Tag Archives: Heart

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul – Black Friday Edition

01 Sunday Dec 2019

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Salutations™!!

I had told Jonathan that The BCPF and I wouldn’t be coming to Underdog Records for the Record Store Day – Black Friday event, and technically, we weren’t there at the opening for the bum-rush doorbuster event, but we did wait until about noon and went by and the store had settled down. We still found pretty much all we would have gotten had we gotten there in the wee hours of the evening, which surprised us. If this had been the April version of RSD, I would have camped out and been one of the first three in the line and in the door. But, since we went on Friday and spent a good bit of money we didn’t go on Saturday, so this reflects Friday and two that I got on Wednesday. Here ya go:

190759783115

©Epic/Legacy

  • Cheap Trick – Are You Ready? Live 12/31/1979 — This is supposedly an infamous show from The Forum in Los Angeles, New Year’s Eve 1979. The “supposedly” is the infamous part. The hype sticker states it’s from a few different mixes and the first few songs in the set are really crappy production. The sonic quality picks up after the first little bit. Robin Zander’s voice, which I’ve always found strong was a bit shaky in some spots, too. I think they had played a few shows before and he needed a break. Still, it sounds pretty good overall; lots of energy. It was an RSD exclusive, limited to 3500 copies worldwide, and I picked up the last one that Jonathan had. 2xLP. New.
  • John Linnell – State Songs — One half of They Might Be Giants, John Linnell, plays a lot of original songs about 15 different states and one about all 50. I’m a fan of TMBG but sometimes they’re a bit much for me to take. I think this is good for comedic purposes but overall? I didn’t really think it was that great. RSD exclusive, first time on vinyl on green-marbled wax, limited to 1500 copies worldwide. New.
  • Frehley’s Comet – Live… — Not to be confused with Live+1 that came out in 1988, which was recorded in Chicago in 1987 and had two live KISS tunes (Ace’s) and two live from Frehley’s Comet’s self-titled debut and one studio demo track. This was recorded in March 1988 in London and has all the live tracks from the previously mentioned EP along with “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me.” This also had Jamie Oldaker playing drums instead of Anton Fig. A really good sounding recording. I don’t know how many more songs they did and if these were the only ones that made it, or if he only did six songs…? RSD “first,” limited to 2700 copies worldwide, first time on vinyl; orange. New.
  • Jeff Buckley – Live At KCRW: Morning Becomes Eclectic — I will say again that when the world lost Jeff Buckley, we lost a true musical genius and talent. His ability to jump his voice from heavy to heavenly at the drop of a hat was amazing. This EP has five songs done at KCRW sometime in the 90s. RSD exclusive limited to 3750 copies worldwide. New.
  • John Coltrane – A Love Supreme: The Complete Masters — #47 on the RS list, this is a 3xLP reissue from 2015 that I purchased on Wednesday. Coltrane is a “local boy done good.” He was born in Hamlet, NC in the south-central part of the state and grew up in High Point, just down the road from WSNC. This version includes the original album, a quartet session and a sextet session. Good stuff. VG+.
  • The Rolling Stones – Love You Live — Love You Live was recorded on the “Tour of Americas” from 1975, the “Tour of Europe” in 1976 and from the El Mocambo nightclub concert venue in Toronto in 1977. It was overdubbed and mixed from late May to mid-June 1977. So, I didn’t think they could have done that good of a job live. But, the final result was pretty good considering it is the Stones and it is a “live” album. VG+.
  • Heart – Greatest Hits / Live — This is a compilation album of greatest hits, live recordings and new tracks released in 1980. I like Heart. I’ll probably like this. VG+.
  • Streetband Featuring Paul Young – Streetband Featuring Paul Young — I get the feeling that this was a record company money grab as it “features” Paul Young. This is before “Every Time You Go Away,” before “Come Back and Stay,” even before the Q-Tips. His time in Streetband wasn’t very long in the late 1970s. But, he has a great voice, let’s hear how this works out, eh? 2xLP. VG+.
  • Marty Balin – Balin — The other LP that I picked up on Wednesday. Every time I hear “Hearts,” I think of my friend Jim Young. I really don’t know why other than we once had a conversation about it. Same with “Personally” from Karla Bonoff. But, this, Balin’s debut solo album after Jefferson Starship, has “Hearts” and it was only $2 and was in NM condition, although I give the outer sleeve VG++.
  • John Philip Sousa – The Music Of John Philip Sousa On Parade — We say the Piedmont Wind Symphony do Sousa songs early last month and we never knew how much style was in those marches. I thought of them as being boring but one we saw it live, I can’t say that any longer. The BCPF picked this one out. It’s from the National Geographic Society. VG+.

