Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. 2: Intimacy Calling (1991)

The supposed second entry in Wynton's six volume 'Standard Time' series. For reasons unknown (to be honest, I didn't care to research), Volume 2 was released after the third volume in the series. In any case, as the subtitle "Intimacy Calling" suggests, this is a romantic listen and - although not all ballads - perfect for nighttime listening. But that model on the cover looks uncomfortable in that pose, don't ya think?

Complete credits and liner notes available at the Wynton Marsalis website.

Ratings/reviews:

• Billboard: "delicately and lovingly delivered"
• DownBeat (★★★★): "there's plenty to like about this record"
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000):★★★
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★½
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #112
• Billboard Jazz: #1

Tracks:

1. When It's Sleepy Time Down South (1931) ✔
2. You Don't Know What Love Is (1941)
3. Indelible And Nocturnal (1991 Marsalis original)
4. I'll Remember April (1941)
5. Embraceable You (1930) ✔
6. Crepuscule With Nellie (1957)
7. What Is This Thing Called Love (1929)
8. The End Of A Love Affair (1951)
9. East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon) (1934) ✔
10. Lover (1932) ✔
11. Yesterdays (1933)
12. Bourbon Street Parade (1949) ✔

If you're using this album as a mood-setter for adult activities, you might want to skip the last track unless you plan on a victorious exit march from the bedroom to the kitchen à la NOLA second-lining. But you be you.

Exclusive CD longbox photo courtesy of
Dirk Digglinator of the Hambonian Archives.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but around the time this album was released I was snapping up Marsalis CDs fairly frequently so it wouldn't surprise me if I bought this one at some point in '91. And yes, Volume 3 will eventually appear in this space. Stay tuned.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Two Men with the Blues (2008)	Baroque Music for Trumpets (1988)
Standards & Ballads (2008)	Portrait of Wynton Marsalis (1988)
Live at The Village Vanguard (1999)	Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. 1 (1987)
Marsalis Plays Monk (1999)	Carnaval (1987)
In Gabriel's Garden (1996)	J Mood (1986)
Joe Cool's Blues (1995)	Black Codes (1985)
Baroque Duet (1992)	Baroque Music for Trumpet (1984)
Uptown Ruler (1991)	Hot House Flowers (1984)
Tune In Tomorrow (1990)	Trumpet Concertos (1983)
Crescent City Christmas Card (1989)

Tom Scott - Keep This Love Alive (1991)

Just looking at the all-star credits on the album cover, I was primed for some jazzy, soft rock crossover goodness that goes down easy and soothes my soul:

So to say I was disappointed in this release is a bit of an understatement, but I'm blaming it more on bland material than weak performances. Where are the hooks? I didn't care much for this one, but watch out for this massacre from Allmusic:

A shamelessly contrived effort, Keep This Love Alive is, for the most part, yet another tremendous waste of Tom Scott's talents. There are a few enjoyable moments here, including guest Dianne Schuur's sensuous vocal on "Whenever You Dream of Me" and Scott's gritty jazz-funk blowing on "Miz Thang." But on the whole, this CD is a throwaway by both jazz and pop standards. R&B/pop singer Brenda Russell is anything but memorable on the bloodless adult-contemporary song "If You're Not the One for Me," and most of the instrumentals would sound boring and lackluster even in a dentist's office. Throwing creativity to the wind, Scott leaves no doubt that his only concern is commercial radio airplay. The saxman recorded more than his share of stinkers for GRP in the 1980s and '90s, and Keep This Love Alive is at the top of the list.

Good heavens, that's got me clutching my pearls. I'll admit this thing isn't great, but it certainly isn't that bad. Still, it wasn't pop enough to get much commercial radio airplay and wasn't jazzy enough to get any recognition from those critics. So a few of the tracks might get ripped to mp3 files (yes, I still do that because I'm old and path dependent) before I put the CD in a Tarifold sleeve for safe keeping as it probably won't be getting any further spins. (And if Tarifold wants to work out some sort of sponsorship deal to be "The Official Storage Envelope of The CD Project," I'm all ears.)

