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Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/16/19

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

It was a chilly, wet and murky day yesterday. But, The BCPF and I had each other, good breakfast and, yes, records. Jonathan did a little bit of moving around in Underdog Records, but the records are still the same. I love records. Here’s the haul:

GoNow

©London

  • Blossom Dearie – Simply Volume VI — I love Blossom Dearie. This was available and I couldn’t pass it up. She had such a sweet voice, but you could tell she had a naughty side, too. VG++.
  • The Moody Blues – Go Now – The Moody Blues #1 — The debut album by Moody Blues and features (for the only time) future Wings guitarist, Denny Laine. In the UK this was called The Magnificent Moodies. I don’t know why they released it differently here, but they did. Also, the US version has three song titles either misspelled or incorrectly labeled. Way to go ‘Merica. Way to go. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – To Our Children’s Children’s Children — The first album released on the band’s own label, Threshold Records. It was named such after the previous album On the Threshold of a Dream which was inspired by the moon landing. This is the band’s fifth album overall and while none of its singles did well, the album sold pretty well. VG.
  • Warren Zevon – Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School — Classic Zevon song style. I dug it. Plus, it has just about the whole Eagles family as guest musicians: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Jackson Browne (wrote songs with the Eagles), JD Souther (ditto), Linda Ronstadt (The Eagles were her backing band at one time), and Joe Walsh. He only needed Randy Meisner or Timothy B Schmidt on bass and he’d had them all. But, he had Leland Sklar and when you have Sklar on bass, you don’t need any other bassists. Good album. VG+.
  • Judy Garland – The Very Best Of Judy Garland — VG+.
  • The Trammps – Disco Inferno — The Trammps were a large band. Something about that era with Earth, Wind & Fire as well as others and this band. I do like disco and I do like the title track. We’ll see how I like the rest of it. VG+ (cover is VG as it has a chunk out of the upper right corner).
  • Rod Stewart – Every Picture Tells A Story — The title track, “Maggie May,” “Reason to Believe” and “(I Know) I’m Losing You” were the hits from the album which featured Ronnie Wood. VG.
  • Edith Bauer-Slais With The Vienna Chamber Ensemble And Kurt Equiluz – The Virtuoso Classical Mandolin — The BCPF has a mad on about banjos and mandolins. She found this in a box. It was $1 but is in very good shape. VG++.
  • Michel Legrand And His Orchestra – The Columbia Album Of Cole Porter — She also has a thing for Cole Porter. 2xLP $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Level 42 – Running In The Family — This is the follow up to World Machine which had the mega-hit “Something About You.” This album did have a few singles that did well in the UK: “Lessons in Love,” the title track, “To Be with You Again,” “It’s Over” and “Children Say” were all hits for the band. $1 bin find and the record looks to be at least VG but the cover has some serious wear which looks like it could be water damage. Not sure.
  • Divinyls – Desperate — “Boys in Town,” “Science Fiction” and “Siren (Never Let You Go)” were the singles. $1 bin find. VG.

Underdog Records puts out freshly acquired used albums nearly every day. That’s the place I look first. I want to see what treasures Jonathan has just gotten. The BCPF looks through those, too and then goes for the $1 bins. We usually come away with good stuff. If you watch the Instagram and Facebook pages of Underdog Records, you’ll get a preview of what you’ll find in the freshly acquired used section. And, if you listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables, you can hear what that week’s (Thursday-Wednesday) TLD/UR special of the week is.

And, someone was in the store yesterday using Discogs. We had a cool discussion about it. They, like me, were checking to see if they had something already. It’s a good service.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you. It’s late September and I really should be back at school. I know I keep you amused but I feel I’m being used. Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more. You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone. You stole my heart and that’s what really hurt.” – “Maggie May” (Stewart/Quittenton)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/10/19

10 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF hasn’t been feeling well and it’s just another hit to our 2019 plans. Not her fault, of course, but we had wanted to start a big cleaning/purge project through this year to just get more organized. But, she’s not felt up to it because of all the crud going around. Plus, this will enable us to have more room for records!

Nothing's_Shocking_(Jane's_Addiction_album_-_cover_art)

©Warner Bros.

She was able to get out of the house for the first time in three days yesterday and that helped her out a lot. We got to go by Underdog Records and grab a haul and I signed up for the Curated by Underdog program because I’m interested in what Jonathan will put together for me. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

  • XTC – Skylarking — Yes, I had this already but it was in really sad shape and while I don’t want to get into the rabbit hole of replacing things with better versions (as that can get expensive) there are a few that I just can’t not get better copies of. This was a brand new remastered reissue that was in the clearance bin. Again, new.
  • Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking — As someone put it on my Facebook post about this, this was the “Appetite for Destruction” for the alternative scene. The BCPF said that for her high school days, everyone had this. The heavy metal folk, the indie folk, the college radio folk, anyone who listened to anything remotely rocking, had this, she said. It was a little behind my time and it was the leading edge of what I didn’t like or want to hear. That being said, with time comes appreciation and I really do appreciate and yes, like, this album, now. And, it’s #312 on the RS list! New.
  • Roger Waters – The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking — I don’t know what my aversion to Roger Waters was, but when I was 20-21 or so, someone tried to get me to listen to this. I listened for about four minutes and ejected the tape. Nah said I. But, I like Pink Floyd. What is wrong with me? This is basically his extension of The Wall which is my favorite Floyd album. This is Radio KAOS are fantastic albums that I, regrettably, realized way too late. VG+.
  • Blossom Dearie – Blossom Time — Blossom Dearie. The first time I ever heard that name was when the Schoolhouse Rock nostalgic craze showed back up in the 90s and the internet allowed me to look up info. She sang “Figure Eight,” “Unpack Your Adjectives” and part of the “Mother Necessity” ensemble. She has a very unique child-like quality in her voice. But, I saw an album by her at Underdog a while back and it was expensive. Someone else posted on our “Now Spinning” group that they were playing her and they loved her. I had Alexa play her tunes and I listened for hours. I love her. This was a great find and I couldn’t pass it up. It’s an original from 1966 and is in VG+.
  • Nazareth – Hair Of The Dog — Now you’re messing with what? VG+.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Tarkus — My recent ELP undertaking lately means when I see them, if I don’t have them, I get them. This is in VG++!
  • Hank Williams, Jr. – Hank Williams, Jr.’s Greatest Hits — I mean, why not? VG+.
  • Christine McVie – Christine McVie — This is a fantastic record. It’s her second solo effort released in 1984. Lindsay Buckingham (who just went through open-heart surgery and has damaged vocal cords) plays some guitar and sings some backup on the album. Mick Fleetwood shows up for a bit. Eric Clapton, too. And, Steve Winwood sings a duet with Christine and co-wrote another tune on the album. A great listen, this. VG++.
  • The Escape Club – Wild Wild West — What is a Saturday haul without some 80s cheese (my favorite)? I don’t know what anything past the title song sounds like, I guess I’ll find out soon. VG.
  • Mott The Hoople – The Hoople —”Roll Away the Stone” and “The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Should be all we need to know. It was a $1 bin find and is probably in VG.
  • Various – Arthur (The Album) — I liked the film and loved the soundtrack because I love cheesy yacht rock. There ya go. $1 bin find. VG+.

Also, we picked up a better copy of Bridge Over Troubled Water from Simon & Garfunkel. This was VG/VG- but it sure beats the F+/G- version we have.

So, yeah, back to the Curated by Underdog thing. According to the Underdog Records website, “This is a flexible subscription service with multiple options to best tailor it to your desires while still giving Underdog Records the flexibility to creatively influence your collection with albums we know you’ll enjoy.”

I decided to go with the “Novice Monthly Package” with a New/Used Mix. I’m really no novice, but the Expert package is $50 per month and I’m not quite ready to spend that, yet. The Novice package is $35 per month. You can choose to do it bi-monthly or quarterly, too. So, I will get two used and one new album that, combined, would add up to around $35 for the combo. I’m excited because as Jonathan said, my tastes are all over the place. I’m just ready to see what he puts together for me. You know I’m going to share it with you, Dear Reader!

In order to do this, he has to have access to my Discogs. Discogs, if you’re not familiar, is a free website on which you can catalog your collection, including specific pressings and the condition of your albums, in order to keep up with what you already have, what’s on your want list, what lesser grade albums in your collection need upgrading, and much more. (that last part was from Underdog’s website, thanks Jonathan).

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I won’t believe in heaven and hell. No saints, no sinners, no devil as well. No pearly gates, no thorny crown. You’re always letting us humans down. The wars you bring, the babes you drown. Those lost at sea and never found. And it’s the same the whole world ’round. The hurt I see helps to compound that Father, Son and Holy Ghost is just somebody’s unholy hoax. And if you’re up there you perceive that my heart’s here upon my sleeve. If there’s one thing I don’t believe in it’s you… Dear God.” – “Dear God” (Partridge)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 2/2/19

05 Tuesday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yes, this is usually a Sunday thing but Sunday and yesterday were either an important day or just something I had to rant about instead. So, here’s the haul from Saturday from Underdog Records.

Bent_out_of_shape_rainbow

©Mercury

  • Cherry Glazerr – Stuffed & Ready — Another try at introducing The BCPF to a group that I think she’d like. I’m usually successful and this another triumph. It’s a little Riot Grrl ish but that’s okay because she likes that stuff. Girl power! Jonathan said this was a little heavier than their past stuff but he also said he likes everything they do. Win! New.
  • Green Day – Kerplunk! — This is the second album from Green Day, the last indie release before signing with Reprise Records and the massive hit album Dookie was released and it’s the first with Tré Cool on drums. This is the 2009 reissue, VG+.
  • Donovan – Sunshine Superman / In Concert At The Anaheim Convention Center — As the title suggests, it’s a 2xLP/true Double Album as it is Sunshine Superman and a live album packaged together. VG+.
  • Weezer – Raditude — Weezer’s last on Interscope/DGC/Geffen. The title was suggested by Dwight Schrüte from The Office. Actually, it was Rainn Wilson who played Dwight, but still… VG.
  • Rainbow – Bent Out Of Shape — I’m trying to expand my classic hard rock repertoire beyond just what Eugene introduced me to in 2017. I’m trying. I’m trying. I don’t know much about the album. It was there. I purchased it. VG+.
  • U2 – Under A Blood Red Sky (Live) — Live album from the Irish lads that featured songs from their first three albums and was the soundtrack to a companion film of (almost) the same name. Great versions of the tunes, too. It was right before The Unforgettable Fire which was still before “my U2 time.” But, I really like that album, and the next few, a lot. VG+.
  • Rod Stewart – The Rod Stewart Album — Stewart’s debut solo record. I don’t know that I cared for his “Man of Constant Sorrow” but I did like the rest of the album. I like the elegant sleek yellow cover. In the UK it was called An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down which was one of the songs on the album. Lots of Faces and other special guests on the album. VG+.
  • Joni Mitchell – Mingus — A collaboration with Charles Mingus prior to his passing, we get to hear a shload of Jaco Pastorius on this record. It’s very experimental and some of it is “out there,” but it’s worth every second. Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Peter Erskine (along with Jaco) on one album? Wow! VG+.
  • UB40 – Labour Of Love — Yes, the whole thing sounds like “Red Red Wine.” But, it’s reggae with electronica sprinkled in and some of it is really “slow jammy” which is cool with me. It’s not a great record but it’s a decent record. VG+.
  • John Waite – Mask Of Smiles — The lackluster follow-up to No Brakes which had “Missing You.” It was there and I thought the picture on the back was funny. VG+.
  • ABBA – Voulez-Vous — “Chiquitita”, “Does Your Mother Know” and “I Have a Dream” were the singles of this album which saw the group embracing disco. I didn’t know they ever didn’t embrace it…? VG+.
  • Traffic – Mr. Fantasy — Traffic’s debut album. The cover and tracklisting the US got were different than the UK release which was fairly common at that time. It’s a decent record. The band was a four-piece but Dave Mason left before the album was released. VG.
  • Mott – Drive On — Mott the Hoople after Ian Hunter left. I don’t know anything about the album, but I like the Mott the Hoople stuff I’ve heard. Let’s hope it wasn’t all about Hunter. VG.
  • Rick Wakeman – Journey To The Centre Of The Earth — Yes’ keyboardist extraordinaire doing his composition based on the Jules Verne novel of the same name. I want to hear it. It’s in rough shape but I still have it as VG, but the cover is really rough (G/F+). It was a $1 bin find.

