Tag Archives: Supertramp

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 6/15/19

17 Monday Jun 2019

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Salutations™!!

Since yesterday was Father’s Day, we did our grocery shopping on Saturday after breakfast before running over to Underdog Records before we had to be in Greensboro for a Cobras game Saturday night. So, here’s the haul:

Greetings_From_Timbuk_3

©IRS Records

  • Calexico / Iron & Wine – Years To Burn — The BCPF is a huge fan of both acts and having albums (there have been others) with both on at the same time means ecstasy for her. It came out just this week and is in lime green vinyl. New.
  • Supertramp – Supertramp — This is a reissue of the debut album by Supertramp. They were a little more subdued back then. I am glad to have this in my collection but I like their late-70s/early-80s stuff best. It is also one of two Supertramp albums we got on Saturday. VG+.
  • Dokken – Beast From The East — Live 2xLP set recorded in Japan. I know Dokken is one of those love ’em or hate ’em bands, but I’m really in the middle with them. I like their stuff but I don’t go crazy for it. However, I loved this when I had it on CD. They left off some stuff because it was long from the CD. This will be fun, I think. VG.
  • Cyndi Lauper – True Colors — One of two Cyndi albums I got this weekend. The other was in the $1 bin. We like those 80s pop staples and I felt she was one of those. VG+.
  • Joe Walsh – The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get — 1980 reissue of this album. I like “Rocky Mountain Way” so, let’s do it. VG+.
  • Roy Orbison – Mystery Girl — Roy Orbison was a unique talent both in songwriting and singing technique. He was a great one. This album had a lot of input from Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty as well as a tune from Bono and The Edge. It was completed a mere month before Orbison died at the age of 52. I was 18 when this came out and I thought he was so old. I’m less than four years from being 52. That’s crazy. This is a slight bit warped but plays awesomely and is still VG+.
  • Cheap Trick – Next Position Please — I don’t know how I feel about this album. I like “I Can’t Take It,” but the rest of it is weird to me. I know Todd Rundgren produced it. Jon Brandt is the bass player. I thought he was on only two CT albums but he was on like four, I think. Anywhat. It’s okay. VG+.
  • Neil Young & The Shocking Pinks – Everybody’s Rockin’ — The Shocking Pinks was a band made up just for this album and features a selection of rockabilly songs (both covers and original material). It’s only 25 minutes and is Young’s shortest album. Everybody’s Rockin’ is typical of his 1980s period in that it bears little or no resemblance to the album released before it nor the one released after it. I’m worried about it because I’m hit-or-miss with him. The BCPF wanted it, though.
  • Was (Not Was) – What Up, Dog? — This is a weird and quirky album but it was so fun to listen to. The biggest hits of the band’s career were on this album: “Spy in the House of Love” and “Walk the Dinosaur.” VG+.
  • The Michael Schenker Group – MSG — The former Scorpions and UFO guitarist’s band’s second album. It featured Cozy Powell on drums and Gary Barden on vocals. Stephen Stills of CSN actually did some background vocals. VG++.
  • Don Henley – The End Of The Innocence — Don Henley was part of one of the more polarizing bands ever, The Eagles. I never cared for Glenn Frey’s contributions to vocals, but he was a partner of Henley’s. I don’t care much for Frey’s solo stuff, but I really like Henley, especially this and Building the Perfect Beast. I just love Henley’s vocals. VG+.
  • Timbuk 3 – Greetings From Timbuk 3 — Yeah, their most famous track, “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades” is on here, but the album has some great spots. “Future” got a little cliche in 1986 but after a while, it got better and the story is funny. I liked listening to this. It was a great listen. VG+.
  • Supertramp – Crisis? What Crisis? — The fourth album overall from Supertramp and the second on this day’s collection. Again, it’s not Breakfast In America but I like it. VG+.
  • Vivaldi- – Max Goberman, The New York Sinfonietta – Three Concertos For Viola D’Amore / Two Concertos For Mandolin — It’s a classical jam. The interesting thing is that the album came out in 1968 and it was still sealed at Underdog. I opened it, but I didn’t look at the vinyl. It’s 51-year-old vinyl in there that hasn’t seen light since 1968. NM.
  • Cyndi Lauper – A Night To Remember — $1 bin find. Second Lauper this list update, too. To my knowledge, the only song on this album that I remember is “I Drove All Night.” I liked the album. VG+.
  • The Babys – Broken Heart  — This was the highlight of my purchase day, even though I didn’t know it until last night. The BCPF was alphabetizing our collection (the first time in almost a year) and it was my turn to pick an album. It was a great listen and if you haven’t listened to it, you absolutely should. Front-to-back, it’s awesome! VG.
  • Haydn, The Prague City Quartet – String Quartets Opus 76, No.4/Opus 20, No.4 — VG+.

