Wax of the Week #80...The Band: Music from Big Pink (1968)

A group who went against the Frisco ballroom psychedelic sounds of the time, in a more organic way than, say, CCR. Very influential on the rural/rustic rock to follow, in a different way than country rock. This isn’t country, it feels older, like a rock band from the late 1800s if that makes sense. Old sepia tones. Long rifles. North woods. Not a huge Dylan fan (I have a couple albums filed), but I often like when others cover his songs, which is the case here. Another tragic musical venture that was crippled by drugs and booze, along with management ripoff schemes. Robbie Robertson seems like the uptight, egotistical Don Henley of the group. Plenty of Upstate New York connections with these guys, also.

Wax of the Week #79...Barney Armstrong's Machine: Live at Jordan's Alpine (1978)

Lounge act from Washington state, doin’ disco, a Seger cover, and an epic Stevie Wonder medley. They had something to do with hydroplane racing up there.

Wax of the Week #78...Baden Powell Quartet: Vol. 3 (1970)

Third of three albums they recorded in three days in Paris (still need #2). Nice stuff, especially for finger-pickin’ guitar players.

Wax of the Week #77...Back from the Grave Vol. 6 (1985)

The first one in the series I heard (and my favorite so far). Immediately fell for the moody rock & roll of The Beaux Jens (from Michigan), the frantic twang of The Barracudas (from Louisiana), and the driving groove of The Werps (from Jersey).

Wax of the Week #76...Baden Powell Quartet: Vol. 1 (1971)

First of three albums they recorded in three days in Paris. Janine De Waleyne’s vocals on the Powell/Paulo César Pinheiro composition “Réfem da Solidaõ” give a bit of a giallo soundtrack feel (apparently they did a whole album together in the same year; will need to track that down). Some nifty guitar work on Ed Lincoln’s “Do Jeito Que a Gente Quer.” Johnny Alf’s “Rapaz de Bem” evokes the classic light, breezy, and sophisticated bossa sound. Plus there’s an acoustic instrumental and a long, energetic Brazilian percussion track. A nice one.