638. The Healer

The Healer
John Lee Hooker
1989

Tracks
1. Healer
2. I'm in the Mood
3. Baby Lee
4. Cuttin' Out
5. Think Twice Before You Go
6. Sally Mae
7. That's Alright
8. Rockin' Choir
9. My Dream
10. No Substitute

Okay, we seriously have to break this rut of so-so albums soon. I will even take a bad album, if it invokes a reaction other than "meh." The List will probably make me eat these words (or, in this case, force-feed me these words).

So like I said, this was a pretty meh album. It's surprisingly inoffensive, given that the album cover looks like a horror movie poster. There were some so-so collaborations that never really stood out. 

Not terrible, not great, just okay. Can we just get to the 90s already?

RATING: 2/5

472. Heartattack and Vine

Heartattack and Vine
Tom Waits
1980

Tracks
1. Heartattack And Vine
2. In Shades
3. Saving All My Love For You
4. Downtown
5. Jersey Girl
6. 'Til The Money Runs Out
7. On The Nickel
8. Mr. Siegal
9. Ruby's Arms

Wow has it really been nearly a month since I posted?  I apologize.  My 1001 movie blog is nearly finished and I have been spending most of my free writing time working on that.  That should be done within a few weeks or so.  Afterward, I will still contribute to my film blog but the album project will become my favorite child.  Until that day, let's sneak in some Tom Waits whenever we can.

I'm not sure I understood love at all before I listened to "Saving All My Love for You."  Maybe I will have figured it out by the next Tom Waits album.  I adore his voice; he would make every song sound powerful even if the lyrics were nonsensical.  Thankfully, the lyrics are brilliant here.  "Ruby's Arms" almost brought me to tears.

So a perfect album and warm welcome back after a nearly month long break.

RATING: 4/5

375. Hard Again

Hard Again
Muddy Waters
1977

Tracks
1. Mannish Boy 
2. Bus Driver 
3. I Want to Be Loved 
4. Jealous Hearted Man 
5. I Can't Be Satisfied 
6. Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock & Roll 
7. Deep Down in Florida 
8. Crosseyed Cat 
9. Little Girl

Once again, we come across the original cliche.  All right, maybe I don't have the musical history knowledge to make this claim, but this album is a pretty early example of the whole "nah nah nah nah nah" craze.  Is it not clear what I am talking about?  How about an example from television:

That's the best example I could find since I don't want to torture anyone with a Full House reference.  Haven't we suffered enough on this blog (see BeeGees and bongo bands)?

The problem with revisiting early music is that by the time you listen to it, you have heard it done so many times that it can just be extremely dull to sit through.  However, I was pleasantly surprised with this album.  It wasn't particularly exciting, but it was pure gritty blues and a fun listen.

RATING: 4/5

132. Astral Weeks

Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
1968

Tracks
1. Astral Weeks
2. Beside You
3. Sweet Thing 
4. Cyprus Avenue
5. The Way Young Lovers Do 
6. Madame George
7. Ballerina
8. Slim Slow Rider


Amanda: In eighth grade, I was part of the morning news show (though I always refused to be an anchor even though it was a performing arts class).  We had to come into school early every day and play a video that would loop until the announcements started.  The video that I had to play for about four months was a montage of photos set to "Brown Eyed Girl".  I played this everyday for about a hour for four months.  I hate that song with every inch of my being.  I did not have high hopes going into this album.


Now, I didn't hate this album though it didn't impress me much.  All the songs sounded exactly alike and it was hard to understand what he was talking about.  I still don't know what "Astral Weeks" mean.  Not great but not obnoxious.

RATING: 2/5

128. Truth

Truth
Jeff Beck
1968

Tracks
1. Shapes Of Things
2. Let Me Love You
3. Morning Dew
4. You Shook Me
5. Ol' Man River
6. Greensleeves
7. Rock My Plimsoul
8. Beck's Bolero
9. Blues Deluxe
10. I Ain't Superstitious


Amanda: Apparently, the fact that Rod Stewart sang in this album is a big deal.  I know a Jimmy and a John Stewart but I have never heard of Rod (don't hurt me!).  Anyway, I thought he was pretty good.  However, this entire album reeks of pretentiousness; just look at the track names.  "Shapes of Things" and "Morning Dew"?  Come on.  I didn't think the lyrics were even unique/thoughtful.  Of course, the lyrics weren't really important in this album; the guitar was.  I must confess, I was tempted to do a couple of air guitars.  Embarrassing, right?

RATING: 3/5

119. The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Notorious Byrds Brothers
The Byrds
1968

Tracks
1. Artificial Energy
2. Goin' Back
3. Natural Harmony
4. Draft Morning
5. Wasn't Born To Follow
6. Get To You
7. Change Is Now
8. Old John Robertson
9. Tribal Gathering
10. Dolphin's Smile
11. Space Odyssey


Amanda: Good thing I love The Byrds.  I think there are more Byrds albums than any other artist's albums on the list...let me verify that...all right, that was an exaggeration.  There are more David Bowie albums.  Damn you, Bowie (just kidding of course; I love you!).


Oh my. What a waste of a first paragraph.  Moving on.  This is a really amazing album.  The great thing about the Byrds is that they get better each album so even if you don't really like them, their albums at least improve each time.  This was their last album before they became die hard country singers (cherish the moment!).  The songs are really bluesy and political; they seem much more relaxed about their music than before.  Good job, boys.


RATING: 5/5

54. Live at the Regal

Live at the Regal
B.B. King
1965

Tracks
1. Everyday I Have The Blues
2. Sweet Little Angel
3. It's My Own Fault
4. How Blue Can You Get
5. Please Love Me
6. You Upset Me Baby
7. Worry Worry
8. Woke Up This Mornin'
9. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
10. Help The Poor

Amanda: Today has been such an ordinary day for me (besides a brief embarrassing moment concerning a joke that did NOT land).  This album fits in perfectly because it was so...meh.

B.B. King tells short stories before each song which was probably my favorite parts of the album.  The instruments aren't handled with much dexterity and the lyrics are forgettable and unorginal.  I mean, it was pleasant but I don't think it was worthy to be in a 1001 Album book.  Apparently, a lot of people think this.  I have never heard of any B.B. King fans.

RATING:

Brie: I thought your joke was funny. Anyway, I agree. As great as the guitars or vocals might be, the album was just forgettable and so... commonplace. B.B. King was a pretty good live performer, I guess, because judging from the reactions of the audience he knew how to get people excited about his music. As Amanda mentioned, he did tell clever little stories in between songs sometimes, but other than that I can't really mention any highlights.

I thought this fact was interesting: B.B. King grew up in a town without electricity, yet he learned how to play the electric guitar.

RATING: