What we have here, folks, is a list of what Norman listened to this week. As usual, it is a somewhat eclectic group of musicians, and I don’t see that pattern changing anytime soon. I wandered from George Jones’s country and western to Kings X’s hard rock on the same day. All music is good; just some of it sounds better some days.

U2 – The Unforgettable Fire

Released in 1984, Unforgettable Fire is U2’s fourth album. Produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, It took the band in a new direction with a gentler, more ambient sound, which should come as no surprise with Brian Eno producing it. The album received praise from critics and the buying public, placing it favourably in the charts.

Amy Grant – Simple Things

Simple Things is easy listening from the Queen of Christian Pop. Amy Grant is the highest-selling Christian artist of all time, and she managed to chart on both the Christian charts and Billboard. We saw her live on the House of Love tour. There is no denying that she had talent.

Billy Joel – 52nd Street

Billy Joel – Glass Houses

These two albums gave me stubborn earworms, which isn’t really a bad thing because I like both of these albums. There are numerous top ten songs spanning these two albums that got plenty of airplay and most likely gave them the foothold in my ear. I enjoyed revisiting these two.

George Jones – The Crown Prince of Country Music

The title is a bold and brazen declaration, one that I am not at ease with. I understand that George Jones was a talented County and Western artist, but many other great artists could also wear that crown. If George Jones were the Crown Prince, then Hank Williams would be the king. This is a compilation album with a complicated backstory that I am not going to write about; Wikipedia has all the details. Having said all that, we get to the music. Did I like it or not? I did.

Kings X – Faith Hope Love

I hadn’t listened to Kings X for ages and ages. They used to grace my disc player frequently because they are a good, hard-hitting rock and roll band with overtones of faith, but this is not a theist recording. I probably won’t listen to them again for a while. Faith Hope Love is not a bad record; it’s just not really good, either—middle of the road.

Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures

Now, this is a really good album. I can’t count how many times I have had the pleasure of spinning this slab of vinyl. Unknown Pleasures also has an iconic album cover featuring artwork designed by artist Peter Saville, using a data plot of signals from a radio pulsar. Unknown Pleasures is the only album from Joy Division that was released during lead singer Ian Curtis’s brief lifespan. Closer, their second album Closer was released after his suicide. I will listen to Closer tomorrow, and that will finish my trip through the letter “J”. “K” will feature some of my deserted island recordings, so I look forward to that and revisiting some of the new recordings I have been introduced to.

DeVotchKa – 100 Lovers

I had forgotten about this band until I pulled this CD out and reacquainted myself with them. Their music is not on the same level as Joy Division’s, but it is still of decent quality.

Mark Bacino – Top of the World

I have only had one listen to this, and it wasn’t a focused session, so I will give it another listen soon.

Modest Mouse – Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks

This isn’t my favourite Modest Mouse recording, but Modest Mouse on a bad day is still better than plenty of other bands on their best day.

Hungrytown – Circus For Sale

I keep coming back to this album, and I still don’t know what compels me to listen but not comprehend. Stay tuned for more listens. Thanks for scrambling my neurons Big Stir. LOL

David Gilmour – Luck and Strange

I have enjoyed David Gilmour’s solo career almost as much as his role in Pink Floyd. Actually, it is a big “almost.” I had a go at this late at night and didn’t have enough of a listen to make any judgment call, so I will give it another listen in the near future.

This is done for another week. Next week, I will feature Joy Division, Hungrytown, Mark Bacino, Kurt Kaiser, The Klaxons, and whatever else catches my ear. Happy listening, my friends. I look forward to these recordings, and I will see you next week.

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

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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.

https://www.jerryjerry.ca

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.

Hear (Here?), we have a list of my listening for this week, which is a mixed bag that includes industrial metal as well as classic Country and Western music.

Jerk With A Bomb – Pyrokinesis

I had no prior knowledge about this band or what they sounded like. A half-dozen listens later, and I like their sound. They quickly and easily became my hot listen of the week.

Grinderman – Grinderman

I enjoy Nick Cave’s many personas, Grinderman being one of them. I think Grinderman is a bit like Frank Zappa. Only some people will get into what they are doing, but it is magical for those who do.

Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow

Thanks to Alice, this album is an instant earworm. From my perspective, it has aged well. I gave it several trips around the spindle and filed it under “Half Way To A Deserted Island.”

