Schoolly D - Adventures of Schoolly D [Rykodisc, 1987]: 7.5 (high B+)

Christgau seems to incorrectly list this as The Further Adventures of Schoolly-D (ie, adding “The Further”). This combines the self-titled debut and the original seven-track version of the follow-up Saturday Night? - The Album [Schoolly-D, 1986] (with “We Get Paid” appearing to be re-titled as “Get 'n' Paid” -- AI says these are different songs, but I’m not going to bother trying to verify that). I give the debut a 7.5 (high B+) and the follow-up perhaps a 7 (B+), maybe one notch higher. In any event, this is less than the sum of its parts -- while it's remastered and convenient, and nice-looking, it goes on for just too long. Not that way to hear this artist. Early CD-era move. Reminds me of that Mission of Burma release. #bestof

Mahotella Queens - Buya Buya: 8 (A-)

#import

Graham Parker - Struck by Lightning [RCA, 1991]: 7 (B+)

I have a long and complicated history with this release. It came out during the time that I was really discovering the true, vast depth of rock music. I liked the album, but some critics, who had opened me up to, and were helping me navigate, these overwhelming depths did not share my appreciation, and I let them sway me and sold it off. Now I will re-collect it, even though, at this grade, at this point in time, I might try to otherwise categorize it as #pubrock or something and skip it. Add to these considerations that, while I'm not a GP completist, I'm an outright fan, probably more so than with respect to any pub rocker I can think of.

I note that the vinyl issues of this in the UK were accompanied by a bonus 12-inch EP, which contains songs appearing on the CD that could not fit on the otherwise single-sided vinyl. There are also two extra tracks on the EP, one of which appears on the Passion Is No Ordinary Word compilation, about which I will post separately.

Lee "Scratch" Perry - Dub Fire: neutral

Not sure why this got **** in the new Rolling Stone album guide, but that’s why I played it three times.

Nurse With Wound - Soliloquy for Lilith: liked

Even if I wanted to up this a notch for mere historicity, which I don’t, it would be #experimental/drone. And even if I wanted to up it three notches, which I really don’t, it would be too expensive, although if the two-CD version were selling for anything approaching a reasonable price, I might be tempted to pick it up as a novelty/collector’s item. In fact, as it is, I have probably already upped it a notch for one thing or another. Try The Disintegration Loops instead.

Algiers - Shook: 7 (B+)

Algiers - The Underside of Power: 7.5 (high B+)

Ice Cube - Kill at Will [EP]: 8.5 (high A-)

Two Nice Girls - Like a Version [EP]: 7.5 (high B+)

Can't even find a decent cover image to purloin. I owned this once but think I sold it off. I kind of wish I hadn't, even though it's #indiepop, because it feels a little like a collector's item at this point. And it came out in the same year as Slay Tracks, although this one did get a CD release. Good year for EPs, as I remember.

Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues, Vol. II [Columbia, 1970]: X (X)

See post re: the original volume.

Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues [Columbia, 1961]: X (X)

What's a schlub like me going to say about something like this? I have it on pristine vinyl.

Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues [Columbia/Legacy, 1997]: X (X)

Not qualified to grade, but obviously essential. This is the single-disc, 16-track distillation. Beautiful, budget release. Never went for that famous but ridiculous 1990 box set that repeats songs after themselves. Who wants to hear things like that? Or "program" a CD? So stupid and useless. It won all kinds of awards though.

Willi Carlisle - Winged Victory: 7.5 (high B+)

#country/folk

Katie Alice Greer - "Fly" by the Dixie Chicks: liked

Might be a 7 (B+), but no physicals anyway. Very lo-fi. And yes, I'm an aging perv and I want her. She's pushing 40 now anyway.

The Dictators - Bloodbrothers: neutral

:-|

Various - There's a Dyke in the Pit [EP]: liked

Like a fly in the soup?

Bill Scorzari - Sidereal Days (Day 1): 7.5 (high B+)

Might be an 8 (A-), but #artisanal anyway. A few too many overlong songs. Should definitely have been edited down to 40 minutes -- with this kind of raspy, idiosyncratic delivery, and sometimes heavy subject matter, it just lasts too long.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours: liked

De-shelved

Laurie Anderson - The Ugly One with the Jewels and Other Stories: liked

Basically spoken word

Laurie Anderson - Homeland: liked

:-)

James Blood Ulmer - No Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions: 7 (B+)

w/Vernon Reid. #jazz/blues

Mott the Hoople - Backsliding Fearlessly: The Early Years [Rhino, 1994]: 8.5 (high A-)

Excellent collection of tracks from the pre-Columbia years (which started with All the Young Dudes in 1972). In other words, great tracks drawn mostly from their four initial studio albums for Island/Atlantic. Absolutely essential for any kind of fan of the band (other than fanatics who would have those four albums anyway). The period is mostly ignored on the Retrospective compilation.

Jeffrey Lewis & the Junkyard - 'Em Are I: 8.5 (high A-)

His best in my view. Makes me wish I had an 8.75. I could round up, but I reserve 9 (A) for albums that, at least for a time, I don't want to stop playing.

Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors: 8 (A-)

Dolly Parton - The Best of Dolly Parton [RCA Victor, 1970]: 9 (A)