Updated as of September 29, 2023
KEY: star rating is on the four star scale
meaning of "/" or "\"
*** is three stars out of four
***/ is three stars leaning towards 3 1/2
***\ is three stars leaning towards 2 1/2
The Movies, Books, Theater, Concerts, CDs I've Seen/Read/Heard So Far In 2023
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
(Increasingly, I am sampling books, reading 10%, 20% even 40 or 50% before deciding to move on. The books below are only the ones I've read completely. That also explains what looks like generous grading -- more and more, if I sense a book is not going to be among my favorites, I stop reading. Too many books; too little time!)
1. My Ántonia by Willa Cather ****
2. Just William by Richmal Compton ** 1/2 (pleasant enough but repetitive)
3. A Child's Garden Of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson *** 1/2
4. Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov *** 1/2 (finished at The Mavericks concert Feb 17, 2023)
5. Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond ** 1/2
6. The Destroyer Of Worlds: Return To Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff ***
7. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
8. Boris by Jaap ter Haar; translated by Martha Mearns (1966) *** 1/2
9. Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead *** 1/2
10. Sorceror's Son by Phyllis Eisenstein ***
11. The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka *** 1/2
12. 150 Glimpes Of The Beatles aka One Two Three Four: The Beatles In Time by Craig Brown ***
13.
CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (A strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't )
1. Marty Robbins -- Hawaii's Calling Me (1969) * 1/2
2. Cheap Trick -- All Shook Up (1980) ** 1/2
3. Daryl Hall & John Oates -- H2O ***
4. The Beach Boys -- Carl And The Passions -- "So Tough" ** 1/2
5. Sammi Smith -- Lonesome (1971) ** 1/2
6. Willie Colon -- El Malo (w Hector Lavoe) (1967) ***
7. Ismael Rivera -- Esto Si Es Lo Mio (1978) *** 1/2
8. Ismael Rivera -- Feliz Navidad (1975) ***
9. Sting -- If On A Winter's Night (2009) **
10. Marty Robbins -- Marty After Midnight (1969) ** 1/2
11. Duke Ellington -- Money Jungle w Max Roach and Charles Mingus (1962) ** 1/2
12. Michael Nesmith -- Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (1973) ***
13. Michael Nesmith -- And The Hits Just Keep On Comin' (1972) *** 1/2
14. Daryl Hall & John Oates -- Voices (1980) ** 1/2
15. Bette Midler -- The Divine Miss M (1972) ** 1/2
16. Bette Midler -- Bette Midler (1973) **
17. Howdy Glenn -- I Can Almost See Houston **
18. Bob Dylan -- Time Out Of Mind (1997) *** 1/2 /
19. Daryl Hall & John Oates -- Big Bam Boom (1984) **
20. Bob Dylan -- Fragments: Time Out Of Mind Sessions 1996-1997 ***
21. Hank Williams -- Ramblin' Man (1954) ****
22. Mavis Staples -- Mavis Staples (1969) ** 1/2
23. Cheap Trick -- Heaven Tonight ((1978) *** /
24. John Cale -- Paris 1919 ***
25. Hank Williams -- Sings (1951) *** 1/2
26. Dionne Warwick-- The Dionne Warwick Collection: Her All-Time Greatest Hits ****
27. Hank Williams -- Honky Tonkin' (1954) *** 1/2
28. The Movers -- Mr. Moonlight Meets Miss Starlight (1974) * 1/2
29. Cymande -- Cymande (1972) *** 1/2
30. Hank Williams -- I Saw The Light (1954) ** 1/2
31. Marty Robbins -- Songs Of The Islands (1957) * 1/2
32. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys -- The Essential Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (2013) *** /
