Albums and All That, Starting with the letter A as in Alpha, Part 2

Japan [00:49]
"All Tomorrow's Parties"
All Tomorrow's Parties
Hansa 1218 1983
Well, it's certainly of a time. Originally recorded in 1979, this Steve Nye remix was released in 1983.

Benny Goodman Sextet [06:05]
"Flying Home"
All-Time Greatest Hits
Columbia KG 31547 1972
From one of the many, many Columbia retreads of Goodman's material, we have Lionel Hampton's signature tune "Flying Home" featuring solos by both Hampton and pioneer electric-guitarist Charlie Christian.

Willie Nelson [09:25]
"Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"
Always on My Mind
Columbia FC 37951 1983
I was really hoping Willie's rendition of the Aretha Franklin classic would well, not be a weak early 80s arrangement. But there ya have it. Ya can't win 'em all.

The Decemberists [12:23]
"Valerie Plame"
Always the Bridesmaid, Vol. 1: A Singles Series
Jealous Butcher/Y.A.B.B. Records JB-074 2008
Ah, a single from simpler political times.

The Decemberists [18:26]
"Days of Elaine"
Always the Bridesmaid, Vol. 2: A Singles Series
Jealous Butcher/Y.A.B.B. Records JB-075 2008
A snappy little number from Mr. Meloy and Co. This single also features a cover of VU's I'm Sticking with You.

The Decemberists [22:55]
"Record Year of Rainfall"
Always the Bridesmaid, Vol. 3: A Singles Series
Jealous Butcher/Y.A.B.B. Records JB-076 2008
Sure wish we were having a record year for rainfall here in Sonoma County.

Brian Eno [27:26]
"2/2"
"Ambient 1: Music for Airports
PVC/Ambient Records 7908 AMB001 1978
Ground breaking ambient music from Mr. Eno with this track engineered by krautrock/kosmiche impresario Conny Plank.

Hermes Nye [37:49]
"Bonnie & Clyde"
American Folk Music (The Life Treasury of)
LIFE L1001 1961
Jiminy jilligers... those are some sympathetic sentiments right there.

Neil Young [40:48]
"Hold Back the Tears"
American Stars 'n Bars
Reprise MSK 2261 1977
Linda Ronstadt and Nicolette Larson on backing vox, Ben Keith on pedal steel. All fine stuff on this track. Other tracks on this album featured Crazy Horse, and of course Star of Bethlehem with Emmylou Harris. Made it to number 21 on the top 200. Oh, and the awesome cover art by none other than Dean Stockwell.

Silver Jews [45:08]
"Smith & Jones Forever"
American Water
Drag City DC149 1998
Recorded at the Rare Book Room in Brooklyn, the late great Dave Berman created another wondrous record.

Michael Nesmith [48:28]
"Different Drum"
And the Hits Just Keep Comin'
RCA Victor LSP-4695
Michael Nesmith and Red Rhodes with a post-First National Band release. Mighty fine in its simplicity.

Brian Eno [52:43]
"I'll Come Running"
Another Green World
Polydor Deluxe 2302 069 1975
Yes, more Eno. This time it's Pop Eno. So many great tracks to choose from this 1975 album, but I've always loved this kinda goofy number featuring Robert Fripp on "restrained lead guitar".

Gladys Knight and the Pips [56:32]
"Help Me Make It Through the Knight"
Anthology
Motown M792S2 1973
I saw this song listed on the back of the album and thought, wow... I need to hear this version. And now you have too! This rendition made it to number 33 on the Hot 100.

The Supremes [01:00:57]
"Baby Love"
Anthology
Motown M9-794A3 1974
Once again, sometimes you just have to go with the classics, like this number one smash hit from 1964.

Dean Hurley [01:03:32]
"Edge of Known"
Anthology Resource Vol. II: Philosophy of Beyond
Sacred Bones Records SBR-225 2019
Like many folks, I was introduced to the work of Dean Hurley through his sonic contribution to Twin Peaks: The Return and was instantly enthralled. This is the second collection of thematic soundscapes, dealing with what lies beyond the veil.

Music behind the DJ: "Dance with Domino" by John Barry