Tag Archives: K-Tel

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 7/20/19

22 Monday Jul 2019

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Salutations™!!

So, yes, I’m a day late with this because I had to talk about something more important yesterday. But, here we are today. Let’s just get right into it.

Emergency1984

©Island Def Jam/De Lite

  • Alice In Chains – Dirt — One of my top 20 albums of all time. Front-to-back a fantastic album. Heavy and melodic. Deep and full of drug references that I don’t think I realized how intense they were at the time. It was like Layne Staley was asking for help and he probably was. Jerry Cantrell is a great songwriter and guitarist (and vocals). My faves on here are “Them Bones,” “Rooster,” “Down in a Hole,” “Angry Chair,” “Dam that River,” “Would?” New in 180g vinyl – Audiophile edition.
  • Michael Jackson – Bad — #203 on the RS list, it’s my second favorite MJ album. I listened to this one a lot. It was really the last album of his that I was really that interested in. Great songwriting and production! EX/VG++.
  • AC/DC – Let There Be Rock — AC/DC’s fourth studio album and one that brought them from the brink of extinction. I’m not a huge AC/DC fan as I’ve mentioned many times but I feel any real rock fan needs to have a few of their albums, right? The Canadian release of this album. EX/VG++.
  • The Shins – Wincing The Night Away — The Shins is one of those bands that The BCPF really digs. They are “indie rock” through and through. And from New Mexico. How about that? I enjoyed listening to this album. It was really great. VG+.
  • Iron + Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days — The BCPF is reading a book of the same title and the author thanks Sam Beam in the dedication. My favorite tune from this album is “Naked as We Come” which was put on a mix CD when The BCPF and I started talking. We saw him do his thing in McGlohon Theatre in Charlotte and it was a great show. VG+.
  • Jessica Lea Mayfield – Make My Head Sing… — This one confused me a bit. It was a little like Blossom Dearie with an edge. But, it was also some post-punk heaviness. There would be a couple of more laid back songs and then a heavy beater was thrown in from nowhere. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but it was confusing. NM.
  • Okkervil River – Sleep And Wake-Up Songs — We got an Okkervil River album last week and it was great. We haven’t listened to this one, yet, but I’m betting it’s also a great one. EX/VG++.
  • Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell — #343 on the RS list. Jim Steinman is a weird and wacky dude, but he is a heck of a songwriter and add that to Marvin Aday’s voice and you have a spectacular rock opera that really isn’t a rock opera. The album isn’t a cohesive story but it is epic in scope just based on the songwriting, singing style and orchestration. I believe this may be the Canadian edition. EX/VG++.
  • Eddie Murphy – How Could It Be — I had this on cassette because I still love “Party All the Time.” This is not a great album, but Murphy can actually sing and it’s entertaining. The title track could be my favorite song on the album. VG+.
  • Kool & The Gang – Emergency — I wore the ever-lovin’ crap out of this cassette when it came out. I then played the ever-lovin’ crap out of it on CD. Now I have it on vinyl and I will probably wear it out (at least the first side) here, too. It was my Kool & the Gang album. “Celebration” was a hit and I loved it, even had it on a “45” that had a crack in it that I made sure still lined up and playable. But, it was early for me to grab those albums. This was part of the RCA (eventually BMG) Record Club take I got. I loved it. It’s their biggest selling album with the title track, “Fresh,” “Misled,” “Cherish.” VG+.
  • REO Speedwagon – You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish — I don’t know about album-wise but the title is one of the most iconic (and overused) musical references ever. “Roll with the Changes” and “Time For Me to Fly” are probably the album’s biggest hits. VG+.
  • REO Speedwagon – Wheels Are Turnin’ — I think of this as the “cheesy REO album.” I don’t know if that’s fair. I really don’t have a great knowledge of REO’s history or catalog other than what I have. I just know it has “I Do’ Wanna Know” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” which were both kind of cheesy, even if I do like them. VG++.
  • Stanley Black And His Orchestra – Spain — Orchestral versions of Spanish tunes. It’s a great Sunday listening album. Lots of tremolo style strumming and Spanish guitar with orchestrations overtop. Pretty much what the title says. It’s a fun listen. VG+.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Pictures At An Exhibition — This is a recording of the band’s arrangement of Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, performed at Newcastle City Hall on 26 March 1971. According to Wikipedia, “Emerson wished to arrange the piece after seeing an orchestral performance of it several years before. He bought a copy of the score, and pitched the idea to Lake and Palmer, who agreed to adapt it.” I look forward to hearing it. It was a $1 bin find and I’d say it is in VG/VG+.
  • Various – Emotions — Another notch in my K-Tel collection. Dan Hill, Seals & Crofts, Paul Davis, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Crystal Gale, Commodores, Yvonne Elfman, Samantha Sang, Player and more. I didn’t even look at what was on it, I just looked that I didn’t have it. It’s a $1 bin find and I’d say in VG.

