There are so many reasons to admire this cleverly intertwined tale of tragic lovers, yet I’d scarcely know where to start praising Louis Malle’s evocative cornerstone of the French New Wave were this post not focused on its trendsetting score.
A&M Records Highlights: Pete Jolly
Revisiting A&M Records No. 37
Pete Jolly: ‘Herb Alpert Presents Pete Jolly’ (April/May ‘68)
‘Since liner notes are seldom written by people who come into direct contact with the artist or the recording sessions in question, and since Pete Jolly really tells his own story inside this package, I’ll forego the usual copy on his first A&M release and simply say that I’m proud to have played a part in producing an album for people of all ages with one of the finest musicians in the world today.’
Christine McVie Deep Dive: ‘Rock, Rhythm & Blues’
This is a fun if inconsequential ‘89 salute to early rock ‘n’ roll staples that has gone overlooked for so long, no one’s even bothered to rip a quality copy of the thing onto YouTube.
A&M Records Highlights: Wes Montgomery
Revisiting A&M Records No. 36
Wes Montgomery: ‘Down Here on the Ground’ (April ‘68)
Perspectives shift and refocus with time and experience, that’s undeniable. So when I listen again to oft-maligned music from several decades ago, and discover how much I enjoy it, I still try my best to hear hints of what others once found so problematic.
Soundtrack Sunday: Arthur
Some months back I picked this up for a penny under $4 at the wonderful downtown must-go treasure trove @lastbookstorela for two specific reasons:
Christine McVie Deep Dive: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Greatest Hits’
Newbies, start here.
Yes, of course: Every quality collection ought to include Rumours. Bet yours already does. True devotees also would/should want pressings of the self-titled ‘75 LP, probably Tusk, either of the ‘80s titles or both, plus at least a representative platter for both the Bob Welch era (I vote Bare Trees) and the foundational Peter Green years (Then Play On is tops, although there’s a Greatest Hits for that phase as well, from ‘71).
Christine McVie Deep Dive: Christopher Cross’ ‘Back of My Mind’
From this 21st century vantage point it seems pretty obvious that Christopher Cross was never going to match the improbable success of his start.
Never mind additional hype heaped on him by Grammy voters, who in February ‘81 made him the first (and, until Billie Eilish in 2020, only) recording artist in history with a clean sweep of the top categories, taking home trophies for album, record and song of the year as well as best new artist. (No need to re-litigate past injustices over who or what he beat, like the Pretenders for that last crown or Pink Floyd’s The Wall for the LP prize. It’s well-known the Grammys were myopic and rock-averse back then.)
Soundtrack Sunday: The Aristocats
Roughly a decade ago the archivists at Disney put out a comprehensive 2CD ‘Legacy Collection’ of this soundtrack that captures not only the cute flick’s complete score for the first time but also extras from the studio’s legendary songwriting Sherman Brothers that were cut from the finished film, the last to be greenlit by Walt himself.
A&M Records Highlights: Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Revisiting A&M Records No. 35
Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart:
‘I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite?’ (April ’68)
I have only two quibbles over this pretty close to perfect proto-power-pop platter, the sort of still-sparkling gem you just know bands like Jellyfish and the Posies pored over at some point.
Soundtrack Sunday: Apocalypse Now
This may very well be the finest example of pure soundtrack ever created — not merely a collection of tunes and interludes but a truly transporting listening experience capable of conjuring the film’s vivid imagery sight unseen.