Today is the 37th anniversary of my favorite Van Halen album, 1984. We lost the architect behind this masterpiece this year, Mr. Edward Van Halen. I don’t know how I feel about this cover, but it’s probably better than what Diamond Dave would have done in the last few years. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Oh! Hey you! Who said that? Baby, how you been? You say you don’t know, you won’t know until you begin. So can’t you see me standing here? I’ve got my back against the record machine. I ain’t the worst that you’ve seen. Oh, can’t you see what I mean? Ah, might as well jump (Jump!)” – “Jump” (Anthony/Roth/Van Halen/Van Halen)
Yesterday was the 37th anniversary of Los Lobos’ major label debut, How Will the Wolf Survive. It was ranked #455 on the RS list that matters and somehow survived the ridiculousness and actually moved up on the 2020 list to #431. Good for them. It’s a good album. Here’s the not-quite title track with David Hidalgo himself doing it acoustically and with some back story on the tune. It’s a great tune. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Through the chill of winter, running across a frozen lake, hunters are out on his trail. All odds are against him. With a family to provide for, the one thing he must keep alive. Will the wolf survive?” – “Will the Wolf Survive?” (Hidalgo/Perez)
So, I’m breaking my rule of no Christmas songs after Christmas. This is a great version of this tune, and how I feel about Christmas year-round. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “You’re a foul one, Mr. Grinch. You’re a nasty-wasty skunk. Your heart is full of unwashed socks, your soul is full of gunk, Mr. Grinch. The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote: ‘Stink, stank, stunk!'” – “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” (Hague/Geisel)
The BCPF and I got up early, ate breakfast outside in the cold at Young Cardinal, went record shopping at our favorite “candy” store, Underdog Records, and listened to good music yesterday. A laid-back and relaxing day. Here’s the haul.
@Mercury
Eels – Daisies Of The Galaxy — The BCPF had Jonathan order this for her. She used to work at Old Salem and when she was preparing the store she worked in for opening, she would play this album to get her in the mood. It takes her back. I can dig it. Eels are a good “band.” It was a fun listen. New.
Def Leppard – High ‘N’ Dry — Def Leppard’s second album, its biggest hit was “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak.” I am not a fan of most of Def Leppard’s early stuff. This album and On Through the Night just don’t do it for me, but I thought it important to own it. It was the last with Pete Willis on guitar before Phil Collen came into the band. New.
The War On Drugs – Future Weather — A six-song EP from one the BCPF’s newest favorite bands. They are a good band, too. New.
Various – Live From High Fidelity: The Best Of The Podcast Performances — Limited Edition, Translucent Green. Limited edition pressing of 1,000 for Record Store Day, 2014. We got it still sealed which means it’s still new even though it was previously owned. The performances were from many indie singers including Grant-Lee Phillips (who was the Troubadour on Gilmore Girls) and Sam Phillips (ex-wife of T-Bone Burnett) who was the “lala” song lady, also from Gilmore Girls. The two Phillips were not related at all.
Donna Summer – She Works Hard For The Money — I’m not sure I have the right version listed here because this is a “club” pressing. CRC which means “Columbia Record Club.” But, I do have it. VG+.
Manos Hadjidakis – Never On Sunday (Original Sound Track Music) — Mono. Original sound track from Jules Dassin’s motion picture “Never On Sunday” staring Melina Mercouri. On the back cover there is a resume of the movie and a profile of Manos Hadjidakis. I love movie soundtracks and even though I’ve not heard of this film, why not? It was like $3 and while it’s from 1960, it’s still sealed. The cover shows wear but I’m sure the vinyl is in NM condition.
