Good morning! Welcome to each of you who joined us this past week! Looking for a place to share the music you love with like-minded people? You’re in the right spot.
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On to the music:
For those of you who are new, we kick off every week by sharing what we’ve been playing.
The playlist below is some of what I’ve had in heavy rotation:
Looking for a holiday playlist? I got you covered. Click here.
Now it’s your turn.
What caught your ear this week? How are your AOTY lists coming along? Any upcoming releases or shows you’re excited about?
I think I like Broken better than PHM, but it can be close sometimes. The rest of their albums just pale as compared to these first two, but that's probably also nostalgia speaking.
Last week's playlist was excellent! Soul Coughing has never clicked for me even though they touch some sweet spots for me, but I really dug Screenwriter's Blues and found a couple live versions on YouTube. Hang On St. Christopher is my favorite Waits song.
Here, it was all comfortable favorites for our long drive, seguing into Christmas music as we roll into the holidays -- mostly classics and instrumental jazz takes on classics. A couple recent releases folks might have overlooked: Los Lobos and Calexico have excellent holiday records.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! Hope you end up on Santa's "nice" list. ;-)
Bad Nerves played the last night of their European tour in Bristol on Saturday and it was phenomenal. I was totally blown away by their support band, Ultra Q who had also opened for them in June at their album launch and have been on tour with them for the last seven weeks. They’ve definitely found their form! So I’ve revisited their album Empty Eddie which is actually really great.
I’ve also just been introduced to Friday Pilots Club and their album Nowhere.
We watched a Christmas movie last night and it featured this beautiful cover of Read My Mind. I’m a big fan.
Wow, I didn't know they had a new album, saw them many years ago and my brother and I even had a chance to speak with Mike Score and he was surprised that someone in Canada had a copy of the Tontrix 7" single that he played on. Thanks for the tip, will search for that 👌👍
When I fall for music, I fall hard. And I still can't stop listening to Sean Lennon's remixes of "Mind Games." I'm smitten, head over heels, hopelessly devoted, to the music the new mixes have revealed. And that John wrote and recorded this entire album in two-ish weeks... most artists couldn't create an album like this in two years.
Given there are a hundred and some tracks to choose from, here's my completely subjective take on the best versions of each song (and in a couple of places, multiple versions). (This playlist is why I don't own the vinyl copy -- the best version of the album is scattered among the various remixes.)
I woke up at 4:45 a.m. on Sunday and listened to Patti Smith's "Horses" three times through. That coaxed me to continue through her first three records for the remains of the morning. Fantastic. I also put Cher's Christmas album from last year, and it is fantastic. The highly popular and pushed single that kicks the record off isn't representative of the rest of the project. I think the overall work is just excellent. Also spinning Robert Glasper's holiday album.
All great albums but The Sound album is one of my all time favorites & if you haven't already seen it, we released a tribute album that you can download for free on our website
The Smashing Pumpkins - Aghori mhori mei. Another 2024 release as I continue to explore the vast landscape of music. The instrumentation is the strong suit on this album (particularly on the track "War Dreams of Itself") - Corgan's vocals don't do much for me here, save on the track "Sighommi". Overall, a decent album, but not something I would necessarily return to.
Revisits this week:
Rush - 2112 to celebrate International Rush Day, which is done every December 21 (as if you write the date with the day first, it becomes 21/12).
For nearing 20 years a bunch of us at The 'Spill blog have been shouting our 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourite songs of the year in what we call the Festive Spill - a nod to John Peel. With 30 unique contributers selecting songs from 70+ albums, you get quite an eclectic playlist. This year only three albums appear on all three lists: Waxahatchee, The Cure, and Ezra Collective. The Festive Spill is not designed to reach consenus on the year's best albums, but this year it may just have. https://readersrecommend.wordpress.com/
When I worked at a record store, "mandatory in store play" wrecked a lot of albums for me. Somehow, it only made me love this one more. I also wrapped up Michel Elliott's Have A Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story this week, so he's been in rotation a lot lately.
I picked up Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle" out of the bargain bin at the record store last Friday. It doesn't have The Joker, but plenty of other jams.
Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Mac (1975). This is their 10th studio album, and their second self-titled album. Not many bands can self-title a 10th album. Did you know that Stevie NIcks only has lead vocals on two of the tracks? On this album one can almost hear them ready to take over the world with their follow up "Rumours" album. Not easy listening but comfortable listening.
"Over My Head" is a favorite of mine. As far as taking over the world? Not for nothing, but I went to school with at least 2 (3?) Rhiannons that I can think of.
