Category Archives: Records

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/19/19

20 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

First off, let me say happy birthday to Paul Stanley. He turns 67 today! A very influential figure to my own musical journey.

It felt like we zoomed in and through Underdog Records yesterday. The BCPF and I are either recovering from or fighting off sickness. But, we ate breakfast in a hurry and then swung by Underdog and were home with a full six hours of record listening time. Here’s what we got:

tom_waits_-_small_change_(1976)

©Asylum

  • Tom Waits – Small Change — Still thinking of my friend Mitchell Snow who was performing Tom Waits on Friday night in Johnson City, Tennessee with the Vagabond Saints Society when he had what is speculated to be sudden cardiac arrhythmia. It was scary. The first track on this album is “Tom Traubert’s Blues” and Doug had asked if I could do it when VSS plays Ramkat in a week. I can’t do the show but, we found this record and I couldn’t pass it up. VG+.
  • The Mamas & The Papas – Deliver — I really know nothing about this album. I know The BCPF likes them and it was there. It’s in mono and is VG+.
  • Emerson Lake & Palmer – Works Volume 1 —  “Each member was allocated one side of a record to write and arrange their own tracks which were performed by the group. The fourth side features songs written by the entire group. Emerson wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1, Lake wrote several songs with Peter Sinfield, and Palmer picked tracks of varied styles.” – according to Wikipedia. VG+.
  • Donovan – Essence To Essence — I believe Donovan is my favorite musical hippie. He brings humor and wit to his songs about putting healthy stuff in your body and be nice to the plants and things. It’s weird but still good. VG.
  • Dusty Springfield – Stay Awhile – I Only Want To Be With You — The first album from Dusty to be released in the US. It contains “I Only Want To Be With You,” “Stay Awhile” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’.” $1 bin find but it looks to be okay. VG.
  • Dan Fogelberg – Souvenirs — Produced by Joe Walsh, who also played on just about every track, provided a more pop-based album instead of that folksy mess that he usually played. $1 bin find and in VG/VG+.
  • 10,000 Maniacs – In My Tribe — $1 bin find from The BCPF. I don’t know much about it, but it’s in pretty good shape. VG/VG+.
  • Charles Fox – “9 To 5” (Original Soundtrack Recording) — We actually got this last week and I don’t know why it wasn’t in Discogs. I totally missed it. But, it’s in now. It’s VG+.

I went through Underdog Records so fast yesterday that I didn’t get a chance to even look around to see what kind of equipment or other recordy things were about the store. But, I’m interested in finding out more about the Curated by Underdog thing. I wonder how hard it would be to curate music for me. I think it would be more of a challenge to Jonathan. I think I’ll ask him about it. You should, too. Listen to The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week.

As I’ve said, I use Discogs to curate my collection and see what I do or don’t have.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition and yawn and stretch and try to come to life. Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’. Out on the streets, the traffic starts jumpin’ for folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.” – “9 to 5” (Parton)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/12/19

13 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

Underdog Records was jumping yesterday with people coming in and Jonathan was only playing local artists in the store for the first part of the day. He sold a good bit of local music, including selling out of a few, with that. I like when he does that. I had gone in and set some stuff back on Friday but we picked up the stuff yesterday. Here’s what we got:

tomwaits-mulevariations

©Anti-/Epitaph

  • Old Sea Brigade – Ode To A Friend — I call it my “husbandly duty” to find new music that my lovely bride, The BCPF will enjoy; stuff that is “up her alley.” When I record the weekly advert for Underdog Records on The Less Desirables, I use portions of new releases or whatever Jonathan has sent me to highlight and a lot of the time, I’ll find stuff that I think is really good, either that I will like, The BCPF will like or we both would. This is one that I thought she’d love. I had Jonathan get me one and we brought it home and she was very pleased with it. It’s laid back folky stuff and she loved it. I recommend listening to it. New.
  • Tom Waits – Mule Variations — #414 on the RS list, this is a 2xLP that is completely co-written with Waits’ wife and songwriting partner, Kathleen Brennan. I’m hit and miss with most Tom Waits stuff. The songs are beautiful and sometimes dark but his singing is what is the determining factor in my like/dislike. He sounds like he had a cocktail of gravel, concrete, and sandpaper whilst smoking two packs of Camels concurrently and saving cats from a burning building. It’s rough. EX/VG++.
  • Neil Young – After The Gold Rush — #71 on the RS list and while I feel that should be about 100 positions higher, it’s still a great album. Neil Young is another that I’m hit or miss with. VG++.
  • Rush – Signals — The follow-up to Moving Pictures, in 1982, Signals has “Subdivisions,” “New World Man,” “The Weapon,” and “Countdown.” Not my favorite Rush album but it’s still a good one. VG+.
  • Jay Ferguson – Thunder Island — I know the title track and that’s about it. I like the title track and it was only a few bucks so I decided to buy it with the picture of him in his fabric toe shoes. It’s just funny. VG+.
  • ABBA – Super Trouper — With “Super Trouper” and “The Winner Takes It All.” Their next album was the last studio album prior to their hiatus, which is still going on. VG+.
  • Heart – Private Audition — Released in 1982 and is the last Heart album to feature Mike DeRosier and Steve Fossen, who left after the recording of this album. VG+.
  • John Fogerty – Centerfield — Put me in coach! The title track, “The Old Man Down the Road” and “Rock and Roll Girls.” It was $1, so why not? VG+.
  • Joni Mitchell – Clouds — “Chelsea Morning,” “The Fiddle and the Drum” and “Both Sides, Now” are the tunes that The BCPF are most excited about. This is Mitchell’s sophomore effort and we have 10 of the first 11 of her albums. It was $1. VG.

