CDs acquired in 2006-2008

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For a list of the CDs I acquired in 2005, see here; for those acquired in 2004, see here; for those acquired in 2003, see here

Other older entries on music are available here.

(The format here is suggested by the lovely logbooks, hand sewn and as hefty as a wizard’s spell book, found at the Peter Pan coffee shop in Sendai, Japan. There, Nagasaki-san, the master, writes in every CD he buys. At first, he merely jots down an explanatory comment or two; then, after a month or two has passed, he writes down a ranking for the CD. The CDs are listed in order of acquisition; some never quite get a ranking, while for others the ranking sometimes shifts. If you visit Peter Pan, it is one of the great joys to pick up these volumes and page through—they date back to the 1970s. A whole history of rock music there, as heard at one small rock kissaten [coffee shop]. I stole many hours of pleasure, pouring over those handwritten volumes. I hope the following provides you with similar pleasures. And I presume the same privileges as Nagasaki-san: some CDs acquired may never quite earn a ranking, while others may see their rankings shift, depending on the whims of the moment. Five Stars is the highest possible ranking.)

Stew, Passing Strange (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Ghostlight; 2008).  Stew's acclaimed Off-Broadway musical makes it to CD.  Some of the tunes are familiar from his past releases, but mostly this is new territory:  a semi-autobiographical tale of a young African-American musician from Southern California trying to find himself in Europe.  Bits of it sound oddly like Meatloaf to my ears, but I still like it.  (8/08)

Shiina Ringo, Watashi to hôden (EMI Japan, 2008).  A two-CD collection of non-LP tracks from past singles and EPs.  I already had most of this stuff anyway.  It's not her strongest work, but even her second-tier material is better than 90% of the J-Pop that is out there.  (8/08)

Van Morrison, Wavelength (Polydor, 2008).  His 1978 masterpiece is finally released on CD.  The opening lines of "Kingdom Halll," the first  track,  always cheer me up:  "So glad to see ya!  So glad you're here!"  (8/08)

Caetano Veloso, Caetano Veloso (Tropicalia) (2000, Polygram International).  The album that launched the Tropicália revolution in Brazilian pop music when it was first released back in 1968.  I've been a fan of Os Mutantes for some time now, so I'm pretty sure I'll like this one as well. "Alegria, Alegria" stands out, but so far I'm liking the other tunes too.   (7/08)

Mayra Andrade, Navega (2007, Cooking Vinyl).  Debut album by a young Cape Verdean singer whose been attracting a good deal of favorable attention in Europe lately.  To my largely uninformed ears, Brazil seems to provide the keynote here, but she mixes in all sorts of tasty musical influences to create an airy album that's perfect for summer listening.  (7/08)

The Zombies, Odessey and Oracle (2007, Big Beat UK).  One of the more overlooked classics of late 1960s Britpop, this one sits comfortably alongside the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society, also first released in 1968.  The best-known track is "Time of the Season," but the whole album is terrific.  Upon my first few listens, I keep hearing traces of Brian Wilson's late '60s production work. (7/08)

Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life (2000; Universal/Motown). I’ve wanted this one ever since it was released on vinyl to rave reviews back in 1976. It’s great hearing “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Pastime Paradise” and all the rest coming through my own headphones. (6/08)

Gustav Mahler, Symphonie No. 7, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado, cond. (1984, Polydor). (6/08)

Sugata Isotaro, Symphonic Overture and other works; Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Komatsu Kazuhiko, cond. (2008; Naxos).  A largely forgotten Japanese composer of the 1930s and 40s  is rediscovered.  A modernist in style, he combines 20th century European art music with indigenous Japanese musical traditions.  What Stravinsky would sound like if he’d had the foresight to be raised in Tokyo. (6/08)

Aimee Mann, @#%&! Smilers (2008; SuperEgo Records). 13 new songs from the great singer-songwriter, carrying on in her usual style.  It always takes her new albums a few months to sink in for me:  I think I don't like them at first, but then out of the blue I find myself humming the tunes and wanting to listen again.  (6/08)

Imawano Kiyoshiro and Little Screaming Revue, Fuyu no jûjiro (1999, Swim Records).  I got this set by the former lead singer of RC Succession mainly for its punked up version of "Kimi ga yo," the Japanese national anthem.  Imawano's idiosyncratic voice and indelible good humor as usual carry the day.  (6/08)

Superfly, Superfly (2008, Warner Music Japan).  The debut album by a one-woman band that soared to the top of the Japanese charts, it combines nostalgia for 1970s rock and soul with solid J-Pop songcraft and attractive vocal performances.  Several of the catchier numbers were also hit singles:  "Hi-Five," "Hello Hello" and "i spy i spy." (6/08)