33. Steve Forbert -- Early Morning Rain (2020) ** 1/2
34. Patty Loveless -- When Fallen Angels Fly (1994) ** 1/2
35. The Selecter -- Too Much Pressure (1980) *** 1/2
36. Wanda Jackson -- There's A Party Goin' On (1961) ***
37. Buck Owens And His Buckaroos -- Bakersfield Gold: Top 10 Hits 1959-1974 (2022) *** 1/2
38. Johnny Western -- Presenting Johnny Western (1958) **
39. Joe Henderson -- Page One (1963) *** 1/2
40. Joe Bataan -- Riot! (1970) ** 1/2
41. Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater -- Some Lovers (2021) ***
42. Donald Byrd -- Chant (1961) *** 1/2
43. Billy Preston -- Music Is My Life (1972) ** 1/2
44. Booker Little -- Out Front (1961) ***
45. Jerry Jeff Walker -- Viva Terlingua (1973) ***
46. Os Mutantes -- Os Mutantes (1968) *** 1/2 \
47. David Axelrod -- Song Of Innocence (1968) *** 1/2
48. Marty Robbins -- The Drifter (1966) *** 1/2
49. Ernest Tubb -- The Ernest Tubb Story (1959) ** 1/2 (just don't like his voice)
50. Be Bop Deluxe -- Futurama (1975) ***
51. Pee Wee Russell and Coleman Hawkins -- Jazz Reunion (1961) ****
52. Lefty Frizzell -- Look What Thoughts Will Do (1997) ***\
53. Julie Driscoll -- 1969 (1971) ** 1/2
54. Art Farmer & Benny Golson -- Meet The Jazztet (1960) *** 1/2
55. Cheap Trick -- Next Position, Please (The Authorized Version) (1983) *** 1/2
56. Mal Waldron -- On Steinway (1972) ***
57. Ray Charles -- The Genius Of Ray Charles (1959) *** 1/2
58. Ray Charles -- The Genius After Hours (1961) *** 1/2
59. Ray Charles -- The Genius Sings The Blues (1961) *** 1/2
60. Merle Haggard -- The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde (1968) *** 1/2
61. Merle Haggard -- A Portrait Of Merle Haggard (1969) ***
62. Led Zeppelin -- Houses Of The Holy (1973) ****
63. Merle Haggard -- Same Train, A Different Time: Merle Haggard Sings The Great Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers (1969) ****
64. Hank Williams -- Sing Me A Blue Song (1957) *** 1/2
65. Merle Haggard -- A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World or My Salute To Bob Wills (1969) *** 1/2
66. Ray Charles -- Soul Brothers (w Milt Jackson) (1958) ***
67. Merle Haggard -- Sing Me Back Home (1968) *** 1/2
68. Ray Charles -- At Newport (1958) ***
69. Ray Charles -- In Person (1960) ** 12
70. Led Zeppelin -- Physical Graffiti ((1975) ****
71. Merle Haggard -- Hag (1971) **
72. Ray Charles -- Soul Meeting (w Milt Jackson) (1961) ** 1/2
73. Ron Sexsmith -- The Vivian Line ***
74. Jefferson Airplane -- Surrealistic Pillow (1967) *** 1/2
75. Booker T and the M.G.s -- Green Onions (1962) *** 1/2
76. Dinah Washington -- September In The Rain (1960) ** 1/2
77. Irma Thomas -- Simply Grand (2008) ** 1/2
78. Brian Eno -- Small Craft ***
79. Weather Report -- Heavy Weather (1977) ***
80. Peggy Lee -- Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown North Dakota (1972) ***
81. Marty Robbins -- The Return Of The Gunfighter (1963) *** 1/2
82. Jimmy Cliff -- The Best Of Jimmy Cliff (1975) ****
83. Marty Robbins -- Island Woman (1964) * 1/2
84. Brad Mehldau -- Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays The Beatles *** 1/2 /
85. Various Artists -- What A Groovy Day: The British Sunshine Pop Sound (1967-1972) ***
86. Various Artists -- Stoned Cold Country: A 60th Anniversary Tribute To The Rolling Stones ** 1/2
87. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends -- Accept No Substitute (1969) ***
88. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends -- Motel Shot (1971) ** 1/2
