The Movies, Books, Theater, Concerts, CDs I Saw/Read/Heard In 2023

Updated as of  December 31, 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. At Freddie's by Penelope Fitzgerald *** 1/2 

14. The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (1923) *** 1/2 

15. Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead *** 

16. Monica by Daniel Clowes *** 

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  We Are ** 

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. The Sisters Of Mercy -- Floodland (1987) ** 

484. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella at Duke's Place (1965) ** 1/2 (but "Cottontail"!) 

485. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella (1969) no stars (also her ugliest cover) 

486. Ella Fitzgerald -- Things Ain't What They Used To Be (1971) * 

487. Chvrches -- The Bones Of What You Believe (2013) ** 

488. Michele Stodart -- Invitation ** 1/2 

489. The Pharcyde -- Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (1992) *** 

490. Ella Fitzgerald -- Sweet and Hot (1955) ** 1/2 

491. Ella Fitzgerald -- The Best Is Yet To Come (1982) *** 
492. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella Sings Broadway (1963) *** 

493. Jimmy Giuffre -- The Jimmy Giuffre 3 (1956) ** 1/2 

494. Chris Barber -- The Pye Jazz Anthology (2001) ** 1/2 

495. Ella Fitzgerald -- Hello, Dolly! (1964) ** 
496. Vaughan Williams performed by Sir Neville Mariner conducting Academy of St. Martin in the Fields on The Lark Ascending, Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis etc (1969) *** 

497. Thelonius Monk -- Thelonius Himself (1957) *** 
498. Pee Wee Crayton -- Things I Used To Do (1971) *** 1/2 

499. U.S. Girls -- Bless This Mess ** 

500. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella Loves Cole (1972)/ Dream Dancing (1978 w three new tracks) ** 

501. The Associates -- Sulk (1982) ** 

502. Yellowcard -- Childhood Eyes ep *** 

503. Lightning Bolt -- Wonderful Rainbow (2003) ** 

504. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella Abraça Jobim: Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Antonio Carlos Jobim Song Book (1981) ** 1/2 

505. Various Artists -- Stax Christmas (2023) ** 1/2 

506. The Blind Boys Of Alabama -- Echoes Of The South *** 

507. The Byrds -- Younger Than Yesterday (1967) *** 

508. Ella Fitzgerald -- Fine and Mellow (1979, recorded in 1974) *** 1/2 maybe **** 

509. Leftfield -- Leftism (1995) ** 1/2 

510. Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke -- Bix and Tram (1927) **** 
511. Joy Division -- Unknown Pleasures (1979) *** 

512. Ella Fitzgerald -- Stockholm Concert 1966 (released 1984) *** 1/2 

513. Little Feat -- Little Feat (1970) ** 1/2 

514. Little Feat -- Sailin' Shoes (1972) *** 
515. Dick Hyman -- Scott Joplin: The Complete Works For Piano *** 1/2 

516. Little Feat -- Dixie Chicken (1973) *** 1/2 

517. Gary Burton & Steve Swallow -- Hotel Hello (1975) *** 1/2 

518. Franco and Tabu Ley Rochereau -- Omana Wapi (1976) **** Deluxe version Lisanga ya Banganga 

519. The Mayflies USA -- Summertown (1999) ***/ 

520. Ella Fitzgerald -- The First Lady Of Song (Complete Decca sessions) (1958) ** 1/2 

521. Sigur Rós -- Átta *** 1/2 

522. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae -- At Newport (1958) *** 

