Tag Archives: Calexico

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 6/15/19

17 Monday Jun 2019

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Salutations™!!

Since yesterday was Father’s Day, we did our grocery shopping on Saturday after breakfast before running over to Underdog Records before we had to be in Greensboro for a Cobras game Saturday night. So, here’s the haul:

Greetings_From_Timbuk_3

©IRS Records

  • Calexico / Iron & Wine – Years To Burn — The BCPF is a huge fan of both acts and having albums (there have been others) with both on at the same time means ecstasy for her. It came out just this week and is in lime green vinyl. New.
  • Supertramp – Supertramp — This is a reissue of the debut album by Supertramp. They were a little more subdued back then. I am glad to have this in my collection but I like their late-70s/early-80s stuff best. It is also one of two Supertramp albums we got on Saturday. VG+.
  • Dokken – Beast From The East — Live 2xLP set recorded in Japan. I know Dokken is one of those love ’em or hate ’em bands, but I’m really in the middle with them. I like their stuff but I don’t go crazy for it. However, I loved this when I had it on CD. They left off some stuff because it was long from the CD. This will be fun, I think. VG.
  • Cyndi Lauper – True Colors — One of two Cyndi albums I got this weekend. The other was in the $1 bin. We like those 80s pop staples and I felt she was one of those. VG+.
  • Joe Walsh – The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get — 1980 reissue of this album. I like “Rocky Mountain Way” so, let’s do it. VG+.
  • Roy Orbison – Mystery Girl — Roy Orbison was a unique talent both in songwriting and singing technique. He was a great one. This album had a lot of input from Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty as well as a tune from Bono and The Edge. It was completed a mere month before Orbison died at the age of 52. I was 18 when this came out and I thought he was so old. I’m less than four years from being 52. That’s crazy. This is a slight bit warped but plays awesomely and is still VG+.
  • Cheap Trick – Next Position Please — I don’t know how I feel about this album. I like “I Can’t Take It,” but the rest of it is weird to me. I know Todd Rundgren produced it. Jon Brandt is the bass player. I thought he was on only two CT albums but he was on like four, I think. Anywhat. It’s okay. VG+.
  • Neil Young & The Shocking Pinks – Everybody’s Rockin’ — The Shocking Pinks was a band made up just for this album and features a selection of rockabilly songs (both covers and original material). It’s only 25 minutes and is Young’s shortest album. Everybody’s Rockin’ is typical of his 1980s period in that it bears little or no resemblance to the album released before it nor the one released after it. I’m worried about it because I’m hit-or-miss with him. The BCPF wanted it, though.
  • Was (Not Was) – What Up, Dog? — This is a weird and quirky album but it was so fun to listen to. The biggest hits of the band’s career were on this album: “Spy in the House of Love” and “Walk the Dinosaur.” VG+.
  • The Michael Schenker Group – MSG — The former Scorpions and UFO guitarist’s band’s second album. It featured Cozy Powell on drums and Gary Barden on vocals. Stephen Stills of CSN actually did some background vocals. VG++.
  • Don Henley – The End Of The Innocence — Don Henley was part of one of the more polarizing bands ever, The Eagles. I never cared for Glenn Frey’s contributions to vocals, but he was a partner of Henley’s. I don’t care much for Frey’s solo stuff, but I really like Henley, especially this and Building the Perfect Beast. I just love Henley’s vocals. VG+.
  • Timbuk 3 – Greetings From Timbuk 3 — Yeah, their most famous track, “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades” is on here, but the album has some great spots. “Future” got a little cliche in 1986 but after a while, it got better and the story is funny. I liked listening to this. It was a great listen. VG+.
  • Supertramp – Crisis? What Crisis? — The fourth album overall from Supertramp and the second on this day’s collection. Again, it’s not Breakfast In America but I like it. VG+.
  • Vivaldi- – Max Goberman, The New York Sinfonietta – Three Concertos For Viola D’Amore / Two Concertos For Mandolin — It’s a classical jam. The interesting thing is that the album came out in 1968 and it was still sealed at Underdog. I opened it, but I didn’t look at the vinyl. It’s 51-year-old vinyl in there that hasn’t seen light since 1968. NM.
  • Cyndi Lauper – A Night To Remember — $1 bin find. Second Lauper this list update, too. To my knowledge, the only song on this album that I remember is “I Drove All Night.” I liked the album. VG+.
  • The Babys – Broken Heart  — This was the highlight of my purchase day, even though I didn’t know it until last night. The BCPF was alphabetizing our collection (the first time in almost a year) and it was my turn to pick an album. It was a great listen and if you haven’t listened to it, you absolutely should. Front-to-back, it’s awesome! VG.
  • Haydn, The Prague City Quartet – String Quartets Opus 76, No.4/Opus 20, No.4 — VG+.

