Author Archives: TGBII

Still Ticking or: The Tenth Second Birthday

18 Monday Apr 2022

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Salutations™!!

First, Dear Reader, a few housekeeping items. One, this is a picture of me TEN years ago (tomorrow) and I am not in the hospital and I’m not going through this right now. Two, I know I’ve been away, but as I mentioned in the Useless Podcast (you did listen to that episode, right?), I’ve been extra busy and not been able to experience a lot of things to really talk about that would have been clever, funny, or interesting.

24-hours post-surgery in 2012

I have told this story for the last eight years and I’m going to do it again.

Today, Dear Reader is my 10th birthday. My 10th second birthday that is. Ten years ago today, I was shorn of every hair on my body that wasn’t on my head. Every single hair, from my chest, to my back, my armpits, my legs, there all the way down to the hairs on my toes. Why you ask? Well, because I was a mere hour or so from being wheeled into an operating room to have my chest sawed open, my shoulders pulled back toward each other, my ribcage separated and my body basically put on a machine while my heart was disconnected. There were a couple of holes in my abdomen for drainage tubes. Then, a vein was removed from my leg slightly to the left of my right knee cap and snipped about halfway down my shin. That was used to create a bypass of three arteries, therefore constituting a triple bypass.

A CABG (pronounced cabbage), which means Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

They put a wire or two around my sternum to help it heal, did internal stitches on me that dissolved on their own, and wheeled me on to recovery where I spent a whole day asleep, basically. My lungs were still collapsed and weren’t inflating so I had to stay on a respirator with tubes in my stomach, down my throat, and on a lot of sedatives. My mother tried to be funny and tell me that I really do have a heart, to which, I motioned for the nurse to bring me a pen and paper. I wrote, “leave the comedy to me.” Everyone told The BCPF that I was going to look bad and be in a bad mood and all that stuff when I finally woke up. They prepared my son to see me like that. To everyone’s surprise, I was not bloated and didn’t look bad, considering the circumstances. And, I was in a good mood, again, all things considered.

This picture, which I use every year was taken 24 hours after my surgery. All I wanted to do was post a selfie showing that I was still alive. That was immediately after being wheeled into my room.

Special thanks to The BCPF for always watching over me. It gets annoying at times but truly without her constant vigil over me, I’d probably not be here today, new heart or not. I love you, baby!

Until next time, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—

“Being alive. After heart surgery, you dig that part. Breath, family, and friends are just amazing. Just to have a second shot is pretty great!” – Robin Williams

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/19 and 2/26

27 Sunday Feb 2022

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Salutations™!!

I missed last week. I just haven’t felt the writing. Sorry about that. I recorded a podcast for Useless Things last week and haven’t posted it, yet. I hope to break the funk. But, I’m going to highlight our haul from last week and yesterday.

©Merge

2/19:

Archers Of Loaf – Vee Vee — Eric Bachmann is on fire here. They are sonically punching people in the face. I still like his solo stuff better. Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Green vinyl. New.

Echo & The Bunnymen – Songs To Learn & Sing — Compilation, Reissue. Long-standing comp album from a really good band. New.

Dave Gahan & Soulsavers – Imposter — Soulsavers are Rich Machin and Ian Glover and Dave Gahan is the singer of Depeche Mode. Soulsavers are a songwriting and remix team. This album came out in November. New.

Black Pumas – Black Pumas — Deluxe Edition, Anniversary Release. Gold & Red/Black vinyl. One-year anniversary reissue. I don’t anything about them. NM.

Merle Haggard And The Strangers – Songs I’ll Always Sing — 2×LP, Compilation, Reissue, Gatefold. EX.

Alabama – The Closer You Get… — Not a huge Alabama fan, but it was just a few bucks and VG+ condition, so why not?

Ricky Skaggs – Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown — My dad is a big fan of Ricky Skaggs. I like some of his stuff, mostly because Dad liked it when I was growing up and there’s nostalgia. VG+.

The Kingston Trio – Time To Think — If it’s folk and available, The BCPF will get it. That’s what happened. VG+.

