Jeff Healey Band: See the Light (1988)

I was lucky enough to see Jeff Healey in concert three times. On two occasions, the concerts were in a large venue, but the last time I saw him was at Grossman's Tavern at 379 Spadina Ave. in Toronto. Jeff was just a few feet away from me. It was an intimate and interesting evening and there was no cover charge. Sadly, Jeff is another musician who died way too soon at age 41.

Many people will know Angel Eyes, a cover song, and See the Light, which might have one of the best opening riffs in the history of rock music. Confidence Man is also a great tune. I'll include a live clip (with Dr, John), because it is really interesting to see hm play the guitar. Make sure you watch the solo midway through the track.



And another live track:

Topper Headon: Waking Up (1985)

This is a disappointing record. One would have thought that an ex-Clash member would have produced a real rocking record. However, this is not the case. Instead, Headon put out a boring record and called it quits, at least on releasing records. Maybe I am being too harsh, but I wasn't expecting this soul/jazz/R&B thing. The record sounds great (polished, professional, slick) but the style didn't do anything for me at all.

Ronnie Hawkins: A Legend In His Spare Time (1981)

Ronnie Hawkins is best known for having formed the group that would become known as The Band. The Band were, at one time, Bob Dylan's back-up band and then they had a excellent career of their own. Nevertheless this record does nothing for me. I should expunge it from my collection.

The Hawaiian Pups: Split Second Precision (1983)

The Hawaiian Pups were a kind of unknown band, unless you listened to college radio or the good old CFNY, when it was a truly great and ground-breaking radio station. The band was best known for the track Baby Judy. Others will remember Spook Opera from the year before. Split Second Precision is an EP that contains only 6 tracks, with Baby Judy appearing twice, once in extended form. The extended mix of Baby Judy was collected on volume three of Hardest Hits, which I have on CD (I have all of the Hardest Hits CDs). By the way, I was stunned to see the prices of the Hardest Hits CD compilations. Volume One is listed on Discogs for $45 to $145. That's amazing and rather perplexing.

Anyway, I really liked this band, but they only released one single and then this EP. That's too bad. This fan video is pretty good!

Jon Hassell: Aka / Darbari / Java - Magic Realism (1983)

I'll just include two things. The first is printed on the back album jacket:

"MAGIC REALISM • Like the video technique of "keying in" where any background may be electronically inserted or deleted independently of foreground, the ability to bring the actual sound of musics of various epochs and geographical origins all together in the same compositional frame marks a unique point in history. • A trumpet, branched into a chorus of trumpets by computer, traces the motifs of the Indian raga DARBARI over Senegalese drumming recorded in Paris and a background mosaic of frozen moments from an exotic Hollywood orchestration of the 1950's [a sonic texture like a "Mona Lisa" which, in close up, reveals itself to be made up of tiny reproductions of the Taj Mahal], while the ancient call of an AKA pygmy voice in the Central African Rainforest — transposed to move in sequences of chords unheard of until the 20th century — rises and falls among gamelan-like cascades, multiplications of a single "digital snapshot" of a traditional instrument played on the Indonesian island of JAVA, on the other side of the world. • Music which is to this degree self-referential, in which larger parts are related to and/or generated from smaller parts, shares certain qualities with "white" classical music of the past. AKA/DARBARI/JAVA is a proposal for a "coffee-colored" classical music of the future — both in terms of the adoption of entirely new modes of structural organisation [as might be suggested by the computer ability to re-arrange, dot-by-dot, a sound or video image] and in terms of the expansion of the "allowable" musical vocabulary in which one may speak this structure — leaving behind the ascetic face which Eurocentric tradition has come to associate with serious expression. • JON HASSELL"

The other is from Allmusic:

The beautiful cover painting by Mati Klarwein serves as an appropriate visual analogy for the music contained herein: an abutting of two worlds, an insinuating blend of early-'80s high tech with ancient Southeast Asia. Over varying, non-specific rhythms supplied by Abdou Mboup, Jon Hassell weaves a music both evocative and plaintive, his modified trumpet sighing like an old Javanese horn pulled into the digital age on its way to what he calls a "coffee-colored" future where all ethnic traditions become one. The astonishingly vocal sound he gets from that treated trumpet is certainly one of the signatures of this album and one of the more lovely sounds heard anywhere. His compositions have a bit too much direction and drive to comfortably settle into the term ambient, but they remain as relaxed and gently meandering as a jungle stream. One especially nice feature is the subtle electronic burblings that whisper in the background, creating an enticingly busy sense of space. Aka/Darbari/Java is an early high-water mark at the juncture between world and ambient musics.[source]

PJ Harvey: Is This Desire? (1998/2021)

I bought this CD when it came out, not the LP, since I had forsaken records at the time. That LP is now pricy, but the first vinyl repress since then is pretty darned good. 

PJ Harvey: Stories from the City - Demos (2021)

Awesome. 

PJ Harvey: Uh Huh Her - Demos (2021)

 

Another cool collection. That's all I will say.

PJ Harvey: To Bring You My Love - Demos (2020)

 

I am enjoying all of these demo releases. 

PJ Harvey: All About Eve (Original Music) (2019)

Imagine, a PJ Harvey record that includes Gillian Anderson! This is from a stage production of All About Eve, from 2019. This is pretty interesting music and not what you might expect from PJ. 

PJ Harvey: The Hope Six Demolition Project (2016)

This record was supposed to ship with a MP3 download code and a poster. Mine only has the poster. Other people have reported receiving only either the poster or the code. Some lucky people got both. Or, as Discogs reports:

"Comes with A1 fold-out poster and 320kbps MP3 download code. Some copies come without the poster, or without the download code, or with neither of these items at all."

I haven't had much time to soak in this record, but I like it, of course. I think PJ is really great. I have read about the complaints people have made regarding some of her perceptions about Washington DC, but I can't really comment on that.

PJ Harvey: Let England Shake (2011)

Bad photo. This album won the 2011 Mercury Music Prize. I'd say that award was justified. By the way, this is the first European pressing. The only other pressing, to date, is the US pressing. I have the CD, which is worth less than $10. The vinyl, on the other hand, is probably worth $35 - $40 US.

John Parish & Polly Jean Harvey: Dance Hall At Louse Point(1996)

Despite PJ's name being listed second, I have filed this under Harvey, not Parish. Oddly, I just noticed that my CD copy is under P, for Parish. I will have to change that. Once gain, I have a reissue, since the original 1996 pressing is expensive, plus I have never seen one anywhere. 

PJ Harvey: To Bring You My Love (1995)

The original 1995 pressing of this LP sells for more than I would consider paying. On the other hand, this 2001 pressing was far more reasonable. I found a sealed copy for $15 (no tax). I also have the CD. Sometime after this record came out, I saw PJ play a show in Toronto.

On this record, she moved departed from punk to something more sophisticated.

PJ Harvey: 4-Track Demos (1993/2020)

 

From Wikpedia: 

4-Track Demos is an album of demos by British singer-songwriter PJ Harvey. It was released in October 1993 by Island Records. It consists of eight demos of songs from her previous album, Rid of Me, along with six demos of some unreleased tracks which never made it to release with the three-piece PJ Harvey line-up. According to interviews with Harvey, all fourteen of these songs were written and demoed at her home between mid-1991 and autumn 1992. 4-Track Demos was Harvey's first entirely self-produced album; there would not be another such until 2004's Uh Huh Her.

I one saw a pressing of the original release in a record store bin, but passed it by when I noted the price tag. The 2020 remaster will do just fine. 

PJ Harvey: Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000)

The PJ Harvey reissues continue to flood in, and this is as great as the rest. The original year 2000 pressing of the record goes for stupid money. In 2000, I bought the CD. I am not even sure if there was anyone selling vinyl around these parts back then. This is the first official vinyl release since that time. I think it sounds great. 

