DAG's RECORD PICKS...
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These lists tend to crop up from time to time. They're fun, and somewhat
easy to assemble and encourage derision from other band members. I've avoided placing my list in any kind of 'order of importance' because
that changes daily. But these are some of the records in my life that I would deem as important and influential. I know I have forgotten loads
of them.
Jethro Tull “Stormwatch”
All the records they did around this time (Songs From The Wood, Heavy Horses, Live: Bursting Out) are among my favorites by Tull, and feature arguably
their best lineup. Stormwatch has a decidedly ‘wintery’ flavor that appeals to my Nordic
nature. Owned on 8-track, expressly for cruising around in the Juhlin brothers’ shared
Plymouth Satellite Sebring, circa 1979-80. Also, 1978 Tull concert was the first rock concert experience ever for yours truly and Slugs’
co-founder Al Paulson. Ian can’t sing too well these days, but their September concert at the Auditorium was great. Also, playing along to
the Aqualung record was a crucial early part of my guitar training.
Genesis “...And Then There Were Three”
Prog-rock/art-pop from 1977, but I didn’t get into Genesis until about 1998.
By 1977, Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett left the band and Genesis were making the
initial attempts into crossing over from gnome/faerie-obsessed epic merchants into
vacuous, chart-topping behemoth. But I love all of their stuff through “Three Sides Live”. After that it’s a bit if minefield, and I don’t
venture into it that often. But “...ATTW3” is sonically amazing. Widescreen and purple-hued, it’s a dark thing indeed,
held aloft by Tony Banks’ sweeping keyboards. I wish I had listened to them in high
school. I would have loved them, scrubbed little proto-progger I was.
Yes “Going For The One”
Another recent discovery for me that’s 20 years old. Again, a record that appeals to me
sonically as well as musically. It’s a vast-sounding record. Yeah, sure, it’s bloated and pompous and probably the whole reason punk rock
started. I know all that and I don’t care. Just flick on the black light, fire up the incense, join me cross-legged on the floor and be
quiet. It’ll be fun. What can I say? I love prog rock. My Gentle Giant collection is growing as well.
ELO “A New World Record”
Gee, it just keeps getting more and more un-hip, doesn’t it? Everything ELO they did
up until “Out Of The Blue” is classic. I remember standing at the record rack in Sears, being pissed when I saw Randy Newman’s ELO-bashing track,
‘The Story of a Band’ on his “Born Again” LP. Jeff Lynne produced
one of Randy’s later records, as it turns out. Go figure. Anyway, after “Out Of
The Blue” I lost interest in a hurry. The “Xanadu” soundtrack? Nope. “Discovery”? My initial review was “Disco, very”.
Ha-ha. “A New World Record” contains one of my favorite songs ever, ‘So Fine’.
Haven’t heard that new ELO Part II, though. I’m sure they mean well. Does any of this make any
sense? What I mean is, I love ELO.
The Specials “More Specials”
God, the Specials were great. In fact, consider this selection a priapic vote for their debut album and their dark, thrilling, frightening swan
song, the ‘Ghost Town’ EP as well. I remember writing to Gregg when he was at school and telling him I
thought this was the ‘Sergeant Pepper’ of new wave albums. Perhaps my favorite headphone
album ever. A great, mind-blowing kaleidoscope of head-spinning muzak.
Pete Townshend “All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes”
I know, I know, “Empty Glass” is better. This is where Pete developed his nearly
incomprehensible writing style that he has yet to abandon, when he bothers to write.
But there’s a nagging sadness and defiance within these songs that I really love. I love
all his stuff, that’s pretty obvious. He was possibly the biggest musical influence I’ve ever had. His “Scoop” records are really
important to me as well, as a home recorder, and, well, I reckon he taught me how to play rhythm guitar, which has come in handy.
The Who “The Who By Numbers”
Quite simply, their overlooked masterpiece. No synths, no story lines, no movies, no operas.
Raw, yet layered. Howling, yet beautiful. Songs like open wounds that shout to keep from crying. I wish I could have seen this tour.
Stevie Wonder “Innervisions”
You may as well include “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” and “Talking Book” too. Very rarely has there
been such a hot hand in music as Stevie’s from 1973-1976. I can still hear ‘Living For The City’ coming
out of my AM radio. ‘Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing,’ ‘Golden Lady,’
‘All In Love Is Fair’? Come on! Absolutely mind-blowing stuff. Chord changes
I can only dream of.
