Tag Archives: The BCPF

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/14/19

15 Sunday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I slept late because we were out late, even though I didn’t get to play on Friday night. But, we did eventually get by to Underdog Records and had a little bit of listening time before our Saturday evening plans. Here’s the haul:

Tonight_(album)

©EMI America

  • Belle And Sebastian – Days Of The Bagnold Summer — When anything by Belle & Sabastian comes out, we jump on it. This is to a soundtrack of a film, I guess by the name of Days of the Bagnold Summer. It is a great album. If you’re not familiar with B&S, you should check them out. I understand it’s not for everyone but you never know, you may like it. New.
  • Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Southern Accents — Petty’s 1985 album that spawned “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “Rebels” and “Make It Better (Forget About Me).” It’s a great album. EX/VG++.
  • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) — His follow up to the previous entry, this one had “Jammin’ Me,” “Runaway Trains,” “All Mixed Up” and “Think About Me” released as singles. A great album, as well. EX/VG++.
  • The Police – Ghost In The Machine — I had this one already but only in VG condition. I just couldn’t pass up a VG++ version. So, I’ll trade the other one in to Jonathan. This is tied for second of my favorite Police albums with Outlandos d’Amour, Reggatta de Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta (yes, that is all their other albums) after Synchronicity. “Invisible Sun,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” “Spirits in the Material World” and “Secret Journey” were the singles but “Omegaman,” “Demolition Man,” “Rehumanize Yourself” and “Too Much Information” is also on this album.
  • David Bowie – Tonight — This may shock some people but the first time I ever heard of, or anything by, Bowie was “Blue Jean” from this album. I hated it. I don’t know why. It was because of the video on TBS’s Night Tracks music video program. Remember, I didn’t have MTV until 1986. I also didn’t have access to Bowie on the radio. I was so out of touch. That’s why I make it my mission, now, to absorb as much as I can. Bowie continues his writing with Iggy Pop on this album and does a Beach Boys cover (“God Only Knows” from Pet Sounds) and a Chuck Jackson cover (“I Keep Forgettin'”) and does a duet with Tina Turner on the title track. I love this album. VG++.
  • Chopin, Artur Rubinstein – Nocturnes (Complete) — You’ll see from the next few entries, there were a number of classical albums. This one first. It’s a 2xLP set of, well, the complete set of Nocturnes from ol’ Fred. VG.
  • Beethoven, Wiener Philharmoniker Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Pierre Monteux – Symphony No.3 In E Flat (“Eroica”) — Pretty much what it says. This one is NM and still sealed, although I’ll take care of that in the next little bit.
  • Luys Venegas de Henestrosa – Luys Venegas de Henestrosa (16th Century) “Libro de Cifra Nueva” — The “History of Spanish Music” series, this is a shload of harpsichord music. I don’t know how I feel about that. VG+.
  • Gustav Leonhardt, Johann Sebastian Bach – The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 — 3xLP set that is in great condition and we got it from the $1 bin. VG+.
  • François Chantal – Piano At Twilight — I love piano music, this was in VG+ condition and in the $1 bin. Yes, please.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Love Beach — Released two days before my eighth birthday, this is the “nadir” of ELP’s output. It’s the last one before they split up. They didn’t play together again until 1992. Although, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake did join up with Cozy Powell for a whole different ELP in the mid-80s. That’s the first time I ever heard of ELP and didn’t know that Palmer was even a thing. Anyway, this is supposed to be earth-shatteringly awful which makes me want to hear it. According to Keith Emerson, the album was “an embarrassment against everything I’ve worked for.” It was $1 and goes in my ELP collection. A win for me, even if it does suck like a Hoover. VG/VG+.

When we got to Underdog Records yesterday, Jonathan had put out some doughnuts from Krispy Kreme and we each had one. Jonathan is always doing cool things for his customers. He has a lot of speaker pairs for sale right now, you should check out the Underdog Records’ Instagram and Facebook to see what he has. Plus, follow to see what he’s just picked up or acquired and is putting out for purchase. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is!