Tschaikovsky · Liszt · Debussy — Fritz Reiner / Chicago Symphony – 1812 Overture · Mephisto Waltz · Ibéria — VG+.

Giuseppe Verdi, Igor Markevitch, The Moscow Philharmonic, The State Academic Chorus – Requiem — VG+.

Various – Wings Of Sound — Two Michael Jackson songs, Kool & the Gang, Blondie, Little River Band, Rupert Holmes, ABBA, Kenny Loggins, and more. VG+.

Choir Of The Chapel Royal Of St. Peter Ad Vincula, The Tower Of London – Music For The Kings & Queens Of England — Like the title says it was music that was written for monarchs. VG+.

Karl Jergens, Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Dvorak – New World Symphony — I like Antonin Dvořák and I wasn’t passing on this. It’s just VG, but that’s okay.

Beethoven – Josef Krips & The London Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 5 In C Minor & Egmont Overture — Beethoven’s Fifth. Can you have enough versions of it? VG.

101 Strings – T.V. Themes — Hawaii Five-O, F.B.I., Ironside, Mystery Magazine, Run Alice Run, Kojak, M.A.S.H., and more. VG+

Various – Legendary Performers — 7×LP compilation, part of the Readers Digest collections. NM.

2/26:

The Psychedelic Furs – The Best Of The Psychedelic Furs — Pressed on indies exclusive 180g heavyweight vinyl, housed in a printed inner sleeve with new liner notes by Classic Pop and Long Live Vinyl editor Ian Peel. New.

Sinéad O’Connor – So Far… The Best Of Sinéad O’Connor — 2×LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Transparent Champagne. NM.

Superchunk – Wild Loneliness — We went to see Superchunk on Friday at The Ramkat here in WSNC. Mac talked about a new record and when we went to Underdog Records yesterday, here it was!!! Limited Edition, Green & Yellow. New.

Billy Joel – Glass Houses — This was a Walmart reissue that was released on Sky Blue vinyl. I have a VG+ copy and this is NM. Plus, a variant. So, I bought it.

Billy Joel – Storm Front — This is one of the few BJ albums that I don’t have in any form. Well, I fixed that. It’s also a Walmart exclusive red vinyl release. NM.

Go West – Go West — I bought this for the song “We Close Our Eyes.” I have liked what I’ve heard over the years from Go West. I hope the whole album is comparable. Sealed (which I will change soon). NM.

Elvis – The Sun Sessions — This compilation album was the only one I was missing to have all of the Top 25 (26, actually) from the 2012 edition of the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time list. This is the one that I call “the list that matters.” EX.

10cc – Deceptive Bends — I may or may not have mentioned that I am going to be the backup bassist for the Camel City Yacht Club and “The Things We Do For Love” is one of the songs we’ll be learning. It was $4 and VG+.

Various – Rainbow: The Soft Sounds Of Today’s Rock — Billy Preston & Syreeta, Dirt Band, Nicolette Larson, Rupert Holmes, Commodores, Air Supply, Crystal Gayle, Paul Davis, and more. Another in my quest for pertinent K-Tel records. VG+.

So, there’s a good list and haul between two weeks, I think.

The Forsyth County Mask Mandate is set to expire on Tuesday and Jonathan intends to be “mask-optional” but that is subject to trends of cases. That’s to be expected. It’s his store, so don’t be a dick if he reenacts it. Just don’t go. It’s not about you.

Check out the Underdog Record social media for what Jonathan is getting in (and announcements on masks usage) and you can order NEW vinyl day or night, 24/7/365 by visiting the website. Use Discogs to track your music collection, no matter the media.

Until next time, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Call me a joke, call me a fool. Right at this moment, I’m totally cool. Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife, I feel like I’m in the prime of my life. Sometimes it feels like I’m going too fast. I don’t know how long this feeling will last. Maybe it’s only tonight. Darling, I don’t know why I go to extremes. Too high or too low there ain’t no in-betweens.” – “I Go to Extremes” (Joel)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/5/22

06 Sunday Feb 2022

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©Philips

Salutations™!!