Bruce Springsteen “Fire On The Fingertips”
I love the man. Learned (i.e. stole) a whole lot from him. Dig all of his stuff, especially the first four
records. But this bootleg (now available within the “Tracks” box set) absolutely blew my mind. Live and
studio stuff from around the period in between his first two records. A mix of western ballads, soul rockers and that mile-a-minute imagery. If
I could build a time machine, I think I’d go back and watch him in around 1972-73 (and get chummy with Bill Gates, and snap up all the
Lincoln Park real estate I could, etc....) I saw him this year in concert and he was still inspiring, though it looked like it was killing
him to sing ‘Thunder Road’ for the milliondy-twelfth time.
Elvis Costello “Imperial Bedroom”
Another guy whose every word we hung on, my new wave friends and I back in good old new wave Park Ridge, Illinois. And there were lots of words
to hang on because he was putting out 2 or 3 records a year. What a streak he had. This thing was no dance record, but still managed to stop
us in our tracks. We loved him raw, but we loved him sophisticated too. The lyric sheet was brilliant too, if any of you are old enough to
remember it.
Steely Dan “Katy Lied”
I used to dismiss them on principle, and I occasionally wonder if they haven’t over-tweaked and finessed the soul out of their music, or if
they’ve merely reduced “the groove” to a mathematical equation (i.e. their recent solo LP’s). But then I say, no. The proof is in the
pudding. They made music for the ages. Hilariously perverse, but timeless and mind-bogglingly excellent. When I first heard this record,
I knew I was absolutely hooked for life when the chorus of ‘Rose Darling’ kicked in. Pretty much all I listened to during 1994-95.
Fingers crossed for the new one. Did you see my interview with them in the Illinois Entertainer? They were fun. "What up, Dog?" was the
way Walter Becker greeted me.
Paul McCartney “Ram”
Gregg and I got turned on to this one when we visited Norway in 1976. It’s a great album. The way that “Uncle Albert” sort of swooshes right
in, all lazy and rainy and mossy, still sends a shiver down my spine. Does the song “Ram On” refer to Paul’s early Beatle pseudonym of Paul
Ramon? I don’t know. Do you? Either way, this is relaxed and wonderful. I love nearly all of his stuff and defend him proudly. People love
calling him “lite” but even in his cheesiest of throwaways there is blinding, unforced popcraft genius. Like Jeeves, he stands alone!
Randy Newman “Sail Away”
I don’t know how this guy does it. I could never get away with this kind of songwriting.
And he hasn’t lost a step, 30 years on, despite plenty of lighter songs pawned off to films. He’s one of the greatest wits in music, and I could
just as easily listen to him being interviewed as listen to his music. The title track kills me. Gregg gave
me his box set last Christmas and I thank him again for that insightful bit of
gift-giving. An absolute genius, this man. Like you need me to tell you.
Beach Boys “Pet Sounds”
We all know all about this one by now. I remember an old neighbor of ours found religion and decided it was time to unload his secular
records. Enter the Juhlin brothers. We swooped in and got tons of stuff. Some of it we didn’t even get around to listening to for years. When
Gregg finally listened to this one, he said, “I think you should check this out.” It was the same serious tone of voice and knowing look as
when he sat me down to watch “The Kids Are Alright” for the first time.
He played me this on the way to a rehearsal in his old Subaru. I remember having to look away after “I Just Wasn’t Made For These
Times”so he wouldn’t notice that I had been crying. Everything they say is true. This is one of the greatest records ever made. Seek out the recent
stereo mix, which is wonderful. “Sloop John B.” another Norway memory, from the in-flight programming on the way over. Must have heard it a
couple dozen times or so.
Cheer Accident “The Why Album”
I hear something new every time I listen to this record. Pop music that gets turned sideways by these restless musical pioneers, and, lo and
behold, good friends. Desolation, pranksterism, love, pain, humor, fake easy listening, lacerating noise and much more. Always amazing as a live
act as well. This disc features the same song three times in a row. I always wondered if it bothered Phil and the other guys when I would tell them
over and over how much I love this record. Hope not.
Kinks “Village Green Preservation Society”
Absolutely their shining hour, in my opinion. While the rest of the world went psychedelic, they went rural. Beautiful songwriting,
everything painted with an earthy autumnal rust color. My all-time favorite Kinks record, form start to finish. I gave this to Gregg this
Christmas - one brother looking out for another - but I have yet to hear what he thinks. He’s been playing “The Lamb Lies Down On
Broadway”
quite a lot these days.
XTC “The Big Express”
Fifteen years down the line, the production sounds a bit dated. Nonetheless, I love this wide-screen juggernaut, brimming with some of
their greatest songs ever. Anyone who knows me knows that XTC has been one of my favorite bands for years. This one huffs along like a steam
engine through the countryside, and there’s nary an acoustic guitar in sight. All the while, there are amazing images of small town life and
the triumphs and failures of everyday living. Boffo b-sides included on the CD as well.
