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.

I have been in a physio program where we exercise for about an hour, and the group leaders have excellent playlists. Listening to their playlists made me think about my playlists. I didn’t have to think long because I didn’t have playlists. I post lists of songs but not playlists. This dose of reality vexed me, and I went to work compiling a workout playlist. For your listening pleasure, ladies and gentlemen, let’s work out!

https://music.youtube.com/browse/VLPL6rE7v1qjyIN_qpxHHreJZNBfKh1WyKEu

We start with a six-minute walk.
Aerosmith – Walk This Way
Then, we check our vitals to see if we are still alive.
Melissa Etheridge – Pulse

Then, we do some cardio to get the pulse up; I like the stationary bicycle.
Queen – Bicycle Race
Then, we recheck the pulse.
Queen – You Take My Breath Away

Now it’s time for some resistance training.
The Trammps – Rubber Band
I recheck my pulse.
Toni Braxton – Pulse

It is another six-minute walk.
Dropkick Murphys – Walk Away
Recheck the vitals. Am I still breathing?
Green Day – Still Breathing

Some cardio with Oingo Boingo. Gotta love that name.
Oingo Boingo – Running On A Treadmill
Clem Snide – Exercise
Ariana Grande – breathin

Donna Summer – Walk Away
The Police – Every Breath You Take

Dove Cameron – Step Up (Jess Version)
Tame Impala – Breathe Deeper

will.i.am – I Like To Move It
Stray Kids – Lose My Breathe

BC Unidos – Bicycle
Years and years – Breathe

Pink Floyd – Bike
Pink Floyd – Breath (In The Air)

Resistance training again.
The Rubberband Man – The Spinners
Taylor Swift – Breathe (Taylor’s Version)

Jonny Corndawg – Exercise
The Hollies – The Air That I Breathe

Bobby Vee – Rubber Ball
Jethro Tull – Locomotive Breath

Cage The Elephant – Rubber Ball
Austra – The Beat And The Pulse

The Cyrkle – Red Rubber Ball
Melanie – Brand New Key

AWOL – Treadmill
Breathe – Backstreet Boys

Tom Cotter – Exercise
Vitamin String Quartet – Shake It Out

Walk This WayAerosmithToys In The Attic 3:41

PulseMelissa EtheridgePulse 4:26

Bicycle RaceQueenJazz (Deluxe Remastered Version) 3:01

Beat And The PulseAustraFeel It Break (Deluxe Version) 4:56

Rubber BandThe TrammpsThe Legendary Zing Album 5:16

PulseToni BraxtonPulse 3:48

Walk AwayDropkick MurphysBlackout 2:52

Still BreathingGreen DayRevolution Radio 3:45

Running On A TreadmillOingo BoingoNothing To Fear 3:22

ExerciseClem SnideYour Favorite Music 3:36

breathinAriana GrandeSweetener 3:19

Walk AwayDonna SummerBad Girls (Deluxe Edition) 4:33

Every Breath You TakeThe PoliceSynchronicity (Remastered 2003) 4:14

Step Up (Jess Version)Dove CameronThe Lodge: Season 2 Soundtrack (Music from the TV Series) 2:48

Breathe DeeperTame ImpalaThe Slow Rush 6:13

I Like To Move Itwill.i.amMadagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Music From The Motion Picture) 3:42

Breathe (In The Air)Pink FloydThe Dark Side of the Moon 2:50

BicycleHey Ocean!IS (Deluxe Edition) 1:47

Lose My Breath (feat. Charlie Puth)Stray KidsLose My Breath 2:47

Bicycle (feat. Shungudzo)BC UnidosBicycle 2:55

BreatheOlly Alexander (Years & Years)Take Shelter 3:54

BikePink FloydThe Piper at the Gates of Dawn 3:24

The Rubberband ManThe SpinnersHappiness Is Being With the Spinners 7:25

Breathe (feat. Colbie Caillat)Taylor SwiftFearless 4:25

ExerciseJonny CorndawgI’m Not Ready To Be A Daddy 2:30

The Air That I Breathe (2008 Remaster)The HolliesHollies 4:18

Rubber BallBobby VeeDevil or Angel 2:29

Locomotive Breath (2001 Remaster)Jethro TullThe Very Best of Jethro Tull 4:24

Rubber BallCage The ElephantThank You Happy Birthday 3:48

Red Rubber BallThe CyrkleRed Rubber Ball 2:20

Brand New KeyMelanieGather Me 2:28

Treadmill (Produced by Estepax)AWOL 1:57

Personal TrainerTom CotterRapid Fire 2:48

BreatheBackstreet BoysDNA 3:07

Shake It OutVitamin String QuartetVSQ Performs Modern Rock Hits 2011 Vol. 2 4:30

Tom Waits – Rain Dogs

Annie Herring – Search Deep Inside

Benny Hester – Be A Reciever

Garth Hewitt – Love Song For The Earth

Garth Hewitt – A Change In Me

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks (aka Original Recordings)