PJ Harvey: Rid Of Me (1993)

The 1993 pressing of this LP is now worth a small fortune, meaning that the 2020 version is the one to get for a reasonable price, and for me that was abut $25 CDN. The reissues is very well done. I say that, of course, having only ever heard he CD version. 

Corey Hart: Fields of Fire (1986)

There's simply no reason to own this record. The first two records are sort of interesting, but this is uninspired and flat. Why was this record even released?

PJ Harvey: White Chalk - Demos (2021)

Yikes, that's a terrible photo. I've only listened to this once. It sounds good to me. 

Corey Hart: Boy in the Box (1985)

Hart scored another big hit with the track Never Surrender, which appeared on Boy in the Box, his second offense. This album is similar to the first, but I don't think any of the tracks are as catchy as Sunglasses at Night. Still, it's a competent follow-up, but not one that I love. I paid nothing for this record. Once again, he couldn't resist the sappy element. Just try to make it through Everything in My Heart, a truly awful stinking pile of crap.

The title track makes me think of Duran Duran, but maybe that's just because of the video.

Corey Hart: First Offense (1984)

"Don't switch the blade on the guy in shades; oh no
Don't masquerade with the guy in shades;
(oh no) (I can't believe it)
You got it made with the guy in shades; oh no"

I'll admit that this is a rather embarrassing part of my record collection, but I paid nothing for it. Somewhat interestingly, an old friend's brother went to high school with Mr. Hart. That's three degrees of separation, for those of you who are counting.

I have to say that First Offense is a kind of a brilliant and perhaps ironic title for this record. I don't think any artist has done better and it makes me laugh. On the other hand, it's probably his best record, as it contains his big hit, Sunglasses at Night, which was marketed with a cheesy video. I'll admit that there was a time when that song seemed OK to my ears. It no longer does, except in a nostalgic way. The opening sometimes makes me think that the Eurythmics were a big influence, and maybe they were. On the other hand, this record also contains the appalling It Ain't Enough.

This record screams 80s, but not the good 80s. As Allmusic notes: "All the cliched '80s sounds are here in full force, from the brooding saxophone, the bratty guitar solo, the snotty background vocalists, and the catchy keyboard riffs." [source] I have no idea what a bratty guitar solo is and I have even less idea of what snotty background vocalists are, but that sentence encapsulates the record perfectly.

I do like a woman in uniform :)

Deborah Harry: Def, Dumb & Blonde (1989)

This record is far better than I would have guessed. I don't remember what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised. Allmusic gives it a surprising 4.5 stars. The CD version has a few extra tracks, but I have never heard them. This LP does not sound like Blondie, but it sounds OK to me.

Jerry Harrison: Casual Gods (1987)

Jerry Harrison, formerly of The Modern Lovers and Talking Heads, has released some solid music of his own, like this LP right here. If you know a track from this record, it's likely to be Rev it Up, which is a really cool song with lots of energy. It has some especially great guitar parts, but I don't think that is the official video, below :). Man With a Gun also got some airplay.

George Harrison: Cloud Nine (1987)

George took five years off, and then came back with Cloud Nine, which is a really good album. The LP had a couple of big hits, and the whole affair is very polished, perhaps even a tad too polished. I'm conflicted about the whole Jeff Lynne thing, since I am not a lover of ELO. But, the album works very well.

George Harrison: Gone Troppo (1982)

I think that some reviewers were a little too harsh in reviewing this record. The problem is that George released his best work near the beginning of his solo career and I think it was hard for him to equal that. The other thing is that the record suffers a bit from mediocre 80s production. But, I think this is a far better album than some reviewers would have you believe, apart from the last track, which is really not very good at all.

It's too bad that the Beatles didn't record more of his songs. Sometimes, I think he wrote the best of the Beatles songs.

I dislike the album jacket.

