Tag Archives: Records

Snowing Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 12/8/18

09 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

71ZvAmD7hTL._SY355_

©Interscope

As I had stated on social media in places, our trip to Asheville was canceled because of the impending Snowpocalypse, so we did get to Underdog Records after all. We started the morning at our favorite creperie and shared a meal with our The Beer Dads cohorts. It was a great morning. We did our grocery shopping which we usually reserve for Sunday but if you look out the door today, you’ll see we’re not going anywhere. But, then we got to Underdog and here’s the haul:

  • The Struts – Young & Dangerous — I have heard of these guys but haven’t listened to anything they’ve put out until this week. When I do the commercials for Underdog on The Less Desirables, I try to include pieces of music that are relevant to the new releases. This was one of those. It’s a great rock record. New.
  • Bauhaus – Best Of Bauhaus | Crackle — The BCPF is a huge fan of this band and its subsequent offerings like Peter Murphy solo and Love and Rockets. So, this was a given. It was also a new release and bam! We nailed it. New.
  • Marvin Gaye – Live At The London Palladium — Recorded late in 1976 and released in early 1977, this is an energetic show with a lively crowd. I think he may have been a little drunk or stoned while doing it, but that’s just my opinion. He was a flirt, that’s for sure. Not the best live album but it is a very good one. VG+.
  • Van Morrison – Wavelength — As I stated on my social media post about this, the only problem I really have with Van Morrison is it’s like he’s yelling at me when I listen. But, this has some great tunes on it, nonetheless. It was a departure from his previous releases as it was more guitar and synth driven. The song “Kingdom Hall” was about his mother being a practicing Jehovah’s Witness and attending “church” which “Kingdom Hall” is what JWs call their churches. VG++.
  • Joe Jackson – I’m The Man — Last week (or the week before, one of the two) I talked about Jackson’s debut album that we had just picked up and this is the follow-up and it’s a great sophomore effort, too. I performed the final track “Friday” with the Vagabond Saints Society several years back, closing the show. VG+.
  • Tchaikowsky / Mendelssohn – David Oistrakh, Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Samuel Samosud, National Philharmonic Orchestra of the U.S.S.R., Kiril Kondrashin – Violin Concerto In D Major – Violin Concerto In E Minor — That may be the longest Discogs album title I’ve ever put in one of these posts. It’s classical and The BCPF has gone on a kick as of late. Not a bad thing. VG+.
  • Eric Clapton – Slowhand — I actually got this last week but upon playing it, I needed to return it to Jonathan because it skipped all the way through “Cocaine.” He washed it and vacuumed it dry at the shop and it played with no skips. I got it home and it skipped a few times but that was the only place. I don’t know why it did on my system and not his, but oh well. It #325 on the RS list. I’m fine with that placement, too. It doesn’t need to be higher or lower. It’s fine. VG+ (minus the skip).

The weather kept the early part of the day quiet for Underdog Records but as we were there, people were starting to pile in, so yay for Jonathan’s peace of mind! And, we have our vinyl to keep us company in the bedlam that is winter outside. You should have gone to get yours. You know, Christmas is coming and you know you want to start collecting and playing vinyl, right? Yes, you do. So, tell your loved ones that you want a new (or used) turntable for Christmas. And, heck, why not grab a gift certificate (or in this case a gift 45) for you, as well? You have to have something to play on it, right? Listen to this week’s episode of The Less Desirables (well, listen every week) to hear what the special TLD/UDR deal is.

The schools have already canceled thinking they’ll be back by Wednesday but they won’t. This much snow, later turning to ice, will be a week at least. So, if you go out, be careful. Oh, and I use Discogs to catalog my vinyl!!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Lazy Gilly was a flower child all the summer. Calmly running wild. She’d be silly and her friends just smiled. Pass the bottle, wash the pills down, what went wrong? What went wrong? She don’t care no more. She don’t need to fight it. She don’t care no more. She gets paid on Friday.” – “Friday” (Jackson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/10/18

11 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I were up and out early yesterday, but, we got to Underdog Records and purchased a pretty good-sized haul. Here’s what we got:

220px-RattInvasion

©Atlantic  Records

  • Various – The Wall (Redux) — So, this is quite interesting. It’s Pink Floyd’s The Wall reimagined by a number of stoner/doom rock bands. It’s heavy, jazzy, light, dark, it’s a bit of everything. The Wall is my favorite Floyd album and it was cool to hear. New.
  • The Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead — #264 on the RS list. I haven’t ever been a fan of the Dead but this album is pretty good. The Dead were friends with CSN and those guys taught the Dead harmonies. Good stuff. New.
  • Eric Bachmann – No Recover — Our second album from the former frontman for Archers of Loaf. Laid back indie rock at its finest. This was an easy listen. Bachmann has a great voice. New.
  • Ratt – Invasion Of Your Privacy — One of my favorite hard rock albums of the 80s and has what I consider the best song intro ever, “Lay It Down.” I reviewed this album on the Eugeology list last year. It is in VG condition but plays quite nicely.
  • Mozart, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire Dir. Hans Rosbaud – Don Giovanni (Excerpts-Extraits-Auszüge) — VG++.
  • The Marshall Tucker Band – Carolina Dreams — I’m not a fan of southern rock but I’ve liked a few MTB songs that I’ve heard and they’re from South Carolina. The rest of the albums (along with this one) that I’m going to list were $1 bin finds. VG.
  • Seals & Crofts – Summer Breeze — I got three Seals & Crofts albums. All were at least VG but could actually be slightly better.
  • Seals & Crofts – Diamond Girl — Ditto.
  • Seals & Crofts – Get Closer — Ditto again.
  • Emmylou Harris – Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town — Emmylou Harris has such an amazing voice. I’m not much on the country aspect but her voice makes up for the twangy country overtones. VG.
  • The Rolling Stones – Black And Blue — The funky/disco vibe on this album is weird for the Stones, at least at this time. Some Girls which came out after this (and my favorite Stones album) was firmly in that mode. But, at the time this was freaking some folks out. I didn’t really care for it, but it is a notch in my collection. That’s a plus. VG.
  • Boz Scaggs – Silk Degrees — I like Boz Scaggs more than I thought I would. I haven’t heard this yet, but I know I like “Lido Shuffle” which is on here. VG.
  • Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — I love EJ and this album is one of my faves. I thought I was getting it from a Discogs Marketplace seller but I kind of got screwed on that. It wasn’t Discogs’ fault, though. The whole transaction was screwed up because it was supposed to be for another album but after I paid for it, he didn’t have it so I picked this one. He says he shipped it and it never showed up. I had accidentally rated this before I got it (I found the one I ordered through another seller) and now I can’t complain about it. The seller says there’s nothing either of us can do, as it’s a shipping thing. Oh well, this was $1. But, we have to try to find another copy as this is very scratchy. It’s listenable but it could be cleaner. VG.
  • Paul Young – The Secret Of Association — His breakout album, it’s the one that had Daryl Hall’s “Everytime You Go Away” on it. The rest of the album is pretty good. Not great, but good. VG.

So, it was a big haul yesterday. We got to listen to a lot of it during our listening session, but we have more to hear. Some folks don’t get the vinyl thing, but that’s okay. I just find I can immerse myself in the medium and I don’t mind changing sides. Underdog Records recovered from their anniversary. Jonathan is gearing up for the Black Friday Record Store Day event on the day after Thanksgiving. PLUS!!! If you have loved ones that are either looking for something to get their favorite record collector, or you know someone that is a record collector, Jonathan is doing gift “certificates” right now for the holidays. Be sure to listen to The Less Desirables every week because you’ll get the exclusive TLD/UDR special of the week. It’s good savings for you. But, you have to mention hearing that ad (and know what it is!)…

I use Discogs for cataloging and purchasing.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Driving that train, high on cocaine, Casey Jones you better watch your speed. Trouble ahead, trouble behind. And you know that notion just crossed my mind.” – “Casey Jones” (Garcia/Hunter)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/3/18

04 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Started out yesterday with some crépes and headed on over to Underdog Records, one of The BCPF’s and my favorite places! Here’s what we got!