89. Dusty Springfield -- Dusty (1964) ***/
90. S.E. Rogie -- The New Sounds Of S.E. Rogie (1991) ** 1/2
91. Cheap Trick -- The Latest (2009) *** 1/2
92. Led Zeppelin -- Presence (1976) ***
93. Eva Cassidy -- I Can Only Be Me ***
94. Gorillaz -- Cracker Island ***
95. Cheap Trick -- In Color (1977) ***
96. Van Morrison -- Moving On Skiffle **
97. Johnny Adams -- From The Heart (1984) *** 1/2
98. Molina, Talbot, Lofgren & Young -- All Roads Lead Home ** (but Young's "Song Of The Seasons"!)
99. Emilie-Claire Barlow -- Spark Bird ***
100. Joni Mitchell -- Wild Things Run Fast (1982) ***
101. Louis Prima -- The Wildest! (1956) ****
102. Mighty Poplar -- Mighty Poplar (bluegrass) ** 1/2
103. Rotary Connection -- Peace (1968) * 1/2 (Xmas music, memorably eccentric)
104. Joni Mitchell -- Dog Eat Dog (1985) **
105. S.E. Rogie -- Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana (1994) *** 1/2
106. Gaz Coombes -- Turn The Car Around *** (first seven tracks great but last two v weak)
107. Joni Mitchell -- Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm (1988) ** 1/2
108. Charlie Cunningham -- Frame **
109. The Panhandlers -- Tough Country **
110. Joni Mitchell -- Night Ride Home (1991) ***
111. Various Artists -- The Birth Of Bop: The Savoy 10-inch LP Collection *** 1/2
112. Clifton Chenier -- King Of The Bayous: I'm Coming Home (1992) *** 1/2
113. Hayden -- Are We Good **
114. Nickel Creek -- Celebrants **
115. Ismael Rivera with Kako Y Su Orquestra -- La Ültimo En La Avenida (1971) *** 1/2
116. Joni Mitchell -- Turbulent Indigo (1994) ***
117. Fall Out Boy -- So Much (For) Stardust *** 1/2
118. Ann Hampton Calloway -- Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration! **
119. Joel Scott Hill, John Barbata & Chris Ethridge -- L.A. Getaway (1971) ***
120. Merle Haggard -- I'm A Lonesome Fugitive (1967) ** 1/2
121. Merle Haggard -- Branded Man (1967) *** 1/2
122. Stanley Turrentine -- Never Let Me Go (1963) *** 1/2
123. Linda Thompson -- Won't Be Long Now (2013) *** 1/2
124. Belle and Sebastian -- Late Developers **
125. Barry Adamson -- Moss Side Story (1989) **
126. Alick Nkhata -- Shalapo And Other Love Songs: Original Zambian Hits From The 1950s (1991) ***
127. Boygenius -- The Record *** 1/2
128. Joni Mitchell -- Taming The Tiger (1998) ** 1/2
129. Van Halen -- Van Halen (1978) ***/
130. Pet Shop Boys -- Lost ep ***
131. Jorge Ben /Jor -- África Brasil (1976) ****
132. Johnny Adams -- Man Of My Word (1998) ***
133. Susanna Hoffs -- The Deep End ***/
134. Roxy Music -- Roxy Music (1972) ***
135. Everything But The Girl -- Fuse *** 1/2
136. Blood, Sweat & Tears -- Child Is Father To The Man (1968) **
137. Roxy Music -- For Your Pleasure (1973) ***
138. Sachal Vasandani & Romain Collin -- Midnight Shelter (2021) **
139. Johnny Adams -- One Foot In The Blues (1996) *** 1/2
140. Roxy Music -- Stranded (1973) ***\
141. Cécile McLorin Salvant -- Mésuline *** 1/2
142. Iris DeMent -- Workin' On A World ** (sentiments impeccable, songs not so much)
143. Depeche Mode -- Music For The Masses (1987) *** 1/2
144. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss -- Raising Sand ****
145. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss -- Raise The Roof *** 1/2
146. John Holt -- The Reggae Hits Christmas Album (1986) * 1/2
147. Johnny Adams -- Good Morning Heartache (1993) *** 1/2
148. Seafret -- Wonderland **
149. Metallica -- ...And Justice For All (1988) **
150. Minutemen -- Double Nickels On The Dime (1984) *** 1/2
151. The Chemical Brothers -- Dig Your Own Hole (1997) ***
152. Saint Etienne -- Foxbase Alpha (1991) ** 1/2
153. Rickie Lee Jones -- Pieces Of Treasure **
154. Roxy Music -- Country Life (1974) *** 1/2
155. Josh Ritter -- Spectral Lines ***
156. Roxy Music -- Siren (1975) *** 1/2
157. Johnny Adams -- After Dark (1986) ** 1/2
158. The Yellow Balloon -- The Yellow Balloon (1967) **
159. Taj Mahal -- Savoy *** 1/2
160. Red Snapper -- Our Aim Is To Satisfy (2000) **
161. The Modern Lovers -- The Modern Lovers (1976) ****