George Harrison: Somewhere in England (1981)

Somewhere in England contains the closest thing to a Beatles reunion, at least until Free as a Bird, which really wasn't a reunion, but more of an endeavor in musical archaeology plus some editing. But, all four members were present, even if John sounded like a ghost. All Those Years Ago features Ringo on drums and Paul McCartney doing some over dubs on vocals. This track, of course, was atribute to John, who was murdered a few months prior to the release of this record.

This is a good record. The video for All Those Years Ago makes me sad, though.

George Harrison: George Harrison (1979)

I guess by this point, George realized that he had not released a self-titled record, and decided that the time had come. So, here, several records into his solo career, is a self-titled record.

When I first heard this record, I wasn't convinced that I was actually listening to a George Harrison record. It's a very smooth record, and it's perhaps a bit too over-produced, with tracks that don't quite do it. I had high hopes for Here Comes the Moon, which would suggest a sequel or tie-in to Here Comes the Sun. On that level, it's a disappointment. It's OK, but the title is full of possibility that is never realized. I think this is a case of expectations ruining what is otherwise a pretty good track.

George Harrison: Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976)

This record was pressed in Canada, but I have the US version. I get the sense that George was struggling here a bit, thought there are couple of good songs, like Crackerbox Palace and This Song. In the end, I would rate this higher than some of the contemporary reviewers. George might have been my favourite Beatle, but it's hard to say. So, I have a positive view of his music, in general.

George Harrison ‎– Extra Texture (Read All About It) (1975)

I have the US Winchester pressing, which seems identical to the Jacksonville pressing, but I could be wrong. Both come in a die-cut "pigskin" textured sleeve.

This record was his final recording for Apple Records. Many people, including Peter Sellers, are listed as not appearing on the record, which I guess is funny. Wikipedia notes that "[a]mong his solo releases, Extra Texture is notable as the only album whose lyrics are devoid of any obvious spiritual message." Maybe that's why I don't hate it, when many others do. I think this record is widely regarded as a soul effort, which makes it less interesting than it should be. Also, there is little of substance in the lyrics, so maybe he was struggling with the idea of a non-spiritual record. While I don't hate it, this is probably is weakest record, but the following track, which seems like a fairly obvious sequel to While My Guitar Gently Weeps, is pretty good.

Don Henley: I Can’t Stand Still (1982)

This is OK. Obviously, it came out prior to Building the Perfect Beast. Dirty Laundry is not bad, but the second record is much better. 

Here's an odd Canadian Video:

"This is a parody music video created in 1985 for a friendly contest between competing broadcasters. When Global TV in Toronto entered its version of Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" - starring "The News Brothers" - it was an instant smash hit. To many, this video sums up a whole decade of wonderful memories."

George Harrison: Living in the Material World (1973)

This is a really great George record, but I gather that some listeners found themselves let down after the brilliant triple album, All Things Must Pass. That's too bad because this is a really strong record.

I've always loved George's voice and his guitar playing, so I am usually fully engaged, with some exceptions. Bowie did a really good cover of Try Some Buy Some IMHO. Unfortunately, when I think of this record, what often comes to mind is Madonna's Material Girl, even though the line she uses is "living in a material world," which is subtly different. It's also a really terrible song. But, I will be frank: there is no Madonna music that I like, although I think there are a couple of tracks on Ray of Light that are not offensive ear worms.

George Harrison: All Things Must Pass (1970)

Damn that idiotic plagiarism case. I honestly believe that this was unintentional. But, when I think of this song in my head, it breaks into He's So Fine every time, and it's irritating. Anyway, that brings me to the tune My Sweet Lord, which is a really great song, especially if you ignore the lyrics.

George Harrison: Wonderwall Music (1968)

Wonderwall was the first solo record from a Beatles member, but it is an odd one, being the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Not surprisingly, I have never seen the film.

