Tag Archives: Randy Newman

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/4/18

05 Sunday Aug 2018

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Salutations™!!

At Underdog Records yesterday, I was able to finally, once and for all, tackle a certain Beatles problem that I have had over the last few years. You’ll find out about it in this haul:

BruceWillis_-_ReturnOfBruno

©Motown

  • The Beatles – Rubber Soul — So, I have been burned (by my own self) over and over finding this on vinyl. Either it’s just a really sucky copy (usually with tape around the sleeve to keep it from falling apart and really scratchy vinyl) or I find a really good copy and it turns out to be the American version. And, to be honest, I hate the American versions of Beatles albums. Mainly, it’s just not what I’m used to. I have the entire Beatles catalog on CD in a box set and that’s the UK versions, to me, the real versions. So, I bought it brand new to finally kill the frustration. Now, the caveat here is that this is in mono. I don’t know how I feel about that, yet. I know the general consensus of folks when comparing the two, agree that the mono versions are probably more in tune with what they were trying to do. I will reserve judgment on that until I listen. All that being said, I finally have finished the Top 10 of the RS list as this sits at #5. Now, I only have 4 more to before the Top 25 is finished. I am sitting at 199 of the 500 on vinyl, right now.
  • The Clientele – Suburban Light — The BCPF loved the other album by The Clientele so she wanted to give this one a try. Sure enough, she loved it, too. I dug it also. New.
  • Coldplay – X&Y — Not my favorite Coldplay album (we know that’s Parachutes) but this 2xLP was there in “like new” condition for about half the cost so I couldn’t pass it up. This is where they started to lose me but I find that when I revisit, usually I can change my mind. We’ll see. NM+.
  • Pavement – Wowee Zowee — It’s weird that Pavement is a The BCPF band. It seems, all at once, to be totally against everything you’d think she’d like and totally everything she likes in one package. I don’t know how I feel about them, and there is another Pavement album we have to get because of the RS list, but this wasn’t on it. VG+.
  • The Autumn Defense – The Green Hour — Another that The BCPF really wanted. This was a past “Record Store Day” selection and one of only 500 pressed in the world, so it’s rare. We couldn’t pass it up. VG++.
  • Emmylou Harris – Blue Kentucky Girl — Not my favorite from Ms. Harris. I did get a little nostalgia because it reminded me of Ma Père listening to his records, even though he didn’t do that a lot. He didn’t play Emmylou but definitely this style. But, The BCPF wanted it and well, she gets what she wants (when I can help it). VG+.
  • Supertramp – Paris — A 2xLP live album from Supertramp’s Breakfast in America tour with minimal overdubs – or so they say. I hate they left off “Give a Little Bit” and “Goodbye Stranger” but it seems like the rest of the set is pretty sound. The reason for “Give a Little Bit” was that all the versions over several shows were awful. It was re-released in the CD/DVD anniversary edition of Breakfast… This was in VG+ condition.
  • Randy Newman – Good Old Boys — #394 on the RS list. This means that I have all of the RS entries for Randy Newman. I like him a lot. I always thought of him as a novelty act because a lot of his stuff is novelty-type songs, at least what I had always heard. But, he really digs in. I couldn’t get over the audacity of the song “Rednecks” but realized pretty quickly that it was not sensationalizing racism but actually mocking it. Still… even Newman felt weird performing it. VG+.
  • Bruce Willis – The Return Of Bruno — Yes, Bruce Willis, who I think has a decent voice and can play a mean harmonica. As I stated on social media with several people agreeing with me, it’s not a great album, it’s not a classic, it’s not a masterpiece. But, it is a decent album and it’s very entertaining. I know I had it on cassette when it came out, following the “mockumentary” that it accompanied, I may have it on CD, but I’m not certain. But, I enjoyed it and saw it and couldn’t pass it up.
  • INXS – INXS — INXS’ debut album and it’s not at all what I expected. It’s very new wavey and poppy and I loved it. At times Michael Hutchence’s voiced sounded like Tim Curry, but I also dig Tim Curry, so that’s great. It was more synth-driven and I had never heard any of the songs, that I knew of. It was a record company promo with a sticker on the front cover with checkboxes for “recommended selections.” Nothing had been checked. I found this in the $1 bin, but I’d still rate it around VG+ because it was in really good condition.
  • Eddie Cantor, Bert Williams, Van And Schenck, John Steel, Irving Berlin – Ziegfeld Follies Of 1919 —  A very entertaining recording (and accompanying booklet) of the famous Ziegfeld Follies vaudeville-like theatrical revue put on by Florenz Ziegfeld. And, did you know that Ziegfeld was married to Billie Burke? That’s right, he was married to Glinda, the Good Witch. This was a really great listen and it was a $1 bin find. VG/VG+.
  • The Melachrino Orchestra – Paris, The Sounds, The Sights — Another $1 bin find in which there is an accompanying booklet. This is about our beloved city of Paris and includes a guide to the sights and attractions of the City of Light, from 1956. We can’t wait to listen. VG.
  • Franz Schubert, Karl Böhm, Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphonies — A 5xLP collection of Schubert symphonies including Symphonie Nrs. 1-6, 8, 9 and “Rosamunde” which was written for the play Rosamunde, Fürstin von Zypern, by Helmina von Chézy. It was a $1 bin find but I believe the vinyl is VG+.

