HER PICKS	HIS PICKS
Nico Heroine Live Circa 1980 LADY LOVE pick (the only female artist in the bunch of 20 albums). Also love the Velvet Underground Nico collaborations.	Blue Cheer Vincebus Eruptum 1968 This is an essential album for any rock collection. couldn’t pass it up when I bought it and can’t pass it up now.
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins What That Is! 1969 This is one of the records that I brought to the table. I was visiting my Grandma in Wisconsin in the dead of winter and my mom and I bundled up for a day of antiquing and record store hunting. We found a great treasure trove at a junk shop near Oshkosh and b’gosh there were many fabulous finds that day!	Eyes of Blue Crossroads in Time 1968 I wanted to pick something different. Ask your average person if they have heard of this band and chances are they haven’t. They deserve better.
NRBQ  Scraps and Workshop 1971 & 1972 New to me, I was sold by the song titles as well as the two lovelies on the right on the back (Workshop) cover of this combined two album re-release.	Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison 1968 Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison says it all!!
James Brown Revolution of the Mind 1971 (Live at the Apollo III) I knew that I wanted to listen to the double record live experience of one of my classic favorites.	The Doors L.A. Woman 1971 Almost didn’t pick this one because it seems played out, but about half of it never gets radio air and it’s a great album so what the hell…
Percy Mayfield Blues and then Some 1971 I was sold by the “Getto Kitty Cat” logo on the back cover.	Junior Wells Southside Blues Jam 1970 I mostly picked this one because I hadn’t listened to it much.

Not Chosen Yet (Back to the Stacks)

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels-Wheels of Steel
Cowboy-5’ll Getcha Ten 1971
Love Sculpture-Forms and Feelings
Captain Beyond-Dedicated to the Memory of Duane Allman
Neil Young Zuma Crazy Horse 1975
Rhinoceros-Elektra 1968
Blue Cheer-New! Improved!
Michael Jackson-Music and Me 1973
Fever Tree-Another Time Another Place 1968
Herbie Hancock-Thrust

For Your Listening Pleasure

Visit our YouTube Channel and listen to our Round One Top Picks Playlist as you read our thoughts below. (Note: Our Percy Mayfield pick for this round doesn’t have an available video at this time.)

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Nico-Heroine Live Circa 1980 (2000 release)

Her Album Score: 5/10 His Album Score: 4/10

HER THOUGHTS	HIS THOUGHTS
“FEMME FATALE” is the final track and my top pick. After an entire album of what could easily be a horror movie soundtrack, Femme Fatale had the least ominous sound but was the most contextually emotional and affecting given Nico’s story. My relatively low album score in this case is reflective of the low mood it gives me and not of my overall opinion of Nico.	“FEMME FATALE”, the cover of a track from the original Velvet Underground album that made her an international star. If you loved Beck’s Sea Change, then this is up your alley.

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 Blue Cheer-Vincebus Eruptum 1968

Her Album Score: 9/10 His Album Score: 8.5/10

HER THOUGHTS

HIS THOUGHTS

I love this entire album but “Parchment Farm” was a standout for me on first listen. Then, rather fittingly, “Second Time Around” stood out for me the 2nd time around. Giving it another go, my feelings linger with “PARCHMENT FARM” again, making it my top pick for the album. I love hearing them thrash out a jazzy blues tune from Mose Allison hailing back to Delta bluesman Bukka White’s 1940 original “Parchman Farm Blues”. I think the history enriches the song and probably fueled their inspiration to push the limit of where they could take it. At around 2 minutes into this almost 6 minute song, things get really quiet only to lead into the drums and bass busting out and raising the energy even higher than before as the guitar picks back up shortly thereafter and shreds it until the end.

It’s hard to pick the best off this one. Imagine it’s 1968 and you play Side A’s opening track, Blue Cheer’s version of “Summertime Blues”. Many would say you were witnessing the birth of heavy metal. While most records from this time would follow up with a ballad or some bubble gum pop, this album never relents. 6 tracks of amp grinding, Zeppelin inspiring, raw hard rock. “DOCTOR PLEASE” has enough switch ups and sonic blasts to stand out through all the awesome. The singer claims that it was written in 10 minutes. That’s only about 2 minutes longer than the song itself.

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Screamin’ Jay Hawkins-What That Is! 1969

Her Album Score: 8/10 His Album Score: 6.5/10

HER THOUGHTS

HIS THOUGHTS

Stephen wonders how Screamin’ Jay could’ve been such a winner with the ladies but I can definitely see how his wacky conviction and creative passion could have mesmerized and turned on a lot of women. The title track “What That Is” gets my hips rolling with its sax action and makes me smile right off the bat, though I feel like it ends too soon, almost like a tease for the rest of the album, which makes it a good opener. “The Feast of the Mau Mau” speaks to my love of absurdity and the heavy sax is a fun sound that I love for sure, making it a strong contender. “THING CALLED WOMAN”, being a bit less nonsensical than my other picks from this album, has lyrics that really stick with me. I like the creative structure of the phrasing and the bounce of the piano and sax.

Jay claimed to have 75+ children across the United States. After his death, a group started trying to locate and genetically verify some of these supposed offspring. So far they have found over 30 and counting. While I do appreciate the high energy of his music I never thought of it as sexual. With that in mind, on another listen…I’m still 100% confused. An entire track dedicated to taking a dump? Didn’t South Park do an episode about that? “THING CALLED WOMAN” seem to sum up his attitude and persona well enough…. I think???

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Eyes of Blue-Crossroads in Time 1968

Her Album Score: 8/10 His Album Score: 7.5/10

HER THOUGHTS

HIS THOUGHTS

The title track, “Crossroads in Time” on first listen got me grooving and appreciating the message–make love not war never dies. The cover of Love’s “7+7 Is” is the next song on the album that gets me going but the side B seems to captivate me even more than the first. “LOVE IS THE LAW” speaks to me with it’s entrancing organ and melody. It also tickles me in a way because of an inside joke of sorts wherein I’m known as the Sheriff of Love. This would surely be my alter-ego’s jam.

“7+7 IS”, an early cover of this classic proto-punk tune originally by Love, is my top pick. After winning an award in the magazine Melody Maker, Eyes Of Blue’s debut album consisted entirely of songs approved and or appointed by producers. In perfect rock rebellion, they do their best to shred each one apart and “7+7 IS” is the perfect example of this.

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NRBQ Scraps & Workshop 1971 & 1972

Her Album Score: 7.5/10 His Album Score: 7/10

HER THOUGHTS

HIS THOUGHTS

“Howard Johnston got his Ho-Jo Workin”–I feel like I’ve heard this song at High Sierra though perhaps it just carries that vibe. Not the winner but noteworthy I thought. “Only You”–This gentle tune employing a toy piano almost wins because TOY PIANO but I broke out of my childhood inspired favoritism long enough to consider other songs. As a side note, the vocals on this song and especially on “Mona” remind me fondly a bit of Elliott Smith. “Aint It All Right”–I like the twangy danceability of this one. It makes me smile and move a lot.  “MAGNET”–I keep coming back to this one. Perhaps it’s the most catchy, as the chorus keeps getting stuck in my head. It’s a fascinating mix of an uplifting melody and depressing lyrics. There’s an untroubled acceptance in the sadness, which I appreciate. Like the pangs have subsided and now it just is what it is.

One of those late 60s-70s blues/rock bands that at first couldn’t seem to hold a line up together long enough to define a sound. This double LP is actually a reissue of 2 previous albums in one and they sound fairly different despite the short time between them. I prefer Scraps and the song   “NEW TUNE”.

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Johnny Cash-At Folsom Prison 1968

Her Album Score: 9/10 His Album Score: 8/10

HER THOUGHTS	HIS THOUGHTS
“ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL”–I like the instrumentation of this one, with the drums and harmonica calling forth the train. I also appreciate the sunshiny fantasy respite this song gives us amidst a generally dark album. Runner up is “25 Minutes To Go”, which is a great representation of Cash’s lyrical craftsmanship. It sparks a bit of dark humor in reminiscing the counting songs of my childhood.	Do you think anyone ever went to prison in California just to try and get into a Johnny Cash show? From what I can find out he played at least 6 times in the CA prison system alone. I looked for the song that generated the most tangible energy from its captive audience who hoot and holler at any mention of murder or debauchery. This happens in nearly every line of  “COCAINE BLUES”

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James Brown-Revolution of the Mind 1971

Her Album Score: 9/10 His Album Score: 7/10

HER THOUGHTS	HIS THOUGHTS
I like the double album live format. It makes me feel like I’m getting an entire experience, particularly if I dance along. I like the in-the-moment authenticity of James Brown’s chatter and improvisational ad libs, especially on “HOT PANTS (SHE GOT TO USE WHAT SHE GOT TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS)”.	I love when James talks with his band. Is that choreographed or spontaneous or what? “HOT PANTS (SHE GOT TO USE WHAT SHE GOT TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS)” has all that and more. 8:36 of funky Mr. Brown. “HIT ME!!!!”