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #8
• CashBox Contemporary Jazz: #9

Tracks:

My favorites are tracks 1, 2, 6, with tracks 2 & 6 sounding like prime Scott from the late '70s. The lead track, If You're Not The One For Me, a duet between Brenda Russell and Bill Champlin, peaked at #40 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart in July, 1991. Before picking up this disc, I had never heard bassist Will Lee sing (track 7), and his voice was much better than I expected. As noted by the Allmusic reviewer, the final track is quite good, if not completely out of place among the other 8 tracks.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, this was a recent rescue from the clearance bin in the used CD section.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Smokin' Section (1999)	Desire (1982)
Night Creatures (1995)	Apple Juice (1981)
Reed My Lips (1994)	Blow It Out (1977)
One Night/One Day (1986)	Intimate Strangers (1978)
Target (1983)	Street Beat (1979)

Various Artists - The Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Collection (1991)

If you've been playing along at home, you know I've listened to plenty of blues compilations of late. Nothing against the other discs - I've liked all of them and learned plenty along the way - but, simply put, this is the most enjoyable blues compilation I've come across this year. I'm not the only one who likes it: it sold exceptionally well for a blues release and spawned many a catalog sale (more on that here). Recommended. Or check out any of Alligator's many anniversary compilations.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #187

Tracks:

	Disc One
	Song	Artist	Year
1	Give Me Back My Wig	Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers	1971
2	No Cuttin' Loose	James Cotton	1984
3	Black Cat Bone	Albert Collins & Johnny Copeland	1985
4	Big Chief	Professor Longhair	1980
5	That's Why I'm Crying	Koko Taylor	1975
6	Double Eyed Whammy	Tinsley Ellis	1988
7	I'm Free	Lucky Peterson	1990
8	These Blues Is Killing Me	A.C. Reed with Stevie Ray Vaughan	1987
9	Rain	Little Charlie & The Nightcats	1991
10	Look But Don't Touch	Kenny Neal	1991
11	Fannie Mae	Elvin Bishop	1991
12	Serves Me Right To Suffer	Jimmy Johnson	1978
13	Leavin'	The Siegel-Schwall Band	1988
14	Born In Louisiana	Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown	1989
15	Leaving Your Town	Charlie Musselwhite	1990
16	Drowning On Dry Land	Roy Buchanan	1986
17	If I Hadn't Been High	Detroit Junior	1980
18	Trouble In Mind	Big Walter Horton	1972

	Disc Two
	Song	Artist	Year
1	Brick	Albert Collins	1980
2	Pussycat Moan	Katie Webster	1989
3	You Don't Exist Any More	Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials	1986
4	Second Hand Man	Carey Bell & Junior Wells	1990
5	I've Got Dreams To Remember	Delbert McClinton	1989
6	Going Down To Big Mary's	The Paladins	1988
7	300 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy	Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows	1983
8	Going Back Home	Son Seals	1976
9	Strike Like Lightning	Lonnie Mack	1985
10	The Middle Aged Blues Boogie	Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women	1990
11	Eyeballin'	Lonnie Brooks	1981
12	Full Moon On Main Street	The Kinsey Report	1987
13	Crow Jane	Sonny Terry	1984
14	I'm The Zydeco Man	Clifton Chenier	1982
15	Don't Know What Love Is	Fenton Robinson	1974
16	Blues After Hours	Pinetop Perkins	1978
17	Boot Hill	Johnny Winter	1984

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: In the days before the Internet, we filled out a card requesting a catalog via snail mail:

Doc Severinsen & The Tonight Show Band - Once More...With Feeling! (1991)

Severinsen was the leader of The Tonight Show Band from 1967 until Johnny Carson retired in May 1992. Much like they had with similar releases in 1986 and 1987, Amherst Records got the band to record (mostly) big band classics and jazz standards. Hence the album title - one last hurrah for the band before permanently dissolving. This time, however, it's an analog recording (AAD) and they invited guest artists Tony Bennett and Wynton Marsalis to sit in on a couple of cuts.

As one would expect: great arrangements, stellar solos, and, of course, solid performances. The album was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance, eventually losing to Live At The Royal Festival Hall by Dizzy Gillespie.

Even though he is a legend, I don't think Doc ever got the respect he deserved from the jazz community. Was it jealousy of a steady jazz gig or simple envy of his trademark ultra-cool wardrobe? We may never know.