A decent haul this week, I think. Jonathan had just returned from a short sabbatical to Atlanta with his dad and he seemed a bit more recharged. A happy Jonathan means a happy Underdog Records. Speaking of Underdog and Atlanta… even though I hate the Atlanta Braves, it’s Jonathan’s favorite team. When the Braves complete a sweep of a series (which hasn’t happened a lot this year), there’s a “sweep sale” at Underdog Records. That can mean a variety of things so I recommend you watch their social media to see what that may be. Plus, the social media platforms is the best place to keep track of new arrivals to the store. Be the first to know and try to “Beat Beeman.” That is apparently a thing. Also, listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear the TLD/UDR special of the week.

And, when I’m there since my collection has grown, I can always cross-reference my collection to make sure I’m not doubling up on anything by using Discogs. I keep better track of my collection, my purchases and as was the case this week, let others track my collection to see if there’s anything to trade. Now, for the record, I don’t get rid of much but if it’s something I absolutely need, I may consider it.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“She’s a rounder I can tell you that. She can sing ’em all night, too. She’ll raise hell about the sleep she lost, but even cowgirls get the blues.” – “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” (Crowell)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 4/14/18

15 Sunday Apr 2018

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Salutations™!!

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©Reprise

 

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was warm but not hot, the humidity was quite low, the windows on “Annabelle” were all open, including the moonroof. The BCPF and I walked around Old Salem and visited with friends at the Cobblestone Farmers Market, at breakfast at Mary’s Gourmet Diner, visited Underdog Records, put together our new vinyl shelf, started the reorganization process (re-alphabetizing) of the “reset” which I’ll explain in a bit, early dinner at Willows Bistro and finished with a little get together with our very good friends. So, here’s the haul:

  • Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Life – This was still sealed from 1987. We listened to it but didn’t have time to post a Facebook or Instagram log about it. It was different but exactly the same. I would say a little less singer-songwriter and more just late 80s rock. NM.
  • Randy Newman – 12 Songs – #356 on the RS list. I found that I really dig some Randy Newman whilst listening to that song. He actually wrote a lot of stuff that other folk recorded; like “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” made more famous by Three Dog Night. VG++.
  • The Who – It’s Hard – Early 80s Who. The Who isn’t one of my favorite bands but I find myself wanting their stuff. It was a good price and it was available, so there you go. VG+.
  • Stan Getz – Another World – I have loved just about everything I have heard from Stan Getz, so here’s hoping that I like this 2xLP from the late 70s. VG+.
  • Bananarama – True Confessions – A mid-80s classic. This is the one with “Venus” on it. The BCPF made a comparison that Bananarama’s harmony style is a lot like the Spice Girls. I’d say that Bananarama was probably a direct influence. VG++.
  • Bananarama – Bananarama – This was their debut album featuring “Cruel Summer” and “Robert De Niro’s Waiting.” Haven’t listened to this one, yet. VG+.
  • Simon & Garfunkel – Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. – 1965 debut album of a little duo that is going to go places! One of my favorite S&G tunes is “Sound of Silence” and as The BCPF says, “Paul Simon is a genius.” Yeah, he is. VG.
  • Scorpions – Animal Magnetism – Wracking up on my Scorpions collection. The song “The Zoo” has always been a favorite of mine from this group. VG.
  • Stephen Stills – Stills – We can’t figure out whether Stephen Still is a huge football fan or if he just likes wearing the t-shirt “jerseys.” It seems like you see him in those a lot from the pics on albums and magazines and such from back in the 70s. $1 bin find in VG condition.
  • Humble Pie – Eat It – I have no Humble Pie albums and I’m not sure I’ve even ever heard a song by them. I am sure I have but I wouldn’t know what it was. This is a 2xLP that is part rock, part R&B covers, part acoustic, and live performances. So, I don’t know what to make of it. $1 bin find and in “good” condition.

