Tag Archives: Scorpions

Now Normal Chronicles or: The Hard Rock Day

17 Thursday Sep 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is a big day in music releases, but for today, I’m only going to focus on hard rock albums that came out on this day. The UK release of Scorpions’ In Trance turns 45 today. Unleashed in the East from Judas Priest turns 41. Use Your Illusion I, Use Your Illusion II from Guns N Roses and No More Tears from Ozzy are all 29 today. That’s a lot of hard rock! I have always loved this song and think this is an amazing version, all things considered. This performance involves 21 students who range in ages from 5 to 16. The poor kid who is playing drums can’t be any bigger then the kick drum and does a great job. However, someone needs to introduce him to a stick bag or stick stick caddy as he dropped a stick twice. Also, I have to say it’s cheating a bit to play a high note instead of the squeal harmonics but again, none of the kids are over 16, they probably hadn’t mastered that yet. I think Zakk needs a wah pedal to get it to sound like he does. Anywhat! Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“So now that it’s over can’t we just say goodbye? I’d like to move on and make the most of the night. Maybe a kiss before I leave you this way. Your lips are so cold, I don’t know what else to say. I never wanted it to end this way, my love, my darling. Believe me when I say to you in love I think I’m falling here. No more tears.” – “No More Tears” (Osbourne/Wylde/Castillo/Inez/Purdell)

Now Normal Chronicles or: What’s Going On?

21 Thursday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

There are a lot of albums that are celebrating anniversaries today: Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On (49), Paul & Linda McCartney’s Ram (also 49), Blue Öyster Cult’s Agents Of Fortune (44), Saxon’s debut s/t (41 which may or may not be a good thing), Cinderella’s Long Cold Winter and Poison’s Open Up and Say…Ahh! (both 32), Soul II Soul’s Vol. II: 1990 – A New Beginning (30), Scorpions’ Pure Instinct and Soundgarden’s Down On The Upside (24), Poison’s Hollyweird (18). Some good things and some not so great things.

But, you know of all those and yeah, I know that one of the greatest albums of all time (#6 on the RS list), I cannot resist playing this. You knew it was coming when you read the list and you knew it was coming because the preview said so. But, dangit! I think it’s hilarious (btw, Bruce Dickinson had nothing to do with the album and no one named Gene played on it either)… Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I got a fever! And the only prescription… is more cowbell!” – Bruce Dickinson

Now Normal Chronicles or: Savage

16 Thursday Apr 2020

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Salutations™!!

Sorry for all the videos. I don’t watch a lot of television (programming) right now and I’m not out galavanting around like I used to do so I don’t have a whole lot of variance to talk about other than music videos. Today is the 56th anniversary of the debut Rolling Stones album, which I don’t really know a lot about and the 32nd anniversary of the Scorpions’ Savage Amusement album. Instead of looking for cheap Klaus Meine knockoffs, I went with the real deal acoustic. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Let’s spend the night together. I know you want it, too. The magic of the moment is what I’ve got for you. The heartbeat of this night is made to lose control. And there is something in your eyes that’s longing for some more. Let us find together, the beat we’re looking for.” – “Rhythm of Love” (Meine/Schenker)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/5/19

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

The first Underdog Records purchase of 2019, woot! It’s going to be a good year all around and it’s going to be a good record year, too. I want to continue to fill my RS list wants and discover things that I didn’t know existed. I’m going to attempt to listen to more new music, but it really isn’t my bag. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