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The Doors-L.A. Woman 1971

Her Album Score: 9.5/10 His Album Score: 8.5/10

HER THOUGHTS

HIS THOUGHTS

I love The Doors so much!! One of my earliest tapes, gifted from my mother when I was 5 or so, was their double greatest hits. I’ve been enamored ever since. L.A. Woman has so many greats. I’m sold from the start with “Changeling”, it gets me excited right out of the gate and gives me a burning yearning to have been able to see these guys live. “Crawling King Snake” turns me on for sure with its interplay of slinky and bangin’ blues sounds. The classics “L.A. Woman” and “Riders On The Storm” of course give us so much to love and in a different mood I might give the top spot to one of them but right now the instant excitement I get with “CHANGELING”, living up to its first track placement, sets the tone for my enjoyment of the rest of the album, giving it the win for me today.

I am going to try and refrain from picking hits off such famous albums. Hard with this one as it contains the title song and 3 or 4 other hits. I’m left with “CRAWLING KING SNAKE” as it has the most distinctive sound.

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Percy Mayfield-Blues and then Some 1971

Her Album Score: 6.5/10 His Album Score: 6/10

HER THOUGHTS	HIS THOUGHTS
One of my favorite MOJO Magazine CD compilations is Let’s Move (A Heavy Blues Collection). This album is on the opposite end of the blues spectrum it seems, more silky smooth, perfect for the right tender mood. “RIGHT ON YOUNG AMERICANS” pops the most for me with inspirational lyrics and a more energetic groove.	“RIGHT ON YOUNG AMERICANS” is the clear choice on a generally good album of standard blues progressions and lighter soul.

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 Junior Wells-Southside Blues Jam 1970

Her Album Score: 8.5/10 His Album Score: 6.5/10

HER THOUGHTS

HIS THOUGHTS

“I Could Have Had Religion”–caught my ear on first listen, I particularly like how the lyrics seem to meander away from the initial focus of the song as if he followed a genuine train of thought or emotion while recording and just let it become what it may.  I like how in this song and others on the album he calls out and gives reverence to other artists (e.g. Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf). “Trouble Don’t Last Always”–I love the harmonica action on this one and the off the cuff call and response style vocals. Seems like the perfect final song to cap the recording, culminating in an earnest blues jam to live up to the name and concept of the album. “BABY PLEASE LEND ME YOUR LOVE”–I’m really drawn to this one for how the piano shines. The back cover says, “We have tried to capture on this album what a listener would hear any Monday night at Theresa’s blues bar at 48th and Indiana on Chicago’s South Side. The Blue Monday regulars, including Buddy Guy, are joined by the late Otis Spann, the greatest blues pianist of his generation, making his last studio appearance and to whom this album is respectfully dedicated by Junior, the musicians, and the Delmark Staff.” Given my soft spot for piano, the sweet correlation with honoring Otis Spann, and this song’s drawn out (in a good way) improvisational groove that is quintessential to the album’s theme, I think this one might take the top spot for me, despite my reasons for enjoying so many of the others as well.

“I COULD HAVE HAD RELIGION” is as sticky and dirty as it is sly and slow. It centers on a man who believes he could have been a “better man” if not for his sinful woman. After listening to Wells’ swagger and discovering that a cover of “I Just Want to Make Love to You” is the follow up, it begs the question, would you trade it all mister Wells? Could you?

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Round One Score Chart

On a scale of 1-10, here’s how the albums stacked up this round. For a running look at how the albums stack up from round to round, check out our NMG Charts page.

BLUE=HIS PINK=HERS GREEN=SHARED *ASTERIX=BEST OF SCORE

Vinyl Reflections

With Round One put to bed, it’s fun to wonder what’s to come. When will our favorite albums be ripe for the picking? Will our thoughts resonate with others? Though we are hoping for public appeal, the true value, regardless of any outcome, is in the documentation of our collection and our time spent together enjoying it. Imagining being many rounds in and having a comprehensive record of all of our records is such a lovely prospect.

Extra Extra!

Also featured on our YouTube Channel is our Round One Extras Playlist featuring songs that got honorable mention as well as some alternate and live recordings.