Day 174: That's the way I like it baby, I don't wanna live forever!

Album 575/1031

Elvis Presley - Elvis Is Back! (1960)

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Recording date	Length
1.	"Make Me Know It"	Otis Blackwell	March 20, 1960	1:58
2.	"Fever"	John Davenport, Eddie Cooley	April 3, 1960	3:31
3.	"The Girl of My Best Friend"	Beverly Ross, Sam Bobrick	April 4, 1960	2:21
4.	"I Will Be Home Again"	Bennie Benjamin, Raymond Leveen, Louis C. Singer	April 4, 1960	2:33
5.	"Dirty, Dirty Feeling"	Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller	April 4, 1960	1:35
6.	"Thrill of Your Love"	Stan Kesler	April 4, 1960	2:59

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Recording date	Length
1.	"Soldier Boy"	David Jones, Theodore Williams, Jr.	March 20, 1960	3:04
2.	"Such a Night"	Lincoln Chase	April 4, 1960	2:58
3.	"It Feels So Right"	Fred Wise, Ben Weisman	March 21, 1960	2:09
4.	"Girl Next Door Went A-Walking"	Bill Rice, Thomas Wayne	April 4, 1960	2:12
5.	"Like a Baby"	Jesse Stone	April 3, 1960	2:38
6.	"Reconsider Baby"	Lowell Fulson	April 4, 1960	3:39

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Is_Back!

Golf's verdict: One of Elvis' problems, particularly in later years, was quality control. In particular quantity of product over quality. Given 'That's All Right Mama' was 1954, this 1960 album was already his 10th album. Luckily, this comes before the movie tie-ins and features a really strong set of songs, sung like nobody else, before or since, could sing them.

Maire's verdict: I adored Elvis when I was growing up and, to be honest, he still has a little part of my heart. 'Fever' and 'The Girl of My Best Friend' are the stand-out tracks but the rest of the album kept a smile on my face.



Album 576/1031

Nico - Chelsea Girl (1967)

Side A

1. "The Fairest of the Seasons" (Jackson Browne, Gregory Copeland) – 4:06
2. "These Days" (Jackson Browne) – 3:30
3. "Little Sister" (John Cale, Lou Reed) – 4:22
4. "Winter Song" (John Cale) – 3:17
5. "It Was a Pleasure Then" (Lou Reed, John Cale, Christa Päffgen) – 8:02

Side B

1. "Chelsea Girls" (Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison) – 7:22
2. "I'll Keep It With Mine" (Bob Dylan) – 3:17 Note: this song was recorded by Dylan in 1965 but remained unreleased on any of his own albums until the 1985 Biograph set.
3. "Somewhere There's a Feather" (Jackson Browne) – 2:16
4. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" (Lou Reed) – 5:07
5. "Eulogy to Lenny Bruce" (Tim Hardin) – 3:45

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

Golf's verdict: Nico's lack of ability to sing or even really hold a note is certainly problematic. But unlike on The Velvet Underground, this time I found myself compartmentalising the voice and focusing on the really rather lovely song-writing (largely drawn from VU members Reed, Cale and Morrison, with Dylan and Jackson Browne also featuring). Consequently I rather enjoyed it.


Maire's verdict: That was a painful 45 mins. How the hell did she get an album deal? Seriously, I know she's stunning but she can't fucking sing. Some of the worst tracks I've heard in a very long time.

Album 577/1031

Motorhead - Ace of Spades (1980)

All tracks written by Kilmister, Clarke, Taylor except where noted.

Side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ace of Spades"	2:48
2.	"Love Me Like a Reptile"	3:23
3.	"Shoot You in the Back"	2:39
4.	"Live to Win"	3:37
5.	"Fast and Loose"	3:23
6.	"(We Are) The Road Crew"	3:13

Side B
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Fire, Fire"	2:44
8.	"Jailbait"	3:33
9.	"Dance"	2:38
10.	"Bite the Bullet"	1:38
11.	"The Chase Is Better Than the Catch"	4:18
12.	"The Hammer"	2:48

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

Golf's verdict: A really rather great, simple rock and roll record. Title track is the obvious classic (one of rocks greatest singles), but the whole thing rattles along driven by Lemmy's vocal and bass growls very nicely.

Maire's verdict: The title track is a classic and the rest of the album is enjoyable listening (particularly after the pain of Nico).



Album 578/1031

Bonnie Raitt - Nick of Time (1989)

1. "Nick of Time" (Raitt) – 3:52
2. "Thing Called Love" (John Hiatt) – 3:52
3. "Love Letter" (Bonnie Hayes) – 4:04
4. "Cry on My Shoulder" (Michael Ruff) – 3:44
5. "Real Man" (Jerry Lynn Williams) – 4:27
6. "Nobody's Girl" (Larry John McNally) – 3:14
7. "Have a Heart" (Bonnie Hayes) – 4:50
8. "Too Soon to Tell" (Rory Michael Bourke, Mike Reid) – 3:45
9. "I Will Not Be Denied" (Jerry Lynn Williams) – 4:55
10. "I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again" (David Lasley, Julie Lasley) – 2:38
11. "The Road's My Middle Name" (Raitt) – 3:31

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

Golf's verdict: The production dates this rather badly and - certainly based on a single listen - there did not appear to be much to recommend it.
Maire's verdict: Very 80s and just another middle of the road record. Not sure why it's on the list.