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.
Paul McCartney & Wings: WILD LIFE (1971)*
This technically isn’t the first time I’ve been through Paul’s catalog, but the last time was so long ago I have no memory of this record.
[Time Passes]
Oh. That’s why I don’t remember it. Because it’s completely forgettable.
Collected Tracks:
- n/a
Paul Simon: SONGS FROM THE CAPEMAN (1997)*
I remember that Simon’s venture into theatrical productions was given a lukewarm reception. I was watching the 1998 Tony’s hosted by Rosie O’Donnell and I remember her looking out at Paul in the audience and saying “It’s harder than it looks, isn’t it?” (paraphrase). But I’ve always had a vague notion that this record was better than the show. Now it’s my time to verify that impression…
I’m actually like this a lot, but it feels more like a concept album than a Broadway cast recording.
Collected Tracks:
- Adios Hermanos
- Born in Puerto Rico
- Satin Summer Nights
- Bernadette
- Quality
- Sunday Afternoon
- Trailways Bus
Paul Weller: PAUL WELLER (1992)*
Within the last few years I’ve fallen in love with The Jam, so it only follows that I get to know Paul Weller’s solo work. I’ve added The Style Council, too, to help get a complete picture.
Collected Tracks:
- I Didn’t Mean to Hurt You
- Bull Rush
- Above the Clouds
- Clues
- Bitterness Rising
- Kosmos
- Here’s a New Thing
Paul Williams: BUGSY MALONE (OMPS) (1976)*
As a lifelong lover of THE MUPPETS and THE MUPPET MOVIE, in particular, I started diving into the Paul Williams catalog. He’s definitely on that list of artists I prefer as writers rather than performers. But it’s my love of his work with THE MUPPETS that keeps me hanging on, and I’m a sucker for “Old Fashioned Love Song,” too.
If you’re not aware, BUGSY MALONE is a gangster movie musical cast with exclusively children in the roles including Scott Baio, Lisa Vanderpump, and Jodie freaking Foster. I’ve never seen it, but how 70s can you get that someone thought this was a good idea!
Collected Tracks:
- So You Wanna Be a Boxer
Pearl Jam: RIOT ACT (2002)
By 2002 I wasn’t really paying attention to Pearl Jam, anymore, but several years ago I was working at a public library and ripping a ton of CDs from their collection to add to my own. RIOT ACT and their 2006 self-titled album were included in that activity. Opposed to adding to my collection, this time, I’m taking the opportunity to weed out the tracks I don’t care about.
Saved Tracks:
- Save You
- I Am Mine
- You Are
- Get Right
- Green Disease
- 1/2 Full
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