Wilson and Alroy's Record Reviews We listen to the lousy records so you won't have to.

1997 Features


Here is a list of the record reviews we wrote during 1997. Links for even earlier reviews are on our 1996 features page.

December 1997

New page - Gwen Guthrie
A Tribe Called Quest, People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory
Joan Armatrading, To The Limit
Ashford & Simpson, Love Or Physical
Pat Benatar, Gravity's Rainbow
James Brown with Bruce Tucker, James Brown: The Godfather Of Soul (book review)
Ray Charles, Would You Believe?
Susan Crimp & Patricia Burstein, The Many Lives Of Elton John (book review)
Stephen Davis, Hammer Of The Gods (book review)
Eric Dolphy, Out To Lunch
Graham Central Station, Minneapolis, 10-11 Dec. 1997 (concert)
George Harrison, Dark Horse Live In Japan
Janis Ian, Hunger
Chaka Khan, Naughty
Patti LaBelle, Flame
Phoebe Legere, Last Tango In Bubbleland
Roger McGuinn, Live From Mars
Margareth Menezes, Kindala
Music From And Inspired By The Hit TV Show Living Single
Graham Nash, Wild Tales
Pointer Sisters, Hot Together
Robbie Robertson, Storyville
Diana Ross, An Evening With Diana Ross
Spirit, Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Olga Tañón, Llévame Contigo
George Tremlett, David Bowie: Living On The Brink (book review)
Los Van Van, Te Pone La Cabeza Mala
Joe Walsh, The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get
Mary Wilson, Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme (book review)

November 1997

New page - Minnie Riperton
New page - Dionne Warwick
Philip Bailey
Pat Benatar, Tropico
Pat Benatar, Seven The Hard Way
David Bowie, Young Americans
David Bowie, Low
Bobby Brown, Bobby
Elvis Costello, All This Useless Beauty
Bob Dylan, Under The Red Sky
Genesis, Nursery Cryme
David Gilmour, About Face
King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Humble Pie
The Isley Brothers, The Brothers: Isley
The Isley Brothers, Get Into Something
Rick James, Bustin' Out Of L Seven
Rick James, The Flag
Jethro Tull, WarChild
Loggins & Messina, Native Sons
Mary Jane Girls
Dave Mason, Certified Live
Midnight Oil, Scream In Blue
Mountain, Climbing!
The Nice, America: The BBC Sessions
Bonnie Pointer
Bonnie Pointer, If The Price Is Right
Quicksilver Messenger Service, Quicksilver
The Supremes, Right On
The Supremes & The Four Tops, The Return Of The Magnificent Seven
The Supremes, Produced And Arranged By Jimmy Webb
U2, Wide Awake In America

October 1997

New page - Joan Armatrading
New page - Jethro Tull
New page - Labelle and solo work
Bikini Kill, Pussy Whipped
David Bowie, Outside
David Bowie, Washington, DC, 12 October 1997 (concert)
Carlinhos Brown, Alfagamabetizado
Eric Clapton, Behind The Sun
¡Cubanismo!, Malembre
Roger Daltrey, Under A Raging Moon
Sheena Easton, The Lover In Me
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack, I'm The One
Aretha Franklin, La Diva
Aretha Franklin, Get It Right
Larry Graham, Star Walk
The Grateful Dead, Blues For Allah
Isaac Hayes, Disco Connection
Humble Pie, Performance/Rockin' The Fillmore
Janis Ian, Breaking Silence
Isley Brothers, Between The Sheets
Rickie Lee Jones, Ghostyhead
Eddie Kendricks, Love Keys
Dave Mason
Best Of NG La Banda
Chichi Peralta, Pa' Otro La'o
Pointer Sisters, Live At The Opera House
Pointer Sisters, Energy
Pointer Sisters, Special Things
Lou Reed, Rock 'N' Roll Heart
Roxanne, Go Down (But Don't Bite It)
Salt-N-Pepa, Brand New
Timothy Schmit, Tell Me The Truth
Paul Simon, One-Trick Pony
Cris Williamson, The Changer And The Changed
Cassandra Wilson, New Moon Daughter
Yes, Tales From Topographic Oceans
Young MC, Return of the 1 Hit Wonder