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks – Striking It Rich

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks – Last Train To Hicksville

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks – Beatin’ The Heat

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks – Greatest Licks

Various – Stiffs Live

Wire – Pink Flag

Shaboozy – Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going

Julian Lage – Love Hurts

I tried inserting links to YouTube, it didn’t work so I will try again next week. Until then copy the artist and album and paste it into YouTube.

Tom Waits – Rain Dogs

It is generally considered a landmark album, not just for Tom Waits but in the history of popular music. When released, it received high accolades and has maintained that high, aging well over the years. I have one criticism of Rain Dogs; I don’t appreciate it when driving. I have to take the CD out and play it at home to enjoy it. There is too much going on to compete with my attention while driving. Rain Dogs and/or Tom Waits may appeal to only some. But to the some of us who do, it is worth listening to again.

Annie Herring – Search Deep Inside

Benny Hester – Be A Reciever

Garth Hewitt – Love Song For The Earth

Garth Hewitt – A Change In Me

These four albums are from my pastoral years. Annie Herring has a good voice and writes well. Benny Hester is straight-up gospel music. Garth Hewitt is an artist I occasionally drag out for a listen, one album in particular, Scars.

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, I hadn’t listened to Dan in a long while and so I binged to make up for lost time. The first album of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks that I bought was Last Train To Hicksville, which is still my favourite.

Stiff Live is an album cut off the board from a concert tour that the Stiff label used to promote some of its talent. The artists on this record are from the British New Wave scene and are some of the artists I frequently listen to. Nick Lowe is a frequent flyer on my turntable, and I still consider Labour of Lust a top-shelf record.

Elvis Costello blew me out of the water when he released My Aim Is True,his debut album, and although some of the lustre has faded, I still enjoy his unique sound, especially on his early albums.

Ian Dury & the Blockheads could easily be brushed aside as a novelty act. Ian Dury contracted polio in his youth, which resulted in the paralysis and withering of his left leg, shoulder and arm. Ian had a unique delivery of lyrics and was a true original. Dury died of metastatic colorectal cancer on 27 March 2000, aged 57. An obituary in The Guardian called him “one of few true originals of the English music scene.”

Wire – Pink Flag. I didn’t know diddly squat about the band Wire when they popped up in the playlist last week, So, I gave them a listen. They carry a lot of the energy of early punk bands with a fresh but still-punk sound.

Shaboozy – Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going The newest craze is for hip-hop and modern pop singers to do a Country and Western album. Beyoncé made headlines when she released two songs with a bit of a C/W flavour. My flavour of country music is grounded in the music of Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash as a few examples, I like the more traditional country sound with a few exceptions. One of those exceptions is the music of Sturgil Simpson.

Shaboozy isn’t my cup of tea any more than Beyoncé is, but I listened to them before making that statement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7bQwwqW-Hc

Julian Lage – Love Hurts Julian Lage is an artist who makes chill/jazz music. We can bring the pace down, shake the stiffness out, do some gentle stretching, relax our muscles and call it a day.

Bachman Turner Overdrive – Best of Bachman Turner Overdrive

This album gave me flashbacks to when I was 18 and driving around town with the windows down and BTO at 11 on the 8-track.

Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul

It’s a fantastic album. I listened to side one twice and could easily have listened again. Isaac Hayes’s cover of By The Time I Get To Phoenix is brilliant on an already excellent record. I think Hot Buttered Soul belongs on my list of deserted island records.

Jigsaw – Like The Wolf

I hadn’t listened to this for ages; it has aged well. Folky indie music makes my head bob and my foot tap.

Isaac Hayes – New Horizons

After Hot Buttered Soul, this album, New Horizons, is a downer. This album should be on the Lawrence Welk show; it’s too heavy on the string section and light on R&B and soul music.

