Tag Archives: Records

Late But Not Out or: For the Records

23 Monday Sep 2019

Posted by in Food, Music Review, Podcasting, Records, The Less Desirables Network

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

This weekend, as I said was a little bit weird, timing-wise and we didn’t get to do our normal listening. That also threw our posting off a little on Beeswax Vinyl and in the Underdog Records “Now Spinning” page. So, I’ll leave a little posting about them here. Hah’bah’dah?

20190921_164404-01

©Enigma Records

This is from Saturday, Sunday and one today.

First up is a great record from The Smithereens. It’s their debut album from 1986, titled Especially For You. I say debut, but I really mean their first full-length album. They had some EPs and stuff prior. This had “Blood and Roses” and “Behind the Walls of Sleep” on it.

20190922_101515-01

©A&M

Then came the debut album from one of my favorite bands, The Police. It’s Outlandos D’Amour. They were extra punk/ska at this time and the album is just full of awesome tunes. “Next to You,” “So Lonely,” “Roxanne,” “Hole in My Life,” “Can’t Stand Losing You,” “Truth Hits Everybody” and “Born in the ’50s” just to name a few. I love this album. It’s not my favorite Police album but it’s tied for second with the other three that aren’t Synchronicity.

 

20190922_101605-01

©Sire Records

Next, was The Replacements’ Pleased to Meet Me. It wasn’t Tim or Let It Be (not to be confused with the Beatles album of the same name), which were both on the RS list, but it does have the song “Alex Chilton,” named after the singer of The Box Tops and Big Star. Chilton actually plays on this album, too, but not on that song. It’s punk, it’s rock, it’s alternative. It’s great. I enjoyed listening to it, a lot.

 

Those were Saturday’s listens. Sunday, we only got one in and that was Walking Across Egypt, which is basically author and musician Clyde Edgerton doing songs based on two of his books, Walking Across Egypt and Raney. This album is a lot of banjo and not-quite-bluegrass-Americana. Edgerton is a native of North Carolina, being born in Bethesda, close to Durham. He is a professor at UNC-Wilmington and has a street named for him in Kernersville. This is signed by Edgerton. The last bit is kind of an audiobook with a couple of passages read by the author. A good listen.

20190922_101717-01

©Flying Fish

 

 

Today, I listened to Pink Floyd’s Animals. This was the transition between Wish You Were Here and The Wall. It’s not my favorite, by any means. It’s a little more proggy than I’d like and less about compact songs. I like compact songs. Heck, read any of my RS list reviews. It’s a concept album that is based on socio-political issues in the late 1970s UK. That was a tumultuous time, for sure. There was turmoil within the band at that time, too. It led to Richard Wright leaving or being fired. Either way, he was no longer in the band. He was just a “hired hand” on The Wall, even though I felt he was a very important part of both of those albums. This was a decent listen. I dug it.

20190923_180414-02

©Columbia

That’s what I got for our playing the last few days. One day, we’ll get back to recording Beeswax Vinyl & More podcast. We’ll talk about more records soon. Hey, speaking of podcasts, we recorded both Fan Interference and The Man Who Ate the Town today. Listen to TMWATT here and FI here.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If you didn’t care what happened to me and I didn’t care for you, we would zigzag our way through the boredom and pain. Occasionally glancing up through the rain, wondering which of the buggers to blame. And, watching for pigs on the wing.” – “Pigs on the Wing (Part 1)” (Waters)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/21/19

22 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a scheduling-weird day for The BCPF and me. We had a house-warming to attend in Charlotte so we had to put our regular activities on hold. We got back into town around 3pm so then we got to go to Underdog Records and got to listen to a few before we went to dinner. Anywhat! We got some good stuff. Here’s the haul:

The_Replacements_-_Pleased_to_Meet_Me_cover

©Sire Records

  • The Replacements – Pleased To Meet Me — All I knew of this band (other than listening to the stuff on the RS list, somehow this isn’t on that) was the song “Alex Chilton” about, well, Alex Chilton, the founder of Big Star and lead singer of the 60s band, The Box Tops (“The Letter”). That song is on this album. Chilton actually played on this album, but not on his namesake tune. The Replacements started in punk but moved a little more straight-ahead rock and became one of the pioneering “alternative” rock bands. This album is great! I really dug it. VG+.
  • Paul Simon – Still Crazy After All These Years — We had this already but it was only in VG shape. We aren’t going on a big run of re-collecting better versions as it may seem we are from the last few weeks. However, if we find something that we know we are a fan of but our version wasn’t in the best of shape, then we’ll get the better version because we really enjoy listening. Besides, this one is a reissue on Warner Bros and the original we had was on Columbia. EX/VG++.
  • The Smithereens – Especially For You — The first full-length album by The Smithereens and supposedly one of Kurt Cobain’s favorite albums, per his journal. “Blood and Roses” and “Behind the Wall of Sleep” were both Top 40 hits on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts and the album is solid. It was a fun listen. EX/VG++.
  • The Smithereens – Green Thoughts — The follow up to the previous entry, we haven’t listened to this one, yet. It had the singles “Only a Memory,” “House We Used to Live In,” and “Drown in My Own Tears.” Sadly, we lost singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio in 2017. EX/VG++.
  • Pink Floyd – Animals — One of the few “classic” Floyd albums I didn’t have. This isn’t in the greatest shape but I couldn’t pass it up. It’s one of their “proggy” ones that is only five songs long but has three over 10 minutes long. I’ve heard it and it’s not my fave but I now have it. It’s an original pressing. VG-.
  • The Police – Outlandos D’Amour — The debut album by one of my faves. Finding them on vinyl has been somewhat of a chore. But, I’m working on it. This has “Next to You,” “So Lonely,” “Roxanne,” “Hole in My Life,” “Can’t Stand Losing You,” “Truth Hits Everybody” and “Born in the ’50s.” I love this album. I love all their albums, even if I don’t love all the songs. VG is what Jonathan said and while I trust him more than my own ratings, I didn’t hear any surface wear or noise so I’m going to say it’s VG+.
  • Glen Campbell – Southern Nights — I’m not a huge Campbell fan, but I do like the title song and I recognize his talent. It was $2. VG++.

Jonathan was busy in the store yesterday and he and “D” have been working on getting the store cleaned up for the big $1 album sale coming next weekend. Basically, boxes and boxes of $1 albums that he’s never put out before will be available and people will (hopefully) go crazy and buy a bunch of stuff! It could be a big deal. So, make sure you get by and get your $1 records. Make sure you clean them before you play them. Dirty records are like a social disease for styli. Listen to this week’s The Less Desirables to hear more about it! I have been using Discogs to “shake” my phone which leads to a random pick from my collection. That’s awesome.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Sleep lay behind me like a broken ocean. Strange waking dreams before my eyes unfold. You lay there sleeping like an open doorway. I stepped outside myself and felt so cold. Take a look at my new toy. It’ll blow your head in two, oh boy. Truth hits everybody, truth hits everyone.” – “Truth Hits Everybody” (Sting)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/14/19

15 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I slept late because we were out late, even though I didn’t get to play on Friday night. But, we did eventually get by to Underdog Records and had a little bit of listening time before our Saturday evening plans. Here’s the haul:

Tonight_(album)