Peak on the US Billboard 200 album chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. Honeysuckle Rose (Thomas "Fats" Waller, 1929) 3:40
2. Poor Butterfly (Raymond Hubbell, 1916) 3:41
3. Body & Soul (Johnny Green, 1930) 5:27
4. Just Friends (John Klenner, 1931) 3:54
5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart (Duke Ellington, 1938) 3:59
6. Three Shades Of Blue (Tommy Newsom, 1990) 5:12
7. St. Louis Blues (W.C. Handy, 1914) 3:50
8. I Can't Get Started (Vernon Duke & Ira Gershwin, 1936) 5:33 with Tony Bennett
9. Avalon (Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva and Vincent Rose, 1920) 4:15 with Wynton Marsalis
10. My Old Flame (Arthur Johnson, 1934) 2:40
11. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Mercer Ellington, 1942) 5:15
12. What Is This Thing Called Love (Cole Porter, 1929) 5:49
13. Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder, 1976) 3:48
14. Bugle Call Rag (Carey Morgan, Eubie Blake, 1916) 2:53

My favorite tracks are 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When I hear big band recordings, it reminds me how much I miss playing in those groups. It's been a long while since I sat in one - my best guess is 27 years - but I still remember the rush. And, for reasons that have nothing to do with the slightly-above-average trumpet playing abilities of my earlier life, my daughters-in-law and grandchildren call me "Doc." I realize that fact has nothing to do with the music on this CD, but I like to mention my beautiful grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises. 😎

Previously revisited for the blog:
Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Orchestra (1991)
The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. II (1987)
The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen (1986)

21 Organ & Chime Christmas Favorites (1991)

Solo organ plus, on some tracks, a handbell choir. No choir or vocal soloists. No complaints, either - these are wonderful performances by an uncredited organist that truly understands the instruments and literally pulls out all the stops.

I'm thinking there's a good chance this disc was produced locally as a fundraiser of some sort. Not much information to be had in the packaging other than this:

Tracks: 21 tracks, 39 minutes. All familiar carols and I can't help but to sing along.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I inherited this disc from my late father and have no idea how it came to be in his possession.

Everything But The Girl - Worldwide (1991)

More soft pop rock from the first part of EBTG's career before they switched gears to electronica and drum-and-bass releases. It is gorgeous - the production and (mostly) sparse arrangements are impeccable. It is a most pleasant album. Unfortunately, it is completely devoid of hooks. I hear it and can't remember what I've heard nor can I audiate any tunes just from reading the titles. But that's ok, they would regroup and release my all-time favorite EBTG album (and one of my favorite albums of the '90s), Amplified Heart. In the duo's native England, the album peaked at #29 and none of the singles cracked the charts. As the album's Wikipedia entry bluntly states: "the least successful EBTG release, both critically and commercially." No wonder it was an inexpensive find in the used bins.

Press of the time:

• Entertainment Weekly (B): "sometimes sounds like mere wallpaper music, but at least its vibrant colors keep you tuned in"
• Trouser Press: "Thorn again shines as both singer and lyricist"
• Billboard: "well-crafted, poignant, midtempo tunes that grow more endearing with repeated listenings."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• CashBox: #108

Tracks: My favorite tracks are Old Friends, Twin Cities, and One Place. The remainder are pleasant enough; EW called it "wallpaper music" and that's on the mark.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Around the turn of the century, my wife and I spent a lot of time with James and Carla, a couple we met at church. You know the drill - similar ages, similar backgrounds, similar interests, same number of children, etc. This couple were big EBTG fans and once excitedly handed me two of their favorite albums to burn to a CD for my own use: Worldwide and Baby The Stars Shine Bright (1986). Even though both families have moved multiple times and the children have all left home, I still have the disc and we're still in touch with James and Carla. We send text messages often and I got to see them briefly last year. But I sure miss sitting on their back porch on 7th Street, enjoying a few vices and chewing the fat.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Missing (1995)
Amplified Heart (1994)
Acoustic (1992)
The Language Of Life (1990)

Claus Ogerman Featuring Michael Brecker (1991)

I usually enjoy the arranging work of Claus Ogerman, the playing of Michael Brecker, and the production skills of Tommy LiPuma. Plus, the session crew here is an all-star cast. Sadly, the writing here is so meandering and bland that the resultant whole is nowhere near the sum of its parts. In the words of one reviewer: "The more I listen the less I hear."

Press of the time:

• CashBox: "Brecker has meaty solos"
• DownBeat (★★★): "All told, an agreeable album."

