R.E.O. Speedwagon “Live, You Get What You Play For” .. Today’s “Cool Album of the Day”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#6xx in the Series) is R.E.O. Speedwagon, Live, You Get What You Play For 888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 Track listing “Like You Do” (Gary Richrath) – 6:54 “Lay Me Down” (Richrath, Gregg Philbin) – 3:39 “Any Kind of Love” (Richrath) – 3:34 “Being Kind (Can Hurt Someone Sometimes)” (Kevin Cronin) – 6:35 “Keep Pushin'” (Cronin) – 4:06 “(Only A) Summer Love” (Richrath) – 6:05 “Son of a Poor...

Herb Alpert’s ‘Whipped Cream Lady’ is a lovely 82 Years Old….

Boomer Guys, the girl of your teen dreams is now 82 years old Her name is Dolores Erickson and she has been living in the Seattle for around 40 years, after a career that included being an Eileen Ford model in New York. She appeared at a Seattle record store recently and wants to tell you teen dreamers, “Enjoy the memories.” You don’t know her by name — maybe as the “Whipped Cream Lady” — but certainly by the...

Digital Sex ‘Essence’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1050 in the Series) is Digital Sex, Essence Do you know this one? No you say? I somewhat expected that. No, not because the band wasn’t good enough or deserving enough because they indeed were. They were quite good but they were unfortunate to be another one of those talented acts that fell through the cracks. I don’t remember seeing them on MTV and that was the quickest and easiest way...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Original London Cast

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is the Original London Cast recording of Jesus Chris Superstar. It”s now our Cool Album of the Day every Easter Sunday. Don’t give me the knock-offs. Give me the original 1971 release featuring Ian Gillian as Jesus. I remember playing the hell out of this back in the day. To me this has always been the definitive version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera. It’s the Original London Concept Recording. Yes, I...

Nomad Planets ‘You’re Never Lost Until You Panic’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1033 in the Series) is Nomad Planets, You’re Never Alone Until You Panic The following was originally posted back about seven years ago. Let’s read it again shall we… This is a piece that I’ve been meaning to write for quite some time. What’s taken so long? That’s an easy one. I love this album so much that I never thought I could do it justice with words. I still don’t think...

The ‘Nirvana Baby’ is Now All Grown Up. Who is He? What Is He Doing Now?

Let’s check out this post that we ran a few years ago. Spencer is now nearly 30 years old. You’ve seen him but you probably never knew his name. The famous three month old pee-pee baring baby on the cover of the Nirvana Nevermind album is now a thirty something year old man. His name is Spencer Elden. He told MTV News a few years back “it’s kind of creepy that that many people have seen me...

Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. The Most Complete Listing of Shows from the 60s thru the 90s

Ah the Aragon Ballroom. This is a fun listing for the old Rock ‘n’ Rollers that visit the Cool Album of the Day site. Here’s a list of just about ever show that was held at the Aragon Ballroom in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. If you went there, have fun looking thru this list. Look for the shows that you saw. Feel ‘bummed’ about the ones you missed. Be angry about the ones that you would have checked...

Phil Lucafo ‘One Block East’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1023 in the Series) is Phil Lucafo, One Block East. One Block East is the first solo album by former Heartsfield co-lead guitarist/co-lead vocalist Phil Lucafo. (Full disclosure: One Block East was released by Cool Album Productions which is also owns this website.) Phil was responsible or partly responsible for many of Heartsfield’s better known songs such as “The Only Time I’m Sober Is When You’re Gone,” “Pass Me By,” “Gypsy Rider,”...

“Cool Album of the Day” is Looking for Contributors

If you follow the Cool Album of the Day website I’m guessing that you are a little bit of a music fan. Excellent! Have you ever wanted to be published? Well if you are, we at Cool Album of the Day are always looking for contributors. You know what we do here. Like I mentioned, we’re always looking for people that would like to do a write up on some of their favorite albums. We’d also love people that would...

The Reconstructed “Great North Wind” NEW MUSIC REVIEW

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1005 in the Series) is The Reconstructed Great North Wind. When first approached by the CEO of Cool Album of The Day to write this review I was met with great trepidation. My exact words were “I’d feel foolish writing a record review for an album recorded by a good friend.” After some serious introspection while out mowing my lawn it occurred to me that people need to hear this album! So...