162. Roxy Music -- Manifesto (1979) ***/
163. Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1976) ***
164. Joni Mitchell -- Both Sides Now (2000) ****
165. The Whiffs -- Scratch 'N' Sniff *** 1/2
166. Johnny Adams -- South Side Of Soul Street (The SSS Sessions) (2022) ****
167. Sister Sledge -- We Are Family (1979) ***
168. Brian Eno and Fred Again... -- Secret Life ** 1/2
169. Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers -- Rock 'N' Roll With Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1977) ** 1/2
170. Brit Taylor -- Kentucky Blue ** 1/2
171. La Lupe -- La Lupe Es La Reina (1969) *** 1/2
172. Rodney Crowell -- The Chicago Sessions *** 1/2
173. Roxy Music -- Flesh + Blood (1980) **
174. Jimmy Hughes -- The Best Of Jimmy Hughes ** 1/2
175. Jim Ford -- Harlan County (1969) ** 1/2
176. Roxy Music -- Avalon (1982) ****
177. Pee Wee Crayton -- Blues After Hours (1999 comp) *** 1/2
178. Aerosmith -- Permanent Vacation (1987) ** 1/2
179. Wilco -- Summerteeth (1999) ****
180. The Isley Brothers -- Soul On The Rocks (1967) ***
181. Joy Division -- Closer (1980) *** \
182. La Lupe and Tito Puente -- El Rey Y Yo (1967) ***
183. Lisa Marini -- Buried Town ** 1/2
184. MGMT -- Oracular Spectacular (2007) *** 1/2
185. Bryan Ferry -- In Your Mind (1977) *** 1/2
186. La Lupe -- La Pareja (w Tito Puente) (1978) ***
187. The Go-Betweens --16 Lovers Lane (1988) *** 1/2
188. Talking Heads -- Talking Heads: 77 (1977) ****
189. Muddy Waters -- Hard Again (1977) *** 1/2
190. Talking Heads -- More Songs About Buildings And Food (1978) ****
191. Nico -- Chelsea Girl (1967) ** 1/2
192. Eslabon Armado -- Desvelado *** 1/2
193. Daniel Caesar -- Never Enough ** 1/2
194. Muddy Waters -- At Newport 1960 (1960) ***\
195. Bryan Ferry -- These Foolish Things (1973) *** (but admirably wide-ranging)
196. Talking Heads -- Fear Of Music (1979) ****
197. The National -- First Two Pages Of Frankenstein *** 1/2
198. Wynton Marsalis -- Tune In Tomorrow... (1990) *** 1/2
199. Otis Spann -- Walking The Blues (1960/1972) *** 1/2
200. Brandy Clark -- Brandy Clark ** 1/2
201. Aerosmith -- Rocks (1976) *** 1/2
202. Aerosmith -- Greatest Hits (1980) *** 1/2
203. Johnny Adams -- Only Want To Be With You (2022) *** 1/2
204. Tears For Fears -- Songs From The Big Chair (1985) ** 1/2
205. Raul Malo -- Say Less ** 1/2
206. Talking Heads -- Remain In Light (1980) ****
207. Peggy Lee -- I'm A Woman (1963) **1/2 (but bonus tracks could make it ***)
208. Crowded House -- Crowded House (1986) ***
209. The Whiffs -- Take A Whiff (2017) *** 1/2
210. The Whiffs -- Another Whiff (2019) *** 1/2
211. Bryan Ferry -- Boys and Girls (1985) ***
212. Tinariwen -- Amatssou ***
213. Simply Red -- Time **
214. Daryl Hall -- Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine ** 1/2
215. Dire Straits -- Dire Straits (1978) **
216. Bryan Ferry -- Bête Noire (1987) ***
217. Crowded House -- Temple Of Low Men (1988) ** 1/2
218. Led Zeppelin -- In Through The Out Door (1979) *** 1/2
219. Cowboy Junkies -- Such Ferocious Beauty ***/
220. The Lemon Twigs -- Everything Harmony ***/
221. KC And The Sunshine Band -- A Sunshine Christmas (2015) *
222. Joe Cocker -- Mad Dogs & Englishmen (1970) ** 1/2
223. Crowded House -- Woodface (1991) *** 1/2
224. Wilco -- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001) ****
225. David Bowie -- Diamond Dogs (1974) ***/
226. Tanya Tucker -- Sweet Western Sound *** 1/2
227. David Bowie -- The Man Who Sold The World (1970) ** 1/2
228. The Who -- The Who By Numbers (1975) *** 1/2
229. Bob Dylan -- Shadow Kingdom *** 1/2
230. The Finn Brothers -- Everyone Is Here (2004) *** 1/2
231. Crowded House -- Together Alone (1993) *** 1/2
232. Garbage -- Garbage (1995) ***\
233. The Cranberries -- Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993) **
234. Muddy Waters -- Folk Singer (1964) ****
235. Frankie Miller -- High Life (1974) ***
236. Janelle Monáe -- The Age Of Pleasure *** 1/2
237. John Mellencamp -- Orpheus Descending ** 1/2
