...and your favorite post-Elvis pop/rock/soul/folk/whatever album by a (in most folks estimation significant artist) that is way less well known/regarded than it should be is...???
Discuss.
Mine? As will come as no surprise to longtime readers it's this...
...which I am currently grooving to on a pristine vinyl reissue I snagged on-line late last summer.
In case you're not lucky enough to know it, the short version is that it's a collection of Sam's personal favorite blues, soul and gospel songs, recorded for Cooke's own label with the cream of Los Angeles session guys as his backing band, the whole thing designed to sound like the coolest live late night jam session in a smokey bar of all time, and boy does it ever. For reasons known only to the Lord, it went out of print amost immediately after it first appeared in 1963, and despite a CD reissue in the 90s, to this day it remains without question the greatest album by a major artist that most people don't know ever existed.
Alrighty then -- what would YOUR choices be?
And have a great weekend everybody!!!
20 comments:
How about that… leave before sunrise yesterday, go to the Hershey car show (aka the AACA Eastern Fall Meet), arrive home after sunset, sleep for 10 hours, read some news, scroll past a bunch of useless ads in my FB feed, decide to read some good stuff online… and I’m still first!
Muddy Waters “Folk Singer” is a good one that never gets any attention.
I was going to say “At least half of the albums I own”, but most of those people were never significant, except to me and a few other cult members.
“Night Beat” is a great album! I got it a while ago, and was surprised that it was rarely mentioned.
Whoops... I just saw the date of your post... duhhh...
Hey, I've got that one and, yes, it's top-shelf stuff. If you don't already, get the reissue of 'Live at the Copa,' as well.
As for your challenge... powerhouse chanteuse Ellen Foley's second album 'Spirit of St. Louis' (1981) is a glorious oddity that harks back to the days of Edith Piaf. Given its cast, I call it the Great Lost Clash album.
I dug her, but i dont recall that one — thanks for that one.
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Greatest Hits. Puts a smile on my face whenever I listen to it
I don't know if this counts, but Dylan's Street Legal is one I really like and it never seems to get good press. Nobody bought The Rascals' Peaceful World and it's killer. And then there is Fleetwood Mac's Kiln House and Future Games, my favorites from that band. This is a weird/tough category. You know you could come up with others, but...
Jeff, Future Games has been my desert island disc for over 50 years.
God Bless Danny Kirwan
Rob, I assume you’ve heard Like Crying- The Songs of Danny Kirwin. It’s wonderful. Digital only, but vinyl would be nice.
That last one was me. Mitch Ryder deserved to be famous longer, but I think he did the oldies circuit for a while. His cover of Prince’s When You Were Mine was quite good. Cleveland Jeff
"Get Yourself Another Fool" from this album is one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Sam Cooke soul and talent were epic.
Vince
The Broadcasters - 13 Ghosts.
Captain Al
a should have been life changing album that wasn't - Gerry Rafferty's Over My Head - very, very nice - a cut from it was the inaugural dance, for self and spouse, at our wedding reception - a cover of Lennon's Out the Blue - yes, we had a DJ, yes, I got married late in life - alas, Gerry and the bottle had too strong a grip on each other and his song was over too soon
Absolutely. A lost masterpiece.
Three of my favourite albums are all under-rated by fans and critics alike:
"Earthspan" Incredible String Band. "No Other Love" Chuck Prophet.
"Like an Old Fashioned Waltz" Sandy Denny.
A few that have been lost and overlooked in the record racks of time - all of which I own
Randy Newman - Good Old Boys
John Prine - debut album, John Prine
Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley
and to address Monsier Sharps "were never significant...cult members"
Be Bop Deluxe - Live In The Air Age
Interesting that you should name-check Be Bop Deluxe. I love their last studio album 'Drastic Plastic' (the LP their old fans like least).
Ah, that Sandy album. Swoonerama. 😎
I mentioned Danny Kirwan, I would be remiss if I neglected Bill Nelson.
A Great ! guitar player
I listened to Drastic Plastic recently and loved it all over again. It’s 2nd to me after Axe Victim for Be Bop Deluxe albums.
For those of you that love Night Beat and haven’t listened to Charles Brown, you might start with his excellent All My Life https://www.discogs.com/release/6531535-Charles-Brown-All-My-Life
Much of Sam Cooke’s style came for Night Beat from Charles Brown’s 1940’s and 50’s trio work.
- Paul in DK
Michael Kamen's "New York Rock" album. Post-NYR Ensemble lp.
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