Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane “Rough Mix”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#563 in the Series) is Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane, Rough Mix (MCA US, Polydor UK) Ronnie Lane was, along with Steve Marriott, one of the founding members of the seminal rock group The Small Faces. Pete Townshend is the back-bone of what can easily be considered one of the top four rock bands of all time, The Who. Together in 1977 while Pete was on a musical vacation between The Who By Number sand what probably should have been their swan song Who Are You, and Ronnie was making yet another attempt to revitalize his solo career after four mostly critically acclaimed yet publicly ignored solo albums with his appropriately named...
Eric Clapton “Slowhand”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#439 in the Series and #21 in the Whale Wednesday Series) is Eric Clapton, Slowhand Slowhand was a major, major release for Mr. Clapton. It was one of the few that featured some strong radio friendly top 40 hits. Now there is a thing where something can be a top 40 hit and still be a good song. So, so many times hear from people that think just because something is a huge hit that it’s no longer a quality piece of music. Well let me tell you, those are usually the hardest songs to write. OK, so maybe this wasn’t the usual blues guitar heavy rock album that we had grown accustom...
John Hiatt “Slow Turning”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#420 in the Series ) is John Hiatt, Slow Turning. Three Dog Night- “Sure As I’m Sitting Here; Rosanne Cash –“This is the Way We Make a Broken Heart “and “Pink Bedroom,” Jeff Healey Band –“Angry Eyes,” Eric Clapton and BB King – “Ridin’ With the King – Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit and Desert Rose Band – ”She Don’t Love Nobody,” Bonnie Raitt –“Think Called Love.” You may know many of these songs. They all did quite well and they were all written by John Hiatt. For years he was known as the guy that put out hits for others but couldn’t quite make that success carry over to his own...
George Harrison “All Things Must Pass”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#418 in the Series)is George Harrison, All Things Must Pass I know I’ve mentioned the purpose of the Whale Wednesday Series. Yeah, the plan was to feature some of the bigger releases and give them some representation on the site as well. However I meant that to mean “bigger” in regards to profile or sales etc. I didn’t intend it to mean the actual size of the recording! So here we have one that fits the term ‘Huge’ on a couple fronts. The first of those being that it was recorded by George Harrison along with some well-known friends. The second being how well this was accepted. All Things Must Pass sold over...
Delaney & Bonnie “D & B Together”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Delaney & Bonnie, D & B Together Delaney Bramlett and Bonnie Lynn O’Farrell did not have the name recognition of Sonny & Cher or the album sales of Buckingham-Nicks, yet between 1969 and 1972, as Delaney & Bonnie they created a sound that combined rock, blues, funk, soul, a little country, and a dose of gospel that was so hip and incendiary that followers the likes of Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, and George Harrison were all influenced in one way or another by the duo. Separately, or as together they had a hand in writing Clapton’s “Let It Rain” and Karen Carpenter’s “ Superstar” as well as many other hit...
How To Become Clairvoyant, Robbie Robertson’s First Album in Over a Decade, Is Due Out April 5, 2011 on 429 Records
Produced By Marius de Vries And Robertson Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Robert Randolph, Trent Reznor And Tom Morello are Featured PR Newswire LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4, 2011 LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — On April 5, 2011, 429 Records will release How To Become Clairvoyant, Robbie Robertson’s fifth solo album and his first record in more than 10 years. Guitar virtuosos Eric Clapton (who co-wrote three tracks with Robertson), Tom Morello and Robert Randolph guest on the album, which Robertson co-produced with Marius de Vries. How To Become Clairvoyant also features Steve Winwood and Trent Reznor as well as vocalists Angela McCluskey, Rocco Deluca, Dana Glover and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. Bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Ian Thomas lay down the groove throughout. On his last two albums – Music for The Native Americans (1994) and Contact from the Underworld of Redboy (1998) – Robertson explored his ancestry. Now,...
Christine McVie “Christine McVie”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#215 in the Series) is the self-titled release from Christine McVie. Christine McVie was released in 1984. It was her first album since her Christine Perfect album, which was released in 1970. I always loved her contributions to Fleetwood Mac. I’d have no interest in seeing them now and watching Stevie Nicks sing Christine’s songs. I know Stevie has a ton of fans, but give me Ms. McVie anytime. This album contained two hits. ‘Got Ahold on Me’ and ‘Love Will Show us How.’ Got a Hold on Me’ peaked at #10 while ‘Love Will Show us How’ reached #30. You can listen to both songs below. The Christine McVie album peaked at...
