ALBUMS

• ELVIS PRESLEY: FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS: 1968: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The continuation of Elvis’s comeback which began with his television special in December 1968

• JOHN COUGAR: AMERICAN FOOL: 1982: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: I never cared for Johnny Cougar- but “Jack and Diane” caught my attention and then a couple years later he released Un-Huh- with “Pink Houses” and I became a fan- but still don’t care much for his pre-Un-Huh work.

• JIM CROCE: I GOT A NAME: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Released months after his death in a plane crash. Good album- highlights- the title track, Age, Workin’ At The Car Wash Blues, The Hard Way Everytime.

• KRIS KRISTOFFERSON: THE SILVER TONGUED DEVIL AND I: 1971 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Kris was a big star in the early 70-s as an actor and singer-songwriter. My favorite Kristofferson song is on this album- “The Pilgrim Chapter 33.”

• RANDY NEWMAN: SAIL AWAY: 1972: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Randy Newman’s best album.

• GORDON LIGHTFOOT- IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND: 1970: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The album was originally titled Sit Down Young Stranger- but was changed after “If You Could Read My Mind” became a big hit. Gordon still out there touring at 80 an underrated figure.

• LYLE LOVETT: STEP INSIDE THIS HOUSE: 1998: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: a double album of Lyle covering other contemporary Texas songwriters- at first I found it disappointing- I wanted another album of Lyle doing Lyle songs- but this stands up well over 20 years later.

• LYLE LOVETT: MY BABY DON’T TOLERATE: 2003: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The first album of Lyle doing Lyle song in seven years. At first I was disappointed in the album but over the years I have found myself liking it.- not up to his 1980’s early 90’s work but pretty good.

• LYLE LOVETT: ITS NOT BIG ITS LARGE: 2007: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Recorded live in the studio- has jazz and blues influences.

• LYLE LOVETT: NATURAL FORCES: 2009: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Another solid album but I have found Lyle’s music in the past 20 years kind of disappointing after the first six albums which for the most part were full of gems. Maybe it’s just me .