Kamasi Washington – Epic

Yes, it is epic, clocking in at just short of three hours for this three-vinyl release. Kamasi Washington uses a wall of sound that crosses between a swell of synths, a chamber of choral voicings, and a mass of indistinguishable music. There are moments when the wall isn’t there, and I feel myself letting out a sigh of release as I let go of the tension that had built up. Is this wall necessarily wrong? No, not necessarily so. I get what Kamasi Washington is doing, but I wish he had done less. The prudent use of this mass of music in the background builds tension and adds to the epic, which is the release’s name and the sound he creates. The horn section is epic. Kamasi Washington is an excellent sax player, and he uses the talents of other high-quality players for an epic sound even if there is no wall.

Last week, I penned a somewhat tepid paragraph about the album Transience by the band Church of Trees. I embarked on a musical journey, listening to it three times, with each experience yielding different results. However, I was compelled to give it another chance, and so I did. The fourth listen was the charm. My appreciation for Transience deepened with each subsequent listen, culminating in a newfound admiration after the fourth. This album, it seems, is a slow-burner, one that requires time for the lyrics to meld and resonate.

Church of Trees holds their services 24 hours a day. Giving is optional but deeply appreciated. Transience is readily available for your listening pleasure. You can find it at churchoftrees.com, Bandcamp, and the @churchoftrees2497 YouTube channel. And if you’re a fan of Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, and all other Transience singles, you’ll be delighted to know that they’re also available on most streaming services, ensuring you can enjoy it wherever you prefer to listen.

For those who appreciate a good deal, you can purchase the Transience digital album for CAD 13 or their entire catalogue, all 23 releases, for only CAD 49.40 on Bandcamp and save 50%. That’s a steal at just over $2 per release, allowing you to immerse yourself in the Church of Trees’ musical world without breaking the bank.

Anyhow, I ramble on. I recommend listening to Transience a couple of times if it doesn’t grab the first time. I might be a slow learner, but it really sinks in deep when I get it.

Yonder Mountain String Band – I’d Like Off

Stan Kenton – City of Glass

Country Johnny Mathis – Just Do The Best You Can

The Beatles – Let It Be

The Beatles – Number Ones

Butch Hancock – Own and Own

NOFX – Half Album

Church Of Trees – Transience

Emmylou Harris– Elite Hotel

Mark Heard – Stop the Dominoes

Lovelorn Dolls – Deadtime Stories

Sunday, May 26, is time for some quick reviews and musings about the music I have listened to in the past week. First comment: there has been an unusual load of new music in the last two weeks, and it has taken me more time than usual to plough through my listening and find ones that warrant inclusion on this list.

So, hear we go. Yonder Mountain String Band – I’d Like Off. I listen to bluegrass music enough to have a basic appreciation of the genre, and now and then, a new bluegrass band will warrant a mention here.

Stan Kenton – City of Glass. I doubt I will ever listen to this again, but it was interesting. City of Glass is a fusion of jazz and orchestral music; it was underwhelming, but I listened to it from start to finish.

Country Johnny Mathis – Just Do The Best You Can. This is old-timey Country and Western music—the kind my Dad played and music that I grew up listening to. I endorse this album to fans of C/W, and if you aren’t familiar with the genre, this is an excellent place to start. “Just Do The Best You Can” was recorded in 1968 by Country Johnny Mathis at RCA Studios in Nashville. The song was licensed for a TV Commercial in 2022 and has continued to air on national TV and social media campaigns in 2023. That’s a good run!

CountryJohnnyMathis.com

The Beatles – Let It Be. This was a bin dive find at my favourite record store. A shout-out to https://www.recordcollectorsparadise.ca. This is the first copy release; you can research history at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Be_(album). I have been listening to the Beatles music forever, and I was surprised that I didn’t have a vinyl copy of this album; I did have it on CD. We went on a road trip midweek, and I popped The Beatles’ Number Ones into the CD player; it is a good sing-along driving down the highway album.

Butch Hancock – Own and Own. I enjoy the West Texas music of The Flatlanders, an American country band from Lubbock, Texas, founded in 1972 by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock. The group garnered little success during their brief original incarnation from 1972 to 1973. Still, when the individual members found success in their solo careers, interest in The Flatlanders was rekindled, and the band has reunited several times since. An earlier incarnation of this band was known as The Double Mountain Fork Of The Brazos River Boys. I had a hankering for some music from there. Butch Hancock – Own and Own satisfied that yearning as I dipped my toe into the letter H.

