#71 The Stooges - Raw Power

Columbia Records, 2010 (remastered); original 1973

Early Punk, Hard Rock

This album was a gift from Stu, and a most welcome one. I love this album, and listened to it regularly for years.

Search and Destroy was my softball entrance music when I briefly played for the Gus' Pub Patties.

When I lived alone in the woods I would plug in my IPad Mini and play the mp3s at high volume in the car after a rough teaching day, and feel like I'd vented to pals.

For me, this album is the perfect mix of high spirits and cathartic emotional expression. It taps into the feelings of unbeloging that often punctuate human existence, and transmutes that doubt to power. Raw power. Perfect title.

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#58 The Monks - Black Time

Reissue on International Polydor, 2011 60s Garage Rock, Psych Garage I picked up this album in Toronto - maybe on 2013? Around then, anyway. I was doing a deep dive into early Psychedelic Garage bands and this one came up on some archive, with a fascinating story. Apparently (and I have not done any kind of updated fact check, so I'm going on what I read back then) these guys were American GIs in Vietnam who defected and ended up in Germany, where they shaved their pates and started this rock n roll band. As far as albums go, it's an interesting piece, but not my favourite record in the genre. I like all the bass and rolling beats, but some of the lyrics rub me the wrong way. I recognize, of course, that it is a product of a time and place. Regardless, I like to spin it now and again, so it makes the cut.

#76 The Count Basie Trio - For the First Time

Pablo Records, 1975 Jazz This record has become a staple in our household. Stu and I both love jazz, so we play it often. I had forgotten I owned this, believe it or not --- it must have been gifted to me by Dad with a few other records. As such, it was a delightful surprise when I pulled out and gave it a spin. This record is banger right from the beginning. High energy, great sound, interesting variety of tunes. Count Basie is a piano master, and this album really showcases that skill. Sometimes I think trios are the best, because everyone has a chance to really shine. If you are a jazz fan, make sure to give this record a listen.

#26 Boney M. - Nightflight to Venus

Hansa, 1978 Genre: Disco This is another party classic, and made its appearance on Halloween. Who doesn't love a good dance to "Rasputin"? I think this record is remarkable in many ways, not the least of which is the catchy tunes. The situational background is also interesting: A German musician brings together a group of Carribean performers to tour Europe, make a video in the Societ Union, sing in English, and record a record that will be a huge hit in the UK and North America. There's lots of fascinating layers of culture and history there.

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