Precious Lord, Aretha Franklin, 2006 [recordings from 1956].
6/10. I'm sure the original album (Songs of Faith) form which these songs are taken would get an 8 or a 9 out of 10. This "album" is the only form in which I could find them, and it is terrible; basically a bootleg, with no credits or context (for anything -- the only text is a blurb ( Read more... )

( Christmas presents )

( Tom Waits, Sufjan Stevens, M. Ward, Miles Davis, Mitch Hedberg, Herb Alpert, Janis Ian )

( Read more... )

I slightly revised my album rating system. . .

Transfiguration of Vincent, M. Ward
- song writing - 3 / 3
- performances - 2½ / 3
- listenability & coherence - 1 / 1
- production & arrangements - 1 / 1
- art & packaging - 1 / 1
- does Mr. Comfypants like it? - 1 / 1 (yes!)
Total: 9½ / 10
note: "Let's Dance" is fucking amazing.

Out of Our Heads, U ( Read more... )

( Post-War )

From my mother:
- The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions. Mmmm. . . acoustic Bowie. . . Most of these recordings are far better than the originals.
- some Cage
- Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band. I was only able to listen to the first two tracks because it was making Froggy ill. Personally, I thought it sounded like Hendrix, except not quite as good but much ( Read more... )