Underdog Records is closed on Mondays, but on Tuesday, you should run by and see what used equipment Jonathan has for purchase. Get started in your record collectin’ if you aren’t already one. Then you can join in the madness fun with me! Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear the latest UDR/TLD special for that week. I use Discogs to bring you this list each week and to keep straight what I already own before I make purchases.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I know you broke up with him and your heart’s still on the shelf. It’s been over two years for me and I’m still not quite myself. You can’t be with someone new and you can’t go back to him. You’re beginning to realize that it’s sink or swim.” – “Last Worthless Evening” (Corey/Henley/Lynch)

Sounds Like Saturday or: Detar Music Studio

30 Saturday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

Still recovering from the vocal calisthenics? Yeah, me too. Well, yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the release of Breakfast In America from Supertramp. I don’t like how she seems distant and unenthused but her tone, pitch and range are great. So, enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“There are times when all the world’s asleep, the questions run too deep for such a simple man. Won’t you please, please tell me what we’ve learned. I know it sounds absurd. Please tell me who I am.” – “The Logical Song” (Hodgson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/23/19

24 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

I saw a meme yesterday, pretty much admonishing John Fogerty that yes, indeed, we have seen the (expletive) rain. Rain is needed but we have had our fill over the last three months. It’s winter, couldn’t it at least be snow or something? Anywhat! We did get around to Underdog Records despite the inclement weather and came home with a modest haul. Good stuff, though. Here it is:

Supertramp_-_Even_in_the_Quietest_Moments

©A&M

  • Supertramp – Even In The Quietest Moments… — As I stated on my Facebook and Instagram posts with this, the rule in our house is if there’s a Supertramp album that isn’t in our Discogs collection, then it must be purchased. This was the album right before their megahit, Breakfast in America. VG+.
  • Todd Rundgren – Initiation — I guess the same rule for Supertramp applies to Rundgren, too because if we see it, we check to see if we have it, we add it if needed. So, there. This was his sixth studio album and on it, he embraced the synth-driven direction he had been toying with. VG+.
  • Carpenters – Horizon — Their sixth album and the first not to be a top 5 hit in the US. This one only reached #13. The following albums continued a downward trend and they never again held the acclaim they did at the beginning of their career. VG++.
  • The Chipmunks – Chipmunk Punk — My sister had this when we were growing up and I listened to it more than she did. I loved it. I realized, though, rather quickly that this isn’t that good. Unlike the Urban Chipmunk album, I can’t tell what the heck they’re saying and knowing this was a kid’s album that they let some of the songs stay on the album. In particular, “Good Girls Don’t” and “My Sharona” from The Knack. I love the songs and yes, they were hits on the radio, but for the time (1980), they were pretty racy to have as “kid” songs. I apologized to The BCPF after listening yesterday for making her sit through that. VG.
  • The Outlaws – Outlaws — The album is known for the rock classic “Green Grass & High Tides,” which is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitar songs, plus the hit single “There Goes Another Love Song.” $1 bin find. VG.
  • Slim Whitman – All My Best — I think I remember seeing the adverts for this on TV as a kid. I couldn’t resist paying $1 for it. It’s in decent shape but the outer sleeve is made of cheap flimsy cardboard, as I think a lot of those “as seen on TV” records probably were. VG.

So, the haul was “modest” but it’s the end of the month and we were running a little low on funds. We had a couple of other things we were wanting but we’ll pick those up (based on availability) next week. I hope, too, that I will get my first “Curated by Underdog” package. I look forward to that. You should visit the Underdog Records website and find out more about that program. If it sounds good to you and you want to sign up, tell Jonathan that I sent you. And, use your Discogs to curate your own collection!

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“She’s your adolescent dream, schoolboy stuff, a sticky sweet romance. And she makes you want to scream, wishing you could get inside her pants. So, you fantasize away. And while you’re squeezing her, you thought you heard her saying… ‘Good girls don’t, Good girls don’t, Good girls don’t, but I do.'” – “Good Girls Don’t” (Fieger)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/4/18

05 Sunday Aug 2018

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Salutations™!!