Jonathan had sold a couple of speakers when we were there and there were a lot of other speakers to choose from. A lot of cool stuff in there. I meant to ask him about the Curated by Underdog program. I kind of want to know how he’d curate music for me. Listen to The Less Desirables every Wednesday (or when you get to it) and hear the TLD/UR special of the week. Also, I highly recommend you use Discogs to catalog and track your music collection (no matter the format).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Under a blood red sky a crowd has gathered in black and white. Arms entwined, the chosen few. The newspapers says, says… Say it’s true, it’s true and we can break through. Though torn in two, we can be one. I will begin again.” – “New Year’s Day” (U2)

Spinning Wednesday or: Bonus Spinning

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

ellington_uptown

©Columbia

Yesterday, I cleaned up all the records that Ray Morgan had brought me. Because I only use my Vinyl Styl cleaner every once in a while, when I fill it and use it, I want to get all that I can out of it. It takes me about 20 minutes to wash 15 records and then about 30 minutes from the last of the 15 being put on the rack. Because Ray gave me so many, I had to make two wash cycles so, since the second one was only about 8 or 9, I pulled a few records from the old “bonus” stack from last year or before. I had gone through all the rock/pop stuff that I knew that I wanted and now it’s other stuff that I’ll just “get to” as I can. Here’s what I cleaned as part of yesterday’s cleansing fest.

So, that was the “bonus” stack that got put into the rotation yesterday. About 40 more to go in that stack. I’m happy with it. Next will be from Underdog Records, of course.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Sometimes the cabin’s gloomy and the table’s bare. But then he’ll kiss me and it’s Christmas everywhere. Trouble’s fly away and life is easy go. Does he love me good? That’s all I need to know. Seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe.”
 – “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” ( Arlen/Harburg)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/26/19

27 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

jfrontiers

©Columbia

Yesterday, The BCPF and I got off to an earlier-than-usual start and had breakfast and then ran by Underdog Records. We were there before they opened so we got first dibs on his wares, but not until he opened, of course, we don’t do that. The record-listening time was cut short because we judged a chili cook-off for the Ardmore Neighborhood late in the afternoon. But, the haul was great and I was excited about three things, in particular. Here’s the haul:

  • Roxy Music – Manifesto — This is one of the ones I’m excited about. I have really enjoyed listening to Roxy Music stuff, whether I have it on vinyl or not. In fact, I listen to it on streaming, too. I also like the Brian Eno solo stuff. He was gone from Roxy before this album came out. I was just making a point. “Dance Away” is one of my favorite Roxy tunes and it’s on this album. VG+.
  • Journey – Frontiers — Another that I was excited about. I can’t believe I didn’t already have this, but now, I can’t say that any longer. This has so many good songs from “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” to “Faithfully,” “After the Fall” to “Send Her My Love” which happens to be one of my favorite Journey songs. I know the album and the band (in this era) got a lot of flack and scoffs but I love them and I love this album. VG++.
  • Stan Getz – Eloquence — Stan Getz. ‘Nuff said. VG.
  • Canned Heat – The Canned Heat Cook Book (The Best Of Canned Heat) — All I know from Canned Heat is “Going Up the Country” and “On the Road Again.” Both of those are on here, so we got it. VG.
  • The Joseph Consortium, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice– Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat — I saw this on a traveling tour. I liked it, but then again… Webber and Rice. VG+.
  • Richard Strauss – Rudolf Kempe, Dresden Staatskapelle– Also Sprach Zarathustra — This is a “tone poem” from Strauss that was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s novel Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra). You and I, though? We know it as the theme to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. VG++.
  • Judas Priest – Hell Bent For Leather — The American version of Killing Machine from Priest. The album was renamed in the US because CBS/Columbia was wary of the implications following the Cleveland School Shooting in San Diego. Incidentally, that shooting led to Boomtown Rats’ song “I Don’t Like Mondays” because the shooter, 16-year old Brenda Spencer shot folks from her house across the street and when questioned about it, said “I don’t like Mondays. This livens up the day.” She still sits in jail 40 years later. But, this album rocks, as does all Priest, I’m learning. It’s the last one with Les Binks behind the drums. VG.

