Grateful Dead – 12/19/73 (Tampa FL) / Dick’s Picks 1: I’d always assumed Dick’s Picks were complete concerts so this was an interesting reality check. On the positive side, I probably never would have listened to the full show without DiP1, and there are some stellar performances here (like “Sugaree” and “Row Jimmy” and even “Candyman,” which I typically don’t much like). Once I got past my disappointment that DiP1 isn’t a complete concert, I realized it’s kinda like getting a mixtape from a friend who took the time to reimagine a show. Hearing “Here Comes Sunshine” as the opener makes it shine in a great way.
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department: I decided to pause before listening to TTPD and I’m glad I did. It gave me a sense of who is loving the album (fans) and who is hating it (critics), and how little either perspective matters to me. I’m giving myself the gift of letting the record slowly unfold, tasting it in small sips rather than greedy bites. I’ve listened to side A several times now, and I’m enjoying the experience of getting to know this album. The Chelsea Hotel / Dylan Thomas / Patti Smith line on “The Tortured Poets Department” made me laugh out loud and reminded me how much I love Taylor when she’s down here mingling with us humans.
DJ Sneak – Fabric 62: Allmusic uses the word “buoyant” to describe this mix and that pretty much says it all. One of the most joyous and bright mixes I’ve heard in a long time.
Prosumer – Fabric 79: My rule of thumb is there are only two genres of music: good and bad. Because those “genres” are subjective, any album can ebb and flow between them depending on where I am in my life. I listened to Fabric 79 when it came out in 2014 and it was good enough to keep but not to warrant playing again for 10 years. Well, 10 years have passed and this flows over into “good.” It slides between a lot of different subgenres, and while the Chicago roots of the first half-dozen songs are my favorite, the whole mix is enjoyable.