Day 1: April 25, 2005

Adams, Ryan, GOLD - What a piece of crap! Sounds like someone recorded a busker in tube station.

Adderly, Cannonball, SOMETHING ELSE - Classic jazz.

Afghan Whigs, GENTLEMEN - Great hard rock.
unaired - 1965

Air, VIRGIN SUICIDES - Soundtrack to the film, some good chill out songs.
unaired - MOON SAFARI, 10,000 HERTZ LEGEND, TALKIE WALKIE

Album Leaf, IN A SAFE PLACE - A bit like Sigur Ros but not as inventive. Tracks 4 and 5 stand out.

The Ryan Adams cd thankfully was not a foreboding omen. The rest of the morning provided a good mix of moods and styles. Air and Album Leaf provided an excellent backdrop for my son's early afternoon nap.

Day 2: April 26, 2005

Alice In Chains, DIRT, FACELIFT, JAR OF FLIES, ALICE IN CHAINS, UNPLUGGED - skipped

Allman Brothers, BROTHERS AND SISTERS - The first full post-Duane/Berry recording. A mixed affair. Without Duane to bind their styles, Dickey Betts and Greg Allman's polar opposite musical styles pulled this record apart. There are classic ABB tracks here, which is a testament to the band's immense talent and to Duane's lasting vision.
unaired - FILLMORE CONCERTS, DREAMS, BEGINNINGS, EAT A PEACH, WIN LOSE OR DRAW, SEVEN TURNS, CHECK THE WINDOWS..., PEAKIN AT THE BEACON, SHADES OF TWO WORLDS, LUDLOW GARAGE, ATLANTA POP FESTIVAL, EVENING WITH...1ST SET, EVENING WITH...2ND SET, UNPLUGGED (BOOT), A&R STUDIOS (BOOT)

Amos, Tori, UNDER THE PINK - Her best in my opinion.
unaired - LITTLE EARTHQUAKES, BOYS FOR PELE, FROM THE CHOIRGIRL HOTEL, TO VENUS AND BACK, STRANGE LITTLE GIRLS, SCARLETS WALK, THE PURPLE ROSE (BOOT), COVERING 'EM (BOOT), TORIVISION (BOOT), UNPLUGGED (BOOT)

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe - ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE - skipped

Anderson, Ian, THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF BIRDS - Tull-man's second solo album. Suprisingly, sounds very little like Tull, and isn't anywhere near as interesting.

Apple, Fiona, WHEN THE PAWN HITS... - Once you get past the annoying personality, her songs are pretty good. Excellent production and arrangements. Tori with balls.
unaired - TIDAL

Apples In Stereo, TONE SOUL EVOLUTION - Sunny pop from the Elephant 6 collective. Fun stuff but not memorable.
unaired - DISCOVERY OF A WORLD INSIDE THE MOONE

B-52s, B-52S - Debut cd is one of the best party records ever.
unaired - COSMIC THING

Baez, Joan, RING THEM BELLS - Live cd featuring Joan's acapella strangling of "The Weight."

The Band, THE BAND - Even the bonus tracks on this one are fantastic. Every song a gem in the group's canon. A must own.
unaired - MUSIC FROM BIG PINK, STAGE FRIGHT, ROCK OF AGES, THE LAST WALTZ, TO KINGDOME COME

Bangles - GREATEST HITS - They had some good singles, but note enough "great" songs to make a great compilation.

Barre, Martin, A TRICK OF MEMORY - Tull guitar player's first solo album. Fairly interesting workouts but nothing to base a solo career on.

PHEW! A long day and a lot of music. With large collections of the Allmans, Tori, and The Band all coming into play, the "ground rules" really came in handy. It would have taken several days just to get through the Allmans without the "one cd" rule. My son seems to react to beat-driven music (the Allmans, The B-52s) more than piano or vocal driven music (Tori Amos, Fiona Apple).

Day 3: April 27, 2005

Be-Bop Deluxe, RAIDING THE DIVINE ARCHIVE – For all everyone’s talk about what a guitar god Bil Nelson is, I don’t hear it.

Beach Boys, PET SOUNDS – Still a must-own almost 40 years on. Nobody had done anything like this in 1966, although the Beatles were working on it.