Again, with the swing through, I didn’t get to notice a lot of equipment that Jonathan had but there were things there, including a few cassette decks, speakers and of course, turntables/record players. And, again, check out the Curated by Underdog feature that Jonathan does, now. Go in and ask him about it. Listen to The Less Desirables, new episodes out every Wednesday night, to hear the TLD/UR special of the week.

I used Discogs to track and catalog my collection.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Yesterday, when it seemed so cool, when I walked you home, kissed goodnight, I said, “It’s love”, you said, “Alright.” It’s funny how I could never cry until tonight when you pass by hand in hand with another guy. You’re dressed to kill and guess who’s dying. Dance away the heartache. Dance away the tears. Dance away the heartache. Dance away the fear. Dance away.” – “Dance Away” (Ferry)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/19/19

20 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

First off, let me say happy birthday to Paul Stanley. He turns 67 today! A very influential figure to my own musical journey.

It felt like we zoomed in and through Underdog Records yesterday. The BCPF and I are either recovering from or fighting off sickness. But, we ate breakfast in a hurry and then swung by Underdog and were home with a full six hours of record listening time. Here’s what we got:

tom_waits_-_small_change_(1976)

©Asylum

  • Tom Waits – Small Change — Still thinking of my friend Mitchell Snow who was performing Tom Waits on Friday night in Johnson City, Tennessee with the Vagabond Saints Society when he had what is speculated to be sudden cardiac arrhythmia. It was scary. The first track on this album is “Tom Traubert’s Blues” and Doug had asked if I could do it when VSS plays Ramkat in a week. I can’t do the show but, we found this record and I couldn’t pass it up. VG+.
  • The Mamas & The Papas – Deliver — I really know nothing about this album. I know The BCPF likes them and it was there. It’s in mono and is VG+.
  • Emerson Lake & Palmer – Works Volume 1 —  “Each member was allocated one side of a record to write and arrange their own tracks which were performed by the group. The fourth side features songs written by the entire group. Emerson wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1, Lake wrote several songs with Peter Sinfield, and Palmer picked tracks of varied styles.” – according to Wikipedia. VG+.
  • Donovan – Essence To Essence — I believe Donovan is my favorite musical hippie. He brings humor and wit to his songs about putting healthy stuff in your body and be nice to the plants and things. It’s weird but still good. VG.
  • Dusty Springfield – Stay Awhile – I Only Want To Be With You — The first album from Dusty to be released in the US. It contains “I Only Want To Be With You,” “Stay Awhile” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’.” $1 bin find but it looks to be okay. VG.
  • Dan Fogelberg – Souvenirs — Produced by Joe Walsh, who also played on just about every track, provided a more pop-based album instead of that folksy mess that he usually played. $1 bin find and in VG/VG+.
  • 10,000 Maniacs – In My Tribe — $1 bin find from The BCPF. I don’t know much about it, but it’s in pretty good shape. VG/VG+.
  • Charles Fox – “9 To 5” (Original Soundtrack Recording) — We actually got this last week and I don’t know why it wasn’t in Discogs. I totally missed it. But, it’s in now. It’s VG+.

I went through Underdog Records so fast yesterday that I didn’t get a chance to even look around to see what kind of equipment or other recordy things were about the store. But, I’m interested in finding out more about the Curated by Underdog thing. I wonder how hard it would be to curate music for me. I think it would be more of a challenge to Jonathan. I think I’ll ask him about it. You should, too. Listen to The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week.

