SAIL AWAY
Linda Ronstadt sang a Randy Newman song back in 1973. Continue reading “”
Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog
LOVE IS THE DRUG
Roxy Music’s 5th release Siren is arguably their best albums and could be considered one of the best glam rock albums ever, if only for the hits “Love Is The Drug”, “Both Ends Burning” and “Just Another High”.
Perhaps their finest hour, consistent and thematic, and released almost 45 years ago. All said, Siren has aged very well. Their last album Avalon comes close, although it belongs to an entirely more mainstream family. Continue reading “”
TELL YOUR STORY
I feel vey fortunate to have grown up in an isolated fishing village in Alaska.
Everything was possible. My imagination was set free. Telling my story took a bit longer. Continue reading “”
IT’S ALL RIGHT
Probably my second favorite tune, next to “Handle Me With Care”, from the Traveling Wilburys is “End of the Line”. It still provides some comfort today. Continue reading “”
THE ROAD TO RUIN
I’m referring to the John and Beverley Martyn UK Island record from 1970 with a Max Ernst engraving on the cover and engineering by John Wood. The best listen is all analog on an original UK Island LP. Continue reading “”
YES
The Yes Album was recorded at the Lyceum Theatre in London 50 years ago this week. It was the beginning of a string of three landmark records by the band Yes, each outdoing the previous one with all original songs. They all went Platinum in the U.S.: The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close To the Edge.
(Yes Art: Roger Dean) Continue reading “”
HIGHER THAN THE WORLD
Van Morrison has reached more heights than any songwriter I’ve known since his debut in 1963. Perhaps no song has touched me more than the lead track of his 1983 album Inarticulate Speech of Heart. It’s his most underrated album and a hymn that has probably saved my life. Continue reading “”
THIS IS THE MEMORIAL DAY I’M TRYING TO FORGET
On May 22, National Road Trip Day, I decided to drive around the neighborhood, picking up some groceries and the mail. I also added a hundred new road trip images to the website, once i got home – while praying for better days ahead.
Hopefully, this pandemic is peaking and will begin to pass. Still, it has made existing problems all the more apparent. The incompetence and sheer selfishness exhibited by many has made the nation that our veterans sacrificed their lives for look pathetic. On the flip side, what happens next could serve as a once-in-a-multi-generational chance to build a better future. Continue reading “”
LIFE’S GOOD (Until The End Of The World)
Thanks to Lou Reed and Wim Wenders for this soundtrack and film. Continue reading “”
PACING THE CAGE
Jimmy Buffett recorded a song for his 1999 Beachouse on the Moon album that I loved the moment I heard it. I came across it recently, and it resonated with me again. Written by Bruce Cockburn, the lyrics describe my life pretty well, especially now. Continue reading “”
PLAYING RECORDS IS A GREAT WAY TO DE-STRESS
With Record Store Day 2020 postponed due to the pandemic, now’s a good time to listen to some great sounding vinyl. It’s a sublime way to pass the time while at home.
Live albums can be especially beneficial in bringing back fond memories of concerts you may have attended. Or you can spin some female vocals or mellow jazz for a relaxing break from the computer. Vinyl remains my preferred way to listen to music for its ability to let me connect with the artist in an emotional way. Continue reading “”
DIVINE INTERVENTION
An arguably appropriate (or inappropriate) song for these times.
Regardless, Mathew Sweet’s third album, Girlfriend has enough angst and killer riffs to please any young electric guitar freak. Continue reading “”
SLOT CAR RACING AGAIN
As a kid, I raced slot cars at commercial hobby tracks pretending to be the famous British driver, Sterling Moss. I still have my box of cars and controller. Twenty years ago, I started collecting the 1/32nd scale slot cars that were being produced at the time. Continue reading “”
FAST CAR
Tracy Chapman broke the airwaves in April 1988 with this song and others on her self-titled album. Singles from the record, like “Fast Car” and “Baby Can I Hold You” are still relevant today. The CD, or better yet, the record or the elusive 12″ single discs, are audiophile grade music. Check it out. Continue reading “”