I use Discogs to keep track of what I have so when I came across an album in the store I can look to see if I already have it. I was talking to another customer in the store and he says he gets home and realizes he already had a copy of something and just keeps it. I told him to use Discogs and that doesn’t happen as often. It does sometimes but not usually.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I got my own way of workin’, but everything is run with a southern accent where I come from.” – “Southern Accents” (Petty)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/7/19

08 Sunday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday, The BCPF and I got to attend a 60th birthday bash unlike either of us had seen before. The Michael family (the awesome owners of Yamas!, Cin-Cin, Waldo’s Wings and Mama Zöe Michael’s restaurants) celebrated the matriarch’s milestone and the shindig was amazing! That’s their business and I won’t go on about it, but I want to extend a big thank you to the family for allowing us to be part of it.

ParadeLP

©Paisley Park/Warner Bros.

Now, we had breakfast at First Watch, got to see Daniel Butner and his wife outside of Underdog Records and then got to see Jonathan. Our haul is small but we enjoyed it. Here it is:

  • The Who – My Generation — #237 on the RS list this is the debut album by The Who. The album came out in 1965 and in 1967 a music writer for Esquire said it was the hardest rock in history. At the time, yeah, it was. Another writer said it was the heaviest of mod pop ever recorded. I’ll agree with that, too. It’s a good album, a really good debut. This is in mono. New.
  • Radiohead – Kid A — #67 on the RS list. I think that is way too high. It’s not my favorite Radiohead. It’s okay. I went back to read what I wrote about this album when I did the RS list. Here’s what I said: As I said, it’s not bad, just not my thing. I see its importance, but don’t see how it rates higher than OK Computer and The Bends. Both are far superior albums in my opinion. Even Pablo Honey is better than this. Didn’t dig. Not much has changed. It’s 2xLP and new.
  • Elliott Smith – Roman Candle — When I first met The BCPF and realized she liked indie rock and modern folksy stuff, Elliott Smith was the first artist she told me about. He’s tragic because of his life and because of his death. This is his debut album and was recorded in his basement. It is very lo-fi but very Elliott Smith. A good album that showed the talent that would only get better as time went on, even if his troubles got in the way. New.
  • Prince And The Revolution – Parade — The follow-up to the follow-up, I call this. The follow up was Around the World in a Day, which, of course, followed Purple Rain. This was the fourth and final album with “the Revolution” before doing it eponymously for the next one, Sign o’ The Times. It was the soundtrack for Under the Cherry Moon the film that Prince wrote, directed and starred in. It was pretty awful, really. There are some bright spots on this album (“Venus de Milo,” “Sometimes It Snows in April,” “Anotherloverholenyohead,” and of course, “Kiss), but mostly it was scattered and weird. Am I glad I have it? Oh yeah! I’ve never owned it before in any medium, so I’m glad to have it. Just not my favorite Prince. EX/VG++.
  • The Tarwater Band – Walking Across Egypt — This is signed by Clyde Edgerton who played banjo, piano and sang. When I look up Tarwater on Wikipedia, it only shows a duo from Germany. This isn’t that, I don’t think. “Walking Across Egypt” only shows a movie from 1999 starring Ellen Byrnston and Mark Hammil and other folks. So, I really don’t know what this is, but The BCPF picked it up. So, we’ll see. VG+.
  • Heart – Dog & Butterfly — The fourth album from Heart. Musically, this was more on track to what Heart was doing with Little Queen than it’s actual follow-up Magazine. There was the whole skirmish between the band and Mushroom Records at that time, too. This did well, was on the charts for a while and had two hits, the title track and “Straight On.” VG++.

A lot of stuff had been acquired at Underdog Records over the week and was out for purchase and I jumped on some of that. There are some cool stereo receivers and turntables for sale, too. Go in and see what Jonathan has going on. And, listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection while I’m in the record store and also see what my friends may or may not have. It’s a cool app/website.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“People try to put us d-down just because we get around. Things they do look awful c-c-cold. I hope I die before I get old.” – “My Generation” (Townshend)

The Wooden Gift or: We All Celebrate Today

02 Monday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

At 7am (our time) this morning marked the fifth anniversary of The BCPF’s and my wedding day. It was noon local time. I’m actually reprinting the story as told by me on September 9, 2014.