Beastie Boys, PAUL’S BOUTIQUE – The diamond in the BB’s rough. This set a new standard for sampling and established the Beasties as icons, in any genre.
unaired - HELLO NASTY, TO THE FIVE BOROUGHS

Beatles, SGT. PEPPER – You can’t even begin to understand 20th century pop music without listening to this album. Picked up the gauntlet from PET SOUNDS and ran with it. This set new standards for what a pop-group could do in the studio and made George Martin my personal hero.
unaired - PLEASE PLEASE ME, WITH THE BEATLES, HARD DAYS NIGHT, BEATLES FOR SALE, HELP, REVOLVER, MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR, WHITE ALBUM, ABBEY ROAD, LET IT BE, PAST MASTERS 1 & 2, ANTHOLOGY 1,2 & 3

Beck, MUTATIONS – Beck mellows out in territory he would re-visit on the brilliant SEA CHANGE.
unaired - STEREOPATHIC SOUL MANURE, ODELAY, MIDNITE VULTURES, SEA CHANGE, GUERO

Becker, Walter, 11 TRACKS OF WHACK – Twelve actually. Becker steps out. Not bad.

Belew, Adrian, INNER REVOLUTION – I never had much patience for Belew’s solo work. He’s not a great songwriter. His guitar playing is unique and instantly recognizable.
unaired - YOUNG LIONS, SIDE ONE

Belly, STAR – Great album. Tanya Donnelly writes unique pop songs and this debut, while a few songs too many, set the stage for the amazing follow-up KING.
unaired - KING

Beta Band, THE THREE E.P.s – Remember when it was cool to like these guys? Sadly, their proper albums just can’t match the inventiveness of this collection.
unaired - HOT SHOTS II, HEROES TO ZEROES

Bettie Serveert, PALOMINE – Swedes rock out ala late-80’s college-rock.

Betts, Dickey, LIVE AT BIRDYS (BOOT) – I was at this show. It was Dickey’s first tour after getting the boot from the Allmans. He brought a seven-piece band onto a small stage and blew the roof off the place.
unaired - PATTERN DISRUPTIVE, LIVE AT BB KINGS (BOOT)

Bevis Frond, NEW RIVER HEAD – Good guitar freak out music. Smart and psychedelic.

Big Country, WHY THE LONG FACE – A bad but necessary choice. The worst album in the BC catalog.
unaired - THE CROSSING, STEELTOWN, THE BUFALLO SKINNERS

Big Star, #1 RECORD – Another band I just don’t get. The songs are ok, but people talk about these guys like they saved rock and roll. Alex Chilton is not a genius.
unaired - RADIO CITY

Bjork, MEDULLA – No instruments, just voices warped and manipulated into something that is uniquely Bjork. One of the few artists, in my opinion, that has yet to make a bad record.
unaired - DEBUT, POST, TELEGRAM, HOMOGENIC, SELMASONGS, VESPERTINE

Another big day. Beatles, Beach Boys, Beasties early in the morning. Only the Big Country cd really disappointed. The rest provided a good mix for the entire day. My son seemed to react to the Bevis Frond. I’m guessing it was the frequencies created by the guitar solos. Meanwhile, I just realized I completely forgot about classical/symphonic music, which we have filed separately from everything else. We’ll have to start inserting that into the daily listening and try to catch up.

Day 4: April 28, 2005

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – Amazing debut. “Whatever Happened To My Rock and Roll” is a great anthem for any generation of bored rockers.
unaired - TAKE THEM ON ON YOUR OWN

Blind Faith, BLIND FAITH – Considered a classic of the late 60’s, it just sounds rushed and drugged out now. Winwood’s vocals sound like first takes. But there are strong tunes, “Presence of the Lord” and “Can’t Find My Way Home” stand out.

Blondie, PARALLEL LINES – Note to self, buy more Blondie cds. Unfortunately, this is a first edition cd, it sounds terrible, I had to crank up the volume just to hear it.

Blow Up Hollywood, BLOW UP HOLLYWOOD – I think we got this as free swag at a Doves concert. It’s not bad actually. The music is what I would describe as “destitute-cinematic.”

Blue Oyster Cult, CURSE OF THE HIDDEN MIRROR – Well, BOC Mach 2 leaves much to be desired, but they sound like they’re having fun. Should have gone with something earlier.
unaired - EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL LIVE, WORKSHOP OF THE TELESCOPES, HEAVEN FORBID

It was great to rock out to Blondie again. It made me want to go out and buy their entire pre-“Rapture” catalog. Blow Up Hollywood was a nice surprise and needs another listen.

Day 5: April 30, 2005

Arcade Fire, FUNERAL – In the running for my album of the year. It’s very hard to listen to anything else knowing that this is in the house. A very different and unique musical aggregation, yet eerily familiar sounding overall. Some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in years.

Porcupine Tree, DEADWING – The newest release by a favorite band. Solid prog.

Stereophonics, LANGUAGE SEX VIOLENCE OTHER – Newest release. These guys are going in a very different direction from previous albums, and its making them sound like a hundred other bands. Too bad.

