Bruce's CD Player

Greetings again from the world’s laziest blogger. I'm not sure what the record is for blog stagnancy, but it has been one year since my last update. Strangely, a few of my friends actually noticed the lack of updates. Also, the log-in procedure has changed, so this belated update was a struggle.

Anyway, here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Radiohead – In Rainbows [2007]
2) Ray Davies - Working Man's Cafe [2007; import]
3) Graham Parker – Don't Tell Columbus [2006]
4) Brian Eno & David Byrne – My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts [1981]
5) Son Volt - The Search [2007]
6) Warren Zevon - Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings [2007]


TURNTABLE CORNER:Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
Echo & The Bunymen - Porcupine [1983]
David Gilmour- About Face [1984]
Green On Red- No Free Lunch [1985]
Steel Pulse - True Democracy [1982]
Mark Isham- Film Music [1987]

Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

Greetings again from the world’s laziest blogger. Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, & Bastards [Disc 1 of 3]
2) Todd Snider – The Devil You Know
3) Richard Buckner – Meadow
4) Ramones – Acid Eaters [1993]
5) The Who - Live At Lyon [bonus disc from Endless Wire album]
6) Los Lobos - The Town And The City


TURNTABLE CORNER:Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
Replacements - Stink [1982]
Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico [1967]
Joni Mitchell- Blue [1971]


Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

As you were.

Greetings again from the world’s laziest blogger. Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Willie Nile – Streets Of New York
2) R.E.M. – And I Feel Fine: Best Of The IRS Years 1982-1987 (Collectors Edition; disc 2 of 2)
3) The Who – Endless Wire
4) Patti Smith – Bootleg: 2006-10-15 Final Show at CBGB's, New York, NY
5) ....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - So Divided
6) Willie Nelson - Songbird


TURNTABLE CORNER:Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.

KDKB Arizona Sounds Volume V [1981]
Lou Reed - Rock N Roll Animal [1974]
Lou Reed - Street Hassle [1978]
Lou Reed - The Bells [1979]
Lou Reed - Growing Up In Public [1980]
Lou Reed - New Sensations [1984]
Lou Reed - Rock And Roll Heart [1976]
Ramones - Ramones [1976]
Ramones - End Of The Century [1980]
Ramones - Too Tough To Die [1985]
Talking Heads - The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads [1982]


Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

As you were.

Greetings again from the world’s laziest blogger. For those keeping track, this seven month interval between updates sets a new personal high for me. I guess if you set the bar low enough, you can always have something to be proud of.

In the (very) long hiatus between blog updates, I built my own desktop computer (how geeky is that?). I posted a few photos of the build process here.

I also recently rediscovered a great online radio station, the local creamy radio. Check it out, listen to it, and bookmark it. You won't regret it.

Long time readers (all three of you) will notice that I've added a link at the bottom so you can add comments to each post. Please check it out.

Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Green On Red – Gas Food Lodging/Green On Red
This former Tucson band was a forerunner to later alt-country bands like Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, et al, though Green On Red had more of a psychedelic bent to their songs. My beloved vinyl copy of the 1985 album Gas Food Lodging was pressed on green vinyl; much cooler than the shiny silver CD version. The eponymous debut EP (perhaps the nadir of the band’s canon) is included on the CD. The band was originally called The Serfers, as was recently pointed out by my friend Bill. Bill is one very few people who knows as much useless trivia as I do.

2) Ray Davies – Other People’s Lives
If this isn’t my favorite album of 2006, then it certainly is the biggest surprise. A brilliant and widely varied collection of smart, funny, catchy songs sung and played wonderfully by the 62 year old former Kinks leader. Highly recommended.

3) The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
I largely missed the The Smiths rise and fall in the 80s, as my lone purchase at the time was the inconsistent Meat Is Murder album. A real shame.

4) Drive-By Truckers – A Blessing And A Curse
DBT’s latest is perhaps more polished and less conceptual than any of their previous albums. While DBT remain among my favorite bands, this one ranks somewhere near the middle of their oeuvre.

5) Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium (Disc 2 of 2)
I just can’t get very excited about the Chili Pepper’s new album….to my ears this sounds exactly like their previous few albums, though a lot longer and spread over two CDs. Congrats on your first #1 album guys, but next time mix it up a little.

6) The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers
Jack White’s (of the White Stripes) new band’s album clocks in at just 33 minutes, a bit slight even by vinyl LP standards. Speaking of vinyl LPs, this album would not sound out of place next to Cheap Trick's 1977 debut, or any of the wonderful Nuggets compilations of 60’s garage rock. A good but not great album. Their retro web site is kinda cool also.