Alright, it’s time for the wedding story. So The BCPF had stuffed her wedding dress into a vacuum bag and sucked the dickens out of the bag until it was a brick of white mess. Of course, I had to take her word for it because I didn’t get to see it. As I mentioned in the last post, I already had the kilt and had to do the “hiring” of the accessories. She unleashed the dress and handed it off to the concierge (or the castle’s equivalent) and they sent it off to have it pressed. So we were set. We got up, had breakfast (more haggis and black pudding), and then went back to the lobby to wait for what-happens-next.

Stephanie & Tim Wedding Day -138

We had hired a wedding planner, Kimmie Brown of Litú, was a treat and a lifesaver for us. Kimmie handled getting all the paperwork put together, she and her husband, George (updated: George has since passed away, RIP, George), served as our witnesses, she got the piper, Andrew, hired the photographer, Michaela Waddell, and lined up and directing us through the process of the registrar. Priceless, I tell ya, priceless. Also, we had already pre-selected our vows and ceremonies. So when the time came, we were pretty much prepared. I put on the kilt kit that turned into a much more involved procedure than putting on a tuxedo. The kilt shirt, first. The kilt, next. The waistcoat, the socks, the flashes, the ghillie brogues (shoes) and then the sporran (the man purse of awesomeness), which held it (mostly) in place. The Prince Charlie jacket was next to last and then the sgian-dubh (pronounced skee-un-doo) which is a small knife that rounds out the ensemble. I’ve lost a bit of weight since I was originally fitted for the kilt so it was a bit loose. Tradition says that I don’t wear a belt with the Prince Charlie jacket, but in the future, I certainly will wear one (I have already purchased one to wear once back home). And the part everyone has asked me… yes, I went unbreeched. Aye, that means I didn’t wear anything under the kilt. If you’re gonna do it, do it Scottish, I say.

I wasn’t allowed anywhere near The BCPF while she got ready, but when it was time for the wedding (noon for us in Edinburgh, 7pm for our friends back home), the piper piped me downstairs to the “gun room.” The gun room doubles as a chapel for the religious ceremonies and we used it as a location for our civil, non-religious, ceremony. The registrar talked with me a few minutes and then Andrew piped The BCPF down to the door and then after making sure she was ready, piped her down to me. She was BEAUTIFUL. I don’t have pics of her at the altar, just yet, so we’ll have to wait until the photographer sends me the collection. I cried, no shame in telling. We exchanged words, vows, and rings. We kissed. We signed the paperwork. Michaela shot us all over the grounds of the castle and that was it. It truly was much more glamorous than I just described but without pictures, I can’t do it justice. It was simple but wonderful. She was my wife, my bride, my life’s partner – which she already was. Dang, I love that woman!

But, as is the story of our lives, there was no rest for the wicked. We had to jump out of our formal wear and into civilian clothes and run back into town to get our last-minute shopping done. We bought stuff for 3B (my 12-year old son) and my mother. We had reservations at the castle for dinner so we headed back and took our place in the Library Bar, drank some complimentary champagne, talked to a slew of Americans who were also taking holiday, and then went down to the Dungeon Dining Room to have our wedding supper.

We started with an amuse-bouche which included a mushroom mousse and bread. The BCPF had a chicken pate and I had beef carpaccio. Our minds not being still and sound at the time, I forget what the actual dish was, but there is a picture of it. For the main course, she had a slab of pork and I had venison with beet sauce. I’ve never been big on venison (or beets for that matter), but man this was delicious. For dessert, I had a raspberry flan dish, and of course, Grand Marnier. A truly lovely food experience.

I still get giddy about it and love telling the story. I could have rewritten the whole thing but I think writing about it just one week after, it was fresher in my mind and I don’t think I could have done it justice.

