Cratedigger: David Ackles, “American Gothic”
David Ackles released his masterpiece, "American Gothic," in 1972. Critics loved it, but the public didn't get it. Ken Shane remembers this lost classic....
Category "Cratedigger"
Cratedigger: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, “Get Happy”
Whether he was atoning for racial intolerant comments or simply following his muse, Elvis Costello's 1980 album "Get Happy" remains among his finest efforts....
Cratedigger: The Beach Boys, “Surf’s Up”
With a new manager hired to make the Beach Boys back relevant again, the band's 1971 album "Surf's Up" proved to be a powerful artistic statement....
Cratedigger: Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses, “Junky Star” – Win Vinyl!
Back in September, I wrote about the Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses album Junky Star. I think it’s fair to call my review a rave. To quote, you know,...
Cratedigger: The Young Rascals, “The Young Rascals”
In 1966 the Young Rascals rocked the world with their #1 hit "Good Lovin'." The single spurred their debut album into the upper reaches of the charts....
Cratedigger: The Blues Project, “Projections”
The classic lineup of the Blues Project, led by Al Kooper and Steve Katz, made just one studio album. Fortunately, that album was the '60s classic "Projections."...
Cratedigger: Elton John, “Madman Across the Water”
Following up his rustic classic "Tumbleweed Connection" was no easy task for Elton John, but in 1971 he released another dusky gem. Ken Shane remembers....
Cratedigger: Ben Folds and Nick Hornby, “Lonely Avenue” (Win a Copy!)
"Lonely Avenue" is a collaboration between two of our favorite artists, Ben Folds and Nick Hornby. We have a free vinyl copy for one lucky reader....
Cratedigger: The Clash, “The Clash”
The self-titled debut album from the Clash knocked the music world on its ass in 1977, but it took two more years to reach US shores....
Cratedigger: Grateful Dead, “Workingman’s Dead”
In 1970, the Dead threw the music world a curveball. Workingman's Dead was a complete musical departure for the band, and among their new fans was Ken Shane....
Cratedigger: Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse, “Dark Night of the Soul”
A collaboration between Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse, and David Lynch was bound to be interesting. Dark Night of the Soul is a triumph. Win the Deluxe Box Set....
Cratedigger: Jeff Beck, “Truth”
Jeff Beck’s sister was responsible for a nice chunk of rock and roll history when she fortuitously introduced him to another young guitarist named Jimmy Page. When Eric Clapton left...
Cratedigger: The Wailers, “Burnin’”
Like many Americans, my first encounter with reggae came via Eric Clapton’s cover of “I Shot the Sheriff,” which was on his 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard. Clapton deserves praise...
Cratedigger: Tom Rush, “Tom Rush”
In January of next year, Tom Rush will be 70 years old. The New Hampshire born folk-rock pioneer is still out there on the road, and still releasing albums, as...
Cratedigger: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Deja Vu”
In what many people would have called an unlikely move, Crosby, Stills & Nash invited Neil Young join them in 1969. Their first album together took them to the top...
Cratedigger: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, “The Paul Butterfield Blues Band”
In 1965, one of the most highly regarded blues bands ever assembled coalesced around harmonica genius Paul Butterfield. Their first album for Elektra Records remains a genre classic....
Cratedigger: Todd Rundgren, “Back to the Bars”
It was 1969. One warm summer night I found myself parked on a quiet street not far from my Atlantic City home. The girl’s name was Dorothy. We could never...
Cratedigger: Judy Collins, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”
Released during the tumult of 1968, this Judy Collins album served Ken Shane as an oasis of serenity during some dark days....
Cratedigger: Joni Mitchell, “The Hissing of Summer Lawns”
Joni Mitchell is a long-time member of my personal pantheon. It’s a short list of artists who I revere not just for what they produce, but for the journey that...
Cratedigger: Win a Vinyl Copy of Jeff Beck’s New Album, “Emotion & Commotion”
Ken Shane is giving away a vinyl copy of Jeff Beck's new album. Find out how you can win!...
Cratedigger: Simon & Garfunkel, “Bookends”
Ken Shane looks back on the many memorable events of 1968, including the release of a classic Simon & Garfunkel album....
Cratedigger: Graham Parker & the Rumour, “Squeezing Out Sparks”
In 1979, following an acrimonious divorce from Mercury Records, Graham Parker & the Rumour released an album that would become a rock and roll classic....
Cratedigger: Emitt Rhodes, “Emitt Rhodes”
The Beatles broke up in 1970, and Paul McCartney released his first solo album. In California, a young McCartney-influenced musician was beginning his own solo career....
Cratedigger: The 5th Dimension, “The Magic Garden”
The 5th Dimension had their first hit with Jimmy Webb's "Up, Up, and Away." When the time came for their second album, they turned to Webb again. The rest is...
Cratedigger: The Uglysuit, “The Uglysuit”
In 2008 the Uglysuit came riding out of Oklahoma City. Their debut album impressed a lot of people, and their live show is winning them new fans at every stop...
Cratedigger: Faces, “A Nod Is as Good as a Wink … to a Blind Horse”
More than anything else, A Nod Is as Good as a Wink … to a Blind Horse is an album that reminds us. It reminds us of the great songwriter,...
Cratedigger: Runt, “Runt”
Todd Rundgren is one of rock’s great auteurs. Along with artists like Emmit Rhodes, Paul McCartney, and Prince, Rundgren has the ability to put together entire albums on his own....
Cratedigger: Blood, Sweat & Tears, “Child Is Father to the Man”
There had never been anything quite like them. They weren’t the cute mop-tops or acid-fueled freaks that had risen to fame in recent years. The members of Blood, Sweat &...
Cratedigger: The Cars, “Candy-O”
The Cars seldom seem to get enough credit for being a fine band. That of course is because they had the temerity to be too successful, launching hit single after...
Cratedigger: Various Artists, “The Village” (Win a Copy!)
Want to win a vinyl copy of 429 Records' tribute to the Greenwich Village scene of the '60s? Of course you do. Enter our contest here!...