Lawrence Welk - Calcutta Review

Great album!  I believe it came out in 1960.  Featuring Frank Scott on the harpsichord.  Solid album all the way through and very listenable.  The quality of the recording is superb for its time and definitely a great instrumental album.  The harpsichord is strong throughout the album and it adds character and strangeness to the record.  The female background singers harmonies and "vocals" adds an eerie but good sound to the entire album.  Beautifully arranged and well written.  Albums like this are a lost art and I am happy to have it in my collection.  I recommend this album to anyone, even if you don't typically like instrumental music.  It has that tropical island, no cares in the world kind of feel to it.  I am looking forward to breaking this one out this summer and sitting outside in the shade with the portable record player and a cold drink.   

Rush - Hold Your Fire Review

I am a huge Rush fan so I will try and write an unbiased review.  Released in 1987 and not a very popular Rush album.  This album is definitely only going to be appreciated by a "Rush Head".  It is more of a soft rock album and not hard rock.  I happen to like the style of Rush on this LP while most would probably wonder why they went this direction.  As Rush is always a constant musically evolving band over the last 40 years, this album proves that theory.  I always joke that this is a shopping album meaning that you could easily hear any song on this album on the overhead speakers at the grocery store and not realize it was Rush.  Rush is way too cool for that though, right?  I like every cut on the record except the last 2 songs, "Tai Shan" and "High Water".  I have never been able to get into them even after 25 years of being a "Rush Head".  The LP overall is great though and I recommend it for anyone's collection as it is truly a Rush stepping stone LP.  Side 1 is the stronger side for sure.