ALBUMS

• THE KINKS: THE KINKS: 1964: 3 1/2  STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The Kinks debut- one thing was certain The Kinks weren’t The Rolling Stones when it came to covering R&B songs. 6 of the 14 songs are Ray Davies originals- and the songs that of course stick out are the two early classics- You Really Got Me and Stop Your Sobbing. Some of the covers are so bad they are difficult to listen to- and do not even sound like The Kinks. Luckily Ray Davies quickly became a great songwriter.

• CHRIS STAPLETON: FROM A ROOM: VOLUME 1: 2017: Stapleton’s 2nd and 3rd solo albums were released on the same day last year. 9 songs clocking in at 32 minutes Stapleton had writing credits on 8 of the songs. A combination of country, blues and rock-Broken Halos, Either Way, Last Thing I Needed-First Thing This Morning and Up To No Good Livin’- are highlights. Stapleton is one of the few things today worthwhile in so called- county music. Great voice- and I don’t hear one song here about being at a beach partying.