The BCPF and I started our Saturday a little different this week. We went to breakfast at Bib’s Downtown and had some delicious biscuits and gravy and a great BLT. Then, we went to Underdog Records and, came home to listen! Also, just throwing this out there… if you get a chance to go to Mojito Latin Soul Food, you will not be sorry! Here’s the haul:
Buckingham Nicks – Buckingham Nicks — The official release of this album was on Polydor but this is on Anthem. There is an Anthem records that is also distributed by Polydor. It started so Rush could have their own label. Queensrÿche’s Q2K was on that label, as well. I can’t find evidence that supports or denies that this is the same Anthem label. New.
My Bloody Valentine – Loveless — The second album from the Irish band, My Bloody Valentine. This is an import of that. I don’t know anything about the band, but I believe The BCPF does. New.
Radiohead – Other Colors — Live BBC recordings. Unofficial. Black vinyl, and plain white inner sleeve.
The Smiths – The Old Guard BBC Sessions — 2xLP, Compilation, Reissue, Unofficial Release. This was originally a Vol 1/Vol 2 kind of thing. They combined them, and I mean really combined. LP 1 is pink. LP 2 is transparent orange.
That’s all of the imports. Here’s what else we got.
Andrew Bird – Noble Beast — Bird’s 2009 release. We saw him open for Belle and Sebastian a few years back. The BCPF snuck this one in on me. New.
Man Or Astro-Man? – Experiment Zero — I personally know very little about Man or Astro-Man? The BCPF, however, is very familiar and this was an exciting find for her. It’s from 1996, so definitely a college memory thing. New.
We went kind of crazy on the imports. I have to slow down on those. Jonathan and I are talking about a new venture but I can only tease you with that at this point. Underdog Records is open Thursday-Saturday from 11a to 7p. Jonathan does make store-to-porch deliveries Monday-Wednesday. Of course, Underdog Records is the Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Also, I use Discogs to track my collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “I am the son and the heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgar. I am the son and heir of nothing in particular. You shut your mouth, how can you say I go about things the wrong way? I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does.” – “How Soon is Now?” (Marr/Morrissey)
Today is the 33rd anniversary of New Order’s compilation album, Substance 1987. Yeah, it’s a comp but it’s also New Order’s best-selling album. There are plenty of cool things to pull from this, but The BCPF says that “Ceremony” is her all-time favorite song, ever. Yeah, it’s a leftover “cover” from New Order’s previous life, Joy Division, but still… So, being that she’s also a Radiohead fan (mostly), I couldn’t pass this one up. Now, I will go ahead and tell you, skip to the 1:16 mark as the beginning of this video is just some 80s-style mumbo jumbo. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “This is why events unnerve me. They find it all, a different story. Notice whom for wheels are turning. Turn again and turn towards this time. All she asks is the strength to hold me. Then again the same old story. World will travel, oh so quickly. Travel first and lean towards this time.” – “Ceremony” (Curtis/Sumner/Hook/Morris)
So, today is the anniversary of two albums that I could even bring myself to talk about, and for neither of them do I have many positive things to say. I have a strange love/hate relationship with Radiohead. I love parts of their catalog and totally cannot stand other parts. OK Computer and Pablo Honey I dug, but other than that… I don’t really get it.
The other album is Metallica’s St. Anger. I have a looooong love/hate relationship with them. I really enjoyed them through Metallica (or the black album). After that, they became Me-suck-lick-uh. This album certainly falls in that “that’s horrible” stage. I mean, what in the wide world of sports is up with that snare sound? It sounds so “high school.” Anyway, it’s awful. I know my cousins (or should I say Kousins… that will become more clear in later posts), Gary and Marvin disagree with me on this. Or, maybe they don’t. I can’t remember where they stand on this album. I will just say, I hate it.
That being said… Enjoy (and excuse the very explicit language)!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “I feel my world shake like an earthquake. Hard to see clear, is it me, is it fear? I’m madly in anger with you.” – “St. Anger” (Hetfield/Ulrich/Hammett/Rock)
Another Saturday passes that we didn’t get to darken the door of Underdog Records. That doesn’t mean Underdog isn’t busy. Heck no! Jonathan is running himself ragged to make deliveries and has extended the reach to Greensboro, High Point and other places. So, definitely watch the Underdog Records Facebook and Instagram and watch what he’s releasing. Purchasing is first-come-first-serve so be on the lookout. Also, you can purchase new vinyl anytime day or night on the website. If you’re outside of the delivery area or just don’t want Jonathan to drop stuff off at your door, then he offers “unlimited” LPs (I’m sure it’s a little limited) for a flat rate $4.
