Category Archives: Records

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 3/23/19

24 Sunday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

a3452871080_10

©Dead Oceans

It’s the end of the month and the end of the quarter. That means that funds are a bit tight. Our haul is very short this week, but we have a vast back catalog of recent arrivals that we went through. The sun was out, Underdog Records had their $1 albums outside, the day was great. Perhaps we’ll do some yard sitting today. I wish we could take the turntable out there. Oh well, Alexa will have to do. Here’s the haul:

That’s a short week. Jonathan will be at Gas Hill Drinking Room at the Ramkat this Thursday, 3/28 for BYOV. I really don’t know if there are themes every month, but this week, it’s 90’s Appreciation Day. Go by and take a few of your favorite 90s album and get in the queue, have a great beverage and enjoy the community that accompanies good vinyl listening parties. Speaking of listening, listen to each episode of The Less Desirables and hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is.

I use Discogs to catalog, track and sometimes choose what I’m going to listen to.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Grind your teeth and cut off all your sleeves. A few good riffs and a sticky bag of cream. You said, therefore, it’s not as bad as it seems. A corner kid gets to live out all his dreams. No self-control. You keep singin’ through the screams. When you let go it’s closer than you think.” – Weird Ways (Showalter)

The Pops and Cracks or: My Vinyl Life

22 Friday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

This is going to be super short. A friend of mine sent this to me and I posted it on my Instagram. It’s a great joke and isn’t anywhere near true, but it does make you wonder why people get into vinyl like we do. I’ll write up a good explanation at another time. Until then…

0vinyl

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I collect vintage vinyl records.” – John Varvatos

Running Late or: Live!

21 Thursday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

I know I’m late. I was going to post about a Facebook Live that I participated in tonight to discuss what it is that I do. I say was going to, but I really did do the event but I think the event is private so I don’t think I can share it.

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Nike Roach

But, I was on Nike (pronounced Nee-kay) Roach’s Facebook Live show where he talks about marketers and business folk that do good in the world. I guess I qualify for that. I’m going to try to link it HERE.

Nike is a great guy and was on The Less Desirables a few weeks back. I was returning the favor.

I had fun. Check it out. If it doesn’t work, I’m sorry.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Business folks, moms and dads, cats and dogs, chickens and frogs, it doesn’t really matter, no matter what you do, you are in the right place at the right time…” – Nike Roach

Dressed to Kill or: Many KISSes

19 Tuesday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

I know I said that I was done with these, but I had to write about something, right?

Today is the 44th anniversary of the release of KISS’ Dressed to Kill album. Probably my least favorite of the “Klassic KISS” albums, it still has plenty of proud moments for me. One of my favorite KISS tunes is “She” and while that was originally a Wicked Lester tune (co-written by Gene and Stephen Coronel), really no one ever heard it like that and I think most people would prefer there not be flutes, a la Jethro Tull, in their KISS songs. Incidentally, today is also the anniversary of Aqualung. I just thought I’d throw that out there.

Dressed_to_Kill_(album)_cover

©Casablanca Records

Other great songs on this album are “C’mon and Love Me” which I performed probably as much as any KISS song in Heavens Sake, “Rock Bottom,” “Two Timer,” and “Love Her All I Can,” also a former Wicked Lester tune but completely written by Paul. Those are the great tunes from the album (including “She”). Then there are the mid-card KISS tunes like “Room Service,” “Ladies in Waiting,” “Getaway,” and “Anything For My Baby.” These are okay but nothing really kicks me from them.

Of course, the “elephant in the room” is that song. And by that song, I mean that song.

I have to give credit where credit is due, without that song, KISS may have never been what they became. Without that song there probably wouldn’t have been any Destroyers, Unmasked, solo albums, Lick It Up, Revenge, Sonic Boom and so on. I’m almost positive that without that song, Casablanca Records would have folded after the release of Alive! later in the year. But, I really don’t like that song. That’s not true. I am so burnt out on that song. I cringe when I hear it come on, but I have to respect it. That song made KISS KISS. I know this. I am just so over it. More than any other KISS song, I don’t care if I never hear it again, although I know I certainly will.

Okay, enough, that song is obviously “Rock and Roll All Nite.”