The_Clash_-_Combat_Rock.jpg

©CBS/Epic

  • Pink Floyd – Obscured By Clouds — I had made a post on this blog a few weeks back about this album. How great it was and how I was disappointed that no one had brought it to my attention prior. It was there and I grabbed it. This is the remastered reissue, new. It is a great album!
  • The Clash – Combat Rock — The “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah” album. First pressing in EX/VG++ condition. I couldn’t pass that up.
  • Scorpions – Best Of Scorpions — Jonathan said, “yes and yes” when I brought this album up to the counter. He said that old Scorpions are under-appreciated and I nodded in agreement. The Scorps (no relation to me) have been around in some form or fashion since 1965 and most people don’t know that. So they had stuff that predates the “Rock You Like a Hurricane” era. This is in VG.
  • Mass Gothic – I’ve Tortured You Long Enough — promo copy of this album, it has no official cover but it’s from Sub Pop Records and it’s everything you’d think an album on that label would be. Which means that The BCPF loved it. VG++.
  • Charlie Parker And His Orchestra – Night And Day — The BCPF grabbed this one and I’m not really sure why. She usually avoids the more horn musicians. But, I dig them, so I’m glad she did. VG-.
  • Various – Midnight Cowboy (Original Motion Picture Score) — I like soundtracks and this was from the only X-Rated film to win Best Picture and first gay-related Best Picture. Also, it has Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’,” which I love. VG+.
  • Black Sabbath – Technical Ecstasy — The penultimate Ozzy Sabbath record. He was blitzed most of the time and spent a lot of that time on the beach in Miami whilst Tommy Iommi was left to produce the album. It was recorded at the same studio as the Eagles’ Hotel California was being recorded at the same time. Geezer Butler said that they’d have to go in and scrape the residual cocaine off the mixing board after the Eagles left. VG-.
  • The Who – Who’s Next — I already have this album, but I believe this is a better copy than what I have. VG.
  • Linda Ronstadt – Hand Sown… Home Grown — Ronstadt’s debut solo album after leaving the Stone Poneys. It flopped but we like her so it was a good one to get. VG+.
  • Tina Turner – Private Dancer — The “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Better Be Good To Me” and “Private Dancer” album. I didn’t know that the title track was written by Mark Knopfler, but it does make sense now that I’ve listened to other Dire Straits albums. Ode to oneself and lamenting about the role that they’re the lot of. Plus, it’s an 80s staple and we know I’m a sucker for that stuff. VG+.

The rest are $1 albums and unless otherwise noted, they’re at least VG.

Jonathan had a lot of “fresh” stuff that he was going through yesterday which only means you’re going to have a lot to choose from. Now, something new for 2019 that Jonathan is doing is called “Curated by Underdog” which is a subscription service that you can have Jonathan (and I’m sure his trusted associates) curate your collection with criteria of your choosing. Like only indie things? Like 80s music? Only want new records? Only want used records? Want a combo of the two? Well, Jonathan and Underdog Records have you covered. You’ll receive your subscription either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. The lowest cost package comes in at just $12. I think that’s a pretty good deal. It’s also a way to find things you may not have thought about. For more information visit the Curated by Underdog site. Also, listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to find out what that week’s TLD/UR special is.

Curated by Underdog and I both use Discogs. Underdog to help create and manage your subscription and me to make sure that I don’t get multiples of things. It also has a cool “shuffle” feature that picks a random album (upon your request).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Welcome back, my friends To the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside! There, behind a glass, stands a real blade of grass. Be careful as you pass. Move along! Move along.” – “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2” (Lake/Emerson)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 4/14/18

15 Sunday Apr 2018

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Salutations™!!

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©Reprise

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/24/18

25 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

The_Scorpions_LatFS

@Mercury

 

Yesterday was a cold, snotty, sleety, crappy-weathered day. But, I had my best gal and we had each other to keep warm and enjoy some record listening. That means, of course, that we went by Underdog Records! And, here is what we got:

So, a pretty good haul. I was especially excited about the Dire Straits album even with the truncated first side. That and the Rickie Lee Jones were worth the whole thing. Good stuff.

New to vinyl? Want to get into vinyl? Returning to vinyl? Don’t go spend a ton of money on brand new equipment when you can get quality used stuff from Jonathan at Underdog Records. If you decide you want to get deeper into the “lifestyle” then you can go spend big bucks. But, don’t just jump in. My two cents.

Discogs is also a great way to catalog your collection, see your friends’ collections and even purchase used and new vinyl in the marketplace. It’s a great site and a great resource.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Is that her? What’s her name? Oh, it’s never going to be same. But that’s not her. I know what’s wrong – Chuck E’s in love with the little girl who’s singing this song.” – “Chuck E’s in Love” (Jones)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/3/2018

04 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

After a week off, it was back to the routine and that included our return to Underdog Records. My only regret for the trip to Asheville was that I didn’t go to any record stores up there. But, we’re back and here’s what we got!