Various – Classic Rock 1964 & 

Various – Cool Rock. Road trip tunes.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – More Great Dirt

I have been a fan of the Dirt for many years. I saw them live twice, at the same venue, 40 years apart. This album contains the song “Cadillac Ranch,” written by Bruce Springsteen and first released on Springsteen’s 1980 album The River. I like the Dirt version better. I am not a big Springsteen fan. I like the album Nebraska, and that’s about it. I am a fan of the Dirt and have a good slice of their discography, including all three of the Will The Circle Be Unbroken series.

Lost Dogs – Mutt

I continue to be a big fan of Lost Dogs, and this one consistently provides a good listening experience for me.

Blue Rodeo – Lost Together

They are a Canadian institution, and this album provided an excellent listen with Valerie as we listened together.

James Gang – Straight Shooter

They are a good band but never as good as when Joe Walsh played with them.

PIG – Sinsation (Remastered)

On the trail of his ‘Red Room’ album, which I gave a nod of the hat to on 31/52, industrial legend Raymond Watts, aka PIG, presents his seminal ‘Sinsation’ album via Metropolis Records (digital, CD) and Armalyte Industries(vinyl). ‘Sinsation’ was released in 1996 on Trent Reznor’s Nothing Records but has been out of print for decades. Sinsation returns, re-remastered at Abbey Road and ready to rock your world.

I am giving a big shout out to Shameess PR  contact@shamelesspromotionpr.com
‘Painiac’ video  https://youtu.be/3XmSj11f8wc

PIG is labelled industrial rock, which is fitting, but people may dismiss it when they see that genre label and avoid a very listenable record. Industrial? Post-punk? Post-prog? No, it is Sinsational and it is sensational. Just listen to it and leave the genre labels alone.

Waylon Jennings – Greatest Hits

The Greatest Hits LP mainly documents Jennings’ outlaw country years for RCA Records during the 1970s and includes several of Waylon’s signature songs. This album was released in 1979, and I think I have lowered the groove in it a couple of millimetres from repeated playings. It may have a place on my deserted island.

Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson—WWII — I can not think of a more dismal sound than two talented people having their names and their music dragged through the mud of corporate greed. I can not imagine these two gentlemen releasing the record of their own free will. It is sappy music dripping in strings and broken-heart songs that never go anywhere. There is only one song on the platter that I can endure listening to, and it is a cover; ’nuff said. “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Tom T. Hall and covered here. The rest of the songs should be covered about six feet.

Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson – Waylon & Willie

Now, this is how an outlaw country album should be done.

Waylon Jennings – Ol’ Waylon

And another Outlaw Country album. It may be overproduced for my taste, but it is still a good listen.

Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow

I had that earworm going and had to listen again.

Welcome to another blog about what I have been listening to this week past.

Jay and the Americans – Blockbusters

Blockbusters, indeed. Jay and the Americans recorded “Cara Mia” on their 1965 LP Blockbusters. It became an international Top 5 hit, reaching number 1 in Canada. Their version was re-released in 1980 and went into the charts in the Netherlands. Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa is my favourite song of this album.

Jay and the Americans – Greatest Hits

Not all blockbusters are great hits. There are a few cross-over songs and a few new faces. While listening to Jay and the Americans, I looked them up on Wikipedia. My history of rock and roll books collects dust nowadays. Depending on which version of the band you look up, about 3/4 of them passed away in their 80s, and the rest are in their 80s. It makes me feel old that I enjoy bands from this era.

Garland Jeffreys – One-Eyed Jack

One-Eyed Jack is an album best left in the dollar bin at the record store, which is where I found it.

Benjamin Jay Thomas – You Are The Sea (Mantrasong 054

Easy as silk and smooth as a baby’s skin, this track is my pick for “Norman’s Single of the Day!” Benjamin is a spiritual being on a human journey and plays music as the backing track for his Life.

Clone – CL.1

This album has consumed more of my listening time than any other album this week. I left it on as background music while I worked; it worked very well in that job. I have listened to it intently with the lyrics up on the screen; it was a good listen. I have heard it several times this week, more than all the other albums combined.

The verdict? I don’t know; the jury is still deliberating. I have listened to it a few times and don’t want to tip the scales. So, I am pausing to write this.

