Today is the 34th anniversary of Prince’s acclaimed double album Sign O’The Times. The album has some lighter moments in the typical Prince style but the title track is a bit profound. I love Jerry Chapman’s (yes THAT Jerry Chapman) cover on his Rumors of My Death album. But, because I like to have (at least insinuated) live performances, I chose this one. Plus, I love to hear Morgan James sing. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “In France a skinny man died of a big disease with a little name. By chance his girlfriend came across a needle and soon she did the same. At home there are seventeen-year-old boys and their idea of fun Is being in a gang called The Disciples, high on crack, totin’ a machine gun. Time. Times.” – “Sign O’The Times” (Prince)
The BCPF and I actually went to Underdog Records on Friday instead of yesterday. Friday was her birthday. It may not seem like much, but I got a special advanced preview of the cheeseburger that will come from Mr. Barbecue with their opening TOMORROW!!! So, she can say she ate there before just about everyone else. I’m used to that. She isn’t. It was cool. Her birthday weekend has been great (according to her) and will culminate in me getting my “FauciOuchie” (C-19 vax) after I write this blog post. So, that means I need to get a move on… Here’s the haul:
Wilco – Being There — This was one of The BCPF’s birthday presents. She is a big Wilco fan. I can handle them in small doses. This is 19 songs, I may have to have a drink or two for it, but, hey! She has it. It gets its name from the 1979 film starring Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine. It’s self-produced by the band. 2×LP. New.
Guns N’ Roses – G N’ R Lies — I love “Patience” and I like a few of the other tunes on this “unofficial” release. I don’t know why they call it that. The album is definitely not without its controversy. A lot of homophobic and racial slurs being thrown around. I like this version of “You’re Crazy” better than the Appetite for Destruction version. Cream-colored vinyl. NM.
The Flying Burrito Bros – The Gilded Palace Of Sin — This album was #192 on the RS list that matters and fell to #463 on the one that doesn’t. I went back and looked at my review of it from 2015 and it seems mostly favorable. I don’t remember it, truthfully, but when I saw that Jonathan had a reissue of it, it triggered me to purchase it because I would just overlook it otherwise. So, now I have it. New.
She & Him – Volume One — The first album by M. Ward and the beautiful Zooey Deschanel. We did get to listen to that one on Friday. She sounds great and “young.” I like the classic/old-timey-ness of her voice and the music itself. The tracks were all written by her except for “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” “I Should Have Known Better,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” She co-wrote “Sweet Darlin'” with fellow actor/musician Jason Schwartzman. I liked it. New. The BCPF’s birthday present.
She & Him – Volume Two — The second album by M. Ward and Zooey. Again, she wrote all the songs except for two covers. I haven’t heard this one yet, but I can’t imagine me not liking it. New. The BCPF’s birthday present.
The Magnetic Fields – Get Lost — Original 1995 album release was on compact disc only. This is 180g and features an alternate song sequence. I haven’t heard it yet, but I can imagine it’s going to be weird, just like all other Magnetic Fields albums. New. The BCPF’s birthday present.
Calexico – Garden Ruin — This, the fifth studio album by the rock band Calexico, was released in 2006 and was the first Calexico album to feature no instrumental tracks, instead relying on a more direct, pop-style approach. Leaving behind the “indie-mariachi” genre, if you will, the band took their music in a different direction. This is a more straightforward indie rock album. One of The BCPF’s favorite bands, she had only ever had this on CD. New. Her birthday present.
Various – The Many Faces Of Prince (A Journey Through The Inner World Of Prince) — From what I can tell, these are songs that were written by Prince, possibly with the band before he broke big, 94 East, and some by the artists that made them famous, like Sheila E. doing “Glamorous Life” (which I never knew he wrote) or Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You” which should have probably been “I Feel 4 U.” Also on this is Dead Or Alive’s cover of “Pop Life,” Heaven 17’s “Sign O’The Times”, Gary Numan doing “U Got The Look,” Information Society doing “Controversy” and Sigue Sigue Sputnik doing “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man,” among others. 2×LP. Purple vinyl (of course). Import (I think).180g. NM.
