Tuesday, December 03, 2024

THE MOVIES, BOOKS, THEATER, CONCERTS, ALBUMS I'VE SEEN/HEARD/READ SO FAR IN 2024

 Updated as of November 30 2024  


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 2024

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. The Honourable Schoolboy by John Le Carré (1977) *** 1/2 
2. Smiley's People by John Le Carré (1979) **** 
3. M.C. Higgins, The Great by Virginia Hamilton (1974) *** 1/2 
4. Cover Her Face by P.D. James (first Inspector Dalgliesh) (1962) *** 
5. The Evolution Of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald *** 
6. A London Child of the 1870s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1934) *** 
7. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *** 1/2 
8. Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo; illustrations by Carmen Mok ** 1/2 
9. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo *** 
10. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Yoko Tanaka *** 1/2 
11. The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Sophie Blackall *** 1/2 
12. The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz **** 
13. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon ** 1/2 
14. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon *** 
15. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo *** 1/2  
16. The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos; illustrated by Doug Salati *** 
17. Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi *** 
18. The Perilous Performance at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos ***
19. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson *** 1/2 
20. Black Hole by Charles Burns *** 1/2 
21. Here by Richard McGuire **** 
22. The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum by Margalit Fox *** 
23. A London Girl of the 1880s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1936) *** 
24. A London Home in the 1890s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1937) *** 
25. Jules Feiffer -- The Collected Works Vol. 1: Clifford *** 1/2 
26. Fence Vol. 1-6 by C.S. Pacat; Illustrated by Johanna The Mad *** each 
27. The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman ***/ 
28. Backing Into Forward by Jules Feiffer *** 
29. The Great Comic Book Heroes by Jules Feiffer *** 
30. Trick or Treat on Scary Street by Lance Bass; illustrated by Roland Garrigue * 1/2 
31. Upstaged by Robin Easter ** 1/2 
32. Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer *** 
33. My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer; illustrated by Jules Feiffer *** 1/2 
34. Jacob's Eye Patch by Beth Kobliner Shaw and Jacob Shaw; illustrated by Jules Feiffer **  
35. Bark, George by Jules Feiffer *** 1/2 
36. The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo (2023) **** 
37. The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo *** 1/2 
38. Alexander at the End of the World by Rachel Kousser *** 
39. Nicked by M.T. Anderson *** 
40. Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren ** 1/2 
41. Carte Blanche (James Bond) by Jeffery Deaver (2011) ** 
42. Feiffer: The Collected Works Vol. 2 by Jules Feiffer *** Kermit (classical prodigy) **; Dopple (Irish husband and wife strip flat earth) ***; Natalie (strip) *; Army Types *** 1/2; Munro (boy drafted) ****
43. Feiffer: The Collected Works Vol. 3 by Jules Feiffer *** Boom ***; Rollie **; Sick Sick Sick *** 1/2 
44. Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado -- Fatal Intrusion ** 1/2 
45. Jeffery Deaver -- The Bone Collector (1997) *** 
46. This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter *** 
47. Worst Case Scenario by T. J. Newman ** 1/2 
48. Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories by Jarvis *** 
49. Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories by Jarvis *** 
50. By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult *** 
51. Kermit The Hermit by Bill Peet (1965) ***  
52. Huge Harold by Bill Peet (1961) *** 
53. Big by Vashti Harrison (2023) ** 1/2 
54. Farewell, Amethystine by Walter Mosley *** 
55. Heavyweight by Solomon J. Brager *** 
56. The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood *** 1/2 
57. Eli by Bill Peet (1978) (grumpy old lion) *** 
58. I'm SorryYou Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff; illustrated by Julie Kwon *** 
59. James by Percival Everett *** 1/2 \ 
60. The Great When by Alan Moore *** 1/2 
61. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton (1939) *** 
62. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown; picture by Clement Hurd 1947) **** 
63. The Story of Babar The Little Elephant by Jean de Brunhoff (1931) *** 
64. Amazing Grapes by Jules Feiffer ** 1/2 
65. Bunny Should Be Sleeping by Amy Hest; illustrations by Renata Liwska (2024) ***/ 
66. We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang ** 1/2 
67. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell ***/ 
68. Maybelle The Cable Car by Virginia Lee Burton (1952) ** 
69. Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton (1943) ** 
70. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942) *** 1/2  
71. Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing by Amy Hest; illustrated by Erin E. Stead (2024) **** 
72. This Is Happiness by Niall Williams (2019) *** 1/2 
73. Time of the Child by Niall Williams (2024) ****  
74. Journey by Aaron Becker (2013) *** 1/2 
75. Knight Owl by Christophe Denise (2022) *** 
76. Hello, Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall (2018) *** (she does great waves!) 
77. Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell (2017) *** 
78. The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies Of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon *** 
79. Low-Hanging Fruit by Randy Rainbow *** 
80. Final Cut by Charles Burns **** 
81. Fly High Fly Low by Don Freeman (1957) *** 
82. Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis (2016) **** 
83. The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader (1948) ** 
84. The Spider and the Fly illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi; poem by Mary Howitt (2002) *** 
85. Mei Li by Thomas Handforth (1938) *** 
