Journey - Escape (1981)

Journey - Escape (1981) 22 Bit Remastered Version

  Who could ever forget Journey or their groundbreaking pop-rock masterpiee Escape from the early 80's.  My house had all the early Journey albums so I was not a stranger to them, but never really started to apprecite them until  bought this one on cassette at my local A&A Records store.  yup.....went to cassette on this one until my deck chewed up the tape !   (by the way do you remember the "Cass-singles" ? ).  Escape captured all the rock of Journey but marked a new direction for them with a stronger pop tinge.  "Don't Stop Believin" is still one of the best rock songs i think ever......high energy...fanstatic vocals and harmonies..great guitar , bass and drums and cool synths,,,,,,,,,

The Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream (1966)

The Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream (Kama Sutra - 1966)

  What a day for a daydream...........

   Yesterday I was reading a book on the Beatles and Paul McCartney said in 1967 that one of his favourite albums was "Daydream" by the Lovin' Spoonful.  Without a question "Daydream" is a totaly plunge into sunshine -power psych-pop the wany only The Lovin Spoonful could.  The album is nicely nestled in between country, blues, Swingin'-London and British (Beat) genres.  As the leader of the band, John Sebastian who was a veteran of the Greenwich Village folk scene along with pal Zal Yanovsky wrote and played on the great sunshine pop albums of the 60's !

Big Band Percussion - Ted Heath And His Music (1962)

Big Band Percussion - Ted Heath & His Music, Phase 4 Stereo, 1962 (Vinyl)

Ted Heath and his music on Phase 4.....wow........this album is way cool !   All the songs on this album buzz with a high energy 60s "bongo percussion" style and carry that unmistakable Phase 4 High Fidelity sound.  . There is a lot of variety in the way the songs are arranged to keep the percussion gimmick fresh throughout the album as well. 

Opeth - Heritage (2011)

Opeth - Heritage, 2011 Roadrunner Records (5.1 Mix)

  Heritage is Opeth`s 10th album and although I am not a big fan of their gueling and oft-tortured vocals that normally satiate their music,  it is on this album (like Damnation) where they push that aside and what is left over is a great album that should not be missed.    Fans of the Goth-Metal Opeth will likely not rant and rave about this album, but fans of Progressive Rock likely will !  I will say that drummer Martin Axenrot is simply one of the best drummers I have heard since PT`s Gavin Harrison.  The music on Heritage is inspired and marks a big shift in Opeth`s sound (again i think mostly cause the vocals are so different). 

   Also I love the heavy use of Mellotron on this album and in many ways it feels like a bit of Anglaggard meets Anekdoten meets Opeth...hmmmmmm.   I guess I should mention for those who have 5.1 play back capability that PT`s Steve Wilson mixed the 5.1 version of this album which does sound excellent on a good 5.1 capable stereo.         

NRBQ (1999)

NRBQ - NRBQ , 1999 Rounder Records

  Released on their 30th anniversary NRBQ`s album titled NRBQ (same as their first album that was released back in 1969) is another excellent album by this pop rock quartet.  As usual many of the track were written or co written by lead man Terry Adams with great musical contributions from Joey and Johnny Spampinato and percussionist Tom Ardolino.  For those less familiar with NRBQ you will find a band that cover a lot of ground and blend a lot of creative bits and pieces into their music.  They have been called the world`s greatest bar band at one time.    

Ween - White Pepper (2000)

Ween - White Pepper, 2000 Elektra Records

  White Pepper was Ween's 7th Studio album and their last one on Elecktra!  I am a big fan of Ween and would highly recommned this and other albums to those who like something a little different.  White Pepper is one of the great Ween album containing their strange whimsical approach to music while blending pop and prog and other elements into a clustered album that will take you a while to absorb.   Ween play an ode to Steely Dan with the track "Pandy Fackler" and even XTC with "Bananas and blow" and Matthew Sweet inspired "Stay Forever".   A wildly creative album that you need to hear !

Lonnie Smith - Move Your Hand (1969)

Lonnie Smith - Move Your Hand , 1969 Blue Note Records

  A fews years back I totally got into Lonnie Smith after hearing live at Club Mozambique which totally blew me away.  Recorded live in New Jersey's Club Harlem on August 9th 1969 this album totally grooves and grooves with a funky jazz that few live album can hold a candle to.  This album was kindly remastered and released on the limited run of Blue Note's Rare Groove Series which are worth hunting for.   Lonnie Smith is a jazz organist who loved funk as much as jazz and on "Move Your Hand" you will definitely need to move your feet . 

Ween - Chocolate And Cheese (1994)

Ween - Chocolate And Cheese (1994) Elektra Records

  Ween are truely the most creative band in the world...Gene and Dene are it !   If you have not heard Chocolate and Cheese then you have not survived the 90's...or the 80's !  or the 70's.....or the 60's......These cosmic goof'sters maxed out of this album with a huge album pretty much full of everything!   Chocolate And Cheese will make you carve out a pumpkin and rely on your destiny !  I dont know......thats the way the song goes !     UUUgh........This album is a brilliant fusion of pop and gonzo humor and is arguably Ween's finest moment (next to The Mollusk).   A Tear For Eddie is fine enough  to appeal to all Pink Floytd Lovers while I can't Put My Finger On it will appeal to fans of the Nazz.....

  Simply a crazy crazy album that all all but too much Ween !

Ween 4 Life !

Songs from the Street

Songs from the Street, 2003 Sony Legacy Records (3 CD Set)\

    ....Can you tell me how to get......how to get to Sesame Street...........

  Ok who did not just love this show as a kid ?    Well I sure did and this little cd set is a wonderful mix of guest appearances and original cast members music from over the 35 years this show aired.  There are some absolute gems and big surprises on here.....BB King grooving with Oscar.....Billy Joel'age, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Pete Seeger, James Taylor, Lena Horne, Pointer Sisters, Johnny Cash, Ladysmith Black Mombazo, Los Lobos and tons more....What a TRIP this set is........and then you get your favs like "C is for Cookie" and People In Your Neighborhood and Rubber Duckie........

Dungen - Tio Bitar

Dungen - Tio Bitar, 2007 Kemado Records

  Swedish psych'sters Dungen captivated my ears a wee while ago when my pal Douggie gave me "Ta Det Lungt".    And here we have their third album Tio Bitar (which translates as "Ten Pieces/Songs") which continues thier exploration and progression into the depths of your mind.  And just like their earlier albums Tio Bitar combines a wide range of elements ......the trippy, heavy psych, traditional Swedish folk eland even that dredded one........Prog Rock !  Vocals and drumming are right out of the 60's psych scene for sure.......I love this album..........Oh yeah lyrics are in Swedish......but very well done......Check these dudes out........