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'til tuesday, Bruce Springsteen, Discogs, Edgar Allen Poe, Eugeology, Felix Mendelssohn, Jackson Browne, João Gilberto, Kansas, Mavis Staples, Motorhead, Mott the Hoople, Nat King Cole, Pink Floyd, Stan Getz, The Alan Parsons Project, The BCPF, Underdog Records, Warren Zevon, Wu-Tang Clan
Salutations™!!
©Verve
So, yesterday was the first trip into Underdog Records of 2018. The BCPF and I got some good stuff, I believe. I filled in a couple of empty spaces on the RS list and one from the Eugeology list, too. The overall haul was short, but the depth was good! Let’s hit it…
- Mavis Staples – If All I Was Was Black (new)
- Motörhead – Another Perfect Day (the last entry on the Eugeology list; new)
- Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (#387 on the RS list, new)
- Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band – Live / 1975-85 (the box set that, in my opinion, started the whole box set trend that continues to this day; 5xLP; VG++)
- ‘Til Tuesday – Voices Carry (not technically new, but still sealed and never listened to; NM copy)
- Stan Getz / João Gilberto Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim – Getz / Gilberto (#447 on the RS list and possibly the album I was most excited to get and it sounded great, even though Jonathan had it at VG-)
- Mendelssohn, Arleen Auger, Ann Murray, The Ambrosian Singers, Philharmonia Orchestra, Neville Marriner – A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Complete) (NM)
- Kansas – The Best Of Kansas (I had this on CD and wore it out; VG+)
- Warren Zevon – Sentimental Hygiene (other than “Werewolves of London” I don’t know much by Mr. Zevon, but my Bro-in-Law (The BCPF’s brother) looks like him, VG+)
- Mott The Hoople – Live (VG+)
- The Alan Parsons Project – Tales Of Mystery And Imagination (like a mixture of thriller film soundtrack and Pink Floyd with Edgar Allen Poe poetry for lyrics; VG; $1 bin find)
- Nat King Cole – Nat King Cole’s Greatest! ($1 bin find; VG)
- Jackson Browne – Lawyers In Love ($1 bin find; VG)
Right after we left yesterday, Jonathan got in a used Audio-Technica ATLP120 in like-new condition with an upgraded cartridge. It has already sold but he gets stuff like this in nearly every day. Follow them on Instagram to keep track of what comes through there, as it comes through there. Great deals to be had there, in equipment and records, obviously! We also love using Discogs to keep track of what we have, info on the records, who produced what, who played on what and so on. Plus, there’s a marketplace if you’re not finding the stuff you need elsewhere. Check them out.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
—
“Everybody’s at war these days. Let’s have a mini-surrender. I need some sentimental hygiene.” – “Sentimental Hygiene” (Zevon)
what we did. This album had seven singles (out of nine total songs) and all seven went top 10 on the Billboard charts. The only two that didn’t was “Baby Be Mine” and “Lady In My Life.” I didn’t realize that “The Girl Is Mine,” with Sir Paul McCartney, was the first single released, in October 1982, a month before the album was released. I always liked that song and listened to it, but didn’t realize it was first. It reached #2. Up next was “Billie Jean.” That was the first one I remember hearing on the radio. I was just starting to listen to the radio because we had finally gotten a station to listen to. I’d been in my KISS hole up until then. I always thought he was saying “Billie Jean is at my door.” Louis Johnson of Brothers Johnson provided that fantastic bass line. It never stops. Those are always the ones that give me the most trouble, the repetitive ones. The song reached #1. “Beat It” next and it had a true all-star personnel list. Hidden for a while was Eddie Van Halen, but those who knew his style heard it in the solo. I wasn’t familiar with him so I didn’t, but when I figured it out, it all made sense. Steve Lukather played all the leads other than the solo and was the bass player. Steve and Jeff Porcoro plays keys and drums respectively. Another #1. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” came out next. Not my favorite. I did like the “mama say mama sah…” part and I still haven’t figured out why we have to bring vegetables into it. It only reached #5. “Human Nature” only went to #7. “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” only went to #10. “Thriller” went to #4. This is a monster album and it continues to climb on the all-time sales list. I really, really enjoy this album. Let’s even go with a little light “love.”
me, certainly not. Top 100? Probably not. Top 500? Maybe. But, it’s not up to me and it’s here. At times it’s like he is just wailing and not in a good jammin’ kind of way. So, it’s here and I don’t much care for it. Beautiful, but boring. Did not dig.
