It's a Beautiful Day

 

Artist:  It's A Beautiful Day  
Origin:  San Francisco, California, USA
Genre:  Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz, Classical, World Beat

Original line-up:

David LaFlamme:  Violin, Vocals
Linda LaFlamme:  Keyboards, Background Vocals,Tambourine
Pattie Santos:  Vocals
Hal Wagenet:  Guitar
Mitchell Holman:  Bass
Val Fuentes:  Drums

It's A Beautiful Day is an American Folk Rock Band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1967 by Pattie Santos (Vocals), David LaFlamme (Violin, Vocals), and his wife Linda LaFlamme (Keyboards), Hal Wagenet (Guitar), Mitchell Holman (Bass) and Val Fuentes (Drums).  The band created a unique blend of Rock, Folk, Jazz, Classical, and World Beat Style.  The band never quite achieved the success such as Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Santana.  

Title:  Marrying Maiden (2025)

Genre:  Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz, Classical, World Beat

Label:  Renaissance Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Don And Dewey (5:16)

 2.  The Dolphins (4:30)

 3.  Essence Of Now (3:20)

 4.  Hoedown (2:29)

 5.  Soapstone Mountain (4:20)

Side Two:

 1.  Waiting For The Song (1:03)

 2.  Let A Woman Flow (4:04)

 3.  It Comes Right Down To You (3:14)

 4.  Good Lovin' (3:59)

 5.  Galileo (3:02)

 6.  Do You Remember The Sun? (3:14)

Personnel:

David LaFlamme:  Lead Vocals, Violin, Guitar, Flute

Pattie Santos:  Vocals, Backing Vocals, Percussion

Fred Webb:  Keyboards, French Horn, Backing Vocals
Hal Wagenet:  Guitar, Vocals (Spoken)
Mitchell Holman:  Bass, Mouth Harp, Backing Vocals
Val Fuentes:  Drums, Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:

Jerry Garcia:  Banjo on Track 1/4, Pedal Steel Guitar on Track 2/3

Richard Olsen:  Clarinet on Track 2/3

Marrying Maiden is the second studio album by It's A Beautiful Day, originally released on June 1970 by Columbia Records, remastered and reissued on Februar8y 14, 2025 by Renaissance Records.  180 Gram Gold Coloured Vinyl.

Talking Heads

 

Artist:  Talking Heads 
Origin:  New York City, New York, USA
Genre:  New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Rock, Worldbeat, College Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock

Original line-up:

David Byrne:  Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jerry Harrison:  Keyboards, Guitar
Tina Wymouth:  Bass
Chris Frantz:  Drums

Talking Heads were an American Rock Band from New York City, New York, formed in 1975 by David Byrne (lead Vocals, Guitar), Jerry Harrison (Keyboards, Guitar), Tina Wymouth (Bass), and Chris Frantz (Drums).  Talking Heads combined elements of Punk, Art Rock, Funk, Pop, World Music, and Avant-Garde.  The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 2002, and appeared on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time, and three of their songs "Psycho Killer", "Life During Wartime", and "Once In A Lifetime" were included among The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.  Talking Heads were also included at No. 64 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Title:  Little Creatures (2023)

Genre:  New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Rock, Worldbeat, College Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock

Label:  Rhino Records

Rating:  *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  And She Was (3:36)

 2.  Give Me Back My Name (3:20)

 3.  Creatures Of Love (4:12)

 4.  The Lady Don't Mind (4:03)

 5.  Perfect World (4:26)

Side B:

 1.  Stay Up Late (3:51)

 2.  Walk It Down (4:42)

 3.  Television Man (6:10)

 4.   Road To Nowhere (4:19)

Personnel:

David Byrne:  Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jerry Harrison:  Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tina Wymouth:  Bass, Backing Vocals
Chris Frantz:  Drums

Additional Musicians:

Ellen Fernfeld:  Backing Vocals on Tracks:  A5, B2

Andrew Cader:  Washboard on Track B4

Erin Dickens:  Backing Vocals on Tracks:  B3, 4

Diva Gray:  Backing Vocals on Track B4

Gordon Grody:  Backing Vocals

Lani Groves:  Backing Vocals

Jimmy Macdonell:  Accordion on Track B4

Lenny Pickett:  Saxophone

Steve Scales:  Percussion

Nana Vasconcelos:  Percussion on Track B5

Eric Weissberg:  Steel Guitar on Track A3, B2

Kurt Yahijian:  Backing Vocals

Little Creatures is the sixth studio album by Talking Heads, originally released on June 10, 1985 by Sire Records, remastered and reissued on October 6, 2023 by Rhino Records, including " Road To Nowhere", "And She Was","Stay Up Late".

