THE BYRDS
TURN! TURN! TURN!
1965-COLUMBIA
Produced By TERRY MELCHER
1. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)
2. It Won’t Be Wrong
3. Set You Free This Time
4. Lay Down Your Weary Tune
5. He Was A Friend Of Mine
6. The World Turns All Around Her
7. Satisfied Mind
8. If You’re Gone
9. The Times They Are A-Changin’
10. Wait And See
11. Oh! Susannah
The second album by The Byrds showed that they were not completely reliant on Bob Dylan for material (only two tracks by Dylan appear), or on Gene Clark, who contributed only three songs. Roger McGuinn and David Crosby were stretching their writing wings here, and the band also still relied on cover material a lot. The title track may have been the birth of Christian rock: it’s part Pete Seeger and part taken straight from the bible.
Not as strong an effort as their debut, and not as good as future releases, Turn! Turn! Turn! Still has some great moments. The harmonies are great throughout, and although there were a lot of tensions (Gene Clark was about to leave the band, and Crosby felt his input to the band was being ignored), there is also much of what made their debut a success. The band would begin to slowly move in different directions after this, due in large part to major personnel changes, but their early material, this included, is still a big part of where music was going in the mid to late 60’s. Not their best, but still a vital part of their early output.
Link _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
ELTON JOHN
GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
1973-MCA
Produced By GUS DUDGEON
1. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
2. Candle In The Wind
3. Bennie And The Jets
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
5. This Song Has No Title
6. Grey Seal
7. Jamaica Jerk-Off
8. I’ve Seen That Movie Too
9. Sweet Painted Lady
10. The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-34)
11. Dirty Little Girl
12. All The Girls Love Alice
13. Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘N’ Roll)
14. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
15. Roy Rogers
16. Social Disease
17. Harmony
Hard to believe it took me over 25 years to replace my old copy of this album. Listening to it today is like uncovering lost treasure. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is Elton John’s masterpiece. His most consistent album, his best set of songs, and his best rock and roll album. Most of the songs have a very nostalgic theme based on old movies, and it works very well. John is at high energy, and the guitar work of Davey Johnstone is the best on any Elton album. There are several memorable tracks: the hits “Bennie And The Jets”, ”Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”, and the title track, and should have been hits “Harmony”, “Jamaica Jerk-Off” and “All The Girls Love Alice”. Also included is the original “Candle In The Wind”, and the excellent 11 minute opener “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding”.
Elton had originally planned on recording the album in Jamaica as The Rolling Stones had just done with Goat’s Head Soup, but it didn’t work out and he went to France instead. The songs were written in Jamaica, however, and there’s an almost tropical feel to much of the music. And while he would continue to have success, he would never match the heights he achieved on this album. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a true classic 70’s album that probably sounds much better than you may remember it. Well worth revisiting, this is still a lot of fun.
Link _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
Great review. And I agree with best Rock 'n' Roll and best set of songs but not with "most consistent". That would be Captain Fantastic. Which is, therefore also, I think, his best Album. _________________ When the stewardess is near do not show any fear.
BOB DYLAN
THE ESSENTIAL BOB DYLAN
2000-COLUMBIA
VARIOUS PRODUCERS
1. Blowin’ In The Wind
2. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
3. The Times They Are A-Changin’
4. It Ain’t Me Babe
5. Maggie’s Farm
6. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
7. Mr. Tambourine Man
8. Subterranean Homesick Blues
9. Like A Rolling Stone
10. Positively 4th Street
11. Just Like A Woman
12. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
13. All Along The Watchtower
14. Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
15. I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
1. Lay, Lady, Lay
2. If Not For You
3. I Shall Be Released
4. You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
5. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
6. Forever Young
7. Tangled Up In Blue
8. Shelter From The Storm
9. Hurricane
10. Gotta Serve Somebody
11. Jokerman
12. Silvio
13. Everything Is Broken
14. Not Dark Yet
15. Things Have Changed
The Essential series from Columbia Records has had a few gems: the Bruce Springsteen edition, for example, is a very well thought out collection. The Essential Bob Dylan is almost in that category. As a hits compilation, it serves quite nicely. As in introduction to the career of Dylan, it’s pretty much perfect. Covering the time from “Blowin’ In The Wind” from 1963 to his contribution to the Wonder Boys soundtrack (Things Have Changed) fom 1999, this covers not all of them, but certainly the most important bases. The obvious songs are here, and it’s great to have them in one place.