523. Ella Fitzgerald -- Live at the Opera House (1957 w Oscar Peterson) *** 1/2 

524. The Isley Brothers -- 3+3 (1973) *** 
525. Donnie and Joe Emerson -- Dreamin' Wild (1979) ** 

526. Sandy Denny -- Sandy (1972) *** 1/2 

527. Ella Fitzgerald -- Newport Jazz Festival At Carnegie Hall (1973) *** 1/2 

528. The Isley Brothers -- Live It Up (1974) *** 

529. The Isley Brothers -- Brother, Brother, Brother (1972) *** 

530. The Isley Brothers -- Givin' It Back (1971) *** 

531. Iggy Pop -- Lust For Life (1977) *** 1/2 

532. Ray Barretto -- Indestructible (1976) *** 1/2 

533. Arthur Verocai -- Arthur Verocai (1972) ** 1/2 

534. Ruby Braff & Ellis Larkins -- Calling Berlin, Vol. 1 (1996) **** 

535. The Rolling Stones -- Hackney Diamonds *** 

536. Ella Fitzgerald -- Live at Mr. Kelly's (1958, released 2007) ** 1/2 

537. The Drums -- Jonny ** 1/2 

538. Cher -- Christmas ** 1/2 

539. Dwight Twilley -- Sincerely (1976) ***/ 

540. Ruby Braff & Ellis Larkins -- Calling Berlin, Vol. 2 (1997) *** 1/2 

541. Moby Grape -- Moby Grape (1967) *** 1/2 

542. Dusty Springfield -- A Girl Called Dusty (1964, UK) ***/ 

543. Elis Regina -- Vento De Maio (1978) ** 1/2 

544. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella In London (Live At Ronnie Scott's) (1974) ** 1/2 

545. Junior Wells -- Hoodoo Man Blues (1965) **** 
546. Charlie Patton -- Founder Of The Delta Blues 1929-1934 (2010) *** 1/2 

547. Count Basie -- The Complete Decca Recordings (1992) *** 
548. Sufjan Stevens -- Javelin -- *** 1/2 

549. Ruby Braff & Ellis Larkins -- 2X2 (1994?) *** 1/2 

550. Vince Guaraldi -- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) *** 1/2 

551. The Streets -- The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light **  

552. Troye Sivan -- Something To Give Each Other *** 

553. The Tallest Man On Earth -- Henry St. ** 

554. Mavis Staples -- Have A Little Faith (2004) ** 

555. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella A Nice (1982, recorded 1971) *** 

556. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella at Juan-Les-Pins (1964) *** 

557. En Attendant Ana -- Principia ** 

558. De La Soul -- 3 Feet High And Rising (1989) *** 1/2 

559. The Gaslight Anthem -- History Books ** 

560. David Bowie -- Reality (2003) *** 

561. The Pursuit Of Happiness -- Love Junk (1988) *** 

562. Omar Apollo -- Live For Me ep *** 

563. Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins -- The Grand Reunion (1972) *** 1/2 

564. The Bad Ends -- The Power and The Glory ** 1/2 

565. Hector Gannet -- The Land Belongs To Us ** 

566. Ryan Beatty -- Calico ***/ 

567. Ismael Rivera with Cortijo Y Su Combo -- Lo Mejor Y Lo Ultimo (1963) *** 

568. Christina Perri -- Songs For Christmas ** 

569. Elliot Brood -- Town ***/ 

570. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella In Japan (1964 recorded, 2011 released) *** 

571. Ella Fitzgerald -- Live At The Concertgebouw (w Oscar Peterson Trio) (2013) ** 1/2  

572. Ella Fitzgerald -- Live At Montreaux 1969 ** 

573. Van Morrison -- Accentuate The Positive **  

574. The Struts -- Pretty Vicious ***/ 

575. Blink-182 -- One More Time... ** 

576. Jimmy Buffett -- Equal Strain On All Parts ** 1/2 

577. Mabel Mercer and Bobby Short -- At Town Hall (1968) *** 1/2 

578. Dwight Twilley -- Twilley Don't Mind (1977) *** 

579. Nas -- Magic 2 ** 1/2  
580. The Ran Blake Quartet -- Short Life Of Barbara Monk (1986) *** 

581. Stephen Sanchez -- Easy On My Eyes (2022) *** 

582. Stephen Sanchez -- Angel Face ** 1/2 

583. Mayer Hawthorne -- For All Time ** 

584. Throbbing Gristle -- D.o.A.: The Third and Final Report Of... (1978) *** 

585. The Sensational Nightingales -- It's Gonna Rain Again (1972) ** 1/2  
586. Art Blakey -- A Night At Birdland, Vol. 1 (1954) **** 