At Underdog Records yesterday, I was able to finally, once and for all, tackle a certain Beatles problem that I have had over the last few years. You’ll find out about it in this haul:

BruceWillis_-_ReturnOfBruno

©Motown

  • The Beatles – Rubber Soul — So, I have been burned (by my own self) over and over finding this on vinyl. Either it’s just a really sucky copy (usually with tape around the sleeve to keep it from falling apart and really scratchy vinyl) or I find a really good copy and it turns out to be the American version. And, to be honest, I hate the American versions of Beatles albums. Mainly, it’s just not what I’m used to. I have the entire Beatles catalog on CD in a box set and that’s the UK versions, to me, the real versions. So, I bought it brand new to finally kill the frustration. Now, the caveat here is that this is in mono. I don’t know how I feel about that, yet. I know the general consensus of folks when comparing the two, agree that the mono versions are probably more in tune with what they were trying to do. I will reserve judgment on that until I listen. All that being said, I finally have finished the Top 10 of the RS list as this sits at #5. Now, I only have 4 more to before the Top 25 is finished. I am sitting at 199 of the 500 on vinyl, right now.
  • The Clientele – Suburban Light — The BCPF loved the other album by The Clientele so she wanted to give this one a try. Sure enough, she loved it, too. I dug it also. New.
  • Coldplay – X&Y — Not my favorite Coldplay album (we know that’s Parachutes) but this 2xLP was there in “like new” condition for about half the cost so I couldn’t pass it up. This is where they started to lose me but I find that when I revisit, usually I can change my mind. We’ll see. NM+.
  • Pavement – Wowee Zowee — It’s weird that Pavement is a The BCPF band. It seems, all at once, to be totally against everything you’d think she’d like and totally everything she likes in one package. I don’t know how I feel about them, and there is another Pavement album we have to get because of the RS list, but this wasn’t on it. VG+.
  • The Autumn Defense – The Green Hour — Another that The BCPF really wanted. This was a past “Record Store Day” selection and one of only 500 pressed in the world, so it’s rare. We couldn’t pass it up. VG++.
  • Emmylou Harris – Blue Kentucky Girl — Not my favorite from Ms. Harris. I did get a little nostalgia because it reminded me of Ma Père listening to his records, even though he didn’t do that a lot. He didn’t play Emmylou but definitely this style. But, The BCPF wanted it and well, she gets what she wants (when I can help it). VG+.
  • Supertramp – Paris — A 2xLP live album from Supertramp’s Breakfast in America tour with minimal overdubs – or so they say. I hate they left off “Give a Little Bit” and “Goodbye Stranger” but it seems like the rest of the set is pretty sound. The reason for “Give a Little Bit” was that all the versions over several shows were awful. It was re-released in the CD/DVD anniversary edition of Breakfast… This was in VG+ condition.
  • Randy Newman – Good Old Boys — #394 on the RS list. This means that I have all of the RS entries for Randy Newman. I like him a lot. I always thought of him as a novelty act because a lot of his stuff is novelty-type songs, at least what I had always heard. But, he really digs in. I couldn’t get over the audacity of the song “Rednecks” but realized pretty quickly that it was not sensationalizing racism but actually mocking it. Still… even Newman felt weird performing it. VG+.
  • Bruce Willis – The Return Of Bruno — Yes, Bruce Willis, who I think has a decent voice and can play a mean harmonica. As I stated on social media with several people agreeing with me, it’s not a great album, it’s not a classic, it’s not a masterpiece. But, it is a decent album and it’s very entertaining. I know I had it on cassette when it came out, following the “mockumentary” that it accompanied, I may have it on CD, but I’m not certain. But, I enjoyed it and saw it and couldn’t pass it up.
  • INXS – INXS — INXS’ debut album and it’s not at all what I expected. It’s very new wavey and poppy and I loved it. At times Michael Hutchence’s voiced sounded like Tim Curry, but I also dig Tim Curry, so that’s great. It was more synth-driven and I had never heard any of the songs, that I knew of. It was a record company promo with a sticker on the front cover with checkboxes for “recommended selections.” Nothing had been checked. I found this in the $1 bin, but I’d still rate it around VG+ because it was in really good condition.
  • Eddie Cantor, Bert Williams, Van And Schenck, John Steel, Irving Berlin – Ziegfeld Follies Of 1919 —  A very entertaining recording (and accompanying booklet) of the famous Ziegfeld Follies vaudeville-like theatrical revue put on by Florenz Ziegfeld. And, did you know that Ziegfeld was married to Billie Burke? That’s right, he was married to Glinda, the Good Witch. This was a really great listen and it was a $1 bin find. VG/VG+.
  • The Melachrino Orchestra – Paris, The Sounds, The Sights — Another $1 bin find in which there is an accompanying booklet. This is about our beloved city of Paris and includes a guide to the sights and attractions of the City of Light, from 1956. We can’t wait to listen. VG.
  • Franz Schubert, Karl Böhm, Berliner Philharmoniker – Symphonies — A 5xLP collection of Schubert symphonies including Symphonie Nrs. 1-6, 8, 9 and “Rosamunde” which was written for the play Rosamunde, Fürstin von Zypern, by Helmina von Chézy. It was a $1 bin find but I believe the vinyl is VG+.

