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Fri Aug 12 2022
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
I find the slower pieces more to my liking, the imprisoned more easily appreciated. I recognize the exceptional quality of the arrangements and of his guitar playing
3
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Sat Aug 13 2022
All Directions
The Temptations
As an album, I find this uneven. The contrast between « Papa was a rollin’ stone » and « Love woke me up » is so jarring that the second sounds manic. I had never listened to this extended version of PWARS, and it impressed me. Funk: little melody, no harmonic progression, just rhythm and riffs… it really does become hypnotic.
3
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Sat Aug 13 2022
Street Life
The Crusaders
The title track is wonderful, it deserves its reputation. And the harmonic changes if the second keep the interest up. As an album, I find that the following pieces don’t sustain the level of the first two.
3
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Sun Aug 14 2022
461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton
I really enjoyed discovering this album. Of course, I knew « I Shot the Sheriff », but that was the only song on the album that I had heard before. Many of them are simply beautiful. I couldn’t understand the juxtaposition of the manic « Motherless Child » and the prayerful « Give me strength » until I read about this being Clapton’s first studio album in three years that were wasted on a serious drug habit. It’s as if he is contrasting the craziness of those years with a rediscovered love of music and a desire to live a more productive, peace-filled life. All in all, an album I would listen to many times.
4
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Mon Aug 15 2022
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
I’m ambivalent. I love Celtic music, and I enjoy these orchestrations. The ongoingness of McGowan’s aggressive vocal style is tiring, but oh! So effective on Dirty Old Town and The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. This latter peace moved me deeply, it really is a masterpiece.
3
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Tue Aug 16 2022
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Relaxing, intricate, entertaining, (too) smooth… my mind would wonder, and I’d have to work to bring it back to the music. A great album while cooking up a meal
3
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Wed Aug 17 2022
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
Meh. Not my kind of music, though some of the tracks are good to keep moving when I do my power walks. Really liked « Praise You »!
2
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Thu Aug 18 2022
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
À discovery for me, and a very pleasant one at that! A style of music that I relate to easily, done with freshness and style. Surprised I had not heard of them before. Perhaps they weren’t big in Canada…
4
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Fri Aug 19 2022
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
It grows on you…
3
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Sat Aug 20 2022
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
I haven’t heard this in a long time. What a great album! Lyrics, music, arrangements, performance: all top quality. A true classic!
5
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Sun Aug 21 2022
Stardust
Willie Nelson
What a surprise! I thought Nelson was only a country singer. He gives these classics a stellar performance, smooth and personal at the same time. Worth a repeat!
4
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Mon Aug 22 2022
Metallica
Metallica
Well, I’m surprised. Heavy-metal will never be my thing, but listening to this album has made me appreciate the genre in a way I never did before. I am impressed by the lyrics, the rhythmic intricacy, the bass playing and guitar riffs. I was especially impressed by ”Through the Never”.
A bit goes a long way, and I probably didn’t listen to it at the volume that fans do, but I’m really glad I’ve discovered the quality of this style of music. That alone is worth embarking on this project.
3
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Tue Aug 23 2022
The Bends
Radiohead
(68 years old, trained as a classical songer) I had heard Radiohead was special. After listening to this, I realize it’s true. The creativity is astounding, harmonic and rhythmic energy and surprises abound. The lyrics are brief, but oh so expressive. The musicianship is remarkable. I’ll have to listen to this a few more times to really get my head around it. Thanks for the chance of discovering such great music makers.
4
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Wed Aug 24 2022
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
Another “revelation” for me. What a voice! The simplicity of the accompaniment invites careful attention to nuance and fosters a refreshing intimacy. This album calls for many rehearings!
4
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Thu Aug 25 2022
The Band
The Band
I’m not sure this has aged well. I enjoyed it much more when it came out than I do now. I can’t quite put my finger on it, though. I’ll have to give this more thought.
3
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Fri Aug 26 2022
Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
Fascinating to hear the « other » songs on this album. I didn’t realize they played such great blues. A great discovery.
4
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Sat Aug 27 2022
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
What a great album! Song after song picks you up, building up from a simple cell, adding layer on layer of sound and rhythmic intensity. Adding this to my own list of favourites!
4
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Sun Aug 28 2022
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
Not impressed. The four-bar or eight-bar cells repeated over and ever might seek to create a trance-like feeling, but I simply found it boring. Sorry!
1
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Mon Aug 29 2022
Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
I occasionally listen to CBC radio’s « The Signal » when I’m forced to drive late at night. I’ve always found the music intriguing, often beautiful, and would wonder what genre it belong’s to. Well, discovering Sigur Rós and reading about the band has led me into the world of post-rock, and I find myself fascinated. This is creative, unexpected, enchanting and challenging. I will be listening to more of their work ab=nd to others of their ilk.