Neil Young – Trans — I don’t know anything about this album, other than it was a bit weird to long-time fans. The reason I got it, though? Jonathan’s note on the sales sticker: “Neil Young was never afraid to take a chance.” VG+.
Frank Zappa – Sheik Yerbouti — Mostly made up of live material recorded in 1977 and 1978, with later overdubs in the studio. I think it’s also a bit of a parody compared to the contemporaries of the time. I don’t know what to expect but I expect it to be, well… different. 2×LP. VG.
Aerosmith – Classics Live — Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I do hate Aerosuck, but I couldn’t resist this when it was sitting there in the “freshly acquired” bin. It’s in VG+ condition and it should be in my collection. Now, it is.
Icehouse – Primitive Man — I love Icehouse’s later stuff, so I’m hoping I love their earlier stuff. This was their second album. So, wish me luck! VG+.
Starbuck – Moonlight Feels Right — The BCPF and I hear this song all the time on our Yacht Rock channels. I don’t know anything from the band other than the title track. Jonathan said there’s a 7″ in the sleeve as well and doesn’t know what the 7″ is or if it was ever part of the original packaging. I haven’t looked inside to know. But, I hope the rest of the album is like the title track. EX.
So, I think that Jonathan and I got a little closer to our podcast launch this week, but we still need a bit more hashing. Underdog Records is open, now, from Wednesday to Saturday 11a-7p and he’s still doing deliveries on Monday and Tuesday. Keep up on the Underdog Instagram account to see what he’s got for purchase. You can shop his entire new inventory day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Tell him I sent you! I use Discogs to track my collection as well as my friends’ collections. You should, too.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “I sit here on the stairs cause I’d rather be alone. If I can’t have you right now, I’ll wait dear. Sometimes I get so tense but I can’t speed up the time. But you know love there’s one more thing to consider.” – “Patience” (Guns N Roses)
Today is the 37th anniversary of Prince’s first “big” album, 1999. It was no Purple Rain but it was pretty big. He had important albums prior to this, but this was the first I ever hear of him and the biggest charting impact he had ever had. The album reached #5, the title track #12 and this one #6.
The cool thing about this version is that it’s The Revolution doing it. It’s Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z, Brown Mark, and Matt Fink, the band that was Prince’s backing band from this album through Around the World in a Day. Wendy wasn’t actually on this album outside of backing vocals. Bobby Z, Brown Mark and Matt Fink were in the videos and on the touring band, but not on the album. In this video is Dez Dickerson who was the guitarist for Prince during this album (and made a showing in Purple Rain) and Andre Cymone who is a childhood friend of Prince and a former band member. Dez does the solo fantastically. AND, it’s done at First Ave 7th St. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “A body like yours oughta be in jail. ‘Cause it’s on the verge of bein’ obscene. Move over, baby, gimme the keys. I’m gonna try to tame your little red love machine.” – “Little Red Corvette” (Prince)
A good but long week for The BCPF and me led to a good weekend, including a fantastic trip to Underdog Records. I don’t have a lot to say about it other than, here’s the haul:
The first two are of the TimeLife – The Story of Great Music collections that I ordered from Discogs and told you about a week ago.
Various – The Opulent Era — Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Wagner, and one of my favorites, Camille Saint-Saëns, and more line this 4xLP collection. NM.
Various – The Music Of Today — Shostakovich, Sir William Walton, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Aaron Copland. NM.
The rest is yesterday’s haul:
Prince – Dirty Mind — #206 on the RS List, this is Prince’s third album and the first one to really get him any recognition. Looking at other albums out in 1980, this cover had to have gotten some desperate housewives hot and flustered. He’s in his leather banana hammock and trench coat and not much else. New.
Marilyn Manson – We Are Chaos — The new Manson album, this is a solid listen front to back. It’s a little odd for the usual Manson fare, but there’s enough of it in there that you know it’s him. I liked it. New.
Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes — The debut album from the folk punk heroes. a lot of popular tunes from this album: “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off,” “Add It Up,” “Gone Daddy Gone” and more. New.
Hootie & The Blowfish – Cracked Rear View — This album, like the band Nickelback and heck, Hootie, too, is chided and I can’t really tell why. The snooty know-it-alls will say because it’s this reason or that reason or whatever and it “sucks.” Well, it was the best selling album of 1995 and is the 19th best selling album of all time. I mean, 21 million copies sold, it couldn’t have sucked that bad. That just means that those same know-it-alls are just blowhards who just want to hear themselves talk (or type). Now, that being said, if you just don’t like it, I can live with that. I think it was just overplayed, but if you’re the artist, isn’t that what you want? I’d give a lot to have a “hit” that was played so much it was considered “overplayed.” I’m indifferent about it one way or the other, I just wanted it in my collection. New.
Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor — Manson’s ninth album. I don’t really know much about this one, but it did have three singles: “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge,” “Deep Six,” “Cupid Carries a Gun.” 2xLP. New.
The Head And The Heart – Let’s Be Still — I know nothing about this band. Have never even heard of them. But, it’s indie folk rock. Who do we know that is a fan of that genre? That’s right! And, she is the one who picked this up. 2xLP. New.
Pavement – Crooked Rain Crooked Rain — Straight up indie rock that sits at #212 on the RS list. This is Pavement’s second album, their debut, Slanted and Enchanted is also on that list. The debut was a bit lo-fi where this is more accessible, straight-ahead indie rock. I liked it. New.
Superchunk – Foolish — We bought the acoustic version last year and I have to say I enjoyed that one better. Mac McCaughan’s voice rakes on me sometimes. Overall I like the band, I’ve seen them twice in concert, but this is a bit much. New.
Nirvana – Bleach — When this album came out, I was in a spot where my preferred music was in danger of being dethroned and I was anti- that. I talked badly about Nirvana (and Grunge in general), Cobain, the music, the fans, everything. I thought it sucked. I thought it was awful. I thought it was scourge of the Earth. I said bad things that I regret about Kurt Cobain. Over time, though, I came to respect all that Nirvana was. Nevermind, which was my bane when it arrived, has come to be a great album in my eyes. I had never heard this album (which was their debut) and this thing rocks!!!! I was dumb. I was an idiot. I was blind but now I see. Man, this is even better than Nevermind in my opinion. I loved it. New.
Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights — I have never heard anything from Interpol that I know of. I asked Jonathan about it and he said they were just a straight rock band with a bit of a darker side. I said, okay. NM.
Joe Jackson – Joe Jackson’s Jumpin’ Jive — 1981 album from Jackson of a lot of swing and jump blues tunes. I like Joe Jackson. I like jump blues and swing. VG+.
We started the music section back on this week’s episode of The Less Desirables which is sponsored by Underdog Records. Don’t forget to register to get in on the lottery for RSD Drop 2 coming September 26. Use Discogs to track your collection and buy albums to add to it.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “When I’m out walking, I strut my stuff and I’m so strung out. I’m high as a kite. I just might stop to check you out.” – “Blister In The Sun” (Gano)
Yep, I am a day behind on this because yesterday was Mother’s Day.
So, Underdog Records is still “closed” and Jonathan says that while he does see reopening in the near future, it will still be several weeks, and procedures within the store will be different. He’s doing a shload of deliveries right now, though. Head over to the Underdog Records website, or follow on Instagram (Jonathan’s preferred method) and Facebook to see what you can purchase.
And, per usual, this week’s streaming listens comes from Discogs’ shuffle feature and it has to be an album that I own on vinyl (outside of peripheral things like Beeswax Vinyl & More listens), that way it’s like listening to my vinyl but with headphones from my computer whilst The BCPF works 10 feet away. Here’s the list:
That was a really good listening session, other than I need to find a better copy of Running on Empty because that was clearly a $1 bin find and is in really bad shape. Almost unlistenable at times. So, it’s on my hunt list, I guess.
I cannot wait to flip through the used records again. I want to buy a lot of them! I have an impressive collection now but that’s not enough. I want more! Part of the experience is the ability to collect. We’ll work on it. Patience, old man… patience.
Again, check out Underdog Records’ social and web stuffs. Buy records. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection and use it’s groovy (see what I did there) shuffle feature.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!
— “You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill. I will choose a path that’s clear, I will choose freewill.” – “Freewill” (Peart/Lee/Lifeson)
Today is the 35th anniversary of Prince’s Around the World in a Day. It’s one of my faves from him. I don’t think it’s better than a lot, I just enjoy listening to it. Here’s a decent cover from it. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “The rain sounds so cool when it hits the barn roof and the horses wonder who you are. Thunder drowns out what the lightning sees. You feel like a movie star. Listen, they say the first time ain’t the greatest. But I tell you if I had the chance to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a stroke ’cause baby I’m the most with a girl as fine as she was then.” – “Raspberry Beret” (Prince)
Much appreciation to those who have asked how I’m feeling. I am coughing up stuff but able to purge it. So, my throat hurts, my chest hurts, my head hurts, I hurt. The good news is, I got about three hours of sleep last night, twice! So, that’s a plus. Anywhat! We’re here to talk records. We went to Underdog Records on Friday since The BCPF was off work and then came home and listened to records. Saturday, we went to breakfast and basically just went home and didn’t leave the house for the rest of the day. Here is the haul:
Prince – 1999 — The first-ever vinyl remaster of this iconic album, #163 on the RS list, and it’s in a beautiful “Prince Purple” vinyl. The packaging is reminiscent of the original and it sounds divine! Great album! New.
Pearl Jam – Vitalogy — #485 on the RS list, I dreaded listening to this when I got to it as I’m not a huge PJ fan. But, I have to say I enjoyed this album. The copy is VG as there is some surface noise but it doesn’t really affect the listening, or something like that, which Jonathan had put on the sticker.
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Natty Dread — This is the seventh studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, released in 1974. It was the first album released as Bob Marley and the Wailers instead of just the Wailers, the first recorded without Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, and the first recorded with I Threes, a female vocal trio consisting of Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, and Marley’s wife, Rita Marley. “No Woman No Cry” is on this and is probably the best-known song from the album (if not Marley’s career). VG.
The Christmas season is slow to get cranked around this year. Jonathan would love if you came by to see him. If you don’t have a turntable, then he’s got you covered. There are several used turntables, receivers, speakers and more there in the shop ready to find a place in your home. Then you can start experiencing the joys of vinyl listening as I do. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week. Use Discogs to keep track of your music collection, vinyl, CD, cassette or 8-track! Possibly even reel-to-reel.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Waitin’, watchin’ the clock. It’s four o’clock. It’s got to stop. Tell him, “Take no more.” She practices her speech as he opens the door. She rolls over, pretends to sleep as he looks her over. She lies and says she’s in love with him, can’t find a better man. She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can’t find a better man.” – “Better Man” (Vedder)
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.
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)
Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of the Batman soundtrack from Prince. I was fascinated by it and the film which I saw in the theater at least twice, but I think three times. I watched it over and over and over when it came available on home video. I also loved the soundtrack because I loved this era of Prince.
So, here’s the big single from the album, which I loved.
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Superstition — The BCPF loves Siouxsie and the Banshees. It fits her once goth modus operandi. I like them pretty good, too, but she’s the true fan. This is from 1991 but is a reissue from 2018, It has “Kiss Them For Me.” New. In fact…
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Tinderbox — This is a little older, from around 1986 with “Cities in Dust.” It’s the 2018 reissue and is new.
Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York — I actually picked this up on Thursday, but didn’t enter it into Discogs until yesterday. Some disagree with me, but I think this is a fantastic album! It’s raw and you can almost hear Cobain’s pain but at times you can hear him sounding relaxed and chipper. Still, it’s great. #313 on the RS List. New.
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath — #243 on the RS List, this album was heavy, dark and awesome! It’s a great debut album. Possibly the birth of doom metal or heavy metal, this. New.
Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman — So, if we go with Black Sabbath, why not go with its former singer? Yep. This is a great album. I don’t like it as much as Blizzard of Ozz or The Ultimate Sin, but I do like it a lot! New.
Nicole Atkins – Goodnight Rhonda Lee — I discovered Nicole Atkins last week whilst finding something by someone playing locally and found a song that I liked on the first try and once I grabbed what I needed, I didn’t stop the album from playing. I then listened to it again. I felt it was something that The BCPF would like and I knew that I liked it, so I had Jonathan order it for me. She loved it. It’s like Dusty Springfield mixed with some Stevie Nicks with swing and jazz stylings that rocked. This is a must-listen, Dear Reader! New.
Warsaw – Warsaw — When Joy Division did their first demo, they were still going by Warsaw. So, this is that demo. The BCPF said she had it when it was actually Joy Division and the album was called Warsaw but this is an “unofficial release” and it sounded pretty good, albeit bass heavy. Not the gloom-and-doom Joy Division we came to know. New.
John Ralston – Shadows Of The Summertime — John played at Underdog Records on Friday night and we purchased this. Haven’t listened to it, yet, but we enjoyed him. New.
Earth, Wind & Fire – Raise! — The one with “Let’s Groove” on it. I love that song; probably my favorite EWF song. VG+.
Prince – Controversy – I found this in VG- condition but I still couldn’t pass it up. I mean, it’s Prince and I didn’t have it already. So, now I do.
Don McLean – American Pie — Let me go on record and say that I absolutely LOATHE the song “American Pie.” It ranks up there with “Freebird” as the worst song ever. But, The BCPF said we should have it in our collection. Okay… It was in the $1 bin so there’s that. VG.
Billy Joel – Turnstiles — Billy Joel for $1? Yep. I’ll take it. And, it looks to be in fairly good condition. I’m calling it VG+. This album has “New York State of Mind,” “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” “Prelude/Angry Young Man” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).”
The London Symphony Orchestra – Tommy — 2xLP box set with Daltrey, Townshend, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr and a plethora of guests with the London Symphony Orchestra. A $1 bin find it’s in VG+ shape.
Electric Light Orchestra – Discovery — “Shine a Little Love,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Last Train to London,” “Confusion” and “The Diary of Horace Wimp.” I love ELO and didn’t really realize how much until I was researching for the VSS stuff last year. A $1 bin find. VG+.
Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me — This was sitting on the counter in front of Jonathan and I asked about it. It’s Berry Gordy’s son and has that one catchy tune with Michael Jackson. $1. VG+.
Foreigner – Double Vision — I had this (their sophomore effort) already but it was the 2nd pressing cover. This is the original cover. Including “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and the title track. I found it in the $1 bin and it is VG+.
Foreigner – Foreigner — The debut album with “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice” and “Long, Long Way from Home.” It was in the $1 bin and it’s also VG+.
This haul was the biggest we’ve had in a while. Underdog Records was celebrating their fifth anniversary and there were sales happening. Remember that Underdog Records is THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Make sure you listen to the latest episode each week (on Wednesday night) to hear the weekly TLD/UDR special.
Discogs is where I keep my collection in check. It’s a great app and tool.
Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!
— “All that I have left is the sound of my own breath and then darkness falls so quiet. Here’s a feeling I’ve had many times before. Every time you leave it’s your arms that I bereave then the next time to leave’s yours. I watch the ghosts of your footsteps by our door.” – “Darkness Falls So Quiet” (Atkins)
