16 DownHome Country Classics: Arhoolie Presents American Masters Vol. 10
Rose Maddox does her wonderful "Single Girl," Del McCoury does a very young sounding "Hey, Hey Bartender" and the Carter Family do "Hello Stranger." Sixteen down home, original, old style country classics.
Adventures in Afropea 3 - Telling Stories To The Sea - 1995
People claim Portugese is the world's most romantic language, before French. This particular compilation is wonderful, with Bonga, Cesaria Evora, Waldemar Bastos and eight others. Since first hearing this I've seen wonderful concerts by both Evora & Bastos. Romantic, ethereal, mysterious and mystical, the music is emotively powerful. I love it!
All Night Long They Play the Blues - The Galaxy masters - 1992 Specialty Records
I find myself playing Saunders King's "What's Your Story, Morning Glory?" over and over again. This is a fine compilation recorded between 1962 & 1971, with such greats as Big Mama Thornton, Phillip Walker, Merl Charles Brown and others, including Little Johnny Taylor's version of "The Things That I Used to Do." Mighty fine!
A Native American Odyssey: Inuit to Inca - 1998 Putamayo
Another fine Putamayo collection of mostly upbeat and highly varied music from American Indians from Canada to Bolivia. Recommended.
Area 51: The Roswell Incident - 1998 purple Pyramid
Way cool 2 CD set with Hawkwind, yamo, Tangerine Dream, Gong, Amon Duul, Holger Czukay and others. Mostly space oriented and ambient but also some up tempo progressive space rockers. Great collection.
A Tribute to the Music & Works of Brian Eno - 1997 Cleopatra
Eleven tunes, mostly somewhat ambient and subtle instrumentals, redoing some Eno classics. Chrome, Brand X and Controlled Bleeding are among the better known of the eleven bands.
Beleza Tropical 2 - 1998 Luaka Bop/WB
Fifteen Brazilian tunes by Gilberto Gil, Caetano Velosa and thirteen others, many rather unfamiliar. Generally beautiful love and romantic dance numbers and one of my favorite world musicians, Tom Ze.
The Big Lebowski soundtrack - 1998
Hot, fun compilation starting with a raspy Bob Dylan, flowing through Captain Beefheart, Elvis Costello, the wonderfully amazing Yma Sumac, a ))& sounding Moondog with Orchestra song called "Stamping Ground," the 60s "Just Dropped in (to see What Conditin My Condition Was In)," Hanry Mancini, a strange vocalization by Meredith Monk, the Gypsy Kings doing "Hotel California," and others. Hot collection!
Black Orpheus - 1989 Verve/Polygram
As close to the Rio carnival as most of us will get, this is a wonderful and tropical soundtrack featuring street music and beautiful Antonio Carlos Jobim tunes. Very different and intriguing.
Brain in a Box - Rhino (5 CDs)
You know it...you can't even tell yo mama about this one. Super hot!! The creators of this deserve a metal. Wow! Like 3-D and multi-faceted in a big way. Super cool! Hold me back for Les Baxter's "Luna Rhapsody.' You feel you've been waiting but it's been there all along!! Lordy!!! I'm going off the deep end on this one. Help! Recommended!
Capitol Sings Jerome Kern - The Song is You - 1992 Capitol
A collection of 25 tunes, all Kern classics, but some a wee bit on the cheesy side, like The Four Freshmen and the Four Preps. Highlights include Nat King Cole, Lena Horn and Dinah Washington.
Celtic Tides: A Musical Odyssey - 1998 Putumayo
Very beautiful collection of Irish, Scottish, and Canadian Celtic artists including Mary Black, Altan, Natalie MacMaster, Seamus Egan and others.
Chess New Orleans - 1995
A wonderful collection of original and foot stomping songs by Sugar Boy Crawford, Slim Saunders, Paul Gayten, The Hawketts, Bobby Charles, Clifton Chenier Eddie Bo and others. From 1953 - 1962 this collection covers a wonderful chapter of Leonard Chess' bountiful recording career.
Columbia Country Classics: The Golden Age, Vol. 1 - 1990 CBS
Songs from 1935 - 1951 include Patsy Montana's classic "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama," and 25 others. This is a good introduction to the roots of country and bluegrass (Bill Monroe, The Stanley Bros., and Flatt & Scruggs. Some recordings are rough, some songs are very simplistic and simple, some are quirky - a good reflection of the times.
