Merle Haggard "I Am What I Am"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#959 in the Series) is Merle Haggard, I Am What I Am. I was REAL late coming to the Merle Haggard appreciation society. I’ve loved traditional country for many years. But for some reason Merle slid though the cracks for me. That changed due to his classic song, “Sing Me Back Home.” About five years ago I started noticing all these artist I really respected had covered it. The Grateful Dead, Flying Burrito Brothers, Heartfield, Gram Parsons and Keith Richards together, The Everly Brothers, etc etc. I had to look in on it. Then I started checking out all these old albums and wow. I sure missed quite a bit. Instead of featuring...
The Little Willies “The Little Willies”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#533 in the Series) is the self-titled debut album from The Little Willies (Milking Bull/Parlophone Records) Have you ever heard an album well after it was released and wondered “How did I miss this one? This is right in my wheel-house.” No, I’m not talking about an artist that does not get any recognition. It happens all the time with them, some of them are even new acts. It’s easy to get turned onto them the first time years later. I’m talking about an artist that gets a nice amount of play, is on radio and in this case, even performed one of these tracks on late night TV. Well, the “better late...
Joe Jackson “Jumpin’ Jive”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#410 in the Series) is Joe Jackson, Jumpin’ Jive Now THIS my dear friends is the absolute definition of a “Cool Album.” Joe Jackson released this album of many big band, swing tunes in 1981. It’s Cool and it’s fun. I didn’t get a chance to see this tour, but I did see Mr. Joe play a lengthy medley of these songs on his Big World Tour in 1986. He and they were marvelous. What Joe did here was release an album of well-known cover tunes that were originally released by the classic of era. Performers like Louis Jordan and especially Cab Calloway made careers of playing this music. I would have loved...
Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel "Willie and the Wheel"
Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel’s, “Willie and the Wheel.” Which 2009 release sat in my CD player the most? It easily was Willie Nelson and Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel teaming up for Willie and the Wheel. This was such a fun record. Short, only 36 minutes in length and just a bunch of fun. They covered ‘Hesitation Blues’ (Hot Tuna used to do a great rendition of this) and also ‘I’m Sitting on Top of the World.’ Some of my favorites included ‘Sweet Jennie Lee’ and also Oh! You Pretty Woman.’ One of the most accessible records I’ve heard in a long time. I real easy listen....
