Today’s Albums 1001-1100

The debut album Cut by The Slits is 40 years old this week!  One of the great female post-punk LPs.  Ari Up’s vocals, Viv Albertine’s guitar rips through tracks such as Spend Spend Spend, Instant Hit and Ping Pong Affair.  Legendary LP.

The Magnetic Fields 1999 album 69 Love Songs was 20 years old yesterday!  The 172 minute concept LP contains, as the title suggests, 69 love songs all written by Stephin Merritt.  There are songs about chickens, rabbits, Dido, Washington DC and so much more…epic listen!

The 1979 debut solo Gary Numan album The Pleasure Principle is 40 years old today!  The LP catapulted Numan into the mainstream and put the Polymoog synthesizer on the map.  Includes the smash hit Cars, and the incredible Metal.  Brilliant LP.  garynuman.com

The 1966 LP Complete Communion by American jazz trumpeter Don Cherry, on Blue Note, was his first real outing as band leader.  Influenced by Ornette Coleman, with whom he previously worked, the LP consists of two lengthy suites of music.  Stunning interplay between cornet and tenor sax.

The 1988 debut album Swass by Sir Mix-A-Lot was a fun beginning from the Seattle native.  The title track was reinterpreted as Don’t Cha by Pussycat Dolls.  Including singles Posse on Broadway, Square Dance Rap, Iron Man (Black Sabbath cover) and Rippn.  sirmixalot.com

The Marty Robbins album Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs is 60 years old this month!  Apparently recorded in a single eight-hour session.  AllMusic said “the single most influential album of Western songs in post-World War II American music.” Includes El Paso.  martyrobbins.com

The latest TOOL album Fear Inoculum is their first in 13 years.   Definitely worth the wait.  Grandiosity is the word used by critics.  I would add mature, epic, masterful…I like this album.  The track Descending is among their best work, in my opinion.   Have you listened yet?  toolband.com

The 2005 Neil Diamond album 12 Songs was produced by Rick Rubin, and arguably Diamond’s best work in many a year.  A more sombre set, than the sing-a-long numbers Diamond has toured on for decades.  Reminds me of the Rubin produced Johnny Cash American Recordings.  neildiamond.com

The self-titled debut album by Bread is 50 years old this month! The Los Angeles band are often disparaged, especially later in their career, for good reason.  But I argue their debut LP is decent.  Includes the US Number One Single Make It With You.

The 2nd Noah and the Whale album The First Days of Spring is 10 years old today!  A break-up record, not only lyrically, but also former member Laura Marling departing the band.  Allmusic describe the LP “lush soundscapes and folksy melancholy.”  Sums it up nicely.

The 2nd Feeder album Yesterday Went Too Soon is 20 years old today! Allmusic said “Feeder offers absolutely nothing to the late-’90s alt-rock scene, and their Brit-pop spin on it isn’t very interesting.” I don’t mind them…you?  feederweb.com

The debut Oasis album Definitely Maybe is 25 years old today! The LP became the fastest-selling UK debut album at the time.  Includes the singles Supersonic, Shakermaker, and Live Forever.  Much has been written about Oasis, so a simple question, Definitely? Maybe? Or Nah…?

The 1986 Public Image Ltd album, called Album, included an all-star cast including production by Bill Laswell, Steve Vai, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Ginger Baker guesting musicians.  The LP gave PiL one most popular tracks, the incredible Rise.  pilofficial.com

The 2016 Rival Sons album Hollow Bones has one heck of a cover!  The Southern Californian rock band’s 5th LP is perhaps their finest work.  Mojo magazine said “meaty and time-honoured blues extractions the four-square Zeppelinism.”  Love Black Coffee.  rivalsons.com

Tim Bluhm is a Californian producer/singer-songwriter, and was the creative force in the band The Mother Hips. The 2005 release House of Bluhm is Tim’s 4th solo album and gained huge respect from his peers.  Love Spooked Cat Blues and Dear Wild Animal.  timbluhm.com

The 2nd Mike Oldfield album Hergest Ridge, released in 1974, is a single composition separated only by side-A and B of the vinyl, like Tubular Bells.  The LP reached No.1 in the UK, only to be ousted by Oldfield’s debut album, Oh, the bells, bells, bells!  mikeoldfieldofficial.com

The debut album New Wave by British alternative rock band The Auteurs was shortlisted for the 1993 Mercury Prize.  Allmusic said “the band’s carefully crafted, three-minute pop songs are in the vein of The Kinks, The Smiths, and The Beatles.”  I second that…great tunes.

The 3rd Orbital album Snivilization is 25 years old today! Released at the time of the Criminal Justice Act launch, Snivilization is as political as an electronic album can get.  Alison Goldfrapp added vocals on two tracks.  Their most diverse album?  orbitalofficial.com

The debut Portishead album Dummy is 25 years old today!  The 1995 Mercury Music Prize winning LP helped popularise the trip hop genre.  Melody Maker said “Dummy, their debut, takes perfectly understated blues, funk and rap/hip hop, brackets all this in urban angst and then chills it to the bone.”  portishead.co.uk

The 1973 LP Ship Ahoy by The O’Jays is a classic Philly soul album.  The slave ship on the cover signifies the social content addressed.  Eddie Levert’s vocals are astonishing.  Includes hit singles, For the Love of Money and Put Your Hands Together.  mightyojays.com

The 1972 Mott The Hoople album All The Young Dudes was their first for CBS Records.  The LP was a turning point for the band.  After some struggles David Bowie arrived on the scene, gave them the title track and produced the album.  They were back in business…

The Arctic Monkeys 3rd album Humbug was released (in Japan first) a decade ago today!  The presence of Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme producing gave the Sheffield band an added dimension.  Important piece of their back catalogue.  A fan?  arcticmonkeys.com

I was one of the first people on earth to buy the U2 album All That You Can’t Leave Behind in October 2000.  I was in Auckland, New Zealand when passing a record store at midnight…time differences!  Includes Beautiful Day, Walk On, and Elevation.   I like this LP…cue U2 haters… u2.com

The 3rd XTC album Drums & Wires is 40 years old today!  Critic Robert Christgau said “Catchy, funny, interesting—and it rocks.” Includes the hit single Making Plans for Nigel, and the original recording of Ten Feet Tall.  Appealing and eccentric.  chalkhills.org

The Neil Young album Sleeps With Angels is 25 years old today!  Young’s 20th studio LP reunited with Crazy Horse, and deals with death.  Primarily, the death of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain who died in April 1994.   Some good tunes on SWA, how do you rate in the Young catalogue?

The critics have said The Allman Brothers Band double-LP At Fillmore East is one of the greatest live albums of all time.  Recorded over two nights, the LP includes lengthy versions of Whipping Post, You Don’t Love Me and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.  Live Southern rock at its best?  allmanbrothersband.com

The debut self-titled album by The xx was released 10 years ago today!  The LP was one of the most acclaimed albums of the year and won the Mercury Prize in 2010.   The London band’s atmospheric indie pop became a sleeper hit, and a pleasant revisit a decade on.  thexx.info

The 3rd Peter Bjorn and John album Writer’s Block, released in 2006, is a loosely based concept album on romance.  As bad as that sounds, the LP was their biggest seller, and critically acclaimed.  Includes singles Young Folks, Objects of My Affection, and Let’s Call It Off.  peterbjornandjohn.com

The 1987 Stevie Wonder album Characters received mixed reviews and was not a huge commercial hit.  The high water mark Wonder sets all will not glitter gold.  Includes the singles Get It (with Michael Jackson), Skeletons and You Will Know.  I enjoyed…you?  steviewonder.net

The 1977 Townes Van Zandt double live album Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas is the perfect introduction to the Texan singer-songwriter.  Recorded on a portable four-track over five nights, the LP includes great versions of If I Needed You and Pancho and Lefty.  townesvanzandt.com

The 2018 album This Is My Dinner is my introduction into the work of Mark Kozelek, under the moniker Sun Kil Moon.   A lengthy tome of lyrical wonderment, with ramblings about Scandinavia, boxers, and touring.   What should I listen to next of SKM?  sunkilmoon.com

The 1962 album I Don’t Worry About A Thing by American pianist, vocalist and composer Mose Allison is perhaps his greatest recording.  In a little over 33 minutes, he packs in five instrumentals, two standards and some great original versions.  Superb musician.  moseallison.com

The 3rd Stereolab album Mars Audiac Quintet is 25 years old today!  Perhaps their most accessible album with tracks such as Ping Pong and Wow and Flutter.   The masters of space age pop achieved their highest album chart position with MAQ.  Love the final track Fiery Yellow.  stereolab.co.uk

The only solo album by singer-songwriter, Little Feat lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George, Thanks, I’ll Eat Here, is an eclectic mix and was released just before George’s death in 1979.  Includes a mix of covers and his own work, and the stunning track 20 Million Things.

