19 years ago tonight, July 4, 2004, "Diamond Dave" Lee Roth played with the Boston Pops in the greatest 4th of July performance of all time.

“WHERES THE ALBUM ROBERT!!!”

I just discovered Sleaford Mods. How to describe it: Electro punk? It got me moving this Saturday morning. They’ve been around for 10 years, so another example of me being late to the party.

Does anyone remember the band Deacon Blue? Their album Raintown, released in 1987, is really good. Especially the “piano version” of the title track. A perfect song for a Sunday morning.

Best 3 albums released in a row by a band. My 3:

Some really good new albums to start 2024. What am I missing?

I had a pretty good day at the tables at Foxwoods and saw Berlin from the front row. Awesome show, including a cover of “She Sells Sanctuary!” Terri Nunn still got it!

From seeing Berlin last night to starting one of my favorite seasons today: Yacht Rock season!

Paul Weller is on my Mount Rushmore. Shameful that he is not revered here: 1. Elton Rifles - The Jam 2. My Ever Changing Moods - Style Council 3. Sunflower - Paul Weller

Hey You! Don’t watch that - watch this! Madness in Boston!

Lego recreation of the Live Aid stage at Wembley Stadium. I like the added realism of someone in the crowd waving a U2 flag. 😊

My 10 favorite Joni Mitchell songs: 1. Coyote 2. Urge for Going 3. Song For Sharon 4. See You Sometime 5. Help Me 6. A Case Of You 7. Both Sides Now 8. The Circle Game 9. River 10. Woodstock

Still laughing at this

#Top31LiveLPs This 1973 Isley Bros live album was recorded in a small NYC club. They turn songs by Dylan, Carole King, and Stephen Stills into absolute soul classics. And they close with the definitive version of CSNY’s “Ohio.” Ernie Isley’s guitar is Hendrix-like 🔥. Essential.

#Top31LiveLPs Get your Fri night party started with this funky 1977 live album by The Commodores. If tracks 1, 2, & 3 don’t get you moving, you need to call 911 to check if you have a pulse. How Lionel Richie got in the RNR HOF without the rest of this band is shameful.

#Top31LiveLPs This live album from Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. is Vegas casino club gold. You get all the hits, choice covers, and plenty of fun/kitschy banter. You’ll be reminded of your parents playing these songs on the hifi or on AM radio in the family truckster. Enjoy.

#Top31LiveLPs I saw Willie in 1995 in the middle of a New England blizzard, but it didn’t matter because he was worth the hour-long, white-knuckled drive home. The setlist was about the same as this album, released 20 years earlier. Country standards all of ‘em. God bless Willie.

#Top31LiveLPs Sinatra At The Sands I was lucky to see Frank in 1986, 20 years after the release of this live album. Still a Top 10 concert memory for me: his little dance, the bourbon, cigarette, cool guy banter - at 70 years old. This is Frank, at 50, in Vegas, in his prime.

#Top31LiveLPs Elton John Live In Australia. I remember watching this concert in college (MTV?/VH1?) and being completely bored. Where were the hits? Why so many deep cuts? But I kept listening and it became one of my faves. I sometimes skip the hits. Best track: “Sixty Years On.”

#Top31LiveLPs Joe Cocker - Live in Lowell, MA 1990 I bought this CD as a new release on a whim, since I didn’t have anything by him in my library. I still play it regularly. Fantastic versions of “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and “When The Night Comes.”