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ZZ Top's First Album (Album of the Day)
“We called the record ZZ TOP'S FIRST ALBUM because we wanted everyone to know that there would be more,” noted Billy Gibbons of his trio's debut. “We weren't certain if we'd get another chance in the studio, but we had high hopes.” He needn't have worried; the lil' old band from Texas went on to sell some 50 million albums worldwide beginning with this collection, cut at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, TX with manager Bill Ham as producer. With a low-down sound reflecting the Top's stage show, originals including “(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree,” “Goin' Down to Mexico” and “Backdoor Love Affair” showcase the band's trademark blend of Southern blues 'n' boogie, tough guitar rock and risque references. Released 50 years ago this month, ZZ TOP'S FIRST ALBUM set the group on its way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and remains a greasy good time.
Presenting Dionne Warwick (Album of the Day)
Dionne Warwick was working as a background singer on The Drifters' “Mexican Divorce” in 1961 when she first met songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David; it was the seed of a collaboration that would launch all three to pop immortality. Cut for Scepter Records, PRESENTING DIONNE WARWICK was Dionne's debut album and was produced by Bacharach and David, who penned all but 3 of the dozen tracks. Among the classics included on the 1963 collection are “Make It Easy on Yourself,” “Wishin' and Hopin'” (a future hit for Dusty Springfield) and “Don't Make Me Over,” which became Warwick's first single to reach the Billboard chart. With its tasteful arrangements and inviting vocals, PRESENTING DIONNE WARWICK got the legendary performer off to a terrific start.
Chicago III (Album of the Day)
Released 50 years ago this month, CHICAGO III was the septet's third double album and the culmination of their initial progressive phase. Though it includes a couple of Top 40 singles in “Free” and “Lowdown,” the collection is dominated by multi-part compositions: keyboardist Robert Lamm's “Travel Suite,” trombonist James Pankow's “Elegy” and guitarist Terry Kath's “An Hour in the Shower.” The lyrics are often on the serious side (the military references in the package design reflect the divisive war going on in 1971), but it's the ensemble instrumental work that really steals the show – one virtuoso performance after another. A gold-certified hit that just missed topping the Billboard chart, CHICAGO III reveals the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to be among the most adventurous bands of the era.
Crocodiles (Album of the Day)
Released 40 years ago today, Echo and the Bunnymen's debut had one foot in the past and one in the future; while listeners could detect the influence of '60s psychedelia and bands like The Doors, CROCODILES was also steeped in the darkness and anguish for which goth and post-punk would soon be known. Its dozen songs were exceptionally strong, and featured the group's first two singles (a rerecorded “Pictures On My Wall” and “Rescue”) and soon-to-be concert staple “Do It Clean” (which had been left off the original U.K. pressing in the mistaken belief that it contained expletives). Ian McCulloch is in fine voice throughout, and Will Sergeant's playing makes him a clear contender for most underrated guitarist of the 1980s. Britain's NME named CROCODILES one of the decade's 50 greatest albums, and we're hard-pressed to disagree...
If I Should Fall From Grace With God (Expanded Edition) (Album of the Day)
If RUM, SODOMY & THE LASH put The Pogues on the musical map, IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD showed the folk-punkers to be a band for the ages. Three new members joined the line-up for the 1988 collection, providing a broader instrumental palette that helped the group incorporate influences from beyond Ireland. Frontman Shane MacGowan provides what may be his best-ever set of songs here, including “The Broad Majestic Shannon,” the title track and “Fairytale of New York.” The last of these was a number the band had been working on for years that never clicked until producer Steve Lillywhite played it for his wife, Kirsty MacColl; her acerbic duet with MacGowan has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. The band's biggest commercial success, IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD captures everything that was great about The Pogues.
Chicago Christmas (2019) (Album of the Day)
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Chicago celebrate the holidays with a Christmas collection that spotlights the legendary group’s trademark sound on eight original songs, two yuletide favorites and one timeless classic that embraces the spirit of hope. Produced by founding member Lee Loughnane, CHICAGO CHRISTMAS is the 37th album of the band’s career and its fourth holiday set. Whereas its previous releases focused more on traditional Christmas songs, this record spotlights holiday music the band wrote especially for the album, including “All Over The World,” “(Because) It’s Christmastime,” and “I’m Your Santa Claus.” Instead of recording in a studio, the group used an innovative mobile recording setup to make the album while on tour. Have a CHICAGO CHRISTMAS this year!
Soul Christmas (Album of the Day)
Atlantic/Atco was THE label for Southern soul in the 1960s, and some of its biggest stars appear on SOUL CHRISTMAS. The legendary Otis Redding provides simmering takes on two standards (“White Christmas” and “Merry Christmas Baby”), while Booker T. & The MG's and sax star King Curtis work their instrumental magic on such favorites as “Jingle Bells” and “The Christmas Song” (the latter featuring Duane Allman on guitar). There are also a few fine originals on the compilation, including Solomon Burke's “Presents For Christmas,” Clarence Carter's salacious “Back Door Santa” and Donny Hathaway's “This Christmas,” now celebrating its 50th anniversary. The superb set reached #13 on the Billboard Christmas chart (and hit the Top 10 upon later rerelease), and SOUL CHRISTMAS belongs on every R&B fan's holiday wish list!
A Merry Little Christmas (Album of the Day)
Few performers have the range of Linda Ronstadt and A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS underscores that. The collection – her final studio release for Elektra/Asylum after nearly three decades with the label – includes such seasonal chestnuts as “White Christmas” (a duet with the great Rosemary Clooney), but there's also the Spanish-sung “Xicochi, Xicochi” and a remarkably effective Joni Mitchell cover (“River”). Much of the collection is devoted to traditional English and Welsh carols; Linda's warm voice and the accompanying choral arrangements bring a spectral beauty to favorites like “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and the closing “Silent Night.” It's easy to see why A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS was among the most successful holiday albums of 2000 – it's a stocking stuffer any music lover would enjoy.
Christmas With The Everly Brothers And The Boystown Choir (Album of the Day)
The sound of Christmas is the sound of harmony, and when it comes to well-matched voices, few can beat those of Don & Phil Everly. CHRISTMAS WITH THE EVERLY BROTHERS AND THE BOYS TOWN CHOIR was the duo's sole holiday album, and as its title suggests, the 1962 Warner Bros. collection was a very reverential affair, comprised of carols and religious songs rather than the pop-rock of the pair's hits. The 33-member choir and organ appear on every track (and get two to themselves), taking the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers as close to gospel as they ever got, and the brothers excel at it. “What Child Is This?” is a showcase for Don and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” serves that role for Phil but beyond that, the harmonizing between the two is nothing less than heavenly. If you have a taste for the traditional, you'll enjoy spending CHRISTMAS WITH THE EVERLY BROTHERS AND THE BOYS TOWN CHOIR.
The Reason Why I'm Talking Shit (Album of the Day)
After-hours clubs are a great place to catch a jazz gig or a comedy set – or in the case of THE REASON WHY I'M TALKING SHIT, a little bit of both. Eddie Harris' penultimate album for Atlantic after 10 years on the label was recorded at cafes, clubs and lounges on tour in Minneapolis, Evanston, Milwaukee and Redondo Beach, and focuses on the saxophonist's pre-performance monologues. The quintet he leads is in fine funky form and can be heard on a few songs (“Brother Soul,” “The Aftermath”), but the bulk of the 1976 collection is Harris' funny, often X-rated, observations on modern life, the music business and more. A fascinating curio, THE REASON WHY I'M TALKING SHIT captures one of the greats of modern jazz letting his hair down.