So, to Stephanie, my The BCPF, I love you profusely and am happy with my life with you. And, thanks to everyone for celebrating our anniversary today. You call it Labor Day, but to us, it’s so much more!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Tim out!

—
“I like being married. It’s an institution that I like.” – Aretha Franklin

Anniversary Weekend or: That Was Then

30 Friday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

I’m writing this at about 1145p on August 30. Five years ago right now, we were somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Edinburgh, Scotland.

edinburgh-gettyimages-157197711_1200xx3872-2178-0-207

©bizjournal

We almost missed our flight because as we were laying over, the airline or airport switched not only the gate but the entire terminal in the Philadelphia airport. We didn’t know this until about 20 minutes before our flight was scheduled to depart. We were told to run. No one called to warn them that we were bustling our way over there. We were not running but we were walking very fast to get to the correct terminal.

We were several gates away and one of those carts went by carrying some girl to wherever she was going. We were getting closer and we could hear “Scorp, party of two.” It wasn’t Scorp but our real last name (well, hers to be). “Scorp, party of two. Last call!” I had to yell “we’re coming!!!!” We get to the gate and the girl on the cart that passed us was getting on the plane. We were literally the last ones to board. In fact, they closed the door behind me.

Since we were the last ones to get on, and it was a full flight, that meant that there was no room in the overhead bins. We had to put our carryon’s under our feet and fly eight hours like that. The BCPF nodded off for a bit but was awakened by the girl at the window having to go to the bathroom just as she fell asleep. I can’t sleep without my CPAP so I can’t sleep on those flights. That’s a shame. I need a portable one that runs on batteries or something.

Anyway, at this time we’re still flying. We’ll talk more about that this weekend.

Happy beginning of the holiday weekend and our anniversary weekend!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Edinburgh is so cultural and such a beautiful place to walk around.” – Rupert Friend

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/24/19

25 Sunday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

It was a weird day yesterday as we had to drop off The BCPF’s car with my Bro-in-Law to have him do some servicing to it. Then we went to the bank to deposit the money from the insurance and then to breakfast before heading to Underdog. I love Underdog Records. Here’s the short-haul:

ShoutattheDevil

©Elektra

  • Mötley Crüe – Shout At The Devil — To me, this is the best Mötley album. It was where I was introduced to them via a rare vacation to somewhere that the USA channel and its Night Flight. I saw the “Looks That Kill” and “Too Young to Fall in Love” videos and was hooked. This was when I was breaking out of my KISS-only exile. In fact, the first KISS album that I got on cassette instead of LP was Lick It Up which came out a week before this did. I say that but the weird thing is, I had this on LP. I don’t know and can’t explain why. I later got it on CD and it was playing in my truck when my ex-wife and I almost wrecked going to WV to my “brother’s” mother’s funeral. We decided that we would never listen to that album in the car again. That’s changed, I’ve listened to it since. But, this was a different kind of rock; a step up from the raw production of their first album. Of course, they got all slick and polished for the next one. This was just the best. There I said it. VG+.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – All ‘N All — I love EW&F but this was not my favorite from them. At times it seemed that they were just looking for words to put in the song. Not lyrics of course but “nonsense” words as a music teacher called them back in elementary school. And, also at times, it was like the key wasn’t important. It’s not a bad album but it isn’t a great album. VG++.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends – Ladies And Gentlemen — A live album by ELP which, while I can’t exactly say I’ve “gotten into,” I have started listening to more and more of it. I think my sense of progginess is coming through. I think I just made that word up. Yay me! I haven’t listened to this one yet. VG++.
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Emerson, Lake & Palmer — The debut album by the aforementioned new “interest.” That makes seven  It has “Lucky Man” on it. I don’t know much more than that. I’ll keep you informed. VG+.
  • Bread – The Best Of Bread — We love us some Yacht Rock and while this album is a bit out of the proper Yacht Rock timeframe the subject matter and musical style is firmly planted in that era. Yacht Rock, technically is from around 1976 or ’77 through about 1981-82. This album came out in 1973, so you see what I mean. But, regardless, it is great stuff. VG++.

