Posts From Mark Leviton

Bob Seger ‘Live Bullet’: Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll

Although he was a star locally, the Detroit rocker had been struggling for years to break out nationally—until he formed the Silver Bullet Band.

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Ray Charles’ Soulful Country Music: ‘It’s Got to Move Me’

The 1962 album astonished pop consumers with the quality of the chosen songs, the intensity of Charles’ vocals and the amazing arrangements.

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Jim Croce ‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’: An Everyman Arrives

With more time, he might have taken his place as an equal of James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul Simon, etc.

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Ian Hunter ‘You’re Never Alone w/a Schizophrenic’: Dynamic Duo

Teaming with his favored guitar sidekick Mick Ronson, plus members of the E Street Band, the former Mott the Hoople leader created his best solo effort.

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Squeeze and Their Hook-Filled ‘Argybargy’

The album became the British band’s first charting album in the U.S. upon release in 1980 thanks to songs like “Another Nail in My Heart.”

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‘Johnny Rivers at the Whisky à Go Go’ @60: Rockin’ on Stage

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to dance to live rock and roll at a Los Angeles discotheque in 1964, here is your answer.

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Graham Parker ‘Squeezing Out Sparks’: Simple As a Heartbeat

The 1979 album doesn’t have a weak song or performance, and continues to be cited as the British singer-songwriter’s greatest achievement.

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Joni Mitchell ‘Ladies of the Canyon’: Painting the Canvas

The album sets out clearly the direction Mitchell would take for the rest of her career, leaving behind the constraints of folk music.

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Genesis’ ‘Seconds Out’: From Paris With Love

Released in 1977, ‘Seconds Out’ showcased the band’s great live performances and was a major worldwide hit.

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The Allman Brothers Band’s ‘Eat a Peach’: Farewell to a Brother

Started before the death of Duane Allman, and completed after he was gone, the album served as a poignant, multifaceted farewell to the guitar great.

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