Cibo Matto - Stereo * Type A (1999)

“Stereo ★ Type A” is an album by Cibo Matto released in 1999. It is only their second studio album, and their last before they disbanded in 2001. “Stereo Type A”, reflects growth and change in the band's lineup and sound. Joining the core duo of Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori are new band member Sean Lennon and guests like Arto Lindsay, Caetano Veloso, Sebastian Steinberg of Soul Coughing, and John Medeski and Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin & Wood. The new additions reflect the changing sound of Cibo Matto: Relying less on samples and more on their latent funk and jazz elements, Stereotype A sounds like summer in New York eclectic, hot, and funky While having a strong focus on atmospheric and ambient sounds and melody (particularly in "Moonchild"), Stereo ★ Type A also contains a broad range of styles, heavy metal in "Blue Train". Furthermore, "Clouds" and "Mortming" contain heavily vocoded vocals. Though the hip-hop of "Sci-Fi Wasabi"" (with vocals by Duma Love), and filmic quality of "Spoon" (which originally appeared on the Super Relax EP) hearken back to old-school Cibo Matto, Stereotype A's overall sound is more direct and less fanciful than of their debut album Viva! La Woman. Tracks like "Clouds" and "Morning" reflect a nice fusion of the group's old and new sounds.

Several critics noted the album's difference from the group's debut, regarding it positively as a progression of style and a maturation.

01. "Working for Vacation"  (Cibo Matto)  - 3:15
02. "Spoon"  (Cibo Matto)  - 4:06
03. "Flowers"  (Cibo Matto)  - 2:59
04. "Lint of Love"  (Cibo Matto, Duma Love)  - 6:10
05. "Moonchild"  (Cibo Matto)  - 5:13
06. "Sci-Fi Wasabi"  (Cibo Matto)  - 3:43
07. "Clouds"  (Cibo Matto)  - 3:27
08. "Speechless"  (Cibo Matto)  - 4:32
09. "King of Silence"  (Cibo Matto)  - 4:55
10. "Blue Train"  (Cibo Matto)  - 5:21
11. "Sunday Part I"  (Timo Ellis, Miho Hatori, Yuka Honda, Sean Lennon)  - 3:19
12. "Sunday Part II"  (Timo Ellis, Miho Hatori, Yuka Honda, Sean Lennon)  - 3:38
13. "Stone"  (Cibo Matto)  - 3:17
14. "Mortming"  (Dougie Bowne)  - 3:09

Credits
Miho Hatori – vocals, shaker, acoustic guitar, art direction, drawing
Yuka Honda – producer, sampler and sequencer, organ, piano, electric piano, synthesizer, harpsichord, vocoder, vocals, mixing
Sean Lennon – electric bass, synth bass, drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, synth, vocoder, vocals, twelve-string guitar, delay pedal
Timo Ellis – drums, bass, vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, eight-string bass, cymbal, slamming door
Duma Love – vocal, percussion, beat box, turntable
Marc Ribot – electric and acoustic guitar
Dave Douglas – trumpet
Curtis Fowlkes – trombone
Josh Roseman – trombone, horn arrangement
Dougie Bowne – hi-hat, cymbals
Sebastian Steinberg – bass
Yumiko Ohno – Moog, backup vocals
Vinia Mojica – backup vocals
Sequoia – backup vocals
Smokey Hormel – acoustic guitar
John Medeski – clavinet
Billy Martin – percussion
Chris Shaw, The Butcher Bros. – engineer, mixing
Tom Schick, Martin Bisi – engineer
Zak – arrangement and mixing
Dan the Automator – mixing
Bob Ludwig – mastering
Chaki/CZA, Juan Garcia, John Riegart, Dirk Grobelny, Manny Lecuona, Mikey Bones Malak – additional engineering
Producer: Yuka Honda

Notes
Genre: Indie Rock, Bossa Nova, Shibuya-kei
Length: 57:04

© 1999 Label Warner Bros.

Red Rider - Breaking Curfew (1984)

Red Rider are a Canadian rock band popular in the 1980s. While the band achieved great success in Canada, in the US, the band never had a song in the Top 40.

In 1978, Tom Cochrane joined up with Rob Baker on drums, Jeff Jones on bass, Peter Boynton on keyboards and Ken Greer to form Red Rider. They were signed to Capitol Records and released their first album Don't Fight It in 1980. With the singles "White Hot" and "Don't Fight It", the album quickly reached gold status. Their second album As Far as Siam was released in 1981 and featured the hit "Lunatic Fringe" which was used in the 1985 movie Vision Quest and which is now a mainstay on American classic rock radio. The song also saw high rotation on the United States cable network MTV. Boynton was replaced by keyboardist Steve Sexton on Red Rider's third album Neruda, released in 1983. The track "Napoleon Sheds His Skin" would become one of the more popular songs from the album. For their 1984 album "Breaking Curfew", John Webster replaced Sexton on keyboards.  The album was recorded and mixed at Metalworks Studios and E.S.P. Studio in Toronto, Ontario and Startling Studios in England. It did not sell as well as "Neruda" and a dispute with Capitol Records over the future direction of the band resulted in Red Rider being dropped from the record label later in 1984.

 

01.  "Whipping Boy"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 3:12
02.  "Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me)"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 3:32
03.  "One Way Out"  (Cochrane, Goldenberg, Greer)  - 3:53
04.  "Among the Ruins (I'll Be Here)"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 4:34
05.  "Breaking Curfew"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 3:43
06.  "Someone's Watching"  (Tom Cochrane)   - 4:00
07.  "Shake Monster"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 4:45
08.  "Beacon Hill"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 4:51
09.  "Hold Tight"  (Tom Cochrane)  - 4:38

Credits
Tom Cochrane - lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
Ken Greer - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Rob Baker - drums, percussion
Jeff Jones - bass guitar, backing vocals
John Webster - keyboards
Steve Sexton - keyboards
Earle Seymour - saxophone
Rough Maids - backing vocals
Norman Moore - art direction and design
Beverly Parker - photography
Producer -  Tom Cochrane & Ken Greer

Notes
Recorded at:  Metalworks Studios and E.S.P. Studio in Toronto, Ontario and Startling Studios in England
Genre:  Rock
Length:  37:18

© 1984 Capitol Records

Keith Carradine - I'm Easy (1976)

In addition to acting, the Carradine family is musically gifted. This is particularly true of Keith. In 1975, he performed a song he'd written, "I'm Easy", in the movie Nashville. It was a popular hit, and Carradine won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Original Song for the tune. This led to a brief singing career, and he signed a contract with Asylum Records and released two albums “I'm Easy” (1975) and “Lost & Found” (1978).  While horror stories of actors-turn-musicians exist, Carradine is an exception. Rather than simply cash in on his name or image, the artist took full advantage of the situation to record some of his own MOR compositions. The results are undeniably solid with Carradine exhibiting a wide spectrum of moods and styles. The general vibe of the effort fits nicely with the singer/songwriter genre that was prominent during the 1970s. Among the decidedly introspective highlights are the opener "Honey Won't You Let Me Be Your Friend," the stark "Spellbound," and the jazzy and slightly R&B-tinged "It's Been So Long." On the other side of the pop music spectrum is the funky shuffle and brash brass section on "Been Gone So Long" or the smooth blue-eyed soul of "I'll Be There." Without a doubt the arrangements by Dave Grusin (synthesizer/piano/keyboards) as well as the cast of all-star studio instrumentalists, such as Harvey Mason (drums), Earl Palmer (drums), Dean Parks (guitar), and Lee Ritenour (guitar) are key elements in the somewhat soulless and slick production. However, this doesn't diminish the strength of Carradine's well-crafted tunes.

