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Tag Archives: The Doors

Now Normal Chronicles or: Lighting the Fire

04 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by TGBII in Video

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Music, The Doors, Video

Salutations™!!

Today is the 54th anniversary of The Doors’ debut album. I’ve never been a huge fan of The Doors but I’m not a hater, either. I liked the film with Val Kilmer and I like a lot of the songs. I’m just not a follower of all that stuff. Talented musicians, for sure. I like this laid back version and I hope you do, too. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The time to hesitate is through. No time to wallow in the mire. Try now we can only lose. And our love become a funeral pyre.” – “Light My Fire” (Morrison/Krieger/Densmore/Manzarek)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 10/3/20

04 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by TGBII in Spinning Sunday

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Tags

Discogs, Green Day, Jimi Hendrix Experience, KISS, Sufjan Stevens, The BCPF, The Doors, The Less Desirables, Ulver, Underdog Records, Wilco

Salutations™!!

It was a routine Saturday for The BCPF and me. Underdog Records, breakfast, records, dinner, movie. That’s how it was and that’s how we like it. Here’s our haul:

©House of Mythology

Sufjan Stevens – The Ascension — I learned very early on in my relationship, nay, my knowing of the existence of The BCPF that Sufjan Stevens is one of her all-timers. Yet, she insists every time we put something new or even old by him, in apologizing because she doesn’t know if I’ll like it. She does that with a lot of her music. I feel don’t be apologetic about it. If you like it, dig it. I picked it out for her because I heard it whilst making the commercial this week for Underdog Records on The Less Desirables. It was a bit more electronica than I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. It’s indie-exclusive clear vinyl. New.

The Doors – Live At The Stockholm Konserthuset, Stockholm, September 20th, 1968 – Radio Broadcast — From the notes on Discogs: “Copyright 2019 Supernaut Records. Manufactured in the EU. Broadcast in 196X. Not exportable for the USA. This is an indipendent [sic] production , released strictly in accordance with the 1988 Copyright Act. Limited to 500 copies.” And, yet, here we have it. I’m okay with that. Import (obviously), unofficial (obviously). New.

Wilco – Sky Blue Sky — I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, The BCPF loves Wilco. We got Wilco. 2xLP. New.

Green Day – Dookie — #193 on the RS List (that matters). The band’s major-label debut. The album had five singles: “Longview,” “Basket Case,” “Welcome to Paradise,” “When I Come Around” and “She.” Back when this came out, I hated it, because, I didn’t understand it. I understand it. I like it. I couldn’t believe I didn’t already have it in the collection. New.

Ulver – Flowers Of Evil — Ulver means “wolves” in Norwegian. This band started out as a black metal band in Oslo. They have “developed” over the years. They were black metal, then blending experimental rock, electronica, ambient, trip hop, symphonic and chamber traditions, noise, progressive and experimental music into their oeuvre. I like that word. Ulver’s Oeuvre. Sounds like a band. Anywhat! This is more along the lines, at least to me, of some goth synth pop. I enjoyed it and The BCPF did, too. I heard it whilst making the Underdog Records commercial for TLD. White vinyl. New.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland — #55 on the RS list (that matters) and #53 on the ridiculous new list, this was Jimi’s last album before he passed. “Crosstown Traffic” and Jimi’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” were probably the biggest hits from the record at the time, but “Voodoo Child” and “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)” have become pretty popular, too. The hype sticker reads: The Authorized Hendrix Family Edition. 180 Gram Audiophile LP Pressing. All Analog Remaster From The Original 2-Track Master Tapes By Jimi’s Original Engineer. Complete Original Artwork, 8 Page LP sized booklet with Rare Photos and Liner Notes. Packaged in a gatefold sleeve. It’s new!

Kiss – The Originals — So, Jonathan just gave this to me. The cover is beaten up, the records have scratches and my search still continues for a good copy but I at least have one in my possession. This is a second printing of the collection, which includes the full albums of KISS, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed To Kill, their first three albums. Again, it’s a pretty crap copy but I have one. But, as I said, I will continue to search for a decent copy. Graded G at best.