Flower Travelin' Band, Satori (2003; WEA International).  CD reissue of the classic album from the Japanese acid/progressive/psychedelic rock band.  This actually achieved chart success in Canada and elsewhere when it was first released back in 1971. (6/08)

Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 8, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, George Solti conducting (2006; Decca). The “Symphony of a Thousand” in a recording first issued on vinyl in 1972. (6/08)

Ike Reilly, Poison the Hit Parade (2008; Rock Ridge).  Reilly is one of our great unknown rock 'n' roll bards:  he melds naivete with cynicism, incoherent energy with a poetic wit, and hip hop with the electric Dylan.  I've been a huge fan since his 2001 debut album, Salesmen and Racists.  This new set, which consists half of new songs and half of updated versions of some of his older compositions ("Hip Hop Thighs #16," "Duty Free," "It's Alright to Die," etc.,), isn't his best work (see Salesmen and Racists for that), but it still brings a smile to my face and gets my foot tapping. (6/08)

The Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers (1971; Virgin).  There are a few bands about whom I've always felt some hesitation; Mick & Co. are one.  But every decade or so I buy one of their classic albums, give it a couple of listens, and think to myself 'Hey, they aren't so terrible after all.'  Then I file the CD away on the shelf under R and hardly ever play it again.  For now I'm giving this one a spin, but no doubt it will soon take up its predestined place, gathering dust alongside my copies of Exile on Main Street and Between the Buttons.   (6/08)

Gilbert O'Sullivan, The Berry Vest of.... (2005; EMI).  O'Sullivan produced some of the very best pop of my middle-school years and yet his work is entirely unavailable in the U.S. at present, either on CD or as MP3s.  I picked up this best-of (or berry-vest-of) while in England earlier this month.  (5/08)

Bonzo Dog Band, The Best(iality) of the Bonzo Dog Band (1995, EMI).  Nice sampling of the career of these musical Dadaists, whose recordings foreshadowed Monty Python and other British comedy of the 1970s.  It leaves out many of my favorite tracks by them, though, including "The Laughing Blues" and "(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco," so I had to download those from I-Tunes.  (5/08)

Mikami Kan, Hiraku yume nado aru ja nashi (2002; avex io).  Celebrated third album by the protest folk singer, originally released on vinyl on the URC label in 1972. (5/08)

Various artists, 1971 Nihon Folk Jamboree Live, Vol. 1 (2005; Victor Entertainment).  Live highlights recorded at the legendary Nakatsugawa Folk Jamboree in 1971, including performances by Happy End, Garo, and Yoshida Takurô.  (5/08)

Various artists, 1970 Zen Nippon Folk Jamboree 1 (2004). 2-CD live recording of highlights from the 1970 festival, featuring Happy End, Itsutu no akai fûsen, Nagira Ken’ichi and others. (5/08).

Various artists, 1971 Zen Nippon Folk Jamboree 2 (2004). 2-CD live recordings of highlights from the 1971 festival, featuring Happy End (again), Agata Morio, The Dylan II, etc. (5/08)

Sufjan Stevens, Illinois (2005, Asthmatic Kitty).  A friend decided that I needed a copy of this fine, eclectic work--and, as usual, my friend was right.  Thanks, Owen. (5/08)

×××× Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Pt. 1:  4th World War (2008, Motown).  A very tasty blend of Funkadelic, Marvin Gaye, hip-hop and who knows what else.  Fun and touching, light and thoughtful, and it's got a nice groove to it all the way through.   (4/08)

Yoshida Takurô, Takurô Best Collection (2008).  A 2-disk, best-of collection from a singer who since the early 1970s has been one of the contenders for the title of "the Japanese Bob Dylan."  Yoshida starts with a basic stripped-down folk style in music and lyrics, but then adds on attractive, constantly varying touches:  a horn section, strings, a little electric guitar.  (3/08)

Ringo Starr, Photograph:  The Very Best of Ringo (2007).  I found it in a bargain bin and really, really wanted to hear "It Don't Come Easy" again.  So I bought it and listened once, very pleasant, and now it'll sit on the shelf until I get the hankering to hear that song again.... (3/08)

Alfred Brendel, Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” (1992; Philips). In honor of the 3/9/08 concert we saw here in Chicago. Recorded with the London Philharmonic (Bernard Haitink conducting), this also includes Fantasia in C minor, Op. 80. (3/08)