Having recently re-watched the 1987 vampire horror comedy The Lost Boys, I was reminded how fun the soundtrack was.  Good Times by Jimmy Barnes and INXS, People Are Strange by Echo & the Bunnymen.  Great 80s combo…love it! Cry Little Sister…

The debut eponymous album from The Stooges is 50 years old today!  Rolling Stone called it “loud, boring, tasteless, unimaginative and childish.” Oh the fools. Includes the singles I Wanna Be Your Dog and 1969.  Ahead of their time?

And now for something completely different…Misique des Tsiganes de Roumanie by Taraf de Gaidouks.  The troupe of traditional Romanian musicians released this LP in 1991, and play a variety of Eastern European styles.  Listen out for the cymbalum.  A surprising delight.

The 3rd Talking Heads album Fear of Music is 40 years old today! Considered among the band’s finest work, the LP showed further development of their musical style.  The vocals of David Byrne are sublime.   Love I Zimbra and Cities.

The Athens, Georgia band The Glands released their self-titled album in 2000.  And what a hoot!  An album of well-crafted Southern indie-pop, complete with killer hooks, raucous choruses and unique lyrical wordplay.  A much underrated band?

The self-titled and only album by Blind Faith is 50 years old this month!  The supergroup consisting of Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech created a commercial and critically acclaimed masterpiece.  Love Can’t Find My Way Home and Presence of the Lord.

The 1984 debut Howard Jones album Human’s Lib spent an incredible 57 weeks in the UK Album Charts.  Great hooks, great lyrics and great hair! Includes New Song, What Is Love? and Pearl in the Shell.  Big soft spot for Mr Jones.  howardjones.com

The Miles Davis album In A Silent Way is 50 years old today! Recorded in one session, the LP began is ‘electric’ period and actually made the US chart.  Rolling Stone said “the kind of album that gives you faith in the future of music.”  I agree…  milesdavis.com

The 1957 album Mulligan Meets Monk saw Jazz pianist Thelonious Monk and saxophonist Gerry Mulligan join forces.  The blend of Monk’s modern approach and Mulligan’s relaxed style is masterful chemistry.  Love Round Midnight.

The 1977 album Pacific Ocean Blue proved Dennis Wilson was much more than just a drummer in the Beach Boys.  I love this album.  Although a commercial failure, the songs are tender, show great depth and song writing prowess.   Thoughts of You, and You and I are masterful.

The 1977 album Kill City by ex-members of the Stooges, Iggy Pop & James Williamson has been described as Iggy’s most underrated album.  Intended as a promotion demo, Iggy recorded vocals on weekend leave from hospital, during heroin addiction treatment.  Really enjoyable LP.  iggypop.com

The 1958 Mose Allison album Local Color was my introduction to the blues/jazz pianist and vocalist born in Mississippi.  Hugely influential musician.  The LP includes Parchman Farm covered by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers on their album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton.  moseallison.com

The 2nd Beastie Boys album Paul’s Boutique is 30 years old today! Has been called the Sgt. Pepper of hip-hop, Paul’s Boutique is in my opinion their finest work.  Samples and rhymes at its very best.  A landmark album? Your thoughts?

The 1996 debut album from Brendan Benson, called One Mississippi, highlights The Raconteur ear for a tune.  Catchy melodies, striking riffs, short punchy songs.   I know see why Jack White was keen to partner up!  brendanbenson.com

The debut self-titled album by The Rolling Stones released in 1964 included only one Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’s composition, the rest reflected their love R&B.   The LP was hit, staying at No.1 in the UK Charts for 12 weeks.   The beginning of an incredible story…  rollingstones.com

The 1981 Kraftwerk album Computer World has been called their last great LP.   Synth pop, electro and electronic music was on the rise, one of the early pioneers were still in the game.  The stand-out tracks are Pocket Calculator and Computer Love.  Wunderbar!  kraftwerk.com

The 1987 Fleetwood Mac album Tango In The Night was the last to feature the classic line-up of Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine and John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.  Includes Big Love, Little Lies, Everywhere and Seven Wonders.  Big success.  fleetwoodmac.com

The 1972 album Ben by Brazilliant artist Jorge Ben Jor contains two of his most famous songs Taj Mahal and Fio Maravilha.  The former has a passing resemblance to Rod Stewart’s hit single Da Ya Think I’m Sexy.  Stewart settled a copyright infringement.  Anyone heard Ben?