off by The BCPF that I took time to listen to what was going on. I’ve only known her for a time going on seven years, so that means that I just came around a mere couple of years ago, or so. I purchased it. I listened and thought, okay, it isn’t so bad. But, listen to it in headphones, if you haven’t before. If you’re not too familiar with the album (uh huh really) give it a listen that way. Your mind will be blown how well produced (no, it’s not just noise like I thought) this disc is. And it’s not all gloom and doom that I always thought, either. Cobain was a lyrical genius. Was he the modern day John Lennon like his followers want to portray him as? Well, perhaps modern day, but not exactly. There’s only one of those. I’ve not even touched any of the songs, yet. The opening notes of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a light setup for the punch in the mouth the rest of the album is going to be. It’s a teaser at the beginning and an onslaught to follow. The title was from a friend of Cobain’s who wrote on the wall the he smelled like the deodorant that his then-girlfriend wore. He was trying to rip off the Pixies. “In Bloom” has great harmonies and was fun to play on Guitar Hero. I love the flanged intro and feel of “Come As You Are.” That whole song feels dark but not necessarily foreboding. “Lithium” is a search for sanctuary in religion upon contemplation of suicide. But, it’s a great song. “Polly” is a good departure from the previous five songs, a little more melodic. After that, it gets a little noisy and less organized. There’s still good stuff there but it doesn’t compare to the first side of songs. Well, the first part, I don’t think this was on vinyl until reissues recently. Dave Grohl is a beast of a drummer, even without a lot of fills – he was pretty much kept at bay; and bad arse harmonies. Same with Krist Novoselic. A mediocre bass player, at best, but solid, all the way. I’m going to kick myself for this, but I believe it should have been about 5 positions higher on this list. Not quite top 10 but close. I love this album. Yes, I just said that.
arpeggiated mandolin parts in that. Overall, I liked it, although after a bit it started sounding run together. I think it is definitely where it needs to be on the list, and I’ll say “dug’ but I’m not in a hurry to listen to it, in full, again for a bit.
favorites. This was the last one to be recorded by the Fab Four. Yes, Let It Be came out afterward but that had mostly been recorded by the time these sessions started. Contention was high in the studio and tempers flew. After the recording of this was completed, John Lennon left, albeit secretly, and Sir Paul left publicly a year later. One purpose of this list for me was to explore more the “album form.” That’s why I don’t do compilations, no matter how important those may have been (at least in some cases). Of course, I’m a huge fan of the production, I love production. Another reason I am not usually a fan of live albums. But, it’s the construction, dedication to, and execution of the album, itself. This, to me, is one of the best and well constructed albums, ever made. The track listing is nearly perfect. From the “shoot” and bass line at the beginning of “Come Together” it’s a non-stop barrage of all things musical and really, all things Beatles. You get a little bit of everything here. Slow, heavy, pop, blues, everything. I won’t go into a song-by-song analysis because as I write this I’m already 2200 words in on this post. But, it should be noted that side two is basically a medley of unfinished songs that McCartney pushed together to create its famed weirdness. A lot of it makes perfect nonsense. Some of my favorite Beatles songs are on this album: “Come Together,” “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “You Never Give Me Your Money,” “Golden Slumbers,” “The End” (telling wasn’t it?) and “Her Majesty.” The Vagabond Saints Society did a fantastic job with this album even though it was all a core band deal (I was part of the opening act). So, yeah, I could see this higher in the countdown, possibly even top 10 but, I’m satisfied with its placement here. I LOVE this album.
this album must be on the list, give them spot #500. I will never understand the appeal of this 49 minutes I will never get back. I’m sorry, baby, I just do not dig it. Hate is a strong word but the most descriptive I can use politely.
other than he’s just awesomely funky-n-groovy? That on many of his albums and tracks, he plays most of the instruments himself. Lots of clavinets happening on this album and other great keyboard spots. He plays the drums, synth basses, a bit of everything. That and guest spots from Ray Parker, Jr., Jeff Beck, Deneice Williams, “Buzz” Feiten make this album even more spectacular. Stevie’s use of melody and orchestration fills the cracks and holes (not in quality, just covers the speakers) with aural splendor. The ultra-powerful and urgent, “Superstition” is there and offset by the sweetness of “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “You and I” and “You’ve Got It Bad Girl.” There’s range and spread on this album and that’s a great thing. Groove and shuffle, intensity and tenderness, bits of it all. I dug this album and thought it was well composed.