NOFX – Half Album. I don’t know why I listened to this, but it was good. It has the best song about cancer I know of. I confess that I have never put together a mixtape about the topic of cancer or the Tropic of Cancer, either. It is still the best one I have ever heard.

Church Of Trees – Transience: This is an oddity in my listening over the past week or two. When I first heard it, I liked what I heard, and I like supporting local bands. They are from Canada, and so am I, so that counts as local. Then, I listened to them some more and liked them slightly less, and on the third spin, I liked them again. I have no idea where the fourth spin will lead me.

Emmylou Harris– Elite Hotel. After Hancock, we have Harris. That would make a good album, I bet! Hancock and Harris, someone should look into making that happen. Elite Hotel is a smooth country and western album with a great ensemble of musicians backing her smooth-as-silk voice.The album yielded two number-one country singles: “Together Again,” written by Buck Owens, and Harris’ version of the Patsy Cline hit “Sweet Dreams.” The Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere” entered the pop charts at number 65. Harris has many musical tastes and has performed songs on this album by Hank Williams, The Beatles, Gram Parsons, and Buck Owens. Harris’ vocals on the album earned her the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

Mark Heard – Stop the Dominoes is the only Mark Heard album that I have on vinyl. It’s not my favourite; Second Hand on CD gets that nod over coffee.

Lovelorn Dolls – Deadtime Stories. The Belgian alt-rock duo Lovelorn Doll hails from Brussels. Lovelorn Dolls are Kristell Lowagie (lyrics, vocals) and Bernard Daubresse (programming, guitars, synth). They are back in a big way after a 5-year hiatus that saw Kristell transform into the photographer/ visual artist Kristell In Wonderland, exhibiting throughout Europe. With a gothic rock underbelly, their sound resembles a mix of Theatre of Tragedy, Lacuna Coil and The Birthday Massacre. On ‘Deadtime Stories,’ the duo embraces a stronger identity – creepy cute ambiance, eerie Tim Burton-esque scenes, guitar-driven sounds, catchy dark melodies, childlike synths, industrial tones, and Kristell’s distinctive voice, all boldly and fully embraced.

I’d like to give a tip of the hat to Shameless Promotion PR for sending me Deadtime Stories to see what I think. I think I’ll make the time to listen to this repeatedly and make a note to myself to listen to their back catalogue. If I may be so bold, I suggest you listen to the Lovelorn Dolls – Deadtime Stories. They make some compelling music.

Diary of Nothing’  https://youtu.be/AIuGnKVYW4c

‘Deadtime Stories’ album order  https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product-category/lovelorn-dolls

Bandcamp  https://lovelorndolls.bandcamp.com/album/deadtime-stories

Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LRTjy2y6L1hn8JcdpOqVz

The Deadtime Stories album is available on fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Bandcamp. It can also be ordered via the label or directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

Van Morrison – No Guru, No Method, No Teacher

This is a visit to an old friend, and I realised how much I have missed him. It’s good to make the effort to keep those cherished relationships healthy.

A3 – Power In The Blood

 Power In The Blood. This album is a treat for bass enthusiasts, with its great bass lines adding depth and richness to the tracks. Interestingly, the bonus acoustic version offers a different perspective, like listening to another band. It’s a good idea to listen to both versions.

Jimmy A – Secrets

It was a good listen, but it could have been better. Jimmy Abegg has collaborated with some great musicians, but his solo work could be more balanced and engage me as a listener.

Childish Gambino – Atavista

Altavista is the reissued version of the fourth studio album, 3.15.20, from Donald Glover. I recommend this video of the feature track Little Foot Big Foot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLX1HxJm5wM

Cage The Elephant – Neon Pill

Neon Pill is CtE’s new album and a good listen. It may not be better than their first album, but I am partial to the debut album, Cage the Elephant because we used to play some of their tunes when I played (poorly) in a band.

Chagall Guevara – Halceon Days

I hadn’t listened to this in ages. When it first came out in 1991, I was head over heels enamoured by this album. These days, in 2024, I keep my feet on the ground and my head on my shoulders, and this album is still a good listen.

Steve Taylor & The Danielson Foil – Wow To The Deadness

Wow, two artists stretching the boundaries of gospel music and two artists that I enjoy listening to are now available on one album. It did not disappoint me, I enjoyed hearing this collaboration.