86. Waiting by Kevin Henkes (2015) ***/ 
87. An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter (2001) *** 
88. Lost in the Empire City by Avi *** 
89. The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke *** 
90. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (2007) **** 
91.  King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland; illustrated by Chris Riddell *** 
92. Into The Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah; illustrated by Sabina Hahn ** 1/2  
93. The Wolf-Girl, The Greeks and the Gods by Tom Holland; illustrated by Jason Cockcroft *** 1/2 
94. Skippy: Daily Comics 1934-1936 by Percy Crosby *** 1/2 
95. A London Home In The Nineties by Molly Hughes (1937) *** 1/2 
96. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan ** 1/2 

97. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn *** 1/2 



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. Coleman Hawkins -- The Hawk Flies High (1957) **** 
2. Madness -- The Rise & Fall (1982, on vinyl at Andrew's apt as he packed for St. Pete) *** 
3. Television -- Adventure (1978) *** 
4. Grateful Dead -- Live/Dead (1969) ***\ 
5. Anthony Braxton -- For Alto (1971) *** 1/2 
6. Paul Bley -- Time Will Tell (1995) *** 
7. George Jones -- The Grand Tour (1974) *** 
8. Aerosmith -- Pump (2001) *** 
9. Little Walter -- His Best (1997) *** 1/2 
10. The Residents -- Duck Stab/Buster & Glen (1978) *** 
11. Elomar -- Cantoria 2 (1988) **** 
12. Elomar -- Cantoria 3 *** 1/2 
13. Elomar -- Cantoria 1 (1984) *** 1/2 
14. Otis Spann -- The Blues Never Die! (1965) *** 
15. The Velvet Underground -- White Light/White Heat (1968) ** 1/2 
16. Green Day -- Dookie (1994) *** 1/2 
17. Elvis Costello -- Trust (1981) *** 
18. Various Artists -- Shalimar Original Soundtrack (1978) *** 
19. Deep Purple -- Machine Head (1972) ** 1/2 
20. Howard Tate -- Howard Tate (1972) *** 1/2 
21. Z.Z. Top -- Tres Hombres (1973) ** 
22. Marlena Shaw -- The Spice Of Life (1969) ** 1/2 
23. Bob Marley -- Catch A Fire (1973) **** 
24. Howard Tate -- Get It While You Can (1966) *** 1/2 
25. Howard Tate -- Rediscovered (2003) *** 1/2 
26. Howard Tate -- Reaction (1970) *** 
27. Doc Cheatham and Shorty Baker --- Shorty & Doc (1961) *** 1/2 
28. Elvis Costello -- Brutal Youth (1995) *** 
29. Elvis Costello -- Punch The Clock (1983) *** 1/2 
30. Elvis Costello -- Kojak Variety (1994) ** 1/2 
31. Elvis Costello -- All This Useless Beauty (1996) ** 1/2 
32. Sly and the Family Stone -- Stand! (1969) *** 1/2 
33. Sly and the Family Stone -- There's A Riot Goin' On (1971) **** 
34. Sly and the Family Stone -- Greatest Hits (1970) **** 
35. Peter Tosh -- Legalize It (1976) *** 1/2 
36. Blur -- Parklife (1994) *** 1/2 
37. Blind Willie Johnson -- Praise God I'm Satisfied (1989) *** 1/2 
38. Prince --- Originals (2019) *** 
39. Big Star -- #1 Record (1972) **** 
40. Big Star -- Radio City (1974) *** 1/2 
41. Sly and the Family Stone -- Fresh (1973) *** 1/2 
42. Dire Straits -- Love Over Gold (1972) ** 1/2 
43. Marlena Shaw -- Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? (1972) ** 1/2 
44. Elvis Costello -- Goodbye Cruel World (1984) *** 1/2 
45. Raspberries -- Raspberries' Best (1976) **** 
46. The Beach Boys -- Smile (1967, from The Smiles Sessions box, 2011) *** 1/2 /
47. Brian Wilson -- Presents Smile (2004) ****  
48. Lead Belly -- Midnight Special: The Library Of Congress Recordings (1991) *** 1/2 
49. Brian Harnetty -- The Workbench (2023) *** 1/2 
50. Spacemen 3 -- Playing With Fire (1989) *** 
51. The 13th Floor Elevators -- The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators (1966) *** 1/2 
52. Sly and the Family Stone -- Dance To The Music (1968) ** 1/2 
53. Elbow -- The Seldom Seen Kid (2008) ** 1/2 
54. D'Angelo -- Brown Sugar (1995) **** 
55. D'Angelo -- Voodoo (2000) ** 1/2 
56. Brian Harnetty -- Words and Silences (2022) *** (Thomas Merton) 
57. Brian Eno -- Discreet Music (1975) **** 
58. New Order -- Substance 87 (1987) *** 1/2 
59. Brian Eno -- Ambient 1: Music For Airports (1978) **** 
60. Electric Light Orchestra aka ELO -- Zoom (2001) **** 
61. Brian Eno -- Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror (1980) (w Harold Budd) **** 
62. Brian Eno -- Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance (w Laraaji) (1980) *** 1/2 
63. Brian Eno -- Ambient 4: On Land (1982) *** 
64. Brian Eno -- Evening Star w Robert Fripp (1975) *** 1/2 
65. Brian Eno -- Apollo aka score For doc For All Mankind (1983) ***/ 
66. Brian Eno -- (No Pussyfooting) (w Robert Fripp) (1973) *** 1/2 
67. Brian Eno -- The Equatorial Stars (w Robert Fripp) (2004) *** 1/2 
68. Peter Tosh -- Equal Rights (1977) *** 1/2 
69. Paul McCartney -- Band On The Run (Underdubbed Mix) (1973) *** 1/2 
70. Japan --- Quiet Life (1979) ***\ 
71. David Bowie -- Aladdin Sane (1973) *** 1/2 
72. Brian Eno -- The Shutov Assembly (1992) *** 1/2 
73. Oxomatli -- Street Signs (2004) ** 1/2 
74. Big Star -- Third (1978) *** 
75. The Conet Project -- Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations/1111 (1995) *** 
76. Volcano -- Jungle (2023) ** 1/2 
77. Aphex Twin -- Selected Ambient Works Vol. II (1994) *** 1/2 \ 
78. The Louvin Brothers -- Tragic Songs Of Life (1956) *** 1/2 
79. Brian Eno -- Music For Films (1978) ** 
80. Robert Fripp -- Exposure (1979) ** 
81. Pharaoh Sanders -- Harvest Time Live 1977 (1977/2023) *** 1/2 
82. Cortijo Y Su Combo w Ismael Rivera -- La Quiniela Del Dia (1976) *** 1/2 
83. Dinosaur Jr. -- You're Livin' All Over Me (1987) *** 1/2 
84. Eddie Condon -- 1927-1943 (1997) *** 1/2 
85. Marvin Gaye -- Here, My Dear (1978) *** 1/2 
86. Marvin Gaye -- That's The Way Love Is (1970) *** 1/2 
87. Jimmy Smith -- Back At The Chicken Shack (1963) *** 1/2 
88. Taj Mahal -- Savoy (2023) *** 1/2 
89. Junior Wells -- Hoodoo Man Blues (1965) **** 
90. Pere Ubu -- Dub Housing (1976) *** 
91. Nat King Cole -- The Best Of The King Cole Trio (1992) *** 1/2 
92. John Martyn -- One World (1977) ** 1/2 
93. June Christy -- Something Cool (1955 -- Mono) *** 1/2 
94. The Temptations -- All Directions (1972) *** 
95. Oscar "Papa" Celestin and Sam Morgan -- Recorded In New Orleans 1925-1928 (2019) *** 1/2 
96. Sean Ono Lennon -- Asterisms ** 1/2 
