Tag Archives: Stevie Wonder

Now Normal Chronicles or: Shload

29 Tuesday Sep 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is a big day in musical releases. Glorified Magnified from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band turns 48. All the World’s a Stage from Rush is 44. The Stranger from Billy Joel is 43. Celebrate! from Kool & the Gang and Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder are 40. Bend Sinister from The Fall, Somewhere in Time from Iron Maiden, Brotherhood from New Order, The Pacific Age from OMD, and Chicago 18 are all 34 today. Strangeways, Here We Come from The Smiths and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan from Red Hot Chili Peppers is 33. Core from Stone Temple Pilots, Dirt from Alice in Chains, Our Time in Eden from 10,000 Maniacs and Us from Peter Gabriel are all 28. Bridges to Babylon by The Rolling Stones Urban Hymns from The Verve are 23. There are more but none that I really want to talk about.

Whew! That’s a lot. I mean, two huge grunge-era releases, one of the best from Maiden and we know what a fan of Peter Gabriel I am. But, since The Stranger is my favorite album from Billy Joel and this is my favorite song by him, it’s a no-brainer and this dude does it very well. I do kind of wish the saxophonist wouldn’t have been so diva-ish about his parts. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Things are okay with me these days. Got a good job, got a good office. Got a new wife, got a new life and the family’s fine. We lost touch long ago. You lost weight I did not know you could ever look so nice after so much time.” – “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” (Joel)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Finding the Keys

28 Monday Sep 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 44th anniversary of Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. “I Wish,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Sir Duke,” “Another Star,” “As” were all released as singles. But, the biggest wow for me was when I realized that Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” is a direct sample from this tune, which in this video he doesn’t sing but plays a mean blues harp. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Tell me who of them will come to be. How many of them are you and me. Proclamation. Of Race Relations. Consolation. Integration. Verification. Of Revelations. Acclamation. World Salvation. Vibrations. Stimulation. Confirmation… to the peace of the world. They’ve been spending most their lives living in a pastime paradise.” – “Pastime Paradise” (Wonder)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Just Enough

03 Monday Aug 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 47th anniversary of Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions album. It contains my favorite Stevie Wonder song and this is a pretty good cover. The singer seems like he has a little bit of trouble but works through it. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A boy is born in hard time Mississippi. Surrounded by four walls that ain’t so pretty. His parents give him love and affection to keep him strong movin’ in the right direction. Living just enough, just enough for the city.” – “Living For The City” (Wonder)

Spinning Sunday or: The Listening 5/16/20

17 Sunday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

I feel we’re getting closer to being able to rummage through some used vinyl in the next month or so, but until then Jonathan is still delivering vinyl from Underdog Records all during the week. I think sales have been okay for him but I’m sure he could use some more. Head over to the Underdog Records website, or follow on Instagram (Jonathan’s preferred method) and Facebook to see what you can purchase.

And, per usual, this week’s streaming listens comes from Discogs’ shuffle feature and it has to be an album that I own on vinyl (outside of peripheral things like Beeswax Vinyl & More listens), that way it’s like listening to my vinyl but with headphones from my computer whilst The BCPF works 10 feet away. Here’s the list (this is in order of listens):

collage1051720

A pretty good list. Then The BCPF and I listened to these, on vinyl, yesterday:

collage2051720

Again, check out Underdog Records’ social and web stuffs. Buy records. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection and use it’s groovy (see what I did there) shuffle feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Father, father, we don’t need to escalate. You see, war is not the answer. For only love can conquer hate. You know we’ve got to find a way to bring some loving here today.” – “What’s Going On” (Gaye/Cleveland/Benson)

Here We Go Again or: Shhh… It’s a Secret

30 Wednesday Oct 2019

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Salutations™!!

I’m about resolved to the fact that I have been and will continue to write a lot about music and post videos. I am a fan of music, I love talking and writing about music, and I eat, breathe and sleep music. Podcasting may be my profession but at one time I wanted to be a musician.

Well, I am a musician, yes. I mean I wanted that to be what I did. I was in a moderately successful local band, we released two albums, we had a following, it was cool. But, now, as a writer of a “daily blog,” a producer of podcasts (both my own and others’) and someone who hasn’t much time to do his own music, well, the “history” aspect is an outlet for me. That’s what this blog has always been, too; an outlet.

