The Action - Rolled Gold 1968

The Action - Rolled Gold  Reaction Recordings  1968

   The Action were one of the best long lost bands of all time !   May be best to describe The Actionn's music as perhaps a combination of the classic Who with The Small Faces and the happening 60's MOD scene.  Hard to believe that this band didnt make it considering how good every song is on this album.

The History Of Vancouver Rock & Roll Volume 4

The History Of Vancouver Rock & Roll   Volume 4 

   I am always on the hunt for long lost garage-psych treasures, but it was this rare Canadian compilation that had my ear in 2010.  This highly sought after collection was assembled by the Vancouver record collectors association has was released on both long playing vinyl and CD (sorry Simon no 8-Track!).   Too many high points to capture them all here but this 16 track collection will keep your toes tapping and your spirits HIGH.   Lots of pre-famous musicians and bands presented here for you to discover which makes this an ever trippier album.  Unlike many of the garage-psych era recordings a good chunk of these songs were remastered from the original tapes.   A wonderful collection!

Bob Carpenter - Silent Passage, Stony Plain Records, 1975

Bob Carpenter - Silent Passage, Stony Plain Records, 1975
 
According to the sketchy bits of info I can find on Bob Carpenter this was sadly his only album recorded .  Silent Passage was written and was recorded over a 4 year period and is a true magical Canadian-folk masterpiece IMHO.   The music on Silent Passage plays is highly emotional and memorable and I played this album a lot in 2010 and fell in love with this one BIG time !   Guest appearances from a young Anne Murray,  Emmylou Harris and Canadian Prog Rocker Ben Mink.  A few interesting side notes is that Bob used to open for the Perth County Conspiracy and he was born in North Bay !. 

Judy Garland - Live At Carnegie Hall, Capitol Records, 1961

Judy Garland - Live At Carnegie Hall, Capitol Records, 1961

    As you know I grew up with a musical mom who adored Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.  "Judy Live" was an album that I grew up living to and had not heard this album in over 20 years (since the last time my mom played it and sang along...any maybe cried along the way).   Judy could tear your heart out and bring you as a listener to places few others could.  In 2001 Capitol Records released the 40th anniversary edition of this huge album.   Along the way Bob Norberg (Capitol Mastering) managed to find a missing track originally left off the album and unbelievably found the orignal had been overdubbed with crowd noise and fake applause and so Bob totally reconstructed this album in the proper sequence and included missing monologues and segments between songs.  The end result is simply breathtaking and I recently satr and re-listened to this album with my mom who said it "totally sounds like a new album". 

R.L. Burnside - Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down, Fat Possum Records (2000)

R.L. Burnside - Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down, Fat Possum Records (2000)
 
 Along with Mississippi Fred McDowell, R.L. Burnside was an old time blues musician that as far as I knew was long ago gone from Chicago Blues Scene .  Then to my surprise I heard a few news songs from him and was so intrigued that I started to track down his later albums.  "Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down" takes the Blues into totally new territory and has managed to break new boundaries here on this album.  I think Bob will absolutely love this album with it's wild mix of scratch , guitar, harmonica and deep blues vocals of a master.  Tracks like "got messed up" completely won me over and this album is an absolute gem.   a bit of a cliche i suppose but i highly recommended album to you and you need to hear this one before YOU die !

Porcupine Tree - Moonloop Transmission IV (2001)

Porcupine Tree - Moonloop Transmission IV , Delerium Records (2001)

    Most of Porcupine Tree's music is excellent and I really could have posted any of their recordings from their past, but for this blog I thought I'd add a lovely 40 minute and 7 Second continuous space rock piece of improvisation genius titled "Moonloop Transmission IV".   This was a single released by Delerium Records (back when PT were on Delerium!) and showcases some of my personal favourite PT musical moments.   Steve Wilson,  Colin Edwin, Chris Maitland and Richard Barbieri  (x- Japan) transporting the listener into the outer reaches of the solar system.  I likely should point out the fact that there is a much shorter version of this song (Moonloop) on PT's album "Sky Moves Sideways" .    

Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming Of The True (2000)

Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming Of The True, KG Music, 2000

   Kevin Gilbert has been of great interest to me over the years with his creative musical versitility and his many musical influences.  "The Shaming Of The True" was remastered and re-released in 2010 by the Kevin Gilbert estate and now we really get a high quality production of this grand finale.  "Certifiable # 1 Smash" never sounded so good with Gilbert's tongue- in- cheek acapella-ode to the music industry.  Musically this album is of course rich in texture and variation pretty much in the prog-rock vein.  Assisting Kevin Gilberts is Genesis / Spock's Beard drummer Nick D'Virgilio.  Kevin Gilbert was a musical genius and this album is a testament to this fact. 

Oscar Peterson - Girl Talk (1968)

Oscar Peterson - Girl Talk, MPS Records, 1968SACD

     Girl Talk was one of the first albums Oscar recorded while living in Germany over a period of over 5 years in the 1970's.  Apparently all the recordings in this series were recorded in the home of a local producer Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer Studios West Germany.   According to documentaiton they would host a small `chamber-style' concert in Hans' studio and over a 5 year interval managed to record a number of albums in a series aply titled `exclusively for his friends'.   The other band members who support Peterson on this recoding is Sam Jones (Bass) , Ray Brown (Bass), Bob Durham (Drums) and Louis Hayes (Drums).

Kansas - Two For The Show (30th Anniversary Edition)

Kansas - Two For The Show, 1978 Epic Records (30th Anniversay 2 CD Edition)

  I have owned the 2 vinyl record set for eons and have always loved this live set which i think showcases some of the best Kansas songs with higher energy then achieved on their studio recordings.  The 30th Anniversary Edition is a 2 CD set with most of the second CD being totally NEW and unreleased versions of songs from their 1977 - 1978 tour.  The thing that really made this album stand out for me as one of my favourite live recordings is that this album was not toyed with and contains no additional overdubs or studio fixes...it was pure recorded live and includes warts and all.  This was not the way of the day as many live recordings from the 70's were enhanced later and cleaned up (it was the thing to do back in those days!) The end result is a very live and real feeling album that now plays an extra hour !   Fans of Kansas will need to get this release as Kansas were at the top of their game in 1977.

Virgil Fox - Heavy Organ (1972)

Virgil Fox - Heavy Organ (Bach Live In San Francisco), 1972 MCA Records

  Virgil Fox's Heavy Organ is a pure masterpiece capturing a rather wild integration of psychedelia with  classical organ!   Not sure this one has ever been done before but thoese in attendance at Winterland Gardens got to experience the Pablo Light Show with the classical organ work of Bach as played by Virgil Fox.  

Buddy Guy - A Man & The Blues (1968)

Buddy Guy - A Man & The Blues, Vanguard Records, 1968

  Here is "THE" template for modern blues inspired performers!.  This album is the template for what musicologists refer to as the "second generation Chicago Blues".   Buddy's performance on his fender Stratocaster will transport you into a smoke filled seedy Chicago bar where the you will get the blues.   There are tons of great blues players and albums out there but this one is just kinda extra extra special.  One listen and you will know what I mean ! 

Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping (1968)

Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping, Cadet Records , 1968

  Dorothy Ashby was as strange as it might sound a jazz harpist who recorded in the 60s and 70s for lables like Prestige, Verve and Cadet.  This little gem has been a mecca for hip hop artists over the years and has been sampled extensively !  ...and why not...great trippy grooves, tons of great bits and pieces showcasing a nice range of instrumentation..flutes, bongos, xylophone, harp......what else could you ask for........dont think that after listening to this album you will say "man...that was great, but it could have used a bit more harp!" (aka Cow Bell)

Gravy Train - A Ballad of a Peaceful Man (1971)

Gravy Train - A Ballad of a Peaceful Man, Vertigo Records, 1971

  Trapped deep in the Vertigo Records vault lies this little beauty of an album.  This album is full of timeless melancholy and offers a wonderful mix of Progressive, Folk and Rock elements.    Lots of great flute and toe tappin grooves but the stellar part of this album for me is the immediately noticeable raw yet pure vocals of Normal Barrett.     

Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure (1973)

Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure, Virgin Records, 1973 (2008 Remaster)

  Brian Eno, Brian Ferry....the first 2 Roxy albums are a coin toss for me with "For Your Pleasure" standing out as an album I will always love and i hope you agree is a fine choice for this BLOG.  Intriguing, creative and yet totally "Roxy", this album nice balances the controlled and cool tendencies of Ferry with the experimental and improvised mannerisms of Eno.    This variation is quite evident as songs range from the driving singles "Do the Strand" and "Editions of You" to the slow and almost-eerie "In Every Dream Home a Heartache," with with atonal synthesizer textures which seem to fit perfectly with Ferry's sedated vocals.  High on the creativity and inspiration front, this album is an essential listen.       

Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin' (1958)

Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin', Blue Note Records, 1958 (XRCD)

   Let me just start off by saying that this is a fantastic album that lovers of jazz will adore.   Based less on the modal jazz stylings, "Cool Struttin''' really draws mainly on the blues !    The lineup of this album ooozes with  talent including Art Farmer (trumpet), Jackie McLean (alto saxophone), Paul Chambers (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums) and of course the star of the show Sonny Clark (piano).   This laid back album really grooves and never stops grabbing your attention from the start of the album.  

Eric Clapton (1970)

Eric Clapton - Debut Album , Polydor Muisc, 1970  (Deluxe Edition)

  Here is another great example of where the wrong mix got pressed and issued to public (aka Klaatu's HOPE) and now you have the choice of the two versions in this Deluxe Edition.   CD one is devoted to what i think most of us likely owned on vinyl ....the Tom Dowd mix while CD 2 showcases a very different mixed version by Delaney Bramlett.  Each version sound nice and warm and have been well remastered and offer a very different view of this great firs solo album from Eric Clapton.  The bonus tracks are excellent as well with an 11 min version of "Blues In A" and the psychy "Teasin'".     

William Orbit - Pieces In Modern Style (2000)

William Orbit - Pieces In Modern Style, Maverick Records, 2000

   I first heard this CD in a great record store in Montreal and when Xerxes came over the speakers I was totally captivated and immediately had to own this album.   11 wonderful classical pieces totally created in a post modern synthetic synthesized way !  everything that the kids and pundits will hate........and yet for me WAY off the charts !    Not everything has to be loud and booming......put this album on your stereo, make a cup of tea , relax , get comfy and close your eyes and LISTEN !   One of my favourite electronic albums ! 

Masters Of The Airwaves (1974)

 Master Of The Airwaves, Epic Records (1974)

    I guess in the final analysis these guys were not "masters" of the airwaves considering the poor sales of this limited life LP from the early 70's however I must admit that this one caught my attention years later.  My good pal Jeff Ferguson brought this album to my attention a few years ago and i had to get a copy.  This band did play a typical prog -power rock inspired style and I can see why they never made it as there is nothing really new here or let's call it original.  So why the heck then do I really like this album ?  Well I do !   Unlike much of the terrible criticism you might read around this album, I will tell you that I really enjoy spinning this album and cliche's aside really love this gem.     

Miles From India - Various Artists (2007)

Miles From India, Times Square Records (2007)
   
     Recorded in Chennai, India between November 2006 and July 2007 this work we owe thanks to Bob Belden for making this project happen.   Imagine an Eastern musical interpretation of the genius of Miles Davis which may sound on the surface like something you'd find in the Wal-Mart CD racks but turst me this is pure magic!   With contributions from many of Miles' friends.....Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Lenny White and Pete Cosey to name a number of them.  This exquisitely recorded 2 CD set harness the crazy power of Davis while drawing liberally from the instrumentation and raga workings of the East.    Equally present are some of India's finest musicians who play in ode to Miles' with the greatest of precision.  This not the first time that Miles' music has seen the juxtapositon of Trumpets and tablas...this was achieved on albums like Big Fun and Get Up.  Sonically this CD set is amazing sound quality and each instrument is clearly heard with great care in recording.  This CD set is a gift from the East !  

Loreena McKennitt - The Book Of Secrets (1997)

Loreena McKennitt - The Book Of Secrets , Quinlan Road Records (1997)

   With so much written on Loreena and her music there really is not anything I could possibly add really to help highlight the magic of her music and in particular this album.  "The Book of Secrets" like all her albums is truely a musical journey  into a celtic land where mystics and the ancients are still practiced.  Her music is delicate and beautiful  yet exotic and progressive where her soundscapes are only limited to the imagination of the listener.  The sonic quality of this remastered CD is quite stunning and offers a  nice wide audio panoramic for the listener to fully soak up.    

