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.