01.  "Honey Won't You Let Me Be Your Friend"  (Keith Carradine)  - 2:43 
02.  "High Sierra"  (Keith Carradine)  - 4:03 
03.  "Been Gone So Long"  (John Mayall: Harmonica, Piano) (Keith Carradine)  - 3:14 
04.  "I'm Easy"   (John Guerin: Piano,  Dave Grusin: Synthesizer [Arp]) (Keith Carradine)  - 3:11 
05.  "The Soul Is Strong"   (Frank Rosolino: Trombone) (Keith Carradine) - 2:51 
06.  "I Will Never Forget Your Face"   (Dennis Budimir: Guitar)  (Keith Carradine)  - 3:23 
07.  "It's Been So Long"   (Keith Carradine)  - 3:08 
08.  "Raining In The City"   (Keith Carradine)  - 2:55 
09.  "I'll Be There"  (Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, Berry Gordy, Jr., Bob West)  - 3:18 
10.  "Spellbound"   (Keith Carradine)   - 4:23 

Credits
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Carol Carmichael, Keith Carradine, Ted Neely
Bass – Max Bennett), Reine Press
Drums – Earl Palmer, Harvey Mason), Jim Gordon, John Guerin
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Dave Grusin
Engineer – Fritz Richmond, Jerry Hudgins
Guitar – Ben Benay, Dean Parks, Keith Carradine, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour
Saxophone [Sax] – David Luell
Synthesizer – Dave Grusin
Trombone – Mike Barone 
Trumpet – Al Aarons
Piano – Dave Grusin
Percussion – John Guerin
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
Art Direction – Glen Christensen
Design – Anne Garner
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Henry Lewy, Terry Hudgins, John Guerin
Other [Thank You To] – Chip Leech
Photography By [Photos] – George Hurrell
Producer – John Guerin

Notes
All songs recorded at Devonshire Sound Studios, North Hollywood, Elektra Sound Recorders, Los Angeles.
All songs mixed at Devonshire Sound Studios and A&M Studios.
Genre:  Pop
Length: 36:02

© 1976 Asylum Records

The Nuns - The Nuns (1980)

The Nuns were a punk rock/new wave and gothic rock band in San Francisco and New York City. Best known as one of the founding acts of the early San Francisco punk scene, the band went through a number of hiatuses and periodic reunions, lineup changes, and changes in style. Overall, The Nuns performed and recorded on and off from the mid-1970s into the 2000s. While the band was centered on Jennifer Miro and Jeff Olener through its various incarnations, Alejandro Escovedo, march to finding his voice as a singer/songwriter and went on to later success as an Americana and alternative country musician, was also a key member during its years of fame in late 1970s San Francisco.

But that's not fair, because the Nuns had no trouble standing out in a scene that produced such a wealth of distinctive bands. No less than three people share the microphone, though Jennifer Miro who sounds uncannily like her Blondie counterpart, Deborah Harry possesses the most appealing voice. Miro's glacial keyboards also carry the main melodic load on tracks like "Suicide Child" which laments a friend's self-destruction and "&Walkin' the Beat," a salute to city night life. Guitarist Pat Ryan is also a distinctive presence, lending the appropriate quota of muscular barre chord parts on "Media Control," "World War III," and "Child Molester" which takes an unlikely look at the issue from the offender's eyes ("Where are they gonna put me?"). Old friends also fall out in "Getting Straight," which gives the punk-versus-mainstream wars yet another airing. But it's Miro's barbed charisma that captivates whether she wants someone to be her "Savage," proud of being "Wild," or simply "Lazy." The latter number is a solo piano ballad on which Miro asserts that falling in love is too bothersome, so she'd rather just watch TV. It's a lovely admission of vulnerability from behind the hardbitten sheen. Where the Nuns could have gone from here is anybody's guess since this is such a schizophrenic album but worth revisiting as a minor classic of the late-'70s punk era.

01.  "Savage"  (Jennifer Miro)  - 2:12 
02.  "Media Control"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener)  - 2:31 
03.  "Wold War III"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener)  - 2:41 
04.  "You Think You're The Best"  (Jennifer Miro)  - 2:05 
05.  "Walkin' The Beat"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener)  - 2:52 
06.  "Wild"  (Jennifer Miro)  - 2:00 
07.  "Getting Straight"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener, Jennifer Miro)  - 2:02 
08.  "Confused"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener)  - 1:15 
09.  "Child Molester"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener)  - 2:03 
10.  "Suicide Child"  (Alejandro Escovedo, Jeff Olener)  - 4:15 
11.  "Lazy"  (Jennifer Miro)  - 2:29

Credits
Vocals - Jeff Olener, Jennifer Miro, Richie Detrick
Drums - Jeff Raphael
Guitar - Pat Ryan
Keyboards - Jennifer Miro
Percussion - Jeff Raphael
Mixed By - David Hines
Engineer - Glenn Feit
Producer - Nuns, The, Robbie Fields

Notes
Recorded May 1980 at Brian Elliot Recording, North Hollywood
Genre:  Punk, Rock
Length:  26:52

© 1980 BOMP!/Posh Boy Records

Catherine Wheel - Happy Days (1995)

“Happy Days” is the third full-length album by the English alternative rock band Catherine Wheel, released in 1995. Like its predecessor, Chrome, it was produced by Gil Norton, and the influences of heavy metal and hard rock are prevalent on this album; however, the band does retain some elements of the shoegazing style that dominated their previous albums, particularly on the songs "Heal" and "Eat My Dust You Insensitive Fuck".

"Judy Staring at the Sun" featured guest vocals by Tanya Donelly. In the single mix, Donelly performs the song's chorus and second verse; on the album, however, her vocals appear only in the chorus, and all verses are sung by Rob Dickinson.

A good percentage of Catherine Wheel's fans might have chucked “Happy Days” out of their players after the unleashing of Rob Dickinson's David Coverdale-like "oooh" during the brain bash of "God Inside My Head." In the event that the listener had the open-mindedness required to tackle the lengthy record in whole, they would have heard more Headbanger's Ball vocalisms, wanky guitar solos, and some lyrical passages that would lead admirers of Ferment and Chrome to wonder what happened. "Grow my hair long and strange/I'll be a walking mountain range." What?

Although the onslaught of pounding, throbbing hard rock prevails throughout the course of Happy Days, there are moments of respite. "Heal" tugs the heartstrings, summing up the record's theme of combating cynicism and coming to grips with adulthood. (The line "Everyone needs someone to live by" comes straight from Talk Talk.) The smoldering eight-minute "Eat My Dust" is unfortunately buried half way through the record. It's easy to get lost in the web of dazzling atmospherics. But more than anything, the greatest challenge of Happy Days is wading through it. The band seems like they lowered themselves to make a play for the U.S. alternative charts, but they undeniably sound full of fire. The record undeniably misses the imagination of their previous conquests, and it ultimately sounds like a lesser band.

01. "God Inside My Head"  - 3:52
02. "Waydown"  - 3:14
03. "Little Muscle"  - 3:04
04. "Heal" - 6:13
05. "Empty Head"  - 3:12
06. "Receive"  - 3:35
07. "My Exhibition"  - 2:27
08. "Eat My Dust You Insensitive Fuck"  - 8:06
09. "Shocking"  - 3:58
10. "Love Tips Up"  - 3:55
11. "Judy Staring at the Sun"  - 3:56
12. "Hole"  - 3:49
13. "Fizzy Love"  - 3:34
14. "Glitter" - 4:10 (exclusive to vinyl edition)
15. "Kill My Soul"  - 5:10

Credits
Rob Dickinson - guitar, vocals
Brian Futter - guitar, vocals
Dave Hawes - bass
Neil Sims - percussion
Tanya Donelly - vocals
Tim Friese-Greene - organ, keyboards
Audrey Riley - strings, cello
Mark Feltham - harmonica

Engineer - Paul Corkett
Producer - Gil Norton, Rob Dickinson

Notes
Recorded: 1994, Ridge Farm, Britannia Row, The Green House, Front Row, Nomis, Wessex Sound, The Crypt, The Church, Ft. Apache
Genre:  Alternative Rock, Grunge, Shoegazing
Length:  62:13

© 1995 Mercury/Fontana Records

The New Cars - It´s Alive (2006)

The New Cars were a band formed in 2005 with two of the original members of the 1970s/1980s new wave band The Cars. The band was composed of original Cars members Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes, along with vocalist/guitarist Todd Rundgren, bassist Kasim Sulton, and drummer Prairie Prince. The band performed The Cars' classic songs, some new material, and selections from Rundgren's career. In 2005, rumors began circulating that Easton and Hawkes would be teaming with Todd Rundgren in a new Cars lineup, with Rundgren replacing The Cars original vocalists Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. The rumors turned out to be true, with the revamped lineup calling themselves The New Cars. Two regular Rundgren collaborators, bassist Kasim Sulton and drummer Prairie Prince, replaced the late bassist Benjamin Orr and drummer David Robinson in the new lineup. Robinson, who retired from the music industry years before, was invited to join the group but amicably declined. Ocasek, who had opted out of any possibilities of a reunion, gave his blessing to Easton and Hawkes, saying, "I want Elliot and Greg to be happy". They released the album "It's Alive!" in 2006. The album contained 18 tracks, consisting of 15 live recordings (12 classic Cars songs, the new single "Not Tonight", and 2 Todd Rundgren songs), plus 3 new original studio tracks.

