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.
Siouxsie & The Banshees: THE SCREAM (1978)
I tried to get into this band a few years ago and I just couldn’t. I’m trying again.
[time passes]
Yeah, I still don’t like this record.
Collected Tracks
- n/a
Sonny Boy Williamson: PRESENTING SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1937)*
I recently saw BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN and Robert Plant was talking about Sonny Boy Williamson, so I had to dive in. This must have been a boxed set or double-CD set at some point. There’s no way in 1937 they were putting out a package of over 2 hours of music. Especially of a black artist.
Collected Tracks
- Got the Bottle Up and Go
- Good Gravy
- Goodbye Red
- Sugar Mama Blues No 2
- Sonny Boy’s Jump
- Shannon Street Blues
Stephen Stills: STEPHEN STILLS (1970)*
Strangely, Stephen is the only member of CSNY that I’ve never done a deep dive of. Fixing that now.
Collected Tracks
- Love the One You’re With
- Sit Yourself Down
- Black Queen
The Style Council: INTRODUCING THE STYLE COUNCIL (1983)*
In the last year, or so, I’ve really gotten into The Jam. So, of course now I need to hear The Style Council and Paul Weller’s solo work.
Collected Tracks
- Headstart for Happiness
- Speak Like a Child
Suicidal Tendencies: SUICIDAL TENDENCIES (1983)
Okay, not my normal fare, but I’ve had a weak spot for this record since I first heard it when I was in high school in the 90s. I tend to judge people’s relative coolness by how much they sympathize with Mike’s plight.
Collected Tracks
- Institutionalized
- I Saw Your Mommy…
Sonny Rollins: SAXAPHONE COLOSSUS (1956)*
And now for something completely different. The awesome part of removing snobbery from your artistic ventures is that you can see the hard transition between such base music as Suicidal Tendencies to the art of classic jazz in the form of Sonny Rollins as joyous elasticity, and not a difficult or (worse) sacrilegious one.
Collected Tracks
- St. Thomas
- Strode Rode
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