Today would have been Elvis’ 87th and David Bowie’s 75th birthdays. It IS my dad’s 74th birthday. I never really connected to Elvis’s music. It was slightly before my time. I do, however, LOVE me some Bowie although it took me a while to realize that. There are some slow spots in my Bowie relationship. But, for the most part, it’s all great stuff. Here’s a great cover of a great Bowie song. Happy birthday, Pops!!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Ashes to ashes, funk to funky. We know Major Tom’s a junkie. Strung out in heaven’s high hitting an all-time low.” – “Ashes to Ashes” (Bowie)
I apologize Dear Reader (and Dear Listener) for not having a podcast the last two weeks. I have been so busy doing the Beeswax Vinyl Daily podcast to prepare for this week that I haven’t really experienced anything, watched anything new, heard anything, done anything. Why this week? Well, with the exception of Monday, when I do TMWATT and a couple of client things, I’m on a mental health break all week and possibly the following week with the exception of a day, probably. Anyway, today is the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s fourth album, Hunky Dory, which was the first with Mick Ronson in Bowie’s band and had Rick Wakeman playing keyboards. The big tune was Changes! but this is one of my faves and I went straight to the source for it! Enjoy!
It’s a god-awful small affair To the girl with the mousy hair But her mummy is yelling, “No!” And her daddy has told her to go But her friend is nowhere to be seen Now she walks through her sunken dream To the seat with the clearest view And she’s hooked to the silver screen
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— ” It’s a god-awful small affair to the girl with the mousy hair. But her mummy is yelling, “No!” And her daddy has told her to go. But her friend is nowhere to be seen. Now she walks through her sunken dream to the seat with the clearest view. And she’s hooked to the silver screen.” – “Life on Mars?” (Bowie)
Today is the 38th anniversary of David Bowie’s Let’s Dance album. I love this album. “China Girl,” the title track, and this one are all on there. I like this busking group (I don’t think they’re buskers per se but they are busking here). Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Never going to fall for: (Modern Love) walks beside me (Modern Love) walks on by (Modern Love) gets me to the church on time (Church on Time) terrifies me (Church on Time) makes me party (Church on Time) puts my trust in God and Man (God and Man) no confessions (God and Man) no religion (God and Man) don’t believe in Modern Love” – “Modern Love” (Bowie)
The BCPF and I each got our hair cut yesterday. We went to the same person and we just took turns with Cynthia Pratt-Miller at Hair Bomb Hair Salon which is conveniently directly beside Underdog Records! Having Mojito for lunch was delicious but dang! It was cold on that patio. Yesterday was a mild day temp-wise but the patio at Mojito is a breezeway. It’s between two buildings and there’s an arched roof so the wind just gets pushed through there. That’s great when it’s 90° out, but when it’s only 40°…? Whew! But, the food was delicious and it was worth the misery to have it. Here’s the haul:
Built To Spill – There’s Nothing Wrong With Love — Whilst The BCPF was getting her ‘do did, I was shopping and talking with Jonathan. I saw this, checked Discogs to make sure we didn’t have it and had Jonathan put it behind the counter so she couldn’t see it. When we got home, I told her that I had a surprise for her and within the first two seconds (if that) of Side A, I heard an audible gasp and her eyes got wide. She came over and hugged me hard. I felt good about that. She has never sang in front of me, be she did look at me and pantomime a good bit of it to me. Again, that made me feel good, making her feel good. She said it’s from her early college days. New.
Pixies – Bossanova — So from her college days, we back up a little bit and hit her high school years. The Pixies are always hit-or-miss with me, but they’re almost always hit for her. She got this one on her own. Reissue on 180g vinyl. New.
Cherry Glazerr – Haxel Princess — We picked up a Cherry Glazerr album in 2019 and I remember enjoying it. It was the latest release from them at the time. This is their debut album from 2014. I love the cover and it reminds me of a friend of mine. Red Translucent vinyl. New.
David Bowie – The Man Who Sold The World — Jonathan had just gotten a shipment and was checking them in when I saw this. I had to look it up and was surprised that we didn’t already have it. I could have sworn we had. But, we hadn’t, so I rectified that; made it right, if you will. Textured cover, LP in poly-lined inner sleeve. Additional replica of the original paper inner sleeve included. Remastered, 180g. New.
