Tom McCool

Nearly 4 1/2 years later, I finished the series!!! I’m going to miss it. 🪐📚💙 #booksky

Woodley’s latest book attempts to find a way forward for Western Christianity. Many of his critiques of the church have been written about before, but Woodley brings a unique Native American perspective. #booksky

Valerie June’s debut album is stunning. Rootsy, yet modern. A distant voice coming from another time and place trying to tell us something important in a voice like someone singing harmony on a Blind Willie Johnson song. The best music transports you. This does. #vinylcommunity

This one is fun! Had to have it after watching the final season of Stranger Things. Comes with poster, sticker, and bumper sticker. #vinylcommunity

The book contains the true stories behind the film Almost Famous. Pennie Lane is a real person. The first half is compelling reading. The second half feels episodic but there is an emotional payoff at the end. I was a teen in the ‘70s and I loved reading about my rock heroes. #booksky

I received this for Christmas and am floored. Not what I expected. It’s a parable about self identity with a backdrop of the brutality of slavery, a dose of humor and a shocking twist. #booksky

Time for full disclosure. I was reading two books and timed it so that I finished them after the New Year and got two early wins on my Goodreads Reading Challenge. Please tell me this is normal. 🙏 #booksky

Another in a long line of books pointing to the hypocrisy and misuse of the Bible by evangelical Christians, updated to include Christian Nationalists. But Fugelsang adds a huge dose of humor and snarky asides, plus tips on how to talk to your MAGA relatives. #booksky

My Year in Books. #booksky

Here’s my Christmas vinyl. Yes, this is like my 4th copy of this title. Want it for the outtakes on the second LP. Jeff Beck jamming with the Stones! #vinylcommunity

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a book. A book for our times from my favorite Franciscan theologian. Rohr never disappoints. I read along with his podcast. #booksky #RichardRohr

“It doesn't matter how you read. It doesn't matter what you read, as long as you're reading.” Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian for the New York Public Library, in an NPR interview 📚💙 #booksky

I have been interested in Native American spirituality as part of my focus on natural spirituality and the Wild Church. The first half of this book is about the Woodley’s family and personal histories. The second half introduces the Harmony Way. 📚💙 #nativeamerican #booksky #spirituality

Feels Like Rain by Buddy Guy. A little rockier than its predecessor but if you doubt listen to the cover of Muddy Waters’ “She’s Nineteen Years Old.” “Feels Like Rain” has become a signature song. 🥩✂️ I Could Cry w/John Mayall. #vinylcommunity #vinylsky #buddyguy #bluesmusic

I like reading rock star autobios but some are just money grabs. This is one of them. Although Simmons admits to his faults, he’s still arrogant and runs down his bandmates. I skimmed the last few chapters. 📚💙 #booksky #genesimmons #kiss #autobiography

Some great music dropped today. Listening on streaming until the vinyl arrives. (Don’t shoot me!) Larkin Poe, Robert Finley, John Lennon, Maggie Rose. #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #larkinpoe #robertfinley #johnlennon #maggierose #newmusicfriday open.spotify.com/album/0L0XzJ...

After reading Killing Floor, I found Jack Reacher paperbacks at Goodwill (three in one visit). This one kept me engaged, but there is one huge clue that the otherwise smart Reacher totally misses. The plot feels a bit drawn out at times. 📚💙 #jackreacher #leechild #booksky

I finished the first Longmire novel. I watched the series when it was active and finally decided to read the books. Really liked this one and look forward to more. 📚💙 #longmire #craigjohnson #westernmystery

Just finished reading. Better than the first book in the series. Love the many references to Native American culture and religion. Yes, I watched the series first so knew the ending, but still was fascinated with the storytelling. 📚💙 #booksky #recentreads #darkwinds #tonyhillerman

Live 1975-1985 by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. A little heavy on the ‘80s and only one cut is pre-1978. But it’s a wealth of powerful live performances by one of the best. 🥩✂️ an 11+ minute version of The River #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #brucespringsteen #livemusic

JPEG RAW by Gary Clark Jr. Clark Jr. has dialed in his varied influences into a signature style. Socially conscious lyrics driven by a mix of soul, R&B, rock, hip hop, blues, and African rhythms. 🥩✂️ Don’t Start (featuring Valerie June) #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #garyclarkjr #valeriejune

The Rolling Stones’ Black and Blue album will get a deluxe reissue with outtakes and a live performance from the 1976 European tour. The announcement should come within the next two weeks. #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #nowplaying #rollingstones

Shadow Kingdom by Bob Dylan. The soundtrack to the performance film of the same name. Dylan reimagined some deep cut classics and performs most of these on tour. The band includes Don Was and T Bone Burnett. 🥩✂️ When I Paint My Masterpiece #vinylsky #vinylcommunnity #bobdylan #nowplaying

Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings by Bo Hansson. Early prog instrumentals played on one of the first Moog synthesizers. Although it sounds primitive today, it was groundbreaking at the time and opened the door for Mike Oldfield and Rick Wakeman. 🥩✂️ Leaving Shire #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #lotr

Oops! Wrong Planet by Utopia. Todd Rundgren’s Utopia leaves prog behind and goes arena rock. All members co-write and sing, but Todd’s fingerprints are all over this. Abandon City is a deep cut. 🥩✂️ Love In Action #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #utopiaband #toddrundgren

What Happened to My Blues by Willie Dixon. Released in 1974, Dixon wrote every song and plays authentic Chicago blues with help from Lafayette Leake, Carey Bell Harrington, Clifton James, and Willie’s son Freddie Dixon. #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #bluemusic #chicagoblues #williedixon

I just finished this fascinating and detailed biography. I learned so much about Twain. 📚💙 #booksky #marktwain #ronchernow

I have completed my Goodreads challenge of 32 books read in 2025. A bit ahead of schedule, but I’m still reading! 📚💙 #booksky

Any one remember this show? I can still sing the zip code of the show’s address to this day.

