ALBUMS

• NEIL YOUNG: TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT: 1975: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: This album was recorded in 1973 but delayed almost two years in its release. An album of grief- two of Neil’s friends-Danny Whitten from his band Crazy Horse and Bruce Berry a professional roadie had both died before Neil wrote the album. It’s a harrowing album anyone who expected Harvest II would have been disappointed. It is a great album though- no hit singles- actually there were no singles released from this album at all. Made the 1001 albums to hear list as it should have. The title track and Tired Eyes made Neil’s Decade best of a couple years later.

• DAVID BOWIE: STATION TO STATION: 1976: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The album in which Bowie was so coked out that he would later say he had no memory of recording the album. Bowie was now The Thin White Duke. Pictures of the man from this period show someone who didn’t look too long for the world. He had an enormous cocaine habit and was getting by on peppers and milk- and in a state of psychic terror. Yet somehow he makes on of his greatest albums in that state. It would be the highest charting album in the US for Bowie #3 until The Next Day and Blackstar. Golden Years as a single went to #10. Only six songs on the album but all are standouts- it is on the 1001 albums to hear list.

• SANTANA: SANTANA: 1969: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:   The bands debut album- featuring their signature song Evil Ways.  Just weeks before the albums release they got to play Woodstock- which gave the band and the album a big boost. The album went to #4. Evil Ways which peaked at #9 wasn’t even the first single- Jingo was- #56. Reviews at the time were not as kind as the contemporary ones are- saying it was from the methedrine school of music- giving a high with no meaning. A speed freaks delight.  A lot of noise they said and I tend to agree. Not wild about this album or the band. Never have been.

• RAY CHARLES: THE GENIUS OF RAY CHARLES: 1959: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Pound for pound Ray Charles may be the best overall singer of the 20th century. He could sing every style of music-at a high level. The first half of the album is big band  songs and the second half string backed ballads. Let The Good Times Roll and Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’- were hits. On the list of 1001 albums to hear.

• THE EVERLY BROTHERS: A DATE WITH THE EVERLY BROTHERS: 1960: 4  STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: I know The Everly Brothers mainly through greatest hits and a box set this album is on the 1001 albums to hear list– it came in 1960- well into their success. Cathy’s Clown is the only big hit on this- a variety of material on it though- maybe they shouldn’t have covered Little Richard’s Lucille though.

• WILLIE NELSON: RED HEADED STRANGER: 1975: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Willie’s 18th album- he had been around a long time at this point- he played the game in Nashville and had been a great success as a songwriter-before going outlaw in the early 70’s and going on to more success on his own. Around this time Willie was becoming known to a bigger and bigger audience. This is a concept album about a fugitive on the run after killing his wife and her lover. The album went to #1 on the country charts and #28 on the Billboard Top 200 albums- and he even had a hit single on the Top 40 with Blue Eyes Cryin’ In The Rain #21- #1 on the country charts. One of his best albums. On the 1001 albums to hear list.

• THE STEEL WHEELS: LEAVING SOME THINGS BEHIND: 2015: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: A good album but I have always liked an even mixture of mid tempo and ballads- I think they are best on the mid tempo songs this contains more ballads. It was kind of a disappointment to me when it was released but I’ve grown to like it more over time.

• THE ROLLING STONES: THEIR SATANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST: 1967: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Just finished up writing about the songs on this album over two weeks- thought I’d finish up by giving it one last listen- for the time being as a whole album. I used to hate this album and dismissed it as terrible but it has grown to the point where I actually like a number of the songs- and while I certainly don’t think it is a classic- its decent. Still though- The Rolling Stones and psychedelic music were not a great match and they realized this and went back to what they do best- rock and roll after this album.

• THE BEACH BOYS: 20/20: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Do It Again and I Can Hear Music are standouts on this album- which actually isn’t that bad- the problem for The Beach Boys at this point-it was 1968 and they were viewed as passe. Brian Wilson- the songwriting brains of the outfit was having difficulties. The album was a flop commercially- probably deserved a better fate.

• DAVID BOWIE: LOW:  1977: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The first of Bowie’s Berlin trilogy. Brian Eno came in to work with Bowie on this album and it shows his influence- more changes Bowie- more of an electronic music approach- which he would carry on for the next two albums in the trilogy. At the time it got mixed reviews and I must admit myself that it took a while for it to sink in- but it is now considered one of Bowie;s greatest albums. Pitchfork even named it the greatest album of the 1970’s. Most of the tracks are instrumental tracks. No famous hit singles on this- just a great sounding album. Sound And Vision the most famous song on it. On the 1001 albums to hear list.

• NEIL YOUNG: ZUMA: 1975: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Cortez The Killer is the best known song on this album- one of Neil’s greatest songs and the only song from Zuma that would make his triple album compilation Decade a couple years later. Other highlights- Don’t Cry No Tears and Danger Bird. The new Crazy Horse line up debuted on this album.