With that, I’m going to stop apologizing for posting so many videos. And, with that, today is the 40th anniversary of one Stevie Wonder’s most misunderstood albums, Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through “The Secret Life of Plants.” Many didn’t know or understand that it was the soundtrack and in some spots the score, to a film called, well, “The Secret Life of Plants.” It was the follow-up to Songs in the Key of Life (#57 on the RS list), so everyone had high expectations. According to Stevie, the album “was an experimental project with me scoring and doing other things I like: challenging myself with all the things that entered my mind from the Venus’s Flytrap to Earth’s creation to coming back as a flower.” “Maniac” Michael Sambello played guitar on the album as he did with a lot of Stevie’s stuff in the 70s/80s.

This was the first of the three singles released for the album, done by a wonderful singer with a bass player who has way more talent than I ever had on bass. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I’ve heard so many say that the days of romance are no more and people falling in love is so old fashioned. But waiting are they the day they once let slip away, hiding need to fulfill their heart’s desire for love’s passion.” – “Send One Your Love” (Wonder)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Livin’

03 Saturday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 46th anniversary of Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions album and it contains my favorite Stevie tune, which Project Soul here does a great cover of. I’m off to call a football game. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A boy is born in “Hard Time,” Mississippi. Surrounded by four walls that ain’t so pretty. His parents give him love and affection to keep him strong moving in the right direction. Living just enough, just enough for the city.” – “Livin’ for the City” (Wonder)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/23/18 & 24

25 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

Note: I wrote most of this on Friday night and had to modify it for today. We’ll leave most of it for today.

Yes, it is for Friday and not Saturday, but that’s because we did our record shopping for this weekend at Underdog Records on Friday (and Saturday) for the Record Store Day Black Friday Edition (and Small Business Saturday). We were there at just before 5am and they opened at 8am. We were tired and after breakfast collapsed in bed for a few hours. We went back Saturday and But, here’s what we got:

Presstheejectandgivemethetape

©Beggars Banquet

All of these were brand new and with the exception of the Calexico, were “Record Store Day” releases.

  • Calexico – The Black Light — The non-RSD album we got and it’s a 20th Anniversary reissue and is a 2xLP on clear vinyl. These guys are great. Laid-back tex-mex/indie/alt-country music at its finest!
  • Cheap Trick – The Epic Archive Vol. 2 (1980-83) — We got the first volume this past RSD in April and I had to get this one. I bought two copies, one for Clay, which he paid me back for. I don’t really care much for this collection but hey, I have it. There are some good tunes on it, though.
  • José González – Veneer — 15th Anniversary reissue for RSD in a marbled-cream color. 2xLP and a very good listen from an Argentinian Swede. The name is very Latin but he’s from Sweden (his family is from Argentina). Good, laid-back indie folk music, this. You know the BCPF was all over this one. It was one of the two “must haves” for her on Friday.
  • The B-52’s – Cosmic Thing — Not quite 30 years but close since the release of this album. And, it’s much more than just “Love Shack,” “Roam” and “Channel Z.” A well-written album and the first after the death of Ricky Wilson in 1985. This is on a rainbow-splatter vinyl record.
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Ella At The Shrine — The only disappointment of the haul was this for me. It’s a “mini-album” so it’s kind of short. Along the lines of an EP, really. It’s a 12″ but it plays at 45 RPM like a 45/7″. I think the reason why I was disappointed is that the only time I don’t like her is when she goes on some scat rampage and this album was full of that. It’s annoying. It’s on cool mustard-colored vinyl, though.
  • Adam Sandler – What The Hell Happened To Me? — My second favorite Adam Sandler album and I got the first (his first and my favorite), They’re All Gonna Laugh At You, this past April at RSD and had to jump on this one, too. My two favorite skits are “Do It for Your Mama” and “The Hypnotist.” I laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh.
  • Bauhaus – Press The Eject And Give Me The Tape — Oddly enough, this is (outside of Adam Sandler) my favorite grab of the day. It’s the other “must-have” for The BCPF and she kept saying I was going to hate it, that I was going to look at her funny, that I was going to complain. None of that was true. Well, except for the looking at her funny part. I do that for sport. This was a great album of live weirdness recorded in London and Liverpool in 1981/1982. Great show and a great recording.