Columbia Country Classics: Honky Tonk Heroes, Vol. 2 - 1990 CBS
Excellent selection of country tunes from 1946 - 1962. This is the good country without the placid strings of yore or the rock n' roll of today. Nearly every artist on this collection is worth hearing much more music from, especially Carl Smith, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, and Johnny Horton. Includes the hot Charlie Walker hit, "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" and "Lefty Frizzell's "Always Late With Your Kisses."
Dig These Blues - 1992
22 super tracks compiled by Ace Records, including Al Simmons, Moose John, Slim Green, Hozay, Sailor Boy (Alex Spearman), Jimmy Nolen and other names that may not ring a bell to the average blues fan, but which are killer hits from the mid to late 1950's. The artists were recorded by Johnny Otis during his short lived Dig Records project. Highly recommended.
The Disney Collection: Vol. #1 - Walt Disney Music Co.
Eighteen classic goodies such as "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee" and "Give a Little Whistle." Way fun at any age! Part one of three.
Drink Up and Go Home: Sun Country Vol. 2 - 1996 Sun
Twenty four great rockabilly - country tunes that you just don't hear anywhere anymore but are nevertheless great tunes. Beyond Johnny Cash, Charlie Feathers and Carl Perkins, most of the rest of these tunes are from lesser known folks like The Ripley Cotton Choppers "Silver Bell" and Slim Rhodes "Bad Girl." Very cool.
Duke-Peacock's Greatest Hits - 1992 Duke/Peacock/MCA
Super R & B and blues collection with Bobby Bland's "I Pity the Fool," Junior Parker's "Next Time You See Me," Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" and 13 other lesser known but hot gems.
Essential Blues - 1995 House of Blues (2 CDs)
Great recordings of classic blues tunes with a big booklet of liner notes and photos. The downfall is the irritating announcer who comes on every few tunes.
The Event Horizon - City of Tribes Records
This is one excellent label producing some truly cool, hip, timeless, upbeat, non-commercial music. There's lots of didgeridoo, beautiful vocals, percussion, and harp work on numerous tunes. Many of the "bands" have members from the other groups and there's a similarity amongst the songs and everything on this label. Really cool is the Rocking Horse People's version of "Tomorrow Never Knows." Recommended.
The Event Horizon - 1996 City of Tribes Records
Another wonderful collection of cool sounds.
Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet - 2002 Minit/EMI/Capitol
Twenty excellent New Orleans R&B and boogie tunes featuring such classics as Irma Thomas' "Ruler of My Heart," Aaron Neville's "Let's Live," and Benny Spellman's "Lipstick Traces." Super introduction to Allen Toussaint's great productions from 1960-62. Recommended.
First Edition - 1982 EG Records (vinyl)
A wonderful early progressive new wave comp with a touch of lounge (Penguin Café Orchestra and The Lounge Lizards), minimalism (Eno), punk (Adam & the Ants, worldbeat (Laraaji & Edikanf), and cool (Phil Manzanara, & the Eno & Snatch rarity "R.A.F."). Probably way out of print, but what a gem.
Gaelic Voices - 1999 Green Linnet
Beautiful selectin of fourteen tunes by Sileas, Altan, Capercaillie, Cherish the Ladies and others. Spectacular selections. Recommended.
Grosse Pointe Blank - 1997 London
Great soundtrack collection with the Violent Femmes, The Specials, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, The English Beat, David Bowie & Queen, The Jam, The Clash & others. Hot!
Gumbo Stew: "More" - 1993 Ace (UK)
Classic and rare 60's New Orleans R&B. Wow! Great and unusual selections including Tami Lynn's beautiful vacals, Dr. John doing an instrumental on an organ, Lee Dorsey, Willie Tee and other masters of unique N'Awlins R&B. With the exception of a few tunes this collection is Recommended!
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar: Masters Collection Vol. 2 - 1999 Dancing Cat Records
A fine collection of this beautiful guitar style. Mostly instrumentals, including beauties by Led Kaapana, Keola Beamer, and Bob Brozman.
