un-#MWE July 2023

Icons queer and queer-adopted

One of my favorite albums of the 2010s in here, along with one a lot of other folx might pick (and while I don’t hold it in quite that high a regard, I do think The Fame Monster is Gaga’s best). Truly classic Queer Classics, meanwhile, from Bronski Beat and Johnny Mathis (one of the greatest to sing Christmas songs), along with solids from Queen and Joan Armatrading

. Tina Live in Europe, meanwhile, is an unfortunate reminder that even for noted live performers, the live album format doesn’t always serve them well.

1. Bonnie Raitt, Dig In Deep (2016): The sexiest damn album of the 2010s. Like her contemporary Ronstadt, she’s always had a knack w/ covers; here she steals INXS’ “Need You Tonight” and Los Lobos’ “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” from ‘em, while cutting some killer origs, too.

2. QC22: Bronski Beat, The Age of Consent (1984): 1st explicitly gay LP to make a major chart impact (#4 UK, 3 top 10 singles) should never be forgotten for its bravery & forthrightness. It’s also superb synthpop topped w/ the heavenly vox of Jimmy Somerville. Timeless.

3. Tina Turner, Tina Live in Europe (1988): She was a lion, pure energy onstage; I saw her in ‘93 & she astonished over 2+ hrs. But this equally-long live double is sadly a slog, padded w/ too many unimaginative covers & too much of the adult pop she seemed to love. RIP. 

4. QC23: Joan Armatrading, The Shouting Stage (1988): Self-prod, arr, penned, her 11th was my 1st, & I’ve always been soft for it. Sounds like an ‘80s Lillywhite prod; songs are as superb as you’d expect (Knopfler-soloing title track, “Devil”). Love the *vibe* of this. 

5. Alex Bugnon, Love Season (1989): Swiss pianist’s 1st is an archetype of the moment smooth jazz was blossoming as a genre & radio format. Largely instr R&B, slick but not oily, frictionless, & just rhythmic enough; almost every move here is from the Najee playbook.

6. QC24: Queen, Hot Space (1982): 50%+ is the sound of Queen trying to “go disco” in 1981/82, largely successfully. Hit “Body Language” is sinuous (& unsexy); “Backchat” is best-way ridiculous; closer “Cool Cat” is legit white-boy funk (!). Most of trad side B bores, tho.

7. Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster (2010): This debut-part-B EP is her smartest, a laser-focused take on her early “free bitch, baby” cyborg pop aesthetic (w/ “Speechless” the sign of things to come). Several here are for the ages (“Romance” obv, telenovela “Alejandro”).

8. QC25: Johnny Mathis, Merry Christmas (1958): Arr/conducted by Percy Faith, prod by Mitch Miller, this sounds classic w/o succumbing to syrupiness. Key is Mathis’s pristine, warm voice & the way he knows just how to sing each syllable; he makes you feel - & believe.