(October 2016) I have completed episode 99 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: JOURNEY. Roll the windows down and sing your lungs out! Peak Journey is such a fun Guilty Pleasure. But the rest is a complete waste of time (I listen so you don’t have to).

Favorite album: Infinity

Favorite song: Feeling That Way

Favorite period: 1978-81

Special sauce: Neil Schon

Compared to expectations:  same

(December 2015) I have completed episode 68 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography in order. This episode: RINGO STARR. This episode is unique in the project, as I do not own any Ringo albums. But I made an except to my rules, as I completed the other three Beatles’ solo careers and I didn’t want to leave Ringo out. His songs are pleasant, but few are memorable. But it’s Ringo so it’s all good natured-fun.

Favourite album: Ringo (1973)

Favourite song: It Don’t Come Easy

Worst Album: Ringo the Fourth

Favourite period: 1998-2005 (three surprisingly good albums if you ignore the Christmas album)

Compared to expectations: same

(April 2015) I have completed phase 50 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from beginning to end. This episode: PAUL McCARTNEY.* What’s there to say about arguably the top songwriter of the last 50 years? He is so prolific (440+ songs) that he has recorded more forgettable songs than most artists ever record in their lifetimes, and yet it would take half a dozen CDs to package his “best of.” Sure, he tends toward the sappy and sentimental, but don’t dismiss the wide variety of his work: pop, rock, electronic, classical, jazz, experimental. Paul is at his best when it is just him, his guitar and his melody, as in Here Today and Calico Skies (not to mention Yesterday and Blackbird).

Favourite album: Band on the Run

Favourite song: Maybe I’m Amazed

Worst song (hit): Freedom

Worst song (non hit): Temporary Secretary

More interesting than expected: his electronic /experimental albums (as the Firemen)

Not so interesting: his classical music compositions

Favorite period: the late (1997-2013: from Flaming Pie to New). While the early 1970s has most of the hits, the recent albums are more consistently strong.

Compared to expectations: same

(January 2015) I have completed phase 47 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: GEORGE HARRISON (solo). I say that All Things Must Pass (1970) is the best solo album by any ex-Beatle — a flowering of songwriting that finally got on vinyl after the group split up. That said, his overall solo work shows that his songwriting was not of the caliber of John and Paul. A pleasure, in any case.

Favourite album: All Things Must Pass

Specially recommended album: Brainwashed (released posthumously, 2002)

Hidden gem: Wonderwall Music

Favourite song: Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)

Most overrated song: My Sweet Lord

Most underrated song: Wah-Wah

Compared to expectations: same

(January 2015) I have completed phase 45 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode; JOHN LENNON (solo).

Favourite song: Jealous Guy
Favourite album: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (could there ever be a better transfer of raw emotion to a recording device?)
Low points: the late 60s experimental recordings with Yoko Ono

Compared to expectations: same