The band's first tour, the summer Roadrage Tour with Blondie kicked off May 12, 2006 in Mississippi. Rundgren referred to the project as "an opportunity... for me to pay my bills, play to a larger audience, work with musicians I know and like, and ideally have some fun for a year".

The New Cars played their last concert in September 2007. Rundgren resumed his solo career, and his 2009 solo tour featured Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince and Greg Hawkes as members of his backing band. A later Rundgren tour in 2010 featured band members Kasim Sulton and Prairie Prince. In 2010, Hawkes and Easton reunited with surviving Cars members Ric Ocasek and David Robinson for an album and tour.

 

 

01.  "Just What I Needed"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 4:11  

02.  "Let's Go"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 3:49  
03.  "Candy-O"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 2:49  
04.  "You Might Think"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 3:12  
05.  "My Best Friend's Girl"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 4:12 
06.  "I Saw the Light"  (Todd Rundgren)  - 3:02  
07.  "You're All I've Got Tonight"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 5:22    
08.  "Not Tonight"  (Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Ric Ocasek, Todd Rundgren)  - 3:32  
09.  "Drive"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 4:04   
10.  "Moving in Stereo"  (Greg Hawkes, Ric Ocasek)  - 5:14  
11.  "Shake It Up"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 3:45  
12.  "Dangerous Type"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 4:24  
13.  "Bye Bye Love"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 5:01   
14.  "Open My Eyes"  (Todd Rundgren)  - 3:01  
15.  "Good Times Roll"  (Ric Ocasek)  - 4:54  
16.  "Not Tonight"  (Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Todd Rundgren)  - 3:25  
17.  "Warm"  (Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Todd Rundgren)  - 4:03  
18.  "More"  (Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Todd Rundgren)  - 3:46 

 

Credits

Todd Rundgren – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Elliot Easton – lead guitar, backing vocals
Greg Hawkes – keyboards, backing vocals
Kasim Sulton – bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
Prairie Prince – drums, percussion
Kenny Aronoff - drums
Atom Ellis - bass guitar, background vocals, ukelele

Engineer – Mark Linett, Phillip Broussard

Engineer [Additional] – Danie Velasco, Richard Clayton
Executive Producer – Jeff Varner
Artwork By [Cover] – Robb Muller
Layout [Package], Design – Kurt Sievert
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Todd Rundgren
Other [A & R Coordinator] – Marina Mena
Producer – Todd Rundgren, The New Cars

 

Notes

Genre: New Wave, Pop Rock
Length: 1:11:46

 

© 2006 Eleven Seven Records

Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers - Jahmekya (1991)

“Jahmekya” is a 1991 studio album by the reggae group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers was a Jamaican Reggae family group whose line-up consisted of the children of musicians Bob Marley and Rita Marley, which includes lead singer Ziggy Marley with Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, and Stephen Marley. Formed in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name The Melody Makers.
From their earliest days, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers had gloried in crossing over sounds and blending genres, shoving reggae into the pop world, then dragging it out to the discos. But now the group was swiftly outgrowing this teenybop phase, maturing into adults with more sophisticated tastes. Ziggy was no longer the main songwriter, as his siblings joined in, notably David, who composed many of the tracks on “Jahmekya”. The album has a much tougher sound than previous records, and its digitized beats are indebted to Jamaica's dancehalls. Stephen's growing interest in this scene is evident on "Raw Riddim," a pure dancehall number, stripped down to the beats. However, the other members of the group are pulling away from influences of their homeland toward the urban contemporary sounds pouring from the U.S. Much of “Jahmekya” explores this style, twining in funk, soul, and modern R&B into the group's mix. Of course there's still a sprinkling of reggae pop tracks and rootsy dance numbers, but it's clear that the group is moving beyond these old sounds and evolving a more contemporary style. This album would lose Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers much of their pop fan base, but earn them a more loyal adult audience. Once again, it was nominated for a Grammy; however, this time the group did not win.


01.  "Raw Riddim"  (Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 3:59 
02.  "Kozmik"  (Cedella Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 6:16 
03.  "Rainbow Country"  (Bob Marley)  - 3:22 
04.  "Drastic"  (Carlton "Carly" Barrett, Ziggy Marley)  - 5:14 
05.  "Good Time"  (Bob Marley, Cedella Marley, Sharon Marley, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 5:29 
06.  "What Conquers Defeat"  (Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 2:39 
07.  "First Night"  (Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 3:30 
08.  "Wrong Right Wrong"  (Ziggy Marley)  - 4:00 
09.  "Herbs An' Spices"   (Ziggy Marley)  - 4:03 
10.  "Problem With My Woman"  (Stephan Marley)  - 3:49 
11.  "Jah Is True And Perfect"   (Ziggy Marley)  - 3:29 
12.  "Small People"  (David Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 3:15 
13.  "So Good So Right"  (Ziggy Marley)  - 4:35 
14.  "Namibia"  (Cedella Marley, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Erica Newell)  - 4:04 
15.  "New Time & Age"  (Daniel Marley, Ziggy Marley)  - 5:09 
16.  "Generation"   (Ziggy Marley)  - 4:16 

Credits
Ziggy Marley - vocals
Glenn Rosenstein - guitar, percussion
Earl "Chinna" Smith , Constantine Walker - guitar
Tyrone Downie - horns, piano, keyboards
Franklyn Waul - keyboards
Wilburn "Squiddley" Cole - drums
Rick "Soldier" Will, Bashiri Johnson , Uziah "Sticky" Thompson - percussion
Cleveland "Clevie" Browne, Giles Reaves - programming
Erica Newell, Sharon Marley Prendergast, Rita Marley, Cedella Marley Booker - background vocals
Producer- Glenn Rosenstein, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

Notes
Recorded at Tuff Gong Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica.
Genre:  Reggae
Length: 1:07:09

© 1991 Virgin Records

Fashion - Fabrique (1982)

Fashion were a British new wave band consisting of Dee Harris, Al "Luke Sky" James, Alan Darby, John Mulligan, Marlon Recchi, and Dik Davis.
The band had two or three eras. The first, from 1978 to 1980, was part of the underground music of the 1970s, while punk was making their last hits in Britain, when the band, named Fàshiön Music, released experimental post-punk rock and like-reggae/ska oriented songs; and was also characterized by the presence of lead vocalist and guitarist Luke Sky, who left in 1980, ending with that first era.
“Fabrique” was Fashion's 1982 second album, and saw a significant change in line-up, with James having left the band and Harris and Recchi joining. Fabrique, produced by Zeus B. The album included the following UK hit singles: "Streetplayer (Mechanik and "Love Shadow". The album itself made #10 in the charts. The track "Whitestuff" was featured in the television show Miami Vice's two hour season 2 opener, "Prodigal Son".
The album was later re-issued with additional material as Height of Fashion (1990).