Jonathan was gearing up for Record Store Day and he was a bit befuzzled but we made it a little better when we arrived at the shop with an iced coffee of some sort that Dana Moody of West End Coffeehouse sent for him. But, we are revving for Record Store Day, as well. We bought this brand new shelf and have started resorting our collection. We’re going to change our process, too.

We already do it alphabetically by artist/band first name because that’s the way Discogs does it and I want to be able to look in order to find them according to Discogs. We are taking the classical out and we’re going to separate that from the regular collection so they’re easier to find. We also keep the ones that we haven’t listened to separate but that part of the collection was becoming quite a stack. So, we decided that since there are two Record Store Days a year – a big one in April and a minor one in the fall (I think Black Friday) – those will be “reset” days. Anything that hadn’t been listened to gets inserted into “gen pop” of the collection. That gives us time to listen and if we haven’t then, oh well.

Visit the Record Store Day website and find out what is coming out next Saturday and go support your local record stores. These are exclusive to indie stores and these albums won’t be on Amazon or in the big box stores. You may find some stuff on eBay but it will most likely be marked up ridiculously. Jonathan has ordered a large sum of product for this event and he needs to unload it. That’s where you (and we) come in. Support local business and indie record store. Yeah, I know I said that already… it’s important.

And, I use Discogs to keep track of what I have, which that list has grown a lot. I have to look at it in the store to make sure I do or don’t have an album before I make duplicate purchases. It’s a fun resource. Try it! They do CDs, too.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made. And the sign flashed out its warning in the words that it was forming. And the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls. And whispered in the sounds of silence.” – “The Sound of Silence” (Simon)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/16/17

16 Sunday Jul 2017

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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:

Kiss_Unmasked_Album_Cover

©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)

Looking at the Barrel of an Armalite or: Like I Am Home Again (RS part 18)

27 Monday Apr 2015

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Salutations™!!

So, the last segment had its share of misses among the few hits, for me.  Like I said in the last post, there will be a lot of questions I ask about why this or why that are making the list and why this far up.  Let’s move on with the next victims section, shall we?

1neilyoung

“Tonight’s the Night” by Neil Young

#330 – Tonight’s the Night by Neil Young. The title song mentions Bruce Berry and Mr. Berry was a roadie for Neil and he had overdosed. This was a tribute to him. I think I read, too that one of the members of his band, Crazy Horse had ODed before these songs were written.  Most of them, anyway.  “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” was recorded live and features, Danny Whitten (the fallen “Horse”) on vocals. This album in whole shows some deep emotion for Mr. Young. I believe it to be difficult for him and there’s not really any joy on this disc.  “Mellow My Mind” seems a cry for help, and a desperate one at that. It’s almost like he’s crying the entire song, and that may be figurative or literal but it’s definitely there.  I hate the circumstances but the events did lead to a powerful and wonderful album. This one definitely belongs on the list. Dug.

#329 – In the Jungle Groove by James Brown. Compilation album. Nope.

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“Daydream Nation” by Sonic Youth

#328 – Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth. The BCPF loves Sonic Youth. I believe that I can see that to some extent, it is a bit up her alley.  Me, at least on this album, couldn’t figure out what in the wide world of sports was going on.  It sounded great through the studio monitor, rumbling but not too. But, what the heck was it?  Of the first six songs, FOUR of them were at seven minutes or more. The ones that weren’t…?  I don’t know.I was looking forward to hearing this because of my wife’s tales of admiration.  I didn’t get much out of this, I wonder if she did.  I’ll have to ask her about it. And after asking her about it, she said she was probably more into the idea of Sonic Youth more than their music. I haven’t peeked ahead but I’m wondering if John Cage will be on this list? If not, then that’s a rip off.  I’m not a fan of this, although I hoped I would be. Did not dig.

#327 – Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair. This is better. At the end of the last album I was about to put my head through a cement block wall. You hear that? Music. Singing. A relief. We’ve got a long way to go before we get to Exile on Main Street from the Rolling Stones but Phair has said this is a song-by-song response to that album. Main Street has 18 songs, Guyville has 18 songs (the original, anyway).  Supposedly this was meant to be on pace with M.S. even though I don’t think that it’s a direct response. Whatever floats her boat, I guess.  She doesn’t really hold back on this, either.  Girl Power comes through on songs like “6’1″,” “F*ck and Run,” “Girls! Girls! Girls!” and “Divorce Song.” She also lets you know what you’re going to get from her and how it’s gonna either be the best thing you’ve had or that it’s going to be a bit painful in the song “Flower.” And she lays her relationship frustrations out in complete honesty in the final song, “Strange Loop.” Phair is more than fair, I dig it.