4
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Tue Aug 30 2022
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
As music, rap has never moved me. Adding a jazz bass line doesn’t make it much more palatable for me. The social commentary is sometimes quite powerful, some of the pieces are humorous. But it’s more speech performance to my ears than music. Sorry…
1
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Wed Aug 31 2022
Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
I’m not a bid fan of C & W, and this album doesn’t help change my mind. I find the lyrics trite and the music uninspiring. And Dolly’s voice grates on my nerves. Sorry.
1
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Thu Sep 01 2022
I Should Coco
Supergrass
Brit pop passed me by, so this was a discovery… a pleasant one. Enjoyable, a bit manic but worth a second hearing.
3
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Fri Sep 02 2022
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
A remarkable album indeed. Lyrics and music combine to make powerful statements about life’s meanings. Need to listen again.
4
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Sat Sep 03 2022
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
I loved this album when it came out: the tunes, the voice, the instrumentation, the layering of rhythm and counterpoint, the energy… listening to it brings it all back!
5
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Sun Sep 04 2022
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
I’m not into rap but decided to invest in this album. It was worth it. I’m starting to appreciate the esthetic and virtuosity of the performers. I find myself getting into the groove and surprised by the creativity. I’ll have to listen to this again!
4
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Mon Sep 05 2022
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
I was looking forward to this, but feel ambiguous now. I find it uneven. It’s like the band has found this treasure chest of sounds and chords and words, but can’t stick to any one element long enough to really explore and taste it. The better pieces seem to do that. Mahler used to through bits and pieces of unconnected stuff together, but managed to build a whole out of it. This album doesn’t achieve that often enough for me.
2
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Tue Sep 06 2022
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
A wonderful discovery for me. Great arrangements, a lot of energy. Well worth another listen
4
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Wed Sep 07 2022
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
Sorry, this stuff just doesn’t work for me.
1
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Thu Sep 08 2022
Dog Man Star
Suede
A discovery for me. Some songs I find hold well together, others are just over the top. When does too much become excess? All in all, an uneven album.
2
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Fri Sep 09 2022
Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
Lyrics that echo the meaninglessness of life set to fun, energetic, tuneful music… and the mournful « long gone »… An interesting album I’ll have to listen to again
3
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Sat Sep 10 2022
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
I can’t believe I never heard of the Smiths before undertaking this project. Remarkable music, both for its inventiveness, sensitivity and power. Will be listening often!
4
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Sun Sep 11 2022
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
I really enjoyed listening to this after so many years. Like visiting with an old friend. A classic, without a doubt!
4
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Mon Sep 12 2022
Palo Congo
Sabu
The other day, as I worked in my garden, I heard someone down the block practising such rhythms on a djembé. It was hypnotic and virtuosic at the same time, like this album. Glad I discovered such a witness to the roots of much music today!
2
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Tue Sep 13 2022
Violator
Depeche Mode
Has electronica aged so poorly? What was considered fresh and novel when it came out seems stale today. A few songs from the album still manage to excite, but overall it doesn’t move me.
2
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Wed Sep 14 2022
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
Another first for me. What a great album, energetic and creative, full of interesting passages and effects. Listened to it three times!
4
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Thu Sep 15 2022
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
A classic, without a doubt. Such simplicity and feeling blend together to give life to these folk tales. However, not a recording I would return to often…
3
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Fri Sep 16 2022
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
« Danceable heavy trance »… an interesting description that accurately portrays what this group is up to. Some pieces are bit monotonous, others are more venturesome and experimental. All in all, another fascinating discovery (to my great surprise!)
3
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Sat Sep 17 2022
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
An uneven album, in my humble opinion, containing some jewels!
2
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Sun Sep 18 2022
Roots
Sepultura
Well… after three pieces, I’ve decided this is NOT an album I have to listen too before I die.
1
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Mon Sep 19 2022
Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
What a great discovery. I’ll be coming back to this one regularly!
4
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Tue Sep 20 2022
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
OK, nothing fantastic, but OK.
2
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Wed Sep 21 2022
The Last Broadcast
Doves
Didn’t know this band at all, and I’m impressed! Rich orchestration, interesting arrangements, nice variety. All in all, a really great album. Adding this to my list of favourites from project!
5
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Thu Sep 22 2022
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
What a wonderful album. The sound of Dylan’s voice and his texts speak powerfully. The band is remarkable. Will be listening to this one often!
4
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Fri Sep 23 2022
Space Ritual
Hawkwind
OK, here’s another genre of rock music I didn’t know: space rock. A few chords over a repetitive bass, aggressive drumming, background electronic “space” sounds… hypnotizing in its way, but I get the feeling it sounds better when high… not for me, sorry.