Jonathan said that the Record Store Day – Black Friday Edition was a success, even more than he expected. He did a great job getting it all set up and we are all thankful that he provides us record collectors with a “candy store” we can be proud of. Underdog Records has a good selection of used stereo equipment for sale and don’t forget gift certificates, they come on old 45s. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week/month. Also, use Discogs to track your music collection no matter the format (other than digital and maybe even then).

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Hearts can break and never mend together. Love can fade away. Hearts can cry when love won’t stay forever. Hearts can be that way.” – “Hearts” (Barish)

Untitled or: That Led Zep Thing

08 Friday Nov 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today (November 8) is the 48th anniversary of that untitled Led Zeppelin album that fans and everyone else just calls “Zoso” or Led Zeppelin IV. But, really, it wasn’t ever officially titled. Is it their best album? That’s debatable. It certainly has the song that is probably the first thing that jumps in anyone’s mind when they hear the words “Led Zeppelin.” Yeah, it’s predictable but it brings tears to my eyes almost every time I hear it. Especially this version and in front of those who wrote it and with Bonzo’s kid (whom I have met and opened for) on drums. It’s a great thing. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“And as we wind on down the road, our shadows taller than our soul. There walks a lady we all know, who shines white light and wants to show how everything still turns to gold. And if you listen very hard the tune will come to you at last. When all are one and one is all. To be a rock and not to roll.” – “Stairway to Heaven” (Page/Plant)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/7/19

08 Sunday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday, The BCPF and I got to attend a 60th birthday bash unlike either of us had seen before. The Michael family (the awesome owners of Yamas!, Cin-Cin, Waldo’s Wings and Mama Zöe Michael’s restaurants) celebrated the matriarch’s milestone and the shindig was amazing! That’s their business and I won’t go on about it, but I want to extend a big thank you to the family for allowing us to be part of it.

ParadeLP

©Paisley Park/Warner Bros.

Now, we had breakfast at First Watch, got to see Daniel Butner and his wife outside of Underdog Records and then got to see Jonathan. Our haul is small but we enjoyed it. Here it is:

  • The Who – My Generation — #237 on the RS list this is the debut album by The Who. The album came out in 1965 and in 1967 a music writer for Esquire said it was the hardest rock in history. At the time, yeah, it was. Another writer said it was the heaviest of mod pop ever recorded. I’ll agree with that, too. It’s a good album, a really good debut. This is in mono. New.
  • Radiohead – Kid A — #67 on the RS list. I think that is way too high. It’s not my favorite Radiohead. It’s okay. I went back to read what I wrote about this album when I did the RS list. Here’s what I said: As I said, it’s not bad, just not my thing. I see its importance, but don’t see how it rates higher than OK Computer and The Bends. Both are far superior albums in my opinion. Even Pablo Honey is better than this. Didn’t dig. Not much has changed. It’s 2xLP and new.
  • Elliott Smith – Roman Candle — When I first met The BCPF and realized she liked indie rock and modern folksy stuff, Elliott Smith was the first artist she told me about. He’s tragic because of his life and because of his death. This is his debut album and was recorded in his basement. It is very lo-fi but very Elliott Smith. A good album that showed the talent that would only get better as time went on, even if his troubles got in the way. New.
  • Prince And The Revolution – Parade — The follow-up to the follow-up, I call this. The follow up was Around the World in a Day, which, of course, followed Purple Rain. This was the fourth and final album with “the Revolution” before doing it eponymously for the next one, Sign o’ The Times. It was the soundtrack for Under the Cherry Moon the film that Prince wrote, directed and starred in. It was pretty awful, really. There are some bright spots on this album (“Venus de Milo,” “Sometimes It Snows in April,” “Anotherloverholenyohead,” and of course, “Kiss), but mostly it was scattered and weird. Am I glad I have it? Oh yeah! I’ve never owned it before in any medium, so I’m glad to have it. Just not my favorite Prince. EX/VG++.
  • The Tarwater Band – Walking Across Egypt — This is signed by Clyde Edgerton who played banjo, piano and sang. When I look up Tarwater on Wikipedia, it only shows a duo from Germany. This isn’t that, I don’t think. “Walking Across Egypt” only shows a movie from 1999 starring Ellen Byrnston and Mark Hammil and other folks. So, I really don’t know what this is, but The BCPF picked it up. So, we’ll see. VG+.
  • Heart – Dog & Butterfly — The fourth album from Heart. Musically, this was more on track to what Heart was doing with Little Queen than it’s actual follow-up Magazine. There was the whole skirmish between the band and Mushroom Records at that time, too. This did well, was on the charts for a while and had two hits, the title track and “Straight On.” VG++.

A lot of stuff had been acquired at Underdog Records over the week and was out for purchase and I jumped on some of that. There are some cool stereo receivers and turntables for sale, too. Go in and see what Jonathan has going on. And, listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection while I’m in the record store and also see what my friends may or may not have. It’s a cool app/website.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“People try to put us d-down just because we get around. Things they do look awful c-c-cold. I hope I die before I get old.” – “My Generation” (Townshend)

Spinning Sunday or: The Return of the Haul 6/1/19

02 Sunday Jun 2019

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Salutations™!!

First, I want to say happy Pride Month! I’m an ally and not at all ashamed to say so.

TheRebelsNotIn

©K Records

Now, the day was indeed packed with wine and such as I mentioned yesterday, but before that craziness, and after, we were at Underdog Records trying to get back into our record groove (pun most certainly intended). Here’s what we got:

  • Rush – Hemispheres — This is the 200g Audiophile version. It’s not my favorite Rush album, but it’s still good. I prefer “hits” to the long, drawn-out, progressive “suites” they had on this. New.
  • The Halo Benders – The Rebels Not In — The BCPF learned of and got into this band when she was a DJ in college. It’s weird and kooky but it’s fun. This is the 2014 reissue and it also is out of print. So, she did well. NM.
  • Death Cab For Cutie – The Photo Album — I don’t know much about Death Cab except that Ben Gibbard was Zooey Deschanel’s first husband. The BCPF, however, is a big fan. NM.
  • Tortoise – The Catastrophist — I know absolutely nothing about this. Again, this is a The BCPF pick. VG+.
  • Heart – Brigade —  The follow up to their album Bad Animals and has “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You,” which I always liked. It’s probably an over-polished bunch of mess, but I’m willing to test that. VG+.
  • Crosby, Stills & Nash – Replay — A compilation of CSN hits. VG+
  • Small Talk  – Small Talk — Another album from a band that I nothing about. It seemed early 80s rock and was only $3 so I took a chance. Sounds like Rick Springfield smashed together with .38 Special to me. Not great but not bad. VG++.
  • The Rolling Stones – Got Live If You Want It! — The BCPF is the Stones fan in the fam, I don’t care one way or another. They’re not The Beatles and that’s all that matters. But, why not grab a live album when you can? VG-.
  • Various – The London Sampler — A compilation “sampler” of London Records artists from 1985. They were pushing their current acts at the time. The BCPF grabbed it. VG+.
  • The Hollies – Dear Eloise / King Midas In Reverse — This is the seventh U.S. studio album by the band, the last album to feature Graham Nash until 1983’s What Goes Around, as well as the last to feature songs written solely by members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks. $1 bin find. VG/VG+.
  • Saint-Saëns – Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra*, Michael Murray  – Symphony No. 3 “Organ” — I love Camille Saint-Saëns and couldn’t pass this one up, especially when it’s a $1 bin find. The cover is slightly worn but the vinyl is NM. VG++ at minimum.
  • The Brothers Johnson – Light Up The Night — “Stomp” is on this album and I love that song. It was a $1 bin find so why not? VG+.