I was stuck in class all day yesterday, so The BCPF and I got to Underdog Records late. That’s really all we got to do outside having dinner with friends. So, let’s just jump in…

Damn Yankees – Damn Yankees — This is really the only way I can tolerate Ted Nugent. Mainly, that’s because of Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades. I paid a good deal for this. It is in EX condition and it looks unplayed. This is a rare find. Club Edition.

Kraftwerk – Techno Pop — 1986 reissue that is best known as a record that took a half-decade to complete. One member got more into cycling than recording, the sound wasn’t up to par, etc. Limited Edition, Misprint, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo, Clear, 180g, German Text On Cover. New.

Kraftwerk – Autobahn — This is a reissue of a reissue. The original was released in 1974. The official reissue was in 2009 for the 35th anniversary. This is a reissue of that. Five total songs, the first side is the 22:30 long title track. New. Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Special Edition, Stereo, Blue Translucent, 180g.

Superchunk – Majesty Shredding — The BCPF and I were both very surprised to find a Superchunk album that we didn’t have. New.

Crosby Stills Nash – Live It Up — This was a live album recorded after David Crosby got out of jail in the late 80s. On name only, I don’t recognize any of the songs on this. It’s a Columbia House club version. EX.

Here’s a PSA that Underdog Records will not be open next Saturday. Jonathan and his girlfriend Kerri are hoping to start a new tradition (this being the second annual time) of going on a mini-vacation the weekend of the Super Bowl. Good for him. He deserves it. But, you can purchase new vinyl, day or night by visiting the website. And, use Discogs to curate and track your collection.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I don’t want to live without you anymore. Can’t you see I’m in misery? And you know for sure. I would live and die for you and I know just what to do when you call me baby. Don’t say goodbye. Say you’re gonna stay forever. Oh, whoa, all the way. Can you take me high enough?” – “High Enough” (Blades/Nugent/Shaw)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/29/22

30 Sunday Jan 2022

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Salutations™!!

It was a busy Saturday for The BCPF and me. Not busy in work, but just a lot going on. But, all of it was fun. Mainly because we did it all together. But, one of the “things” was going to Underdog Records! Here’s the haul!

©E Works/PIAS

Sea Wolf – Through A Dark Wood — It’s a band led by Alex Brown Church. I don’t know what that means outside of it’s on Wikipedia. The BCPF picked this one. New.

Eels – Extreme Witchcraft — Brand new released this week. 180g vinyl with printed inner sleeve, screen printed poster. New.

Various – Singles – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack — This film, while important to early 90s pop culture, wasn’t quite as big as Reality Bites, but it was close. It was a Cameron Crowe-written film that featured a lot of Seattle’s grunge and contemporary rock, as well as some from outside Seattle. 2×LP, Compilation, Reissue. EX.

Otis Redding – Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul — It was ranked #72 on the Rolling Stone list that matters and dropped to #178 on the one that doesn’t. VG.

Tom Waits – Closing Time — Reissue, Remastered, 180 gram. Tom Waits from 1973. I think he was knocking it out of the park at this time. I didn’t like a lot of his later stuff but his early 70s stuff was awesome! This has “Ol’ 55” which many may know from The Eagles, but Waits wrote the song. New.

Ratt – Dancing Undercover — The third album and last one of those that I cared about from RATT. I didn’t like much of anything after, with the exception of a few songs here and there. The singles were “Dance,” “Body Talk,” and “Slip of the Lip.” VG+ on the vinyl, VG on the cover.

Rick Rizzo & Tara Key – Dark Edson Tiger — I literally have no idea what this is, The BCPF just picked it. I would say that she listened on YouTube to see what it sounded like whilst in the store and picked it up. It’s still sealed. NM.

Huey Lewis And The News – Picture This — I bought this for two reasons. 1) I didn’t have it. I wanted it. I listened to it this week. 2) yesterday was its 40th anniversary (as I highlighted in the Sounds Like Saturday post).

Elton John – Sleeping With The Past — This is a “club” version. The Columbia Record Club version, that is. I have been looking for this because of one song in particular. That song is “Club at the End of the Street.” It wasn’t the biggest song from this album. That goes to either “Healing Hands” or “Sacrifice.” They were released as a “Double A-Side” and it’s confusing. “Club…” did make it to #28. EX.

