Tag Archives: Electric Light Orchestra

The Monday Recap or: The Listens 6/7/20

09 Tuesday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yep, missed the boat on this yesterday so, I’m getting it for you today. Per usual, this week’s streaming listens comes from Discogs’ shuffle feature and it has to be an album that I own on vinyl (outside of peripheral things like Beeswax Vinyl & More listens), that way it’s like listening to my vinyl but with headphones from my computer whilst The BCPF works 10 feet away. Here’s the list (this is in order of listens):

collage60820

So, all the records that I had in Discogs for this, I believe they all came from Underdog Records. 99% of my records came from there.

Again, check out Underdog Records’ social and web stuffs. Buy records. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection and use it’s groovy (see what I did there) shuffle feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Although the things you’ve done I wouldn’t criticize. I guess you had your way. You see I gotta make you understand. I know it sounds a foolish thing to say. But it don’t matter baby ‘cos’ today’s another day. You shine a little love on my life.” – “Shine a Little Love” (Lynne)

Spinning Sunday or: The Listen 5/2/20

03 Sunday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

I am so longing for the opportunity to get back into Underdog Records and rummage through the used albums, some new albums and just to see Jonathan again. This is getting rougher as the time slips away. We’ve eaten well, though.

This week was a lot shorter in both the headphone/streaming listening and the actual record listening. The BCPF and I only got four albums in yesterday. I would say that we were busy but, other than cutting my hair, grabbing lunch and dinner, we didn’t do much of anything. We always listen from as early as we can to dinner time. Then we catch up on binge-watching, which right now is Roseanne. And, I was in the studio twice this week and was on some video conferences, so my headphone listening was lighter, too. Anywhat! Here’s the “headphone listen” list:

collage50320

That was it for my private listening. Again, to explain what the “private listening” is, I use Discogs to pick an album that I already have on vinyl. That way, I am listening to what I have but not bothering The BCPF in the process, as she tries to work. So, I’m listening to my collection, just under headphones. Now to the record listening, what there is of a list, anyway:

collage150320

There you have it. My/our slim listening lists for the week. Hopefully, this week I get more listening time. Or… hopefully, this week we can get some money coming in! That would be even better.

Underdog is still doing deliveries all over the Triad. He started just in WSNC and has moved to the outlying areas and, to me, is overworking himself. But, he’s a dedicated record store owner. Possibly the most dedicated there is. And, he’s the sweetest dude, too. You really should check out the Instagram (especially) and Facebook pages of Underdog Records. You can order new stuff, anytime, day or night, on the Underdog Records website. He can deliver to your house or ship it to you, unlimited LPs for $4. Get you some rekkids! And, obviously, I use Discogs to track my collection.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Cover me when I sleep. Cover me when I breathe. You throw your pearls before the swine, make the monkey blind. Cover me, darling please…” – “Shock the Monkey” (Gabriel)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 5/11/19

13 Monday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

The post mother’s day edition of Spinning Sunday Monday is here. We had a whole weekend that was “normal” for us and about time. Started with breakfast, then to Underdog Records, buying and listening and then to dinner. A great day, minus the rain, but we were in listening to records, so there’s that! Here’s the haul:

GunsnRosesAppetiteforDestructionalbumcover

©Geffen Records

  • Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction — #62 on the RS list and really a great all-around album. I had never had it on vinyl and was waiting to find a good used copy but people don’t just give that up so we bought it new. This album was a game changer. I know I give Nirvana a lot of flack for “killing my music,” but I really believe this is where the killing started. They may have had a song about “doing it” but most of it was slinging their stuff around with attitude and extreme prejudice. They weren’t fluffing anything and taking no prisoners. Hair bands couldn’t keep up with this and the scene shifted a bit. Hair was still going strong into the 90s but it was watering itself down and then in 1992, it all really fell apart. This was just turning the eye on. I will say if I never hear “Paradise City” again, I’ll be happy. Everything else on the album is great.
  • Judas Priest – British Steel — Four to go. I have every official Judas Priest album from the first Rocka Rolla to Screaming for Vengeance and also Turbo. I want to fill the gap to Painkiller which is what I think of as the definitive “Priest Discography.” Yes, they did stuff, good stuff, even after, but once you get past 1990, then records weren’t the thing any longer. I need Defenders of the Faith, Priest Live, Ram It Down and Painkiller to have them all. I am glad to have what I have so far. Great first wave of British Heavy Metal stuffs. New.
  • Lambchop – This (Is What I Wanted To Tell You) — The BCPF loves Lambchop, but this, his latest release, was a bit of a departure from what he’s done in the past. It was good, but he used a bit too much autotune as a prop, I felt. The BCPF agreed, I think. It’s on cool clear vinyl, though. New.
  • Rush – Caress Of Steel — I have started trying to fill my Rush discography, as well. I got three steps closer on Saturday. This album is the oldest of theirs that I have and a little rawer than I’d like but it has some great stuff on it. “Bastille Day” is probably the biggest thing from it. It’s just starting to be a little more prog from the band at this point. VG+.
  • Rush – Permanent Waves — The album that followed Hemispheres (which I need to get) and before their biggest album Moving Pictures, this has “Spirit of Radio,” “Free Will” and “Entre Nous” on it. I didn’t know that I was such a fan of what they did before yesterday. Yeah, I know stuff I like, but I’ve always said they were too robotic and lacked feeling. That is true about some aspects of their music, but the lyrics are deep (sometimes too deep) and they tell a story with the music, even above the lyrics at times. I liked it. VG+.
  • Rush – Grace Under Pressure — The band was definitely in their synth years at this point, which I love because I’m a synth fan. When I saw the video for “Distant Early Warning” for the first time, I didn’t get it and didn’t like the song. Now, though, I dig the song. I like this album and it had four “official” singles, “Distant Early Warning,” “The Body Electric,” “Afterimage” and “Red Sector A.” “The Enemy Within” had a video and was the very first video played on Canada’s MuchMusic in August 1984. VG+.
  • Pet Shop Boys – Please — The debut album from Pet Shop Boys, it is probably still what they’re best known for, even though they have had some great things since. The big singles were “West End Girls,” “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money),” “Suburbia,” and “Love Comes Quickly.” Great synth-pop from some of the masters of that genre. VG++.
  • ELO – Time — The ninth studio album from Electric Light Orchestra, although for this album they were credited as ELO only. It’s a concept album and had five singles released for it: “Hold On Tight,” “Twilight,” “Ticket to the Moon” (backed with “Here Is the News”), “Rain Is Falling” and “The Way Life’s Meant to Be.” This was more synth-based music as Jeff Lynne had already gotten rid of the orchestral aspect of the band, which may be why they went with ELO as the band’s name? Who knows? VG+.
  • Chilliwack – Lights From The Valley — I know little about Chilliwack, except for two songs, “My Girl (She’s Gone, Gone, Gone)” and “I Believe” in which neither is on this album. They came later. But, in my quest to become more rounded in my musical knowledge, this was at Underdog and I wanted it. It was sealed, which, I immediately unsealed it to get the catalog number to be able to put it in Discogs. The vinyl is in NM condition and the sleeve is VG+ with a little wear on it, including a “record ring.”
  • Bangles – All Over The Place — The band’s debut album with the singles “Hero Takes a Fall” and “Going Down to Liverpool,” written by Kimberley Rew of Katrina and the Waves. Great pop record, this. VG++.
  • Roger Hodgson – In The Eye Of The Storm — I asked Jonathan if Hodgson’s solo stuff sounds like Supertramp (since he was one of the main songwriters/singers) and he said that not only does it, but he has this record in his collection and loves it. So, I bought it. I’m a fan of Supertramp, so I figure I’ll be a fan of this, too. VG++.
  • Various – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band — I know a lot of people hated this film. I didn’t hate this film. Plus, I mean the all-star lineup for the soundtrack is hard to beat and they’re doing Beatles songs? Heck yeah! 2xLP. VG.
  • Donnie Iris – Back On The Streets — Donnie Iris, the former songwriter/singer of The Jaggerz (“The Rapper”) and post-“Funky Music” Wild Cherry, I came to know him for one song. “Ah, Leah.” It was brought to my attention because my sister’s name is Leah and she liked the tune. That’s on this album and why I snatched it from the $1 bin. VG.
  • Rud Wharton And The Musette Street Players – –  Sidewalks Of Paris — Because The BCPF and I are suckers for anything Parisian. No other reason. Well, that and this was a $1 bin find. VG.
  • Peter, Paul And Mary – A Song Will Rise — It’s sappy 60s folk, just the way The BCPF likes it from the $1 bin. VG-.
  • Peter, Paul And Mary – Album — Second verse, same as the first. VG-.
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River — A very “fair” copy of this album. It’s scuffed, it’s scratched, I almost didn’t include it in the collection. But, it is here, now. G at best and that’s pushing it. $1 bin find.

