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King Missile (Album of the Day)
New York-based art rock/avant-garde band King Missile were riding high on the success of their single “Detachable Penis” when they entered Manhattan's Baby Monster Studios to cut their eponymous sixth album. As the cover art suggests, it's a rather surreal collection, built around founder John S. Hall's poetry which, despite an occasional dark theme, is filled with wonderfully offbeat humor. Highlights of these 17 songs include opener “Love Is...,” “What If” and “Socks” - one of several tracks in the grunge-rock vein. Released 25 years ago today, KING MISSILE would prove to be the quartet's final album for Atlantic Records, and remains a tuneful and all-too-rare example of alternative rock that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Like A Prayer (Album of the Day)
Madonna's final album of the 1980s consolidated her success during the decade and remains one of the performer's very best. Dedicated to the singer's mother, "who taught me how to pray," LIKE A PRAYER is among the most personal and soul-searching she has ever recorded. All 11 songs were co-written and co-produced by Madonna in varied arrangements informed by classic rock and funk (Prince was one of her collaborators), and the collection spun off four Top 10 singles - “Express Yourself,” “Cherish,” “Keep It Together” and the title track, which reached the top of the Billboard chart 30 years ago today. The commercial success of the quadruple platinum No.1 album was matched by its critical acclaim; with the ambitious LIKE A PRAYER, Madonna's status as one of pop's greatest artists was undeniable.
Fairweather Johnson (Album of the Day)
Hootie & The Blowfish had their work cut out for them when they entered the studio to cut the follow-up to CRACKED REAR VIEW, one of the best selling albums of the 1990s, but FAIRWEATHER JOHNSON shows the South Carolina quartet building on the strengths of their debut. The Atlantic collection boasts thoughtful lyrics that belie Hootie's reputation for breezy singalongs, and passionate performances on such tracks as “Tucker's Town,” “Sad Caper” and “Old Man & Me (When I Get To Heaven)” underline the band's commitment to these songs. Released on this day in 1996, FAIRWEATHER JOHNSON debuted at No.1 and went double-platinum, and is in many ways an even more rewarding listen than its predecessor.
In A Sentimental Mood (Album of the Day)
Dr. John had long been a champion of the music of his native New Orleans when the release of IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD revealed an equal love for standards from the American songbook. The album includes favorites by Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington and Cole Porter, among others, and opener “Makin' Whoopee” - a duet with Rickie Lee Jones - was picked up for theSleepless in Seattle soundtrack and became both a surprise hit and a Grammy winner. Producer Tommy LiPuma crafts easy-going blues and jazz arrangements (featuring such top players as saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman and guitarist Hugh McCracken) that fit Dr. John like a glove. Released 30 years ago, the Warner Bros. collection sparked a commercial resurgence for the performer, and is sure to put you IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD.
Stand Back (Album of the Day)
Last month Stevie Nicks made history as the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - first as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998, and now for an extraordinary solo career that spans nearly 40 years. To honor Nicks' groundbreaking achievement, Rhino has just released STAND BACK, a collection celebrating her solo career with essential recordings chosen from studio albums, live performances and soundtrack contributions, plus several of her most-celebrated collaborations with artists including Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Don Henley. Drawing from such platinum albums as BELLA DONNA, THE WILD HEART and ROCK A LITTLE, the set includes Top 10 hits “Edge Of Seventeen,” "Stand Back" and "Talk To Me." Stevie Nicks is still going strong, and STAND BACK shows the beloved singer-songwriter at her best.
The Roaring Twangies (Album of the Day)
The film Bonnie & Clyde marked the crest of a wave of nostalgia for the decades preceding WWII, a wave that also brought us Duane Eddy's THE ROARING TWANGIES. The instrumentalist's second and final album for Reprise Records (after a series of hits for the Jamie label), the 1967 collection was produced by the great Lee Hazlewood and brings the spirit of the 1920s to life on such tracks as “Hello, Dolly,” “Bye Bye Blues” and single “Roarin'.” Aided by arrangements from the Wrecking Crew's Billy Strange, the performer's trademark twangy guitar work is strong throughout these dozen songs. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy was born on this day in 1938, and to wish him a happy birthday, we'll let THE ROARING TWANGIES roar once more.
The John Peel Sessions 1979-1983 (Album of the Day)
From post-punk roots, Echo & The Bunnymen grew to become Liverpool's second most famous foursome with music that was darkly mysterious, sweepingly romantic and increasingly ambitious. BBC DJ John Peel was one of British alternative rock's leading tastemakers during the band's initial incarnation; as can be heard on THE JOHN PEEL SESSIONS 1979-1983, their paths crossed several times. The six radio dates with Peel take the group from its beginnings (when drum machine Echo was still supplying the beats) to its masterpiece OCEAN RAIN. Showcasing fiery performances and Ian McCullough's talent for improvising lyrics, these 20 recordings include revelatory versions of such Bunnymen favorites as “The Killing Moon,” “Seven Seas” and “Heaven Up Here.” Now available as a limited edition 2-LP set on 180-gram black vinyl, THE JOHN PEEL SESSIONS 1979-1983 is a collection no fan of the band should be without
And Now! (Album of the Day)
Both as backing band for some of the 1960s' biggest stars and as headliners in their own right, Booker T. & The M.G.'s represented the gold standard for instrumental soul. Their third studio album, AND NOW!, marked a new era for the Memphis group as original bassist Lewie Steinberg was replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn on all 12 tracks. Along with such fine originals as minor R&B hit “My Sweet Potato,” the band leave their funky stamp on songs ranging from the traditional “Jericho” to show tune “Summertime” to 5 Royales/James Brown favorite “Think.” Stax Studio head Jim Stewart helmed the sessions for the 1966 collection, and he gives each player a chance to shine (Booker T. Jones' keyboards and Steve Cropper's guitar work are particularly impressive). We'll give the thoroughly enjoyable AND NOW! another spin to wish Jones a happy birthday.
Nirvana (Album of the Day)
Herbie Mann was a leading jazz flutist. Composer-keyboardist Bill Evans was renowned for his work with Miles Davis. When the two joined forces, the result was NIRVANA. Also featuring Paul Motian on drums and new Evans Trio addition Chuck Israels on bass, the 1964 Atlantic album is drawn from sessions for producer Nesuhi Ertegun in 1961 and 1962 yet remains remarkably cohesive; Evans had played the flute before taking up piano, paving the way for a pairing with Mann. Bookended by originals (the title song and “Cashmere”), these six tracks bring both bop excitement and lyrical beauty to standards like Cole Porter's “I Love You” and more experimental fare like Erik Satie's “Gymnopedie.” An unusually effective artistic collaboration, NIRVANA deserves a higher profile among jazz fans.
Under the Pink (Album of the Day)
Tori Amos has sold over 12 million albums, has played over a thousand shows and has had multiple Grammy nominations; the prodigious singer-songwriter touched millions deeply with her arresting melodies, riveting stage presence and heartfelt lyrics. After a striking solo debut in 1992, Amos defied the sophomore slump to release an equally accomplished follow-up, UNDER THE PINK, two years later. The Atlantic collection spotlights piano-led balladry delivered with grunge-rock intensity, and the dozen originals reveal Amos as a master of both memorable singles (“Cornflake Girl,” “God”) and ambitious epics (“Yes, Anastasia”). As it reaches the quarter-century mark, the double-platinum UNDER THE PINK remains not just a highlight of Tori Amos' career, but one of the strongest alternative rock sets of the 1990s.