So, that’s the haul. Another thing odd about this is that The BCPF had little input. She usually finds a record or two, or heck has most of the records (which happens more than not) in the haul. So, during listening yesterday she picked things that were already in the collection. We switched up the TLD/UR special this week so listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to hear what that special is. Use Discogs to track your music collection, no matter the format.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“Gonna tell the story o’ morning glory. All about the serpentine fire.” – “Serpentine Fire” (White/White/Burke

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/17/19

18 Sunday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

Well, the Carolina Cobras lost the championship game with only 11 seconds left on the clock. Phooey on that. But, other than that, and a screwy day chasing dreams, we did get some great records and some great listening in. Underdog Records was jumping and I love to see that. Here’s the haul:

The_Icicle_Works_Debut_Album_Cover-_USA_Version

©Beggar’s Banquet

  • Sleater-Kinney – The Center Won’t Hold — I have liked most things I have heard from this riot grrrl group and what I heard whilst making the Underdog Records advert for The Less Desirables, I liked, as well. Jonathan did say that this was unlike anything they have ever recorded and it was produced by St. Vincent (Anne Clark) and is a little more electronic and modern, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it still had the “balls” that they are known for, just not as aggressive, I guess. We really enjoyed listening to this. New.
  • José González – In Our Nature — I’ve said before that The BCPF is a huge fan of José’s and when she has the opportunity to get stuff that she doesn’t already have, she jumps at it. He’s a great talent with a great voice. Oddly enough, he’s Argentinian but born in Sweden. But, that’s neither here nor there, I guess. Great album. New.
  • Rolling Stones – More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies) — We had this already but it was only in “Good” condition and the cover was in “Poor” condition. I really don’t know why I counted it at all. Anywhat! We got a better copy. This one is VG+.
  • Yes – Relayer — I love collecting Yes albums. I mostly like listening to Yes albums. I don’t know how I’ll feel about this one. With my prog-rock, I am hit or miss. The first side of this album is a 22-minute song called “The Gates of Delirium” which is Jon Anderson’s take on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Side two is just two songs. So, I’ll let you know how I feel. I am very glad to have it, though. VG+.
  • Iron And Wine and Ben Bridwell – Sing Into My Mouth — The look on The BCPF’s face when I showed her this was priceless. It was a combination of her head rolling almost off the side, her eyes bulging out and her chin dropping to the floor. It’s actually a covers album by two of her favorite artists, Sam Beam and Ben Bridwell (well, he is with Band of Horses). Her eyes rolled back in her head in ecstasy when she heard it. She didn’t even know this existed. A win for me! VG++.
  • ldo Parisot – Zoltán Kodály, Johann Sebastian Bach – Kodaly Sonata For Cello Alone / Bach Suite #5 For Cello Alone — What we’re listening to as I write this. I love the cello and I love solo cello and I like this but it’s not my favorite. I think I am spoiled by so Yo-Yo Ma. VG+.
  • Icicle Works – Icicle Works — This may be my favorite pickup in a long, long time. I knew the ‘hit’ from the album, “Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)” and nothing else. In the UK the song was actually titled “Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream).” What is the practice of using parentheses anyway? Why? Just name the song. Parentheticals aren’t necessary! Anywhat, I digress! While I can’t say it’s my least favorite song on the album, I definitely can’t say it’s my favorite. While I can list off names of songs, that would be cheating. I just enjoyed listening to the whole album. From the initial leader space on side one to the last runout on side two, it is a fantastic album and it brought elation and joy. VG++.
  • Exile – Mixed Emotions — Before moving to the world of cringe-worthy country music, Exile had minor success as a rock band. They were formed in Kentucky. Everyone has heard the song “Kiss You All Over” and it’s on this album. It came back to prominence in the late 90s thanks to Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore. VG++.
  • Glass Tiger – The Thin Red Line —They only had three albums and I figure this is the only one that really matters. The tunes “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday” are on this. Again with a parenthetical title… The BCPF saw them open for Journey (her first concert). VG+.
  • ABC – The Lexicon Of Love — A very important album in the lexicon of early- to mid-80s Britpop. This has the singles “Tears Are Not Enough”, “Poison Arrow”, “The Look of Love” and “All of My Heart.” Some of their biggest hits. I dismissed them as “that band who does ‘As Smokey Sings,'” and now I even like that song. They are a great pop band and I love listening to them. It was a $1 bin find but it was in great shape. VG+, I’d say.
  • Der Bielefelder Kinderchor – Das Weihnachtskonzert Des Bielefelder Kinderchores — Another $1 bin find and The BCPF loves grabbing German stuff that she finds. We actually got two German records but the other one isn’t in Discogs, which isn’t unusual. It was in really crummy shape, too. I’ll try to put it in later. Those are really hard because I don’t speak German and don’t know what half of this stuff even means, so… This isn’t in great shape either, so I’m only going with G/F.