The best part of this compilation is the surprise tracks. “Hurricane” from Desire is a great addition. “Quinn The Eskimo”, “Silvio”, and “Maggie’s Farm” are unexpected surprises. Having everything run chronologically is a plus as well. And for a career as long and full of great moments as Dylan's, putting it down to only two discs can be daunting: Columbia got it about as right as anyone could. This is a fine collection. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
GUIDED BY VOICES
UNDER THE BUSHES UNDER THE STARS
1996-MATADOR
VARIOUS PRODUCERS
1. Man Called Aerodynamics
2. Rhine Jive Click
3. Cut-Out Witch
4. Burning Flag Birthday Suit
5. The Official Ironman Rally Song
6. To Remake The Young Flyer
7. No Sky
8. Bright Paper Werewolves
9. Lord Of Overstock
10. Your Name Is Wild
11. Ghosts Of A Different Dream
12. Acorns & Orioles
13. Look At Them
14. The Perfect Life
15. Underwater Explosions
16. Atom Eyes
17. Don’t Stop Now
18. Office Of Hearts
19. Big Boring Wedding
20. It’s Like Soul Man
21. Drag Days
22. Sheetkickers
23. Redmen And Their Wives
24. Take To The Sky
This trailblazing band was formed in 1983, and made some of the most interesting and unconventional albums of its time. Under The Bushes Under The Stars was their ninth album, and the last to feature their classic lineup until 2012’s comeback album, Let’s Go Eat The Factory. This album also marked the first time the band had recorded on anything bigger than a four track machine, getting to use full studio equipment. The results are powerful, as GBV recorded what may be its strongest overall set of songs with this album.
There are times when the band sounds a lot like Sonic Youth, and there are times when they sound like no one else. And although this album runs very long (well over an hour), which can be off-putting for those not used to their still very indie and do it yourself sound, the treasures are worthwhile. A fine album by a fine band that never got the recognition it dserved. Which may well just be a good thing for them. And us.
My Rating: ****1/2
Link _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
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Of dying history
1. Stand By Your Man
2. Singing My Song
3. Take Me To Your World
4. Apartment #9
5. D-I-V-O-R-C-E
6. I Don’t Wanna Play House
7. Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad
8. Run, Angel, Run
9. Too Far Gone
10. Almost Persuaded
11. My Elusive Dreams
If Tammy Wynette had only recorded “Stand By Your Man” and then called it a day, she would be remembered as a country music great even today. But Wynette’s career during the 60’s and 70’s was as fruitful as any major stars, and she earned the name “The First Lady of Country Music” deservedly so. Wynette sang songs that mainly dealt with subjects like divorce, loneliness, and the difficulties that can arise in relationships. And she sang about these subjects with a conviction that someone like Alanis Morisette can only dream of.
Songs like “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” (or how you say the word around a small child), “Apartment #9”, “I Don’t Wanna Play House” and “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad” made Wynette a legend. This collection is top notch (even with no liner notes at all), even though it was released BEFORE she took the 70’s by storm. A fine collection, and some of the best country music from the era.
Link _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
1. Stand By Your Man
2. Singing My Song
3. Take Me To Your World
4. Apartment #9
5. D-I-V-O-R-C-E
6. I Don’t Wanna Play House
7. Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad
8. Run, Angel, Run
9. Too Far Gone
10. Almost Persuaded
11. My Elusive Dreams
If Tammy Wynette had only recorded “Stand By Your Man” and then called it a day, she would be remembered as a country music great even today. But Wynette’s career during the 60’s and 70’s was as fruitful as any major stars, and she earned the name “The First Lady of Country Music” deservedly so. Wynette sang songs that mainly dealt with subjects like divorce, loneliness, and the difficulties that can arise in relationships. And she sang about these subjects with a conviction that someone like Alanis Morisette can only dream of.
Songs like “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” (or how you say the word around a small child), “Apartment #9”, “I Don’t Wanna Play House” and “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad” made Wynette a legend. This collection is top notch (even with no liner notes at all), even though it was released BEFORE she took the 70’s by storm. A fine collection, and some of the best country music from the era.
Apartment #9 can't be beat. I wish country music was still as delightful as it was in the 60s. I kind of like that style of country.