97. Fripp & Eno  -- Beyond Even 1992-2006 (2006) ** 1/2 
98. Tito Puente -- Dance Mania ('58)/Dance Mania 2 ('61)/Dance Mania Legacy Edition (2009) **** 
99. Einstürzende Neubauten -- Kollaps (1981) ** 1/2 
100. The Drifters -- The Drifters' Golden Hits (1968) *** 1/2 
101. Arcade Fire -- Funeral (2004) ** 1/2 
102. Jimmy Smith -- Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise Vol. 1 (1957) **** Vol. 2 (1957) *** 1/2 
103. The New Christy Minstrels -- Merry Christmas! (1963) * 1/2 ("Sing Along W Santa") 
104. Stealers Wheel -- In The Bleak Mid Winter (2019) * 
105. Sonic Youth -- Evol (1986) ** 1/2 
106. Bettye Swann -- Make Me Yours (1967) *** 
107. Steeleye Span -- Parcel Of Rogues (1973) *** 
108. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits (1963) **** 
109. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits Vol. II (1967) *** 1/2 
110. The Shirelles -- Mama Said: 52 Original Sceptre Records Recordings (2023) *** 1/2 
111. Circle Jerks -- Group Sex (1980) *** 1/2 
112. Eddie Condon -- The Eddie Condon Collection 1927-1961 (2014) ****  
113. Depeche Mode -- Violator (1990) *** 1/2 \ 
114. MGMT -- Loss Of Life ***/ 
115. Yes -- Yes (1969) *** 
116. Bobby "Blue" Bland -- Two Steps From The Blues (1961) **** 
117. Bill Fay -- Time Of The Last Persecution (1971) ** 1/2 
118. Elmore James -- The Sky Is Crying: The History of Elmore James (9 songs, good sound) **** 
119. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis -- Very Saxy (1959) *** 1/2 (half a star off for the title) 
120. Brian Eno -- Cluster & Eno (2017) *** 
121. Chris Connor -- Chris Connor (1956) *** 1/2 
122. Ken Colyer -- Club Session With Colyer (1956) **** 
123. William Basinski -- The Disintegration Loops (2002) **** 
124. Etta Jones -- Don't Go To Strangers (1960) *** 1/2 
125. Mylo -- Destroy Rock & Roll (2004) * 
126. Kaiser Chiefs -- The Kaiser Chiefs' Easy Eighth Album *** 
127. Oval -- 94diskont (1995) *** 
128. Cornershop -- When I Was Born For The 7th Time (1997) ** 
129. Serge Chaloff -- Blue Serge (1956) **** 
130. Serge Chaloff -- Boston Blow-Up (1955) *** 1/2 
131. Nat King Cole -- The Complete Capitol Recordings of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991 Bear 18 cd boxed set) ** 1/2 (first 200 tracks *** 1/2; last 149 pretty dire **) 
132. World Party -- Private Revolution (1987) *** 
133. Raspberries -- Fresh (1972) *** 1/2 
134. World Party -- Goodbye Jumbo (1990) **** 
135. World Party -- Bang! (1993) ** 1/2 
136. Raspberries -- Starting Over (1974) *** 1/2 
137. World Party -- Egyptology (1997) *** 1/2 
138. Raspberries -- Raspberries (1972) *** 
139. The Waterboys -- This Is The Sea (1985) *** 1/2 
140. World Party -- Dumbing Up (2000) *** 1/2 
141. Eric Carmen -- Eric Carmen (1975) ***\ 
142. Eric Carmen -- Boats Against The Current (1977) ** 
143. Firehose -- Fromohio (1989) ** 1/2 
144. Beck -- Guero (2005) *** 
145. The Black Crowes -- Happiness Bastards *** 
146. Lester Flatt -- Heaven's Bluegrass Band (1976) ** 1/2 
147. Eddy Arnold -- My World (1965) ** 1/2 
148. Various Artists -- Uptown Top Ranking: Trojan Ska & Reggae Chartbusters (2024) *** 1/2 
149. Mance Lipscomb -- You Got To Reap What You Sow: Texas Songster Vol. 2 (1993) *** 1/2 
150. The Stooges -- Raw Power (1973) *** 
151. Death in Vegas -- The Contino Sessions (1999) ** 
152. Traffic -- Traffic (1968) ** 1/2 
153. Brian Eno -- Nerve Net (1992) ** 
154. LCD Soundsystem -- Sound Of Silver (2007) ** 
155. Fishbone -- Truth and Soul (1988) ** 1/2 
156. Black Sabbath -- Black Sabbath (1970) ** 
157. Ms. Dynamite -- A Little Deeper (2002) ** 
158. Jimmy Smith -- The Sermon! (1959) **** 
159. Portishead -- Third (2008) ***/ 
160. Roger Eno -- The Skies, They Shift Like Chords... (2023) *** 
161. Ringo Starr -- Beaucoups Of Blues (1970) ** 1/2 
162. Pauline Oliveros -- Deep Listening (1989) *** 1/2 
163. Paul Young -- No Parlez (1983) ** 
164. Tears For Fears -- The Hurting (1983) ***/ 
165. Sleater-Kinney -- Dig Me Out (1997) *** 
166. The Doves -- The Last Broadcast (2002) ** 1/2 
167. Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens -- The Indestructible Beat Tour 1988-1989 (1989) *** 
168. Raspberries -- Side 3 (1973) *** 1/2 
169. Mance Lipscomb -- Captain, Captain!: the Texas Country Blues Guitar Of Mance Lipscomb Vol. 3 (1998) *** 1/2 
170. Tears For Fears -- The Hurting (1983) ***/ 
171. Elliot Smith -- Figure 8 (2000) ** 1/2 
172. Mel Tormé & Buddy Rich -- Together Again For The First Time (1978) ** 1/2 (an extra half for the scatting on Ella tribute "First Lady Of Song") 
173. Rush -- Moving Pictures (1981) *** 1/2 
174. Genesis -- Selling England By The Pound (1973) ** 
175. Norah Jones -- Visions ** 1/2 
176. África Negra -- Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) **** 
177. Christine and the Queens -- Chris (2018) ** 1/2 
178. Barry Adamson -- Oedipus Schmoedipus (1996) *** 
179. The Cure -- Seventeen Seconds (1980) *** 
180. Various Artists -- Piconema: East African Hits on the Colombian Coast (2023) **** 
181. Ornette Coleman -- At The Golden Circle Vol. 1 (1966) *** 1/2 
182. Shelby Lynne -- The Servant (2021) **** 
183. Pedro Lima -- Recordar É Viver: Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) *** 
184. Billie Holiday & Lester Young -- A Musical Romance (2002) *** 1/2 
185. Lester Young -- The Complete Aladdin Recordings Of Lester Young (w Helen Humes and Nat King Cole) (1995) **** 
186. Iron Butterfly -- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968) ** 1/2 
187. Sheila E -- Bailar ** 1/2 
188. The Replacements -- Boink!! (1986) **** 
189. The Replacements -- Hootenanny (1983) *** 1/2 
190. The Replacements -- Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash (1981) *** 
191. Eddy Arnold -- The Best Of Eddy Arnold (1967) ** 1/2 
192. Ismael Rivera -- Con Todos Los Hierros (w Rafael Cortijo) (1966) *** 1/2 
193. Alexander "Skip" Spence -- Oar (1969) ** 1/2 
194. Baaba Maal -- Djam Leelii: The Adventurers (w Mansour Seck) (1989) **** (expanded *** 1/2) 
195. David Byrne and Brian Eno -- Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (2008) *** 1/2 
196. Marcus King -- Mood Swings *** 1/2 
