Stan Ridgway “The Big Heat”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#625 in the Series) is Stan Ridgway, The Big Heat. OK, How many of you know this one? If you haven’t heard it, get it! Stan is possibly better known as the ex front man for Wall Of Voodoo. I’m guessing that you’ve heard “Mexican Radio” That was far from being the best Wall of Voodoo tune, but it was the one that got the play. The thing that jumped out at me about this album was the great storytelling. Many of the songs are wonderful short stories. So not only do you get some great Rock and Roll with great musicianship but it takes you to places that most albums don’t touch. I’m...
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...
The Tubes “The Completion Backward Principle”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#611 in the Series) is The Tubes, The Completion Backward Principle. “As I mentioned near the close of the last record, this record you are now playing is another example of the completion backwards principle. If you can possibly manage the time, please play both sides at one meeting.” When you plopped this on your turntable in the early 80s those lines were the first sounds you heard, and I can tell you that in most cases,yes, I did manage the time to play both sides because it was just too darn hard to stop listening. The Completion Backwards Principle is one of The Tubes most popular albums. No, it wasn’t as crazy nor...
Bobby & The Midnites “Bobby & The Midnites”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day(#609 in the Series) is the self titled album by Bobby and The Midnites. Are you familiar with this one? You should be. Talk about a great grouping of musicians. Bobby is Bob Weir ( guitar, vocals) of the Grateful Dead. This was one of his many side projects. Released in 1981, the rest of the band features one of the greatest drummers that ever put wood to skin, Billy Cobham. Bass duties were held by another heavy weight, Alphonso Johnson. Bobby Cochran on guitar and vocals. Keyboards? Brent Mydland of the Dead. Even with the jazz influences, this was still a rock and roll record. Tons of great tracks, including ‘Too Many Losers,...
Was (Not Was) “Born to Laugh at Tornadoes”
Today’s Cool album of the Day (#608 in the Series) is Was (Not Was), Born to Laugh at Tornadoes. You can look for years and years and all kinds of music and you’d be hard-pressed to find a band and a sound more interesting than that of Was (Not Was.) They brought a combination of so many different things that their uniqueness may never be topped. What makes these guys interesting and unique? Well, how about the fact that they’re a hard-funk band led by two white Jewish guys from Detroit. There’s a great start. The unbelievably high level of talent of the two bandleaders Don Was and David Was was just fantastic. Don Was has gone well...
Suzanne Vega “Solitude Standing”
Today’s Cool Album of The Day (#606 in the Series) is Suzanne Vega, Solitude Standing. Solitude Standing was singer – songwriter Suzanne Vega’s second release. It contained the hit song, “Luka.” I always thought that it was a song about spousal abuse. As I did my research on the album, I actually found out that it’s about child abuse. These are Suzanne’s own words… “ A few years ago, I used to see this group of children playing in front of my building, and there was one of them, whose name was Luka, who seemed a little bit distinctive from the other children. I always remembered his name, and I always remembered his face, and I didn’t know much...
John Fogerty “Centerfield”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#594 in the Series) is John Fogerty, Centerfield This is another one of those albums that may not be looked upon the same way as it did when it was released. I think the overplaying of the title cut may have caused a little “album fatigue” that changes the overall perspective of this album. I’m writing this looking back to what I felt and what it felt like listening to this album back in 1985. In 2012 you might not realize how much of a big deal this album was, but this was a big deal! You have to go back and look at the whole history of John Fogerty and remember...
Michael Penn “March”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#589 in the Series) is Michael Penn, March. This was a real pleasant surprise for me. I knew that actors Sean and Chris Penn had a musician brother, but that was the extent of it. It was 1989 when an RCA rep walked into my office and tossed a cassette of this album on my desk. I was told to ‘check it out. ‘I listened to it a little at the office and then played it more than once while stuck in traffic on 294 between Elk Grove Village and Oak Lawn. Did I like it, well….Yeah! In fact, before I got home, I stopped at good ol’ Wind Records on 95th street...
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Will The Circle Be Unbroken-Vol. II”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#588in the Series) is The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Volume II. Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol II is, obviously, the follow up to the 1971 album. If you’re not familiar with the two, they were a pair of albums released by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that featured a roomful of guest stars. The original album gave us names like Roy Acuff, Merle Travis, Vassar Clements etc. Volume II continued the tradition. Some wonderful names are on this release. Here we find, Johnny Cash, Sam Bush, Bruce Hornsby, EmmyLou Harris, Levon Helm, John Denver (Before he made a big splash), John Hiatt, John Prine, Rosanne Cash, Randy Scruggs, Roger...
The Church “Starfish”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#585 in the Series) is The Church, Starfish. (Arista) The Church was/is an Australian band that, although still together and touring, had their most success in the late 80s, early 90s. That success was surrounded by the wonderful album, Starfish. When I was thinking one day if I should feature this album, my friend Terry Witmer mentioned “Sure, You never heard anything like that on the radio at that time.” That made me think, “yup. Gotta do The Church.” Starfish was The Church’s fifth full album released. They had a bunch of EPs tossed in there as well. It held their highest charting single “Under the Milky Way.” When this was released in 1988,...
