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Led Zeppelin II (Album of the Day)
Led Zeppelin's second album was cut, appropriately enough, on the fly – it was written and recorded (in studios of varying quality) during multiple U.S./European tours in 1969. As a singer and lyricist, Robert Plant was growing by leaps and bounds, guitarist Jimmy Page was coming into his own as a producer, and the thundering rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John Bonham helped make LED ZEPPELIN II the band's heaviest (and first No.1) album. As on their debut, the blues influence is undeniable on such tracks as “Whole Lotta Love” and “Heartbreaker,” but the acoustic-flavored “Ramble On” was one indication that the U.K. quartet were looking well beyond Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf. The hard rock landmark celebrates its 50th anniversary today, and it's still as powerful as ever.
Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (Album of the Day)
Born in Kentucky on this day in 1956, Dwight Yoakam channels the spirit of Bakersfield on his major label debut GUITARS, CADILLACS, ETC., ETC. Produced by Pete Anderson, the Reprise collection reveals Yoakam to be both a brilliant writer and interpreter; given heartfelt performances, the originals (“I'll Be Gone,” "It Won't Hurt") and covers (“Honky Tonk Man,” “Ring Of Fire”) mesh seamlessly. At a time when Nashville's slickest and safest ruled the Billboard Country chart, this superb album went to No.1, leading the way for a host of “new traditionalists” (the presence of rocker Maria McKee of Lone Justice on a track offers further proof of Yoakam's maverick spirit). Originally released in 1986, GUITARS, CADILLACS, ETC., ETC. delivers a no-nonsense brand of country that remains ageless.
Strange Angels (Album of the Day)
Until the release of STRANGE ANGELS 30 years ago today, Laurie Anderson was seen more as a performance artist than a musician, yet like so much of her work, the Warner Bros. collection confounded expectations. Sure, you'll hear some of the deadpan vocal delivery familiar to fans since “O Superman,” but you'll hear honest-to-goodness singing, too (Anderson took lessons in preparation for this recording, and it turns out she has a beautiful voice). The album also marshals a small army of established accompanists - including guitarist Chris Spedding, singer Bobby McFerrin, The Roches and even Meat Loaf - while remaining distinct from mainstream pop or rock. Such songs as “Babydoll,” “The Dream Before” and the title track are quirky, literate and undeniably appealing even if their avant-garde roots sometimes show. Laurie Anderson's most accessible album, STRANGE ANGELS is an ideal introduction to the visionary artist.
Turbulent Indigo (Album of the Day)
Joni Mitchell's TURBULENT INDIGO was a return to her old label, Reprise Records, and to some extent a return to her classic sound – jazz-informed, acoustic-dominant songs that generally turn their backs on whatever technology was in vogue in 1994. Produced with longtime collaborator Larry Klein, the collection touches upon topical issues like spousal abuse (“Not To Blame”), scandal-ridden churches (“Magdalene Laundries”) and AIDS (“Sex Kills”), but Mitchell's insightful lyrics make them evergreen. The overall outlook may be a bit pessimistic - tortured artist Vincent Van Gogh inspired Joni's self-portrait on the cover – but it's hard to get depressed listening to vocal and instrumental work that's this transcendent. A Grammy winner for Pop Album of the Year, TURBULENT INDIGO was released 25 years ago today, and it remains a late-career highlight for the legendary singer-songwriter.
The Swan Song Years 1974-1982 (Album of the Day)
Bad Company's real-life "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" began 45 years ago when the British supergroup topped the album charts in America with their self-titled debut, launching the band as one of the most popular of the classic-rock era. Rhino celebrates their musical legacy with THE SWAN SONG YEARS 1974-1982, a new boxed set that includes every studio album the group released on the Led Zeppelin-owned record label. The 6-disc set includes BAD COMPANY (1974), STRAIGHT SHOOTER (1975), RUN WITH THE PACK (1976), BURNIN' SKY (1977), DESOLATION ANGELS (1979) and ROUGH DIAMONDS (1982), all platinum- or gold-certified, and all remastered from the original analogue multi-track tapes for this collection. With such favorites as “Can't Get Enough,” “Rock Steady,” “Feel Like Makin' Love” and “Silver, Blue & Gold,” THE SWAN SONG YEARS shows the still-active Bad Company at their best.