197. The Feeling -- San Vito ** 1/2 
198. Elliot Brood -- Country **** Full City/Country album *** 1/2 
199. Kacey Musgraves -- Deeper Well *** 1/2 
200. Black Sabbath -- Paranoid (1970) ** 1/2 
201. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard -- Skinwalker *** 1/2 
202. Lindisfarne -- Fog On The Tyne (1970) *** 1/2 
203. The Birthday Party -- Junkyard (1982) ** 1/2 
204. Taylor Swift -- The Tortured Poet Department ** 1/2 
205. Ann Savoy -- Another Heart ** 1/2 
206. Ian Hunter -- Defiance Part 2: Fiction ** 1/2 
207. Mel Torme -- California Suite (1957) *
208. Mel Torme -- Meets The British (1957) * 1/2 
209. Mel Torme -- Prelude To A Kiss (1958) ** 
210. Mel Torme -- Torme! (1958) ** 1/2 
211. Mel Torme -- Ole Torme!~ Mel Torme Goes South Of The Border With Billy May (1959) * 1/2 
212. Mel Torme -- Back in Town (1959) * 1/2 
213. Mel Torme -- Swings Schubert Alley (1960) **** 
214. Mel Torme -- It's a Blue World 1955) ** 
215. Mel Torme -- Mel Torme and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette (1956) ** 1/2 
216. Mel Torme -- Sings Fred Astaire (1956) **** 
217. Labi Siffre -- Labi Siffre (1970) ***  
218. Labi Siffre -- The Singer and the Song (1971) *** 
219. Labi Siffre -- Crying Laughing Loving Lying (1972) *** 1/2 
220. Labi Siffre -- For The Children (1973) 
221. Labi Siffre -- Remember My Song (1975) **** 
222. Ted Russell Kamp -- California Son ** 
223. Benny Carter -- Further Definitions (1961) *** 1/2 
224. Britney Spears -- ...Baby One More Time (1999) * 
225. McAlmont & Butler -- The Sound Of McAlmont & Butler (1995) *** 
226. Supertramp -- Crime of the Century (1974) ** 
227. Alice Cooper -- Billion Dollar Babies (1973) ** 1/2 
228. Pet Shop Boys -- Nonetheless ***/ 
229. Manic Street Preachers -- The Holy Bible (1994) *** 
230. Mel Torme -- At The Crescendo (1957) ** 1/2 
231. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella in Hollywood (1960) **** 
232. Tom Tom Club -- Tom Tom Club (1987) * 1/2 
233. St. Vincent -- All Born Screaming ** 1/2  
234. KISS -- Destroyer (1976) * 1/2 
235. Mel Torme -- An Evening With George Shearing (1982) *** 
236. John Adams -- Road Movies (2004) *** 
237. The Lemon Twigs -- A Dream Is All We Know *** 1/2 
238. Eagles -- Eagles (1972) ** 
239. Prince Buster -- The Original Golden Oldies Vol. 1 (1967) *** 
240. Prince Buster and the Maytals -- The Original Golden Oldies Vol. 3 (1973) *** 
241. Tangerine Dream -- Phaedra (1974) *** 1/2 
242. Frank Turner -- Undefeated *** 
243. The Dixie Cups -- The Dixie Cups (1964) **** 
244. The Kinks -- Arthur (1969) ***/ 
245. Pete Jolly -- Seasons (1970) *** 
246. Africatown, AL -- Ancestor Sounds ***/ 
247. The Kinks -- The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (1968) **** 
248. The Lemon Twigs -- Brothers Of Destruction (2017) *** 1/2 
249. The Lemon Twigs -- Songs For The General Public (2020) *** 
250. The Kinks -- Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround Part One (1970) *** 1/2 
251. Blur -- Blur (1997) *** 1/2 
252. Labi Siffre -- Happy (1975) ** 
253. Brad Mehldau -- After Bach II *** 
254. Don McLean -- American Boys * 1/2 
255. Miles Davis -- In A Silent Way (1969) **** 
256. John Coltrane -- Ascension (966) *** 
257. The Avett Brothers -- The Avett Brothers *** 1/2 
258. Blur -- Leisure (1991) *** 1/2 
259. Blur -- Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) *** 1/2 
260. Traffic -- Mr. Fantasy (1968) *** 
261. Benny Carter -- Further Definitions (1962) **** 
262. Kamasi Washington -- Fearless Movement ** 
263. X-Ray Spex -- Germ Free Adolescence (1978) ** 
264. Iron Maiden -- Iron Maiden (1980) ** 
265. Blue Cheer -- Vincebus Eruptum (1968) *** 1/2 
266. The Adverts -- Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts (1978) *** 1/2 
267. Paul Weller -- 66 ** 1/2 
268. Shelby Lynne -- Merry Christmas (2010) ** 1/2 
269. The Mavericks -- Moon & Stars *** 
270. Vampire Weekend -- Only God Was Above Us ** 1/2 
271. Emmylou Harris -- Pieces Of The Sky (1975) *** 
272. Emmylou Harris -- Elite Hotel (1975) *** 1/2 
273. Emmylou Harris -- Luxury Liner (1976) *** 1/2 
274. Emmylou Harris -- Blue Kentucky Girl (1979) *** 1/2 
275. Emmylou Harris -- Evangeline (1981) ** 
276. Emmylou Harris -- Cimarron (1981) ** 1/2 
277. Alice In Chains -- Dirt (1992) ** 1/2 
278. Mel Torme -- An Elegant Evening (w George Shearing) (1985) *** 1/2 
279. Emmylou Harris -- White Shoes (1983) ** 
280. William Orbit -- Strange Cargo 3 (1993) ** 
281. Janet Jackson -- Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) ** 
282. Emmylou Harris -- The Ballad of Sally Rose (1985) *** 1/2 
283. Jennifer Lara -- Studio One Presents Jennifer Lara *** 
284. Willie Nelson -- The Border *** 1/2 
285. Bristol Brass Consort -- Festive Brass (2019) *** 1/2 
286. Jerry Garcia -- Garcia (1972) *** 
287. Billie Eilish -- Hit Me Hard and Hit Me Soft *** 1/2 \ 
288. Mel Torme -- Mel Torme's Finest Hour (2001) ** / 
289. Richard Thompson -- Ship To Shore **** 
290. Tommy McCook & The Super Sonic -- Top Secret (1969) **** 
291. Wes Montgomery -- The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (1960) **** 
292. Jimmy Smith -- Root Down (1972) *** 1/2 
293. The Kinks -- Mussel Hillbillies (1971) **** 
294. Emmylou Harris -- Thirteen (1986) *** 
295. Charley Crockett -- $10 Cowboy ** 
296. Paul Simon -- Paul Simon (1972) *** 1/2 
297. Paul Simon -- One-Trick Pony (1980) *** 
298. Blur -- 13 (1999) *** 1/2 
299. Adrianne Lenker -- Bright Future ** 1/2 
300. Emmylou Harris -- Angel Band (1987) *** 
301. Jimmy Smith -- Home Cookin' (1961) *** 
302. Billy Tibbals -- Stay Teeenage ep *** 
303. Billy Tibbals -- Nightlife Stories ep *** 
304. Emmylou Harris -- Bluebird (1989) ** 1/2 
305. John Grant -- The Art of the Lie ** 1/2 
306. Montage -- Montage (1969) ** 
307. Emmylou Harris -- Brand New Dance (1990) ** 
308. Lou Reed -- Transformer (1972) *** 1/2 
309. Magazine -- Real Life (1978) ** 1/2 
310. Röyksopp -- Melody A.M. (2001) ** 
311. Mel Tormé -- Songs For Any Taste (1957) ** 1/2 
312. Yunchan Lim -- Chopin Études Op. 10 and 25 *** 
313. a-ha -- Hunting High and Low (1985) ** 
314. Blind Willie McTell -- Statesboro Blues (2003) *** 1/2 
315. Jamme -- Jamme (1968) ***/ 
