Sam Cooke “Ain’t That Good News”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#268 is in the Series) is Sam Cooke, Ain’t That Good News Sam Cooke was one of Soul/R+ B/Rock and Roll’s greatest voices. That’s one of the benefits of writing these pieces. I get to remind myself of all these wonderful works. This in near the top of that the list. How well was Sam Cooke respected in the Rock and Roll field? As highly as one can be. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in the inaugural class of 1986. High praise indeed. I invite each of you to listen to the playlist below. Remind yourself that this ISN’T a greatest hits package either! Even if it...
Otis Redding “The Dock of the Bay”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#252 in the Series) is Otis Redding, The Dock of the Bay. I’ve felt that I’ve neglected the “Soul/R + B” genre for some time. I’d really like to add more to this area. I looked into a few albums I considered and while doing so, I stumbled upon a historical fact that I did not know. I’m guessing many of you did, but I’m almost ashamed to admit that I did not. I was not aware that Otis Redding recorded his masterpiece, “(Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay” only three days before he lost his life. In fact, the song was not even considered the finished product. Otis had not written...
The Moody Blues “Days of Future Passed”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#225 in the Series) is The Moody Blues, Days of Future Passed. When listening back to this album the first thing that hits me is “This was 1967!” I remember hearing some of the hit songs on the radio when I was a kid. I wish I would have remembered more what people were saying about the release. This was definitely ahead of his time stuff. How many bands had orchestral arrangements in their music? I was thinking which other acts featured an orchestra ‘back in the day.’ I came up with Procol Harem (Live), Pink Floyd (Ummagumma), Emerson, Lake and Palmer (Pictures at an Exhibition), King Crimson (Court of the Crimson King.) ...
The Flying Burrito Brothers “The Gilded Palace of Sin”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#216 in the Series) is The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin. I was looking at the track listing. I was trying to figure out which songs to mention first. It’s nearly an impossibility to determine one over another. This album is that good. It should go down in the history of American music as one a ground breaking piece of music. It’s that good. I’ve loved the solo work that Gram Parson did after leaving the band. The work here that he created along with Chris Hillman, “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow and Chris Ethridge is unmatched in the world of Americana or country-rock. ‘Christine’s Tune (aka She’s a Devil in Disguise),...
Buffalo Springfield “Buffalo Springfield Again”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#209 in the Series) is Buffalo Springfield, Buffalo Springfield Again. Buffalo Springfield didn’t last too long, but did pretty darn well when they were around. How many other bands released just three albums yet make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Those three albums were Buffalo Springfield, Buffalo Springfield Again and Last Time Around. Today we’re going to look at that middle album. This album featured well known tracks written by the three main front men. Those songs would remain part of their individual live shows until today. They would be Neil Young with ‘I am a Child’ and ‘Mr. Soul,’ Richie Furay with ‘A Child’s Claim to Fame’ and...
The Byrds "Sweetheart of the Rodeo"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day is the 1968 release by The Byrds, Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Quite simply, a masterpiece. Was it the first country rock album? That’s debatable. There has been so much written and discussed about this music that I’m not even going to try and invent an original idea. Just listen to the music. I’d have loved to have heard Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons stay together longer. But then Gram might not have gone on to to record two other great pieces of music (Gram Parsons and GP). And maybe he wouldn’t have gone on to discover (along with Chris Hillman) EmmyLou Harris. The Byrds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
It’s a Beautiful Day "It’s a Beautiful Day"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day is the self titled album, It’s a Beautiful Day. How many remember this one? It’s a Beautiful Day was one of the great ‘hippie-rock psychedelic bands’ of the 60s. This was released in 1969. You’d have pegged them as a San Francisco band but they actually were from Seattle. Well Seattle when they started. Band leaders David and Linda LaFlamme actually moved around quite a bit. They were known mainly for the epic song, ‘White Bird.’ Ah, now you remember! They also had a decent follow up called ‘Hot Summer Day.’ Track listing Side one “White Bird” (6:06) “Hot Summer Day” (5:46) “Wasted Union Blues” (4:00) “Girl With No Eyes” (3:49) Side two...
Arlo Guthrie "Alice’s Restaurant"
Today’s Cool Album of The Day(#230in the Series) is is Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant. An American Classic, simply put. Alice’s Restaurant was recorded and released in 1967. It was Woodie Guthrie’s son, Arlo’s, debut album. The story of ‘Alice’s Restaurant Massacre” is a wonderful tale, full of humor and Americana. It is some marvelous story telling. It’s a tale that needs to be listened to. It’s the full side of the album. It could have been longer as far as I’m concerned. Many radio stations break format on Thanksgiving and will play this lengthy track. We’re thankful for that. We have the full song below for you to listen to. Sit back, relax and enjoy this Arlo Guthrie...