Mudcrutch "Mudcrutch"

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#981 in the series) is the debut self-titled album by Mudcrutch. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never been the biggest Tom Petty fan. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s OK, I do like him. I’ve seen him and really enjoyed the show. (Althought I liked the opening band the del Fuegos better) I’ve liked some of this work but I think the best thing he ever did was his...

Old & In The Way “Old & In The Way”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#978 in the series.) is Old and In The Way. Five great musicians getting together for some great pickin’ and singin.’ I guess you could call it bluegrass but there’s more than a hint of old fashioned mountain music thrown in. For those of you not familiar with this project, Old and In the Way were Peter Rowan (guitar, vocals), David Grisman (mandolin, vocals), John Kahn (bass), Vassar Clements (fiddle) and Jerry Garcia...

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...

Genesis “Seconds Out”

Today’s Cool Album Of the Day (#976 in the Series) is Genesis, Seconds Out. How much do I like this album? Well, if I could only take ten albums to a desert island, I might have to take two copies of this and then eight others. This was the album that made me fall in love with Genesis. I don’t know why I didn’t get into them earlier. After this was released I did go back and loved all...

Warren Zevon ‘The Wind’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#975 in the Series) is Warren Zevon, The Wind In the final episode of season 2 of the hit Showtime series Californication, down on his self-inflicted luck, writer Hank Moody has just finished a book project and is ready to begin his post-project ritual. “Every time I finish a book, It’s Whiskey, Weed and Warren Zevon, It’s the little things” he says, while ”Keep Me in your Heart” plays delicately in the background....

Blood, Sweat and Tears “3”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (# 974 in the Series) is Blood, Sweat and Tears, 3. In many ways, this album had more to do with long love affair with music, than any other album ever released. When I was a wee lad, my sister gave me copy of this. It was actually on cassette. It was right when those lovely pre-recorded cassettes first hit the market. I had a player and played it over and over...

Justin Townes Earle “Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#973 in the Series) is Justin Townes Earle, Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now (Bloodshot Records) When your father is one of the best singer-songwriters in the business and you are named after another about whom Steve Earle once said “Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that”, the expectations are...

Richard & Linda Thompson ‘I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#972 in the Series) is Richard & Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. This is an album I’ve went back to recently and it’s captivated me, full to the brim as it is with wonderfully bleak, world-weary and fascinating songs. I actually found my old cassette copy of it and realized that I hadn’t played the full album in years, most of my Richard Thompson stuff is on...

Hal Ketchum “Past The Point Of Rescue”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#971 in the Series) is Hal Ketchum, Past the Point of Rescue. I don’t know what it is. I’ve always been a sucker for those songs when an artist takes a known track, their’s or possibly another artists, and recreates it using a slower tempo. I’m thinking of tracks like Joe Jackson’s live version (played as part of the Big World tour) of “Steppin’ Out” or Loey Nelson’s take on “To Sir with...

Jellyfish ‘Bellybutton’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#970 in the Series) is Jellyfish, Bellybutton. My guess is that a good number of you don’t know this album or even this band. In one word, “you should!” They were one of the best power-pop bands of the early nineties, Jellyfish. One of those bands that you ask yourself, Why wasn’t this all over radio, why were they not more popular? They definitely had some radio friendly songs, a good look a...

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...

Ten Years After ‘A Space in Time’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#968 in the Series) is Ten Years After, A Space In Time When you are three pints in, and the conversation as it inevitably does, turns to the greatest guitar players of all time, and the usual suspects Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and the rest are shouted out from around the bar, the name Alvin Lee is largely and criminally ignored. As one of the early pioneers of Blues Rock,...

Sebastian Cabot, actor; Bob Dylan, poet ‘A Dramatic Reading with Music’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#959 in the Series) is Sebastian Cabot, actor; Bob Dylan, poet. A Dramatic Reading with Music. ..Like one of our favorite comedy troupes once proclaimed…”And Now For Something Completely Different.” You’d be hard pressed to find something as different as this. What I like about this album is the fact that it’s of course a novelty album, a “what the heck, why not album” yet it has a redeeming quality that makes...

Johnny Cash “American Recordings V: A Hundred Highways”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Johnny Cash, American Recordings V: A Hundred Highways The year was 1994, and it was not the best of times for Johnny Cash. His health, starting to fail from a series of illnesses and decades of hard living, was seemingly bringing “The Man in Black” much closer to the end than he was ready to admit. His latest major record label, Mercury Records had dropped him after one last commitment record, The...

