FastEddie's Wax Museum: January 2015

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Commodores: "All the Great Hits"

Released in 1982,

this was the Commodores' thirteenth (13th) album.

As advertised, this includes "all the great hits,"

including:

BRICK HOUSE

MACHINE GUN

THREE TIMES A LADY

Imperials: "Heed the Call"

Released in 1979,

this was the Imperials' twenty-seventh (27th) album.

The Imperials were (are!) a gospel institution.

Together for over fifty years,

they have had personnel changes over that span,

but they are still going strong.

Their latest recording: "Still Standing" (2010).

"Heed the Call" includes several enjoyable, inspirational tracks.

The musical style - like the suits in the back cover photo - reflects the time.

WHENEVER I SPEAK HIS NAME

PRAISE THE LORD

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Bruce Hornsby and the Range: "The Way It Is"

Released in 1986,

this is Bruce Hornsby and the Range's debut album.

Bruce Hornsby's delicious piano skills (and his voice) are front and center here.

The entire album is worth a good, repeated listen.

It includes these hit songs:

THE WAY IT IS

MANDOLIN RAIN

EVERY LITTLE KISS

The Honeydrippers: "Volume One"

Released in 1984,

this EP is The Honeydrippers'

only recording.

Includes

SEA OF LOVE

and

ROCKIN' AT MIDNIGHT

The Honeydrippers could be considered

a "supergroup."

Their line-up included Robert Plant, Jimmy Page,

Jeff Beck, Nile Rodgers, Paul Shaffer, and Brian Setzer.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Rita Coolidge: "Anytime... Anywhere"

Released in 1977,

this is Rita Coolidge's sixth (6th) album.

Among other great tracks,

this album includes

HIGHER AND HIGHER

Monday, January 26, 2015

Frankie Carle: "Sunrise Serenade"

Released in 1967

by Harmony Records

(a division of Columbia).

Frankie Carle was a well-known pianist and bandleader,

"Sunrise Serenade" was his signature tune,

which reached No. 1 in 1938.

SUNRISE SERENADE

Sandy Nelson: "drums and more drums!"

Released in 1968

by Sunset Records,

under the category "budget compilation."

This is a great LP to have

because it includes Sandy Nelson's top hits,

"Let There Be Drums," "And Then There Were Drums,"

and "Day Drumming."

AND it features enjoyable covers

of other major songs such as

"All Shook Up," "Splish Splash," "Be Bop Baby,"

and "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)"

I couldn't find this album on YouTube,

but here is his signature

LET THERE BE DRUMS

Friday, January 23, 2015

Roy Clark: "The Everlovin' Soul of Roy Clark"

Released in 1969,

this is Roy Clark's tenth (10th) album.

Contains covers of a surprising range of songs,

from pop to country to gospel,

including a beautiful rendition of:

UNCHAINED MELODY

Jackson Browne: "Late for the Sky"

Released in 1974,

this is Jackson Browne's third (3rd) album.

His unmistakable style abundantly evident

in every track of this recording.

Listen to the full album:

LATE FOR THE SKY

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Trini Lopez: "LIVE at PJ's"

Released in 1963,

this is Trini Lopez's debut album.

This album arrived at the height of the popularity

of folk music, and before the arrival of the Beatles'

in the USA.

Listen to a great medley from this recording HERE.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Mark-Almond (eponymous debut)

Released in 1971,

this is Mark-Almond's debut recording.

A British band that incorporates jazz sax and flute

with piano-driven rock,

mostly mellow, but they have their raucous moments.

Listen to the entire album HERE.

Chicago: "III"

Released in 1971,

the was Chicago's third (3rd) album,

and their third consecutive double album

of new material in less than two years.

Filled with great tracks, of course,

including:

FREE

and

LOWDOWN

Barbra Streisand: "Simply Streisand"

Released in 1967,

this is Barbra Streisand's ninth (9th) album.

Beautiful, heartfelt renditions of classic

torch and show tunes, such as:

MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW

Friday, January 16, 2015

Bread: "Manna"

Released in 1970,

this is Bread's third (3rd) album.

The very definition of "soft rock,"

they demonstrate that categorization

to the hilt on this album

with their mega-hit

April Wine: "The Nature of the Beast"

Released in 1981,

this was April Wine's ninth (9th) LP.

Formed in 1969, this Canadian rock band managed moderate success

in the '70s and '80s.

They are still doing shows today.

From this album,

the most commercially successful track

was the love ballad:

JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Nick Gilder: "City Nights"

Released in 1978,

this is Nick Gilder's most successful album.

Includes the hit "Hot Child in the City,"

and of course several less known

but enjoyable tracks,

like:

GOT TO GET OUT

Photography and Concept: Julius Bates

Design: David Allen

Friday, January 9, 2015

Neil Diamond: "Hot August Night"

Released in 1972,

this was Neil Diamond's tenth (10th) album,

his second live album.

This double album remains one of Neil Diamond's

most successful recordings.

Whatever your personal opinion of Neil Diamond,

based on your musical tastes,

he is indisputably among the greatest

singer/songwriters of the late 20th century.

In case you need to remind yourself,

or hear it for the first time,

here is the entire recording:

HOT AUGUST NIGHT

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Blood, Sweat & Tears: "3"

Released in 1970,

this was Blood, Sweat & Tears' (surprise!) third (3rd) album.

This recording was not received so enthusiastically

by reviewers, but it did contain a couple of hits:

A cover of Carole King's "Hi-De-Ho"

and David Clayton Thomas' "Lucretia MacEvil."

Oh, and this:

"Symphony for the Devil/Sympathy for the Devil"

Read more about Blood, Sweat & Tears HERE.

Album Design: John Berg

Cover Photo: Lee Friedlander

Other Photos: Fred Lombardi and Melissa Katz

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Michael Bolton: "Michael Bolton"

Released in 1983,

this was actually Michael Bolton's third (3rd) studio LP.

This was his first recording with Columbia,

and his first recording using his stage name.

His previous recordings had been under his

given name - Michael Bolotin.

So, for all you music snobs out there

who 'sniff' and look askance

at this artist,

I say, "Give him a chance."

Take a closer look at his story

and his credits.

Before he made it big as an 'easy listening'

soul ballad singer,

Michael had some success as a rock star...

From this album - watch and listen:

Fools Game

The hair is pretty amazing, though, right?

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Michael Omartian: "Adam Again"

Released in 1976,

this is Michael Omartian's second (2nd) solo album.

It is thematic; essentially a mini rock opera.

As always, the music and the production quality

are excellent. The band credits read like a Who's Who

of '70s session stars:

Ernie Watts

Paul Hubinon

Dean Parks

Lee Ritenour

Larry Carlton

Ed Greene

Victor Feldman

Richard Bennett

Wilton Felder

David Hungate

Scott Edwards

Here is a taste:

HERE HE COMES

Friday, January 2, 2015

Jethro Tull: "Stand Up"

Released in 1969,

this was Jethro Tull's second (2nd) album.

This is a terrific album musically.

Among the excellent blues-rock tracks

wrapped in Ian Anderson's lead vocals and flute playing,

it also includes the classically recognizable track "Bouree."

Click below to listen to the entire album (highly recommended!):

Stand Up

The fantastic album cover art is the work of James Grashow.

Note pictures of the pop-up gatefold below.