Devo - Orpheum, Boston 7/17/80
OK, let’s face it, Devo are a pretty great band, maybe even one of the best from this era, although this could be starting to edge a little after what I’d consider their peak, even if it’s at the top of their commercial era, with “Whip It” and “Satisfaction” and the like. This is a great sounding, high energy gig, and while they’re not quite as odd and as interesting as they once were, it’s hard not to be impressed by the way they do their business. A great show overall.
Elton John - Odeon, London 12/22/73
Almost the same idea as the Devo here, this is a little late for Elton, just a little, although I’m sure everyone has a different threshold. It’s absolute polish here, a tight unit just slaying, like Elton did for the last few years leading to this show. Sounds great too, pretty much a flawless recording. And of course he covers nearly every song he was famous for up to that point for about 100 minutes or so.
Jackie McLean - Action
This has to be my favorite McLean album to date, it’s artsy, soulful and has some great performances from Bobby Hutcherson, Cecil McBee, Billy Higgins and Charles Tolliver. I know that sounds like I’m taking that right off the CD cover, but really, you can’t mention any one of the players here without realizing how good the band is all around. I actually listen to quite a bit more Blue Note than I often post about here, but they’re generally difficult to talk about in that there’s so much to absorb for me, but at least one in four usually brings a stand out record and my 11 is starting to edge to a 12 on this one. Makes me wonder if I’m listening closely enough to some of the others.