Track listing

01.  Move On  - 3:52 
02.  Love Shadow  (Vocals: Gina Kikoine)  - 3:40 
03.  Street Player (Mechanik)  - 3:48 
04.  Dressed To Kill  - 4:13 
05.  You Only Left Your Picture  - 4:57 
06.  Something In Your Picture   - 3:36 
07.  It's Alright  - 4:33 
08.  White Stuff (Short Cut)  - 3:06 
08.  Do You Wanna Make Love  - 5:54 
10.  Slow Blue  - 4:47

Credits
De Harriss - vocals, guitar
Mulligan - synthesizer, vocals
Marlon Recchi - bass guitar, vocals
Dik Davis - drums and percussion, vocals
Zeus B. Held - additional keyboards, engineer
Gina Kikoine - vox
Pete Willman - base clavinet
Nick Froome - mixing engineer
Christian Gence - engineer
Chris Lester - engineer
Jean-Pierre Massiera - engineer
Jean-Marc Meredith - engineer
Steve Robert - engineer
Martin Homber - engineer
David Shortt - design control
Producer - Zeus B. Held

Notes
Genre: Industrial, Electro, Synth-pop
Length: 42:26

© 1982 Arista Records

Eye Eye - Just In Time To Be Late (1986)

Eye Eye were a Toronto band that rose to prominence in the mid eighties.  They won a number of talent competitions on both a local and national level.  They also took advantage of the birth and subsequent popularity of music videos and got some great rotation on the nation’s station, Much Music. 

They were eventually signed to Duke Street Records and released their debut, “Just In Time To Be Late”, in 1986.

They achieved rapid popularity and found themselves playing and touring constantly.  All the touring put them behind the eight ball when it came time to produce their second release in 1988.  The band once again had some decent recognition from it but the genre of synth pop was starting to wear thin and the band eventually broke up . Some of the members like lead singer, Bill Wood, continued to release music as a solo artist while others left the profession all together.  Drummer, Mark Caporal, was actually killed in a small plane crash in Ontario.

01.  Love Runs Hot  - 4:17 
02.  Out On A Limb  - 5:16 
03.  Where There's Smoke  - 3:52 
04.  Fall To Pieces  - 4:11 
05.  X-Ray Eyes  - 3:36 
06.  One Sided Love  - 4:07 
07.  The Essence Of You  - 4:35 
08.  Faithfully Yours  - 4:42 
09.  (Never Had A) Heartbeat  - 3:37 
10.  Wishing Well  - 5:10

Credits
Bass – Doug Ruston
Drums – Mark Caporal
Guitar, Vocals – Andy Ryan
Lead Vocals – Bill Wood
Producer – Terry Brown

Notes
Genre: AOR/Synth Pop
Length: 43:33

© 1986 Duke Street Records

Delta Moon - Goin' Down South (2004)

With their twin-lead slide guitar approach, it would be easy, even natural, for Atlanta quintet Delta Moon to sling out an approximation of the screaming, dueling Lynyrd Skynyrd Southern rock boogie sound. But with their roots and influences in classic R&B, the band thankfully steers clear of anything so obvious, preferring to wallow in a far more greasy, subtle, and creative blend of rock, blues, folk and swamp. Lead vocalist Gina Leigh's tough, sexy voice is perfect slithering around Vassar Clements' fiddle on "Stone Cold Man" as both guitarists ride a groove that is sure-footed yet snake-like. Guitarist Tom Gray's grits-and-gravy moan takes lead on the sensual "Dreams Come Real" as Leigh joins him on the chorus. The band covers country bluesmen J.B. Lenoir, R.L. Burnside and, in one of the album's most gripping performances, even the David Bowie/Iggy Pop "Nightclubbing." But they twist and rearrange the songs to make them sound like Delta Moon tunes, a tricky yet seemingly effortless task that shouldn't be taken for granted. Gray's and Mark Johnson's guitars never step over each other, but play in unison, sometimes gradually splitting apart in a call and response trade-off similar to gospel vocal groups.
"Shake Something Loose," a co-write with Athens, GA neighbor Randall Bramblett, sets up a crisp, mid-tempo vibe with Leigh vamping the lyrics against the multitalented Gray's piano making the air as charged as the song's emotions. This album shows them gradually moving further from blues to incorporate elements of pop and rock, yet Delta Moon never goes commercial and retains their individuality by crafting their finest release yet. As it's title infers, “Goin' Down South” is a perfect example of contemporary Southern roots music at its most affecting.


01.  "That's It"  (Tom Gray)  - 3:26   
02.  "I Want to Go"  (J.B. Lenoir)  - 4:09   
03.  "Dreams Come Real"  (Tom Gray, Mark Johnson)  - 3:51   
04.  "Stone Cold Man"  (Tom Gray, Mark Johnson, Gina Leigh)  - 4:12   
05.  "Goin' Down South"  - 3:43   
06.  "Poplar Grove"  (Tom Gray, Mark Johnson)  - 3:48   
07.  "All She Wrote"  (Mark Johnson, Gina Leigh)  - 2:59   
08.  "Nightclubbing"  (David Bowie, Iggy Pop)  - 4:26   
09.  "Shake Something Loose"  (Randall Bramblett, Davis Causey, Tom Gray)  - 3:39   
10.  "I'll Die Trying"  (Tom Gray, Mark Johnson)  - 4:38   
11.  "Nobody Knows"  (Scott Callison, Tom Gray, Mark Johnson, Jon Schwenke)  - 4:15 

Credits

Delta Moon
Tom Gray - vocals, steel guitar, piano
Gina Leigh - keyboards, percussion
Jon Schwenke - bass instrument
Scott Callison - drums
Mark Johnson - guitar

Special guests
Vassar Clements - fiddle ("Stone Cold Man")
Mike Auldridge - Dobro ("All She Wrote")

Notes
Recording at Bakos Ampworks, Atlanta, GA; Bias Recording, Springfield, VA; Briar Patch Audio Productions, Hendersonville, TN.
Length:  43:06
Genre:  Blues Rock

© 2004 Deep Rush Records

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars (1988)



“Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars” is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, released in 1988.

As debut albums by young bands go, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars is nearly flawless. With a slight southern twinge in her voice, the 22-year-old Brickell churned out brilliant lyrics and captivating vocal performances, backed by the solid and innovative players that comprised the original New Bos Kenny Withrow, Brad Houser, John Bush, and Brandon Aly. Twisting words like putty, Brickell wraps herself up in phrases and melodic lines with layers of meaning not easily grasped at first listen. Her simple observations offer deep contemplations for the willing disciples of her musical philosophies. The catchy breakthrough hit "What I Am" is the perfect example: "I'm not aware of too many things/I know what I know, if you know what I mean." Zen and the art of songwriting. On other fronts, Brickell's fascination with actress Edie Sedgwick turned itself into "Little Miss S.," while strained friendships inspired "Circle." Every song on this record hits its mark and is worthy of special attention. How well does "Nothing" capture the frustration of a non-communicative partner? Very well, indeed. Then there's "The Wheel," "She," and "Air of December." Highlights, one and all. Rather than an overblown big rock finish, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars closes with a solo acoustic performance of "I Do," a quiet plea for a partner who's equal and true, complete and steady; yet another testimony to the simplicity and thoughtfulness that this album and this band offer. "What I Am" did more than kick off a record, it jump-started a career amidst the clamor of the late-'80s folk-rock scene.