I told you about Curated by Underdog Records, right? I think so. De is also digging out a lot of backstock of used equipment that Jonathan hasn’t had time to go through and they’re cleaning them up and getting some really great stuff up for sale. I really wanted that Sansui (as I wrote about). They have a lot of great stuff for those looking to break into or update their record collecting experience. Listen to The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week.

Discogs is how Curated by Underdog keeps track of what you have and how you do, as well!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning and the first thing that I heard was a song outside my window. And, the traffic wrote the words. It came a-reeling up like Christmas bells and rapping up like pipes and drums. Oh, won’t you stay? We’ll put on the day and we’ll wear it ’till the night comes.” – “Chelsea Morning” (Mitchell)

Covet Is A Sin? or: I Want One

11 Friday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

I was standing in Underdog Records today and was watching Jonathan and De hook up stereo equipment and test them out receivers and speakers. I realize that I want some. I want these. They sounded awesome. It was a Sansui receiver with Pioneer speakers. They sounded fantastic. De was playing some Snoop Dogg and the bass was thumping. They had to turn down the bass and lift the treble on the Sansui and the speakers were taking everything they threw at them.  sansui-2000x-1

I’m not unhappy with what I have.

I have an Audio Technica LP60USB which is a fine “entry level” turntable. I would actually like to have the next level AT on the market but I don’t know if I will get one anytime soon. The part that I partially have a problem with is that I play it through my Yamaha 5.1 surround receiver and while I do have it set to 2-channel stereo for records and “Alexa,” I want a dedicated receiver designed with a phono stage.

So, my thoughts are if I get a new (or new to me) receiver and speakers, I may consider also getting a classic turntable or upgrade to a newer higher-dollar model. Jonathan always has stuff coming through and the stuff I hear sounds great, but I don’t know where I’d put it, either. We are already out of room for the vinyl we have, much less new equipment to take up even more room.

We have discussed if we look for a new house that two of the very important specs we have to have are a fantastic and roomy kitchen and a dedicated “listening space.” It can be a separate room, a spare bedroom, a rec/rumpus room, etc., but it will be for all the vinyl/record equipment. I will keep this surround system wherever the TV goes, but I want something dedicated to records for that room.

It doesn’t have to be retro/classic/used stuff, but I wouldn’t mind that. Having something that glows when you’re turning the lights down low to just enjoy listening or when you’re listening to the radio (but who does that anymore?), or having a bit of Scotch while listening to Steely Dan?

I know that Ember Audio will be reopening in a new space and it will be in my neighborhood, well the studio’s neighborhood (Industry Hill) and I’ll be tempted to go in there and buy something because it will all be shiny and awesome but they sell high-dollar stuff. However, I’ve heard that Chris and Jamie want to also sell more affordable-yet-good stuff, too. I’ll talk with them to see what they say. I just know that sometime soon or not-so-soon, I want something new. Heck, I still long for the old console record player/AM/FM/8-Track Stereo that I had and just abandoned when I moved to WSNC in 1986. I really wish I still had that.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Vinyl is the real deal. I’ve always felt like until you buy the vinyl record, you don’t really own the album. And it’s not just me or a little pet thing or some kind of retro romantic thing from the past. It is still alive.” – Jack White

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/5/19

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

The first Underdog Records purchase of 2019, woot! It’s going to be a good year all around and it’s going to be a good record year, too. I want to continue to fill my RS list wants and discover things that I didn’t know existed. I’m going to attempt to listen to more new music, but it really isn’t my bag. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