Jonathan has been putting out a lot of great used vinyl and it’s always fun to go in. I love it when I see friends from outside of the store show up when I’m there. My pal Brad from TBD Referral Group came in to trade some stuff for credit. Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection, how much it is potentially worth and the cool shuffle feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“You can see it in my eyes, I can feel it in your touch. You don’t have to say a thing just let me show how much I love you; I need you, yeah. I wanna kiss you all over. And over again. I wanna kiss you all over. Till the night closes in.” – “Kiss You All Over” (Chinn/Chapman)

Sounds Like Saturday or: The Joy of Order in the New Radio Division Head

17 Saturday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

So, you know I don’t normally do compilation albums, at least not featuring them, when I talk about albums and music in general. But, today is the 32nd anniversary of Substance 1987 from New Order and The BCPF is crazy about that, even saying that “Ceremony” is her favorite song of all time. Yes, it’s a Joy Division song, written prior to Ian Curtis’ death in 1980, but it was released as the debut single from New Order after its reformation. Also, Radiohead is a favorite of The BCPF’s so, why not play their cover of the tune, eh? Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This is why events unnerve me, They find it all, a different story. Notice whom for wheels are turning. Turn again and turn towards this time. All she asks is the strength to hold me, then again the same old story. World will travel, oh so quickly. Travel first and lean towards this time.” – “Ceremony” (Curtis/Hook/Morris/Sumner)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/10/19

11 Sunday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a great day! The BCPF and I got started a little early, went to breakfast, went to our favorite music store (possibly our favorite store of any ilk), we listened to great music, we went to Willows early and then we hung out with The Beer Dads’ extended family. Great times indeed. Here’s the haul:

Lone_Justice_-_Lone_Justice

©Geffen Records

  • R.E.M. – Green — The BCPF’s new addition, she said this was the first R.E.M. album that she bought new. I wasn’t into the band at the time, but “Stand” from this album is part of two stories that I tell. One is in my senior year in high school when I drew circles around the classroom (mimicking the video) and my teacher getting onto me. The other is that it was the first song I ever sang with the Vagabond Saints Society. New.
  • The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers — #64 on the RS list, it has always been a good album to me, even though I’ve never been a huge fan of the Stones. Big tunes are “Brown Sugar,” “Wild Horses,” “Sister Morphine” and “Bitch” which, by the way, Gene Simmons always said that “Deuce” was actually “Bitch” backward (the riff, that is). New.
  • Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials — We both had heard of F+Machine but didn’t really know much about them. This was there and is a fantastic 2xLP set. It’s like a lot of what The BCPF (especially) and I listen to, but the more modern version of it. Alternative-esque rock with electronic bite. I liked it. We both liked it, actually. VG++.
  • She & Him – Volume 3 — Who isn’t in love with Zooey Deschanel? Male or female. She’s just amazing. Plus, she can sing. I think Ma Mère would enjoy this album. She’s channeling all of her Leslie Gore/Dusty Springfield that she can muster. NM.
  • Rare Earth – Rarearth — Rare Earth was the first big hit-making act signed by Motown that consisted only of white members. This album came out in 1977. I’m not really familiar with the band outside of a couple of songs like “I Just Want to Celebrate” and “Hey Big Brother.” The latter I only know because it was our closing song on Apartment 5B this past week. VG++.
  • Joe Cocker – Joe Cocker! — Cocker’s second studio album, this album features numerous covers of songs originally performed by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, John Sebastian, and Leon Russell. I liked Joe Cocker, although he could get on my nerves. It was a good listen, though.  VG+.
  • Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band – Night Moves — I have always maintained that there would be world peace without Bob Seger songs. But, Clay Howard has done a little work in trying to convert me and so, I am giving him another try with matured ears and I have to say it was a good album. However, I think I pinpointed the culprit of my dislike of him (well, outside of “Old Time Rock and Roll”). “Sunspot Baby” is that song. I hate that song and it is his screaming it the whole time that makes me despise hearing his voice (with the aforementioned OTRnR). But, the rest of the album is actually quite good, and dare I say it… enjoyable. VG+.
  • David Crosby / Graham Nash – Wind On The Water — Yet another of the many incarnations of the CSNY family tree. Yet another that we have, too. VG++.
  • Lone Justice – Lone Justice — I had never heard of Lone Justice but it was from 1985, had a Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ feel to the look and I decided to give it a spin. So, the band is a “cowpunk” band. They’re American (from Los Angeles), but cowpunk started in the UK. I had to look cowpunk up and here’s what I found: a subgenre of punk rock that began in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and California in the early 1980s. It combines punk rock or new wave with country, folk, and blues in sound, subject matter, attitude, and style. Many of the musicians in this scene have now become associated with alternative country or roots rock. From the first tune, we picked up on the Dolly Parton influence which oddly enough was paired with Punk-styled music. There was definitely a twang that goes with the country genre but it was still rocking. It’s an interesting, heck I’ll say “good” listen. VG+.
  • Mason Jones, The Philarte Quartet – Mason Jones And The Philarte Quartet — “Quintet In E Flat Major, K. 407 for French Horn, Violin, 2 Violas and Cello” by Mozart and “Quartet For French Horn and String Quartet” by Bernhard Heiden. VG++.
  • Firefall – Luna Sea — We’re listening to this one as I write this. “Just Remember I Love You” is probably the biggest hit on this one. We have gotten more and more into Firefall since we’ve started listening to Yacht Rock Radio on SiriusXM. Also, Ma Père’s ringtone when Ma Mère calls him is “You Are the Woman” (not on this album). $1 bin find, but the record is in great shape. I’m going to go with VG/VG+.
  • Ella Fitzgerald And The Nelson Riddle Orchestra – The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook — 2xLP of Ella and Riddle doing Gershwin songs. $1 bin find. VG.

Again, a great day yesterday. Sunny, a good record-buying crowd coming in and just overall goodness of Saturday-ness. We had a great day. Jonathan had a few receivers and turntables that are in really great shape, you should check them out. Also, listen to each new episode The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. And, I use Discogs to keep track of this vinyl madness that I bring to you.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Your feet are going to be on the ground. Your head is there to move you around. If wishes were trees the trees would be falling. Listen to reason, season is calling.” – “Stand” (Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 8/3/19

04 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Salutations™!!

I had a Cobras game yesterday but we made sure we made our way to Underdog Records. Jonathan had battled a bug this week and we wanted to check in on him, yes, but we also wanted to add to our collection. Jonathan was bouncy and chipper. We like seeing him like that. He was extra jokey and just being himself. I think he needs a vacation. A real one. But, here’s the haul!

