Welcome to my list of music I enjoyed listening to this week. A few artists have been friends of my turntable for a long time, and a few new ones to expand my repertoire.
Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra – Road Gore: the band that drank too much
Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra – Battle Hymn of the Apartment
Hungrytown – Circus For Sale Big Stir
Sting – Brand New Day
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘N Roll
Jethro Tull – Aqualung
Various – Alternative Worship/Prayer, Petitions and Praise
Timbuk3 – Greetings From Timbuk3
Billy Joel – The Piano Man
Billy Joel – The Stranger
Here is the expanded version with cover art and a few thoughts about what I heard.
Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra – The Band That Drank Too Much
Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra – Battle Hymn of the Apartment
I am trying to remember how I was introduced to Jerry Jerry in the early 1980s. I don’t recall, but I was hooked, and that fascination with this band continues. Their music has elements of punk, rockabilly, and good old rock and roll, and the lyrics run the gamut of found love, lost love, and everything in between, as well as a running theme of religious imagery. They also have two of the best album titles of all time.
Sting – Brand New Day
Sting – Sacred Love
I caught Sting live on a double bill with Peter Gabriel and was very impressed with what I heard. Having experienced Stewart Copeland previously, I had two-thirds of the Police on my concert compendium but none of their albums. While bin diving a week or so back, I scored a pair of CDs by Sting; I finally listened to them today.
Hungrytown – Circus For Sale via Big Stir
I have been listening to this record for the last week, and after numerous spins, I am no closer to understanding what is going on with this recording and my neurons. I like what I hear, but it doesn’t hit any buttons to elicit a more comprehensive review. I am not giving up on it, though, so stay tuned. I am confident that I will eventually “get” this album. Thanks to Big Stir for letting me hear it.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘N Roll
It’s a lovely trip down memory lane. After all these years, the album came out in 1982, 42 years ago, and the music still conveys much of the energy I remember from those years. It was rebellious, edgy, and a statement, “I love Rock and Roll.” I did two spins around the spindle for this album because I love Rock and Roll.
Jethro Tull – Aqualung
Wow, another oldy. 1971 for this one, 53 years ago. I remember when I bought it and played it when I got home. We had one stereo in the house, Mom and Dads and it was in the living room. My parents were not as enthusiastic about the music as I was. They definitely heard it as rebellious. It’s funny; the only two albums they ever complained about were Aqualung and Imagine by John Lennon. And then I bought my stereo and a good pair of earphones and never heard them critique my music again.
Various – Alternative Worship/Prayer, Petitions and Praise
This one is a score from an antique store for a Loonie. I have the CD and liked it enough to get the cassette version. The vinyl version is in the mail. There are a couple of artists here who are my favourites. Terry Taylor, Mike Knott and Gene Eugene. * Terry Scott Taylor (born May 24, 1950) is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies(credited as Camarillo Eddy). Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group Lost Dogs. *Wikipedia I had the pleasure of seeing both Daniel Amos and Lost Dogs live, and they enthralled me. I did not have the pleasure of seeing Michael Knott perform live, but I have followed his music for a long time. He had a long and winding career in the alternate Christian music scene. Gene Eugene led Adam Again, a band that gets a lot of air time in my ears. The word Worship might stop people from hearing this album; it is not your typical praise and worship album. These artists view God and their relationship to God through the prism of life and experience. It is worth listening to just for the change of pace it offers.
Timbuk3 – Greetings From Timbuk3
The Futures So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades. ‘Nuff said, classic music.
Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow
This album is a hangover from last week. I just had to hear it one more time and add the cartoon.
Billy Joel – The Piano Man
Billy Joel – The Stranger
Billy Joel is one of those artists hanging on the fringe of my listening sphere. I gave these two albums a good listen and followed the lyrics, and I have a fresh appreciation for Billy Joel’s ability to tell a story. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant blew me away when I finally paid attention to it. Billy Joel is off the fringe and into the sphere.
Weathered Music 