316. Common -- Be (2005) *** 
317. The Divine Comedy -- A Short Album About Love (1997) *** 1/2 
318. Liam Gallagher and John Squire --- Liam Gallagher and John Squire *** 
319. Bee Gees -- 1st (1967; their third album, actually) ** 1/2 
320. Bee Gees -- Horizontal (1968) ** 
321. Bee Gees -- Odessa (1969) *** \
322. Air -- The Virgin Suicides soundtrack (2000) **** 
323. Bob & Marcia (Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths) -- Pied Piper (1971) *** 
324. Kraftwerk -- The Man-Machine (1978) *** 1/2 
325. Kraftwerk -- Computer World (1981) *** 1/2 
326. Emmylou Harris -- Cowgirl's Prayer (1993) *** 
327. Otis Redding -- The Best Of Otis Redding (1972 on Atlantic) **** 
328. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas -- Greatest Hits (1981) **** 
329. The Clovers -- The Best of The Clovers (1991) *** 
330. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas -- Gold (2003) *** 1/2 
331. Les Rythmes Digitales -- Darkdancer (1999) ** 
332. Bee Gees -- Main Course (1975) *** 
333. Wilco -- Hot Sun Cool Shroud ep *** 
334. The Marvelettes -- The Definitive Collection *** 
335. The Marvelettes -- Greatest Hits *** 1/2 
336. The Young Fresh Fellows -- The Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest (1984) *** 1/2 
337. Bee Gees -- Children of the World (1976) *** 
338. Camilo -- Cuatro ***/ 
339. Iggy Pop -- The Idiot (1977) *** 1/2 
340. Bee Gees -- Spirits Having Flown (1979) ** 1/2 (side one strong) 
341. Mdou Moctar -- Funeral For Justice ***/ 
342. Slade -- Slayed? (1973) ***/ 
343. Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore -- Texicali *** 
344. Vince Guaraldi -- It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown ** 
345. Otis Redding -- The Immortal Otis Redding (1968) *** 1/2 
346. The Del McCoury Band -- Songs of Love and Life *** 
347. Bobby Womack -- The Poet (1981) *** 
348. Otis Redding -- The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965) *** 1/2 
349. Public Image Ltd. -- First Issue (1978) ** 1/2 
350. The XX -- I See You (2017) ** 1/2 
351. Grupo Frontera -- Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada *** 1/2 
352. Van Morrison -- It's Too Late To Stop Now (1974) *** 
353. Sea Wolf -- Leaves in The River (2007) ** 1/2 
354. Gram Parsons -- GP (1973) *** 1/2 
355. Gram Parsons -- Grievous Angel (1974) **** 
356. Ride -- Nowhere (1990) ***  
357. Maggie Rogers -- Don't Forget Me ** 
358. The 5th Dimension -- The Magic Garden (1967) ** 
359. Ismael Rivera -- La Quiniela de Dia (1976) *** 1/2 
360. Aphex Twins -- Selected Ambient Work 85-92 (1992) *** 
361. Ismael Rivera with Cortijo y su Combo Original -- Juntos Otra Vez (1974) *** 1/2 
362. Scotty McCreery -- Rise & Fall ** 1/2 
363. Snoop Dogg -- Doggystyle (1993) ** 
364. Joe Tex -- Greatest Hits (1991) **** 
365. Beyoncé -- Cowboy Carter *** 1/2 
366. Emmylou Harris -- At The Ryman (1992) *** 1/2 
367. Hermanos Gutiérrez -- Sonido Cosmico *** 
368. Richard Hawley -- In This City They Call You Love *** 1/2 
369. Bee Gees -- E.S.P. (1987) * 1/2 
370. 50 Cent -- Get Rich Or Due Tryin' (2003) ** 1/2 
371. Linda Thompson -- Proxy Music *** 1/2 
372. Badly Drawn Boy -- The Hour of Bewilderbeast (2000) *** 
373. Bad Brains -- I Against I (1986) ** 
374 Natalie Joachim -- Ki Moun Ou Ye ** 
375. Otis Redding -- Love Man (1969) *** 
376. Def Leppard -- Hysteria (1987) ** 1/2 
377. PJ Harvey -- Let England Shake (2011) *** 1/2 
378. Khruangbin -- A La Sala ** 1/2 
379. Pokey Lafarge -- Rhumba Country ***/ 
380. Can -- Tago Mago (1971) *** 
381. Ice Cube -- Predator (1992) ** 1/2 
382. Paul McCartney -- One Hand Clapping (1974/2024) *** 
383. Madeleine Peyroux -- Let's Walk ** 1/2 
384. Led Zeppelin -- IV (1971) *** 1/2 
385. Grupo Frontera -- El Comienzo (2023) *** 1/2 
386. Cindy Lee -- Diamond Jubilee ** 1/2 
387. T. Bone Burnett -- The Other Side ** 
388. Mickey Newbury -- Looks Like Rain (1969) **** 
389. Omar Apollo -- God Said No ** 1/2 
390. Astrid Sonne -- Great Doubt ** 1/2 
391. Jacques Brel -- Olympia '64 (1964) ** 1/2 
392. Dehd -- Poetry ***\ 
393. Beth Gibbons -- Lives Outgrown *** 
394. Frankie Siragusa -- Goodbye, My Love (2020) *** 1/2 
395. The Young Gods -- L'eau Rouge/Red Water (1989) ** 1/2 
396. Sparks -- Kimono My House (1974) *** 
397. Nancy Wilson -- The Swinging's Mutual w George Shearing (1961) ***/ 
398. Suede -- Suede (1993) ** 1/2 
399. Zach Bryan -- The Great American Bar Scene *** 
400. Raekwon -- Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995) ** 1/2 
401. Rachel Chinouriri -- What A Devastating Turn of Events ** 
402. The Verve -- A Northern Soul (1995) *** 
403. The Jesus and Mary Chain -- Darklands (1987) *** 
404. Maggie Rose -- No One Gets Out Alive ***/ 
405. John Oates -- Reunion *** 
406. Daryl Hall -- D ** 
407. Henry Mancini -- A Merry Mancini Christmas (1966) * 
408. Deep Purple -- In Rock (1970) ** 1/2 
409. The Incredible String Band -- The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (1968) * 
410. Meat Puppets -- II (1984) *** 1/2 
411. Massive Attack -- Protection (1994) ** (but Tracey Thorn tracks  great) 
412. Public Image Ltd. -- Metal Box/Second Edition (1979) 12 track version *** 
413. Pet Shop Boys -- Actually (1987) ** 1/2 
414. Bee Gees -- Trafalgar (1971) * 1/2 
415. Megadeth -- Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1986) ** 
416. Incredible Bongo Band -- Bongo Rock (1973) ** 1/2 
417. Slipknot -- All Hope Is Gone (2008) * 
418. Balka Sound -- Balka Sound (2022) *** 
419. Marilyn Manson -- Antichrist Superstar (1996) * 
420. Eladio Carrion -- Sol Maria *** 
421. Louis Armstrong -- Louis In London (1968/2024) ** 
422. RM -- Right Place, Wrong Person ** 
423. Claire Rousay -- Sentiment ** 
424. Aaron Lee Tasjan -- Stellar Evolution ** 
425. Sierra Ferrell -- Trail of Fears ** 
426. Charles Lloyd -- The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow *** 
427. Emmylou Harris -- Wrecking Ball (1995) *** 1/2 
428. Mk.gee -- Two Star and the Dream Police ** 
429. Leyla McCalla -- Sun Without The Heat ** 
430. Kali Malone -- All Life Long *** 1/2 
431. Blur -- Think Tank (2003) *** 
432. Pixies -- Surfer Rosa (1988) *** 
433. World Party -- Best In Show (2007) **** 