John Patton - Understanding (1968)

John Patton - Understanding, Blue Note Records, 1968

  As a continuation of Blue Note's "Rare Groove Series" comes John Patton's organ drenched masterpiece.  This groovy album features the distinctive sax work of Harold Alexander and the beats of Mr. Hugh Walker.   You can't listen to this album without tapping you toes or air drum to the almost - hypnotic rhythms these guys create..  Fans of Jimmy Smith will absolutely adore this album with Patton's  organ work.   "Chittlins Con Carne" by K Burrell and "Alfie's Theme" by Sonny Rollins are 2 featured tracks that just groove on.   Sonically this album was brilliantly re-mastered sounding fresh and  give me that "Live in your living room" vibe coming cleanly and warmly right out of your speakers.  

Jorge Ben (1969)

Jorge Ben - Dusty Groove America Records (1969)

  Do you like to Samba ?  Well if you really want to hear a great samba album then you need to check out Jorge Ben's debut album.  what makes this album so attractive for me is his careful fusion of Soul and Samba which I had really never heard this duo before this album.    Although originally released on Philips Records the folks at Dusty Groove America did a masterful job in sonically re-producing this Brazilian inspired gem.  Oh yeah and Jorge does a Samba-Soul interpretation of Jane Fonda's space erotic movie Barbarella .........Tropical psychedelia at it's best  !

Betty Davis (1973)

Betty Davis - Betty Davis , Just Sunshine Records (1973)

   Funk Funky Funky......... Funk queen Betty Davis' debut album will change your life !  This highly enjoyable album drips with a certain "bitchin- funk" toughness and raw power that only Davis could pull off.  Her voice is gruff and angular while her band are tight and hip !  Music enthusiasts will be interested to hear that Mr. Neal Schon (aka Santana) appears on this album playing some great rock guitar riffs along with Madrill's Doug Rodrigues and Patrice Banks (Graham Central Station).   According to the history of this album Betty Davis had been writing music at the time for the Commodores and a few of these tracks managed to land on this album vs their album!  Of course Betty was married at one time to Jazz king Miles Davis which clearly helped influence her circle of musicians.  This album grooves and just keeps on going and going and going.  This may be my favourite funk album of all time......          

Bert Jansch - Moonshine (1972)

Bert Jansch - Moonshine, Reprise Records, 1972   (2009 Remaster)

   Here is the perfect album for those quiet times when you just need to sit quietly and contemplate life, death and the universe (sounds kind of like the Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy moment eh ?).  Bert Jansch was a folk legend really and recorded a number of stunning albums in his career with MOONSHINE being one of these gems.    Musically this is a predominantly an acoustic guitar and vocal driven album with a heavy emphasis on lyrics carrying a heavy allusion to the genius of early Donovan.  Jansch's use of Instruments to compliment his acoustic prowess is quite interesting with flute, bass and double bass, harmonica, harp, calrinet, cello, magic bean shaker and TUBULAR BELLS (no kidding!) .  MOONSHINE presents both traditional and original songs with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Ewan McColl)  also appearing as an instrumental version on his Jack Orion album.  Overall an enchanted little album full of beauty and magic.  

Gabor Szabo - Jazz Raga (1967)

Gabor Szabo - Jazz Raga, Impulse ! Records, 1967

   I first became an instant fan of Gabor's when I first heard "High Contrast" and started picking up his albums with "Jazz Raga" having not ben too far away from my CD player since.  This album is a wild mix of Indo-fusion with Jazz, pop and psychedelic imaging.   Of course Szabo delivers his classic and distinctive six-string styling but this time melds this with the some pretty trippy and 60's infused hypnotic sitar. 

   I think at times this albums sounds like Gabor is just twiddling with thte sitar but this really works for me.  ....even if the sitar is off key a few times and sounds like my son Liam is on the room plucking my sitar strings !   Oh yeah he plays a pretty psychy version of the Stones classic "Paint It Black" as well as a Duke Ellington and a George Gershwin tune.  This album is a great listen and an album i have really enjoyed.

Buddy Miles - Live ! (1971)

Buddy Miles - Live, Mercury Records (2 LP Set) (1971)

    Sadly for those without turntables this great live 2 LP set has never been released on CD.   This album captures Buddy in his "Them Changes" genre where funk , fusion and good ol' rock n' roll all came together.   For those who love classic James Brown era funk will drool over this album with its groovy rhythms and deep funk wakka wakka's ! Buddy's drumming get the royal treatment too with some pretty nifty percussive parts.  The band supporting him is also solid and tight offering organ, sax and trumpet interplay.   I must thank my pal Simon for picking this LP set up and making we aware of this long lost live album from Buddy.        