That’s the haul. The fair and beautiful weather made for a slow morning for Jonathan, I think. He had added some new stuff in the “Freshly Used” section. He will be going through more this week. Remember he does store to porch deliveries Monday through Wednesday and the brick-and-mortar store is open Thursday through Saturday from 11a to 7p. You can order, anytime, day or night by visiting the Underdog Records website. Hey, do me a favor and tell him that I sent you. Also, use Discogs to track your collection, vinyl, CD, cassette, whatever.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Do you have the time to listen to me whine about nothing and everything all at once? I am one of those melodramatic fools, neurotic to the bone, no doubt about it. Sometimes, I give myself the creeps. Sometimes, my mind plays tricks on me. It all keeps adding up. I think I’m cracking up. Am I just paranoid? Am I just stoned?” – “Basket Case” (Armstrong/Prichard/Wright)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 9/26/20

27 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by TGBII in Music Review, Records

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Tags

Discogs, Fleetwood Mac, Lenny Bruce, Mark Snow, Mott the Hoople, Music, Paul McCartney, Primus, Record Collecting, Record Store Day, Records, Roger Waters, Son Volt, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Surfer Blood, Tegan and Sara, The Alarm, The Doors, The Feminine Complex, The Replacements, Underdog Records, Wes Anderson, Wilco

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I were up “early” to prepare for Record Store Day Drop #2. We were selected for the 930a spot and it was a perfect spot for us. We got everything on our list with the exception of one title but one of our friends and part of the RSD Crüe had found that one at another store after his slot. Things were calm and easy going for Jonathan, I believe. So, we did one non-RSD release but all the releases were brand new. I also included identifiers and attributes, where/when applicable, including how limited the run is. Here’s the haul:

©Kanine

Surfer Blood – Carefree Theatre — This is the non-RSD release. I heard just one song from this as I was making the commercial for Underdog Records for The Less Desirables. I sent Jonathan a message and had him hold me one. I thought it was be great for The BCPF. She loved it. Straight indie rock.

The rest are RSD releases.

The Replacements – The Complete Inconcerated Live — Limited to 8500 copies. Comes in tri-gatefold packaging. 3xLP and it was a great show. Paul Westerberg had a rough night with his voice and some feedback but I love how raw this show is. They may have done some overdubs but I don’t think so, I think this is how it was. I dug it.

The Feminine Complex – Livin’ Love — 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Pink. Gatefold sleeve, two pink LPs in white polylined inner sleeves. This was the one our friend got for us at a different store. The Feminine Complex was an all-girl garage band from the 60s and this is their only album.

Various – I Saved Latin! A Tribute To Wes Anderson — 2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Pink, Blue. Exclusive Ltd. Edition Run of 1,000 copies. The BCPF really loves her Wes Anderson movies and I like them, too. This is a compilation of songs from his films. It’s 2xLP record 1 is “Margot Tenenbaum pink” (like The Royal Tenenbaums) and record 2 is “Life Aquatic blue” (like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou).

Mott The Hoople – The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll — Gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeves. 2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Blue, Gatefold.

Various – Wilcovered — According to Discogs:  “Wilcovered 19 covers of Wilco songs performed by renowned artists and friends of the band.” 2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition. It was an interesting listen. The BCPF is a big fan of Wilco, I’m pretty indifferent. She liked it a lot more than I did.

McCartney – McCartney — Record Store Day release September 26, 2020. Limited pressing: 7000 copies. After cancelling the April 18, 2020 RSD, this release was rescheduled for the second RSD Drop on September 26, 2020.
However in some countries (e.g. Canada and France) it was accidentally distributed for the first RSD Drop on August 29, 2020. Comes in a Gatefold sleeve with a Red ‘Obi’ strip and an (A5-size) ‘Half-speed Mastering’ Certificate. Vinyl cut by Miles Showell using original 1970 master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, London, 5th November 2019. This half-speed master closely references the 2011 remaster by Steve Rooke and Guy Massey.
It was made as a vinyl specific transfer in high resolution and without digital peak limiting for the best possible reproduction.

Son Volt – Live At The Orange Peel — 2 × Vinyl, LP, Limited Edition. RSD 2020 – September 26. On transparent orange vinyl. Quantity: 1500. Recorded live at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC on September 23, 2005, these songs were part of the 6 String Belief DVD, but have never before been released on vinyl. The BCPF knew nothing about this band, but I believe it will be things she digs. Again, she loves Wilco and Jeff Tweedy was in Uncle Tupelo with Jay Farrar. Uncle Tupelo broke up and Farrar started Son Volt. This was done in a venue that I’ve stood outside of (and was supposed to see Steven Wilson there two years ago, darn snow).