ELODiscoveryalbumcover

©Jet/Columbia

  • 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.
  • Smokey Robinson – Blame It On Love & All The Great Hits — I’ve never been a huge fan of Smokey. He’s got a great voice but I just don’t like most of the songs. The BCPF wanted it. She got it. VG+.
  • Lionel Richie – Great Love Songs With The Commodores & Diana Ross — I had this on CD, one of the first 100 or so that I got. I got it (on CD) exclusively for the song “Endless Love” but all the songs are great tunes. VG++.
  • 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+.
  • Various – Peter And The Wolf / The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — Side 1 is Peter, Side 2 is Apprentice. $1 bin find. Not in the greatest of shape. Good at best. Fair most likely.

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)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/22/18

23 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Yesterday was Mary Haglund’s birthday, so of course, we were there to celebrate with her at Mary’s Gourmet Diner. Then we went by Underdog Records and grabbed a few LPs. Not a big haul this week. Here’s it is:

Hall_and_Oates,_Abandoned_Luncheonette_(1973)

©Atlantic Records

  • Peter Gabriel – Plays Live — I got this on Tuesday from Underdog Records but waited to mention it until today. This is a great live album from 1983, recorded on tour in 1982 for the Peter Gabriel (Security) album. There were some overdubs done but most of the stuff was live. I really enjoyed listening to it. VG+.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates – Abandoned Luncheonette — The second studio album from H&O and it’s a beauty. There are some really fantastic tunes on here, including “She’s Gone,” the title track, “When the Morning Comes,” “Laughing Boy” (which happens to be my favorite track on the album after “She’s Gone”). Love the cover, as well. VG+.
  • Go-Go’s – Vacation — The title track is the best song on the album but the whole thing was a fun listen. I am glad we have it. VG+.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Olé ELO — This is a compilation album from ELO and it has a lot of early songs on it and some of it I’m not a fan of. Nothing is wrong with it, just not my favorite songs. However, there are some of my favorite ELO tunes, too. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head,” “Evil Woman” and “Strange Magic” are some of my overall faves from the band. VG+.
  • Commodores – Nightshift — It’s not classic Commodores, by any means but it does feed my synth-pop early 80s R&B. I had this album on cassette back when it came out because I forgot to send in my card to not get the “selection of the month” from RCA Music Club (before it was BMG Music Club). Granted the only tunes that I really care about on here is the title track, “Woman in My Life” and “Animal Instinct.” VG+.

So, that was the short haul. As I’ve mentioned now, twice this week, Underdog Records is now THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. There are some cassettes and CDs in Underdog but, of course, the focus is on vinyl. And, we will talk about a lot of music stuff that isn’t just vinyl, either. But, Jonathan is always getting fresh used inventory and restock throughout the week. You should follow their social media to find out what and when. And, you should listen to The Less Desirables to find out what the weekly TLD/Underdog special is.

I never shop without my Discogs app open on my phone to make sure I’m not getting duplicates and it’s great for my “random selection” picks, as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“When you looked at me I should’ve run. But I thought it was just for fun. I see I was wrong and I’m not so strong. I should’ve known all along that time would tell. A week without you. Thought I’d forget. Two weeks without you and I still haven’t gotten over you yet. Vacation, all I ever wanted. Vacation, had to get away. Vacation, meant to be spent alone.” – “Vacation” (Valentine/Caffey/Wiedlin)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/15/18

16 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Points_on_the_Curve_CD_cover

©Geffen Records

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

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

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

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/18/18

19 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

We changed up our routine yesterday a bit because Mary’s Gourmet Diner was on vacation. We went to Underdog Records first and then went to a new place to eat breakfast/lunch. You’ll need to watch The Man Who Ate the Town blog (and listen to the podcast) to find out more about that experience. I will just say, “WOW!!!!” Okay, here’s the haul:

R-6549215-1421819102-7567.jpeg

©Asthmatic Kitty

  • Lambchop – What Another Man Spills — The BCPF is a huge fan of Lambchop (is a band) and when Jonathan included this in his “flip video” on Friday, she went nuts because she didn’t see it until around 8 hours after he posted it. She figured that was a lost opportunity. It wasn’t. It was still there. This is a remastered 2xLP in a pea green and peacock blue (one each) and the artwork is just a black cover, as opposed to the slightly more colorful original. This was the first time this has ever been on vinyl and it’s a promo copy. NM.
  • Squirrel Nut Zippers – Hot — Another that The BCPF was gaga over. She loves this band and her brother went to high school with someone from SNZ. It was VG+ and a fun listen. Even the production sounded like it was from the swing heyday.
  • Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell — Yet another for The BCPF. When I think of “her music,” I think of Elliott Smith first, Belle & Sebastian second and Sufjan Stevens third. We have a few albums by him and while I don’t have a wide knowledge of his stuff, I am going to say this is my favorite. There’s a lot of emotion on here and it was therapy for him by the loss of his mother (Carrie) who abandoned him when he was about one. They had connections later, I think, and Lowell (Sufjan’s stepfather) actually co-founded Asthmatic Kitty Records with Sufjan. A funny line in one of the lyrics which was presumably about Lowell and was “Emerald Park, wonders never cease. The man who taught me to swim, he couldn’t quite say my first name. Like a Father, he led community water on my head, and he called me ‘Subaru.'” This was VG++.
  • Paul McCartney – Tug Of War — Not my favorite Macca albums but it does have some good stuff on it. The title track, “Take It Away” and “Ebony and Ivory” were some of my faves. VG+.
  • Bee Gees – 2 Years On —  The only one we didn’t get to listen to yesterday of this haul. We will today. I don’t know much about the album other than it only sold around 375k copies. Which is way more than I’ve sold but still… Robin Gibb had had a spat with his brothers a couple of albums before and had left. He came back for this one. Okay. VG+.
  • Queen – Hot Space — Often considered the “awful” Queen album, I didn’t mind it. It’s not the Queen we were used to at this point but it wasn’t bad. I equate it to KISS’ Music from ‘The Elder.’ Not what you thought it would be but in hindsight? It’s decent. The production is very synth-heavy. On The Game, Queen had “discovered” the OB-X from Oberheim. That kind of turned Freddie on and he led the band in this direction. The other band members have voiced how much they really weren’t happy with it and David Bowie had done some backing vocals for a tune or two and asked that they be removed just before the album went to press. Of course, “Under Pressure” featured Bowie’s vocals, but that was recorded before the album. VG- according to Jonathan, but it was in good listening shape.
  • Crowded House – Temple Of Low Men — As I said on social media, I have never heard a Crowded House song I didn’t like and this is no exception. The band always puts out quality stuff and this is one fantastic album. As our pal, Neil says, “Better Be Home Soon,” “Into Temptation,” “Mansion in the Slums,” “Love This Life,” “Kill Eye,” “Sister Madly,” all great tunes from this album. I agree with him. VG- but again, in really good shape.

So, the haul was small but we got great stuff. Nothing on the RS list but that’s okay. Jonathan had to close the Underdog Records for a few days this past week because he was sick but he’s back and better. We loved our finds (all in the recently used bin) and made it out to do some good listening with good stuff. I didn’t get a good look at what all was in there because we were in a hurry, but you know you can always find cleaning and listening supplies, some new and a lot of used equipment, including a set of Pioneer speakers for $150 for the pair (I think). There’s lots of good stuff there and you already know that by now. Go check him out.

And, you know by now that I use Discogs to catalog my collection and to buy used (and sometimes new) records that Jonathan can’t get.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“In the afterlife, you could be headed for the serious strife. Now you make the scene all day, but tomorrow there’ll be Hell to pay.” – “Hell” (Maxwell)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/28/18

29 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I did our Saturday thang all around. Mary’s Gourmet Diner, Underdog Records, Willows Bistro. I have to say, I made out with a great collection of Judas Priest albums. I have never really been huge into them but their older stuff is awesome, especially their first album, which I got. Speaking of which:

Rocka_Rolla_(Judas_Priest_album)