September 1997

New page - The Yardbirds
Joe Arroyo, Fuego
Joe Arroyo, Mi Libertad
The Band, Islands
Adrian Belew, Here
Jackson Browne, Looking East
Mariah Carey, Butterfly
Steve Coleman And The Mystic Rhythm Society, Myths, Modes And Means
Steve Coleman And Metrics, The Way Of The Cipher
Steve Coleman And The Mystic Rhythm Society, The Sign And The Seal
Marvin Gaye, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
INXS, Washington, DC, 14 September 1997 (concert)
India, Sobre El Fuego
The Isley Brothers, The Heat Is On
Rick James, Come Get It!
Rick James, Glow
The Kinks, Word Of Mouth
The NPG Orchestra, Kamasutra
REM, Fables Of The Reconstruction
The Replacements, Don't Tell A Soul
Rufus, Seal In Red
The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band
Santana, Amigos
James Taylor, Never Die Young
Temptations, Sky's The Limit
Temptations, Wings Of Love
Temptations, Hear To Tempt You
War, Galaxy
War, Washington, DC, 30 August 1997 (concert)
Brian Wilson, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Neil Young, Zuma

August 1997

New page - INXS
New page - Television/Tom Verlaine
Asia, Alpha
Malena Burke y NG La Banda, Salseando
Eric Clapton, Unplugged
Elvis Costello, Spike
Crosby, Stills & Nash, CSN
Dazz Band, Keep It Live
Earth, Wind & Fire, In The Name Of Love
Candido Fabré, Son De Cuba
Humble Pie, Smokin'
Janis Ian, Aftertones
Ice Cube, The Predator
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, Echoes Of An Era
King Crimson, THRAK
The Kinks, Think Visual
L7, The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum
Lucrecia y su Orquesta, Me Debes Un Beso
Lucrecia y su Orquesta, Prohibido
Mary Jane Girls, Only Four You
Paul McCartney, Pipes Of Peace
Daniela Mercury, NYC, 26 July 1997 (concert)
Midnight Oil, Places Without A Postcard
Martin Newell and Andy Partridge, The Greatest Living Englishman
NG La Banda, La Cachimba
Lionel Richie
Patrice Rushen, Signature
Santana, Caravanserai
Santana, Moonflower
Santana, Shangó
Carlos Santana, Havana Moon
Carlos Santana, Blues For Salvador
Ray Sepulveda, De Todo Un Poco
Spin Doctors, Pocket Full Of Kryptonite
Donna Summer, A Love Trilogy
Talking Heads: 77
James Taylor, That's Why I'm Here
Los Van Van, La Habana Sí
Bill Wyman, Stone Alone
Yes, Talk

July 1997

New page - Janis Ian
New page - Irakere
New page - Laura Nyro
Alroy's July rant: What The Hell Is R & B?
Wilson's July rant: Radio Programmers Are Pawns Of Satan
Adolescent's Orquesta, Persona Ideal
Aerosmith, Toys In The Attic
Joan Armatrading, Show Some Emotion
The B-52's
Dark Latin Groove
Bill Bruford's Earthworks
The Electric Flag, A Long Time Comin'
Madonna, Like A Prayer
Marc Anthony, Otra Nota
Marc Anthony, Todo A Su Tiempo
Ricky Martin, Me Amarás
Masters At Work, The Album
NG La Banda, Nuestro Hombre En La Habana
NG La Banda, NYC, 22 July 1997 (concert)
Nuyorican Soul
The Artist, Jones Beach, 23 July 1997 (concert)
Lou Reed, Mistrial
Smokey Robinson, A Quiet Storm
Diana Ross, Ross
Todd Rundgren, Runt
Brenda Russell, Two Eyes
Shonen Knife, Brand New Knife
The Staples Singers, Be Altitude: Respect Yourself
Donna Summer, The Wanderer
Donna Summer, Mistaken Identity
The Temptations, Sing Smokey
Vanilla Fudge
Jr. Walker & The All-Stars, Shotgun
Frank Zappa, You Are What You Is