As I’ve said, I use Discogs to curate my collection and see what I do or don’t have.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition and yawn and stretch and try to come to life. Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’. Out on the streets, the traffic starts jumpin’ for folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.” – “9 to 5” (Parton)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/12/19

13 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

Underdog Records was jumping yesterday with people coming in and Jonathan was only playing local artists in the store for the first part of the day. He sold a good bit of local music, including selling out of a few, with that. I like when he does that. I had gone in and set some stuff back on Friday but we picked up the stuff yesterday. Here’s what we got:

tomwaits-mulevariations

©Anti-/Epitaph

  • Old Sea Brigade – Ode To A Friend — I call it my “husbandly duty” to find new music that my lovely bride, The BCPF will enjoy; stuff that is “up her alley.” When I record the weekly advert for Underdog Records on The Less Desirables, I use portions of new releases or whatever Jonathan has sent me to highlight and a lot of the time, I’ll find stuff that I think is really good, either that I will like, The BCPF will like or we both would. This is one that I thought she’d love. I had Jonathan get me one and we brought it home and she was very pleased with it. It’s laid back folky stuff and she loved it. I recommend listening to it. New.
  • Tom Waits – Mule Variations — #414 on the RS list, this is a 2xLP that is completely co-written with Waits’ wife and songwriting partner, Kathleen Brennan. I’m hit and miss with most Tom Waits stuff. The songs are beautiful and sometimes dark but his singing is what is the determining factor in my like/dislike. He sounds like he had a cocktail of gravel, concrete, and sandpaper whilst smoking two packs of Camels concurrently and saving cats from a burning building. It’s rough. EX/VG++.
  • Neil Young – After The Gold Rush — #71 on the RS list and while I feel that should be about 100 positions higher, it’s still a great album. Neil Young is another that I’m hit or miss with. VG++.
  • Rush – Signals — The follow-up to Moving Pictures, in 1982, Signals has “Subdivisions,” “New World Man,” “The Weapon,” and “Countdown.” Not my favorite Rush album but it’s still a good one. VG+.
  • Jay Ferguson – Thunder Island — I know the title track and that’s about it. I like the title track and it was only a few bucks so I decided to buy it with the picture of him in his fabric toe shoes. It’s just funny. VG+.
  • ABBA – Super Trouper — With “Super Trouper” and “The Winner Takes It All.” Their next album was the last studio album prior to their hiatus, which is still going on. VG+.
  • Heart – Private Audition — Released in 1982 and is the last Heart album to feature Mike DeRosier and Steve Fossen, who left after the recording of this album. VG+.
  • John Fogerty – Centerfield — Put me in coach! The title track, “The Old Man Down the Road” and “Rock and Roll Girls.” It was $1, so why not? VG+.
  • Joni Mitchell – Clouds — “Chelsea Morning,” “The Fiddle and the Drum” and “Both Sides, Now” are the tunes that The BCPF are most excited about. This is Mitchell’s sophomore effort and we have 10 of the first 11 of her albums. It was $1. VG.

I told you about Curated by Underdog Records, right? I think so. De is also digging out a lot of backstock of used equipment that Jonathan hasn’t had time to go through and they’re cleaning them up and getting some really great stuff up for sale. I really wanted that Sansui (as I wrote about). They have a lot of great stuff for those looking to break into or update their record collecting experience. Listen to The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/UR special of the week.

Discogs is how Curated by Underdog keeps track of what you have and how you do, as well!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning and the first thing that I heard was a song outside my window. And, the traffic wrote the words. It came a-reeling up like Christmas bells and rapping up like pipes and drums. Oh, won’t you stay? We’ll put on the day and we’ll wear it ’till the night comes.” – “Chelsea Morning” (Mitchell)

Covet Is A Sin? or: I Want One

11 Friday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

I was standing in Underdog Records today and was watching Jonathan and De hook up stereo equipment and test them out receivers and speakers. I realize that I want some. I want these. They sounded awesome. It was a Sansui receiver with Pioneer speakers. They sounded fantastic. De was playing some Snoop Dogg and the bass was thumping. They had to turn down the bass and lift the treble on the Sansui and the speakers were taking everything they threw at them.  sansui-2000x-1

I’m not unhappy with what I have.

I have an Audio Technica LP60USB which is a fine “entry level” turntable. I would actually like to have the next level AT on the market but I don’t know if I will get one anytime soon. The part that I partially have a problem with is that I play it through my Yamaha 5.1 surround receiver and while I do have it set to 2-channel stereo for records and “Alexa,” I want a dedicated receiver designed with a phono stage.