238. Niall Horan -- The Show ** 1/2
239. Lead Belly -- "The Midnight Special" and Other Southern Prison Songs ****
240. Ike & Tina Turner -- Proud Mary: The Best Of Ike & Tina Turner (1991) ** 1/2
241. Dire Straits -- Making Movies (1980) ** 1/2
242. Tommy Prine -- This Far South **
243. Kelela -- Raven ***
244. Jess Williamson -- Time Ain't Accidental **
245. Bar Italia -- Tracey Denim **
246. Talking Heads -- Speaking In Tongues (1983) *** 1/2
247. The Figgs -- Sucking In Stereo (2000) *** 1/2
248. M. Ward -- Supernatural Thing *** 1/2
249. Irma Thomas -- Full Time Woman: The Lost Cotillion Album (1971/1972; 2022) ** 1/2
250. Rufus Wainwright -- Folkocracy ***\
251. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five -- The Message (1982) *** 1/2
252. The Offspring -- Smash (1994) ***
253. Alex Lahey -- The Answer Is Aways Yes *** 1/2
254. Karol G -- Mañana Será Bonito ***
255. The Jam -- Sound Affects (1980) ***
256. Pink Floyd -- Meddle (1971) ** 1/2
257. Cat Stevens -- King Of A Land **
258. Betty LaVette -- LaVette! *** 1/2
259. Monaleo -- Where The Flowers Don't Die **
260. Nina Simone -- Wild Is The Wind (1966) ** 1/2
261. The Byrds -- Mr. Tambourine Man (1965) ***
262. Ella Fitzgerald -- Complete Decca Singles 1935-1939 w Chick Webb & His Orchestra (2017) ***
263. Machito -- Kenya (1957) ****
264. Blondshell -- Blondshell **
265. Genesis -- A Trick Of The Tail (1976) **
266. King Pleasure -- King Pleasure Sings, Annie Ross Sings (1957) ***
267. B.B. King -- Live At The Regal (1965) ****
268. Anita O'Day -- Anita (1955) ***
269. Rafa Pabön -- Galería ***
270. Julie London -- Her Name Is Julie (1955) ***
271. Bonnie "Prince" Billy -- I See A Darkness (1999) ***\
272. The John Sally Ride -- JSR The Other Women ** 1/2
273. Peso Pluma -- Génesis *** 1/2
274. Joe Williams -- Count Basie Swings Joe Williams Sings (1955) ***
275. Amanda Shires and Bobbie Nelson -- Loving You ***
276. A Tribe Called Quest -- People's Instinctive Travels and The Paths Of Rhythm (1990) ****
277. Megan Moroney -- Lucky ***
278. Brian Eno -- 77 Million Paintings ***
279. Big Joe Turner -- The Boss Of The Blues Sings Kansas City Jazz (1956) *** 1/2
280. David Bowie -- Black Tie, White Noise (1993) ***
281. Caroline Polachek -- Desire, I Want To Turn Into You **
282. Carìn Leon -- Colmillo De Leche ***
283. Tito Puente -- Cuban Carnival (1956) ***
284. Dinner Party -- Enigmatic Society ** 1/2
285. Paul Simon -- Seven Psalms ***
286. Johnny Adams -- After All The Good Is Gone (1978) *** 1/2
287. Blossom Dearie -- Christmas Spice So Very Nice (1991) **
288. LCD Soundsystem -- American Dream (2017) ** 1/2
289. Sunny War -- Anarchist Gospel ** 1/2
290. Jessie Ware -- That! Feels! Good! ***
291. Wild Style soundtrack (1983) ***
292. Tony Bennett -- MTV Unplugged (1994) ***
293. A Tribe Called Quest -- Midnight Marauders (1993) ***
294. Blur -- The Ballad Of Darren ** 1/2
295. Lee Morgan -- Search For The New Land (1966) *** 1/2
296. Sonny Rollins -- Tenor Madness (1956) ****
297. Ornette Coleman -- This Is Our Music (1961) *** 1/2
298. Clifford Brown and Max Roach -- Study In Brown (1955) ****
299. Sonny Criss -- Criss Craft (1975) *** 1/2
300. Sonny Criss -- Sonny's Dream (Birth Of The New Cool) (1968) ****
301. The Modern Jazz Quartet -- Fontessa (1956) ***
302. Lionel Hampton and Stan Getz -- Hamp and Getz (1955) ****
303. Lee Konitz -- Subconscious-Lee (1955) ***
304. Herbie Hancock -- Maiden Voyage (1965) *** 1/2
305. Lee Morgan -- The Sidewinder (1963) ****
306. Clifford Brown -- Clifford Brown with Strings (1955) ** 1/2
307. Milt Jackson -- Wizard Of The Vibes (1952) ***
308. Goldie -- Timeless (1995) **
309. Miles Davis -- Sketches Of Spain (1960) ***
310. Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers -- Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers (1956) ****
311. Lennie Tristano -- Lennie Tristano (1956) ****
312. Lennie Tristano -- The New Tristano (1962) *** 1/2
313. Cannonball Adderley -- Somethin' Else (1958) ****
