Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman, 1988 on Elektra

Its popularity has recently resurged, due in no small part to Luke Combs' cover version and their duet at the Grammy's but this record never went out of rotation for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLfH9HSUyf4 Technically I know it's not true, but I like to imagine Tracy Chapman's voice was still echoing around Boston from her busking days when I arrived for college in the fall of 1988. Reality is she was already out promoting her debut album. My copy—which replaced the aging CD I […]

https://goatless.org/2026/05/04/tracy-chapman-tracy-chapman-1988-on-elektra

Art Pepper + Eleven, “Modern Jazz Classics,” 1960 on Contemporary Records

Classic west coast jazz from Contemporary Records - sometimes just gets call Art Pepper + Eleven, sometimes Modern Jazz Classics. Not sure if 12 people counts as a big band - Wikipedia says "a small big band." Marty Paich did the arranging. Songs composed by Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, and Sonny Rollins among others. A must have for people (like me) who are fans of the west coast "cool jazz" and the late big band era. My copy—via private sale—is the […]

https://goatless.org/2026/05/03/art-pepper-eleven-modern-jazz-classics-1960-on-contemporary-records

U2, Two Hearts Beat As One, 12″ Single, 1983 on Island

This has long been one of my favorite U2 songs whether in this "Club Version" or the Francois Kevorkian remix or the original. I love the photo here of the lads out in a wheat field. My copy—via Music DNA in Methuen MA—is a UK pressing 12" 45 rpm on the vibrant Island labels.

https://goatless.org/2026/05/02/u2-two-hearts-beat-as-one-12-single-1983-on-island

Sonny Rollins, Way Out West, 1957 on Contemporary

This was the first Rollins album with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne, and the first time he recorded with only bass and drums. I love this cover photo emphasizing the New York native was out west. My copy—direct from Craft Recordings—is the 2009 Original Jazz Classics reissue which was remastered back in 1988 and repressed in 2009. It reproduces the yellow Contemporary labels but with a catalog number OJC-337.

https://goatless.org/2026/05/01/sonny-rollins-way-out-west-1957-on-contemporary

The Blues Box, 1966 on Verve Folkways.

3xLP box set featuring Lightnin' Hopkins, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and Jimmy Witherspoon. On a couple of sides Hopkins plays with Terry & McGhee. The recordings were all made in Los Angeles - the first two LPs are taken from the Ash Grove on July 6th and 7th, 1960, and the third LP says it was recorded in LA in September 1959. My copy via Flip Over Records in Acton MA. I love finding old box sets for a reasonable price.

https://goatless.org/2026/04/30/the-blues-box-1966-on-verve-folkways

U2, Pride (In the Name of Love) (single), 1984 on Island

One of my favorite U2 singles from the early 80s, released as the lead single just ahead of The Unforgettable Fire. Also has one of my favorite mistakes, when they sing "Early Morning, April 4." I always figured the lads were not used to the American habit of not using 24 hr time. (They fixed this on Songs of Surrender). I'm not normally much of a singles collector, but for 12" singles from this era (and for U2) I grab whatever I can find for a reasonable price. My copy—via Music DNA […]

https://goatless.org/2026/04/29/u2-pride-in-the-name-of-love-single-1984-on-island

Cliff Jordan, Cliff Jordan, 1957 on Blue Note

Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack NJ, Jordan is joined by John Jenkins (alto sax), Art Taylor (drums), Ray Bryant (piano), Curtis Fuller (trombone) and Lee Morgan (trumpet). This is one of two Blue Note LPs he put out in 1957 (the other was Blowing in From Chicago with John Gilmore). My copy—via Amazon—is the 2024 Blue Note Tone Poet Series reissue, with lacquer by Kevin Gray and pressing at RTI. Although they used the "mono" labels here and the spine also says mono, the LP is […]

https://goatless.org/2026/04/28/cliff-jordan-cliff-jordan-1957-on-blue-note

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Live Alive, 1986 on Epic

Recorded across four live performances between July 1985 (Montreux Jass Festivale) and July 1986 (Austin Opera House and Dallas Starfest). Includes his take on "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Superstition," and "Vodoo Child (Slight Return)." The CD versions leave off "Live Without You." Brother Jimmie Vaughan guests on four tracks, other personnel are Tommy Shannon (bass), Chris Layton (drums), and Reese Wynans (keys). My copy—via Music DNA in Methuen MA—is an Indianapolis pressing in […]

https://goatless.org/2026/04/27/stevie-ray-vaughan-and-double-trouble-live-alive-1986-on-epic

Bill Evans, Evans in England, 2019 on Resonance

Another late sixties (December 1969) set from Evans, Eddie Gomez, and Marty Morell, recorded at Ronnie Scott's. (Live at Ronnie Scott's, released in 2020, came from recordings made in July of 1968). Great production and packaging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvX6ZG0jAYA My copy—via private sale—is the Record Store Day 2019 2xLP deluxe edition, numbered and limited.

https://goatless.org/2026/04/26/bill-evans-evans-in-england-2019-on-resonance

Colin James Hay, Looking for Jack, 1987 on Columbia

Solo debut from the man more well known (to me at least) as the lead singer of Men At Work, which he fronted from 1978 to 1986. He's actually had quite a lengthy solo career and done a lot of really interesting work. This album may not be the pinnacle of that work, but it has consistent quality songwriting and vocals, if the band sometimes feels a bit generic. Even the cover makes it feel somehow rushed out, perhaps hoping to capitalize before the reputation of Men At Work faded. Herbie […]

https://goatless.org/2026/04/26/colin-james-hay-looking-for-jack-1987-on-columbia