The Stooges (Album of the Day)
The four Stooges – Iggy Pop, brothers Ron and Scott Asheton (on guitar and drums, respectively) and Dave Alexander (bass) are Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers for a short but incendiary string of proto-punk albums beginning with 1969's THE STOOGES. The Ann Arbor band's seminal Elektra debut captures their primitive power on eight songs including such restless anthems as “1969,” “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and “No Fun.” Former Velvet Underground member John Cale turned out to be a savvy choice to produce the collection, which pushed sonic boundaries while remaining primitive enough to lodge deep in the cerebellum of listeners' brains. Released 50 years ago today, THE STOOGES is still a “real cool time.”
Fear of Music (Deluxe) (Album of the Day)
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around! Released 40 years ago today, Talking Heads' FEAR OF MUSIC was a great leap forward for the band and remains an alternative rock classic. The quartet's second collaboration with Brian Eno couples David Byrne's quirky lyrics to sophisticated but powerful rhythms and, despite its title, the sense of trepidation expressed here is directed more toward modern society than music. “I Zimbra,” “Life During Wartime” and “Heaven” embrace a wide variety of styles, and the Sire collection was hailed as album of the year by such outlets as NME, Melody Maker and the Los Angeles Times. The Deluxe Edition of the gold-certified FEAR OF MUSIC adds an unfinished outtake of “Dancing for Money” and alternate versions of three album tracks as bonus material.
Back to Bedlam (Album of the Day)
James Blunt was a promising British songwriter with a publishing deal when Linda Perry took him under her wing as a performer. With a terrific falsetto and equally strong material, Blunt's BACK TO BEDLAM quickly became one of the best sellers in U.K. pop history. If heartfelt ballads like “Goodbye My Lover” and “You're Beautiful” (which topped the British singles chart on this day in 2005) dominate the proceedings, the singer-songwriter has more than just romance on his mind here; “No Bravery” deals with Blunt's service in Kosovo as a member of the Royal Armed Forces in 1999. A striking debut that sold more than 11 million copies around the world, BACK TO BEDLAM weaves a wistful spell that continues to entrance listeners a decade later.
The Baby Huey Story (Album of the Day)
James Ramey may have been nicknamed “Baby Huey” after a cartoon character, but when he opened his mouth to sing, listeners took him seriously. A popular act on the Chicago R&B circuit, Baby Huey and his band the Babysitters caught the attention of Curtis Mayfield, who produced THE BABY HUEY STORY: THE LIVING LEGEND for his Curtom label. Released in 1971, about a year after Ramey’s untimely death, the set’s slightly psychedelic soul and playful rhymes would win fans among hip-hoppers years later, and “Listen to Me,” “Mighty Mighty” and “Hard Times” (the latter two penned by Mayfield) have been sampled frequently. With a pair of originals and memorable covers of “California Dreamin’” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Going to Come,” THE BABY HUEY STORY ensures the performer’s legend will live for decades to come.
Communique (Album of the Day)
COMMUNIQUE means an official announcement, and the message that Dire Straits' 1979 album sent was that the success of the quartet's eponymous debut was no fluke. Cut in the Bahamas with veteran producers Barry Beckett and Jerry Wexler at the helm, the Warner Bros. collection offers nine lean, laid-back originals brimming with thoughtful lyrics and Mark Knopfler's intricate guitar lines. Opener “Once Upon a Time in the West,” “Portobello Belle” and minor hit single “Lady Writer” may be the first tracks to grab your attention, but the set's consistent quality ensures you'll find new favorites with each spin. The gold-certified COMMUNIQUE hit the Top 10 in the band's native U.K., and just missed it in the U.S., and we'll cue it up now to wish Knopfler a happy 70th birthday.