Tag Archives: Dire Straits

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 5/19/18

20 Sunday May 2018

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Salutations™!!

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©RCA

 

We didn’t walk yesterday because it was misting/drizzling and I hate being wet. I didn’t want to get caught up in the deluge. Anywhat! The BCPF and I still ate at Mary’s Gourmet Diner, went to Underdog Records, did a lot of record listening and met our friends at Willows Bistro last night. Here’s our haul:

  • The Sea And Cake – Any Day – A brand new release from this jazz-infused indie rock band. I had never heard of them but The BCPF is a fan and it was pretty cool. I liked it a good bit. New.
  • The Breeders – Last Splash – The second album from the Breeders, released in 1993. They reissued them this week but we found a VG++ used 2009 reissue and it sounded fantastic. Great album.
  • Pavement – Brighten The Corners – Another fave of The BCPF’s college days. The first side was bright and funny. I didn’t pay any attention to side two. Overall, I didn’t dislike it. VG+.
  • The B-52’s – The B-52’s – This is an original pressing of their 1979 debut album. It’s in VG++ shape. It was ranked on the RS List at #152. That’s impressive. They were game changers in the new wave/classic alternative scene. Great album.
  • Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Rust Never Sleeps – #351 on the RS List. I didn’t really care for it, I don’t think, the first time I heard it. I cared just a little more this time. I think my problem with him is his voice live. He’s always straddling the proper pitch and his voice kind of rakes on my nerves. Still, it was VG+ and I have another marked off the list.
  • Tchaikovsky – Boston Pops / Arthur Fiedler – Swan Lake – NM 1964 pressing.
  • Paul McCartney & Wings – Red Rose Speedway – Someone had just brought this in to sell and I snatched it up. It has one of my top 5 Mac songs on it (“My Love”) and it was in VG condition. The rest of the album is good but I love that one song.
  • Toto – Toto – First album from a talented group of session players. This is no Toto IV but that’s okay. It has “Hold the Line,” “I’ll Supply the Love” and “Georgy Porgy” on it, all of which were released as singles along with “Rockmaker.” VG+.
  • Elvis Costello And The Attractions – Trust – VG copy of Declan Macmanus’ fifth album. I know nothing of the album but The BCPF likes Elvis Costello. We saw him live way back in 2010 or 2011.
  • Taco – After Eight – Yes! That “Puttin’ on the Ritz” guy. The whole album is in that old school standards/pop genre that the Irving Berlin tune is in. I really, really enjoyed listening to it. VG+.
  • Dire Straits – Communiqué – VG copy of Dire Straits’ second album. I know nothing of this album but I know that I have really developed a love for Dire Straits’ music. So, I’m looking forward to listening to it.
  • Blondie – Eat To The Beat – “Dreaming” is probably the best-known tune on this album, but I hear it has some other fantastical wonders on it, as well. It was a $1, so there’s that. VG.
  • Supertramp – Crime Of The Century – I’m trying to find all the Supertramp I can. I dig them and it’s good rock/pop. The two songs I recognize by title only (I haven’t listened to it, yet) are “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right.” The cover was beaten up and totally came apart at the glue points. I reglued that with my hot glue gun and cleaned the album up. The vinyl was in VG/VG+ condition, but there is some surface noise. $1 bin find.

Jonathan had a big purchase day from the way he talked so there’s bound to be plenty of freshly stocked used albums coming through. Watch Underdog Records’ Instagram and Facebook for the latest on their new and used acquisitions and for specials. Also, check out the ad on The Less Desirables podcast every week to hear what the TLD/Underdog special is.

Also, I use Discogs to archive my collection. There were two records I had to look up whilst in Underdog Records, yesterday. One I had and the other I didn’t. So, that saved me the guessing game. I love this service.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Keep spinning!

—
“Here comes a stingray. There goes a manta-ray. In walked a jellyfish. There goes a dogfish chased by a catfish. In flew a sea robin. Watch out for that piranha. There goes a narwhal. Here comes a bikini whale!” – “Rock Lobster” (Pierson/Wilson/Schneider/Strickland/Wilson)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Your Latest Trick

12 Saturday May 2018

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Salutations™!!

Tomorrow, 5/13 will be the 33rd anniversary of the release of Brothers In Arms from Dire Straits. This is a live performance of one of its best tracks, “Your Latest Trick.” Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“All the late night bargains have been struck between the satin beaus and their belles. And, prehistoric garbage trucks have the city to themselves. Echoes roars dinosaurs, they’re all doing the monster mash. And, most of the taxis and the whores are only taking calls for cash. I don’t know how it happened. It all took place so quick. But, all I can do is hand it to you and your latest trick.” = “Your Latest Trick” (Knopfler)

Facebook Friends Must Hears or: Dale Cole

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by in Music Review

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Salutations™!!