×××½ Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, 100 Days, 100 Nights (20007, Daptone).  Terrific retro soul with a band (the same one Amy Winehouse borrows for her recordings) that carries you back to Memphis ca. 1967.  (3/08)

Miles Davis, Sketches of Spain (1997; Sony).  I finally replace my well-worn vinyl copy of this landmark album first released back in 1960. (3/08)

Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Best of (2005; Universal).  Bargain-priced anthology from the master of Bossa Nova.  Yes.... (3/08)

Bump of Chicken, Jupiter (2002; Toys Factory). Major-label debut by the top straight-ahead rock group in Japan today. It includes their first hit, "Tentai Kansoku."  They have a distinctive style, an attractive pop sensibility, and a band name that'll keep you awake nights, wondering.  (3/08)

John Fred and his Playboy Band, The History of John Fred and the Playboys (1991; Paula).  Best known for his  1967 one-hit-wonder  "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)," a delightful Beatles' knock-off, Fred brings some fine Cajun swamp and Memphis brass to concoct a heady fusion of blue-eyed soul and bubblegum pop.  (3/08)

Ray Davies, Working Man's Cafe (2008; New West).  The deluxe edition of Ray's fine new album:  it includes four bonus tracks (among them the excellent "Angola"), as well as a bonus DVD titled "Americana:  A Work in Progress," a documentary film tracing Ray's concert tour through a very tense U.S.A. in the weeks immediately following the 9/11 attacks. (2/08)

Brian Eno, Here Come the Warm Jets (2004; Virign).  Originally released on vinyl in 1974, this is one of Eno's classics, laced with Robert Fripp's guitar.  I've wanted to own a copy ever since 1980, when Chris Osgood of the Suicide Commandos spent fifteen minutes extolling its virtues during an interview I did with him. (2/08)

Haydn, The London Symphonies 1: Nos. 95, 96, 98, 102, 103, 104, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (1994, Philips). 2-CD set of the composers’ late symphonies. (1/08)

Haydn, The London Symphonies 2: Nos. 93, 94, 97, 99 100, 101, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (1994, Philips). Continuation of the above. (1/08)

Eels, Useless Trinkets:  B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased (2008, Universal).  Collects lesser known work by one of my favorite bands; they've also just released a companion "best of" compliation.  (1/08)

Flower Travellin' Band, Anywhere (2006, Universal Japan).  Originally released on vinyl in 1970, this is the second album by the (in)famous Japanese psychedelic/acid rock band originally founded by Uchida Yuya, though he had departed by the time this was recorded. (1/08)

××××½ Rhymefest, The Man in the Mirror (2007).  A brilliant reworking of Michael Jackson's entire career, including music and interviews, by the talented South Side Chicago hip-hop artist.  It won't show up in any CD shop near you, since it's unauthorized and therefore totally illegal, but it only took me about thirty seconds to find it on the Internet. (1/08)

Radiohead, In Rainbows (2008; tbd records). The wind blows hot-or-cold for me with Radiohead; we’ll see which it is with this one. (1/08)

××××½ Kanye West, Graduation (2007; Roc-a-Fella). I usually buy about one hip-hop CD a year; this is 2007’s model, a terrific piece of work. (1/08).

Brian Eno, Before and After Science (2004, Virgin). Originally released on vinyl back in 1977. (1/08)

×××××John Cale, Fear (1974; Island). I’m reunited with an old friend I once knew very well in its vinyl existence. (1/08)

×××××Eric Dolphy, Out to Lunch (1999; Blue Note). Dolphy’s classic 1964 album. (1/08)

×××× Suicide Commandos, The Legendary KQRS Concert 1976 (Garage D'Or, 2007).  The seminal Minnesota punk band captured at its peak at an in-studio live performance for a local radio station.  Much better in both sound and performance quality than their live farewell concert album recorded three years later.  Available through the record label's website.  (1/08)

Akireta Boys, Boys Densetsu (2005, Victor). Compilation of 1930s recordings by the Akireta Boys, the comic band who were the toast of Asakusa culture before the crackdown on ‘subversive’ popular culture in the years leading up to Pearl Harbor. Miriam Silverberg translates their name as the “I’ve Had It Boys” in her Erotic Grotesque Nonsense: The Mass Culture of Japanese Modern Times. (12/07)

Sokabe Keichi and Rendezvous Band, Ohayô (2007, Rose Records). New, largely acoustic material from Sokabe (former leader of Sunny Day Service) and his latest band. A touch of funkiness here and there, but my first impression is that this represents Sokabe at his softest, which is to say he follows his own worst tendencies. (12/07)