Shadowfax “Watercourse Way”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#955 in the Series) is Shadowfax, Watercourse Way When you look at a listing of the best bands Chicagoland has produced it better have Shadowfax included, if it doesn’t find a new list. Are you familiar with Shadowfax? If not, let me go back a ways. The origins of this eventual Grammy-winning band begin in the early 70s in south-suburban Crete, Illinois. That’s where the band lived in a farmhouse popularly known as...

Alice Cooper "Billion Dollar Babies"

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#953 in the Series) is Alice Cooper, Billion Dollar Babies. About three years ago I listened to this album for the first time in about 12 years. I could not believe how great it still sounded. Of all the early 70s things that I loved, this one still kicked as good, if not better, than almost anything else I’d played in quite sometime from that old era. The quality of the tracks stood...

The Doobie Brothers “What Were Onces Vices Are Now Habits”

Today’s Cool album of the Day (#952 in the Series) is The Doobie Brothers, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. Can you believe that this little gem was released 41 years ago this week!! I really enjoy the decade or so tradition of bands playing one of their albums in its entirety. I know it would probably never happen, but if the Doobie Brothers were to do add join that tradition, then they should play “What Were Once...

Billy Joe Shaver ‘Long in the Tooth’

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#948 in the Series) is Billy Joe Shaver, Long in the Tooth On the Mount Rushmore of 70’s Highwayman Icons, a zip code that includes Willie Nelson,Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristoffersons, Billy Joe Shaver could very well be considered the fifth Beatle, the under the radar cowboy that jump-started the movement with Honky Tonk Heroes in 1973, and in the process put the outlaw in Outlaw Country, reshaped the image...

Complete Footage of “The Last Waltz” Concert Surfaces

Yes, you read that headline correctly. The full nearly four hour performance of the 1976 Thanksgiving night concert by The Band has made it’s way to the public. It includes, previously unreleased tunes by The Band such as “WS Wolcott Medicince Show,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Arcadian Driftwood,” “Rag Mama Rag,” and also “The Weight” which in the film was represented only by the live in studio version. No overdubs here either. Songs by some of the guest...

The Most Popular Songs Played By Musicians In Each State

MADISON, WI – March 19, 2014 – Dialect, cuisine and fashion tastes can vary by state, and the songs people like to play are no different, according to a recent list of the distinctively best-selling sheet music titles by Musicnotes.com, the world’s top digital sheet music e-retailer and publisher. Musicnotes crafted a list of the “Uniquely Popular Sheet Music by State (Plus D.C.)” to expound on the breadth of its sheet music catalogue, as well as the diversity of...

Springsteen Continues to Cover Australian Acts During Down Under Tour. Inxs ‘Don’t Change,’ AC/DC, Bee Gees and Lorde in the Mix as Well

Bruce Springsteen continues to pull out some cool surprises on his current tour down under. He’s been including some great tunes by the locals into his mix. We’ll post videos when we can. I’ll add them as I get them. So far they’ve included Inxs’ “Don’t Change.” AC/DC “Highway to Hell” (wth Eddie Vedder) and Lorde’s “Royals.” The Easybeats “Friday on My Mind” and even the Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive.” I’m really hoping for some Split Enz!!! Tom Morello...

Robert Downey Jr is ‘Driven To Tears’ with Sting!

Robert Downey Jr. Joins Mr. Sting on Stage I didn’t see this one coming? Did you? Who knew Robert Downey Jr. had musical talent. He should sit in with Black Sabbath too. I have an idea what song he could sing with Ozzie! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post

AMAZING! – Watch 32 Discordant Metronomes Achieve Synchrony in a Matter of Minutes

from io9.com If you place 32 metronomes on a static object and set them rocking out of phase with one another, they will remain that way indefinitely. Place them on a moveable surface, however, and something very interesting (and very mesmerizing) happens. The metronomes in this video fall into the latter camp. Energy from the motion of one ticking metronome can affect the motion of every metronome around it, while the motion of every other metronome affects the motion...

What Were Kurt Cobain’s Favorite Fifty Albums? Here’s His Handwritten List.

