Joan Armatrading - Walk Under Ladders
I don't delve into my Joan Armatrading collection often enough. Each album is a gem, and this is no exception.
#morningcoffeealbum — Public Fediverse posts
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The Beatles - Rubber Soul
For many people, their favourite Beatles album (mine is Revolver, but it's a close run thing).
This is a 2012 repress, using 2009 remasters from CD mixes made by George Martin in 1986.
It sounds pretty good to my untutored ears. -
Rolling Stones - Dirty Work
I pulled this one out after yesterday's #JukeboxFridayNight
The Stones' 12th studio album is not one of their best. The long standing musical differences between Jagger and Richards had deteriorated to personal animosity, to the extent that the various band members were rarely in the recording studio at the same time.
The album is notable as the last appearance of founding member, pianist Ian Stewart, who had been pushed out of the band in 1963 but who nonetheless continued to collaborate closely. -
JJ Cale - Really
I'm inspired by my choice for today's TuneTuesday to play Cale's second album. I never tire of his swampy laid-back style.
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Wishbone Ash - Wishbone Ash
From 1970, the first album from a band that never quite hit the mega time, but who still retain a substantial loyal following.
56 years later, with one original member, guitarist Andy Powell, the band are still touring and putting out albums. -
Rory Gallagher - Top Priority
Released on this day: 14 September 1979
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Carole King - Tapestry
In the mid-70s, I swapped my copy of Black Sabbath's Paranoid for this with a mate at university.
I know some might disagree, but I still think I got the better of the bargain. -
Paul Heaton - Jenius
I've enjoyed Heaton's music since his Housemartins days, and was a particular fan of The Beautiful South. My interest in him has been renewed since he teamed up with Rianne Downey, who I've followed since she was uploading songs to YouTube from her bedroom during lockdown.
I really like this double album with its mix of tenderness, political commentary, and pure unfiltered venom. -
The Rolling Stones - Big Hits. High Tide and Green Grass
Back in The Day™, for some bands, singles were singles and albums were albums, and ne'er the twain would meet. Greatest Hits albums comprised songs that had been released as singles, but did not appear on regular studio albums.
This is one such, containing songs such as Paint It Black and (Can't Get No) Satisfaction. -
ZZ Top - Afterburner
The only ZZ Top vinyl I have, it had the morning coffee treatment not so long ago, but I'm giving it another spin in memory of the non-bearded member of the band, Frank Beard, who died yesterday.
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Tom Petty - Damn The Torpedoes
His third, and in my worthless opinion, best album.
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Rory Gallagher - self titled
After disbanding Taste, this was the first solo album from the sadly missed Rory.
Edit: I really should listen to this more often, it is an excellent album. -
The Beatles - Abbey Road
The first album I ever bought, aged 14 in New Zealand, and I still have it!
It is the last album the band recorded: the sessions for Let It Be were earlier in 1969. By the time it was released, John Lennon had left, and Paul McCartney left the following Spring.
My copy has its share of pops and crackles, but still plays well considering some of the naff record players it has been exposed to in the last 56 years. -
Joan Armatrading - Back to the Night
Released in 1975, this is Joan Armatrading's second studio album, and (by my reckoning at least) her first solo album, her earlier Whatever's For Us being a collaboration with Pam Nestor.
Although well received by critics, the album was not a particular commercial success. The writing and performance is nonetheless as powerful as anything else she has produced in her long career. -
#MorningCoffeeAlbum (with iced cordial)
Rolling Stones - Foreign Tongues
It's here!!! First track (Rough and Twisted) sounds superb.
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#MorningCoffeeAlbum (except it's not coffee, it's iced lime cordial)
Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
Her follow up to the enormously successful self-titled debut, Pirates is said to be in some part an account of the end of Jones's relationship with Tom Waits.
Passionate and tender in equal parts, I should play this more often. -
#morningCoffeeAlbum (now it's cooled down enough for coffee)
Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years
His third studio album after the break from Art Garfunkel, this 1975 release also marks a break from the folk based singer songwriter style, with a more jazz pop style.
The lyrics are more downbeat than previously, the album coming shortly after Simon's divorce from Peggy Harper.
Whilst not reaching the heights of Hearts & Bones or Graceland, this is still one of my favourite Paul Simon albums. -
(Late) #MorningCoffeeAlbum
Ramones - Rocket to Russia
I commented the other day that I should remedy the absence of this record from my collection, and I now have.