So, I’m doing this new thing. Yes, I gave out on the lists that I was going to listen to and I am still going to do vinyl albums that I’m listening to but I’ve called on my Facebook friends to give me five or six of their “must hear” albums. I’ve gotten quite a few entries, too. I figure I’ll do them by whoever sent them to me. I’m only reviewing things that weren’t on the RS list when I went through that.

The first one to give me a list was my buddy, Dale. So, here ya go, Dale. My take on your list (these are in no particular order):

  • The Dirty Boogie by Brian Setzer Orchestra. I love Brian Setzer. I didn’t always. I
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    ©Interscope

    liked some Stray Cats stuff, definitely. It took me a while to get into his rockabilly stuff. But as I progressed I got more into the big band/swing music, not just him but the whole genre. I love, too that he can take the blues aspect of stuff that I generally don’t care for and hide it, seamlessly in the swing grooves. Yes, I understand that blues is the basis of a lot of the stuff that I listen to. I can recognize it and acknowledge it and even like it. I think Brian Setzer stands above his swing contemporaries, Squirrel Nut Zippers (I know that’s sacrilege around here) and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, even though I do enjoy them, too. My least favorite song on the album is still a song that I like. That would be “Jump Jive an’ Wail” originally done by the late, great Louis Prima. I really dig the duet with Gwen Stefani, “You’re the Boss.” And, I like the revamp of “Rock this Town” but I like the Stray Cats version better. Overall, I really liked hearing this album and would welcome more Setzer into my listening life.

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    ©Chrysalis
  • Force It by UFO. Eugene introduced me to some UFO during his “Eugeology” list. A 20-year old Michael Schenker on this, writing good rocking songs and wailing on the guitar. Eddie Trunk gets on my nerves a lot but I know why he slobbers all over Mr. Schenker. Is the best? Nah, but he rocks and at so young an age. The album cover from Hipgnosis would be enough for my younger self to do nothing but stare. There are great rocking tunes and ballads as well. “High Flyer” is a really great song as is the opening tune, “Let It Roll” and “Love Lost Love.” Nothing bad to say about this record at all. I love Phil Mogg’s voice, too. Pete Way is a great bass player and as I said in the review for Strangers in the Night, his runs have a presence and are tasteful. I liked it a lot and I think Eugene would be proud of me for saying so, eh, Eug?

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    ©Rhino

  • The Very Best of Otis Redding, Vol. 1 by Otis Redding. In the RS list, I left out the compilations. As long as they don’t get out of hand, I’ll allow them on this list. Otis has a great voice and there are some great songs on here. And, as I talked about in the RS list, a lot, song-length can be important. I don’t like a lot of long songs, especially those that are long for the sake of being long. I think that’s my biggest problem with some prog rock. But, these songs are mostly under three minutes long and they get their point across. Lots of soul and expression, here. And, another beautiful thing is that he wrote or co-wrote most of the tunes himself. Some of my faves are his version of “Satisfaction,” “Mr. Pitiful,” “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song).”
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    ©Columbia

    Good stuff, here.

  • Still Alive and Well by Johnny Winter. Yeah, right off the bat, I’m getting that bluesy thing that I really don’t like. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s very good at what he’s doing, I just don’t care about it. There’s a couple of Stones songs on there but that doesn’t really help. Then again, I’m not much on the Stones anyway. Produced by Rick Derringer and does have Todd Rundgren on it, too. Plus, it has a tune written by Dan Hartman. I’m just not much on it. Sorry, Dale.
  • Rampant by Nazareth. I had to go looking for this one. None of my streaming services had it so I had to go to YouTube. The first two
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    ©A&M, et al

    songs are good, but I really, really like “Loved and Lost” and “Shanghai’d in Shanghai.” Dan McCafferty’s voice is awesome on the soulful “Loved and Lost” and the whole song has a bit of a mystique to it that whisps you away as you listen. And “Shanghai’d” has Sweet-like qualities in its harmonies. I dig it. “Jet Lag,” however, loses me. I hate that boogie blues stuff. The rest of the album is okay but it doesn’t really move me. But, those two songs were really good. Great work from the bass player, Pete Agnew, who is the only remaining founding member and is the father of the current drummer for the band. I’d go with “meh.”