If you haven't heard the live extended version of Rhiannon on Rumours Live, it's majestic. The band, and Stevie's vocals, find an edge in this song that I didn't know was there.
A lot of Christmas music. A lot. Of. Christmas. Music. When will it end.....
......and, as I write this, the soundtrack to Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains The Same. You can just feel the unadulterated power of the band as they get good and warmed up about mid way through the set. What it must have felt like to have been in that audience in MSG the night that was recorded.
Great call. I revisited the video of Song Remains a few years ago. What's amazing is to see, despite the mythology, four guys playing in a tight space and just rocking out. They could be a garage band at that point.
It's pretty much the same, I heard Gilbert O'Sullivan's -Alone Again for the first time in a while and it has to be one of the saddest songs ever written. Great song but sad.
This week my sister and I got together and did some Christmas crafting- she played her Spotify favorites of the year and I was telling her about some of the stuff I had been listening to, and she asked me to make her a playlist- and I’m glad I sat down and did it because I’ve been listening to it as well!
Then when I caught up with the latest episode of Shrinking, was beyond thrilled to hear a song by one of my super favorite bands! “Medicine” by Daughter https://youtu.be/5qy4OobCsQ4?si=e__jMfmwPhsgNQr3
Thanks for the links! My better half has been trying to get me to watch Shrinking with her, but I just haven't been able to get into it...yet. Maybe I just need to pay more attention to the music. lol.
Hahahaha! My sister recommended it last year, and I watched the first episode and moved on to something else - but, she encouraged me to keep watching because it got better, and yes I was glad I went back and picked it up again because it’s soooo good!!
I was turned on to Willie Bobo the other week when I heard him perform “Spanish Grease” on an Apple movie I was watching. I’m totally turned onto his music. I listen to a lot of Afro Cuban Jazz. Bobo is Puerto Rican and, while his island influences are somewhat different, there is still that pull in his performances similar to the jazz from Cuba. 🇨🇺
I have his music in my Apple library now and invite you to check him out for some hep beats.
Sade - Paradise
Happy & Sad - Kacey Musgraves
I made a lively playlist of pop/rock/soul/reggae for listening to at my overnight job:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbixP1M_d7fKA7ihLXvs4Uixpfd2MBzQo&si=oOA3YBgwiCpB72u4
I missed the boat on King Hannah, so I’ve been catching up on that album for the past week.
A little Tom Jones and George Benson.
Always a good time for George Benson!
NIN: Head Like a Hole (at this particular moment, anyway!).
Perfect!
Hahaha love it!
I think I like Broken better than PHM, but it can be close sometimes. The rest of their albums just pale as compared to these first two, but that's probably also nostalgia speaking.
Nostalgia definitely colors the way I'd rank their discography. PHM is my runaway fave, and then probably Add Violence and Not the Actual Events.
Last week's playlist was excellent! Soul Coughing has never clicked for me even though they touch some sweet spots for me, but I really dug Screenwriter's Blues and found a couple live versions on YouTube. Hang On St. Christopher is my favorite Waits song.
Here, it was all comfortable favorites for our long drive, seguing into Christmas music as we roll into the holidays -- mostly classics and instrumental jazz takes on classics. A couple recent releases folks might have overlooked: Los Lobos and Calexico have excellent holiday records.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! Hope you end up on Santa's "nice" list. ;-)
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
Old favorites on a road trip are like peanut butter & chocolate.
Bad Nerves played the last night of their European tour in Bristol on Saturday and it was phenomenal. I was totally blown away by their support band, Ultra Q who had also opened for them in June at their album launch and have been on tour with them for the last seven weeks. They’ve definitely found their form! So I’ve revisited their album Empty Eddie which is actually really great.
I’ve also just been introduced to Friday Pilots Club and their album Nowhere.
We watched a Christmas movie last night and it featured this beautiful cover of Read My Mind. I’m a big fan.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4EK3vof276SGmX6inKDQK1?si=znWpgy0EQBmV1q7W3Qlp2g
Love your curiosity and excitement about new artists. You're a hero, especially to us lesser-known artists who want to be heard. 💚
That’s really lovely! Thank you so much. Best wishes to you and yours.
The new album that came out last week by A Flock of Seagulls.
Just looked this up. Had no idea they were releasing new music!
Me either! And by the original members!
Actually it looks like it's just Mike Score.
