Tom’s Top Albums of 1996

2Pac - All Eyez On Me

A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes and Life

Alan Jackson - Everything I Love

Alejandro Escovedo - With These Hands

Amy Rigby - Diary Of A Mod Housewife

Babyface - The Day

Beatles - Anthology 2

Beatles - Anthology 3

Beck - Odelay

Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister

Belle & Sebastian - Tigermilk

Blackstreet - Another Level

Bobbie Cryner - Girl Of Your Dreams 

Brooks & Dunn - Borderline 

Cardigans - First Band on the Moon

Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites

Curtis Mayfield - New World Order

Deana Carter -  Did I Shave My Legs For This? 

De La Soul - Stakes Is High

DJ Shadow - Endtroducing 

Elvis Costello - All This Useless Beauty

Fiona Apple - Tidal

Fountains of Wayne - s/t

Fugees - The Score

George Michael - Older

George Strait - Blue Clear Sky

Gillian Welch - Revival

Go-Betweens - Spring Hill Fair

Hootie & the Blowfish - Fairweather Johnson

Iris DeMent - The Way I Should

Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

John Anderson - Paradise

John Mellencamp - Mr. Happy Go Lucky

Johnny Cash - Unchained

LeAnn Rimes  - Blue

Local H - As Good As It Gets 

Mandy Barnett - s/t

Maxwell - Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Nas - It Was Written

Neil Diamond - Tennessee Moon

Nirvana - From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah

No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom

OMC - How Bizarre 

OutKast - Atliens 

Patti Smith - Gone Again

Patty Loveless - Trouble With the Truth

Paul Westerberg - Eventually

Pearl Jam - No Code

Pet Shop Boys - Bilingual 

Randy Travis - Full Circle

REM - New Adventures in Hi-Fi

Robbie Fulks - Country Love Songs

Shawn Colvin - A Few Small Repairs

Sheryl Crow - s/t

Sleater Kinney - Call the Doctor 

Snoop Dogg - Doggfather

Social Distortion - White Light, White Heat, White Trash

Soundgarden - Down on the Upside

Spice Girls - Spice

Steve Earle - I Feel Alright

Sting - Mercury Falling

Sublime - s/t

Toby Keith - Blue Moon 

Toni Braxton - Secrets

Tony Toni Tone - House of Music 

Tori Amos - Boys for Pele

Trainspotting Soundtrack - Various 

Trisha Yearwood - Everybody Knows

Vic Chesnutt - About to Choke

Weezer - Pinkerton 

Wilco - Being There

Willie Nelson - Spirit

Playlist for 9/1 (Dolly Parton Albums)

 All recommended Dolly Parton albums:

9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

All I Can Do

Blue Smoke

Coat of Many Colors

Dolly (Box set)

Eagle When She Flies

Fairest Of Them All

Grass is Blue

Hello I'm Dolly

Here You Come Again

Jolene

Just Because I'm A Woman

Little Sparrow

Love Is Like A Butterfly

My Tennessee Mountain Home

New Harvest...First Gathering

Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca -(Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton)

Rockstar

The Bargain Store

Trio (w/Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris)

Trio II (w/Ronstadt & Harris)

White Limozeen

Poll: August 1981 Songs

  This month in 1981 turned out to be stronger than I remembered.  We are often told that this era on the Pop charts was pretty dire.  What's missing from this era are R&B hits that didn't cross over to Pop Top 40.  There was a disco backlash happening during these years.  

popradiogold.com 

"Bette Davis Eyes", Kim Carnes : 1
"Jessie's Girl", Rick Springfield : 2
"In The Air Tonight", Phil Collins : 3
"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around", Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) : 4
"You Make My Dreams", Daryl Hall & John Oates : 5
"Urgent", Foreigner : 6
"This Is For The Lover In You", Shalamar : 7
"Slow Hand", Pointer Sisters : 8
"Who's Crying Now", Journey : 9
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)", Commodores : 10
"A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)", Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio : 11
"The Stroke", Billy Squier : 12
"Private Eyes", Daryl Hall & John Oates : 13
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)", Christopher Cross : 14
"I'm In Love", Evelyn King : 15
"Just Once", Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram : 16
"Hold On Tight", Electric Light Orchestra : 17
"Endless Love", Diana Ross & Lionel Richie : 18
"Queen Of Hearts", Juice Newton : 19
"Sweet Baby", Stanley Clarke & George Duke : 20
"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)", Greg Kihn Band : 21
"Theme From "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It Or Not)", Joey Scarbury : 22
"I Don't Need You", Kenny Rogers : 23
"Winning", Santana : 24
"Love On A Two-Way Street", Stacy Lattisaw : 25
"Two Hearts", Stephanie Mills featuring Teddy Pendergrass : 26
"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me", Ronnie Milsap : 27
"Time", Alan Parsons Project : 28
"Boy From New York City", Manhattan Transfer : 29
"Elvira", Oak Ridge Boys : 30
"Step By Step", Eddie Rabbitt : 31
"Don't Let Him Go", REO Speedwagon : 32
"What Are We Doin' In Love", Dottie West (with Kenny Rogers) : 33
"Really Wanna Know You", Gary Wright : 34
"Touch Me When We're Dancing", Carpenters : 35
"Hearts", Marty Balin : 36
"The One That You Love", Air Supply : 37
"Gemini Dream", Moody Blues : 38
"Fire And Ice", Pat Benatar : 39
"All Those Years Ago", George Harrison : 40
"Stars On 45 (Medley of Venus, Sugar Sugar and Beatles songs)", Stars On 45 : 41
"Just Be My Lady", Larry Graham : 42
"Cool Love", Pablo Cruise : 43
"Modern Girl", Sheena Easton : 44
"The Beach Boys Medley", Beach Boys : 45
"It's Now Or Never", John Schneider : 46

RIP Dolly Parton

  Back in 2023, I published a list of the 100 Most Loved, Living Musicians  And it was a real toss-up at #1 between Paul McCartney and Dolly Parton. Ultimately Dolly came in at #2.

