Third verse same as the first. A week’s worth at once. That’s how I roll these days, I guess. “Today” is the 41st anniversary of my favorite Pink Floyd album, one that people either love or hate. Generally, there’s not a lot of in-between. Of course, I’m talking about The Wall. I love concept albums and this isn’t just a concept album but basically a soundtrack to a film (that didn’t come until later). I wish they’d do that for Operation:Mindcrime.
Also, today is the 38th anniversary of the second-best-selling album of all time, Thriller from Michael Jackson. I did perform the Vincent Price part with The Plaids (funny, both VSS and The Plaids are headed by Doug Davis, yes, THAT Doug Davis). Both albums are very important pop culture icons. I just decided to go with Floyd today.
VSS did The Wall last summer and I wanted so badly to be part of it but I was working the Carolina Cobras game and couldn’t be there. This is what I wanted to sing and chances are, I would have gotten it.
So both are Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “What shall we use to fill the empty spaces where we used to talk? How shall I fill the final places? How should I complete the wall?” – “Empty Spaces” (Waters)
Friday was Record Store Day Black Friday and again, I was mostly ticked that it happened. It’s a money grab and sure I could have skipped it, but that’s not the spirit of the event nor the point. It happened and although I didn’t camp out and wait, I got some good stuff. There was very little that I cared about and maybe just a bit more that The BCPF did. We got to Underdog Records around 930a and the place was empty. There had been a mad rush with people camping out when the doors opened at 8a. But, here’s what we did get…
Garth Brooks – Legacy – Remixed / Remastered — This was not part of the RSDBF event. This was a 7×LP/7×CD box set. Most of Garth’s stuff is not available on vinyl and I really with it had the debut album, Ropin the Wind and a few others but it does have No Fences, The Chase, In Pieces, Fresh Horses and a 3×LP live album. I would have gladly traded the two albums missing for all the CDs. I have most of those CDs already. But, these are remastered, so… New.
Big Star – In Space — Also not in the RSDBF piece. Pressed on Translucent Blue Vinyl. Includes Liner Notes From the Band & Other Contributors. It is a reissue of Big Star’s fourth and final album in 2005. This was just 5 years prior to Alex Chilton’s death on St. Patrick’s Day, 2010. It was a good listen. I’m not the biggest Big Star fan but I certainly appreciate them. New.
Andrew Bird – Hark! — The third and final un-RSDBF piece. This is Andrew Bird’s October 2020 release. Packaged in a gatefold jacket with three paper sheet inserts, each with four perforated birds to hang as ornaments. I believe it is also red vinyl. New.
Lou Reed – Live At Alice Tully Hall (January 27, 1973 – 2nd Show) — Record Store Day Black Friday 2020 “RSD First” release. Limited to 5,000 copies. Limited edition burgundy color vinyl. Issued in gatefold sleeve. Lou’s first solo show in New York City (I believe this is the second of that day). First time ever (officially) released with essay and rare pics & memorabilia. Recorded during Lou’s 1973 Transformer tour. Mixed from restored original multitrack tapes by Matt Ross-Spang. On limited edition burgundy color vinyl. New.
Lou Reed – Magic And Loss — Limited Edition, Reissue, 180 Gram. 2×LP/3-sided with etched side 4. Record Store Day Black Friday 2020 “RSD First” release, limited to 7,000 copies. Issued in non-gatefold jacket with single-page insert with lyrics and credits. The critically acclaimed concept album First time on vinyl since an original limited release. Pressed on 2 LPs for the first time ever. 180-gram vinyl with side 4 etching. New.
U2 – Boy — Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, White, 40th Anniversary Edition. Record Store Day release for Black Friday 2020. Limited to 10,000 copies. Double-sided poster and lyrics / credit insert included. We have this on vinyl but only an older VG copy. This was special edition and we wanted it. New.
Best Coast – Crazy For You — This version is stamped on standard weight black vinyl. Pressing limited to 4000 copies. 1,000 Seafoam Green 3,000 Standard Weight Black . “All hand numbered xxxx/4000 in the lower right corner of the back cover.” That’s from the Discogs entry. I see no hand numbering. We do have one of the 1000 Seafoam Green ones as we listened to it yesterday. New.
