Tom McCool
banner
mccoolvinyl.bsky.social
Tom McCool
@mccoolvinyl.bsky.social
Follow me for what I’m spinning and what I’m reading. 💙🌈🗽🕊️✝️
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
January 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
This one is fun! Had to have it after watching the final season of Stranger Things. Comes with poster, sticker, and bumper sticker. #vinylcommunity
January 18, 2026 at 1:39 AM
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
January 17, 2026 at 2:07 AM
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
January 12, 2026 at 1:37 AM
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
January 9, 2026 at 3:34 PM
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
January 5, 2026 at 2:33 AM
My Year in Books. #booksky
January 1, 2026 at 8:34 PM
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
December 30, 2025 at 12:13 AM
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
December 30, 2025 at 12:04 AM
“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
December 30, 2025 at 12:00 AM
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
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
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
October 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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
October 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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...
Bloom + An Acoustic Companion Vol. 2
open.spotify.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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
October 6, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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
September 30, 2025 at 11:33 AM
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
September 22, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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
September 22, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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
August 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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
August 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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
August 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
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
August 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
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
August 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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
August 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I just finished this fascinating and detailed biography. I learned so much about Twain. 📚💙 #booksky #marktwain #ronchernow
August 17, 2025 at 1:29 AM