My take on this album is this:

Track 1, Room of Tears. (A song for a rich boy at his father’s funeral)

The song starts with a light, easy instrumental intro that builds for about 30 seconds, an eternity in a three-and-a-half-minute song. It builds, and then the lyrics come in with darker music and a more intense tone. The anguished speaker laments, “You can count on suffering in waves.” No amount of denial or anguish will take our grief away; it will continue to come at us in waves that may change in intensity over time but never go away.

Track 2, Immutable (an anthem for the 99%, the poor and how they are silenced.” 

“In your veins flow an anger that can’t be taught.”

Track 3, Dazzler (a song told from a pimp’s perspective selling his hooker.) A significant part of making a sale is bargaining, the buyer and seller jostling for the best price for each.

Track 4, Dividing Line (Aka the Donnie Song about Donald Trump starting a race war in this county). I do not live in the USA, so Trump is starting a war in his country, not this country, the one I live in—a depressing thought, regardless of which country you live in. A sad thought that seems to be creeping closer and closer to a heartbreaking reality.

Track 5, Still Life. (a song about a stalker) We transport from one depressing reality to another. Despite the creepy content, I like the music, mainly the guitar.

Track 6, Salt Sea Strain (a song about dying on the beach in front of your mother while attempting to save her life), is another catchy tune despite the dark lyrics. It reminds me of another musician who sets depressing lyrics in a catchy pop tune, Of Montreal.

Track 7, Redeemer (a song about the irresistibility of cult leaders), is another song with great music surrounding a terrible reality. Just turn the television on to one of the faith channels or the late-night crawlers with their twisted religion.

Track 8, Insides (is a song about the war coming). There is little to look forward to after this song; war is never a winning life track.

Track 9, Resurrection ( A song about people always caught in repetitious life cycles, always making the wrong mistakes, always being judged, never giving their say, and only believing in nihilism over religion) Wow, that’s a mouthful. There is nothing left for me to say other than a definition of nihilism; it is the rejection of all moral and religious principles and the belief that life is meaningless.

On the heels of their recently released debut album, CL. 1, Brooklyn post-punk/alternative rock outfit CLONE presents the timely single ‘Immutable,’ a powerful anthem for the ordinary people who form the backbone of our society.

Delving deep into the ongoing, persistent struggle between the vast majority of people and a small, elite class, Clone explores how wealth and power are systematically extracted from the masses. A passionate call to action, ‘Immutable,’ demands immediate attention to the pressing political and economic issues facing our world.

“This song is about us. The 99% that is working to keep it all moving forward. The history of the poor has never truly been told. ‘Immutable’ is the story of the 99% and how the 1% take it all from the masses,” says frontman LG Galleon.

My closing thoughts after writing the above and listening to the music again is that CL.1 is about us, and the album gives the band a vessel to explore denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance which are steps that we follow in life and in loss.

‘Immutable’ video  https://youtu.be/FfDSPxW6EJ8 
‘Dividing Line’ video  https://youtu.be/Wek1uSlQ7Go
‘CL. 1’ album order (digital)  https://music.drm.co.nz/cl1-clone
Album order (vinyl)  https://littlecloudrecords.com/products/clone-cl-1-pre-order
Bandcamp album order (vinyl /digital)  https://clonebk.bandcamp.com/album/cl-1
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/album/2MOBVjgMYnExeOOkzMz2Ks
Apple Music  https://music.apple.com/nz/artist/clone/1498878509
Full album on YouTube  https://tinyurl.com/Clone-debut-album-YouTube

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The Half-Cubes – Pop Treasures

The Half-Cubes – vocalist-bassist GARY FRENAY and drummer-producer TOMMY ALLEN – had made their bow and their vow to carry on the “covering the classics” mission of their long-time main project, The Flashcubes, while that band’s Pop Masters album was still winning critical accolades and international airplay last year. Enlisting the permanent assistance of guitarist RANDY KLAWON (The Choir, Cyrus Erie), the duo signalled their ambitions to dive even deeper into the ocean of guitar pop cult classics with the hit indie single “Weakest Shade Of Blue,” a Pernice Brothers tune (featuring Bob Pernice) of a far more recent vintage than the Pop Masters songbook. The surprises continued on singles paying tribute to ’70s hitmakers The Hudson Brothers (with brother Mark Hudson on board), ’80s college rock darlings The Pursuit Of Happiness (featuring TPOH frontman Moe Berg), and fellow Power Pop Hall Of Famers The Rubinoos, whose own Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar joined in as well. Fans were also treated to ‘Cubes-only renditions of beloved-but-obscure cuts by The Motors (by way of The Searchers), Cheap Trick, Phil Seymour and 20/20… tracks celebrating seven artists across five decades and demonstrating that The Half-Cubes were doubling down to the delight of pop fans worldwide.

