Monthly Archives: June 2020

Now Normal Chronicles or: You Pulled the Trigger

30 Tuesday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 43rd anniversary of the KISS album that sits at #2 on my list. #2 but in reality it’s probably #1, Love Gun. It was my first KISS album. It was the one that was fresh (other than Alive II and the solo albums) when I discovered the band that I call my favorite of all time and that I have formulated an entire podcast, along with two of my cousins, around. I will be getting into this album more in the weeks and months ahead when we discuss it on the podcast. I’ll tell you more about that podcast later, too. Incidentally, it is also the 43rd anniversary of KISS putting their blood in the ink at the Marvel Comics printing plant. This was a “sleeper” on the album and when I was a kid, I rarely listened to it, but as I got older, I realized that this was pretty much the epitome of Gene, outside of “God of Thunder” (which oddly enough, he didn’t write, Paul did). I really love this tune and it seems this is the second time they did it live, so Paul says. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I’m almost human, can’t help feeling strange. The moon is out, I think I’m gonna change. You’re so smooth and tender, a living, breathing dream. I’ve got to have you, baby, I’m listening for your scream. (I’m almost human) I’m almost a man.” – “Almost Human” (Simmons)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Skipping Ahead

29 Monday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of one of my favorite albums from Queen, The Game. The first song I ever heard from Queen was “Another One Bites the Dust.” We didn’t have a lot of choices for rock music in 1980, so it was awesome. I hadn’t gotten into being a musician at the time but that bassline was undeniable as it still is. The whole album is groovy. So is this instrumental. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Steve walks warily down the street with the brim pulled way down low. Ain’t no sound but the sound of his feet. Machine guns ready to go.” – “Another One Bite the Dust” (Deacon)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/27/20

28 Sunday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I had a good day yesterday. We had breakfast out (which was scary and probably not something I’ll talk her into again for a while) and then went to Underdog Records to see Jonathan, get our fix, and came home listened to everything we bought and had some DiLisio’s for dinner. Great stuff. Here’s the haul:BridgesBabylon97

  • The Rolling Stones – Bridges To Babylon — I have stated many times that I’m not a huge Rolling Stones fan. I have also stated that my favorite era of the Stones is the 1978-1981 years. Well, precisely Some Girls and Tattoo You. Emotional Rescue was pretty bad, to me. I don’t like Exile on Main Street but some of the others around that album I did like. Then there were the later years (not like current era, but the late-80s into the 90s). I had mostly dismissed that stuff. Voodoo Lounge or Steel Wheels. And, of course, this album. The funny thing is, yesterday when we listened to this album. I fell in love with it. Yeah, it’s Glimmer Twins uber-cheesy nonsense but I really, really enjoyed listening to it. This is the first time since 1997 that this album was released on vinyl and it is a half-speed mastering which means the mastering lathe is cutting into the master platter at half the speed which gives the cutting head more chances to get the cut right. Think of a riding lawnmower. If you go at 10-12 mph on that mower, the grass will still be cut but not as good as if you went 5-7 mph, right? The cut will be more precise and it will look better, or in case of a mastering lathe, it will sound better. There are several pro/con schools of thought on that, but I think it is a good thing. Anywhat, I loved listening to this, it sounded great, the songs were enjoyable. I’m so glad I got this. 2xLP. New.
  • Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels — This one, which had more “hits” than the previous entry on this post, didn’t hold up as well to me. I still liked it, but it wasn’t as fun. I had both of these albums on CD and I think listened through them once each. This one may get hit in a “random grab” but I can see the previous one being listened to more readily. This, too, was half-speed mastered. New.
  • Van Halen – 1984 — Yes, I already had this but my copy had some skips and surface noise. It is my favorite VH record. This was remastered, reissued, and is on 180g vinyl. I told The BCPF that I don’t remember hearing “this or that” even on the CD. This was well done. I still love every song on here and am quite happy with paying for a new copy. So, yeah… New.
  • Mother Love Bone – Apple — This was on the Eugeology list that I did with Eugene a couple of years back. I really liked it then. I really love it now. I think when I listened on the “list,” I was focused so much on the analysis or critique that I didn’t get to listen for listening’s sake. Yesterday, I got to listen and enjoy it even more. I am so glad that Eugene put his on my radar and that Underdog Records put it in my hands. New.
  • Superchunk – No Pocky For Kitty — The BCPF and I have seen Superchunk in concert twice. She had seen them more than that, I think before we met. Mac McCaughan started the band in Chapel Hill, NC, and later Merge Records. If you’re wondering, Pocky is a popular Japanese treat. Basically, biscuit/bread treats dipped in chocolate or strawberry coating. We sold them when I owned the comic book store. They were good but not worth the cost (since they were imported). This album, the band’s second release, is pretty good. The BCPF enjoys them more than I do, but I don’t dislike them. New.
  • Superchunk – On The Mouth — The third release from the band (1993), the same applies to this one as the previous entry. She liked it. I didn’t mind it. New.