©Gull Records

  • Judas Priest – Rocka Rolla — The first Priest album. However, it wasn’t first here in the US. It was first in the UK and Europe in 1974. But, it wasn’t released here until 1979. This was back when Rob Halford was still “Bob” Halford. It wasn’t the “metal” Priest, either, just good early- to mid-70s hard rock. Great stuff. VG++!
  • Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny  — The second Priest album. They got a little harder on this one and started shaping up for what was the Priest to come. VG++.
  • Judas Priest – Sin After Sin — The third Priest album. Jonathan has it rated at VG and I haven’t listened to it yet, but J tends to be conservative in his ratings which is good, he doesn’t want to oversell anything. I have a feeling that this is probably closer to VG+. He says it has some surface noise but sometimes, that’s the beauty of vinyl.
  • Judas Priest – Unleashed In The East (Live In Japan) — I already had the fourth album from Priest (Stained Class) and haven’t found the fifth yet (Killing Machine or in the US it was called Hell Bent for Leather) but then comes this album, their first live album. I found it at Underdog Records in VG condition and again, I feel it is probably a little closer to VG+ but I’m going with VG.
  • Judas Priest – Turbo — Then comes the one everyone hates… except me. I don’t have the sixth studio album (British Steel), the seventh (Point of Entry) – which Jonathan had but I passed on it for whatever reason. I do have the eighth (Screaming For Vengeance). Jonathan had the ninth (Defenders of the Faith) but for whatever reason, I skipped on it, and then this one.  This was a very pop-heavy album. And by pop-heavy I mean it was filled with a poppier sound but it was also heavy. Many Priest purists down it because it wasn’t “their Judas Priest.” However, it was the first real introduction I had to any of their stuff and I loved it. I loved it more than most of their stuff I got to know later. So, “Parental Guidance” and “Turbo Lover” are some of my favorite Priest tunes. I get how cheesy they can be but I still loved it. It’s the first time, I believe, I’ve owned this record, though. VG+.
  • Bob Dylan – Infidels — I am so hit-or-miss with Dylan, especially the older he got. This came out in 1983 and I really don’t like all the scoopy-whiny crap he resorted to. This was VG+.
  • Bob Dylan – Empire Burlesque — Dylan’s next studio album after Infidels. Oddly enough, I didn’t hate it. There were some cheesish things on there but it wasn’t awful. This, too, was VG+.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – Catch A Fire — This is the 1974 reissue of the 1973 album. I have gotten to really like Marley even though I’m still not a huge fan of reggae as a whole. This though was pretty much background noise after a while. It was in VG condition.
  • Ric Ocasek – Beatitude — This album was really crappy which was a disappointment because I’m a fan of The Cars. I was hoping it would have been Cars-like but it was disjointed and seemed to have no cohesion throughout. It was in VG shape.
  • No Artist – Living French: A Complete Language Course — The BCPF and I are huge fans of the French, their language, their culture, them. We have both taken French over the course of our lifetimes. We got this 4×10″ set mainly because of the books that came with the set and it was only $1. I’d say the cover box was in VG- condition but the 10″ records inside were in VG+.
  • Daniel Ash – Coming Down — This was a “bucket list” item for The BCPF. I purchased it from Discogs Marketplace and this was the second attempt. The first attempt led to the seller not finding it. It worked out okay, though, I have another album I need on its way (both the replacement and this came from Europe/UK). So, she was excited because I didn’t tell her that I ordered another. I like giving her the things she likes. VG++.

I really wish I would have gotten those two Priest albums that I passed on at Underdog Records. Part of it was the cost was piling up, but I just said, Nah. I figure he sold them both before the end of the day. I’m going to check on Tuesday when he opens back up but I’m not getting my hopes up. I really encourage you to watch the Facebook and Instagram accounts for Underdog, because he always posts exciting things he’s getting in, be it equipment, re-stock or freshly acquired used stuff.

And, as you can see, you can get your “bucket list” stuff on Discogs Marketplace. I’d say 99% of the sellers are really easy to work with and they’re usually spot on about their grade ratings and are willing to work with you to make all right. I love buying from there. You just have to watch shipping from EU and UK as those costs can add up. I try to only buy from those who state their shipping costs up front.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning!
Scorp out!