David_Gilmour_self-titled

©Harvest/Capitol

  • Janet Jackson – The Velvet Rope — #259 on the RS list. Janet had just renegotiated her Virgin Records contract (to the tune of $80M) which was the biggest record contract at the time (1997). The album touches on self-image, sexuality, same-sex relationships and depression, just to name a few. It’s a good album. New.
  • Beck! – Odelay — #306 on the RS list. This album was more for The BCPF than me, but I do enjoy it. It’s not my favorite Beck album but it’s still pretty righteous. It’s got a lot of Hip-Hop aspects and that’s probably because the Dust Brothers (John King and Michael Simpson) are the producers. Basically, if it’s an instrument (outside of drums), Beck is playing it, all other aspects were done by the Dust Brothers. New.
  • David Gilmour – David Gilmour — The BCPF asked, “David Gilmour, like Pink Floyd David Gilmour?” and then he started singing and playing. Yes. That David Gilmour. What sounds like lost Floyd tracks come right before their hugely successful The Wall and some of the pieces morphed into ideas on that album. It is a good album and I enjoyed listening to it. I prefer Pink Floyd, but this was good. VG.
  • Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle — Les Paul’s godson has a fantastic album here. It’s #445 on the RS list. I love the title song, “Take the Money and Run” and “Rock’n Me.” And, as much as I don’t care for blues music, there are moments on this album that are awfully bluesy and I like it just fine. VG+.
  • Various – Red Star Sounds Volume 1 Soul Searching — Amel Larrieux + The Roots, Erykah Badu, Glenn Lewis, Macy Gray, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Nelly Furtado and more. Not usually our cup o’tea but we’ll take it! VG++.
  • Paul Kelly And The Messengers – Gossip — Actually the band is Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls but North America and Europe releases were changed to “…And the Messengers” to escape racist interpretations. The Coloured Girls part was taken from Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Other than that, I really know nothing about Paul Kelly or his various backing bands. He’s apparently pretty big in his native Australia. VG+.
  • Paul Kelly And The Messengers – Under The Sun — Really, the same as above. This was the next after that one. VG+.
  • Various – Music From Do The Right Thing — This was a great film and just because of that, I bought this. That’s really the only reason. I didn’t even look at the tracklisting. VG.
  • Various – Tequila Sunrise – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack — Clay and I talked about this on Monday during our Beeswax Vinyl & More session. He had gotten it on cassette the week before because of one song and I said that I had passed it up on vinyl at Underdog. He said I should get it. I did. I’ve never seen the film so I don’t know anything else about it. VG+.
  • Joe Jackson – Body And Soul — A mix of pop and jazz and salsa, which isn’t what I think of when I think of Joe Jackson, but I do look forward to listening to it. VG+.
  • The Connells – Darker Days — Their debut album. I didn’t get this from Underdog Records, but from Clay who simply said, “give this to your wife. I know she’d want it.” He then gave a commentary about it and although I haven’t heard it, The BCPF had and she agrees with you, Clay. We’ll leave it at that. VG/VG+.

It was a good haul, I think. Again, we just enjoyed being in there with Jonathan and a few other of our friends. And, there were a lot of people coming in which is a great thing. Listen to each new The Less Desirables episode to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. Use Discogs to catalog your collection, keep track of what you do or don’t have, buy and sell on the Marketplace and use the awesome “random grab” feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Bottles and cans and just clap your hands and just clap your hands. Where it’s at. I got two turntables and a microphone!” – “Where It’s At” (Beck/King/Simpson)

How Engaging? or: The Sparkle

31 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It

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Salutations™!!

Yes! More mushiness! Today is the ninth wedding anniversary for my sister and bro-in-law. Happy happy to them. I wasn’t there for it because I was at another wedding. It is also the ninth anniversary of my former co-host, Brian and his wife. I was actually in that wedding so I had to be there for that. Happy happy to them. 216852_10150326463895490_8196672_n

Now, today is the eighth anniversary of The BCPF’s and my engagement. The story is long and vast so I’m not going to repeat it but you can search this blog for July 31 and see the story there. I just want to say that I love you Stephanie and you are my everything. That night is forever etched in my memories and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Until the end of time…
Tim

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“I know where you’ve been, don’t let ’em tell you that’s how it should be.” – “Fallen” (me)