The Grateful Dead - Dick's Picks Vol. 8: Harpur College, Binghamton, NY, May 2, 1970: liked

I'm breaking protocol and posting the cover anyway, because this show seems beloved by so many (and I also like the cover). But the acoustic set seems a little boring to me during three good listens, and the solos on the electric sets are the kind that look good on the outside but are empty on the inside. I think having Keith Godchaux in the mix brought out the best in Jerry Garcia, and I loved what Donna's vocals did for the band. She wasn't just a beautiful face, although I think sometimes people denigrate her that way.

Flipper - Sex Bomb Baby: 9 (A)

I kind of wish I had a copy with the original cover, but this will do.

Flipper - Album - Generic Flipper: 9.5 (high A)

Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart - 8 (A-)

I cannot understand why this album gets so much hate. They literally don't even bother to list it in the last Rolling Stone album guide. Huh? I stayed away from it for so many years because of this hate. Oh well, I guess I get to appreciate a new Lou Reed album in my old age now that he's gone, so it got saved for me for a late life surprise. I'm not done with it quite yet and may end up even raising it a notch. I love listening to it and getting locked into a stare-down with Lou. I'm sure everyone feels this way, and I'm sure it's completely untrue, but I like to think he and I would have gotten along, if I had every been cool enough to get close to him. I feel the same way about his brilliant final wife. What a couple.

The Grateful Dead - Dick's Picks Vol. 3: Pembroke Pines, Florida, May 22, 1977: 7.5 (high B+)

This doesn’t contain the entire show. I listened to the release at least three times and the entire show on Internet Archive once. They seem to have done a pretty good job of editing out the less-than-great songs from the show. # [live]

James Brown - Soul Classics/Soul Classics Volume II: notation

I'd like to get these because they look so cool, but they are too expensive.

The Beach Boys - Smiley Smile: 8 (A-)

I have this on a twofer with Wild Honey.

The Beach Boys - Wild Honey: 8 (A-)

I actually have this on a twofer with Smiley Smile, and I believe I also have it on vinyl (I'm too tired to go upstairs and confirm I still have it).

The Beach Boys - Endless Summer: 8.5 (high A-)

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds: 8 (A-)

James Blood Ulmer - Odyssey: 8 (A-)

Lady Gaga - Artpop: 8 (A-)

Warren Zevon - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology): 8 (A-)

Warren Zevon - Mr. Bad Example: liked

:-)

Jeffrey Lewis - The Even More Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis: 7.5 (high B+)

Apparently on CD, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

KC and the Sunshine Band: Part 3: 7.5 (high B+)

I'm in the market for this as part of the Original Album Series.

Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites [EP]: 7.5 (high B+)

I would get it anyway, given its influence, but the “EP” release is cluttered up with two remixes of one track and one remix of another at the end (which I dutifully listened to - they add nothing of substance, unless you’re into those kinds of things). # [electronic]

The Go-Betweens - Before Hollywood: 7 (B+)

Kronos Quartet/Laurie Anderson - Landfall: 7.5 (high B+)

More of a Kronos Quartet album, featuring Laurie Anderson, if you ask me. Six listens. # [string quartet music]

Prince Paul - Psychoanalysis (What Is It?): 7 (B+)

I'm certain I got this when it came out in 1996, all those 30 years ago, but I think I sold it off. In any event, I can't find it now. Anyway, this is less music than # [skits]. I'll keep it if I find it, otherwise....

Prince Paul - A Prince Among Thieves: 8 (A-)

Handsome Boy Modeling School - So... How's Your Girl?: 8 (A-)

Handsome Boy Modeling School - White People: 7 (B+)

Kaito [U.K.] - Montigola Underground [EP]: 7 (B+)

# [indie pop]

Sally Timms and the Drifting Cowgirls - The Butcher's Boy Extended Player [EP]: 7 (B+)

I've got this on my wantlist (it's essentially the Mekons) but doubt I will ever get a copy, given the prices it sells for.

The Fleshtones - Up-Front [EP]: liked

:-)

The Fleshtones - Living Legends Series: 7.5 (high B+)

# [best of]

James Brown - There It Is: notation

"Who Am I," "I Need Help," and "Never Can Say Goodbye" are the songs not on Star Time (at least in part, or in some version or other). I think this is the only place to hear “I Need Help,” which is decent, but certainly not worth buying the whole album. "Who Am I" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" are forgettable ballads.

Horace X - Sackbutt [aka Sackbutt Folk Spoil Sunday]: notation

Not streaming anywhere I could find, except for two or three songs. I listened to those and am not prepared to go out-of-pocket to hear the full album based on what I heard, but I would really like to give the full album some listens if I ever run across it.

Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller): 9 (A)

Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Doc at the Radar Station: 8.5 (high A-)

Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Ice Cream for Crow: 8 (A-)

Buddy Guy - The Very Best of Buddy Guy: 7.5 (high B+)

Apparently, I got this more than 25 years ago and must have sold it off, because I cannot find it. Presumably it was 7.5 (high B+). This one is multi-label, unlike Buddy’s Blues (Chess), and has a lot of overlap with The Definitive Buddy Guy on Shout Factory. I will try the former.

Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band - Night Moves: 8 (A-)