The Heartbeat of New Orleans Rock n' Roll - Ace Records
Super collection of 1950's rhythm and blues/rock n' roll greats, including Chuck Carbo, Dr. John, Huey Smith and Bobby Day and Willie Dixon singing "Baby, You're So Fine" (called "Ooh Wee Baby by Aaron Nevile"). Recommended.
Hot Rod Rumble - 1996 Dee-Jay/Buffalo Bop (German)
Intense collection of 31 tunes about hot rods, dragsters and two songs about Hondas! While most tunes suffer some from technical production, but they make up for it in original, super cool rockabilly, surf, garage, hip honky tonk, and country rockin' songs averaging two minutes and a few seconds in length.
House Rockin' & Hip Shakin', Vol. 3: Killer Swamp Blues Guitar - 1998 Excello/Hip-O
Another super hot Excello collection with Slim Harpo, Guitar Gable, Lazy Lester, and fifteen other lesser known artists, mostly from the 1956 period. Very hot.
Motown's Blue Evolution - 1996
The lesser known side of Motown's productions - hot blues. Artists include Sammy Ward, Earl King, Amos Milburn and Luther Allison. Hot!
Music for the Movies of Clint Eastwood - 2001 Warner Bros.
The first few tunes are from his famous Westerns and are quite cool. Most of the CD is mood music or jazz influenced tunes reflective of Clint's love of jazz.
Nordic Roots: "A NorthSide Collection" 1998 NorthSide
Scandanavia is producing some wonderful music encompasing traditional influences, heavenly female vocals, supurb fiddle and other instrumentation, and fresh and creative compositions. From listening to this and other similar compilations I've attained individual albums by the bands Vasen, Hedningarna, Chateau Neuf, Wimme, Hoven Droven, Loituma and others. Look for this compilation at a super cheap price or check www.northside.com.
Nova Bossa: Red Hot on Verve - 1996 Verve/Polygram
Great selection of 23 Brazilian tunes including the familiar Gets/Gilberto/Jobim numbers and other wonderful and intriguing musicians. Very cool.
Out of Many, One - 1990 Trojan
Ninteen straight ahead and skanky DJ reggae beauties. Big Youth, Johnnie Clark, Dennis Alcapone and sixteen others offer a wonderful collection of non-commercial tunes.
Peeni Walli - 1992 Shanachie
Super collection of progressive instrumental reggae and dub. Dennis Bovell, LKJ, Lee Perry, Rico and others offer something different. Nice production.
Planet Squeezebox: Accordion Music From Around the World - 1995 Ellipsis Arts
Three CD collection of a remarkable selection of styles of non-commercial accordion based musics, from Zydeco to Klezmer, African, polka and Tejanos. You'll never hear this on popular radio and might not put it on a an average party, but it's nonetheless a wonderful selection.
Relix Magazine: 20th Anniversary Concert - 1995 Relix
Versions of traditional, Dead, Miss. John Hurt, Peter Rowan and other classics. It's alright, I like the song choice, but I generally prefer the originals.
Songs of the West: Vol. 2 - 1993 Rhino
Eighteen old west tunes from Gene Autry, Bob Wills, Roy Rogers, and lesser known musicians. Songs about the dusty trail, western towns, and other western themes.
The Soulful Women Duets of South Texas - 2000 Arhoolie
Beautiful Tejano female duets. Mostly rancheras, but some boleros and others styles from Las Hermanas Degollado, Las Hermanas Segovia, Las Hermanas Mendoza and others. 24 tunes by six duets total.
The Soul of Black Peru - Afro-Peruvian Classics - 1995
Forget the pan flutes that characterize the music of the Andes (not that such music isn't wonderful), and experience the spectacular sounds of Susana Baca and 13 other contemporary musicians whose music is more reminiscent of Flamenco music and Brazilian carnival tunes. Most of this music is upbeat and energetic, often funky and danceable. Compiled by David Byrne and Yale Evelev on Luaka Bop.
Southern Journey Vol 3: 61 Highway Mississippi - 1997 Rounder
Another wonderful Alan Lomax collection, this time a 1959 recording of delta country blues, spirituals, work songs & simple dance music.