Underdog Records was jumping yesterday. I love seeing that. Lots of people, a bit cozy and crowded, a lot of awesomeness. Loved it. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. I use Discogs to keep up with my stuff and to share it with you!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“So we found this hotel, it was a place I knew well. We made magic that night. Oh, he did everything right. He brought the woman out of me, so many times, easily. And in the morning when he woke all I left him was a note. I told him, ‘I am the flower you are the seed. We walked in the garden we planted a tree. Don’t try to find me, please don’t you dare. Just live in my memory, you’ll always be there. All I want to do is make love to you.'” – “All I Want to Do is Make Love to You” (Lange)

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 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)

Crazy Licks or: Many Kisses (Part 3)

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

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Salutations™!!

Here’s the second post today! And yes, this is verbose as was the last.

The month of September is a huge month for KISS fans, even if they don’t know it. Why you may ask? Because the month of September is the anniversary month for the releases of TEN KISS albums. I’ve talked about Alive!, Animalize and Asylum. But, like I said in the last post, September 18 is a doozie and talked about the four solo albums that were released 40 years ago, today.

Lick_it_up_cover

©Mercury Records

In 1983, Lick It Up was released on this day and also that night Gene, Paul, Eric and Vinnie Vincent showed up on MTV and showed their faces publicly, at least as KISS, without the makeup. It was a weird transition for them, even if they say it wasn’t. Look at that interview and tell me that Gene doesn’t look uncomfortable as he says through his big white grill that it feels good… Uh huh. I think Vinnie looks uncomfortable all the time. Paul seemed the most natural. Eric was just there. Then look at the video for “Lick It Up” and tell me they look comfortable. Gene can’t figure out how to act. His professional career had always been under some kind of disguise. He’s not the most handsome man, truthfully, but really, were any of them? Nah.

Lick It Up, though, was a big breakthrough for the band. It was their chance to bring the people back into the KISS Army coming off the heels of Creatures of the Night, which saw the departure of Ace, even though he was on the cover, he played nary a note on the album. Several guitarists played in his stead on that album and one of those was Vinnie Vincent. Creatures was the rebirth KISS was looking for. It wasn’t quite KISS, but a harder rock version of KISS. I think Creatures is one of their heaviest albums in the entire KISS Katalog. But, they did that under the hidden comfort of their makeup-laden personas.

Truly, the band incognito had run its course. It was time for a new approach. Gene said in his book Kiss and Make-Up that Paul had talked him into unmasking. He was still apprehensive but Paul explained that the makeup had become a stigma and more people knew the characters than they did the musicians and the music, whether people want to admit it or not, was judged more on the makeup than on the merits of the music and songs. I was only 12 when this came out and I was aware of that fact. And, I’m ALL about the show. So, what to do? New direction with the music on the album before, let’s try a new direction in image, as well. I think it worked.

This album was pretty heavy and at times, mean. From the harmonics-driven intro of “Exciter” on to the fade of “And on the Eighth Day,” the album was a non-stop auditory assault. Paul also showed a whole new vocal style starting with this album. He started singing a little different on Creatures but from Lick It Up on, he sang higher, as did Gene, with more power and with more confidence. In fact, I think this album has Paul’s most powerful tone and timbre.

Gene really changed up his singing from just gruff to high and gruff. I can’t sing most of his non-makeup songs and I sing pretty high. The band also started aiming for the “metal” crowd instead of the “kids and rock-n-rollers.” Eric’s drumming was more volatile as well. He pounded the crap out of the drums. I found I was at the same time longing for and also glad they dismissed the drum sound employed on Creatures. It was an awesome sound but it was also overpowering.