Bump of Chicken, Flame Vein (2004, Toy’s Factory). Debut album, originally released in 1999. If the visceral impression I got from visiting Tokyo and Sendai CD shops in Decmber ’07 is any guide, these guys are in the process of inheriting Mr. Children’s title as the biggest band in the contemporary J-Rock pantheon. (12/07)

The Back Horn, Ningen Program (2005, Victor). Major-label debut by an intriguing alternative rock band from Japan. They’ve provided music for a couple of Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s films. (12/07)

The Folk Crusaders, Kigen Nisennen (2000, Toshiba-EMI). Debut album by the legendary Japanese folk-rock band, originally released on vinyl in 1968. (12/07)

×××½ Soul Flower Union, Soul Flower Union (1993, Ki/oon Records). Debut album by a group I’ve been curious about for a few years. (12/07)

××××Kahimi Karie, The Best of Trattoria Years Plus More (1998, Polystar). Best-of compilation by the avant-garde chanteuse of the Shibuya-kei scene. (12/07)

Zunô Keisatsu, Best (1987, Nippon Victor). Best-of from the legendary 1970s folk-rock band, also known in English as Brain Police. (12/07)

Various artists, Manshû no uta (2007, King Records). 1960s and 70s recordings (and a few newer ones) of chorale numbers associated with Manchukuo, the Japanese puppet state in Northeast Asia in the 1930s and 40s. (12/07)

×××× Chatmonchy, Seimeiryoku (2007, Ki/oon Records). Second album from the all-female indies rock band whose debut album attracted much attention a few years back. (12/07)

Various artists, Columbia Record no otakara ongaku (2007, Columbia Japan). Compilation of rare prewar recordings released on the Nipponophone record label. Includes a 1930 Takarazuka recording from the revue “Parisette” and 1915 recordings of Matsui Sumako singing “Katchûsha no uta” and reciting lines from the play “Resurrection” from which the song originated. (12/07)

Bloodthirsty Butchers and Foul, split CD (1997, Less Than TV). Three songs each from two talented Japanese indies rock bands; the Butchers’ current line-up includes Tabuchi Hisako, late of Number Girl, but this was recorded prior to his joining. (12/07)

The Cro-Magnons, The Cro-Magnons (2006, BMG Japan). The debut album by the latest re-configuration of the group musicians who used to be the Blue Hearts and the High-Lows. (12/07)

××××New Pornographers, Challengers (2007, Matador). I’ve very fond of a few of this band’s older tunes and read a number of rave reviews of this one. (11/07)

××× Regina Spektor, begin to hope (2007, Sire). I’ve been listening to her on-line for the past few months; very attractive, quirky sound. (11/07)

Various artists, Sh-Boom: Doo Wop Classics (2007, Rhino). A nice compilation of mostly very familiar doo-wop from the 1950s. (11/07)

Various artists, Still the One: 70’s Pop (2007, Rhino). A compilation of oldies-but-moldies that I bought, I confess, because it includes Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling.” (11/07)

××××½ Ray Davies, Workingman’s Café (2007, V2). Even better than last year’s Other People’s Lives: this one sounds more like the Kinks, a very good thing. (11/07).

××××½ Tokyo Jihen, Goraku (Variety) (2007, EMI-Japan). The third full album from Sheena Ringo’s band and another terrific piece of work. Like archeologists, they excavate the fragments and shards of pop music history, but then the assemble the bits into new mosaics that are unmistakably their own creations: here’s an organ line lifted from The Doors, there’s a breezy guitar riff from George Benton, and over there a bit of Professor Longhair piano. On top of that, they layer intelligent lyrics in both Japanese and English, sung in Sheena’s sweetly weathered voice (and sometimes by her male bandmates). Excellent. (10/07)

×××½ Silk Road Ensemble,Yo-Yo Ma & Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New Impossibilities (2007; Sony Classical). The Silk Road Project, recorded live in Chicago in April of this year. (9/07)

The Suburbs, High Fidelity Boys Live 1979 (2006; Garage D’Or). One of Minnesota’s most beloved punk-funk-rock combos from the early 1980s, captured in live recordings from the legendary Longhorn Bar in downtown Minneapolis just before their wave crested. (8/07).

××× The Ike Reilly Assassination, We Belong To The Staggering Evening (2007; Rock Ridge). The latest set from the current king of Midwest barroom philosophizing and roadhouse belting. (8/07)

××××½ Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions, The Anthology 1961-1977 (1992; MCA). A 2-CD best-of as I begin the project of learning my new hometown’s musical history. (8/07).

