I was listening to Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”, and settling into the mood that song evokes. I wanted a playlist that built around that mood & feeling. This one sets up a bunch of little feels: a little dark, a little reflective, a little melancholy, a little sad, a little …
This is Free’s first album, released in 1969. Of course, this predates their breakthrough hit “All Right Now” which is many folks’ introduction to Free. I like the harder, rawer feel of this album relative to their later work. There’s some real good blues & rock guitar work from Paul …
Thought I’d try a regional approach to building a few playlists from my library. This playlist is based on artists that hail from the PacNW area (Oregon, Washington & BC). I tried to stay with those who did play in their home region at least initially, so artists like Jimi …
Not a psychedelic album at all in the sense of trippy, substance friendly songs from the late ’60’s, but a sonic wall of power trio guitar rock reminiscent of the ’70’s. This album moves seamlessly between hard & blues rock, underpinned by Eric Gales’ stellar guitar work. There is strong, …
Thinking about the next playlist, gazing out the window. I was struck by how bright, clear & blue the sky was. That was it – songs related to the sky. The playlist starts with the sky around your home locale; songs that you are likely quite familiar with. Then it …
Time for some straightforward, unapologetic, meat’n’taters 1970’s power trio guitar rock. And Pat Travers fills that bill nicely. This is Travers’ third album, released in 1977 & features future Iron Maiden drummer, Nicko McBrain. After this album, Travers would juggle his lineup & create the Pat Travers Band. This album …
Along with Roger Dean, Hipgnosis was a favourite album cover art designer of mine. They were responsible for remarkable cover art for bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, T Rex, 10cc, Styx, Electric Light Orchestra among many others. Their cover art for Dark Side of the Moon is iconic. Hipgnosis …
With one of my favourite album covers, Axe Victim is Be Bop Deluxe’s first album, released in June, 1974. The cover art was done by John Holmes, who did many illustrations for H.P. Lovecraft paperback novels. This came out as the glam rock era had hit its peak and was …
Album cover art was one of the key decision criteria for me in selecting an album to purchase if I was not familiar with an artist or band. There were many great album cover artists out there and the 60’s & 70’s was a great time for album art. Unfortunately, …
I heard that sea shanties had gone viral on TikTok. Let’s throw a spaniard in the works (nod to Mr. Lennon) and get a very different spin on sea shanties going: here’s High Tide’s first album, Sea Shanties, from 1969. This album is loud, real loud, and certainly won’t be …