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©Big Tree

 

  • Jerry Goldsmith – Chinatown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – I love soundtracks. I love Jerry Goldsmith. This was in the clearance bin for $10. Done! New.
  • Superchunk – What A Time To Be Alive – The BCPF is a big fan of these folks. I’ve even seen them in concert twice with her. It’s good stuff. New on clear/colored vinyl.
  • The Breeders – All Nerve – The Deal twins got the band back together and this is their first release in a number of years. It sounds like they just picked up where they left off. They have a sound and this is it. Orange vinyl. New.
  • Soccer Mommy – Clean – When I was making the commercial for Underdog this week, I included a bit of a tune from this album. I thought it was right up The BCPF’s alley and I was right. She liked it a lot! New on clear vinyl.
  • Van Morrison – Moondance – #66 on the RS list. I really like this one from Van. He’s sometimes hit or miss with me but this is a hit. VG++.
  • Sonic Youth – Dirty – Another favorite of The BCPF. It’s a little heavier than I’m used to with her so it is always odd to hear her play it, but, she enjoys it. VG++.
  • Britny Fox – Britny Fox – Some of the hair stuff that I didn’t really listen to when I was younger and into that genre. I didn’t not like it, I just preferred Cinderella. Does that make this one of the evil stepsisters? I don’t know. VG+.
  • Queen – A Day At The Races – So, the big Queen show is coming this week. I do research for it. I have wanted to collect all the Queen stuff and this was there used and in what I’d call NM condition, about $10 cheaper than new. No brainer.
  • Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis – #190 on the RS list. VG+ original that I can tell. Yes, please!
  • Doctor Hook And The Medicine Show – Doctor Hook – One of my favorite Dr. Hook songs is “Sylvia’s Mother.” That is on this album and I’m happy about it. It was a VG+ copy, so yes.
  • England Dan & John Ford Coley – Nights Are Forever – In what someone called the “most 70s looking cover,” I had to get this because I love the song “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight.” The whole album was pretty righteous. Sappy 70s sugary pop stuffs but still pretty righteous. NM condition, too.
  • Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly – I have always challenged anyone to find me a singer that delivers with the sexiness of Sade. This comes very close, but not quite there. This is a great album, though. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. VG+.
  • Various – Jesus Christ Superstar (The Original Motion Picture Sound Track Album) – I have the original Broadway cast recording with Ian Gillan and Murray Head. I have always maintained that I liked the movie version better. Listening to the Broadway version a little more challenges that. So, now I have both and I can A/B them if I want. VG+.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates – Along The Red Ledge – I see no titles that I’m familiar with on the track listing. But, it’s adding to the H&O canon. It was just $2 so I figured what the heck. VG.
  • The Hollies – The Very Best Of The Hollies – Funny to Graham Nash that young. VG+.
  • Various – Storytellers – VG+. A 2xLP compilation of several 70s tunes from 1979.
  • Yes – The Yes Album – Even though it was their third album, I think this is where they came into their own as an original band. The first two, from what I understand was a lot of covers. I have my hits and misses with Yes, but I think the band is great. I haven’t listened to this yet. $1 bin find. VG.
  • Firefall – Firefall – I bought this one for $1 for just one song. It turns out the whole album is pretty darned good. VG+.
  • Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick At Budokan – What I figure to be an original recording, I got this for $1. #426 on the RS list. It’s VG.
  • Various – 20 Power Hits Volume 2 – Another K-Tel comp that I found for $1. This one is from 1973. G+.
  • Air Supply – Greatest Hits – I am unashamedly a fan of Air Supply. I had this on cassette and CD (I think) and I have fond memories of my friend Scotty Byrd and I doing this album’s songs, karaoke-style when I lived in WV. $1 bin find. VG.

I told you earlier this week about the albums that Jerry Chapman, yes, that Jerry Chapman had sent me. These are those (thanks, Jerry!!!):

So, it was a great week to be a record collector in our house!

Underdog Records is running a new special for March. Jonathan repriced a lot of the $1 records to $.50. That part isn’t just for March. What is for March is if you pick 5 of those $.50 albums, you’ll get them for $.20 each. So, Five for $1. That’s pretty awesome. Also, make sure you listen to The Less Desirables on Wednesdays for the TLD/UR special of the week. I don’t announce those anywhere else so you could be missing out on stuff.

Also, use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I can dim the lights and sing you songs full of sad things. We can do the tango just for two. I can serenade and gently play on your heart strings, be your Valentino just for you. Ooh love ooh loverboy. What’re you doin’ tonight, hey boy. Set my alarm, turn on my charm. That’s because I’m a good old-fashioned lover boy.” – “Old Fashioned Lover Boy” (Mercury)

Will the Light Reveal Your Soul? or: Strangers in the Night (Eugeology Entry 10)

16 Thursday Mar 2017

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Salutations™!!

We’re 1/5 of the way through this list. Wow. Time’s fun when you’re having flies. Last week, I felt the entry was a clunker. I still do. But, outside Eugene, who I knew would be disappointed with my assessment, there were a couple of others who disagreed with me. I’m okay with that. As I always tell Jon, just write what you feel. There is no right or wrong, just opinion.