The_Clash_-_Combat_Rock.jpg

©CBS/Epic

  • Pink Floyd – Obscured By Clouds — I had made a post on this blog a few weeks back about this album. How great it was and how I was disappointed that no one had brought it to my attention prior. It was there and I grabbed it. This is the remastered reissue, new. It is a great album!
  • The Clash – Combat Rock — The “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah” album. First pressing in EX/VG++ condition. I couldn’t pass that up.
  • Scorpions – Best Of Scorpions — Jonathan said, “yes and yes” when I brought this album up to the counter. He said that old Scorpions are under-appreciated and I nodded in agreement. The Scorps (no relation to me) have been around in some form or fashion since 1965 and most people don’t know that. So they had stuff that predates the “Rock You Like a Hurricane” era. This is in VG.
  • Mass Gothic – I’ve Tortured You Long Enough — promo copy of this album, it has no official cover but it’s from Sub Pop Records and it’s everything you’d think an album on that label would be. Which means that The BCPF loved it. VG++.
  • Charlie Parker And His Orchestra – Night And Day — The BCPF grabbed this one and I’m not really sure why. She usually avoids the more horn musicians. But, I dig them, so I’m glad she did. VG-.
  • Various – Midnight Cowboy (Original Motion Picture Score) — I like soundtracks and this was from the only X-Rated film to win Best Picture and first gay-related Best Picture. Also, it has Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’,” which I love. VG+.
  • Black Sabbath – Technical Ecstasy — The penultimate Ozzy Sabbath record. He was blitzed most of the time and spent a lot of that time on the beach in Miami whilst Tommy Iommi was left to produce the album. It was recorded at the same studio as the Eagles’ Hotel California was being recorded at the same time. Geezer Butler said that they’d have to go in and scrape the residual cocaine off the mixing board after the Eagles left. VG-.
  • The Who – Who’s Next — I already have this album, but I believe this is a better copy than what I have. VG.
  • Linda Ronstadt – Hand Sown… Home Grown — Ronstadt’s debut solo album after leaving the Stone Poneys. It flopped but we like her so it was a good one to get. VG+.
  • Tina Turner – Private Dancer — The “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Better Be Good To Me” and “Private Dancer” album. I didn’t know that the title track was written by Mark Knopfler, but it does make sense now that I’ve listened to other Dire Straits albums. Ode to oneself and lamenting about the role that they’re the lot of. Plus, it’s an 80s staple and we know I’m a sucker for that stuff. VG+.

The rest are $1 albums and unless otherwise noted, they’re at least VG.

Jonathan had a lot of “fresh” stuff that he was going through yesterday which only means you’re going to have a lot to choose from. Now, something new for 2019 that Jonathan is doing is called “Curated by Underdog” which is a subscription service that you can have Jonathan (and I’m sure his trusted associates) curate your collection with criteria of your choosing. Like only indie things? Like 80s music? Only want new records? Only want used records? Want a combo of the two? Well, Jonathan and Underdog Records have you covered. You’ll receive your subscription either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. The lowest cost package comes in at just $12. I think that’s a pretty good deal. It’s also a way to find things you may not have thought about. For more information visit the Curated by Underdog site. Also, listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to find out what that week’s TLD/UR special is.

Curated by Underdog and I both use Discogs. Underdog to help create and manage your subscription and me to make sure that I don’t get multiples of things. It also has a cool “shuffle” feature that picks a random album (upon your request).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Welcome back, my friends To the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside! There, behind a glass, stands a real blade of grass. Be careful as you pass. Move along! Move along.” – “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2” (Lake/Emerson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/29/18

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Judas_priest_-_point_of_entry_a

©Columbia

Yesterday was our last visit to Underdog Records. I mean, this year, of course. The BCPF and I will certainly be back next weekend. We have a lot of records to collect, yet, so we’re not done. We will have to get yet another LP case because three full- and one half- sized ones aren’t enough. Our “to-be-listened-to” stack was reset but our “listened-to-awaiting-filing” is getting huge. I mean… huge. Plus, we don’t like leaving them laying flat and that’s what’s happening right now. It’s not good for the records and it takes up a lot of space. Anywhat! Here’s the haul…

  • Judas Priest – Point Of Entry — I passed on this when I could have gotten it, in great shape, used earlier this year when I got that large haul of Judas Priest albums. I wish I would have gotten it, but I didn’t. So, I got it brand new. Luckily, it was not as expensive as most new albums. But, it’s a great album and fun listen. New.
  • Stryper – Soldiers Under Command — The funny thing about this is, the night before, The BCPF and I were playing through songs that teetered between country, religion and other things, just because. I played Stryper’s version of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” I found this yesterday and was happy. Even given my non-Prophet religion views, I like Stryper. At least this album and its follow-up (and my favorite Stryper album) To Hell With The Devil. It was in VG+.
  • George Harrison – Gone Troppo — This is a whimsical little album from the former Beatle. It’s a fun listen but it’s not his greatest work. A little tropical, a lot of George. VG.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Gratitude — 2xLP with “Shining Star,” “Sunshine,” “Sun Goddess,” “Reasons,” and more. VG.
  • Bartok, L’Orchestre De La Suisse Romande, Ansermet– Dance Suite · Two Portraits Opus Five · Rumanian Dances — NM.
  • Kenny Rogers & The First Edition – Greatest Hits — It’s amazing how a young Kenny Rogers sounded unlike Kenny Rogers back then. It’s a lot of great tunes, too. VG+.

This past week, Jonathan actually had a few tape decks for sale in the store. I have somehow resisted the trend of cassettes. They have always been inferior in quality to vinyl, CDs and even streaming. But, hey, if you’re into that, check with Underdog Records to see what they may have for you. Listen to The Less Desirables this week to hear what the weekly TLD/UR special is.  I also used Discogs to make sure I didn’t get a few duplicates yesterday. Discogs is pretty righteous.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I pushed my soul in a deep dark hole and then I followed it in. I watched myself crawlin’ out as I was a-crawlin’ in. I got up so tight I couldn’t unwind. I saw so much I broke my mind. I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” – “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” (Newbury)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul (12/22/18)

23 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a pretty big haul, but it was a cheaper haul. I’ll explain more as we go. But, it was fun just being at Underdog Records, as it always is. It’s my candy store. Here’s the haul:

51Kzr-D77vL._SY355_

©Warner Bros.