TURNTABLE CORNER:

Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.

Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul - Men Without Women [1982]
Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul - Voice of America [1984]
The Del Fuegos – The Longest Day [1984]
The Del Fuegos – Boston, Mass. [1985]
Harlequin – Love Crimes [1981]
Kate Bush - The Whole Story [1986]
Various Artists – Original Soundtrack: Times Square [1980]
The B52’s – Strobe Light [bootleg of 1979-08-24 show]
Peter Tosh - Wanted Dread & Alive [1981]
Lyres - On Fire [1984]
Earl Klugh - Heart String [1979]
Hoodoo Gurus - Blow Your Cool! [1987]
Steve Forbert - Jackrabbit Slim [1979]
David Gilmour - About Face [1984]

Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

As you were.

Sadly (to a few), more than three months have passed sinced my last update. The roots of laziness run very deep, I'm afraid, and for that I blame society. Society made me what I am.

I'm not serious, I was just quoting a line from Repo Man, a classic movie that should be on everybody's Christmas list.

As another holiday season has nearly come and gone, my younger brother is home with his family, the Vikings and Suns are both winning, and the local brewpub has an excellent barleywine on tap. For now, things are good. Merry Christmas everybody!

Long time readers (all three of you) will notice that I've added a link at the bottom so you can add comments to each post. Please check it out.

Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Eventually, some young band was bound to carry the blueprint laid down by the Talking Heads circa 1983 into the new millenium. Brooklyn upstarts CYHSY proudly do that on their auspicious debut, and in doing so they produced one of the best albums of 2005. Seek this one out and you'll be amply rewarded.

2) Gang Of Four - Return The Gift
Seminal leftist punk band Go4's first album in 20 years consists of recent re-recordings of their best and earliest work, originally released from 1979-82 or thereabouts. While the sound of the new recordings is great, the improvement over the originals is marginal. Why accept substitutes when the originals are still available?

3) Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison
After seeing and enjoying Walk The Line, I naturally had to pull out some Cash. While I enjoyed his later Rick Rubin produced albums, JC was clearly at the top of his game on this 1968 live album. See the movie......but only listen to the genuine article.

4) Trey Anastasio - Shine
The former Phishman almost gets it right on first solo album since the band called it quits in 2004. More radio friendly and with less noodling than any Phish album, these songs will open up just fine when he takes them on the road. The best songs here clock in at just three minutes, very economical by Phish standards. The last half of the CD lags a bit, however, and the slick production doesn't serve Trey well. A decent album by a very good guitarist.

5) My Morning Jacket - Z
Maybe this will be the album that puts MMJ onto the big stage they deserve. More consistent though less heartfelt than 2001's At Dawn, MMJ's best album, the new one showcases all the usual influences (Neil Young, the Band, etc.) while adding experimental touches a' la Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev. Perhaps MMJ is the American Radiohead.

6) Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Live At Billy Bob's Texas
Clyne's current outfit will never reach the glorious highs of his previous band, local heroes The Refreshments. Regardless, this 2005 live album gives a nice overview of his post-90's work, and there's a few Refreshments gems included. Country-rock and power pop with tongue firmly in cheek. Fun stuff.



TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.

The Elevators - Frontline [1980]
The Feelies - The Good Earth [198?]
Mark Isham - Film Music [1987]
Rolling Stones - Tattoo You [1981]
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead [1986]
Fetchin' Bones - Bad Pumpkin [1986]
Wayne Shorter - Phantom Navigator [1986]
Randy Newman - Trouble In Paradise [1983]
The Grateful Dead - Live Dead [1969]
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega [1985]
Neil Young - Old Ways [1985]
No Nukes [1980]
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Southern Accents [1985]
Danny And Dusty - The Lost Weekend [1985]


Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

As you were.

To the surprise of no one, vacation season has come and gone without a blog update. I did, however, manage a couple of vacations this summer.

Just before July 4th I spent a few days in pre-Katrina New Orleans with my brothers, one of whom has since been deployed with his National Guard unit to Afghanistan. Please join me in praying for his safe reurn. The city of New Orleans was very kind to us, which makes the news of the recent disaster even more troubling.

The other vacation was our annual sojourn to the (much) cooler climes of San Diego, where we spent two relaxing weeks. Oceanside living confirmed what I've always know of myself: If not for the money, I wouldn't work a day of my life.

Enough small talk. Here's what's currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Coldplay - X & Y
Warning: May cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Scratch the part about avoiding alcohol....drinking heavily may make Coldplay's new album a little less disappointing to you. Even my wife thinks this one's a yawner.