The 1996 debut album Beautiful Freak by Eels contrasts between chirpy melodies and lyrics of desperation.  Includes the tracks Novocaine for the Soul and Susan’s House.  As a mate used to say…’Eels rock!”  Fans of E?  eelstheband.com

The 4th album by The Doors The Soft Parade is 50 years old today! The change to ‘pop’ found new listeners for the band, but lost many of the existing audience.   The fuller sound, horns and strings, lost the edge of the previous 3 LPs.  Never really been a fan…you?  thedoors.com

The Elvis Presley live album Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite was recorded on 14th January 1973, and released a month later.  The double-LP was the first recorded in quadraphonic sound to top the Billboard charts.  Includes some superb renditions of his classics.  Love the King?  elvisthemusic.com

The new Kyle Craft album Showboat Honey sees the Portland based musician with a new backing band.  The music press say if you like David Bowie, Marc Bolan or Mott The Hoople, Craft will be up your street.   I do…and Craft has been on my playlist since the beginning.  Talent!

The 1975 Dr. Feelgood album Malpractice was their first in stereo, and first to make the charts.  The Canvey Island quartet featured Lee Brilleaux’s unique vocals and crunching riffs from Wilko Johnson.  Great pub rock and roll…none better?  drfeelgood.org

The 3rd solo Thom Yorke album ANIMA was released June 2019.  Accompanied by a short film. AMINA was apparently inspired by Yorke seeing electronic artist Flying Lotus live.  As per most of his solo work, unsettling and creepy come to mind.

The Scritti Politti album Anomie & Bonhomie is 20 years old this month!  Green Gartside managed to blend genres such as hip-hop and grunge, with the Scritti Politti 80’s sound on this LP.  No stand-out tracks, just a great listen!  scritti.net

The 1973 self-titled debut studio album by the British rock band Queen was a promising introduction.  Includes Keep Yourself Alive, Great King Rat and Doing All Right.  Far from perfect, but you’ve got to love Queen…  queenonlinestore.com

The Rolling Stones album Voodoo Lounge was released 25 years ago today!  After an absence of 5 years the Stones returned with this Grammy winning hit LP.   Includes the singles Love is Strong and You Got Me Rocking.   How do you rate?  rollingstones.com

The 3rd Tim Buckley album Happy Sad was released 50 years ago today!  Marked the beginning of his experimental period, incorporating jazz elements, and the beginning of his popularity decline.   The fools, Happy Sad is a fine, fine LP.  Love Strange Feelin’.  timbuckley.com

The 1981 Luther Vandross album Never Too Much was one of the best R&B offerings from the 80’s.  Includes the hit single title track, Don’t You Know That, and a standout rendition of A House Is Not A Home, made famous by Dionne Warwick.  Classic Luther.  luthervandross.com

The Texas based duo Black Pumas debut eponymous album has been described as Sam Cooke meets Wu-Tang Clan.  The duo Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton create a vintage soul sound reminiscent of Motown’s yesteryear with a modern twist.  I loved it.  theblackpumas.com

The 2nd album by The Prodigy Music For The Jilted Generation is 25 years old this month! The antidote to the 1994 Criminal Justice Bill which made raves illegal. Includes the singles Voodoo People, Poison, No Good (Start The Dance) and One Love. Ah…the memories.  theprodigy.com

The latest album by The Black Keys Let’s Rock is worth a listen.   I agree with the Guardian review who said “an album that’s solid rather than spectacular.” Includes the singles Lo/Hi, Eagle Birds, and Go.  I do have a big soft spot for this duo!  theblackkeys.com