So, my thoughts are if I get a new (or new to me) receiver and speakers, I may consider also getting a classic turntable or upgrade to a newer higher-dollar model. Jonathan always has stuff coming through and the stuff I hear sounds great, but I don’t know where I’d put it, either. We are already out of room for the vinyl we have, much less new equipment to take up even more room.

We have discussed if we look for a new house that two of the very important specs we have to have are a fantastic and roomy kitchen and a dedicated “listening space.” It can be a separate room, a spare bedroom, a rec/rumpus room, etc., but it will be for all the vinyl/record equipment. I will keep this surround system wherever the TV goes, but I want something dedicated to records for that room.

It doesn’t have to be retro/classic/used stuff, but I wouldn’t mind that. Having something that glows when you’re turning the lights down low to just enjoy listening or when you’re listening to the radio (but who does that anymore?), or having a bit of Scotch while listening to Steely Dan?

I know that Ember Audio will be reopening in a new space and it will be in my neighborhood, well the studio’s neighborhood (Industry Hill) and I’ll be tempted to go in there and buy something because it will all be shiny and awesome but they sell high-dollar stuff. However, I’ve heard that Chris and Jamie want to also sell more affordable-yet-good stuff, too. I’ll talk with them to see what they say. I just know that sometime soon or not-so-soon, I want something new. Heck, I still long for the old console record player/AM/FM/8-Track Stereo that I had and just abandoned when I moved to WSNC in 1986. I really wish I still had that.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Vinyl is the real deal. I’ve always felt like until you buy the vinyl record, you don’t really own the album. And it’s not just me or a little pet thing or some kind of retro romantic thing from the past. It is still alive.” – Jack White

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul (12/22/18)

23 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a pretty big haul, but it was a cheaper haul. I’ll explain more as we go. But, it was fun just being at Underdog Records, as it always is. It’s my candy store. Here’s the haul:

51Kzr-D77vL._SY355_

©Warner Bros.

  • Siouxsie And The Banshees – Peepshow — The BCPF and I had a good long discussion about why she likes the “Dark Wave” stuff so much. I don’t know that we ever got to the bottom of it, but she just digs it. This was a reissue of their 1988 album. New.

So, from here on, all the albums are $1 bin finds and unless otherwise noted, they are all in VG condition (mostly after cleaning them up). So, here we go:

  • Pablo Cruise – A Place In The Sun — I only really knew one song by Pablo Cruise, who I thought was a guy. I didn’t realize that it was a band in which none of them were named Pablo Cruise. They were a quartet and would always joke that Pablo was the one in the middle. There is a story behind the name, at least minimally, that I won’t get into because, well, that’s not why we’re here. This is the one that has “Whatcha Gonna Do?” which was the song that I knew. This was in really good shape, so I would maybe even rate it VG+, but that may be pushing it.
  • Pablo Cruise – Worlds Away — The other Pablo Cruise that I got, this was the follow-up to A Place in the Sun.
  • Sanford And Townsend – Smoke From A Distant Fire — I will admit that I got this album only because either Ed Sanford or Johnny Townsend (I don’t know which is which), on the cover, looks like a young, chubby Clay Howard. The duo were well-known studio musicians (weren’t they all in the 70s?) and songwriters who co-wrote good songs. I haven’t listened to this so I don’t know what they sound like.
  • Atlanta Rhythm Section – A Rock And Roll Alternative — This album has “So Into You” on it and I like that song. That itself was worth the buck.
  • Jim Steinman – Bad For Good  — For those who don’t know, Steinman was the musical mind behind the songs for Meat Loaf. In fact, this was supposed to be the follow-up to Bat Out of Hell but because of Mr. Aday’s vocal problems, Steinman recorded it himself. Meat Loaf did do some of the songs on some of his later albums. The cover is pretty beaten up, but the LP looks to be VG.
  • Jackson Browne – For Everyman — Browne’s sophomore effort. It contains his version of “Take It Easy” which was co-penned by Glenn Frey.
  • Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — Okay, trying this again. Every time I get this 2xLP album it’s pretty beaten up and I have to continue looking. This one doesn’t seem to be too bad, but I haven’t played it, yet, either. I’ll keep you informed.
  • Bob Dylan / The Band – Before The Flood — The first officially released live album by Dylan, it’s his 15th album overall and the seventh from The Band. I know nothing of it, so we’ll see about it. Also a 2xLP.
  • Todd Rundgren – Todd — The last 2xLP for today, it’s Rundgren’s fifth album. I liked Something/Anything? so I am hoping I like this, too.
  • Steely Dan – Countdown To Ecstasy — I love me some Steely Dan and this has “Bodhisattva” and “My Old School,” which, the latter I love.
  • Stanley Clarke / George Duke – The Clarke / Duke Project — Stanley Clarke. ‘Nuff said.
  • Savoy Brown – Hellbound Train — Jonathan asked if I had ever heard this album and I said no. He then said he wanted me to have it. So he gave it to me. We listened to it. It’s pretty good. It’s a blues-rock band from England. Nothing overly exciting for me. I didn’t dislike it, though. Thanks, J.