Music from the album was nominated for two Grammy awards:

1. The whole album was nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance, losing to the song Sassy from The Manhattan Transfer album The Offbeat Of Avenues.
2. Track one, Corfu, was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition, losing to the tune, Basque, written by Elton John and performed by flautist James Galway. It is definitely the best track on the album.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums: #13
• CashBox Contemporary Jazz: #12

Tracks:

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: The first two times I spun this disc, I fell asleep while it was playing. Not a good first impression, to be sure.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Michael Brecker - Nearness Of You: The Ballad Book (2001)
Michael Brecker - Don't Try This At Home (1988)
The Brecker Brothers - Straphangin' (1981)

Marcus Roberts - Prayer For Peace (1991)

I rescued this CD from the $1 clearance bin this past summer but waited until the holiday season to give it a spin. I was definitely not disappointed. It's simply Roberts at the piano dealing out 12 classic holiday tunes and two originals in a variety of jazz, blues, stride, gospel, and soulful NOLA styles. And it's as good as one should expect from that description. If you're looking for a little escape from 'the usual' this month, allow me to recommend these quiet but playful takes on some Christmas tunes on solo piano.

The Gavin Report, December 6, 1991, p. 38

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: All the classic holiday tunes are worth a listen. Top tracks include Let It Snow, Silver Bells, Sleigh Ride, and Rudolph. I'm not wild about the inclusion of the two original tracks, Prayer For Peace and Christmas Blues, not because they're bad pieces, but because that's not what I came here for.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blues For The New Millennium (1997)
The Truth Is Spoken Here (1989)

George Winston - Summer (1991)

Note: the CD I listened to was the original 1991 release.

Just what you would expect from a George Winston album: lots of peaceful, slow, relaxing New Age solo acoustic piano noodling. Like most New Age music, this is one of those albums that's perfect when I'm in a New Age-y mood and irritating as hell when I'm not. Also, there's nothing here that is very summerish to me, unlike previous albums December or Autumn, which somehow perfectly capture those times of year.

Billboard, October 19, 1991, p. 76
I think the "Winter" album the
reviewer refers to is December.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #55
• Billboard New Age: #1

Tracks: Of the 15 tracks here, Winston wrote 7. The rest are arrangements of pieces by other jazz musicians, film composers, public domain, etc. It all goes down easy, but I'll pick out Winston's arrangements of Randy Newman's Living Without You and Carmine Coppola's music from the 1979 film The Black Stallion as my top cuts. Then there's the traditional tune Corrina Corrina as a track that doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the album. Of the original pieces here, I prefer track 7, simply titled Lullaby.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. I picked this up last year for $1 out of a used bin.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Linus & Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi (1996)
The Velveteen Rabbit (1985)
December (1981)

Patti Austin - Carry On (1991)

Patti is in spectacular voice as always, but I question the choice of the material and arrangements.

Lack of vision and focus wastes the talents of these fine musicians. Damn shame.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #13
• Billboard R&B: #75

Tracks:

1. Carry On - The title track is a cover of the 1970 CSN&Y tune and it doesn't do much for me except for the harmonica solo from Terry McMillan (to be fair, the original doesn't do much for me, either).
2. Givin' In To Love - I had hopes because this one was written by Rod Temperton but the New Jack Swing arrangement ain't doing it any favors. Admittedly, I might have felt different about this one if I'd heard it back in '91
3. I Will Remember You - smooth ballad written by Austin, producer David Pack and keyboardist David Benoit. Pleasant, if not particularly memorable, with a nice sax work from Michael Paulo.
4. How Can I Be Sure - a cover of the 1967 Young Rascals hit. In a jazz-waltz setting with synth accordion, this thing somehow works.
5. Why Did She Come In With You - dahell is this? It's not a good R&B tune to start with, but then it quickly veers into novelty territory with Patti rapping (?!?) and more spoken word from Arsenio Hall in character as a cheating lover named Monroe Monroe III. Did they just rhyme "stared at me as" with "quesadillas"?
6. I Just Can't Let Go - ahhhh, finally! Despite the synth bass and drums, I can fully get behind this beautiful ballad with background vocals from Michael McDonald and James Ingram. Best song on the album. Cover of a David Pack tune that reached #13 on the AC chart in 1986.
7. Monday Monday - a cover of the 1966 Mamas and Papas chart-topper. I want to dislike it, but I just can't. Pack's synth-heavy funk-lite of-its-time arrangement works and The Mamas & The Papas contribute background vocals.
8. The More I Think About It - with a background lifted almost directly from Paul Hardcastle's 19, this filler track may be more skippable than track 5. If your track credits include somebody hiding behind the alias "The Riddler," you might have an issue.
9. Nobody To Dance With - this innocuous ballad would be decent filler on most Austin albums, but rises near the top on this one.
10. I'll Be Waiting For You - nice mid-tempo number, thankfully light on the synths. McDonald, Ingram, and Paulo all make welcome returns.
11. (Don't Know) Whether To Laugh Or Cry- this final ballad with a gospel-ish arrangement at the end makes for a good album closer (I say "gospel-ish" rather than "gospel" because the lyrics are secular). Wish it gave Patti a little more opportunity to stretch out.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Natalie Cole - Unforgettable... with Love (1991)

