ALBUMS

• ABC: THE LEXICON OF LOVE: 1982: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The debut album- it had a couple hits on it- “Poison Arrow” and “The Look Of Love”-  and it seemed to be the peak in the United States for the band. My favorite by them- by far. A big part of the synth-pop movement of the early 80’s. I played this album a lot back at the time. Still enjoy it.

• LINDA RONSTADT: SIMPLE DREAMS: 1977: 4 1/2  STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Ronstadt was still riding the wave of her 70’s pop music popularity at this point- nominated for a Grammy as Album of The Year- it was full of hits- Blue Bayou, It’s So Easy, Poor Poor Pitiful Me- the album went to #1.

• ROD STEWART: FOOT LOOSE & FANCY FREE: 1977: 2 1/2  STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: While it was a big seller the rot was starting to set it. He was now more concerned with being famous than great. This album is average at best- there were three hit singles- “You’re In My Heart” and “I Was Only Joking” were fine but “Hot Legs” is rubbish. The rest of the album nothing to get too excited over.

• THE BEATLES: LET IT BE: 1970: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The original- produced by Phil Spector. I prefer the Let It Be..Naked that Paul McCartney released in 203- without the strings and orchestration and with the addition of Don’t Let Me Down which was left off of he original.

• THE BEATLES: LET IT BE..NAKED: 2003: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:

• BOB DYLAN : ANOTHER SIDE OF BOB DYLAN: 1964: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Dylan was making the move he had to make- if he had stayed in the folk-protest movement he would have been a minor figure- a male Joan Baez. Of course the folk crowd who wanted change- didn’t like Bob changing. Bob hadn’t actually gone rock and roll yet but he was setting the stage for his move. Favorites “All I Really Want To Do”, “My Back Pages.”, “Chimes of Freedom.” , “It Ain’t Me Babe” and “I Don’t Believe You { She Acts Like We Never Met}. Worst song- the beyond nasty-” Ballad In Plain D” “which Bob has even admitted he shouldn’t have released.

• BLONDIE: GREATEST HITS: SOUND AND VISION: 2005: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: 20 songs on this greatest hits- all you need from Blondie unless you are a fanatic and need everything- I am not a Blondie fanatic. Favorite Blondie song- ‘Dreaming” Least favorite: Rapture.