Judy, Judy Garland – One of the reasons that Judy Garland's recordings hold up so well is that she always worked with top arrangers. Here Nelson Riddle provides the sensitive, sophisticated backgrounds that enable Garland to pull so much from each song. The LP opens with a startling version of Come Rain or Come Shine. At the other end of the spectrum, Dirty Hands, Dirty Face is quietly moving. Any Place I Hang My Hat is a classy example of Riddle's easy grace. Capitol T734 #vinyl #music #vocal

Bennie Blows His Horn, Bennie Green – Green was in his early 30s when he made this recording, but he plays with the relaxed confidence of an old pro. Whether harmonizing with tenor man Charlie Rouse or taking off on a solo flight, his tone is warm and lyrical. Rouse delivers a passionate solo on Laura. Cliff Smalls shines on piano, Paul Chambers is impeccable, as usual, on bass. Candido and Osie Johnson provide the lively rhythms. Prestige LP 210 #vinyl #music #jazz

Brothers and Sisters, Allman Brothers Band – In their chaotic career, the Allman Brothers had their ups and downs, but they produced a few albums that are rock solid. This is one of them. Dickey Betts has taken over most of the songwriting, and Ramblin' Man is one of his best. But Gregg Allman rocks on Wasted Words, and Come and Go Blues is a lovely lament for a love affair that's going nowhere. The band sounds great. Capricorn Records CP 0111 #vinyl #blues #southernboogie #music

I'm Your Man, Leonard Cohen – For those who loved Cohen's early acoustic work, the disco assault that opens this album must have been a shock. But though he goes electronic here, Cohen is still beautifully, painfully human. Still bitterly funny (Everybody Knows), still brutally alone (Ain't No Cure for Love). Still the lover who's never gotten over the loss of...? His woman? His innocence? His faith? But he's also a healer. The music on this album is sweet balm. Columbia C 44191 #vinyl #music

Great Times, Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn -This Riverside re-release is a treasure chest of unique recordings. On the first eight tracks Ellington and Strayhorn have a ball re-imagining some of their most famous tunes as piano duets. They're so attuned to each other it sometimes sounds like one musician playing with four hands. The last four tracks are rare recordings of Oscar Pettiford on cello, with Strayhorn occasionally chiming in on celeste. Magical. Riverside RLP-475 #vinyl #jazz #music

Does it feel like the US is coming apart at the seams? This is a song about the current chaos. https://caseymaddren.bandcamp.com/track/coup #music #song #punk #DIY #AI #crypto

Swordfishtrombones, Tom Waits – Tom Waits' songs are full of places. Bus stations and dive bars from LA to Hong Kong, painted in vivid, gritty colors with trumpets, tambourines, electric guitars, and of course bagpipes. His characters are drawn in bold strokes and broad lines, with the occasional tender shading. Here Waits works with a number of awesome sidemen, but I'll just highlight Victor Feldman, the old pro who was always ready to work with the new talent. Island 90095-1 #music #LASounds

La Llorona, Chavela Vargas – By the early 90s Chavela Vargas' voice had grown husky. At times it cracked and faltered. No matter. Her passion still burned and her artistry was undiminished. On this album, backed by Marcela Rodriguez and Oscar Ramos on guitars, she offers vivid renditions of a number of songs by popular Mexican composers, and delivers another heartbreaking version of La llorona. Powerful. Painful. Beautiful. WEA 1993 #music #Mexico

Equinox, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 – In the late 60s it seemed liked you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66. Listening to this album, it's easy to understand why. Mendes combined infectious rhythms with gorgeous harmonies to create catchy, sophisticated pop. On this LP he draws on a range of material from Antônio Carlos Jobim to Cole Porter. The only problem with this album is that it's too short. A&M SP 4122 #music #LP #vinyl

Jazz Gunn, Shelly Manne & His Men – In the 60s, Shelly Manne was one of the key artists on the LA jazz scene, and this album, with members of the house band at Shelly's Manne-Hole, is a classic example of the LA sound. Starting with tunes from the TV show Peter Gunn, Manne and his collaborators, Mike Wofford/piano, Conte Candoli/trumpet, Frank Strozier/sax, Monte Budwig/bass, take off into rich explorations of mood and color. And yeah, it swings. Atlantic SD 1487 #music #LP #jazz #LASounds