  • Siouxsie And The Banshees – Peepshow — The BCPF and I had a good long discussion about why she likes the “Dark Wave” stuff so much. I don’t know that we ever got to the bottom of it, but she just digs it. This was a reissue of their 1988 album. New.

So, from here on, all the albums are $1 bin finds and unless otherwise noted, they are all in VG condition (mostly after cleaning them up). So, here we go:

  • Pablo Cruise – A Place In The Sun — I only really knew one song by Pablo Cruise, who I thought was a guy. I didn’t realize that it was a band in which none of them were named Pablo Cruise. They were a quartet and would always joke that Pablo was the one in the middle. There is a story behind the name, at least minimally, that I won’t get into because, well, that’s not why we’re here. This is the one that has “Whatcha Gonna Do?” which was the song that I knew. This was in really good shape, so I would maybe even rate it VG+, but that may be pushing it.
  • Pablo Cruise – Worlds Away — The other Pablo Cruise that I got, this was the follow-up to A Place in the Sun.
  • Sanford And Townsend – Smoke From A Distant Fire — I will admit that I got this album only because either Ed Sanford or Johnny Townsend (I don’t know which is which), on the cover, looks like a young, chubby Clay Howard. The duo were well-known studio musicians (weren’t they all in the 70s?) and songwriters who co-wrote good songs. I haven’t listened to this so I don’t know what they sound like.
  • Atlanta Rhythm Section – A Rock And Roll Alternative — This album has “So Into You” on it and I like that song. That itself was worth the buck.
  • Jim Steinman – Bad For Good  — For those who don’t know, Steinman was the musical mind behind the songs for Meat Loaf. In fact, this was supposed to be the follow-up to Bat Out of Hell but because of Mr. Aday’s vocal problems, Steinman recorded it himself. Meat Loaf did do some of the songs on some of his later albums. The cover is pretty beaten up, but the LP looks to be VG.
  • Jackson Browne – For Everyman — Browne’s sophomore effort. It contains his version of “Take It Easy” which was co-penned by Glenn Frey.
  • Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — Okay, trying this again. Every time I get this 2xLP album it’s pretty beaten up and I have to continue looking. This one doesn’t seem to be too bad, but I haven’t played it, yet, either. I’ll keep you informed.
  • Bob Dylan / The Band – Before The Flood — The first officially released live album by Dylan, it’s his 15th album overall and the seventh from The Band. I know nothing of it, so we’ll see about it. Also a 2xLP.
  • Todd Rundgren – Todd — The last 2xLP for today, it’s Rundgren’s fifth album. I liked Something/Anything? so I am hoping I like this, too.
  • Steely Dan – Countdown To Ecstasy — I love me some Steely Dan and this has “Bodhisattva” and “My Old School,” which, the latter I love.
  • Stanley Clarke / George Duke – The Clarke / Duke Project — Stanley Clarke. ‘Nuff said.
  • Savoy Brown – Hellbound Train — Jonathan asked if I had ever heard this album and I said no. He then said he wanted me to have it. So he gave it to me. We listened to it. It’s pretty good. It’s a blues-rock band from England. Nothing overly exciting for me. I didn’t dislike it, though. Thanks, J.

For your holiday shopping needs, Underdog Records will be open today, Sunday from 11-4 and Monday (Christmas Eve) from 10-3. And, the big thing now is gift certificates, so make sure you either get yours or tell your loved ones to get you one. Listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. And, use Discogs to catalog your music collection, be it vinyl, CD or even cassette.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“So you’re having trouble with your romance? Well, you better check it out before it goes, yeah. ‘Cause you might not be seeing things just the way you should. And you don’t recognize what everybody knows. Whatcha gonna do when she says goodbye? Whatcha gonna do when she is gone?” – “Whatcha Gonna Do?” (Jenkins/Lerios)

Nobody Told Me or: Obscured By What!?

21 Friday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

First off, today is “Underdog Day!” Not necessarily Underdog Records. Not necessarily Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter ego. But, that someone or someones or even something thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest. It’s for all those that have to beat all odds. So, that being said, still go to Underdog Records because… well, just because. Also, it’s Short Girl Appreciation Day. It has always been observed the first day of Winter (also the shortest day of the year). It turns out that I have me one of those as The BCPF is under 5′ tall. Celebrate them, too. Tomorrow is National Short Person Day, so be on the lookout for your favorite short people.

Pink_Floyd_-_Obscured_by_Clouds

©EMI

Okay, now to what I wanted to talk about today. I know there are some serious music fans/scholars/whatevers out there that love to either prove me wrong about something that I say about music (and I welcome that, heck, sometimes I do it on purpose) or the opposite want to tell me things that I may have missed.

