Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog

ANOTHER AUDIOPHILE VINYL REVIEW – JONI MITCHELL’S BLUE

Joni Mitchell has been a favorite musical artist of mine for most of my life. It was an honor to recently write a music review of a brand new LP reissue of Mitchell’s legendary 1971 album Blue.

The assignment for Tracking Angle was to compare the new vinyl from Warner Brothers/Rhino Hi Fidelity to original pressings and other well-regarded subsequent remasterings. Fortunately, I had the creative freedom to include the back story on how this archetype of confessional singer/songwriters was made. Check it out!

Tracking Angle Review

(Photo: Joel Bernstein circa 1970)

MORE LP REISSUE REVIEWS: MILES DAVIS AND HIS FIRST GREAT QUINTET

It was Miles Davis’s first quintet from 1956 that propelled him to fame as a band leader. Comprised of an all-star line-up of talent including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, this small group redefined “modern” jazz with their live performances in the villages of New York City. The recordings they made together, which are gathered together in the new Craft Recordings Miles ’56 four-LP box set reviewed here, remain highly influential.

See full review here:
Tracking Angle Review

Continue reading “”

HAVE WE CROSSED 110TH STREET YET?

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” is amazing in its own, but this Bobby Womak soul song is on a whole ‘nother planet.

IMO, Jackie Brown is one of the best Tarantino films ever, and it starts with this tune. It can be interpreted many ways on April Fool’s Day.

Don’t be a fool, fool.

HAPPY ST. PAT’S WITH YES

The Yes Album blows me away even today, followed closely by Fragile and Close to the Edge. I introduced my poetry class in high school to them in 1971. Lots of great choices are available in LP pressings now.

(Cover Photo: Phil Franks)

BROKEN HARPOON

Like “Broken Arrow” from Native American lore and the Neil Young album of the same name, “Broken Harpoon” signifies a call for help.

It’s just one of the stellar tracks from the album Smile by The Jayhawks, a brilliant record close to my heart from the Minneapolis-based band with Gary Louris.

Speaking of Minneapolis, we are witnessing the worst hypocrisy from the White House since the Kent State University murders under Nixon in 1970. Be prepared for more lies to come, and even more protests. It’s sickening.

See Bruce Springsteen’s response below: Continue reading “”

IT’S ALL UP TO WHAT YOU VALUE IN YOUR MOTOR CAR

“It all swings on the pain you’ve gone through getting where you are” – George Harrison

Nobody would confuse me for fragile. Growing up around Alaskan commercial fishing, my resilience and confidence can be somewhat intimidating to some. It’s not something I can control. It’s just who I am.

George Harrison’s individualism and creativity was an inspiration to millions. The Porsche above was passed on to George’s son Dhani. He still has it.

Continue reading “”

LATEST RECORD REVIEW

Somehow I still find time to review the latest audiophile-oriented LPs that I have an interest in. This new Craft reissue of a ’50s jazz recording on Savoy by Art Pepper is not audiophile in a modern sense, but a unique look back at the first album by one of the best jazz saxophonist of the 20th Century. Check out my review of this reissue of Art Pepper’s Surf Ride in Tracking Angle:

SURF RIDE RECORD REVIEW

NO DRAMA PLEASE

Yes, I collect vinyl. Going to record stores and flipping through LPs helps me relax from the jealousy, pettiness and drama that I sometimes have to deal with in my line of work. Browsing the racks is a chance for me to unplug from digital distractions and feed my soul. When life’s not fair, I try to solve problems, not make them.

Here I am at my favorite store in Seattle, Easy Street Records. Fantastic selection. Great service. Pub food in house. Go upstairs for the collectible section. Jive Time is also recommended. Good Stuff!

(Photo: Andrea Wells)

SING A SONG FOR DEPRESSED ANGELS FALLING FROM ABOVE

“I won’t retire, but I might retread. Seems like that guy singin’ this song been doing it for a long time. Is there anything he knows that he ain’t said?
Sing a song for Freedom. Sing a song for Love. Sing a song for depressed angels falling from above.”

When it comes to folk-rock music, something I’ve been into for most of my life, Neil is still tops in my book, especially on Classic Records vinyl. He’s been saying it since the ’60s. Here’s one from 2002. Spin it with a little love and affection in every thing you do…

R.I.P JOHN PREGNALL

An old friend of mine and my high school friends passed away today. My condolences to all.

I hope this tune by George Harrison from 1970 (around the time John and I became good friends) is appropriate.

R.I.P BRIAN WILSON

The passing of the Beach Boy’s spiritual and musical leader Brian Wilson is the latest of society’s losses.

Sometimes, simpler is better, especially when it comes to day to day mental health. The songs he wrote reflected that.

No one is in a position to plan for what’s next in today’s world. Why not make your life simpler with a simple mantra? It is written.

Listening to Surf’s Up and Pet Sounds now

VISIT IRELAND – VAN’S HOMAGE TO INNOCENT DUBLIN

If I could choose one country to visit in June it would be Ireland. I’d listen to Van Morrison on the plane and look forward in eager anticipation to the photographs I could make in his hometown. If I could choose one state to visit in August it would be Alaska. I’d spend two weeks filming my home town of Cordova with the hopes of creating something as good as this video (song from his new album to be released soon).