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Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (Album of the Day)
As longtime members of Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie have written, recorded and performed some of the most popular and enduring music of all time. The two have now joined together for their first-ever album as a duo, LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM/CHRISTINE McVIE. The collaboration began three years ago, when McVie rejoined the Mac for the group’s “On With The Show” concerts; the pair went in to record new material prior to rehearsals for the tour and their natural creative chemistry was reignited. Led by the single “In My World,” the new album features 10 songs cut at Los Angeles' The Village Studios (where Fleetwood Mac recorded several classic albums), and bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John McVie joined the duo for the sessions. A showcase for their stunning talent, LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM/CHRISTINE McVIE will be loved and enjoyed by Fleetwood Mac and music fans the world over.
Madonna (Album of the Day)
Released this month in 1983, Madonna's self-titled Sire Records debut brought dance music out of the doghouse to which it had been consigned since the last days of disco. Cut with remixer/producer Jellybean Benitez, the collection reflects the sounds of New York's trendiest clubs, with the latest synthesizers and drum machines prominent in the mix, though there are plenty of old-school hooks in these songs - “Holiday” and Top 10 singles “Borderline” and “Lucky Star” would've been hits in any era. Add in the singer's girlish appeal (and tireless work ethic), and the set's 10 million worldwide sales become inevitable. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named MADONNA one of the ten best albums of the previous quarter-century, and even a cursory listen makes the point tough to argue.
Star (Album of the Day)
With stints in Throwing Muses and The Breeders behind her, Tanya Donelly was more than ready to front her own alternative rock band, and Belly captured the spotlight even more firmly than those previous groups. Filled out by three musical cohorts from Donelly's Rhode Island home base, Belly made an impressive debut with STAR; the 1993 Sire set included a Modern Rock chart-topper in “Feed The Tree,” another MTV favorite in “Gepetto,” and brought the quartet two Grammy nominations. These 15 originals give indie dream pop plenty of appealing hooks - even if the album's sweet-sounding vocals sometimes sing about rather strange stuff. Today we'll wish upon a STAR in honor of Tanya Donelly's birthday.
Where You Been (Album of the Day)
Released in 1993, Dinosaur Jr.'s fifth studio album roars as loudly as any of its grunge-era contemporaries, but without their occasional bombast. WHERE YOU BEEN features ten terrific songs, kicking off with the yearning “Out There” and Top 10 Modern Rock hit “Start Choppin,” and never lets up from there. While J Mascis plays a dominant role – in addition to writing and production credits, his just-woke-up vocals and epic guitar solos thread through every song – this is Dinosaur Jr.'s sole Sire set with a real band behind him, as bassist Mike Johnson and drummer Murph provide the insistent rhythmic drive. While flirting with mainstream success (the collection reached #50 on the Billboard album chart), WHERE YOU BEEN frames a gentle outlook with alt-rock thunder, and remains a fan favorite.
Young Brigham (Album of the Day)
Born on this day in 1931, Ramblin' Jack Elliott was a disciple of Woody Guthrie and later a role model for Bob Dylan; with a career spanning more than 60 years, he remains one of folk music's most enduring treasures. YOUNG BRIGHAM was the singer's first of two albums for Reprise Records, cut in Nashville with producer Bruce Langhorne in 1968. Though heavy on traditional material and Guthrie songs, the 11 tracks also include more contemporary singer-songwriter fare (“If I Were A Carpenter”), a Rolling Stones cover (“Connection”) and a touch of the roundabout storytelling that earned the performer his nickname. Johnny Cash, who wrote the liner notes to this set, once said of Ramblin' Jack, “He's got a song and a friend for every mile behind him,” and you can feel Elliott's heart and humor in every second of YOUNG BRIGHAM.
Crocodiles (Album of the Day)
Echo and the Bunnymen's superb debut, CROCODILES, 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, the 1980 album 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...
Love (Album of the Day)
Led by quixotic singer-songwriter Arthur Lee, Love was the first rock act signed to Elektra Records, and helped set the scene for the groovy Sunset Strip sounds of the mid-1960s. The quintet's eponymous debut offers a heady mix of garage and folk-rock; along with a pair of terrific covers (“My Little Red Book,” “Hey Joe”), the 14 tracks include such fiery originals as “Can't Explain” and “My Flash On You” as well as moody ballads like “A Message to Pretty” and “Signed D.C.” LOVE has just been re-released in honor of the 50th anniversary of “the Summer of Love,” and it's the perfect way to remember the great Arthur Lee, who passed away on this day in 2006.
Alice's Restaurant (Album of the Day)
The son of legendary folksinger Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie has fashioned a musical legacy of his own over the last half century. His debut disc, ALICE'S RESTAURANT, took an appropriately circuitous route to Platinum status - sales kicked into overdrive after the 18-minute title track was adapted into a film two years later. That ambling, autobiographical story-song became a counterculture anthem, but the remaining six tracks on the album are also excellent examples of the singer-songwriter's sly humor and musical craftsmanship. Produced by Fred Hellerman of folk icons The Weavers, the 1967 Reprise collection has just been reissued on vinyl in mono to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “the Summer of Love.”
Long Strange Trip (2CD version) (Album of the Day)
LONG STRANGE TRIP is the first full-length documentary to explore the fiercely independent vision, perpetual innovation, and uncompromising commitment to their audience that made the Grateful Dead one of the most influential musical groups of its generation. The soundtrack to the critically-acclaimed film offers a career-spanning collection of studio and live recordings from the Bay Area band that includes several unreleased performances. Co-produced by director Amir Bar-Lev and Dead archivist David Lemieux, the 2-CD set pairs classic studio tracks like "Ripple" and "Touch Of Grey" with such dynamic live performances as "He's Gone" and "St. Stephen," and the half-dozen previously unreleased cuts include a legendary Fillmore East version of “Dark Star.” Both the film and the LONG STRANGE TRIP soundtrack offer a taste of everything that makes the Grateful Dead magical.
The Envoy (Album of the Day)
Warren Zevon's final album for Elektra Records, THE ENVOY, delivered another dose of the edgy intelligence and sardonic humor that were the singer-songwriter's trademarks. Recorded with such top session players as guitarist Waddy Wachtel and bassist Leland Sklar, along with famous friends including Lindsey Buckingham, Don Henley and Graham Nash, the performances are as sharp as the lyrics on these nine originals. Drug dealers (“Charlie's Medicine”), shuttle diplomats (the title track) and Elvis Presley (“Jesus Mentioned”) are among the many fascinating characters - and perhaps stand-ins for personal demons - peopling the 1982 collection. THE ENVOY was released 35 years ago this month, and it's an excellent reminder of how much Warren Zevon's distinctive voice is missed these days.