UFOStrangersInTheNightAlbumCover

©Chrysalis Records/EMI

When I saw this week’s entry from Eugene come through, I was a little eye-rolley. I think we reviewed this when Eugene was still on The Less Desirables. I don’t think I cared about it one way or another then. Well, this time I listened more than once. I’m glad I did. Let’s do it…

#10 – Strangers in the Night by UFO.

First, I will say that I really do not like live albums. I don’t like that raw sound. I like polished and produced. I don’t feed on the same energy as many people do when they listen to live albums. Live albums to me are like undercooked chicken. I can’t get the chef’s vision for the dish. I want the production; I want the polish. Even KISS Alive! and KISS Alive II, I feel the same way about. Yes, they got me started in on KISS, but to me it was more than just the live show. At that, even a bombastic live show doesn’t always come through on the audio without the video. So, that’s a strike against the album from the start.

That being said, you can erase that strike. The album made up for that aspect just by being pretty fantastic. But, here’s the part where Eugene screams at his device/computer, “what!?!”

I had never even heard of UFO until Eugene mentioned them, just a few years back. If I had heard of them prior to that, I certainly don’t remember it. I started watching That Metal Show on VH1 Classic and Eddie Trunk was always raving about the band. I couldn’t figure out how a band I had never even heard of was so popular. Granted I don’t know a lot about those kinds of bands and such and I absolutely know that just because I don’t hear of them doesn’t mean anything, really. It matters not now, I’ll admit, but okay.

I had heard of Michael Schenker, though. I hadn’t heard much of his music, but when I was just getting into playing instruments and such, the Michael Schenker Group or McAuley-Schenker Group was always featured in hard rock tabulature books. I may even have a song or two in my collection at home. Before Eddie Trunk’s arse kissing and fawning over the man-child, axe-weilding attributes of Michael, the only Schenker I really, really knew of was Michael’s brother Rudolph and that was because he was in the Scorpions. Turns out, at the ripe age of 17, Michael was in the Scorpions, as well. Even when he recorded this album, at the age of 22 when he left UFO (this album represents the concert tour that he was on when he left the group) he was playing like someone with 20+ years experience. That’s just natural talent. Getting it done.

But, we have to move past just the MS part of the equation because this is much more than the Michael Schenker Show. Phil Mogg’s vocals are very strong. He has range and depth. His emotions come through brightly and not mucked up like some live recordings tend to do to vocals. At times he reminds me of Bruce Springsteen. At other times he sounds kind of like Ted Nugent. I don’t like those times as much. But, he always is “on.”

Pete Way is a great bass player who played with a lot of big acts, including Ozzy Osbourne and Fastway. His runs have presence and tasteful. His tone is fantastic on this, too. Andy Parker is a solid drummer that has flash without losing sight of the meter. The band gets a double attack from Paul Raymond who is rhythm guitar and keys. I’m kind of not into the rock organ for the most part, but Raymond is spot on. It fits the M.O. of this album. The harmony vocals throughout are fantastic, as well.

There’s plenty of songs on here to say were “great.” “Hot n’ Ready,” “Let It Roll,” “Natural Thing,” “Out in the Street,” “Mother Mary” and “This Kid’s” (both of which were studio tracks with a hall type reverb and canned crowd music added), “Doctor Doctor,” “Lights Out,” “Rock Bottom” (which I could have done without the extended jam session), and “Too Hot to Handle.” Those would be my faves on the album. If I was picking just one, it would be “Doctor Doctor,” if for no other reason but the hook of the chorus. Lots of riffs, lots of slower power ballads, lots of hooks, lots of great melodies. This album is pretty righteous, even for a live album. UFO were pretty awesome. Too bad I didn’t find that out until now. But, again, that’s the point of this project, right? I will have to get Jonathan to be on the look out for this album at Underdog Records. I’d love to have it on vinyl.

I can’t wait o hear Eug’s and Jon’s thoughts on this album, which by the way, Jon is two albums behind and Eug is one behind, as of this writing. They need to get with it, I say. Alright, Mr. Sims, I’m ready for my close-up… er, next album. And, both of you write your darned posts. You’re leaving me out here by myself! I kid… mostly.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Doctor doctor, please. Oh I’m goin’ fast. Doctor doctor, please, oh, I’m goin’ fast. It’s only just a moment. She’s turning paranoid. That’s not a situation for a nervous boy.” – “Doctor Doctor” (Schenker/Mogg)