587. Art Blakey -- A Night At Birdland, Vol. 2 (1954) **** 
588. Serge Gainsbourg -- Histoire de Melody Nelson... (1971) ** 

589. Boston -- Boston (1976) *** 1/2 

590. Ella Fitzgerald -- Lady Time (1978) ** 

591. Peter One -- Come Back To Me *** 1/2 

592. Barbra Streisand -- Yentl 40th Anniversary Soundtrack (including demos) *** 1/2 

593. Willie Nelson -- Shotgun Willie (1973) ** 1/2 

594. David Bowie -- PinUps (1973) *** 

595. David Bowie -- Young Americans (1975) *** 

596. Arlo Parks -- My Soft Machine ** 

597. Ella Fitzgerald -- Montreux '77 (1977) ** 1/2 

598. Ennio Morricone -- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly soundtrack (1966) *** 

599. Chase Rice -- I Hate Cowboys and All Dogs Go To Hell ** 1/2 

600. Joni Mitchell -- Archives Volume 3: The Asylum Years 1972-1975 (2023) *** 1/2 

601. The Cult -- Electric (1987) ** 

602. The Crusaders -- Street Life (1979) * 1/2 

603. Rufus featuring Chaka Khan -- Rufusized (1974) *** 

604. Ella Fitzgerald -- Sophisticated Lady (Live w Joe Pass) (1980) ** 1/2 

605. Ella Fitzgerald -- Fitzgerald & Pass...Again (w Joe Pass) (1976) *** 1/2 

606. Sonic Youth -- Sister (1987) *** 
607. Led Zeppelin -- III (1970) *** 1/2 

608. Jerry Lee Lewis -- Live At The Star-Club, Hamburg (1964) **** 

609. Bad Bunny -- Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana *** 1/2 

610. Tin Machine -- Tin Machine (1989) ** 

611. Funkadelic -- One Nation Under A Groove (1978) **** 

612. Chris Stapleton -- Higher *** 

613. John Denver -- The Last Recordings ** 

614. Sabrina Carpenter -- Fruitcake ** 

615. Korn -- Follow The Leader (1998) ** 

616. Dolly Parton -- Rockstar ** 
617. Luther Dickinson -- Magic Music For Family Folk ** 

618. Yussef Dayes -- Black Classical Music *** 

619. Sandy Denny -- Rendezvous (1977) ** 
620. Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith -- I Am Bound For Canaan (1983) *** 
621. Mandy, Indiana -- I've Seen A Way ** 1/2 

622. Noah Gundersen -- If This Is The End *** 

623. Judy Mowatt -- Black Woman (1980) *** 
624. Wilco -- Sky Blue Sky (2007) *** 

625. Nation Of Language -- Strange Disciple *** 1/2 

626. Fitz & The Tantrums -- Perfect Holiday ** 

627. Fugees -- The Score (1996) ** 1/2 

628. XTC -- Oranges & Lemons (1989) *** 1/2 

629. Sonny Rollins -- Saxophone Colossus (1956) ****  

630. Boygenius -- the rest ep *** 

631. King Crimson -- Larks' Tongue In Aspic (1973) ** 
632. XTC -- Skylarking (1986) **** 
633. Darren Kiely -- Lost **  

634. Madness -- Theatre of the Absurd presents C'est La Vie *** 1/2 

635. Brandy -- Christmas With Brandy * 

636. Blondshell -- Blondshell ** 

637. Beach Fossils -- Bunny ** 

638. John Dunbar -- What A Difference Indifference Makes *** 

639. Dee-Lite -- World Clique (1990) ** 

640. Mary Elizabeth Remington -- In Embudo ** 1/2 

641. Hector Tellez Jr. -- The Great Unknown ** 

642. Vince Clarke -- Songs Of Silence ** 1/2 

643. Joy Oladokun -- Proof Of Life *** 

644. Black Pumas -- Chronicles Of A Diamond *** 1/2 

645. Duran Duran -- Danse Macabre *** 

646. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) -- Out Of The Blue (1977) *** 1/2 

647. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) -- A New World Record (1976) ****  