Take a listen to this new podcast about journeys of faith and natural spirituality. Hope you like it! #spirituality #nature #faith #spirit open.spotify.com/episode/1a2V...

Great show last night with Buddy Guy. Taj Farrant opened and he’s worth watching. You will be hearing more from him. The show was outside in a small local baseball stadium. I check this off my bucket list. Photo courtesy of Vince Walter #buddyguy #bluesmusic #vinylsky #vinylcommunity

Now that the Late Show had been cancelled, CBS should bring back a late night live music show like Midnight Special and In Concert. #musicsky #vinylsky #livemusic #vinylcommunity

I have Find My Phone. I need Find My Kindle. #booksky #kindle #agingmemory

Stand for the things you know are right It's the truth that the truth makes them so uptight RIP Sly Stone #slystone #music #vinylcommunity #vinylrecords #LA youtu.be/GY_5CUmvpdw?...

Like it or not, the human race is us all. youtu.be/6lUUX3JzG2I?...

Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop by Jeff Beck with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hyman A blazing album of rock instrumentals with the most beautiful electric guitar ballad ever recorded that proves Beck’s brilliance: Where Were You. 🥩✂️ Big Block #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #vinyl #jeffbeck

Out of Our Heads by The Rolling Stones This is a superb all-analog mono pressing from the first-generation master tape. There is a depth to the sound I haven’t heard before. The Stones are meant to be heard in mono. 🥩✂️ (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction #vinylsky #rollingstones #vinylcommunity #vinyl

For those of you who have Sirius XM in your car, what are your “first five” presets? Mine are Beatles Channel, Bluesville, Classic Vinyl, Classic Rewind, and 70s on 7. #music #radio #classicrock #blues #1970s #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #musicsky #musiccommunity #cassette #beatles

Live 3.10.22 by Keith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos Keith and the Winos played a 3-song set at the Love Rocks NYC fundraiser. The Winos had not played together for 30 years before this and it doesn’t show. 🥩✂️ 999 #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #rsd #keithrochards

Live in Cook County Jail by B. B. King This excellent live set gets overlooked next to Live at the Regal and it shouldn’t. Side 2 is all slow blues including an incendiary performance of “Sweet Sixteen.” Don’t miss this one. 🥩✂️ Sweet Sixteen #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #blues #bbking

This is a good video on how to grade vinyl records visually. The main point here is to describe the issues with each record. It’s just a few words and helps the buyer understand the condition. I would rather buy from a seller who adds descriptions. #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #vinylrecords

The Very Best of Mick Jagger Mick is undeserving of the derision aimed at his solo career by Stones fans. This comp is a nice collection of hits, LP tracks, previously unreleased gems, soundtrack cuts, and duets. ✂️🥩 Too Many Cooks (Spoil The Soup) #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #MickJagger #music

Feels Like Rain by Buddy Guy Buddy’s second album for Silvertone won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Paul Rodgers, and Travis Tritt lend a hand. 🥩✂️ I Could Cry w/Mayall #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #blues #buddyguy

It’s a supernatural murder mystery that pokes fun at the Sedona AZ wellness/MAGA culture, often told through the eyes of a flock of ravens. I guessed all the killers but missed one big twist. It’s a page-turner. ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 💙📚 #booksky #murdermystery

Whenever I read a musician’s bio, I like to listen to select albums along with the narrative. My latest is Peter Frampton’s autobiography. Some of his post “Frampton Comes Alive” work is quite good. 💙📚 #vinylcommunity #books #music

The original Alice Cooper group have reunited and releasing an album of new music on July 25. This gives me hope for humanity. #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #music #alicecooper

Just finished book six! Whew I need a break after this one. As usual highly detailed and the storylines come to a head in the final chapters. (Most of them.) Not my favorite so far. Only 8 more to go. 💙📚 #booksky 🪐📚 #scifibooks #wheeloftime #robertjordan

Live at the Rainbow by Yes This is an “authorized bootleg” released for RSD 2025. From the “homemade” cover to the dropout on “Close to the Edge,” you get the whole bootleg experience. Nice etching on side 6. For completists. 🥩✂️ Starship Trooper #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #music #yes

Today is the 48th anniversary of the Led Zeppelin show I attended in Indianapolis at the late great Market Square Arena. It was the highlight of my senior year in HS. My original tix stub and a stub from the 1995 Page & Plant tour are included #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #musiccommunity #ledzeppelin

Next up! A good pressing. The Winos really cook on 999. The etching on the reverse is just a silhouette of Keith with guitar. Disappointing. Still a great one-off performance. #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #RSD #keithrichards