Album: Let Me Do One More Artist: Illuminati Hotties Release Date: October 1, 2021 Label: Snack Shack Tracks Favorite Tracks:
“Pool Hopping”
“MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA”
“Threatening Each Other Re: Capitalism”
“Growth”
Thoughts: I’ve been following illuminati hotties since the group’s first album in 2017 and enjoy the infectious punk rave-up sound with touches of bubblegum. Sarah Tudzin, who leads the project, calls it “tenderpunk.” The music may make you overlook the intelligent lyrics that focus on both the personal and the political, so listen carefully. Rating: ***1/2
In September 2020, Rolling Stone magazine released their most recent list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, which includes a greater variety of artists and genres than previous lists. Looking through the list, there were many albums I’d never listened to before and a few I’d never even heard of. In fact, counting it up, I found that I’d only listened to 140 of the albums, although I’d heard songs from many more. So I’ve decided my project for 2021 is to listen to 10 albums each week and write up some thoughts about each one.
Artist: Joni Mitchell Album: Court and Spark Year: 1974 Label: Asylum Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: No Would I Listen to this Album Again?: No Favorite Tracks:
“Raised on Robbery”
Thoughts: I just realized that this is the fourth of five Joni Mitchell albums on the RS 500 list. And yet I have nothing to say about it. Mitchell’s music has a soporific effect on me. I kind of feel like I’m missing out on something that everyone else gets.
Artist: Lou Reed Album: Transformer Year: 1972 Label: RCA Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Vicious”
“Perfect Day”
“Walk on the Wild Side”
“Satellite of Love”
“Goodnight Ladies”
Thoughts: I’m kind of surprised that so many of the songs that Lou Reed is known for are all from the same album. But it makes it a great album. David Bowie and Mark Ronson participate for that extra glam touch.
Artist: Fiona Apple Album: When the Pawn… Year: 1999 Label: Epic Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“To Your Love”
“Paper Bag”
“Fast As You Can”
“The Way Things Are”
Thoughts: Another great album from Fiona Apple – the tiny person with a great big voice – that I was totally unaware of at the time.
Artist: Television Album: Marquee Moon Year: 1977 Label: Elektra Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Venus”
“Marquee Moon”
“Guiding Light”
Thoughts: Television, pioneers of New York City punk rock, have a glam sheen on their debut album. Television proved the grand extent of possibility within New York punk by being the antithesis of The Ramones.
Artist: Hole Album: Live Through This Year: 1994 Label: Geffen Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Violet”
“She Walks On Me”
Thoughts: Hole is a band I was aware of but didn’t pay much attention to back in the 90s. I think part of that was due to the widespread belief that Courtney Love was profiting off the recent suicide of her husband Kurt Cobain, which in retrospect was really unfair to Love. It turns out that “Violet” is the only song I recognize – and I hadn’t even known it was a Hole song – whereas the song I thought I knew by Hole is apparently not on this album (and I can’t remember what it’s called!).
Artist: The Allman Brothers Album: At Fillmore East Year: 1971 Label: Capricorn Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: I’d probably find some other Blues/jam album first Favorite Tracks:
“Statesboro Blues”
“Stormy Monday”
Thoughts: Since “Southern Rock” is not my thing, I wasn’t looking forward to this album. First, of all The Allman Brothers were clearly a talented live act. Second, most of the tracks are extended jams on Blues standards which makes it hard to go wrong. The album does include Allman Brothers’ originals like “Whipping Post,” which is a tired classic rock staple, but overall it’s not a bad album. I haven’t been keeping track, but there don’t seem to be too many live albums in the RS 500 list, which is a shame, because there are a lot of good ones out there.
Artist: Rolling Stones Album: Sticky Fingers Year: 1971 Label: Rolling Stones Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Brown Sugar”
“Sway”
“Wild Horses”
“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”
“You Gotta Move”
“I Got the Blues”
“Dead Flowers”
“Moonlight Mile”
Thoughts: The opening track and #1 single is best enjoyed if you don’t listen to the lyrics too closely (which I think most people have done over time). But the rest of the album brings about much less conflicted enjoyment with some great Blues rock (“Sway,” “You Gotta Move”), Mick Jagger’s most soulful vocals (“I Got the Blues”), country rock (“Wild Horses,” “Dead Flowers”), Latin jazz fusion (“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”), and the most thrilling to song to listen to while walking a long a moonlit beach when you’re a 15-year-old camping with your family on Assateague Island and can’t fall asleep (“Moonlight Mile”).
Artist: De La Soul Album: 3 Feet High and Rising Year: 1989 Label: Tommy Boy Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“The Magic Number”
“Jennifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)”
“Eye Know”
“Tread Water”
“Potholes in My Lawn”
“Say No Go”
“Me Myself and I”
“Plug Tunin'”
Thoughts: I can never be certain what album I listened to most often to in my life but 3 Feet High and Rising is a strong contender. I’ve really exposed my lack of knowledge of 90s and 00s hip-hop as I’ve worked through this list, but I guess I never got over that De La Soul had less of a lasting influence than gangsta rap.