Off the game today. Went on a little cd buying binge today and had to listen to some of the new stuff before returning to the plan. Porcupine Tree and Stereophonics will return.

Day 6: May 1, 2005

Alaska!, RESCUE THROUGH TOMOHAWK – Sophomore cd. Good follow up but the debut is better. None of the songs here stick to your skin like on the first one.
unaired - EMOTIONS

Morrissey, YOU ARE THE QUARRY – First Moz cd ever purchased. Had to find out what the big deal was about this guy. He’s pretty darned good, though.

Still listening to new stuff, although the Alaska cd does fall in to the scheme. I was really pleased with the Morrissey cd. I'll have to check out some of his other solo stuff.

Day 7: May 2, 2005

Blur, MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH – Man this is a long album! But it’s one of Blur’s earliest and some say their best. I discovered that there were two funny bonus tracks at the very end.
unaired - LEISURE, PARKLIFE, THE GREAT ESCAPE, BLUR

Bowie, David, CHANGESONE – I never really got into Bowie. His singles are great but I could never sit through a whole album of his. Along with Dylan, Bowie is one of the handful of “important” artists that I’m not really into. So sue me.

Back on track now. The Blur cd was a nice treat, considering it’s the one of theirs I’ve only heard once. Bowie is always good in small doses to my ears.

Day 8: May 3, 2005

Brad, SHAME – One of the many side projects that came out of Pearl Jam. This was Stone Gossard’s group with Satchel’s Regan Hagar. Relative unknown’s Shawn Smith and Jeremy Toback contribute most of the songs and vocals. As with most side projects, this is practically dispensable.

Brand X, EXCOMMUNICATION – After a while, all Brand X albums become interchangeable. There really isn’t much variation in the formula, and John Goodsall has been there the whole time holding it all together. This was the first new Brand X product for ten years, and features Goodsall and Percy Jones as the only returning members. Polite jazz-rock fusion.

Brahms, SYMPHONY NO. 4 IN E MINOR – Suddenly we remembered all the classical music we have filed separately from the rest of our collection!

Broadcast, THE NOISE MADE BY PEOPLE – Broadcast’s loungy, late-night meditiations make this a great make-out disc. Airy and grand. Break out the martinis.

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir , WE COME REJOYCING – It’s difficult to listen to modern choir gospel, I’ll admit. Since both my wife and I prefer the likes of Mahalia Jackson, this disc never makes it all the way through. Didn’t tonight, either.

Brown, James, SAY AND LIVE AND LOUD: LIVE IN DALLAS 1968 – A fantastic document of a stellar performance. JB and the band are in top form, playing for a mixed audience as the national climate was turning ominous. This documents the entire show, including the pre-show.

Browne, Jackson, RUNNING ON EMPTY – This was kind of a novelty at the time of its release, a live album with all new material on it. But it’s not one of Browne’s best records – with only the title track really standing out. David Lindley’s pedal steel saves this album from the garage sale.

Almost done with the B’s. Another interesting mix of music tonight, with Brahms gently leading into Broadcast - the gospel of the BTC leading into the soul-funk of JB. Onward.

Day 9: May 4, 2005

Brubeck, Dave, TIME OUT - The jazz album that taught a generation to be-bop in 9/8 time. Brubeck and co. re-wrote the jazz fake book with this album.

Bill Bruford's Earthworks, THE SOUND OF SURPRISE - Bruford has always been one of my favorite all around musicians, and I've gladly followed him on his journey's into jazz and be-bop. My son had a bath while this was playing and it sounds surprisingly good from the bathroom.
unaired - MASTERSTROKES (SOLO), DIG, ALL HEAVEN BROKE LOOSE, STOMPING GROUND, BLUE NIGHTS (UPPER EXTREMITIES)

Buckley, Jeff, MYSTERY WHITE BOY - One of many posthumous releases, this is a document of Buckley's tour for GRACE. This guy had boundless energy on stage and although his vocal histrionics can be a bit much sometimes, his command of the song and the telepathic power of his band make for a great listening experience.
unaired - GRACE, LIVE AT SINE

Buena Vista Social Club, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB - Hats off to Ry Cooder for bringing Cubano music to mainstream America. I feel like kind of a yahoo for owning this cd..its so...yuppie. But its good stuff, although some of it kind of sounds like the stuff Ricky used to play on the Lucy show.

Built To Spill, LIVE - What a great live album. I didn't get into BTS until I saw them in concert. They have such a massive live sound - guitars swirling all over the place and Doug Martch's quaver of a voice orbiting around it all. Great cover of "Cortez the Killer."