648. G. Love & Special Sauce -- G. Love & Special Sauce (1994) ** 1/2 

649. Dori Freeman -- Do You Recall *** 1/2 

650. Arthur Blythe -- Lenox Avenue Breakdown (1979) *** 1/2 

651. Charlie Rich -- That's Rich (1965) ** 1/2 

652. Grupo Firme -- Puras Pa' Pistear (En Vivo) *** 

653. Natanael Cano -- Nata Montana ***/ 

654. Luther Dickinson -- Magic Music For Family Fun ** 

655. Def Leppard -- Pyromania (1983) ** 

656. Lankum -- False Lankum *** 

657. Dinosaur Jr. -- Bug (1988) *** 

658. Kenny Burrell -- Ellington Is Forever Vol. 1 (1975) **** 
659. Queen -- Sheer Heart Attack (1974) *** 

660. Kenny Burrell -- Ellington Is Forever Vol. 2 (1977) *** 1/2 

661. Queen -- A Night At The Opera (1975) *** 
662. Manic Street Preachers -- Everything Must Go (1996) *** 

663. Manic Street Preachers -- Resistance Is Futile (2018) ** 
664. Noah Kahane -- Stick Season (2022) ** 1/2 

665. El Michels Affair & Black Thought -- Glorious Game ** 1/2 

666. Temples -- Exotico *** 

667. My Morning Jacket -- Happy Holiday! * 1/2 

668. The Human League -- Dare (1981) ** 

669. Orchestral Manouevres In The Dark -- Architecture and Morality (1981) *** 1/2 

670. Fela Kuti -- Live with Ginger Baker (1971) *** 1/2 

671. Andy Thorn -- High Country Holiday * 1/2 

672. Kenny Burrell -- Have Yourself  Soulful Little Christmas (1966) ** 

673. The National -- Laugh Track ** 1/2 

674. Adam Blackstone -- A Legacy Christmas * 1/2 

675. The Beach Boys -- Love You (1977) *** 1/2 

676. Bauhaus -- Mask (1981) ** 

677. The Beach Boys -- 20/20 (1969) *** 1/2 

678. Anita Baker -- Rapture (1986) *** 1/2 

679. The Beach Boys -- All Summer Long (1964) *** 

680. Grateful Dead -- Europe '72 (1972) **** 

681. Tanner Adell -- Buckle Bunny ** 
682. Tainy -- Data *** 

683. The Beach Boys -- Sunflower (1970) *** 1/2 

684. Tanner Adell -- Buckle Bunny ** 

685. Tainy -- Data *** 

686. Billy Woods & Kenny Segal -- Maps *** 

687. The Hives -- Your New Favourite Band (2001) *** 1/2 

688. Davido -- Timeless *** 

689. Asake -- Work Of Art *** 

690. Chappell Roan -- The Rise and Fall Of A Midwestern Princess ** 1/2 

691. Adekunie Gold -- Tequila Ever After *** 
692. The Beach Boys -- Wild Honey (1967) *** 

693. Mr. Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion in "What A Racket!" *** 1/2 

694. Peter Gabriel -- I/O *** 1/2 

695. Eric Krasno and Stanton Moore -- Krasno/Moore Project: Book Of Queens *** 
696. Danny Lux -- Dlux *** 
697. Jeremie Albino -- Tears You Hide *** 
698. The Black Crowes -- Shake Your Money Maker (1990) *** 1/2 

699. Harp -- Albion ***/ 

700. Kara Jackson -- Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? ** 1/2 

701. Joanna Sternberg -- I've Got Me **  

702. Laufey -- Bewitched ** 1/2 

703. The Beach Boys -- 15 Big Ones (1976) ** 

704. Mitski -- The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We *** 1/2 

705. Massive Attack -- Blue Lines (1991) ** 
706. Enji -- Ulaan ** 1/2 

707. Renee Rapp -- Snow Angel ** 1/2 

708. Soft Cell -- Non Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981, two good songs, both covers) ** 
709. Altin Gün -- Ask ** 1/2 