314. Theo Croker -- Blk2Life/A Future Past (2021) ** 1/2
315. Everything But The Girl -- At Maida Vale ep *** 1/2 (esp "Nothing Left To Lose" acoustic)
316. Skip James -- Today! (1966) ***
317. Molly Raccoon -- Frankincense and Myrrh **
318. David Bowie -- The Next Day (2013) ***/
319. The Byrds -- Turn! Turn! Turn! *** \
320. Bryan Ferry -- Frantic (2002) *** 1/2
321. The Budos Band -- Frontier's Edge ep ***
322. Vince Gill -- Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys ***
323. Elvis Costello -- My Aim Is True (1977) ****
324. Neil Young -- American Chrome Rust Stars N Bars Never Sleeps Dreams (1977/2023) ****
325. Count Basie -- April In Paris (1957) ***
326. Chuck Berry -- After School Session (1957) ** 1/2
327. Buddy Holly -- The "Chirping" Crickets (1957) *** 1/2
328. Rick Springfield -- Automatic ***
329. Henry Red Allen -- The Incomparable Henry Red Allen: The Golden Years Vol. 1 ****
330. Metro Boomin -- Metro Boomin Presents Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse ** 1/2
331. Durand Jones -- Wait Till I Get Over *** 1/2
332. The Pretty Things -- S.F. Sorrow (1968) ** 1/2 or ***
333. Henry Red Allen -- The Incomparable Henry Red Allen: The Golden Years Vol. 2 *** 1/2
334. Elvis Costello -- This Year's Model (1978) ****
335. Bully -- Lucky For You ** 1/2
336. Mark Erelli -- Lay Your Darkness Down ** 1/2
337. Henry Red Allen -- The Incomparable Henry Red Allen: The Golden Years Vol. 3 *** 1/2
338. Anita O'Day -- Cool Heart (1959) **
339. Henry Red Allen -- The Incomparable Henry Red Allen: The Golden Years Vol. 4 *** 1/2
340. The Sugarcubes -- Life's Too Good (1988) ** 1/2
341. Teddy Thompson -- My Love Of Country *** 1/2
342. Louis Armstrong -- The Complete RCA Victor Recordings 1932-1933/1946-1947 ****
343. Meshell Ndegeocello -- The Omnichord Real Book ** 1/2
344. Ravi Shankar -- The Sounds Of India (1957) *** 1/2
345. Little Richard -- Here's Little Richard (1957) ****
346. Gina Burch -- I Play My Bass Loud *** 1/2
347. The Raincoats -- The Raincoats (1979) *** 1/2
348. Henry Red Allen -- Ride, Red, Ride In Hi-Fi aka World On A String (1957) ****
349. Soul II Soul -- Club Classics, Vol. One (1989) ***
350. Margaret Glaspy -- Echo The Diamond ** 1/2
351. Jenny Lewis -- Joy'All ** 1/2
352. Anita O'Day -- Pick Yourself Up (1956) ***
353. Talking Heads -- Little Creatures (1985) ** 1/2
354. Baaba Maal -- Being ** 1/2
355. B.B. King -- Singin' The Blues (1957) *** 1/2
356. Spinners -- The Very Best Of the Spinners (1993) *** 1/2
357. Jelly Roll -- Whitsitt Chapel **
358. Eddie Chacon -- Sundown **
359. Magic Sam -- West Side Soul (1968) ****
360. Nakhane -- Bastard Jargon **
361. Sandy Denny -- The North Star Grassman and The Ravens (1971) **
362. Ike & Tina Turner -- Come Together (1970) ** 1/2
363. Ali Farka Touré -- Voyageur ** 1/2
364. Led Zeppelin (1969) *** 1/2
365. GZA -- Liquid Swords (1995) ** 1/2
366. Ella Fitzgerald -- Like Someone In Love (1957) ****
367. Daryl Hall -- Can't Stop Dreaming (1996) *** 1/2
368. Kali Uchis -- Red Moon In Venus ** 1/2
369. Captain Beefheart and His Magic Orchestra -- Safe As Milk (1967) *** 1/2
370. T. Rex -- Electric Warrior (1971) *** 1/2
371. Cream -- Disraeli Gears (1967) ** 1/2
372. Miles Davis -- 'Round About Midnight (1957) ***
373. Foo Fighters -- Foo Fighters (1995) ***
374. Nat King Cole -- Love Is The Thing (1957) ** 1/2
375. Raye -- My 21st Century Blues *** 1/2
376. Neu! -- Neu! 75 ****
377. June Christy -- The Misty Miss Christy (1956) **
378. Desmond Dekkar & The Aces -- Action! (1967) *** 1/2
379. Mose Allison -- The Word From Mose (1964) **
380. The Cramps -- Songs The Lord Taught Us (1980) ** 1/2
381. The Fall -- This Nation's Saving Grace (1988) ** 1/2
382. Count Basie -- The Atomic Mr. Basie (1958) ****
383. Tucky Buzzard -- Tucky Buzzard (1971) ***
384. Bunny Wailer -- Blackheart Man (1976) ****
385. Muse -- Black Holes and Revelations (2006) ***
386. Amaarae -- Fountain Baby **
387. The Sparks -- The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte *** /