©EMI America

  • Belle And Sebastian – Days Of The Bagnold Summer — When anything by Belle & Sabastian comes out, we jump on it. This is to a soundtrack of a film, I guess by the name of Days of the Bagnold Summer. It is a great album. If you’re not familiar with B&S, you should check them out. I understand it’s not for everyone but you never know, you may like it. New.
  • Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Southern Accents — Petty’s 1985 album that spawned “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “Rebels” and “Make It Better (Forget About Me).” It’s a great album. EX/VG++.
  • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) — His follow up to the previous entry, this one had “Jammin’ Me,” “Runaway Trains,” “All Mixed Up” and “Think About Me” released as singles. A great album, as well. EX/VG++.
  • The Police – Ghost In The Machine — I had this one already but only in VG condition. I just couldn’t pass up a VG++ version. So, I’ll trade the other one in to Jonathan. This is tied for second of my favorite Police albums with Outlandos d’Amour, Reggatta de Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta (yes, that is all their other albums) after Synchronicity. “Invisible Sun,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” “Spirits in the Material World” and “Secret Journey” were the singles but “Omegaman,” “Demolition Man,” “Rehumanize Yourself” and “Too Much Information” is also on this album.
  • David Bowie – Tonight — This may shock some people but the first time I ever heard of, or anything by, Bowie was “Blue Jean” from this album. I hated it. I don’t know why. It was because of the video on TBS’s Night Tracks music video program. Remember, I didn’t have MTV until 1986. I also didn’t have access to Bowie on the radio. I was so out of touch. That’s why I make it my mission, now, to absorb as much as I can. Bowie continues his writing with Iggy Pop on this album and does a Beach Boys cover (“God Only Knows” from Pet Sounds) and a Chuck Jackson cover (“I Keep Forgettin'”) and does a duet with Tina Turner on the title track. I love this album. VG++.
  • Chopin, Artur Rubinstein – Nocturnes (Complete) — You’ll see from the next few entries, there were a number of classical albums. This one first. It’s a 2xLP set of, well, the complete set of Nocturnes from ol’ Fred. VG.
  • Beethoven, Wiener Philharmoniker Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Pierre Monteux – Symphony No.3 In E Flat (“Eroica”) — Pretty much what it says. This one is NM and still sealed, although I’ll take care of that in the next little bit.
  • Luys Venegas de Henestrosa – Luys Venegas de Henestrosa (16th Century) “Libro de Cifra Nueva” — The “History of Spanish Music” series, this is a shload of harpsichord music. I don’t know how I feel about that. VG+.
  • Gustav Leonhardt, Johann Sebastian Bach – The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 — 3xLP set that is in great condition and we got it from the $1 bin. VG+.
  • François Chantal – Piano At Twilight — I love piano music, this was in VG+ condition and in the $1 bin. Yes, please.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Love Beach — Released two days before my eighth birthday, this is the “nadir” of ELP’s output. It’s the last one before they split up. They didn’t play together again until 1992. Although, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake did join up with Cozy Powell for a whole different ELP in the mid-80s. That’s the first time I ever heard of ELP and didn’t know that Palmer was even a thing. Anyway, this is supposed to be earth-shatteringly awful which makes me want to hear it. According to Keith Emerson, the album was “an embarrassment against everything I’ve worked for.” It was $1 and goes in my ELP collection. A win for me, even if it does suck like a Hoover. VG/VG+.

When we got to Underdog Records yesterday, Jonathan had put out some doughnuts from Krispy Kreme and we each had one. Jonathan is always doing cool things for his customers. He has a lot of speaker pairs for sale right now, you should check out the Underdog Records’ Instagram and Facebook to see what he has. Plus, follow to see what he’s just picked up or acquired and is putting out for purchase. 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 what I have so when I came across an album in the store I can look to see if I already have it. I was talking to another customer in the store and he says he gets home and realizes he already had a copy of something and just keeps it. I told him to use Discogs and that doesn’t happen as often. It does sometimes but not usually.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I got my own way of workin’, but everything is run with a southern accent where I come from.” – “Southern Accents” (Petty)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/7/19

08 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Salutations™!!

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.

ParadeLP

©Paisley Park/Warner Bros.

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)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/31/19

01 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

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

Salutations™!!

Let me start by saying I had a great time singing with the Vagabond Saints Society last night. I would have liked to have had one more song, but it was fun hanging with my buddies.