Fleetwood Mac – The Alternate Rumours — Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, part of the September 26th drops. Limited edition of 16,000 copies. I was looking forward to this one the most, I think. I have really loved the Fleetwood Mac “Alternate” albums over the last few years. There was Alternate Mirage, Alternate Fleetwood Mac, Alternate Tango in the Night. This is perhaps their biggest of them all. I loved all the alternate takes on this album, save one. It’s my least favorite song on the album and I liked “I Don’t Want to Know (Early Take)” even less.

Roger Waters – The Wall (Live In Berlin 1990) — 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Clear, 180 Gram. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, part of the September 26th drops. 30th Anniversary limited edition, pressed on Clear 180 gram vinyl, gatefold cover in a total of 8.000 copies. When I first saw this concert (I think I own it on DVD), I was enthralled in the spectacle of it. I have always said that The Wall is my favorite Pink Floyd album and while I still prefer the Pink Floyd version, this was amazing.

The Doors – The Soft Parade: Stripped — Vinyl, 12″, Limited Edition, Numbered, Clear. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release, part of the September 26th drops. Limited to 12,000 units. Eight tracks (some repeats) some with new Robbie Krieger overdubs.

Various – Psyché France 1960-70 Volume 6 — The BCPF and I are suckers for French pop music. This is French pop music from the 1960s. It sounds new and it could be but supposedly it’s from back then. It was a great listen.

Tegan and Sara – Tonight We’re In The Dark Seeing Colors — Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Purple splatter. Recorded live from their ‘Hey, I’m Just Like You’ Tour. Includes exclusive versions of Tegan and Sara favorites on limited edition purple splatter vinyl. Limited to 500 copies.

Mark Snow – The Truth And The Light: Music From The X-Files — Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Glow-In-The-Dark.

Squirrel Nut Zippers – The Inevitable — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue. Record Store Day 2020 first release, part of the September 26th drops. Limited to 1500 copies. The BCPF says this is her college days. I love the swing style and this is a great album.

Primus – Suck On This — Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Blue. Limited to a quantity of 5000. Release has 3D artwork, and nothing written on the spine. Live album from 1989.

The Alarm – Celtic Folklore Live — Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition. Record Store Day 2020 release in a total of 1.000 copies. Side-A recorded at Hammersmith Odeon London – February 9th 1988. Side-B recorded at Cabaret, San Jose, California – March 17th 1988.

Lenny Bruce – Is Out Again — A rare recording of Lenny Bruce, fully authorized by Lenny’s daughter Kitty Bruce, unlike the majority of the bootleg material that has been released in the past. This release was only ever sold in limited copies at clubs, directly by Lenny to fans. I haven’t heard this yet, but my favorite part of it is the letter on the back from a reverend. He basically says he feels that Bruce is grossly misunderstood.

It was a great day for us. Jonathan said at our scheduled time that everything was going very smooth. I haven’t sent him a message yet, as I normally do after each RSD. He’s probably relaxing today. You can check out any unsold RSD stock by visiting the Underdog Records website. He does contactless deliveries in the early part of the week and is open Thursday through Saturday 11a-7p. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection and share it with you!

I also want to wish The BCPF a happy sixth reception-versary. It’s our fourth and final “public” anniversary of every year.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Broadway hasn’t been the same since we found lover’s lane. Standing on the corner of fourth and main. Dreaming of you way downtown in lover’s lane. Sun is down, moon is bright. Lover’s gonna stroll all night. Way downtown in lover’s lane.” – “Lover’s Lane” (Mathus)

Now Normal Chronicles or: TGIF

25 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by TGBII in Video

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Black Sabbath, Boy George, Creatures, Gang Of Four, J.Geils Band, Ringo Starr, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sugarcubes, The Doors, The Psychedelic Furs, They Might Be Giants, Village People

Salutations™!!