Wow, I didn't know they had a new album, saw them many years ago and my brother and I even had a chance to speak with Mike Score and he was surprised that someone in Canada had a copy of the Tontrix 7" single that he played on. Thanks for the tip, will search for that 👌👍
I'm being 100% serious when I say that I hope you write a book about all the shows you two have seen.
Maybe one day 😊
Wait, what?! How did I miss this?
What?? I had no idea! Going to listen asap!
When I fall for music, I fall hard. And I still can't stop listening to Sean Lennon's remixes of "Mind Games." I'm smitten, head over heels, hopelessly devoted, to the music the new mixes have revealed. And that John wrote and recorded this entire album in two-ish weeks... most artists couldn't create an album like this in two years.
Given there are a hundred and some tracks to choose from, here's my completely subjective take on the best versions of each song (and in a couple of places, multiple versions). (This playlist is why I don't own the vinyl copy -- the best version of the album is scattered among the various remixes.)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/46VAhYhWgCwAyM0ARjTnuJ?si=0bb40d41ed2e441d
Lots of Little Willie John, especially his album “Fever”. Trying to get it on vinyl!
I woke up at 4:45 a.m. on Sunday and listened to Patti Smith's "Horses" three times through. That coaxed me to continue through her first three records for the remains of the morning. Fantastic. I also put Cher's Christmas album from last year, and it is fantastic. The highly popular and pushed single that kicks the record off isn't representative of the rest of the project. I think the overall work is just excellent. Also spinning Robert Glasper's holiday album.
One of the things I love about these Monday comment threads is how a Cher Christmas album can live comfortably next to Patti Smith.
It's the best, isn't it?
I was singing some tracks from Horses to myself only last week. Always doing it. And Piss Factory.
Marianne Faithful BTW did an excellent cover of Ghost Dance.
Good morning, Happy Solstice from the left coast.
Here is what has been in my ears.
1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71PrDfTT9eNSnK4nHDJCqx?si=cf56098468a3481d
2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=53987a366fad4b92
3. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EpiZRrzSeuNAh?si=5687fbb4f36b434c
Have a great week of listening !
Thank you, Jon!
Spinning Thin Lizzy - Live & Dangerous and Frampton Comes Alive this morning. Found them both in the used section of my local record store recently. 😊
Nice finds!
POLISHED GEMS:
* Yazoo 'Upstairs At Eric's'
* The Sound 'From The Lion's Mouth'
* Tears For Fears 'The Hurting'
* Human League 'Dare'
All great albums but The Sound album is one of my all time favorites & if you haven't already seen it, we released a tribute album that you can download for free on our website
Thanks for the info about the album. Downloading it now and will give it a listen tomorrow!
Dare holds up surprisingly well.
Three of these are favorites of mine! I’ve never heard of The Sound - going to have to give it a listen
It's the outlier of the bunch - more post punk. Similar to Echo & The Bunnymen but I actually like The Sound more. Hope you enjoy.
New listens this week:
The Smashing Pumpkins - Aghori mhori mei. Another 2024 release as I continue to explore the vast landscape of music. The instrumentation is the strong suit on this album (particularly on the track "War Dreams of Itself") - Corgan's vocals don't do much for me here, save on the track "Sighommi". Overall, a decent album, but not something I would necessarily return to.
Revisits this week:
Rush - 2112 to celebrate International Rush Day, which is done every December 21 (as if you write the date with the day first, it becomes 21/12).
For nearing 20 years a bunch of us at The 'Spill blog have been shouting our 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourite songs of the year in what we call the Festive Spill - a nod to John Peel. With 30 unique contributers selecting songs from 70+ albums, you get quite an eclectic playlist. This year only three albums appear on all three lists: Waxahatchee, The Cure, and Ezra Collective. The Festive Spill is not designed to reach consenus on the year's best albums, but this year it may just have. https://readersrecommend.wordpress.com/
Right on! Thank you for the link.
Love seeing something from Perfectly Good Guitar, which was my introduction to John Hiatt.
I stumbled across the Christmas album from Los Straitjackets, which is great.
I also spent a lot of time listening to the albums I wrote about it my last new music post of 2024: https://shooflypie.substack.com/p/end-of-the-year-tiers?r=4iw9
When I worked at a record store, "mandatory in store play" wrecked a lot of albums for me. Somehow, it only made me love this one more. I also wrapped up Michel Elliott's Have A Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story this week, so he's been in rotation a lot lately.
Yeah, I listened to a ton of Hiatt when I read it last year. Time well spent.
100%
I know it sounds silly, but I almost didn't want it to end.
