Set List - March 31, 2014

Hubbard, Freddie - Sky Dive - Sky Dive - CTI

The Crusaders - The Hustler - Street Life - MCA

Washington, Grover Jr. - Easy Loving You - Skylarkin' - Motown
Benson, George - Last Train to Clarksville - The George Benson Collection - Warner Bros.
Smith, Jimmy - Got My Mojo Working - Got My Mojo Working - Verve
Byrd, Donald - Beast of Burden - A New Perspective - Blue Note
Bland, Bobby "Blue" and B.B. King - Feel So Bad - Together Again . . . Live - ABC
Brown, Randy - The Right Track - Randy - Chocolate City
Parliament - Aqua Boogie - Motor Booty Affair - Casablanca
Con Funk Shun - Candy - Candy - Mercury
The Isley Brothers - Rockin' With Fire (Parts 1&2) - 12" - T-Neck

Really Red - Teaching You the Fear (CIA, 1981)

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

Number 33 on the list.

Big Boys - Where's My Towel/Industry Standard (Wasted Talent, 1980)

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

Number 32 on the list.  Who came first: the Big Boys or the Minutemen?  (I know, it was Wire.)  Because they both sound kind of the same to me.  First time ever listening to these guys and I really had no idea what skate rock was and I don't think I do after listening to this record either.  More investigation necessary still.

The dB's - Stands for Decibels (Albion, 1980)

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

Number 31 on the list.

Circle Jerks - Group Sex (Frontier, 1980)

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

Number 30 on the list.

Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (Alternative Tentacles, 1980)

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

Number 29 on the list.  This record got a lot of run from me and my crew when I was in high school but I haven't listened to it in years.  It's one of those gateway records.  I tried to listen to it again today but I was busy at the office and it was getting on my nerves.  I'm putting this one on the revisit list because it is a classic and demands repeat listens.

Half Japanese - 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts (Armageddon, 1980)

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

Number 28 on the list.  I can't remember why I bought this album the first time around back in the nineties.  I think that it was just reissued and I was probably impressed by the fact that Half Japanese's first record was a 3 LP set.  Yeah, I didn't listen to this a ton when I bought it because it's kind of hard to listen to and I don't own it today.  Mostly, it's just Half Japanese making noise for a couple of minutes and calling it a song.  The charm is Jad Fair's childlike voice and lyrics and if you listen to their cover of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" on the set, you pretty much get it.

Set List - March 24, 2014

Davis, Miles - Turnaround - Complete On The Corner Sessions - Columbia

Jones, Quincy - Walking in Space - Walking in Space - CTI

Jones, Quincy - Superwoman (Where We You When I Needed You) - Sounds . . . And Stuff Like That - A&M
Washington, Grover Jr. - Let It Flow (for "Dr. J") - Winelight - Elektra
Benson, George  - White Rabbit - White Rabbit - CTI
Hammond, Johnny - I Don't Know How to Love Him - Wild Horses Rock Steady - Kudu
The Dells - Tell Me This is a Dream - Best Of - Kory
King, Evelyn "Champagne" - Shame - Smooth Talk - RCA
The Isley Brothers - Fight the Power (Parts 1 and 2) - Greatest Hits Volume 1 - T-Neck
The Isley Brothers - Love Fever (Parts 1 and 2) - Showdown - T-Neck

X - Los Angeles (Slash, 1980)

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

Number 27 on the list.

The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms (Stiff, 1980)

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

Number 26 on the list.

The Cramps - Songs the Lord Taught Us (IRS, 1980)

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

 Number 25 on the list.

The Wipers - Is This Real? (Park Avenue, 1980)

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

 Number 24 on the list.

The Jim Carroll Band - Catholic Boy (ATCO, 1980)

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

Number 23 on the list.  Another one that I used to own twenty or so years ago that I am revisiting as almost new now because I pretty much forgot what this record sounded like at all.  It reminded of Elvis Costello in music and mouthful of lyrical content.  I listened to this record again on a drive down to Akron, OH and, while I wasn't counting down the minutes until the record was over, I didn't play it again either and rode in silence for the remainder of the drive.  Funny thing is the song "People Who Died" of off the record would not leave my head no matter how much I tried to think about something else.