This album is a long listen but worth investing in every minute. And the bonus of a great album cover.

https://orcd.co/halfcubes-poptreasures

BIG STIR RECORDS1521 North Rose Street, Burbank CA 91505bigstrrecords@gmail.com

https://bigstirrecords.com/the-half-cubes

These are the tunes that I listened to this week. A couple of listens from thrift store bin diving and some albums I hadn’t heard recently. It was good to hear John Lennon again; good memories flooded my emotions. I can remember the day he died very clearly. Japandroids were also memory joggers, and seeing them live was incredible. They had so much energy and managed to get a big sound out of just two people, which was impressive. Amy Grant was another excellent live show, memorable because of my favourable review of the opener, Lincoln Brewster. I don’t have any hard copies of his tunes.

Joe Jackson – Night And Day

This album is a real stinker for me to listen to. I am sad to hear that a musician that I like endorses his right to smoke tobacco anytime and anywhere he likes. As a former smoker and a person with really crappy lungs because of my smoking, I am an ardent supporter of bans on smoking.

John Lennon – Mind Games

Mind Games is a good album that keeps on giving. It gave me an earworm this week. I really like the album and the warm fuzzy memories it evokes.

Japandroids – Post-Nothing

It has good energy; however, I love their live music better than vinyl.

Jim James – Eternally Even

Eternally Even was overdue for a sit down and listen session. It has held its magic very well.

THE HALF-CUBES – Pop Treasures

I’ll give a big shout-out to Big Stir Records for sending me this digital album. They are called Pop Treasures for a good reason. Pop Treasures is a double-album-length collection of covers of underground pop classics, many featuring guest shots from the original artists. The sequel to last year’s acclaimed album Pop Masters by The Flashcubes, this is half the ‘Cubes and twice the pop, including the indie hit single covers of The Rubinoos’ “The Girl” (featuring the Rubinoos’ Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar), “She’s So Young” (originally by The Pursuit Of Happiness and featuring TPOH frontman Moe Berg) and much, much more. I had the pleasure of catching TPOH live, but their music is good regardless of how it reaches your brain.

Various – Time/life Classic Rock 1964

I got these great road tunes for a buck at a thrift store.

Michael Jackson With The Jackson 5 – 14 Of Their Greatest Hits

Although I do acknowledge his talent, I’m not a big Michael Jackson fan; it’s just not my thing. For a dollar at a thrift store, I was willing to listen to it; yeah, it’s just not my thing.

Caity Gyorgy & Mark Limacher – You’re Alike, You Two

Caity and Mark have crafted an album with smooth jazz that is easy to listen to.

Amy Grant – House of Love

See details at the top of this page.

So, there we are. All the music is good, but some albums are better than others. I look forward to my musical journey next week, when we will have some Sting solo albums and an eclectic mix of new music and classics from the ’60s and ’70s.

Vacant Weekend – Something To Fill The Silence

It was a pleasant listening experience. Although the talk/singing style is reminiscent of several other artists, it adds a unique touch to the music.

Charlotte Lewis | Bark. PR | Press Assistant 

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PIG – Red Room 

Red Rool by PIG is my monthly quota for edgier industrial music. I listened to this album a couple of times; it has something going on that I couldn’t ignore. It has good lyrics, which is a game-changer for me. An album can sneak by with less-than-artistic music if it has really good lyrics. Red Room has both good music and intelligent, well-written songs. Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/album/0sQy98y0v0ApSR8MnzaMeW

Apple Music  https://music.apple.com/ca/album/red-room/1743960219

‘Dum Dum Bullet’  https://youtu.be/eA5y9tiF0Fs

‘Crumbs, Chaos & Lies’ feat. Alexis Mincolla (3Teeth)  https://youtu.be/HDpuAq9ONKU

Thanks to Shauna (contact@shamelesspromotionpr.com) at Shameless Promotion PR for suggesting this one to me.

Johnny Blueskies, aka Sturgill Simpson – Passage Du Desire

‘Passage Du Desire’ was a thoroughly enjoyable listen from start to finish. It brought back memories of his early country music, adding a delightful flourish to the experience of listening to a fresh album.