For your holiday shopping needs, Underdog Records will be open today, Sunday from 11-4 and Monday (Christmas Eve) from 10-3. And, the big thing now is gift certificates, so make sure you either get yours or tell your loved ones to get you one. Listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. And, use Discogs to catalog your music collection, be it vinyl, CD or even cassette.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“So you’re having trouble with your romance? Well, you better check it out before it goes, yeah. ‘Cause you might not be seeing things just the way you should. And you don’t recognize what everybody knows. Whatcha gonna do when she says goodbye? Whatcha gonna do when she is gone?” – “Whatcha Gonna Do?” (Jenkins/Lerios)

Nobody Told Me or: Obscured By What!?

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Music Review, Records

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Salutations™!!

First off, today is “Underdog Day!” Not necessarily Underdog Records. Not necessarily Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter ego. But, that someone or someones or even something thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest. It’s for all those that have to beat all odds. So, that being said, still go to Underdog Records because… well, just because. Also, it’s Short Girl Appreciation Day. It has always been observed the first day of Winter (also the shortest day of the year). It turns out that I have me one of those as The BCPF is under 5′ tall. Celebrate them, too. Tomorrow is National Short Person Day, so be on the lookout for your favorite short people.

Pink_Floyd_-_Obscured_by_Clouds

©EMI

Okay, now to what I wanted to talk about today. I know there are some serious music fans/scholars/whatevers out there that love to either prove me wrong about something that I say about music (and I welcome that, heck, sometimes I do it on purpose) or the opposite want to tell me things that I may have missed.

Now, I always say that I’m a Pink Floyd fan. And, I think that I am. Truthfully, I’m a 1971-1994 (mostly) fan. I like Meddle, Dark Side, Wish You Were Here, most of Momentary Lapse and Division Bell, and of course, The Wall. I also like some of Ummagumma and pieces of the earliest Floyd. But, Y’all… why in the HECK did no one tell me about Obscured by Clouds?!? WHY!?

I know it’s based on some French film and I know that it was meant as a pass-through for Dark Side from Meddle. I also know it was panned hard by critics. But, man, that’s a great record to me. I really liked it. It’s not all prog fluff with 42 minutes of synths, repeated blues guitar riffs and lead drumming. There’s some straightforward rock stuff on that. There are some straightforward ballads on there. There are straight-forward good songs on there. And, for the record, I like all the long-winded synth/guitar/drum things, too. This is just different. Where was my “Musical Nightwatchmen (and Women)” when I needed you?

And, now, I’m just downright embarrassed that I have been calling myself a Pink Floyd fan when, while I did know it existed, I didn’t know what this album was or had never heard it before. *facepalm*

Well, now that I have heard it, I have to find it on vinyl. It is Underdog day tomorrow, right? Folks, friends don’t let friends not know about great albums.

Until tomorrow, enjoy your short girls…
Scorp out!

—
“You set sail across the sea of long past thoughts and memories. Childhood’s end, your fantasies merge with harsh realities. And then as the sail is hoist, you find your eyes are growing moist. All the fears never voiced say you have to make your final choice.” – “Childhood’s End” (Gilmour)