George Carlin, FM & AM, Class Clown & An Evening with Wally Londo, from 1972, '72 & 1975 are recordings of this comedian & social critic, who was extremely popular during the '70's.

  From Class Clown, here is Seven words you can never say on Television:


(warning, recommended for adult listening)

From 1978 comes the debut self titled album by the American new wave rock band, The Cars on Elektra 6E-135.  Almost a greatest hits album, this record is an all time rock classic, with songs like Good Times Roll, My Best Friends Girl, Just What I Needed and my pick from this album I'm in Touch With Your World:

The follow up to their smash hit debut album is Candy - O, released in 1979, proved the band was not a one album wonder with many solid songs on this album as well.  The cover art, done by famous pin up artist Alberto Vargas makes a very cool 50's look.  Here is the title track:

 Panorama, The Cars third studio album, was a distinct change in musical style from their first two albums. With less catchy pop like tunes, this album is darker and more experimental.  Despite being a less commercially successful album, the song Touch and Go became their highest charting hit to date.  Released in 1980 on Elektra X5E-514, here is Up and Down:

Heartbeat City, the 1984 release by The Cars, became their most successful album to date, with five top 40 hits and two top 10 hits with Drive and You Might Think.
It's Not The Night is my pick from this album:

Trout Mask Replica, by Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) and His Magic Band, is their third release on as many labels.  This album being released on Frank Zappa's Straight Label  STS 1053, is more in keeping with the rather bizarre experimental style on this double album.
With song such as Hair Pie: Bake 1, Pachuco Cadaver, Neon Meate Dream Of A Octafish & Old Fart At Play, this is anything but mainstream, especially in 1969.  On first listen it would seem that the band is just playing randomly and ranting with no planning, but after a few (perhaps quite a few) listens, a musical image emerges and the listener "gets it".  The band actually practised the songs for months, long hours each day to finally be able to play the songs perfectly.  This influential album is highly acclaimed and is listed at #58 on the Rolling Stone's list of top 500 albums of all time. One song would not give you any kind of understanding of this album so following in order are: China Pig,  Well,  Sugar 'n Spikes  &  Hobo Chang Ba.

This music is not for everyone I realise, but...worth a listen.

From 1981, Honi Soit is the 7th solo studio album by John Cale (Velvet Underground).  Another cover by Andy Warhol, this is the fourth collaboration between Warhol and Cale on record covers; his second as a solo artist (Academy in Peril) and two with the Velvet Underground (their debut with Nico and White Light/White Heat).  Hard to categorise, experimental, punk rockish; an interesting album, I have to be in the right mood to listen to this.  Here is the Title Track:

J.J. Cale's debut album from 1972, Naturally, was released on Leon Russell's Shelter Label #9309-52009. This album showcases his laid back "Tulsa Sound" of country blues, with many great songs including Call Me The Breeze & After Midnight.  J.J. Cale's songs were better known as covers by other famous artist like Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dr. Hook etc., than by him.   My only complaint with his music is the songs are too short! Here is Crazy Mama:

Really, from 1973 is the 2nd release by J.J. Cale, originally on Shelter Label, this copy is the reissue on MCA.
My pick from this album is Soulin' 

Next comes Okie.  J.J. Cales 1974 release, also on Shelter, has quite a few songs which were covered by other artists like this one I Got The Same Old Blues:

The fourth album by J.J. Cale, Troubadour, from 1976, has a bit of a different sound for him, with some steel guitar and some horn added.
This album has the song which became a huge hit for Eric Clapton, Cocaine.  Here is the original version followed by Clapton's:

Creatively named 5, J.J. Cale's fifth studio release was his first album in three years.  On MCA SR-3163, from 1979 here is my pick from this album, Mona:

The final J.J. Cale album in my collection, Shades, from 1981, is another album in his distinct style. No stand out songs on this album, but his music is so easy to take, I can't imagine not liking anything he has recorded.  If I was going to recommend one album of his, I would pick the debut Naturally, I guess that is my favourite.

