Talking Heads - Talking Heads: 77 (Sire, 1977)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 7 on the list.  Another new one to my ears.  I've always avoided the Talking Heads because I never really liked what I heard - minus some early demos that the Budget Rock Showcase was playing on WCSB - those, I liked.  Same deal with this record that I listened to a couple of times through on youtube.  Not my thing.  From the opening bouncy bass line and marimbas, the record is kind of lame white interpretation of same unidentified strain of black music.  They seemed like they were trying to be funky at times, I guess.  I really just don't get this.  The song "Psycho Killer" is on this one and that's the joint.  But, other than that, there is nothing here for me on this record.

Television - Marquee Moon (Elektra, 1977)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 6 on the list.  A guy I worked with back in the early nineties hipped me to this record and I will always be forever thankful.  Thank you, Dave.  He also tried to get me into Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks but that one didn't stick.  I love this record.



The Modern Lovers - The Modern Lovers (Home of the Hits, 1976)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 5 on the list.  Of the two people where it is well known that they saw the Velvet Underground live a bunch of times and that started bands that you have heard of (Jamie Klimek and Mirrors is the more underground of the two - more Cleveland, and, therefore, less well-known), Jonathan Richman is the one that people know the most.  I don't want to say that Jonathan Richman dumbed down the Velvets but he definitely added some sugar and removed the darker vibe.  This is the record with "Roadrunner" on it.  You probably know this one.



The Runaways - The Runaways (Mercury, 1976)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 4 on the list.  Not punk, but this record does have some classic tunes on it.  Although that sometimes this record made me feel like a dirty old man and I really hope my daughter never is in a band like this.  I am more of a dad now that a rocker, I guess.





Set List - February 24, 2014

More freshness from the $ bin.


Clarke, Stanley - Desert Song - School Days - Nemporer

The Blackbyrds - Mysterious Vibe - Action - Fantasy

The Blackbyrds - Something Special - Action - Fantasy
The Blackbyrds - Hash and Eggs - City Life - Fantasy
The Blackbyrds - Dancin' Dancin' - Better Days - Fantasy
Flack, Roberta - Independent Man - Roberta Flack - Atlantic
Summer, Donna - Love to Love You Baby - Love to Love You Baby - Casablanca
Phreek - Weekend - Phreek - Atlantic
Rufus - Once You Get Started - Rufusized - ABC
Ohio Players - Fopp - Honey - Mercury
Henderson, Michael - Happy - In the Night-Time - Buddah
Henderson, Michael - Prove It - Wide Receiver - Buddah
The Commodores - Sexy Lady - Midnight Magic - Motown
The Commodores - Lady (You Bring Me Up) - In the Pocket - Motown
Heavy D. and the Boyz - Gyrlz They Love Me - Big Tyme - Uptown/MCA
Robinson, Smokey & the Miracles - I Second that Emotion - Greatest Hits - Volume 2 - Tamla
Knight, Gladys and the Pips - On and On - The Best of Gladys Knight and the Pips - Buddah
Butler, Jerry - Never Give You Up - The Ice Man Cometh - Mercury

Ramones - Ramones (Sire, 1976)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 3 on the list.  This record is a classic and there is really no way to minimize its influence.  It was the shot heard 'round the world - or at least in Cleveland, OH, where the Ramones would have played their first gig outside of New York had it bit been rained out.  They played Youngstown, OH the next night.



Commando - The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone

This was a fast and highly entertaining read. And very funny.  You basically get to hear Johnny Ramone badmouth everything and everyone from his deathbed.  He did not go out quietly. Pretty classic. Also, you want to read this if you were ever interested in who Johnny Ramone's top ten Republicans were.

Patti Smith - Horses (Arista, 1975)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 2 on the list.  I need to look up whether Fred "Sonic" Smith married Patti Smith before or after this record.



The Dictators - Go Girl Crazy! (Epic, 1975)

In March, 2014, Uncut named its 50 Greatest American Punk Albums: 1975 - 1983.  I am listening to one a day and making comments.

Number 1 on the list.  I've listened to this LP many times over the years and I just don't get it.  The original songs are not that good and covers like "I've Got You, Babe" and "California Sun" are bad.  This album is mercifully short.  That's a good thing.



Set List - February 17, 2014

Straight from the dollar bins to the airwaves.


Tyner, McCoy - Horizon - Horizon - Milestone

Jones, Quincy - Tell Me a Bedtime Story - Sounds  . . . And Stuff Like That - A&M

Jones, Quincy - Razzmatazz - The Dude - A&M
The Crusaders - Cosmic Reign - Images - Blue Thumb
The Crusaders - The Longest Night - Standing Tall - MCA
The Crusaders - Street Life - Street Life - MCA
Laws, Ronnie - Heavy on Easy - Solid Ground - Liberty
Connors, Norman - Captain Connors - This is Your Life - Arista
The Headhunters - Straight from the Gate - Straight from the Gate - Arista
Switch - You Pulled a Switch - Switch - Gordy
Switch - You're the One for Me - Switch II - Gordy
Ohio Players - Smoke - Fire - Mercury
Kinsman Dazz - Saturday Night - Kinsman Dazz - 20th Century
The Isley Bros. - Pass It On - Go All the Way - T-Neck

Set List - February 10, 2014

Monk, Thelonious - Just You, Just Me - Monk. - Columbia

Mingus, Charles - GG Train - Nostalgia in Times Square: The Immortal 1959 Sessions - Columbia

Mingus, Charles - Thing Ain't What They Used to Be - Nostalgia in Times Square: The Immortal 1959 Sessions - Columbia
Kirk, Roland - Trees - I Talk to Spirits - Limelight
Dolphy, Eric - Glad to Be Unhappy - Outward Bound - New Jazz
Lincoln, Abbey - It's Magic - It's Magic - Riverside
Montgomery, Wes - Bud's Beaux Arts - Fingerpickin' - Pacific Jazz
Morgan, Lee - Cornbread - Cornbread - Blue Note
Morgan, Lee - In What Direction Are You Headed? - The Last Session - Blue Note
Davis, Miles - Mademoiselle Mabry (Miss Mabry) - Filles De Killemanjaro - Columbia
Smith, Jimmy - Sassy Mae - Bucket - Blue Note
Stitt, Sonny - Topsy - Constellation - Muse

Set List - February 3, 2014

Weston, Randy - Softness - Zulu - Milestone
Weston, Randy - Do Nothing Until You Hear From Me - Zulu - Milestone
Weston, Randy - Little Niles - Zulu - Milestone
The Art Ensemble of Chicago - Reese and the Smooth Ones Pt. 2 - Reese and the Smooth Ones - Actuel

The Art Ensemble of Chicago - Oh, Strange Pt. 1 - Live in Paris - Actuel
Belgrave, Marcus - Space Odyssey - Gemini - Universal Sound
Maupin, Bennie - It Remains to be Seen - Slow Traffic to the Right - Mercury
McDuff, Jack - Nasty - Kisses - Sugarhill
Kool and the Gang - Dujii - Kool Jazz - De-Lite
Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland (Instrumental) - 12" - ARC

All the Pretty Horses - Cormac McCarthy

“Men say they only learn this but he said that no creature can learn that which his heart has no shape to hold.”  p. 111