388. David Bowie -- Heathen (2002) ****
389. Lloyd Cole -- On Pain ***
390. Otis Spann -- Otis Spann Is The Blues (1960) *** 1/2
391. The Who -- A Quick One (1966) ** 1/2
392. Aya Nakamura -- DNK **
393. John Mayall with Eric Clapton -- Bluesbreakers (1966) ** 1/2
394. Elton John -- Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player (1973) ** 1/2
395. Neil Finn -- Try Whistling This (1998) *** 1/2
396. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella and Oscar (w Oscar Peterson) (1975) *** 1/2
397. Julie Byrne -- The Greater Wings **
398. Le Tigre -- Le Tigre (1999) ** 1/2
399. Ella Ftzgerald -- Rhythm Is My Business (1962) *** 1/2
400. The Yardbirds -- Roger The Engineer aka Yardbirds aka Over Under Sideways Down (1966) ***
401. Ella Fitzgerald -- Sings Sweet Songs For Swingers (1958) *** 1/2
402. Ella Fitzgerald -- Songs In A Mellow Mood (1954) ***
403. Lauren Calve -- Shift **
404. Ella Fitzgerald -- Whisper Not (1966) **
405. Nick Cave -- Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus (2004) *** 1/2
406. Nino Tempo & April Stevens -- All Strung Out (1966) *** ("The Habit Of Lovin' You")
407. Joe Gibbs -- African Dub All-Mighty Chapter 3 (2007) ***
408. Bebel Gilberto -- João ***
409. Joni Mitchell -- At Newport ** 1/2 (but quite moving at times)
410. Wynton Marsalis -- Plays Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Hot Sevens *** 1/2
411. Pink Floyd -- Meddle (1971) ** 1/2
412. Michael Jackson -- Thriller (1982) ****
413. Ella Fitzgerald -- Nice Work If You Can Get It: Ella and André Do Gershwin (1983) *** 1/2
414. Anohni featuring Antony and the Johnsons -- My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross **
415. Jenni Muldaur & Teddy Thompson -- Once More: Jenni Muldaur & Teddy Thompson Sing The Great Country Duets *** 1/2
416. Ella Fitzgerald -- And Gordon Jenkins Invite You To Listen and Relax (1955) * 1/2
417. Youssou N'dour -- Immigrés (1985) ***
418. Davy Knowles -- If I Should Wander ** 1/2
419. The Coral -- Sea Of Mirrors ***/
420. Chris Pierce -- Let All Who Will **
421. Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie -- A Classy Pair (1979) ** 1/2
422. Patoranking --World Best **
423. Ella Fitzgerald -- Get Happy! (1959) ** (but excellent "Blue Skies")
424. Ella Fitzgerald -- Hello Love (1959) **
425. Spiritualized -- Ladies And Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space... (1997) ** 1/2
426. Ella Fitzgerald -- Swings Gently With Nelson (1962) ** 1/2 (but "All Of Me" strong)
427. Little Simz -- Grey Area (2019) ** 1/2
428. Desmond Dekker -- Israelites: The Best Of Desmond Dekker 1963-1971 (1999) *** 1/2
429. Herbie Hancock -- Head Hunters (1973) ***
430. Albert King -- Born Under A Bad Sign (1967) *** 1/2
431. The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy -- Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury (1992) ** 1/2
432. Carlene Carter -- Musical Shapes (1980) ***
433. The One Eighties -- Minefield **
434. The Charlatans -- Tellin' Stories (1997) ***
435. John Cale -- Mercy ** 1/2
436. Ella Fitzgerald -- Sings The Johnny Mercer Songbook (1964) ***
437. Graham Parker -- Last Chance To Learn The Twist ** 1/2
438. M.I.A. -- Kala (2007) **
439. Louis Armstrong -- Louis Armstrong and the Mills Brothers (1954) *** 1/2
440. Howlin' Wolf -- Howlin' Wolf (1962) ****
441. Turbonegro -- Apocalypse Dudes (1998) **
442. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella Sings Gershwin(1950) ****
443. Split Enz -- True Colours (1980) ***\
444. Willie Nelson -- Bluegrass ***
445. Ella Fitzgerald -- Brighten The Corner (1969) ***
446. Corinne Bailey Rae -- Black Rainbows ** 1/2
447. Pretenders -- Relentless ** 1/2
448. Iron Maiden -- The Number of The Beast (1982) ** 1/2
449. Olivia Rodrigo -- Guts ***/
450. Gil Scott-Heron -- Winter In America (1974) ***
451. Johnny Adams -- Heart & Soul (1969) ****
452. Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald -- Songs From Pete Kelly's Blues (1955) ** 1/2