Talking Heads

 

Artist:  Talking Heads
Origin:  New York City, New York, USA
Genre:  New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Rock, Worldbeat, College Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock

Original line-up:

David Byrne:  Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jerry Harrison:  Keyboards, Guitar
Tina Wymouth:  Bass
Chris Frantz:  Drums

Talking Heads were an American Rock Band from New York City, New York, formed in 1975 by David Byrne (lead Vocals, Guitar), Jerry Harrison (Keyboards, Guitar), Tina Wymouth (Bass), and Chris Frantz (Drums).  Talking Heads combined elements of Punk, Art Rock, Funk, Pop, World Music, and Avant-Garde.  The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 2002, and appeared on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time, and three of their songs "Psycho Killer", "Life During Wartime", and "Once In A Lifetime" were included among The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.  Talking Heads were also included at No. 64 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Title:  True Stories (2023)

Genre:  New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Rock, Worldbeat, College Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock

Label:  Rhino Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Love For Sale (4:30)

 2.  Puzzlin' Evidence (5:23)

 3.  Hey Now (3:42)

 4.  Papa Legba (5:54)

Side Two:

 1.  Wild Wild Life (3:39)

 2.  Radio Head (3:14)

 3.  Dream Operator (4:39)

 4.  People Like Us (4:26)

 5.  City Of Dreams (5:08)

Personnel:

David Byrne:  Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jerry Harrison:  Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tina Wymouth:  Bass, Backing Vocals
Chris Frantz:  Drums

Additional Musicians:

Bert Cross Choir:  Vocals on Track 1/2

Tommy Camfield:  Fiddle on Track 2/4

Paulinho da Costa:  Percussion on Tracks:  1/2, 2/2, 4

Steve Jordan:  Accordion on Track 2/2

St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School Choir:  Vocals on Track 1/3

Tommy Morrell:  Pedal Steel Guitar on Tracks:  2/4, 5

True Stories is the seventh studio album by Talking Heads, originally released on September 15, 1986 by Sire Records, remastered and reissued on October 6, 2023 by Rhino Records, including "Wild Wild Life", "Love For Sale", "Radio Head".

Talking Heads

 

Artist:  Talking Heads 
Origin:  New York City, New York, USA
Genre:  New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Rock, Worldbeat, College Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock

Original line-up:

David Byrne:  Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jerry Harrison:  Keyboards, Guitar
Tina Wymouth:  Bass
Chris Frantz:  Drums

Talking Heads were an American Rock Band from New York City, New York, formed in 1975 by David Byrne (lead Vocals, Guitar), Jerry Harrison (Keyboards, Guitar), Tina Wymouth (Bass), and Chris Frantz (Drums).  Talking Heads combined elements of Punk, Art Rock, Funk, Pop, World Music, and Avant-Garde.  The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 2002, and appeared on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time, and three of their songs "Psycho Killer", "Life During Wartime", and "Once In A Lifetime" were included among The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.  Talking Heads were also included at No. 64 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Title:  Remain In Light (2023)

Genre:  New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Rock, Worldbeat, College Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock

Label:  Rhino Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) (5:49)

 2.  Crosseyed And Painless (4:48)

 3.  The Great Curve (6:28)

Side Two:

 1.  Once In A Lifetime (4:19)

 2.  Houses In Motion 4:33)

 3.  Seen And Not Seen (3:25)

 4.  Listening Wind (4:43)

 5.  The Overload (6:25)

Personnel:

David Byrne:  Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion
Jerry Harrison:  Keyboards, Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Tina Wymouth:  Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Chris Frantz:  Drums, Keyboards, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:

Brian Eno:  Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Adrian Belew:  Guitar, Roland Guitar Synthesizer

Robert Palmer:  Percussion

Jose Rossy:  Percussion

Jon Hassell:  Trumpet, Horns

Nona Hendryx:  Backing Vocals

Remain In Light  is the fourth studio album by Talking Heads, originally released on October 8m, 1980 by Sire Records, remastered and reissued on October 6, 2023 by Rhino Records.  180 Gram Vinyl.

Paul Simon

 

Artist:  Paul Simon
Birth Name:  Paul Frederic Simon
Born:  October 13, 1941.  Newark, New Jersey USA
Origin:  Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Soft Rock, Contemporary Pop, Adult Contemporary, Worldbeat
Occupation:  Musician, Singer, Songwriter
Instruments:  Vocals, Guitar

Paul Simon is an American Musician, Singer and Songwriter, best-known as part of the Duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel.  He wrote three big hits reached No. 1 on the U.S. Singles Charts:  "The Sound Of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water".  The Duo split up in 1970 and he began a successful Solo career as a Guitarist and Singer-Songwriter.  He has earned 12 Grammys for his Solo and collaborative work and he was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001.  In 2006 was selected as one of the "100 People Who Shaped The World" by Time Magazine.  In 2011, Rolling Stone Magazine named Simon as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists.  He was the first recipient of the Library Of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2007 and in 1986, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music.