Black Randy and the Metrosquad - Pass the Dust, I Think I'm Bowie (Dangerhouse, 1979)

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

Number 22 on the list.

Set List - March 17, 2014

Lewis, Ramsey - We Blue It - Down to Earth - Mercury

Lewis, Ramsey - Peace and Tranquility - Bach to the Blues - Cadet

Lewis, Ramsey - Delilah - Best of - Argo

Adderley, Cannonball - Planet Earth - In New York - Riverside
Adderley, Cannonball - The Old Country - With Nancy Wilson - Capital
Adderley, Cannonball - One Man's Dream - With Nancy Wilson - Capital
Burrell, Kenny - All Night Long - All Night Long - Prestige
Washington, Grover Jr. - Inner City Blues - Inner City Blues - Kudu
Washington, Grover Jr. - Mercy Mercy Me - Inner City Blues - Kudu
Prado, Perez - Uno Cha Cha - Our Man in Latin America - RCA
Mann, Herbie - It Ain't Necessarily So - At the Village Gate - Atlantic
The Impressions - Long, Long Winter - Keep On Pushing - ABC-Paramount
The Temptations - Get Ready - Greatest Hits - Gordy
Redding, Otis - Shake - Live In Europe - Volt
Brown, James - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag - VA - Roots of Soul - Imperial House
McCrae, George - Rock Your Baby - VA - Roots of Soul - Imperial House
Franklin, Aretha - Make It With You - Live at Fillmore West - Atlantic
White, Barry - I'm Gonna Love You More, Baby - Greatest Hits - 20th Century
The Dells - All About the Paper - I Touched a Dream - 20th Century

The Dickies - Dawn of the Dickies (A&M, 1979)

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

Number 21 on the list.

The Contortions - Buy (Ze, 1979)

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

Number 20 on the list.

Germs - GI (Slash, 1979)

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

Number 19 on the list.

Johnny Thunders - So Alone (Real, 1978)

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

Number 18 on the list.  Too much rock and roll on this one.  I think that is the problem with a lot these guys that were born in the fifties: the roots of rock and roll never leave their system and they keep playing "Johnny B. Good" and "Tutti Fruity" and expecting future generations to feel it.  Not me.  I can't stand that stuff.  This record has a few okay tracks on it but is more or less just lame revivalist rock and roll - without "Pirate Love."

Blondie - Parallel Lines (Chrysalis, 1978)

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

Number 17 on the list.  I had this record when I was a kid.  It has "Heart of Glass" on it, which was a pretty big hit.  It also has Blondie's second best song: their version of the Nerves' "Hanging on the Telephone."  Not only did I have the actually record, but I also remember having a bubblegum version of the record with a tiny version of the sleeve and a piece of gum shaped like a record.  This record is good for me for the memories and the hits, which is all I want out of Blondie at this point.  

Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo. (Warner Bros., 1978)

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

Number 16 on the list.

Set List - March 10, 2014

Getz, Stan - Whisper Not - Cool Velvet - Verve

Getz, Stan - Good-Bye - Cool Velvet - Verve

Getz, Stan - Nature Boy - Cool Velvet - Verve
Getz, Stan - Once - Voices - Verve
Getz, Stan - I Didn't Know What time It Was - Voices - Verve
Getz, Stan - Ginza Samba - With Cal Tjader - Fantasy
Getz, Stan - I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face - With Cal Tjader - Fantasy
Jones, Philly Joe - Battery Blues - Showcase - Riverside
Jones, Philly Joe - Minor Mode - Showcase - Riverside
Charles, Ray and Milt Jackson - Cosmic Ray - Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting - Atlantic
Charles, Ray and Milt Jackson - X-Ray Blues - Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting - Atlantic
Adderley, Cannonball - The Painted Desert - Live: March 20, 1969 - Jazz Haus
Bobo, Willie - Crisis - Bobo's Beat - Roulette
Bobo, Willie - Nessa - Spanish Grease - Verve
Bobo, Willie - Elation - Spanish Grease - Verve
Bobo, Willie - It's Not Unusual - Spanish Grease - Verve
Bobo, Willie - Fried Neck Bones and Some Home Fries - Uno Dos Tres 1 2 3 - Verve
Bobo, Willie - Dis-Advantage - Juicy - Verve
Bobo, Willie - Roots - Juicy - Verve
Barretto, Ray - New York Soul - VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul - Fania
Santamaria, Mongo - Lady Marmalade - VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul - Fania
Café - Si, Dame Tu Amor - VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul - Fania
Barretto, Ray - Merrcy Mercy Baby - VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul - Fania
Palmieri, Eddie - Aye Que Rico - VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul - Fania
Pastrana, Joey - King of Latin Soul - VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul - Fania

