Vinyl Albums - Comments by TheDA1

Vinyl Albums - Comments by TheDA1

« Member Page

Page 1 of 3 : Previous : Next :

Member	Item		Review/Comment
TheDA1 14th Sep 2023		Vinyl Album The 5th Dimension - The Magic Garden (1967)	This LP ranks in my top 100 albums of the 1960’s. I purchased it solely on the basis that it was written and arranged by Jim Webb. From the moment that the opening "Prologue" melded into “The Magic Garden”, I knew for sure this was going to be a great ride. As a writer, Jim Webb could practically do nothing wrong during this period, and the arrangements here are all top of the line. Excellent production by Bones Howe. The 5th Dimension are given room to stretch, and never sounded better. If you like pop music, this one’s a keeper.
TheDA1 14th Sep 2023		Vinyl Album Bob Lind - Don't Be Concerned (1966)	Review Bob Lind is a name that is probably not familiar to anyone except hard core 60’s music fans. However, his one big hit, the self-penned “Elusive Butterfly” is one of the most outstanding singles of that decade. In late 1965, the pop world was captivated by the opening strains of “You might wake up some morning to the sound of something moving past your window in the wind.” The song is filled with one evocative phrase after another, and still sounds as fresh today as it did back then. Generally speaking, one hit wonders do not usually release albums with any particular merit. “Don’t Be Concerned” is a complete exception to that rule. Mr. Lind not only has the soul of a poet, but also a strong melodic sense that serves each of the selections well. Aside from the throwaway “The World Is Just a B-Movie”, there’s not a weak cut among the other eleven. Excellent production and arrangement by Jack Nitzsche. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
TheDA1 27th Jun 2018		Vinyl Album Lou Christie - Lightnin' Strikes (1966)	Review This is probably the Lou Christie album that would appeal to the widest range of listeners. Side one covers an excellent group of contemporary songs from the mid-60s, and Lou handles both ballads and uptempo numbers in fine fashion. Of particular note is an interesting and effective rendition of the Lennon-McCartney classic, “If I Fell”. Side one is good, but the real fireworks start on side two with all six songs written by Lou and his partner Twyla Herbert. Five of the six feature his distinctive falsetto, and are filled with one killer hook after another. Aside from the falsetto, Lou has one of the great voices in pop music with an exciting sense of urgency. Both he and his partner knew how to tailor a song to his vocal strengths, and were at the top of their game here. Side two is not just the the monster hit “Lightning Strikes” and five other also rans. There are at least two other selections on this side that have the word “hit” written all over them, plus three other very worthy album cuts (“Jungle”, “Baby We’ve Got To Run Away”, and “Diary”). Of particular note is Christie’s use of female background singers who play an essential part in his overall sound. This is as much of his trademark as is the falsetto, and adds an exciting element that is rare in most male vocals. The background harmonies on all songs are every bit as good as they are on “Lightning Strikes.” They are creative in ways that truly move a song along, and a pleasure in their own right. Unfortunately MGM was a record company with lots of money coupled with almost no clue how to effectively promote an artist. The potential follow-up hits (“Trapeze” and “Cryin’ in the Streets”) got criminally buried on the b-side of Lou’s first two releases, and he was never able to build the kind of momentum necessary to sustain a singles artist back then for more than a couple hits at a time. Also, the failure to release and promote another a-side off the album undoubtedly did nothing to increase album sales. This is my favorite Lou Christie album. On the strength of Side two alone, I would give the album a 9. 5 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
TheDA1 26th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Lou Christie - Lightnin' Strikes (1966)	Review This is probably the Lou Christie album that would appeal to the widest range of listeners. Side one covers an excellent group of contemporary songs from the mid-60s, and Lou handles both ballads and uptempo numbers in fine fashion. Of particular note is an interesting and effective rendition of the Lennon-McCartney classic, “If I Fell”. Side one is good, but the real fireworks start on side two with all six songs written by Lou and his partner Twyla Herbert. Five of the six feature his distinctive falsetto, and are filled with one killer hook after another. Aside from the falsetto, Lou has one of the great voices in pop music with an exciting sense of urgency. Both he and his partner knew how to tailor a song to his vocal strengths, and were at the top of their game here. Side two is not just the the monster hit “Lightning Strikes” and five other also rans. There are at least two other selections on this side that have the word “hit” written all over them, plus three other very worthy album cuts (“Jungle”, “Baby We’ve Got To Run Away”, and “Diary”). Of particular note is Christie’s use of female background singers who play an essential part in his overall sound. This is as much of his trademark as is the falsetto, and adds an exciting element that is rare in most male vocals. The background harmonies on all songs are every bit as good as they are on “Lightning Strikes.” They are creative in ways that truly move a song along, and a pleasure in their own right. Unfortunately MGM was a record company with lots of money coupled with almost no clue how to effectively promote an artist. The potential follow-up hits (“Trapeze” and “Cryin’ in the Streets”) got criminally buried on the b-side of Lou’s first two releases, and he was never able to build the kind of momentum necessary to sustain a singles artist back then for more than a couple hits at a time. Also, the failure to release and promote another a-side off the album undoubtedly did nothing to increase album sales. This is my favorite Lou Christie album. On the strength of Side two alone, I would give the album a 9. Recommend that you purchase the stereo album which provides a fuller highlight of the background vocals. 9 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
TheDA1 21st Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Charlie Christian With Benny Goodman - Solo Flight (1972)	Front cover added.
TheDA1 13th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Roy Hamilton - Roy Hamilton (1955)	Front cover added.