That concludes our 2020 Record Store Day broadcast day. I got some good stuff, but it was anticlimactic now that it’s all said and done. I guess they’ll go back to the regularly scheduled way of doing it in 2021. That is, if we are back to normal at that point. Go visit Jonathan at Underdog Records. He’s open 11a-7p Thursday-Saturday and does deliveries and pickups Monday-Wednesday. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “Three thirty in the mornin’, not a soul in sight. The city’s lookin’ like a ghost town on a moonless summer night. Raindrops on the windshield, there’s a storm movin’ in. He’s headin’ back from somewhere that he never should have been, and the thunder rolls.” – “The Thunder Rolls” (Alger /Brooks)
Today is the 48th anniversary of Carly Simon’s No Secrets album. The biggest hit, probably of her career, is on this album. It is still shrouded in mystery even these many years past. Who is it about? Is it one person? Is it many people? Is it Mick Jagger (who sang back up on it)? Is it Warren Beatty? Is it James Taylor? Is it author Nick Delbanco? Who!? She has divulged that the second verse is about Warren Beatty. He, however, is “vain” enough to think the whole song was about him. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht. Your hat strategically dipped below one eye. Your scarf it was apricot. You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte. And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner.” – “You’re So Vain” (Simon)
Today is the 50th anniversary of George Harrison’s masterpiece, All Things Must Pass. When I say masterpiece, I don’t use it lightly. The whole album is magnificent. I am exactly one week older than this album. George was definitely the most talented Beatle, although not my favorite. He is The BCPF’s favorite. But, yeah, this album… man… And having “Weird Al” cover it? Heaven, man. Heaven. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “What I feel, I can’t say. But my love is there for you anytime of day. But if it’s not love that you need, then I’ll try my best to make everything succeed. Tell me, what is my life without your love? Tell me, who am I without you by my side?” – “What Is Life?” (Harrison)
Today is the 43rd anniversary of Eric Clapton’s Slowhand album. I’m not one to usually promote Eric Clapton because I think he’s overrated and I don’t particularly care for his playing nor his songs. But, there are times when you just gotta highlight the man. That, and there’s really nothing else to talk about today. I love Morgan James and while I think she can be a little over the top, she has some great power in her voice. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Sun ain’t nearly on the rise. We still got the moon and stars above. Underneath the velvet skies love is all that matters. Won’t you stay with me?Don’t you ever leave.” – “Lay Down Sally” (Clapton/Terry/Levy)
Today is the 49th anniversary of the Kinks’ Muswell Hillbillies album. I usually don’t like when British bands do “country” music. It just doesn’t seem genuine. Then again, outside a select few, what country artists are “genuine?” Yeah, not many. Anywhat! I don’t really care one way or another about this album. But, here’s the title track with the best cover I could find (sad, huh?). Enjoy.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Well I said goodbye to Rosie Rooke this morning. I’m gonna miss her bloodshot alcoholic eyes. She wore her Sunday hat so she’d impress me. I’m gonna carry her memory ’til the day I die.” – “Muswell Hillbilly” (Davies)
Hello, Dear Reader. Like last week, I’ve failed you as a daily blogger. I am writing all of these on Sunday and trying to make them relevant to the day they are. This may not matter to anyone but me, but it matters to me. I am still without my laptop and being in my editing studio (even if it is in my house), doesn’t give me the same push to write. But, to me, it is important that I write every day, at least for every day. So, here we are.
“Today” is the 29th anniversary of Ace of Base’s The Sign album. It is an underrated album and many don’t know that, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, it is one the 100 best selling albums of all-time. I have to say I liked it. I’m a pop music fan, at least of 60s-early 90s pop music. This album had four singles and this was one of them. I really dig this version, too. They do a great job! Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “So if you are in sight and the day is right, she’s the hunter, you’re the fox. The gentle voice that talks to you won’t talk forever, it is a night for passion. But the morning means goodbye. Beware of what is flashing in her eyes. She’s going to get you.” – “All That She Wants” (Joker/Buddha)
The BCPF and I went to Underdog on Friday instead of Saturday. Friday was my birthday and that’s one thing we did! You can backtrack and read the previous two days’ worth of blog posts to read more about that. Here’s the haul:
Pink Floyd – Delicate Sound Of Thunder — Die cut outer box, remixed from the original master tapes, heavyweight 180g vinyl, 24-Page booklet, brand new remix. 3×LP remaster, new!
The War On Drugs – Live Drugs — 2×LP, Limited Edition, Transparent Purple Vinyl. The BCPF love The War on Drugs, it’s a new live album. We had to have it. She had to have it. New.
Lambchop – Trip — Limited Edition, Coke-Bottle Clear & Yellow Swirl. Another of The BCPF’s faves. It’s covers of Weezer, Stevie Wonder and more. Includes 7.5″ Square Blotter Paper Print and A Small Poster. Printed Inner Sleeve (what appears to be for LSD or something; I have never done anything like that) and Download Code Card. New.
That’s all. We were there, really, to pick up things I had preordered. We are trying to save up some credit for this coming Friday which is Record Store Day Black Friday Edition. I don’t think I’ll be getting up before dawn to stand in line for this one, but we will probably go to see what is left. You can look at the offerings at the RSD website. Underdog Records will be open at 8a and this is a “queue and wait” affair, unlike the last few RSD events. You can shop Underdog Records day or night 24/7 by visiting their website. Jonathan does direct-to-porch deliveries Monday-Wednesday and the store is open 11a-7p Thursday-Saturday (except this Friday, which again, is 8a). Use Discogs to track your collection!
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “One of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces.” – “One of These Days” (Wright, Mason, Gilmour, Waters)
Yesterday was my big birthday. Today was the big celebration. We had The Beer Dads Family (the Joneses, the Lowders) and our extended friends family (The Davids, Our Jim Young) come over around 2pm. We set up a fire pit in our yard, our Alexa Dot, a Bluetooth speaker and had a fantastic time day drinking before The Beer Dads went to Mojito to have some delicious Cuban-inspired Latin Soul Food.
My friends know how much I love alcohol, too. The Davids brought me a Crown Royal set with glasses. The Joneses brought two bombers of high-gravity brews. Jim brought me Templeton Rye. The Lowders brought me Ragged Branch Double Oaked Whiskey, which was part of Jon’s barrel that he went in with friends to invest in. I love it!
We had a great time sitting around the fire, listening to Simply Sinatra and Yacht Rock Radio on SiriusXM and just talking and having a time. We all smelled like a campfire afterward and were a little tipsy but we did alright. The BCPF was the most inebriated and that’s okay! You go girl! I forgot to mention yesterday that we stopped by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge and one of my work wives, Bethany of The Less Desirables (and owner of Top Leaf) bought me two cigars. I had about 2/3 of one last night with my Ardbeg Scotch and the Ragged Branch.
I’ve had big parties and I’ve had small gatherings but I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed having everyone around celebrating with me. We missed the Verners, Bethany and my sister and BIL but we’ll make it up with them all soon!
Again, BEST! BIRTHDAY! EVER!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years.” – Ausonius
Useless Things Need Love Too 