01. "What I Am"   (Edie Brickell, Kenny Withrow)  - 4:54
02. "Little Miss S."   (Brickell, Withrow, Brad Houser, Brandon Aly, John Bush)  - 3:37
03. "Air of December"   (Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush)  - 5:54
04. "The Wheel"   (Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush)  - 3:53
05. "Love Like We Do"   (Brickell)  - 3:13
06. "Circle"   (Brickell, Withrow)  - 3:11
07. "Beat the Time"   (Brickell, Withrow)  - 2:58
08. "She"   (Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush)  - 5:06
09. "Nothing"   (Brickell, Withrow)  - 4:49
10. "Now"   (Brickell, Withrow, Houser, Aly, Bush)  - 6:00
11. "Keep Coming Back"   (Brickell)  - 2:42
12. "I Do"  (Hidden track)  (Brickell)  - 2:00

Credits

The New Bohemians
Edie Brickell - vocals
Kenny Withrow - guitar
Brad Houser - bass
Brandon Aly - drums (fired from the band by the label during the sessions)
John Bush - percussion

Additional
Robbie Blunt - guitar
John Henry - background vocals
Chris Whitten - drums
Paul "Wix" Wickens - keyboards
(Both Chris Whitten and Paul "Wix" Wickens were/are members of Paul McCartney's Band)

Production
Producer - Pat Moran
Engineer - Pat Moran
Mastering - George Marino
Design - Terry Robertson
Cover - illustration: Edie Brickell
Photograph - Bob Cook

Notes
Recorded at: Rockfield Studios, Wales (U.K.)
Genre: Folk Rock
Length: 48:22

© 1988 Geffen Records

Crosby, Stills & Nash - Allies (1983)

“Allies” is the eighth album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, their second concert document, and released on Atlantic Records in 1983.
The album starts off with two studio recordings. The lead track, the up-tempo synth-laden rocker "War Games", written for the 1983 film War Games and was released as a single by the group. The second studio track, the comparatively tame ecologic and politically aware "Raise A Voice."
The rest of the album consists of live recordings from two different tours.
Tellingly, neither tune contained involvement from David Crosby, who was out of commission during most of the '80s. His presence was felt, however, in the concert recordings which were chosen primarily by Nash and derived from two different shows: a 1977 Houston, TX, performance and a more recent 1982 show at the New Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA. From CSN's November 22, 1977, Houston show is one of the highlights of this package David Crosby's acoustic cover of Joni Mitchell's "(He Played Real Good) For Free." Crosby's interpretation gives a lonesome renegade quality to the composition that is subdued from Mitchell's own readings. During the final lines, Nash joins Crosby for some unmistakably gorgeous harmony vocals proving their inherent value as a duo. The band version of "Shadow Captain" that also hails from the 1977 show is indeed passable, if not a bit reserved, as it varies little from its studio counterpart. The entire Houston performance was simulcast throughout North America and truncated segments of the show have been rebroadcast on the King Biscuit Flower Hour syndicated radio program ever since. The remaining six performances come from a November 19, 1982, show that not only was simulcast live, highlights were compiled for the Daylight Again home video release. Again, the conspicuous absence of David Crosby's normally robust vocals and fretwork indicate the nonentity/liability his on-stage presence had sadly become. Among the highlights in this batch is the cover of Paul McCartney's "Blackbird" which easily bests the Beatles' White Album version with some surprisingly agile vocal blends from the trio. A rambunctious electric "For What It's Worth" closes “Allies” on a definite high note with Stills asserting himself as the preeminent electric guitarist that he was during this era.

Track listing

01. "War Games"   (Stephen Stills)  - 2:18
02. "Raise A Voice"   (Graham Nash, Stephen Stills)  - 2:31
03. "Turn Your Back on Love"   (Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Michael Stergis)  - 5:04
04. "Barrel of Pain"   (Graham Nash)  - 5:46
05. "Shadow Captain"   (David Crosby, Craig Doerge)  - 4:30
06. "Dark Star"   (Stephen Stills)  - 4:48
07. "Blackbird"   (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)  - 2:30
08. "For Free"   (Joni Mitchell)  - 3:48
09. "Wasted on the Way"   (Graham Nash)  - 3:04
10. "For What It's Worth"   (Stephen Stills)  - 5:38

Credits
David Crosby - vocals, guitars
Stephen Stills - vocals, guitars, keyboards
Graham Nash - vocals, guitars, keyboards

Additional
Danny Kortchmar - electric guitar
Michael Stergis - electric guitar
James Newton Howard - keyboards on
Michael Finnigan - keyboards
Craig Doerge - keyboards
George "Chocolate" Perry - bass
Joe Vitale - drums
Jeff Porcaro - drums
Efrain Toro - percussion
Joe Lala - percussion

Production
Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Stanley Johnston - producers
Ron Albert, Howard Albert - co-producers on "Shadow Captain" and "For Free"
Steve Gursky, David Hewitt, Stanley Johnston, Jay Parti- engineers
Producer - Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Stanley Johnston, Ron Albert, and Howard Albert

Notes
Recorded: 1977 - 1983 at New Universal Amphitheatre, Universal City, CA; Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, CA
Genre:  Folk-Rock
Length:  42:32

© 1983 Atlantic Records

John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band - Tough All Over (1985)

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band is the name of an American rock band from Rhode Island which began its career in the 1970s and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s. Originally known as simply Beaver Brown, who they got their name from longtime friend William Bosworth. classic lineup of the group (consisting of John Cafferty on vocals and guitar, Gary Gramolini on lead guitar, Pat Lupo on bass, Kenny Jo Silva on drums, Bobby Cotoia on keyboards, and Michael "Tunes" Antunes on saxophone) started out as a New England bar band based in Narragansett, Rhode Island and established a following up and down the Northeast corridor with strongholds in the beach resort towns of Narragansett and Misquamicut, Rhode Island; New York City; New Haven, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; and Asbury Park, New Jersey.
“Tough All Over” was first released in 1985 and was Cafferty's first attempt to pull his band away from the Eddie and the Cruisers franchise; however, it was later re-released with a different album cover and "The Voice of Eddie and the Cruisers" added to the title.
On the strength of the double platinum soundtrack to Eddie and the Cruisers, John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band were able to record “Tough All Over”, an album of their original songs, and release it under their own name. Released in the summer of 1985 at the tail-end of Eddie-mania, the record managed to spawn hard-rocking Top 40 hits, "C-I-T-Y" and "Tough All Over," which strongly recalled Springsteen, much like the rest of Cafferty's songs. Besides the two hits, “Tough All Over” lacked material that ranked with the best of the Eddie and the Cruisers soundtrack.
This album does have some nice songs on it and is a pleasant change of pace from many other 80s albums.
The first four songs and sixth song on "Tough All Over" are the best songs. The album kicks off with a song called "Voices of Americas Sons". Sylvester Stallone had become a Cafferty fan during this period as well. He had Cafferty contribute an excellent song to the Rocky IV soundtrack called "Hearts on Fire". He had also had Cafferty do the theme song for the movie "Cobra" - and that song was "Voices of Americas Sons". Like many Cafferty songs, this song has a Bruce Springsteen flare to it Cafferty has great vocals, but it is the keyboards of Bob Cotola and drums of Kenny Jo Silva that shouldn't go unnoticed on this song. I was surprised this song didn't chart better - it is one of the best songs I've heard Cafferty do.
The second song, "Tough All Over" was a song that did garner radio airplay. This song has more of an early 80s feel to it - but Cafferty's vocals also show how the music trend in the 80s was going to more of a classic Rock sound. Once again, kudos to Bob Cotola and Kenny Jo Silva - they really provide some nice keyboards and drumming to compliment the Cafferty vocals.
"C-I-T-Y" is third song. It did get some limited airplay, but not nearly as much as "Tough All Over" got. The Beaver Brown Band once again shines with Cafferty and this time its guitarist Gary Gramolini that deserves a lot of credit. This song has a combination of Blues/R&B and Bruce Springsteen feel to it. This song features some catchy chorus vocals and some nice female background vocals by Janice Pendarvis, Dolette McDonald, and Deborah Malone.
The fourth song is "Where the Action is". This time some nice Bass action by Pat Lupo compliments Gramolini's guitar work. This song has a very different feel. It has much more of a 50s feel to it. In addition, it reminds me a lot of a Cliff Richard song. Songs like this are another reason why Cafferty was able to reach people - he found an audience in an older generation and at the same time connected with the current 80s generation.
Another nice song that is forgotten about on this album is "Strangers in Paradise". While this song has a similar feel to "Voices of Americas Sons", this one shows that Cafferty is a solid songwriter. This song tells a story of someone named 'Billy' as he ages from his teen years (in which he leaves his town) to his young adulthood (when he eventually comes home). This song is another song where I am surprised it didn't get airplay.
The remaining songs are not nearly as strong as the first four songs, but do have their moments. "Dixieland" has very much of a "Dixie" feel to it. "Small Town Girl" is an ok song with another 50s feel to it - I do like the sax intro by Michale Antunes. "More Than Just One of the Boys" is another 50s song that has some nice keyboards by Cotola. This song almost could have been on the "Grease" soundtrack. The weakest song is "Tex Mex" - this almost has a country-like feel to it. It isn't as catchy as the other songs, but it continues to show the diversity that the band brings to this album.