Artist: The Clash Album: The Clash Year: 1977 Label: CBS Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Remote Control”
“I’m So Bored With the U.S.A”
“White Riot”
“Career Opportunities”
“Police & Thieves”
Thoughts: The Only Band That Matters roars into existence with their debut album. The Clash is full of raw punk rock and meaningful lyrics that still resonate decades later.
Artist: Led Zeppelin Album: Led Zeppelin Year: 1969 Label: Atlantic Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Good Times, Bad Times”
“You Shook Me”
“Dazed and Confused”
Thoughts: Another stunning debut for a genre-defining band, Led Zeppelin captures Led Zep as a pure Blues Rock act. The guitar and drum solos display virtuosic talent and there isn’t a shred of the mystical folk rock and prog rock that Led Zeppelin would incorporate into their sound in later years.
HOLY COW! We enter the Top 100 next week!
Running List of Albums I’d Listen to Again
500. Arcade Fire, Funeral
498. Suicide, Suicide
497. Various Artists, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto
494. The Ronettes, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
489. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector from Phil Spector and Various Artists, Back to Mono (1958-1969)
487. Black Flag, Damaged
485. Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
483. Muddy Waters, The Anthology
482. The Pharcyde, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
481. Belle and Sebastian, If You’re Feeling Sinister
478. The Kinks, Something Else by the Kinks
477. Howlin’ Wolf, Moanin’ in the Moonlight
469.Manu Chao, Clandestino
465. King Sunny Adé, The Best of the Classic Years
464. The Isley Brothers, 3 + 3
462. The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin
459. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day
457. Sinéad O’Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
456. Al Green, Greatest Hits
455. Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley
453. Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine
452. Diana Ross and the Supremes, Anthology
451. Roberta Flack, First Take
448. Otis Redding, Dictionary of Soul
446. Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidanada
444. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
443. David Bowie, Scary Monsters
440. Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner’s Daughter
439. James Brown, Sex Machine
438. Blur, Parklife
437. Primal Scream, Screamadelica
435. Pet Shop Boys, Actually
433. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver
431. Los Lobos, How Will the Wolf Survive?
430. Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True
429. The Four Tops, Reach Out
428. Hüsker Dü, New Day Rising
427. Al Green, Call Me
426. Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams
425. Paul Simon, Paul Simon
424. Beck, Odelay
423. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
In September 2020, Rolling Stone magazine released their most recent list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, which includes a greater variety of artists and genres than previous lists. Looking through the list, there were many albums I’d never listened to before and a few I’d never even heard of. In fact, counting it up, I found that I’d only listened to 140 of the albums, although I’d heard songs from many more. So I’ve decided my project for 2021 is to listen to 10 albums each week and write up some thoughts about each one.
Artist: Van Morrison Album: Moondance Year: 1970 Label: Warner Bros. Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“And It Stoned Me”
“Moondance”
“Crazy Love”
“Into the Mystic”
“Brand New Day”
“Glad Tidings”
Thoughts: I learned from the book Astral Weeks that Van Morrison is a cantankerous asshole. In recent years he’s even revealed himself as a political reactionary with his angry tirades against government action to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But somehow, this perpetually angry and self-centered individual expresses himself in some of the most poetic pop music ever created. Moondance contains a lot of terrific songs and remains my favorite Van Morrison album.
Artist: Sly and the Family Stone Album: Stand! Year: 1969 Label: Epic Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Stand!”
“I Want to Take You Higher”
“Sing a Simple Song”
“Everyday People”
Thoughts: I’m glad the RS 500 gave three slots to Sly and the Family Stone as musically and socially they are one of the most important bands of the Rock era, and aren’t always given their due. I feel like I’ve coincidentally been hearing the music of Sly of the Family Stone, in movies like Summer of Soul and elsewhere, and the more I learn about the band, the more impressed I get.
Artist: Eagles Album: Hotel California Year: 1976 Label: Asylum Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: No Favorite Tracks:
“Try and Love Again”
“The Last Resort
Thoughts: I haven’t always been “the guy who hates the Eagles.” In my high school classic rock phase, I owned and enjoyed Hotel California. I listened to it this time hoping there was a forgotten song or two that I would still enjoy all these years later. It turns out that “Try and Love Again” – a love song and Randy Meisner’s only track on the album – and “The Last Resort” – a preachy but accurate story of human development destroying beautiful wild places – fit the bill.
Artist: Kanye West Album: Late Registration Year: 2005 Label: Roc-A-Fella Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Not really Would I Listen to this Album Again?: No Favorite Tracks:
“Gold Digger”
“Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)”
Thoughts: The RS 500 is touring me through the Kanye West discography. This is the 4th of 6 West albums on the list, and I think I like it best so far. Kanye sounds more like an ordinary rapper singing over cleverly-produced samples instead of the down-tempo R&B mumbling of his later work. It’s still not going to convert me to being a Kanye West fan.