Pure, joyful, wonderful punk. -
Mink DeVille - Where Angels Fear To Tread
From 1983, the 5th album under the name Mink DeVille was effectively a Willy DeVille solo album, all the other original members of the band having left. The Latin feel present in the first four albums is even more pronounced here, and Willy's vocals are at their very best.
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Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns
The seventh album from the first lady of the American singer songwriter movement of the 60s and 70s, this album's jazz influences drew criticism at the time of its release in 1975, but is now recognised as one of, if not the best of her releases.
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Joan Armatrading - The Shouting Stage
I know Joan Armatrading has achieved almost national treasure status, but I still don't think she gets the credit she is due, not only for her song writing, but also her guitar playing, which up there with the best.
This, her 11th studio album, doesn't have any stand out hits, but is still a perfect accompaniment to my morning coffee. -
American Beauty by the Grateful Dead
I bought this 2020* repress of the Dead's 1970 classic album after the impossibly beautiful side 2 opener, Ripple was posted in last week's ThursdayFiveList.
The influence of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, who were recording Déjà Vu in the same studio at the time, is clear.*Closer examination reveals that, contrary to the eBay listing, this is the 2011 pressing. I'm not fussed - it sounds great.
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Tom Waits - The Heart of Saturday Night
Tom Waits doesn't quite have the full gravel voice in this, his second album, although it still oozes late night smoky bar room.
It received mixed reviews on release, but I enjoy it on every listen. -
Afterburner from ZZ Top
A lukewarm critical reception for ZZ Top's ninth studio album didn't stop it going platinum in the UK.
I bought this as a "no extra postage" addition to another order. It's ZZ Top. What else can one say? -
Rory Gallagher - Irish Tour '74
A day late for St Patrick's Day, but always worth a listen.
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Dr Feelgood - Malpractice
I'm supposed to have stopped buying vinyl while I sort out more storage space, but I could not resist this when it came up on Discogs.
The Feelgood's second album from 1975 oozes raw energy, and this is an immaculate copy. -
Joan Armatrading - Show Some Emotion
It's hard to believe this album is nearly 50 years old. Joan Armatrading's music, very much her own, is timeless. This album contains perhaps her biggest hit, Willow.
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Rory Gallagher - Live (generally known as Live In Europe)
On what would have been Rory's 78th birthday, it seems appropriate to play this, the first album of his I bought.
I'd just seen him do two sets at the Great Western Express festival near Lincoln in May 1972. As I remember, I bought the album from the very young Virgin Records, when it was a cut price mail order company taking out full page ads in the Melody Maker and other music press.
It's a US pressing, and in remarkably good nick considering the almost constant playing it got from me as a 17 year old. -
Crossroads - soundtrack album by Ry Cooder
In addition to the many fine albums issued in his name (not to mention his extensive session work), Ry Cooder wrote the soundtracks to several movies which were released as albums.
Crossroads is based on the legend surrounding blues musician, Robert Johnson.
Johnson, whose recording career spanned less than a year, nevertheless had enormous influence on the development of the blues.
According to the legend, Johnson, at the time a plantation worker, met the devil at a crossroads and entered into a Faustian plot to become a great blues player.
The title/opening track is a Johnson composition. -
Richard & Linda Thompson - Pour Down Like Silver
The third album from the husband and wife duo, and the first after their conversion to the Sufi faith. Although strongly influenced by their (and particularly Richard's) faith, the songs have a universal appeal, and the album is my favourite of theirs.
#nowPlaying #RichardAndLindaThompson #music #folkRock #music #vinyl
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Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits
I was motivated to get this from Discogs by my ThursdayFiveList a couple of weeks ago.
I already had Rain Dogs and Frank's Wild Years, so this completes the "Frank" trilogy.
The album marks the beginning of Waits' move into more experimental music. I saw him on the supporting tour at The Dominion in London, when I was stood up by a girl I was rather keen on at the time.
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Solid Air by John Martyn
Martyn had an unmistakable voice: mellow but challenging. His modern folk, heavily infused with jazz is timeless, and this, his 4th album from 1973 has him at his very best.
