Ringo Starr - Blast From Your Past [Capitol, 1975]: 7.5 (high B+)

I also listened to the extra songs beyond this that are on the later collection Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr [Capitol, 2007]. Those songs don't bump the album up to 8 (A-) in my view. In fact, I think they take it down a notch to 7 (B+). Sometimes, less is more. #bestof

The Grateful Dead - The Arista Years: 9 (A)

Great compilation.

Various - "Edna Martinez Presents Pico: Sound System Culture from the Colombian Caribbean" [NTS radio playlist]: 7 (B+)

Outstanding track: "La Toute Neige" by Zaiko Langa Langa. I am extremely tempted to pick up a copy, even if just to pay my respects for introducing me to this outstanding track, but on here, it's edited down, while other, much lesser songs in my view, are left to play out their own nine-minute lengths, and before they are over, I am begging for them to end, unlike the Zaiko track. Apparently, the track originates on an album entitled La Tout Neige by the band, which I will check out. Spotify has this dated at 1960, which has to be an error, right? On Discogs, it's dated 1983, which sounds just right. #multiartistcomp

Loretta Lynn - 20 Greatest Hits: 8.5 (high A-)

I'm probably under-rating this. I love this lady though.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono - Milk and Honey: 8 (A-)

Upped a notch for the presence of "You're the One," possibly the most beautiful love song I have ever heard. Yoko really is brilliant. I cannot even begin to understand what she is doing with the insistent chirping in the background, the rain storm sounds, all of it. "In a moment of wisdom/ We were a wizard and a witch/ In a moment of freedom/ We were Don Quixote and Sancho/ In reality/ We were just a boy and a girl." I love her, speaking of love.

New York Dolls - The Best of New York Dolls: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: 9 (A)

As a Dolls completist, of course I had to have a copy. I also love the series, so even more reason to have it.

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange: 8 (A-)

This one the delicate genius deigned to release in physical. And a beautiful one it is. :-)

Los Thuthanaka - Los Thuthanaka: 7 (B+)

Docked a notch for bloat. #electronic

Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk Quartet With John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall: X (X)

Not qualified to grade.

Thelonious Monk - Monk.: X (X)

Not qualified to grade.

Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane: X (X)

Not qualified to grade.

Thelonious Monk - Misterioso: X (X)

Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners: X (X)

Not qualified to grade.

Thelonious Monk - The Very Best: X (X)

Thelonious Monk - Standards: X (X)

I played this compilation because Christgau gave it a 10 (A+), which is obviously one's greatest endorsement. I didn’t quite fall in love with it like he seemed to. And he says in his review that it’s “not on a par” with a certain studio album by Monk. What? That makes no sense. #jazz

Docteur Nico - African Fiesta Sukisa 1966-1974: X (X)

Even if I were to grade this, I would dock it a notch for overdoing it. They could have eliminated almost the entire first LP in my view, plus a handful of other later tracks, and made this an excellent, much more affordable double LP comp, instead of the overpriced limited edition vinyl-only release it is. That would be somewhat the equivalent of eliminating all the non-Sukisa label and sub-100 Sukisa label tracks. Then it could have been a nice double LP and single CD release. I’d be tempted to just buy a selection of the digital files for the Sukisa releases numbered above 100 and burn my own, but the tracks must be bought in their entirety, and at a cost of 25 euros, which is ridiculous in my mind. #earlyrumba

The Mighty Diamonds - The Roots Is There: 7.5 (high B+)

John Lennon - Walls and Bridges: liked

All the good-to-great songs would be on any decent best of. I suppose. Maybe not.

The Mekons - The Early EPs/Singles: 8 (A-)

Obviously, or maybe not, this does not exist, except in my abode. It's a disc I created with the Mekon's first four EPs/singles (front and back covers are pictured, the disc itself has the same image as the front cover, as always). Many of these songs are available elsewhere, but not all of them, and it's nice to have them all in the same place anyway - they're of a piece.

The Dream Syndicate - The Days of Wine and Roses: 8 (A-)

I have the remastered CD version with the first EP (The Dream Syndicate [Down There, 1982]) appended as bonus tracks.

Clem Snide - End of Love: liked

De-shelved

Clem Snide - The Ghost of Fashion: liked

De-shelved

John Lennon - Power to the People: The Hits [Capitol, 2010]: 9.5 (high A)

The best Lennon best of in my opinion. And I think he really does need one, given all the little treasures scattered throughout his foreshortened solo career. Not overlong (15 tracks in 58 minutes), with spectacular remastering, flow, etc. This makes for a very powerful and enjoyable listen, although will I always be a little sad when listening to his music? Anyway, here's the breakdown of studio album tracks (other than the covers one). Notice anything?

3 Imagine

3 Double Fantasy

2 Walls and Bridges

1 Mind Games

Al Green - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2: 8 (A-)

This one's on vinyl.

Al Green - Greatest Hits: 10 (A+)

I have the "Expanded Version," as well as the original.