Artist: The Cure Album: Disintegration Year: 1989 Label: Fiction Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Plainsong”
“Pictures of You”
“Lovesong”
“Lullaby”
“Prayers for Rain”
Thoughts: My mother had children at a fairly young age and so my sister and I grew up with a mother who enjoyed listening to all the same music we did. Then sometime around 1989, my mom saw a picture of Robert Smith and said “That man needs a cure!” Finally we had some music that we could be rebellious with! In the years before the Grunge explosion, The Cure were one of the powerhouses of the left-of-the-dial alternative music scene. While I never went so far as to get a Cure album, I was pleasantly surprised with how many songs on Disintegration I was familiar with and liked.
Artist: Kendrick Lamar Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city Year: 2012 Label: TDE Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: No Would I Listen to this Album Again?: No Favorite Tracks:
“Poetic Justice”
“good kid”
Thoughts: This is the second of three Kendrick Lamar albums on this list. Since Lamar has only released 4 albums he has a better percentage than Kanye West or really any currently active artists on the list. Unfortunately, I don’t like this album very much.
Artist: The Strokes Album: Is This It? Year: 2001 Label: RCA Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“The Modern Age”
“Someday”
“Last Nite”
“Hard to Explain”
“Take It or Leave It”
Thoughts: Punk finally broke in 1991, and Post-Punk/New Wave broke again in 2001 with bands like The Strokes, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs leading the way. Honestly, I wasn’t really aware of Is This It? when it first came out but after hearing “Last Nite” for the umpteenth time in early 2002, I cottoned on to the fact that this song actually wasn’t from the early 1980s. While not breaking any new ground musically, this was a fun time for rock music and Is This It? remains a great album.
Artist: The Smiths Album: The Queen Is Dead Year: 1986 Label: Sire Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Frankly, Mr. Shankly”
“Cemetery Gates”
“Bigmouth Strikes Again”
“There is a Light That Never Goes Out”
Thoughts: I like how these groupings of ten within the list of the RS 500 provide so many parallels. Like The Cure, the music of The Smith was a bedrock of moody, black-clad teens in the 1980s. Like Van Morrison, The Smiths’ lead vocalist Morrisey is known for his self-centered attitude and reactionary politics as much as his introspective and poetic song lyrics. Being in a band with the likes of guitarist Johnny Marr helped reign in some of Morrisey’s worst musical excesses and lead to one of the great albums of the decade.
Artist: Elton John Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Year: 1973 Label: MCA Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Bennie and the Jets”
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
Thoughts: Elton John at the peak of his Imperial Period dropped a double album that contained some of his hard-rocking tracks as well as ballads, glam rock, soul, reggae, Beatles-esque harmonies and songs that could be show tunes. Because everything Elton John touched turned to gold, it was of course a big hit! Gotta admit that the title track remains one of my favorite tunes.
Artist: Janet Jackson Album: Control Year: 1986 Label: A&M Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Nasty”
“What Have You Done For Me Lately?”
“When I Think of You”
Thoughts:
This album is a statement of independence from Janet Jackson, who is escaping being under the thumb of her father’s management and the shadow of her more successful older brothers. Not only does Janet (or Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty) take control of her life and career but she innovates a new style of dance pop for the mid-80s.
Running List of Albums I’d Listen to Again
500. Arcade Fire, Funeral
498. Suicide, Suicide
497. Various Artists, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto
494. The Ronettes, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
489. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector from Phil Spector and Various Artists, Back to Mono (1958-1969)
487. Black Flag, Damaged
485. Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
483. Muddy Waters, The Anthology
482. The Pharcyde, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
481. Belle and Sebastian, If You’re Feeling Sinister
478. The Kinks, Something Else by the Kinks
477. Howlin’ Wolf, Moanin’ in the Moonlight
469.Manu Chao, Clandestino
465. King Sunny Adé, The Best of the Classic Years
464. The Isley Brothers, 3 + 3
462. The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin
459. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day
457. Sinéad O’Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
456. Al Green, Greatest Hits
455. Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley
453. Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine
452. Diana Ross and the Supremes, Anthology
451. Roberta Flack, First Take
448. Otis Redding, Dictionary of Soul
446. Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidanada
444. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
443. David Bowie, Scary Monsters
440. Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner’s Daughter
439. James Brown, Sex Machine
438. Blur, Parklife
437. Primal Scream, Screamadelica
435. Pet Shop Boys, Actually
433. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver
431. Los Lobos, How Will the Wolf Survive?
430. Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True
429. The Four Tops, Reach Out
428. Hüsker Dü, New Day Rising
427. Al Green, Call Me
426. Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams
425. Paul Simon, Paul Simon
424. Beck, Odelay
423. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
In September 2020, Rolling Stone magazine released their most recent list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, which includes a greater variety of artists and genres than previous lists. Looking through the list, there were many albums I’d never listened to before and a few I’d never even heard of. In fact, counting it up, I found that I’d only listened to 140 of the albums, although I’d heard songs from many more. So I’ve decided my project for 2021 is to listen to 10 albums each week and write up some thoughts about each one.
Artist: Prince Album: 1999 Year: 1982 Label: Warner Bros. Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?:Yes Favorite Tracks:
“1999”
“Little Red Corvette”
“Delirious”
“D.M.S.R.”