Natalie's album includes covers of standards previously performed by her father, Nat King Cole. It's a nice tribute to her legendary father and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the first 21 tracks, but I'm partial to Ronstadt singing standards, most likely because I heard those recordings first and they were my introduction to many tunes. It's more about timing than quality.

As for the hit title track, count me out - too creepy for this guy. To quote Dr. Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park, the producers "were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should."

The album won two Grammy Awards: Album of the Year & Best Engineered – Non-Classical.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "could not be more superbly executed or emotionally affecting"
• CashBox: "underscores Nat's accomplishments as a pop star"
• Stereo Review: "Natalie Cole has reaffirmed the timelessness of her father's art"
• Entertainment Weekly (B+): "On balance it’s an impressive achievement"
• Robert Christgau: dud

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #1
• Billboard Jazz: #1
• Billboard R&B: #5

Tracks: My picks are Route 66, Straighten Up And Fly Right, Too Young, and Thou Swell. It probably wasn't a good idea to tackle Mona Lisa and no one would have blamed her if she'd simply deferred to her father's definitive version of that one.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Just remembering how popular this album was when it came out (even my father bought a copy) and no one but me seemed to be disturbed by the title duet. And I'm reminded I need to pick up a copy of producer Tommy LiPuma's recently published bio.

Buddy Guy - Damn Right, I've Got The Blues (1991)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a cassette tape, later replaced by a CD.

Lauded as a comeback album, this was my introduction to Rock And Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy and I get the feeling that I'm not the only one. Quality blues that won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album as well as multiple W.C. Handy Blues Awards: Entertainer of the Year, Blues Instrumentalist - Guitar, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year - U.S., and Blues Song of the Year for the album's title track.

Rolling Stone, December 12, 1991, pp. 174, 178
Note: RS would later award the album ★★★½

I don't listen to much blues music, but when I do, this stuff hits the spot. Recommended for the open road or a hot, summer porch with some cool beverages. It hit 97 degrees here yesterday, so I'm opting for the latter.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #136

Tracks: My picks are the passionate title track which includes a blistering guitar solo, Where Is The Next One Coming From, Too Broke To Spend The Night, and Let Me Love You Baby.  And the cover of Mustang Sally, while predictable, is a fun ride. The album concludes with a tasteful memorial piece to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Sometime in 1992, I traveled to visit an old friend from high school and he played this CD for me. On my way home, I picked up a cassette copy for my personal enjoyment. Why a tape and not a CD? Two reasons: 1) my truck at the time - a dark gray 1990 Nissan Hardbody extended cab with a manual transmission - had a tape player, not a CD player, and 2) cassettes were about half the price of CDs at that time. Somewhat ironically, I picked up this used CD for about half of what I paid for that cassette.

I visited Buddy Guy's Legends club when I visited Chicago in October 2013. Buddy wasn't there, but I enjoyed the intimacy of the club as well as the music.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Alone & Acoustic (1991)

Chicago - Group Portrait (Disc 1) (1991)

THINKING OUT OF THE BOX SET WEEK (MARCH 8 - 14, 2020)*
*In which I've lost/misplaced/can't find/never had one or more CDs in a multi-disc set.

Disc 1 of a 4 disc box set which covers only the group's tenure with Columbia Records and does not include their 80's Warner Bros. hits. Liner notes here. I'm guessing the set was aimed at '70s Chicago fans who wanted to listen to the band on CD but didn't want to re-purchase all their albums on CD (especially Chicago 13).

Selections on this first disc are hits and album cuts taken from the groups first two albums, Chicago Transit Authority (1969), and Chicago (1970). In chronological order!