This what I wrote:

“  Thanks to her philanthropy she has become known as Saint Dolly.  Not just confined to the Country genre, she long ago became an icon known throughout the world.”

  I first heard Dolly Parton in the early 70’s because my Dad listened to Country radio a lot in that time. And because he was an Army soldier stationed in Fort Bragg, NC in the 60’s/early 70’s, I went to my Country music shows. Sadly, I was too young to remember the shows. But I do remember being there. My Dad said we went and saw Haggard, Pride, Jones, Wynette, Lynn and Porter and Dolly. 

  My favorite era of Dolly’s remains the pre-crossover years from the late 60’s to mid-70’s. Some of her most authentic recordings came from these years. This is what made her a genius. Especially “Coat of Many Colors”. 

  But Dolly was always destined to be bigger than just a Country star. And crossing over to the Pop charts was only a matter of time by the late 70’s. She was no dumb blonde. A savvy business woman who knew how to market her brand. Remember, Dolly grew up poor. Her ambition was to always break free of whatever restraints weren’t her way. 

  Not only an incredible musician/singer/songwriter, she was also one of our greatest humanitarians. It’s why always  said she was one of the most beloved people in the world. 

  This is a good time to dig into Dolly’s recorded legacy. Start at the beginning. Check out the Porter duets. All her albums prior to her 1077 Pop chart breakthrough. The 1987 Trio album she made with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Check out her 90’s bluegrass records. And her “Rock” record from 2023 that celebrated her much deserved induction into the Rock Hall. Take it all in. Her movies too. She was a singular artist. A genius. 

Here's some albums by Dolly I recommend:

9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

All I Can Do

Blue Smoke

Coat of Many Colors

Dolly (Box set)

Eagle When She Flies

Fairest Of Them All

Grass is Blue

Hello I'm Dolly

Here You Come Again

Jolene

Just Because I'm A Woman

Little Sparrow

Love Is Like A Butterfly

My Tennessee Mountain Home

New Harvest...First Gathering

Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca -(Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton)

Rockstar

The Bargain Store

Trio (w/Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris)

Trio II (w/Ronstadt & Harris)

White Limozeen

Playlist for 8/20

Mike Campbell - Mission of Mercy

Jack White - Goodbye Charlotte 

Madonna - Confessions II

Dailey & Vincent - A Beautiful Life

Rodney Crowell - Then Again 

Swamp Dogg - Contemplates the Afterlife

Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted (2025 Documentary)

Carter Sisters - Voices From the Ridge - Final Sessions

Del McCoury Band - Del & the Boys

Allison Russell - In The Hour of Chaos

Ranking: Songs from Elvis Is Back

  Elvis' first studio album released in 1960 after his stint in the Army.  The original version of this album had 12 tracks.  But such great singles like "It's Now or Never", "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Fame and Fortune", "Stuck on You" and " A Mess of Blues" were not included on the album.  Although added in the 1990's on the deluxe version. Elvis is Back is one of his greatest albums as it shows his range and depth on a wide variety of songs.  Elvis is in great voice, committed to the material and ready to show the world he hasn't lost any of his talent since leaving the Army.  I'm only ranking the original 12 track album.

1.  Reconsider Baby

2.  Such A Night

3.  Girl of My Best Friend

4.  Fever

5.  Dirty, Dirty Feeling

6.  Thrill of Your Love

7.  Make Me Know It

8.  Like A Baby

9.  It Feels So Right

10. Soldier Boy

11. Girl Next Door Went A'walking

12. I Will Be Home Again

RIP Dave Marsh

  Dave Marsh was one of the first music critics who shaped my listening habits. I first noticed his name when I took out my first subscription to Rolling Stone magazine in the late 70's.  His column, American Grandstand, became a must read.    Then came his first book on Elvis Presley in 1982.  This was the first book on Elvis I read.  After that I purchased the first Rolling Stone record guide, which he edited,  as well as the Book of Rock Lists.  There were other books:  Springsteen, the Who.  

  The best of all was 1989's The Heart of Rock & Soul: 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.  It was his best book.  I also subscribed to his monthly Rock & Roll Confidential (later Rock & Rap Confidential), from the 80's through the 90's. 

  Marsh was fan of 70's R&B.  That's what made me a long time reader.  Spinners, Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass.  Philly Soul especially.  His love of this era made him stand out against other critics from that era.  

  Marsh was one of the earliest members on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's nominating committee.   He championed many R&B acts while on the NomCom.  For me, most notably, was getting Joe Tex nominated five times.

 He was also a champion of human rights, civil rights and other progressive causes.  Again, another reason I read him.  

  And I can't forget the weekly show he had on SiriusXM, Kick Out the Jams.  Essential listening.  He hosted other show on SiriusXM too.  

  As with any critic, be it movies, television or whatever, I didn't agree with every opinion by Marsh.  But more often than not he opened my ears to artists and records that I would have never heard. 

  

  Back in 2006 I came up with the idea for a Music Critics Hall of Fame.  But it wasn't until 2019 that I actually published it.  I updated it in 2021 (Music Critics Hall of Fame) The thought was music critics might get into the Rock Hall someday.  That hasn't happened and probably never will.  But it was fun recognizing some of the great music critics of yesterday.  

  Of course Dave Marsh would be a first time inductee into any critics hall of fame.  One of music's first and influential critics.