“Lady Cab Driver”
Thoughts: We’re clearly getting into brilliant album territory here. Prince and the Revolution exploded onto the scene with this album in 1982. I still remember hearing Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” for the first time on Casey Kasem’s “America’s Top 40.” Prince was probably too raunchy for me, and while three singles got a lot of airplay the rest of this album was and probably is to sexy for radio. It remains an amazing collection by an artist at the top of his game.
Artist: Pink Floyd Album: The Wall Year: 1979 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: No Favorite Tracks:
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part II”
“Comfortably Numb”
Thoughts: I flinched when I saw that this album contains 26 tracks, meaning approximately 96 hours of prog rock. Do I really need to listen to every minute of every album on this list? But, in the end, I did. It’s always fun to sing along with a chorus of disaffected English school children on “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II,” one of the strangest songs ever to reach Number One in the US. Actually, a lot of this album sounds familiar. Klassik Rawk radio sure loves Pink Floyd, so I heard a lot of these tracks as background music at some point in my life.
Artist: Queen Album: A Night at the Opera Year: 1975 Label: Elektra Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Maybe? Favorite Tracks:
“You’re My Best Friend”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
Thoughts: We’ve apparently reached the over-top-dramatic prog rock of the 1970s portion of the list. I’ve never been too keen on Queen although I’ve softened over time. And I’ve got to give the band credit for liking Marx Brothers movies. I’ve got to admit that there’s quite a bit of eclecticism that I never was previously aware of from Queen, including music musical all (“Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon” and “Seaside Rendezvous”), proto-yacht rock (“You’re My Best Friend”), folk rock (“’39”), and Dixieland jazz (“Good Company”). Plus, whatever “Bohemian Rhapsody” is. I guess this whole project is softening my long-held musical opinions!
Artist: Ray Charles Album: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Year: 1962 Label: ABC-Paramount Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“You Don’t Know Me”
“Just a Little Lovin’ (Will Go a Long Way)”
“Careless Love”
“I Can’t Stop Loving You”
“Hey, Good Lookin'”
Thoughts: There have always been Black artists in Country & Western music, and later soul and hip hop artists like Lionel Richie and Lil Nas X have made Country their own. But it was still a bold proclamation by Ray Charles in the midst of the Civil Rights Era to declare he was making the “modern sound” of country and western music. Charles takes a number of Nashville tunes and with a big band orchestra and lush strings, makes them soulful and swing!
Artist: Mary J. Blige Album: My Life Year: 1994 Label: Uptown Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: No Would I Listen to this Album Again?: No Favorite Tracks:
“You Bring Me Joy”
“I’m Going Down”
Thoughts: This is a quality R&B album with thoughtful, introspective lyrics. I feel bad that I appreciate it more than I love it.
Artist: Beastie Boys Album: Paul’s Boutique Year: 1989 Label: Capitol Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Shake Your Rump”
“The Sounds of Science”
“What Comes Around”
“Shadrach”
Thoughts: I’ve gravely underappreciated the Beastie Boys over time. After their bratty debut album, I had no interest in hearing Paul’s Boutique. It’s too bad because I’ve always liked the art of sampling when sound collages are created and the original source is barely recognizable if at all. I loved De La Soul’s masterpiece 3 Feet High and Rising (also released in 1989) and would go on to love the work of The Avalanches, The Go! Team and similar artists. Now, I know that Paul’s Boutique is another classic of sampling.
Artist: U2 Album: Achtung Baby Year: 1991 Label: Island Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
Not a bad song on this album.
Thoughts: Over the 70s & 80s there was a parallels stream of popular music known as punk, new wave, post-punk, synthpop, college rock, modern rock, alternative rock, and various other appellations. U2 was certainly part of this stream before hitting it big with The Joshua Tree in 1987. Then 1991 came, “the year that punk broke.” R.E.M. kicked the year off with Out of Time becoming a big success, albeit with the band adopting a more commercial radio sound. Then Nirvana’s Nevermind blew up while being unapologetically “grunge.” Before the year was out, U2 released Achtung Baby, which would have probably been a hit regardless, but it sounded nothing like anything U2 had released before. The band entirely reinvented their image and sound incorporating industrial and electronic music influences. I was middle-of-the-road on U2 prior to 1991, but I loved Achtung Baby and it continues to hold up as the band’s best album.
Artist: Led Zeppelin Album: Led Zeppelin II Year: 1969 Label: Atlantic Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Whole Lotta Love”
“Heartbreaker”
“Ramble On”
“Moby Dick”
Thoughts: Early Led Zeppelin was deeply invested in the traditions of American guitar-based Blues artists before the band began to evolve to incorporate folk music, mysticism, and art rock in their later incarnations. Appropriately this album includes three covers of songs by Chicago Blues songs by Willie Dixon and Howlin’ Wolf. The songs serve as a showcase of the band member’s skills on guitars, drums, and screeching vocals.
Artist: Nine Inch Nails Album: The Downward Spiral Year: 1994 Label: Nothing/Interscope Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“March of the Pigs”
“Closer”
“Hurt”
Thoughts: A friend and I once wrote a poem that began with the line “I want to fuck you like a plant.” It was pretty funny.
This video, however, is quite disturbing.