The music is heavily influenced by Indian music. Anyone who is familiar with Harrison at this time would know of his fascination with Indian music and religion. The album has been both praised and dissed, as far as I can tell, and I think it has been treated better in hindsight. The public always seems to know what it wants, and the weight of expectations sometimes gets in the way. I like the record, but I like drone and I do like some Indian music and tabla music. That's not to say that the entire record sounds Indian. There is some diversity.

The only other thing I will say is: piss off, Oasis, you bunch of scurvy bastards. I have never owned any Oasis music in any format and I quite honesty cannot figure out what that appeal is. They really thought they were the new Beatles. They were not.

Ii wish I had an original pressing from 1968; instead, I have a German pressing from 1986.

Harmonia & Eno '76: Edward Versions (2015)

I will let Wikipedia give the details on Harmonia:

"Harmonia is a Krautrock supergroup from Germany. They formed as a collaboration between Michael Rother of Neu! and Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Möbius of Cluster and later included the British musician Brian Eno." [source]

I have some music from this band on CD, including Tracks and Traces, which was released under the moniker of Harmonia '76. Oddly, that record was recorded in 1976 but not released until 1997. The 2009 reissue was released as Harmonia & Eno '76, the same credit as this EP. I don't think a vinyl version of that album exists.

This EP is absolutely gorgeous. I just wish it was longer. It contains two pieces, Athmosphere (Edward's Desert Version) and Sehr Kosmisch (Edward's Close To Pompeii Version) and both are brilliant. The Edward in question is Gilles Aiken.

Happy Mondays: Step On (1990)

This Canadian 12" single from 1990 has five versions of Step On. And, as much as I love that song, no one should sit through all five mixes back-to-back. One of the versions is the original 7" version. I am not sure if that matches the version used in the original music video, but, whatevs. By the way, I loved the Madchester sound. Oddly, I don't think I had ever seen this video until just now.

Hangedup: Kicker In Tow (2002)

Hangedup are label-mates of Godspeed You Black Emperor! on Montreal's Constellation label. The record was even produced by GYBE's Efrim. The result is amazing.

This description is accurate: "Kicker in Tow is a hypnotic collection of avant-rock/art-punk compositions spurred to life by Genevieve Heistek's amplified, often percussive viola and Eric Craven's inventive drumming (with touches of electronica occasionally augmenting the proceedings)." [source] Kinetic Work, in my humble opinion, is the best tune on the LP. (I also own a copy of this release on CD).

Hangedup: Hangedup (2001)

What can I say except that I really like this band?

Daryl Hall & John Oates: Rock 'N Soul Part 1 - Greatest Hits (1983)

There doesn't seem to be a Rock 'N Soul Part 2. Oh well. If you want to hear single edits (as opposed to longer album versions) this record will do. It contains a whole whack of hits by the duo, like I Can't Go For That (No Can Do), Rich Girl, Private Eyes, etc. If you like Hall & Oates, you won't go wrong with this LP. The arrival of this record really reinforced that they had made the big time. As such, the quality of the music was bound to decline.

Daryl Hall + John Oates: H2O (1982)

H2O was a very big record for Hall and Oates, and it spawned some big shiny hits, like Maneater and One on One. I know, Family Man was a big one too, but I have to say that I much prefer the original Mike Oldfield recording to this cover. By this time, the boys were a real top 40 phenomenon, so they lost some of their appeal, at least to me.

Daryl Hall and John Oates: Private Eyes (1981)

Yes, they made some really great pop songs, and this record contains some good ones, like Private Eyes and I Can't Go For That (No Can Do).

Daryl Hall & John Oates: Abandoned Luncheonette (1973)

I'm not a big fan of Hall and Oates (or Philly Soul, or Blue eyed Soul - whatever you want to call it), but I think Hall and Oates have recorded some good tracks. Abandoned Luncheonette, from 1973, contains the big hit She's Gone. The album has a smooth soulful feel with lots of hook and things to keep the listener engaged. It's perhaps an odd thing to find in my collection, but I really think that they did some good stuff on this record.

