ALBUMS

• THE YOUNGBLOODS: ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN: 1969: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The Youngbloods only had one hit- Get Together- #5- but it’s not on this album. The album wasn’t that successful on the charts- #118 but it is listened on the 1001 Albums To Hear list. Folk rock-but this their third album also has a jazz influence. Favorites- the opening track Darkness, Darkness, Sunlight, Ride The Wind.

• ELVIS COSTELLO: BRUTAL YOUTH: 1994: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: For the first album since 1986’s Blood & Chocolate- The Attractions are back on board although they sound somewhat restrained when compared to their earlier work with Elvis. A comeback of sorts to the old Elvis sound of the late 70’s early 80’s. Best songs- Pony St., Kinda Murder, This Is Hell, Clown Strike, 13 Steps Down, Sulky Girl. Brutal Youth is listed on the 1001 Albums To Hear list.

• THE KINKS: UK JIVE: 1989: 2 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The three year gap between Think Visual and UK Jive- three years was the longest gap up to that time between Kinks albums. Another mediocre album- better than Think Visual though. Looney Balloon is a hidden Kinks gem but the rest of the album so-so. There would be four more years before the next Kinks album- which is their last to date- Phobia.

• THE GRATEFUL DEAD: LIVE/DEAD: 1969: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The Dead were best known as a live band and this is their most acclaimed of all their live album releases. 6 songs in an hour and 15 minutes. I am not a fan generally of live albums and long long songs- but this is an exception to the rule- Dark Star the opener is worth the price of the album in itself- and it comes in at over 23 minutes. Is listed on the 1001 Albums To Hear list.

• THE KINKS: PHOBIA: 1993: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The final album by The Kinks- although there are rumors of a reunion? A bounce back from a couple below average albums- I saw them on tour during this time. The album got mixed reviews but I liked it at the time and listening to it now- I still do. Only A Dream, Don’t, Scattered, Still Searching favorites on this. I started The Kinks catalog at the beginning of January- I’ve reached the end of the studio albums although I will be listening to a couple box sets and some live material in the near future.

• TRENT WAGLER: JOURNAL OF A BAREFOOT SOLDIER: 2005: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The debut of the future front man of the Americana band The Steel Wheels. Blue Ridge Mountains, the title track and Days Gone By are highlights.

• TRENT WAGLER: TIMBERED CHOIR: EP: 2009: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The songs here were written originally for a play called “What Would Lloyd Do? Gospel influenced- favorites- With It All Stripped Away [ a Steel Wheels concert highlight} and The Race.

• TRENT WAGLER & JAY LAPP: ADRIENNA VALENTINE: 2008: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:  Wagler joined by Lapp- two/fourths of Steel Wheels. This starts to sound like the Steel Wheels- Americana- Roots Rock. Riverside, Corrine, Honey Bear, Get Up To That Mountain. A good recording but the songs come alive -when they did them live.

• CREAM: GOODBYE: 1969: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: A disappointing farewell by one of the first and best super groups. Three of the six songs were live recordings and three come from studio sessions. Badge- written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison is the best tune on the album.  The album comes in at 30 minutes- you would have think a little more effort would have been put into it- seems like a cash in on a group that had already disbanded. It did go to #1 in the UK and #2 in the US. They deserved a better farewell album.