  • Making Movies by Dire Straits. I have gotten to where I can just sit and listen to Dire Straits, no matter the album. I love the “Rollergirl” story. I hear there’s a video but I think it was before my MTV days. I’ll go back and watch the video on YouTube or something. Usually, when I say that an album became background noise I mean
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    ©Warner Bros

    it in a bad way. But, for this album and really any Dire Straits album, it’s actually what I’d look for to play in the background for stuff that I’m doing otherwise. There’s enough story to really bring you in when you pay attention but the music is ethereal and genuine enough to be a soundtrack for a good writing session or meditation. This is a really good collection from Mark Knopfler. “Expresso Love” is pretty righteous, too. The keyboard/piano work of Roy Bittan is sprinkled all over this album. He’s really great with tasteful ivory work. He’s really good. The whole thing is solid and I hate that it took me so long to really, really get into Dire Straits. I really dug this.

  • Dale also included Kick Out the Jams by MC5, but I had already listened to that on the RS List. If you’d like to revisit what I wrote you can do that HERE.

So, now, a month or three since I asked for suggestions, I finally got through one. I started right away, but it’s just taken a while with my vinyl listening, podcasting, personal appearances, and cooking. None of which I’d trade, but I am glad to finally get one of these out.

And, I want to thank Dale for the list. I’m proud of myself in the fact that I gave it all a true shot and that I actually found some stuff that I liked and reaffirmed some stuff that I thought I would. Overall, a good list Dale. All this from my very warped sense of “good…” but I digress! Thanks again.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Well, this cat’s on a hot tin roof. Drinkin’ that whiskey, 96 proof. Don’t need no doctor, don’t feel no pain. My legs are just two steps ahead of my brain.” – “This Cat’s on a Hot Tin Roof” (Setzer)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/24/18

25 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

The_Scorpions_LatFS

@Mercury

 

Yesterday was a cold, snotty, sleety, crappy-weathered day. But, I had my best gal and we had each other to keep warm and enjoy some record listening. That means, of course, that we went by Underdog Records! And, here is what we got:

So, a pretty good haul. I was especially excited about the Dire Straits album even with the truncated first side. That and the Rickie Lee Jones were worth the whole thing. Good stuff.

New to vinyl? Want to get into vinyl? Returning to vinyl? Don’t go spend a ton of money on brand new equipment when you can get quality used stuff from Jonathan at Underdog Records. If you decide you want to get deeper into the “lifestyle” then you can go spend big bucks. But, don’t just jump in. My two cents.

Discogs is also a great way to catalog your collection, see your friends’ collections and even purchase used and new vinyl in the marketplace. It’s a great site and a great resource.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Is that her? What’s her name? Oh, it’s never going to be same. But that’s not her. I know what’s wrong – Chuck E’s in love with the little girl who’s singing this song.” – “Chuck E’s in Love” (Jones)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 2/17/18

18 Sunday Feb 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was misty and cold.  A near perfect day if you ask me. Why? Because I was with my best girl and I had records. I love records. And, The BCPF and I love us some Underdog Records. We got to see several of our friends whilst there and that’s always a plus. So, here’s the haul:

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©Elektra/EMI

 