Strange Days from The Doors is 53 today. Beaucoups Of Blues from Ringo Starr is 50. Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 is 48. Nightmares…And Other Tales From The Vinyl Jungle from J. Geils Band is 46. Technical Ecstasy from Black Sabbath is 44. Cruisin’ from Village People (with “Y.M.C.A.”) is 42. Entertainment! from Gang Of Four is 41. Wild Things EP from Creatures (Siouxsie Sioux and Budgie) is 39. Forever Now from Psychedelic Furs is 38. Lincoln from They Might Be Giants is 32. Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! from Sugarcubes is 31. How could I pass on this? And with Boy George singing it? Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Young man, there’s a place you can go, I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough. You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find many ways to have a good time. It’s fun to stay at the YMCA” – Y.M.C.A. (Morali/Wills)

Spinning Sunday or: The Listens 4/25/20

26 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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a-ha, AC/DC, Al Green, Bon Iver, Charles Aznavour, Cranes, Depeche Mode, Discogs, Eagles, Elton John, Firefall, Genesis, Gerry Rafferty, Iggy Pop, Jerry Goldsmith, Jethro Tull, Joe Cocker, Joe Jackson, Love and Rockets, Men at Work, Midnight Oil, Music, Quiet Riot, Randy Newman, Records, Rickie Lee Jones, Stephen Stills, The Doors, The Less Desirables, The Police, The Who, Tom Jones, Underdog Records, vinyl, Yes

Salutations™!!

Dear sweet baby [enter deity here], please let this be over soon. If for no other reason, I want to get back to Underdog Records, see Jonathan and buy vinyl goodness. Amen.

Listen42620

©All the record companies… I don’t own the copyright on these

You know my religion is “non-Prophet” so that was really just symbolic. However, the sentiment is exact and true. I want to get back to Underdog. The good news is Jonathan is doing a lot of deliveries and is still getting in new stock. I don’t buy a lot of new stuff so that throws me behind. I am more about the used stuff and, well, I figured it’s just not as feasible for him to rifle through the used stuff. That’s okay. I have plenty to keep me company here, but there’s nothing like the thrill of bin diving. I love it. Anywhat!

This week, I was home more than usual (usual for the lockdown) and The BCPF had work and conferences via Zoom, so I was under headphones a lot this week. I listened to 23 albums. I should probably try to listen to some podcasts during this downtime but I really want to listen to music. I suppose this is the equivalent of being a chef and having to cook at home, or being a truck driver and having to drive the family to Florida for vacation or per my old job working with the family sand business, why would I go to the beach when I can see sand anytime I want? So, I’m just not in the mood to listen to podcasts on my “downtime.” That’s cleared up.

The criteria for my streaming listening (for this list, anyway) is this: I have to own it on vinyl. I can’t listen to it on vinyl because of the situation, but I want to act like I am. So, I use the Discogs shuffle feature and see what pops up. Oddly enough, on the same day, I had two from The Who and even odder, I had two Yes albums right in a row; one I wish I had drawn after the other started. That worked out for me. Here’s my headphone “haul:”

  • Randy Newman – Good Old Boys
  • Joe Cocker – Joe Cocker!
  • Jerry Goldsmith – Logan’s Run (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • AC/DC – Let There Be Rock
  • Tom Jones – Tom
  • The Doors – The Doors
  • Quiet Riot – Condition Critical
  • The Who – Who Are You
  • The Who – Who’s Next
  • Men At Work – Cargo
  • Iggy Pop – TV Eye 1977 Live
  • The Police – Reggatta de Blanc
  • a-ha – Hunting High And Low
  • Yes – Close To The Edge
  • Yes – Fragile
  • Gerry Rafferty – Night Owl
  • Eagles – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975
  • Depeche Mode – Songs Of Faith And Devotion
  • Rickie Lee Jones – Pirates
  • Firefall – Élan
  • Jethro Tull – M.U. – The Best Of Jethro Tull
  • Genesis – Abacab
  • Joe Jackson – I’m The Man

    collage142620

    ©The record companies

That was a good listen haul, I think. I enjoyed most of it a lot. I didn’t have that I didn’t like, I just would have preferred something else, I guess.

Then yesterday, The BCPF and I had our listening time and we shuffled through these albums:

  • Stephen Stills – Stephen Stills 2
  • Charles Aznavour – Aznavour!
  • Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
  • Midnight Oil – Diesel And Dust
  • Cranes – Self-Non-Self
  • Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
  • Love And Rockets – Express
  • Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection

collage242620

©The record companies

That’s what we listened to. Follow Underdog Records on Facebook and Instagram, you’ll see what he’s got going on and you can get into the delivery thing and have him bring you some records. Also, visit the website to order new vinyl. Obviously, I use Discogs and even more so this week. There are no TLD/UR specials right now but I still hope you listen to the episodes. Okay, that’s all I have. Have a great week, stay home if you can, wash your damn hands and stay safe!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Walked out this morning, don’t believe what I saw. A hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore. Seems I’m not alone at being alone. A hundred billion castaways looking for a home.” – “Message in a Bottle” (Sting)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 11/18/17

