The Call “Reconciled”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#672 in the Series) is The Call, Reconciled. One topic that I tend to revisit often is about the “Band That Didn’t Get Their Due.” The Call fits that line as well as any act on these pages. Despite some great songs, a decent label push and some nice guest stars, Reconciled got some airplay but didn’t click like it should have I believe. Two tracks received most of the play. ‘They were the first two tracks on the disc, “Everywhere I Go” and “I Still Believe.” I once heard an old saying around record stores. “If you’re thinking of buying a album and don’t know much about it. Don’t buy it if...
The Band “Rock of Ages”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day(#555 in the Series and #58 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is The Band, Rock of Ages. (Capitol) Rock of Ages is the first of four “official” live albums by The Band. Most people regard the expansive box set of The Last Waltz to be The Band’s most impressive live statement, but I think a closer listen to Rock of Ages will give an argument that this is not only The Band’s best live album but perhaps one of the top 10 live albums that has ever been released. I’m usually a purist when it comes to original releases vs. reissues. I felt for years that the original double LP released in...
The Band “Music From Big Pink”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#494 in the Series) is The Band, Music From Big Pink. No, The Band’s 1969 album titled The Band, was not their debut album. That distinction would be given to their 1968 release, Music From Big Pink. I know we have a ton of followers of The Band that visit our site. Yeah, I knew you knew, but many actually don’t. Quite a few people actually. Last week we looked at a great debut album from The Pretenders. We spoke about how that was one of the best debuts in music history. This one is also in that team picture. When that Pretenders album hit the streets, they were a new act for...
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,...
Robbie Robertson “Robbie Robertson”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#200 in the Series) self-titled solo debut from Robbie Robertson. This one is a ‘special’ album. I recently listen to this great work in its entirety for the first time in many moons. It was as moving as it was the first time I heard it. It is an absolute gem. “Fallen Angel” was Robbie (co-written by Martin Page)‘s tribute to Richard Manuel. Richard was Robbie’s longtime band-mate. It features some great support vocals by Peter Gabriel. I’ve included the full list of participating musicians. It’s quite lengthy. Special mentions include U2, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Terry Bozzio and Ivan Neville. It took Robbie 11 years to release his first solo effort. When...
Joni Mitchell "Court and Spark"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#152 in the Series) is Joni Mitchell, Court and Spark. Court and Spark was the album that took Joni Mitchell from a pretty darn good selling artist to a star. It was a monster album. It reached #2 on the Billboard Album charts but had long time staying power on rock radio. It fit in perfectly with the singer/songwriter period which was very hot in 1974. Sure this was three or four years after she had written Woodstock, but it’s Court and Spark more often than not when people think Joni Mitchell. This album contains songs such as “Help Me,” “Free Man in Paris,” “Car on a Hill,” “Raised on Robbery” and the...
The Band "Northern Lights, Southern Cross"
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....