—
“You say I waste my life away, but I live it to the full. And how would you know anyway, you’re just mister dull. Why don’t you get into the things we do today? You could lose twenty years right away, so we say. We don’t need, no, no no no parental guidance here.” – “Parental Guidance” (Tipton/Downing/Halford)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/30/18

01 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I were up early to head to Mary’s Gourmet Diner and then over to Underdog Records, yesterday. We were actually home before noon and that gave us over six hours of record listening before heading to Willows Bistro last night. That was great! Here’s the haul:

skidrow

©Atlantic Records

  • Skid Row – Skid Row – I have always been a fan of Sebastian Bach’s voice. He’s got power and soul. His range is amazing, too. This is a VG++ copy of the album was priced at about $20, so it was in magnificent shape and it was so fun listening to it on vinyl after years of CD listening. Great pickup!
  • Extreme – Extreme II: Pornograffitti – I wore the CD out for this album when I discovered it back in the very early 90s. I hate Gary Cherone’s voice outside of Extreme (like in Van Halen), but in Extreme, it fits darned-near perfectly. This was a VG++ copy. Now, my beef with the vinyl version of this album is the exclusion of “Hole Hearted.” I understand there are space limitations on vinyl (see my post a few months back about Dire Strait’s Brothers in Arms) but “Hole Hearted” made it to #4 on the charts! They could have left off “It (‘s a Monster)” or something else. Oh well. I also think this is the Canadian version of the album.
  • Polvo – Shapes – I had never heard of this band before but The BCPF says that they were a staple of the Chapel Hill scene in the early- and mid-90s. I know that it was mixed and partially recorded at my pal Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium in K-Ville. It was a lot of soft to heavy stuff and I enjoyed listening with her. It was in VG++ shape.
  • Various – Lost In The Stars (The Music Of Kurt Weill) – Kurt Weill was a German/American composer and songwriter active in the 1920s through to his death in 1950. Perhaps his best-known work was The Threepenny Opera which featured the song “Mack the Knife.” This tribute has Sting, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Marianne Faithfull, Todd Rundgren and others doing his songs. I loved all of it. The BCPF liked some of it. It was great stuff, to me. VG+.
  • Chris Stamey Group Special Guests The dB’s – Christmas Time – Chris Stamey is a Chapel Hill, NC native that spent a lot of time in WSNC. He was in bands with Alex Chilton of Big Star and he was also in Sneakers with Mitch Easter. He later formed the dBs with Peter Holsapple, which along with REM and Let’s Active (Easter’s band) led the charge for guitar bands in the southeast. It’s a Christmas album. That’s what I know of it other than what I’ve already said. VG+.
  • The Dream Academy – The Dream Academy – Yes, “Life in a Northern Town.” But, this album was so much more than just that song. The whole album is in that vein but it’s just as good as that song. This was in the $1 bin and there was a skip here and there but very little. I’m going to say VG.
  • Van Halen – Van Halen – the awesome first VH album and I got it for $1. After cleaning it up, it was in really good shape. Not much surface noise at all and not a single skip. I was quite pleased with that acquisition. I’ll go with VG.
  • The J. Geils Band – Ladies Invited – I don’t recognize any songs on here, but it was $1, so why not? VG.
  • Go-Go’s – Beauty And The Beat  – Yep, “Head Over Heels,” “This Town,” and “We Got the Beat.” No skips and it was only $1. VG.
  • Various – Top Gun (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – $1 bin find. You don’t pass this soundtrack up. VG.
  • Michel Legrand And His Orchestra – The New I Love Paris – I’ve said it before but The BCPF and I are obsessed with French music from the 50s and 60s. It was $1 so there you go. VG-.

So, a while back, Jonathan had given me a crate of “warped” records that he was going to let me do some experimenting with because I wanted to play with flattening them. I went through some of them yesterday and while there was a little bit of warble on the turntable, none of the ones I pulled were too awfully bad. So, here’s what I cleaned from that stack:

  • Christopher Cross – Another Page – It’s the album with “All Right” and “Think of Laura.” The LP itself was in pretty good shape with the slightest warp. I would say it’s about VG.
  • Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim – Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim – Ol’ Blue Eyes. Not too bad. VG-.
  • Bruce Springsteen – Human Touch and Bruce Springsteen – Lucky Town – Sister releases, ninth and tenth of Springsteen’s studio albums, released on the same day. Lucky Town was still sealed. They each had a little warble but all in all, VG/VG+.
  • The Beach Boys – Endless Summer – 2xLP compilation album. I had to do some serious washing on this album and there were some spots on the album that I have no idea what it is. I washed it extra long and most but not all of that scum came off of the wax. I’d say G+, and that’s being generous.
  • Richard Marx – Rush Street – I’m a huge fan of Richard Marx, whether I should be or not. I dig him. One of my favorite tunes from him and this album is “Hazard.” I love the story. Not much warp, either. VG/VG+.
  • K.T. Oslin – 80’s Ladies – Still sealed and not much warpage. VG/VG+.
  • Various – Happy Days – Fonzie Favorites – Yeah, I don’t know. It was there and I couldn’t resist cleaning it to see what came of it. I’ve not listened to it but it’s mostly Doo-wop and old rock and roll. Everly Brothers, Bobby Darin, Bill Haley & the Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Coasters, The Chantels, etc. VG.
  • Bee Gees – 1st – The guys, including the non-Brothers Gibb, look way young. It’s the coolest that Barry Gibb has ever looked, I’d say. It’s called 1st and for a major label, it is their first, but it’s third in their actual discography. It has the tune “New York Mining Disaster 1941” on it. VG. Mono.
  • Tom Jones – What A Night – I love me some Tom Jones. According to its Wikipedia page, “the album was promoted by Epic as showing a more sensitive and thoughtful side to the singer.” Okay. G+.

So, that’s a pretty good haul or at least a pretty good addition. Jonathan had a pretty good selection of receivers and turntables in Underdog Records yesterday. It’s a great way to start your record collecting (besides having something to play them on), having good and decent equipment.

Thanks to Discogs for providing a place to keep a record of what I have in my collection. Last night at Willows I was able to compare notes and collections with my good friend Michael. Discogs is great.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A Salvation Army band played and the children drank lemonade and the morning lasted all day, all day. And through an open window came, like Sinatra in a younger day, pushing the town away, away. Life in a northern town.” – “Life in a Northern Town” (Laird-Clowes/Gabriel)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/9/18

10 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

So, we rushed to do our Saturday Thang (minus Willows Bistro, which we did the night before) because I was opening for King’s X. But, we made it to Mary’s Gourmet Diner and Underdog Records and even got a few listened to before we had to be at The Ramkat. Here’s what we got:

Queensryche_-_Queensryche_EP_cover

©EMI America

  • Queensrÿche – Queensrÿche – Historically one of my top 5 bands of all time. However, their later stuff with Geoff Tate wasn’t up there. Conversely, this wasn’t really my wheelhouse with them, either, but there are some great concert staples on here. It was their debut EP that was put out independently at first but then reissued under the EMI America label and is officially part of the QR canon. It’s great stuff and it was VG++.
  • Queensrÿche – The Warning – The follow-up to the debut EP, this too isn’t one of my faves by them but I love having anything I can of theirs. I don’t dislike it and will listen to it often. My time with them started at the next album in their discography, Rage for Order, but I don’t have it yet. I didn’t know about them until right as Empire came out. But, this too has some concert staples and is a great listen. VG++.
  • Tesla – Mechanical Resonance – The debut album by Tesla and it contains one of my favorite hard rock songs ever, “Modern Day Cowboy,” which I think has one of the greatest opening guitar runs ever. A few other hits on this album, as well. “Little Suzi,” “Cumin’ Atcha Live” (which I did in a former band), “Changes,” “Gettin’ Better” (which I did in a different band), and  “EZ Come EZ Go.” VG (but that’s a conservative rating because of a little noise at the beginning).
  • Wall Of Voodoo – Call Of The West – Yes, the album with “Mexican Radio” on it. The whole album was really good. I didn’t know that WOV was so much of a synth band. I knew they were New Wave, Dark Wave and Post Punk but I was pleasantly surprised with the synth part. Great listen. VG++.
  • Marlene Dietrich – Songs In German By The Inimitable Dietrich – I don’t know what it is about Marlene Dietrich but we love listening to her stuff. I think, for me, it’s because that’s where the inspiration for Madeline Kahn’s Blazin’ Saddles character, Lili von Shtupp, the “Teutonic Titwillow,” came from. For The BCPF, I think it’s because she’s German. VG.
  • Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret – This was not what I expected, either. I have heard “Tainted Love” since this came out in 1981 but the rest of it was very surreal. As NME wrote as a review: “The Soft Cell sex strategy should offer something spicy, rude and even a little wonderful… but Soft Cell are conceptualists who rely on too many preconceptions and play around with too many ideas to convince you of any personal energy or commitment… Soft Cell are very plain fare – unspectacular music and very drab and flat lyrics, wrapped in a hint of special promise which is never realised [sic].” I can’t decide if I liked it or not. VG.
  • Eurythmics – Revenge – The album with “Missionary Man.” Annie’s voice is amazing and I think she’s sexy as all get out. I know some disagree on that last point but it’s okay. I like it! $1 bin find. The outer and inner sleeves are both in rough shape but the vinyl is in great shape. VG+ for the media, G+ for the sleeves.
  • Edith Piaf – More Piaf Of Paris With The Orchestra Of Robert Chauvigny – Because we love French music, we couldn’t pass this one up from the $1 bin. VG.