It was a great haul that day and we’ve enjoyed listening to what we have and I am happy with the take, really. Underdog Records was getting busy as we left, which we love seeing. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Also, use Discogs to catalog and track your music collection(s)!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“And all I can do is keep on telling you: I want you. I need you. But, there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you. Now don’t be sad ’cause two out of three ain’t bad.” – “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” (Steinman)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/15/18

16 Sunday Sep 2018

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Salutations™!!

Points_on_the_Curve_CD_cover

©Geffen Records

It was a rather dreary day in WSNC yesterday and will continue to be for a few days. There were minimal folks out because no one knows what Florence is going to do. So, The BCPF and I made sure to get some good listening material at Underdog Records. And, we did! Here’s what:

  • Sly & The Family Stone – Fresh — #186 on the RS List and I love good funky rock and that’s what this is. Great stuff. Yellow label UK pressing, I believe. It’s in VG++ condition.
  • The Blue Öyster Cult – Tyranny And Mutation — This was the 23rd entry on the Eugeology list from last year. I stated at the time that I didn’t care to hear it again. I do want my list stuffs on vinyl, so here it is in my listening realm again. VG+.
  • Aztec Camera – High Land, Hard Rain — I had heard of Aztec Camera but knew nothing of them. I had seen a few AC albums and thought nothing of it. I didn’t know it was The BCPF’s kind of thing. She said it was and we got this one. I could tell right away that it was definitely her kind of thing. It’s VG++.
  • Simple Minds – Once Upon A Time — There are a lot of great songs on this album and I was very happy to have it. It was a VG++ rated album and we really enjoyed listening to it. Simple Minds are a great band and I’ll buy pretty much anything from them I find.
  • New Order – Low-life — This wasn’t purchased from Underdog Records but was given to us there by our pal Clay Howard. Clay’s the only person we know that will give you gifts for his birthday! It was a great listen and The BCPF was singing along with the whole thing. At least mouthing the words, she won’t sing in front of me for whatever reason. VG++!
  • Wang Chung – Points On The Curve — I will never understand what in the wide-world-of-sports they’re talking about on “Dance Hall Days” but I really like the song. There were several great tunes on this album, and I’ll venture to say it was one of my favorite listens yesterday. Good early 80s pop and the best part is we found it in the $1 bin. I will go as far as saying it was VG++.
  • Henry Mancini – The Best Of Mancini — I love Henry Mancini and his smooth and groovy jazz stylings. He does it really well not only as musical releases but in television and movies, as well. It was a $1 bin find and is VG+.
  • Rod Stewart – Never A Dull Moment — It was funny to watch both The BCPF and me trying to figure out how to get the vinyl out of the sleeve. It was some weird double-flapped gatefold type thing. It turns out you get the vinyl from the back of that. It’s difficult to explain. We just had never seen one like that. Anywhat! It was a $1 bin find and I was surprised how much I liked the album. Some of Stewart’s older albums are a bit bluesy for me. VG.
  • Rick Springfield – Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet — Another great pop album from the early 1980s. Speaking of Clay Howard, the first time we talked about playing music together was him asking about doing a Springfield tribute band. “Don’t Talk to Strangers” is on this one. Great stuff. VG+.
  • Various – Hit Machine — My friend Taylor Chamberlin contacted me on my Instagram post about this. He asked if I had it and I said I didn’t, which was odd because I have such a vast collection of K-Tel albums. He left it at Underdog Records for me. That was a swell gesture of him, I think. Thanks, TC. It’s G+.