710. Sampha -- Lahai *** 

711. Neil Young -- Before and After ** 1/2 (because of its continuous play mode) 

712. Superviolet -- Infinite Spring *** 

713. Kassi Valazza -- Knows Nothing ** 

714. Nanci Griffith -- The Last Of The True Believers (1986) *** 1/2 

715. Fatoumata Diawara -- London Ko *** 1/2 

716. Margo Cilker -- Valley Of Heart's Delight ** 

717. Laurel Halo -- Atlas *** 

718. Blue Lake -- Sun Arcs *** 

719. Allison Miller -- Rivers In Our Veins *** 1/2 

720. Sam Burton -- Dear Departed ** 1/2 / 

721. Penguin Cafe Orchestra -- Music From The Penguin Cafe (1976) *** 1/2 

722. Peter Garland -- The Basketweave Elegies performed by William Winant *** 1/2 

723. Ambrose Akinmuserie -- Beauty Is Enough (solo trumpet) *** 

724. Maurice Brown -- Mobetta Christmas (instrumentals Silent Night and White Christmas keepers) ** 

725. Youth Lagoon -- Heaven Is A Junkyard *** 

726. Cleo Sol -- Gold *** 
727. Awadagin Pratt -- Still Point *** 1/2 

728. Marty Stuart -- Altitude *** 

729. Juanes -- Vida Cotidiana *** 

730. Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy -- O Yinne! *** 

731. Wynton Marsalis -- Big Band Holidays III ** 

732. Bob Dylan -- The Complete Budokan 1978 *** 

733. Ólafur Arnalds -- Trying To Think Of Nothing ep *** 1/2 

734. Ólafur Arnalds -- It's 2am And I'm Not Tired Yet *** 

735. Eels -- Beautiful Freak (1996) *** / 

736. Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd -- Jazz Samba (1962) **** 
737. Stile Antico -- The Golden Renaissance: William Byrd ***/ 

738. Chet Baker -- Blue Room: The 1979 Vara Sessions (1979/2003) *** 1/2 

739. Malcolm Todd -- Shower Shoes ** 

740. Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Emile Parisien & Vincent Pierani -- Les Égarés *** 1/2 / 

741. Becky G -- Esquinas *** 1/2 

742. Ralphie Choo -- Supernova *** 

743. Motörhead -- Ace Of Spades (1980) ** 1/2 

744. Milo J -- 111 *** 

745. Isaiah Collier -- Parallel Universe ** 1/2 

746. Lionel Loueke and Gretchen Parlato -- Lean In ** 

747. Patrick Shiroishi -- I Was Too Young To Hear The Silence ** 

748. The Cadillac Three -- The Years Go Fast ** 1/2 

749. Darcy James Argue -- Maximum Dynamic Tension ** 

750. Willie Nelson -- Willie and Family Live (1978) *** 
751. Tyshawn Storey -- Continuing *** 

752. Victoria Monet -- Jaguar II ** 

753. Yaeji -- With A Hammer *** 
754. Catherine Christer Hennix -- Solo For Tamburium *** 

755. The Blasters -- Mandatory: The Best Of The Blasters (2023) *** 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. 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. The Wonderful World Of Henry Sugar (Wes Anderson short) *** 1/2 

38. Tarzan Of The Apes (1918) ** 

39. Tabu: A Story Of The South Seas (1931) *** 1/2 

40. Earth (1930) *** 1/2 

41. Elemental *** 

42. Broken Blossoms (1919) ** 1/2 

43. The Thief Of Bagdad (1924) *** 

44. The Lodger: A Story Of The London Fog (1927) *** 

45. The Pigeon Tunnel (Errol Morris doc of John Le Carré) ** 1/2  

46. The Holdovers *** 1/2 

47. Shoeshine (1946) *** 1/2 

48. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010) *** 1/2 

49. The Patsy (1928) *** 
50. Auntie Mame (1958) ** (ranks w Breakfast At Tiffany's for cringeworthy Asian cliche) 

51. The Emperor's New Groove (2000) *** 
52. Saltburn ** 1/2 (bathtub) 

53. Doctor Who 2023: The Star Beast ** 1/2; Wild Blue Yonder ****; The Giggle *** 

54. The Boy and The Heron *** 1/2 

55. Poor Things *** 

56. The Wheel aka Le Roue (1923) *** 1/2 

57. Killers of The Flower Moon ** 

58. Anatomy Of A Fall *** 

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 4-22-2023 *** 1/2 

9. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit outdoors at Avondale Brewing in Birmingham AL 6-24-2023 *** 1/2 

