A nice spattering of songs, largely from Just As I Am and Still Bill, with a few later years songs mixed in. I've found Bill Withers albums to be a bit on the pricey side, and usually worn, plus I have them all on CD. So, I've settled for a greatest hits album for my only Bill Withers on vinyl. I feel sad typing that though...
Spinning a favorite T.O.P. album of mine, Urban Renewal. I'm guessing this one wasn't too popular, since there aren't really any of their big hits on it. There's some great songs though, socially conscious and still relevant, like "Only So Much Oil In The Ground," and "It's Not The Crime." Great album, even if not their greatest, it's still classic T.O.P.
Karen Dalton was a folk singer in the Greenwich Village and Woodstock scenes, with a particular talent for banjo as well as acoustic guitar. Her voice is often compared with Billie Holiday, her phrasing being personal, intimate, and hushed. This album, In My Own Time, is her masterpiece. Produced by Harvey Brooks, it was recorded mostly at Bearsville Studios with Woodstock area musicians. I don't think it's a very well known album, but it is treasured by musicians and songwriters, including high profile fans like Bob Dylan, Fred Neil, and Nick Cave.
I just picked up the 50th Anniversary Edition - a 45 RPM master on two discs with two 7" singles and a large booklet included. I'm giving the album it's third spin this morning, and am really enjoying this pressing. For any fans, there's a video documentary out there as well which really gives an inside look at Karen's life and work. She had a very interesting life story.
I'm continuing on a Gram Parsons theme with one of the albums that propelled the country/rock movement in the 60s. Great album all the way through. Love the cover art as well, and it's actually only part of a larger composition by Jo Mora that they borrowed from. Really interesting work entitled "The Evolution of the Cowboy."
I'd call Commander Cody a country-rockabilly artist, not just rock. He went back a little further for his cover songs, and dug in a little deeper with his attack. It's heavy, rollicking country music, with the occasional tear-jerker ballad like "Seeds and Stems." Titles of note include "Back To Tennessee," "Home In My Hands," "Hot Rod Lincoln," "Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar" and the title track. Nice artwork by Cody's brother too.