Paul and Gene were basically told by Bill Aucoin, their manager, who was in turn told by Neil Bogart, the president of Casablanca Records, that they had to write an anthem. They didn’t really know what he meant. What he meant was a “cheerleading song,” something everyone can sing along to. So, they cranked this thing out. The words make no sense really, but hey, it was 1975. Really, though, name an “anthem” that is more known than this tune. I’ll wait. “Twist and Shout?” “Shout?” “Hey Jude?” I don’t know if any of them are as potent as “RNRAN.” Anyway, the KISS haters will debate that all day long. KISS fans may try to include “Shout It Out Loud” (Destroyer) or “I Love It Loud” (Creatures of the Night), but I’m pretty sure that while we may all be tired of “RNRAN,” we’d be hard-pressed to put those ahead of it.

Funds at Casablanca Records were tight. So tight, in fact, that when the band was brought in the studio after touring, they couldn’t even afford to hire a proper producer. So, Bogart did the work himself. I think he did okay. It’s not the most sonically-dynamic KISS album, but it’s not the worst sounding either.

This was KISS’ third album in just 13 months. Today, that would be unheard of. KISS was released in February 1974 and Hotter Than Hell in October 1974. This was March 1975. There was little time to write and prepare, which, I believe, is why there are two Wicked Lester songs on the album. I also believe that is why there are so many mid-card songs on the album. And, I think it is why the album is so short. The whole thing comes in at 30:07. That’s 15 minutes per side on vinyl. It’s almost EP length in comparison to standards.

Gene played rhythm guitar on “Ladies in Waiting” and Ace played all guitars and bass on “Getaway” (he wrote) and “Rock Bottom” (he co-wrote). Peter sang “Getaway.” Four of the tunes made it to Alive! 

It does have one of the coolest covers, though. I love the boys in business suits. All of them, except Peter, had to borrow theirs because they didn’t own one. If you notice, Gene has on some open-backed high-heeled clogs or something and they’re a little small for his feet. The heel is about an inch out of the back of the shoe. The back cover is the negative of that cover photo.

The album was certified gold in 1977. To my knowledge, it hasn’t progressed from there.

It sits at #29 on my KISS list (out of a possible 32), which surprises a lot of folks. Sorry, it’s just not up there on my “want-to-listen” list. But, it is a KISS Klassic and, again, I give it mad props because of that.

What do you think of this album, Dear Reader?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Hard times got me down. Good times ain’t around. Now I got the mind to say, ‘Girl, you hit rock bottom and you’re there to stay!'” – “Rock Bottom” (Stanley/Frehley)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 3/16/19

17 Sunday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I got a slow start yesterday. We didn’t leave the house until 1130a and mosied around breakfast and getting to Underdog Records. It was a lazy day for us and that’s okay. We like those. Here’s our haul:

Gary_Clark_Jr._-_This_Land

©Warner Bros

  • Gary Clark Jr. – This Land — I have waited three weeks for this album. There was a snafu in my obtaining it when it came out and then it was sold out and then it was on backorder. But, now, I have it. It’s a fantastic record, too. Clark meshes a whole range of styles in his music. There’s rock, there’s soul, there’s R&B, and there’s blues, there’s hip-hop. I hear some Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Prince, B.B. King, Jesse Johnson (The Time), SRV, and many others in here. Clark is no rookie but I had never heard of him. I thank Danielle Bull for the introduction. He feels it and I loved it. New 2xLP.
  • Thomas Dolby – The Flat Earth — This was a weird album for me. I never heard the “She Blinded Me With Science” Thomas Dolby and that’s okay, I didn’t have to hear that. But, there were times when he was off-key or almost off-key, but I got the feeling all of it was deliberate. And, I’m okay with that, too. “Hyperactive!” was fantastic and the rest of the album was a fun listen. VG+.
  • Tom Tom Club – Close To The Bone — Every song sounds like “Genius of Love” (from their previous album) but I like that song, so that’s okay. The album did sort of drag a bit, but The BCPF wanted and that’s all that matters. VG+.
  • Golden Earring – N.E.W.S. — Also known as North East West South, this is Dutch band Golden Earring’s follow up to Cut which had “Twilight Zone.” This one didn’t do as well. VG+.
  • Eric Burdon And The Animals – The Greatest Hits Of Eric Burdon And The Animals — Another of The BCPF’s selections. I don’t recognize any of the song titles, but that is no indication of the quality of the songs because, heck, there are plenty of songs I don’t know, right? Just go with me here. VG.
  • Loverboy – Keep It Up — I think of this as a “lost” Loverboy album because Get Lucky and Lovin’ Every Minute of It were such powerhouses. This was released between the two. And, while there were three singles released from the album (“Strike Zone,” “Hot Girls in Love,” “Queen of the Broken Hearts”) none of them stand out to me. I know some go crazy over “Hot Girls in Love” but it’s just meh to me, but I’m hoping that in the context of a full album, I’ll find a greater appreciation.  VG+.
  • Peter, Paul And Mary – Peter, Paul And Mommy — The trio’s first children’s album. It contains hits like “Puff the Magic Dragon” among others. The single, “Day is Done”, reached number 7 on the Easy Listening chart and number 21 on the Pop Singles chart. Anytime you see PP&M albums, you can almost always be assured that it was The BCPF’s doing. Although Ma Mère liked them a lot, I can only handle them in small bursts. VG++.
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Gershwin Song Book Vol. 1 — One of The BCPF’s faves, you can rest assured it was her picking this out, although, I will say, I showed it to her to approve. VG-.
  • Neil Diamond – Classics The Early Years — Just like it says, early Neil Diamond. VG+.

Being as Jonathan has been sick he’s been behind on his Curated by Underdog series. I get it and would rather him catch up for other folks than me. I’ll be around and mine is more an experiment for me and I guess him. I do look forward to whatever he pulls for me, though. You should check into it, as well. You don’t have to live here to participate. He can ship you his selections. Check it out on the website. Also, listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. And Record Store Day is April 13, go to their website to find out what’s coming.

Also, as one of our private group started doing this week, the daunting task of putting his collection in Discogs, he’ll find that having that is a big help and you can make purchases from their Marketplace. I have grown to depend on it. Good stuff.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“She’s turnin’ on the heat. She’s got the magic touch. She’s turnin’ on the heat. And it’s a little too much. She’s turnin’ on the heat. And it’s a hundred above yeah. Hot girls in love. I’m in love.” – “Hot Girls in Love” (Dean/Fairbairn)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 3/9/19

10 Sunday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

A cold and slimy day yesterday was made better by being with my girl, seeing Jonathan at Underdog Records, buying records and listening to them all day. And, in the listening (and buying) there was a lot of The BCPF influenced listening since I let her pick out a few new or reissued albums because her birthday is Tuesday. Here’s what we got:

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©Bite Back

  • Johnny Marr – Call The Comet — Marr, unlike his former bandmate in The Smiths, Morrissey, isn’t all gloom and doom and this album was really rocking. We enjoyed listening to it. A lot. New.
  • Cranes – Self-Non-Self — The BCPF described this as “the Cure with a weird-voiced woman singer.” I don’t necessarily disagree with that but, to me, it sounds more like Art of Noise with an amalgamation of Siouxsie Sioux and Blossom Dearie singing lead. But, as weird as it truly was, I really dug it. Good stuff but I need to pace myself with it. New.
  • The Smiths – Meat Is Murder — Hey, speaking of The Smiths, this is #296 on the RS list and whilst I didn’t really know any of the tunes, it’s the wonderful, miserable stuff you expect from them. New.
  • Hüsker Dü – New Day Rising — #488 on the RS list. I don’t really remember what it sounds like. I think I gave it a bad review but my listening tastes have matured since #488 on that list. That was a few years back and most of the stuff that I didn’t like then have grown on me or I can just give a new listen. So, let’s see how this one goes. New.
  • Paul Simon – The Rhythm Of The Saints — This was the follow-up to Graceland and while I don’t think it is nearly as good as its predecessor, it was a good album. On Graceland Simon used African-inspired percussion and rhythms, on this album, he used Latin-American influences to achieve his musical goals.
  • Alice Cooper – Pretties For You — This is the debut album by Alice Cooper (that’s the band, not necessarily Vincent Furnier’s character in the band). I’ve not heard it but from what I understand, Frank Zappa “produced” it. I say that because, supposedly, Frank left the studio and left his brother in charge. He recorded their rehearsals and Frank came in and told them the album was done. Now, Zappa was a weird individual so I want to hear what, if anything, he did to the album. VG-.
  • Jimi Hendrix – The Cry Of Love — This was the first album released after Jimi’s death. This past Tuesday was the 48th anniversary of the release of the album. It was released in March 1971 after Jimi passed on September 18 the year before. It was comprised of music Jimi had been working on for his new album and the compilation of this album was done by Mitch Mitchell and Eddie Kramer, who is given credit for production. VG+.
  • The Hollies – Words And Music By Bob Dylan — This is a reissue of the album “Hollies Sing Dylan” with a different cover. The track listing is the same. Anytime The BCPF sees something with Dylan’s name on it, she grabs it. That’s what happened here. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – On The Threshold Of A Dream — The Moodies fourth album. Once Ray got me going on the collection, now I feel like I need to populate it. So, here we are. I know nothing about the album. VG+.
  • Stephen Stills – Right By You — I try to get things like this for The BCPF because I know she loves it. I found it Friday and had Jonathan put it back for me. She was happy. I was happy. ‘Nuff said. VG+.
  • The Style Council – My Ever Changing Moods — The Style Council was basically Paul Weller from The Jam and Mick Talbot from Dexy’s Midnight Runners. I haven’t listened to this yet, but from what I can tell, it’s some “blue-eyed soul.” The US version was slightly different from the UK version. This is the US version. The UK version was called Café Bleu and Side 1 of the US is called that. VG/VG+.
  • George Frideric Handel – The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock – Water Music — VG+.
  • Various – Tommy (Original Soundtrack Recording) — The 2xLP soundtrack of the film and not the album. I need to find the actual album. I have “excerpts” from it and this. VG-.
  • The New American Guitar Ensemble: Lewis Ross  – A Collection Of Favourite Christmas Carols — $1 bin find. In decent condition. VG.
  • Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison – My Fair Lady — The movie soundtrack and not cast recording. So, while Audrey Hepburn is credited, Marni Nixon was the actual vocalist. Incidentally, Marni Nixon was the mother of Andrew Gold whose biggest hit was “Lonely Boy.” $1 bin find. VG.
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmo’s Factory — CCR’s fifth album. This was a $1 bin find and is in pretty bad shape. I don’t know how much we’ll get to listen to it, but I’ll give it one spin. G+. Incidentally, we also got Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed but I’m not counting that we have it because it is in bad shape and the cover is being held together by one quarter-inch piece of cardboard. I cleaned the record but it wasn’t better than G/G+ either.
  • Savoy Brown – Street Corner Talking — $1 bin find. VG.
  • Ella Fitzgerald / Frank DeVol And His Orchestra – Like Someone In Love — Just like all things Dylan, The BCPF grabs all things Ella. This was a $1 bin find and is maybe G+.
  • Cream – Best Of Cream — $1 bin find. G+/VG-.

Underdog Records is gearing up for Record Store Day which is April 13. If you haven’t seen the list yet, you should, it is pretty impressive. I will be camping out again with my pals Bob, Dave, Jordan and Michael. We are going to be better prepared for warmth and fun and frolic this time around. But, to see the list go to the RSD website.

Discogs is how I keep track of my collection and am able to give you this list every week.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Heifer whines could be human cries. Closer comes the screaming knife. This beautiful creature must die. This beautiful creature must die. A death for no reason. And death for no reason is murder.” – “Meat is Murder” (Morrissey/Marr)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 3/2/19

03 Sunday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

We had a brief encounter with warmer, sunnier weather yesterday. That was nice and it made it harder for us to stay indoors and listen to records, but hey, we were listening to records and that’s one of our favorite pastimes. So, it worked out. But, we pulled a lot of stuff home yesterday from Underdog Records. Here’s the haul:

Sheperd's-dog

©Sub-Pop

  • The Japanese House – Good At Falling — I had heard of The Japanese House (who is really just a pseudonym for Amber Bain) whilst watching something else. It was a showcase or something, I don’t remember. But, I liked what I heard. She’s ethereal, atmospheric and even though she uses Auto-Tune, she uses it for effect, not necessarily for patching shoddy vocals. I liked it. It’s a 2xLP and is in limited white vinyl. I usually don’t read the labels (my eyesight isn’t that good), but it says on this one that it’s to be played at 45RPM. I was a quarter through the first track before I realized something was amiss. New.
  • Van Morrison – Astral Weeks — #19 on the RS list, this is not my favorite VM album, nor do I like it all that much. It has some beautiful moments, but mostly, he warbles on a bit much for me. And, in one song he sounds like Porky Pig. I don’t know, I just don’t understand it, I guess. It’s on the list, it needs to be in my collection. New.
  • The Beatles – Abbey Road — #14 on the RS list. This album, along with The Beatles (#10) – also known as “the white album” – and Sgt. Pepper’s (#1) rotate being my favorite Beatles album, and now I have all three. I have had a couple of versions of this album but they have all been really crappy and I didn’t want my collection to reflect crappy versions. Especially on such an important album. 180g black vinyl remaster. New.
  • Band Of Horses – Acoustic At The Ryman — The Ryman is the theater that housed the Grand Ol’ Opry for many, many years. It has been refurbished and is now a legit music venue again (it has been for many years, this is not new). Band of Horses was one of the first bands I learned of from The BCPF, she calls them one of her faves. When we were doing mix CDs, she put a few tunes on there. I love “No One’s Gonna Love You” and that’s on here. New.
  • The Beat – The Beat — It is this band, who happened to release their album first, that prompted Dave Wakeling and his band The Beat to go by The English Beat in the US. In Europe this The Beat is known as Paul Collins’ Beat. It’s a long and confusing story, lawsuits happened (but not between bands but record labels and bands, hmmm). This is a promo copy of their debut from 1979 and is in really great shape. VG+.
  • Iron And Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog — I actually purchased this on Friday. Knowing that The BCPF also loves this band and we have seen him in concert, together, I sent a picture of it to her at work and her reply was “pant pant pant.” I didn’t know if that was a reference to the dog or what. I guess she was really happy. She told me later that it was the album that introduced her to Sam Beam’s (single person named as a band) work. So, she was excited. VG++.
  • Kansas  – Song For America — The band’s second studio album. VG+.
  • Kansas – Point Of Know Return — Their fifth studio album with the title track and “Dust in the Wind.” VG.
  • Blondie – The Best Of Blondie — VG+.
  • Rose Royce – Strikes Again — The official title is Rose Royce III: Strikes Again. I’m going to be completely honest and say the only reason I bought this is because I had it as a kid. I loved the look of it, the embossed raised rose, the purple and silver motif, I just dug it. I can’t tell you one single song off the album without looking it up, but I wanted it because it reminded me of my childhood. It is probably stashed away somewhere at Ma ‘Rents’ and if I find it one day, it will probably be in pretty torn up shape but I had it and that’s all that matters. VG+.
  • Walter Egan – Fundamental Roll — It’s Egan’s debut album. I like “Magnet and Steel” from his second album. This was there, in good shape, why not? VG+.
  • Robert Palmer – Clues — Palmer had played percussion on Talking Heads Remain in Light and Chris Frantz, the drummer from Talking Heads, returned that favor and played on this. I’m not familiar with any of the songs, but there are a couple co-written by Gary Numan (“Cars”) and one Lennon/McCartney song, “Not a Second Time.” It was found by The BCPF in the $1 bin. VG.
  • Roger Daltrey – One Of The Boys — Critic William Ruhlmann said in AllMusic that “Roger Daltrey called on a wider circle of friends for his third album and came up with a more varied collection of songs … But Daltrey was never in danger of getting lost in the all-star session. Nevertheless, the album was not treated as a major release and found only modest commercial success.” This album has songs written by Colin Blunstone (Zombies), Paul McCartney, Murray Head. Eric Clapton, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Alvin Lee, Rod Argent and more played on it. Yet, I hear it’s mediocre. But, it was $1 and is in VG/VG+.
  • Book Of Love – Book Of Love — American synth-pop band in the vein of Depeche Mode with a majority of female members. It was $1 and The BCPF said it was in her wheelhouse so there you go. It’s in VG.