10. Eddie Izzard Remix (at the Ryman) ** 1/2 

11. Merrily We Roll Along (on Broadway w Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff 10-17-2023, Luis) *** 1/2 

12. Whitney Museum -- Fragments Of A Forgotten Faith: The Art Of Harry Smith ** 

13. Whitney Museum -- Henry Taylor: B Side *** 1/2 

14. Whitney Museum -- Inheritance ** 

15. Whitney Museum -- Rose B. Simpson outdoor sculpture *** 1/2 

16. Daniel Kitson -- Maybe A Ghost Story (streamed) *** 1/2 

17. To Kill  Mockingbird (Broadway touring 11-19-23 in Birmingham AL w Richard Thomas) ** 

Updated as of  December 31, 2023 

THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS ALBUMS OF ALL TIME

 THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS ALBUMS OF ALL TIME

I'm bonkers about Christmas music. Bonkers! I've owned more holiday albums than most people have in their entire library. I've got playlists galore, because most holiday albums aren't great from start to finish. Heck, you're lucky to find one great new song or one fresh cover in a holiday album. And for many reasons, more artists are putting out holiday albums than ever before. So DON'T just turn on the radio or tell your home speaker to "play Christmas music!" You'll hear the same obvious songs over and over again. Instead, here are some of the best Christmas albums of all time. Enjoy! 

Below that I have playlists which contain tracks from all of these albums and classic Christmas tunes (like John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and Wham's "Last Christmas" to name just two) that don't appear on a Christmas album by those artists. You'll find links to my themed playlists perfect for all  occasions. 

First, here's a link to my take on 100+ Christmas albums.

THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF ALL TIME 

ELLA FITZGERALD -- Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas 

No singer is more effortlessly joyful than Ella Fitzgerald. So it's no surprise her holiday album would be a winner. You'll find some religious-themed albums among my Hall of Famers below. But I'm strongly biased towards secular Christmas songs. "What Child Is This?" has its place, but usually not while I'm tootling around town or hosting a party. Ella swings Christmas classics from the jaunty opener "Jingle Bells" (which ends with Ella declaring with glee "I'm just crazy 'bout horses!") to the inevitable closer "White Christmas." It's effervescent and spirit-raising and impeccable from start to finish. A delight. 

NOTE: A CD reissue and some streaming services tack on another three to six tracks, including alternate takes. You may not think it matters much -- and there's nothing wrong with the extra tracks. But no. Stop it after "White Christmas" or turn the album into a playlist and cut off the bonus tracks. It's twelve songs long and works best that way. Trust me!

THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM HALL OF FAME 

Here are holidays albums I consider nigh on perfect. You can play them from start to finish with nary a bum track. They're a rarity among the hundreds or maybe thousands of Christmas albums I've listened to over the decades. If you love the artist and/or the genre, you'll probably enjoy them. 

All these albums earned either *** 1/2 or a perfect **** out of **** stars. You've got jazzy easy listening with Herb Alpert, a Latin classic with Willie Colon and friends, Ella's swinging gem, the nostalgic glow of A Charlie Brown Christmas, Odetta taking us to church, Phil Spector rocking out Christmas songs like no one ever before and more. Something for everyone!

