Day 111: The passion of lovers is for death, says she...

Album 342/1031

Sly & the Family Stone - There's a Riot Going On (1971)

All songs written, produced and arranged by Sylvester Stewart for Stone Flower Productions.

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Luv N' Haight"	4:01
2.	"Just Like a Baby"	5:12
3.	"Poet"	3:01
4.	"Family Affair"	3:06
5.	"Africa Talks to You 'The Asphalt Jungle'"	8:45
6.	"There's a Riot Goin' On" (timed at 0:04 on compact disc)	0:00

Side two

No.	Title	Length
7.	"Brave & Strong"	3:28
8.	"(You Caught Me) Smilin'"	2:53
9.	"Time"	3:03
10.	"Spaced Cowboy"	3:57
11.	"Runnin' Away"	2:51
12.	"Thank You for Talkin' to Me Africa"	7:14

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There's_a_Riot_Goin'_On

Golf's verdict: A little long and laborious to be honest, ahead of its time though it may well be.

Maire's verdict: Not really my style and I was never a fan of 'Family Affair'.

Album 443/1031

Bauhaus - Mask (1981)

All tracks written by Bauhaus (Daniel Ash, David J, Kevin Haskins and Peter Murphy).

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hair of the Dog"	2:43
2.	"The Passion of Lovers"	3:53
3.	"Of Lilies and Remains"	3:18
4.	"Dancing"	2:29
5.	"Hollow Hills"	4:47

Side B
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Kick in the Eye"	3:39
2.	"In Fear of Fear"	2:58
3.	"Muscle in Plastic"	2:51
4.	"The Man with the X-Ray Eyes"	3:05
5.	"Mask"	4:36

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mask_(Bauhaus_album)

Golf's verdict: A bit uneven, but 'The Passion of Lovers' and 'Kick in the Eye' are mighty fine and 'Hollow Hills' is a pleasantly plaintive lament - presumably to some hollowed out hills!

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Now we're talking! I may prefer some of their other tracks (and have argued - albeit unsuccessfully with Golf - that their version of 'Ziggy Stardust' is the best) but it was just wonderful to listen to. 

Album 344/1031

Tim Buckley - Greetings from LA (1972)

All tracks by Tim Buckley, except where noted.

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Move With Me" (Tim Buckley, Jerry Goldstein)	4:52
2.	"Get on Top"	6:33
3.	"Sweet Surrender"	6:47

Side B
No.	Title	Length
4.	"Nighthawkin'"	3:21
5.	"Devil Eyes"	6:50
6.	"Hong Kong Bar" (Tim Buckley, Joe Falsia)	7:08
7.	"Make It Right" (Tim Buckley, Larry Beckett, Joe Falsia, Jerry Goldstein)	4:07

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greetings_from_L.A.

Golf's verdict: With a few more listens I may well have gotten the hang of this, but on one listen this failed to grab me in any meaningful way.

Maire's verdict: Started off irritating but improved by the blues of 'Hong Kong Bar'.

Day 110: I see a red door and I want it painted black

Album 339/1031

Robbie Williams - Life Thru A Lens (1997)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Lazy Days"	Robbie Williams • Guy Chambers	3:52
2.	"Life thru a Lens"	Williams • Chambers	3:06
3.	"Ego a Go Go"	Williams • Chambers	3:31
4.	"Angels"	Williams • Chambers • Ray Heffernan	4:23
5.	"South of the Border"	Williams • Chambers	3:52
6.	"Old Before I Die"	Williams • Desmond Child • Eric Bazilian	3:52
7.	"One of God's Better People"	Williams • Chambers	3:33
8.	"Let Me Entertain You"	Williams • Chambers	4:20
9.	"Killing Me"	Williams • Chambers	3:55
10.	"Clean"	Williams • Antony Genn • Martin Slattery • Richard Hawley	3:51
11.	"Baby Girl Window"	Williams • Chambers	3:10
12.	"Hello Sir" (hidden track)	Williams	1:35

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_thru_a_Lens

Golf's verdict: Strong debut from Robbie, buoyed by its singles.

Maire's verdict: Not as good as I remember but does have 'Let Me Entertain You' which is a classic track.