June 1997

Argent, All Together Now
Philip Bailey, Inside Out
The Emotions, Sunbeam
The Emotions, Come Into Our World
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Easy
Gwen Guthrie, Hot Times
The Heads, No Talking Just Head
Elton John, Breaking Hearts
Elton John, Ice On Fire
LL Cool J, Walking With A Panther
The Mothers of Invention, Absolutely Free
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Doin' Mickey's Monkey
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Away We A-Go-Go
Diana Ross, Surrender
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye, Diana & Marvin
Brenda Russell, Love Life
Leo Sayer, Endless Flight
Donna Summer, Once Upon A Time
Donna Summer, Live And More
Donna Summer
Donna Summer, She Works Hard For The Money
Donna Summer, Cats Without Claws

May 1997

New page - Paula Abdul
New page - Pat Benatar
New page - Jack Bruce
New page - Ray Charles
New page - Roberta Flack
New page - Midnight Oil
Alroy's May rant: 80s Nostalgia - Back To The Badness
Wilson's May rant: Never Pay Retail!
Ashford & Simpson, Gimme Something Real
Ashford & Simpson, I Wanna Be Selfish
Ashford & Simpson, So So Satisfied
Ashford & Simpson, Send It
Ashford & Simpson, Stay Free
Ashford & Simpson, High Rise
Ashford & Simpson, Solid
Mary J. Blige, Share My World
Bobby Brown, Don't Be Cruel
Elvis Costello, Goodbye Cruel World
Elvis Costello, Kojak Variety
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, On Tour With Eric Clapton
Bob Dylan, Dylan
Bob Dylan, Street Legal
Aretha Franklin, Almighty Fire
Janis Ian, ...For All The Seasons Of Your Mind
Janis Ian, Between The Lines
Isley Brothers, Showdown
Dave Mason & Cass Elliot
Paul McCartney, McCartney II
Roger McGuinn, Cardiff Rose
Christine McVie
René Moore, Destination Love
Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill
Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna
Robert Plant, The Principle Of Moments
Pointer Sisters, Black & White
The Police, Ghost In The Machine
Diana Ross, Diana Ross (1976)
Santana and McLaughlin, Love, Devotion, Surrender
Donna Summer, I'm A Rainbow
James Taylor, Gorilla
James Taylor, Dad Loves His Work
The Temptations, Temptin' Temptations
The Who, Quadrophenia
Cris Williamson, Blue Rider
Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, Orange Crate Art
Ron Wood, Slide On Live: Plugged In And Standing

April 1997

New page - Ashford & Simpson
New page - Fleetwood Mac
New page - Latin odds & ends
New page - Phil Ochs
Adrian Belew, Inner Revolution
David Bowie, Aladdin Sane
Jackson Browne, Running On Empty
Jackson Browne, Hold Out
Ray Charles, The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles, Genius + Soul = Jazz
Elvis Costello, This Year's Model
Celia Cruz & Willie Colón, The Winners
Dead Kennedys, Fresh Fruit For Rotten Vegetables
Dead Kennedys, Bedtime For Democracy
En Vogue, Funky Divas
Peter Frampton, Frampton
Graham Central Station, Release Yourself
Gwen Guthrie, Good To Go Lover
Herbie Hancock, Head Hunters
Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey, Mavericks
Elton John, Jump Up!
Paul McCartney & Wings, Back To The Egg
Ohio Players, Back
Lou Reed, Lou Reed Live
Wayne Shorter, Juju
Rod Stewart, Unplugged... And Seated
Andy Summers, Mysterious Barricades
Talking Heads, Fear Of Music
Talking Heads, The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads
Doris Troy
Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble, Live Alive
Tom Verlaine, The Wonder
War, Outlaw
Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue
Yes, 90125