×××½ Wilco, Sky Blue Sky (2007; Nonesuch). Rumor has it, this is their best work in years. Initial impressions are good. (8/07).

The Alarmists, The Ghost and the Hired Gun (2007; Instrumental Control). New studio work from an up-and-coming Minnesota pop/rock band that has people excited. Paul McCartney is one clear frame of reference. Lots of promise here, but they still need to write their “I Saw Her Standing There.” (8/07).

B.B. King, Gold (2000; Universal). 2-CD best-of compilation of the post-1962 side of B.B.’s career. (8/07).

×××× Prince, Planet Earth (2007; NPG Records). (8/07) Half of this is great: “My Guitar,” “Chelsea Rodgers,” etc. At this point in his career, that’s a pretty fine average.

Okuda Tamio, 30 (1995; SE). Found this on the 99 yen table outside a used CD shop during one of my last days in Tokyo, and couldn’t resist. The cover photo parodies disco, but the album is straight ahead rock. (7/07)

Various artists, Natsukashii no merodii, Jō / Chū / Ge (2004, Teichiku). A three-CD series collecting some of the Teichiku label’s biggest hits from the 1930s and 40s, including such stars as Dick Mine, Hattori Tomiko, Shôji Tarô, Tabata Yoshio and Fujiyama Ichirô. (6/07)

××½ Every Little Thing, Every Best Single + 3 (1999, Avex). I really liked their single, “Suimi,” from last year and had been intrigued for some time, so decided to sample some more. Straight J-Pop, but on the tasteful, intelligent side. This collects all of their early singles. (6/07).

×××× the brilliant green, the brilliant green (1998, Sony). Debut album by one of the most popular Japanese bands to walk that indies/pop tightrope that was so crowded in the late 1990s. Very catch stuff, but clearly it’s gone out of favor: I found this used for 99 yen on the bargain table outside a local used bookshop. (6/07)

Jitterin’ Jinn, Hi-King (1990; Nippon Columbia). The second album (really, a mini-album) from this Japanese band that featured a postmodern update on rockabilly. (6/07).

×××½ Kosaka Chû, Early Days (2001; Epic). Compilation of material from Kosaka’s first three solo albums, originally released on vinyl in 1971-73. Tracks like “Arigatô” (title track of his first solo album) have Kosaka sounding very much like the long-lost fifth member of the band Happy End, which is not surprising, since they provide the musical backing on the track. Tasty folk-rock sung in Japanese. (5/07).

Sokabe Keiichi, Love City (2006; Rose Records). The latest studio set from a singer-songwriter whose career I’ve been following since his days as the chief of Sunnyday Service back in the 1990s. Sokabe’s previous solo work disappointed me: his work is always sunny, but the tension that spiced things up when he worked with the band was gone. Instead, he sounded too happy, too relaxed: lots of butter but no garlic. My initial impression on this is better. I think I detect some electricity crackling in the arrangements here, traces of a dialogue instead of the monologue of a man content to tell us how good life is. (5/07).

×× Sawada Kenji, Julie (2005; Universal). CD re-issue of the 1969 solo debut album by The Tigers’ front man Sawada “Julie” Kenji. Sawada was one of the Group Sounds idols who managed to make the turn into the 1970s, retooling himself to fit the new “rock” aesthetic that held sway after Group Sounds became passé. Must have been the charisma, man, because the sound here is straight 1967 Group Sounds, about as fresh as a can of stewed tomatoes…. (5/07)

××××½ The Tigers, 40^th Memorial Best + Charity Show Live (2006; Universal). 2-CD set released last year to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the debut release by The Tigers, one of the two or three most popular Group Sounds bands. The first disc is a conventional “best of,” including all the hits – the delirious “Seaside Bound” being my personal favorite nowadays. The second disc reprises the 1967 live LP The Tigers A Go! Go!, a charity concert. As is so often the case with Group Sounds, it’s this low-tech, muffled live recording that provides a glimpse of why the band electrified teen-agers. As is also so often the case with Group Sounds live recordings, Rolling Stones’ cover numbers are the staple crop of the repertoire. (5/07)

Various artists, Shôwa jazz roman: Japanese Jazz Songs (2007, Teichiku). Compilation of mostly 1930s jazz recordings from Japan by such singers as Dick Mine, Betty Inada, and Cherry Miyano. As so often is the case, it’s a wonder how quickly Japanese players and arrangers acquired their chops in the new American music. (5/07)

Various artists, Natsukashiki