The Hootie and The Blowfish album Cracked Rear View was released 25 years ago today! I’ll be honest, this wasn’t my bag.  But, the band from South Carolina sold a lot of records.  Apparently the joint 19th-best-selling album of all time in the US.  Hands up, who owns this?  hootie.com

Has it really been over a decade since The Raconteurs released an album?  My how time flies…the long awaited new album Help Us Stranger does not disappoint.  Benson and White masterfully blend pop and rock, through performance and melody.  Even a Donovan cover…quality musicians.  theraconteurs.com

The debut Nick Drake album Five Leaves Left is 50 years old today.  Mixed reviews upon release, now seen as a classic. Includes the wonderful River Man, Cello Song and The Thoughts of Mary Jane.  Melancholy masterpiece. Any Drake (not that one) fans out there?  brytermusic.com

The Prince estate have released an album of demos, called Originals, from the famous vault.  It contains Prince demo versions of songs the purple one gave to other artists.  Includes Manic Monday, Nothing Compares 2 U and Love…Thy Will Be Done.  Well curated collection.  prince.com

The 1999 debut Macy Gray album On How Life Is was released 20 years ago today!  Gray’s unique vocals catapulted the single I Try to international success.  The album was huge, her creative peak.  Q magazine said of Gray’s voice “as if Rod Stewart were a girl.”  macygray.com

The 7th Wilco album known as Wilco (the album) is 10 years old today!  The LP was available prior to general release on their website, and was nominated for a Grammy.  Jeff Tweedy’s knack of writing melodic, catchy and relevant tunes continued with this 2009 release.  wilcoworld.net

The eponymous debut studio album by the American nu metal band Slipknot was released 20 years ago today!  Allmusic said “You thought Limp Bizkit was hard? They’re The Osmonds. These guys are something else entirely!”  Never been a big fan, am I wrong?  slipknot1.com

The new Perry Farrell album Kind Heaven is the Jane’s Addiction frontman’s first solo LP in 18 years.  Produced by Tony Visconti the album delivers everything you would expect from Farrell given free reign.  I loved it.  perryfarrell.com

The 3rd solo album, The End of Innocence, by the lead vocalist and drummer for the Eagles Don Henley, is 30 years old today!  The LP is his bestselling album, and features the title track, The Heart of the Matter and the wonderful New York Minute.  His finest work?  donhenley.com

The debut eponymous La Roux was released 10 years ago today!  Shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, the LP is jam-packed with ‘80s revivalist pop tunes.  Includes the singles In for the Kill and Bulletproof.  Enjoyable sing-a-long while driving recently!  laroux.co.uk

The 2015 album Ego Death by the American R&B-neo soul band The Internet is perhaps their finest moment! Rap Reviews said “Ego Death is the perfect summer record. Breezy, smooth, lazy, and meant for warm nights.”  Exactly that!  internet-band.com

The new Bruce Springsteen album Western Stars is an empathetic and gentle masterpiece.  As the Boss approaches 70, his music reaches a new level of thoughtfulness.  Allmusic said “a collection of songs that are sweet, sad, and searching.”  Loved it, and you?  brucespringsteen.net

The 5th Mars Volta album Octahedron was released 10 years ago today! Planet Sound said of the LP “most chilled-out and approachable record.”  Vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala always stated they wanted to make a pop record.  This was it.

The Missy Elliott album Da Real World is 20 years old today!  A coarser affair than Misdemeanor’s previous two releases.  Timberland’s futuristic-breakbeat production helps propel Elliott’s clever wordplay.  I may have underestimated Missy’s talent.  missy-elliott.com

The 3rd Chemical Brothers album Surrender was released 20 years ago today!  Perhaps more of a house record than dance, but either way helped the duo continue their rise to stardom.  Singles included Hey Boy Hey Girl, Let Forever Be, and Out of Control.  thechemicalbrothers.com

The Prince soundtrack album for Batman was released 30 years ago today!  The soundtrack was arguably better than the movie, but is no Purple Rain.  Batdance was a huge hit, other singles were Partyman, The Arms of Orion and Scandalous!  prince.com

The 1964 Eric Dolphy album Out to Lunch is regarded as one of the Blue Note label’s most notable releases!  The LP was jazz multi-instrumentalist Dolphy’s only lead Blue Note release, as he died of diabetic shock shortly after the release.  Incredible LP.