March 1997

New page - Deee-Lite
New page - Carole King
New page - Lunachicks
New page - Brenda Russell
New page - Talking Heads
New page - Caetano Veloso
Alroy's March rant: Rolling Stone Sucks
Wilson's March rant: I Don't Want An Industrial-Strength Internet
David Bowie, Black Tie, White Noise
Doyle Bramhall II
Toni Braxton, Secrets
Eric Clapton, There's One In Every Crowd
Celine Dion
For Real, Free
Marvin Gaye, Live At The London Palladium
Marvin Gaye, Here, My Dear
Art Garfunkel, Angel Clare
Isaac Hayes, Love Attack
The James Gang, Yer' Album
John Mayall, Memories
Eddie Murphy, How Could It Be
Eddie Murphy, So Happy
Suzanne Rhatigan, To Hell With Love
Minnie Riperton, Stay In Love
Diana Ross, Last Time I Saw Him
Diana Ross, Diana
Rotary Connection
The Supremes, Floy Joy
The Supremes
Denise Sullivan, Talk About The Passion: REM: An Oral History (book review)
Temptations, 1990
Temptations, Reunion
Carla Thomas, The Queen Alone
XTC, Mummer
Neil Young, Unplugged

February 1997

New page - Babyface
New page - L7
New page - Daniela Mercury
New page - The Pointer Sisters
New page - Donna Summer
Carter Alan, Outside Is America - U2 In The U.S. (book review)
Bruford, One Of A Kind
Steve Coleman and Five Elements, Black Science
Willie Colón, The Good-The Bad-The Ugly
For Real, It's A Natural Thang
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Works Volume 1
Roberta Flack, Feel Like Makin' Love
Aretha Franklin, Sweet Passion
Aretha Franklin, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
Isaac Hayes, Shaft
Richard Hell & The Voidoids, Blank Generation
The Isley Brothers, Soul On The Rocks
Isley Jasper Isley, Caravan Of Love
Elton John, Friends
Elton John, Blue Moves
Kenny Kirkland
Dave Mason, Headkeeper
Dave Mason, Split Coconut
Laura Nyro, More Than A New Discovery
Eddie Palmieri, La Verdad
Van Dyke Parks, Song Cycle
The Police, Live!
Otis Redding, Remember Me
Keith Richards and the X-pensive Winos, Live At The Hollywood Palladium
Smokey Robinson, Double Good Everything
Silvio Rodríguez, Domínguez
Shanice, 21... Ways To Grow
Valerie Simpson, Exposed
The Temptations, Bare Back
Little Stevie Wonder, The Jazz Soul Of Little Stevie
XTC, Drums And Wires
XTC, English Settlement
Frank Zappa, Broadway The Hard Way

January 1997

New page - Wilson & Alroy Rant & Rave
New page - Jackson Browne
New page - Isaac Hayes
New page - The Isley Brothers
New page - King Crimson
New page - REM
New page - Santana
Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes
Jeff Beck, Crazy Legs
Cream, Live Cream
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, In Concert
Aretha Franklin, Her First Twelve Sides
Aretha Franklin, Aretha (1986)
Art Garfunkel, Breakaway
Graham Central Station, My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me
Herbie Hancock, Takin' Off
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, At Home with Screamin' Jay Hawkins
India, Breaking Night
Little Richard, Here's Little Richard
Martha and the Vandellas, Heat Wave
Ohio Players, Pain
Ohio Players, Ol' School
Diana Ross, Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Paul Simon, Still Crazy After All These Years
Sly and the Family Stone, Small Talk
Sly and the Family Stone, Ain't But The One Way
Ringo Starr, Ringo
The Turtles, It Ain't Me Babe
U2, October
Larry Williams, Here's Larry Williams
Ron Wood, Slide On This
Yes, Yessongs
Yes, Keys To Ascension
Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Live Rust

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