So, not a huge haul but a very satisfying one. We got to all but the BOC and K-Tel album yesterday. It was a great listen day. I’ll have some news about The Less Desirables and Underdog Records this week. But, let me say that you can find a lot of cool records both used and new at Underdog. A lot of the stuff from the late 80s and into the 00s that were not even really released on LP is not being re-released in that format and Underdog Records gets them. Be sure to listen to The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UDR exclusive deal of the week is.

Discogs is my go-to for cataloging my albums and listing them here. It’s the easiest way to keep up with your collection, too. And, they have a great marketplace for selling or buying your records, cassettes or CDs.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“What you gonna do when things go wrong? What you gonna do when it all cracks up? What you gonna do when the love burns down? What you gonna do when the flames go up? Who is gonna come and turn the tide? What’s it gonna take to make a dream survive? Who’s got the touch to calm the storm inside? Who’s gonna save you? Alive and kicking.” – “Alive and Kicking” (Kerr/Burchill/MacNeil)

Spinning Sunday or: The (very short) Haul 8/25/18

26 Sunday Aug 2018

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Salutations™!!

Miss_Etta_James

©Crown

Yesterday was normal for us, other than we only got about five LPs from Underdog Records. Mostly it’s because we’re trying to save our money for our trip this week. If you will remember how I sprung the trip to Boston on The BCPF, and this is that trip. Plus, a week from today, there will not be a “Spinning Sunday” post but the BIG anniversary post, as that will be #4 for us. Anywhat! That’s next week, let’s do this week.

  • Etta James – Miss Etta James — The only Etta James that I had before this was At Last and that is a fine one to have if it’s your only. So, The BCPF actually picked this one up and I’m glad she did. I am a fan of Ms. James. VG.
  • Whitesnake – Slide It In — The Whitesnake album that really broke them out, and not to be confused with the ’87 album that blew them up. I know plenty of WS fans that prefer this one to the ’87. I am not one of them because I love the ’87 album. But, in all honesty, I’ve not given this album a fair shake, yet. That will happen, hopefully, before I leave. VG.
  • Various – Together – Today’s Love Hits – All Originals — The BCPF and I just laughed the whole time this album played yesterday. It came out in 1979 and that era for “love hits” was really K-R-A-F-T! But, it did contain a few of the songs we hear on the “Yacht Rock” channel on SiriusXM. It’s listed in VG+ condition but there are some serious skips on it. So I think it’s really closer to VG or even VG-.
  • The Time – The Time — The debut album by Morris Day and company. As is par for the course, at least in their early days, this album only has six songs. However, it did have three singles on it. This is before “Jerome” (Jerome Benton) came along. VG-.
  • Emmylou Harris – Cimarron —$1 bin find by The BCPF. We haven’t listened to it yet, so I don’t know what to expect. She’s big on Emmylou and that’s good enough for me. It seems to be in VG.

So, see? It was a short week. There were things that I really wanted during the week but, as I said, we were watching our spending but in two weeks, I’m sure we’ll have a larger list. The monthly budget resets then, too. Go by Underdog Records to see what we left for you. The weather was nice yesterday so Jonathan was able to put the $1 records outside. I always like when he does that.

I use Discogs to track what I have (like when I made sure that I didn’t already have that K-Tel album) and to purchase those hard-to-find used albums.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I’m gonna slide it in right to the top. Slide it in, I ain’t never gonna stop. Slide it in, right to the top. I’m gonna slide it in, slide it in, slide it, in baby.” – “Slide It In” (Coverdale)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/24/18

25 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

The_Scorpions_LatFS

@Mercury

 

Yesterday was a cold, snotty, sleety, crappy-weathered day. But, I had my best gal and we had each other to keep warm and enjoy some record listening. That means, of course, that we went by Underdog Records! And, here is what we got:

So, a pretty good haul. I was especially excited about the Dire Straits album even with the truncated first side. That and the Rickie Lee Jones were worth the whole thing. Good stuff.