I'm starting to realize just how few albums I am intimately familar with. Although, I guess that's really the whole point of this exercise, to get familiar with the unfamiliar. Anyway, the jazzy duo of Brubeck and Bruford was a fun start to the evening. The Buckley and BTS cd are thrilling live documents, both great examples of what "live" albums should be.

Day 10: May 10, 2005

Bush, Kate, THE RED SHOES - I've been a fan of KB since LIONHEART, but this album, her most recent (1993) is a great disappointment. All of the dynamics and drama one comes to expect from KB is sucked out and replaced by soulless drum machines and plastic sounding instrumentation. My little boy, who is cutting some new teeth, was surprisingly melancholy as this album played. He had been in obvious pain throughout the day, but for the 45 mintues or so this was on, he appeared to become very insular and played quietly - almost too quietly - with a rotation of a few of his favorite toys, before giving me a clear signal that it was bedtime.
unaired - THE WHOLE STORY, NEVER FOR EVER, HOUNDS OF LOVE, THE SENSUAL WORLD

Butterfield, Paul, THE ELEKTRA YEARS - I really like this stuff - especially the recordings with Mike Bloomfield on board. The later stuff on disc 2 tends to get a little sappy - but the first disc is solid Chicago blues experimentation. I somehow managed to get my son to sleep while the strains of "Mystery Train" echoed through the house.

Byrds, TURN TURN TURN - McGuinn still channeling his inner folkie on the second album. I never really cared for a lot of folk music. I feel that real folk music had been hi-jacked in the 60's by people who really didn't understand its foundation, but understood its power and its audience. The Byrds, great music and Gram Parsons aside, represent the difference between real folkies (Roger McGuinn) and phony folkies (David Crosby).
unaired - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN, FIFTH DIMENSION, SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO

Byrne, David, DAVID BYRNE - Byrne's song-based albums are decent aural wallpaper, but nothing ever jumps out and grabs your ear. This is no different.

Cabaret Original Cast Recording - The 1999 production of Cabaret became a national phenomenon and won an armful of Tony awards. My wife was working for the Roundabout Theatre while this show was in production and our lives were intertwined with the show for a couple of years. It's a fun soundtrack (the only Broadway recording we own), some of the songs are really funny - and then of course you realize what the play is really about and it brings you back down to earth. There is one great song on here called "Maybe This Time."

Finally through with the B's. We might have to re-think the rule which states that in multiple disc-per-artist situations, the most obscure one should be aired. I think I remember now why albums like THE RED SHOES gather dust on the shelf! Maybe we can append the rule to allow for an upgrade if its a given fact that the most obscure cd is a turkey. I would rather have listened to KB's NEVER FOR EVER. Man, I knew RED SHOES was crap!

Day 11: May 13, 2005

Cale, John, THE ISLAND YEARS - Because Cale is a theoretical musician, his work has always come across as more accomplished than his former bandmate and nemesis Lou Reed. Basically, Cale knows more chords on more instruments, so his music is leaps and bounds ahead of what Reed is capable of. But because he's never had a hit single, Cale still exists in relative obscurity. His three classic albums for Island are collected on this double cd.
unaired - FRAGMENTS OF A RAINY SEASON, WALKING ON LOCUSTS, HOBO-SAPIENS

Calexico, FEAST OF WIRE - Calexico usually sounds like the soundtrack to a film-noir western. This is their most recent album and probably most accessible, but there is still an experimental-ethno bent. There are times when you think you've suddenly found yourself in one of those dusty and dry Mexican border towns.
unaired - THE BLACK LIGHT

Cash, Johnny, THE MAN COMES AROUND - This has to be the creepiest album we own. As the album wears on, you feel as though you're in a funeral procession. Although Cash lived another year after this was released, I can't help but think this was his musical sign-off.
unaired - LIVE AT FOLSOM PRISON

Day 12: May 14, 2005

Carter, Deana, DID I SHAVE MY LEGS FOR THIS - Debut cd. Not sure why I bought this. It's perfectly harmless modern country, but not really my style. maybe it was the cool lenticular jewel case.

Caterwaul, PIN AND WEB - I used to love this cd, but it has not aged well. The late 80's production values (giant over-processed drums and flat bass) really ruin it now. This band had a really unique guitar and vocal sound, and the songs were arty without being pretentious. But now, the singer doesn't sound unique, she sounds like she has her nose glued shut, and the guitars are awash in echo to the point of oblivion.
unaired - PORTENT HUE

Chapin, Harry, THE GOLD MEDAL COLLECTION - Always loved Chapin. One of my brothers had some of LPs and the one I remember was SHORT STORIES. This has all the great Chapin songs and some good obscurities.