Per Ubu – YouTube selections

I hadn’t listened to Per Ubu, even though they have been around since the 1970s. I can’t listen to every band out there, but I am trying to. I just skipped around on YouTube, listened to about a half dozen of their tracks, and liked what I heard.

Half-handed Cloud – 

As Stowaways In Cabinets Of Surf, We Live​-​Out In Our Members A Kind Of Rebirth 

Flying Scroll Flight Control

What can I say about Half-handed Cloud? They have a unique sound, and their lyrics are challenging. The Stowaways album had a lyric sheet that I needed a magnifier to read, and I was left wondering what that album was about. Flying Scroll Flight Control has a lot of Biblical narratives, but the way  John Ringhofer writes lyrics, I have trouble understanding what he is trying to say. Apart from the lyrics, there is the music. I have very few artists to compare Half-handed Cloud with. Danielson Famile or Danielson Family are about as close to Half-handed Cloud as you will get.

Daryl Hall – Sacred Songs

Yes, this is the Hall from Hall and Oates, and yes, it is the Robert Fripp from King Crimson. Sacred Songs features an interesting pairing of musical prodigies. Hall is a world-class songwriter. If you want to know more about Daryl Hall, I suggest reading Wikipedia, which has a comprehensive list of the hit singles that he has contributed to.

Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement

Fearless Movement is a long player, logging in at 1 hour and 26 minutes for the dozen tracks. This may sound daunting; however, I never felt bogged down or wanting to skip to the next track. Kamasi Washington is an extraordinary saxophonist, but his natural talent lies in his ability to draw inspiration from other musicians and inspire them to reach new heights. As the adage states, the sum is only as good as its parts, and Kamasi has assembled some fantastic parts to collaborate with him on Fearless Movement.

Mark Knopfler – The Boy is a fun little EP by Mark Knopfler, an artist whose musical talents are gaining my new admiration and appreciation.

Black Country / New Road – For The First Time

Well, this is the first time I have listened to this band, which has been compared to Slint and Black Midi, two bands I enjoy already, so I had to give it a listen. They are OK; my first listen didn’t light my world on fire. I think I will have to listen to them some more.

Iron & Wine – The Sea & the Rhythm

Some laid-back chill on a lazy day.

Herbie Hancock – Head Hunters

Classis Jazz Funk.

A Perfect Circle – Thirteenth Step

It’s been a while since I first heard this, but it feels like a good fit as I marked 35 years clean and sober this weekend.

Guadalcanal Diary – Walking In The Shadow Of The Big Man

A pleasant blast from the past.

Guess Who – The Greatest of the Guess Who

Blasting even further into the past, taking me to a happy place.

Adam Again – Dig

This album has become an earworm for me. Not just a song, but the whole album! Well, several songs, but I listened to it all twice more for good measure.

On Repeat #242

At 70: The Percussion Music of Stuart Saunders Smith, Vol. 1

Alex Prior – The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra – Ballet Edmonton – Chronos Vocal Ensemble – The Wolf of Lafontaine Song & Dance

Jocelyn Morlock was an artist who’s work was presented, quality, quality.

HUNGRYTOWN: Circus For Sale

Circus For Sale is a recording that I fell in love with from the first listen, and I haven’t stopped listening to it. Smart lyrics and a cracker of a band are a winning combination. Released by Big Stir Records.

Bert Jansch – Morning Brings Peace of Mind 

Iron & Wine – Light Verse, this is the newest recording by Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam. This is the seventh album from Beam and carries forward the quality of his previous recording as well and breathing new life into his unique sound and musical stylings.

Iron & Wine – Woman King

The Flavor That Kills – Book of Secrets

Mildlife – Chorus

Chris Connelly – Artificial Madness

Dover Lynn Fox – Low Moon Courtesy of https://www.barkpr.co.uk Album blog to follow, sometime in the future.

Fred Hersch – Silent, Listening This is a style of listening that I endorse. Turn off the T.V, Walk away from the computer. On your phone or iPad use Genius to scroll through the lyrics and Wikipedia to learn more about the artist or recording. But, that’s all! No browsing. No Facebook. No social media, only the ones that present the music that you are listening to. If It’s a streamed album I use my best headphone’s and chill while I listen. It it’s a physical copy I sit in the music room and use the big stereo and let the music envelope me. Either headphones or stereo are OK, the main idea is to focus on what you are hearing. What are the lyrics saying? What vocal qualities deliver those lyrics. What musical instruments are playing. Keep these questions going for every track and get to really know the music.