A decent haul this week, I think. Jonathan had just returned from a short sabbatical to Atlanta with his dad and he seemed a bit more recharged. A happy Jonathan means a happy Underdog Records. Speaking of Underdog and Atlanta… even though I hate the Atlanta Braves, it’s Jonathan’s favorite team. When the Braves complete a sweep of a series (which hasn’t happened a lot this year), there’s a “sweep sale” at Underdog Records. That can mean a variety of things so I recommend you watch their social media to see what that may be. Plus, the social media platforms is the best place to keep track of new arrivals to the store. Be the first to know and try to “Beat Beeman.” That is apparently a thing. Also, listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear the TLD/UDR special of the week.

And, when I’m there since my collection has grown, I can always cross-reference my collection to make sure I’m not doubling up on anything by using Discogs. I keep better track of my collection, my purchases and as was the case this week, let others track my collection to see if there’s anything to trade. Now, for the record, I don’t get rid of much but if it’s something I absolutely need, I may consider it.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“She’s a rounder I can tell you that. She can sing ’em all night, too. She’ll raise hell about the sleep she lost, but even cowgirls get the blues.” – “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” (Crowell)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 5/19/18

20 Sunday May 2018

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Salutations™!!

R-114636-1320261717.jpeg

©RCA

 

We didn’t walk yesterday because it was misting/drizzling and I hate being wet. I didn’t want to get caught up in the deluge. Anywhat! The BCPF and I still ate at Mary’s Gourmet Diner, went to Underdog Records, did a lot of record listening and met our friends at Willows Bistro last night. Here’s our haul:

  • The Sea And Cake – Any Day – A brand new release from this jazz-infused indie rock band. I had never heard of them but The BCPF is a fan and it was pretty cool. I liked it a good bit. New.
  • The Breeders – Last Splash – The second album from the Breeders, released in 1993. They reissued them this week but we found a VG++ used 2009 reissue and it sounded fantastic. Great album.
  • Pavement – Brighten The Corners – Another fave of The BCPF’s college days. The first side was bright and funny. I didn’t pay any attention to side two. Overall, I didn’t dislike it. VG+.
  • The B-52’s – The B-52’s – This is an original pressing of their 1979 debut album. It’s in VG++ shape. It was ranked on the RS List at #152. That’s impressive. They were game changers in the new wave/classic alternative scene. Great album.
  • Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Rust Never Sleeps – #351 on the RS List. I didn’t really care for it, I don’t think, the first time I heard it. I cared just a little more this time. I think my problem with him is his voice live. He’s always straddling the proper pitch and his voice kind of rakes on my nerves. Still, it was VG+ and I have another marked off the list.
  • Tchaikovsky – Boston Pops / Arthur Fiedler – Swan Lake – NM 1964 pressing.
  • Paul McCartney & Wings – Red Rose Speedway – Someone had just brought this in to sell and I snatched it up. It has one of my top 5 Mac songs on it (“My Love”) and it was in VG condition. The rest of the album is good but I love that one song.
  • Toto – Toto – First album from a talented group of session players. This is no Toto IV but that’s okay. It has “Hold the Line,” “I’ll Supply the Love” and “Georgy Porgy” on it, all of which were released as singles along with “Rockmaker.” VG+.
  • Elvis Costello And The Attractions – Trust – VG copy of Declan Macmanus’ fifth album. I know nothing of the album but The BCPF likes Elvis Costello. We saw him live way back in 2010 or 2011.
  • Taco – After Eight – Yes! That “Puttin’ on the Ritz” guy. The whole album is in that old school standards/pop genre that the Irving Berlin tune is in. I really, really enjoyed listening to it. VG+.
  • Dire Straits – Communiqué – VG copy of Dire Straits’ second album. I know nothing of this album but I know that I have really developed a love for Dire Straits’ music. So, I’m looking forward to listening to it.
  • Blondie – Eat To The Beat – “Dreaming” is probably the best-known tune on this album, but I hear it has some other fantastical wonders on it, as well. It was a $1, so there’s that. VG.
  • Supertramp – Crime Of The Century – I’m trying to find all the Supertramp I can. I dig them and it’s good rock/pop. The two songs I recognize by title only (I haven’t listened to it, yet) are “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right.” The cover was beaten up and totally came apart at the glue points. I reglued that with my hot glue gun and cleaned the album up. The vinyl was in VG/VG+ condition, but there is some surface noise. $1 bin find.

