May 2017

• Allman Brothers - Brothers and Sisters (1973,LP) ★★★★☆
  • RIP Gregg Allman 5-27-17
• David Bowie - Scary Monsters (1980,LP) ★★★★☆
• The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers (Studio Sessions) (2017,LP) ★★★★☆
• The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music (2003,2014 RM LP) ★★★★☆
• Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory (1995,LP) ★★★★☆
• Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Big Moon Ritual (2011,LP) ★★★★☆
• Erma Franklin - Soul Sister (1968,LP) ★★★☆☆
• Fleetwood Mac - The Pious Bird of Good Omen (1969,LP) ★★★★☆
• Black Angels - Death Song (2017,RSD LP) ★★★★☆
• David Bowie - Bowpromo (2017,S) ★★★☆☆
• Townes Van Zandt - Live at Austin City Limits (2017,S) ★★★★☆
• The Golden Grass - Coming Back Again (2016,S) ★★★☆☆
• Tom Jones - Live at Caesar's Palace (1971,LP) ★★★★☆
• Calexico - Scraping (2002,S) ★★★☆☆
• Chris Stapleton - Traveller (2015,S) ★★★★☆
• John Mellencamp - Sad Clowns & Hillbillies (2017,S) ★★★☆☆
• Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M. (1980,S) ★★★★☆
• Neil Young - Decade (1977,2017 RSD LP) ★★★★★
• The Turtles - More Golden Hits (1970,RSD) ★★★☆☆
• Pink Floyd - Interstellar Overdrive (2017,RSD EP) ★★★★☆
• Count Five - Psychotic Reaction (1966,2017 RSD Mono LP) ★★★★☆
• Elton John - Captain Fantastic... (1975,RM LP) ★★★★★
• Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (2010,LP) ★★★☆☆
• Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin - Hard Travelin' (2017,RSD EP) ★★★★☆
• Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary (1994,LP) ★★★★☆
• Blackfield - V (2017,LP) ★★★★☆
• Sweet Apple - Love & Desparation (2010,LP) ★★★☆☆
• Thom Chacon - Featherweight Fighter (2010,LP) ★★★★☆
• Johnny "Guitar" Watson - A Real Mother For Ya (1977,RSD LP) ★★★★☆
• Peter Tosh - Legalize It (2017,RSD LP) ★★★★☆
• Jimmy Page/Black Crowes - Live at Jones Beach (2017,EP) ★★★★☆
• Astrud Gilberto - The Astrud Gilberto Album (1963,LP) ★★★★★

32

Chuck's Rating Scale

• Classic / Essential (Tops) 4.4 to 5.0 ★★★★★
• Must Listen (Great) 3.4 to 4.3 ★★★★☆
• Worthy Effort (Maybe to Good) 2.4 to 3.3 ★★★☆☆
• Below Expectations (Bad) 1.4 to 2.3 ★★☆☆☆
• Avoid (Awful) 0 to 1.3 ★☆☆☆☆

Playback:

• VPI Scout JMW9 Tonearm w/Nordost Wiring, Ortofon 2M Black Cartridge
• Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum Integrated Tube Amp (KT-120 Tubes)
• Klipsch RF-3s, RC-3, RS-3s, KSW-15 Sub
• Pioneer Elite BDP-62FD Blu-Ray/SACD/DVD Audio Player / Polk LSi M Bookshelf
• Digital: Apple iMac "Core i3" 3.2 21.5in / J River Media Center 21 / Cambridge SoundWorks
• VPI 16.5 RCM

My initial impressions (and ratings) may change after repeated plays. Albums that grab my attention on the first listen are great, but many others take several listens to truly appreciate and ratings may be updated accordingly. My top rating for greatest hit compilations is four stars.

This list is chronological with the top album being the most recently played. Sound quality ratings are included for some releases, such as multichannel mixes and audiophile labels.

Vinyl is my preferred and typical method for playback, but I occasionally listen to SACD, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray and (less likely) Redbook CD. For titles I don't own, especially for exploration and discovery, Spotify and YouTube are my go-to online resources. Music streaming is noted with an 'S'. For music on the road with by CD, iPhone or iPad and Spotify, playback will be noted with an 'SR'. Sometimes for convenience I will stream music to my Amazon Echo, noted with an 'SE'.

Last month's listening log can be found below.

Older lists are saved in the archive folder.