ALBUMS

• PAUL MCCARTNEY: PRESS TO PLAY : 1986: 3  1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Paul was slumping in the mid 80’s- I haven’t listened to this album in a long long time and while it is no gem it is better than I remembered it. The single “Press” went to #21- he would only have one more solo Top 40 hit “My Brave Face” in 1989. Hard to believe it’s been 30 years since he’s been on the charts. Favorite songs- Press, Pretty Little Head, Stranglehold. An overlooked album.

• THE BIG CHILL SOUNDTRACK: 1983: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: One of the recent $ 1 albums I picked up- of course about every song on here has been played to death since the 1960’s. Ten songs on the record.

• THE BIG CHILL SOUNDTRACK: MORE SONGS FROM THE BIG CHILL: 1984: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Not as strong as the first soundtrack but since that sold well they put out another. I have set a new goal – to listen to all my vinyl albums- starting today. No idea how many I own.  It will take a while. I listened to seven of them today.

• SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY AND THYME: 1966: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:  The third Simon and Garfunkel album- they only had five. Best song is Homeward Bound but other favorites- Scarborough Fair-Canticle, The 59th Street Bride Song, The Dangling Conversation, For Emily Wherever I May Find Her, 7 O’clock News-Silent Night.

• JUDY COLLINS: COLORS OF THE DAY: THE BEST OF JUDY COLLINS: 1972: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:  Collins has always been more of an album artist than a singles artist so “Best Of” is a better title than “Greatest Hits”- this covers up to 1972- a dozen songs- I have never been a big fan but she does have a beautiful voice. She was the inspiration for Stephen Stills- “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.”

• TRAFFIC: JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE: 1970: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Dave Mason left the group before this album. Six songs on the album three to a side- my favorite is the title track. The album jazz and blues influenced. First time I have heard this album- a recent buy.

• CULTURE CLUB: COLOUR BY NUMBERS: 1983: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The first two Culture Club albums were strong- with a number of hit singles. Church of The Poison Mind”, “Karma Chameleon”, “Miss Me Blind” and “It’s A Miracle” were the hits- and the best songs on the album.

• PAUL SIMON: GREATEST HITS, ETC: 1977: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The first Paul Simon album I ever bought. 14 songs on it going up to the “Slip Slidin’ Away/ “Stranded In A Limousine” singles. Of course there are more updated compilations now but this is still a strong greatest hits album. I can still remember the day I bought this I can’t recall last Tuesday but I can tell you about the day in December 1977 when I bought my first Paul Simon album.