Tag Archives: Discogs

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/19/19

20 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

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

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

tom_waits_-_small_change_(1976)

©Asylum

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/12/19

13 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

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

tomwaits-mulevariations

©Anti-/Epitaph

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

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

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/5/19

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

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

The_Clash_-_Combat_Rock.jpg

©CBS/Epic

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

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/29/18

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Judas_priest_-_point_of_entry_a

©Columbia

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

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

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

23 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

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

51Kzr-D77vL._SY355_

©Warner Bros.

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

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/15/18

16 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

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

Tribute_crop

©Epic/CBS

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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

Snowing Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/8/18

09 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

71ZvAmD7hTL._SY355_

©Interscope

As I had stated on social media in places, our trip to Asheville was canceled because of the impending Snowpocalypse, so we did get to Underdog Records after all. We started the morning at our favorite creperie and shared a meal with our The Beer Dads cohorts. It was a great morning. We did our grocery shopping which we usually reserve for Sunday but if you look out the door today, you’ll see we’re not going anywhere. But, then we got to Underdog and here’s the haul:

  • The Struts – Young & Dangerous — I have heard of these guys but haven’t listened to anything they’ve put out until this week. When I do the commercials for Underdog on The Less Desirables, I try to include pieces of music that are relevant to the new releases. This was one of those. It’s a great rock record. New.
  • Bauhaus – Best Of Bauhaus | Crackle — The BCPF is a huge fan of this band and its subsequent offerings like Peter Murphy solo and Love and Rockets. So, this was a given. It was also a new release and bam! We nailed it. New.
  • Marvin Gaye – Live At The London Palladium — Recorded late in 1976 and released in early 1977, this is an energetic show with a lively crowd. I think he may have been a little drunk or stoned while doing it, but that’s just my opinion. He was a flirt, that’s for sure. Not the best live album but it is a very good one. VG+.
  • Van Morrison – Wavelength — As I stated on my social media post about this, the only problem I really have with Van Morrison is it’s like he’s yelling at me when I listen. But, this has some great tunes on it, nonetheless. It was a departure from his previous releases as it was more guitar and synth driven. The song “Kingdom Hall” was about his mother being a practicing Jehovah’s Witness and attending “church” which “Kingdom Hall” is what JWs call their churches. VG++.
  • Joe Jackson – I’m The Man — Last week (or the week before, one of the two) I talked about Jackson’s debut album that we had just picked up and this is the follow-up and it’s a great sophomore effort, too. I performed the final track “Friday” with the Vagabond Saints Society several years back, closing the show. VG+.
  • Tchaikowsky / Mendelssohn – David Oistrakh, Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Samuel Samosud, National Philharmonic Orchestra of the U.S.S.R., Kiril Kondrashin – Violin Concerto In D Major – Violin Concerto In E Minor — That may be the longest Discogs album title I’ve ever put in one of these posts. It’s classical and The BCPF has gone on a kick as of late. Not a bad thing. VG+.
  • Eric Clapton – Slowhand — I actually got this last week but upon playing it, I needed to return it to Jonathan because it skipped all the way through “Cocaine.” He washed it and vacuumed it dry at the shop and it played with no skips. I got it home and it skipped a few times but that was the only place. I don’t know why it did on my system and not his, but oh well. It #325 on the RS list. I’m fine with that placement, too. It doesn’t need to be higher or lower. It’s fine. VG+ (minus the skip).

The weather kept the early part of the day quiet for Underdog Records but as we were there, people were starting to pile in, so yay for Jonathan’s peace of mind! And, we have our vinyl to keep us company in the bedlam that is winter outside. You should have gone to get yours. You know, Christmas is coming and you know you want to start collecting and playing vinyl, right? Yes, you do. So, tell your loved ones that you want a new (or used) turntable for Christmas. And, heck, why not grab a gift certificate (or in this case a gift 45) for you, as well? You have to have something to play on it, right? Listen to this week’s episode of The Less Desirables (well, listen every week) to hear what the special TLD/UDR deal is.

The schools have already canceled thinking they’ll be back by Wednesday but they won’t. This much snow, later turning to ice, will be a week at least. So, if you go out, be careful. Oh, and I use Discogs to catalog my vinyl!!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Lazy Gilly was a flower child all the summer. Calmly running wild. She’d be silly and her friends just smiled. Pass the bottle, wash the pills down, what went wrong? What went wrong? She don’t care no more. She don’t need to fight it. She don’t care no more. She gets paid on Friday.” – “Friday” (Jackson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/1/18

02 Sunday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Our original plan for this week was thwarted when the Connells had to postpone their show in Durham due to a member of the band being in a car accident. So, we did the breakfast thing and then over to Underdog Records. It was a dreary morning but we brightened it up with rekkids! Here’s the haul!

