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...

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....

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...

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,...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#171 in the Series) is self-titled debut from, Court Yard Hounds. This was my surprise find of the year.  It’s one of my favorite albums of 2010. For those of you not familiar with Court Yard Hounds, they are Emily Robison and Martie Maguire from the Dixie Chicks. I’ve always liked the Dixie Chicks.  Taking their name from a Little Feat song got them going in the right direction from the start with me!  However, I never was a huge fan that saw them in concert or bought more than an album here or there. (I do think the single ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ is superb!) So one night I’m watching David...

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...

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...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#167 in the Series) is Icehouse, Primitive Man. Well this is one of my more obscure titles.  In fact, I just realized that I’ve gone back to back with Australian early 80’s albums.  Oh well, there’s always been great music coming from that part of the world. There a reason I wanted to write up this album.  I worked in music related industries for many, many years.   From writing reviews to promoting concerts to music distribution etc , etc.  The entry point into the business was a part time writer, part time ad seller etc for Night Rock News out of Merrillville, Indiana.  In fact, thank you to Van Pudlo for giving me...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#166 in the Series) is INXS, Shabooh Shoobah. I always had a warm spot in my heart for INXS.  I’m not sure why, I think because they’re just different. I can’t really explain it.  But I always felt that they had a sound that could not be compared to anyone. I think it was because of that slight bit of funk tossed into their overall makeup. I’ve heard people say the early stuff had a U2 sound to it. I don’t think anyone was copying U2 in the 1980. Much less a band from Australia like INXS. Two songs really stood out for me.  They were the first and the last.  The One...

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...