Yo La Tengo – Sleepless Night — 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, EP released last year. Original cover art by Yoshitomo Nara. Drawing of the band by Georgia. Illustration by James etched on the record’s flip side. A Sleepless Night poster was included with EPs preordered prior to August 28, 2020 yet this wasn’t what we did. These tracks were originally available as part of a multi-media catalogue from artist Yoshitomo Nara published by Los Angeles County Museum of Art for Nara’s eponymous exhibition in 2020. The etching on Side B is pretty cool. New.
The Zombies – R.I.P. — Limited Edition Record Store Day 2015 release. 5600 pressed. Intended as the follow-up to the iconic Zombies album Odessey And Oracle. This is the first legitimate vinyl release of the never issued Zombies R.I.P. album as it was intended in the United States. Reissue, 180g. NM.
Various – Original Soundtrack From The Vestron Motion Picture – Dirty Dancing — Yeah… and? I have no problem saying this. I love this album. I loved it (and kind of liked its companion Vol. 2) when it came out. I was 17. I love pop music. I loved the Patrick Swayze song. I’m not ashamed. I like what I like. And there you have it. VG+.
The Clash – Give ‘Em Enough Rope — Reissue on blue Epic labels, with original JE cat. # prefix. Jacket front cover is second U.S. issue with “Oriental”-style block font. Jacket back cover includes barcode and updated B5 track title and credits. “P” stamped in runouts denotes Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman, pressing. Track B4 title on jacket: “Cheap-skate.” First cat. # on labels, jacket spine. Second cat. # on jacket back cover. That’s all from the notes on Discogs. VG+.
Now, this one… Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms — Yes, I had this already. But, again, I didn’t. The original US vinyl versions had truncated versions of every song on the first side minus one, “Walk of Life.” I am so over that song and, honestly, I think it’s the worst song on the album. So, of those first five songs four of them were shortened. The biggest travesty of that was the extended saxophone solo at the beginning of “Your Latest Trick” being completely omitted. Now, I get it, media constraints dictated that they had to cut some stuff. I wish they had cut “Walk of Life” completely, but it was a big hit for them.
Brothers in Arms was one of the first albums for the CD market, and was a full digital recording (DDD) at a time when most stuff was recorded analog. I remember seeing a lot of ADD on CDs back then. Producer Neil Dorfsman says the digital multitrack was mixed on an analog board with the resulting two track mix re-digitized via a Prism A/D converter and recorded on a DAT machine. I had this on cassette and where that was dependent on amount needed, the cassette presented full versions of the songs. I then had it on CD and it, too, had full versions. I was so disappointed to hear the truncated songs.
All (or most) of Dire Straits catalog was reissued just earlier this year and on double LPs (in some cases) with remastering and all that. But, for whatever reason, even though this album was on 2×LP, I was informed that it was still the truncated versions. I didn’t get it and I still don’t. If you expand to the 2×LP model, then you can easily expand to full-versions.
Well, this made me have to search and seek elsewhere. I found this version on the Discogs Marketplace and reading through the descriptions, this one, released in 2015 by Mercury for their “Back2Black” collection, was 2×LP with what I sought. I had a great back-and-forth with the seller who happened to be UK and Poland (he has inventory in both places). There were no listings of run times on the cover (and not on the label either, I found out), and he was pretty sure this was the right version. It was sealed so he couldn’t look on the inside. I took a chance. Worst case scenario, I got a really good copy and could sell my VG+ back to Jonathan for credit. I got it yesterday. It was waiting for me on my porch when we got in from our Saturday trek. I opened the packaging, still reluctant and when I played it, everything was there in its full-glory. I was ecstatic! So, now I have the full-on album, the way it was intended. Thanks to Andrew for your help and thanks to Discogs for giving me a place to shop for records when Jonathan can’t get me something. He checked and it wasn’t available through any of his distributors. So, I had to step out but I am so happy to have this. And the album is amazing.