This week’s “listens” were abundant. 22 albums I got through from Monday-Friday.
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 (this is in order of listens):
Whew! A long listening list indeed! It was spread out, too. The BCPF remarked how I went from Streisand to Megadeth. It worked. I love Streisand and I’m not afraid to admit that. But, I was ready for something heavy after having gone through The Mamas and the Papas and Streisand back to back. It worked, as I said.
Well, yesterday, here’s what The BCPF and I listened to, actually on vinyl:
All-in-all, it was a great listening week. I just hope to get into Underdog Records soon to rummage through the used vinyl.
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!
— “I was seventeen, you were just a dream. I was mesmerized, I felt scared inside. You broke my heart and I still can feel the pain. I’ve been counted out, I’ve had fear and doubt. I’ve been starry-eyed, never satisfied. Because late at night I still need you just the same.” – “Sure Know Something” (Stanley/Poncia)
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)
So, you know I don’t normally do compilation albums, at least not featuring them, when I talk about albums and music in general. But, today is the 32nd anniversary of Substance 1987from New Order and The BCPF is crazy about that, even saying that “Ceremony” is her favorite song of all time. Yes, it’s a Joy Division song, written prior to Ian Curtis’ death in 1980, but it was released as the debut single from New Order after its reformation. Also, Radiohead is a favorite of The BCPF’s so, why not play their cover of the tune, eh? Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “This is why events unnerve me, They find it all, a different story. Notice whom for wheels are turning. Turn again and turn towards this time. All she asks is the strength to hold me, then again the same old story. World will travel, oh so quickly. Travel first and lean towards this time.” – “Ceremony” (Curtis/Hook/Morris/Sumner)
Today is the 21st anniversary of Radiohead’s OK Computer album. It’s old enough to drink. I’ll drink to it tonight at Willows Bistro. I was really hoping to find a video from the VSS show of this with my buddy Patrick Ferguson doing the vocals of the entire album. I was really surprised and bummed that there was no official video of this happening because he nailed it (they all did). It’s his favorite album so you know he killed it. So, instead, I have to go with my second choice, the awesome Mike Massé (with Jeff Hall). Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Karma police arrest this man. He talks in maths. He buzzes like a fridge. He’s like a detuned radio. Karma police arrest this girl. Her Hitler hairdo is making me feel ill. And we have crashed her party. This is what you’ll get, this is what you’ll get, this is what you’ll get when you mess with us.” – “Karma Police” (Yorke/Greenwood/Selway/O’Brien/ Greenwood)
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:
Radiohead – The Bends (#111 on the RS List and a really good album from the band; new)
AC/DC – Highway To Hell (#200 on the RS List and one that needs to be in any collector’s collection; new)
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)
So, I know the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is at times controversial, sometimes political and always polarizing subject. Some think it’s contrived, others a complete waste of time. I have been critical of their inability to nominate qualified artists over some that have been sketchy at best.
Now, I know opinion is a major boiling point in things like this. I don’t like this band so they shouldn’t be in there. How can they say that’s rock and roll!? Where’s KISS!? They let N.W.A. in? Those are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the HOF. I was guilty of that, as I’ve said (and said above). But, I have to look beyond my personal tastes (because there’s not account for that I’ve always been told) and look to the importance of the artist.
First off, what constitutes Rock and Roll? Is it just a genre of music that includes predetermined instruments with or without vocals? Or, does it go beyond that and stretch into attitudes as well? My admitted idol, Gene Simmons, sparked a bit of controversy last year over the inclusion of N.W.A. in the HOF. According to Rolling Stone, Gene said this to Ice Cube: “Respectfully, let me know when Jimi Hendrix gets into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. Then you’ll have a point.” Ice Cube shot back about Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Chubby Checker inventing rock and roll and, from what I can understand, Cube made it about race (but… wasn’t Jimi black?). Gene said in response: “You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Run-D.M.C. in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You’re killing me. That doesn’t mean those aren’t good artists. But they don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk. Not even sing.” I don’t know that I agree with him on that part. Yeah, rap is a different animal altogether but I believe what Cube said in response to that part was all telling: “I respect Gene Simmons, but I think he’s wrong on this because rock & roll is not an instrument and it’s not singing. Rock & roll is a spirit. N.W.A is probably more rock & roll than a lot of the people that he thinks belong there over hip-hop. We had the same spirit as punk rock, the same as the blues.”
