my record collection in my room away from my kids- the album’s cover features a topless woman who I remember swooning over when it first came out. In case anyone is wondering I bought the album at Sound Stage Direct, which is where I usually get my vinyl when ordering online. Check it out. You’ll find other cool stuff there as well. People always talk about Surfer Rosa’s subject matter but...
Brian Wilson ‘Brian Wilson’
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Melt Away” by Brian Wilson The fact that Brian Wilson’s eponymously titled album was ever completed was seen as nothing short of a miracle back in 1988 when it appeared in the record racks. After more than a decade of inactivity in which Wilson spent most of his time in bed doing nothing, he came under the around the clock care of Dr. Eugene Landy who got him out of bed, put him on an exercise regimen and got him back into the studio. Brian Wilson was pared with Beach Boy aficionado Andy Paley who produced the sessions, however like Murray Wilson (Brian’s dad) before him, Dr. Landy was a constant...
Talking Heads ‘Naked’
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “The Facts Of Life” by Talking Heads By 1988, Talking Heads were running out of fuel. The band members were somewhat fed up with each other, and were not happy with the conventional pop direction that their previous two albums took them in. For their final album called Naked, the group worked with producer Steve Lillywhite and decamped to France to record with the support of a host of East African, British, Irish and Caribbean musicians. Before leaving for Paris, the band worked up 40 basic improvisational rhythm tracks as a jumping off point in the studio. In Paris, the group would jam on one of the tracks each day and...
Neil Young and the Bluenotes .. ‘This Note’s For You’
Song Of the Day by Eric Berman – “I’m Going” by Neil Young & The Bluenotes After going electronic on Trans, country and western on Old Ways, and then turning himself into a rockabilly cat with The Shocking Pinks, what else could Neil Young have had in store for fans whose patience was beginning to wear thin as the 1980s drew to a close? Soul man! In 1988, Neil Young put together a soulful horn band called The Bluenotes and recorded the album This Note’s For You. The album was seen as a return to form after a string of patchy genre-hopping releases for Geffen Records, and it was also his first release back on the Reprise label. The...
The Church Perform ‘Starfish’ in its Entirety as it Marks its 25th Anniversary. Watch it Here
2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the great album Starfish from the Australian band The Church. The album was released on February 16th, 1988. It featured the bands first US hit, “Under The Milky Way.” The album peaked at #41 here on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and “Under The Milky Way” peaked at #26 on the Hot 100 Singles chart. ——————————————————————————— Track listing “Destination” (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog) “Under the Milky Way” (Kilbey/Jansson) “Blood Money” (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog) “Lost” (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog) “North, South, East And West” (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog) “Spark” (Willson-Piper) “Antenna” (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog) “Reptile” (Kilbey/Willson-Piper/Koppes/Ploog) “A New Season” (Koppes) “Hotel Womb” (Kilbey) Here’s the personnel listing for the original recording Personnel Steve Kilbey: bass guitar, lead vocals Peter Koppes: guitars, lead vocal on...
Talk Talk “Spirit Of Eden”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#614 in the Series) is Talk Talk, Spirit Of Eden Most music lovers, even if they know nothing else about the band, will recognize at least one of Talk Talk’s trio of superb early/mid-80’s singles. “Talk Talk,” “It’s My Life” and “Life’s What You Make It” were certainly memorable and they helped pave the way for main men Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Green’s shift into distinctly muddier musical waters. The music they crafted later in the decade was a whole new thing and, arguably, much more of an acquired taste. The Colour Of Spring (1986) had been a real leap forward, a fantastic and cohesive release which garnered much praise, all of...