Artist: Elvis Costello Album: This Year’s Model Year: 1978 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Pump It Up”
“(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea”
“Radio, Radio”
Thoughts: There are some good tracks on this one but I like My Aim is True more as an album. “(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea” is a total banger, though.
Running List of Albums I’d Listen to Again
500. Arcade Fire, Funeral
498. Suicide, Suicide
497. Various Artists, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto
494. The Ronettes, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
489. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector from Phil Spector and Various Artists, Back to Mono (1958-1969)
487. Black Flag, Damaged
485. Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
483. Muddy Waters, The Anthology
482. The Pharcyde, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
481. Belle and Sebastian, If You’re Feeling Sinister
478. The Kinks, Something Else by the Kinks
477. Howlin’ Wolf, Moanin’ in the Moonlight
469.Manu Chao, Clandestino
465. King Sunny Adé, The Best of the Classic Years
464. The Isley Brothers, 3 + 3
462. The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin
459. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day
457. Sinéad O’Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
456. Al Green, Greatest Hits
455. Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley
453. Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine
452. Diana Ross and the Supremes, Anthology
451. Roberta Flack, First Take
448. Otis Redding, Dictionary of Soul
446. Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidanada
444. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
443. David Bowie, Scary Monsters
440. Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner’s Daughter
439. James Brown, Sex Machine
438. Blur, Parklife
437. Primal Scream, Screamadelica
435. Pet Shop Boys, Actually
433. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver
431. Los Lobos, How Will the Wolf Survive?
430. Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True
429. The Four Tops, Reach Out
428. Hüsker Dü, New Day Rising
427. Al Green, Call Me
426. Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams
425. Paul Simon, Paul Simon
424. Beck, Odelay
423. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
Album: Twin Plagues Artist: Wednesday Release Date: August 13, 2021 Label: Orindal Records Favorite Tracks:
“They Burned Down Dairy Queen”
“How Can You Live If You Can’t Love How Can You If You Do”
“Gary’s”
“Ghost of a Dog”
Thoughts” The Asheville, North Carolina quintet has a 90s sound without feeling retro. Vocalist Karly Hartzman sings introspective lyrics with a bit of a twang over crunching guitars. It’s kind of like The Nields crossed with My Bloody Valentine. All the tracks are lo-tempo, but there’s enough variation in the music and emotion in the vocals that it never gets tedious. Rating: ***
A year ago, Rolling Stone magazine released their most recent list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, which includes a greater variety of artists and genres than previous lists. Looking through the list, there were many albums I’d never listened to before and a few I’d never even heard of. In fact, counting it up, I found that I’d only listened to 140 of the albums, although I’d heard songs from many more. So I’ve decided my project for 2021 is to listen to 10 albums each week and write up some thoughts about each one.
Artist: Bob Marley and The Wailers Album: Catch A Fire Year: 1973 Label: Island Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Concrete Jungle”
“Stop That Train”
“Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock It Baby)”
“Stir It Up”
“No More Trouble”
Thoughts: Kind of amazing when you have an album that has banger after banger and realize that it’s not a compilation album. In fact, Catch a Fire is just the first of a stretch of albums where Bob Marley and Co. will churn out great song after great song.
Artist: Black Sabbath Album: Paranoid Year: 1970 Label: Vertigo Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“War Pigs/Luke’s Fire”
“Paranoid”
“Iron Man”
Thoughts: I grew up in the 80s when Heavy Metal was a dominant force in music and one that was considered rebellious, dangerous, and scary. Then in the 90s it got reclassified as “hair band music” and played on VH-1 which previously had only played light rock. Listening to this album I tried to put my mind in 1970 and imagine what hearing this type of music would’ve sounded like to people at the time. Probably dangerous and scary, but also evocative of the Vietnam War Era malaise. Musically it sounds more like contemporaries Led Zeppelin than 80s Heavy Metal, but the seeds are there.
Artist: Madonna Album: The Immaculate Collection Year: 1990 Label: Sire Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Holiday”
“Borderline”
“Into the Groove”
“Live to Tell”
“Like A Prayer”
“Express Yourself”
“Vogue”
Thoughts: I’ve grumbled about Rolling Stone including compilation albums in this list but it seems especially egregious for a groundbreaking female artist who dominated pop music over three decades. Madonna charted 9 number one albums, and her debut album was the only one not to make it to Top 5 (it was #8), so you think that there would be plentiful albums to choose from. Anyhow this album collects all the 80s hits that made Madonna a star, if that’s your thing.
Artist: Adele Album: 21 Year: 2011 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?:Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Rolling in the Deep”
“Rumor Has It”
“Set Fire to the Rain”
“I’ll Be Waiting”
“Someone Like You”
Thoughts: I remember first hearing “Rolling in the Deep” and being wowed by the powerful voice channeling Aretha Franklin coming out a young English woman. Soon enough, Adele was everywhere and her songs were filling the airwaves (which was a good thing). The album is called 21, but Adele seems to sing from experience beyond her years. Honestly, it’s hard to believe that this album is 10 years old already.