Chapman, Tracy, TRACY CHAPMAN - Well, "Fast Car" aside, this is a pretty amazing debut cd. This album is credited with, among other things, reviving the singer-songwriter genre in a time (1988) when all around you was Guns N' Roses.

Charlatans (UK), BETWEEN 10TH AND 11TH - The second album from the Madchester "survivors". Great, danceable and psychedelic pre-Britpop. Tim Burgess' vocals are a calm above the chaos.
unaired - SOME FRIENDLY

Charles, Ray, THE BIRTH OF SOUL - Is there anything I can say about this guy that would be new? This 3 disc box, covering Charles' Atlantic recordings from 1951-1959, is a great document of the period when he melded his gospel-worn voice with the emotion in his heart and created soul music. Awesome and highly recommended.

Day 13: May 18, 2005

Cheap Trick, LIVE AT BUDOKAN – “The magnetism of Robin Zander, the charisma of Rick Neilsen…” For me, this is the point when the 70’s became fun.
unaired – CHEAP TRICK (1977), WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER, CHEAP TRICK (1997), SEX AMERICA CHEAP TRICK

Church, The, PRIEST=AURA – “The magnetism of Steve Kilbey, the charisma of Marty Wilson-Piper…”...sorry. When I bought this cd I had no idea these were the “Under The Milky Way” guys. I think I just liked the album cover. This is dreamy, ethereal stuff – good for a late night drive down a desolate road.
unaired – GOLD AFTERNOON FIX

Circus Contraption, OUR LATEST CATALOGUE- I love this kind of stuff…dark but humorous music from a traveling one-ring circus.

Cirque Du Soleil, ALEGRIA – No circus would be complete without music. Rene Dupere’s internationally spiked arrangements gives the other-worldly Alegria it’s heartbeat. The vocalist’s voice is especially entrancing.
unaired – QUIDAM

Interesting evening. Cheap Trick was a great welcome nostalgic treat, and a reminder that the 12-string bass is not for the feint of heart. I was glad to re-discover the Church, "PRIEST.." is a very good record, strong all the way through, right down to the beer-hall anthemics of "The Illusionist." Ending the evening with two cds of avant-garde/new age circus music was hazardous, but well worth it.

Day 14: May 19, 2005

Clapton, Eric, RAINBOW CONCERT – “Okay here’s the idea. Eric hasn’t played in two years and during that time he’s been a heroin addict. Let’s send a limo around for him and put on a show!” It probably sounded great at the time, and it’s a good historical document of Eric’s determination to recover – but musically its pretty shambolic. This is one of those times I wished I HADN’T bought the expanded version!

Clash, The, THE CLASH – We actually listened to this one three times. My son, bless his little ears, seem to really perk up when this came on. I think this pretty much blows away every other punk album from the period, including the sainted “Never Mind The Bollocks…”
unaired – LONDON CALLING, SANDINISTA!, COMBAT ROCK, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

Moving from the drugged out 70's hubris of the great Clapton Rainbow concert to the antithesis offered by the first Clash album made me remember why I love rock and roll so much.

Day 15: May 20, 2005

Claypool, Les (and the Holy Mackerel), HIGHBALLIN’ WITH THE DEVIL – Considering his history, the fact that Claypool has become just another jam-band wonk really pisses me off. Seeing this guy play made me want to become a bass player (and I did). But the thing that really drew me to him is that he was a master of controlled chaos regardless of whether he was playing with Primus or Sausage or the Holy Rollers. The last time I saw him play it was laughable – the worst kind of free-form patchouli music I’d ever heard. This album, however, is one of the few highlights in the Claypool solo catalog. Good, short, fun songs with Les’s rubbery bass leading the charge. Guest shot by Henry Rollins. My son LOVES this cd – he was bouncing up and down!
unaired – SET 1 (Flying Frog Brigade), MORE LIVE STUFF (Flying Frog Brigade)(BOOT)

Clinton, George, T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M – Latter day funk-outs from the master. Not bad, but not enough to get the booty shakin’.

Cocker, Joe, MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN – Live document from the 1970 tour. A stellar line-up including Leon Russell, Chris Stainton and about 20 others gives this album a huge sound. It sounds great even 30+ years after the fact. Great song selection and a really fun listen. Makes you wish you had been there.
unaired – GREATEST HITS

Cocteau Twins, HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS – This must have been another one of those times when I was so desperate for something new to listen to I bought the first thing that LOOKED different. I actually like this cd though. Incomprehensible lyrics over fairly simple 80’s dream pop.

Coheed and Cambria, IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH – Okay, I’ve listened to this several times and I still don’t get it. Yes, I hear the Rush influence, and yes the singer sounds a little like Cedric from Mars Volta, but there’s not enough of either of those things here to make this a great prog-album. It’s not enough to have a high-concept and great artwork…you gotta have great songs..and I don’t hear any great songs here.

