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109. It’s Up to Me Now, My Daddy Has Gone Away
The trunk of my grandfather’s Buick Riviera boat tail held two cases of Budweiser and still had room for Jimmy Hoffa. “I couldn’t buy any goddamned Coors this side of the Mississippi so I have to drink this horse piss,” he said. “I don’t know how they can call this beer.” He slammed the copper-colored…
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From the Stacks: John Stewart – Bombs Away Dream Babies
If you are over forty you know this album, you just don’t know it. Thanks to assists from Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks this album went top ten in the U.S. back in 1979. That’s not why this album haunts me, though.
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The (Kind Of) Complete Woodstock: The Grateful Dead
The Dead’s Saturday night set is long and noodly, which I reckon is what Deadheads like. I’ve always heard that the band didn’t think too much of it, though, and that’s why the Grateful Dead didn’t make the original Woodstock album or movie.
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From the Stacks: U2 – Boy
Once upon a time there was a great band composed of four friends who could barely play their instruments but wrote great songs about growing up. In 1980 they compiled these songs into their first album and named it Boy, because that was the perspective from which the song’s stories were told — “Boy tries…
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Deep Cuts: Drive-In Songs
Remarkably few songs have been written about drive-in restaurants. Go figure — I’d think somebody could knock one out while waiting for a chili cheese-a-plenty. But they haven’t, and I’m hellbent on a “drive-in” playlist this week, so here’s what you get, even if they are about drive-in movies:
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From the Stacks: Bodies in the Basement (self titled)
This is a cool album that I picked up on a whim. Yeah, you got me: It was the cover.
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The (Kind Of) Complete Woodstock: Mountain
Mountain was a big band named for their big guitarist, Leslie West. Sometimes considered precursors to heavy metal, the band was hard and bluesy. It’s a damned shame that their entire catalog has been reduced to “Mississippi Queen.” Mountain’s Woodstock set earns a split decision in most debates. People seem to either love it or…
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From the Stacks: Samson – Head Tactics
Samson was a very cool New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) band that was active from 1977 to 1984, though there were several reunions after that. Iron Maiden rendered Samson a footnote, as mega-vocalist Bruce Dickinson did time with the band prior to hooking up with Eddie’s crew. Early Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr…
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On My Turntable: Heart – Fanatic
With exception to a dark period in their catalog that I choose not to think about, Heart has long been one of my favorite bands. Of the thousands of groups who modeled themselves from Led Zeppelin’s template, the Wilson sisters have forged the most consistent and unique sound (again, with exception to the welding mask…
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