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – God Fodder Thanks to Kevin from On Repeat for reviewing this album, which I promptly listened to.

Frank Zappa – Ruben and the Jets

Zappa is taking on doo-wop. Ruben and the Jets is not his most substantial release, but it is still a solid album.

Frank Zappa – Playground Psychotics

Wow, this is a wild ride that should be listened to only by people who have previous experience with Zappa. Playground Psychotics is a two-CD release that rambles, rants, rocks, and rolls, and it needs Genius lyrics to follow it. Play at your own risk.

J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame

It’s a blast from the past, on Repeat from last week.

J. Geils Band – Hotline

It’s not on the same level as Freeze Frame, but it does have an innovative sleeve, with the inner and outer becoming one.

Susan Jacks – Ghosts

She has a charming voice. I started listening to Susan Jacks as part of the Poppy family with her husband, Terry Jacks. They had a couple of big hits, which we will hear when we get to the letter P. We are just moving through the letter J today. Susan Jacks left their marriage and had a successful solo career.

Susan Jacks- I Thought Of You Again

Ghosts is more substantial than this, but I Thought Of You Again is still decent background music, although I probably won’t think of this album again.

Walk On Water – Walk On Water

It has its moments, but only a few. File under “Probably Will Not Listen To It Again.”

Ring Starr – Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr

File this under “Keep In Rotation.” Ringo is my favourite Beetle, and he always has been. I can remember being enamoured of his percussive brilliance on The Beatles’ album. In his solo career, he has an enviable collection of friends who play with him and keep the fun part of music alive. Check out this album’s Wikipedia listing; the Personnel list is mind-boggling.

Joe Jackson – Look Sharp!

Look Sharp is listed at 865 in Colin Larkin’s All Time Top 1000 Albums. I consider this is new wave music at its finest.The album features one of Jackson’s most well-known songs, “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” The album cover, featuring a pair of white shoes, is ranked number 22 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest album covers ever.

Joe Jackson – The Man

This will close out this week’s listening party. The dominant factor this week has been listening to two albums by artists. I didn’t contrive this; I actually own the albums that I list here. Joe Jackson has a third, but I ran out of time this week, so It will start off next week’s listening party.

If you ask yourself, “what did Norman listen to this week”, this is the answer.

Evidence of a Struggle – Keep It

They are a fresh new sound. I have listened to this several time and find them very enjoyable. Thank you Shameless Promotion PR for another hit out of the ball park.

David Byrne – Look Into The Eyeball

Byrne is a long time favourite of mine.

Lucinda Williams – World Without Tears

Another favourite artist that I have been listening to for ages.

Billy Idol – Rebel Yell

Thanks for the ear worm Mr. Idol. He is touring through my neck of the woods, too expensive for me, but interesting that he is playing a large venue.

Iggy Pop – The Idiot

Not my favourite album by Iggy, but still a quality spin on the turntable.

The Icicle Works – Blind

This is the only album I have by The Icicle Works, one of these days I should look up any more content under their name.

The Imperials – The Imperials Sing The Classics

Not my jam this week but I admire their harmonies.

The Incredible String Band – Wee Tam

I did not enoy this album and I don’t know why they recieved so many golden reviews.

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop – and still…

A great band name and some nice good music and lyrics.

The Mystery Plan – complicated dance moves

This worked as quality back ground music while I did some work.

J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame

A blast from the past, I still enjoy it after so many years.

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop – and still…

Yeah, good for a second listen. Thanks to Big Stir Records for the prompt to listen to this.

29/52 Monday, July 15 to Sunday, July 21

Roy Acuff Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Mr. Acuff has long been a favourite singer and his greatest hits had taken many a spin around the spindle on my turntable. Acquiring Vol. 2 of Mr. Acuffs Greatest Hits gave me new joy and another album to spin.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – Brothers Keeper

I found this to be a very enjoyable album. Karl Denson mixes different types of music together blends it with his personal style, works with other top shelf musicians and the result is an album as good as this, almost as good as it gets.