Underdog Records was a bit empty when we got there but people started coming in pretty steady by the time we left. Jonathan wasn’t feeling good, so watch social media to make sure he’s back by Tuesday. Always listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to find out what the TLD/UR special of the week is.

I use Discogs to rate, catalog and track my collection. You can do it with CDs and cassettes, too.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“Off on your way, hit the open road. There is magic at your fingers. For the spirit ever lingers, undemanding contact in your happy solitude.” – “Spirit of Radio” (Peart/Lee/Lifeson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/3/18

04 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

Started out yesterday with some crépes and headed on over to Underdog Records, one of The BCPF’s and my favorite places! Here’s what we got!

ELODiscoveryalbumcover

©Jet/Columbia

  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Superstition — The BCPF loves Siouxsie and the Banshees. It fits her once goth modus operandi. I like them pretty good, too, but she’s the true fan. This is from 1991 but is a reissue from 2018, It has “Kiss Them For Me.” New. In fact…
  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Tinderbox — This is a little older, from around 1986 with “Cities in Dust.” It’s the 2018 reissue and is new.
  • Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York — I actually picked this up on Thursday, but didn’t enter it into Discogs until yesterday. Some disagree with me, but I think this is a fantastic album! It’s raw and you can almost hear Cobain’s pain but at times you can hear him sounding relaxed and chipper. Still, it’s great. #313 on the RS List. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath — #243 on the RS List, this album was heavy, dark and awesome! It’s a great debut album. Possibly the birth of doom metal or heavy metal, this. New.
  • Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman — So, if we go with Black Sabbath, why not go with its former singer? Yep. This is a great album. I don’t like it as much as Blizzard of Ozz or The Ultimate Sin, but I do like it a lot! New.
  • Nicole Atkins – Goodnight Rhonda Lee — I discovered Nicole Atkins last week whilst finding something by someone playing locally and found a song that I liked on the first try and once I grabbed what I needed, I didn’t stop the album from playing. I then listened to it again. I felt it was something that The BCPF would like and I knew that I liked it, so I had Jonathan order it for me. She loved it. It’s like Dusty Springfield mixed with some Stevie Nicks with swing and jazz stylings that rocked. This is a must-listen, Dear Reader! New.
  • Warsaw – Warsaw — When Joy Division did their first demo, they were still going by Warsaw. So, this is that demo. The BCPF said she had it when it was actually Joy Division and the album was called Warsaw but this is an “unofficial release” and it sounded pretty good, albeit bass heavy. Not the gloom-and-doom Joy Division we came to know. New.
  • John Ralston – Shadows Of The Summertime — John played at Underdog Records on Friday night and we purchased this. Haven’t listened to it, yet, but we enjoyed him. New.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Raise! — The one with “Let’s Groove” on it. I love that song; probably my favorite EWF song. VG+.
  • Prince – Controversy – I found this in VG- condition but I still couldn’t pass it up. I mean, it’s Prince and I didn’t have it already. So, now I do.
  • Smokey Robinson – Blame It On Love & All The Great Hits — I’ve never been a huge fan of Smokey. He’s got a great voice but I just don’t like most of the songs. The BCPF wanted it. She got it. VG+.
  • Lionel Richie – Great Love Songs With The Commodores & Diana Ross — I had this on CD, one of the first 100 or so that I got. I got it (on CD) exclusively for the song “Endless Love” but all the songs are great tunes. VG++.
  • Don McLean – American Pie — Let me go on record and say that I absolutely LOATHE the song “American Pie.” It ranks up there with “Freebird” as the worst song ever. But, The BCPF said we should have it in our collection. Okay… It was in the $1 bin so there’s that. VG.
  • Billy Joel – Turnstiles — Billy Joel for $1? Yep. I’ll take it. And, it looks to be in fairly good condition. I’m calling it VG+. This album has “New York State of Mind,”  “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,”  “Prelude/Angry Young Man” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).”
  • The London Symphony Orchestra – Tommy — 2xLP box set with Daltrey, Townshend, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr and a plethora of guests with the London Symphony Orchestra. A $1 bin find it’s in VG+ shape.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Discovery — “Shine a Little Love,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Last Train to London,” “Confusion” and “The Diary of Horace Wimp.” I love ELO and didn’t really realize how much until I was researching for the VSS stuff last year. A $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me — This was sitting on the counter in front of Jonathan and I asked about it. It’s Berry Gordy’s son and has that one catchy tune with Michael Jackson. $1. VG+.
  • Foreigner – Double Vision — I had this (their sophomore effort) already but it was the 2nd pressing cover. This is the original cover. Including “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and the title track. I found it in the $1 bin and it is VG+.
  • Foreigner – Foreigner — The debut album with “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice” and “Long, Long Way from Home.” It was in the $1 bin and it’s also VG+.
  • Various – Peter And The Wolf / The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — Side 1 is Peter, Side 2 is Apprentice. $1 bin find. Not in the greatest of shape. Good at best. Fair most likely.

