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The Rotation, #10

stack of lp records close up

The primary way I build my digital music collection is by maintaining a playlist called, “The Rotation.” On this list, I load albums of artists I’m interested in hearing, mostly new-to-me artists or albums. Because I need some organizational principle to conduct this survey I go by the alphabetical listing of the artist. I typically move from earlier records to later records, although there are exceptions. If I’m excited to hear a new album by a favorite artist I’ll add it in an apparent random placement to hear it sooner than later. From this list I’ll select tracks to add to my collection. It’s rare that I DNF a record, and uncommon for me to not select a single track from it. I’ve been doing this for a while and am currently on my 9th trip around the alphabet. Below are the albums heard in a given session and what thoughts, if any, I have about them. These are mostly first impressions, so don’t expect in-depth analysis.

Asterisks (*) after the album title indicate that it is a new-to-me record.

Parker Millsap: PARKER MILLSAP (2014)*

Album cover for Parker Millsap's self-titled record.

Parker Millsap? You mean, like Ronnie Millsap? Is this Ronnie’s son?

Umm, apparently not. Not that I can tell. Seems to be just a coincidence. What he Is though is an Americana artist with a gravelly tenor. I only just recently became aware of him and am diving in for the first time.

Collected Tracks:

  • Old Time Religion
  • Truck Stop Gospel

Pat Benetar: GRAVITY’S RAINBOW (1993)*

Album cover for Pat Benatar's GRAVITY'S RAINBOW

Her last album of original material. I remember when this came out there was a song I really liked, but I’ve probably not heard it since that summer and have since forgotten it. The sexism that surrounds rock and roll and the culture I grew up in discouraged having strong feelings about Pat and her rock and roll sisters. Happily, I’m past all that and can enjoy her music as I should. This ended up being a much better record than I was expecting. I think “Everybody Lay Down” is the song I liked from when it first came out. Honestly, though, it’s probably my least favorite of the tracks I took from it.

Collected Tracks:

  • Everybody Lay Down
  • Disconnected
  • Crazy
  • Every Time I Fall Back
  • Sanctuary

Patrick Sweany: ANCIENT NOISE (2018)*

I found Patrick Sweany bank in the Tidal days. He’s put out consistently enjoyable blues music for years. I really wish he were better known. Apple doesn’t have anything of his past this 2018 release, but his website indicates a record that would have been released in 2020. Hmm…

Collected Tracks:

  • Outcast Blues
  • Get Along
  • Play Around
  • Cry of Amede

Patti Smith: TRAMPIN’ (2004)*

Album cover for Patti Smith's TRAMPIN'

I’m not gonna opine on Patti Smith for good or ill. You know who she is. You know what she does. I will say that this is the first record of hers that hadn’t been included in the LAND compilation I purchased several years ago as my own introduction to her. It’s nice to have a completely new experience with her.

Collected Tracks:

  • Jubilee
  • Mother Rose

Gerry Mulligan & Paul Desmond: …QUARTET (1958)*

Album cover for Gerry Mulligan's & Paul Desmond's QUARTET

Paul Desmond is the saxophonist on Dave Brubeck’s TIME OUT, my favorite jazz record of all time. So, it follows that I need to know Paul Desmond’s work apart from that record. Let’s just say that he’s not disappointing.

Collected Tracks:

  • Blues in Time
  • Stand Still
  • Line for Lyons

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