Artist: Funkadelic Album: Maggot Brain Year: 1971 Label: Westbound Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Maggot Brain”
“Can You Get to That”
“Super Stupid”
Thoughts: This is a brilliant, amazing album and it’s shameful that I never heard it until 5 years ago, nor does it have more widespread exposure. It feels like a whole lot of music made it the past 50 years owes its origins to the music on this album. Previously discussed in my P-Funk Music Discovery.
Artist: U2 Album: The Joshua Tree Year: 1987 Label: Island Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Where the Streets Have No Name”
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
“With or Without You”
“Red Hill Mining Town”
“One Tree Hill”
Thoughts: I was never a U2 superfan but I’ve usually liked their music well enough. U2 began to become known in the U.S. in the mid-80s, and among the Irish-American community there was a special pride and curiosity about a rock band from Dublin. My Dad, of course, disliked his copy of War someone gave him because it sounding nothing like Irish trad. The Joshua Tree launched U2 into the level of super-stardom in the U.S. I remember that the album and “With or Without You” were released in March 1987, and thus a lot of the promotion was tied to St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, U2 drew their influence for this album from a mythical America so it’s not St. Patrick’s Day content, at least by the standards of someone like my Dad.
Artist: The Fugees Album: The Score Year: 1996 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“How Many Mics”
“Fu-Gee-La”
“Cowboyrs”
Thoughts: Memory is a weird thing. I was certain that I remembered The Fugees cover of “Killing Me Softly” coming out when I was in college. In reality, it came out 5 years after I graduated college. At any rate, as you can imagine, I’ve not paid much attention to The Fugees before now. For one thing, I never knew that the members of the band are Haitian-American. As for the tunes, they are melodic with a smooth flow, clever samples, and great beats. I think I like it!
Artist: Joni Mitchell Album: Hejira Year: 1976 Label: Asylum Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: No Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks: none
Thoughts: I’m just gonna put it out there: I don’t get Joni Mitchell.
Artist: Hank Williams Album: 40 Greatest Hits Year: 1978 Label: Polydor Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Lost Highway”
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”
“I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love With You)”
“Crazy Heart”
“(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle”
“I’m Sorry For You My Friend”
“Your Cheatin’ Heart”
“I Won’t Be Home No More”
“I Saw the Light”
Thoughts: When I hear the name “Hank Williams,” I think of the “Are You Ready For Some Football” guy. But that’s Hank Williams, Jr. who was a very young child when his father died. When I comes to country music, I favor old-timey sounds to more contemporary country which is fused with rock or pop balladry. Hank Williams, Sr.’ s music sounds like it should be coming out of a crackly radio in an old car or diner (as it did in The Last Picture Show).
Artist: Portishead Album: Dummy Year: 1994 Label: Go! Beat Have I Listened to This Album Before?:Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Sour Times”
“Strangers”
“Numb”
“Wandering Star”
“Glory Box”
Thoughts: Probably a perfect album. Portishead combines a lot of things that were going on at the time in the 90s – hip-hop rhythms, creative samples, and ambience galore. The music could be described as “chill-out” if only the tension were not constantly be ratcheting up. The alluring vocals of Beth Gibbons carry the songs into an effervescent place.
Running List of Albums I’d Listen to Again
500. Arcade Fire, Funeral
498. Suicide, Suicide
497. Various Artists, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto
494. The Ronettes, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
489. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector from Phil Spector and Various Artists, Back to Mono (1958-1969)
487. Black Flag, Damaged
485. Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
483. Muddy Waters, The Anthology
482. The Pharcyde, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
481. Belle and Sebastian, If You’re Feeling Sinister
478. The Kinks, Something Else by the Kinks
477. Howlin’ Wolf, Moanin’ in the Moonlight
469.Manu Chao, Clandestino
465. King Sunny Adé, The Best of the Classic Years
464. The Isley Brothers, 3 + 3
462. The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin
459. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day
457. Sinéad O’Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
456. Al Green, Greatest Hits
455. Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley
453. Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine
452. Diana Ross and the Supremes, Anthology
451. Roberta Flack, First Take
448. Otis Redding, Dictionary of Soul
446. Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidanada
444. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
443. David Bowie, Scary Monsters
440. Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner’s Daughter
439. James Brown, Sex Machine
438. Blur, Parklife
437. Primal Scream, Screamadelica
435. Pet Shop Boys, Actually
433. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver
431. Los Lobos, How Will the Wolf Survive?
430. Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True
429. The Four Tops, Reach Out
428. Hüsker Dü, New Day Rising
427. Al Green, Call Me
426. Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams
425. Paul Simon, Paul Simon
424. Beck, Odelay
423. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
Album: Structure Artist: Water From Your Eyes Release Date: August 27, 2021 Label: Wharf Cat Records Favorite Tracks:
“When You’re Around”
“Track Five”
“”Quotations””
Thoughts: This album from the Brooklyn electro-pop duo Water From Your Eyes documents a break-up. Specifically the end of the romantic relationship between band members Rachel Brown and Nate Amos, although they remain together as a band and as friends. There’s a lot of variety to hear: Beatles-esque harmonies, shoegaze guitar, ghostly vocals, relentless industrial noise… It changes from track to track and sometimes within the song. But there is, er, structure here as the album is broken into two sets of four songs symmetrical to the other four. Rating: ***1/2
A year ago, Rolling Stone magazine released their most recent list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, which includes a greater variety of artists and genres than previous lists. Looking through the list, there were many albums I’d never listened to before and a few I’d never even heard of. In fact, counting it up, I found that I’d only listened to 140 of the albums, although I’d heard songs from many more. So I’ve decided my project for 2021 is to listen to 10 albums each week and write up some thoughts about each one.