  • Belle & Sebastian – How To Solve Our Human Problems – Belle & Sabastian’s 3xEP that was released one every month has come out in a box set. We traded in the old and got the box. Call us crazy. New.
  • Queen – Queen – The debut album from one of the most prolific bands in rock history. I’ll be doing the choir part in the opening track from this when the Ramkat opens next month, along with quite a few other songs. This was mostly overlooked for, as someone said yesterday, its lack of “hits.” I agree. It’s not what we’d come to know and love from Queen but it certainly had some glimpses of it. Someone named Dave Doolittle wrote his name on the front cover and that irks me, but the record is in really, really great shape. VG+.
  • U2 – The Unforgettable Fire – The BCPF’s first U2 album when she was but a youngster. We saw it come across the Instagram feed whilst eating breakfast. We got in the door and I went straight for it, to secure it for our collection. VG+
  • Love And Rockets – Earth • Sun • Moon – The BCPF also loves Love and Rockets and she even yelled at me (whilst I was in the bathroom, mind you), I LOVE THIS RECORD! I was in Underdog on Friday when he bought this. VG+.
  • Joni Mitchell – Ladies Of The Canyon – A VG+ copy of a classic. It has “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock” and “The Circle Game” on it. Great album.
  • Willie Nelson – Stardust – The lone RS list pickup for this week. It was there waiting for me to grab. VG+. Oh, and it’s #260 on the list. Right in the middle.
  • Pretenders – Pretenders II – The BCPF loves the Pretenders, too. So, this was there, we had to have it. It is VG+.
  • Dire Straits – Dire Straits – The debut album but now-Hall-of-Famers, Dire Straits. I’ve really loved listening to them lately. This is a VG+ version.
  • Various – Cocktail Piano Time, Music In An Intimate Mood – I love cocktail piano music. I couldn’t pass up this 5xLP box set. All of it in VG+ condition, too.
  • Ferrante & Teicher – Holiday For Pianos – I really don’t know what this is, but it was in the $1 bin. I went to wash it and it was in NM condition. Even the cover was immaculate. So, we have it.
  • Barbra Streisand, Sydney Chaplin – Funny Girl (Original Broadway Cast) – VG $1 bin find. I have “Funny Lady,” why not have both?
  • Siobhan McKenna – Irish Ballads Folk Songs And Lyrics Read By Siobhan McKenna – Again, no clue, we love international music and with a name like Siobhan McKenna, it’s gotta be good! A “G” $1 bin find.
  • Cliff Richard – Every Face Tells A Story – UK’s 60s/70s heartthrob, and it was a VG $1 bin find.
  • Randy Meisner – One More Song – The former bass player for The Eagles, he had some pretty big songs with them. This is a VG+ $1 bin find.
  • Neil Diamond – Serenade – I’m always amazed when I find Neil Diamond albums that I’ve never heard of, or have. I haven’t really taken the time to look at his discography, but it must be vast. $1 bin find.
  • Various – FM (The Original Movie Soundtrack) – I loved the film and the soundtrack is just chock full of great tunes. A VG $1 bin find.
  • The Alan Parsons Project – I Robot – Because I have a new-found obsession with the Alan Parsons Project, I had to grab this when The BCPF came across it. And it was only $1. Best I can tell is that it is at least VG.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates – Voices –  A very good album, this. It has some hits on it and some throw-aways. It was enjoyable and it was only $1 and in VG+ condition. Why do almost all H&O albums have the slits in the top of the album jackets and not on the side? Weird.
  • Kingston Trio – The Kingston Trio No. 16 – As with Neil Diamond for me, The BCPF is on a constant search for a Kingston Trio album we don’t already have. Well, this $1 bin find was one of those. Best I can tell, it was VG.

There’s this week’s haul. We enjoyed listening to what we got to hear yesterday (not all of these, for sure). Again, we’ve become like a family there at Underdog Records. When we see each other, we smile and talk and catch up and it’s like we’re all part of a clan or something. I really love it. I’m there several times a week, usually, and someone’s always coming through. It’s so much fun to collect and listen. It’s so much better when you’re part of that community. We’re welcoming, too. Come in and see us!

As you can tell, I use Discogs to document my collection and I have another K-Tel record coming this week that I purchased from the Discogs Marketplace. Check it out. I can watch my friends’ collection, as well. Again, it’s just fun.

Until tomorrow, happy spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“You cannot go against nature because when you do go against nature, it’s part of nature too. Our little lives get complicated. It’s a simple thing. Simple as a flower. And, that’s a complicated thing. No new tale to tell.” – “No New Tale to Tell” (Ash/Jay/Haskins)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 12/16/17

17 Sunday Dec 2017

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Salutations™!!

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©A&M Records

 

It was a beautiful but chilly day in downtown WSNC. The BCPF and I really enjoyed being out and about. We did our normal routine stuff but added a trip to the Krankie’s Craft Fair. We saw some cool things, bought a few small items from local craftsfolk and of course, went to Underdog Records. It was about the fourth time this week I had been in there. It’s just where I go to kill time, to have a nice chat, to thumb through some rekkids, or whatever. I just love being there. Here’s what we got from there this week:

We really enjoyed what we got to listen to yesterday of this haul. It’s good stuff. Jonathan has gift certificates for sale at Underdog Records. Plus, if you’ve thought about getting into collecting vinyl, but don’t have a turntable, Jonathan has several for sale in the store, new and used. Don’t forget to always listen to The Less Desirables for the week’s TLD/UDR special offer. And, to keep track of what you have, or if you’re looking to buy something you’ve been looking for or to unload stuff, use Discogs. You can use it for CD collections, too.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“No stop signs, speed limit. Nobody’s gonna slow me down. Like a wheel, gonna spin it. Nobody’s gonna mess me around. Hey Satan, paid my dues. Playing in a rocking band. Hey mama, look at me. I’m on my way to the promised land, whoo! I’m on the highway to hell.” – “Highway to Hell” (Scott/Young/Young)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or: Sing It Sister!

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Rant

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Salutations™!!

So, I know the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is at times controversial, sometimes political and always polarizing subject. Some think it’s contrived, others a complete waste of time. I have been critical of their inability to nominate qualified artists over some that have been sketchy at best.