Kevin Alexander – On Repeat Playlist #240

Starting a playlist with a song recorded by The Call immediately gets my attention. This track, The Walls Came Down, is from what could be considered a lesser-known album, Modern Romans.

Great Lake Swimmers – Great Lake Swimmers

Great Lake Swimmers – Uncertain Country

Great Lake Swimmers – The Waves, The Wake

Great Lake Swimmers – New Wild Everywhere

Great Lake Swimmers – A Forest Of Arms

I plowed through the Great Lake Swimmers‘ discography. I have enjoyed their music for quite a while and have seen them live numerous times, the first being in 2015.

Keith Green – The Prodigal Son

Keith Green – So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt

Keith Green – Songs for the Shepherd

I enjoyed hearing Keith Green again. I often listened to him in a past life, but not so much now. He was a gifted musician and songwriter who has held quite well.

The Decemberists – What a Terrible, Terrible World

I’ve got to have the Decemberists in rotation at least monthly. Seeing them live is still one of the best music experiences I have ever had.

Vetiver – Thing of the Past

Vetiver – To Find Me Gone

I only have one album from Vetiver, and I have enjoyed their slightly different sound. So, I listened to their most recent recording, Up On High, and found it boring, popish music that didn’t push any boundaries. It was very commercial. I then listened to a recording from their middle period, The Errant Charm, and it was more interesting than Up On High and closer to their To Find Me Gone album, but still less appealing to my ears. So, then I listened to the album that immediately followed To Find Me Gone, Thing of the Past. I didn’t have the magic of To Find Me Gone, but it was a very good listen. Thing of the Past has some excellent moments, such as their cover of The Swimming Song, which has been covered umpteen times; my favourite is by Kate & Anna McGarrigle.

A little addendum, I like their art work on these two albums.

Taylor Swift – Midnights

Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

My son’s girlfriend, Lauren, is a Taylor Swift fan and gave me the album Midnights as a gift. I had previously casually listened to some of her material, but this was my first serious listen. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. So when her new album appeared, I immediately listened to it. Later that day, I talked with Lauren and compared notes. We both thought Midnights was a far better album.

Lee Greenwood – Somebody’s Gonna Love You

I was never a fan of Mr. Greenwood, I think I acquired this album in a collection that I brought in. It has not aged well and I think the cover photo is creepy.

Joey Gregrash – North Country Funk

Joey Gregrash – tell the people

An acquaintance suggested I listen to Joey Gregash and his take on the Neil Young song, Down By The River. He claimed it was better than the original. I didn’t get that impression; it is good, but I’ll stay with Neil Young for now.

Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

My introduction to Charles Lloyd was the album Vanished Gardens, which he made in collaboration with the backing band The Marvels and roots music singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. This new recording isn’t a Vanished Garden; this time, he comes across as more free-spirited and inventive, but it is still a good listen.

Joe Cocker – The Best of Joe Cocker

A blast from the past, Joe Cocker should be remembered as a good singer and collaborator. You can’t see him on a CD, so you get the music and nothing but the music. Seeing Joe Cocker live should only be done after listening to an album or CD.

Glen Campbell Duets: Ghost On The Canvas Sessions

I have long admired Glen Campbell for his raw musical talent. I wonder if many people realize how much music he has participated in. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Campbell_discography

The David Grisman Quintet – The David Grisman Quintet

It is a cross between Americana and Jazz, and I like it. The band is full of talented artists who had productive 

The Waterboys – Fishman’s Blues

This album has been on my frequent rotation list for a long time. I just heard a reference pop up and had to re-listen to it. It’s just as good as it ever was.

Eleven Hundred Springs – Bandwagon

It’s new to me, with a traditional C/W feel and a Texas drawl.

Bodies of Water – Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink

This album is weird, but weird in an interesting way. I don’t know what I can say, they have their own way of making music and it works here and there, I am fond of the opening track mostly.

Arlo Guthrie – Alice’s Restaurant

I don’t know what it is but I like Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant is still a hilariously good song.

Arlo Guthrie – Amigo

Highlights: Great Lake Swimmers, Vetiver, Taylor Swift and much more.