Now, I always say that I’m a Pink Floyd fan. And, I think that I am. Truthfully, I’m a 1971-1994 (mostly) fan. I like Meddle, Dark Side, Wish You Were Here, most of Momentary Lapse and Division Bell, and of course, The Wall. I also like some of Ummagumma and pieces of the earliest Floyd. But, Y’all… why in the HECK did no one tell me about Obscured by Clouds?!? WHY!?

I know it’s based on some French film and I know that it was meant as a pass-through for Dark Side from Meddle. I also know it was panned hard by critics. But, man, that’s a great record to me. I really liked it. It’s not all prog fluff with 42 minutes of synths, repeated blues guitar riffs and lead drumming. There’s some straightforward rock stuff on that. There are some straightforward ballads on there. There are straight-forward good songs on there. And, for the record, I like all the long-winded synth/guitar/drum things, too. This is just different. Where was my “Musical Nightwatchmen (and Women)” when I needed you?

And, now, I’m just downright embarrassed that I have been calling myself a Pink Floyd fan when, while I did know it existed, I didn’t know what this album was or had never heard it before. *facepalm*

Well, now that I have heard it, I have to find it on vinyl. It is Underdog day tomorrow, right? Folks, friends don’t let friends not know about great albums.

Until tomorrow, enjoy your short girls…
Scorp out!

—
“You set sail across the sea of long past thoughts and memories. Childhood’s end, your fantasies merge with harsh realities. And then as the sail is hoist, you find your eyes are growing moist. All the fears never voiced say you have to make your final choice.” – “Childhood’s End” (Gilmour)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/15/18

16 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I were out in a drenched wasteland of slush and deluge what with the snow melting and the constant, steady rain. But, we had our crêpes and headed on over to Underdog Records. Here’s the haul:

Tribute_crop

©Epic/CBS

  • Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads – Tribute — I had this on cassette first, and then on CD and now on vinyl. I love this album. As I said in my Instagram post, Randy Rhoads was on fire, Ozzy was sober and energetic and Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge were tight and heavy. It’s Ozzy at his finest live. It always got me, too, to hear Randy’s outtakes while recording “Dee” for his mother. 2xLP. VG+.
  • Stan Getz – Joao Gilberto – Getz / Gilberto #2 — A live, mono pressing of these greats doing their thing. I love the stuff from them that I have and this is going to be a great listen. VG+.
  • Heart – Bebe Le Strange — Not my favorite album by them, but it is solid. It’s bluesy and rocking. Also, they have the Tower of Power horns on “Even It Up.” The cover isn’t bad to look at, either. VG+.
  • pranava-om-ios-7-interface-symbol_318-35432George Harrison – Thirty Three & 1/3 — The BCPF loves her some George Harrison and this was a great album. The album actually has the 33 1/3 stylized like the “om” symbol (see to the right). This album was in EX/VG++ condition.
  • Leonard Bernstein, André Watts, Eugene Ormandy, Ivan Davis – Liszt’s Greatest Hits — I have listened to a lot of classical in my life, but I never paid much attent to Franz Liszt. I don’t know why because he does stuff that I like, such as, bombastic pieces and compositions that sound like movie scores. I dig that. This was in the $1 bin, but it is in pristine condition. EX/VG++.
  • Anita Baker – Rapture — Some R&B from the 80s. I like that stuff. $1 bin find in VG.
  • Stravinsky/ Tchaikovsky/Mussorgsky: Stokowski, London Symphony Orchestra – Firebird Suite: Marche Slave / Night On Bald Mountain — I got this specifically because of “Night on Bald Mountain.” That is the theme to one of the most famous scenes from Fantasia with the devil Chernabog, a large “black god” that is the embodiment of Satan or something like that. You know I’m a sucker for Disney stuff and that was something I couldn’t pass up. $1 bin find. VG+ (after I washed it and relieved it of the mold growing on it).
  • England Dan & John Ford Coley – Dowdy Ferry Road — I am a sucker, not only for Disney but for Yacht Rock as well. This is squarely in that realm but I have to admit that this album is a little cheesy. Don’t get me wrong, I do like it, but it kind of smells of K-R-A-F-T. $1 bin find in VG.
  • Yes – Close To The Edge — My quest for Yes albums continues and this only has three songs but still comes in at 37:51. It starts out with some seriously weird tape loops but it works its way out into a great tune, which happens to be the title track. It takes up the whole first side at just over 18 minutes. Side 2 has one eight-minute song and one 10-minute song. Still, even with my indifference to long songs, it worked here. $1 bin find. VG.
  • Modern English – After The Snow — The album from the post-punk/new-wave band that pretty much got them their recognition. It has the song “I Melt With You.” We haven’t listened to it, yet, but we will. $1 bin find in VG.
  • “Annie” Original Cast – Annie (Original Cast Recording) — Yep, the one that led to the film. But, this was from the Broadway version. Quadraphonic sound, no less. All that in a $1 bin find, VG.

Underdog Records had some great things this week. The holidays, oddly enough, are when the record companies wind down their releases because they want enough time to get some publicity behind the releases. You’ll still find new releases but they’re usually pretty light. Still, this week Jonathan was running a cool special as the TLD/UR special of the week. It was especially useful in the gift card area. Listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear what the special of the week is.