434. Neil Young -- Fu##ing Up ** 1/2 
435. Sia -- Reasonable Woman ** 1/2 
436. Miriam Makeba -- Miriam Makeba (1960) *** 1/2 
437. Young Miko -- att. *** 
438. Earth, Wind & Fire -- That's The Way Of The World (1975) *** 
439. Jonathan Richman -- Back In Your Life (1979) *** 
440. X -- Smoke & Fiction *** 1/2 
441. The Last Dinner Party -- Prelude To Ecstasy ** 1/2 
442. Bee Gees -- Best of Bee Gees (1969) *** 
443. Bee Gees -- Best Of Bee Gees Vol. 2(1973) *** 
444. Haircut One Hundred -- Pelican West (1982) *** 1/2 
445. Nick Heyward -- North Of A Miracle (1983) *** 
446. Nick Heyward -- Woodland Echoes (2017) *** 1/2 
447. Megan Moroney -- Am I Okay? *** 
448. Hiroshi Yoshimura -- Green (1986) *** 1/2 
449. Lacy J. Dalton -- For The Black Sheep ** 1/2 
450. TV On The Radio -- Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes (2004) ** 1/2 
451. Daniel Romano aka Outfit -- Too Hot To Sleep ** 
452. The Divine Comedy -- Absent Friends (2004) *** 
453. The Hanseroth Twins -- Vera ** 1/2 
454. Mel Tormé -- I Dig The Duke, I Dig The Count (1962) *** 
455. Brian Eno -- Soft Edges ep *** 1/2 
456. Mkwaju Ensemble -- Ki-Motion (1981) *** 
457. Emerson, Lake & Palmer -- Tarkus (1971) * 
458. Grateful Dead -- Dick's Picks Vol. 8 (May 2, 1970) ***\ 
459. Bob Dylan -- Time Out Of Mind (1997) **** 
460. Bob Dylan -- Modern Times (2006) *** 1/2 
461. Shelby Lynne -- Consequences Of The Soul ** 1/2 
462. The Teardrop Explodes -- Kilimanjaro (1980) ** 1/2 
463. Klaxons -- Myths Of The Near Future (2006) ** 
464. The Po' Ramblin' Boys -- Wanderers Like Me *** 
465. John Surnam -- Words Unspoken *** 1/2 
466. Emmylou Harris -- Red Dirt Girl (2000) ***\ 
467. Emmylou Harris -- Stumble Into Grace (2003) *** 
468. Emmylou Harris -- The Travelin' Kind (w Rodney Crowell) (2015) ** 1/2 
469. Tangerine Dream -- Rubycon (1975) *** 
470. Various Artists -- The Complete Friends Of Old Time Music Concert (1965) *** 
471. Grateful Dead -- Reckoning (1981) *** 
472. Grateful Dead -- Wake of the Flood (1973) *** 
473. Killing Joke -- Killing Joke (1980) *** 
474. Spirit -- Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970) ** 1/2 
475. Oso Oso -- Life Till Bones *** 
476. Bob Dylan -- Greatest Hits (1967) **** 
477. Otis Spann -- Otis Spann (1964) **** 
478. Hiroshi Yoshimura -- Surround (1986) *** 1/2 
479. Bob Dylan -- Love and Theft (2001) *** 1/2 
479. Sturgill Simpson -- Passage du Desir *** 1/2 
480. John Legend -- My Favorite Dream * 
481. Kali Malone -- Living Torch (2022) *** 1/2 
482. Popeye: Music From The Motion Picture Deluxe Edition (1980/2017) *** 1/2 
483. Laurie Anderson -- Amelia *** 
484. George Winston -- Eastern Montana ** 
485. Frank Black -- Teenager of the Year (1994) ** 1/2 
486. Brian Eno -- I Dormienti ep (2023) *** 1/2 
487. Scott Walker -- Scott (1967) *** 1/2 
488. Scott Walker -- Scott 2 (1968) *** 1/2 
489. Scott Walker -- Scott 3 (1969) *** 1/2 / 
490. Scott Walker -- Scott 4 (1969) *** 1/2 
491. Jon Hopkins -- Ritual *** 
492. Engelbert Humperdink -- The Best Of... (2005) *** 
493. FKA twigs -- LP1 (2024) ** 1/2 
494. Old 97's -- American Primitive ***/ 
495. Sugar -- Copper Blue (1992) *** 1/2 
496. Various Artists -- Kankyō Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental and New Age Music 1980-1990 (2019) *** 
497. Joe Ely -- Driven To Drive *** 
498. Crowded House -- Gravity Stairs **  
499. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan -- Devotional Songs aka Love & Devotion (w Party) (1992 on Real World Records) *** 1/2 
500. Sergio Mendes -- Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (1966) ** 
501. Tangerine Dream -- Legend (1985) *** 
502. Bob Dylan -- Greatest Hits Vol. II (1971) **** 
503. Lone Justice -- Shelter (1996) ** 1/2 
504. Nellie McKay -- Hey Guys, Watch This! (2023) *** 
505. Nellie McKay -- Bagatelles ep (2019) **** 
506. Scott Walker -- 'Til The Band Comes Home (1970) ** 1/2 
507. Jon Anderson -- True ** 
508. Syd Barrett -- The Madcap Laugh (1970) *** 1/2 
509. Joan Armatrading -- Joan Armatrading (1976) ** 1/2 
510. Old 97's -- Satellite Ride (2001) *** 
511. The Smile -- A Light For Attracting Attention (2022) *** 1/2 
512. The Smile -- Wall of Eyes *** 1/2 
513. Jack Sheldon -- Ho Ho Ho ep ** 
514. Bjork -- Vulnicura (2015) ** 
515. Frank Zappa -- Freak Out! (1966) *** 1/2 
516. The The -- Ensoulment *** 1/2 
517. The The -- Soul Mining (1983) *** 
518. The The -- Infected (1986) *** 
519. Logic -- Ultra 85 *** 
520. Scott Walker -- Climate Of Hunter (1984) ** 1/2 (but "Blanket Roll" great) 
521. Hugo Largo -- Drum (1988) ** 
522. Miranda Lambert -- Postcards From Texas ** 1/2 
523. The Style Council -- Cafe Bleu (1984) ** 1/2 
524. Rosie Tucker -- Utopia Now! ***/ 
525. Florian Weber -- Imaginary Cycle *** 1/2 
526. Hiroshi Yoshimura -- Music For Nine Post Cards (1982) *** 1/2 
527. The Jam -- Compact Snap! (1984) *** 1/2 
528. The Jam -- Snap! (1983) **** 
529. Squeeze -- Argybargy (1980) *** 1/2 
530. Squeeze -- East Side Story (1981) ***  
531. Squeeze -- Play (1991) *** 
532. Small Faces -- Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (1968) ** 1/2 
533. Paul Simon -- Hearts and Bones (1983) *** 1/2 
534. Willie Tee -- I'm Only A Man (1971) *** 
535. Manu Chao -- Viva Tu *** 1/2 
536. The Jam -- Sound Affects (1980) *** 1/2 
537. Caroline Shaw -- Rectangles and Circumstance w So Percussion (2024) *** 
538. The Fall -- Live at the Witch Trials (1979) ** 
539. Nick Lowe -- Indoor Safari ** 1/2 
540. The Youngbloods -- Elephant Mountain (1969) ** 1/2 
541. Faust -- Faust IV (1973) *** 
542. Fairground Attraction -- Beautiful Happening ** 1/2 
543. Kali Malone -- Cast of Mind (2018) *** 1/2 
544. The Rolling Stones -- Stripped (1995) *** 
545. Bob Dylan -- Dylan & The Dead (1989) ** 
546. Bob Dylan -- The 1974 Live Recordings Sampler *** 
547. Nightmares on Wax -- Smokers Delight (1995) ** 
548. Juan Luis Guerra -- Radio Güira ep ** 1/2 
549. Afrika Bambaata & the SoulSonic Force -- Planet Rock: The Album (1986) *** 1/2 
550. Steve Earle -- Guitar Town (1986) *** 
551. Bob Dylan -- The 1974 Live Recordings Sampler (1974/2024) *** 
552. Bright Eyes -- Five Dice, All Threes *** 1/2 