Underdog Records is closed on Mondays, but on Tuesday, you should run by and see what used equipment Jonathan has for purchase. Get started in your record collectin’ if you aren’t already one. Then you can join in the madness fun with me! Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear the latest UDR/TLD special for that week. I use Discogs to bring you this list each week and to keep straight what I already own before I make purchases.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I know you broke up with him and your heart’s still on the shelf. It’s been over two years for me and I’m still not quite myself. You can’t be with someone new and you can’t go back to him. You’re beginning to realize that it’s sink or swim.” – “Last Worthless Evening” (Corey/Henley/Lynch)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/23/18 & 24

25 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

Note: I wrote most of this on Friday night and had to modify it for today. We’ll leave most of it for today.

Yes, it is for Friday and not Saturday, but that’s because we did our record shopping for this weekend at Underdog Records on Friday (and Saturday) for the Record Store Day Black Friday Edition (and Small Business Saturday). We were there at just before 5am and they opened at 8am. We were tired and after breakfast collapsed in bed for a few hours. We went back Saturday and But, here’s what we got:

Presstheejectandgivemethetape

©Beggars Banquet

All of these were brand new and with the exception of the Calexico, were “Record Store Day” releases.

  • Calexico – The Black Light — The non-RSD album we got and it’s a 20th Anniversary reissue and is a 2xLP on clear vinyl. These guys are great. Laid-back tex-mex/indie/alt-country music at its finest!
  • Cheap Trick – The Epic Archive Vol. 2 (1980-83) — We got the first volume this past RSD in April and I had to get this one. I bought two copies, one for Clay, which he paid me back for. I don’t really care much for this collection but hey, I have it. There are some good tunes on it, though.
  • José González – Veneer — 15th Anniversary reissue for RSD in a marbled-cream color. 2xLP and a very good listen from an Argentinian Swede. The name is very Latin but he’s from Sweden (his family is from Argentina). Good, laid-back indie folk music, this. You know the BCPF was all over this one. It was one of the two “must haves” for her on Friday.
  • The B-52’s – Cosmic Thing — Not quite 30 years but close since the release of this album. And, it’s much more than just “Love Shack,” “Roam” and “Channel Z.” A well-written album and the first after the death of Ricky Wilson in 1985. This is on a rainbow-splatter vinyl record.
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Ella At The Shrine — The only disappointment of the haul was this for me. It’s a “mini-album” so it’s kind of short. Along the lines of an EP, really. It’s a 12″ but it plays at 45 RPM like a 45/7″. I think the reason why I was disappointed is that the only time I don’t like her is when she goes on some scat rampage and this album was full of that. It’s annoying. It’s on cool mustard-colored vinyl, though.
  • Adam Sandler – What The Hell Happened To Me? — My second favorite Adam Sandler album and I got the first (his first and my favorite), They’re All Gonna Laugh At You, this past April at RSD and had to jump on this one, too. My two favorite skits are “Do It for Your Mama” and “The Hypnotist.” I laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh.
  • Bauhaus – Press The Eject And Give Me The Tape — Oddly enough, this is (outside of Adam Sandler) my favorite grab of the day. It’s the other “must-have” for The BCPF and she kept saying I was going to hate it, that I was going to look at her funny, that I was going to complain. None of that was true. Well, except for the looking at her funny part. I do that for sport. This was a great album of live weirdness recorded in London and Liverpool in 1981/1982. Great show and a great recording.

The following were picked up on Saturday and they are all $1 bin finds. The sale was 50% off $1 albums so, we made out good!

  • Carpenters – Carpenters — Their third studio album with “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Superstar” among others. In an envelope sleeve. VG.
  • George Jones – I Am What I Am — The 1980 album with “He Stopped Loving Her Today” which I wouldn’t have bought without. The BCPF just rolled her eyes the whole time. VG.
  • Stevie Wonder – Music Of My Mind — 1972 album in which Stevie played all the instruments except the trombone and electric guitar (one song each). I haven’t listened to it, yet, so I don’t know what it’s like. VG.
  • Donovan – Barabajagal — Pure Donovan, this. Great stuff with great guests such as Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood, Aynsley Dunbar, John Paul Jones, Rod Stewart, etc. It came out in 1969. VG+ (with the exception of a gash in the finale).
  • José Iturbi – Music To Remember — 10″ RCA Red Label in really good condition and features music from the life of Chopin. VG+.
  • Unknown Artist – It’s A Small World — Yes, one of the most annoying earworms ever, but you know what? I love it. And, The BCPF found this and put it in our carry-out crate. So, here we have it. It’s pretty beaten up. G+.

