Continuing my look at the albums of 2006…
Sometimes I have to throw up my arms and admit that I just don’t get something. Sometimes the critics call an album the best of the year and one of the best of all-time and I can barely make it through even once.
That’s the case with Joanna Newsom’s Ys, the sophomore release by the chamber folk artist. Reading the effusive praise for this album, I can’t help but wonder if it’s all an elaborate prank.
Continuing my look at the albums of 2006…
The blog recently featured some discussion about what constitutes a “supergroup”, with one contention being that the collaboration must include more than two people. By that definition, Gnarls Barkley isn’t a supergroup, but it sure put out some super music.
Producer Danger Mouse and Goodie Mob member CeeLo Green created the Gnarls Barkley persona as a lark, giving the character an elaborate and humorous backstory. That sense of humor is evident on their debut album St. Elsewhere, but it doesn’t get in the way of the music sounding great.
The Lovin’ Spoonful held on to the top spot of Billboard’s Top 100 the week of August 23, 1966, for the third and final week, with ‘Summer in the City.’
At #2 that week was Bobby Hebb’s ‘Sunny,’ which peaked in that spot for two weeks. This track, written by Hebbs after the death of his brother in 1963, became an international hit for him and his only song to crack the Billboard Top 20.
Throwing back to the week of August 22, 1956, we find The Platters’ ‘My Prayer‘ hanging on to the top spot of the Billboard singles chart.
Tied for #2, where it would surprisingly peak on the Top 100, was Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog.’ ‘Hound Dog‘ would top the ‘Best Sellers in Stores’ chart for a then-record 11 weeks, but it was outperformed by Presley’s ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ on the Top 100, which accounted for radio and jukebox play in addition to sales.
Continuing my look at the albums of 2006…
If I were making my list of favorite 2006 albums in 2006, I’m certain Christina Aguilera’s Back to Basics would have made the cut. I was very impressed by this album at the time, particularly because I had zero appreciation for Aguilera prior to its release.
I haven’t listened to it much in the last 20 years, not because it doesn’t hold up but because it fell off the way so many things do as new interests arise. Playing it this week, I was reminded how much I enjoy it.
Meet Me In Montauk 