Charles Aznavour – Ave Maria — We got this in the $1 bin. It’s in VG, probably. It may be able to be cleaned up a bit, but we’ll see. Aznavour is one of the best-selling artists in the world. When he passed away in 2018, I looked him up and saw that CNN and Time called him the Entertainer of the Century in 1998. So, we don’t pass on Monsieur Aznavour.

Jonathan has been going through a lot of new used stock and putting out a lot of great stuff. The “Freshly Used” bins were full. It was exciting. If you watch the Underdog Records social media, you’ll know when Jonathan gets fresh stuff, reissues, new stuff, and more. You can order unused, NEW vinyl by visiting the website. I use Discogs to keep track and make sure I’m not buying stuff that I already had or do a little shuffle at times. It’s cool. You should use it, too.

Until next time, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“When the shades are drawn and the light of the moon is banned and the stars up above walk the heavens hand in hand. There’s a shady place at the end of the working day where young lovers go. And this hot little trio plays. That’s where we meet. That’s where we meet. Me and you rendezvous in the club at the end of the street.” – “Club at the End of the Street” (John/Taupin)

Sounds Like Saturday or: I Hope You Love Me

29 Saturday Jan 2022

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 40th anniversary of Huey Lewis and the News’ Picture This album. It was their breakout album, with three hits. This is probably the least well-known of the three but it’s a good one, nonetheless. Enjoy!

And, I apologize for not doing a Useless Things Podcast this week.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“What does a girl like you, see in a man like me? Just cause I love you, baby, don’t think I’ll be just what you want me to be. Ooh, yes I’m stubborn, I’m hard-headed, but baby I love you. And I hope you love me like you say I do.” – “I Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do” (Duke)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/22/22

23 Sunday Jan 2022

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a routine Saturday for The BCPF and me. Breakfast, wine, records. That was it. Here’s the haul:

©EMI

Pink Floyd – A Momentary Lapse Of Reason (Remixed & Updated) — 2×LP, 45 RPM. Gatefold sleeve + 24-page booklet. Remixed in 2019 from the original master tapes on Heavyweight 180g pressing. I had this on Cassette and can’t remember if I have it on CD or not. I think it was hard to find. I’m not huge on live albums, but this was a great show. New.

Various – I’ll Be Your Mirror (A Tribute To The Velvet Underground & Nico) — I’ve always said about Velvet Underground, I can handle the songwriting and structure, I just wish someone else would be singing the songs. I got my wish. 2×LP, Compilation. Michael Stipe, St Vincent, Thurston Moore, Andrew Bird, etc. New.

Grim Reaper – See You In Hell — A name I know from the 80s NWBHM days. This was the band’s debut album. I know Nick Bowcott from being a contributor for Guitar for the Practicing Musician when that was in publication and I was still reading it (I loved that magazine). I haven’t really ever heard it before, though. At least, as far as I know. It was there in EX condition, so I had to jump on it.

System Of A Down – Mezmerize — SOAD is always hit or miss with me, it’s a little aggressive, but when it’s melodic, it’s certainly melodic. This album, I love because of three songs specifically: BYOB (which stands for Bring Your Own Bomb), Audio/Video, and Cigaro. It was there brand new so I hit it. New.

Archers Of Loaf – All The Nations Airports — The BCPF’s album. She loves everything this band puts out. Any guesses as to what record label this is on? Yes, Merge. We know how she feels about that. New.,

The Magnetic Fields – Love At The Bottom Of The Sea — Another Merge Records band and another band that The BCPF loves. I am not a huge fan of this one. She is and that’s how it goes in this house. New.

Händel – English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner – Water Music — Just like it says. EX.

Watch the social media for Underdog Records to see what Jonathan has put out and has available for purchase. You can purchase unused vinyl (new and rereleases) 24/7/365 by visiting the website. Use Discogs to track your collection.