I want to focus on six words in that last part. Rock & roll is a spirit.
It took me a long time to realize that. It wasn’t something that I liked, therefore it wasn’t something that needed to be in the Hall of Fame. Well, bullstein on that! Anyone can look at my music reviews on this blog in particular and tell that I am no expert on anything other than my opinion. My backstory and history and the music industry’s backstory and history don’t necessarily run in the same circles. I like what I like and I’m pretty staunch in those things, right or wrong, I’m there. What I like compared to what most others like is hit or miss (usually leaning more toward the “miss”) and certainly my ideas on what something should be is just a personal incantation. It’s not gospel or even informed a lot of the time. That’s one reason why with the Eugeology list, I have tried to pay very close attention, do some research and craft the proper responses and or thoughts for each entry. Rock and roll is a state of mind, or, well, spirit.
This brings us back to the HOF and the inductees for 2018 have been announced. First, let’s see who was actually nominated this year: The Meters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, J. Geils Band, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Link Wray, Moody Blues, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Depeche Mode, The Zombies, The MC5, The Cars, LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, Nina Simone and Radiohead.
I voted many times (you were allowed one per IP addy, per day) and my votes were always the same with one alternating. I voted for The Cars, Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Nina Simone, Dire Straits, and Eurythmics. I guess my newfound love for first wave/new wave was showing. However, three of those actually made it in. I wasn’t not for Judas Priest, The Zombies, Kate Bush or MC5 to get in, I would have been fine with them, as well. But, not who I was voting for this time. The final list was as such: Bon Jovi, Nina Simone, Dire Straits, Moody Blues, The Cars and listed as “an early influencer,” Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I hate that title for her, “early influencer.” I’m not a fan of blues and I’ve made no bones about that, but man this lady could wail some serious blues guitar and she sang like nobody’s business. She belted her tunes with major conviction and regardless of whether she was relevant mostly in the 1940s or not, I believe if she’s worthy of being in, she’s worthy of being in. It doesn’t need a special category. At least not in that direction. She deserves to be here because she was influential to many of the top blues musicians, either directly or indirectly. I wanted a few YouTube vids to get myself more acquainted with her style and man, it was pretty great. Yeah, I just said that.
Nina Simone, it’s about danged time. She stood out. There was none like her. She was scary, too. She thought nothing of pointing out someone in the audience that was being an idiot or disruptive and she’d tear you a “new one” anytime she thought you were wronging her. Great musician and great raspy, yet smooth vocals. My first introduction to her was in the film Point of No Return (the Americanized La Femme Nikita) which wasn’t that great of a film but whatever. I also loved her version of “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” (the Jaffa Remix). And, she’s a North Carolina girl! She’s from Tryon, NC.
The Cars were never known for their dynamic stage presence, but they wrote some catchy-arsed tunes. Their first album is darn near perfect start to finish and I really dug Heartbeat City, as well. They were the inspiration for a good many new wave and mainstream artists alike. One of my votes, I am glad they’re getting in. I hate Ben Orr won’t be here to see it.
Dire Straits. I was never a “fan” per se, but they have some serious moments. Brothers in Arms is a fantastic and powerful album from end-to-end, even if you leave in “Money for Nothin'” and “Walk of Life.” As overplayed as those songs were, they were well written and what guitarist isn’t at least a little bit jealous they didn’t write the opening riff of “Money?” I have to admit I didn’t know what that song was about until about two years ago. It snapped and I was like… wait! It’s about that!? I don’t know what I thought it was about, really. But, it’s a little twinge of jealousy from two working joes that they have to do all this heavy lifting and these “yoyos” playing their guitars get paid for nothing. Not true of course, but we all choose our “work.” Of course, their career is far beyond that album forward and backward. Mark Knopfler is a great guitarist and his work onthe soundtrack for The Princess Bride was quite awesome. I’m glad they got in.
I really know very little of Moody Blues other than that sappy arsed “Nights in White Satin,” “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)” and 1986’s “Your Wildest Dreams.” I know I should know more. I will probably get educated on my lack of knowledge by those who read this blog. I would go as far as saying that I want to know more. I do have The Other Side of Life on vinyl (with the aforementioned “Your Wildest Dreams”). Perhaps that will go on soon. I know it’s a pale representation of the band’s collective work but you gotta start with what you’ve got, right? I guess.
Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi. Hmmm… Okay, I’ll admit it. I like Bon Jovi from New Jersey back. My favorite album from them is the first one, cleverly called Bon Jovi. It was piano/keyboard driven rock and I liked that. “Love Lies” and “Shot Through the Heart” are great. On CD the only one of those in the range I mentioned that I don’t have is 7800° Fahrenheit. I don’t know why, either. I know they get a bad rap when it comes to rock and roll. It was cheesy and hair bandy, sure. But, they sold records and they put on a good show. The songs, as juvenile and over-polished as they sometimes were, were well-written. I can’t complain about them, really. Plus, they outright beat the pants off the other nominees in the fan votes. I mean it wasn’t even close. The fan vote was easily twice as many as the next closest nominee if not three times. It was crazy. I knew they’d not have a problem getting in, so I never voted for them.
Well, that’s my thoughts on this. I will probably get wrung for it, but hey, it’s the way it is. What are your thoughts, Dear Reader? Who do you feel should be in the HOF that isn’t? Of what are your thoughts on the HOF in general? What could be done to make it a more legitimate accolade? Is it already legit? Answer me those things. Thanks in advance.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “I don’t mind you coming here and wasting all my time. Cause when you’re standing oh so near I kinda lose my mind. It’s not the perfume that you wear. It’s not the ribbons in your hair. And I don’t mind you coming here and wasting all my time.” – “Just What I Needed” (Ocasek)
It was one of our favorite hauls, yet. Underdog Records just had it going on, yesterday. The BCPF and I picked some classic stuff up, for sure. We really didn’t get to listen to a lot of different stuff because we were listening to two albums that were 3 LPs, big. I’ll explain as we go on. Here we go:
Kiss – Dynasty (Paul and Peter’s solo albums are on back order so I decided to move forward in the discography whilst waiting. So much I could write about this album. It would take a whole blog post, new)
Nick Drake – Pink Moon (One of The BCPF’s favorite albums ever, it was there, we couldn’t not do it, new)
The Rolling Stones – Aftermath UK (Near mint condition reissue, the previous owner was Audiophile who purchased the Mono Box Set of Stones and sold these off)
Varel And Bailly – From France with Music (The BCPF and I are obsessed with just about any and everything French, especially music. We listen to this with huge smiles on our faces)
John Raitt – Carousel Chorus And Orchestra – Carousel (Original 1949 pressing of Original “New York” Cast in excellent shape, seems to be the heaviest 33 1/3 I’ve ever felt. Even heavier than 180g)
So you can see, we picked up some great stuff. We were excited. Get over to Underdog Records between Tuesday and Saturday and grab records, accessories and just good music conversations. Listen to The Less Desirables episodes every week to hear what the current Underdog/TLD deals are. And, if you’re not using Discogs to archive and catalog your collection, then you’re truly missing out.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Fitter, happier. More productive. Comfortable. Not drinking too much. Regular exercise at the gym, three days a week. Getting on better with your associate employee contemporaries. At ease. Eating well, no more microwave dinners and saturated fats. A patient, better driver. A safer car, baby smiling in back seat. Sleeping well, no bad dreams. No paranoia. Careful to all animals, never washing spiders down the plughole. Keep in contact with old friends, enjoy a drink now and then. Will frequently check credit at moral bank, hole in wall. Favours for favours, fond but not in love. Charity standing orders on Sundays, ring-road supermarket. No killing moths or putting boiling water on the ants. Car wash, also on Sundays. No longer afraid of the dark or midday shadows, nothing so ridiculously teenage and desperate. Nothing so childish. At a better pace, slower and more calculated. No chance of escape. Now self-employed. Concerned, but powerless. An empowered and informed member of society, pragmatism not idealism. Will not cry in public. Less chance of illness. Tires that grip in the wet, shot of baby strapped in backseat. A good memory. Still cries at a good film. Still kisses with saliva. No longer empty and frantic. Like a cat. Tied to a stick. That’s driven into frozen winter shit, the ability to laugh at weakness. Calm, fitter, healthier and more productive. A pig in a cage on antibiotics.” – Fitter Happier (Yorke, Greenwood, O’Brien, Greenwood, Selway)
Useless Things Need Love Too 