Much of what made this album heavier was Vinnie’s playing. He was all about flash and speed and less about feel. But, I think that bled over onto Paul’s style, as well. Paul’s parts were heavier than the KISS we knew. There were no ballads or slower songs on this album. Speaking of songwriting, this marked the first time that there were no outside writers on a KISS album.  People have a hard time believing that, but from the first album (which had a cover – and yes I know the original didn’t have that cover), the second and third rehashed Wicked Lester songs, and so on. Plus, people forget that Vinnie was “in the band” at one time.

This is one of my favorite KISS albums, although it didn’t start that way. I never really noticed it being a “different KISS” until much later. KISS was KISS was KISS to me. I get it now, but I was blinded at the time. As tired of the title track I am, I still love it. We used to do it in Busted Uncle. It was fun. The only song I really don’t care for is “Gimme More” and even that is a pretty good song. The one that all my friends hate is one of my favorites on this album, “Dance All Over Your Face.” I don’t know why but I just dig the heck out of it.

This was the first album that I got on cassette and not on vinyl. So, the copy I have now (180g brand new) is the first time I’ve ever had it on vinyl.

Crazy_nights_album_cover

©Mercury Records

Now, 31 years ago today KISS released Crazy Nights. It is perhaps the most polarizing of the 80s-era KISS albums. I know a lot of critics, fans and even my friends have labeled it as poppy sugary drivel but I am not one of those. Yes, it is poppier. It’s not quite “hair band” material, but not far from it. Their heavy sound had softened a bit, even though they were on their second album with one of their best guitarists, Bruce Kulick who showed up on the tour for Animalize and played on Asylum. I don’t mind sugary pop, though, as you have read me talking about often, Dear Reader.

I believe part of the deal with the overall tone was that Paul and Gene gave up production duties and just recorded music. But, they were also using outside writers and not the likes of ex-Plasmatics members but with genuine pop music writing heavyweights, Adam Mitchell, Desmond Child, Bruce Turgon, Davitt Sigerson and legend Dianne Warren. On top of that it was produced by Ron Nevison who took over duties from David Foster on Chicago albums, Heart’s Heart and Bad Animals, Europe, Damn Yankees, Survivor and my favorite Ozzy Osbourne album, The Ultimate Sin. What absolutely didn’t help was the incorporation of keyboards (played by Phil Ashley).

I remember buying this album on cassette at Peaches. I knew it was coming out but hadn’t heard anything from it. I put it in the car stereo (in my ’74 Chevelle Malibu Classic’s Craig audio system) and waited. It seemed the leader tape was a bit long, so I turned it up thinking it was low. The opening notes of “whew!” for “Crazy Crazy Nights” scared the bejeezus out of me and I nearly wrecked my car. I loved it, though. That followed by “I’ll Fight Hell to Hold You” and “Bang Bang You,” gave Paul a good three-song start. Nice and poppy.

Then Bruce got to do his thing. He schools us on tapping techniques flawlessly and  Eric joins in with a little double-bass flash. This is “No No No” from Gene. The whole thing is a little hard to follow on the beat because it’s about being fast, I think. The only song that I don’t care for is “My Way” which I think single-handedly shows off the overly-poppy nature that many people see the entire album for. Also, as with Lick It Up, one of my faves on there is the one my friends say they dislike the most on the album, which is “Thief in the Night.” It was covered by Wendy O. Williams (also of Plasmatics fame) on an album that Gene produced which could have actually have been a KISS album.

Is this their best album 80s-era or otherwise? No. It is, however, the 80s-era KISS album that I listened to the most. It was the last original studio album that I actually had a love for and enjoyed without bias. The next album, Hot in the Shade, had plenty of letdowns for me. I don’t mean that I don’t love post-Crazy Nights albums, but up to this point, they could do no wrong. I realized on HITS that they could. Between the two came Smashes, Thrashes & Hits, a greatest hits album. I liked it.