Album 340/1031

Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story (1971)

Side one[edit]

1. "Every Picture Tells a Story" (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) – 6:01
2. "Seems Like a Long Time" (Theodore Anderson) – 4:02
3. "That's All Right" (Arthur Crudup) – 3:59
4. "Amazing Grace" (Traditional, arranged by Stewart) – 2:03
5. "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" (Bob Dylan) – 3:43

Side two[edit]

1. "Henry" (Martin Quittenton) – 0:32
2. "Maggie May" (Stewart) – 5:16
3. "Mandolin Wind" (Stewart) – 5:33
4. "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland, Cornelius Grant) – 5:23
5. "Reason to Believe" (Tim Hardin) – 4:06

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Picture_Tells_a_Story

Golf's verdict: Unique voice, but - at least at this stage - some inconsistent song choices. The title track and Maggie May are well worth it though.

Maire's verdict: Don't get the appeal, to be honest. 'Maggie May' is fun but prefer Elvis's version of 'That's All Right'. 

Album 341/1031

The Rolling Stones - Aftermath (1966)

All tracks written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Paint It Black"	3:22
2.	"Stupid Girl"	2:56
3.	"Lady Jane"	3:08
4.	"Under My Thumb"	3:41
5.	"Doncha Bother Me"	2:41
6.	"Think"	3:09

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Flight 505"	3:27
8.	"High and Dry"	3:08
9.	"It's Not Easy"	2:56
10.	"I Am Waiting"	3:11
11.	"Goin' Home"	11:13

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aftermath_(The_Rolling_Stones_album)

Golf's verdict: Never an album band in the way that The Beatles are (probably much to their frustration), this is nevertheless a great listen, mixing very fine singles ('Paint It Black', 'Under My Thumb') with well known tunes ('Lady Jane') and some blues standards (albeit, interpretations from the pen and plectrum of Jagger/Richards).

Maire's verdict: This has my favourite Rolling Stones song as the first track ('Paint It Black'). 'Lady Jane' is pretty good as well. Unfortunately, just as I started listening on the plane back from Wellington my headphones decided to die on the left side so didn't get the full effect.

Day 109: Well show me the way to the next whisky bar...

Album 336/1031

Emmylou Harris - Pieces of the Sky (1975)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Bluebird Wine"	Rodney Crowell	3:18
2.	"Too Far Gone"	Billy Sherrill	4:05
3.	"If I Could Only Win Your Love"	Charlie Louvin, Ira Louvin	2:36
4.	"Boulder to Birmingham"	Emmylou Harris, Bill Danoff	3:33
5.	"Before Believing"	Danny Flowers	4:44
6.	"The Bottle Let Me Down"	Merle Haggard	3:16
7.	"Sleepless Nights"	Felice and Boudleaux Bryant	3:25
8.	"Coat of Many Colors"	Dolly Parton	3:42
9.	"For No One"	John Lennon, Paul McCartney	3:40
10.	"Queen of the Silver Dollar"	Shel Silverstein	5:14

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieces_of_the_Sky

Golf's verdict: Highly recommended. Full of great interpretations of other people's songs, especially Dolly's 'Coat of Many Colours' and The Beatles' 'For No One'.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! What a great album. What a voice!

Album 337/1031

The Doors - The Doors (1967)

All tracks written by the Doors (Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore), except where noted.

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Break On Through (To the Other Side)"	2:29
2.	"Soul Kitchen"	3:35
3.	"The Crystal Ship"	2:34
4.	"Twentieth Century Fox"	2:33
5.	"Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)" (writers: Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill)	3:20
6.	"Light My Fire"	7:06

Side B
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Back Door Man" (writers: Willie Dixon)	3:34
8.	"I Looked at You"	2:22
9.	"End of the Night"	2:52
10.	"Take It as It Comes"	2:23
11.	"The End"	11:41

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doors_(album)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! When Jim was an Adonis and still had aspirations as a poet. Ignore some of the more cringe-worthy bits (most famously rhyming 'fire' with, um, 'fire') and it's all cracking stuff. Close your eyes during 'The End' and imagine yourself up the Mekong Delta with Colonel Kurtz... 


Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! As a 15 year old I loved The Doors (and Jim Morrison in particular). Still stands up and 'The End' is a work of pure genius.