Track listing

01. "Voice of America's Sons" - 4:35
02. "Tough All Over" - 4:31
03. "C-I-T-Y" - 3:28
04. "Where the Action Is" - 2:52
05. "Dixieland" - 3:55
06. "Strangers in Paradise" - 4:23
07. "Small Town Girl" - 4:14
08. "More Than Just One of the Boys" - 3:17
09. "Tex-Mex (Crystal Blue)" - 4:39

All songs written by John Cafferty

Credits
John Cafferty - vocals, guitar
Deborah Malone, Kenny Vance, Janice Pendarvis - vocals, background vocals
Philip Namanworth - vocals
Gary Gramolini, Gary Gramoli - guitar
Michael Antunes - saxophone
Bob Cotoia - keyboards
Kenny Jo Silva, Jimmy Bralower - drums
Crusher Bennett, Jerry Gonzalez - percussion
Dollette McDonald - background vocals

Audio Mixers - Michael Getlin; Karl Rasmussen.
Engineer [Assistant] - Bruce Buchhalter, Fletcher, Michael Sauvage, Paul Hamingson, Tom Soares
Management - Arnold Freedman
Mastered By - George Marino
Mixed By - Karl Rasmussen, Mike Getlin
Recorded By . Mike Getlin
Producer - Kenny Vance

Notes
Recording information: Normandy Sound Studios, Warren, RI; RCA Studios, New York, NY; The Power Station, New York, NY.
Liner Note Author: Catherine Farley.
Genre: Rock, Heartland Rock
Length: 36:43

© 1985 Scotti Bros. Records

Rocky Burnette - The Son Of Rock & Roll (1980)

Rocky Burnette (born Jonathan Burnette, 12 June 1953) is an American rock and roll singer/musician and the son of rock and roll pioneer, Johnny Burnette.
Rocky Burnette followed in his father's musical footsteps, playing rowdy, high-energy rockabilly that dovetailed nicely with the early '80s revival of the style.
Rocky Burnette was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and became part of the early 1980s revival of the rockabilly style.
He released his first album, “Son of Rock 'n' Roll”, on EMI America in 1979.
 In the summer of 1980, his single "Tired of Toein' the Line" became a Top Ten hit in the United States. The song's lyrics detail an imminent breakup.
Predating success stories by the likes of the Stray Cats and the Cramps; the song was also quite popular internationally, establishing an overseas fan base for Burnette that would endure for quite some time.


01.  "Tired Of Toein' The Line"   (R. Burnette, R. Coleman)  - 3:40 
02.  "Angel In Chambray"   (Givertzman, Burnette, Coleman)  - 3:16 
03.  "Baby Tonight"   (B. Berman, R. Burnette)  - 3:08 
04.  "Fallin' In Love (Bein' Friends)"   (R. Burnette, R. Coleman)  - 3:55 
05.  "Anywhere Your Body Goes"   (J. Seiter, R. Burnette)  - 2:42 
06.  "The Boogie Man"   (R. Burnette, R. Coleman)  - 3:36 
07.  "You're So Easy To Love"   (R. Burnette, R. Coleman)  - 2:20 
08.  "Clowns From Outer Space"   (Backing Vocals – Billy Graham) (R. Burnette, R. Coleman)  -
         3:39 
09.  "A Woman In Love"   (R. Burnette, R. Coleman)  - 2:46 
10.  "Roll Like A Wheel"   (Graham, Castleberry, Carter, Burnette, Coleman)  - 4:05 

Credits
Lead Vocals – Rockman, The, Son Of Rock And Roll
Guitar – Bill House, Billy Burnette, Billy Walker, Chris Brosius, John Hunt, Rocky Burnette, Ron Coleman
Handclaps – Biff Dawes, Bill House, Burt Berman, Charles Ward, Donna Meade, Jim Seiter, Mammaw Mae Burnette, Paul Ramsey 
Harmonica – Stanley "The Baron" Behrens
Horns – Dennis Dreith, Joe Romano, Mel Collins
Keyboards – Bill House, John Hobbs, Randy Stern
Backing Vocals – Bill House, Rocky Burnette
Bass – Biff Dawes, Bill House, Curtis Stone, Steve Deutsch
Percussion – Bill House, Jim Seiter

Arranged By – Bill House
Art Direction – Bill Burks 
Design, Illustration – Taki Ono
Drums – Mike Porter, Rick Croy, Steve Turner
Engineer – Biff Dawes
Engineer [Additional] – Bill House, Brian Behrns, Janet Krick, Jim Seiter, Les Cooper, Paul Ramsay, Tchad Blake, Ted Sharp
Management, Directed By – Jim Seiter
Photography By – Torbjörn Calvero
Producer – Bill House, Jim Seiter

Notes
Recorded At – Essex Studios, Margaritasville, Redondo Pacific Studios, Rumbo Recorders, Rockfield Studios, Wally Heider Studios
Genre: Rock & Roll, Rockabilly
Length: 39:42

© 1980 EMI America Records, Inc.

Jim Croce - Facets (1966)

“Facets” is a self-published album by American singer-songwriter Jim Croce, released in 1966.

Since he only left a precious few full-length albums behind, fans have always clamored for more recordings from the late/great Jim Croce. Probably one of the most sought-after items was an ultrarare album that Croce issued himself back in 1966, “Facets”. With 500 dollars in his pocket (a wedding gift from his parents), Croce recorded 11 tracks and pressed up 500 copies of the resulting album all of which were snapped up except for a handful. With the majority of Croce's fans never having the chance to hear these early tracks, the folks at Shout Factory have finally reissued this ultrarare recording (on CD for the very first time)  as it's been expanded to a two-disc set, which includes seven collaborative tracks between Jim and his wife, Ingrid Croce, titled "Jim and Ingrid Too." Of course, Facets is aimed strictly at Croce's most ardent fans, but they won't be disappointed. Although Croce was still finding his own voice and style, such tracks as "Steel Rail Blues" show that the singer/guitarist was already on his way to greatness. On the second disc, the music resembles more of the acoustic/folk style that Croce would become aligned with during the early '70s, while Ingrid's vocals harmoniously coexist with Jim's, especially on such standouts as "Child of Midnight," "It's All Over, Mary Ann," and especially the delightful "Hard Times Be Over."