New to vinyl? Want to get into vinyl? Returning to vinyl? Don’t go spend a ton of money on brand new equipment when you can get quality used stuff from Jonathan at Underdog Records. If you decide you want to get deeper into the “lifestyle” then you can go spend big bucks. But, don’t just jump in. My two cents.

Discogs is also a great way to catalog your collection, see your friends’ collections and even purchase used and new vinyl in the marketplace. It’s a great site and a great resource.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Is that her? What’s her name? Oh, it’s never going to be same. But that’s not her. I know what’s wrong – Chuck E’s in love with the little girl who’s singing this song.” – “Chuck E’s in Love” (Jones)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/17/18

18 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day so of course we had to get our Irish on and went to Finnigan’s Wake instead of Mary’s Gourmet Diner (we did that this morning) but we did get to Underdog Records on time. Here’s what we got:

51uJRjJwQSL

©Riverside

 

  • Yo La Tengo – There’s A Riot Going On  – The BCPF really loves this band, who have been around for a long time and when this Indie-Exclusive Orange Vinyl 2xLP set came out, well she had to have it. And she got it. New.
  • Chet Baker – Chet – From what I hear, Chet Baker was a sad story. Mostly drugs, I’d say, but man, this cat was fantastic on the horn. The label said “the lyrical trumpet of Chet Baker” and I think that’s exactly right. His trumpet was like a vocalists’ voice, smooth and dreamy. And, the cover is awesome. He looks like James Dean. New.
  • Various – Souled Out – Adding to my K-Tel Collection, this one is all about the “soul.” Found it for $3 in the “just in ‘Used'” bin. VG+.
  • Donovan – Cosmic Wheels – A very fun and hilarious listen. Not that it’s all comedy but there are moments. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend listening to the tune, “The Intergalactic Laxative.” You won’t be disappointed. VG.
  • Sheena Easton – Sheena Easton – Her debut album. I always liked her voice so why not have it? It was called Take My Time in the UK but just eponymous here in the US. VG++.
  • Sheena Easton – A Private Heaven – So, just three years later, this is her sixth album. That’s a lot of output, really. This is also VG++.
  • Hank Williams, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys – Original Sound Track – The Last Picture Show – Yep, the soundtrack for the Peter Bogdanovich featuring the legendary Hank Williams, et al. VG+.
  • Kim Carnes – Mistaken Identity – Yes, the “Bette Davis Eyes” album. VG+.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – Babylon By Bus – A 2xLP live album featuring the Wailers. I still don’t really care for reggae as a whole but, man, I love listening to Bob Marley. This is really, really beaten up and has scratches and gashes throughout. I can’t listen to it often because I don’t want my needle ruined but it was fun to listen through. Fair condition, only. “Curvy,” whose name is scrawled on the labels didn’t take very good care of this. $1 bin find.
  • Parliament – Mothership Connection – This. Is. Awesome! #276 on the RS list. I liked it then and I love it even more now. I think I got more out of it this time. I wasn’t trying to plow through the list. I think that was the issue. But, this whole album is phenomenal. A VG $1 bin find. There was a “skip” and it was a perfect skip, right on the beat because I thought they were just doing a repetitious passage and it turns out it was skipping for about two minutes. I didn’t really let it go on that long.
  • The New Birth– Comin’ From All Ends – Another New Birth LP. VG $1 bin find.
  • Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song – The BCPF’s favorite Christmas album and there it was, in pretty good condition, with a $1 sticker on it. After confirming that we don’t already have it, it was quickly added.
  • Nat King Cole / George Shearing – Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays – The BCPF can’t resist anything with Nat King Cole on it. VG. $1 bin find.
  • Billie Holiday – Billie Holiday – We’re fans of women jazz vocalists and try to collect what we can. The BCPF loves Ella. I love Etta. We both dig Billie. Good condition. $1 bin find.
  • Stevie Wonder – In Square Circle – The first Stevie I ever owned and it was on cassette. It was in the $1 bin yesterday and in pretty good shape, so yep!
  • Roberta Flack And Peabo Bryson – Live & More – More Roberta Flack and this time with Peabo Bryson. I can’t not say “why you trippin’ Peabo?!” every time I read his name. $1 bin find. VG.

