The prices looked really good, and not being content to simply listen to the CDs James brought me, so I decided to go.
So on top of all my other projects, I’ve now got the "Great Academy Records Scouring" to do.
THANKS, James!!
One of the things that happens at a store like this is you see a lot of records you’d been meaning to get to (or get back to) but didn’t want to spend the bucks on, so you’re dealing with nostalgia and risk-taking but not breaking the bank.
Nostalgia:
Joni Mitchell: Hejira (1976)
For a while, this sounded different every time I put it on. I eventually caught up and noticed I’ve got nothing unique to say about it. It’s your basic second tier JM record. Some cuts are too long and the sameness of tone takes away from it a bit.
So not GREAT Joni - no “Free Man in Paris” here, she’s already past that - but very very good.
And in its quiet way, some great moments
A-
“Song for Sharon”
Rolling Stones: Her Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
Another “not their best”. I have it in the basement on 8-track and got to listen to it one or two times before the player broke. But it’s the Stones so I had to find out how it was. (The sixties Stones, mind you. I could give a rat’s ass about the 80s, 90s, 00s and teens versions.)
So the verdict is: actually pretty good. And it would have been considered an excellent album if done by another band, but it is the Stones, after all.
B+
“The Lantern”
Jefferson Airplane: The Worst of... (1970)
Speaking of “not the best”! I’d gotten this blast from the past for Brother Pat for Christmas 1970. He told me the hardcore JA fans said it was aptly named. But as one who was a bit disappointed by After Bathing at Baxter’s and Volunteers, (let's not even talk about Bark or Long John Silver) I think I’ll take this one.
A-
"Good Shepherd"
Risk Taking:
Terry Riley: A Rainbow in Curved Air (1969)
Spacey, when spacey was brand new. Not as pretty as In a Silent Way. Not as cool as the Dead. It’s on the classical/Sci-fi side. Which is much weirder than either.
B+
“A Rainbow in Curved Air”
Nellie McKay: Get Away From Me (2004)
How did someone so young create a record in a style that I usually hate and make it so enjoyable? Is it the oh so sharp lyrics? The instrumental backing? Her confident delivery?
All of the above and more.
A-
“It’s a Pose”
And Sonic Youth's Washing Machine (1995) which I'm just gonna have to get back to you on later because that's what it's like for me and Sonic Youth. I need time...
I've since gone back to Academy (maybe I should say I went back to the Academy. I'd get more respect that way.) but that is for another time.
Someday I even hope to tell you what I found in Jame's bag!
