What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. X)

Hi Matt,

Your posts on Richard Thompson had me google him last night. I had no idea what an accomplished and prolific artist he is. I'm going to keep an eye out for him in the used vinyl. What would be your recommendation as the best LP for someone new to his music?

Over the Rhine - Blood Oranges In The Snow

(2014)

First listen.  Over the Rhine has done several Christmas/seasonal albums.  Good first impression.  I enjoyed all the songs with the exception of "Bethlehem".  Will see how it progresses on further listens. 

Weezer. What is commonly referred to as 'the blue album'. On CD from 1994. From a great musical period when grunge was the rage and I had just moved to Seattle. Brings back good memories.

Picking just one is difficult!  His first six albums are essential:

• Henry the Human Fly (1972)
• I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974)
• Hokey Pokey (1975)
• Pour Down Like Silver (1975)
• First Light (1978)
• Sunnyvista (1979)

Among his later albums, I also treasure:

• Rumor and Sigh (1991)
• Mirror Blue (1994)
• Mock Tudor (1999)
• The Old Kit Bag (2003)

There are lots of others as well and, truth be told, I don't think he's ever made a bad album.

Here's an idea - there was a pretty comprehensive anthology that came out about five years ago called "Walking on a Wire".  It also included some of his early work with the great Fairport Convention.

Hook

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. The Sky Is Crying. On CD from 1991. I still remember hearing about his death summer of 1990. Ironic for me since I had just enjoyed watching him on Austin City Limits earlier that month.

Hook,

Thanks for your suggestions. Duly noted. I supposed I'll grab anything I come across from Mr Thompson in the used vinyl bin. Will try to sample some of these others online. Cheers!

One more Christmas album for the evening. 

The Gathering     (2011)

Continuing my recent Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops) smittenfest.  

First listen.  Enjoyed most of the songs. To paraphrase the Amazon writeup, this is holiday music with roots deep in Appalachian and Piedmont music. What does this mean?  Bluegrass. 

REM. Monster. On CD from 1994. From the peak of their success. Despite having sold over 80 million records, I don't feel like the group's music has had great holding power over time. 

Cream. Wheels Of Fire. 1998 remaster of the original 1968 release. I was in the mood for bluesy type rock from a power trio with some jazz influenced drumming. Thought this might fit the bill.

Joe,

This Richard Thompson LP is worth keeping an eye out for.

Never owned the album until I got my copy of the Audio Fidelity version.

For the early Island discs try getting the originals as they are better sounding IMHO than the later versions

Andrew Bird - I Want to See Pulaski at Night

(2013)

7 song album.  Instrumental except for 'Pulaski At Night'.  Just finished listening with headphones.  Beautiful music. 

Introduced to Andrew Bird on this forum with the release of Noble Beast (2009).  Has become one of my favorite artists. 

Will do. Thanks.

Ewe,

I see now that I incorrectly posted a photo of the 40th Anniversary edition. My copies are both on the original Mercury skyline label and have an uncommon quality deep bass that really rocks the room. Hope your Audio Fidelity version does the same .

CD rip, one of the 5 in one packages of between PGreen and the later hit iterations. 

This one is a bit MOR but enjoyable:-

Fleetwood Mac - Bare Trees

Steve J originally posted:

This Richard Thompson LP is worth keeping an eye out for.

I have this LP, but had completely forgotten about it. It used to be a favourite  of mine way back in the 70s, but probably haven't played it for nigh on 20 years. I'm about to rectify this right now. 

BIGH47 originally posted:

Me too. but now :-

"Fairport Convention - Fairport Live Convention"

Quite a contrast, but then I'm a fan of both groups too, having seen Fairport live on a number of occasions dating back from the mid 70s (unfortunately never with either Richard Thompson or Sandy Denny in the line-up). I probably have 7 or 8 Fairport albums but tend to go through phases of listening to them & the 'folk rock' genre in general. Haven't had a real 'folk rock' phase for some time. Can't leave it too long before the next.  

About to dig out a Fairport album featuring Sandy Denny & Jerry Donahue to get me back into the

mood:

On vinyl: Fairport Convention - "Rising for the Moon"

Not a typical Fairport album and probably not a favourite of many of their fans, but I really like it.

Pineapple Thief ~ All the Wars

Released in 2012

So much energy from this band.

edit* and just noticed that they are playing Edinburgh on Saturday... very tempted!

On the black stuff.

This is Linda's 2014 album.

Her first album release since her first album over 40 years ago.

And what a wonderfully beautiful album it is too.

This is one of my most played albums since it was released on LP and CD.