Now, I know opinion is a major boiling point in things like this. I don’t like this band so they shouldn’t be in there. How can they say that’s rock and roll!? Where’s KISS!? They let N.W.A. in? Those are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the HOF. I was guilty of that, as I’ve said (and said above). But, I have to look beyond my personal tastes (because there’s not account for that I’ve always been told) and look to the importance of the artist.

First off, what constitutes Rock and Roll? Is it just a genre of music that includes predetermined instruments with or without vocals? Or, does it go beyond that and stretch into attitudes as well? My admitted idol, Gene Simmons, sparked a bit of controversy last year over the inclusion of N.W.A. in the HOF. According to Rolling Stone, Gene said this to Ice Cube: “Respectfully, let me know when Jimi Hendrix gets into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. Then you’ll have a point.” Ice Cube shot back about Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Chubby Checker inventing rock and roll and, from what I can understand, Cube made it about race (but… wasn’t Jimi black?). Gene said in response: “You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Run-D.M.C. in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You’re killing me. That doesn’t mean those aren’t good artists. But they don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk. Not even sing.” I don’t know that I agree with him on that part. Yeah, rap is a different animal altogether but I believe what Cube said in response to that part was all telling: “I respect Gene Simmons, but I think he’s wrong on this because rock & roll is not an instrument and it’s not singing. Rock & roll is a spirit. N.W.A is probably more rock & roll than a lot of the people that he thinks belong there over hip-hop. We had the same spirit as punk rock, the same as the blues.”

I want to focus on six words in that last part. Rock & roll is a spirit. 

It took me a long time to realize that. It wasn’t something that I liked, therefore it wasn’t something that needed to be in the Hall of Fame. Well, bullstein on that! Anyone can look at my music reviews on this blog in particular and tell that I am no expert on anything other than my opinion. My backstory and history and the music industry’s backstory and history don’t necessarily run in the same circles. I like what I like and I’m pretty staunch in those things, right or wrong, I’m there. What I like compared to what most others like is hit or miss (usually leaning more toward the “miss”) and certainly my ideas on what something should be is just a personal incantation. It’s not gospel or even informed a lot of the time. That’s one reason why with the Eugeology list, I have tried to pay very close attention, do some research and craft the proper responses and or thoughts for each entry. Rock and roll is a state of mind, or, well, spirit.

This brings us back to the HOF and the inductees for 2018 have been announced. First, let’s see who was actually nominated this year: The Meters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, J. Geils Band, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Link Wray, Moody Blues, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Depeche Mode, The Zombies, The MC5, The Cars, LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, Nina Simone and Radiohead.

I voted many times (you were allowed one per IP addy, per day) and my votes were always the same with one alternating. I voted for The Cars, Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Nina Simone, Dire Straits, and Eurythmics. I guess my newfound love for first wave/new wave was showing. However, three of those actually made it in. I wasn’t not for Judas Priest, The Zombies, Kate Bush or MC5 to get in, I would have been fine with them, as well. But, not who I was voting for this time. The final list was as such: Bon Jovi, Nina Simone, Dire Straits, Moody Blues, The Cars and listed as “an early influencer,” Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I hate that title for her, “early influencer.” I’m not a fan of blues and I’ve made no bones about that, but man this lady could wail some serious blues guitar and she sang like nobody’s business. She belted her tunes with major conviction and regardless of whether she was relevant mostly in the 1940s or not, I believe if she’s worthy of being in, she’s worthy of being in. It doesn’t need a special category. At least not in that direction. She deserves to be here because she was influential to many of the top blues musicians, either directly or indirectly. I wanted a few YouTube vids to get myself more acquainted with her style and man, it was pretty great. Yeah, I just said that.

Nina Simone, it’s about danged time. She stood out. There was none like her. She was scary, too. She thought nothing of pointing out someone in the audience that was being an idiot or disruptive and she’d tear you a “new one” anytime she thought you were wronging her. Great musician and great raspy, yet smooth vocals. My first introduction to her was in the film Point of No Return (the Americanized La Femme Nikita) which wasn’t that great of a film but whatever. I also loved her version of “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” (the Jaffa Remix). And, she’s a North Carolina girl! She’s from Tryon, NC.

The Cars were never known for their dynamic stage presence, but they wrote some catchy-arsed tunes. Their first album is darn near perfect start to finish and I really dug Heartbeat City, as well. They were the inspiration for a good many new wave and mainstream artists alike. One of my votes, I am glad they’re getting in. I hate Ben Orr won’t be here to see it.