Kenny Burrell Volume 2, recorded in 1956, is the second album by this jazz guitarist.  The cover art is by Andy Warhol, and as a result this album's value has taken off in the last few years.  Depending on the actual issue, label, condition etc. it could be worth up to $1500 range. This is a 1967 pressing, and not really collectible, but still is good music. I really like this piece, Moten Swing

From 1985, recorded with saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., Togethering is one of over 100 albums by Kenny Burrell, and over 40 for Grover Washington. Two jazz legends together for the one and only time on this album.  If you are a jazz fan, and particularly of what you might call smooth-jazz, then this is one album to add to your collection. On Blue Note BTC 85106, here is the title track, Togethering

A decade after appearing on the music scene with the huge hit Wuthering Heights, Kate Bush released her 6th album, a compilation, with a new version of Wuthering Heights as well as Experiment IV a previously unreleased track.  The Whole Story, from 1986, on EMI PWAS-17242, covers music from 1976 to '86.  A great way to get introduced to her Art Rock style of music, this is a fine album. My pick is Army Dreamers: (bit of a tick through this song ...)

"It was Dylan meets the Beatles"  was Roger McGuinn's description of the new Folk Rock band The Byrds.  Considered one of the most influential bands from the '60's and the inspiration for the term "Folk Rock" the Byrds had their own sound, unique from the popular music at the time.  From 1965 on Columbia CS 9172 comes their debut album Mr. Tambourine Man.  The title track was written by Bob Dylan, and also released in 1965 on Bringing it all back home. Dylan heard the Byrds version and reportedly said "Nobody could do it as well and they should record it".  This copy is the 1971 reissue of this famous album.  Here is one of four Dylan songs on this album, All I Really Want to do, with their characteristic 12 string guitar sound:

With David Crosby no longer a member of the band and with the addition of Gram Parsons bringing a stronger country influence to their music, The Byrds release another milestone album Sweethearts of the Rodeo.  Although not commercially successful when it was released this album is considered one of the more influential albums for later Country Rock bands like the Eagles and America.  From 1968 on Columbia CS 9670, this copy is the original issue.  My favourite from this album is another Dylan song You Ain't Going Nowhere followed by the Woody Guthrie tune Pretty Boy Floyd:

By late 1969 when Ballad of Easy Rider was released, Roger McGuinn was the only original member left in the band.  Roger along with Dylan, had written the title track from this album, for the movie Easy Rider, staring Peter Fonda, and used the connection to promote this album. The popularity of the movie help make this release their first top 40 album since 1967, even though the title track was the only song connected to the movie.  Of the eleven songs on this album only three were actually written by members of the band, the rest being covers and traditional songs.  A good album and considered to be one of The Byrds best from their later years, here is the title track:

Two veteran jazz guitarists, Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd, combine their talents on this album of bossa nova, blues and contemporary jazz pieces.
From 1965 on Columbia CS 9130. here is Carolina in the Morning:

Brazilian Byrd features the music of Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, famous for the song The Girl From Ipanema. Charlie Byrd was instrumental in introducing Latin music, specifically the bossa nova to the American music scene.  This album from 1966 on Columbia CS 9137, is a great example of that music genre; like this piece Corcovado:

From early 1978 Son of a Son of a Sailor, by American "Drunken Caribbean Rock 'n' Roll" singer Jimmy Buffett.  Famous for the song Margaritaville and his live concert performances, this is his 8th studio release, and had a hit with the title track as well as Cheeseburger in Paradise. I like this song, African Friend:

The first live album by Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band and my first record from this band, is You had to be there. Recorded during a number of concerts at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and the Maurice Gusman Cultural Centre in Miami, I really like this double album.  It gives you a feeling for what his live concerts would be like.  Included on this record is a Lord Buckley (mentioned earlier in this blog) dialogue, God's own Drunk about a man protecting his Still from a huge bear, and of course Margaritaville:

Jimmy Buffett's next album, Volcano, was recorded in May 1979 at Air Studios on the Island of Montserrat, under the shadow of Soufriere Hill volcano and hence the name of the album and title track. Probably not his best album, especially after all the great music he put out to date, but if you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, you won't be disappointed. Here is the song Dreamsicle; reminds me a bit of John Prine.  

