ALBUMS

• SAM COOKE: PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST: 2003: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The best and most complete one disc best of- of Sam Cooke from his gospel beginnings to his great A Change Is Gonna Come at the end.

• THE TALKING HEADS: REMAIN IN LIGHT: 1980: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:  The Talking Heads 4th album was an experimental album that worked- produced by Brian Eno and influence by the Nigerian musician Fela. When this came out I was already a fan of their so I bought it- and must admit it took many listens to really get into the album but once it clicked it clicked. The Heads most famous song is on this- Once In A Lifetime. Other favorites- Born Under Punches, Crosseyed and Painless and Houses In Motion. This album is probably the most critically acclaimed Talking Heads album.

• BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: THE RIVER: 1980: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: One of my Mt. Rushmore of Bruce albums- It is in some ways his White Album- a double album- his 5th album and the first that doesn’t seem to have a theme that runs through most of the songs. Some of these songs had been written a few years earlier but hadn’t found a home yet. The first rock concert I ever went to was to see Bruce’s River Tour in late 1980. One of the best concerts I’ve been to. Favorite songs on this-The Ties That Bind, Independence Day, Hungry Heart, Point Blank, The Price You Pay and one of my Mt. Rushmore of favorite Bruce songs ever- The River.