Album 338/1031

Talk Talk - Colour of Spring (1986)

All tracks written by Tim Friese-Greene and Mark Hollis.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Happiness Is Easy"	6:30
2.	"I Don't Believe in You"	5:02
3.	"Life's What You Make It"	4:29
4.	"April 5th"	5:51
5.	"Living in Another World"	6:58
6.	"Give It Up"	5:17
7.	"Chameleon Day"	3:20
8.	"Time It's Time"	8:14

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Colour_of_Spring

Golf's verdict: 'Life's What You Make It' is solid gold and the rest of this album is pretty top notch too.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I absolutely loved this album. Definitely a keeper.

Day 108: We got to move these refridgerators...

Album 332/1031

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)

All tracks written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Politik"	5:18
2.	"In My Place"	3:48
3.	"God Put a Smile upon Your Face"	4:57
4.	"The Scientist"	5:09
5.	"Clocks"	5:07
6.	"Daylight"	5:27
7.	"Green Eyes"	3:43
8.	"Warning Sign"	5:31
9.	"A Whisper"	3:58
10.	"A Rush of Blood to the Head"	5:51
11.	"Amsterdam"	5:19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Rush_of_Blood_to_the_Head

Golf's verdict: It's fashionable to dismiss Coldplay as mass-market, shallow promoters of production line soaring ballads, full of asinine lyrics delivered by one of the world's most irritating people.* (A large part of that irritation factor being precisely that it's hard to really pin down quite why and to what huge extent Chris Martin is irritating). But whilst their schtick may have gotten a little samey since their debut, this 2nd album provides plenty of evidence of why they continue to sell millions of records and concert tickets. A poor man's Radiohead they may be, but there is plenty to harvest from that furrow...

Maire's verdict: Good album. I kind of regret not going to see them now, but won't lose sleep over it.

* It's a bit like Mourinho deflecting attention from his football teams as regards the (3, 4, 5 - admit it you don't really know) other members of Coldplay, making that one of the most envious jobs in the world (anonymity, success, very large sums of money, play in front of millions of appreciative fans).

Album 333/1031

Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms (1985)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"So Far Away"	5:12
2.	"Money for Nothing" (Mark Knopfler, Sting)	8:26
3.	"Walk of Life"	4:12
4.	"Your Latest Trick"	6:33
5.	"Why Worry"	8:31
6.	"Ride Across the River"	6:58
7.	"The Man's Too Strong"	4:40
8.	"One World"	3:40
9.	"Brothers in Arms"	7:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_in_Arms_(album)

Golf's verdict: When I hear the Brothers in Arms track intro I immediately think of Martin Sheen playing (Liberal Wet Dream) President Jed Bartlett in The West Wing. It was used on a particularly edge-of-seat episode. If you've not discovered that show yet, treat yourself, especially now we have his polar opposite in the REAL White House. Otherwise, this is a cracking album that - when I first heard it  back when my Dad (who'd bought the CD) was 45ish - I associated it with middle-aged, uncool, Dad-rock. It may have had something to do with those headbands and Sting providing backing vocals on Money for Nothing (Sting is the antithesis of cool, always).  Now rapidly approaching (some might say already deeply entrenched in) middle-age, I can embrace it guilt-free!


Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Great album. 'Brothers in Arms' will bring you to tears.

Album 334/1031

Richard Hawley - Coles Corner (2005)

All tracks written and composed by Richard Hawley, except where noted.

1. "Coles Corner" – 4:49
2. "Just Like the Rain" – 3:17
3. "Hotel Room" – 3:42
4. "Darlin' Wait for Me" (Hawley, Shez Sheridan) – 3:53
5. "The Ocean" – 5:36
6. "Born Under a Bad Sign" – 3:41
7. "I Sleep Alone" – 3:44
8. "Tonight" – 4:32
9. "(Wading Through) The Waters of My Time" – 3:48
10. "Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet?" (traditional; arranged by Hawley) – 4:08
11. "Last Orders" – 4:59

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coles_Corner_(album)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! An absolute gem of an album that genuinely feels timeless, but is drenched in the influence of Roy Orbison, Jim Reeves, Hank Williams and the Everly Brothers. Should keep 3 or 4 generations of the family happy at any gathering.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! What a voice and such a great album. You should listen if you haven't yet. 

Album 335/1031

War - The World Is A Ghetto (1972)

All tracks composed by War (Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B. B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, Howard E. Scott).