Humphrey And The Dumptrucks – Six Days of Paper Ladies

Humphrey And The Dumptrucks – Hot Spit

Humphrey And The Dumptrucks – Saskatoon

Humphrey And The Dumptrucks – Gopher Suite

Humphrey And The Dumptrucks – Songs From Cruel Tears

Humphrey And The Dumptrucks – Goose

I have been a fan of Humphrey And The Dumptrucks for a long long time, I think it was The Calgary song that I got me hooked on them. I don’t know where I heard it first but it stuck with me and I still tap my toes along with Humphrey And The Dumptrucks. They will not be to everyone’s taste and their albums are not all created equal. They are all good but some are gooder than others. (Ernie Tell) I am partial to their first four releases.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/humphrey-and-the-dumptrucks-emc

Engelbert Humperdick – The Last Waltz

This is another album that may not sit well with everyone, including me. I gave this a real good listen, actually two listens, the first was casual and the second was intentional. Engelbert has a good voice and when it comes to lounge singers marketed to lonely housewives he has crafted a good album. He is still touring some 50 plus years into his career. He has an impressive 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame, and Leicester Walk of Fame. 

Various – 1960’s Happy Days

Good tunes for a road trip to see my 94 year old Mom.

Ferlin Husky – The Hits of Ferlin Husky

This album has a lot of tunes that anyone familiar with country music should find enjoyable, and everyone else can sing along with Wings of a Dove, a standard for the meetings in prisons and homeless shelters that I was a part of.

Ashley Hutchings – By Gloucester Docks I Sat Down And Wept (A Love Story)

This album is an interesting find for me. I enjoy folk music and this one really stuck with me.

https://brightyoungfolk.com/records/by-gloucester-docks-i-sat-down-and-wept-ashle

David Byrne – American Utopia (Live Concert on TV) My son, Joel, and I saw the live show of American Utopia and it blew our minds. It still ranks high in memorable shows that I have seen. This made for TV production is good but only a shadow of experiencing it live.

So, there we have it. Another week of music, lots of good music and some very good music. I hope this introduces you to something that you haven’t heard before of something that you haven’t heard for a long time and are happen that I reminded you of that piece of music. Happy listening my friends and if the good Lords willin’ and the creeks don’t rise I be here next week with another batch of tunes. I have completed my journey through the letter H in my odessy through the vinyl wall and I look forward to listening to bands in the letter “I”.

Monday July 15 to Sunday July 21

It has been an unusually quiet week when it comes to music. I did some crate digging at my favourite record store, easily a 5 out of 5.

Roy Acuff is a voice that is easily recognized and a monument to smooth country and western singing. I had his Greatest Hits Vol.1, but oddly missed Vol. 2, so I corrected that this week with a clean copy at a really good price, a double album for $15.

From Wikipedia: Roy Claxton Acuff (September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992) was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the “King of Country Music”, Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and “hoedown” format to the singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful. In 1952, Hank Williams told Ralph Gleason, “He’s the biggest singer this music ever knew. You booked him and you didn’t worry about crowds. For drawing power in the South, it was Roy Acuff, then God.”

I also shelve surfed for CDs and came up with Jerk With A Bomb and their album Pyrokinesis. I had listened to this on Apple Music but wanted a hard copy and came up with a like new CD for $5. I don’t know how I got connected to this band but I like their sound, it is reminiscent of a few other acts without be copy cats or plagirising. There is next to nothing about Jerk With A Bomb on the world wide web, what I do know is that they are from Vancouver and released three albums, Pyrokinesis being the last, released in January 2003. Good road music, I listened to it driving home from RCP.

I sampled and tested numerous other bits of music but these two will get the spotlight this week.

Dallas Holm & Praise – Live
Amanda Cook Band – Magnolia Wind
Luxury – Amazing and Thank You
Sass O’ Frass Tunic – As Blue As The State Allows
Sir Adrian Boult – Gustav Holst, The Planets
Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Evan Sank
Modest Mouse – Everywhere And His Nasty Parlour Tricks
Kris Kristofferson – The Man And His Songs
Hoodoo Gurus – Blow Your Cool
Herman’s Hermits – Introducing Herman’s Hermits
The Staccatos/The Guess Who – A Wild Pair
Hagood Hardy – The Homecoming
Joey Heatherton – The Joey Heatherton Album
Mary Hopkin – Post Card
Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston

27/52 has been a week of quantity more than quality. Amanda Cood was a new listen for me; I may revisit her down the road. There were plenty of old friends that I was happy to revisit:
Luxury, Sass O’ Frass Tunic, Modest Mouse, Kristofferson and Hoodoo Gurus were good repeat listens. The rest of the list is mostly me plowing through the letter H in my vinyl vault.