And, I stood (in the way) at the “fresh used” bins and used Discogs to confirm that I did or did not have certain records that I found. It’s a great tool and resource. We are especially fond of the “shuffle” feature. We love Discogs.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Moving forward using all my breath. Making love to you was never second best. I saw the world crashing all around your face. Never really knowing it was always mesh and lace. I’ll stop the world and melt with you. You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time. There’s nothing you and I won’t do. I’ll stop the world and melt with you.” – “I Melt With You” (Brown/Conroy/Grey/McDowell/Walker)

Where They Stand or: Many KISSes? (part II)

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in KISS, Music Review, Records

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Salutations™!!

Have you recovered from the first half of the list? Are you torn up about it? That’s okay. I’m used to that. So, here we go into the top 15 KISS albums in my preferred order. Let’s go!

Crazy_nights_album_cover

Crazy Nights

#15 — Crazy Nights (1987). Yeah, this gets a lot of flack for being bubble gum, sugary rubbish, but not with me. I loved this album and I still like it. Is it as good an album as Destroyer or KISS or Rock and Roll Over? Nah, but I enjoyed it. I was almost 17 when the album came out and it was still KISS to me. It didn’t matter how sugary it was, I couldn’t hear enough of it. But, then again, I like that pop-rock stuff. So, there.

#14 — Destroyer (1976). Yeah, what is widely called their best album isn’t even in the top 10 for me; barely does it crack the top 15. Yes, it has classic tunes, including one of my top ever, “God of Thunder,” but overall, it just isn’t my bag. Now, it could be that I never had this as a kid on record and didn’t spend all my pubescent years listening to it. I got what I could when I could and it was never gifted or given to me as a present and I didn’t buy it myself. So, it just doesn’t hold the same nostalgia as the following albums did. Now, I agree it is great, I just don’t get excited about it.

#13 — Lick It Up (1983). I talked about this album on its 35th birthday, which is September 18. You can go back and read more if you want. It was heavy and “metal” and that’s some of what made this a great album. It wasn’t about sex, it was about serious rock stuff. It was a great album and I dig it.

Dynasty_(album)_cover

Dynasty

#12 — Dynasty (1979). The disco craze had just hit and this is where KISS decided they needed to be trendy over their roots and hit up Vini Poncia to produce an overly-slick album that reeked with disco flavor, and I liked it. I talked about the album earlier this year on May 23, its anniversary. I talked about how I really didn’t notice that it was different until much later. I did notice that “2000 Man” sounded unlike KISS, but the rest of it wasn’t really different. I couldn’t pick out the differences back then, I was 8 years old.

 

#11 — Creatures of the Night (1982). The “lost” album. It wasn’t lost, it wasn’t hidden away, it was where many KISS fans were just looking over KISS after their disco/pop/art rock debacles from 1979-1981. As with the previous album, though it was a departure, I didn’t notice the difference. The last true “makeup” album it was KISS trying to get their feet back under them. So, until they went back and listened, most KISS fans didn’t know what they were missing. I will say, it is the coolest of any KISS cover.

#10 — Paul Stanley (1978). So, that means that two solo albums cracked my Top 10. This is very KISS-like, but there was something about it that also wasn’t KISS. It was a little less hard as the KISS stuff. Well-written songs and a bevy of great studio musicians helped make this a fun album to listen to. I could see these being KISS songs and not just KISS throw-aways. To me, probably the best of the solo albums. But…

#9 — Gene Simmons (1978). Gene’s album was what I felt the solo albums should be and my favorite of the four. It was the most experimental, had the widest range of styles, the biggest guest list of any of them and still pulled off a great album that was a lot of softer Beatles-esque tunes, groove rock, horror film feels, and Disney tunes. I mean, c’mon! That’s amazing. Way to go, Demon!

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Alive!

#8 — Unmasked (1980). Unofficially the first album after Peter’s “departure.” But, realistically, it was. Dynasty held that last thread with a Peter tune, but this was not Peter and although I could tell the drumming was different (I was 9) I didn’t know it wasn’t actually Peter until several years later. Some pan this record, a lot. But, as I’ve had to tell one person and probably a few others, don’t think of it as a hard KISS record because it certainly isn’t. Think of it as a good pop record. It has a lot of cool tunes on it if you’ll give them the chance. I always loved the cover, too.

#7 — Alive! (1975). What really broke KISS out was this album. The live version of “Rock and Roll All Nite” kicked it up that notch. It is certainly a Klassic with the whole album a non-stop punch in the face. It’s energetic and KISS was still hungry. The cracks hadn’t started to form, yet. While it is probably their best live album…

#6 — Alive II (1977). This one is my favorite and yes, I know to call this a “live” album is probably a misnomer, it’s the time/era of KISS that is my favorite. I wish they would have filled the five studio songs with more live stuff, but the song selections that I grew up with was spot on. Most of it was overdubbed and recreated in the studio, but it’s still the live album I go to first.