We used to listen to ‘Skylarking’ a hell of a lot in the van, come to think of it, on our way to do starry-eyed opening sets for our heroes
like The Reivers and Big Dipper.
Elton John “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
This was another van favorite when we used to do our tours. By 3/4 of the band anyway. I got this in fifth grade and it was the ultimate
record. A double LP with an elaborate fold out, with lyrics and paintings and general nastiness that flew right over my fifth-grade
head! You’d lose yourself in the thing. I think the title track is one of the saddest, most stunning pop songs I have ever heard. Gregg likes
“Danny Bailey” and Johnny likes “Sweet Painted Lady” and we all love “Harmony”. Not so sure about Mike. We used to cover “Love Lies
Bleeding” but that’s not likely to happen again. Also, these days I think that
“Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy” is actually a stronger record than this, and I think I prefer it. It’s a decidedly
non-commercial concept record of Elton and Bernie’s early days of
writing together. It’s a love letter to each other and it is a beautiful, beautiful record. So put down a vote for that one too.
NRBQ “Peek-A-Boo”
Picking a greatest hits compilation here, because it’s so damn hard picking one of their albums. They’re all so good. I was sold on this
band when I heard “If I Don’t Have You,” as near perfect pop song I have ever heard. I have seen them play live
more than any other band, I think, and you know the drill by now. It’s different every night, wild playing, loads of fun and only the
jubilation remains the same. I hope we still have so much fun after 30 years in rock and roll. The other one I really love by these guys is one
of their, like, five live records, “Digging Uncle Q”.
Dire Straits “Making Movies”
I used to play this thing every day, back in the days of vinyl LP’s and half-hearted attempts at some place called junior college. I think Dire
Straits peaked on this one, though the follow-up, “Love Over Gold” I like quite a bit as well. But you can keep that song about the MTV and
all that plodding stuff that followed. Roy Bittan’s piano playing here adds the perfect touch throughout, and Knopfler’s vignettes are at their
sharpest. His guitar playing was also a big, though practically imperceptible influence on me.
Bob Dylan “Blood On The Tracks”
When I first heard this, it blew me away. I literally spent the entire weekend indoors playing it over and over again, so amazed was I by my
initial encounter with it. What can you say? Each song is a painting, each song is a novel. The concept of Dylan and his body of work is
almost impossible to get your head around. I love a lot of his stuff and haven’t even heard half of it, I’ll bet. This record, though -
absolutely crucial.
Georgie Fame “20 Beat Classics”
Another record that grabbed me the very instant it started. One or two of you may recall a chap called Tristan who used to sing with the Slugs,
back in about 1945. He put this tape on one day and within seconds (“Yeh-Yeh” was the opening cut) I was absolutely in love. With themusic, that is. Tris and I were just friends. Classic ‘beat’ music, for
mods in the know. I wish I could have seen he and The Blue Flames play some swinging, sweaty basement club in the early 60’s. It has been good
to see Georgie resurface recently with Van Morrison. They’re great on that Mose Allison (another favorite) tribute record.
Martin Newell “The Greatest Living Englishman”
‘Produced by Andy Partridge’ was what lured me in (and he did a stellar job) but the man himself was so immediately and thoroughly endearing
that it probably wouldn’t have mattered who produced the damn thing. Amazing pop songwriting. Updated
‘Revolver’-isms from a small British village, by a man working completely and stubbornly outside
the industry. He’s a great poet as well. A profound influence. I may appear on an upcoming tribute album, if I can get it together in time.
Peter Blegvad “The Naked Shakespeare”
An old pal, Scott Feingold from the late Backwards Day, foisted this on me, because (as above) I was such a Partridge fan. A.P. produced this
one as well, another nicely-picked match. Was and am completely besotted with the songwriting of P.B. Through a mutual connection (Syd Straw) we
actually met and played together a few years ago at Schuba’s. It was one of the greatest musical nights I have ever had. He seemed flattered that
I knew so many of his songs, and I was absolutely in awe to be on the same stage with him playing those songs. A genius poet and artist as
well. I’m too dumb to comprehend his artier stuff, but I suffer from a chronic, almost pathetic fan-boy type of worship of him and his work,
I’m afraid.
“Brazil Classics Volume One” Various Artists
Don’t let the words ‘compiled by David Byrne’ throw you. This album is absolutely joyous throughout and has introduced me to the music of
people (legends, really) like Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso. This compilation (nicely expanded for CD) features what may be my all-time
favorite song, “Anima” by Milton Nascimento, whom my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing live at the Vic Theater some years ago. This is a
beautiful record.
“Betty Blue Soundtrack” Gabrielle Yared.
Fantastic, moody, self-absorbed, smoky, sexy music from an otherwise crap French film.