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“Disintegration” by The Cure

#326 – Disintegration by The Cure. Ok, so I clarified and The BCPF said that this is one of her favorite albums of all time. Her words exactly were “yep. Top 10 definitely. Maybe even Top 5.” She then added, “You better like it!” I notice while looking at it that I see several songs I’m already familiar with and I like those.  Right off the bat I love the grandeur of “Plain Song” the opening cut. It’s massive in sound and poised, which is a great thing.  I think Robert Smith and company get lauded as goth way too much. There are moments in their stuff that he’s a bit dark and I can see why people say that, but for the most part there’s an elegance to his music, especially around this time.  Lots of ambiance in this record, too. My faves are everyone’s faves: “Pictures of You,” “Lovesong,” and “Lullaby.” I’m also a fan of “Disintegration” and “The Same Deep Water As You.” Dug, The BCPF… Dug.

#325 – Slowhand by Eric Clapton. I know I’ve publicly expressed my disinterest in Eric Clapton on many an occasion, and I’m not about to change my tune, necessarily but I will say, there are some good songs on this album.  “Cocaine” is a great tune (even if he didn’t write it). “Lay Down Sally” gives the listener a good bounce and it’s funny, at least to me, when the crazy overdubs come out of nowhere.  It’s a bit heavy on the country side than I expected from “Slowhands” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  I have to admit that I feel like gagging when I hear “Wonderful Tonight.” That’s such a sappy song in every way. There are times when I think he sounds like Kenny Rogers singing, too. Or heck, is that Leonard Nimoy? I’m sorry Mr. Spock, didn’t mean to offend you. Now, on “The Core,” I really enjoy Marcy Levy’s vocals in the duet with Clapton. That song rocks. Also, Yvonne Elliman is all over this album with backup vocals and harmonies.  Overall, I dug the album.

1stationtostation

“Station to Station” by David Bowie

#324 – Station to Station by David Bowie. It takes a while but the opening (title) song finally jumps in after a wall of sound effects.  Ten minutes. That’s a long tune, indeed. Bowie referred to himself as the Thin White Duke in the first lines of “Station to Station.” Even though he started using that character prior to the album, the album is where this really took off. “Golden Years” is a “hit” but it has never been one that I hang on, generally skipping over. I’m wondering if REM’s Michael Stipe took the “angel” part in “Golden Years” to use in “Crush with Eyeliner” from their Monster album? No, he doesn’t say ‘angel’ per se, but it is reminiscent of that.  “TVC15” reminds me of Talking Heads, at least in some parts. It heavies up and has some hints of the Soul genre. I love the ’70s almost-disco that plays here on “Stay.” Sounds like something from an action film in that same time period (’76 or so). I’ve always been hit-or-miss with Bowie, leaning more toward the hits both before and post this record. I know it will be odd, but the first thing I ever heard from Bowie was “Blue Jean” which didn’t come until almost 10 years later.  Where I’m from in WV didn’t play this kind of music on the radio and I just wasn’t exposed to it. I’m still hit-or-miss, but this was an alright album. Dug.

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“Ghost in the Machine” by The Police

#323 – Ghost in the Machine by The Police. Ah, The Police… how I love thee. Let me count the ways: “Spirits in the Material World,” “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” “Invisible Sun,” “Demolition Man,” “Too Much Information,” “One World (Not Three),” “Omegaman.” It’s Sting. It’s Stewart Copeland (who’s amazing). It’s Andy Summers, who I think is quite underrated. I didn’t listen to this one in order because I listen to the Message in a Box box set about once a quarter, so that’s the caveat of this rating.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Police. This is no exception.

#322 – Sail Away by Randy Newman. I’m really happy with the Randy Newman stuff I’ve gotten to hear in this list, so far. I’m sure this isn’t the end of it by any means. I’m trying to get if there’s irony, snark or sarcasm in the title track. It’s one of them and I’m thinking it’s sarcasm with bits of the others. I’m loving the Americana aspects, especially in “Lonely at the Top.”  It goes from the Dixie Jazz to a more gospelesque style with awesome orchestration.  I feel like I should be leaned against a light post on a dirty street corner with “Last Night I Had a Dream.” I love that dirty blues/jazz genre of stuff. Newman’s piano work is masterful, ragtime-laden, quaint and in your face all at the same time. “Political Science” is a bit of political satire telling the listener, “let’s drop the big one and see what happens.” How about we don’t? I love, too, “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” but I think I’m much fonder of the Joe Cocker version that played in 9 1/2 Weeks. But, it’s interesting to hear the original. It’s a sexy song. A darn good album, indeed. Dug!

