My Music Listening Journal 2021: Day 6- January 6, 2021
- JACKSON BROWNE: 1977: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: IPOD: ROCK: This album was recorded while Browne was on tour- some of it during concerts, on the tour bus, in hotel rooms. The title track is easily my favorite Jackson Browne song ever. This was the album which introduced me to Browne. Mount Rushmore: “Runnin’ On Empty”, “Stay/ The Load Out”, “You Love The Thunder” and ” The Road.”
- JOHN FOGERTY: CENTERFIELD: 1985: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: IPOD: ROCK: My favorite Fogerty solo album- not that there has been many. This was his first album in ten years. The title track is one of the greatest baseball songs ever. Others on the Mt. Rushmore- “The Old Man Down The Road”- the song in which he was unsuccessfully sued for copying himself! -“Rock And Roll Girls” and “Big Train [From Memphis}- this is always a fun listen.
- JUDIE SILL: JUDIE SILL: 1971: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: IPOD: FOLK ROCK: The debut album of a tragic/ self destructive singer-songwriter from the early 70’s who now seems largely forgotten. Graham Nash helped produced it and played on the album so did David Crosby and Rita Coolidge. She only made two albums in her lifetime. Her story is a sad one. Died of a drug overdose in the late 70’s. Mt. Rushmore of this album- “Jesus Was A Cross Maker”, “Crayon Angels”, “Enchanted Sky Machines” and “The Lamb Ran Away With The Crown.”
- WINGS: WILD LIFE: 1971: 1 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: IPOD: ROCK: McCartney was still finding his way in his solo career with this- his worst album- and a strong candidate for worst album by a solo Beatle -which would make it one of the worst albums associated with The Beatles/ Beatles Solo. Of course a few of Ringo’s albums would also be a contender for that dubious title. No Mount Rushmore for this album. Of note- “Dear Friend” John Lennon took personally. I have never heard any song from this album on the radio- ever- not even on The Beatles channel. I saw someone on a Beatles page cite this as their favorite Paul album. They couldn’t have been serious? This was the first Wings album. This sounds to me like an album of half baked ideas/songs.
- PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS: MIDNIGHT RIDE: 1966: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: VINYL: POP ROCK: The bands fifth album- I didn’t realize their first album was released way back in 1961. This album contained their big hit “Kicks” which peaked at #4. It was written by Mann and Weill for The Animals-but Eric Burdon turned it down which was a big break for Paul Revere & The Raiders. Rolling Stone ranked it at #400 in their 500 Greatest Songs Ever list. Produced by Terry Melcher- who a hot producer at the time- son of Doris Day and ‘buddy’ of Charlie Manson’s.
Love the Fogerty album and the song I Saw It On Tv…
The McCartney album…you know I’ve never heard it completely through…and maybe that is a good thing.
That was another great one- a nice tour from the 1950’s onward… you aren’t missing anything on wildlife- the only decent thing on it is in the deluxe edition- give ireland back to the irish.
I just looked Wildlife up again… I had it a long time ago…but yea even I didn’t recognize any songs except Dear Friend.,,I know now why it’s been a long time ago.
I think it has to be Paul’s worst.. and it came right after Ram which I am a big fan of. hmm
I had forgotton about this album…and now I know why…. here is how one review started… “Wings albums have tended to grow in critical estimation over the years. Not this one.”
Yea that about sums it up.
that is a great review line
I think I wrote about Judie Sill awhile back in a series on female singers. Funny on Fogarty being sued by himself but you have to admit those 2 songs sound an awful lot alike. I probably would like Paul Revere & The Raiders music if the band had another name and if they hadn’t been commercialized like The Monkees.
The first two are in my hoard. That Raiders stuff can catch ya. I might listen to that. Thanks
Wild Life was pushed here in Australia, Bip Bop was on every day 🙂 I bought the album more out of loyalty to the brand, rarely played it after the first play.
If I were older and a fan at that point – I no doubt would have done the same.
When it came to replace the vinyl, this one didn’t make the cut 🙂
I love “Wild Life”. Side One is the sound of a band getting it together for the first time. Side Two is more polished. I think the title song is Paul McCartney at his most unguarded. But it’s all a matter of taste so full respect to anyone who doesn’t like it.