553. Jeru The Damaja  -- The Sun Rises In The East (1994) ** 1/2 
554. Nick Heyward -- The Mermaid and the Lighthouse Keeper w India Dupre (2022) ** 
555. M. Ward -- For Beginners: The Best of M. Ward *** 1/2 
556. Pet Shop Boys -- Behaviour (1990) *** 1/2 
557. Paul Butterfield Blues Band -- East-West (1966) *** (but terrible singer) 
558. Pixies -- Doolittle (1989) *** 1/2 
559. Pet Shop Boys -- Very (1993) *** 1/2 
560. Outkast -- Aquemini (1998) ** 1/2 (one star off for vile "Mamacita") 
561. Incubus -- Make Yourself (1999) ** 1/2 
562. New Order -- Low-Life (1985) *** 1/2 
563. Public Enemy -- It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988) **** 
564. Pixies -- Bossanova (1990) *** 
565. Outkast -- Stankonia (2000) *** 1/2 
566. Pet Shop Boys -- Bilingual (1996) ***  
567. Public Enemy -- Fear Of A Black Planet (1990) *** 1/2 
568. The Smile -- Cutouts *** 1/2 
569. Nick Cave -- Wild God *** 1/2 
570. Mindy Smith -- Quiet Town ** 
571. Green Day -- Saviors *** 1/2 
572. Malcolm McLaren -- Duck Rock (1983) *** (but v influential) 
573. Gepe -- Undesastre *** 1/2 
574. Tower of Power -- It's Christmas * 
575. Nicol Williamson -- The Hobbit abridged audiobook (1974) **** 
576. Roscoe Mitchell Sextet -- Sound (1966) ** 1/2 
577. Kasey Chambers -- Backbone *** ("The Divorce Song" is great) 
578. Bruce Springsteen -- Magic (2007) *** great songs, can't stand prod by B O'Brien
579. Esperanza Spalding and Milton Nascimento -- Milton + Esperanza ** 
580. Jack White -- No Name *** (needs another listen) 
581. Sonny Rollins -- G-Man (1987 live album) **** 
582. Eminem -- The Death of Slim Shady *** 
583. Pet Shop Boys -- Nightlife (1999) ** 1/2 
584. Public Enemy -- Yo! Bum Rush The Show *** 
585. Public Enemy -- Apocalypse 91: The Empire Strikes Black *** 1/2 
586. Pharoah Sanders -- Pharoah (1977) *** 
587. Various Artists -- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) *** 1/2 
588. Betty Carter -- The Audience With Betty Carter (1980) *** 1/2 
589. Satoshi Ashikawa -- Still Way (Wave Notation 2) (1982) ** 1/2 
590. The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge–Yulefest! (2015) ** 
591. Primal Scream -- Vanishing Point (1997) ***\ 
592. Elliott Brood -- Town and Country (2024) *** 1/2 
593. Ornette Coleman -- Free Jazz (1961) ***/ 
594. Engelbert Humperdink -- A Merry Christmas (1980) * 
595. The Stranglers -- Rattus Norvegicus (1977) *** 
596. The Germs -- GI (1979) *** 1/2 
597. Bob Sumner -- Some Place To Rest Easy ** 
598. Horace Andy -- Timeless Roots w Jah Wobble ** 1/2 
599. Faye Webster -- Underdressed at the Symphony ** 1/2 
600. Bee Gees -- Timeless: The All-Time Greatest Hits (2017) *** (cut six tracks and change order) 
601. Coldplay -- Moon Music *** 
602. Tom Waits -- swordfishtrombones (1983) **** 
603. Tom Waits -- Rain Dogs (1985) **** 
604. Tom Waits -- Frank's Wild Years (1987) *** 1/2 
605. Horace Andy -- Skylarking (1972) *** 
606. The Hentchmen -- Hentch-Forth w Jack White *** 1/2 
607. The The -- Mind Bomb (1989) ** 1/2 
608. Pet Shop Boys -- Release (2002) ** 1/2 
609. The Thrills -- So Much For The City (2003) ** 
610. Fleetwood Mac -- Rumours *** 1/2 
611. Billy Joel -- Glass Houses (1980) *** 1/2 
612. Neil Diamond -- 50th Anniversary Celebration (2017) *** 1/2 
613. Rush -- Moving Pictures ((1981) *** 1/2 
614. Jackson Browne -- Running on Empty (1977) *** 1/2 
615. Cheap Trick -- At Budokan (1978) ** 1/2 
616. J Balvin -- Rayo *** 
617. The The -- Dusk (1993) *** 
618. Judy Garland -- Judy at the Palace Closing Night (1952) ** 1/2 
619. Ray Charles -- Together Again aka Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues (1965) *** 
620. Dinah Washington -- Music For Late Hours (1956) * 
621. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis -- Warriors ** 
622. Ray Charles -- Yes Indeed! (1958) *** 1/2 
623. Ray Charles -- Cryin' Time (1966) *** 1/2 
624. Al Stewart -- Love Chronicles (1969) ** 1/2 
625. Christina Aguilera -- Stripped (2002) *** 
626. Ricky Montgomery -- Rick(y) *** 
627. Sean Shibe -- Bach (2020) *** 
628. U2 -- Achtung Baby (1991) **** 
629. Lone Justice -- Viva Lone Justice *** 1/2 (what a loss) 
630. Nirvana -- Bleach (1989) *** 
631. Nirvana -- Nevermind (1991) **** 
632. Nirvana -- In Utero (1993) *** 1/2 
633. Holger Czukay -- Movies (1979) *** 
634. Lenny Kravitz -- Let Love Rule (1989) ** 
635. Bonnie Raitt -- Nick of Time (1989) **** 
636. Ray Charles -- Modern Sounds in Country and Western Vol. II (1962) **** 
637. XTC -- Oranges & Lemons (1989) *** 1/2 / 
638. Slint -- Spiderland (1991) *** 
639. Linda Ronstadt -- Live in Hollywood Deluxe (1980) *** 
640. Echo and the Bunnymen -- Ocean Rain (1984) ** 1/2 
641. Jay Wheeler -- Música Buena Para Días Malos *** 1/2 
642. Willie Nelson -- Last Leaf on the Tree *** 
643.  XTC -- Apple Lemon Vol. 1 ** 1/2 (tracks 5,6,7) 
644. The Thrills -- So Much For The City (2003) ** 
645. Spanish Harlem Orchestra (w Ruben Blades) -- Across 110th Street (2004) **** 
646. Fantastic Cat -- Now That's What I Call Fantastic Cat *** 1/2 
647. Suicide -- Suicide (1977) *** 1/2 
648. Mercury Rev -- Deserter's Songs (1998) ** 
649. The Bees -- Sunshine Hit Me (2002) ** 1/2 
650. Paul Kelly -- Fever Longing Still *** 1/2 
651. Bob Dylan -- Love and Theft (2001) *** 1/2 
652. Ben Folds -- Sleigher ** 
653. Tito Puente -- Homenaje a Beny (1978) **** 
654. Eslaban Armado -- Amor Perdido *** 1/2 
655. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico -- ¡Aqui No Se Siente Nadie! (1979) **** 
656. Roy Harper -- Stormcock (1971) ** 1/2 
657. Elastica -- Elastica (1995) *** 
658. Fantastic Cat -- The Very Best of Fantastic Cat (2022) *** 
659. Davy Knowles -- The Invisible Man *** 
670. 'Til Tuesday -- Voices Carry (1985) ** 
671. Lou Donaldson -- Blues Walk (1958) *** 1/2 
672. Art Garfunkel Jr. and Art Garfunkel -- Father and Son ** 
673. Little Big Town -- The Christmas Record * 1/2 
674. 'Til Tuesday -- Welcome Home (1986) *** 
675. Albert Hammond -- Christmas * 1/2 
676. Christopher Cross -- A Christopher Cross Christmas * 1/2 (but a good "Drummer Boy'") 
677. Albert Hammond -- It Never Rains in Southern California (1972) * 1/2 
678. Albert Hammond -- Albert Hammond (1974) ** 
