#randomalbumoftheday
#NowPlaying
This was the album that reintroduced me to Team Alice, after a couple of decades away. Arguably, it also reintroduced me (sort of) to heavy rock. Whilst I really enjoyed it at the time, I've re-evaluated it a bit since.
Alice Cooper: 'Brutal Planet' (2000)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
'Randomly' played back in June, its time has come again. I've got nothing to add to what I said then. (Trans: I can't be arsed to look back on what I said then.😊)
Personally, I wish he'd done more solo stuff - this was fun.
Alex Lifeson: 'Victor' (1996)
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#NowPlaying
Back in '78, when the teenage me was neck-deep in punk/new wave, this is the last thing I would have listened to. However, once I picked up the CD for 99p decades later....
I enjoy it, but it's really short!
Boston: 'Don't Look Back' (1978)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
Maddy and Gay's harmonies were one of the delights of Steeleye's 1970 debut, so when I learned that Gay was rejoining the band I was delighted. Whilst there's nothing quite as good here, it's still a fine album, beautifully produced.
Steeleye Span: 'Time' (1996)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
I don't remember buying this or listening to it, yet it's in my collection. So, as a first time review... this debut is a fine collection of songs - I really should play it more often. Or, at all! Or, indeed, check out her other albums.
Fiona Apple: 'Tidal' (1996)
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Peerless.
(That's the review.)
Stevie Wonder: 'Talking Book' (1972)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
From one Canadian icon to another (in my opinion, anyway). This is Jane's 'juvenilia', but recorded decades later. Absolutely charming.
Jane Siberry: 'Teenager' (1996)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
It's sobering to think that what we regard as a late period Rush album is now 30 years old. It's not vintage Rush, but it's better than I remember - not as good as 'Counterparts', but better than 'Vapor Trails'. ('Dog Years' apart!)
Rush: 'Test For Echo' (1996)
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#NowPlaying
No random theme at the moment. Give its tortured genesis, the Banshees' 3rd album is an absolute triumph - 2 classic singles and some excellent deep cuts. Plus a touch of Steve Jones....
Siouxsie and the Banshees: 'Kaleidescope' (1980)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
2 random discoveries from my time downloading from the emusic site: the 3rd album from US chamber music combo Rachel's; and Canadian singer/songwriter Tara's debut. Love both these albums.
Rachel's: 'The Sea and the Bells'; Tara MacLean: 'Silence' (1996)
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#NowPlaying
Have just bought 5 Françoise Hardy albums for not very much, including this, my favourite of hers. Happy Days!
(Or maybe 'jours heureux'.)
Françoise Hardy: 'La Question' (1971)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
Hang on: I had thought, naively, that 38 Special were a Southern rock band. Not on the evidence of this AOR-fest, sadly. There's little of interest here, not for me anyway.
And that's it for April '86.
38 Special: 'Strength in Numbers' (1986)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
I remember how disappointed I was when this was released - 2 of my heroes failing to gel and producing a dull mid-80s AOR album. Not heard it since, but listening now it's better than I remember. But Hackett and Howe have both done rather better....
'GTR' (1986)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
Apparently, Mr Hornsby has more than one song in his repertoire... the title track was everywhere at the time, and I for one got bloody sick of it.
The album itself is all very musical, but a bit dull for me.
Bruce Hornsby and The Range: 'The Way It Is' (1986)
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#NowPlaying
For years, I thought I was the only person who knew this gem, but the rise of the Internet proved otherwise....🤣
Ric Sanders and John Etheridge are in great form, but keyboardist Dave Bristow is responsible for much of the writing.
2nd Vision: 'First Steps' (1980)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
15 months since this featured as a 'random' choice, so I'm glad to listen to it again tonight. Gillian and David have never made a bad album, and this was a fine debut.
Gillian Welch: 'Revival' (1996)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
Me, a few weeks ago: 'Where the bloody hell is my 'Tinderbox' cd?'
The universe: 'You've only gone and lost it, you pillock!'
Me, today: 'Well, I'd better stream this incendiary masterpiece instead.'
And so:
Siouxsie and the Banshees: 'Tinderbox' (1986)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
Mary's and Patsy's final album as Sìleas was as magnificent as all their earlier efforts. Their adaptation of Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine' into a Scottish Lament is breathtakingly wonderful.
The duelling harpists at their peak.
Sìleas: 'Play On Light' (1996)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#randomalbumoftheday
#NowPlaying
When two strands coincide... Fairport's 'acoustic' album, half studio, half live, no drummer, great fun.
And now to think of another 'random' theme....
Fairport Convention: 'Old New Borrowed Blue' (1996)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
I'm enjoying my occasional forays into the world of German metal, a total mystery to me both at the time and now. This is the 2nd Accept album I've heard, and it's good, rowdy fun with which to close the evening's entertainment.
Accept: 'Russian Roulette' (1986)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
Given that I've owned the Moodies' albums up to 'Seventh Sojourn' for the best part of 50 years, it may seem strange that I don't own anything later. Whatever the reason, I've never heard this before.
It's okay.
The Moody Blues: 'The Other Side of Life' (1986)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
Purple's first album with Steve Morse was eagerly anticipated by your correspondent, and it didn't disappoint. It felt like a new lease of life for the band, and still stands up well now.
Deep Purple: 'Purpendicular' (1996)
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#NowPlaying
And finally, to the much missed Gerry Conway, and an album made with his better half.
It sounds nothing like the original Pentangle, but Jacqui's voice is as glorious as ever. Too much parping sax, though.
Jacqui McShee's Pentangle: 'Feoffees' Lands' (2005)
#randomalbumoftheday
#NowPlaying
Back to Fairport alumni, and next up is Chris Leslie - a fine songwriter, but here he's in multi-instrumentalist mode, playing Morris tunes. As you do....
Chris Leslie: 'Dancing Days' (2004)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
I'll try to be polite....
I'm hating this corporate AOR boreathon with a passion. It's utterly tedious.
(I liked their first album... but nothing else since.)
Journey: 'Raised on Radio' (1986)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
Suzanne's first 2 albums are great, but they do sound a bit dated now, whereas the others... don't. This is her magnificent 4th, the 2nd of the 2 produced by Mitchell Froom.
Suzanne Vega: 'Nine Objects of Desire'(1996)
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#NowPlaying
Woke to the sad news of the passing of the great Moya Brennan of Clannad. Although it was the later 'new age' music that made their international reputation, it's the earlier, more traditional albums that I prefer.
RIP Moya.
Clannad: 'Clannad 2' (1974)
#albumsfrom40yearsago
#NowPlaying
Putting together a list of April '86 albums to stream, I only added this late, having never heard anything by BS and so having low expectations. I'm bloody glad I did - far more interesting than anything else so far!
Butthole Surfers: 'Rembrandt Pussyhorse' (1986)
#albumsfrom30yearsago
#NowPlaying
Mother and daughter singers, both of whom I saw separately in folk clubs back in the day. It's a very trad album, beautifully sung and performed.
Sandra and Nancy Kerr: 'Neat and Complete' (1996)
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#NowPlaying
Enter Maart - although he had left Fairport by the time of this, his 2nd solo album. Stylistically, it's all over the place, but that's part of its charm.
What a loss to music he was.
Maartin Allcock: 'OX15' (1999)