June 2019 Vinyl Challenge

Day 9 - The Obligatory Jazz Sunday Category

Pharoah Sanders - Heart Is a Melody
Theresa Records (1983)

The best single jazz performance I’ve ever heard is the 22 minute interpretation of Coltrane’s Ole on this album.

I’m not sure how this album is not more well-known in general, it’s incredible (okay, it could be because of Pharoah’s facial hair on the cover)

3F9F67F0-F2AB-4526-BD2D-03AF882E0AD8.jpeg
 
Day 10 - Perfect?
I like to say that perfection only exists in definition.
But go ahead play an album you'd rate a 10. (or as high as you'd rate one)

A fun category. Perfection is so subjective - and that's what'll make today's entries so much fun.

I find perfection in the imperfect. I'm much more interested and invested in a record that has it's raw emotion on display lyrically and musically in lieu of something slick and technically perfect. Which brings us to...

Neil Young - Tonight's The Night

Tonight's The Night is arguably Neil's most emotional record. It's a song cycle spawned from the death of two of Neil's close friends - Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten and CSNY roadie Bruce Berry - from heroin overdoses. This is a record birthed from emotional and physical pain. It's a song cycle told from two pints of view, the junkie who tried to make it but couldn't and those left to deal with the wreckage of their passing. Ironically, the most upbeat song on the record, 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown, is a tale of scoring and living to score again. And it's sung by Danny Whitten.

Neil even put thought into the packaging. The labels on the record - black - reflecting the mood of the LP and a first for a Reprise release. Original pressings of this record were in a sleeve made from a soft, fragile, fuzzy paper. Like living with heroin, this jacket was very hard to preserve without showing the substantial wear of making it though life and eventually succumbing to the same loss and decay reflected in the songs. This is the main reason an original pressing of TTN is so hard to find in nice shape.

Neil describes TTN as his most "liquid" album, and you can tell the fire water was flowing listening to some of these songs. The performance is at times ragged - vocal and musical mistakes are left intact. It's a warts and all record, but it's these imperfections that convey the emotional catharsis that drives Tonight's The Night and makes it a jewel.



7C8F2DEE-C79F-4EA0-AD1C-E4EC33D35522.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Day 10 - Perfect?
I like to say that perfection only exists in definition.
But go ahead play an album you'd rate a 10. (or as high as you'd rate one)

Probably not what everyone would consider a 10, but there is not one song on this album I don't love. It's one of my personal favorites.

The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
IMG_2203.jpeg
 
Day 10 - If Not Perfect, Then Damn Close

Steely Dan - Aja

This record definitely checks a lot of the boxes.

(x) I like every song and the album flow
(x) Excellent musicianship (like, so many highlights)
(x) Cool lyrical imagery
(x) Amazing production
(x) I can still put it on at almost any time

And did I mention the drumming?

20190610_175152.jpg
 
Kris said:
Day 7 - Should You Have That?

My dad loves Randy Travis and I pick up any albums I come across. As I was checking out, the seller was commenting on all my records. When he got to Randy he said, “Oh Randy, he was so ........... hunky.” Not sure if he was mocking me or not :) I have no shame in my record choices, lol.
Randy Travis - No Holding Back [Gold Stamped Promo]
View attachment 5166
Click to expand...
I too love me some Randy Travis
 
BjorgenFjorgen said:
Day 8 - Boxed In

It's too nice outside to stay inside much longer, and I want to save the Dylan mono set for someone else who might need it, so here's one disc from my favourite box set, 2016's Day of the Dead. Will certainly get to the rest when the weather turns again.

This disc has Moses Sumney and Jenny Lewis's "Cassidy", Jim James' "Candyman", Orchestra Baobab's "Clementine Jam", Tunde Adebimpe and Lee Ranaldo's incredible "Playing in the Band", and Tal (not the) National's "Eyes of the World."

View attachment 5605
Click to expand...
I need to check this out!!
 
Day 10 - Perfect?

Funny how since just getting started back at it in November, I haven't went after a ton of my all time historical favorite albums. I'll get them, but music purchase for me has always been so much about discovery. It's gonna take some time, and I want to find some new all time favorites! That being said, I'll go with one that I did get -

Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend. So much pop goodness, and my favorite album cover. I almost named my child Evangeline for God's sake!

80E1B274-C659-4FD0-86B7-7790DE336195.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top