A Wizard / A True Star by Tod Rundgren. (Bearsville cat# BR 2133)
This album was released in 1973 on the innocuous label Bearsville and was the first album after Rundgren’s triumphant (and my favorite) Something / Anything album which as we all know had a fair amount of commercial success. Following that success a couple of things occurred that led to the compilation we’re discussing today.
Continue reading Todd Rundgren – A Wizard / A True StarDesire by Bob Dylan (Columbia cat# PC – 33893).
There has been much written about Bob Dylan. One of my favorite quotes is from Jimi Hendrix, “When I first heard him I thought, you must admire a guy with that much nerve to sing so out of key. Then I listened to the words.” And there it is, the essence of Bob Dylan.
Continue reading Bob Dylan – DesireDoor to Door by the Cars (Elektra cat # : E1 – 60747).
Let me just start by saying I really like the Cars. Their unique sound capitalizing on Ric Ocasek’s vocals stood out in an ocean music to me. Further, this one has an amazing album cover showing off Italian artist’s Emanuel DiLiberto’s painting.
Door to Door is the final studio album for the group before disbanding and was released in 1987. Although they did make a come back album (Move Like This) in 2011. In this final attempt they decided that to get back to their original sound by reinserting drummer David Robinson instead of using samples and sequenced back beats.
Continue reading The Cars – Door to DoorLive at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962 by The Beatles (Bellaphon cat: BLS 5560).
This is an interesting two-record set at Dorene’s store. The best way to describe recording is to tell you what it is and what it isn’t.
Let’s start with what it isn’t. If you’re looking for a slick, well-engineered rendition of early Beatles, you’re not going to find it here.
Continue reading The Beatles – Live at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962