ALBUMS

• THE KINKS: PRESERVATION: ACT 1: 1973: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: A Ray Davies concept album- it wasn’t well received by critics or the buying public. I don’t think it is as bad as its reputation but hardly essential Kinks. Best songs- Sweet Lady Genevieve, Sitting In The Midday Sun,  Here Comes Flash.

• BOB DYLAN: NASHVILLE SKYLINE: 1969: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Another curve ball from Dylan- who would have thought he goes to Nashville and makes a country album? My main complaint against the album is how short it is- 27 minutes by 1969 albums were generally longer- it wasn’t 1963 anymore. A good album but I wouldn’t put it among the best of Dylan.

• FRANK ZAPPA: HOT RATS: 1969: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Zappa released three albums in 1969 this was the third and his first solo album. Only one song on the album contains vocals- the rest is all instrumental and the vocal “Willie The Wimp” features vocals from the great Captain Beefheart! Zappa called this album ‘a movie for your ears.” I am not a big rock music instrumentals fan but this is a very good album. The song “Son of Mr. Green Genes” helped spark the urban legend that Zappa was the son of the Captain Kangaroo side kick.

• THE BAND: JERICHO: 1993: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Seventeen years after their famous farewell “The Last Waltz”- The Band got back together- well sort of- Richard Manuel was dead and Robbie Robertson wasn’t with them but Levon, Rick and Garth reunited and this is a surprisingly enjoyable album. They chose good material- Atlantic City from Bruce, Blind Willie McTell from Bob, Richard Manuel does make an appearance- he had recorded a song “Country Boy” in 1985 and it is also a highlight.

also listened to last sunday’s edition of Celtic Crush with Larry Kirwan- on The Loft.