The BCPF and I did a lot of running around yesterday. We had grocery shopping to do for the last day of our “French” cooking trip, getting proper cooking and storage vessels for said cooking trip, getting lunch, all of that. But, of course, we got our Underdog Records fix in. Here’s the haul:
Joni Mitchell – Early Joni – 1963 — The First known Recording of Joni Mitchell. Previously Unreleased. 19-Year-old Mitchell at CFQC AM in Saskatoon, 1963. She sounds very young here. Because she was. Again, she was 19. Sealed, NM.
The Beatles – The Beatles And Esher Demos — 50th anniversary 4×LP edition comes in a lift-top box which comprises of: ‘The Beatles’ album newly remastered (half speed mastering) by Giles Martin sourced directly from the original four-track and eight-track session tapes. The album comes in a gatefold sleeve with reproduction of original artwork with embossed “The Beatles” logo and four portrait prints of John, Paul, George and Ringo. ‘Esher Demos’ in gatefold sleeve with embossed “The Beatles” logo and ‘Esher Demos’ printed on lower left. A 12″×24″ four-page booklet with articles by Paul McCartney, Giles Martin & Kevin Howlett. A 24″×36″ fold-out poster with photos of the band members on the front and song lyrics on the back. This was still sealed and would sell for about $80-90 new retail. This is technically new and never opened. NM.
Hiss Golden Messenger – Lateness Of Dancers — Recorded by Scott Hirsch at Down Yonder Farms, Hillsborough (through the generosity of Peter Kramer and Susan Gladin) and Sound Pure, Durham, North Carolina. Additional recordings by Brian Haran and The Pinebox in Graham, NC and Chris Boerner on Murray Avenue, Durham, NC. That’s from Discogs. What I know about this album — all I need to know about this album — it’s on Merge Records. The BCPF loves just about everything on that label. They’re based in Durham, so… New.
Underdog Records was sort of under a weird Pluto in Retrograde kind of cloud this week. A car hit the side of the building at full speed, another hit a pole below the store, and yet another hit a pole above the store. But, it was a good day in the store. He’s got new stuff out, great used stuff out, and equipment! Visit the website to shop new vinyl, 24/7/365. Follow Underdog Records on Instagram and Facebook to see what new goodies Jonathan just acquired and is offering to you for purchase! Use Discogs to track your collection and share the collection with your friends. See what they have in their record collections, too.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “Creme tangerine and Montelimar. A ginger sling with a pineapple heart. Coffee dessert, yes, you know it’s good news. But you’ll have to have them all pulled out after the Savoy truffle.” – “Savoy Truffle” (Harrison)
Today is the 57th anniversary of The Beatles’ third album (UK), A Hard Day’s Night. The first side was the soundtrack to the film but the whole album is pretty righteous. These brothers sound great doing this version. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “When I’m home, everything seems to be right. When I’m home, feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah!” – “A Hard Day’s Night” (Lennon/McCartney)
We got very little listening in yesterday as we had several other “errands” or “just wanted to dos” but, we got some in. It was a chilly but beautiful day yesterday. Here’s the haul:
Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? — #378 on the RS list that matters and rises to #157 on the one that doesn’t. This song has two of my faves on here, “Champagne Supernova” and “Wonderwall.” Yeah, you know me, I’m all about “the hits.” 2×LP, Reissue. Remastered double heavyweight vinyl – includes download code for album, bonus unreleased tracks & rarities. New.
Depeche Mode – Gone To The U.S.A. — Compilation, Unofficial Release, Red Vinyl. Remixed tunes, imported album. Some interesting remixes on this album. The red vinyl is beautiful. New.
The Beatles – With The Beatles — With one of the most imitated covers in music history, this was the band’s second album, released on the same day that JFK was assassinated. Stereo remastered album on heavyweight 180g vinyl. This album has been prepared using the 2009 digital remasters which had been created from the original stereo analogue master tapes. New.
The Beatles – Beatles For Sale — This is The Beatles’ fourth album, which is probably my least favorite of their stuff. It’s sandwiched between A Hard Day’s Night and Help! which are my two favorite “early Beatles” albums. Manufactured on 180-gram, audiophile quality vinyl with replicated artwork. This album has been prepared using the 2009 digital remasters which had been created from the original stereo analogue master tapes. Gatefold, I think. New.
Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends — This album was at the ridiculously high number of #234 on the RS list that matters and fell completely off for the one that doesn’t, which verifies just one of the reasons why it doesn’t matter. A scandalous atrocity! This album contains one of the greatest songs ever recorded, “America.” It also has “Mrs. Robinson” and “A Hazy Shade of Winter.” New.
