Nina Simone, Let It All Out, 1966 on Philips

Yes, back in the day Philips (who you likely know more now as the maker of Sonicare toothbrushes) was also a reputable jazz and classical label. Though the copyright was 1965 they put out this album in 1966. Simone switched to Philips in 1964 and was there (putting out seven LPs) until switching to RCA Victor in 1967. My copy—again via Mystery Train in Gloucester MA—is a 2016 reissue in the "Back to Black" series by Verve Music Group, pressed at Record Industry in The Netherlands. […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/25/nina-simone-let-it-all-out-1966-on-philips

The Smiths, How Soon is Now? (Maxi-Single), 1984 on Sire

This is a US pressing of the 12" single, with a "Long Version" on the A-side and an edited shorter version on the B-Side, both of which are different than (or "different to" as they say in the UK) the UK 7" single version. One of my favorite Smiths songs of all time - that sound Marr gets on his guitar in the opening was a key touchstone of the 80s. I was happy to find this 12" single version at Mystery Train in Gloucester MA. Love the cover photo, which feels like it could have been me […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/24/the-smiths-how-soon-is-now-maxi-single-1984-on-sire

Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, They’re Calling Me Home, 2021 on Nonesuch

Giddens was a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, now with several great solo albums under her wings. This is her second with her partner, Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Francesco Turrisi. It's a collection of traditional songs, all arranged by Giddens and Turrisi and primarily performed by them, with an occasional guest instrument. My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is an Optimal GmbH pressing on black vinyl, with a multipage lyric insert - and […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/23/rhiannon-giddens-with-francesco-turrisi-theyre-calling-me-home-2021-on-nonesuch

Talking Heads, A Bar Called Heaven, 2024 on Dear Boss.

Another in a series of Dear Boss. releases (the period is part of their name) which claim to be FM broadcasts and therefore out of copyright in the EU. This one is Talking Heads from December 7th, 1979, at the Electric Ballroom in London (Camden Town). Excellent recording either way - I've become a big fan of what Dear Boss is putting out. My copy via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA.

https://goatless.org/2026/06/22/talking-heads-a-bar-called-heaven-2024-on-dear-boss

Steely Dan, The Royal Scam, 1976 on ABC

Fifth studio album from Donald Fagen, Walter Becker et. al., produced by Gary Katz. Steely Dan can be a bit divisive, and gets dismissed sometimes as "Dad rock" but I really appreciate the songwriting and musicianship of all these records. The Royal Scam includes "Kid Charlemagne" and "Haitian Divorce." My copy —via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is a Santa Maria pressing with the multicolored ABC labels.

https://goatless.org/2026/06/21/steely-dan-the-royal-scam-1976-on-abc

Mary Gauthier, Mercy Now, 2005 on Lost Highway

I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier since my wife heard her play in Provincetown in the winter of 1999 - she's just a fantastic songwriter and compelling performer. This was her fourth full-length, with the title track as well as "I Drink" (later covered by others including Blake Shelton). My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is a 180g vinyl pressing with inner liner.

https://goatless.org/2026/06/13/mary-gauthier-mercy-now-2005-on-lost-highway

Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins On Impulse!, 1965 on Impulse

Classic album, featuring Rollins with Walter Booker (bass), Mickey Roker (drums), and Ray Bryant (piano). Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in the summer of 1965. Sadly Rollins passed this May (2026) in Woodstock NY. My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is the 2021 Acoustic Sounds Series reissue, supervised by Chad Kassem, cut by Ryan Smith, and pressed at Quality Record Pressing (QRP). Sounds fantastic!

https://goatless.org/2026/06/10/sonny-rollins-sonny-rollins-on-impulse-1965-on-impulse

The Blues Project, Archetypes, 1974 on MGM

Reissue of 1969's The Best of the Blues Project, which was on Verve Forecast. There is a whole series of releases titled Archetypes from the mid-seventies on MGM - not sure if they are all reissues or not. Other artists in the MGM Archetype Series are: Charlie Parker, Tim Hardin, Billy Holiday, Blues Project, Velvet Underground, Hank Williams Sr., Small Face, and Allen Ginsberg The Blues Project had a number of members over time, but Al Kooper (vocals, organ), Andy Kulberg (bass, flute), […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/08/the-blues-project-archetypes-1974-on-mgm

Mose Allison, Mose Allison Sings, 1963 on Prestige

Compilation of tracks from Allison's first albums which had been released on Prestige between 1957 and 1959. Though he was first known as a pianist, he gradually sang more and more. This was the first compilation in which he sang on every track. All were recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, and Ira Gitler wrote the liner notes. My copy—via Mystery Train Records in Gloucester MA—is a mid-sixties (c1965) reissue on dark blue Prestige labels. You can see how the laminated cover has started to […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/05/mose-allison-mose-allison-sings-1963-on-prestige

Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, Wanted! The Outlaws, 1976 on RCA Victor

The album that solidified the rise of outlaw country, and was the first country album to be certified platinum. Great collection of mostly previously released songs with a few new titles, including: two songs each from Waylon, Jessi, Willie, and Tompall plus two Waylon & Willie songs and one Waylon & Jessi song. Tompall Glaser is maybe the least well known - though Jessi Colter doesn't always get the attention she deserves either. He produced Waylon's "Honky Tonk Heroes" album and Glaser […]

https://goatless.org/2026/06/02/waylon-jennings-willie-nelson-jessi-colter-and-tompall-glaser-wanted-the-outlaws-1976-on-rca-victor