Lightscamerarevolution

©Epic

  • Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill — #219 on the RS list, I wanted to get this to show 3B that not all rap is this mess they call rap these days or cRap as I call it. Sometimes you gotta fight for your right to better music. New.
  • Suicidal Tendencies – Lights… Camera… Revolution — I used to listen to this when my friend Danny (Daniel now) and I used to cruise Stratford. “Lovely” and “Send Me Your Money” was the two best on the album and they still are. Robert Trujillo who is now the bassist for Metallica was the bassist for ST in the day. I saw them open for Queensryche on the “Building Empires” tour, too. They were one of the first rapping metal bands that I remember. New on transparent green vinyl.
  • The Mountain Goats – All Hail West Texas — This is one of those bands that The BCPF loves. This was the sixth “studio” album by the “band.” Up to and including this the albums had been recorded on a Panasonic boombox and it was only John Darnielle writing, recording and playing the songs. It’s a concept album that the cover even says, “fourteen songs about seven people, two houses, a motorcycle, and a locked treatment facility for adolescent boys.” You can hear the wheel gears on the boombox whirling the whole time. It’s very lo-fi and I didn’t really care for it, but it wasn’t for me anyway. New.
  • The Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat — Once again, I will never understand the appeal of the Velvet Underground. Not the songs. The songs have some substance but the total disregard of sonic sense in the recordings of this album is raking on the nerves of people that enjoy real music. This is #293 on the RS list and I think that is asinine. It should be in the #1 spot for worst thing ever. This is worse than The Velvet Underground + Nico album and that’s saying something. VG++ but how would you know?
  • The Allman Brothers Band – The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East — The good news is I was able to add a few from the RS list. The bad news is that I don’t really like two of them. This was is #49 on that list which, again, I just don’t get. I stirred a bit debate on Facebook with the post about this album. I get so tired of extended jamming and endless crapola solos. I agree the guitar tones were fantastic and Gregg’s voice was on point, but if it were just songs of normal lengths, I’d have been quite fine with this, but it goes on and on and on forever. I mean the whole Side 4 is a 22-minute version of “Whipping Post.” I like that song but it was just a bunch of showing off. I didn’t care when I first heard it and I still don’t. But, it’s part of my collection and one off the list. VG+.
  • Handel, Leonard Bernstein, The New York Philharmonic, The Westminster Choir – Messiah — Christmas is coming, right? Leonard Bernstein, right? Yeah. 2xLP set. VG+.
  • Serkin / Beethoven – Three Favorite Sonatas — The “Moonlight Sonata,” “Pathétique” and “Appassionata” are the three and they are doing beautifully by Rudolf Serkin. This was NM and not a single pop and crackle was heard.
  • Bonnie Raitt – Takin’ My Time — I never really cared about Bonnie Raitt but the last few things I’ve listened to, I really liked from her. On this album, there are a few songs that she channels her inner Etta James and you can’t go wrong with that. Others she’s like Carole King. This is a great album. VG+.
  • Prokofiev – The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy– Classical Symphony, The Love For Three Oranges Suite, Lieutenant Kijé Suite — A $1 bin find, it seems like yesterday was a good classical day for The BCPF and me. Yay us. Even though it was a $1 bin find, it is in VG+ shape.

We got a lot of it listened to yesterday. It was a good day, even with two (necessary) clunkers. Jonathan was bouncing around the store and joking around, so he has gotten over the Record Store Day weekend. He’s gearing up for a good holiday season and you should tell your loved ones that you want a gift certificate to Underdog Records for your Christmas gift. You can use it for anything in the store. You’ll get it on a 45 7″, too. Listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear the TLD/UDR special of the week.

Discogs is the way I keep track of what my collection looks like. Also, I can purchase from other sellers the things that Jonathan may not be able to get.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“White light, White light goin’ messin’ up my mind. White light, and don’t you know its gonna make me go blind. White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes. White light, Oh have mercy white light have it goodness knows.” – “White Light/White Heat” (Reed)

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)

The Day After or: Early to Rise

23 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Records

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Salutations™!!

Our Thanksgiving from yesterday was fantastic! We had friends join us at our parents’ place (that would be Ray from The Man Who Ate the Town, his wife and his daughter) and all joined in with the rest of the crowd, there were 17 folks (16 if you count my nephew that slept through it all) in Ma ‘Rents’ house. We love big get-togethers as such. The Boston baked beans were a slight bit tough, but the flavor was amazing. So, that will happen again but I’ll try to modify it a bit. The deviled eggs were a bit runnier than I wanted but the flavor was right there, too. A win-win for the Scorp-meister!418454661596_600.jpg

Then we came home with The BCPF’s mother and brother and we watched football. Now, I was running on about 1.5 hours of sleep so it was rough. As soon as the ball game was over, I went to bed and was out in less than three minutes. We woke up at 4am and went to Underdog Records to stand (or sit) out in the cold for Record Store Day Black Friday Edition. It’s the only time that we go shopping on Black Friday and it’s a special case. We were fifth in line and we got everything we went in for and more. We spent more than we should but it was some birthday money and PayPaled money that was sent to me recently for payment of services.

The BCPF and I grabbed some grub from Cafe Arthur’s and came home, went straight to bed, set the alarm for noon, slept through that alarm and here we are after putting the records in Discogs and listening to a couple. We got some good stuff, but you’ll have to wait until Sunday for “The Haul!” I don’t know if we’ll get by Underdog Records tomorrow since we blew our budget on today’s festivities.

I’m off, Dear Reader. I hope your holiday was fantastic.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities.” – Record Store Day