Morrissey – I’m A Poet — Unofficial release. Recorded for FM Broadcast at the Balch Fieldhouse, part of the University of Colorado, Boulder on 1st of October 1992. Import. New.
Ramones – Rocket To Russia — #106 on the RS list that matters and #385 on the one that doesn’t. I’ve never been a fan of the Ramones, it’s like weird punk mixed with surfing music and 50s nostalgia. I listened to the album when I did the 500 and I remember that I didn’t really care for it other than “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker.” But, this listen wasn’t so bad. Some of it was redundant and classic crap that I don’t like, but some of it was enjoyable. New.
a-ha – Scoundrel Days — The second studio album by Norwegian new wave band a-ha. “Water drops” on front and back cover are embossed. Glossy inner sleeve contains lyrics and credits. I loved Hunting High and Low and hope this one is as good. I have no reason to believe it won’t be. NM/EX.
Kings Of Convenience – Quiet Is The New Loud — The debut album by Norwegian indie pop duo Kings of Convenience, released on January 29, 2001. This is an über rare album and The BCPF saw Norwegian, indie pop, duo, and had to have it. Now this is only in Good condition because there is a lot of surface wear. This could be anything, but, I’m going to guess it was from neglect and over-playing. The cover is in at least VG/VG+.
Saint-Saëns / Franck – Rubinstein, Wallenstein, Symphony Of The Air – Concerto No. 2 / Symphonic Variations — To be clear, Side A is “Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22” from one of my favorite composers, Camille Saint-Saëns. Side B is “Symphonic Variations” from César Franck. Both are performed by Symphony Of The Air which was some of the core members of the newly-disbanded NBC Symphony Orchestra. Both sides are conducted by Alfred Wallenstein, featuring Artur Rubinstein on piano. EX.
A big haul this week. I didn’t even realize that the Saint-Saëns piece was in there. The BCPF snuck it in. Underdog Records was jumping and even more so when we were leaving. The capacity is now at 10 customers at a time and he was about maxed out when we took off. He’s had to expand the “freshly used” section because he’s getting to a lot of things and getting them put out. That’s cool. Good stuff to choose from. If you’re in to heavy metal and I mean the real heavy stuff – death/black/cryptic – then he’s got plenty for you. But, don’t worry, there are plenty of other great selections, too. The store is open from 11a-7p Wednesday through Saturday and Jonathan does deliveries (weather permitting) Monday and Tuesday. You should watch the Underdog Records social media. Instagram is Jonathan’s platform of choice. You can shop new vinyl, day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. I use Discogs to track my collection and also make sure I’m not getting unwanted duplicates. Or, may it helps me with the wanted duplicates?
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “‘Kathy,’ I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh. ‘Michigan seems like a dream to me now.’ It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw. I’ve gone to look for America.” – “America” (Simon)
Yesterday, it was announced that murderous, yet borderline genius Phil Spector had passed away at the age of 81. Spector was serving out a 19-to-life in prison for the murder of Lana Clarkson whom he shot in his mansion/castle in Los Angeles. Be that as it may, he was previously best known for his “Wall of Sound” (WOS).
The Wall of Sound on “The Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles
I have read someone compare his WOS ambitions to Wagner and how epic Richard Wagner’s compositions were. The WOS was Wagnerian in scope. He wanted to make it sound as if the listener was encased in the sound.
Some critics didn’t like that. They thought he cheapened or perhaps covered a lot of crap from the artists’ renderings of the tunes. I like production and I have conflicting feelings about the WOS. If you’re wondering about what the WOS is, well, you can listen to The Beatles Let It Be album. It’s all over that. If you don’t believe me, then listen to Let It Be: Naked which is the album without the WOS treatment. I actually prefer his work on this album.
One of the things about the Righteous Brothers’ music, in particular the two biggest hits, “Unchained Melody” and “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” (which Spector co-wrote) that I have never liked is how they sound like they’re in a big underground tank. That is Spector’s doing. I hate that.
