MusicHead

Learn more

The Rotation, #22

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.

Robert Palmer: RIPTIDE (1985)*

Palmer’s one of those artists that gets reduced to just a few songs, but his catalog is larger and stronger than people remember. This is the first time I’m getting to a record of his that was a hit while I was alive/aware of him.

Collected Tracks

  • Addicted to Love
  • I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On

Robert Plant: DREAMLAND (2002)*

Struggling to come up with something to say about this. It’s more interesting than good, but it doesn’t suck, either.

Collected Tracks

  • Morning Dew
  • Dirt in a Hole

Rockpile: SECONDS OF PLEASURE (1980)*

One of the several Nick Lowe projects. I saw Nick open for Wilco in 2004-ish. I didn’t know much about him, but he’s been in regular rotation for the last several years.

Collected Tracks

  • Heart
  • When I Write the Book
  • Poor Jenny

Roger Miller: WATERHOLE #3 (1967)*

The soundtrack to a forgotten James Coburn movie. I’ve never seen the movie, and now I don’t have to, as Miller describes the plot as the record goes along.

I actually got distracted from this and lost my place in the record, but I was deep enough in it that I was comfortable calling it a DNF.

Collected Tracks

  • n/a

The Rolling Stones: BETWEEN THE BUTTONS (UK & US versions) (1967)*

Album cover for The Rolling

With these US & UK versions available, it’s just easier to handle them as a single expanded version rather than waiting to both in individual sessions.

I do have to say, that I’m not finding as many deep-cut tracks to keep with the Stones. Hopefully, now that we’re into the late 60s that we’ll find more to like. Generally, though, I’ve found it to be a “Greatest Hits” catalog with little else to love.

Collected Tracks

  • Who’s Been Sleeping Here?
  • Miss Amanda Jones
  • Let’s Spend the Night Together
  • Ruby Tuesday

Leave a comment