Dire Straits. I was never a “fan” per se, but they have some serious moments. Brothers in Arms is a fantastic and powerful album from end-to-end, even if you leave in “Money for Nothin'” and “Walk of Life.” As overplayed as those songs were, they were well written and what guitarist isn’t at least a little bit jealous they didn’t write the opening riff of “Money?” I have to admit I didn’t know what that song was about until about two years ago. It snapped and I was like… wait! It’s about that!? I don’t know what I thought it was about, really. But, it’s a little twinge of jealousy from two working joes that they have to do all this heavy lifting and these “yoyos” playing their guitars get paid for nothing. Not true of course, but we all choose our “work.” Of course, their career is far beyond that album forward and backward. Mark Knopfler is a great guitarist and his work on the soundtrack for The Princess Bride was quite awesome. I’m glad they got in.

I really know very little of Moody Blues other than that sappy arsed “Nights in White Satin,” “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)” and 1986’s “Your Wildest Dreams.” I know I should know more. I will probably get educated on my lack of knowledge by those who read this blog. I would go as far as saying that I want to know more. I do have The Other Side of Life on vinyl (with the aforementioned “Your Wildest Dreams”). Perhaps that will go on soon. I know it’s a pale representation of the band’s collective work but you gotta start with what you’ve got, right? I guess.

Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi. Hmmm… Okay, I’ll admit it. I like Bon Jovi from New Jersey back. My favorite album from them is the first one, cleverly called Bon Jovi. It was piano/keyboard driven rock and I liked that. “Love Lies” and “Shot Through the Heart” are great. On CD the only one of those in the range I mentioned that I don’t have is 7800° Fahrenheit. I don’t know why, either. I know they get a bad rap when it comes to rock and roll. It was cheesy and hair bandy, sure. But, they sold records and they put on a good show. The songs, as juvenile and over-polished as they sometimes were, were well-written. I can’t complain about them, really. Plus, they outright beat the pants off the other nominees in the fan votes. I mean it wasn’t even close. The fan vote was easily twice as many as the next closest nominee if not three times. It was crazy. I knew they’d not have a problem getting in, so I never voted for them.

Well, that’s my thoughts on this. I will probably get wrung for it, but hey, it’s the way it is. What are your thoughts, Dear Reader? Who do you feel should be in the HOF that isn’t? Of what are your thoughts on the HOF in general? What could be done to make it a more legitimate accolade? Is it already legit? Answer me those things. Thanks in advance.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“I don’t mind you coming here and wasting all my time. Cause when you’re standing oh so near I kinda lose my mind. It’s not the perfume that you wear. It’s not the ribbons in your hair. And I don’t mind you coming here and wasting all my time.” – “Just What I Needed” (Ocasek)

Oh, You Had to Be a Big Shot or: What Do I Get!? (RS part 15)

23 Monday Mar 2015

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Salutations™!!

Look at this! Two segments in two weeks! That’s a lot of listening. I’m hoping that this segment goes as well as the last.  Whether I rated each and every one, I enjoyed listening to them.  It would be nice to have that again.  I’ve not really looked ahead to know what I’ll be get getting into.  Speaking of getting into, let’s do this.

#360 – Singles Going Steady  by Buzzcocks. Well, okay then.  Starting off with “Orgasm Addict,” it’s a punk punch right to the face.  I know I’ll get flack for this, but I’d never heard any Buzzcocks before. That is, that I knew of.  Turns out that I have heard of “What Do I Get” and find it to be a great song! I enjoy that.  The energy on this is great. Once again, I’m going against my own grain and reviewing a compilation album. SMDH. Overall, the Buzzcocks were fun to listen.  I do like Pete Shelley’s “Homosapien,” if that helps?

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Honky Château – Elton John (1972)

#359 – Honky Chateau by Elton John. Ah, Sir Elton. I love me some Elton John.  You stick around in some funk-laced Honky Tonk/Old West weirdness that Elton went through and you feel good about it the whole time. The opening number, “Honky Cat” is classic Elton and has that New Orleans funkiness you love about him.  The greatest number on this platter, though, has to be “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be a Long Time)” as it is one of my all-time favorite EJ songs – I performed it for the Vagabond Saints Society Presents Elton John show. I don’t know what it is about that song, but I love it from start to finish.  It ranks right up there with “Levon” from Madman Across the Water, “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” from Blue Moves and “All the Girls Love Alice” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.  But listening through this album, and it’s not my first time, there is nothing on this album that I think is filler.  Dang! “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters!”  I mean, come on!  L.O.V.E!!!!