This is a 2013 repress from BackToBlack and is an excellent pressing. -
Why Dontcha - West, Bruce and Laing
One of the last of the heavy blues supergroups, comprising ex-Mountain Leslie West (guitar) and Corky Laing (drums) and ex-Cream Jack Bruce (bass), WBL looked great on paper, but never, to my mind anyway, fulfilled that promise.
This album illustrates that. There are one or two great tracks, but much is just a self-indulgent hotchpotch.
The band lasted two years before disbanding under the weight of hard drugs and egos. -
#MorningCoffeeAlbum with a rum and raisin mince pie.
Labour of Love - UB40
Their fourth studio, and breakout album marked a change from UB40's previous political music, comprising covers of their favourite reggae numbers.
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Patterns In Repeat by Laura Marling
What do you get your Dad for his 71st birthday? Well, my daughter did good with this reflection on becoming a new mother and family connections.
Laura Marling (formerly with Noah & The Whale) has a warm, sensitive voice, and these songs reflect those qualities. -
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes - I Don't Want To Go Home
I've got most of the songs on this, Southside's debut album, on a live album and a compilation album. It's worth having, nonetheless, for the evocative description of the 70's Jersey Shore scene in the liner notes by none other than Bruce Springsteen.
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#MorningCoffeeAlbum with a mince pie!
Night Owl by Gerry Rafferty
Everyone* knows Baker Street**, and many know Stuck In The Middle With You, but beyond this, Gerry Rafferty is a sadly overlooked artist. He had a soft lilting voice, and wrote some wonderful songs.
This album is the follow up to City To City, which contained Baker Street.*Possibly an exaggeration
*Or at least Raphael Ravenscroft's sax solo -
Goldfrapp - Supernature
I'm not really one for coloured vinyl, but I must admit I'm taken with the translucent green of this 2020 pressing of Goldfrapp's 2005 classic. It sounds bloody good as well.
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Willy DeVille - Miracle
Willy DeVille's first album after Mink DeVille bears the production touch of Mark Knopfler, but his voice and writing are as strong and soulful as in the six MdV albums.
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The Steve Miller Band - Book of Dreams
Another from the late Mrs H's collection, I've not played this before. Steve Miller is perhaps best known (in the UK anyway) for his hit The Joker.
This is in a similar vein, inoffensive West Coast rock, a la The Eagles.
The sleeve is a bit battered, but after a clean the vinyl is in decent nick. -
#MorningCoffeeAlbum with a crumble topped mince pie!
Something Else by The Kinks
Decent copies of this from 1967 are silly money, so I've picked up a 2022 pressing from BMG, and it's an absolute delight.
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Tracy Chapman - self-titled
Whenever I play this album, I am struck by the power, both of her writing and of her voice.
She is best known for the first two tracks, Talkin' Bout A Revolution and, of course, Fast Car. But give Behind The Wall a listen (YT link in a reply) -
Top Priority - Rory Gallagher
Released #OnThisDay, 14th September 1979, Rory's label at the time, Chrysalis, promised to make promotion of this album their top priority after a successful American tour.
The albums title was his not so subtle reminder of this promise. -
Black And Blue - The Rolling Stones
Not one of their best, here the Stones attempt disco/funk, reggae, and other genres.
I'm pleased to have this, however. The first copy I bought online fell victim to Royal Mail dropping something heavy on it, and it arrived in 3 pieces.
The seller gave me full refund (I hope he is able to resolve matters with Royal Mail), and I was able to find another copy listed, without it's outer sleeve, and therefore very cheap.
I have paired copy 2 with the sleeve and inner of copy 1, and hey presto! -
Beggars Banquet - Rolling Stones
This album marks the beginning of the Stones' best creative period, coinciding with the introduction of producer Jimmy Miller, and the fading into the background of Brian Jones, who would die 8 months after its release.
The cover was originally intended to show a graffiti adorned toilet, which was rejected by the record company, although it was used on subsequent reissues. -
Taste - Live Taste
Recorded #OnThisDay 31st August 1969 at the Montreux Casino, Switzerland, by the time this album was released the following February, Taste had split.
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#MorningCoffeeAlbum with a jam doughnut!
The Jam (geddit?) - In The City
Punk with a touch of mod (or is it the other way round?), it's hard to believe that Paul Weller was still only 18 when this, The Jam's debut album was released.