Day 259: Ivory Madonna dying in the dust, Waiting for the manna coming from the west.

Album 909/1031

Frank Zappa - Hot Rats (1969)

All tracks written by Frank Zappa.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Peaches en Regalia"	3:38
2.	"Willie the Pimp"	9:21
3.	"Son of Mr. Green Genes"	8:58

Side two
No.	Title	Length
4.	"Little Umbrellas"	3:06
5.	"The Gumbo Variations"	12:53
6.	"It Must Be a Camel"	5:15

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

Golf's verdict: 'Peaches en Regalia' is mildly diverting, but the rest is pretty annoying. I like the concept of Frank Zappa more than the reality, although from what I have seen and heard of him he was a fascinating individual.

Máire's verdict: I don’t understand why this album is on the list. It’s fucking awful.

Album 910/1031

UB40 - Signing Off (1980)

Side One

1. "Tyler" – 5:51
2. "King" – 4:35
3. "12 Bar" – 4:24
4. "Burden of Shame" – 6:29

Side Two

1. "Adella" – 3:28
2. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman) – 3:41
3. "25%" – 3:31
4. "Food for Thought" – 4:10
5. "Little by Little" – 3:44
6. "Signing Off" – 4:24

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

Golf's verdict: Before they started covering Neil Diamond and Sonny & Cher hits UB40 were a pretty great band - a reggae version of The Specials in a way. You will recognise 'Food for Thought' even if you (like me) didn't know the name - and there's a great version of Randy Newman's 'I Think It's Going to Rain Today'.

Máire's verdict: Really not my type of music and not particularly enjoyable but preferable to Zappa.

Album 911/1031

The Charlatans - Tellin’ Stories (1997)

All tracks written by Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, M. Collins and R. Collins.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"With No Shoes"	4:42
2.	"North Country Boy"	4:04
3.	"Tellin' Stories"	5:13
4.	"One to Another"	4:29
5.	"You're a Big Girl Now"	2:49
6.	"How Can You Leave Us"	3:45
7.	"Area 51"	3:36
8.	"How High"	3:05
9.	"Only Teethin'"	5:19
10.	"Get on It"	5:56
11.	"Rob's Theme"	3:54

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tellin%27_Stories

Golf's verdict: A diverting hour of excellent hammond-organ powered bagginess.

Máire's verdict: Was never really a fan. Something and nothing.

Album 912/1031

Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music (1962)

All tracks were produced by Ray Charles and Sid Feller.

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Bye Bye Love"	Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant	2:09
2.	"You Don't Know Me"	Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker	3:14
3.	"Half as Much"	Curley Williams	3:24
4.	"I Love You So Much It Hurts"	Floyd Tillman	3:33
5.	"Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long Way)"	Eddy Arnold, Zeke Clements	3:26
6.	"Born to Lose"	Frankie Brown, pseudonym of Ted Daffan	3:15

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
7.	"Worried Mind"	Ted Daffan, Jimmie Davis	2:54
8.	"It Makes No Difference Now"	Floyd Tillman, Jimmie Davis	3:30
9.	"You Win Again"	Hank Williams	3:29
10.	"Careless Love"	Traditional, Arranged by Ray Charles	3:56
11.	"I Can't Stop Loving You"	Don Gibson	4:13
12.	"Hey, Good Lookin'"	Hank Williams	2:10

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! It must have been a bit of a career-risk at the time, but this album of C&W standards (now classics) interpreted by one of jazz and r n' b's leading lights is an absolute joy.

Máire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Just gorgeous.