Artist: Bruce Springsteen Album: Nebraska Year: 1982 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Atlantic City”
“Highway Patrolman”
“State Trooper”
“Reason to Believe”
Thoughts: It’s hard to believe that Nebraska and Born in the USA were basically created at the same time. Whereas the latter album is full of anthemic rock and roll tracks with a full band and even some synths, Nebraska is stripped down and acoustic. It sounds like music from the heartland, perhaps some lost Dust Bowl ballads, even when Springsteen is singing about New Jersey.
Artist: John Prine Album: John Prine Year: 1971 Label: Atlantic Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Hello in There”
“Sam Stone”
“Paradise”
“Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore”
“Angel from Montgomery”
Thoughts: Speaking of heartland music, John Prine of Chicago sings with a nasal twang in the styles of Nashville country and Appalachian folk. The songs sound timeless but touch on contemporary issues with both wry humor and heartbreak. I didn’t know much about John Prine until last year after his death from COVID-19, I listened to a number of his most highly-regarded songs. I’m glad to take this opportunity to discover more of his music.
Artist: Frank Ocean Album: Channel Orange Year: 2012 Label: Def Jam Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: No Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Maybe Favorite Tracks:
“Super Rich Kids”
“Pyramids”
Thoughts: Typically I’m not a fan of contemporary R&B or neo-soul or however you want to classify this music. But I found myself liking Frank Ocean more than expected. He has a great voice and does some interesting, weird things with his music. Lyrically, the songs tell stories about people I’m familiar with, although don’t necessarily like. I may just have to give this one another listen.
Artist: Jeff Buckley Album: Grace Year: 1994 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
“Hallelujah”
Thoughts: Two things about Jeff Buckley: 1. I always conflate him with Jeff Healey who sang “Angel Eyes.” 2. I hold him responsible for the vast overexposure of the song “Hallelujah.” Granted, I like the song, but I prefer the Leonard Cohen version to the many imitators. Sadly, Buckley died shortly after making this album and was never able to build on his success.
Artist: Blondie Album: Parallel Lines Year: 1978 Label: Chrysalis Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Hanging on the Telephone”
“One Way Or Another”
“Pretty Baby”
“Sunday Girl”
“Heart of Glass”
Thoughts: I kind of forgot how much I heard Blondie on the radio as a small child. “Heart of Glass” is a perennial classic, but it felt good to be reunited with several other songs of my youth. Blondie really just were the coolest people around and this album exudes cool.
Artist: Eminem Album: The Marshall Mathers LP Year: 2000 Label: Interscope Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Favorite Tracks:
None
Thoughts: I hate this album. But Slim Shady doesn’t give a fuck what I think. So there.
Artist: Led Zeppelin Album: Physical Graffiti Year: 1975 Label: Swan Song Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“In My Time of Dying”
“Houses of the Holy”
“Kashmir”
“Down By the Seaside”
“Boogie with Stu”
“Black Country Woman”
Thoughts: Although I haven’t listened to it in a long, long time, this remains my favorite Led Zeppelin album. The two discs have a lot of great blues rock tracks as well as some tunes that draw on English folk music. It holds up pretty well.
Artist: The Velvet Underground Album: The Velvet Underground Year: 1969 Label: MGM Have I Listened to This Album Before?: No Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“What Goes On”
“Pale Blue Eyes”
“Beginning To See The Light”
“The Murder Mystery”
“After Hours”
Thoughts: After all these years I’m still kind of surprised that The Velvet Underground can do melodic ballads. There’s a lot of great music on this album that sounds different from the great music on their other albums. There’s also “The Murder Mystery” an esoteric track with different songs being sung and poems recited simultaneously in a harmonic way. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of anything like that before! I kind of wish Moe Tucker sang lead on more songs.
Artist: Bruce Springsteen Album: Born in the USA Year: 1984 Label: Columbia Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
“Born in the U.S.A”
“No Surrender”
“Glory Days”
“Dancing in the Dark”
“My Hometown”
Thoughts: This was my introduction to Bruce Springsteen as a child. My family had the tape but it also spawned 7 singles over a two year period, so it was inescapable. I remember being surprised I’d never heard of him before since everyone was calling him “The Boss,” but I guess I didn’t listen to album-oriented FM radio in my early days. Later, I learned that “Hungry Heart” was a Springsteen song, so I wasn’t entirely ignorant. Anyhow, I’m kind of amazed that this pure rock album with songs about everyday blue-collar Americans was such a big hit in the 80s, because the music and politics of the time were very different.