Elvis Presley - Elvis Is Back! (1960)

Elvis Presley - Elvis Is Back!  RCA Victor Records (1960) SACD

  Here is a great Elvis album that shows a more maturing and diverse artist in development.  This was something like Elvis' 10th album and represented a real shift in his approach.   

   In 1960 this album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard charts and was released in both mono and stereo.  This album is also referenced in Robert Dimery's "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" novel.   Interesting note that the album was produced by Chet Atkins as well.  

  George Marino at Sterling Studios did the mastering for Analogue Productions and he did a masterful job!  The sound is nice and clear with clear definition and a rich full sound.  There is also a great deal of depth in this recording .......for example "Fever" has these snapping fingers going on during the song and they actually made me turn around at one point during playback as the sound is just so real !    Another awesome moment is the last chord on the song "solder boy" which just tears right thru you!  

  I have never heard Elvis ever sound this good.....and what a great album too !
     

Hudson & Ford - Nickelodeon (1973)

Hudson and Ford - Nickelodeon, A&M Records (1973) 

  Best known as 2 key members in the folk / prog outfit THE STAWBS and the 70's punk band THE MONKS ...yes the same dudes who played "Drugs In My Pocket" their debut album "Nickelodeon" is a long lost gem from the 70's.  John Ford (bass) and Richard Husdon (drums) left the Strawbs and recorded this album in 1974 grabbing Yes' keyboardist RICK WAKEMAN for this short stint.  The end result was a well crafted and highly memorable album with some very strong songs and musical highlites.   

      Sitar fans will love the inclusion of this instrument on this recording as well!  The album is quite varied actually and ranges from powerpop to folk to Beatle'esque moments (ie. "I wanted you" ).  I actually dont think this recording has even been officially released on CD which is too bad for those who dont still have a turntable.   

Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart (2010)

Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart, Jagjaguwar Records (2010)

  Black Mountain's 3rd album is yet another wonderful and powerful album!  Once again they play with a sound like an ode to the forefathers.....Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.   Stephen McBean fuzzed out guitars along with Amber Webber's vocals creates a combo that you have to hear.  Let me say that Wilderness Heart is not for the "weak at heart" with its thumping and pounding bass and drum interplay.  This album was nicely recorded and sounds fantastic on a good stereo.  This album is less progressive than their previous "In The Future" and feels more stripped down and straight forward.    
  This album has the right mix of organ pumps and synth runs as well helping to create that  BIG WALL OF SOUND they love to play within.    Overall a striking album with some great songs and a real heavy vibe that you don't hear much these days anymore.   

Long John Baldry - Long John's Blues (1964)

Long John Baldry - Long John's Blues, 1964 United Artists (mono)

  Here is little piece of early British R&B magic...Long John's Blues was his debut album from 1964 and is a fine little album that will keep your toes tapping and your broken heart from mending !  Historically Long John was one of Britains most exciting and enduring live acts. Although this album contains many of the staples like "Got My Mojo Working," "Dimples," and "Hoochie Coochie Man" but it is his interpretation and versions that have always keep me so addicted to this album.  Long John's Blues stands proud among the most essential British blues albums of them all.

Annie Lennox - A Christmas Cornucopia (2010)

Annie Lennox - A Christmas Cornucopia, 2010 Decca Records

  Well i guess the last thing we need to hear is yet another Christmas album full of all your favourite "mall-hits" but this one is an exception.   Like the Jethro Tull "Christmas album" and Jon Anderson's "3 Ships",  Lennox's "A Christmas Cornucopia" is perfect for when you just need to play the ol yule-tide carols.  I have always loved Annie's voice and although have not picked up her last 2 albums I have really enjoyed this seasonal offering.  Apparently Annie was not under contract to do this album and she had total freedom to record what ever she wanted.
  The results show and this album is full of deep harmonies and passion and a vocal conviction that made Annie who she is.  Her version of "See Amid The Winter's Snow", "The First Noel" and "Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem" made the hair stand up on my arms and hit me with deep emotion.   Annie starts each Carol off in a reasonably traditional way and then by the mid point she has taken us into her world where we find lovely harmonies and multi layered voices giving off a real angelic vibe.
  ........Happy Holdays if you celebrate them....but either way snag a copy of this seasonal gem