Haircut One Hundred: Nobody's Fool

From Discogs: "These editions contain the group's studio version (and variations thereof). See also Nick Heyward's demo recording, credited to the band: Nobody's Fool."

The flip side is October Is Orange (Day 1 And Day 2). I have UK 12" pressing.

Haircut One Hundred: Fantastic Day (1982)

Only the UK and Australia released 12" version of this single. The flipside to Fantastic Day is Ski Club of Great Britain, an pseudo-instrumental track. It appears on the expanded CD, which I have, under the title of Ski Club. This song has a good vibe.

Haircut One Hundred: Pelican West (1982)

This record is a triumph, a perfect pop mini masterpiece. It has a kind of funky pop sensibility that really hits the mark. Without question, this is one of my favourite records of all time. It always reminds me of summer. (Let's just forget that the band released a second record after the departure of Nick Hayward). The good news is that you can easily find copies for a few dollars. I also have the CD with a number of bonus tracks. If you don't like this record, there is something wrong with you. Every track is a winner.

PJ Harvey: White Chalk (2007)

I have the 2021 180 gram remaster. It sounds great. I think all of the remasters have been awesome. 

PJ Harvey: The Peel Sessions (1991-1994) (2006/2021)

The original pressing of this record is insanely expensive, running up to $500 from some sellers, though I am sure you could get on for. less. I got this repressing for 30% off, making it a real steal. 

PJ Harvey: Fry (1992)

 

PJ's first record is a cracker. Wikipedia reports the following:

Speaking to Filter magazine in 2004, Harvey said of her debut album: "Dry is the first chance I ever had to make a record and I thought it would be my last. So, I put everything I had into it. It was a very extreme record. It was a great joy for me to be able to make it. I never thought I'd have that opportunity, so I felt like I had to get everything on it as well as I possibly could, because it was probably my only chance. It felt very extreme for that reason." [source]

First pressings come at a premium now. I bought this on CD back in the day. I should have purchased the vinyl. 

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Choir Of The Mind (2017)

Amazon has had this listed for crazy prices. I realize that these are third party sellers and not really Amazon, but really! Anyway, I have seen it as high as $60+. I paid less than $25! This record is pressed n 140g orange vinyl. Will the coloured vinyl trend never end? 

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton: Knives Don't Have Your Back (2006)

There's a pattern in the system
There's a bullet in the gun
That's why I tried to save you
But it can't be done

- Our Hell, Emily Haines

I remember reading reviews of this album on Amazon after it was released and was amazed at the number of fools who complained that they didn't like the record because it did not sound like Metric! Idiots. Why on earth would anyone want or expect the same? A solo record should be a solo record for a reason.

I have often wondered why lead singers release solo records when the resulting record sounds just like the band they sing for. I mean, unless the band breaks up, why put out a record that could have been a band record? I know, some singers have too much material or there are other obligations at play.

Knives Don't Have Your Back is brilliant. It sounds nothing like Metric, which is a good thing. I say this as someone who likes Metric. I would argue that this record is way better than Metric.

The good news is that you don't have to pay the over-inflated prices for this. It was recently repressed and I have seen copies for about $30. Someone paid over $100 for this record on Discogs! That's a few dollars more that the top price for the 2xLP version.

By the way, I am sure that I know what store this was filmed in. It's now closed as part of that Target debacle.

Steve Hackett: Spectral Mornings (1979)

Spectral Mornings is a proggy piece of work, from ex-Genesis member, Steve Hackett. Lots of people love it. I like it. Perhaps people like it so much because it serves as a counterpoint to the commercial direction that Genesis found themselves pursuing. In that respect, it belongs to the old Genesis era, and if you liked that, you will like this. But, it is not Genesis, and it is not quite as good as old Genesis. But, there are moments that sound great.

The Guess Who: Flavours (1974)

And I quote: "Too many ballads, very little fire, a going-through-the-motions feel: all combined to condemn this album to instant obscurity." [source] That probably sums it up, though I will confess that Dancin' Fool is not a bad track.