What are you listening to? May 2018

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Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer (2018)

Parts of this are very Prince-like. Other parts are reminiscent of late-80s-through-the-90s R&B. And still other parts are similar to her previous albums.

Once again, a well done album that fans of her previous albums will enjoy.
 
Eric Steckel Band - Live at Havana



Steckel's 2nd release, at the ripe old age of 16. Mostly a lot of electric guitar gymnastics, but not so much that it's like a prog album gone bad. Credit to the boy, he wrote 9 of 12 tracks and chose good songs for the covers. Bit of trivia: Drummer is Duane Trucks - nephew to Butch Trucks, younger brother to Derek Trucks.
 
J. Cole - K.O.D. (2018)

Ronnie Reagan had the slogan "Just Say No". Jermaine Cole has K.O.D. This album wins the Don't Do Drugs contest by a mile.
 
Ojai Sam said:
More than that...
Click to expand...

Have I said this before? Maybe on the previous version. I'll make it brief.

Among my friends I'm the music aficionado. But I know how limited my knowledge is and I know of the great gaps. So I kind of cringe when I have to embrace that status. I love the interaction here because I can be the amateur and learn from you guys. That's why I like it when people write a little blurb about what they're listening to.

No ding against the folks who don't like to write about music. As far as I know, I'm not the king of the world. (Yet.)

Okay, back on topic.

Margo Price - All American Made



Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter



Her tour is coming through my area. I liked her on Live From Here, but I'm not sure I'm country enough to go to the live show.
 
Nathan Parker Smith - Not Dark Yet (2014)


A rawkish big band-ish Jazz album that often hints at the much-revered John Zorn 1990 album Naked City. However, instead of 26 choppy vignettes, there are 11 mostly short songs.

Another difference? Where Zorn was the lone horn player on Naked City, Smith utilizes 5 woodwinds and 8 brass. Zorn was still able to get a very punchy sound from his band, but the added firepower makes a marked difference on Smith's albums. The woodwinds often lend an eerie forest-like sound to the album, while the trumpets and trombones blast and blare their way through the woody sounds.

Most of the players are strangers to my ears, but they all perform well and the soloists lay it down admirably.

There's a lot going on here and it's all good hard fun.

one reviewer on BandCamp said:
this is music set about to destroy the world!
Click to expand...
LOL. It sometimes sounds like the background music to an Incredibles super-villain.
 
Old Uncle Toe said:
Have I said this before? Maybe on the previous version. I'll make it brief.

Among my friends I'm the music aficionado. But I know how limited my knowledge is and I know of the great gaps. So I kind of cringe when I have to embrace that status. I love the interaction here because I can be the amateur and learn from you guys. That's why I like it when people write a little blurb about what they're listening to.

No ding against the folks who don't like to write about music. As far as I know, I'm not the king of the world. (Yet.)

Okay, back on topic.
Click to expand...

I’ve learned more about music here at MG than anywhere else. History is fine, but I would be clueless for Zeeb’s weekly threads after about 1999 if it weren’t for you guys. And I still wouldn’t know shit about industrial music.
 
It's 1975 day! (only official in Zeeba-land ;)) -

Starting a day with a playlist of every number one hit on the year. The hits are a perfect example of the wacky and wild variety of 70s radio music from cool soul to horrible schmaltz. Although my sentimentality to the era has me enjoying more than many normally would, even my ears can't take some of it

Songs we might all enjoy include:
"You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt
"Fire" by Ohio Players
"Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire
"One of these Nights" by Eagles (I know there are some Eagle hates but this is a good 'un)
"Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band"
"Black Water" by Doobie Brothers
"Lady Marmalade" by Labelle

Songs I'm partial to but could easily see why others don't:
"Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell
"Get Down Tonight" and "(That's The Way) I Like It" by KC and the Sunshine Band
"Laughter in the Rain" by Neil Sedaka
"(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" by BJ Thomas

Songs that I Can't Understand Why Anyone Enjoys:
Elton John's "Island Girl" and putrid remake of "Lucy in the Sky" (I did like "Philadelphia Freedom - Elton had three #1 this year)
"Please Mr. Postman" by The Carpenters (done wonderfully twice by Marvelettes and The Beatles...leave it alone)
"He Don't Love You (Like I Love You" by Tony Orlando & Dawn

I actually love Elton and enjoy some Carpenters and Tony Orlando but this was not their best
Hey! "Jive Talkin", "The Hustle", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and Bowie's "Fame" were this year too (out of all his songs, surprised this hit number one). Such a fascinating year on the AM dial ;)
 
Zeeba Neighba said:
It's 1975 day! (only official in Zeeba-land ;)) -

Starting a day with a playlist of every number one hit on the year. The hits are a perfect example of the wacky and wild variety of 70s radio music from cool soul to horrible schmaltz. Although my sentimentality to the era has me enjoying more than many normally would, even my ears can't take some of it

Songs we might all enjoy include:
"You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt
"Fire" by Ohio Players
"Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire
"One of these Nights" by Eagles (I know there are some Eagle hates but this is a good 'un)
"Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band"
"Black Water" by Doobie Brothers
"Lady Marmalade" by Labelle

Songs I'm partial to but could easily see why others don't:
"Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell
"Get Down Tonight" and "(That's The Way) I Like It" by KC and the Sunshine Band
"Laughter in the Rain" by Neil Sedaka
"(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" by BJ Thomas

Songs that I Can't Understand Why Anyone Enjoys:
Elton John's "Island Girl" and putrid remake of "Lucy in the Sky" (I did like "Philadelphia Freedom - Elton had three #1 this year)
"Please Mr. Postman" by The Carpenters (done wonderfully twice by Marvelettes and The Beatles...leave it alone)
"He Don't Love You (Like I Love You" by Tony Orlando & Dawn

I actually love Elton and enjoy some Carpenters and Tony Orlando but this was not their best
Hey! "Jive Talkin", "The Hustle", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and Bowie's "Fame" were this year too (out of all his songs, surprised this hit number one). Such a fascinating year on the AM dial ;)
Click to expand...

Yes, born in '68, a lot of these songs are in my (our) unconscious minds, having been absorbed just living through those years. Ah, nostalgia. :boohoo::D
 
Nice list Zeeb. I agree with almost all of your opinions. I'd forgotten the Carpenters covered Please Mr. Postman, so I went back and listened to it. As you, I respect Karen Carpenter and enjoy some of their music, but that cover was so bad. I had to rinse out my ears with...

The Marvelettes - Deliver: The Singles 1961-1971

 
Old Uncle Toe said:
Nice list Zeeb. I agree with almost all of your opinions. I'd forgotten the Carpenters covered Please Mr. Postman, so I went back and listened to it. As you, I respect Karen Carpenter and enjoy some of their music, but that cover was so bad. I had to rinse out my ears with...

The Marvelettes - Deliver: The Singles 1961-1971

Click to expand...

Good stuff, OUT! :thumbsup:
If it wasn't 1975 day, I'd join ya :)

Yeah, most time as we all know, remakes are a bad idea. I'm surprised the Beatles were able to pull off a great remake of that ditty (Also the Isley's "Twist and Shout" for that matter).

Speaking of the Beatles, Paul had a number one in 1975 too - "Listen to What the Man Said" (with Wings). Macca is awesome and it's nice to hear this again, but one of his more forgettable hits.

John Denver with two #1 this years - the aforementioned "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and..."I'm Sorry" (??). I'm sure I'll recognize it when it comes on, but I can't place it now for the life of me. I'm always amazed how some hits can persist to continue airplay today then others just fade away
 
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