1NickDrakePinkMoon

“Pink Moon” by Nick Drake

#321 – Pink Moon by Nick Drake. Two 1972 albums in a row. I know this is a favorite of The BCPF. She put the title track on a “mix tape” for me when we were just friends, when it was really ONLY “Friend” that the “F” stood for.  I love the title track, it’s so The BCPF, maybe that’s why I love it so. The songs are all so short I don’t have time to comment on them before they move on. But, that’s not a bad thing.  A graceful guitar and somewhat grim lyrics make for a full-sounding, beautifully written and performed album. The BCPF usually knows the good stuff with just a few misses, this is no such miss. This is amazing. I will say I love listening to it.

Not counting the James Brown comp, there’s only one true miss which was Sonic Youth. There are still some that make me wonder why they’re where they are, either up or down, on the overall list. Some great finds, Liz Phair, Randy Newman and definitely Nick Drake.  It’s been a mostly fun segment.  We’ll start on the next soon.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I saw it written and I saw it say
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get you all” – “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake from Pink Moon

Oh, You Had to Be a Big Shot or: What Do I Get!? (RS part 15)

23 Monday Mar 2015

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Salutations™!!

Look at this! Two segments in two weeks! That’s a lot of listening. I’m hoping that this segment goes as well as the last.  Whether I rated each and every one, I enjoyed listening to them.  It would be nice to have that again.  I’ve not really looked ahead to know what I’ll be get getting into.  Speaking of getting into, let’s do this.

#360 – Singles Going Steady  by Buzzcocks. Well, okay then.  Starting off with “Orgasm Addict,” it’s a punk punch right to the face.  I know I’ll get flack for this, but I’d never heard any Buzzcocks before. That is, that I knew of.  Turns out that I have heard of “What Do I Get” and find it to be a great song! I enjoy that.  The energy on this is great. Once again, I’m going against my own grain and reviewing a compilation album. SMDH. Overall, the Buzzcocks were fun to listen.  I do like Pete Shelley’s “Homosapien,” if that helps?

Elton_John_-_Honky_Château

Honky Château – Elton John (1972)

#359 – Honky Chateau by Elton John. Ah, Sir Elton. I love me some Elton John.  You stick around in some funk-laced Honky Tonk/Old West weirdness that Elton went through and you feel good about it the whole time. The opening number, “Honky Cat” is classic Elton and has that New Orleans funkiness you love about him.  The greatest number on this platter, though, has to be “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be a Long Time)” as it is one of my all-time favorite EJ songs – I performed it for the Vagabond Saints Society Presents Elton John show. I don’t know what it is about that song, but I love it from start to finish.  It ranks right up there with “Levon” from Madman Across the Water, “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” from Blue Moves and “All the Girls Love Alice” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.  But listening through this album, and it’s not my first time, there is nothing on this album that I think is filler.  Dang! “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters!”  I mean, come on!  L.O.V.E!!!!

#358 – Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis. While I know how cool Miles Davis was.  I’ve never heard any of his stuff.  Cue Eugene‘s “WHAT!?” from The Less Desirables, now. I just haven’t.  Caveat: I’m only listening to the 5 songs that make up the 1960 release of the album.  I appreciate bonus tracks and all that jazz (see what I did there?), I’m looking for the original representation, as close as I can get. I enjoy listening for the fact of listening to Mr. Davis – and he is a cool cat – I’m non-plussed.  It just becomes background to me and I lose any connection with it. I like jazz and want to be into it, but it’s not keeping me reeled in. Let it be written that I’m not discounting it or even saying I don’t like it, I just don’t connect with it.  It’s very good and I enjoy it and I’ll even say I dig it, but um… yeah.

BetweenthebuttonsUK

Between the Buttons – The Rolling Stones (1967)

#357 – Between the Buttons by The Rolling Stones. This countdown, I’m sure will be heavy on Rolling Stones, Beatles and Beach Boys.  I’m not a huge fan of either RS or BB but I do love the Beatles.  This, however, is typical Rolling Stones.  Nothing fabulous about it, really, but it is classic and a foundation of what rock and roll became through today.  For that, you have to respect it.  “Let’s Spend the Night Together” and “Ruby Tuesday” are probably the most recognized hits on this album.  Dug-ish.

#356 – 12 Songs by Randy Newman.  I’ve had some Randy Newman before and I liked it.  He’s an entertaining songwriter and much of his stuff was taken to prominence by other artists. I was listening without watching the track listing and was thinking, “jeez, that sounds like ‘Mama Told Me Not to Come’…” and lo and behold, it was it, and it turns out he wrote that. You may have known that, Dear Reader, but not me.  Color me surprised.  Overall, this isn’t the bouncy, over-the-top Newman I expected, but that’s not a bad thing, just not what I expected. It jumps around some bluesy tricks whilst keeping the Newman songwriting technique.  When I say not what I expected, there’s no doubting that it’s Newman. Think from here all the way down to the Pixar stuff in the 2000s; it’s Newman.  Storytelling with pitch, timbre and meter; musical wordsmith, this one.  I think he’ll go places. Dug!