2) Ryan Adams And The Cardinals - Cold Roses (Disc 2 of 2)
Adams is the kind of talented but difficult artist (that's music industry lingo for 'he's an a**hole') that can be very frustrating to fans. After five years of genre hopping, Adams has finally returned to the 70s tinged country-rock that he once made with his former band mates in Whiskeytown, though this time around there's more of a psychedelic feel to it. Current backing band The Cardinals bring a little fuller sound, giving Adams ample room to toss off a few Jerry Garcia-like guitar solos. Embrace your inner Dead-head.

3) Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth
My long lost friend and former college newspaper editor Jackie convinced me that I shouldn't give up on Oasis yet, despite the diminishing quality of their past four albums. As was usually the case back then, Jackie was right. The new albums' sound is leaner, the guitars louder, and the songs tighter than they've been since the mid-90s. While maybe not a return to greatness, this is certainly a step in the right direction.

4) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl
On their new/third album, BRMC has dispensed with heavily fuzzed guitar, the distortion laden vocals and haunted intensity that made them interesting. Instead they've released a largely acoustic album that embraces early blues, folk and gospel. Whether this is good or bad in the long run remains to be seen, but I'm skeptical.

5) King Crimson - Three Of A Perfect Pair
On our recent vacation in San Diego, we became friendly with the locals who lived across the alley. Among them was Greg, a guy with similar tastes in music who owns as much or more music than I ever have. Among the many great albums he played for us was some early 80's King Crimson, an era in which guitarist and vocalist Adrian Belew became a dominate figure in the band. This third album of the Belew era is perhaps not as strong as Discipline or Beat; more instrumental in nature but still very interesting. Belew himself remains a major talent under appreciated by the masses. Remind me to check out the upcoming Belew show in Scottsdale.

6) The Flamin Oh's - The Flamin' Oh's / Stop
In my college years, the greatest Minneapolis bands to occasionally visit were The Suburbs, The Replacements, and the Flamin' Oh's. I recently discovered that the Flamin' Oh's first two albums have been combined on a single CD, available at CDBaby. The new wave sound, omnipresent in the era, is a bit dated now, but these albums still sound great. To quote Ian Hunter, "old records never die".


TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.

Bob Dylan - Down In the Groove [1988]
Green On Red - No Free Lunch [1985]
UK - Danger Money [1979]
Darol Anger/Barbara Higbie - Tideline [1982]
Sly And The Family Stone - Anthology [1981]
The Woodentops - Giant [1986]
Todd Rundgren - Back To The Bars [1978]
Jeff Beck - Wired [1976]
The Suburbs - Credit In Heaven [1981]
Peter Tosh - Wanted Dread And Alive [1981]
George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Move It On Over [1978]


Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

As you were.

Well, I didn’t manage to update the blog in January, February, or March……another New Years resolution down the drain.

I posted a few of Lowell’s photos from the 2005 Strong Beer Festival. Check them out by clicking the link on the right.

If any of you are planning to attend the Scottsdale Culinary Festival on Saturday, April 16, stop by the Papago Brewing booth in the ‘festival of beers’. Yours truly will be bartending from 5-7PM, and I promise to take care of my friends.

Over the past few months I felt like my taste in music was becoming far too mainstream…..clearly against my nature. It had gotten so bad that my wife was actually enjoying a lot of the stuff I was playing in the car. I felt like I had to halt this disturbing trend, so I threw in some stuff that’s a little farther left of center.

Without further ado, here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:

1) Bowery Electric - Beat
My alleged friend Craig mentioned these guys to me a few years ago, saying their approach was similar to that of Icelandic art-rockers Sigur Ros. Bowery Electric is indeed similar in that they create a kind of droning electronic pop, heavy on mood and light on lyrics. Though some tracks are pretty interesting, this 1996 album probably works best as ambient music.

2) The Psychedelic Avengers – The Psychedelic Avengers And The Curse Of The Universe
Billed on indietorrents.com as ‘pure space rock’, this 2004 album is actually a compilation concept album that is supposed to mimic a low budget science fiction movie soundtrack. Comprised of lots of sci-fi bleeps and noises along with occasional chords and beats, I found the song titles (i.e. track 11 is titled Inside a Bruzzceegurian kitchen strange things can happen to a man with short legs) to be far more interesting than the music. I’ll probably bury this one pretty deep in the CD cabinet.

3) Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration
I was late to discover Mercury Rev, a band formed in the late 80’s and once kicked off the Lollapalooza tour’s second stage for being “too noisy”. I first heard them on 1998’s Deserters Songs and later on the majestic 2001 album All Is Dream. Their latest, released in the UK in January but not available until May 15 in the US, is their most polished album to date, chock full of lush orchestrations, intricate melodies and poetic lyrics. This is as good as any album I’ve heard this year.

4) Adrian Belew – Side One
I haven’t listened to Belew solo album in several years, but became curious after recently re-listening to a lot of his work with King Crimson. While his guitar skills were never in doubt, at first listen this album appears to be all flash. Perhaps Side Two and Side Three, slated for release later this year, will be better.

5) Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
6) Bright Eyes – Digital Ashes In A Digital Urn
Conor Oberst, aka as Bright Eyes, is amazingly prolific and the current darling of indie music. Though he’s just 25, these simultaneous releases comprise his fifth and sixth full length albums in addition to 8 or 9 EPs. To my ears Oberst is a decent songwriter who might someday be a great one. He’s still not much of a singer, though. The country rock tinged Wide Awake is the better of these two; the monster beats and electronica of Digital Ash seem a bit contrived. For now, Bright Eyes remains both over-hyped and a tad over-rated.


Unsolicited reviews by my so-called friend Lowell

Lowell is both a music aficionado and the de-facto photographer to the local blues music scene. I think he sent me these reviews with equal parts enthusiasm for the music and hopes of shaming me into updating this blog. Here’s what Lowell had to say:

Wayne Cochran- Get Down With It! (2005)
Readers of Bruce’s CD Player are no doubt too young to have ever seen a live performance by Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders, so you’ve missed something extraordinary. Seeing and hearing them was an unforgettable experience. They were an electrifying high-energy band that did everything from R&B to Jazz to Rock ‘n’ Roll, but they really shined went Cochran was doing soul music. I was lucky enough to be living in South Florida during their Florida glory days (latter ‘60’s to early 70’s), and saw many of their shows at The Barn in Miami Beach. Cochran was a soul singer in the tradition of James Brown, but he was also one of a kind, he was an original. Jackie Gleason once said, “Watching Cochran’s performance is like watching a chain reaction of nuclear blasts-there’s no escaping it.” Phoenix’s own exciting blues and soul-man Mark (Walkin’) Cane says that Cochran was the “greatest soul-man of all times.” For some reason, which I’ve never understood, Cochran never became famous on a national level. Cochran and the C.C. Riders released several albums in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, but unfortunately none of those recordings ever made it to CD format…until just recently. On February 15th, 2005, Raven Records of Australia released a CD titled “Get Down With It” by Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders. The 24 tracks are from ’59 through ’72, and are excellent audio quality. I recommend to all of the readers of Bruce’s CD Player that you go to Amazon.com and treat yourself to this great collection of Cochran songs.


Al Casey – Sidewinder (1995)
I hate to admit it but until just a few months ago I was not even aware of who Al Casey was, but he’s an excellent guitarist who will be inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (AMEHOF) in April 2005. Casey’s music goes back to the mid ‘50’s when he teamed up with Sanford Clark and they made “The Fool,” which was a national hit in 1956. Casey was responsible for the haunting guitar sounds on Jody Reynolds’s “Endless Sleep” that was another hit in 1958. Through the ‘60’s and ‘70’s Casey was a top studio guitar player in California working with practically everyone in the business from the Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra, but finally returned to Arizona in the early '80's. Casey also put out records under his own name from he '60's into the 90's. His biggest hit was “Surfin' Hootenanny” which made it into the top 50 on the pop chart in 1963. The 1995 recordings on “Sidewinder” are all new recording of old songs and include many friends of Casey’s; including David Grisman, Glen Campbell, Lee Hazlewood and Jody Reynolds. A different version of “Endless Sleep” and “The Fool” are both on this CD. I think readers of Bruce’s CD Player will enjoy this CD. For all you Phoenix area readers, the induction takes place on April 17th, at 4:00 M at the Dodge Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Some other notable inductees are Glen Campbell, Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, Dyke & The Blazers, Marty Robins, etc. You can check the complete list at http://www.azmusichalloffame.org/. Also, there will be an AMEHOF induction after party at the Rhythm Room starting at 8 PM, with “many special guests.”


TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.

Pete Townshend – Deep End Live! [1986]
The Raybeats – It’s Only A Movie [1983]
The Raybeats – Guitar Beat [1981]
David Sanborn – Heart To Heart [1978]
Peter Himmelman – Gemetria [1987]
Graham Parker – The Real Macaw [1983]
Alan Parsons Project – I Robot [1977]


Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.

As you were.