Tag: NYC
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Depeche Mode, People Are People, 1984 on Sire / Mute
Compilation album for North America put out by Sire in 1984, pulling the title track single and a combination of album cuts, and b-sides. This song was such a key to the soundtrack of my life in the early 80s: “People are people so why should it be / you and I should get along…
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Bob Dylan, Shadow Kingdom, 2023 on Columbia / Legacy
This is Dylan’s 40th (!!) studio album and is also technically a soundtrack to Alma Har’el’s film of the same name: Shadow Kingdom: The Early Songs of Bob Dylan Great album whether you are a Dylan die-hard and life long fan (as I am) or just discovering him. My copy—via Academy Records in NYC—is a…
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Abbey Lincoln, Golden Lady, 1981 on Inner City
Originally issued by Blue Marge in France under the name Painted Lady (Abbey Lincoln in Paris), the first US issue was on Inner City Records under the name Golden Lady. Aminata Moseka, the name she adopted in the mid seventies, also appears in a parenthetical on the cover, along with Archie Shepp who accompanies her.…
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Love, Forever Changes, 1967 on Elektra
Iconic later sixties album from Arthur Lee and co. This would be their third and final album in the original lineup. The track “Alone Again Or” (with the refrain “And I will be alone again tonight my dear”) has been used in a number of films and was covered by The Damned on 1986’s Anything.…
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The Replacements, The Pleasure’s All Yours: Pleased to Meet Me Outtakes & Alternates, 2021 on Sire
Released as part of Record Store Day 2021, these are outtakes and alternate versions of songs from Pleased To Meet Me released on vinyl for the first time. Some (most?) of these tracks have been released elsewhere: the expanded CD edition of Pleased To Meet Me or the All for Nothing / Nothing for All…
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Harold Vick, Steppin’ Out!, 1963 on Blue Note
Debut album from Harold Vick (as a leader), recorded Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, with a wonderful supporting cast: Blue Mitchell, Grant Green, John Patton, and Ben Dixon. Vick would also go on to play with folks like King Curtis and Aretha Franklin, and passed in 1987. Great album of early…
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Lucinda Williams, Stories from a Rock N Roll Heart, 2023 on Highway 20 Records
Lucinda Williams just keeps putting out great music, including this 15th studio LP of original material (alongside the jukebox series of cover albums). She’s joined by Bruce Springsteen and Patty Scialfa on two tracks and Tommy Stinson, Angel Olsen and Margo Price on one each (among other guests). My copy—via Academy Records in NYC—is the…
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Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five, Piano, 1989 on New Day Records
After the split between Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel, Mel took the “Grandmaster” role and continued with the Furious Five splitting. On this record the Furious Five include Cowboy, Scorpio, Rahiem, and Kidd Creole (credited as Kid Creole), but no Flash. The Furious Five with Flash did reunite in 1988 for On the Strength, on…
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Dave Van Ronk and The Hudson, Dave Van Ronk and The Hudson Dusters, 1967 on Verve Forecast
The Hudson Dusters were Dave Woods, Ed Gregory, and Rick Henderson – Phillip Namanworth also appears here as “Pot” on the rear cover. They took their name from an early 20th century NY gang. Picked this up on a lark because I enjoy Dave Van Ronk – no idea how rare or common it is.…
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Bauhaus, Mask, 1981 on Beggars Banquet
Second studio album from Bauhaus and their first on Beggars Banquet (In The Flat Field was on 4AD), with a cover drawn by Daniel Ash, across a gatefold and on the labels. The first five Bauhaus records are are perfect – as is the singles collection 1979-1983 and most of the bands that followed in…
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U2, R.O.K., 1981 on Island Records
Punny title (you too, are ok or U2 are ok) aside, great early EP for the European market from U2. The live tracks on the b-side are from their appearance at the Paradise in Boston in March 1981 – about 8 years later my freshman dorm room would be a block away. This was the…
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XTC, English Settlement, 1982 on Virgin/Epic
This was the fifth XTC studio album, out on Virgin Records in the UK and Epic in the US. The band stopped touring after this LP and became more of a studio only group. Interesting midpoint between “Making Plans For Nigel” (1979) and “Dear God” (1986). Includes “Senses Working Overtime.” Still looking for a 2xLP…
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Tom Waits, Big Time, 1988 on Island Records
Live album from Tom Waits, including performances from the 1987 tour, also available as a concert film on Amazon Prime / MGM+. Waits is joined by Willie Schwarz, Michael Blair, Greg Cohen, Marc Ribot, and Ralph Carney – and Kathleen Brennan and Waits co-produced. Most (all?) of the Tom Waits catalogue is being reissued these…
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John Mayall, The Latest Edition, 1974 on Polydor
I collect lots of John Mayall – this followed the era of Mayall moving to the US in the late 60s, and the band here includes Larry Taylor, Red Holloway, Soko Richardson, Hightide Harris and Randy Resnick. Lots of jazz/fusion influence here with saxophone. Mayall is wearing a cast on the cover. Mayall passed unfortunately…
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Billy Joel, An Innocent Man, 1983 on Columbia / Family Productions
Billy Joel’s ninth studio LP, with the title track, “Uptown Girl,” and “The Longest Time” as big hits. Toots Thielemans joins on harmonica on “Leave a Tender Moment Alone.” Some people might put Billy Joel in the “guilty pleasures” column – I probably did in 1983 – but I’ve really come to appreciate him. Guess…
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Cowboy Junkies, Misguided Angel, 1989 on RCA
Margo, Peter, and MIchael Timmons with Alan Anton were Cowboy Junkies. This EP came out alongside the Trinity Session album, with the lead single “Misguided Angel” from that session at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, plus four live tracks recorded at the ROXY in Hollywood. Both “Sweet Jane” and “Walking After Midnight”…
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Cactus World News, Special Forces Radio Concert, 1986 on Entertainment Radio / MCA
Another promo only release, this was a radio concert – originally sponsored by SPIN (the magazine), which is still featured on the cover, but with an insert noting SPIN has terminated their sponsorship. Includes the cue sheet for radio programming and the original advertisements. This show was recorded at the Whiskey A Go-Go in Los…
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The Power Station, Some Like It Hot And The Heat is On (12″), 1985 on Capitol
The Power Station were a kind of supergroup, pairing Andy & John Taylor (Duran Duran) with Tony Thompson (Chic) and Robert Palmer (who was later replaced by Michael Des Barres). Production by Bernie Edwards (also of Chic). Love the extended version on the A-side – the “The Heat Is On” on the B-side isn’t fully…