That’s the haul. Short and sweet. I failed to mention last week that we also got a Nina Simone record but as of yet it isn’t on Discogs, at least the version I got, which was a reissue released last week. I’ll give it another week and if it’s not on Discogs, I’ll have to add it myself. I don’t like entering them. I always feel like I’m leaving something off. Plus, the meticulous intent from the editors of that site is kind of scary. Which, is why I trust them with my collection; precision and meticulousness. You should use them, too.

Underdog Records is open Thursday through Saturday from 11a-7p. Jonathan does deliveries (weather permitting) Monday-Wednesday. You should follow him on Instagram (the preferred method) or Facebook to see what he’s offering up. It could be new or used. Just follow the instructions in the posts. Plus, you can see what new vinyl (whether reissues, backstock, or new releases) he has, and purchase some via the website.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“I dance a dancer, I’m all wrong. She thinks she’s young and wise but no, no, no. She dance around my, my pretty little cable car and fix me up with a guy, why? C’mon, how dare you do this? Why she done that to me, ever? Why she done it to me? So I’m singing…” – “Stargazer” (Ament/Fairweather/Gilmore/Gossard/Wood)

Sounds Like Saturday or: The End of the Matter

27 Saturday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 31st anniversary of Don Henley’s The End of the Innocence album. I remember when it came out. I remember when the title track was first released that I knew that was Bruce Hornsby playing the piano, he just has that style. This album is #389 on the RS list and I like it. I used to do this song with my old, departed friend, Noel Livengood. I picked this version, well because the dude has a righteous beard. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I’m learning to live without you now. But I miss you sometimes. The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I thought I knew, I’m learning again. I’ve been tryin’ to get down to the heart of the matter but my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter but I think it’s about forgiveness. Forgiveness. Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore.” – “Heart of the Matter” (Campbell/Henley/Souther)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Not So Bad

26 Friday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 31st anniversary of the very first CD I ever purchased. That is the self-titled debut (one of only two) from Bad English. I purchased it, along with my first ever CD player at a Wal-Mart in Orlando, Florida. It was the 26th of December and my family, including my brother, and my girlfriend at the time took two vehicles down and spent a week in Walt Disney World. Par for the course with my family, at the time, we didn’t have a “plan.” It’s the worst-ever time to go to Disney (the week between Christmas and New Year’s) and we had no reservations. We drove around until my dad was able to find a cheap motel that had two rooms next to each other. The next day, I went into a Peaches and purchased KISS’ Music From ‘The Elder’  and Hotter Than Hell. That started a good collection.