Artist: Pixies Album: Doolittle Year: 1989 Label: 4AD/Elektra Have I Listened to This Album Before?: Yes Am I Familiar With This Artist/Songs from This Album?: Yes Would I Listen to this Album Again?: Yes Favorite Tracks:
I started marking songs as my favorites and then realized that I just love all of them.
Thoughts: My older sister introduced me to a lot of good music over the years, and one album I got from her was Doolittle. In fact, she didn’t like it, so she let me keep it. I listened to it to death in my college years and beyond. It remains one of my favorite albums of all time.
Running List of Albums I’d Listen to Again
500. Arcade Fire, Funeral
498. Suicide, Suicide
497. Various Artists, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto
494. The Ronettes, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes
489. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector from Phil Spector and Various Artists, Back to Mono (1958-1969)
487. Black Flag, Damaged
485. Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
483. Muddy Waters, The Anthology
482. The Pharcyde, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
481. Belle and Sebastian, If You’re Feeling Sinister
478. The Kinks, Something Else by the Kinks
477. Howlin’ Wolf, Moanin’ in the Moonlight
469.Manu Chao, Clandestino
465. King Sunny Adé, The Best of the Classic Years
464. The Isley Brothers, 3 + 3
462. The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin
459. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day
457. Sinéad O’Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got
456. Al Green, Greatest Hits
455. Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley
453. Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine
452. Diana Ross and the Supremes, Anthology
451. Roberta Flack, First Take
448. Otis Redding, Dictionary of Soul
446. Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidanada
444. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
443. David Bowie, Scary Monsters
440. Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner’s Daughter
439. James Brown, Sex Machine
438. Blur, Parklife
437. Primal Scream, Screamadelica
435. Pet Shop Boys, Actually
433. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver
431. Los Lobos, How Will the Wolf Survive?
430. Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True
429. The Four Tops, Reach Out
428. Hüsker Dü, New Day Rising
427. Al Green, Call Me
426. Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams
425. Paul Simon, Paul Simon
424. Beck, Odelay
423. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
Title: Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Release Date: June 25, 2021 Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson Production Company:Onyx Collective | Concordia Studio | Play/Action Pictures | LarryBilly Productions | Mass Distraction Media | RadicalMedia | Vulcan Productions Summary/Review:
Summer of Soul is a documentary created from long-lost film footage of the Harlem Cultural Festival held in 1969 in Mount Morris Park (a few years before it was renamed Marcus Garvey Park). The festival was held over six Sundays in the summer of 1969 to celebrate Black music and culture at a time of rising crime, drug abuse, and urban riots. The Harlem Cultural Festival was supported by Mayor John Lindsay, one of the last liberal Republicans who had a lot of support for New York’s Black voters, and the concerts seem to fit into his vision documented in the book Fun City. However, the New York Police Department refused to participate in one of the concerts leading the Black Panther Party providing security.
While overlooked in American cultural history, the festival has become known as “the Black Woodstock” in comparison to the more famous weekend-long festival held in rural New York State the same summer. I’d argue that the Harlem Cultural Festival had a far better slate of musical talent than Woodstock, and most definitely the stage and sound conditions in Harlem allowed for the artists to provide better performances. The Harlem Cultural Festival can also be compared to the Wattstax (itself a riff on “Woodstock”) festival held in Los Angeles in August 1972 which is more well known partly due to the 1973 documentary film.
Questlove drew on 40 hours of concert footage, which was really impressively filmed, and also uses contemporary archival footage to complement the concert scenes. Issues of concern in the Harlem community, and by extension Black Americans at large are discussed in line with the musical performances include the ongoing Civil Rights struggle, the rise of the term “Black” to replace Negro and the growing Black Pride and Pan-African movements, as well as the Apollo 11 moon landing that occured on one of the Sundays and did not impress concertgoers who were interviewed.
The movie also features interviews with participants and spectators of the Harlem Cultural Festival reflecting on the artists and their performances. The 5th Dimension, a vocal group whose songs can be cheezy but nonetheless irresistible, talk about how their sound was derided in the Black community as sounding “too white.” But the group gets a warm reception from the throngs at the Harlem Cultural Festival and have never sounded better to my ears.
The Motown ideal of a group of men in tailored suits who perform with precision is challenged by Sly and the Family Stone. The band not only has women playing instruments but it also has a white man on the drums, and a rather leisurely approach to dress and performance times. Sly and the Family Stone appealed to the younger generation of Harlemites and were able to cross over to the counterculture. I think that they are the only act that also performed at Woodstock, and near the end of Summer of Soul is a performance of “Higher,” a song that’s also significant in the Woodstock documentary.
Each of the six Sundays had a different musical focus so there’s a great diversity of musical styles including gospel, blues, soul, jazz, Afro-fusion, and funk. Performers who appear in the film include Stevie Wonder, Max Roach, Mahalia Jackson, The Staple Singers, David Ruffin (just after going solo from The Temptations), Gladys Knight and the Pips, B.B. King, Hugh Masekela, Nina Simone, and Tony Lawrence (the singer and concert promoter who organized the festival). I like what Questlove has done in creating a document that provides the context and larger social issues related to the Harlem Cultural Festival. But I’d also love to see a straight-up concert movie featuring all of these great artists.