This haul was the biggest we’ve had in a while. Underdog Records was celebrating their fifth anniversary and there were sales happening. Remember that Underdog Records is THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Make sure you listen to the latest episode each week (on Wednesday night) to hear the weekly TLD/UDR special.

Discogs is where I keep my collection in check. It’s a great app and tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“All that I have left is the sound of my own breath and then darkness falls so quiet. Here’s a feeling I’ve had many times before. Every time you leave it’s your arms that I bereave then the next time to leave’s yours. I watch the ghosts of your footsteps by our door.” – “Darkness Falls So Quiet” (Atkins)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/22/18

23 Sunday Sep 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was Mary Haglund’s birthday, so of course, we were there to celebrate with her at Mary’s Gourmet Diner. Then we went by Underdog Records and grabbed a few LPs. Not a big haul this week. Here’s it is:

Hall_and_Oates,_Abandoned_Luncheonette_(1973)

©Atlantic Records

  • Peter Gabriel – Plays Live — I got this on Tuesday from Underdog Records but waited to mention it until today. This is a great live album from 1983, recorded on tour in 1982 for the Peter Gabriel (Security) album. There were some overdubs done but most of the stuff was live. I really enjoyed listening to it. VG+.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates – Abandoned Luncheonette — The second studio album from H&O and it’s a beauty. There are some really fantastic tunes on here, including “She’s Gone,” the title track, “When the Morning Comes,” “Laughing Boy” (which happens to be my favorite track on the album after “She’s Gone”). Love the cover, as well. VG+.
  • Go-Go’s – Vacation — The title track is the best song on the album but the whole thing was a fun listen. I am glad we have it. VG+.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Olé ELO — This is a compilation album from ELO and it has a lot of early songs on it and some of it I’m not a fan of. Nothing is wrong with it, just not my favorite songs. However, there are some of my favorite ELO tunes, too. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head,” “Evil Woman” and “Strange Magic” are some of my overall faves from the band. VG+.
  • Commodores – Nightshift — It’s not classic Commodores, by any means but it does feed my synth-pop early 80s R&B. I had this album on cassette back when it came out because I forgot to send in my card to not get the “selection of the month” from RCA Music Club (before it was BMG Music Club). Granted the only tunes that I really care about on here is the title track, “Woman in My Life” and “Animal Instinct.” VG+.

So, that was the short haul. As I’ve mentioned now, twice this week, Underdog Records is now THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. There are some cassettes and CDs in Underdog but, of course, the focus is on vinyl. And, we will talk about a lot of music stuff that isn’t just vinyl, either. But, Jonathan is always getting fresh used inventory and restock throughout the week. You should follow their social media to find out what and when. And, you should listen to The Less Desirables to find out what the weekly TLD/Underdog special is.

I never shop without my Discogs app open on my phone to make sure I’m not getting duplicates and it’s great for my “random selection” picks, as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“When you looked at me I should’ve run. But I thought it was just for fun. I see I was wrong and I’m not so strong. I should’ve known all along that time would tell. A week without you. Thought I’d forget. Two weeks without you and I still haven’t gotten over you yet. Vacation, all I ever wanted. Vacation, had to get away. Vacation, meant to be spent alone.” – “Vacation” (Valentine/Caffey/Wiedlin)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 5/26/18

27 Sunday May 2018

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Salutations™!!