There’s so much power in her music and in these songs it’s easy to get lost in them. This is a fantastic album. I DUG it!
yet another check on the “I’m from West Virginia and my parents listened to country music” tally of life. Neither of those, by the way are knocks nor mock on the facts. We didn’t have radio stations that played Pink Floyd, or anything like that until around 1981 or 1982. Ma Mère listened to gospel or older pop stuffs like Leslie Gore or folksy stuff like Peter, Paul & Mary. Ma Père listened to country. Tears-in-beer country. Plus, none of my friends listened to Pink Floyd, so I had no exposure, at all. I do remember walking into a record store on Main Street in Welch, WV, looking for KISS’ Unmasked (1980) album and seeing a cardboard cutout of the album cover and Gerald Scarfe posters that were associated with the album. I moved to WSNC, as I’ve said countless times, in 1986 and there was a reissue of “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” around 1987-88 or so and I bought it on 45. I had just started listening to the local classic rock station and got more familiar with some other Floyd songs. I decided, sometime later, to buy The Wall, but it was in or after 1990 because I didn’t buy my first CD player until December 27, 1989. I did have Delicate Sound of Thunder on cassette (it was released two days after my 18th birthday) and heard three of the songs that way. Anywhat! All that to say, I love the album and with the exception of a song or so (can we say “Bring the Boys Back Home?”). My faves are (all three) “Another Brick in the Wall,” “Goodbye Blue Sky,” “Young Lust,” “Hey You,” “Comfortably Numb” and “Run Like Hell.” I love the album.
#86 – Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen. I think this is the first time in a bit, if not the entire list, that I have two albums in a row that I actually own. It may have happened. But, I’m pretty positive that it is the first time that I own two in a row on vinyl. Sadly, I didn’t have time to listen to this on vinyl at home. I’ll try to do a vinyl listen soon, if I have something that is available on it. That’s something that I’ve not done since I’ve started this countdown. It’ll be fun. When I first heard the first single, “Dancing in the Dark,” believe it or not, that was the first time I heard of Bruce Springsteen. Yeah, yeah, I know, but it really was. Chalk it up to my total immersion into KISS and just breaking out of the mold. And, here’s the other thing, I hated it, every bit of it. I don’t know that I heard “Cover Me” (the second single until much later. If I did, I probably turned it off or went out to play or something. I’ve mostly come around to who I used to call Spruce Bedspring over the years. Most of that with the help of my friend Beth who is the biggest Springsteen fan I have ever met or even ever heard of. To me, though, at the time, the title track and to some extent “Dancing…” sounds like he’s just yelling the whole time. I just wanted to shout back “just shut up!” Now, fast forward to now. I don’t know how I feel about “Darlington County” but the rest of the album (if you take into account I like more laid-back and alternative versions of the title track) is fantastic. Of course, my favorite tune (since I asked for it and did it at the VSS Springsteen show) is “I’m on Fire.” It’s a sultry little number. I loved the video, too. “My Hometown” and “Glory Days” are also faves of mine. There are some throwaways, at least to me, such as “Working on the Highway” and the aforementioned “Darlington County.” “Downbound Train” and “I’m Goin’ Down” make up for both of those, though. There were seven singles released on this album. While none of the songs are virtuosity tunes or even particularly intrinsic or complex, that’s not what this album was about it, I don’t think. It was just putting out a good album. This is that. Great even. I really dug it.
this countdown are any better than most of the albums that were in the top 200-100? Does it deserve to be on this list, absolutely and I dig it, but I still don’t think it’s Top 100 material. Not a knock on the album, I just think some stuff is better. Dug.
well-planned nonsense). Three staples of Sirius XM’s First Wave channel, “Hanging on the Telephone,” “One Way or Another,” which starts this album out right, and “Heart of Glass,” all three are the flour while the rest of the album is the egg in the cake; the rest holds it together. It truly is in your face. You can look away but you can’t escape. “Picture This” is probably some of the best capturing of a live feel in the studio I’ve heard since the 76-77 era of KISS, while “Fade Away and Radiate” has that Blondie reggae beat but a sultry and seductive backbone. “Pretty Baby” reminds me of the Shangri-Las or something like that. It hearkens back to the 50s rock and roll pop girl groups. I know that was the point and I’m quite okay with it. I hear some Cheap Trick (or just similarities therein) in the music of “I Know But I Don’t Know.” The dissonant chord changes are what do it for me, I think. I’m ashamed to say that I really don’t know much about Blondie other than the hits on this album, “Rapture” and “Call Me.” This is a reminder of how sucky I can be at knowing my classic bands. Pity, Scorp, pity. I think “Heart of Glass” is a good indication as to where the band would be going in the following few years. It sounds more futuristic than the rest of the album and, to me, was more than just a representation of the disco stuff that was still lingering and hanging on at the time; it was advanced in structure and sound. I really like that song. I really like this album! Dug!