Coconut Telegraph from 1981 and Riddles in the Sand from 1984 are the two final albums in my Jimmy Buffet collection.  The first did better on the charts, and has some really good laid back insightful songs, but I prefer Riddles in the Sand, with songs like When the Wild Life Betrays Me, Ragtop Day, She's Going out of My Mind and this fun song Love in Decline:

 Songs for a tailor, is the 1969 debut solo release by Jack Bruce, formerly of the supergroup Cream.  Jazz-Rock, Psychedelic perhaps, this album is not what you would expect if you are thinking Cream. The jury is out for me; sometimes I like it, other times not at all.  Here is Theme for an Imaginary Western described by Allmusic as "Bruce's greatest hit that never charted"

a most immaculately hip aristocrat released in 1970 on Frank Zappa's Straight label, STS 1054, is from some rather obscure tape of Lord Richard Buckley performing in 1956 in a small intimate (probably private) setting.  Lord Buckley was a Hip Poet/Comic popular in the 40's & 50's and died in 1960.  Most of the rap's on this record are not available on other recordings of Buckley.  He has been influential on many musicians including Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jimmy Buffet, Frank Zappa and Tom Waits.  To give you a taste here is part of The Hip Einie:

Bandolier is the fifth studio release by the Welsh Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band Budgie.  From 1975 on A&M SP 4618, I picked this up at a second hand store because of the cover art, and was surprised, it is a good album.  If you are a metal fan, you should keep an eye out for this band. Although not well known they were influential on bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica & Judas Priest.
Breaking All The House Rules:

Buffalo Springfield is the self titled debut album originally released in December 1966.  Shortly after the release, Steven Stills played a song to Ahmet Ertegun (Atlantic Executive) that he just wrote after witnessing riots on Sunset Strip. "hey I just wrote this song, I'll play it for what it's worth".  Ahmet love it and had them record and release the single right away.  They then re-pressed the album and replaced Baby Don't Scold Me with For What It's Worth.  So, with much fewer of the original albums (Atco 33-200) out there the value in NM condition is around $200. This is the second pressing (Atco 33-200A)  from March 1967 with the famous song.

Retrospective, The Best of Buffalo Springfield, was released in 1969 after the band had broken up.  Probably the best choice if you are just looking to buy some music by this band, not looking for a collectible album. This collection of hits is also well recorded and probably better represents their sound than the debut.  A short but hugely influential career, Buffalo Springfield was a sort of springboard band for CSN, CSNY, (as well as each solo career) Poco & Loggins & Messina.
Here is Mr Soul:

 Running on Empty was recorded in 1977 during tour.  Some songs are from live recordings, some in hotel rooms and one, Nothing But Time, was recorded on the tour bus.  Jackson Browne's  fifth album, on Asylum records 6E-113; this is a great album.  I saw him on tour in Toronto shortly after buying this album and he ended the show with this encore; The Load Out and Stay, what a way to end an awesome concert!

After releasing five fantastic albums, putting out anything less that excellent doesn't please the critics.  Released in 1980, Hold Out went to #1 on the Billboard Chart, but was not well received by music critics.
Producing hits like Hold On Hold Out, That Girl Could Sing and Boulevard, as well as my pick Call It A Loan, this is still a very good album.

Released in 1983, Lawyers in Love, is a departure from his style to date, more critical, sarcastic and humorous.
"Eating from TV trays, tuned in to Happy Days
waiting for WWIII while Jesus slaves
to the mating calls of Lawyers in love" (from the title track)
Give a listen to For a Rocker, a tribute to James Honeyman-Scott, guitar player with the Pretenders, who died at 25.

 From 1956, live at the Newport Jazz festival, comes Dave Brubeck and Jay & Kai.  Side 1 is the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Side 2 Dave Brubeck Quartet, J.J Johnson, Kai Winding Quintet. This is the original recording on the Columbia "6 Eye" Label, a little rough, but then almost 60 years old!
Here is a clip from side 1:

Jazz Impressions of New York is a release by the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1965, and features music from the CBS show "Mr. Broadway".  The Quartet is Dave Brubeck - piano, Paul Desmond - alto saxophone, Joe Morello - drums and Eugene Wright - bass.
Here is Upstage Rumba, were each person upstages the others by doing something entirely out of character.

Baroque Guitar by Julian Bream, one of the most distinguished classical guitarist of the 20th century.  Playing pieces from the 1700's, mostly composed for lute or guitar.  From 1966, on RCA Victor Red Seal, LM-2878. Here is part of Fantasy and Minuet by Fernando Sor
(the Beethoven of the guitar):

In 1977 former members of Mott The Hoople along with John Fiddler (Box of Frogs) formed the band British Lions and in 1978 released this, their one and only album.  Their cover of the Garland Jeffreys Wild in the Streets is pretty good.