It was a rainy, then sunny, then rainy, then sunny day yesterday. Mary’s Gourmet Diner, Underdog Records, Willows Bistro. Lots of record listening. But, it was a great day. Great. Day. Here’s our haul:

220px-Dokken_-_Under_Lock_and_Key

©Elektra Records

  • Dokken – Under Lock And Key – I dug me some Dokken in the mid-80s. This is my favorite album from them as it contains “In My Dreams” which is my favorite song from them. And… it was there in VG++ condition. Why pass that up?
  • Dokken – Back For The Attack – This was there at VG++, too. Double trouble!
  • Simon & Garfunkel – The Concert In Central Park – They had a full band behind them on this album. They performed in front of 500,000 people at this concert. 500k!!! But, it was put the best by The BCPF: Paul Simon solo with Art Garfunkel’s harmonies=perfection. VG+.
  • Dire Straits – Making Movies – This leaves only two albums for me to get to have the whole Dire Straits studio catalog. Granted their catalog isn’t that extensive but the point is that I have really gotten into them and I want all of them. This isn’t my favorite one or even two of theirs but it’s still really good. Jonathan kept an eye out for me as I missed out on a copy a few weeks back. VG++.
  • Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense – I really wish that this was the extended version of the album. That would have been a 2xLP, I’m sure. I don’t even know if there is a version on vinyl or not. This has a truncated version of “Once in a Lifetime,” excluding the “water dissolving, water removing” part. In fact, every song but two were truncated because of limitations of vinyl’s capacity. The CD/cassette versions were longer. Plus, none of the Tom Tom Club stuff. This album is #345 on the RS list. As far as the overall goes, I think it’s way too low. I’d put it in the Top 100, but that’s just me. I think this is awesome, I just wish there was a deluxe version. VG+.
  • George Frideric Handel/ The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock – Music For The Royal Fireworks, Concerti A Due Cori – The BCPF loves her some Hanel. VG+.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Eldorado – A Symphony By The Electric Light Orchestra – I love me some ELO and I love the Wizard of Oz reference on the cover. VG.
  • Richard Harris – My Boy –  I really enjoyed the first Richard Harris album that I had. I’m wondering if the album was dedicated to his son, Jared, who fans of Mad Men would know as Lane Pryce on the show? He would have been around 10 when this came out. VG+.
  • Jean-François Paillard Chamber Orchestra • I Solisti Veneti • Various – The Pachelbel Canon And Other Baroque Favorites – NM.
  • Nat ‘King’ Cole Trio – In The Beginning – VG+ of very early Nat. It’s his trio and it was true jazz. The BCPF really loves him and I love the style (and him, too). Great record.
  • Nat King Cole – L-O-V-E – $1 bin find in mono and VG shape. More Nat King Cole.
  • Nat King Cole – Let’s Face The Music – And more in the $1 and in VG shape.
  • Johnny Cash & June Carter – Carryin’ On With – $1 bin find in VG shape.
  • Buster Poindexter – Buster Poindexter – The sandpaper-voiced singer of the New York Dolls, David Johansen, in his mid-to-late-80s alter ego, Buster Poindexter. Yeah, I liked “Hot Hot Hot” and that’s why I bought it. Well, that and it was only $1. It’s in VG+ shape.
  • Various – Television’s Greatest Hits, Volume II – I’m a sucker for television theme songs and I actually have this on CD. But, I couldn’t pass up on having the 2xLP version and that 2xLP version was only $1. Ka-ching!
  • Bonnie Raitt – Give It Up – #495 on the RS list and it was sitting in the $1 bin. The BCPF picked it up, so “yay her” for adding to the list. We’re up to 187 out of 500 right now. VG.
  • Monty Python – Instant Record Collection – Exactly as it says., Monty Python. Sketch stuff, I think. $1 bin find. VG.
  • Gerry Rafferty – Night Owl – I enjoyed the other Rafferty album I have. It’s a $1 bin find in VG.
  • Mel Tormé – The Tormé Touch – I got this for several reasons. It was in the $1 bin. I like his voice. I dig his nickname (the Velvet Fog). And, I was a fan of Harry Anderson and Mel was his favorite singer. RIP Harry (and Mel). VG.
  • The Steve Miller Band – Circle Of Love – It was there for $1. That’s the only reason I got it. Well, I liked the cover. VG.

That’s it. That’s a pretty extensive haul but a lot of it was $1 bin stuff. I added two to the RS list gathering experiment.

