THE RUTLES (ALBUM & EP, 1978) For week three of our Beatles feature, here’s the soundtrack to a spoof history of the band that’s a great retro-pop album — no joke. (Note: see my earlier 8-Trackin’ post for background on … Continue reading →
KLAATU (SELF-TITLED, 1976) We continue our month-long Beatles special with an album once thought to have been made by a secretly reunited Fab Four. (Note: see my earlier 8-Trackin’ post for background on the curious late ’70s resurgence of Beatlemania.) … Continue reading →
THE BEATLES ‘1967-1970’ (TAPE ONE, BACKWARDS) Reversing the tape in this battered Beatles cartridge reveals a fab mirror universe of psychedelic sounds. What does it sound like? Backwards Beatles listening is a strange experience. The sounds and voices are very … Continue reading →
THE REALISTICS – ‘THE YEAR IN MUSIC’S GREATEST HITS’ (1978) Happy New Year! To close out the hard-to-believe 2018, here’s a set of “fake grooves” from precisely 40 years earlier. This time of the year, I’m always a sucker for … Continue reading →
‘STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL’ (TV, 1978); JEFFERSON STARSHIP, ‘GOLD’ (1979) 15 fun facts about the notorious sci-fi Christmas special and its only soundtrack release on 8-track. 1. George Lucas hates the Star Wars Holiday Special. With its dated comedy, odd … Continue reading →
WILLIE NELSON, ‘PRETTY PAPER’ (1979) Willie shakes off his outlaw-cowboy image for a blissful, understated set of holiday pop standards perfect for any occasion. Pretty paper? You mean like rolling paper? Sorry, folks; in spite of wild Willie’s stoner reputation, … Continue reading →
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, ‘PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION’ (1971); PHILIP GLASS, ‘NORTH STAR’ (1977) Two classically-themed musical suites inspired by the visual arts: a mail-order offer you can’t refuse. Want to be sophisticated but don’t have the time? Can’t get … Continue reading →
EIGHT TIMES TWO: VELVET UNDERGROUND, ‘1969 LIVE’; LOU REED, ‘ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ANIMAL’ (1974) Two very different versions of a classic song, performed live by two very different Lou Reed bands. The song: Written circa 1969, Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” … Continue reading →
ELVIS PRESLEY, ‘THAT’S THE WAY IT IS’ (1970) In honor of Elvis’ recent award, let’s look back at his underrated song cycle about love lost and found. Last week, some four decades after his death, Elvis Presley received the Presidential … Continue reading →
JONI MITCHELL, ‘FOR THE ROSES’ (1972) The pivotal fifth album by Mitchell, who turned 75 last week, contains threads of her folkie past, her pop-star present, and her jazzbo future. To me this album is where Joni Mitchell really hits … Continue reading →