This album also had a lot of unreleased things make it to other artists and box sets and such. The original title of the album was Who Dares Wins. I’m glad they changed that.

What are your thoughts on these two albums, Dear Reader? Are they up your alley or not? If you’re not familiar, why not give them a shot? Let me know what you think.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Baby, now that you’ve made up your mind, I’m gonna let you go, if that’s what it takes to show love is blind. I gave you the best love you ever had, but it wasn’t enough. So, if you think you’re so smart, go and play with your heart. When you walk out the door, you’ll realize what you never did before. A million to one – that’s what it will be. A million to one – there’s someone better than me. A million to one – no, you never will find. A million to one – another love like mine.” – “A Million to One” (Stanley/Vincent)

 

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 12/16/17

17 Sunday Dec 2017

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Salutations™!!

R-4922693-1478118355-5834.jpeg

©A&M Records

 

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

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

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 12/9/17

10 Sunday Dec 2017

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Salutations™!!

A lazy, snowy day in WSNC yesterday. It was great, though. It was cold enough to snow and the ground warm enough to not allow it to stick to the roads. They were navigatable and it was beautiful. The flakes were big and fluffy. The BCPF and I loved it. It was cool to stand in Underdog Records, talking records, life, music in general, everything. It was just cool. So, we walked out with this:

Phil_Collins_-_Face_Value

©Virgin

 

So, there you have this week’s haul. Not a bad one, I don’t think. We have sure enjoyed listening to the five or six we got through yesterday (and into today). Right now you can get an additional 10% on a gift certificate (also a 45RPM record with a sticker, très chic!) to give to that record lover that you just don’t know what they have already (and don’t look at Discogs to find out). Jonathan has a few turntables, both new and used, in the store right now! Go check them out. And, if you haven’t noticed, I like Discogs, a lot!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out in the graveyard. She did brass rubbings, she learned you never had to press hard. When she finished hanging out she was all alone. She decided that she better check in at home. There was an awful row between her mum and dad. They said she hadn’t done this, she hadn’t done that. If she wanted to remain inside the family home she’d have to tow the line, she’d have to give it a go. It didn’t suit Sukie, so she took her things and left.” – “Sukie in the Graveyard” (Kildea/Geddes/Cooke/Colburn/Martin/Jackson/Murdoch

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 11/18/17

19 Sunday Nov 2017

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Salutations™!!StreetSurvivorsFlames

So this week will be a mixture of the take from Underdog Records and a shload of records that I didn’t know that I owned. Let me explain. About 10 years ago, my ex-wife and my mother went to an auction (they were always going to auctions) and purchased a ton of records. They only wanted to rock records but it was one of those, you take one you have to take the whole thing deals. Well, I didn’t have a record player back then. So they got stored. And, I forgot about them. About 3 weeks ago, my ex-wife asked me if I got the ones out of the cabin. What are you talking about? We didn’t have any in the cabin. She informed me that yes we did. I thought perhaps it was one or two things that I had over time. Well, I had to go in the attic with my mother and she said, there are your records. I was looking through and just like a kid, kept saying these are mine!?!? So, I brought them home and am going through them a little at a time. Many rock albums to add to my collection and a lot of jazz, folk and classical, too. I did the rock ones first. Again, these are mixed here.

This is the Bonus Stack below the line

So, that’s a lot and that’s only the rock and few that The BCPF wanted to listen to. I have at least 50 more to put in that are of all other genres. This coming Friday is Black Friday and Underdog Records will have a ton of awesomeness for Record Store Day – Black Friday Edition. Go to the RSD website to find out what is coming. Jonathan said he’s stocking 90% of that list, so make plans now. And buy a gift certificate for someone, do it now and get an additional 10% added for no additional cost. And as you can see, we do a lot of cataloging with Discogs and we love it!

And RIP not only to Malcolm Young, but Mel Tillis passed away, too. RIP Mel.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Heaven. Heaven is a place. A place where nothing. Nothing ever happens.” – “Heaven” (Byrne)