Cohen, Leonard, GREATEST HITS – One of the greatest (and most covered) songwriters ever, even if he had only ever written “Hallelujah” (which is not on this cd). Every song on here is a gem.

Quite a mixed bag today. From the jammy grooves of Claypool to the deep-funk of George Clinton and then into the show-band sound of the Joe Cocker live cd. Today was the day I finally figured out how to properly use my surround-sound system so that the sound actually does surround me. So, the Cocker live album was quite a treat because there is no much going on - big horn section and backing singers and all that. Cocteau Twins aired while my son and I played on the living room floor with the sun setting through our windows. I couldn't wait for the C&C disc to end, and it goes on FOREVER. Leonard Cohen closed out the night with some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I could listen to that cd for an entire day.

Day 16: May 21, 2005

Coldplay, PARACHUTES – Well, they’re all the rage now but when this album came out in the UK they were barely a blip on the US radar screen. The only reason anyone American bought this record was because Coldplay were being endlessly compared to Radiohead (wasn’t everybody at that time?) – which I don’t hear at all. We bought this as an expensive import about six months before it came out in the US. It’s a great record, even though we’ve kind of lost interest in Coldplay.
unaired – A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD, BSIDES AND LIVE (Boot)

Coltrane, John, LUSH LIFE – Coltrane with only bass and drums, no piano to ground the melodies or chords, ‘Trane has to cover both and comment on each. Amazing.
unaired – COLTRANE TIME, A LOVE SUPREME, BLUE TRAIN

Colvin, Shawn, FAT CITY – This is about as good as singer-songwriter music gets. Colvin is a fantastic lyricist with a smoky smooth voice. The seeds of A FEW SMALL REPAIRS were sown on this album, which moves Colvin away from her folky roots and into a glossier production style.
unaired – STEADY ON, A FEW SMALL REPAIRS

Cornell, Chris, EUPHORIA MORNING – I don’t know at what point Chris Cornell became a heavy metal hippie, but this album remains a huge disappointment. It’s only saving grace is Cornell’s backing band, Eleven. This album lays there like the guy who won’t leave the morning after the party. A big bore.

Costello, Elvis, MY AIM IS TRUE – Still my favorite EC album. I’m not so much into the fact that EC has become my generation’s Burt Bacharach. I’d rather remember him this way – as the poster boy for the moment punk grew a brain.
unaired – SPIKE, BRUTAL YOUTH, GREATEST HITS, ALL THIS USELESS BEAUTY

Counting Crows, ACROSS A WIRE – Yawn. I personally dislike these guys. Even in a live setting, they offer no spark. I could never figure out why they needed six people to make this music. Harmless but dull.
unaired – AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER, THIS DESERT LIFE

Cowboy Junkies, MILES FROM OUR HOME – AMG calls this a “solid album from a reliable band”. Pretty accurate – its good adult-contemporary for brunches and dinner parties.

Cranberries, NO NEED TO ARGUE – Some good songs on this one. This is one of those albums that nobody can remember buying, but its there.

Lots of music today, though nothing to really put an “oomph” in our Saturday. Elvis Costello was a welcome break from the adult-contemporary lull. Standing alone, the Colvin, Counting Crows, and Cowboy Junkies albums are ok, but all in the same day it’s a long slow ride. We still love the Coldplay cd because it takes us back to another time and place in our lives. I even remembered where and when I bought that cd – at Virgin on Lower Broadway in NYC on the way to meet my wife and some friends for dinner before a Grandaddy show at Irving Plaza.

Day 17: May 24, 2005

Cream, DISRAELI GEARS - So many great Cream songs are here and no filler. A shining moment for Clapton and one of his best performances.
unaired - GOODBYE

Croce, Jim, PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMORIES - A very pedestrian greatest hits collection, one that should have been expanded when it was transitioned to cd. Croce songs, like Croce himself, are very friendly and memorable - old friends who stop by for an occasional visit and you're always happy to see them.

Crosby Stills Nash and Young, DEJA VU - It took CSNY 800 hours to record this 35 minute album. Of course, by today's standards it sounds like a demo tape. But each of these four guys was at or near the height of their creative powers when they were making this record, so the songs are at or near perfect. It's easy to hear, listening to it now, that it's mostly the work of four individuals who may or may not be tolerating each other in order to produce a great landmark on the hippie landscape. If you want to know how the 60's generation was feeling the morning after Woodstock, the answers lie within.
unaired - FOUR WAY STREET

This was actually a pretty interesting trio. From flower-power blues to introspective family-man songcraft to the death of the hippie dream. Three very distinct groups/artists. Although Cream didn't represent the hippie ethic, the free-flowing blues was certainly indicative of the times in which they lived. The CSNY disc, to me, pinpoints the moment at which the hippie generation admitted defeat, and Jim Croce represents that generation coming to grips with adult responsibilities.

