Diary of a Melomaniac

Before 11/2020, grades range from 5 to 3.5 stars. After that, grade range is: 10 (A+), 9.5 (high A), 9 (A), 8.5 (high A-), 8 (A-), 7.5 (high B+), and 7 (B+). Ungraded albums are noted as liked :-) (honorable mention), neutral :-|, and disliked :-(. At least 4 listens per graded album and 3 listens per ungraded album. Search "Grade Post" for more info. I sold/shelved ~10,000 albums after at least 3 or 4 listens, respectively, before starting this blog and will add entries for those as they arise.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

The Alpha Band - The Alpha Band: 7 (B+)

#ccm/roots

The "Chirping" Crickets [Buddy Holly] - The "Chirping" Crickets: X (X)

Not qualified to grade, but this first album is a great listen and more like an EP (12 tracks; 25m 59s). Never re-issued on remastered CD without bonus tracks, and original vinyl is too expensive, so I don't have a copy. I never realized Ronald Reagan was a Cricket until I examined this album cover closely.

Buddy Holly & The Crickets - 20 Golden Greats: X (X)

Not qualified to grade, but obviously an essential classic. Never released domestically on CD.

Al Green - The Absolute Best: 9 (A)

Christgau rates this five stars in one location and four in another. I come out in the middle.

Friday, February 20, 2026

Flamin Groovies - Teenage Head: 8 (A-)

This was never issued on remastered CD without a slew of bonus tracks. This generally means I also would not go back and buy the original vinyl, which in this case is too expensive anyway. Great album though. Outstanding track: "Whiskey Woman"

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Tapper Zukie - MPLA: 8 (A-)

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

The Modern Lovers [Jonathan Richman] - Precise Modern Lovers Order: Live in Berkeley and Boston: liked

:-)

Monday, February 16, 2026

The Manhattans - Super Hits [Sony/BMG, 2007]: 8.5 (high A-)

I don't know why I like this a couple notches better than Greatest Hits (1980). Could it be as simple as sound quality? Here are the only track differences (same number of tracks, but with two swapped songs):

Super Hits:

"Wish That You Were Mine"

"Am I Losing You"

Greatest Hits:

"I'll Never Find Another (Find Another Like You)"

"Do You Really Mean Goodbye?"

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Various - Azagas & Archibogs: The Sixties Sound of Lagos Highlife [Original Music, 1991]: 7 (B+)

#multiartistcomp/folkloric/highlife

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Al Green - The Definitive Greatest Hits [Capitol/Hi, 2007]: notation

This is the third edition of the man's Greatest Hits, from what I can tell. The first in 1975 with 10 tracks (vinyl-only), the second in 1995 with five additional tracks (CD-only), and this in 2007 with six additional tracks to the 15 in 1995. Here are the six:

"Take Me to the River"

"Keep Me Cryin'"

"Oh Me, Oh My (Dreams in My Arms)"

"Back Up Train" - from Back Up Train

"I Can't Stop" - from I Can't Stop

"Perfect to Me"- from Everything's OK

The last three are not on the two-disc The Absolute Best. I have noted above where those three are taken from. I have the latter two. I am evaluating the first album, Back Up Train, but will obviously not upgrade to this for that track alone, no matter where I come out on the album.