Jonathan and I are still in discussions about how this new project we’re working on will go, but just keep your eyes peeled. It is indeed coming. Go by and check out Underdog Records, open 11a-7p Thursday – Saturday and he does deliveries Monday – Wednesday (weather permitting). He will ship to you, as well. You can look at what he has for sale (unused, new vinyl only) by visiting the Underdog Recordswebsite. Tell him that I sent you! Obviously, I also use Discogs to track my collection and buy from the Marketplace when I need something.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “She’s like the wind through my tree. She rides the night next to me. She leads me through moonlight only to burn me with the sun. She’s taken my heart but she doesn’t know what she’s done.” – “She’s Like the Wind” (Swayze/Widelitz)
Today is the 45th anniversary of David Bowie’s Station To Station album. I’m not a huge fan of this era of Bowie. The Thin White Duke thing doesn’t do it for me. But, I like Bowie, so it made it. I am a sucker for looping. I have never tried it and think I’d just fall apart trying it, but I am fascinated by people who can. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere, angel. Come get up, my baby. Run for the shadows, run for the shadows. Run for the shadows in these golden years.” – “Golden Years” (Bowie)
Today is the 44th anniversary of David Bowie’s Low album. It was the first of the “Berlin Trilogy” that he did with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti after he and Iggy Pop moved to Berlin. This album is unlike anything else Bowie had done before and after it. There are a lot of orchestral instrumentals and I think the album is fantastic. I love listening to it. Bowie was a genius, plain and simple. Here’s a one-man show doing a cover of Side B/Track 1. Enjoy!
Today is the 49th anniversary of David Bowie’s Hunky Dory album. #108 on the RS list that matters. This album is fantastic. Then again, I am a Bowie fan, so most of them are. This is a great cover. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “It’s a god-awful small affair to the girl with the mousy hair. But her mummy is yelling, ‘No!’ And her daddy has told her to go. But her friend is nowhere to be seen. Now she walks through her sunken dream to the seat with the clearest view and she’s hooked to the silver screen.” – “Life on Mars?” (Bowie)
Today is the 43rd anniversary or Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life album. It was co-produced by David Bowie. The title track is one of Iggy’s best-known tunes. I have no idea what is up with this party. I’m intrigued, though. Enjoy it…
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Here comes Johnny Yen again with the liquor and drugs and the flesh machine. He’s gonna do another striptease. Hey man, where’d you get that lotion? I been hurting since I bought the gimmick about something called love. Yeah, something called love. Well, that’s like hypnotizing chickens.” – “Lust For Life” (Pop/Bowie)
Yesterday was pretty much a usual Saturday for us. We got up and went to Underdog Records, had lunch at BLL Rotisserie Factory, came home listened to some records, went to check in with the Maw-In-Law and ate dinner. That’s it. Here’s the haul:
Rush – A Farewell To Kings — So, with the exception of the debut album, Rush, I have all the Rush studio albums up through Hold Your Fire and then the live albums All the World’s a Stage and Exit…Stage Left. I want all of them, of course. I’ll find the ones I’m missing somehow. Some of them may not be available on vinyl given their time period but I’m sure not that Neil Peart is gone, we’ll get rereleases and “first time on vinyl” releases. New.
David Bowie – Heathen — Bowie co-produced this 2002 album with Tony Visconti, which hadn’t produced an album with Bowie since 1980’s Scary Monsters(and Super Creeps). It was started prior to the 9/11 events and was influenced by them. Not my favorite Bowie, for sure, and he’s starting to sound “old” at this point. There are a couple of covers, too, like Neil Young’s “I’ve Been Waiting for You,” “I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship” from Legendary Stardust Cowboy and “Cactus” from the Pixies. I think it was supposed to be a lot of songs like the LSC, obscure 1960s tunes. I grabbed this from the clearance bin. New.
Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison — Yes, I have this already but the copy is on VG and since it is #88 on the RS list, I felt I needed a better copy. Plus, outside of RSD or other “special” or “novelty” releases, it’s the first time it’s been reissued on vinyl in many years. New.
Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak — Not a huge Thin Lizzy fan but I really needed some in my collection. Doing the “musical tourist” thing, I went for the one that had their two biggest tunes, the title track and “The Boys Are Back In Town.” Also, pulled from the clearance bin. New.
The Steve Miller Band – Greatest Hits 1974-78 — I had this on CD and as I’m not the world’s biggest Steve Miller fan, I really like these tunes, so here we go. It was in the used section at Underdog but it’s still sealed and is not a cutout. It also cost me more than a few of the new ones you’ll see below, so I’m counting it as New and it’s on transparent blue vinyl (according to the hype sticker).