So, as I said, hit or miss with him for me. Spector died on January 16, 2021 from natural causes. Some said it was C-19 but it’s been confirmed it was just death and nothing more. RIP, I guess, Phil. You definitely left a mark on music. I know this is a very truncated post about Phil but who has time to write all that? Plus, Given how I’m hit or miss, I’m even more hit or miss to the man himself, so…
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I’m dealing in rock’n’roll. I’m, like, I’m not a bona fide human being.” – Phil Spector
Today is the 52nd anniversary of one of the Beatles most polarizing albums. Now, is it a Beatles album? I think so. A lot of it (the whole second side) is instrumental selections that George Martin wrote for the animated film’s soundtrack. I like those, too. Side A, though, has a lot of great tunes, many of which I think is overlooked because of the album’s place. I don’t know, perhaps, I’m making that up, but I don’t think that I am. Here’s my favorite tune from that album and how can you go wrong with Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne doing a Beatles tune with two of the Fab Four sitting right in front of them, John and George’s kids and all that. So, enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Big man (Yeah), walking in the park. Wigwam, frightened of the dark. Some kind of solitude is measured out in you. You think you know me but you haven’t got a clue. You can talk to me. You can talk to me, You can talk to me. If you’re lonely you can talk to me.” – “Hey Bulldog” (Lennon/McCartney)
Yesterday a Beatles album. Today a Beatles album. Today is the 56th anniversary of Beatles for Sale. I am a huge Beatles fan but I’ll admit their pre-1965 stuff I’m less enthused about. I will just leave it at that. I like it, but my favorite stuff is from Help! on. But, outside of more Carl Perkins covers, they were writing some great stuff and this is a really good one. I picked this version because I really like when people do these themselves. I want to do one but I don’t really have the patience. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Of all the love I have won or have lost, there is one love I should never have crossed. She was a girl in a million, my friend. I should have known she would win in the end.” – “I’m a Loser” (Lennon/McCartney)
Today is the 55th anniversary of one of the greatest albums of all time. While The Beatles have all great albums, there are a few that really soar high. This is in my top 5 Beatles albums and I’d probably go with it being #5. This is a song that is used a lot. A lot!! Usually as some kind of requiem or send off. I think there much more to it than that. This is a beautiful rendition, too. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “All these places had their moments. With lovers and friends, I still can recall. Some are dead and some are living. In my life, I’ve loved them all.” – “In My Life” (Lennon/McCartney)
There are a number of releases celebrating anniversaries today. To me, the two biggest are Abbey Road (51) from The Beatles and Shout at the Devil (37) from Motley Crue. But, really do any other albums released today matter as much as Abbey Road? At least to me, they do not. It is probably my favorite album from the Fab Four, although, as I have said it jumps around between this, Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles (White Album), and Revolver. This is one of my favorite Beatles tunes regardless, but one of the best they’ve ever written and that’s saying something. This cover is airy and brilliant. Enjoy!
And don’t forget, today is RSD Drop #2! Yay, records!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Once there was a way to get back homeward. Once there was a way to get back home. Sleep little darling, do not cry and I will sing you a lullaby.” – “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight” (Lennon/McCartney)
Today is the 54th anniversary of The Beatles’ Revolver album. It is one of those that rotate in and out of my top slot for the band. It contains one of my favorite Beatles songs (which doesn’t?) and I have recently found the copy of me doing it all myself, that I have been missing for a bit and I’ll release someday. It’s early in my self-recording days and the first time I attempted to do everything myself. Not bad, in that regard, but still pretty rough. This dude’s arrangement is pretty wicked considering he’s doing it all and singing at the same time. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear. No one comes near. Look at him working, darning his socks in the night when there’s nobody there. What does he care?” – “Eleanor Rigby” (Lennon/McCartney)
As has been the case for the last month, we haven’t really gotten anything new because Underdog Records is affected just like everything else in the world right now. So, in the spirit of “normalcy,” or the “Now Normal” that I call it, I used my listening time during the week hitting Discogs’ awesome shuffle feature and picked albums that I have and streamed them. I pay for Napster (the same that used to be arsehats and cheat artists out of their money, but they’re legit – they used to be Rhapsody) and the artists get paid for my listens, so yay for that. So, here’s what I listened to this week under headphones (not counting what I listened to for Beeswax Vinyl & More):
That’s a pretty good “listens” list, I think. Then yesterday, The BCPF and I got to listen to some records. We did our usual alternating turns and it was all “random grab” via Discogs shuffle. Here’s that list (in no particular order):
That’s my listening for the week. I really cannot wait until Underdog Records opens back up. This is really hard. It’s like having to ween off candy. Jonathan is my “candy man” and the records my candy. Well, you can still purchase things from him. Just go to their Instagram and Facebook pages and see what he’s putting out for sale. He’ll deliver to you, either personally or ship them to you. You can shop via the Underdog Records website, as well. You can also purchase one of the new Underdog Records t-shirts and proceeds go to Underdog Records to help them stay afloat. See how here.
You see the marvel of Discogs already in this post.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!
— “You are here and warm but I could look away and you’d be gone. ‘Cause we live in a time when meaning falls in splinters from our lives. And that’s why I’ve traveled far, ’cause I come so together where you are.” – “Sentimental Lady” (Welch)