Title:  Sever Psalms (2023)

Genre:  Folk, Folk Rock, Soft Rock, Contemporary Pop, Adult Contemporary, Worldbeat

Label:  Owl Records

Rating:   ****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  The Lord 

 2.  Love Is Like A Braid

 3.  My Professional Opinion

Side B:

 1.  Your Forgiveness

 2.  Trail Of Volcanoes

 3.  The Sacred Harp

 4.  Wait

Format:  CD

Tracks:

1.  The Lord 

 2.  Love Is Like A Braid

 3.  My Professional Opinion

 4.  Your Forgiveness

 5.  Trail Of Volcanoes

 6.  The Sacred Harp

 7.  Wait

Personnel:

Paul Simon:  Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Dobro, Baritone Guitar, Bells, Gong, Frame Drum, Talking Drum, Gamelan, Singing Bowls, String Drum, Bass Harmonica, Glockenspiel, Harmonium, Organ

Jamey Haddad:  Steel Drum, Frame Drum, Bass Drum, Bells

Paul Morton:  Theorbo

Edie Brickell:  Vocals Duet on Tracks:  B6, B7

Alex Sopp:  Flute

Nadia Sirota:  Viola

Gabriel Cabezas:  Cello

Nina Stern:  Chalumeau

Voces8:  Choir on Tracks:  B4-7

Sever Psalms is an album by Paul Simon, released May 19, 2023 by Owl Records, featuring Edie Brickell.

Monsoon

 

Artist:  Monsoon

Origin:  England

Genre:  World Fusion, World Pop, Worldbeat, Indian Pop, Indian Subcontinent Traditions, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Jazz, International, World Music

Original line-up:

Sheila Chandra:  Vocals

Steve Coe:  Piano, Celeste, Swarmandel, Gong, Organ, Cabasa, Backing Vocals

Martin Smith:  Bass, 8-String Bass, 4-String Bass, Accordion, Tamboura, Piano, Sitar, Tabla, Ektara, Backing Vocals

 Monsoon was an English World and Pop Trio, formed in 1981 by Shelila Chandra (Vocals), Steve Coe (Record Producer), and Martin Smith (Bass).  Their song "Ever So Lonely" was a No. 12 Hit Single in the UK Singles Chart in 1982.  Their third single "Tomorrow Never Knows" (a cover of The Beatles' 1966 song), featured guest appearances from Bill Nelson, Preston Hayman, Dave Balfe (The Teardrop Explodes) and Merrick (Adam And The Ants).

Title:  Third Eye (Expanded Deluxe Edition 2 CD)(2022)

Genre:  World Fusion, World Pop, Worldbeat, Indian Pop, Indian Subcontinent Traditions, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Jazz, International, World Music

Label:  Cherry Pop

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD 

Tracks:

Disc 1:

 1.  Wings Of The Dawn (3:58)

 2.  Tomorrow Never Knows (4:01)

 3.  Third Eye And Tikka (2:53)

 4.  Eyes (3:41)

 5.  Shakti (The Meaning Of Within) (4:04)

 6.  Ever So Lonely (6:12)

 7.  You Can't Take Me With You (3:04)

 8.  And I You (3:26)

 9.  Kashmir (4:00)

10. Watchers Of The Night (3:47)

11. Man Who Makes Time (3;07)

12. With Your Love (3:25)

13. Ever So Lonely (E.P. Version 1981) (3:43)

14. Sunset Over The Ganges (3:18)

15. Mirror Of Your Mind (3:40)

16.Shout 'Til You're Heard (3:31)

17. Ever So Lonely (Capital Radio Session March, 1982) (4:09)

18. Sunset Over The Ganges (Capital Radio Session March 1982) (3:03)

19. Shakti (The Meaning Of Within) (Capital Radio Session March 1982) (3:37)

20. Shout 'Til You're Heard (Capital Radio Session March 1982) (3:31)

Disc 2:

 1.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 7" Remix 1990) (3:44)

 2.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 12" Extended Remix 1990)m(6:25)

 3.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 7" Instrumental Remix 1990) (3:57)

 4.  Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman12" Instrumental Remix 1990) (6"21)

