Tag Archives: Gerry Rafferty

Spinning Sunday or: The Listens 4/25/20

26 Sunday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

Dear sweet baby [enter deity here], please let this be over soon. If for no other reason, I want to get back to Underdog Records, see Jonathan and buy vinyl goodness. Amen.

Listen42620

©All the record companies… I don’t own the copyright on these

You know my religion is “non-Prophet” so that was really just symbolic. However, the sentiment is exact and true. I want to get back to Underdog. The good news is Jonathan is doing a lot of deliveries and is still getting in new stock. I don’t buy a lot of new stuff so that throws me behind. I am more about the used stuff and, well, I figured it’s just not as feasible for him to rifle through the used stuff. That’s okay. I have plenty to keep me company here, but there’s nothing like the thrill of bin diving. I love it. Anywhat!

This week, I was home more than usual (usual for the lockdown) and The BCPF had work and conferences via Zoom, so I was under headphones a lot this week. I listened to 23 albums. I should probably try to listen to some podcasts during this downtime but I really want to listen to music. I suppose this is the equivalent of being a chef and having to cook at home, or being a truck driver and having to drive the family to Florida for vacation or per my old job working with the family sand business, why would I go to the beach when I can see sand anytime I want? So, I’m just not in the mood to listen to podcasts on my “downtime.” That’s cleared up.

The criteria for my streaming listening (for this list, anyway) is this: I have to own it on vinyl. I can’t listen to it on vinyl because of the situation, but I want to act like I am. So, I use the Discogs shuffle feature and see what pops up. Oddly enough, on the same day, I had two from The Who and even odder, I had two Yes albums right in a row; one I wish I had drawn after the other started. That worked out for me. Here’s my headphone “haul:”

That was a good listen haul, I think. I enjoyed most of it a lot. I didn’t have that I didn’t like, I just would have preferred something else, I guess.

Then yesterday, The BCPF and I had our listening time and we shuffled through these albums:

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©The record companies

That’s what we listened to. Follow Underdog Records on Facebook and Instagram, you’ll see what he’s got going on and you can get into the delivery thing and have him bring you some records. Also, visit the website to order new vinyl. Obviously, I use Discogs and even more so this week. There are no TLD/UR specials right now but I still hope you listen to the episodes. Okay, that’s all I have. Have a great week, stay home if you can, wash your damn hands and stay safe!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Walked out this morning, don’t believe what I saw. A hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore. Seems I’m not alone at being alone. A hundred billion castaways looking for a home.” – “Message in a Bottle” (Sting)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/17/18

18 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

It was a regular day for The BCPF and me yesterday. We ate breakfast (crepes, this time), ran by Underdog Records and then came home for a wonderful afternoon of “rekkid listenin’.” Here’s our haul:

Citytocity

©United Artists

  • Mark Knopfler – Down The Road Wherever — The latest effort by the former Dire Straits frontman and ax-wielder, it is quintessential Knopfler. He has a way of telling stories with such honesty and directly from the heart. The tunes on this album range from rocking to jazzy. It’s great stuff. 2xLP and is new.
  • Pearl Jam – Vs. — I always dismissed Pearl Jam, just like I did with Nirvana and many other grunge bands because well, they were grunge bands. I learned after many years that this isn’t awful stuff and it doesn’t bring the same gut-wrenching nausea that it used to. I actually find that I like this stuff more and more, now. This is a 2015 remaster that I found in the clearance bin. This album for less than $13? Yep. New.
  • Indigo Girls – Indigo Girls — The major label debut of the Emory University-born duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. Their biggest hit is “Closer to Fine” and it’s on this album. Side 1 is great. Side 2 is tired and cliche. The BCPF was very excited to find this one. VG++.
  • Paul Simon – One-Trick Pony — She was also very excited about this one and it was a great listen. I didn’t know it was a soundtrack to a film. So, we’ll have to find it and watch it. The soundtrack is great but I hear the film is “just okay.” VG+.
  • Yes – Big Generator — The follow up to the massively successful 90125, this had two singles: “Love Will Find a Way” and “Rhythm of Love.” I have really enjoyed my Yes collection and can’t wait to listen to this. VG+.
  • Gerry Rafferty – City To City — I was most excited by this one. I didn’t know how excited until I got home. I saw it had “Baker Street” which is Rafferty’s biggest solo hit. I didn’t realize that it had “Right Down the Line” on it as well. I love both of these songs although I had never heard either until just a few years ago. Weird, I know, but true. This is a great album all the way through. VG+.
  • Wings  – Wings Greatest — I have this on CD, it was my first foray into the Wings world. I have plenty of other stuff now, but then, this was it. Now, I have it on vinyl, too. VG.
  • Joe Jackson – Look Sharp! — The debut album from Joe Jackson is amazing front-to-back. The album contains such great tunes like “One More Time,” “Sunday Papers,” “Look Sharp!” “Happy Loving Couples,” “Got the Time” and his first hit, “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” We loved listening to this album. EX/VG++.
  • Carpenters – A Song For You — The fourth studio album from the brother/sister duo. The opening title track (and subsequent album closer) was written by Leon Russell. Other songs include tracks written by Carole King, Toni Stern, and more. It was supposed to be some kind of concept album. The funniest part of the record was at the end of side 1 when Richard and Karen sing about “being right back after we go to the bathroom.” Plus, it was a $1 bin find.