679. Albert Hammond -- 99 Miles From L.A. (1975) * 1/2 
680. The dB's -- Stands For Decibels (1981) ** 1/2 
681. Stan Getz -- The Complete Roost Recordings (1997) **** 
682. Boss Capone and George Dekker -- Blackfire *** / 
683. War -- The World Is A Ghetto (1972) ** 1/2 
684. Onalea -- The End of the World *** 
685. Anthrax -- Among The Living (1987) * 1/2 
686. Ismael Miranda -- Así Se Compone un Son (1973) *** 
687. The B-52's -- The B-52's (1979) *** 
688. Idles -- TANGK ** 1/2 
689. The John Sally Ride -- Melomaniacs ***/ 
690. George Harrison -- George Harrison (1979) ** 1/2 
691. Duke Ellington -- The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse (1975) *** 1/2 
692. Siouxsie and the Banshees -- The Scream (1978) **  
693. George Harrison -- Living in the Material World (1974) *** 1/2 
694. Ann Peebles -- I Can't Stand The Rain (1974) *** 1/2 
695. Wire -- Pink Flag (1977) *** 1/2 
696. Susanna Hoffs -- The Lost Record ***/ 
697. Johnny Smith -- Moonlight in Vermont (1956) **** 
698. Richard Swift -- Four Hits & A Miss -- The Essential Richard Swift *** / 
699. Dwight Yoakam -- Brighter Days ***/ 
700. Maria Muldaur -- Maria Muldaur (1973) *** 
701. Beta Radio -- Waiting For The End To Come ***/ 
702. Ringo Starr -- Ringo (1973) *** 
703. Kali Malone -- The Sacrificial Code (2019) **** 
704. Soft Machine -- Third (1970) *** 1/2 
705. Michael Kiwanuka -- Small Changes *** 
706. Harry Nilsson -- Pussy Cats (1974) ** (tragic) 
707 Kim Deal -- Nobody Loves You More *** 
708. LaBelle -- Nightbirds (1971) *** 1/2 
709. Talking Heads -- The Name of This Band is Talking Heads (1982) *** 1/2 
710. Kenny G -- Miracles: The Holiday Album (1994) ** 1/2 
711. Spinners -- Mighty Love (1974) *** 1/2 
712. Eric Clapton -- 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) *** 1/2 
713. Kendrick Lamar -- GNX *** 
714. Jennifer Hudson -- The Gift of Love ** 
715. James Talley -- Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money, But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love (1975) **** 
716. The Triffids -- Calenture (1987) ** 1/2 
717. Clay Aiken -- Christmas Bells Are Ringing * 
718. Maria Muldaur -- Christmas at the Oasis (2010) *** 1/2 
719. The Art Farmer Quintet -- Blame It On My Youth (1988) *** 
720. The Who -- Who Are You (1978) *** 
721. Maria Muldaur -- Waitress in a Donut Shop (1974) *** 1/2 
722. Parliament -- Up For The Down Stroke (1974) *** 1/2 
723. Willow -- Empathogen *** 1/2 
724. Aerosmith -- Aerosmith (1973) *** 1/2 
725. Cheo Feliciano -- Estampas (1979) *** 
726. Chicago -- Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits (1975) *** 1/2 
727. The Persuasions -- Chirpin' (1977) *** 1/2 
728. 'Til Tuesday -- Everything's Different Now (1988) *** 1/2 
729. Pet Shop Boys -- Fundamental (2006) *** 
730. Nick Lowe -- Labour of Lust (1979) *** 
731. Dolly Parton -- Jolene (1974) *** 
732. Pear Jam -- Dark Matter *** 
733. Spinners -- Pick of the Litter (1975) ** 1/2 
734. Kraftwerk -- Autobahn (1974) *** 1/2 
735. Average White Band -- AWB (1974) ** 1/2 
736. Dave Edmunds -- Repeat When Necessary (1979) *** 1/2 
737. Pete Townsend and Ronnie Lane -- Rough Mix (1977) ** 1/2 
738. Tipica 73 -- Tipica 73 (1973) *** 1/2 
739. Kurt Elling -- Wildflowers Vol.1 ***/ 
740. Kings of Leon -- Only By The Night (2008) ** 1/2 
741. Bobby Rodríguez -- Lead Me To That Beautiful Band (1975) *** 
742. Amyl and the Sniffers -- Cartoon Darkness *** 
743. Aretha Franklin -- Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) (1973) ** 
744. Spinners -- Spinners (1973) ***/ 
745. Shelley Duvall -- Merry Christmas (1991) * 1/2 
746. Nick Lowe -- Jesus of Cool (1978) ** 1/2 
747. James Talley -- Tryin' Like The Devil (1976) *** 
748. Graham Parker -- Heat Treatment (1976) *** 1/2 
749. Graham Parker -- Howlin' Wind (1976) *** 
750. Graham Parker -- Stick To Me (1977) *** 1/2  

751. Aretha Franklin -- Young, Gifted and Black (1972) **** 
752. The Saints -- Eternally Yours (1978) *** 
753. The Hour -- Ease The Work ** 
754. Mustafa -- Dunya *** 
755. Dion -- Born To Be With You (1975) ***/ 
756. Aretha Franklin -- Aretha Now (1968) *** 1/2 
757. Kurt Elling -- Wildflowers Vol. 1 *** 
758. Ananda Shankar -- Ananda Shankar (1970) ** 
759. Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69 (1969) *** 
760. Justavious Willis -- West Georgia Blues *** 1/2 



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. Bed and Sofa (1927) *** 1/2 
2. American Fiction ** 1/2 
3. The Zone Of Interest ***  
4. Dune (2021) (in IMAX) *** 1/2 
5. The Big Parade (1925) **** 
6. The Student Prince In Old Heidelberg (1927) **** 
7. Nimona ** 1/2 
8. All Of Us Strangers *** 
9.  Dune: Part Two ** 1/2 
10.  Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga ** 1/2 
11. Showing Up (2023) *** 1/2 
12. The Quiet Girl *** 1/2 
13. Talk To Me *** (v good script, direction) 
14. Inside Out 2 ** 1/2 
15. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring extended cut at AMC *** 1/2 
16. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers extended cut at AMC ****  
17. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King extended cut at AMC *** 1/2  
18. The Bikeriders ** (but Toby Wallace one to watch) 
19. The Small Back Room (1949) (at Moma alone) *** 1/2 
20. The Edge of the World (1937) (at Moma w Zoe) *** 
21. The Lion Has Wings (1939; Powell one of four directors) w Smith (1939; 10 min) (w Zoe, Moma) ** 
22. Kneecap *** 
23. Didi *** 1/2 
24. Alien: Romulus **  
25. Popeye (1980) * 1/2 (and yet I'm still thinking about it) 
26. Good One (v good lead, all three really; teen camping w dad and his friend) ***/ 
27. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) **** 
28. Nationtime (1972) *** 1/2 
29. Conclave ** 1/2 
30. Small Things Like These ** 1/2 
31. Anora *** 1/2 (Igor!) 
32. Bird *** (lead!)
33. A Real Pain *** 
34. Blitz ** 
35. Gladiator II * 1/2 

36. 




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. A Prairie Home Companion 50th Anniversary at Ryman (w Jesse) *** 
2. The Outsiders (four subs including two leads) (alone) ** 
3. Illinoise (alone) *** 
4. Stereophonic (w Noam; partial view) *** 

5. 


Updated as of  November 30, 2024