453. Ella Fitzgerald -- Misty Blue (1968) *
454. Herb Alpert -- Wish Upon A Star **
455. Robert Black/ John Luther Adams -- Darkness and Scattered Light ** 1/2
456. African Head Charge -- A Trip To Bolgatonga *** 1/2
457. Ray Price -- Night Life (1963) ***
458. The Hives -- The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons *** 1/2
459. Joshua Redman -- Where Are You **
460. Joesef -- Permanent Damage ** 1/2
461. Ella Fitzgerald -- Speak Love w Joe Pass (1983) *** 1/2
462. Rhiannon Giddens -- You're The One ** 1/2
463. Ella Fitzgerald -- For Sentimental Reasons (1955) ** 1/2
464. Ben Goldsmith -- The World Between My Ears ** 1/2
465. Hawkwind -- Space Ritual (1973) *
466. The Replacements -- Tim (1985) (Ed Stasium Mix) ****
467. Gorillaz -- Gorillaz (2001) ***
468. Ella Fitzgerald -- 30 by Ella (1968) *** 1/2 (or 35?)
469. Buzzcocks -- Another Music In A Different Kitchen (1978) *** 1/2
470. DeBarge -- In A Special Way (1983) *** 1/2
471. Ella Fitzgerald -- Take Love Easy (w Joe Pass) (1974) ****
472. Van Morrison -- Into The Music (1979) ** 1/2
473. Buck Owens -- I've Got A Tiger By The Tail (1965) *** 1/2
474. Ella Fitzgerald -- These Are The Blues (1963) ***/
475. Ella Fitzgerald -- All That Jazz (1990) ***
476. Olivia Jean -- Raving Ghost **
477. Cocteau Twins -- Treasure (1984) **
478. Cocteau Twins -- Heaven Or Las Vegas (1990) ** 1/2
479. Ella Fitzgerald -- A Perfect Match (w Count Basie) (live) (1979) ** 1/2
480. Guns n Roses -- Appetite For Destruction (1987) *** 1/2
481. Brian Setzer --- The Devil Always Collects ** 1/2
482. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella Swings Lightly (1958) ***/
483.
MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES
(Not TV movies, of course, but movies and TV shows -- and TV movies if it comes to that. Mostly I only list TV shows when I've tackled an entire season at once or reappraising an entire series after it's over This doesn't really capture my ongoing watching of current TV.)
1. All The King's Men (1949) ** 1/2
2. The Big Lebowski (1998) *** 1/2
3. Coming To America (1988) ** 1/2
4. Raising Arizona (1987) *** 1/2
5. Spaceballs (1987) **
6. My Best Friend's Wedding ***/
7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (in theater) ****
8. Joni Mitchell: The Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song ****
9. Pilgrims (Lithuanian drama) *** 1/2
10. John Wick: Chapter 4 *** 1/2
11. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret ***
12. It (1927) ** 1/2 all due to Clara Bow
13. He Who Gets Slapped (1924) ** 1/2
14. Zero For Conduct (1933) ***
15. The Scarecrow (1921 short, Buster Keaton) *** 1/2
16. Fireworks (1947 short; dir Kenneth Anger) ***\
17. Faust (1926; dir Murnau) ****
18. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse *** 1/2
19. Asteroid City * 1/2
20. Past Lives *** 1/2
21. Rye Lane *** (good dir debut, cinematography, appealing leads, but still modest overall)
22. Indiana Jones and the Dial Of Destiny **
23. Close (2022, Belgium) *** 1/2
24. The Phantom Carriage (1921) ***
25. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves ***
26. Tickled (2016) ***
27. Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part 1 ***
28. City Girl (1930) *** 1/2
29. Oppenheimer ***
30. Barbie ** 1/2
31. Heartstopper S2 ***
32. The Black Pirate (1926) *** (but seen w dreadful score on Amazon)
33. The Spanish Dancer (1923) ***
34. Her Man (1930) ***
35. Stop Making Sense (1984) ****
36. One Piece S1 (live action) ** 1/2
37.
THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
(The names after the shows are the people who joined me at the performance.)
1. The Mavericks at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on Friday Feb 17 *** 1/2 (finished Pale Fire)
2. The Harder They Come (at the Public w Noam and Zoe March 12, 2023) ** 1/2
3. Love (play by Alexander Zeldin at the Park Armoury w Noam March 13 2023) ****
4. Lohengrin at the Met (w Stephen March 14, 2023) * 1/2
5. Arden Of Faversham (Red Bull Theatre at Lucille Lortel w Noam) March 15, 2023 **
6. Museum of Broadway (w Noam March 15, 2023) ** 1/2
7. Dear World (at Encores starring Donna Murphy) (w Luis March 17, 2023) *** (but the show itself is **)
8. Wilco at Avondale Brewing Co. outdoors in Birmingham AL; opening act The A's *** 1/2
9. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit outdoors at Avondale Brewing in Birmingham AL *** 1/2
10.
Updated as of September 29, 2023