My next favorite one by her is the Justified Ancients of Mumu song. That was a wild record. It was absolutely nuts. And she did a great job!!!! And then of course Stand By Your Man.
SON VOLT
WIDE SWING TREMOLO
1998-WARNER BROS
Produced By SON VOLT
1. Straightface
2. Driving The View
3. Jodel
4. Medicine Hat
5. Strands
6. Flow
7. Dead Man’s Clothes
8. Right On Through
9. Chanty
10. Carry You Down
11. Question
12. Streets That Time Walks
13. Hanging Blue Side
14. Blind Hope
Wide Swing Tremolo is the third Son Volt album, and can maybe best be described with one word as stagnant. After the critically acclaimed Trace, their next album showed no new ideas, and this album wa pretty much the same thing…and the band broke up after being dropped from their label not too long afterwards. This is not to say that Wide Swing Tremolo is without some great moments: “Driving The View” and “Flow” are definite highlights, as is one of Jay Farrar’s better songs, “Medicine Hat”.
Son Volt reconvened seven years after this with a new lineup and released the excellent Okemah And The Melody Of Riot. Wide Swing Tremolo is the swan song of the original band, and if you’re a fan, is a necessary part of their discography. It’s far from the best release by Son Volt, though.
Link _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
WARREN ZEVON
EXCITABLE BOY
1978-ASYLUM
Produced By JACKSON BROWNE & WADDY WACHTEL
1. Johnny Strikes Up The Band
2. Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner
3. Excitable Boy
4. Werewolves Of London
5. Accidentally Like A Martyr
6. Nighttime In The Switching Yard
7. Veracruz
8. Tenderness On The Block
9. Lawyers, Guns And Money
The follow up to his self titled “debut”, Warren Zevon unleashed Excitable Boy onto the world, and we’re all better for it. Zevon was a nobody (even though his songs were being covered by many artists)until “Werewolves Of London” hit the airwaves. It’s by far the biggest hit of his career, with great playing from Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Waddy Wachtel. This shows Zevon’s humor well, but it’s surrounded on the album by some pretty great material.
In fact, the first 5 tracks (and the last one) are as good as anyone has put to record. “Johnny Strikes Up The Band” is a perfect quickie opener. “Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner” is Zevon at his politically sharpest. “Excitable Boy” is the story iof a murderous crazy as only Zevon can tell it. “Accidentally Like A Martyr” is one of his prettiest songs. And “Lawyers, Guns And Money” is how we’ve always imagined Warren to have been. Three weaker tracks toward the end notwithstanding…Excitable Boy is a bad mutha of an album. An absolute must have.
Link _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
ELTON JOHN
GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
1973-MCA
Produced By GUS DUDGEON
1. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
2. Candle In The Wind
3. Bennie And The Jets
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
5. This Song Has No Title
6. Grey Seal
7. Jamaica Jerk-Off
8. I’ve Seen That Movie Too
9. Sweet Painted Lady
10. The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-34)
11. Dirty Little Girl
12. All The Girls Love Alice
13. Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘N’ Roll)
14. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
15. Roy Rogers
16. Social Disease
17. Harmony
Hard to believe it took me over 25 years to replace my old copy of this album. Listening to it today is like uncovering lost treasure. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is Elton John’s masterpiece. His most consistent album, his best set of songs, and his best rock and roll album. Most of the songs have a very nostalgic theme based on old movies, and it works very well. John is at high energy, and the guitar work of Davey Johnstone is the best on any Elton album. There are several memorable tracks: the hits “Bennie And The Jets”, ”Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”, and the title track, and should have been hits “Harmony”, “Jamaica Jerk-Off” and “All The Girls Love Alice”. Also included is the original “Candle In The Wind”, and the excellent 11 minute opener “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding”.
Elton had originally planned on recording the album in Jamaica as The Rolling Stones had just done with Goat’s Head Soup, but it didn’t work out and he went to France instead. The songs were written in Jamaica, however, and there’s an almost tropical feel to much of the music. And while he would continue to have success, he would never match the heights he achieved on this album. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a true classic 70’s album that probably sounds much better than you may remember it. Well worth revisiting, this is still a lot of fun.
Totally agree it's awesome. One of the best albums ever. Only thing I disagree with is that I think Candle in the Wind is one of the only stickers on the album, one of only two. That's amazing for a double album. Only two songs I don't like. That's amazing.
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