spend money on it as it’s not my thing, really. BUT, I got it and put it on my iPod and listened to it whilst driving around in Nigel (my Kia Soul) and I have to say, this is some really good stuff. Well, let’s not go crazy, whether or not it’s “good” is subjective but I really like it. I’ve enjoyed listening to it. As always, I could certainly do without all the “n” word strewn about the album, but what can you do? I’d actually consider this a Snoop Dogg album over a Dre album. He’s highlighted throughout and his work is the best on the record. There’s a lot of shots at Eazy-E, who owned Ruthless Redords and Ice Cube, both former N.W.A. members. Dre and gang also take shots at Tim Dog and Luther Campbell (Luke of 2 Live Crew). They’re not at all apologetic about it, either. They don’t hold back. It was a pleasure to listen to. “F*** with Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’),” “Let Me Ride,” “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” “A N***a Witta Gun” and “Deeez Nuuuts” are my favorites on here. I almost wish I’d have bought the vinyl version, now. I’m still happy with it. Dug!!
alternative rock would have sounded like in my head. I know it’s a travesty and all that but I knew nothing of The Replacements, other than the song “Alex Chilton,” prior to this complete countdown. I don’t know how I didn’t. Well, that’s not true. This was released before I moved to WSNC and we didn’t have access to this where I was from. “Dose of Thunder” sounds like something Cult would have done. I like that. “Hold my Life,” “I’ll Buy” are both solid songs. The first one that really made me go, that’s cool is “Waitress in the Sky.” Next is “Swinging Party” and I REALLY like that one. At the time it was rough and dirty, I’m sure. But, I think it fits perfectly snug in the annuls of the early alternative (or First Wave) motif. It’s rebellious but not totally defiant; accessible. There’s not a single song on this album that I’d skip over. I may not think them my favorite tunes, but they’re certainly a great listen. One of my faves in the last bit. And closing out on “Here Comes a Regular?” I nearly wept. Priceless. DUG!
I’m done with it and don’t care if I ever listen to it again, other than a handful of tunes. Dug-ish.
loved Ozzy’s rendition of that and “Children of the Grave” on the Tribute album. I never got Pantera’s cover of “Planet Caravan” but I think this version sits easy as a mood shift from the heaviness. It’s very Doors-like to me with some Allman Brothers thrown in. Great vocal effect on that, too. I listened to this one through headphones and love the panning on “Iron Man.” Really, does a song get much heavier than this? This is the heavy that Death and Speed Metal bands wish they could get. A menacing riff to go with a menacing figure in the lyrics. What I get out of the lyrics are: he goes to the future and sees destruction. He tries to get back to warn everyone in his own time that this is going to happen. In the magnetic field that enabled his time travel, he’s turned into a bit metal dude and he can’t talk. We know in this society, anything the masses don’t understand, they shun. He gets mad and destroys those who mock him. So, I guess he created the destruction he saw the vision of? Do I hear a talkbox mixed with the wah pedal in “Electric Funeral.” I’d love to ask Ed B. here in WSNC what Geezer Butler is playing to make the bass sound so boxy. Is it the Rickenbacker 4001? I generally don’t like that kind of bass sound but this is actually perfect for what they’re doing. The album closes with “Fairies Wear Boots” and as it goes quiet afterwards, you kind of feel like something’s over. A feeling of finality. That’s sad, but good that you can feel that way about an album, right? I certainly dug it. It’s a great album.