#358 – Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis. While I know how cool Miles Davis was.  I’ve never heard any of his stuff.  Cue Eugene‘s “WHAT!?” from The Less Desirables, now. I just haven’t.  Caveat: I’m only listening to the 5 songs that make up the 1960 release of the album.  I appreciate bonus tracks and all that jazz (see what I did there?), I’m looking for the original representation, as close as I can get. I enjoy listening for the fact of listening to Mr. Davis – and he is a cool cat – I’m non-plussed.  It just becomes background to me and I lose any connection with it. I like jazz and want to be into it, but it’s not keeping me reeled in. Let it be written that I’m not discounting it or even saying I don’t like it, I just don’t connect with it.  It’s very good and I enjoy it and I’ll even say I dig it, but um… yeah.

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Between the Buttons – The Rolling Stones (1967)

#357 – Between the Buttons by The Rolling Stones. This countdown, I’m sure will be heavy on Rolling Stones, Beatles and Beach Boys.  I’m not a huge fan of either RS or BB but I do love the Beatles.  This, however, is typical Rolling Stones.  Nothing fabulous about it, really, but it is classic and a foundation of what rock and roll became through today.  For that, you have to respect it.  “Let’s Spend the Night Together” and “Ruby Tuesday” are probably the most recognized hits on this album.  Dug-ish.

#356 – 12 Songs by Randy Newman.  I’ve had some Randy Newman before and I liked it.  He’s an entertaining songwriter and much of his stuff was taken to prominence by other artists. I was listening without watching the track listing and was thinking, “jeez, that sounds like ‘Mama Told Me Not to Come’…” and lo and behold, it was it, and it turns out he wrote that. You may have known that, Dear Reader, but not me.  Color me surprised.  Overall, this isn’t the bouncy, over-the-top Newman I expected, but that’s not a bad thing, just not what I expected. It jumps around some bluesy tricks whilst keeping the Newman songwriting technique.  When I say not what I expected, there’s no doubting that it’s Newman. Think from here all the way down to the Pixar stuff in the 2000s; it’s Newman.  Storytelling with pitch, timbre and meter; musical wordsmith, this one.  I think he’ll go places. Dug!

#355 – Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds by The Yardbirds. I’m wondering if I’ve had enough hallucinogenics to get the appeal of this.  The fact is, I’ve never done a hallucinogenics, so I’ll just have to assume the answer is no.  “I’m a Man” reminds me of something George Thorogood would do; I can’t listen to much Thorogood, either.  I’m not saying that this is bad, though. Actually, I like “Still I’m Sad” mainly because it’s creepy and Native Americanish, not that I’m at all Native American, I just like the sound.  “Train Kept a-Rollin’?” Meh.  Just not my thing.  I’m not putting down but I didn’t really care about this one.  Not saying I didn’t like it, either, just didn’t care. Whatever.

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52nd Street – Billy Joel (1978)

#354 – 52nd Street by Billy Joel. I love Billy Joel.  My #1 wish for VSS is for me to do So by Peter Gabriel with me as Gabriel but my #2 wish for them to do Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits I & II with me doing Billy, but Doug Davis, the All-Knowing Wizard of VSS Brigade hates Billy Joel for whatever reason so as long as he’s in charge (and I hope he’s always in charge) we probably won’t do a Billy Joel show.  The album starts off with one of the most snark-filled, passive aggressive laden songs ever, “Big Shot.” Many people overlook the fact that while yes, he’s a piano playing sap at times, Billy rocks and this song is it.  I love how it’s pretty much: “well, you made your bed, lie in it.” I love that and the great bass work.  I know I’m not the only “over-40” that thinks of Bosom Buddies every time we hear “My Life.”  Great story telling, I think. A “hey, I didn’t ask your opinion, pal” vibe and I like it. I do play some piano but he kills me. My left hand gets tired on the steering wheel trying to emulate his bouncy octaves. Wow, that sounded a lot worse than I meant.  I love how he goes back and forth from the rocking tunes to the Maj7 chords and lounge-worthy fare such as, “Zanzibar,” a subtle little jazz number with some seedy nightclub atmosphere complete with a horn interlude. Lots of jazz-jamming and I like that.  He’s great. DUG!