#355 – Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds by The Yardbirds. I’m wondering if I’ve had enough hallucinogenics to get the appeal of this.  The fact is, I’ve never done a hallucinogenics, so I’ll just have to assume the answer is no.  “I’m a Man” reminds me of something George Thorogood would do; I can’t listen to much Thorogood, either.  I’m not saying that this is bad, though. Actually, I like “Still I’m Sad” mainly because it’s creepy and Native Americanish, not that I’m at all Native American, I just like the sound.  “Train Kept a-Rollin’?” Meh.  Just not my thing.  I’m not putting down but I didn’t really care about this one.  Not saying I didn’t like it, either, just didn’t care. Whatever.

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52nd Street – Billy Joel (1978)

#354 – 52nd Street by Billy Joel. I love Billy Joel.  My #1 wish for VSS is for me to do So by Peter Gabriel with me as Gabriel but my #2 wish for them to do Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits I & II with me doing Billy, but Doug Davis, the All-Knowing Wizard of VSS Brigade hates Billy Joel for whatever reason so as long as he’s in charge (and I hope he’s always in charge) we probably won’t do a Billy Joel show.  The album starts off with one of the most snark-filled, passive aggressive laden songs ever, “Big Shot.” Many people overlook the fact that while yes, he’s a piano playing sap at times, Billy rocks and this song is it.  I love how it’s pretty much: “well, you made your bed, lie in it.” I love that and the great bass work.  I know I’m not the only “over-40” that thinks of Bosom Buddies every time we hear “My Life.”  Great story telling, I think. A “hey, I didn’t ask your opinion, pal” vibe and I like it. I do play some piano but he kills me. My left hand gets tired on the steering wheel trying to emulate his bouncy octaves. Wow, that sounded a lot worse than I meant.  I love how he goes back and forth from the rocking tunes to the Maj7 chords and lounge-worthy fare such as, “Zanzibar,” a subtle little jazz number with some seedy nightclub atmosphere complete with a horn interlude. Lots of jazz-jamming and I like that.  He’s great. DUG!

#353 –  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West. If Kanye would just do this, then I’d probably have a better opinion of him.  I’m not sure if it was an effect or bad production but it sounds like he’s using a cheap microphone putting his mouth right on top of the screen and blowing out the diaphram inside. I’m talking about “Gorgeous” here. It sounds like a bad AM radio remote broadcast from the 70s. And because Raekwon guests on this song, the “N” word is in it; I don’t think he knows any other words. There’s a Bon Iver guest appearance as well, one of The BCPF’s faves.  But, overall, whilst I dreaded this album when I saw it, it’s not too bad.  There is the “N” word but it’s not shoved down my throat the whole time. And like I have said about albums in the past, Kanye actually sings in some parts. I’m sure it’s autotuned some, but hey, at least he’s trying. Musically, the album is pretty good. But, again, as with other rap/hip-hop albums I’ve reviewed, is it truly a Kanye album?  Six of the thirteen tracks are “featuring (Bon Iver, Nicki Mina, JAY-Z, Pusha T, etc).”  It’s okay to have guest spots, for sure, but jeez be the highlight on the track.  I hate that part of it. “Runaway” is funny, though. “Let’s have a toast to the douche bags, let’s have a toast to the @$$holes.” That’s funny. Chris Rock’s performance on the nearly ten minute epic, “Blame Game,” alone, is worth listening to the whole album. I dug but don’t really think I’ll listen again.

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Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits (1985)

#352 – Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.  This album brings back a lot of memories for me.  It has a plain but serene cover, with a resonator floating in a big blue sky.  Two of Dire Strait’s biggest selling hits are on this album.  Oddly enough, only one song, “Why Worry” wasn’t released as a single out of 9 tracks. Some of them I don’t know why they were released, but hey, that was happening a lot back then, I guess. Let’s start with the beginning: “So Far Away” was one I fast forwarded on the tape when I had it as a child (I was 14) but later started listening because of the very simple intro and the very simple progression.  For me, in music, simple is good, plain is not.  This wasn’t plain, but it wasn’t blaring coolness.  The monster/mega-hit and MTV staple (it even says MTV in the song, over and over) “Money For Nothing” has a great intro, a kick-butt guitar riff, Sting singing about MTV and great structure.  I still don’t turn it when I hear it on a radio or device. I once learned the riff but have since forgotten it.  Love that song.  Then comes one that used to be Eugene’s bane, “Walk of Life.”  He always said it was just too danged happy.  He used more choice words than that, but I keep it clean on here, yo! It starts with a that flat organ sound and goes into a brighter, happier, bouncier keyboard riff and, come to think of it, it really is too danged happy. Thanks Eug.  The lyrics are sappy “be bop a lua baby” cheese but, it’s the mid-80s. I used to sit and listen to “Your Latest Trick” in wonderment. It was just a laid back song with a great sax solos and sounded like Mark Knopfler was aching badly.  I could feel the emotion in it.  “The Man’s Too Strong” is a great acoustic (yet bombastic) rootsy style song that seems to be something about a soldier’s struggle to carry on.  Overall, I love this album but other than a few gems, I don’t know that it aged too well.  That doesn’t take away from my enjoyment, just honest.  DUG!!