Side one

1. "The Cisco Kid" – 4:35
2. "Where Was You At" – 3:25
3. "City, Country, City" – 13:18

Side two

1. "Four Cornered Room" – 8:30
2. "The World Is a Ghetto" – 10:10
3. "Beetles in the Bog" – 3:51

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Is_a_Ghetto

Golf's verdict: This was the highest selling album in the USA in 1973, yet the band are hardly a household name. This is an enjoyable slice of blues-soul-funk, but it's not a solid-gold classic, at least not on first listening.



Maire's verdict: I prefer The Animals.*

*Later, from Golf: Whilst Eric Burdon of The Animals was the vocalist War's first two albums, he'd left by 1973. I'd explained The Animals connection to Maire before realising this.

Day 107: Why don't you all f-fade away...?

Album 329/1031

Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

All tracks written by Prince except "Computer Blue" by Prince, John L. Nelson, Wendy & Lisa and Dr. Fink (uncredited).

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Let's Go Crazy" (Prince and The Revolution)	4:39
2.	"Take Me with U" (Prince and The Revolution)	3:54
3.	"The Beautiful Ones" (Prince)	5:13
4.	"Computer Blue" (Prince and The Revolution)	3:59
5.	"Darling Nikki" (Prince)	4:14

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"When Doves Cry" (Prince)	5:54
7.	"I Would Die 4 U" (Prince and The Revolution)	2:49
8.	"Baby I'm a Star" (Prince and The Revolution)	4:24
9.	"Purple Rain" (Prince and The Revolution)	8:41

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Rain_(album)

Golf's verdict: It was great to hear the album version of Purple Rain again, now that Prince's music is back on Spotify. I always thought this album was basically Prince proving a point to his record company: 'You want me to do a rock cross-over album and prove I can sell 10 million records? Check THIS out.' He never really went back to this more overtly rock driven style, except for the occasional track. This is the pinnacle for me. Whilst the lyrics can be a bit nonsensical, the way he expresses them through music just drips with emotion. Oh, and it is, of course, a HIDDEN GEM.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! He's a genius. 'Nuff said.


Album 330/1031

The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004)

All tracks written by Mike Skinner.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"It Was Supposed to Be So Easy"	3:56
2.	"Could Well Be In"	4:24
3.	"Not Addicted"	3:40
4.	"Blinded by the Lights"	4:45
5.	"Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way"	4:36
6.	"Get Out of My House" (featuring MC C-Mone)	3:52
7.	"Fit but You Know It"	4:14
8.	"Such a Twat"	3:48
9.	"What Is He Thinking?" (featuring Wayney G)	4:41
10.	"Dry Your Eyes"	4:31
11.	"Empty Cans"	8:15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Grand_Don't_Come_for_Free

Golf's verdict: Speaking of hitting the sweet spot with emotive music and lyrics, rarely has there been greater pathos communicated through my stereo speakers than by Mike Skinner's 'Dry Your Eyes' - ridiculously simple, yet eternally and universally affecting. Rarely can I get all the way through it without following the instructions. The rest of the album does kind of pale by comparison, but it does provide a genuine insight into the thoughts, hopes and fears of a 20-something urban British male in a quite entertaining way. 

Maire's verdict: The first time I heard 'Dry Your Eyes' I had to dry my own and 'Fit But You Know It' is a great song. Haven't heard it for 10 or so years. Those tracks still stand up but the rest isn't as good as I remembered.

Album 331/1031

The Who - My Generation (1965)

All songs written by Pete Townshend, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Out in the Street"	2:31
2.	"I Don't Mind" (James Brown)	2:36
3.	"The Good's Gone"	4:02
4.	"La-La-La-Lies"	2:17
5.	"Much Too Much"	2:47
6.	"My Generation"	3:18

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"The Kids Are Alright"	3:04
8.	"Please, Please, Please" (Brown, Johnny Terry)	2:45
9.	"It's Not True"	2:31
10.	"I'm a Man" (Bo Diddley)	3:21
11.	"A Legal Matter"	2:48
12.	"The Ox" (Townshend, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Nicky Hopkins)	3:50

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Generation_(album)

Golf's verdict: Peppered with cover versions which were probably live of rehearsal favourites, this only rarely approaches the bombast and epicness of later Who, preferring instead the relatively straight-forward 3 minute pop single format. Roger Daltrey rarely sounds like the Daltrey of the 70s either, making this (with the exception of the title track) a sometimes disorientating listen. Still highly pleasurable, nonetheless.

Maire's verdict: I liked this. I know, it surprised me too! Still not a fan of 'My Generation' though.