Day 140: Heading out for the east coast, Lord knows I've paid some dues...

Album 438/1031

Leonard Cohen - Songs of Love & Hate (1971)

All songs written by Leonard Cohen.

Side one[edit]

1. "Avalanche" – 5:07
2. "Last Year's Man" – 6:02
3. "Dress Rehearsal Rag" – 6:12
4. "Diamonds in the Mine" – 3:52

Side two[edit]

1. "Love Calls You by Your Name" – 5:44
2. "Famous Blue Raincoat" – 5:15
3. "Sing Another Song, Boys" (Live at the Isle of Wight Festival, August 31, 1970) – 6:17
4. "Joan of Arc" – 6:29

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

Golf's verdict: 20 years back, whenever I put Leonard on I was told in no uncertain terms to turn it off. But it sounds like 2017 is finally his year in our household. Shame we never got to go see the old smoothie play.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Where has this album been all my life? Absolutely adored it.


Album 439/1031

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (1975)

All tracks written by Bob Dylan.

Side one
No.	Title	Recorded	Length
1.	"Tangled Up in Blue"	December 30, 1974 in Minneapolis	5:42
2.	"Simple Twist of Fate"	September 19, 1974 in New York City	4:19
3.	"You're a Big Girl Now"	December 27, 1974 in Minneapolis	4:36
4.	"Idiot Wind"	December 27, 1974 in Minneapolis	7:48
5.	"You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go"	September 17, 1974 in New York City	2:55

Side two
No.	Title	Recorded	Length
6.	"Meet Me in the Morning"	September 16, 1974 in New York City	4:22
7.	"Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts"	December 30, 1974 in Minneapolis	8:51
8.	"If You See Her, Say Hello"	December 30, 1974 in Minneapolis	4:49
9.	"Shelter from the Storm"	September 17, 1974 in New York City	5:02
10.	"Buckets of Rain"	September 19, 1974 in New York City	3:22

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! In the 12th or 13th year of his prolific career and on his 15th(!) album, you'd be forgiven for thinking any artist would be resting on their laurels and happy to coast. But this is an absolute belter and has 4 or 5 that would be real contenders for a that career retrospective (now an extended box set, when so many of his contemporaries could barely fill one side of an album).


Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I know, I'm shocked too! Not sure if there's something in the water today but I really loved this album. Far better than the previous ones we've listened to.


Album 440/1031

Marvin Gaye - Here My Dear (1978)

All songs written by Marvin Gaye except where noted.

Side one

1. "Here, My Dear"  – 2:48
2. "I Met a Little Girl"  – 5:03
3. "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You"  – 6:17
4. "Anger" (Delta Ashby, Gaye, Ed Townsend) – 4:04

Total Length: 18:12

Side two

5. "Is That Enough"  – 7:47
6. "Everybody Needs Love" (Ed Townsend, Gaye) – 5:48
7. "Time to Get It Together"  – 3:55

Total Length: 17:30

Side three

8. "Sparrow" (Townsend, Gaye) – 6:12
9. "Anna's Song"  – 5:56
10. "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You (Instrumental)"  – 6:03

Total Length: 18:11

Side four

11. "A Funky Space Reincarnation"  – 8:18
12. "You Can Leave, but It's Going to Cost You"  – 5:32
13. "Falling in Love Again"  – 4:39
14. "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You (Reprise)"  – 0:47

Total Length: 19:16

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here,_My_Dear

Golf's verdict: Famously titled as a sarcastic tip of the hat to his ex-wife, who was to be in receipt of 50% of the album's royalties, the temptation must have been strong to make the soul equivalent of 'Metal Machine Music' (Lou Reed's famously unlistenable contractual obligation album of the late '70s). It's to his credit that this is actually really strong. It was not a critical or commercial hit at the time, which must have annoyed the former Mrs Gaye, but it's ended up being reconsidered as one of his strongest albums. As you will see from some of the titles, it's worthwhile keeping an ear out for some of the more caustic lyrics.



Maire's verdict: Well, that's quite pointed (pretty sure Golf will fill in the history)! He's got a great voice but not a classic album in my humble opinion.