Southern Journey Vol 5: Bad Man Ballads - Songs of Outlaws and Desperadoes - 1997 Rounder
As the liner notes say, "Mountain balladeers, Virginia quartets and Mississippi prisoners sing of outlaws, murderers, hellreisers and tragic heroes." A fine collection of Americana you'll never hear on the radio!
The Spirit of Cape Verde - 1995 Tinder
Truly beautiful collection of male and female vocalists from this tropical Portugese island. Romantic, heart felt, touching tunes by Cesaria Evora, Tantcha, Bau, Celina Pereira and others.
That's Bluegrass! - 1995 CMH
Forty tunes on two discs with familiar and obscure numbers such as The Osborne Brothers doing "Rocky Top," and Don Reno and Author Smith doing a fun version of "Over the Rainbow." A big variety of great tunes including many smokin' instrumentals.
Trance Planet Vol. 5: The Essential Compilation of Eclectic, Enchanting and Soulful World Music - 2000
Perhaps not as dance oriented as the earlier compilations, but nevertheless a wonderful collection of world music. Some songs are very oriented while others are ethereal and thought provoking. See www.triloka.com for more details. Highly recommended.
Tribal Fires: Contemporary native American Music - 1997
Mixing traditional Native American singing with modern beats and instrumentation, socially conscious lyrics, and some unique atmospheric sounds. Cool! Feature Walela, Jerry Alfred, Jani Lauzon and 10 other contemporary artists. This compilation "moves into new territory with a powerful sound melding the ancient with the future."
Trojan D.J. Box Set - 1998 Trojan (3 cd set)
Smokin' hot. Perhaps my favorite style of Reggae - skanky, bouncy, groovy, smooth & quirky, wild vocalists - U Roy, I Roy, Sir Lord Comic, Scotty, and Big Youth's "Screaming Target." 50 tracks on 3 cds. Super cool! The whole series of these Trojan label compilations is super cool.
Trojan Jamaican Superstars - 1999 Trojan (3 cd set)
This collection features six musicians, each allotted ½ of a CD. Gregory Isaacs, Delroy Wilson, John Holt, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, and Pat Kelly. I like this, but the collections of more artists in this series are more interesting.
The Trojan Singles Collection, Part 2 - 25 Classic Tracks - 1996 Trojan Records
Mostly great compilation from the late 1960s and early 70s. Killer hits by Dandy Livingston, Desmond Dekker, Judge Dread, Skatalites and the Upsetters.
Whistle Bait! - 2000 Columbia/Sony
Hot rockabilly collection with 25 well known (e.g. Link Wray, Carl Perkins) and lesser known (e.g. Freddie Hart, Wayne Walker) artists. Decent recordings and upbeat fun like "Baboon Boogie" by Jimmy Murphy!
Wizard Women of the North - 1999 East Side/Grappa/NorthSide
Great collection of Scandanavian female singers and instramentalists. Includes Annbjorg Lien, Tellu and half a dozen other ethereal and unique artists.
Wonders of the African World - 1999 Warner
Twelve fine African tunes by Boubacar Traore, Les Go and Angelique Kidjo, Hamza El Din, Ali Farka Toure and others. Very nice and non-commercial collection of some fine straight ahead African tunes to this documentary.
The World's Greatest Country Fiddlers - 1999 CMH
A wonderful collection of 36 hot fiddle players including Benny Martin, Buddy Spicher, and Johnny Gimble.
A Tribute To Woody Guthrie - 1972 Warner Bros. (2 CD)
Highlights from Concerts at Carnegie Hall, 1968, and Hollywood Bowl, 1970. Twenty seven songs and narration by Peter Fonda and others. Artists include: Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Jack Elliott, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Odetta, Arlo Guthrie and others.
Words of My Mouth - 1996 Trojan Records
Another fine collection in the producer series by Lee Perry. Super reggae with some wild cuts from the Upsetters, Lee & Junior, Junior Byles and others. Recommended.
Zen and the Art of Chilling: Vol. One - 2002 Ark 21/Mondo
Way cool multinational ambient, trans hop, space bass & drum collection of sometimes subtle, sometimes dancin' tunes by fifteen bands, all of them nicely chillin.' Hip mix of electronics, Middle Eastern and other distinct tape loops, and a smooth beat. Recommended.
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