by Howard Stelzer (Intransitive Recordings)
The 13 CDs I brought with me to listen to at my parents' house in South Florida over Thanksgiving 2000:
1. The Pop Group Y
(Radar, UK)
I hear that there's a version of this with
more tracks on it. One day I'll find that, then I'll be stuck with
two CDs of the same album.
2. Beequeen Sugarbush
(Raum, Ger)
Just bought this one, haven't listened to it
yet. I'll probably fall asleep to it tonight.
3. The Fall I
Am As Pure As Oranj (?, UK)
A new live document of my absolute favorite
band. Can't get enough of these guys. I own 53 Fall CDs and counting
(one more is in the mail, currently en route, just mail-ordered the thing
last week. Perhaps it will be in my mailbox when I get home! Oh boy!)
4. Greg Kelley Trumpet
(Meniscus, US)
I've heard Greg play too many times to
count, and this album still surprises the hell out of me. Just incredible
stuff, really really damn good.
5. V/A Clicks
& Cuts 2CD (Mille Plateau, Ger)
I like almost all of the tracks on this,
though Reinhard Voight sounds alarmingly similar to the theme to "Entertainment
Tonight".
6. P16.D4 acRID
acME (of) P16.D4 (Selektion, Ger)
One of the greatest albums ever recorded.
I can't live without this one. Well, I probably could, but it wouldn't
be a very fulfilling life. The track "1/2 Cut Cows" (named many years
before Damien Hurst ever had the idea) brings tears to my stupid eyes ev'ry
time, lemme tell ya... I get all weepy, it's pathetic...
7. Francisco Lopez Warsawa
Restaurant (trente oiseaux, Ger)
Can't hear a damn thing on my parents' crappy
stereo system.
8. FETISH object
(Tautology, US)
I wish this disc was only one track. After
the first track, I'm usually too worn out to continue, so I've only listen'd
to track 2 once or twice. Track 1 is the good one, anyway.
9. Pita Get
Out (Mego, Austria)
I can listen to track #3 over and over and over.
In fact, that's exactly what I feel like hearing right now. Perhaps
I'll put that on as I type up the rest of my list....
10. Pan Sonic Vakio
(Blast First, UK)
It's okay. I like Mika Vainio's solo stuff better.
I should have brought "YDIN" with me, but it's too late for that now.
I'll be back home in Boston in just a few days, so I'll hear it then.
11. Keiji Haino Affection
(PSF, Japan)
Such a beautiful album. Haino rarely
does me wrong. That one with Boris was no good. And that jazz
one kinda sucked. But most of the others are great. I generally
buy anything with Haino's name on it.
12. Billy Joel Songs
in the Attic (CBS, US)
Only one dud tune, all the rest are
great. This is the one with the live version of "Miami 2017" on it,
in case you were wondering.
13. R. Sundin Internal
Reference (Bonbon, Sweden)
Another one that's tough to hear
on th' parents' substandard stereo. I should invest in better headphones.
Damn.
Plus: Al Green/Teddy Pendergrass Back
to Back Hits (?, US)
This one is my Mom's, but I think I'm going
to ask her if I can borrow it. I'll bet she doesn't listen to it
anyway. Teddy was lame, but Rev. Green was so great.
I'd listen to this all the damn time. I'll have to remember to ask
her in the morning. Al Green, man oh man, that guy was the best....