Record store day is coming, April 21. Visit the RSD website for more information. There are no holds, no pre-orders, no prepays, and there will be a line early (some people even camp out overnight) but it’s fun and there’s a lot of unique things coming out. Underdog is ready and will have all but like four things. But, supplies are limited, when he’s out, he’s out. Everything is limited edition, too. Check out The Less Desirables to hear what this week’s TLD/UR special is. And use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Oh, the intergalactic laxative will get you from here to there. Relieve you and believe me, without a worry or care. If sh*tting is your problem when you’re out there in the stars, oh, the intergalactic laxative will get you from here to Mars.” – “The Intergalactic Laxative” (Leitch)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/3/2018

04 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

After a week off, it was back to the routine and that included our return to Underdog Records. My only regret for the trip to Asheville was that I didn’t go to any record stores up there. But, we’re back and here’s what we got!

300_album_1923

©Big Tree

 

  • Jerry Goldsmith – Chinatown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – I love soundtracks. I love Jerry Goldsmith. This was in the clearance bin for $10. Done! New.
  • Superchunk – What A Time To Be Alive – The BCPF is a big fan of these folks. I’ve even seen them in concert twice with her. It’s good stuff. New on clear/colored vinyl.
  • The Breeders – All Nerve – The Deal twins got the band back together and this is their first release in a number of years. It sounds like they just picked up where they left off. They have a sound and this is it. Orange vinyl. New.
  • Soccer Mommy – Clean – When I was making the commercial for Underdog this week, I included a bit of a tune from this album. I thought it was right up The BCPF’s alley and I was right. She liked it a lot! New on clear vinyl.
  • Van Morrison – Moondance – #66 on the RS list. I really like this one from Van. He’s sometimes hit or miss with me but this is a hit. VG++.
  • Sonic Youth – Dirty – Another favorite of The BCPF. It’s a little heavier than I’m used to with her so it is always odd to hear her play it, but, she enjoys it. VG++.
  • Britny Fox – Britny Fox – Some of the hair stuff that I didn’t really listen to when I was younger and into that genre. I didn’t not like it, I just preferred Cinderella. Does that make this one of the evil stepsisters? I don’t know. VG+.
  • Queen – A Day At The Races – So, the big Queen show is coming this week. I do research for it. I have wanted to collect all the Queen stuff and this was there used and in what I’d call NM condition, about $10 cheaper than new. No brainer.
  • Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis – #190 on the RS list. VG+ original that I can tell. Yes, please!
  • Doctor Hook And The Medicine Show – Doctor Hook – One of my favorite Dr. Hook songs is “Sylvia’s Mother.” That is on this album and I’m happy about it. It was a VG+ copy, so yes.
  • England Dan & John Ford Coley – Nights Are Forever – In what someone called the “most 70s looking cover,” I had to get this because I love the song “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight.” The whole album was pretty righteous. Sappy 70s sugary pop stuffs but still pretty righteous. NM condition, too.
  • Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly – I have always challenged anyone to find me a singer that delivers with the sexiness of Sade. This comes very close, but not quite there. This is a great album, though. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. VG+.
  • Various – Jesus Christ Superstar (The Original Motion Picture Sound Track Album) – I have the original Broadway cast recording with Ian Gillan and Murray Head. I have always maintained that I liked the movie version better. Listening to the Broadway version a little more challenges that. So, now I have both and I can A/B them if I want. VG+.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates – Along The Red Ledge – I see no titles that I’m familiar with on the track listing. But, it’s adding to the H&O canon. It was just $2 so I figured what the heck. VG.
  • The Hollies – The Very Best Of The Hollies – Funny to Graham Nash that young. VG+.
  • Various – Storytellers – VG+. A 2xLP compilation of several 70s tunes from 1979.
  • Yes – The Yes Album – Even though it was their third album, I think this is where they came into their own as an original band. The first two, from what I understand was a lot of covers. I have my hits and misses with Yes, but I think the band is great. I haven’t listened to this yet. $1 bin find. VG.
  • Firefall – Firefall – I bought this one for $1 for just one song. It turns out the whole album is pretty darned good. VG+.
  • Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick At Budokan – What I figure to be an original recording, I got this for $1. #426 on the RS list. It’s VG.
  • Various – 20 Power Hits Volume 2 – Another K-Tel comp that I found for $1. This one is from 1973. G+.
  • Air Supply – Greatest Hits – I am unashamedly a fan of Air Supply. I had this on cassette and CD (I think) and I have fond memories of my friend Scotty Byrd and I doing this album’s songs, karaoke-style when I lived in WV. $1 bin find. VG.

