BILLY'S LIVE BAIT BY GEAR DADDIES

Billy's Live Bait by Gear Daddies

Gear Daddies are a 25-year old Minnesota Alt-Country/Country Rock staple.  Apparently, they still put on one helluva show.  Billie's Live Bait is their second album and it was released on Parlophone in 1990.  There aren't any gems here, however, everything is very listenable and well-written. Billy's Live Bait succeeds not because of epics and instant classics, but because of ordinary, likeable, small pleasures.  Such consistentcy makes this a worthwhile listen from start to finish.  It's a terrific album to have in your car for a long drive.  And now that I think of it, after a few listens, you'll probably find yourself singing along to "Stupid Boy," "Wear Your Crown," "Don't Look At Me" and "Gonna Change."  Minneapolis is a city that loves to rock.  But if your tastes are geared more to the Country side of the Twin Cities—like The Jayhawks, for example—Gear Daddies will reel you right in.

Billy's Live Bait by Gear Daddies

GREAT ALBUMS WITH GREAT ALBUM COVERS

We love great albums.  We love great album covers.  When you get both in one package it totally enhances the experience, right? Right.  So let's cut the bullshit commentary—which, let's face it, isn't enhancing the experience at all—and let's get right to it. 

Great Albums With Great Album Covers

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren

Abraxas by Santana

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis

Nevermind by Nirvana

Sunburn by Blake Babies

The Heart Of Saturday Night by Tom Waits

Crazy Rhythms by The Feelies

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Gos

Entertainment! by Gang of Four

School Days by Stanley Clarke

Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ by Bruce Springsteen

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith

Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra

The Iceberg/Freedom Of Speech...Just Watch What You Say by Ice-T

THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION OF MARY WELLS

The Definitive Collection of Mary Wells

Mary Wells was supposed to be Diana Ross before Diana Ross was supposed to be Diana Ross.  But I suppose Diana and the rest of The Supremes were destined to be the premier girls of Motown.  Wells began her Motown career when she recorded her own song "Bye Bye Baby" and watched it hit number 8 on the R&B charts.  But, it was the Smokey Robinson-penned hit "My Guy" that brought her to number one and became an instant classic.  Wells had less success when she left Motown and went to 20th Century Fox and you can probably thank Motown head, Berry Gordy, for having a hand at that—he did NOT want his former artists to prosper without him.  But this compilation, The Definitive Collection, is essential listening for casual Motown fans who may not have listened to anything besides The Supremes, The Miracles and The Temptations.  Among the album's 17 songs are such addicting singles as "My Guy," "Laughing Boy," "The One Who Really Loves You," "Old Love (Let's Try It Again,) " "Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right," "What's The Matter With You Baby" and "Whisper You Love Me Boy."   I recommend checking out all of those songs if you are short on time.

The Definitive Collection of Mary Wells