In_the_Beginning_-_Journey

©Columbia

The BCPF and I had a mostly regular day, outside of leaving home early to a) get a parking space and b) go eat at Crafted before the VSS show. We, of course, got to get by and say hey to Jonathan and walk out with some good records. Here’s the haul:

  • The Black Crowes – Shake Your Money Maker — I have never been a fan of the Black Crowes and when this album came out, I hated it. I think because I was forced to play “Jealous Again” in a band and I didn’t like playing it. Actually, as I’ve gotten older, I really like this album including “Jealous.” But, I still hate “Hard to Handle” with a passion, no matter who’s doing it. I just really hate it. But, other than that, the entire album is a gem. My favorite song on the album starts it off, “Twice as Hard.” New.
  • Bon Iver – i,i — The BCPF loves Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver. I liked this album but really, I couldn’t figure out what his point was. It was a lot of samples, backward recordings, and electronic fills. Again, I like that, but, it wasn’t really what Bon Iver has been about. I’m okay with it, just… “?” New.
  • Iggy Pop – The Idiot — This is a 4 Men With Beards reissue of Iggy’s 1977 debut solo album and it was produced by David Bowie. It’s a bit different from Iggy’s work with the Stooges and in retrospect, Bowie felt bad that he pretty much had grown fatigued in what he had been doing and wanted to get behind someone else’s work. It turned out that it’s basically a Bowie-style album with Jim Osterberg (Iggy’s real name) singing. Iggy’s version of “China Girl” is pretty good. I liked this album. NM.
  • Journey – In The Beginning – 1975-1977 — I’ve talked many times about how I’m not a fan of pre-Steve Perry Journey. I’m not a huge fan of Gregg Rolie and am a fan of “hits.” That being said, this 2xLP collection of tunes from the first three Journey albums is pretty fantastic. They were more proggy than pop-rock at this time. But, I can’t say anything bad about any of it. I really enjoyed listening. VG+.
  • Gospel Music – How To Get To Heaven From Jacksonville, FL — I know nothing about this band/artist. What I do know is that they/he is on Kill Rock Stars, the label that is best known for their commitment to underground punk and alt-rock in Portland, Oregon and Olympia, Washington. We haven’t listened to it, yet, but we will. Probably today. EX/VG++
  • Marvin Gaye – Marvin Gaye’s Greatest Hits — It seems this is from Turkey but is on the Tamla label.  It is from 1977 and spans a good bit of his career. VG.
  • Nat King Cole – Nat King Cole Sings His Songs From Cat Ballou And Other Motion Pictures — It was an album from Nat King Cole that we didn’t have and hey it was in the $1 bin. But, it’s in great condition. VG+.
  • Ouro Negro and Berta Cardoso – A Visit To Portugal — Portugal is a target of a possible trip to Europe next year with The Beer Dads family. We also love collecting music from other countries so double bonus! Triple bonus is that this was in the $1 bin. Quadruple bonus is that it’s also in VG+.

Jonathan has a bit of used equipment that he’s collecting. Not really collecting but he’s prepping for sale. So if you or someone you know is in the market for a new (to them) turntable, receiver or heck, even an 8-track changer (yeah, that exists), then go by 835 Burke Street and check these things out! Tell him that The Less Desirables sent you! Speaking of, listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is! And, use Discogs to track your collection, no matter what the media format. If you do, share it with me. Contact me for the hookup!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Nightclubbing, we’re nightclubbing. We’re what’s happening. Nightclubbing, we’re nightclubbing. We’re an ice machine. We see people brand new people. They’re something to see.” – “Nightclubbing” (Pop/Bowie)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/24/19

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

It was a weird day yesterday as we had to drop off The BCPF’s car with my Bro-in-Law to have him do some servicing to it. Then we went to the bank to deposit the money from the insurance and then to breakfast before heading to Underdog. I love Underdog Records. Here’s the short-haul:

ShoutattheDevil

©Elektra

  • Mötley Crüe – Shout At The Devil — To me, this is the best Mötley album. It was where I was introduced to them via a rare vacation to somewhere that the USA channel and its Night Flight. I saw the “Looks That Kill” and “Too Young to Fall in Love” videos and was hooked. This was when I was breaking out of my KISS-only exile. In fact, the first KISS album that I got on cassette instead of LP was Lick It Up which came out a week before this did. I say that but the weird thing is, I had this on LP. I don’t know and can’t explain why. I later got it on CD and it was playing in my truck when my ex-wife and I almost wrecked going to WV to my “brother’s” mother’s funeral. We decided that we would never listen to that album in the car again. That’s changed, I’ve listened to it since. But, this was a different kind of rock; a step up from the raw production of their first album. Of course, they got all slick and polished for the next one. This was just the best. There I said it. VG+.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – All ‘N All — I love EW&F but this was not my favorite from them. At times it seemed that they were just looking for words to put in the song. Not lyrics of course but “nonsense” words as a music teacher called them back in elementary school. And, also at times, it was like the key wasn’t important. It’s not a bad album but it isn’t a great album. VG++.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends – Ladies And Gentlemen — A live album by ELP which, while I can’t exactly say I’ve “gotten into,” I have started listening to more and more of it. I think my sense of progginess is coming through. I think I just made that word up. Yay me! I haven’t listened to this one yet. VG++.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Emerson, Lake & Palmer — The debut album by the aforementioned new “interest.” That makes seven  It has “Lucky Man” on it. I don’t know much more than that. I’ll keep you informed. VG+.
  • Bread – The Best Of Bread — We love us some Yacht Rock and while this album is a bit out of the proper Yacht Rock timeframe the subject matter and musical style is firmly planted in that era. Yacht Rock, technically is from around 1976 or ’77 through about 1981-82. This album came out in 1973, so you see what I mean. But, regardless, it is great stuff. VG++.

So, that’s the haul. Another thing odd about this is that The BCPF had little input. She usually finds a record or two, or heck has most of the records (which happens more than not) in the haul. So, during listening yesterday she picked things that were already in the collection. We switched up the TLD/UR special this week so listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to hear what that special is. Use Discogs to track your music collection, no matter the format.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“Gonna tell the story o’ morning glory. All about the serpentine fire.” – “Serpentine Fire” (White/White/Burke

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/17/19

18 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Records, Sounds Like Saturday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Salutations™!!

Well, the Carolina Cobras lost the championship game with only 11 seconds left on the clock. Phooey on that. But, other than that, and a screwy day chasing dreams, we did get some great records and some great listening in. Underdog Records was jumping and I love to see that. Here’s the haul:

The_Icicle_Works_Debut_Album_Cover-_USA_Version

©Beggar’s Banquet

  • Sleater-Kinney – The Center Won’t Hold — I have liked most things I have heard from this riot grrrl group and what I heard whilst making the Underdog Records advert for The Less Desirables, I liked, as well. Jonathan did say that this was unlike anything they have ever recorded and it was produced by St. Vincent (Anne Clark) and is a little more electronic and modern, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it still had the “balls” that they are known for, just not as aggressive, I guess. We really enjoyed listening to this. New.
  • José González – In Our Nature — I’ve said before that The BCPF is a huge fan of José’s and when she has the opportunity to get stuff that she doesn’t already have, she jumps at it. He’s a great talent with a great voice. Oddly enough, he’s Argentinian but born in Sweden. But, that’s neither here nor there, I guess. Great album. New.
  • Rolling Stones – More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies) — We had this already but it was only in “Good” condition and the cover was in “Poor” condition. I really don’t know why I counted it at all. Anywhat! We got a better copy. This one is VG+.
  • Yes – Relayer — I love collecting Yes albums. I mostly like listening to Yes albums. I don’t know how I’ll feel about this one. With my prog-rock, I am hit or miss. The first side of this album is a 22-minute song called “The Gates of Delirium” which is Jon Anderson’s take on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Side two is just two songs. So, I’ll let you know how I feel. I am very glad to have it, though. VG+.
  • Iron And Wine and Ben Bridwell – Sing Into My Mouth — The look on The BCPF’s face when I showed her this was priceless. It was a combination of her head rolling almost off the side, her eyes bulging out and her chin dropping to the floor. It’s actually a covers album by two of her favorite artists, Sam Beam and Ben Bridwell (well, he is with Band of Horses). Her eyes rolled back in her head in ecstasy when she heard it. She didn’t even know this existed. A win for me! VG++.
  • ldo Parisot – Zoltán Kodály, Johann Sebastian Bach – Kodaly Sonata For Cello Alone / Bach Suite #5 For Cello Alone — What we’re listening to as I write this. I love the cello and I love solo cello and I like this but it’s not my favorite. I think I am spoiled by so Yo-Yo Ma. VG+.
  • Icicle Works – Icicle Works — This may be my favorite pickup in a long, long time. I knew the ‘hit’ from the album, “Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)” and nothing else. In the UK the song was actually titled “Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream).” What is the practice of using parentheses anyway? Why? Just name the song. Parentheticals aren’t necessary! Anywhat, I digress! While I can’t say it’s my least favorite song on the album, I definitely can’t say it’s my favorite. While I can list off names of songs, that would be cheating. I just enjoyed listening to the whole album. From the initial leader space on side one to the last runout on side two, it is a fantastic album and it brought elation and joy. VG++.
  • Exile – Mixed Emotions — Before moving to the world of cringe-worthy country music, Exile had minor success as a rock band. They were formed in Kentucky. Everyone has heard the song “Kiss You All Over” and it’s on this album. It came back to prominence in the late 90s thanks to Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore. VG++.
  • Glass Tiger – The Thin Red Line —They only had three albums and I figure this is the only one that really matters. The tunes “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday” are on this. Again with a parenthetical title… The BCPF saw them open for Journey (her first concert). VG+.
  • ABC – The Lexicon Of Love — A very important album in the lexicon of early- to mid-80s Britpop. This has the singles “Tears Are Not Enough”, “Poison Arrow”, “The Look of Love” and “All of My Heart.” Some of their biggest hits. I dismissed them as “that band who does ‘As Smokey Sings,'” and now I even like that song. They are a great pop band and I love listening to them. It was a $1 bin find but it was in great shape. VG+, I’d say.
  • Der Bielefelder Kinderchor – Das Weihnachtskonzert Des Bielefelder Kinderchores — Another $1 bin find and The BCPF loves grabbing German stuff that she finds. We actually got two German records but the other one isn’t in Discogs, which isn’t unusual. It was in really crummy shape, too. I’ll try to put it in later. Those are really hard because I don’t speak German and don’t know what half of this stuff even means, so… This isn’t in great shape either, so I’m only going with G/F.

Jonathan has been putting out a lot of great used vinyl and it’s always fun to go in. I love it when I see friends from outside of the store show up when I’m there. My pal Brad from TBD Referral Group came in to trade some stuff for credit. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection, how much it is potentially worth and the cool shuffle feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“You can see it in my eyes, I can feel it in your touch. You don’t have to say a thing just let me show how much I love you; I need you, yeah. I wanna kiss you all over. And over again. I wanna kiss you all over. Till the night closes in.” – “Kiss You All Over” (Chinn/Chapman)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/10/19

11 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a great day! The BCPF and I got started a little early, went to breakfast, went to our favorite music store (possibly our favorite store of any ilk), we listened to great music, we went to Willows early and then we hung out with The Beer Dads’ extended family. Great times indeed. Here’s the haul:

Lone_Justice_-_Lone_Justice

©Geffen Records

  • R.E.M. – Green — The BCPF’s new addition, she said this was the first R.E.M. album that she bought new. I wasn’t into the band at the time, but “Stand” from this album is part of two stories that I tell. One is in my senior year in high school when I drew circles around the classroom (mimicking the video) and my teacher getting onto me. The other is that it was the first song I ever sang with the Vagabond Saints Society. New.
  • The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers — #64 on the RS list, it has always been a good album to me, even though I’ve never been a huge fan of the Stones. Big tunes are “Brown Sugar,” “Wild Horses,” “Sister Morphine” and “Bitch” which, by the way, Gene Simmons always said that “Deuce” was actually “Bitch” backward (the riff, that is). New.
  • Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials — We both had heard of F+Machine but didn’t really know much about them. This was there and is a fantastic 2xLP set. It’s like a lot of what The BCPF (especially) and I listen to, but the more modern version of it. Alternative-esque rock with electronic bite. I liked it. We both liked it, actually. VG++.
  • She & Him – Volume 3 — Who isn’t in love with Zooey Deschanel? Male or female. She’s just amazing. Plus, she can sing. I think Ma Mère would enjoy this album. She’s channeling all of her Leslie Gore/Dusty Springfield that she can muster. NM.
  • Rare Earth – Rarearth — Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members. This album came out in 1977. I’m not really familiar with the band outside of a couple of songs like “I Just Want to Celebrate” and “Hey Big Brother.” The latter I only know because it was our closing song on Apartment 5B this past week. VG++.
  • Joe Cocker – Joe Cocker! — Cocker’s second studio album, this album features numerous covers of songs originally performed by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, John Sebastian, and Leon Russell. I liked Joe Cocker, although he could get on my nerves. It was a good listen, though.  VG+.
  • Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band – Night Moves — I have always maintained that there would be world peace without Bob Seger songs. But, Clay Howard has done a little work in trying to convert me and so, I am giving him another try with matured ears and I have to say it was a good album. However, I think I pinpointed the culprit of my dislike of him (well, outside of “Old Time Rock and Roll”). “Sunspot Baby” is that song. I hate that song and it is his screaming it the whole time that makes me despise hearing his voice (with the aforementioned OTRnR). But, the rest of the album is actually quite good, and dare I say it… enjoyable. VG+.
  • David Crosby / Graham Nash – Wind On The Water — Yet another of the many incarnations of the CSNY family tree. Yet another that we have, too. VG++.
  • Lone Justice – Lone Justice — I had never heard of Lone Justice but it was from 1985, had a Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ feel to the look and I decided to give it a spin. So, the band is a “cowpunk” band. They’re American (from Los Angeles), but cowpunk started in the UK. I had to look cowpunk up and here’s what I found: a subgenre of punk rock that began in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and California in the early 1980s. It combines punk rock or new wave with country, folk, and blues in sound, subject matter, attitude, and style. Many of the musicians in this scene have now become associated with alternative country or roots rock. From the first tune, we picked up on the Dolly Parton influence which oddly enough was paired with Punk-styled music. There was definitely a twang that goes with the country genre but it was still rocking. It’s an interesting, heck I’ll say “good” listen. VG+.
  • Mason Jones, The Philarte Quartet – Mason Jones And The Philarte Quartet — “Quintet In E Flat Major, K. 407 for French Horn, Violin, 2 Violas and Cello” by Mozart and “Quartet For French Horn and String Quartet” by Bernhard Heiden. VG++.
  • Firefall – Luna Sea — We’re listening to this one as I write this. “Just Remember I Love You” is probably the biggest hit on this one. We have gotten more and more into Firefall since we’ve started listening to Yacht Rock Radio on SiriusXM. Also, Ma Père’s ringtone when Ma Mère calls him is “You Are the Woman” (not on this album). $1 bin find, but the record is in great shape. I’m going to go with VG/VG+.
  • Ella Fitzgerald And The Nelson Riddle Orchestra – The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook — 2xLP of Ella and Riddle doing Gershwin songs. $1 bin find. VG.

Again, a great day yesterday. Sunny, a good record-buying crowd coming in and just overall goodness of Saturday-ness. We had a great day. Jonathan had a few receivers and turntables that are in really great shape, you should check them out. Also, listen to each new episode The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. And, I use Discogs to keep track of this vinyl madness that I bring to you.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Your feet are going to be on the ground. Your head is there to move you around. If wishes were trees the trees would be falling. Listen to reason, season is calling.” – “Stand” (Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe)

The Crossing or: Barefoot Two-Step

08 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Records

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Salutations™!!

It was 50 years ago today that John, followed by Ringo, followed by Paul (barefoot and out of step) followed by George walked across the crosswalk at 3 Abbey Road, St John’s Wood, City of Westminster in London. The iconic photo was taken by photographer Iain Macmillan, eventually was the cover of the last album recorded by The Beatles, Abbey Road.

Macmillan was given only ten minutes to take the photo while he stood on a step-ladder and a policeman held up traffic behind the camera. Macmillan took six photographs, which McCartney examined with a magnifying glass before deciding which would be used on the album sleeve, according to the Wikipedia entry.