I told you earlier this week about the albums that Jerry Chapman, yes, that Jerry Chapman had sent me. These are those (thanks, Jerry!!!):

So, it was a great week to be a record collector in our house!

Underdog Records is running a new special for March. Jonathan repriced a lot of the $1 records to $.50. That part isn’t just for March. What is for March is if you pick 5 of those $.50 albums, you’ll get them for $.20 each. So, Five for $1. That’s pretty awesome. Also, make sure you listen to The Less Desirables on Wednesdays for the TLD/UR special of the week. I don’t announce those anywhere else so you could be missing out on stuff.

Also, use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I can dim the lights and sing you songs full of sad things. We can do the tango just for two. I can serenade and gently play on your heart strings, be your Valentino just for you. Ooh love ooh loverboy. What’re you doin’ tonight, hey boy. Set my alarm, turn on my charm. That’s because I’m a good old-fashioned lover boy.” – “Old Fashioned Lover Boy” (Mercury)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 2/10/18

11 Sunday Feb 2018

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Salutations™!!

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©A&M

Last night there was a shindig at Finnigans for the anniversary of The Less Desirables. However, that’s a post for tomorrow. Yesterday, before the “gala,” we did our usual “Saturday Thang” which included, of course, Underdog Records. It was a rainy and miserable day (much of like today’s forecast), but we got some good records. Like…