Underdog Records was rockin’ when we were there and it was getting crowded. That’s a good thing. Jonathan has just gone through a bunch of $1 albums and put them out for purchase. Listen to The Less Desirables newest episode on Wednesday night/Thursday mornings and hear what that week’s TLD/UR special is. Discogs helps me keep track of all this stuff.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“He bad production. He got walrus gumboot. He got Ono sideboard. He one spinal cracker. He got feet down below his knee. Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease. Come together, right now. Over me.” – “Come Together” (Lennon/McCartney)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/23/19

24 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

I saw a meme yesterday, pretty much admonishing John Fogerty that yes, indeed, we have seen the (expletive) rain. Rain is needed but we have had our fill over the last three months. It’s winter, couldn’t it at least be snow or something? Anywhat! We did get around to Underdog Records despite the inclement weather and came home with a modest haul. Good stuff, though. Here it is:

Supertramp_-_Even_in_the_Quietest_Moments

©A&M

  • Supertramp – Even In The Quietest Moments… — As I stated on my Facebook and Instagram posts with this, the rule in our house is if there’s a Supertramp album that isn’t in our Discogs collection, then it must be purchased. This was the album right before their megahit, Breakfast in America. VG+.
  • Todd Rundgren – Initiation — I guess the same rule for Supertramp applies to Rundgren, too because if we see it, we check to see if we have it, we add it if needed. So, there. This was his sixth studio album and on it, he embraced the synth-driven direction he had been toying with. VG+.
  • Carpenters – Horizon — Their sixth album and the first not to be a top 5 hit in the US. This one only reached #13. The following albums continued a downward trend and they never again held the acclaim they did at the beginning of their career. VG++.
  • The Chipmunks – Chipmunk Punk — My sister had this when we were growing up and I listened to it more than she did. I loved it. I realized, though, rather quickly that this isn’t that good. Unlike the Urban Chipmunk album, I can’t tell what the heck they’re saying and knowing this was a kid’s album that they let some of the songs stay on the album. In particular, “Good Girls Don’t” and “My Sharona” from The Knack. I love the songs and yes, they were hits on the radio, but for the time (1980), they were pretty racy to have as “kid” songs. I apologized to The BCPF after listening yesterday for making her sit through that. VG.
  • The Outlaws – Outlaws — The album is known for the rock classic “Green Grass & High Tides,” which is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitar songs, plus the hit single “There Goes Another Love Song.” $1 bin find. VG.
  • Slim Whitman – All My Best — I think I remember seeing the adverts for this on TV as a kid. I couldn’t resist paying $1 for it. It’s in decent shape but the outer sleeve is made of cheap flimsy cardboard, as I think a lot of those “as seen on TV” records probably were. VG.

So, the haul was “modest” but it’s the end of the month and we were running a little low on funds. We had a couple of other things we were wanting but we’ll pick those up (based on availability) next week. I hope, too, that I will get my first “Curated by Underdog” package. I look forward to that. You should visit the Underdog Records website and find out more about that program. If it sounds good to you and you want to sign up, tell Jonathan that I sent you. And, use your Discogs to curate your own collection!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“She’s your adolescent dream, schoolboy stuff, a sticky sweet romance. And she makes you want to scream, wishing you could get inside her pants. So, you fantasize away. And while you’re squeezing her, you thought you heard her saying… ‘Good girls don’t, Good girls don’t, Good girls don’t, but I do.'” – “Good Girls Don’t” (Fieger)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/16/19

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

It was a chilly, wet and murky day yesterday. But, The BCPF and I had each other, good breakfast and, yes, records. Jonathan did a little bit of moving around in Underdog Records, but the records are still the same. I love records. Here’s the haul:

GoNow

©London

  • Blossom Dearie – Simply Volume VI — I love Blossom Dearie. This was available and I couldn’t pass it up. She had such a sweet voice, but you could tell she had a naughty side, too. VG++.
  • The Moody Blues – Go Now – The Moody Blues #1 — The debut album by Moody Blues and features (for the only time) future Wings guitarist, Denny Laine. In the UK this was called The Magnificent Moodies. I don’t know why they released it differently here, but they did. Also, the US version has three song titles either misspelled or incorrectly labeled. Way to go ‘Merica. Way to go. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – To Our Children’s Children’s Children — The first album released on the band’s own label, Threshold Records. It was named such after the previous album On the Threshold of a Dream which was inspired by the moon landing. This is the band’s fifth album overall and while none of its singles did well, the album sold pretty well. VG.
  • Warren Zevon – Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School — Classic Zevon song style. I dug it. Plus, it has just about the whole Eagles family as guest musicians: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Jackson Browne (wrote songs with the Eagles), JD Souther (ditto), Linda Ronstadt (The Eagles were her backing band at one time), and Joe Walsh. He only needed Randy Meisner or Timothy B Schmidt on bass and he’d had them all. But, he had Leland Sklar and when you have Sklar on bass, you don’t need any other bassists. Good album. VG+.
  • Judy Garland – The Very Best Of Judy Garland — VG+.
  • The Trammps – Disco Inferno — The Trammps were a large band. Something about that era with Earth, Wind & Fire as well as others and this band. I do like disco and I do like the title track. We’ll see how I like the rest of it. VG+ (cover is VG as it has a chunk out of the upper right corner).
  • Rod Stewart – Every Picture Tells A Story — The title track, “Maggie May,” “Reason to Believe” and “(I Know) I’m Losing You” were the hits from the album which featured Ronnie Wood. VG.
  • Edith Bauer-Slais With The Vienna Chamber Ensemble And Kurt Equiluz – The Virtuoso Classical Mandolin — The BCPF has a mad on about banjos and mandolins. She found this in a box. It was $1 but is in very good shape. VG++.
  • Michel Legrand And His Orchestra – The Columbia Album Of Cole Porter — She also has a thing for Cole Porter. 2xLP $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Level 42 – Running In The Family — This is the follow up to World Machine which had the mega-hit “Something About You.” This album did have a few singles that did well in the UK: “Lessons in Love,” the title track, “To Be with You Again,” “It’s Over” and “Children Say” were all hits for the band. $1 bin find and the record looks to be at least VG but the cover has some serious wear which looks like it could be water damage. Not sure.
  • Divinyls – Desperate — “Boys in Town,” “Science Fiction” and “Siren (Never Let You Go)” were the singles. $1 bin find. VG.

Underdog Records puts out freshly acquired used albums nearly every day. That’s the place I look first. I want to see what treasures Jonathan has just gotten. The BCPF looks through those, too and then goes for the $1 bins. We usually come away with good stuff. If you watch the Instagram and Facebook pages of Underdog Records, you’ll get a preview of what you’ll find in the freshly acquired used section. And, if you listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables, you can hear what that week’s (Thursday-Wednesday) TLD/UR special of the week is.

And, someone was in the store yesterday using Discogs. We had a cool discussion about it. They, like me, were checking to see if they had something already. It’s a good service.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you. It’s late September and I really should be back at school. I know I keep you amused but I feel I’m being used. Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more. You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone. You stole my heart and that’s what really hurt.” – “Maggie May” (Stewart/Quittenton)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/10/19

10 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF hasn’t been feeling well and it’s just another hit to our 2019 plans. Not her fault, of course, but we had wanted to start a big cleaning/purge project through this year to just get more organized. But, she’s not felt up to it because of all the crud going around. Plus, this will enable us to have more room for records!

Nothing's_Shocking_(Jane's_Addiction_album_-_cover_art)

©Warner Bros.

She was able to get out of the house for the first time in three days yesterday and that helped her out a lot. We got to go by Underdog Records and grab a haul and I signed up for the Curated by Underdog program because I’m interested in what Jonathan will put together for me. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