The 50th-anniversary special editions of Abbey Road were announced today. It will be a super deluxe 4 disc set, 3 LP deluxe vinyl, 2 CD deluxe, limited edition picture disc, CD, LP, digital and streaming. This will be available everywhere 27th September 2019. You know I’m going to have to ask Underdog Records for the 3xLP set, yeah?

So, look for more entries about this album coming soon!

Until tomorrow, get some Golden Slumbers…
Scorp out!

—
“Once there was a way to get back homeward. Once there was a way to get back home. Sleep, pretty darling do not cry and I will sing a lullaby.” – “Golden Slumbers” (Lennon/McCartney)

Nunya or: Spinning It

30 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Beer, Food, Podcasting, Records, The Less Desirables Network

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Salutations™!!

As if I didn’t already have enough to do, I added yet another podcast to my plate, and this one is mine. Well, mine and Clay Howard’s. It’s on The Less Desirables Podcast Network and is called Beeswax Vinyl & More. Beeswax and More Logo Large

When I started The Less Desirables nine and a half years ago, I wanted it to be about movies, music, sports, technology, television, beer and more. Yeah, that’s right, Pop-Culture. TLD has kind of gotten away from a lot of the pop culture aspect. We still talk about music and beer. But, those conversations are more about the guests that we have and not necessarily about music and beer. Beeswax Vinyl & More gives Clay and me the opportunity to talk about music more in-depth.

I like this or I like that isn’t the topic of conversation, here. This isn’t about taste, although there are some elements in that. This is actual conversations about music.  We have certain subjects that we talk about.

One section is called “Leave Me Out of It.”In this segment, we take a certain album, let’s use the example of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, and we discuss if you have to leave one song off of it, which would it be? Hard, right? To many people, even people outside of Floyd fans, that’s a darned-near perfect album as it is. So, that is the point here. Something to add depth to the conversation. How about you, Dear Reader, which song would you leave out? Immediately, I think “On the Run.” Obvious, right? Well, hold on. “On the Run” ties together “Breathe” and “Time,” so that can’t go. I wasn’t thinking just because it’s an instrumental either. The one that I would go with is “Any Colour You Like.” Yes, another instrumental but where all the other songs have some tie to its predecessor/successor, “ACYL” is kind of stuck in there. I’d say that one.

How about Rumours or the debut Boston album or the debut album from The Cars? These are what most people would look at as “perfect how they are,” which is why we have the discussion.

Another segment is “You Mean You Like What?” That could be a debate about a band that one of us likes but the other doesn’t. Or, it could just be something we agree on but want to expound on it.

In “Random Grab,” Clay and I both use our Discogs collection (or perhaps a suggestion from the audience) and use the randomizing feature to, you guessed it, randomly pick an album. Then we will listen to them and give a review.

Neither Clay nor I like the phrase “guilty pleasure.” I mean, if I enjoy it, it’s not guilty. It’s just a pleasure. So, in “Yeah, I Said It!” we talk about something we like that others may not, or we may have a profound statement about something. That section has room to wiggle. 

We will talk about the local/regional music scene some because we are both a part of that and have a lot of friends that are, as well. We may have some guests that may or may not be part of the local/regional scene. We may have some record people in to talk about the topics with us. We may talk about some of these subjects every once in a while or we may add more topics to switch in or out. You never know.

So, we recorded the first two episodes last night and will do the next recording session in two weeks. If you’re keeping score, you probably know that The Beer Dads records around two episodes a session so that’s every other week and we will alternate them.

As of now, the only place to listen to this podcast is either on our website or the TLD Network site. But, I’ll be adding them to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify and more in the next week or so.

Yesterday, Ray and I also recorded The Man Who Ate the Town podcast and had Will and Latasha Lewis and their son, Cam, in to talk about Cam’s Coffee and a lot of other foodie things.

We also released The Beer Dads’ latest episode, as well.

So, you can hear the brand-spankin’ new Beeswax Vinyl & More podcast HERE.
The latest The Man Who Ate the Town HERE.
And, the latest The Beer Dads HERE.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Yeah, I said it!” – Clay Howard