So, that’s the haul. There was stuff left over at Underdog Records when we left on Friday morning, and I don’t know what happened yesterday, but it was probably a good day on both days for Jonathan. He puts his heart and soul into the RSD bonanzas and he was in a good mood, that’s always a plus. We love to see him smiling. But, Underdog Records is your place to go buy vinyl. No other store is needed. Listen to the next episode of The Less Desirables (on Wednesday) to hear what the TLD/UDR special of the week is.

Discogs already had these albums loaded up and it didn’t take anything for me to find them. Good job Discogs!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“Crosses all over, heavy on your shoulders. The sirens inside you waiting to step forward, disturbing silence darkens your sight.” – “Crosses” (Gonzalez)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 1/27/18

28 Sunday Jan 2018

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Salutations™!!R-3734657-1342257119-1574.jpeg

Yesterday was a typical Saturday with The BCPF. We had our breakfast and then to Underdog Records for our take. Then, we did run to see friends of ours who are moving to Denver (the one in Colorado). Then home to listen to the wonderful sounds we purchased on vinyl and then on to Willows. Here’s what we got from Underdog Records:

  • Calexico – The Thread That Keeps Us – Brand new from Calexico. The BCPF loves this stuff. It’s hard to keep track of what kind of music you’re listening to with them as their styles change quite frequently within the same album. It’s cool but weird. A friend of mine said that you could classify it as “Post-Devotchka acoustic meandering since you asked.” Thanks, Tony. I liked it. So did The BCPF. New.
  • Eno – Here Come The Warm Jets – #432 on the RS List. Brian Eno is a weird dude. Very weird. But, I dug this and the next album. New.
  • Eno – Another Green World – #429 on the RS List. Both of these are very ambient and proggy. I dug them both. New.
  • The Outfield – Play Deep – This actually wasn’t from Underdog. I purchased it from Discogs Marketplace. I had wanted it for a while. I had it on cassette when I first moved to WSNC at the age of 15. I wore that out. I then had it (still do) on CD and that thing is scratched to all hades. I had forgotten how amazing the entire album was until we listened to it yesterday. I love it start to finish and will play it often. It won’t be just thrown in the collection. VG+/NM-.
  • Lou Reed – New Sensations – Yes, I hate Velvet Underground but I can actually listen to Lou. VG.
  • Yes – Drama – A VG+ copy of some proggy goodness.
  • Various – Weird Science – Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack – VG copy just because I wanted it.
  • Devo – Freedom Of Choice – The “Whip It” album. VG.
  • Murray Head – Say It Ain’t So – So, we all know that Murray Head is the “One Night in Bangkok” guy. We also know that he was Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (the original cast). Did you know that he’s Andrew Head’ brother in real life? Andrew played Rupert Giles on the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Anywhat! This was a fantastic album. We really enjoyed it. VG+.
  • Billy Squier – Emotions In Motion – Had to have this gem, especially since it was in the $1 bin.
  • Various – High Voltage – A K-Tel collection. I love these things. I like when they’re in the $1 bin, too. VG.
  • Suzanne Vega – Suzanne Vega – $1 bin find. Vega is a good storyteller. A lot of her stuff sounds the same but you can’t say she doesn’t have a “style” about her. It was a good album to listen to. VG.
  • New Birth, The – Golden Classics – Yeah, once I got the New Birth bug, I still gotta grab them. $1 bin find. VG.

It was a slow day at Underdog Yesterday, but I believe it picked up later. I could just hang out there all the time. I’m sure I’d annoy the dickens out of Jonathan, though. Cheap plug here, listen to The Less Desirables to hear the latest TLD/Underdog special for the week.

I use Discogs to catalog my entire collection. If I’m Underdog and find an album that I (thought) needed, I can check to see if I actually already have it. Plus, there are several versions of many of the recordings, you can use the identifiers to find out which version you have. And, as you can see from me doing so, you can purchase stuff from the Marketplace. I love Discogs.

—
“Say it ain’t so, Joe please, say it ain’t so. That’s not what I want to hear Joe and I’ve got a right to know. Say it ain’t so, Joe, please say it ain’t so. I’m sure they’re telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain’t so.” – “Say It Ain’t So, Joe” (Head)