Anywhat! Bad English was a supergroup. Basically a mix of The Babys and Journey with Deen Castronovo and Ricky Phillps filling out the band. I liked it. It was sugary pop rock and I’m okay with that. There were a few really good songs on there. This one, written by Diane Warren (who wrote/co-wrote a lot of music in this era) was the biggest hit for the band and you can still hear it often on 80s radio channels. This is a decent version of it, too! Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Sometimes I want to give up, I want to give in, I want to quit the fight. And then I see you, baby. And everything’s alright, everything’s alright.” – “When I See You Smile” (Warren)

When We Go Without or: The Mess of It All

25 Thursday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday, the internet went down at Le Château de Beeman. It went out at 245p or so. It came back on around 10-ish. Six and a quarter hours isn’t a long time and yeah, we used to be without the internet all day, every day. But, here’s the thing: my business is internet-based. Everything I do, everything I am. It’s internet-based. Okay, that’s an over-exaggeration. But, my reliance on the internet is heavy. Internet_of_Things

I had to operate on some “data” plan yesterday and everything else that I do, being mostly internet-based, kept me from doing just about anything else. The BCPF, who is working from home, spent some time out in the yard. We listened to some records and spent some time together. That part was great. We grabbed food to go and ate a bit before the pipeline opened back up.

Really, it wasn’t so bad. Merely an inconvenience. However, it did reiterate to me my reliance on technology and especially the interwebs. Another thing that I realized is this: I am okay with that. I have no problem being so dependant on the internet. The only time I have a problem is when it isn’t there. Whether on my computer, my cell phone, my Amazon Fire TV, Alexa, my Napster, any of it, I have to have my internet. I need it and I will get cranky when I don’t. I know I got on the nerves of the Spectrum customer service Twitter account. I apologize to them for that. Just keep the danged service up!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“There is an underlying, fundamental reliance on the Internet, which continues to grow in the number of users, country penetration and both fixed and wireless broadband access.” – Vint Cerf

Screwy For Sure or: A Reliance of Tears

24 Wednesday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

So, I’m backdating this for yesterday, but full disclosure, I am writing this on Thursday. The internet in our house was out yesterday from around 245p and didn’t come back on until around 10p. Yeah, that’s time to get a blog post in but I had everything else I had to get to that I missed while the ‘net was down. Anywhat! I am still drawing from Thursday for this post because, frankly, there wasn’t anything I wanted to talk about from Wednesday. So, “tomorrow” will be the 38th anniversary of Peter Criss’ second true solo album, Let Me Rock You. I will be completely honest with you, here… I’ve never heard anything from this album. But, it has a lot of guest writers (duh) and guest players. I mean Gene wrote a song for this – and Peter had been gone for a few years at this point. Vini Poncia produced it, but he did Peter’s 1978 KISS “solo album,” Dynasty and Unmasked. That’s important because Vini had a bit to do with Peter leaving the band because his playing wasn’t up to par and Vini kind of pushed him out and had Anton Fig in his place. This song is performed by the man (one of them) that actually wrote the song and it’s a bit different from what is on the album. And, yes, that is Vincent Cusano, aka Vinnie Vincent. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A master of the beat, you got my number in your hands. A killer on the streets. you got your, your action plan. But somewhere in your heart, there must be a place for me, ’cause, sweetheart, I think I see.” – “Tears” (Cusano/Mitchell)

Now Normal Chronicles or: All By Myself?

23 Tuesday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 34th anniversary of Peter Cetera’s second solo album (the first after he left Chicago), Solitude/Solitaire and I know most people hate that sugary, super-sensitive pop stuff that Cetera did alongside Stephen Foster. I like it because I like sugary and super-sensitive pop stuffs. I also like crapola, cheesy, feel-good movies from the mid-80s and this falls under both of those categories! This was in Karate Kid Part II but I don’t think I needed to tell you that. Not a bad cover here. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I am a man who will fight for your honor. I’ll be the hero you’re dreaming of. We’ll live forever, knowing together that we did it all for the glory of love.” – “Glory of Love” (Cetera/Foster/Nini)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 6/20/20

22 Monday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Saturday took The BCPF to my happy place, Underdog Records. This week’s haul is short but just being there is enough to make me giddy. Thank you, Jonathan, for making it a great visit every time. Okay, so I’m a day behind because of the holiday yesterday so let’s get to it!