Until next time, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Can I make you an offer you can’t refuse? I kept my eyes on you, ’cause I tell you that you lose. And you can come with me to a place you’ll know so well. And I will take you to the very gates of Hell.” – “See You In Hell” (Bowcott/Grimmett)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Two Out of Two Are Gone

22 Saturday Jan 2022

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday we lost two great entertainers. One was a vocal beast and the other was a funny but gentle giant. Louie Anderson was hilarious and just self-deprecating enough to make himself more loveable. You wanted to love Louie. His delivery was amazing. Rest in peace, Louie.

Meat Loaf was operatic, powerful, a larger-than-life presence that turned Jim Steinman’s tongue-in-cheek songs and witty and clever lyrics into monster tunes that you couldn’t help sing along with, even if you couldn’t hit all the notes. He died on Thursday but we didn’t know until late that night, early yesterday. Rest in peace, Marvin Lee Aday!

I talked about both on my Useless Things Podcast yesterday, which you can hear here.

This gentleman does a great rendition of one of my favorite Meat Loaf songs. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I want you, I need you. But there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you. Now don’t be sad, ’cause two out of three ain’t bad.” – “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” (Steinman)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/15/22

16 Sunday Jan 2022

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Salutations™!!

©EMI

Are you enjoying the Snowmageddon that is happening outside right now? Or at least if you’re in the Southeast… I hate it, as you’d hear if you listened to the last two Useless Things Podcasts (which you can do here). We had breakfast, picked up the remaining tile we had for the bathroom redo, and went to Underdog Records. Here’s what we got:

Elvis Costello & The Imposters – The Boy Named If — The brand new album from Declan McManus and his band. 2×LP, 180g black vinyl. He sounds just as good as he always has. New.

The Moondoggies – Tidelands — Indie folk/country/pop just the way The BCPF likes it. One of the cool things about Jonathan is that he gives descriptions on the labels of the used stuff which may have trivia or genre-specific stuff. That’s what he did on this and The BCPF bought it because of that. And, he was spot on and she loved it. NM.

Duncan Fellows – Both Sides of the Ceiling — I have no clue what this is, but like the Moondoggies, the description grabbed The BCPF. NM.

George Martin – Beatles To Bond And Bach — Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Blue 180 gram. Record Store Day 2018 exclusive, limited, and numbered, 180-gram audiophile vinyl. Limited Edition of 2.500 Individually Numbered Copies on Blue Vinyl. The number of this version is 002488. NM.

Amor De Días – Street Of The Love Of Days — The only thing you and I have to know about this is “Merge Records.” We know that just about everything that that label puts out is going to be exactly what The BCPF loves and looks for. That’s what we have here. NM.

Great Northern – Trading Twilight For Daylight — 1st pressing translucent red vinyl. I know absolutely nothing more than that. The BCPF was listening to pieces of some of these albums on YouTube to see if she’d like it. EX.

It was an All-The-BCPF Saturday. I picked up the Elvis Costello but I did that for her, so…

Again, I reiterate the importance of what Jonathan does for his customers. He puts descriptions (when applicable) on the labels so you can be better informed about your purchases. Watch the social media for Underdog Records and you’ll see what he has just gotten in and is putting out for purchase. He had probably 1000 records come in this week that he has either purchased or made an offer for. That means something awesome is going to be showing up. Those kinds of collections are always abundant with awesomeness. You can buy NEW vinyl (meaning anything unused, not necessarily new releases) day or night, 24/7/365 by visiting the Underdog website. And, Jonathan, several of my friends and I use Discogs to keep up with our collections. You should, too.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Please don’t let on that you realized we keep our hopes on the night’s skies. And if it’s just one big lie, heaven knows what we all hide.” – “What Took So Long” (Moondoggies)

Sounds Like Saturday or: The Story Ends

15 Saturday Jan 2022

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 32nd anniversary of the release of the Sunday’s Reading, Writing and Arithmetic album. It’s one of The BCPF’s favorite bands and she loves this album and this song. This young lady does a fantastic version. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“People I see, weary of me, showing my good side. I can see how people look down. I’m on the outside. Here’s where the story ends.” – “Here’s Where the Story Ends” (Gavurin/Wheeler)