TheDA1 13th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Terry Knight And The Pack - Reflections (1967)	Front cover added.
TheDA1 13th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Billie Holiday - The Billie Holiday Story Volume II (1973)	Front cover added.
TheDA1 13th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Antonio Carlos Jobim - The Composer Of Desafinado, Plays (1963)	Front cover added.
TheDA1 13th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Isaac Hayes - U-Turn (1986)	front cover added.
TheDA1 4th Feb 2018		Vinyl Album Richard Rodgers Conducts The New York Philharmonic - Richard Rodgers Conducts Slaughter On Tenth Avenue (1978)	I have an American re-issue copy of this record on Columbia /Odyssey Y 35213 that has the same cover except for different label info in the lower left corner. Another apparent difference is that there are no composer credits listed on the back album cover or on the record's label. It similarly does list Robert Russell Bennett as the arranger for "Victory at Sea." I note that the above entry does contain composer credits, but I'm wondering whether they were actually listed on that record or simply added by the entry-maker. The reason I am somewhat skeptical is the credit for Lorenz Hart on "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue". To my knowledge, Lorenz Hart had nothing to do with this composition. Can someone verify if this is correct or not?
TheDA1 30th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album The Beatles - Revolver (1966)	Beggars Road, I fully agree with your analysis. As much as I like "Rubber Soul", it never struck me as a major deviation from what had already been put forth by others. On the other hand, "Revolver" is the first Beatle's album that made me sit up and say 'what the hell is that?' Not sure if I would rank it as high as #2 in the Beatles catalog over "Abbey Road" or "The White Album"' but comparing great against great is fairly meaningless. Each album is terrific in a different way, and personal preference for one does not diminish the excellence of the others.
TheDA1 28th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Bobby Goldsboro - Solid Goldsboro (1967)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 28th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Bob Lind - Don't Be Concerned (1966)	Review Bob Lind is a name that is probably not familiar to anyone except hard core 60’s music fans. However, his one big hit, the self-penned “Elusive Butterfly” is one of the most outstanding singles of that decade. In late 1965, the pop world was captivated by the opening strains of “You might wake up some morning to the sound of something moving past your window in the wind.” The song is filled with one evocative phrase after another, and still sounds as fresh today as it did back then. Generally speaking, one hit wonders do not usually release albums with any particular merit. “Don’t Be Concerned” is a complete exception to that rule. Mr. Lind not only has the soul of a poet, but also a strong melodic sense that serves each of the selections well. Aside from the throwaway “The World Is Just a B-Movie”, there’s not a weak cut among the other eleven. Excellent production and arrangement by Jack Nitzsche. 9 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
TheDA1 28th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album The Tradewinds - Excursions (1967)	Covers and label scans added.
TheDA1 27th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album String Driven Thing - The Machine That Cried (1974)	Front and back cover scans added. Variant label scans added.
TheDA1 27th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Chuck Jackson - Chuck Jackson's Greatest Hits (1967)	Variant label scans added.
TheDA1 27th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Laura Nyro - Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968)	Very impressive robozuc, very impressive. Do your copies still have that perfumed scent?
TheDA1 25th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Charlie Rich - Charlie Rich (1973)	Front and back cover and label scans added.
TheDA1 24th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Chuck Jackson - Chuck Jackson's Greatest Hits (1967)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 24th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Al Nevins And His Orchestra - Lights And Shadows (1957)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 23rd Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Lou Christie - Lou Christie (1963)	Front cover, back cover and label scans added. Whoever approved this cover at Roulette records deserves to be shot. Lou looks like a zombie.
TheDA1 22nd Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Laura Nyro - Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 22nd Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Laura Nyro - Mother's Spiritual (1984)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 20th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Gilbert O'Sullivan - Back To Front (1972)	Review In 1973 I was fairly steeped in a progressive rock arrogance. On a lark, I listened to “Back to Front” without many positive expectations. To be succinct, it blew me away. This is a real “feel good” album that is light, clever, a bit nostalgic, and always tuneful. The level of songwriting is decidedly first-rate. There’s nothing like a great hook in a pop song, and Gilbert seemed to have no trouble coming up with one terrific one after another. His voice is the perfect vehicle to showcase his significant songwriting talent. The album contains at least five standout songs, including the big hit “Clair.” On a scale of 1-10, I’d give “Back to Front” an 8. 7 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
TheDA1 18th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Gilbert O'Sullivan - Back To Front (1972)	Front and back covers added.
TheDA1 18th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Various Artists - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack MOONSTRUCK (1988)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 18th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Jeremy Spencer And The Children - Jeremy Spencer And The Children (1972)	Front and back cover scans added.
TheDA1 17th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Roy Orbison - The Great Songs Of Roy Orbison (1970)	Covers and label scans added.
TheDA1 17th Jan 2018		Vinyl Album Roy Orbison - The All-Time Greatest Hits Of Roy Orbison (1972)	Covers and label scans added. This double-LP gives new meaning to the word "great."

Page 1 of 3 : Previous : Next :