Day 18: May 25, 2005

Crow, Sheryl, TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB - This is how to make a debut album, with stellar NON-famous musicians in a living room-studio. Sheryl in the raw, energetic, raspy, and looking for fun.
unaired - THE GLOBE SESSIONS, SHERYL CROW, LIVE FROM CENTRAL PARK, CMON CMON

Crowded House, WOODFACE - This album saw the reunion of Neil Finn and brother Tim, who were the forces behind Split Enz. Writing most of the album together, the songs encompass the "good to see you nice to be back" feel of a reunion. Good Aussie pop with Neil Finn's beautiful "As Sure As I Am" a highlight.
unaired - TOGETHER ALONE

Cure, The, DISINTEGRATION - "The greatest album ever" according to Kyle Broflofski. This is Robert Smith's wordiest album, and his most progressive.
unaired - SHOW, GALORE,KISS ME KISS ME KISS ME, BLOODFLOWERS, WILD MOOD SWINGS, WISH, PARIS, STARING AT THE SEA, MIXED UP

Dada, EL SUBLIMINOSO - Probably Dada's least focused album, but these guys are so good that still puts this far ahead of a lot of band's most-focused albums. Michael Gurley should be a guitar hero. He is an all-around great player in any style, and his refusal to settle on a singular "sound" gives Dada a wide range of atmosphere. The usual power pop with tight harmonies and great guitar solos.
unaired - PUZZLE, AMERICAN HIGHWAY FLOWER, DADA

Daltrey, Roger, UNDER A RAGING MOON - I don't have a lot of patience for solo albums, and Daltrey's solo albums have all been pretty lame. He's not a good songwriter, which means he has to rely on outsiders. But, as Daltrey himself once said, nobody writes better songs than Pete Townshend, and nobody sings them better than Daltrey. And Daltrey singing anything else just sounds forced. Townshend's "After The Fire" is the obvious highlight.

A pretty eclectic mix. Nothing in this batch really jumped out at us. This is all fairly familiar music, just kind of....bleah. Of course, the Cure cd is a great 80's moment.

Day 19: May 26, 2005

Davis, Miles, BIRTH OF THE COOL - Davis' Blue Note sessions have been conveniently collected on this set. This is where be-bop begins.
unaired - BITCHES BREW, SKETCHES OF SPAIN, KIND OF BLUE

Davis Jr., Sammy, GREATEST HITS - I'm a fan of Sammy and someone got me this very cut-rate off-label hits collection as a gift many years ago. It's all good stuff, although the absence of "Mr. Bojangles" is a pretty glaring omission. I played this disc for my son a couple of times and it made him very happy!

Day 20: May 31, 2005

Dead Can Dance, INTO THE LABYRINTH - DCD truly transports you to another place through their music. They mix up so many genres within one piece of music it's like a travelogue. Lisa Gerrard's eastern-european/middle-eastern vocalisings are worth the admission price.
unaired - AION, TOWARD THE WITHIN, SPIRITCHASER

Deep Purple, PERFECT STRANGERS - The 1980's re-union album. This is great 80's metal. Yeah, they ripped off "Kashmir" on the title-track, and yeah the lyrics are sub-stoopid; but the album really sounds and feels like a classic hard rock album.

Derek and the Dominoes, LAYLA AND OTHER LOVE SONGS - Aided by a visiting Duane Allman, Eric Clapton bares his soul and re-discovers his blues through a haze of Miami heroin. Probably one of the most stoned albums ever made (THERE'S a list someone should compile). Senseless triv: legend has it that the album, or parts of it, were mastered at the wrong speed. All that said, it is a landmark record and must-have for any collection.

Devo, GREATEST HITS - Yeah, well, what do you say about Devo? They made robotic pop for a generation of people raised on television and increasing automation. Obviously they were right about everything because they scored several hit singles. My son seemed to dig their version of "Satisfaction", especially with me singing along on the "baaabybabybabybabybabybabybaby....." part.