Track listing

01. "Steel Rail Blues"  (Gordon Lightfoot)  - 2:17
02. "Coal Tattoo"   (Billy Edd Wheeler)  - 2:17
03. "Texas Rodeo"   (Jim Croce)  - 1:44
04. "Charley Green, Play That Slide Trombone"   (Traditional)  - 2:27
05. "The Ballad of Gunga Din"  (Rudyard Kipling, Jim Croce)  - 4:05
06. "Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah)"   (Milton Ager, Jack Yellen, Bob Bigelow, Charles Bates)  - 1:58
07. "Sun Come Up"   (Jim Croce, Richard Croce)  - 2:06
08. "The Blizzard"   (Harlan Howard)  - 2:54
09. "Running Maggie"   (Traditional)  - 1:52
10. "Until It's Time for Me to Go"   (Buffy Sainte-Marie)  - 2:00
11. "Big Fat Woman"   (Traditional)  - 2:00

2004 reissue
12. "Child of Midnight"   (Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce)  - 2:51
13. "It's All Over, Mary Ann"   (Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce)  - 2:35
14. "Railroads and Riverboats"   (Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce)  - 3:13
15. "Hard Times Be Over"   (Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce)  - 1:52
16. "Railroad Song"   (Jim Croce)  - 2:55
17. "Maybe Tomorrow"   (Jim Croce)  - 2:30
18. "Pa (Song For A Grandfather)"   (Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce)  - 1:51

Credits
Jim Croce - guitar, vocals
Richard Croce - percussion
Mike DiBenedetto - keyboards
Karl Fehrenbach - guitar, banjo
Ken Cavender - bass
Producer: Joe Salviuolo
Arrangements: Jim Croce, Eric Von Schmidt

Notes
Recorded July 1966, RPL Studios, Camden, NJ
Released (2004 reissue)
Genre: Folk Rock
Length:  44:26

© 1966 Croce Records; Shout! Factory

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Year Of The Horse - Live (1997)

“Year of the Horse” is a 1997 documentary directed by Jim Jarmusch following Neil Young and Crazy Horse on their 1996 tour. It´s also released as a live album in 1997. It offers a different track list than the film.
This live album, in many ways could be seen as an epitaph for longtime Neil Young producer David Briggs who died in 1995 from lung cancer. This is reflected by the song choices which (outside of recent album cuts like "Scattered" and "Big Time") were among Briggs' favorites.
As Neil Young's second double live album of the '90s, “Year of the Horse” could seem a little redundant to anyone who isn't a die-hard fan. After all, the album “Weld” was useful since it appeared ten years after the release of “Live Rust”, Young & Crazy Horse's first double live album, and it captured them at their peak. “Year of the Horse”, however, appeared merely five years after “Weld”, and in between those two records, Young had only released two albums' worth of material that suited these high-voltage, improvised performances. These factors didn't matter since Young decided to allow Jim Jarmusch to make a film documentary about his 1996 tour, and Year of the Horse is the album that was released to coincide with the movie. (It's not really a soundtrack, since these performances don't appear in the film.) It is true that there are many songs here that haven't made Young's previous live albums, but the performances themselves aren't particularly remarkable they sound like tired, meandering variations of “Weld”. There are enough strong moments to make “Year of the Horse” worthwhile for die-hard fans, but it's too predictable to appeal to anyone else.


Disc one
01. "When You Dance"  - 6:20
02. "Barstool Blues"  - 9:02
03. "When Your Lonely Heart Breaks"  - 5:04
04. "Mr. Soul"  - 5:05
05. "Big Time"  - 7:28
06. "Pocahontas"  - 4:50
07. "Human Highway"  - 4:07

Disc two
01. "Slip Away"  - 10:52
02. "Scattered"  - 4:00
03. "Danger Bird"  - 13:34
04. "Prisoners"  - 6:40
05. "Sedan Delivery"  - 7:16 (omitted on LP)

All songs were written by Neil Young.

Credits
Neil Young: guitar, piano, harmonica, vocal
Pancho Sampedro: guitar, keyboards, vocal
Billy Talbot: bass, vocal
Ralph Molina: drums, percussion, vocal

Art Direction, Design – Gary Burden, Jenice Heo
Engineer – Hausmann, John
Management [Direction - Lookout Management] – Elliot Roberts
Mixed By, Mastered By – Mulligan, Tim*
Photography By [Back Covers] – L.A. Johnson
Photography By [Inside] – Jim Jarmusch
Photography By [Photos Cover] – Lars Larsen
Producer: "Horse

Notes
Recorded On tour in 1996
Genre:  Country-Rock, Live
Length:  84:22

© 1997 Reprise Records

Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, A True Star (1973)

“A Wizard, A True Star” is a progressive rock recording by Todd Rundgren, released in 1973.
The album, and especially the first side of the vinyl recording, is an extended medley after the fashion of the Beatles' late recordings; brief songs segue into one another, and the lyrics are frequently humorous or hallucinatory. The first side features a cover version of "Never Never Land" from the Broadway version of Peter Pan; the second side features a medley of covers of R&B hits.
Something/Anything? proved that Todd Rundgren could write a pop classic as gracefully as any of his peers, but buried beneath the surface were signs that he would never be satisfied as merely a pop singer/songwriter. A close listen to the album reveals the eccentricities and restless spirit that surges to the forefront on its follow-up, “A Wizard, A True Star”. Anyone expecting the third record of Something/Anything?, filled with variations on "I Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me," will be shocked by A Wizard. As much a mind-f*ck as an album, “A Wizard, a True Star” rarely breaks down to full-fledged songs, especially on the first side, where songs and melodies float in and out of a hazy post-psychedelic mist. Stylistically, there may not be much new  he touched on so many different bases on Something/Anything? that it's hard to expand to new territory - but it's all synthesized and assembled in fresh, strange ways. Often, it's a jarring, disturbing listen, especially since Rundgren's humor has turned bizarre and insular. It truly takes a concerted effort on the part of the listener to unravel the record, since Rundgren makes no concessions -not only does the soul medley jerk in unpredictable ways, but the anthemic closer, "Just One Victory," is layered with so many overdubs that it's hard to hear its moving melody unless you pay attention. And that's the key to understanding “A Wizard, a True Star”  it's one of those rare rock albums that demands full attention and, depending on your own vantage, it may even reward such close listening.
This is the original 1973 pressing, which had a sleeve with specially shaped corners, an innersleeve with all lyrics, credits & a photo collage. It also included a postcard with a poem by the then almost unknown Patti Smith. Todd promised that anyone who would send back this postcard would get his name on the next record. He kept his promise on the back of the poster included on his 1974 album “Todd”.


Side A
01.  International Feel  - 2:50
02.  Never Never Land  (Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne)  - 1:34
03.  Tic Tic Tic, It Wears Off  - 1:14
04.  You Need Your Head  - 1:02
05.  Rock & Roll Pussy  - 1:08
06.  Dogfight Giggle  - 1:05
07.  You Don't Have to Camp Around  - 1:03
08.  Flamingo  - 2:34
09.  Zen Archer  - 5:35
10.  Just Another Onionhead/DAda Dali  - 2:23
11.  When the Shit Hits the Fan/Sunset Blvd.  - 4:02
12.  Le Feel Internacionale  - 1:51

Side B
01.  Sometimes I Don't Know What to Feel  - 4:16
02.  Does Anybody Love You?  - 1:31
03.  Medley: I'm So Proud / Ooh Baby Baby / La La Means I Love You / Cool Jerk  (Curtis Mayfield,
       Cleveland, William "Smokey" Robinson Renaldo "Obie" Benson, William Hart, Thom Bell,
       Donald Storball)  - 10:34
04.  Hungry for Love  - 2:18
05.  I Don't Want to Tie You Down  - 1:56
06.  Is It My Name?  - 4:01
07.  Just One Victory  - 4:59

All songs written by Todd Rundgren except as indicated.

