Saturday, August 2, 2025
The Mekons - Millionaire [EP]: notation
I'm torn on this. One track from I Love Mekons, one from The Mekons Story, and three live ones. The live version of "Blow Your Tuneless Trumpet" is one for the record books. Fantastic. The other two live ones are very good, but not great. I guess I'll pick one up. There's not alot of live Mekons out there, and they are great live.
The Mekons - The Dream and Lie of...: notation
All songs are on the US version of Rock 'n' Roll, except “Heaven and Back,” which was originally on the UK version of RnR and is now anthologized on one of the Hen's Teeth comps. The only other extra song on the UK version of RnR is "Ring o' Roses," which is available nowhere else (except on promos). I can do without that one, although it's a good song. I have no idea why they didn't include that one here too, which would have made this EP an essential adjunct to those of us who picked up the US version of RnR.
The Mekons - “Untitled 1” b/w ”Untitled 2”: liked
A single with very little information available about it.
The Mekons - The English Dancing Master [EP]: notation
This contains early versions of “Last Dance” and “Country” [“No Country Dance” on here] from Fear and Whiskey, “Mr. Confess,” which is on Original Sin, and “Parson’s Farewell” as the only unique song. It’s a very good song, but not worth getting the EP for, especially with the prohibitive prices.
The Mekons - Greetings Eight [EP]: notation
This is a vinyl 12" EP released only in Italy. I can't find this to stream anywhere. I have an alert up in case a reasonably-priced copy ever arises. I'm sure it never will. I think it is two studio tracks and two live tracks, but I can't be sure. Only the track "He'll Have to Go" appears unavailable elsewhere in some form or other, so I'm not too worried about it.
The Mekons - Crime and Punishment [EP]: notation
All songs on here are on Original Sin other than “Deep End,” which appears nowhere else and is a very good track. However, this is a Merle Haggard cover, and I won’t be seeking a 12’’ vinyl EP for the exorbitant prices that are being charged just for this one cover.
Loudon Wainwright - High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project: 8 (A-)
I'm so sick of everything being a "project." The trend has gotten significantly worse since this came out. Some people don't even call bands "bands" anymore - they're now "projects." Anyway, upped a notch for the beauty and conception of the "project."
Alex Chilton - Singer Not the Song [EP]: notation
All songs are on Ork Records: New York, New York, which I have and kind of treasure.
Friday, August 1, 2025
Joy of Cooking - American Originals [Capitol, 1993]: notation
The first thirteen songs are from their three original albums. The next two are from the Toni Brown & Terry Garthwaite album Cross Country. The last three are from an unreleased album, and I could not find these to stream. I am currently evaluating the first thirteen tracks, to see if I like the flow enough to go for this.
Bonnie Raitt - Sweet Forgiveness: 8 (A-)
Both this and Home Plate were produced by Paul Rothchild. These also happen to be my two favorite early-period Raitt albums.
Bonnie Raitt - Give It Up: 7.5 (high B+)
Normally, this would be # [blues], but it seems to be her most well-regarded album, so I have it.
Iggy Pop - Choice Cuts: notation
Contains the first side of The Idiot and the first side of Lust for Life (with one substitution from the second side). I did listen to it three times to see if it exceeded the 8 (A-) or 8.5 (high A-) I rated each of these original releases, respectively, and it did not in my estimation, so there's no reason for it in my book, since those two releases are must-haves to me and most other knowledgeable fans of rock and roll. Although I am highly tempted by how great it looks:
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