19 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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AC/DC, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Andrew Bird, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Cole Porter, Dave Brubeck, Dave Mason, Discogs, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Emmylou Harris, Foghat, Frank Marino, Frehley's Comet, Genesis, Heart, Huey Lewis and the News, Isley Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, King Crimson, Laurie Anderson, Louis Armstrong, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mahogany Rush, Malcolm Young, Mel Tillis, Meredith WIllson, Peter Frampton, Queen, Record Store Day, REO Speedwagon, Roger Miller, Rosemary Clooney, Rubicon, Santana, Sex Pistols, Talking Heads, Ted Nugent, The BCPF, The Charlie Daniels Band, The Cure, The Doors, The Kingston Trio, The Music Man, Traffic, Underdog Records, Vince Guaraldi

Salutations™!!StreetSurvivorsFlames

So this week will be a mixture of the take from Underdog Records and a shload of records that I didn’t know that I owned. Let me explain. About 10 years ago, my ex-wife and my mother went to an auction (they were always going to auctions) and purchased a ton of records. They only wanted to rock records but it was one of those, you take one you have to take the whole thing deals. Well, I didn’t have a record player back then. So they got stored. And, I forgot about them. About 3 weeks ago, my ex-wife asked me if I got the ones out of the cabin. What are you talking about? We didn’t have any in the cabin. She informed me that yes we did. I thought perhaps it was one or two things that I had over time. Well, I had to go in the attic with my mother and she said, there are your records. I was looking through and just like a kid, kept saying these are mine!?!? So, I brought them home and am going through them a little at a time. Many rock albums to add to my collection and a lot of jazz, folk and classical, too. I did the rock ones first. Again, these are mixed here.

  • The Cure – Standing On A Beach – The Singles (The BCPF had this when she was a younger one and had to have it, new)
  • Andrew Bird – Echolocations: River (former violinist for Squirrel Nut Zippers and we saw him open for Belle & Sebastian, new)
  • Queen – News Of The World (one of my favorite Queen albums, new)
  • Bob Dylan – Blonde On Blonde (#9 on the RS List, I really do not like this album at all, new)
  • Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas (because who doesn’t need this? New)
  • Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols (#41 on the RS List, VG+)
  • Emmylou Harris – Evangeline (VG+)
  • Elton John – 21 At 33 (VG+)
  • Elton John – Victim Of Love (VG+)
  • Huey Lewis & The News – Small World (VG+)
  • Laurie Anderson – Mister Heartbreak (Lou Reed’s wife and she’s weird, $1 bin, VG)
  • The Charlie Daniels Band – Million Mile Reflections ($1 bin, VG)
  • Rosemary Clooney – Rosie’s Greatest Hits ($1 bin, VG)
  • Traffic – When The Eagle Flies ($1 bin, VG)
  • Kenny Rogers & The First Edition – Transition (purchased this off of Discogs, I’ve searched over 20 years for this for my mother, VG++)

This is the Bonus Stack below the line


  • REO Speedwagon – You Get What You Play For (VG+)
  • Peter Frampton – I’m In You (VG+)
  • Peter Frampton – Frampton (VG+)
  • AC/DC – Back In Black (VG+, RIP Malcolm Young)
  • Jimi Hendrix – Free Spirit (VG)
  • King Crimson – The Young Persons’ Guide To King Crimson (I have no King Crimson and I hear a ton about them, so here’s my chance, VG+)
  • The Doors – Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mine (compilation, VG++)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – Street Survivors (one copy each of the flame and plain covers, VG+)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – Gold & Platinum  (compilation, VG++)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) (#403 on the RS List, VG+)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – Second Helping (VG+)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – Skynyrd’s First And… Last (VG+)
  • Various – California Jam 2 (live performances by Santana, Dave Mason, Heart, Ted Nugent, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, Rubicon and Aerosmith, VG++)
  • Frehley’s Comet – Live + 1 (was mine, but I had forgotten about it, sealed, cutout)
  • Joe Cocker – Joe Cocker’s Greatest Hits (VG+)
  • Genesis – Nursery Cryme / Foxtrot (as the title suggests, it is both Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot in one package, I have Nursery Cryme but not the other, VG+)
  • The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Jazz: Red Hot And Cool (I have no Brubeck, yet, now I do, VG)
  • Foghat – Night Shift (VG+)
  • Foghat – Stone Blue (VG+)
  • Foghat – Live (VG+)
  • Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – Against The Wind (VG+)
  • Alice Cooper – Billion Dollar Babies (VG)
  • Ted Nugent – Cat Scratch Fever (I strongly dislike Nugent and everything he is and stands for, I also would never spend money on him, but these were already there, VG+)
  • Ted Nugent – Weekend Warriors (VG+)
  • Ted Nugent – State Of Shock (VG+)
  • Talking Heads – Fear Of Music (VG+)
  • The Isley Brothers – Go For Your Guns (VG+)
  • Frank Sinatra – Cycles (VG+)
  • Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars – Satch Plays Fats: A Tribute To The Immortal Fats Waller By Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars (VG)
  • Roger Miller – Dang Me (my father always loved Roger Miller, VG)
  • Roger Miller – The Return Of Roger Miller (VG)
  • Meredith Willson – The Music Man – Original Soundtrack (The BCPF was in this musical she loves it, VG+)
  • Hollywood Bowl Pops Orchestra Conducted By Carmen Dragon – An Evening With Cole Porter (VG)
  • The Kingston Trio – Something Special (VG)
  • The Kingston Trio– New Frontier (VG)
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Swings Lightly (we both love Ella! VG)