DiFranco, Ani, OUT OF RANGE - This is the album that brought me and my wife together, and is therefore partially responsible for our son even being here. When we first met, she didn't believe that I even knew who DiFranco was - so I quoted some lyrics and the rest is history. In her vast catalog, this remains, IMO, her best and most fully-formed album.
unaired - NOT A PRETTY GIRL, LITTLE PLASTIC CASTLES,UP UP UP UP UP, DILATE, LIVING IN CLIP, LIKE I SAID, PUDDLE DIVE, REVELLING/RECKONING, TO THE TEETH, NOT SO SOFT

It's these kinds of mixes that I had hoped for when we first thought of doing this. This was a perfect evening: the sun was setting as DCD spun their web around our living room, Deep Purple brought down the night, Eric Clapton and company put on a blues display leading into the later evening hours, DEVO had me doing that nerdy-bopping dance around the house, and we drank the last of our coffees as Ani DiFranco made ever-so-desperate phone calls from "The Diner." What a good night.

Day 21: June 1, 2005

Dinosaur Jr., WITHOUT A SOUND - My wife said "when I was in high school, if you wanted to appear cool, you listened to Dinosaur Jr." People seem to remember more about what these guys did when they weren't playing then when they were. But they seem to be some kind of unsung hero band that people like to name drop. For all the talk about what a driving rock band they were and what a guitar hero J Mascis is supposed to be, I found the most interesting song to be the slower, more expressive "Over Your Shoulder."
unaired - WHERE YOU BEEN

Dire Straits, DIRE STRAITS - I remember everyone's reaction when they first heard "Sultans of Swing" in 1977: "What the hell is Dylan doing now?" Of course, Dire Straits stood quite alone in 1977, the only band that wasn't playing punk or talking about punk or running from punk. And probably the only English band that seemed completely oblivious to punk. This has always been a favorite album of mine because of songs like "Wild West End", "In the Gallery" and especially "Down to the Waterline."
unaired - ON EVERY STREET, BROTHERS IN ARMS, COMMUNIQUE

Dixie Dregs, KING BISCUIT - One of the archival releases from the vaults of the King Biscuit Flower Hour. The Dregs country-fried fusion caught my ear when I was a freshman in high school, but I'm not really into this stuff anymore. Outstanding musicianship all around, but now it just sounds like a music-school hoedown.
unaired - BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE (LIVE)

Short night tonight due to some unexpected good television and our son's restless sleep pattern. Dire Straits really brought back memories - I put "Wild West End" on the first mix-tape I ever made for my wife. I grabbed the DinoJr disc the next day to listen to "Over Your Shoulder" on the way to work a few times. Great song.

Day 22: June 3, 2005

Donelly, Tanya, LOVESONGS FOR UNDERDOGS - I followed TD thru Belly and eventually to this album and then she lost me. For some reason, I was able to relate to her - we were born a few days apart and her favorite album is REVOLVER. I thought her songs with Belly were amazing, even though her voice can get a little too breathy and girly at times. With her first solo album, I kind of felt that she was taking her music in a very different direction than I was willing to go to remain a fan. And by the time this came out (1997), my musical attitudes had been undergoing a radical change and TD's new music didn't suit that. It's always difficult when you realize that you're just "not into" a particular artist anymore, especially when that artist saw you through some troubled times. Aside from a few songs, "Pretty Deep" and "Breathe Around You" for instance, I get kind of bored listening to this album. And TD's cooing and cawing, as occasional as they may be, is just plain annoying now. I haven't purchased TD's last two solo albums.

Doors, The, L.A. WOMAN - Up front, Jim Morrison was an asshole. The insipid cult that has sprung up around him, constantly claiming his poetic genius, makes me sick to my stomach. He was a BAD poet, and a drunk one at that. If it weren't for the Doors, Jim Morrison would have spent the 60's skulking through the streets of L.A. reciting his bad poetry at passersby for nickels. But, instead, he was blessed with good looks, a good band, and leather pants - and the fact that his legend is based mostly on his image and not his body of work is all the testament I need to his phony "artist" persona. That being said, LA WOMAN and the Doors albums that preceded it in the 60's are the anti-thesis to everything the 60's represented to most people. Along with the Velvet Underground, the Doors (when they are on), brought the dark side down on the flower power generation like a concrete wall. And for that alone, they should be congratulated. LA WOMAN is the blusiest (and jazziest) of the Doors albums - the dark matter prevails and even Morrison's alcohol ravaged voice works in the material they present.

Doves, The, LOST SOULS - Thank goodness for this band. We discovered Doves completely by accident and based on what we had read about them, expected something very different. At a time when all was Radiohead and those who wanted to be Radiohead, Doves were and remain a revelation. LOST SOULS is their debut album. It is cinematic and celebratory, with whooshes of guitar and psychedelia. "The Cedar Room" recalls the Beatles "Its All Too Much" and the rest of the album sways with rising and falling emotions. The follow-up THE LAST BROADCAST is even better.
unaired - THE LAST BROADCAST, LOST SIDES, SOME CITIES, WHERE WE'RE CALLING FROM (boot)