  • George Harrison – The Best Of George Harrison – Side 1 is his Beatles greatest hits and Side 2 is his solo stuff. VG+.
  • Stan Getz / Eddie Sauter – Focus – Original mono pressing in VG condition. I love Stan Getz.
  • Rush – Exit…Stage Left – 2xLP live album, mostly recorded during their Moving Pictures tour (some of it was on the tour prior), in which I love the track listing but I thought some of the Side 1 was muddy. It seemed to clear up, or I just got used to it. VG+.
  • The Alan Parsons Project – Pyramid – I have really loved getting into the Alan Parsons Project. Everything is a little ethereal, a little rocking and a little pop. It’s difficult to explain but I dig it. Great album. VG/VG+.
  • Stray Cats – Built For Speed – This album rocked. Two of their biggest hits, “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town,” are on here. The whole album is pretty cool. I have to say that I get tired of the “rockabilly” thing after a bit but what I liked, I really liked. VG+.
  • Isaac Hayes – Truck Turner (Original Soundtrack) – The copy of this once belonged to WFDD here in WSNC. There’s a big orange sticker that says so and I can’t get that off, I don’t think. Even with Goo Gone. I’m not going to try. It adds to its charm. Wh doesn’t dig some Isaac Hayes, right Chef? VG+.
  • Tim Curry – Fearless – So, I saw this and I know that I love Tim Curry. I figured I have to have it, right? So, we got it. VG+ condition. It is not bad… but it is some weird stuff. Not weird in the songs. Some are ballads and some are heavy rockers. But, if you can imagine Frank-N-Furter standing in the studio recording an album. This is that.
  • The Beatles – The Beatles’ Second Album – So, this is technically their third US album because Capital released some after Vee-Jay Records did which coincided with the EMI stuff in the UK and… if you could see me right now, I’d be waving my hand and saying, you know what, that’s not important. It’s in Fair condition but it is The Beatles and it is an amalgamation of several of their UK albums, which, to me, is the better discography. But, this is mono and yadda yadda yadda.
  • Emmylou Harris – Pieces Of The Sky – VG+ copy of this Emmylou classic. The BCPF is really getting into her and I’ll admit, I don’t mind it.
  • The Moravian Festival Chorus And Orchestra, Thor Johnson – Music Of The American Moravians – The BCPF worked at Old Salem for eight years. She loves her some Moravian history and culture and all that mess. I don’t know what this will be but she certainly wanted it and well, that means she gets it. VG+.
  • Simon & Garfunkel – Sounds Of Silence – As far as I can tell, this is an original pressing. It’s in VG shape and we have to have anything that says S&G on it, or just Simon or just Garfunkel.
  • Frank Loesser – Guys & Dolls: A Musical Fable Of Broadway – I love musicals and I loved the film version of this, so let’s hear the original cast do it. This was an NM copy.
  • Various – 50 Years Of Film – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Recordings Of The Great Scenes And Stars From The Warner Bros. Classics, 1923 To 1973 – I love soundtracks and film scores. This is 50 years of it from the Warner Bros classics. It’s 3xLP in VG/VG+ condition.
  • Various – Music Machine – Another K-Tel compilation. It’s pretty beat up but from 1977/78 or so. G? I dunno.
  • Santana – Abraxas – #207 on the RS list. This is pretty beat up. I’m going to give it a listen and see if it’s worth keeping. If not, I’ll look for a better copy. It was in the $1 bin and is in F+/G shape, at least before I play it.
  • Luciano Pavarotti – Pavarotti On Pavarotti – Tony DiLisio calls me Pavarotti because I’m fat and I sing to him. Also, I love his voice, so when I come across stuff by him, especially the $1 bin stuff. I grab it. VG.
  • Loggins And Messina – The Best Of Friends – I have this on CD and it has the songs I care about from them. I’m not a huge fan, but I do love the two or three songs that I bought both the CD and this for. $1 bin find. VG.
  • Herb Alpert – Wild Romance – $1 bin find and it’s Herb Alpert. His 80s stuff may not be the same classics as his earlier stuff, but it’s Herb Alpert. ‘Nuff said! VG.

So, a decent haul. We also purchased a new album that we totally didn’t know we already had. We’ll have to turn that back in, trade it for something else. Jonathan is usually good with that. You need to follow the Underdog Records social media pages because Jonathan is always posting what’s just arrived in the store, both new and used. Sometimes that is several times a day. Usually, though, it’s maybe once a day, twice a day. Not too inundating. But, trust me, it’s worth it if you’re into vinyl (or just want to be into it).

Also, use Discogs to catalog your collection. They have a great marketplace, too. I have been really happy with my buying experiences on there.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Hello, darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again. Because a vision softly creeping left its seeds while I was sleeping, and the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, within the sound of silence.” – “The Sound of Silence” (Simon)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 1/27/18

28 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Records, Silent Sunday

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Salutations™!!R-3734657-1342257119-1574.jpeg

Yesterday was a typical Saturday with The BCPF. We had our breakfast and then to Underdog Records for our take. Then, we did run to see friends of ours who are moving to Denver (the one in Colorado). Then home to listen to the wonderful sounds we purchased on vinyl and then on to Willows. Here’s what we got from Underdog Records:

  • Calexico – The Thread That Keeps Us – Brand new from Calexico. The BCPF loves this stuff. It’s hard to keep track of what kind of music you’re listening to with them as their styles change quite frequently within the same album. It’s cool but weird. A friend of mine said that you could classify it as “Post-Devotchka acoustic meandering since you asked.” Thanks, Tony. I liked it. So did The BCPF. New.
  • Eno – Here Come The Warm Jets – #432 on the RS List. Brian Eno is a weird dude. Very weird. But, I dug this and the next album. New.
  • Eno – Another Green World – #429 on the RS List. Both of these are very ambient and proggy. I dug them both. New.
  • The Outfield – Play Deep – This actually wasn’t from Underdog. I purchased it from Discogs Marketplace. I had wanted it for a while. I had it on cassette when I first moved to WSNC at the age of 15. I wore that out. I then had it (still do) on CD and that thing is scratched to all hades. I had forgotten how amazing the entire album was until we listened to it yesterday. I love it start to finish and will play it often. It won’t be just thrown in the collection. VG+/NM-.
  • Lou Reed – New Sensations – Yes, I hate Velvet Underground but I can actually listen to Lou. VG.
  • Yes – Drama – A VG+ copy of some proggy goodness.
  • Various – Weird Science – Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack – VG copy just because I wanted it.
  • Devo – Freedom Of Choice – The “Whip It” album. VG.
  • Murray Head – Say It Ain’t So – So, we all know that Murray Head is the “One Night in Bangkok” guy. We also know that he was Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (the original cast). Did you know that he’s Andrew Head’ brother in real life? Andrew played Rupert Giles on the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Anywhat! This was a fantastic album. We really enjoyed it. VG+.
  • Billy Squier – Emotions In Motion – Had to have this gem, especially since it was in the $1 bin.
  • Various – High Voltage – A K-Tel collection. I love these things. I like when they’re in the $1 bin, too. VG.
  • Suzanne Vega – Suzanne Vega – $1 bin find. Vega is a good storyteller. A lot of her stuff sounds the same but you can’t say she doesn’t have a “style” about her. It was a good album to listen to. VG.
  • New Birth, The – Golden Classics – Yeah, once I got the New Birth bug, I still gotta grab them. $1 bin find. VG.

It was a slow day at Underdog Yesterday, but I believe it picked up later. I could just hang out there all the time. I’m sure I’d annoy the dickens out of Jonathan, though. Cheap plug here, listen to The Less Desirables to hear the latest TLD/Underdog special for the week.

I use Discogs to catalog my entire collection. If I’m Underdog and find an album that I (thought) needed, I can check to see if I actually already have it. Plus, there are several versions of many of the recordings, you can use the identifiers to find out which version you have. And, as you can see from me doing so, you can purchase stuff from the Marketplace. I love Discogs.

—
“Say it ain’t so, Joe please, say it ain’t so. That’s not what I want to hear Joe and I’ve got a right to know. Say it ain’t so, Joe, please say it ain’t so. I’m sure they’re telling us lies Joe please tell us it ain’t so.” – “Say It Ain’t So, Joe” (Head)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/16/17

16 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Records, Silent Sunday

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Salutations™!!

It was a treasure trove of K-Tel for me yesterday at Underdog Records! I picked up 18 of the wonderful (okay, maybe they are maybe they aren’t) compilations that I remember from my childhood. Someone unloaded their K-Tel collection (and a few Ronco) and they’re in really great shape. They’ll be awesome once I wash them. I remember seeing the commercials, I had a few, Ma Mère had a few and my aunts had a few. I hear Jonathan put out more of them after I left. I’ll have to return to see what’s there. Perhaps I can convince him to hold them back until I’ve gone through them? Probably not. Oh well… here’s the haul:

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©Casablanca/Universal Music Group

 

That was a pretty nice haul and I can’t emphasize how excited I am about the K-Tel albums. Silly, perhaps, but I love that stuff. Check out Underdog Records for joys you never knew you’d experience. That sounds cheesy but The BCPF and I love listening to the records, we love collecting them. And, if you get into it, make sure you archive your stuff on Discogs. Use Discogs just to catalog your CDs, too.

Until tomorrow, happy listening…
Scorp out!

—
“Welcome to your life. There’s no turning back. Even while we sleep we will find you acting on your best behavior. Turn your back on mother nature. Everybody wants to rule the world.” – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Orzabal, Stanley, Hughes)