#5 — Rock and Roll Over (1976). So, here we are in the Top 5. This album was the follow-up to Destroyer and I think it surpassed it. I wrote a review about this just two weeks ago. It was given to me by my Uncle Ricky, as was my first copy of Double Platinum. He was my first grownup KISS fan. I didn’t have older brothers or even cousins that were into or aware of KISS. He helped me. Starting slow, ramping up and just having a great mixture of song styles, this album has it all. It was well represented on Alive II, as well.

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Hotter Than Hell

#4 — Hotter Than Hell (1974). the band’s sophomore effort was a great followup to the debut album. This was one of the first albums I was able to get my hands on and my mother put up a fight because it said “hell.” As I wrote just a few weeks back, it sounds like it was recorded in an old porcelain bathroom, but I think that also adds to the charm. Some of my favorite KISS songs are on there.

 

#3 — KISS (1974). The one that started it all. The KISS debut album is the Klassic-est of Klassics when it comes to KISS. From the opening drum intro of “Strutter” to the tape drag of the bombs at the end of “Black Diamond” it really never gives up except for “Love Theme from KISS.” It’s a great album, all the way through.

#2 — Love Gun (1977). The first KISS album I ever owned. The bombastic opening of “I Stole Your Love” to Ace’s debut vocal performance on “Shock Me,” to the bizarre penis references in “Plaster Caster” to the gender-altering cover of the Crystals’ tune “And Then She Kissed Me,” the album has many highlights and five of the first six songs are represented on Alive II. Also, a great album cover, one in which I spent a lot of time staring at when I was 7. And…

The_elder_album_cover

Music from ‘The Elder’

#1 — Music from ‘The Elder’ (1981). I have said many times that this was my favorite KISS album and I still maintain that. Though, really, any of the top 15 could probably sit on the top of this list. They’re like kids, my favorite one is the one in front of me at that moment. But, this album was KISS trying to be artistic and gain critics’ approval. They didn’t need either one but they thought they did. To most KISS fans and critics alike this was the ultimate KISS “mistake.” A beautiful mistake in my opinion. While Love Gun was the first KISS album I owned, this was the first CD I bought (along with Hotter Than Hell) after Bad English’ debut. At the age of 10, I was only really familiar with “The Oath,” “A World Without Heroes” and “I” and I just knew those tunes were rocking. It wasn’t until much later that I realized it was what it was, or attempted to be. I think it’s gravely overlooked and deserves a second or twelfth listen if you didn’t like it the first time you listened. But, keep an open mind. Like with Unmasked, you have to be prepared to put aside the KISS aspect and listen to the album as a whole. I love it and while I know it’s not the best KISS album, it currently sits at the top of my faves.

So, there you have it, Dear Reader. I know many of you will disagree with just about all of this list and I’m prepared for that. Send me your comments, but keep it cordial. Again, this is my opinion and isn’t supposed to represent how “good” any album is. What is your top 5? I’d like to hear that. Or heck, do the full list.

I did leave off 19 greatest hits albums and other inconsequential recordings, including the box set and You Wanted the Best You Got the Best with two new “live” tracks. I just felt that the three greatest hits albums that I included were enough. Most of them were repetitive anyway. So, yeah, let me know your thoughts, not like you wouldn’t anyway.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Once I was a fool dreamin’ my life away, and then yesterday I found you lookin’ for me, draggin’ your heart around at the lost and found. I love you, you’re the only one who could make me feel love was smart. I feel you deep inside of me, beatin’ up against my heart. And I found out, I found out, what makes the world go ’round. Oh I found out, really found out, what makes the world go ’round.” – “What Makes the World Go Round” (Stanley/Poncia)

Where They Stand or: Many KISSes?

11 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in KISS, Music Review, Records

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Salutations™!!

I threatened this a while back. I threatened that I would do my own ranking list of KISS albums, and here it is. There are a few criteria to this list and I will give some details as to why on some of them. This is my opinion and not based on anything other than my preferences with the albums. This doesn’t even represent what I think are the better albums and which are the worse as far as the overall substance, it’s where I prefer them.

I know there will be controversy and I know that there will be screaming and yelling at me over some of them, especially one pretty low on the list. We’ll hit it fairly soon. But first, let’s go over the criteria. To begin, these are the first 20 studio albums, the four solo albums, Alive I-IV, Unplugged, and the three “greatest hits” albums that I felt qualified (read: that I consider worth a crap). I am going from #32 and counting down backward. According to how long-winded I get, I may break this down into two posts, we’ll see when we get there. Okay, ready? Here we go:

Hot_in_the_shade_cover

Hot in the Shade

#32 — Sonic Boom (2009) and #31 Monster (2012). As I said in my post about these two last month, I think Monster is the better of the two, but both are pretty much non-existent to me. There are some hits and misses on each but, more misses than hits.

#30 — Hot in the Shade (1989). This was the long-reigning worst KISS album until the previous two came along. It was half-arsed, lacking substance, about five songs too long and, with the exception of about four songs, I didn’t care about any of it.