Dead Boys - We Have Come For Your Children (Sire, 1978)

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

Number 15 on the list.

Lou Reed - Street Hassle (Arista, 1978)

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

Number 14 on the list.  This record is terrible.  I know why Lou Reed has legend status because of the Velvet Underground.  They were first.  They were incredible.  The Velvet Underground were probably one of the best things ever.  But I challenge anybody to listen to "I Wanna Be Black" and not feel totally embarrassed for Lou Reed.  This is a truly bad record.

Pere Ubu - The Modern Dance (Blank, 1978)

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

Number 13 on the list.

Suicide - Suicide (Red Star, 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 12 on the list.  I used to own this record in white label promo form - a mint review copy that I traded to my friend Doug before I got a chance to listen to it.  I knew that the Spacemen 3 did Suicide songs, so I was interested in listening to this record on that point alone, but never got around to doing it.  Finally, in the last couple of years, Ben Yawns was playing this record at the practice space and singing its praises.  What I heard, I dug.  So I got and dig it.  Minimalist electronic weirdness.  Genius. 

Iggy Pop and James Williamson - Kill City (Bomp!, 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 11 on the list.

The Heartbreakers - L.A.M.F. (Track, 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 10 on the list.  I'm not down on the Heartbreakers for spawning the Eighties hair band but I should be.  Many of those clowns thought they were the Heartbreakers but they were not.  Okay, so the song "Pirate Love" could have been a Poison song, but I love it and it there something a little tougher in "Pirate Love" than "Talk Dirty to Me" and the Heartbreakers do stuff like "Chinese Rocks" too.  With these comments, I hope you get what the Heartbreakers sound like.

Set List - March 3, 2014

Taylor, Cecil - Lena (Second Version) - Nefertiti, The Beautiful One Has Come - Arista/Freedom

Taylor, Cecil - What's New? - Nefertiti, The Beautiful One Has Come - Arista/Freedom

Hutcherson, Bobby - Effi - Patterns - Blue Note
Hutcherson, Bobby - Irina - Patterns - Blue Note
Hutcherson, Bobby - Zingaro - Mirage - 32 Jazz
Pearson, Duke - Los Malos Hombres - The Right Touch - Blue Note
McCoy, Freddie - Light My Fire - Gimme Some! - Cobblestone
Green, Al - Get Back Baby - Green is Blues - Hi
Green, Al - Get Back - Green is Blues - Hi
Green, Al - Hangin' On - Explores Your Mind - Hi
Bell & James - Don't Let the Man Get You - Bell & James - A&M
Silver Convention - Son of a Gun - Silver Convention - Columbia
KC & the Sunshine Band - I Get Lifted - KC & the Sunshine Band - TK
Average White Band - Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band - Atlantic
Bootsy's Rubber Band - The Pinocchio Theory - Ahh . . . the Name's Bootsy, Baby! - Warner Bros.
Gaye, Marvin - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - What's Going On - Tamla

Richard Hell & the Voidoids - Blank Generation (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 9 on the list.  It's like Television without all of the noodley guitar solos and more of a pop sensibility.  It's a good one. 



Chrome - Alien Soundtracks (Siren, 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 8 on the list.  First time hearing Chrome was at the WCSB Halloween party last year - setting up for the event.  Kind of mind-blowing in a cold empty theater, playing at top volume.  I think they call this space punk because of the Hawkwind influence but I don't know about that.