Many of Jackson Browne's early songs were recorded by artists like the Eagles, Gregg Allman, Nico and the Byrds, long before he put out his first album.  Working as a staff songwriter for Elekta at 18, it would be 6 more years before he would release his first record.  From 1973, For Everyman, is his second album, and contains the hit Take It Easy, co-written by Glenn Frey which became the Eagles first single.  That song is also responsible for making the "corner in Winslow Arizona" famous!   A little while ago I got a text from my daughter, who was traveling at the time, "I'm standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona"  and I sent back "sounds like the Eagles!"  I suppose I could have said it sounds like Jackson Browne!  It would be hard to go wrong with any Jackson Browne album, he is such a good songwriter.  Here is Red Neck Friend:

His fourth studio release from 1976 is The Pretender.  Released after the suicide of his first wife, this album has some very emotional songs. Here Comes Those Tears Again which is credited as co-written with his mother in law, Daddy's Tune, Sleeps Dark and Silent Gate as well as this song Your Bright Baby Blues:

From 1987 comes Closer Together, the third studio release from the Montreal new wave/ prog rock band The Box.  With three hits (Crying out loud for love, Ordinary People & Closer Together) from this record, it was their most successful to date and eventually went platinum in Canada.  On Alert records BD-1005.  Here is Without Love:

Box of Frogs formed in 1983 from 3 former Yardbird members (Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja & Paul Samwell-Smith) along with John Fiddler.
A Blues Rock album, with many talented musicians; additional musicians on this album Jeff Beck, Mark Feltham, Rory Gallagher among others. Some good songs, but not a stand out album considering the people involved in making it. I do like this song, especially the harmonica.
Back Where I Started:

The first compilation album by Bread, released in 1973 on Elektra EKS-75056, The Best of Bread.  Soft Rock/ Folk style album with hits from their previous 5 albums.  Has a slow side and a fast(er) side, so depending on your mood...
From the slow side here is probably one of their biggest hits Baby i'm-a want you, followed by truckin' from side 2:

"Rock 'n' Roll is just a toothless old woman" (Bowie 1975)
Is rock dead?  The Beatles are no more, Stones in trouble, Zeppelin fading...Why not make a R&B album!  A diversion from his previous styles, Young Americans, RCA APL1-0998, released in early 1975 produced some great hits in the title track song and Fame. I think this album shows Bowie's diverse talents and attraction to various styles of music, which is demonstrated again and again through his career.
Here is the funky song Right followed by Fame 

From 1976 come an album of great experimentation. With R&B & electronic influences, Station to Station is considered by many to be one of Bowie's Masterpieces.  A must have album for any Bowie collector, this is a beautiful, cohesive album. Lyrically it is a very personal album and perhaps has Bowie speaking of his connection to God, especially in Word on a Wing.  This is his cover of Wild is the Wind (written by Dimitri Tiomkin & Ned Washington in 1957). Superb vocals.

Changes One Bowie is a greatest hits album released in 1976 and would be a good album for anyone who doesn't have much Bowie music in their collection.  This has many great songs from 1969 through '76. as well as the previously unreleased song John, I'm Only Dancing.
Hard to go wrong with this choice.  RCA APL1-1732.

The first album of the "Berlin Trilogy", Low, was recorded in Berlin when Bowie was attempting to quit cocaine. This album took a while to grow on me, it is so different and not cohesive at all; but it is now up there with my favourite music. In collaboration with Eno and sharing an apartment with Iggy Pop at the time, the album is another experimental album with Eno playing moog synthesiser on many of the songs.  The two sides are like two different albums, with the first side having many short rock songs and side two mostly instrumental moody spacey music; again nothing like Bowie's previous works.  For a stark contrast here is Be My Wife from side 1, then Art Decade from side 2.

Jumping ahead a few years to 1983, comes Let's Dance, the last David Bowie album in my collection.  This is a pop album, which produced some huge hits with Let's Dance, China Girl and Modern Love, and I believe this is his most successful album financially.  This album also features the legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn on lead guitar!  Which in itself is interesting having a blues guitarist on a dance album!  It is a good album, great pop songs, but not my among my favorite of Bowie albums, a little too commercial.  This is his first album with the new label EMI. (SO 17093)