The following were picked up on Saturday and they are all $1 bin finds. The sale was 50% off $1 albums so, we made out good!

  • Carpenters – Carpenters — Their third studio album with “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Superstar” among others. In an envelope sleeve. VG.
  • George Jones – I Am What I Am — The 1980 album with “He Stopped Loving Her Today” which I wouldn’t have bought without. The BCPF just rolled her eyes the whole time. VG.
  • Stevie Wonder – Music Of My Mind — 1972 album in which Stevie played all the instruments except the trombone and electric guitar (one song each). I haven’t listened to it, yet, so I don’t know what it’s like. VG.
  • Donovan – Barabajagal — Pure Donovan, this. Great stuff with great guests such as Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood, Aynsley Dunbar, John Paul Jones, Rod Stewart, etc. It came out in 1969. VG+ (with the exception of a gash in the finale).
  • José Iturbi – Music To Remember — 10″ RCA Red Label in really good condition and features music from the life of Chopin. VG+.
  • Unknown Artist – It’s A Small World — Yes, one of the most annoying earworms ever, but you know what? I love it. And, The BCPF found this and put it in our carry-out crate. So, here we have it. It’s pretty beaten up. G+.

So, that’s the haul. There was stuff left over at Underdog Records when we left on Friday morning, and I don’t know what happened yesterday, but it was probably a good day on both days for Jonathan. He puts his heart and soul into the RSD bonanzas and he was in a good mood, that’s always a plus. We love to see him smiling. But, Underdog Records is your place to go buy vinyl. No other store is needed. Listen to the next episode of The Less Desirables (on Wednesday) to hear what the TLD/UDR special of the week is.

Discogs already had these albums loaded up and it didn’t take anything for me to find them. Good job Discogs!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“Crosses all over, heavy on your shoulders. The sirens inside you waiting to step forward, disturbing silence darkens your sight.” – “Crosses” (Gonzalez)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/7/18

08 Sunday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

We had to do some extensive searching for a parking space when The BCPF and I went to Mary’s Gourmet Diner yesterday morning. The denizens of the Heavy Rebel Weekender were out in full force with their rusted-out Dragulas and slicked back hairdos. And, I mean all of that with love and respect. They own it and that’s how they want it to be. I dig it. Well, I dig them doing their thing. I get absolutely nothing out of that whole scene. So, we found a spot that Annabelle would fit in — she’s a small thing — and went on to Mary’s. We came out and there was a sea of folks down both Liberty and Trade Streets. Nope. On to Underdog for us! Here’s the haul:

Asylum_album_cover

©Mercury

  • a-ha – Hunting High And Low — I’ve been wanting this one for a while. I don’t believe I had it in any format before. I don’t know why. Well, this is the brand new Rhino reissue and we got two pairs, a neon orange and a neon green, of groovy 80s sunglasses. The whole thing is pretty good and is in the same vein as “Take on Me” and “The Sun Always Shines on TV.” New.
  • Bauhaus – Burning From The Inside — My good friend Michael and I went back and forth on who was going to get this album. He wanted it. The BCPF wanted. It was her first Bauhaus album and was what introduced her to the band. I liked the album. She was afraid I wouldn’t. I dug it. VG++.
  • Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston — Her debut album and the only one of hers that I remotely care about. I have said it before and I’ll repeat it here. When Mariah Carey showed up on the scene in 1990, Whitney lost all relevance to me. Mariah’s songs were better and her voice was just amazing. At least in the beginning. She lost me later on, but the first two Mariah albums were amazing. This Whitney album was pretty neat, too. This was #259 on the RS list. VG++.
  • Marvin Gaye – Midnight Love — The last album from Marvin Gaye, which was his biggest selling by which I presume happened because of his death not long after its release. It has “Sexual Healing” on it, which I’m not really a big fan of, never have been. All-in-all, it’s okay.  VG+.
  • Eagles – On The Border — I don’t know if any band has ever created such a like/dislike debate or have been more polarizing than the Eagles. I like them, at least most of the Henley-sung stuff, myself. This had “Already Gone,” “James Dean” (which I hate), “Best of My Love” and the Tom Waits=penned “Ol’ 55.” VG.
  • Stevie Wonder – Hotter Than July – I really dig Stevie. Although I have to admit, this has some serious cheese on it. But, I love “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” and “Happy Birthday,” a song that pressed for MLK’s birthday to be a national holiday. It was deemed so just a few years later. VG++.
  • Toto – Hydra — Just like with Alan Parsons Project, I find that I like just about everything Toto does. I mean, what’s not to like? Also like APP, it’s a set of studio musicians and producers that were the cream of the crop at what they did and turned it into great songs and songwriting. “99” was probably the big hit on the album. VG++.
  • Rickie Lee Jones – The Magazine — We have two RLJ albums and both of them are fantastic. She has a great voice and is a very talented songwriter. VG++.
  • Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne — Browne’s debut album that we happened to find for $1. It has “Doctor My Eyes” and “Rock Me on the Water” on it. The cover is kind of beat up but the record is in really good shape. Even though it was $1 I’m going to say the vinyl was VG+.
  • Jackson Browne – Hold Out — Two Jackson Browne albums both in the $1 bin. Although critically the album has not been as well received as other Browne recordings, it remains his only album to date to reach number 1 on the Billboard chart. The sleeve and the record are at least VG but possibly VG+.
  • Kiss – Asylum — I didn’t get this one from Underdog Records. I bought it from the Discogs Marketplace. It cost me about $17 shipping and all and it is in VG+ shape. There’s a spot on the last track on Side B (“Uh! All Night) but it doesn’t affect the playability at all. It was a great transaction and filled the next spot in the KISSography. Crazy Nights is up next.

I loved seeing a good many people in the store, yesterday, at Underdog Records. It’s always fun when you get to see friends of yours, especially ones in the record collecting community, where you can talk shop and records and just enjoy the community. Keep an eye on the Underdog Records Facebook and Instagram feeds as Jonathan posts several times a day what he is putting out on the sales floor. There’s always something good coming in. There was no Underdog/TLD special this week as he was closed through Wednesday.

And, as I mentioned, I got that KISS album from the Discogs Marketplace. I really dig it. You can find deals, but you have to look for them. I had ordered Queensryche’s Rage For Order but the guy convinced me that shipping was astronomical and said he’d go ahead if I wanted to but it was really no problem to cancel. I did. Anyone else may have wanted to just make money and not care, or maybe he got burned from it in the past. I don’t know. He was honest and that was awesome. It’s a really good community over there. Try it if you’re looking for something. The Marketplace also deals cassettes and CDs as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“We’re talking away. I don’t know what I’m to say. I’ll say it anyway. Today’s another day to find you. Shying away. I’ll be coming for your love, OK? Take on me. Take me on. I’ll be gone in a day or two.” – “Take On Me” (Waaktaar/Furuholmen/Harket)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/17/18

18 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day so of course we had to get our Irish on and went to Finnigan’s Wake instead of Mary’s Gourmet Diner (we did that this morning) but we did get to Underdog Records on time. Here’s what we got:

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©Riverside

 

