Salutations™!!

Yesterday, The BCPF and I got to go back to Underdog Records for the second straight week. We also ate inside a restaurant, albeit briefly. So, we tried to get some normalcy. We got another good haul this week and a few imports. I don’t usually go for that kind of thing but, these were things we couldn’t pass up. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

©Columbia

• The Smiths – Absolute Panic! — I know that The Smiths, or more accurately, Morrissey is polarizing to many folks. You either love him or hate him. Don’t feel bad, I think he hates himself. I am actually in the middle. I neither love nor hate him. I enjoy the work, believe it or not. This was an import and is a great quality sounding live show. I don’t know where it was, though. The album comes from Germany, though. It’s notable that obviously there were some folks fighting in the crowd and Morrissey keeps calling them out. New?
• Bruce Springsteen – Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. — Springsteen’s debut album which has his version of “Blinded By The Light” which makes no sense whatsoever and one of my favorite performances from VSS that I’ve done, “Spirit in the Night.” This is a really good listen and I enjoyed it. New.
• Morrissey – At The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK, December 22nd, 1988 — This is, according to Jonathan, Morrissey’s first solo show after he left The Smiths. It’s right before Christmas 1988. I had just turned 18 a few weeks prior. It’s an import. We’ll hear it soon. New.
• They Might Be Giants – Flood — A picture disc. I don’t buy picture discs as they usually suck, quality-wise, are noisy, and eat the crap out of your needle. That being said, The BCPF wanted it and I offered little resistance. New.
• Caleb Caudle – Better Hurry Up — Local WSNC musician. I’d call him a friend. He’s been on The Less Desirables, I believe, more than once. I know he’s at least been played on more than one occasion. This is his new release and Jonathan says it’s the best thing he’s put out, which is saying something. New.
• The Jesus And Mary Chain – Send Me Away – Early Demos — The BCPF is a fan of the band, it’s an import, it’s “unofficial,” it’s in our collection. Funny thing, I bought it without asking her. I knew better. New.
• Queen – Sheer Heart Attack — Early Queen, their third album. Released 12 days before my fourth birthday. Dang, this is old. The biggest hits from this album are “Killer Queen,” “Now I’m Here” and “Stone Cold Crazy” although the whole album is, well, “killer.” New.
• Nicole Atkins – Italian Ice — I have no idea what this is. The BCPF put it in my hand. It’s a pretty red/ruby color vinyl, though. New.
• The Sisters Of Mercy – Gimme Shelter — Another import with a flimsy cover. I think these are BBC recordings of their tunes. This is also one that I picked up without conferring with The BCPF and I know she digs them and their goth sounds. New.
• Accept – Midnight Highway — It’s a compilation album from 1983, which is pre-“Balls to the Wall” for the band, that song and album was released in December 1983. I just wanted to check it out. VG+.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Neville Marriner, Academy Of St. Martin-In-the-Fields – Amadeus (Original Soundtrack Recording) — I loved the movie (which won Best Picture in 1984. I am a big fan of Mozart, too. And, Tom Hulce, who played Wolfgang in the film went to UNCSA. So there. VG+.
• Servant – Swimming In A Human Ocean — Turns out this is a Canadian Christian Rock band. I don’t know if I’ll like it since my religion is “non-prophet,” but we’ll see. It’s still sealed but I will probably open it. I may or may not keep it, either. I don’t know. As far as I can tell, this is the last album from the band. It’s from 1985. New?
• Nik Kershaw – The Riddle — All I know from Kershaw is the hit, “Wouldn’t It Be Good?” It’s on this copy of the album but it is really from his debut album called Human Racing. The US version of this album (which this obviously is) had the song listed. I guess they couldn’t release it enough times. I love the original of the song and really dig the Jerry Chapman (yes, that Jerry Chapman) version. The rest of this album is early- to mid-80s pop fare. Mark King from Level 42 does play bass on one track, though, so that’s a plus.

Well, that’s this week’s haul. We got several of these listened to yesterday but not as much as we’d like. But, it’s a start. I believe that Underdog Records will be closed next Saturday as Jonathan is attending a wedding. Jonathan is still doing deliveries during the week and the store is only open on Friday and Saturday (except, of course, for this Saturday coming) for the time being. You should watch his Instagram and Facebook pages for things he’s just gotten in, used and new and you can order from him directly. You can shop new vinyl, anytime, day or night, by visiting the UR website. I use Discogs to track my collection, pick randoms and share my collection with friends. You should too!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Well now Wild young Billy was a crazy cat and he shook some dust out of his coonskin cap. He said, ‘Try some of this it’ll show you where you’re at, or at least it’ll help you really feel it.’ By the time we made it up to Greasy Lake, I had my head out the window and Janey’s fingers were in my cake. I think I really dug her cause I was too loose to fake. I said, ‘I’m hurt,’ she said, ‘Honey, let me heal it.’ And we danced all night to a soul fairy band and she kissed me just right like only a lonely angel can.” – “Spirit in the Night” (Springsteen)