Detroit Free Press, October 27, 1991, p. 4Q

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

Song	Hot 100	AC
Introduction	-	-
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?	7	5
Beginnings	7	1
Questions 67 & 68	24	34
Listen	-
Poem 58	-	-
I'm a Man	49	-
Make Me Smile	9	-
So Much To Say, So Much To Give	-	-
Anxiety's Moment	-	-
West Virginia Fantasies	-	-
Colour My World	7	-
To Be Free	-	-
Now More Than Ever	-	-
Fancy Colours	-	-
25 Or 6 To 4	4	-
Where Do We Go From Here	-	-

I'm normally not much for prog rock, but there's some tasty playing on these tracks regardless if they're meandering jam songs, neo-classical suites, or pop/rock singles. I prefer the singles but that's simply because they've seemingly been blaring out of some nearby speaker my entire life. And now I'll most likely spin Only The Beginning: The Very Best Of Chicago at some point today.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  Track 3, Beginnings, reminds me of an ill-advised trip to the beach during the Lost Summer of Mark, 1988. Long story short: I listened to my cassette version of Chicago IX on said trip and was talking to another musician about the trombone solo in Beginnings. My erstwhile companion was incensed that I would dare talk to someone other than her, walked out of the room, and a fight ensued. Good times and very possibly my only fight over a trombone solo. Heckuva song though; maybe the best on this disc.

When I saw the band live in Ft. Worth in 1985, touring in support of Chicago 17, the classic single Colour My World (vocals then by Bill Champlin) surprisingly brought the show to a screeching halt. I guess the preteen girls who came to hear Stay The Night couldn't be bothered with their mom and dad's make-out music which included things such as romantic subtlety or flute solos, if only for 3 minutes.

And, if you are of a certain age, after you learned Chopsticks and Heart and Soul on your older sister's piano when you were 8, you might have gone on to learn the arpeggiated introduction of Colour My World.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Only The Beginning: The Very Best Of Chicago (2002)
The Heart of Chicago 1967–1998 Volume II (1998)
Greatest Hits 1982-1989 (1989)
Chicago 17 (1984)
Chicago 16 (1982)
Greatest Hits, Vol. II (1981)
Greatest Hits (1975)
Chicago Transit Authority (1969)

Various Artists - Never Mind The Mainstream...The Best of MTV's 120 Minutes, Vol. 2 (1991)

I promise this won't be a whiny "remember when MTV played videos?" post (all the videos are on YouTube, go over there to watch them and quit yer bitchin' already). I'm not really qualified to speak about the 120 Minutes program because in the late '80s I rarely stayed up that late (poor me always had an 8:00 AM class) and I didn't have a VCR, so what's a broke college kid to do? But I was aware of the program, may have seen occasional bits and pieces, and many of my music-minded friends enjoyed it, so when I saw this compilation in the used bin a few weeks back, I couldn't pass it up for two reasons: 1) nostalgia, and 2) it's a Rhino compilation and those folks were doing exceptional work at the time of this CD's release.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. R.E.M. - Orange Crush (from Green, 1988)
   This song reached #1 on both the Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks in Billboard magazine. Green is my third favorite REM album (after Lifes Rich Pageant and Murmur), so I'm surprised I've never replaced my cassette with a CD. Easily fixed. As for the song, it's one of my favorites from the album. Producer Scott Litt certainly cleaned up their sound, huh? It just dawned on me that it's a war protest song. Stupid me in my 20's thought it was about the soda pop. D'oh!
2. Public Image Ltd. - This Is Not A Love Song (from This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get, 1984)
   Can't stand John Lydon's voice, but that's the point, isn't it? The backing tracks are fantastic and remind more than a little of the backing tracks for FGTH's Relax. Too bad that voice is a deal-breaker.
3. Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio? (from End Of The Century, 1980)
   Love the Ramones from this era. They're basically playing '50s rock at a faster tempo. Always brings a wry grin to my face.

