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Photographs & Memories by Jim Croce (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Photographs & Memories
  • Artist name: Jim Croce
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one disc / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Photographs & Memories by Jim Croce

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I have heard of Jim Croce, but I don’t think my parents were fans of his because I don’t recall them ever playing his music around the house or in the car when I was growing up. The only song that I can definitely say I know is Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, and I’ve always liked it but never loved it.

What I expected

Singer-songwriter folk rock.

What it was actually like

It was definitely more country than I expected, which I thought was great. Besides Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, I also recognized Time in a Bottle, which was all right. I thought Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy), You Don’t Mess Around With Jim and Roller Derby Queen were all pretty solid.

As an introduction to Jim Croce, I liked this record a lot!

Grade

5/5

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So Far by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: So Far
  • Group name: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

So Far by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (Vinyl record album review)

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I know Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fairly well, and would definitely consider myself a fan (as well as a CSN fan and a Neil Young fan). I didn’t realize that this greatest hits record existed, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard all the songs on it.

What I expected

Pretty straightforward – it’s the greatest hits of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

What it was actually like

As expected!

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes is one of the most sublime and wonderful songs of its era. I’ve also long been a fan of Our House and Teach Your Children, and have always found Ohio somewhat catchy but also rather obnoxious.

Grade

4/5

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Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Band on the Run
  • Group name: Paul McCartney and Wings
  • Year: 1973
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

Obviously I knew Paul (technically Faul) McCartney as my least favorite Beatle, and Wings as his post-Beatles project. I know the title song Band on the Run and don’t find it objectionable, but I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near one of Paul’s (or Faul’s) better songs.

What I expected

70s rock, maybe stadium rock, maybe some singer-songwriter rock.

What it was actually like

This record was mostly forgettable, like a lot of what Paul/Faul did when he wasn’t in the same room as John Lennon, my second least favorite Beatle.

If I were listening to the radio (though I’m not sure why I would ever listen to the radio) and Band on the Run came on, I don’t think I would turn it off, but I wouldn’t turn the dial to hear it, either.

On the other hand, I thought both Mrs. Vandebilt and Helen Wheels were pretty catchy and good.

Grade

3/5

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Motown Mania by Various artists (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Motown Mania
  • Group name: Various artists (including The Contours, The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr, Michael Jackson, The Supremes and The Temptations)
  • Year: 1981
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Motown Mania by Various artists

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I’ve never heard of this compilation, but compilations of Motown hits are common because there’s a lot of demand from people like me who like the Motown sound and appreciate the style, while so many of the classic Motown songs are spread among a great variety of groups and singers.

What I expected

Motown hits!

What it was actually like

I overestimated this one. It included a few of my favorites, like Do You Love Me and This Old Heart Of Mine, though I wish it had included many others like It’s The Same Old Song or I Second That Emotion.

Side two was much weaker than side one. I had never heard of its songs, such as My Whole World Ended or Got To Be There before, and would not recommend many of them.

Grade

3/5

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Caribou by Elton John (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Caribou
  • Group name: Elton John
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Caribou by Elton John

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I’m familiar with Elton John, though not a fan. I’ve never heard of this record or any of the songs on it.

What I expected

Piano, vocals, singer-songwriter soft rock.

What it was actually like

I don’t care for Elton John’s music or musical style (or non-musical style).

This record was bad. I didn’t enjoy listening to it and will not listen to it again.

Grade

1/5

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