  • Yo La Tengo – There’s A Riot Going On  – The BCPF really loves this band, who have been around for a long time and when this Indie-Exclusive Orange Vinyl 2xLP set came out, well she had to have it. And she got it. New.
  • Chet Baker – Chet – From what I hear, Chet Baker was a sad story. Mostly drugs, I’d say, but man, this cat was fantastic on the horn. The label said “the lyrical trumpet of Chet Baker” and I think that’s exactly right. His trumpet was like a vocalists’ voice, smooth and dreamy. And, the cover is awesome. He looks like James Dean. New.
  • Various – Souled Out – Adding to my K-Tel Collection, this one is all about the “soul.” Found it for $3 in the “just in ‘Used'” bin. VG+.
  • Donovan – Cosmic Wheels – A very fun and hilarious listen. Not that it’s all comedy but there are moments. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend listening to the tune, “The Intergalactic Laxative.” You won’t be disappointed. VG.
  • Sheena Easton – Sheena Easton – Her debut album. I always liked her voice so why not have it? It was called Take My Time in the UK but just eponymous here in the US. VG++.
  • Sheena Easton – A Private Heaven – So, just three years later, this is her sixth album. That’s a lot of output, really. This is also VG++.
  • Hank Williams, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys – Original Sound Track – The Last Picture Show – Yep, the soundtrack for the Peter Bogdanovich featuring the legendary Hank Williams, et al. VG+.
  • Kim Carnes – Mistaken Identity – Yes, the “Bette Davis Eyes” album. VG+.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – Babylon By Bus – A 2xLP live album featuring the Wailers. I still don’t really care for reggae as a whole but, man, I love listening to Bob Marley. This is really, really beaten up and has scratches and gashes throughout. I can’t listen to it often because I don’t want my needle ruined but it was fun to listen through. Fair condition, only. “Curvy,” whose name is scrawled on the labels didn’t take very good care of this. $1 bin find.
  • Parliament – Mothership Connection – This. Is. Awesome! #276 on the RS list. I liked it then and I love it even more now. I think I got more out of it this time. I wasn’t trying to plow through the list. I think that was the issue. But, this whole album is phenomenal. A VG $1 bin find. There was a “skip” and it was a perfect skip, right on the beat because I thought they were just doing a repetitious passage and it turns out it was skipping for about two minutes. I didn’t really let it go on that long.
  • The New Birth– Comin’ From All Ends – Another New Birth LP. VG $1 bin find.
  • Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song – The BCPF’s favorite Christmas album and there it was, in pretty good condition, with a $1 sticker on it. After confirming that we don’t already have it, it was quickly added.
  • Nat King Cole / George Shearing – Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays – The BCPF can’t resist anything with Nat King Cole on it. VG. $1 bin find.
  • Billie Holiday – Billie Holiday – We’re fans of women jazz vocalists and try to collect what we can. The BCPF loves Ella. I love Etta. We both dig Billie. Good condition. $1 bin find.
  • Stevie Wonder – In Square Circle – The first Stevie I ever owned and it was on cassette. It was in the $1 bin yesterday and in pretty good shape, so yep!
  • Roberta Flack And Peabo Bryson – Live & More – More Roberta Flack and this time with Peabo Bryson. I can’t not say “why you trippin’ Peabo?!” every time I read his name. $1 bin find. VG.

Record store day is coming, April 21. Visit the RSD website for more information. There are no holds, no pre-orders, no prepays, and there will be a line early (some people even camp out overnight) but it’s fun and there’s a lot of unique things coming out. Underdog is ready and will have all but like four things. But, supplies are limited, when he’s out, he’s out. Everything is limited edition, too. Check out The Less Desirables to hear what this week’s TLD/UR special is. And use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Oh, the intergalactic laxative will get you from here to there. Relieve you and believe me, without a worry or care. If sh*tting is your problem when you’re out there in the stars, oh, the intergalactic laxative will get you from here to Mars.” – “The Intergalactic Laxative” (Leitch)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 12/23/17

24 Sunday Dec 2017

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Salutations™!!

Let me say, a brand new needle on your turntable makes all the difference in the world! Everything sounds so crisp and amazing. The BCPF and I have been enjoying a long week together observing the 3-Feet Rule (no farther than three feet from each other for most of the vacation). In that, we also went by Underdog Records about four times altogether. It was a great vacay. So, needless to say, this is from all week. Plus, I marked five off of the RS List this week. Let’s get started:led_zeppelin_-_led_zeppelin_II-front

So, a pretty good haul. And, again, with a new needle, it really all sounds great, even the older stuff. Underdog Records is open today until 2pm if you have a last minute thing to grab. He has specials, too. We use Discogs to archive our collection (hence the hyperlinks above).

From The BCPF and me, we hope your Christmas Eve is nothing shy of fantastic. It’s the day we do all the family stuff, traditionally and it’s my favorite of the two-day holiday. Love, happiness and lots of food for you all!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Now it’s a mighty long way down the dusty trail. And, the sun burns hot on the cold steel rails. And, I look like a bum, and I crawl like a snail all the way from Memphis.” – “All the Way From Memphis” (Hunter)