Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I both took Friday off, so we treated it like a “first Saturday.” We did the things we do for Saturday. We had breakfast/brunch/lunch, went to Underdog Records then came home and listened to what we got. We repeated the process on the actual Saturday, too, although that wasn’t the plan. Anywhat! Here’s the two-day haul (and a note that all these releases are “new”):

©Chrysalis/Island

• Nirvana – In Utero (2013 Mix) — I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with Nirvana. But, most of my disdain has passed and I am more on the “appreciate” side of them, now. This is the 20th-anniversary remix of the album from 2013. But, this is also a reissue of that version. 2xLP.
• Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot — #493 on the RS list, it’s one of The BCPF’s faves. “Heavy Metal Drummer” was put on a mix CD for me when we were both just friends. I like that they mention KISS throughout and that Mediocre Bad Guys covered it. The buildings on the front cover make up Marina City in Chicago. When we were in Chicago last we stayed at the Hotel Chicago which is directly behind Marina City, part of the complex itself. It was something out of Mad Men but elegant. It was definitely a weird stay but we enjoyed it. Not quite as much as we enjoyed the Sofitel but that was one of the nicest hotel rooms we’ve ever had. 2xLP.
• Tom Waits – Swordfishtrombones — I liked this one better than I liked the other we got from Mr. Waits this weekend. I know it’s his schtick. I know it’s his gimmick. But, I really dislike it when he gets the most grumble for his buck in his voice. He actually sings in a regular tone and timbre for some of the songs. When he does that, his voice actually comes through. He sounds like he’s faking it at times when he grumbles. But, his piano playing is fantastic. I love that part (of both albums).
• Tom Waits – Heartattack And Vine — Ditto everything I said on the previous entry.
• The Mothers Of Invention – Weasels Ripped My Flesh — I have been trying to at least understand Zappa better. This credited to The Mothers of Invention but only so because of the live material. The studio stuff was Zappa solo, as the Mothers had disbanded two albums prior. I have tried to take the approach to Zappa as the fact that he was a talented jazz musician that liked take the idea of jazz to the far extreme boundaries of the genre. Sometimes it’s beautiful. Other times it is anything but. This, well it just is.
• The Waterboys – The Waterboys — The debut album from this Edinburgh-based band. While not on this album, their biggest hit was probably “The Whole of the Moon.” I hear a lot of Doug Davis (yes that Doug Davis) on this. Not that he was on it, but I hear some influence on it. I know that he’s a fan of the band. It was a great listen.
• The Mountain Goats – We Shall All Be Healed — The brainchild of John Darnielle, the award-winning author and musician, The Mountain Goats, again, is a favorite of The BCPF. He’s funny, witty, and a good musician. I get kind of tired of everything sounding the same but again, the content makes up for that.
• Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me — This is the Nina Simone album that I mentioned last week that we got two weeks ago. It finally made it to Discogs so I could include it. It was a great record and we really enjoyed it.
• Madonna – Madame X — Madge’s latest album, released Summer 2019. A lot of electropop and a mixture of activism/connected and Madonna pop sensibilities. Not a bad record. I got it brand new from the clearance bin. Was regularly $30+ but I got it for $16. Win!
• Schubert / The Budapest Quartet – The Last Quartets — This is technically “new” because it is still sealed and never opened. Jonathan had it in the “used” bins. It was supposed to be purchased on Friday but we accidentally left it in the bin instead of grabbing it. We got it yesterday. 3xLP of Schubert. Yes.

For the next selections, these are all “imports.” Most are “unofficial” releases which, to me, anyway, could mean “bootleg.” But, they were sold to Jonathan through a distributor, so I don’t know. Anywhat! All are “new.” Here we go.

• Pink Floyd – Live In NYC 1977 — I love Pink Floyd. They hover around the 5-8 spot on my “all-time favorite” list. This is basically Wish You Were Here live. The sound quality is awful as is the performance, but it’s cool to hear it. I didn’t mind the fact that they didn’t recreate the album, they interpreted their own album. Clear “coke bottle” vinyl.
• Echo & The Bunnymen – BBC Recordings 1979-1980 — I didn’t know E&BM went back that far, but they did. When I heard these songs yesterday, I thought it was U2, but it’s not. U2 has been around since 1976, I didn’t know that, either. Still, the fact that this album sounded like Boy or October is a good thing, as I like everything U2 up until Zooropa. Not my fave by any means. This was a great listen and makes me love that era of the “first wave” even more. We need more of this.
• Pixies – Into The White- BBC Recordings From 1988 And 1989 — Everything that I said about Mothers of Invention earlier? Well, multiply that by about 20. I like Pixies in the studio. Live, they get weird. I have a hard time taking them seriously, but I try.
• Brian Eno – The BBC Sessions — I am a fan of Brian Eno. At least I think I am. One thing the BBC Sessions always tell me is that people get weird (or weirder in Eno’s case) when they step into the BBC Studios. Now, to be fair, we haven’t listened to this one, yet. So, it may not be weird. I am just preparing for it to be.

A big haul, for sure. Bigger than most, recently. Good stuff. A lot of listening time. Jonathan has Underdog Records, the brick-and-mortar, open Thursday through Saturday 11-7, and doing deliveries on Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesday as long as weather permits. Watch Instagram and Facebook for what he’s putting out, be it new or used. You can shop for new vinyl anytime, day or night, by visiting the website. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection and you should, too!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Well, the eggs chase the bacon round the fryin’ pan and the whinin’ dog pidgeons by the steeple bell-rope. And the dogs tipped the garbage pails over last night. And there’s always construction work bothering you. In the neighborhood.” – “In the Neighborhood” (Waits)