Dressed_to_Kill_(album)_cover

Dressed to Kill

#29 — Dressed to Kill (1975). Yeah, this is the one that will probably get the most attention and get me screamed at by my KISS-lovin’ friends and “purists” alike. While this album has three of my favorite songs overall (top 15 probably), it also has that song on it. It has “Rock and Roll All Nite” on it. It also has “Getaway” and “Room Service” on it. Neither of those is awful, I just think they’re quite cheesy. The album, to me, sounds thin, and I just don’t like to listen to it. So, there’s the first surprise.

#28 — KISS Symphony: Alive IV (2003). To really even call this a KISS Alive is kind of pushing it, to me, anyway. Yes, it is live and some of it is done with the Melbourne Symphony, but it’s thrown together and while I like to listen to it, it just doesn’t move me as a KISS album.

#27 — KISS Killers (1982). This was originally a Japanese-only release and then was re-released here in the US later. It’s kind of shoddy production and while there are four new songs on this album, outside of “Nowhere to Run,” I don’t really care for the others. The new songs were recorded because Phonogram, the international label at the time, pretty much made them after the disappointing sales of 1981’s Music from ‘The Elder.’ The makeup and costumes are of that same period.

#26 — KISS: MTV Unplugged (1996). This has some great version and I have the full uncut show on VHS somewhere, and it got the “band back together.” I like to listen to it, but it’s not something I listen to often, so it isn’t dislike but disinterest that puts it this low on the list. Not a bad album.

#25 — Alive III (1993). I did like this album. I saw the tour it was on and I loved hearing “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and later KISS tunes live. The sound is pretty good on this, too. It’s starting to get into albums that I just had to place them somewhere, not because I disliked them, same as the one previous.

#24 — Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997). I wrote a review of this last month, too. It was a big

Carnival_of_Souls_KISS

Carnival of Souls

departure from even the heaviest (to that point) KISS albums like Revenge and Creatures of the Night. I don’t know that they could have toured in support of this album, though, as I don’t think Gene could even play half of the bass lines on the album. Nor, do I think they’d want to. I liked it, though. I just don’t listen as much as its predecessors. You can search the blog for the review if you missed it. Just type in Carnival of Souls.

#23 — Psycho Circus (1998).  Again, reviewed just recently. I do think while it attempted to capture the old-makeup days’ glory, it missed a lot of its spirit. I do really like the album, but not better than the next 22.

#22 — Ace Frehley (1978). Yeah, here’s the second yelling spot. In September, I wrote about the four and stated that Ace’s album was my least favorite. To me, the solo albums were a chance to experiment and Ace experimented the least. While Paul’s was also KISS-like, Ace’s was just plain KISS.

#21 — Smashes Thrashes & Hits (1988). A good representation of KISS from 1974-1988 (including the two new originals). I talked a bit about this album last month, too.

Peter_criss_solo_album_cover

Peter Criss

#20 — Peter Criss (1978). It was a lot of disco, country & western, boogie rock and ballads. But, I liked it. And, I liked it better than Ace’s.

#19 — Double Platinum (1978). The KISS greatest hits album that started it all. Two records, four sides, each loaded with KISS Klassics. Some remixes, most notably “Strutter ’78” which added a little disco hi-hat overdubs in to jazz it up a bit. Some tunes had parts removed and some remixed and rearranged. I wore that record out.

#18 — Animalize (1984). I don’t know that I’ll ever really understand the title or cover, but that’s okay. It was 1984 and that was the going thing. “Heavens on Fire” is still one of my favorite non-makeup songs and “I’ve Had Enough (Into the Fire),” “Under the Gun,” “Thrills in the Night” were pretty cool, too. There were some Gene clunkers but there was a lot of energy on the album.

#17 — Asylum (1985). The only reason this album gets higher than Animalize is that this album has “Tears are Falling” and “Who Wants to be Lonely” which are two of my favorite KISS songs overall, not just non-makeup. Again, a lot of energy on this album and it’s fun to listen to.

Kiss_revenge_cover

Revenge

#16 — Revenge (1992). Released after Eric Carr’s passing, KISS went into “heavy mode” to right the wrongs that their direction had taken. The did the same in 1982, yes, 10 years earlier. It’s like they had started to veer and needed to correct. The album is a monster (more so than the one actually titled that) and while there are heavy tunes, there are also some Paul cheese. Paul cheese generally isn’t a bad thing. It’s just that, cheese. The album that the Alive III tour was recorded for, I saw this tour and it was great!

I think I am going to stop here and break it up. I’ve given you enough to stare at your screen agape already. I’ll get back to the rest later this week, maybe tomorrow.

So, just from this, go ahead, Dear Reader and all you KISS fans, give it to me. I can handle it. Again, this is my opinion, not based on anything else. I’m pretty outspoken about a lot of the albums, but I’ve tried to keep my verbosity to a minimum on this. Be on the lookout for Part 2.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Open yourself to me. Let me show you what it can be like. Baby, giving it all that you’ve got. Nothing can hold you back. Some things can stand alone. A mountain can feel no desire. But a heart isn’t made out of stone. Wake up in the middle of the night. Nobody’s gonna make it alright.” – “Who Wants to Be Lonely” (Stanley/Child/Beauvoir)