Underdog Records has a ton of freshly-stocked used vinyl in. If you’ve not been in a while, go check it out! If you’ve never been, check it out! Don’t have a receiver or turntable or speakers? Want some? Underdog Records always has some equipment for sale and reasonably priced.  All your vinyl needs can be met at Underdog. Usually, they are open Tuesday-Saturday but for this week, they’ll be closed on Tuesday as Jonathan and Kerri are going out of town for the holiday. He certainly needs and deserves it.

Discogs is how I bring you this list every week. I keep every album I own on vinyl listed on there and they have a pretty cool marketplace, too.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack. And you may find yourself in another part of the world. And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile. And you may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife. And you may ask yourself, well… How did I get here?” – “Once in a Lifetime” (Eno/Frantz/Byrne/Harrison/Weymouth)

Kinky, Sleazy and Slinky or: Black Rose – A Rock Legend (Eugeology Entry 26)

06 Thursday Jul 2017

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Salutations™!!

Last week saw my absolute favorite album on this Eugeology list thus far, with the caveat that it was already one of my faves. But, it was a long review, because I had a lot to say. Eugene is catching up (or trying to) and Jon is falling way behind. But, he’s been out of town, moving, getting indoctrinated in the ways of the Rotary via its presidency and all kinds of things, so it is no wonder. But, let’s move on to this week’s entry…

Thin_Lizzy_-_Black_Rose_A_Rock_Legend

©Warner Bros. Records

#26 – Black Rose: A Rock Legend by Thin Lizzy.

One of the obligatory entrants, at least as far as the artist goes, that I was expecting. I just never know which one from those. This is a good one.

I have never given Thin Lizzy credit. I know and am tired of “The Boys are Back in Town” and “Jailbreak” to the point that I got to loathe the whole band. That was unwarranted and I apologize to them, their memory, their legacy and Eugene. Now, they’re still not anywhere near my favorite band, but, I have enjoyed listening to this.

I will also give the caveat that being that this was a holiday week, with said holiday right in the middle of the week, my listening schedule has been thrown off a little. I try to listen at least six times to make sure I can make the best assessment possible of the album. I’m only on listen four as I write this and will probably restart it, so I may reach six, but I doubt it. I don’t think I need six times, but let’s get on with it.

This album saw the flighty guitarist, Gary Moore hang around at least long enough to record an album. He was in and out of the band left and right, you’d almost think he was a drummer. In fact, he left the band during the tour for this album. During, I said. He always just looked like he was ticked off all the time.

The song selection was pretty varied and in a good way. Styles range from funky to heavy rock to ballads and traditional Irish story tunes. It starts off with a thundering drum and bass cluster that I half-expected to hear Jeff Lynne to start singing. It reminded me of “Turn to Stone” from Electric Light Orchestra. But, soon the triumphant and familiar dual guitar parts cranked in and you knew it wasn’t ELO but, of course, Thin Lizzy and the opening tune, “Do Anything You Want to Do.” Phil Lynott’s undeniable voice breaks through and you’re on a Lizzy trip. The melodies in this song and the follow-up, “Toughest Streets in Town” are some of his best.

“S&M” is a funkier slice. It’s a bit of debauchery, as well. Sleazy and swanky and is pretty much about what you think it means. The music starts off like the theme from “Shaft” with that 70s scrappy funk. I liked it. “Waiting for an Alibi” is back in-your-face rock. It’s straight forward.

On the first pressings of the album, the song “Sarah” was mislabeled as “My Sarah” and Napster, follows that tradition. It’s just “Sarah” the song is about Phil Lynott’s daughter, but I can’t remember what her name is/was. It’s a bouncy pop ballad that perhaps shouldn’t fit on this album, but it does. While it has no flow in the scheme of what the album is all around it, it’s a good departure from the heaviness. It fits the time, though.

The band was in slight disarray at this time (again, Gary Moore bolted right after) and Phil along with guitarist Scott Gorham (remember him from the Black Star Riders review all the way back at #6? If not you can read it HERE) was entering dangerous territory of drugs and alcohol. The song “Got to Give It Up” is reflective of that, whether it was meant to be autobiographical song or not. They should have given it up. Phil didn’t make it another eight years. Scott somehow managed. A good song, nonetheless.