That’s the haul. Short but sweet. Don’t forget to get yourself or a loved one (or tell your loved ones you want one) an Underdog Records Gift “Certificate.” They’re done on old 45RPM records. It’s cool. It helps Jonathan. It makes a great gift. Do it! Shop for new vinyl day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Use Discogs to keep track of your collections, no matter the format.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “Onetta there in the corner stands and wonders where she is. And it’s strange to her, some people seem to have everything. Nine A.M. on the hour hand and she’s waiting for the bell. And she’s looking real pretty just wait for her clientele.” – “She Works Hard For the Money” (Omartian/Summer)
What better way to start your Saturday than with some Clash? Today is the 40th anniversary of Sandinista! which is #407 on the RS list that matters and #323 on the one that doesn’t. I love the bass line on this tune. It’s a mite repetitive but that’s okay, it’s still pretty darn good. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Ring! Ring! It’s 7:00 A.M.! Move yourself to go again. Cold water in the face brings you back to this awful place. Knuckle merchants and you bankers, too, must get up and learn those rules. Weather man and the crazy chief. One says “Sun” and one says “Sleet.” A.M., the F.M. the P.M., too. Churnin’ out that boogaloo. Gets you up and a’gets you out, but how long can you keep it up? Gimme Honda, gimme Sony. So cheap and real phony. Hong Kong dollar, Indian cents. English pounds and Eskimo pence.” – “The Magnificent Seven” (Jones/Strummer/Headon/Watt-Roy/Gallagher)
Today is the 47th anniversary of Paul McCartney & Wings’ Band on the Run. I think this is their best one. There, I said it. The title track, “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five,” “Jet” “Helen Wheels” (in the US) and this track. I love this song. Nancy does a great job with it. I just wish Ann would have looked more enthused, but she had nothing to do but some backup vox, I guess. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “You gave me something, I understand. You gave me loving in the palm of my hand. I can’t tell you how I feel. My heart is like a wheel. Let me roll it. Let me roll it to you.” – “Let Me Roll It” (McCartney/McCartney)
Today is the 48th anniversary of Carly Simon’s No Secrets album. The biggest hit, probably of her career, is on this album. It is still shrouded in mystery even these many years past. Who is it about? Is it one person? Is it many people? Is it Mick Jagger (who sang back up on it)? Is it Warren Beatty? Is it James Taylor? Is it author Nick Delbanco? Who!? She has divulged that the second verse is about Warren Beatty. He, however, is “vain” enough to think the whole song was about him. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht. Your hat strategically dipped below one eye. Your scarf it was apricot. You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte. And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner.” – “You’re So Vain” (Simon)
Today is the 42nd anniversary of Queen’s Jazz. A couple of years back, the Vagabond Saints society did a full on Queen show. I sang lead on two tunes and in the choir for the rest of the show. Both of the songs I sang lead on came from this album, “Fat Bottomed Girls” and this one. I don’t think I did a very good job, but whatever. Nothing says fun like a fat man dancing like a pixie fairy, right? Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “You say black, I say white. You say bark, I say bite. You say shark, I say, hey, man, Jaws was never my scene and I don’t like Star Wars. You say Rolls, I say Royce. You say God, Give me a choice! You say Lord, I say, Christ! I don’t believe in Peter Pan, Frankenstein, or Superman, all I wanna do is… Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle.” – “Bicycle Race” (Mercury)
I wish that the title of this post meant that I was actually changing something. And, I guess that the point to change anything would be up to me. Perhaps I want change but not know what changes I want. Hmmm… Anywhat! Today is the 37th anniversary of Yes’ 90125 album. The big hit, of course, was “Owner of a Lonely Heart” and I love that song, but wanted something different for today. This is a fantastic tune, too. Her voice is amazing. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I look into the mirror. I see no happiness. All the warmth that I gave you has turned to emptiness. The love we had has fallen, the love we used to share. You’ve left me here believing in love that wasn’t there.” – “Changes” (Rabin/Anderson/White)
Today is the 31st anniversary of KISS’ 15th studio album, Hot in the Shade. It rides really low on my list and if you search this blog you’ll probably find it. We talked about it on Asylum – The Tales From the Devereaux Diaries podcast. Anyway, the album had a few hits including this one, which, oddly enough ended up on five different albums in a year’s time. Bruce Kulick plays on this, I suppose. I like it. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Johnny saw her riding on a street car named Desire. His fate was sealed. She could see him coming like a hundred other liars. It was no big deal. Rosa had a lover on the shady side of town – Tito, he was king of the streets. She was his possession like a jewel on his crown. Johnny better run, better run. Better hide your heart.” – “Hide Your Heart” (Stanley/Child/Knight)