The 1984 Iron Maiden album Powerslave is a fans favourite.  Includes the musical re-telling of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, as well as singles 2 Minutes to Midnight and Aces High.  Classic Maiden!  ironmaiden.com

The 1971 album Surf’s Up by The Beach Boys contains arguably the band’s masterpiece.  Originally written for the Smile album, the title track is majestic.  The LP has been described as ‘baroque psychedelia.’  I can’t speak highly enough of Surf’s Up.  Your views?  thebeachboys.com

The 3^rd Steve Miller Band album Brave New World is 50 years old today! The first LP following the departure of Boz Scaggs. My Dark Hour featured Paul McCartney and Space Cowboy had had a very similar riff to Lady Madonna. Solid LP.  stevemillerband.com

The debut Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures was released 40 years ago today! The iconic artwork by Peter Saville, the only LP released in Ian Curtis’s lifetime, and hugely influential. Critic Jon Savage described UP “guilt-ridden, romantic, claustrophobic.” One of the best?  joydivisionofficial.com

The 1999 Super Furry Animals album Guerrilla was released 20 years ago today! NME described their sound as nu-psychedelia, and said “an acid fried quadrophonic vision of rock ‘n’ roll”…quite! Always loved the cover.   superfurry.com

The River in Reverse, a collaboration between two great song-writers Elvis Costello and the late Allen Toussaint. The LP was released in 2006, just 9 months after the devastating Hurricane Katrina destroyed so much of Toussaint’s beloved hometown of New Orleans. The Grammy nominated LP featured songs mostly from Toussaint’s 60’s and 70’s back catalogue.   elviscostello.com

Yours to Keep, the debut solo album by The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr, released in 2006, is a ray of sunshine, compared to his normal day job. There is a guest appearance by old school friend Sean Lennon playing piano, bass guitar and backing vocals. Charming.  alberthammondjr.com

I had a friend who loved the Scottish rock band Gun, and especially their 1992 album Gallus. Having seen them live, with him, on more than one occasion I grew a fondness. Gallus includes the singles Higher Ground, Steal Your Fire, and Welcome to the Real World. Guilty pleasure?  gunofficial.co.uk

The self-taught multi-instrumentalist Lee Moses never found the fame he deserved, but the 1971 album Time and Place is a worthy listen.  Moses often performed with Gladys Knight, probably upstaging her with his powerful vocals.  Includes some great covers.

The Earth, Wind and Fire album I Am is 40 years old today!  In 1979 EWaF embraced the popular disco culture and created I Am, which included the disco classic Boogie Wonderland.  The ballad After The Love Has Gone was also a hit.   Infectious!  earthwindandfire.com

The Red Hot Chili Peppers album Californication is 20 years old today! In every traveller’s hangout in South East Asia in 2000, Otherside, Californication, Scar Tissue and all the other catchy tracks plagued the airwaves.   Good times, good tunes!  redhotchilipeppers.com

The 2nd Stone Temple Pilots album Purple is 25 years old today!  The follow-up to Core gave the San Diego rock band the credit they richly deserved.  Includes the singles Vasoline, Interstate Love Song and Big Empty.   How do you rate STP?

The Stevie Ray Vaughan (and Double Trouble) album In Step was released 30 years ago today!  His last with Double Trouble was a critic’s favourite.   Blending rock and blues, In Step included Crossfire, The House Is Rockin’ and Tightrope.  Vaughan died the following year in a helicopter crash.  srvofficial.com

The Paul McCartney album Flowers In The Dirt is 30 years old today! Confession time.  I’d never listened to this before… The LP was considered a return to form, enlisting Elvis Costello as a writing partner, and exhibiting new found ambition.  How do you rate?  paulmccartney.com

The Johnny Cash live album At San Quentin is 50 years old today!  Recorded at the legendary San Quentin State Prison on 24th February 1969.  The famous middle finger photo of Cash was taken at the show. Includes a brilliant take of A Boy Names Sue.  johnnycash.com

The 1969 Procol Harum album A Salty Dog is 50 years old this month!  Recorded at EMI Studios, London, apparently when tensions were running high within the band.  Allmusic wrote of the title track “one of the best pieces of progressive rock ever heard.”  Big praise!  procolharum.co.uk