“Get Out of Here” is aggressive and does what you’d expect a Lizzy song to do, rock. “With Love” is the anomaly here for me. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I don’t like the melody Phil sings. Musically, it’s okay and the solo is smoking yet tasteful. I do like the backing vocals but the Phil’s part, I’m not a fan of. It’s worth listening to, but it’s probably my throwaway, if I had to pick one. Luckily, I don’t have to.

Thin Lizzy were proud of their Irish roots and that shows on the closing track, “Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend.” It’s a mix of traditional Irish tunes and music pieced together, in a suite, with four movements: I. ‘Shenandoah’ (which confuses me there’s no Shenandoah that I can find in Ireland – it’s all in WV and VA here); II. ‘Will You Go Lassie Go?’ (F. McPeake); III. ‘Danny Boy’; IV. ‘The Mason’s Apron.’ I read the lyrics and couldn’t figure out what the heck he was talking about, but it doesn’t take away from it being a good listen.

Production is pretty good on this album. I have to say that after a while the dual guitar thing starts to get old. They did it better than just about anyone, but it gets old. Lynott’s bass playing is solid, he can’t do a lot of extra riffage because he’s singing. I’m not saying he’s slouching, I’m just saying he does what he needs to and does it well. The fun instrument to hear here, though, is the drums. Brian Downey had come back to the band just in time to record this fine album; and fine it is.

I was indifferent, really, when I saw this being assigned, but I’m glad we had it. I liked it and I recommend people to listen to it. I’m surprised, and delightfully so. Thanks, Eug, for introducing me. Two weeks in a row that I’ve liked your entries. Can’t wait to read your assessment, as always, and Jon, well, here’s hoping you’re not too far gone.

Until tomorrow, slàinte!
Scorp out!

—
“Tell me the legends of long ago, when the kings and queens would dance in the realm of the Black Rose. Play me the melodies I want to know so I can teach my children, oh.” – “Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend” (traditional, arranged by Moore/Lynott)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 4/9

09 Sunday Apr 2017

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Salutations™!!

This week, we got some really good stuff from Underdog Records (the Official Vinyl Sponsor of The Less Desirables). unnamed (1)

And, from my pal Clay Howard:

Not only did we get that pile of awesome, but we finally purchased a LP storage cabinet (picture). It was a great Saturday (and some from earlier in the week). Listen to The Less Desirables and hear what the weekly special is for Underdog Records and head over and tell Jonathan, and take home some records!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“I feel uptight on a Saturday night. Nine o’clock, the radio’s the only light. I hear my song and it pulls me through. Comes on strong, tells me what I’ve got to do. Get up! Everybody’s gonna move their feet. Get down! Everybody’s gonna leave their seat. You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City.” – “Detroit Rock City” (Simmons/Ezrin)

Silent Sunday or: The Loot

02 Sunday Apr 2017

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Salutations™!!

I believe I’m going to start using my Silent Sunday to talk about the haul we get fromR-9473688-1481204754-7100.jpeg Underdog Records on Saturdays, that is unless there is an item of importance I need to talk about. Underdog Records has become part of our Saturday routine. It’s walking, Mary’s Gourmet Diner, Underdog, Twin City Hive and then Hoots, if we have a hankering for a brew. Now that the weather is warming up, we’ll be going by there more often.

So, this week, at Underdog Records, we got the following:

Underdog Records is the Official Vinyl Sponsor of The Less Desirables and we love our growing record collection, all thanks to Jonathan and his awesome record store. You can find Underdog at 835 Burke Street in Winston-Salem.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Lord, here comes the flood. We’ll say goodbye to flesh and blood. If again the seas are silent in any still alive. It’ll be those who gave their island to survive. Drink up, dreamers, you’re running dry.” – “Here Comes the Flood” (Gabriel)

Don’t Bring Me Down or: Vagabond Light Orchestra

17 Friday Mar 2017

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Salutations™!!

Tomorrow night, Vagabond Saints Society will be doing TWO sets of the Electric Light Orchestra tunes at The Garage in downtown Winston-Salem. One is at 7pm and one at 10pm. I’m singing in the second set and if the list I saw is any indication, I’m next to last. I am not sure of the set list because I kind of inherited a song but I’m pretty sure that no hit will be left un-turned.

To give you a hint of what it is I’ll be singing, I’ll just leave this (well and it’s in the title):

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“You’ve got me shakin’, got me running away. You’ve got me crawling up to you everyday. Don’t bring me down.” – “Don’t Bring Me Down” (Lynne)