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Rust Never Sleeps – Neil Young & Crazy Horse (1979)

#351 – Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.  It’s mostly live with some studio fixes and overdubs. I’ve never been a huge fan of Neil Young, although he has a definitely unique voice, it’s not my favorite; wavering on pitchy while staying dead on, but you anticipate it happening.  Did he receive the “Godfather of Grunge” moniker after Cobain’s exodus and if so was it just because Kurt mentioned a line from “My My Hey Hey ?” Hmmm, I don’t know. Anywhat! I am a fan of “My My Hey Hey.” This is an easy listen, mostly laid back, acoustic and ethereal.  Again, I go back to Young’s voice. In “Ride My Llama” he reminds me of Bill Dorough from Schoolhouse Rock.  I like that in the songs you can hear the audience and there’s the hints of it being live but only rarely do you actually get to hear the applause and acceptance after or at the beginning of the songs. Slightly over halfway through, Young kicks in the electric heaviness.  “‘Sedan Delivery’ is a job I know I’ll keep, it sure was hard to find.” That’s a great line and danged rockin’ song.  Octave pedal be damned in the ending version of “Hey Hey My My.”  I just realized the first one was reversed so I’ll reiterate and say that I am a fan of “Hey Hey My My” as well as the opener. MMHH is (Out of the Blue) and HHMM is (Into the Black). That’s kind of clever. This is a really good album start to finish.  I’d listen to this in the background and still sing out loud to the final track. DUG!

Another good batch of albums, and, as I stated last time, we’re getting to the meat of the countdown; sorted through the preliminaries (although I still don’t agree with many of those). The best is, supposedly, yet to come and I look forward with continuing my journey and having you in the passenger’s seat of this (very) long road trip.  Let me know what you think of my thoughts, your opinions of these albums and what you’d like to see on the list that isn’t.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“My my, hey hey. Rock and roll is here to stay. It’s better to burn out than to fade away. My my, hey hey.” – Neil Young

The Waits is Over or: The Beatles Can’t Be This Low (RS pt 11)

02 Friday Jan 2015

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Salutations™!!

Well the first 100 down, let’s start the next 100.

#400 – Anthology by The Temptations. Right off the bat, greatest hits album. Great start, RS, great start. Skip.

#399 – Rain Dogs by Tom Waits. So after the success that I had with Mule Variations, I was looking forward to hearing more Tom Waits; thinking I had found a gem.  That was short lived however as this album didn’t compare to the previous one. This was more about reminding me of what I thought I was going to hear with Tom Waits the first time.  Sad, I say.  Not saying it was bad, just not what I was hoping for.  “Downtown Train” and “Rain Dogs” were the highlight for me. Meh,

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“Eliminator” by ZZTop

#398 – Eliminator by ZZ Top. Some of my childhood, this.  I’ll admit, too, that while I did have this cassette, I only listened to the hits off of it.  I was always bad about that; to some extent still am.  In the listening of this, there are the obvious “hits” like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man,” sure. But, I found my favorite song, and probably the gem, on this album (outside of “SDM”) is “I Need You Tonight.”  That song is money.  Now, the apparent disappointment in this album is the fact, or supposed fact, that Dusty Hill and Frank Beard aren’t playing much on this album. I don’t think it’s Dusty playing those popping bass lines in “Thug,” I really don’t.  Still, I really like it. Dig!

#397 – Blue Lines by Massive Attack. From the get-go with “Safe From Harm,” a smile on my face. I love this stuff.  I believe I actually own this album.  I may be wrong but I’m not in front of my collection to know. This is Chill and a mix of soul/R&B and some hip-hop. Case in point, “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got.”  Some Marvin-esque vocals and smooth R&B from Tony Bryan; that’s velvet right there.  Another fantastic track is “Daydreaming.” This I absolutely LOVE! DIG!!