So, it was a slow week but funds are tight and this is what we could pull off. I can’t tell you how much I love just being in Underdog Records. I love being surrounded by vinyl. I do it there and to a lesser extent come here and do the same thing. But, Jonathan always has a great selection and his pricing is amazing. He’s got a lot of used equipment if you’re looking, as well.

Discogs is my go-to for keeping you up to date on my vinyl travels, Dear Reader.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Al Capone and the Bad Boy Jones, on the wrong side of the law. Johnny D and his company, always first to the draw. Gangster lean, feelin’ so mean, I try to take more than their share. Cause all they saw was ruling it all, the scent of blood was in the air. Bang bang, shoot ’em up, bang bang, blow you away. It’s a showdown in the no man’s land, for the cowboy of the modern day. Come sundown, don’t be hangin’ round, cause the cowboy’ll blow you away.” – “Modern Day Cowboy” (Hannon/Keith/Skeoch)

Spinning Sunday Plus One or: The Haul 6/2/18

04 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

So, I promised that I’d make up for making Spinning Sunday “silent.” Here’s the haul from Underdog Records:

_music

©EWorks

  • Eels – The Deconstruction – 2×10″ LP in yellow. The BCPF is a fan of Eels and this was the newest thing. So, we got it! New.
  • Priest – New Flesh – I have become a fan of the band Ghost but have, oddly enough, never pulled the trigger on purchasing an album, on vinyl or otherwise. Ghost is a Swedish “Heavy Metal” band. Apparently, at least one of Papa Emeritus’ former “Nameless Ghouls” is in this band. But, it doesn’t necessarily sound metal. It sounds like a grinding Depeche Mode. I liked what I heard when Jonathan played it in the store and we got it. New.
  • Elvis Costello – My Aim Is True – #168 on the RS List. My dear pal Patrick Ferguson had it in his hands and allowed me to have it so I could add it to my collection and mark it off the list. VG++.
  • Ozzy Osbourne – Bark At The Moon – I know a lot of people are Randy Rhoades folk when it comes to Ozzy. I liked Randy, but I loved Jake E. Lee, too. In fact, my favorite album he was on (and my favorite Ozzy album altogether) is The Ultimate Sin. I have played the title cut of this album in a past band and it was always one of my favorites to play. VG.
  • Small Faces – 78 In The Shade – Okay, I’ll admit that I know little-to-nothing about Small Faces. I know that Steve Mariott was the vox. But, because I figure I need to have some, this was there, and just “why not?” VG++.
  • Wang Chung – Mosaic – Yeah, I love my cheesy 80s stuff and here are some of the biggest culprits. “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go” were the big hits on this, I believe. Near immaculate vinyl and plays great, according to Jonathan. VG++.
  • Bob Dylan – Hard Rain – A live album from Dylan. The BCPF loves him, we collect him. That’s how it is. VG+.
  • Corey Hart – First Offense – “Sunglasses at Night.” Yes, that one. I did mention the 80s cheese, right? Yeah, here’s my backup on that.

Though it was a short week, we had fun with it, had fun hanging around our friends, and drank a good bit of wine and beer. But, Underdog Records allowed us to keep our purchase with them while we walked to the festival.

Discogs helps me keep my collection organized and I love its random album ability. You should try it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Screams break the silence waking from the dead of night. Vengeance is boiling, he’s returned to kill the light. Then when he’s found who he’s looking for
Listen in awe and you’ll hear him bark at the moon.” – “Bark at the Moon” (Osbourne/Lee/Daisley)