Salutations™!!

As you saw for the last two days, I spent almost 20 hours on the sidewalk in front of Underdog Records, camping out, watching the weather, hoping against hope that it didn’t rain, had my hands butter scrubbed, had a new restaurant stop and offer us samples of their shrimp and grits, was joined by The BCPF, survived without any rain, worked with my friends to make sure we all got what we needed and came home and crashed. There was a lot more detail of this story, but we will probably focus on that later in the week. For today, here is the Record Store Day haul!

©Straight/Reprise Records

• Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band – Trout Mask Replica — This was the reason I camped out, at least for me. I don’t really “like” this album but I love having it. It is #60 (of all spaces) on the RS list. I understand more about it since my first listen, I love the artistic value and respect the heck out of the project. It isn’t a pleasant listen but it is an interesting one. 2xLP reissue. All of these will be Near Mint or NM and I’ll tell how many were available worldwide. This one doesn’t have limited availability, from what I can tell.
• Pink Floyd – A Saucerful Of Secrets — Last year it was Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Floyd’s debut album remastered in mono. This year it’s their sophomore effort and I can’t wait to listen to it. I really liked Pink Floyd with David Gilmour minus Syd Barrett. I understand the importance and somewhat maniacal genius that Syd was, but just like I like Peter Gabriel, I don’t really like Genesis with him. Barrett was on this album minimally as he was starting his slide. He was dismissed before the album was finished. The cover was designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis and is based on a Doctor Strange comic. 6500 available.
• Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks Test Pressing — We have Blood on the Tracks which is #16 on the RS list but this is the New York Test Pressing of the album. The
  “hype sticker” on the shrinkwrap reads: “The original New York version of Blood on the Tracks. Replica of the 1974 test pressing. Featuring unique mixes. Available for the first time ever.” So, The BCPF wanted this one, so that’s what she gets. Only 7500 available worldwide.
• Fleetwood Mac – The Alternate Fleetwood Mac — The last two years’ RSD hauls have had a few “Alternate” Fleetwood Mac albums. 2017 was Alternate Mirage, 2018 Alternate Tango in the Night and now this. I haven’t listened to it yet, but I like the concept. It’s the entire album, in this case, but is all early takes or early versions. Should be cool. There are no “availability” numbers for this album on the RSD website.
• Duran Duran – As The Lights Go Down (Live Oakland Coliseum ’84) — DD at their height. 2xLP but only three sides. Side 4 is etched. Only 5500 of these are available worldwide.
• Frank Black – Frank Black — One of the several that I camped out for, for The BCPF. She tells me that it was released a month or so before she graduated high school and they rode around wearing the cassette out. I like what I’ve heard of it. I like it better than Pixies stuff. It’s orange, too. 4500 available.
• Jeff Buckley – In Transition —  The BCPF loves her some Jeff Buckley and this is 7 previously unreleased performances of his tunes. Only 3000 worldwide.
• Bingo Hand Job – Live At The Borderline 1991 — So, one of our fellow campers was looking online and came across this one. I don’t know if he was just researching or if he was intrigued by the name but when he looked it up, he found that it was really REM doing their “alias” thing and playing a club. So, being as we were the first four in line, we kept that secret and three of us grabbed them. Hey, we were the ones that camped for 20 hours, we got what we want. 3000 available.
• a-ha – Hunting High And Low (The Early Alternative Mixes) — I love the original and these are the early alternate mixes making their vinyl debut. There are only 6000 worldwide.
• The Charlatans – Some Friendly  — This was the title that The BCPF wanted the most. It was Charlatans UK to her (and it says that on the album cover). It is clear vinyl and only 1000 worldwide.
• Peter Gabriel – Rated PG — I generally have sworn off picture discs, but hey, this is Peter Gabriel. This is a collection of his songs that have been on movie soundtracks. Supposedly, according to Discogs, it is numbered, but I don’t find any indication on mine of a “number.” It does include a digital download, though. Only 2000 worldwide.
• David J – Thoughts And Prayers — Similarly with the picture disc model, I don’t usually get 7″ either. But, The BCPF wanted it and here it was. Only 500 worldwide.

So, people have asked me if it was worth it. Truly, the actual record buying was secondary to the camaraderie, conversation, friendship, community and experience. That, in and of itself was worth it. The vinyl we got, knowing that we are one of 500-6000 in the world that have one, is priceless. Thank you so much to Underdog Records, especially Jonathan, for being a place where we want to do such things, always having our backs in the inventory and letting us in to go to the bathroom before you go home, bringing us doughnuts and coffee the next morning and just being an all-around awesome dude. And, thank you, Discogs for being available to help us sort this crazy mess out. And, thank you, Record Store Day (yes it is an entity) for doing this awesome “holiday” twice a year. And, lastly, to David, Jordan, Bob, Michael, Taylor, Jay, and The BCPF, thank you for making it a great experience to be out there.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Master, master. This is recorded thru uh flies ear ‘n you have t’ have uh flies eye t’ see it. It’s the thing that’s gonna make Captain Beefheart and his magic band fat. Frank, it’s the big hit. It’s the blimp! It’s the blimp, Frank! It’s the blimp!” – “The Blimp (Mousetrapreplica)” (Van Vliet)