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“For Your Pleasure” by Roxy Music

#396 – For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music. What the heck is this!?  Give me the Avalon Roxy Music any day.  I’m not a fan of jam prog stuff.  I love Pink Floyd but there’s only so much of the long jammy songs that I can handle.  Way too much for me.  With what I know of Brian Eno, he must be behind the suckage of this album.  I know I’ll get flack for it, but I do not like this at all.  There’s nothing memorable about it.  I’ve already forgotten who I was listening to. Didn’t dig,

#395 – Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem. Hard-hitting electronica/alt-dance music.  Made for club dancers, obviously, it’s a bit repetitive as that style usually is.  That’s ok though.  It’s not just “boots-and-pants-and-boots-and-pants” dance, either.  It’s hippy and trippy.  Good stuff, there.  The lead track, “Get Innocuous!” is a good way to hit the ground running.  I really liked “Time to Get Away.” It was minimalist but with awesome clavinet riffage. Hoo hoo hoo!  More delicious dirty as “North American Scum” cranks, next. Punkish, really.  “All My Friends” takes it from just dance to power pop and does a fabulous job of it.  Reminds me of rocking pop on the radio these days, but not lost in drivel.  It’s good stuff. “Watch the Tapes” is good pop punk with the electronica elements added in.  Mucho beats and looping happening here.  I think my favorite song is “New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down.” I love the piano and snarky shots at the mayor and other iconic stereotypes. I like what I’ve heard from LCD Soundsystem up to this point.  This is no different.  I dug it!

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“Good Old Boys” by Randy Newman

#394 – Good Old Boys by Randy Newman. Wow.  “Rednecks” is a very unexpected slap to the face.  I know he’s singing about the subject tongue-in-cheek from the rednecks’ perspective, but I don’t like the “N” word and it was surprising.  That being said, I liked the song.  “Marie” is like a drunk letter to a love.  I love Newman’s piano playing.  It’s always so rich and powerful.  The album is full of typical Newman humor and disregard for manners.  That’s what makes his stuff so great! “Kingfish” is a good raunchy piano tune with over the top strings.  This is just a great album. DUG!

#393 – Kala by M.I.A. The first thing I noticed is that it’s hard to listen to this, not because of the music but because it’s got licensing issues.  Rhapsody couldn’t play, although they did list it.  It comes up and says not available.  YouTube also didn’t allow it to play because of licensing.  So Google let me play it, song-by-song through Vimeo and DailyMotion, etc. It’s rumored that she couldn’t get a long-term visa from the US to record because of her family’s ties to the Sri Lanka guerrillas.  The world fusion/hip hop styles are great.  Switch did a great job in production.  A lot of percussion-driven beats and it’s bass heavy. Lots of old school drum machines involved and at times it sounds discoish, and I love disco.  “Jimmy,” “Bird Flu,” “Paper Planes,” “Mango Pickle Down the River” are some of my faves.  Dug.

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“Let It Be” by The Beatles

#392 – Let It Be by The Beatles. My first reaction is: WHY is this album so low (or high?) on this list? How is any Beatles album this high on the list?  If it were Let It Be… Naked, then I’d understand that.  Anywhat!  With the exception of “Dig It” and “Maggie Mae,” I don’t have a song on here that is either not in the “like” column or a throw away, although I am a little tired of hearing the title track.  This album is great.  The last album released by The Beatles, it wasn’t the last recorded.  That would be Abbey Road.  “Two of Us” and “Dig a Pony” start the album out and I remember the first time I heard it, I was blown away. So full, so harmonic, so well written.  I did covers of “Dig a Pony” and “I’ve Got a Feeling” in a Beatles tribute show.  The Beatles are like my second favorite band of all time, behind KISS. Good stuff.  Dug!

#391 – The Pretender by Jackson Browne. I like that I’m listening to an album from someone I have continuously overlooked and at the same time respected.  Browne is a great songwriter and his songs are good to just take in and hear stories.  “The Fuse” has a sense of urgency and leads off the album. I must say I love true fade outs.  I don’t know how to feel about “Linda Paloma,” though. Kind of slamming Spanish music with a waltz.  It’s okay, just weird to me.  “Here Come Those Tears Again” is right back on the JB train. It’s the popish stuff that I expect from him. Even 3B liked “The Only Child,” as he is one of those.  “The Pretender” is a great pop song and a fitting end for a decent album.  I’d listen again. Dug.

Other than the silly anthology/greatest hits album thrown in, it was a decent segment of 10.  Some really good, some not so good.  I look forward to the next installment.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I got to have a shot
Of what you got it’s oh, so sweet
You got to make it hot
Like a boomerang I need a repeat.” – ZZ Top, “Gimme All Your Lovin'” from Eliminator (1983)