I’m sure you’ve all been wondering what the late Kurt Cobain’s favorite fifty albums were. Here is his own hand written list. Now you know. I’m sure you feel better. Oh, while you here. Have you ever wondered how the baby was on the cover of Nirvana’s debut Nevermind? He’s now all grown up and we have a story on who he is and what he’s doing now. He even recreated that famous album cover. Well, kind of…...

Vince Gill Shares His Thoughts on Today’s Country Music..and He’s Right On!

For quite some time now I’ve been harsh on today’s country music, or more specifically, the state of today’s country radio. Now I’ve been joined by Vince Gill in its critique. It’s sad when Taylor Swift can dominate country radio and Merle Haggard can’t get a sniff. And I’m not talking about Merle’s old great albums I’m referring to his last couple of albums. They’ve been great yet completely ignored. Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues” also did...

Music: How we bought it through the years. Plus: ‘What is an ‘album?’

Albums? No, an ‘album’ does NOT mean vinyl. For years our radio friends would refer to the music they played as ‘albums.’ Stick around for something from the new Genesis album, or That was ”Song For My Brother’ from the Shadowfax album, ‘Watercourse Way.’ Then as the 80s were ending, so was the way that radio gave us our music. They were making the transition from playing vinyl to compact disc. It cost them a good penny and they...

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Journey "Journey"

Posted 14 Jul 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1973, Albums of the 70s, Prog-Rock, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is the self titled ‘Journey’ debut, “Journey.” In 1975 this was my favorite band. This was one of the albums that I would taken to the moon or a desert island. For those of you that only know Journey from the CRAP that they put out beginning in 1977 or 1978, you might think I’m crazy. But no, this was 1975. Journey began in ‘73 or ’74. Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon had been, respectively, keyboard, lead singer and second guitarist in Santana. In fact, Schon was only 16 or17 years only when he joined Santana in 1971. Drums where handled by Aynsley Dunbar with Ross Valory on bass. Prairie Prince was shortly...

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The Band "Northern Lights, Southern Cross"

Posted 13 Jul 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1975, Albums of the 70s, Americana, Rock + Roll, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#16 in the series) is The Band’s, “Northern Lights, Southern Cross.” No, It’s not as popular as some of The Band’s other releases such as ‘Music From Big Pink, Stage Fright” or the live masterpiece, “The Last Waltz,” but 1975’s “North Lights, Southern Cross” is still a great listen. Choice cuts include “Ophelia, Hobo Jungle”, and two of my favorites. “It’s Makes No Difference” and “Acadian Driftwood. Acadian Driftwood” tells the story of the the Canadian Acadian tribe and how they drifted down the Mississippi river and became, Cajuns. All songs were written by Robbie Robertson. It was the first album to be recorded in The Bands newly opened California studio called Shangri-La....

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Styx "Styx"

Posted 12 Jul 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1972, Albums of the 70s, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is the debut album by “Styx.” This release was such a HUGE deal for my friends and I. Not that it was anything ground breaking or musically more significant than other releases. This was a huge deal for mainly one reason. Styx were local lads. They were from the neighborhood, from the Parish. It was a big deal to guy that used to play ‘guitar masses’ at your church actually release something that you could toss on your turntable. The album started with a suite called ‘Movement For the Common Man.’ It contained a small part of Aaron Copeland’s ‘Fanfare for a Common Man’ but was mainly remembered for a section where they...

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Rodney Crowell "Diamonds and Dirt"

Posted 11 Jul 2010 in 80s, Albums of 1988, Albums of the 80s, Country, Country Rock

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Rodney Crowell, “Diamonds & Dirt.” Rodney Crowell is one of America’s great singer/songwriters. He’s written hits for Bob Seger (Shame on the Moon), George Strait/Jimmy Buffett (Stars on the Water), Waylon Jennings/EmmyLou Harris (Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This) and on and on. He also saves some good ones for himself. “Diamonds & Dirt” is a fine example.Highlights include: ‘I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried, She’s Crazy For Leavin’, After All This Time’ and a Duet with then wife Rosanne Cash ‘It’s Such a Small World’ Rodney was a member of the great 70s EmmyLou Harris ‘Hot Band.’ But he also had a hot band of his own. His guitarist during this...

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Devo "Q: Are We Not Men? A:We Are Devo!"