#353 –  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West. If Kanye would just do this, then I’d probably have a better opinion of him.  I’m not sure if it was an effect or bad production but it sounds like he’s using a cheap microphone putting his mouth right on top of the screen and blowing out the diaphram inside. I’m talking about “Gorgeous” here. It sounds like a bad AM radio remote broadcast from the 70s. And because Raekwon guests on this song, the “N” word is in it; I don’t think he knows any other words. There’s a Bon Iver guest appearance as well, one of The BCPF’s faves.  But, overall, whilst I dreaded this album when I saw it, it’s not too bad.  There is the “N” word but it’s not shoved down my throat the whole time. And like I have said about albums in the past, Kanye actually sings in some parts. I’m sure it’s autotuned some, but hey, at least he’s trying. Musically, the album is pretty good. But, again, as with other rap/hip-hop albums I’ve reviewed, is it truly a Kanye album?  Six of the thirteen tracks are “featuring (Bon Iver, Nicki Mina, JAY-Z, Pusha T, etc).”  It’s okay to have guest spots, for sure, but jeez be the highlight on the track.  I hate that part of it. “Runaway” is funny, though. “Let’s have a toast to the douche bags, let’s have a toast to the @$$holes.” That’s funny. Chris Rock’s performance on the nearly ten minute epic, “Blame Game,” alone, is worth listening to the whole album. I dug but don’t really think I’ll listen again.

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Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits (1985)

#352 – Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.  This album brings back a lot of memories for me.  It has a plain but serene cover, with a resonator floating in a big blue sky.  Two of Dire Strait’s biggest selling hits are on this album.  Oddly enough, only one song, “Why Worry” wasn’t released as a single out of 9 tracks. Some of them I don’t know why they were released, but hey, that was happening a lot back then, I guess. Let’s start with the beginning: “So Far Away” was one I fast forwarded on the tape when I had it as a child (I was 14) but later started listening because of the very simple intro and the very simple progression.  For me, in music, simple is good, plain is not.  This wasn’t plain, but it wasn’t blaring coolness.  The monster/mega-hit and MTV staple (it even says MTV in the song, over and over) “Money For Nothing” has a great intro, a kick-butt guitar riff, Sting singing about MTV and great structure.  I still don’t turn it when I hear it on a radio or device. I once learned the riff but have since forgotten it.  Love that song.  Then comes one that used to be Eugene’s bane, “Walk of Life.”  He always said it was just too danged happy.  He used more choice words than that, but I keep it clean on here, yo! It starts with a that flat organ sound and goes into a brighter, happier, bouncier keyboard riff and, come to think of it, it really is too danged happy. Thanks Eug.  The lyrics are sappy “be bop a lua baby” cheese but, it’s the mid-80s. I used to sit and listen to “Your Latest Trick” in wonderment. It was just a laid back song with a great sax solos and sounded like Mark Knopfler was aching badly.  I could feel the emotion in it.  “The Man’s Too Strong” is a great acoustic (yet bombastic) rootsy style song that seems to be something about a soldier’s struggle to carry on.  Overall, I love this album but other than a few gems, I don’t know that it aged too well.  That doesn’t take away from my enjoyment, just honest.  DUG!!

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Rust Never Sleeps – Neil Young & Crazy Horse (1979)

#351 – Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.  It’s mostly live with some studio fixes and overdubs. I’ve never been a huge fan of Neil Young, although he has a definitely unique voice, it’s not my favorite; wavering on pitchy while staying dead on, but you anticipate it happening.  Did he receive the “Godfather of Grunge” moniker after Cobain’s exodus and if so was it just because Kurt mentioned a line from “My My Hey Hey ?” Hmmm, I don’t know. Anywhat! I am a fan of “My My Hey Hey.” This is an easy listen, mostly laid back, acoustic and ethereal.  Again, I go back to Young’s voice. In “Ride My Llama” he reminds me of Bill Dorough from Schoolhouse Rock.  I like that in the songs you can hear the audience and there’s the hints of it being live but only rarely do you actually get to hear the applause and acceptance after or at the beginning of the songs. Slightly over halfway through, Young kicks in the electric heaviness.  “‘Sedan Delivery’ is a job I know I’ll keep, it sure was hard to find.” That’s a great line and danged rockin’ song.  Octave pedal be damned in the ending version of “Hey Hey My My.”  I just realized the first one was reversed so I’ll reiterate and say that I am a fan of “Hey Hey My My” as well as the opener. MMHH is (Out of the Blue) and HHMM is (Into the Black). That’s kind of clever. This is a really good album start to finish.  I’d listen to this in the background and still sing out loud to the final track. DUG!

Another good batch of albums, and, as I stated last time, we’re getting to the meat of the countdown; sorted through the preliminaries (although I still don’t agree with many of those). The best is, supposedly, yet to come and I look forward with continuing my journey and having you in the passenger’s seat of this (very) long road trip.  Let me know what you think of my thoughts, your opinions of these albums and what you’d like to see on the list that isn’t.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“My my, hey hey. Rock and roll is here to stay. It’s better to burn out than to fade away. My my, hey hey.” – Neil Young