The late 1970's ..... Punk and New-Wave had kicked in the door, demanded our attention and was dominating what was being heard. It seemed like music was rapidly and radically changing. Storytelling and singer/songwriters seemed to be in sudden decline.
Then this came out.
He reminded me of Bob Dylan. He played acoustic guitar, he played harmonica and was armed with great melodies and lyrics. Forty-some years later, I'm not sure if I came up with that Bob Dylam comparison on my own or if I read it somewhere. perhaps in Rolling Stone magazine?
'Alive on Arrival' by Steve Forbert. From 1978 on vinyl and the Nemperor Record label.
Maybe my memories are skewed by the passing of years and decades, but I recall bringing home this and Dire Straits debut record, on the same day. If true, what a day that was!!
An incredible vinyl find from a few days ago. From 1975. A jazz bassist.
Initially drawn in by Chick Corea's name on the cover. But it's the bass playing, often bowed here, and reminding personally of long-ago times and places, that is the exciting discovery.
This is why I often drive out of town to dig through bin and crates of previously owned records .... in hopes of finding long hidden and unknown gems.
From 1973 on Asylum Records and on the original vinyl.
I've been listening to this album since I was a teenager. I was seventeen years old when it came out and I'm relatively sure that I bought it on the day of release. I followed Jackson Browne's career closely from his debut in 1972 through the mid-90's. My first act upon becoming connected to the internet was to seek out JB bootlegs. I just wanted to hear more. His music was my goto choice for many years.
This record has his recording of the song he wrote, with a little help from Glen Frey and that The Eagles made famous, 'Take It Easy.' I may be in the minority, but I prefer this version. It also has his song, 'These Days,' which has been covered by several people over the years, including Gregg Allman.
A fantastic record that still resonates in my thoughts and memories nearly fifty years later .... I Thought I Was a Child; These Days; Ready or Not; Sing My Songs To Me; For Everyman; Colors of the Sun .... and the lyrics became part of me.
A sidenote .... That initial search for bootleg recordings resulted in connecting with a lady who sent a box containing thirty-two cassettes my way. That was a great day to walk to the mailbox.
Vinyl record on Janus Records, from 1975. A concept album. I listened to it often when it came out and saw Camel in concert at the old Paramount Theater in downtown Portland, Oregon, while on a tour supporting this record. It's been at least forty years since I've listened to it.
Progressive rock and primarily instrumental. At the time, my friends and I dove deeply into the music. The music is based on a short story published in 1940 by the author, Paul Gallico, and later expanded into a novella.
On gatefold vinyl. From 1971. Progressive rock with Rick Wakeman on organ and synthesizer before joining Yes and eventually going solo.
Beautiful cover art. In my eternally ongoing vinyl wanderings, I don't recall seeing copies of this out there in bins. I'd like to think, if nothing else, that I have unique tastes.
Favorite songs are the first and last: 'A Glimpse of Heaven' and 'I'll Carry On Beside You.'
"The Skipper," from 1972 by Jazz bassist, Henry Franklin. Originally released on Black Jazz Records and reissued in 2021 by Real Gone Music.
I had never heard of Henry Franklin prior to two weeks ago. It was late evening and I was thumbing through the coffee table book, "Dust & Grooves," .... about people and their vinyl record collections and came to the page with a devotee talking about completing his collection of 1970's, Black Jazz Records titles while displaying this record. A little research was the result, followed by a little sampling of sounds and a quick purchase.
These titles from Black Jazz Records are not something that I ever see "in the wild," as the vinyl community folks like to say. So I've ordered four more records originally released by the label.
As much as I'd like to have an original copy, the reissue sounds great and I love the cover design and photography. Included with the record is a two-sided, vinyl sleeve size sheet, of liner and song notes. Isn't that all that one really needs?
From 1975, on original vinyl.
An oldie in my collection. I didn't know much about Mark-Almond at the time that I first heard this and I sure didn't know that Jon Mark was the 'Mark' part of that duo.
Just discovered while posting this entry that Jon Mark passed away less than two months ago.
It's been quite a long time since I last listened. I recall listening almost daily for a period of time after buying this. 'Songs For a Friend' is about as mellow as music gets. Piano driven, singer/songwriter ballads, but not what was usual for recordings of that genre and period. It quite often feels sad and dramatic and ends in a wash of strings and 'spoken word' verse/poetry. There's a sense from the song order and flow alone, that he just lost his best friend. Upon listening, one may feel the need to shed a tear.
Original vinyl record from my early collecting days that was a tough find back then because it was an import recording. It's been with me for a few years now. Had to travel to Portland as I recall.
Singer/Songwriter and great guitarist as well, often including a solo guitar instrumental tune on his albums. Favorite songs on here are back to back on side one ..... 'Love Song' and 'One Day I Walk'. Both incredibly beautiful!!
Beautiful snow and trees photography on the front and back cover and inside the gatefold sleeve.
Had a particular year come to mind. A playlist of what I might have been listening to on any given day in 1972. .... That's if I can recall. It was only forty-nine years ago.
Jackson Browne's self titled first album .... also known as 'Saturate Before Using.'
Bought this 48 years ago and have likely listened to it at several dozen times or more over the years. Most likely one of the first fifty records added to my, at the time, beginning and growing collection. I heard 'Rock Me On the Water' and "Doctor My Eyes' on the radio and his music became my go-to sounds for the next twenty-five years.I don't know why I'm doing this. Don't know why I'm torturing myself. Few things make me so achingly nostalgic. So sad for lost youth. But here goes. A Steely Dan playlist .....
Doctor Wu ..... These days, this is where Steely Dan's music starts for me.
My Old School ..... Might as well just get out the old yearbook and inflict nostalgic memories of what once was. Remembering the old faces and places as I listen.
Rikki Don't Lose That Number ..... This is the one that now says, high school to me. And I don't think it actually received radio play until I was out of high school.
Deacon Blues ..... I wasn't much of a fan initially. But the album, 'Aja' grabbed my attention. By then I had some getting acquainted to do.
Dirty Work
Throw Back the Little Ones
Kid Charlemagne ..... "And I'm never going back to my old school." It is more difficult than I would have ever thought.
Hey Nineteen ..... "Please take me along when you slide on down."
Only A Fool Would Say That
A recent vinyl find of this 1971 recording.
I think my introduction to his music was forty years ago with the 'No Nukes' benefit concert compilation and his contribution, 'We Almost Lost Detroit.'
Great lyricist.
"I saw my daddy greet the mailman And I heard the mailman say "Now don't you take this letter to heart now Jimmy Cause they've laid off nine others today" He didn't know what he was saying He could hardly understand That he was only talking to Pieces of a man."
'Music for the Other Head' by Brother J.T. & Vibrolux. From 1996 on the Siltbreeze Records label. I see it classified as Psyched...