 5.  Wings Of The Dawn (Hindi Version) (4:01)

 6.  Shakti (The Meaning of Within) (4:53)

 7.  Ever So Lonely (Dub Version) (6:04)

 8.  Ever So Lonely (Hindi Version) (5:59)

 9.  Indian Princess (3:22)

10. And I You (Edit) (3:22)

11. Wings Of The Dawn (7" Version) (3:36)

12. Tomorrow Never Knows (7" Version) (3:43)

13. Ever So Lonely (7" Version) (4:01)

14. Ever So Lonely (Edit) (4:20)

Personnel:

Sheila Chandra:  Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals

Steve Coe:  Piano, Celeste, Swarmandel, Gong, Organ, Cabasa, Backing Vocals

Martin Smith:  Bass, 8-String Bass, 4-String Bass, Accordion, Tamboura, Piano, Sitar, Tabla, Ektara, Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:

Dan Mankoo:  Sitar

Clem Alford:  Sitar

Jhalib:  Tabla, Indian Percussion

Guest Musicians:

Dinesh: Tabla

Preston Heyman:  Ghatam, Gamelam, Timbali, Gong, Cowbell, Rototoms, Tom-Toms, Wasp, Tambourines, Cabasa, Fire Extinguisher

Bill Nelson:  Electric Guitar

Paul James:  Shenai, Pipes, Recorders

Cliff Stapleton:  Hurdy-Gurdy

On "Kashmir"

Richard Bragg:  Mandolin

Norman Bragg:  Mandolin

Deepak Khazanchi:  Santoor

Chris Hunter:  Flute

Punita Gupta:  Sitar

On "Tomorrow Never Knows"

Dave Balfe:  Synthesizer

Merrick:  Drums

Third Eye is the sole studio album by Monsoon, originally released in 1983 by The Mobile Suit Corporation, remastered and reissued in 2022 by Cherry Pop.  Enpanded Deluxe Edition 2 CD, featuring Original Album, B-Side, Remixs, Edits plus Six Previously Unreleased Tracks, including the 1982 Capital Radio Session Tracks, also includes 32 -page Booklet.

Osibisa

Artist:  Osibisa

Origin:  London, England, Cross Ghana

Genre:  Afro Rock, Afro Pop, African Traditions, Worldbeat, Highlife, Rock, Soul,  Progressive Rock

Original line-up:

Teddy Osei:  Saxophone

Wendell Richardson:  Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals

Spartacus  R:  Bass

Robert Bailey:  Keyboards

Sol Amarfio:  Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Mac Tontoh:  Trumpet

Lasisi Amao:  Percussion, Tenor Saxophone

Osibisa are a Ghanaian-English Afro Rock Band, founded in London in 1969.  They were the most successful and longest lived of the African-Heritage Bands in London, alongside such contemporaries as Assagai, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath, Demon Fuzz, Black Velvet and Noir.  They has been credited for introducing African Music to European and North American audiences, with their Fusion of African and Western Music Styles.  Their style encompasses elements of Rock, Progressive Rock, Acid Rock, Latin Jazz, Afro-Funk, Jazz Fusion, Soul, Highlife, Reggae, Calypso and Pop.  This style has been classified as Afro Rock, Progressive Rock, Afro Pop and Highlife.

Title:  Black Magic Night:  Live At The Royal Festival Hall (2021)

Genre:  Afro Rock, Afro Pop, African Traditions, Worldbeat, Highlife, Rock, Soul,  Progressive Rock

Label:  Prestige Elite Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Introduction:  (1:39)

 2.  The Dawn (6:25)

 3.  Welcome Home (4:31)

 4.  Ayiko Bia (7:34)

 5.  Living, Loving Feeling (6:00)

 6.  Woyaya (6:45)

 7.  Ke Le Le (7:50)

 8.  Fire (7:01)

 9.   Music For Gong Gong (6:35)

10. Beautiful Seven-Y Sharp (6:28)

11. Sunshine Day (7:25)

12. Encore (6:49)

13. Survival (4:21)

Personnel:

Teddy Osei:  Tenor, & Soprano Saxophone,Flute African Drums, Lead Vocals

Wendell Richardson:  Lead Guitar, Dondo, Lead Vocals

Mike Odumosu:  Bass, Bells, Vocals

Robert Bailey:  Keyboards

Sol Amarfio:  Drums, Cowbells, Congas, Vocals

Mac Tontoh:  Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Kabassa, Bells, Ratties, African Xylophone, Vocals

Daku (Potato) Adams:  Congas, Percussion

SoniaLekjela:  Backing Vocals

Ntobi Mdudu:  Backing Vocals

Tiny Conco:   Backing Vocals

Linda Conco:  Backing Vocals

Black Magic Night:  Live At The Royal Festival Hall is a live album by Osibisa, originally released in 1977 by Bronze Records, remastered and reissued on November 19, 2021 by Prestige Elite Records.