1
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Sat Sep 24 2022
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Now I know why the title track of this album is considered a classic. Really superb guitar improvisation, remarkable for its creativity and technical proficiency. It’s the high point of the album, the rest seems rather run of the mill to me…
3
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Sun Sep 25 2022
Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
What a fascinating album. Creative, original… sometimes, it sounds like what the Beatles would have been up to has they continued. Definitely worth another listen.
4
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Mon Sep 26 2022
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
A great rock and roll album I had never heard before. Love the voice, the twin guitars, the lyrics, the variation between hard driving songs and ballads… I will definitely be listen to this again!
4
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Tue Sep 27 2022
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
I had never listened to a LZ album before. I’m impressed by the polyphonic nature of their music: voice, bass, guitar and drums each playing independently but coherently together. Something classical too in their tempo and volume changes, their exploration of orchestration, their variety of style. Despite myself, I’m impressed!
4
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Wed Sep 28 2022
Moon Safari
Air
Kinda like elevator music. I was intrigued at first, but then simply found it insipid.
2
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Thu Sep 29 2022
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
True, this is a classic. But not one I’d listen to often. Query; Is Dylan a proto-rapper?
2
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Fri Sep 30 2022
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
I can appreciate the historical and musical significance of this album for fans of rap, but I am not one of them, unfortunately…
2
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Sat Oct 01 2022
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
Interesting to hear again, but my, how it sounds dated. Classics retain their relevance. This doesn’t seem to be one of them.
2
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Sun Oct 02 2022
This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
Interesting, but leaves me cold.
2
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Mon Oct 03 2022
Pump
Aerosmith
Excellent, exciting music. Must listen again.
4
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Tue Oct 04 2022
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Truly a classic. Just doesn’t get old.
5
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Wed Oct 05 2022
The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
Interesting exemple of Brit synth-pop, but nothing outstanding, in my mind.
2
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Thu Oct 06 2022
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Rap social et alternatif, très intéressant, sampling créatifs, textes et voix remarquables.
4
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Fri Oct 07 2022
Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
Souvenirs d’adolescence, à écouter pour l’intérêt historique, surtout pour Neil Young.
3
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Sat Oct 08 2022
Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
Musique surtout électronique, lente, un peu monotone. Me rappelle la télé italienne dans la nuit au collège canadien.
2
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Sun Oct 09 2022
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
Rock créatif des débuts des 1970, presque iconoclaste. L’histoire humaine derrière les textes est émouvante. Me fait penser à Patrick Watson par sa créativité.
4
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Mon Oct 10 2022
British Steel
Judas Priest
2
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Tue Oct 11 2022
Graceland
Paul Simon
Un grand classique. Une musique qui allie traditions africaines et cajuns, avec des textes intelligents et une instrumentation toujours originale.
5
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Thu Oct 13 2022
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
Un genre de Berthold Brecht de la fin du 20e s. Créatif, original, intéressant!
4
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Fri Oct 14 2022
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Meh!
1
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Sat Oct 15 2022
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Cet album est à réécouter. Un classique du rock.
5
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Sun Oct 16 2022
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
Un autre classique. Album live, improvisations remarquables. À réécouter.
4
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Mon Oct 17 2022
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
Je me surprends, je commence à aimer le rap… du moins, ce genre-ci. Rythmes dansants, échantillons intéressants, rythmé sans être agressif. À écouter de nouveau.
4
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Tue Oct 18 2022
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
Du funk engagé, quelques pièces captivantes, mais sans plus.
3
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Wed Oct 19 2022
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Un album jouissif, exagéré mais entraînant. Un vrai plaisir de ré-entendre certaines pièces, surtout Mr. Blue Sky.
3
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Sat Oct 29 2022
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
Le côté « danse » de ce style de rap me plaît et m’invite à l’écouter à nouveau, surtout qu’il est reconnu comme un classique du genre.
4
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Sun Oct 30 2022
Close To You
Carpenters
Un album qui rapporte beaucoup de beaux et doux souvenirs
3
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Mon Oct 31 2022
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
Après avoir écouté l’album live fait au Japon, celui-ci semble épuré, plus fini. Du rock dans son état pur.
3
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Tue Nov 01 2022
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Album remarquable. Ce jazz doux, harmonieux et suave m’enchante.
4
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Wed Nov 02 2022
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Je commence à aimer LZ! De fait, cet album vaut une nouvelle audition. La variété des pièces plaît beaucoup, et la maîtrise du genre impressionne.
4
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Thu Nov 03 2022
Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
Quel chansonnier intéressant! Riches textes doux-amers qui contemplent la vie, l’amour et la société humaines accompagnés simplement, presque de façon amateurs. Fascinant!
4
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Fri Nov 04 2022
Repeater
Fugazi
OK, Punk. Pas mon style, que veux-tu…
2
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Sat Nov 05 2022
Brothers
The Black Keys
Musique rock et folk Alabama intéressante. La prise des voix, distante, et la distortion des instruments est un goût à acquérir. Quelques chansons done envoûtantes.
3