Sufjan_Stevens_-_Illinois

©Asthmatic Kitty

  • Sufjan Stevens – Illinois — The BCPF introduced me to Sufjan when we were just friends. She put “Casimir Pulaski Day” on a mix CD for me. I like that song. Sufjan is an odd bird, quirky, kooky and very talented. This is a concept album all about Illinois-ish. Great album. New.
  • Yo La Tengo – Stuff Like That There — From the Matador Records website: “On this album, the band revisits the original concept of their 1990 album Fakebook with a mix of cover songs, “covers” of Yo La Tengo songs and brand new originals.” Another that I was introduced to before The BCPF and I dated. New.
  • Band Of Horses – Everything All The Time — I know I say this every time I post a new-to-us Band of Horses album. They’re so wispy and airy. Another favorite of The BCPF and yet another that I got to know before we dated. I see a pattern that I didn’t know about on Saturday. Hmmm… VG++/EX
  • Art Tatum – More Of The Greatest Piano Of Them All — Art Tatum was a popular jazz pianist that has been dead more years that I have been alive. But, I love jazz piano so we’ll love this, I’m sure. VG/VG+.
  • Deodato – Prelude — Deodato is more than a composer and performer, he’s an arranger and producer, too. This album contains his pop-inspired cover of Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” which we all know as the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. But, did you know that his daughter is married to Stephen Baldwin and his granddaughter is married to Justin Bieber? You do now. Really, I bought this album because I got tired of seeing it at Underdog Records. I enjoyed the listen, so I’m glad I got it! VG+.
  • The Northern Pikes – Big Blue Sky — The only thing I’d ever heard from The Northern Pikes was their song “She Ain’t Pretty.” I loved the song and the video. That song isn’t on this album but that’s okay. This was a fantastic listen. Straight-forward power-pop and I dug it. I’m glad I found it. VG+.

Jonathan is back to Thursday-Saturday regular hours, now. He is still doing deliveries Mondays through Wednesday as long as it’s not raining, which over the last few weeks… meh. But, you should watch his Instagram and Facebook pages (Underdog Records’ pages, that is) to see what he’s getting in, has gotten in and taking out! Buy new vinyl day or night at the Underdog Records website. We will get back to a special of the week when things settle down at TLD. I use Discogs to curate my collection and you should too, no matter the format.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Hear that lonesome whippoorwill, he sounds too blue to fly. The midnight train is whining low. I’m so lonesome I could cry.” – “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (Williams)

(Not So) Silent Sunday or: The Father’s Day Edition

21 Sunday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

The record post will be tomorrow. Today is Father’s Day, my 18th. My son was born in May and I have now had 18 of these things. I love that he let me be one. I had to earn the title “Dad.” As I say on The Beer Dads every week, “any knucklehead can father a child but it takes a real man to be a ‘Dad.’” I believe that, too. I think 3B allows me to be a Dad.

timbeemans3

It may be cliché (and clichés usually are there for a reason), but my dad is my hero and one of the two biggest influences on my life. As I said last year in my post, he taught me to be a man, be my own man. He taught me what I know in business (again as did my mother). My dad taught me to give folks the shirt off my back (although no one wants to see that) who need it. We certainly aren’t rolling in but we aren’t living on the streets, either. So, we give what we can when we can. My dad is no bleeding-heart liberal like The BCPF and I are, but he still has compassion for those in need.

I see that he’s proud of me; he doesn’t have to say it. I’m proud of my son and things he’s becoming and things he’s done even at this young age. He’s made steps for his future and while those may change, this “Dad” is proud as heck to call him “Son” as I think my dad does me. So to my “Pops” and my readers who are “Dads,” “Stepdads” or even “Father Figures.” Happy Father’s Day and I hope it is wonderful for you all.

Not only is it Father’s Day today, it’s also my parents’ 52nd wedding anniversary and the 34th anniversary of me moving to WSNC. I got to see my family and my son and his girlfriend went with The BCPF and I to eat for lunch and it was fantastic!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I have a Father’s Day every day.” – Dennis Banks