Today’s  Cool Album of the Day (#376 in the Series) is Frank Black and the Catholics, Dog In The Sand Who the heck actually knows how many solo album’s Frank Black has put out by now? Jeez, probably even Frank himself has lost count! But it’s a lot. By my reckoning we’re talking, as of May 2011, 15 albums. Roughly. He’s a prolific guy. There’s been a remarkable output over the last 18 years and what’s even more remarkable is the consistency and high standard of the material , they’ve all been pretty good albums. Which is why there’s so much debate amongst his fans about which one is actually the best. That’s a question i wouldn’t even attempt to...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#374 in the Series) is the self-titled debut from Go West I really dug some of the synth-rock new wave bands of the 80s. I always thought that Go West was one of the better ones.  I must say, when I started doing some of the research for this write-up, I was a little surprised how well this stood up. Not all of them do. Have any you plopped on a Thompson Twins album lately?  You might be surprised that they don’t sound all that hot! Go West was made of two band members, drummer, vocalist and double phallic named Peter Cox, along with guitarist, vocalist Richard Drummie. This was their debut album....

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#373 in the Series) is Johnny Cash,  at Folsom Prison. Rosanne Cash was on tour recently on a west coast tour, one of her stops was in Folsom, California.  While there, she made a stop to the prison where her famous father recorded one of his most famous albums 44 years earlier. She played a few songs in the lunchroom, just as he once did.  Many times I think about concerts and say “I wish I were there.” This is one that hearing a tape would be just as fine, thank you. Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison almost did not happen.  It was in the works for some time and then some major...

As composer, guitarist and vocalist for the band Citadel, Rejyna’s sonic work ranges from searing to serene.  Her lyrics and vocals present phonic ponderings and philosophical premises that contemplate dreams and inner intuition as the source for true peace and happiness.  Rejyna often strays from standard song structure, such as using silence as a chorus, or putting two or three short songs into one interwoven full-length piece, straying from 4/4 whenever a chance presents.  The harmonic interplay and moods are intended to match lyrics and guitar phrasings to the message of the song. Taking time to return to her hometown for some overdue reunions presented Rejyna the opportunity to play some solo acoustic sets.  She put together a set...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#371 in the Series) is Sade,  Diamond Life Sade, Diamond Life was released, here in the States,  in February, 1985.  I distinctly remember two things about that time.  Firstly, I remember listening to this album and being taken in on how different it sounded from what was on the radio. Who was going to play this? Would Top 40 touch it? Could it possibly be played on the R+B stations? How about the better rock stations of the time? Well, the answer turned out to be yes.  I heard this album on those formats, and then some.  It really sprayed to all fields. The other thing that I remember was that at the...

Gram Parsons has been gone for over 35 years now. Yet his influence on Emmylou Harris isn’t just hinted at in her sound. No, every so often, she gathers up that internal feeling and writes another great song to honor her dear friend. See: Boulder to Birmingham. I want to make sure that people know the other side of the story. We always hear how much Gram had to do with Emmylou’s early career. I want to make sure that people realize that this wasn’t a one way street. Emmylou may have helped Gram even more. Yes, you read it right. I’m referring to the Flying Burrito Brother era of Gram’s career and even into the period where he...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#369 in the Series) is Chris Isaak, Baja Sessions OK, let’s cut straight to the chase here. This album was never going to be a ground-breaking, innovative classic. It was never going to change the face of modern music and it was never going to be sitting atop any “Greatest Album Of The Decade” polls. Heck , it’s probably not even Isaak’s best album. It was never about that. What it IS about though, undoubtedly, is a whole lot of laid-back, easy-going summertime fun ! Pure and simple. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that now is there ? Sometime in the early 90’s, Chris Isaak and his band found themselves down in...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#367 in the Series) is Ben Folds, Rockin’ The Suburbs Ben Folds’ 2001 solo debut Rockin’ The Suburbs is one of those albums that kind of took me by surprise. If you’ve ever listened to his work either solo or with his 90’s band Ben Folds Five, it’s like sitting down listening to a friend tell a story. This release, however, was his first solo effort, and manages to balance  cleverness and vulnerability while maintaining some pretty impressive consistency. North Carolina native Folds is reasonably prolific, with over 20 albums, EPs, and compilations, and if you think you haven’t heard him before…well, you most likely have. He contributed to the soundtracks of Over...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day(#366 in the Series and #31 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is U2, Under a Blood Red Sky U2 long ago entered a stage where they are now quite polarizing. There are quite a few people that want nothing more to do with the Irish band.  My guess is that they’re tired of Bono’s politics. U2, Under a Blood Red Sky was a different time. This album smokes as far as I’m concerned. You may have seen the accompanying video for the album that was recorded at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado. One of the true great concert venues we have.  I know it looks cool, I’ve never been there so I can’t...

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...