No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom — A very important album from the 90s. I say that because it brought Ska to a whole new audience and really introduced Gwen Stefani to the world. They were around prior but until this album, no one really heard of them unless you were looking specifically for that genre of music. I love this album and I’m not that into Ska. New.
Archers Of Loaf – White Trash Heroes — The BCPF loves her Archers of Loaf but mainly she loves her Merge Records artists. This is one of those. We have an Eric Bachmann album and he sings much differently on that than he does here. On white vinyl, new.
Axis – It’s A Circus World — All I know about this band is that it has Carmine Appice’s little brother (and Dio drummer) Vinny Appice as 1/3 of the lineup. This seems to be the only album they released and it is from 1978. Funny thing about Carmine and Vinny… Carmine goes by Carmine A-peace but Vinny is Vinny App-a-see. VG+.
Bob Geldof – Deep In The Heart Of Nowhere — Also in the used bin but sealed. This was the first album after Bob left Boomtown Rats. The main single was “This Is the World Calling” with “Love Like a Rocket” also being released. There are a lot of guest appearances on this album: Eric Clapton, Midge Ure (Ultravox), Jools Holland (Squeeze), Annie Lennox, Jamie West-Oram (from The Fixx), Alison Moyet (from Yaz), Clem Burke (from Blondie), Maria McKee, Bono and more. Again, still sealed so I’m going with New.
Hammer – Black Sheep — Hammer is Jan Hammer (of “Miami Vice Theme” fame) and his backing band. I figure it’s probably jazz instrumentals. I haven’t heard it yet. VG++ sealed cutout.
The Power Station – The Power Station 33⅓ — Of the two Duran Duran side projects, I liked this one the best. John and Andy Taylor, Tony Thompson and Robert Palmer. Yes. Yes, please! The drum sound on “Some Like It Hot” is amazing. I also like their cover of “Get It On” from T-Rex. Two of the band has passed on but we have this album! Well, and the follow-up but no one talks about that one. VG+.
Night – Night — Night apparently had two Top 20 hits in the 70s: “Hot Summer Nights” (No. 18) and “If You Remember Me” (No. 17). Also, Chris Thompson is one of the lead vocalists (they had two) and he is probably best known as the vocalist for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band on their cover of “Blinded By The Light.” He also did some work with the Alan Parsons Project. This is a promo copy and is VG+.
Well, a week without any classical, that’s become a novelty. But, I am awaiting the final box set from the TimeLife collection I ordered from Discogs. It has finally reached Greensboro or so I was told this morning by the USPS.
Jonathan has rearranged a few things in the store and said that business is going well. They are still only open Thursday through Saturday with Monday through Wednesday being delivery and organization time. Have you gotten in on the lottery for RSD? You still have until next Saturday 8/22 to get in. Not sure what I’m talking about? Here’s where you can find out more. I hope I get drawn! And, of course, I use Discogs to track my collection and fill the ones that I can’t find anywhere else.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!
— “Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on. Some feel the heat and decide that they can’t go on. Some like it hot, but you can’t tell how hot ’til you try. Some like it hot, so let’s turn up the heat ’til we fry.” – “Some Like It Hot” (Palmer/Taylor/Taylor)
So, doing the “listens” list yesterday, I missed a lot of big releases. Would You Believe? from The Hollies was 54. Aretha Franklin’s live Amazing Grace was 48. James Taylor’s Walking Man was 46. The Runaways’ debut album The Runaways was 44. Rolling Stone’s live Still Life is 38. Sting’s debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles was 35. That was yesterday. Today, we have the debut Bowie album which is 53 (not the second one with “Space Oddity” on it). Cockney Rebel’s sophomore effort The Psychomodo is 46. Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town is 42. Cheap Trick’s Found All the Parts EP is 40. Let It Loose from Gloria Estefan is 33. Mariah Carey’s MTV Unplugged and Wilson Phillips’ Shadows and Light are both 28. Buzzcocks’ Trade Test Transmissions is 27. And, Smashing Pumpkins’ Adore is 22. That’s a lot of stuff for two days, I know.
Out of all of that, here’s what I chose. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
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“We share the same biology regardless of ideology. Believe me when I say to you, I hope the Russians love their children too.” – “Russians” (Prokofiev/Sting)
Useless Things Need Love Too 