This Friday is the Black Friday Record Store Day event and Underdog Records will have a slew of the items for sale. Most of them are limited releases and rarities. Also, it’s a great time to get your gift certificates either for yourself or your loved ones. Jonathan has many 45s to make cool gift certs for you in any denomination. Listen to the latest episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UDR special of the week is.

Discogs lets me keep track of what albums I already have. When you have a large number of pieces, it gets harder to keep track of what you already have. Discogs is the answer. It works for CDs as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Then I learned to play some lead guitar. I was underage in this funky bar and I stepped outside to smoke myself a “J.” And when I came back to the room everybody just seemed to move and I turned my amp up loud and I began to play. And, it was late in the evening and I blew that room away.” – “Late in the Evening” (Simon)

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)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/10/18

11 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Records, Silent Sunday

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday morning was a little odd because 1) we were recovering from the awesome VSS/Queen show the night before and 2) we had to be at home until later to have some things picked up from our house. We eventually got to Mary’s Gourmet Diner (with 3B with us) and then to Underdog Records.  So, here’s the haul:

  • Cheap Trick – We’re All Alright! – I had to look up this record on Discogs to see if I had it. I didn’t. 2017 release. New.

    220px-Oracular_Spectacular_2008

    ©Columbia

  • They Might Be Giants – I Like Fun – Brand new TMBG and it includes all the smart and snark that you’d think you need from them. It’s in there! New.
  • MGMT – Oracular Spectacular – #494 on the RS list. It was in VG++ condition, basically played maybe once and then sold. So it was near new. Great album, too.
  • The WaterBoys – Room To Roam – UK pressing, VG condition. I know very little about the band but what I have heard, I’ve enjoyed.
  • Al Green – Let’s Stay Together – 2009 reissue in VG++ condition. Same as the MGMT above, like it’s really not been played more than twice or so.
  • Blue Öyster Cult – Agents Of Fortune – The album with what is probably their most famous song on it, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” It’s in VG+ condition. At Underdog, the albums that have better ratings and are in better condition get put in the protective sleeves and have detailed stickers on those sleeves. In the “notes” section, Jonathan has “more cowbell!!”
  • Roberta Flack – Feel Like Makin’ Love –  I have found that I really enjoy listening to Roberta Flack’s music. This was a great VG+ addition to the collection.
  • Graham Nash – Wild Tales – VG condition. Nash looks like he’s a necromancer or getting ready to conjure the dark lord or something.
  • Gerry Rafferty – Gerry Rafferty – I know of “Baker Street” and “Right Down the Line.” Other than that, I don’t know much about Rafferty. I’ll find out more when I listen. VG+.
  • The Art Of Noise – In Visible Silence – I didn’t have any Art of Noise on any medium so when I found this in the $1 bin, I had to grab it. It’s in VG condition.
  • Moms Mabley – Moms Mabley At The Playboy Club – I have no idea what this is. It was The BCPF’s pickup. It’s pretty beaten up. I’d say “Good” at best.
  • Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Crush – I love when I get stuff that I knew of but didn’t know it. Does that make sense? I know OMD’s “If You Leave.” I have their latest release. I knew they had more tunes that I had heard. This album has two of those songs. Plus, they have a song entitled “88 Seconds in Greensboro.” I found out that it is talking about the 1979 “Greensboro Massacre” where 5 civil rights activists were shot down by KKK and Nazis right here in Greensboro. It was a $1 bin find and is in really good shape. I’d say VG+.
  • U2 – Wide Awake In America. Rarely do I find U2 albums in the $1 bin. That’s what happened this time. This four-song EP has live recordings from “The Unforgettable Fire” tour. It looks well-used but it plays great. I’ll call it VG.
  • Mott The Hoople – Mott The Hoople – I’ve liked all I’ve heard from this band and this was in the $1 bin. Let’s go with it. There is a bunch of gunk on Side 1 and without getting microscopes and sewing needles, I can’t get it cleaned and I don’t know how it will sound, I’ll just call it G.
  • Michael Jackson – Thriller – This did not come from Underdog, at least not when I got it. I told you last week of the albums that Jerry Chapman, yes, that Jerry Chapman sent me and I had one that was a duplicate? I also said I traded it to Clay for something. This is what I traded for. My sister had this when we were younger and I pretty much procured it for myself. It was tossed around and beaten up pretty bad. I have come across a few copies but none that were in any kind of listenable condition. This is in good shape. Thanks, Clay!

Record Store Day is coming on April 21 and the list is out. Just visit the website and make plans to stand out in the morning in line to grab what you want. The line will be long and the lineup of the releases for that day will be really good. The BCPF has already gone through and made a list. And, then, Discogs, Y’all! Keep track of what you’ve got!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“We don’t make mistakes. We know you. Oh, yes we have known you. Times are changing but not in our street. Once we played there, like the good times. You know it. God, you know it. They’re heading for a shallow grave with a big black cross by a tall white house to a place down south. We won’t forget. To be stabbed in the back by a man they met. In 88 seconds in Greensboro.” – “88 Seconds in Greensboro” (McCluskey/Humphreys)