  • XTC – Skylarking — Yes, I had this already but it was in really sad shape and while I don’t want to get into the rabbit hole of replacing things with better versions (as that can get expensive) there are a few that I just can’t not get better copies of. This was a brand new remastered reissue that was in the clearance bin. Again, new.
  • Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking — As someone put it on my Facebook post about this, this was the “Appetite for Destruction” for the alternative scene. The BCPF said that for her high school days, everyone had this. The heavy metal folk, the indie folk, the college radio folk, anyone who listened to anything remotely rocking, had this, she said. It was a little behind my time and it was the leading edge of what I didn’t like or want to hear. That being said, with time comes appreciation and I really do appreciate and yes, like, this album, now. And, it’s #312 on the RS list! New.
  • Roger Waters – The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking — I don’t know what my aversion to Roger Waters was, but when I was 20-21 or so, someone tried to get me to listen to this. I listened for about four minutes and ejected the tape. Nah said I. But, I like Pink Floyd. What is wrong with me? This is basically his extension of The Wall which is my favorite Floyd album. This is Radio KAOS are fantastic albums that I, regrettably, realized way too late. VG+.
  • Blossom Dearie – Blossom Time — Blossom Dearie. The first time I ever heard that name was when the Schoolhouse Rock nostalgic craze showed back up in the 90s and the internet allowed me to look up info. She sang “Figure Eight,” “Unpack Your Adjectives” and part of the “Mother Necessity” ensemble. She has a very unique child-like quality in her voice. But, I saw an album by her at Underdog a while back and it was expensive. Someone else posted on our “Now Spinning” group that they were playing her and they loved her. I had Alexa play her tunes and I listened for hours. I love her. This was a great find and I couldn’t pass it up. It’s an original from 1966 and is in VG+.
  • Nazareth – Hair Of The Dog — Now you’re messing with what? VG+.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Tarkus — My recent ELP undertaking lately means when I see them, if I don’t have them, I get them. This is in VG++!
  • Hank Williams, Jr. – Hank Williams, Jr.’s Greatest Hits — I mean, why not? VG+.
  • Christine McVie – Christine McVie — This is a fantastic record. It’s her second solo effort released in 1984. Lindsay Buckingham (who just went through open-heart surgery and has damaged vocal cords) plays some guitar and sings some backup on the album. Mick Fleetwood shows up for a bit. Eric Clapton, too. And, Steve Winwood sings a duet with Christine and co-wrote another tune on the album. A great listen, this. VG++.
  • The Escape Club – Wild Wild West — What is a Saturday haul without some 80s cheese (my favorite)? I don’t know what anything past the title song sounds like, I guess I’ll find out soon. VG.
  • Mott The Hoople – The Hoople —”Roll Away the Stone” and “The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Should be all we need to know. It was a $1 bin find and is probably in VG.
  • Various – Arthur (The Album) — I liked the film and loved the soundtrack because I love cheesy yacht rock. There ya go. $1 bin find. VG+.

Also, we picked up a better copy of Bridge Over Troubled Water from Simon & Garfunkel. This was VG/VG- but it sure beats the F+/G- version we have.

So, yeah, back to the Curated by Underdog thing. According to the Underdog Records website, “This is a flexible subscription service with multiple options to best tailor it to your desires while still giving Underdog Records the flexibility to creatively influence your collection with albums we know you’ll enjoy.”

I decided to go with the “Novice Monthly Package” with a New/Used Mix. I’m really no novice, but the Expert package is $50 per month and I’m not quite ready to spend that, yet. The Novice package is $35 per month. You can choose to do it bi-monthly or quarterly, too. So, I will get two used and one new album that, combined, would add up to around $35 for the combo. I’m excited because as Jonathan said, my tastes are all over the place. I’m just ready to see what he puts together for me. You know I’m going to share it with you, Dear Reader!

In order to do this, he has to have access to my Discogs. Discogs, if you’re not familiar, is a free website on which you can catalog your collection, including specific pressings and the condition of your albums, in order to keep up with what you already have, what’s on your want list, what lesser grade albums in your collection need upgrading, and much more. (that last part was from Underdog’s website, thanks Jonathan).

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I won’t believe in heaven and hell. No saints, no sinners, no devil as well. No pearly gates, no thorny crown. You’re always letting us humans down. The wars you bring, the babes you drown. Those lost at sea and never found. And it’s the same the whole world ’round. The hurt I see helps to compound that Father, Son and Holy Ghost is just somebody’s unholy hoax. And if you’re up there you perceive that my heart’s here upon my sleeve. If there’s one thing I don’t believe in it’s you… Dear God.” – “Dear God” (Partridge)