Jonathan had a big purchase day from the way he talked so there’s bound to be plenty of freshly stocked used albums coming through. Watch Underdog Records’ Instagram and Facebook for the latest on their new and used acquisitions and for specials. Also, check out the ad on The Less Desirables podcast every week to hear what the TLD/Underdog special is.

Also, I use Discogs to archive my collection. There were two records I had to look up whilst in Underdog Records, yesterday. One I had and the other I didn’t. So, that saved me the guessing game. I love this service.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Keep spinning!

—
“Here comes a stingray. There goes a manta-ray. In walked a jellyfish. There goes a dogfish chased by a catfish. In flew a sea robin. Watch out for that piranha. There goes a narwhal. Here comes a bikini whale!” – “Rock Lobster” (Pierson/Wilson/Schneider/Strickland/Wilson)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 5/4-5/18

06 Sunday May 2018

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Salutations™!!

First off, notice I changed the title of this one. It seems my Sunday posts are a bit verbose at times, and they’re usually about records. Neither of which really lends to the “silent” aspect of Silent Sunday. So, I think I’m changing the “haul” posts up a bit. I’ll still do Silent Sunday for non-record posts.

500x500

©A&M

 

Well, this is a little different in the record category, as well. I went to Underdog Records, three different times from Friday to Saturday. I went on Friday because I didn’t think I’d get there Saturday because of a party we were having with a dear friend of ours. That included a bus and beer. Yep. Bus. Beer. And, also, on Friday, I was given a few records by a friend of mine. She said, here you can have these. Some of them ended up crossing off a few entries off the RS List. So, here’s what we got:

  • Poison – Open Up and Say…Ahh! – Yeah, I know it’s cheesy “hair metal” but I don’t care. I love this album. I think Bret Michaels sings perfectly well for what they were. Still, when people talk hair metal, I’d say 17 out of 20 would say Poison first. This was a reissue, so new.
  • Dr. Dog – Critical Equation – A new album from a band that, to me, sounds like a mixture between Robert Smith of the Cure and Bob Dylan. It’s right up The BCPF’s alley and that’s why I picked it. New.
  • Liz Phair – Exile In Guyville – #327 on the RS List, this was a reissue on 180g vinyl to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It’s a great album. She’s ballsy for a chick. That’s a good thing. New.
  • Bob Dylan – Desire – #174 on the RS List. It was there in the used bin and in VG condition.
  • Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Welcome To The Pleasuredome – Yep, this is the “Relax” album, which is all most people know about. My second favorite song from the band is also on this album, “Two Tribes (For the Victims of Ravishment).” VG
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Johnny Mercer Song Book – Ella. ‘Nuff said. VG+.
  • Crosby-Nash – Live – Another rendition/combination involving any or all members of CSNY. Jonathan said it’s great so well see. VG+.
  • Stephen Stills – Stephen Stills 2 – Another in the CSNY shuffle.
  • The Motels – All Four One – “Only the Lonely” is on this one. I love that song and I want to hear more from them. VG+.
  • Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska – #226 on the RS List, it was a little more on the subdued side. That’s okay. I think I gave it a neutral review on the list. VG+.
  • Journey – Infinity – The first with Steve Perry singing and the last with Aynsley Dunbar on drums. I’d say “Wheel in the Sky” was the big hit on this one. VG+.
  • Stan Getz – Stan Getz I hope this is as good as the other Stan Getz things I have. I love his stuff. VG.
  • Squeeze  – Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti – I like Squeeze. It was there. I grabbed it. Done. VG+.
  • Fleetwood Mac – Heroes Are Hard To Find – Pre-Buckingham/Nicks Mac with Bob Welch still in the band. I like Bob Welch. Let’s see what we got. VG+.
  • The Alan Parsons Project – Eve – Another in the Alan Parsons Project cannon! VG++.
  • 10cc – Bloody Tourists – I love the song “Dreadlock Holiday” which is about reggae. I think it’s a great song. We’ll see what the rest of it sounds like. VG++.
  • Supertramp – “…Famous Last Words…” – I see a few of my friends talk about this album as something special. I like Supertramp, let’s see. NM.

These are the ones that were “gifted” to me:

So, a pretty big haul there. Thanks, Lori for the gifts. And thank you Underdog Records for providing me a “candy store” to be proud of. And thanks to Discogs for providing such a great place for me to catalog my stuff!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Winter is here again oh lord. Haven’t been home in a year or more. I hope she holds on a little longer. Sent a letter on a long summer day. Made of silver, not of clay. I’ve been runnin’ down this dusty road.” – “Wheel in the Sky” (Schon/Fleischman/Valory)