   

   "Rock-o-Meter" from the 1979 film
   Rock 'n' Roll High School

4. X - Burning House Of Love (from Ain't Love Grand!, 1984)
   This single reached #27 on the rock chart. It's okay and fairly melodic, but despite the lyrics, it isn't as raw as their earlier stuff, which I prefer. Can't blame 'em for chasing commercial success, though.
5. Ministry - Stigmata (from The Land of Rape and Honey, 1988)
   Not my thing. The distorted vocals and the aggressive, grating tape loop literally give me a headache. Shame, because I like the rockin' groove.
6. Morrissey - Everyday Is Like Sunday (from Viva Hate, 1988)
   I was never much of a fan of The Smiths or solo Morrissey, but this tune is catchy. I really like the arrangement and production.
7. The Jesus And Mary Chain - Head On (from Automatic, 1989)
   As far as I can remember, this may be the first song I've heard from this band. I like it enough to seek out a few more tunes. No idea how this group avoided my radar in the '80s. This tune peaked at #45 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #2 on the Modern Rock chart.
8. Echo And The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon (from Ocean Rain, 1984)
   Previously appeared on this blog on Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s. Here's what I said then: "I think I've said this before - I wish I had listened to Echo back in the '80s. Not too long ago, I was in a car with a woman who I had just met. This song came on the radio and she looked up at the night sky and said, "Yes, it IS a killing moon tonight." That made me a little uncomfortable. She turned out to be a decent person, but that was a strange first impression." Man, I really enjoy the chord changes in the chorus of this one.
9. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (single release in 1980)
   Previously appeared on The Best of Joy Division and Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s. Kind of an obvious choice for this disc, but no matter - I like it. A couple of years back, I heard Peter Hook and his band play the New Order AND Joy Division Substance albums in full, in sequence. The first half of the show was NO and, after an intermission, the JD tunes. So this song closed the show and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
10. New Order - The Perfect Kiss (from Low-Life, 1985)
    I can't decide if this CD sequencing is intentionally ignorant or brilliant. Either way, this is a great tune from a great band.
11. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (from Violator, 1990)
    Previously appeared on The Singles 86>98. I listened to the crap out of my Violator cassette, often subjecting my students to it. Even so, I never tire of this tune and I'll sing along with every word. Peaked at #3 on the Modern Rock chart, #12 on the Dance chart, and #28 on the Hot 100.
12. The Sugarcubes - Birthday (from Life's Too Good, 1988)
    I'm fighting the urge to hit the skip button. I don't get the critical acclaim for Björk. Never have.
13. Hüsker Dü - Could You Be The One? (from Warehouse: Songs and Stories, 1987)
    If Bob Mould is singing, I generally like the tunes from this group, this one included.
14. Faith No More - We Care A Lot (from We Care A Lot, 1985)
    Previously appeared on Sedated in the Eighties, No. 3 and Grosse Pointe Blank Soundtrack. Didn't discover this one until 1997; wish I'd found it in '85.
15. Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone (from Violent Femmes, 1983)
    Dig it, Daddy-O! Why haven't I ever purchased that eponymous album? Two xylophone solos? Yeah, dawg!
16. Wire - Eardrum Buzz (from It's Beginning to and Back Again, 1989)
    I tried to get into Wire with their A Bell Is A Cup album during the infamous Lost Summer of Mark, but that album didn't have anything as good as this tune on it, so I gave up on them. Too soon, as it turns out. This single hit #2 on the Modern Rock chart.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: 120 Minutes premiered in '86, but I have memories of people watching it in '85. My mind, it goes. [shrug]

Billboard, March 29, 1986, p. 54
(click photo to enlarge)

David Sanborn - Another Hand (1991)

Apropos to its title, this album, Sanborn's first on the Elektra label, marked a departure from the instrumental pop he produced earlier for Warner Bros. and moves into more serious jazz, surrounding himself with heavy hitters like Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. Bottom line: it's an adventurous departure and good on him for the move, but I prefer the instrumental pop stuff.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #170
• Billboard Jazz: #1
• CashBox: #142

Tracks: The better attempts here are the more traditional tracks: Come To Me Nina, Dukes & Counts, and the title track. The Velvet Underground's Jesus is an interesting choice for a cover, but I think it works.

There's three tunes here that are arrangements of TV and film scores from shows such as The Twilight Zone, One Step Beyond, and The Devil At Four O'Clock. Not sure what they're aiming for, but I'll pass.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Original Album Series (2010)	A Change of Heart (1987)
Timeagain (2003)	Straight To The Heart (1984)
Love Songs (1995)	Backstreet (1983)
The Best of (1994)	As We Speak (1982)
Hearsay (1994)	Voyeur (1981)
Upfront (1992)	Beck & Sanborn (1975)