Posted 10 Jul 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1978, Albums of the 70s, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Devo’s, “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” I remember when they made their debut on Saturday Night Live back in 1978. They did their now familiar, quirky version of ‘The Stones, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.’ Watchers didn’t know if this was a musical guest or just another comedy sketch! Well, 32 years later the band is still putting out records. I thought they smoked on Late Night with David Letterman yesterday. The played really well and Mark Mothersbaugh’s voice was as strong as ever. They’re new ‘get up’ is pretty cool too. : Q:Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! was the band debut. It featured more...

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Blondie "Eat To The Beat"

Posted 01 Jul 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1979, Albums of the 70s, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of The Day (#81 in The Series) is Blondie, “Eat To The Beat.” I wasn’t sure what to do today. Then I heard it was Debbie Harry’s 65 birthday. I looked at her solo album “Rockbird” since I’m a big fan of that release. But I decided to go with Blondie’s “Eat to The Beat.” Why, well it has what may by my two favorite Blondie tracks, ‘Dreaming’ and ‘Union City Blue.’ “Eat to the Beat” was produced by Mike Chapman and reached #17 on the Billboard US chart. Happy Birthday DH Track listing Side A “Dreaming” (Debbie Harry, Chris Stein) – 3:08 “The Hardest Part” (Harry, Stein) – 3:42 “Union City Blue” (Nigel Harrison, Harry) –...

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Little Feat "Down on the Farm"

Posted 29 Jun 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1979, Albums of the 70s, Americana, Jazz/Rock, Rock + Roll, Swampy

Today’s Cool Album of The Day is Little Feat, Down on The Farm. This album was released in 1979. It was being recorded when lead singer, slide guitarist, front man Lowell George passed away. Today is the 31st anniversary of Lowell death. It wasn’t one of the bands better selling, nor better received albums. But I loved it. It’s one of my Little Feat favorites. Favorite tracks? They’d include, ‘Six Feet of Snow, Down on The Farm, Perfect Imperfection’ and ‘Wake Up Dreaming.’ Some interesting guest players on the disc. David Linley, Robben Ford, Sneaky Pete Kleinow (Flying Burrito Brothers), Bonnie Raitt and future Little Feat member, Fred Tackett. Lowelll George (4-13-45) — (6-29-79) Here’s a video of the...

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Elvis Costello "My Aim Is True"

Posted 21 Jun 2010 in 70s, Albums of 1977, Albums of the 70s, Rock + Roll, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Singer / Songwriter

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True. The live Elvis’ debut release. I remember when it came out and ‘XRT jumped on it. Great song followed by great song. Little did I know that he’d be putting out great music with unmatched variety to this day. His backing band on ‘My Aim is True’ was an unheard of band called ‘Clover.’ They went on to become, ‘The News’ as in Huey Lewis and….’ They should have suck with Elvis. There are many memorable moments here. “Angel’s Want To Wear My Red Shoes, Mystery Dance, Radio Sweetheart, Alison, Less Than Zero and Watching the Detectives.” It’s hard to find many better debut albums. Elvis...

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Graham Parker and the Shot "Steady Nerves"

Posted 21 Jun 2010 in 80s, Albums of 1985, Albums of the 80s, Rock + Roll, Singer / Songwriter

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Graham Parker and the Shot’s, “Steady Nerves.” Far, Far, Far from being Parker’s most popular album, “Steady Nerves” always was a favorite of mine. This was released in 1985 and I had just gotten my first full time music biz job and I remember this being one of the first ‘promos’ I ever received. Maybe that’s why I played it a bunch. Who knows. It turned out to be his only Electra release. It featured some great tracks like ‘Break Then Down, Wake Up (Next To You), Mighty Rivers’ and ‘Lunatic Fringe.’ Give it a listen…..If you can find it! UPDATE: I believe it’s been re-released. Today’s Cool Album of the Day,...

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Utopia "Adventures in Utopia"

Posted 21 Jun 2010 in 80s, Albums of 1980, Albums of the 80s, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Utopia’s, “Adventures in Utopia” For those of you that don’t know, Utopia is a band led by Philadelphia native, Todd Rundgren. He was joined by Roger Powell on keys, John ‘Willie’ Wilcox on drums and Kasim Sultan on bass. Everybody sang. This was their release of 1980. They were just spitting out the music back then. And Todd, well he was at one of his busiest periods between mid 70’s and say, 1983. Some of my favorite music by him was done during that time. ‘Adventures in Utopia’ follows my pattern of, ‘The tour I saw was often my favorite album by that artist.’ But I’m not sure which was the chicken...

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