When they needed both he and I to step up and take “Adam Raised a Cain” or “Spirit in the Night” I jumped on “Sprit” because I didn’t want to have to strain to do “Adam.” Patrick took it and ran with it. It was amazing watching him do that and “Badlands” (which usually started the whole show). I’ll admit this isn’t, overall, the early-Bruce I was expecting, which is to say I don’t feel he’s yelling at me as some of his stuff seemed to do to me. That, is a good thing. One thing Bruce can’t ever be called is a “bad” storyteller. Almost every song goes beyond just a premise and is an epic story, even the short songs. This album is no different. If I’m to understand correctly, there was a lot of turmoil in his life prior to this album and you can hear grief and pain throughout. I particularly like “Racing in the Street.” It’s a long, but laid back reflection and I like the way it’s put together. “Prove It All Night” was another VSS selection. I’m not sure who did that one. It may have been Clay Howard; not sure. I’d say if I was picking one that I didn’t care for, it would be “Factory.” I don’t know why it just turned me off. Other than that? I think the album is a mighty fine piece of work. Dug!
like this: One friend said to another: “my wife went to the West Indies.” The friend replies, “Jamaica?” “No, she wanted to go.” I’m a huge fan of “The Rain Song.” The slide overdub stands out but fits so well. The song gets powerful and then pulls back to a very mellow ending. I’ll never say Jimmy Page was a “great lead player” but he was good. Where he stands out, to me, is his phrasings and rhythms. Those are great. What aspiring guitarist didn’t try to learn the intro to “Over the Hills and Far Away” at least once (I did)? John Paul Jones does his magic on “The Crunge” and he rocks it like there’s no tomorrow. They obviously never found that confounded bridge since the song is sans said bridge. “Dancing Days” has a bouncy groove and a catchy guitar lick. That’s kind of what you look for with a good rock record, eh? Then, let’s get crazy and do the long, dark and doom-impending tune “No Quarter.” There’s hope in there but you really have to look for it. Lots of effects and phenomenal tone; another favorite of mine from Zep. Then you end it with the oddly time-signatured “The Ocean,” yet another fave. I remember my buddies in the band Spank doing this song (and “The Song Remains the Same”) and it makes me think of Jody Blevins who lost his fight with cancer a year or so back. Cheers to you buddy. This album, I love.
considering the time frame (1967), is a bumpy ride. Again, not it’s not the music, that’s all good, it’s the identity crisis that I feel from the work as a whole. I dug it, though.
it? So, you have to take the good with the bad, I guess. Clearly, the track on this album that really brought the most controversy was “F**k the Police.” This was where the reality of living in and around Compton, South Central Los Angeles and comparable neighborhoods and how even the black police were, to quote the song, “showing out for the white cops.” Racism, the fight thereof, I believe is the main subject. Some may find it a form of reverse racism. I’m not sure I agree. There’s some humor in here, so it’s not all straight hardcore in your face the whole time. This was their debut album. And now, they’re in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some people, including my idol, Gene Simmons, has a problem with that: it’s not rock and roll!! Well, by genre, no it isn’t. But, by attitude? Absolutely. Rock and roll isn’t a genre of music, it’s a state of mind. It’s about rebellion (it always has been), attitude and making a stand. Punk rock did it. 50s rock and roll groups had to withstand the onslaught of religious prudes. 60s rock carried that tradition and then protested one of the most atrocious wars, ever. 70s rock, 80s rock (beyond the hair) were all flipping the bird to the “establishment.” Rap, like it or not (and I generally don’t) has the same attitudes. Different flavors of attitude, sure, but attitude nonetheless. If you take that away from them and don’t want them in the HOF because their genre isn’t rock and roll, then take James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and any blues artists out of there, too. Don’t hand me the “that’s the basis of rock and roll” mess. The same way that rock and roll took from blues, rap took from rock and roll. James Brown and that ilk are, definitely, rock and roll but they’re classified as “soul.” It’s attitude not genre. This album and N.W.A. are definitely rock and roll and I’m not even a fan. For everything it became for the future of that genre, dug! Rock on, Ice Cube, Eazy (RIP), Dre, Ren.
listen through it. It’s funny to listen to Christmas songs in April, but hey, why not? I know my favorite song on here is Darlene Love’s “Marshmallow World.” I loved it when it was used in that Target commercial. I will say, too, that these are some great Xmas tunes and some of them are the iconic ones that you’ll hear on channels that play nothing but Jingly Bellsy music from before Thanksgiving until Valentine’s Day. Love’s aforementioned “Marshmallow World,” “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas,” The Ronettes “Sleigh Ride,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” The Crystals “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Parade of Wooden Soldiers” are all featured proudly on here. There’s more, but that’s the gist. Overall, a great album and it’s cool that a holiday treasure trove of tunes is on here, but again, why this high? Anywhat! I dug it.
missed two shows in that time (Nick Cave and Emmylou Harris).