Credits
Todd Rundgren – vocals, guitars
Michael Brecker – horn
Randy Brecker – horn
Rick Derringer – guitar
Mark "Moogy" Klingman – keyboards
Jean-Yves "Frog" Labat – synthesizer
Barry Rogers – trombone
David Sanborn – saxophone
Ralph Schuckett – keyboards
John Siegler – acoustic bass, cello
John Siomos – drums

Notes
Recorded: 1972-1973, Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, NY
Mastered At:  Sterling Sound
Producer:  Todd Rundgren
Genre:  Art Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock
Length:  55:56

© 1973 Bearsville  Records

David Cassidy - Cassidy Live! (1974)

“Cassidy Live!” was David Cassidy's fourth solo album and final album released on Bell Records. It was released in 1974 and was recorded live in Britain, live on his 1974 world tour, at the height (and, though nobody knew it, in the final days) of Cassidy-mania, Cassidy Live is a peculiar document, on the one hand standing as an indication of just how fierce the hysteria around the lad was, but, on the other, living proof of what a sensational showman he was.
The recording captures some of the mass hysteria that surrounded Cassidy's live performances at that time.
The backdrop of frenzied screaming that accompanies every note, every move, and, most of all, every hit is relentless even mixed way down behind the music, you cannot miss it and listening to the album one cannot help but wonder precisely what Cassidy was doing on-stage to provoke the sudden outbursts of keening. A twitch to the left  shriek! A twitch to the right  shriek! A quick burst of truly filthy gyration...well, we won't be seeing that roof again. The dozen songs that comprise the album add up to, more or less, a solid survey of the many faces Cassidy had worn since launching his solo career a handful of light pop favorites ("Breaking up Is Hard to Do," "How Can I Be Sure"), interspersed with Broadway musical standards ("Bali Hai"), then punched through with some rockers that are all the more convincing for appearing so unexpected. "Mae" serves up a quite scintillating guitar solo, Leon Russell's "Delta Lady" is at least as beguiling as Joe Cocker's hit version, while Lennon/McCartney's "Please Please Me" ranks up there with any Fabs cover you could name. Indeed, with the screaming now at its peak, it comes as close to recapturing the heady days of the Beatles' own brush with mayhem than anything this side of their own live recordings. There's another shock in Cassidy's excellent interpretation of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" evidence way ahead of its time of the direction Cassidy's mid- to late-'70s output would be moving. But the highlight is the rock & roll medley that closes the show with a verve and panache that defies the star's reputation as mere teeny-bait. The Osmonds, at this time his greatest rival in the media superstar stakes, were airing a similar construct in their live shows of the day, but there really is no comparison no polite one, anyway. Rock history has sidelined Cassidy with a finality that seems almost personal, shovelling him up a teen idol side street from which the only escape was retirement and resignation. “Cassidy Live”, however, was recorded while he still thought he had a chance of advancing and few period live albums come even close to capturing its excitement.


01.  "It's Preying On My Mind"  (David Cassidy, Kim Carnes, Dave Ellingson)  - 4:05
02.  "Some Kind Of A Summer"  (Dave Ellingson)  - 3:34
03.  "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do"  (Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield)  - 3:12
04.  "Bali Ha'i / Mae"  (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rogers / Gary Montgomery)  - 3:52
05.  "I Am A Clown"  (Tony Romeo)  - 3:20
06.  "Delta Lady"  (Leon Russell)  - 4:04
07.  "Please Please Me"  (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)  - 2:02
08.  "Daydreamer"  (Terry Dempsy)  - 2:08
09.  "How Can I Be Sure"  (Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati)  - 2:54
10.  "For What It's Worth"  (Stephen Stills)  - 5:36
11.  "C.C. Rider Blues / Jenny Jenny"  (Ma Rainey, Enotris Johnson / Richard Penniman)  - 4:56
12.  "Rock Medley:  - 6:35
        a. "Blue Suede Shoes"  (Carl Perkins)
        b. "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock)"  (Max C. Freedman James E. Myers
             (as Jimmy DeKnight)
        c. "Jailhouse Rock"  (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller)
        d. "Rock And Roll Music"  (Chuck Berry)
        e. "Rock Me Baby"  (Peggy Clinger, Johnny Cymbal)

Credits
David Cassidy - Vocals, Guitar
Michael Been – Bass and Background Vocals
Richard Delvy – Percussion
Henry Diltz – Harmonica and Background Vocals
Gloria Grinel – Background Vocals, Claps, Tambourine
Steve Ross – Lead Guitar
Trish Turner – Background Vocals, Claps, Tambourine
Produced by - David Cassidy and Barry Ainsworth
Engineered by - Barry Ainsworth

Notes
Recorded:  Live In Britain
Genre:  Pop, Rock
Length:  46:33

© 1974 Bell Records

Caesar - No Rest For The Alonely (1998)

“No Rest For The Alonely is het tweede album uit 1998 van de Amsterdamse band Caesar. Tussen juli en oktober 1997 ging Caesar de studio in met Frans Hagenaars, de huisproducer van Excelsior Recordings, om in diens S.E.E. studio te werken aan de opvolger van hun debuutplaat “Clean”. Op 9 februari 1998 verscheen de eerste single van het album “I Took It home, gevolgd door het album op 2 maart. Het album kreeg goede kritieken en de nummers: “Situations/Complications” en “Before My Head Explodes” verschenen ook op single.
In 1998 werd het album bekroond met een Zilveren Harp.
Er zijn niet veel albums van Nederlandse bodem die in de buurt komen van dit indierockmeesterwerk. Neem het adembenemend sterke begin van de cd. De knallende riffs van openingstrack ‘My Loss’ geven meteen een mooi visitekaartje af. Daarna rammelt het trio op kenmerkende wijze door in uitschieter ‘I Took It Home’. Hoewel die rammelpop hier nog lang niet gaat vervelen, neemt de band daarna al even gas terug met de single ‘Before My Head Explodes’. Natuurlijk is die iets meer easy listening dan de gemiddelde Caesarsong, maar laat dat hier nu eens een voordeel zijn.
De meeste nummers op het album worden voornamelijk gedragen door zanger/gitarist Roald van Oosten. Een uitzondering hierop is ‘Stains’, waarbij drumster Marit de Loos de zang voor haar rekening neemt. Dat doet ze goed ook en zo zorgt ze ook voor de nodige afwisseling.
Het album werd drie maal uitgegeven door Excelsior Recordings. In de eerste editie bevatte het album 14 tracks. Bij het herdrukken van de plaat werd de live-cd “Night Of The Living Caesar” toegevoegd, met daarop een concert dat de band in 1998 gaf in Paradiso dat werd uitgezonden door KinkFM. In 2003 werd de plaat voor een derde keer uitgebracht, ditmaal voorzien van nieuw artwork en 6 bonustracks. Het album werd, door China Records, ook in Engeland uitgegeven, met een aangepaste tracklist en onder de grammaticaal kloppende titel “No Rest For The Lonely”.
Het artwork van het album, een tandenborstel op een badkamerplank, met meerdere tandenborstels in weerspiegeling van de badkamerspiegel, werd gemaakt door Esther de Boer en Sanne van Rooij. Het ontwerp van de heruitgave, een getekende versie van de voorkant, werd gemaakt door Edd.    http://www.bing.com/translator


01.  My Loss   - 3:11 
02.  I Took It Home  - 3:14 
03.  Before My Head Explodes  - 3:32 
04.  Slavesong  - 3:14 
05.  Vision Of Mars  - 3:02 
06.  Simon The Ghost  - 3:15 
07.  Stains  - 3:36 
08.  Horrorscope  - 3:49 
09.  Situations Complications  - 4:12 
10.  This Ain't A Song  - 3:56 
11.  Lifesupport  - 2:48 
12.  Keep Eleven On  - 3:17 
13.  Man With A Plan  - 2:51 
14.  So Long  - 3:26 

Credits
Vocals, Guitar, Organ [Philicorda], Xylophone, Handclaps – Roald van Oosten
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Steel Guitar, Handclaps, Vocals – Sem David Bakker
Drums, Loops, Percussion, Handclaps, Vocals – Marit de Loos

Mastered By – Hay Zeelen
Mixed By [Assistant Engineer] – Filip Huerckmans
Mixed By [Balancing Engineer] – Frans Hagenaars
Mixed By [Trainee Engineer] – Caesar
Music By, Lyrics By – Caesar
Recorded By – Caesar, Frans Hagenaars
Pressed By – Sentinel 
Published By – Kannibal Music
Recorded At – Studio Sound Enterprise
Mixed At – Galaxy Studios
Mastered At – Studio Jules
Producer: Frans Hagenaars

Notes
Design, Photography By – AA Junior, Esther de Boer, Sanne van Rooij
Recorded between July and October at the S.S.E. in Muiden, Holland. Mixed at Galaxy Studios in Mol. Mastered at Studio Jules in Hilversum, Holland.
Genre: Indie Rock
Length: 47:52

© 1997 Excelsior Recordings