Mick Jagger: She's the Boss (Day 90 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Jan Hammer was in Mahavishnu Orchestra.  He played on 'She's the Boss'.)

This is actually a really good record.  Very well produced for the era.  I liked the singles off of it but the rest of the album was a pleasure to listen to as well.  

Songs: 2.75 Ds

Performance: 3.0 Ds

Influence: 2.5 Ds

Overall: 2.75 Ds

Mahavishnu Orchestra: Inner Mounting Flame (Day 90 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Billy Cobham drummed on 'Bitches Brew'.  He drummed on 'Inner Mounting Flame'.)

I listened to this in high school but I never went back to it until 2020 during covid.  I liked remembering what it was like to hear it for the first time. Jan is a guy who was on a lot of really great records during the 70s.  

Songs: 3.5 Ds

Performance: 3.75 Ds

Influence: 3.5 Ds

Overall: 3.75 Ds

Miles Davis: Bitches Brew (Day 89 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Lenny White played drums on 'Elegant Gypsy'. He played drums on 'Bitches Brew'.)

I am not a fan of this album.  I should be because of the amount of talent and how revolutionary the record was.  I just don't like Miles' style of jazz.  

Songs: 2.5 Ds

Performance: 4.75 Ds

Influence: 2.0 Ds

Overall: 3.25 Ds

Al Di Meola: Elegant Gypsy (Day 88 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Steve Gadd drummed on 'School Days'.  He also drummed on 'Elegant Gypsy'. )

Al is my latest musician hero.  I saw a clip of him a few months ago on Facebook and I was sucked into his 70s stuff.  A real rockstar.  His bands were awesome. 

Songs: 3.5 Ds

Performance: 3.75 Ds

Influence: 3.25 Ds

Overall: 3.5 Ds

Stanley Clarke: School Days (Day 87 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Stanley Clarke was the bass player in Return To Forever.)

This album is an all star roster of a bunch of my favorite jazz musicians.  Love the chops on this record.  I can listen to 2 spins in a row without hesitation.  

Songs: 4.0 Ds

Performance: 4.5 Ds

Influence: 4.25 Ds

Overall: 4.25 Ds

Return to Forever: Romantic Warrior (Day 86 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Chick Corea's album was 'Three Quartets'.  He also founded the band Return to Forever.)

I'll always love pompous music.  Summon the best jazz musicians of the mid-seventies and make an iconic fusion record.  There's so much to like about this band.  This year, I'm all in on Al Di Meola. Next year, it might be Stanley Clarke.  

Songs: 3.75 Ds

Performance: 4.75 Ds

Influence: 3.5 Ds

Overall: 4.0 Ds

Chick Corea: Three Quartets (Day 85 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Michael Brecker played saxaphone on 'Roll With It'. He played sax on 'Three Quartets'.)

Michael Brecker was a great horn player.  I could go off for hours on how The Brecker Brothers influenced my musical vision but this is about the man, Chick Corea.  

Fantastic album.  I can't say enough about this lineup.  Steve Gadd, Chick, Michael....ugh.  So awesome. This is gonna bring me to places where I wanted to go. Hold on wankers.

Songs: 3.5 Ds

Performance: 4.75 Ds

Influence: 3.0 Ds

Overall: 3.75 Ds

Steve Winwood: Roll With It (Day 84 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Steve Winwood was in Traffic.)

My 2nd favorite Steve Winwood album.  The stuff always just sounds really good.  That's him drumming on the title track by the way.  He's a great drummer. 

Songs: 3.5 Ds

Performance: 4.25 Ds

Influence: 3.75 Ds

Overall: 4 Ds

Traffic: Mr. Fantasy (Day 83 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Eddie Kramer engineered 'Small Faces'.  He also engineered 'Mr. Fantasy.')

Decent album.  I appreciate what they did here and when they did it.  It's not my favorite Traffic record but for 1967, it was pretty cool. 

Songs: 2.5 Ds

Performance: 2.5 Ds

Influence: 2.0 Ds

Overall: 2.5 Ds

Small Faces: Small Faces (Day 82 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: George Chkiantz engineered 'Starless and Bible Black'. He also engineered 'Small Faces'.)

Great group of iconic musicians.  Steve Marriott was wonderful.  Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagen and Kenny Jones.  This wasn't a go-to album for me but I appreciate it now.  

Songs: 3.0 Ds

Performance: 3.0 Ds

Influence: 1.5 Ds

Overall: 2.5 Ds

King Crimson: Starless and Bible Black (Day 81 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Bill Bruford was the drummer for Yes.  He was also the drummer for King Crimson.)

This is the middle album of the first remarkable trio of albums from King Crimson that I adore.  Nothing will beat 'Red' in this era but 'Starless...' comes close.  'Great Deceiver' and 'Lament' are fabulous.  

Songs: 3.75 Ds

Performance: 4.0 Ds

Influence: 4.25 Ds

Overall: 4.0 Ds

Yes: The Yes Album (Day 80 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Tony Kaye was uncredited for keyboard parts on 'Pyromania'. He was the keyboard player on 'The Yes Album'.)

'The Yes Album' is a top 15 all-time record for me.  It's my favorite album from Yes (edging out 90125 by a snatch hair).  It's groundbreaking, a personal memory capsule and a GREAT prog album.  I love memories of my uncle Bill and me cranking this on road trips. 

Tony Kaye is an underrated keyboard player.  I love this record and play it several times a year.  God bless Chris Squire. 

Songs: 4.75 Ds

Performance: 4.5 Ds

Influence: 5.0 Ds

Overall: 4.75 Ds

Def Leppard: Pyromania (Day 79 of Albums: 365 Mkll)

 

(Connection to previous album: Mutt Lange sang backup vocals on 'The Golden Age of Wireless'. He produced 'Pyromania'.)

One of the greatest albums made in the 80s.  Great production.  Great guitar tones.  Can't say much else.  

Songs: 4.0 Ds

Performance: 4.25 Ds

Influence: 3.75 Ds

Overall: 4.0 Ds