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.
Ray LaMontagne: MONOVISION (2020)*
Another one I can’t remember if I’ve heard or not. “Strong Enough” I’ve had on playlists for the last year, or more, just don’t remember the rest of the record.
Collected Tracks
- Roll Me Mama, Roll Me
- Strong Enough
Raye Zaragoza: HOLD THAT SPIRIT (2023)
Revisiting the most recent record from one of my favorite contemporary artists.
Collected Tracks
- Joy Revolution
- Hold That Spirit
- Strong Woman
- Romantic Thing #248
- Enough
- Sweetheart
- Garden
- When This Shit Is Over (Lockdown Demo)
The Revivalists: POUR IT OUT INTO THE NIGHT (2023)*
Been a fan of The Revivalists for a few years. This is just an eminently enjoyable record.
Collected Tracks
- Don’t Look Back
- Good Old Days
- Down in the Dirt
- Wait for the Sun
- When I Got You
Rhiannon Giddens & Elftones: ALL THE PRETTY HORSES (2009)*
I love Rhiannon Giddens, but I’m wholly ignorant of this record. It’s all traditional European folk music, both vocal and instrumental. She sings in, what I’m guessing is, Gaelic, plus French and Spanish. Beautiful. Relaxing.
Collected Tracks
- Little Margaret
- First of May
Richie Havens: CONNECTIONS (1980)*
What can I say about Richie Havens? Criminally underappreciated, that’s what. This appears to be an album of covers, although I’m not familiar with some of these songs. My favorite is his version of Paul McCartney’s “Every Night,” a favorite Macca song of mine. I could have done without the cover of Bob Seeger’s “We’ve Got Tonight.” I could generally do without Bob Seeger, actually.
Collected Tracks
- Mamma We’re Gonna Dance
- Every Night
- Going Back to My Roots
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