“Moon Hut” Kim Fox
No one knows about her, especially, it seems, her record company. But she writes absolutely amazing pop songs. They’re dark, they’re funny;
she whispers in your ear and she screams at the sky. I think she is fantastically talented and writes a waltz tempo pop song as good as
anyone out there.
“Chronic Town EP” “Murmur” “Automatic For The People” REM
Come on! You gotta give props to the boys who started it all! They revived college radio, and college radio revived commercial radio. Of
course, it’s all pit of despair these days, but back in the day, we were all there at the altar. The only band that
mutters! They can experiment and noodle and reinvent as often as they please, but I gotta say they are the kings of contemplative jangle and
acoustic ‘I am hip and I’m also very sad’ ballads.
“Latin a la Lee” “Olé a la Lee” Peggy Lee
Essential! I can’t believe I found both of these records. They set me back about 20 bucks each, but they are so worth it. Peggy Lee sings
showtunes with a Latin band. The ultimate cocktail record, I think.
“Watertown” Frank Sinatra
God, this thing is almost as gloomy as “September Of My Years”. For a while, Phil Bonnet and I were obsessed with this record. First we
embraced the cheese factor of it, but slowly it crept in and was a
genuine, free-standing bummer of its own dubious accord. It’s a mid-60’s song cycle, set in upstate New York. A truly sad tale about a man whose
wife has left him and their two sons. And it features a kind of lite-rock pop combo backing Frank up. Electric guitars and stuff. Frank
sounds really hungover in spots, but this record has a strange, sad allure to it.
“A Typical Scorpio” Monty
If you ever see this record, buy it. If you don’t like it, I’ll buy it from you. An English import that I stumbled across about 7 years ago.
It’s absolutely reverent and nearly perfectly done ‘Swinging
London’-isms done by this slightly fey pop culture vulture, Monty. It’s a completely fab faux James Bond meets Carnaby Street meets an Anthony
Newley musical. Almost as good as The Divine Comedy, who, as far as I can tell, can do absolutely no wrong.
“The Les Paul Box Set” Les Paul with Mary Ford
Not only is this ground zero for home recording enthusiasts like me, but it’s a guitar playing primer, a study in vocal harmony and oh yeah, a
hell of a lot of fun. I used to dream about owning a Les Paul guitar. My wife Meredith told me I used to talk about it in my sleep.I’m still
paying it off, but I got one!
Randomly selected songs that I love, for my imaginary jukebox:
“Cruel To Be Kind” Nick Lowe
“Girls Talk” Dave Edmunds
“Cleveland Rocks” Ian Hunter
“Couldn’t Say No” Robert Ellis Orrall and Carlene Carter
“Ask Me Why” The Beatles
“Starry Eyes” The Records
“All The Way From Memphis” Mott The Hoople
“Lonely” American Music Club
“Trip Through Your Wire” U2
“State Of The Nation” Industry
“Six Months In A Leaky Boat” Split Enz
“On The Avenue” Aztec Camera
“Frederick” Patti Smith
“That’s My Way” Charlie Rich
“Lido Shuffle” Boz Scaggs
“Roll Me Away” Bob Seger
“Head Above Water” Hall & Oates
“Darby Hall” dB’s
“Hey, St. Peter” Flash and the Pan
“Eso Beso” Paul Anka
“Day By Day” The Four Freshman
“How Does It Feel To Be Good Looking?” & “Seventh Son” Mose
Allison
“I Want To Live On An Abstract Plain” Frank Black
“Sentimental Thing” & “It’s Different For Girls” Joe Jackson
“Champion, The Wonder Horse” Tupelo Chain Sex
“Domino” & “Full Force Gale” Van Morrison
“Freight Train Rain” & “It’s About Time” The Reivers
(Zeitgeist)
“Since She Started With Horses” Jonathan Richman
“Ron Klaus Wrecked His House” & “She’s Fetching” Big Dipper
“Moody River” Pat Boone
“You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Up On The Roof” The Drifters
“Animal Crackers” Gene Pitney
“Dogs Part Two” The Who
“Work Song” Oscar Brown
“I’m Coming Home” Mel Torme
“Call Me” Rena & Her Men
“Everybody’s Talking” Fred Neil
“Purple Haze” Dion
“Highly Illogical” Leonard Nimoy
“Your Sounds” Incredible Casuals
“They’ve Got An Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil” Eydie Gorme
Recent Interests:
10CC, Supertramp, “Supernatural Fairy Tales: The Progressive Rock Era”
5-CD boxed set, “West Side Story” Original Cast Recording, “Flower
Drum
Song” Original Cast Recording, Divine Comedy, Fleetwood Mac - “Bare
Trees” & “Tusk”
Drop me a line and let me know what you think!
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