The Yankee Dollar

This is a nice little folk-rock, pop-psych tinged album from 1968 California.  It’s a pleasant fun listen, and has an interesting back story, which is what drew me to include this as an Album of the Week. The opening song, Sanctuary reminds me of Strawberry Alarm Clock, which is not …

The Waitresses – Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful?

RIP Patty Donahue This is a definite gem from 1982, and competes with the best of the New Wave era.  It’s full of riffing guitars, saxophones and organs, often with an infectious ska beat.  And fully defining their sound are Patty Donahue’s sardonic, largely spoken voiced vocals that tend into …

Tribute to Jeff “Skunk” Baxter

Here’s a shout out to Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, guitarist extraordinaire and defense contractor.  He’s played an important role in creating and playing some of the best rock music. I’m sure you are quite familiar with his work with Steely Dan as a founding member, and then his later work with …

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Solar Fire

Quinn the Eskimo takes a spin around the solar system in a Moog fuelled spaceship, insured by Progressive. This is a prog rock gem from 1973.  Mann does a wonderful job with a variety of keyboard instruments.  Mick Rogers comes in with a lot of killer guitar work & vocals.  …

Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See

RIP David Roback This is Mazzy Star’s second album, released in 1993.  There is of course “Fade Into You” which received some airplay as a single, and to which I have to express my appreciation: I may not have picked up on this album otherwise. A band’s albums can be …