HERB ALPERT -- Christmas Album (1968)   

BRISTOL BRASS CONSORT -- Festive Brass (2019) 

THE CARPENTERS -- Christmas Portrait ((1978 original version) 

JUDY COLLINS -- Winter Stories (w Jonas Fjeld and Chatham County Line) 

WILLIE COLON, HECTOR LAVOE AND YOMO TORO -- Asalto Navideño (1971/1973)  

BING CROSBY --  Merry Christmas aka White Christmas (many editions)  

                                 Sings Christmas Songs 

ELLA FITZGERALD -- Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas   

VINCE GUARALDI -- A Charlie Brown Christmas   

EMMYLOU HARRIS  -- Light Of The Stable  

THE LIVING SISTERS -- Harmony Is Real: Songs For A Happy Holiday  

LOS LOBOS -- Llegó Navidad  

AIMEE MANN -- One More Drifter In The Snow   

WYNTON MARSALIS -- Crescent City Christmas Card  

JOHNNY MATHIS -- Merry Christmas    

WILLIE NELSON -- Pretty Paper   

ODETTA -- Christmas Spirituals (1960)  

                     Christmas Spirituals aka Beautiful Star (1987)  (new recordings of songs from 1960) 

THE PERSUASIONS -- You're All I Want For Christmas  

LOU RAWLS -- Merry Christmas From Lou Rawls (2009 ep reissue)  
                             Merry Christmas Ho! Ho! Ho! (1967)  

MARTIN SEXTON -- Camp Holiday  

SIA -- Everyday Is Christmas

FRANK SINATRA -- Christmas Dreaming (1950 Columbia)  

                                      Christmas Songs By Frank Sinatra (1949 Columbia)  

JIMMY SMITH -- Christmas Cookin' aka Christmas '64  

 

PHIL SPECTOR -- A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records   

SUFJAN STEVENS -- Songs For Christmas Vol 1-5  

SUFJAN STEVENS -- Silver & Gold Vol. 6-10 

DYLAN THOMAS -- A Child's Christmas In Wales and other poems  

TRACEY THORN -- Tinsel and Lights   

MARIAN WILLIAMS -- O Holy Night  

GEORGE WINSTON -- December  

COMPILATIONS  

A Big Band Christmas (Columbia, 1988)  

Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas (Verve, 1989)  

Hipster's Holiday (1989)  

I'll Be Home For Christmas: Songs That Won The War  

The Original Soul Christmas (Atlantic, 1968)  

Where Will You Be Christmas Day 

CHRISTMAS PLAYLISTS 

If you have access to Amazon Music, here are links to my Christmas playlists. I'm nuts, as you can see and prefer playlists that run about 40-50 minutes. Plus, I need playlists for different audiences, so I have 20 or so in different styles. Traditional is for when I'm around my mom and older folks, pop for people who just want the hits and Hip is for the cool folk who aren't afraid to get offbeat. But I realize most folk are NOT that particular and just want to tap on a playlist and let it ride. So here are four. When I get the chance, I'll list the songs in each in case some fanatic like me wants to recreate my playlists on their own streaming service. 

CHRISTMAS MEGAMIX 

(This contains hundreds of songs in every style. For maximum enjoyment, play it on SHUFFLE. Otherwise you'll hear all Traditional songs, then Pop and then Hip and that won't work well. You will DEFINITELY discover some new holiday songs that will become favorites. But you won't go a song or two before hearing another gem you know well.) 

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONAL MEGAMIX 

(This has the oldies but goodies by Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee and so on. Perfect for that warm glow of nostalgia when you're around parents or grandparents or those who like it very old school. I've actually programmed it to flow naturally. So while you CAN spin it on shuffle, I'd recommend you just click on the first track and let it play it in order.) 

CHRISTMAS POP MEGAMIX 

(This has the big pop hits from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Kelly Clarkson and so on. Hey, I guess to some folks this is oldies music, but you get the idea. Again, I'm not just throwing in tons of songs randomly. Like the Traditional MegaMix, this combines about five or six playlists. Each playlist was crafted for maximum pleasure, so I recommend you just start at the begining. Shuffle works fine too, but don't blame me if you hear three slow songs in a row!)

CHRISTMAS HIP MEGAMIX 

(Ok, I'm not THAT hip. But this playlist contains all sorts of tracks in various styles and is a little off the beaten track. Canada's Barenaked Ladies with an amusing spin on "Deck The Halls," organist Jimmy Smith with a very cool jam on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," Ron Sexsmith's mournful gem "Maybe This Christmas" and much more in every imaginable genre. For the cool people in your life. As with the Traditional and Pop mixes, you can spin this on shuffle but just playing it in order is ideal.) 

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