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year. I listened to these while I prepared my end-of-year blog:
Kingston Trio - A trio of albums.
Mona Lisa Twins - Duo Sessions.
A collection of unconventional Christmas songs:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6rE7v1qjyINO3iFKIfQIspDedHHudatu.
Zone 6, Agege (feat. Franz Von & Gyedu-Blay Ambolley) - K.O.G
Happy Christmas and Merry 2025 to you as well!
Whiffing The Peaches have a new video single out called "I'm on Fire".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3R-s_ECQ6c
Also. I bought the Tony O'Malley Band CD, "Nagenna" available on Bandcamp.
https://tonyomalley.bandcamp.com/album/nagenna
It's all about everyone's Top Tens this week but I did add "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings" by Blossoms to my weekly list: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_AEuM7AkE0
For anyone scrolling the comments, check out Dan's fantastic Top 10 series here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/danpal/p/top-ten-songs-of-2024-number-10?r=3cbf2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Thanks for the plug Kevin!
I picked up Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle" out of the bargain bin at the record store last Friday. It doesn't have The Joker, but plenty of other jams.
That's a solid record. Growing up, I think we were legally required to own a copy.
Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Mac (1975). This is their 10th studio album, and their second self-titled album. Not many bands can self-title a 10th album. Did you know that Stevie NIcks only has lead vocals on two of the tracks? On this album one can almost hear them ready to take over the world with their follow up "Rumours" album. Not easy listening but comfortable listening.
"Over My Head" is a favorite of mine. As far as taking over the world? Not for nothing, but I went to school with at least 2 (3?) Rhiannons that I can think of.
If you haven't heard the live extended version of Rhiannon on Rumours Live, it's majestic. The band, and Stevie's vocals, find an edge in this song that I didn't know was there.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4zBAeRf0aWtx7EPYUxbb7T?si=f21f0893b82e4b05
Aberdeen on the Sarah label. Match made in heaven
https://open.spotify.com/album/4LpM6XhgwO7RePRbiRPc7q?si=-V__myoQR_qazuJh1db8xg
Recently got into Catfish & the Bottlemen. Don't know what took me so long
Great list this week. Never can go wrong with PGG and the Lenderman album is quickly becoming one of my favorites of the year.
Thank you, Glenn!
A lot of Christmas music. A lot. Of. Christmas. Music. When will it end.....
......and, as I write this, the soundtrack to Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains The Same. You can just feel the unadulterated power of the band as they get good and warmed up about mid way through the set. What it must have felt like to have been in that audience in MSG the night that was recorded.
Hopefully, it ends the day after tomorrow. :)
Great call. I revisited the video of Song Remains a few years ago. What's amazing is to see, despite the mythology, four guys playing in a tight space and just rocking out. They could be a garage band at that point.
It's pretty much the same, I heard Gilbert O'Sullivan's -Alone Again for the first time in a while and it has to be one of the saddest songs ever written. Great song but sad.
This week my sister and I got together and did some Christmas crafting- she played her Spotify favorites of the year and I was telling her about some of the stuff I had been listening to, and she asked me to make her a playlist- and I’m glad I sat down and did it because I’ve been listening to it as well!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3FGz92wDcOkkd9vE5QQsJO?si=vGAzAgv6RjiVQJ9dQP5BAQ&pt=5f41ccfddd312cff3cdf0e025f0b75a2&pi=u-F4smK3tbRBCR
Then when I caught up with the latest episode of Shrinking, was beyond thrilled to hear a song by one of my super favorite bands! “Medicine” by Daughter https://youtu.be/5qy4OobCsQ4?si=e__jMfmwPhsgNQr3
(which was followed by a song by The National, who I love as well). https://youtu.be/A-Tod1_tZdU?si=axC6AbzDq_aq5EHc
Thanks for the links! My better half has been trying to get me to watch Shrinking with her, but I just haven't been able to get into it...yet. Maybe I just need to pay more attention to the music. lol.
Hahahaha! My sister recommended it last year, and I watched the first episode and moved on to something else - but, she encouraged me to keep watching because it got better, and yes I was glad I went back and picked it up again because it’s soooo good!!
I was turned on to Willie Bobo the other week when I heard him perform “Spanish Grease” on an Apple movie I was watching. I’m totally turned onto his music. I listen to a lot of Afro Cuban Jazz. Bobo is Puerto Rican and, while his island influences are somewhat different, there is still that pull in his performances similar to the jazz from Cuba. 🇨🇺
I have his music in my Apple library now and invite you to check him out for some hep beats.