So, that’s a lot and that’s only the rock and few that The BCPF wanted to listen to. I have at least 50 more to put in that are of all other genres. This coming Friday is Black Friday and Underdog Records will have a ton of awesomeness for Record Store Day – Black Friday Edition. Go to the RSD website to find out what is coming. Jonathan said he’s stocking 90% of that list, so make plans now. And buy a gift certificate for someone, do it now and get an additional 10% added for no additional cost. And as you can see, we do a lot of cataloging with Discogs and we love it!

And RIP not only to Malcolm Young, but Mel Tillis passed away, too. RIP Mel.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Heaven. Heaven is a place. A place where nothing. Nothing ever happens.” – “Heaven” (Byrne)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/29/17

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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Tags

Bob Dylan, Built to Spill, Discogs, Donovan, Dusty Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, George Winston, John Lennon, The Beatles, The Doors, The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I had a shorter haul this week but it had some great stuff in it. Underdog Records was accommodating as usual in our “habit.” Thanks to Jonathan for having a fantastic store. Here’s the haul:R-1864031-1270451320.jpeg

  • Dusty Springfield – Dusty In Memphis (part of the “Summer of Love” reissues from Rhino Records to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the actual “summer of love,” and it sounds fantastic on 180g vinyl, new)
  • Built To Spill – Ancient Melodies Of The Future (clearance, invoked the “The Less Desirables/Underdog Records special,” new)
  • Donovan – Wear Your Love Like Heaven (VG++ mono copy)
  • Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited (VG++ reissue from the 70s)
  • The Doors – Waiting For The Sun (VG+ in “unipack” cover)
  • George Winston – December (reissue)
  • George Winston – Autumn
  • John Lennon / Yoko Ono* – Heart Play: Unfinished Dialogue 
  • John Lennon – Mind Games
  • The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour (180g reissue, NM- copy)
  • Fleetwood Mac – Mystery To Me (penultimate album before Bob Welch’s departure and before Buckingham/Nicks joined)
  • Fleetwood Mac – Tusk (2xLP album)
  • Frank Sinatra – The Voice: The Columbia Years 1943-1952 (6xLP box set, although the case has a drill hole (promo/remaindered/discounted/returned/etc) the records are virtually unplayed NM)
  • Various – The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto (one of my favorite finds, when it was reviewed by me on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time (read my review here), I was confused, didn’t understand why this was relevant or important enough to be on the list. Eugene set me straight and explained that it was basically the origins of Graceland from Paul Simon and even other albums in my life, so I took a whole new liking to it and it was available at Underdog, I snatched it up right quick, fast and in a hurry)

So, even though the haul was lighter, the enjoyment has been fantastic! Go grab some vinyl from Underdog Records, or a turntable – he has a good bit of affordable ones, along with speakers, receivers and other accessories – and archive your collection with Discogs and share your collection with me. My username is tldtim.

Until tomorrow, happy listening…
Scorp out!

—
“You say yes, I say no. You say stop and I say go go go, oh no. You say goodbye and I say hello. Hello hello. I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello. Hello hello. I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello.” – “Hello Goodbye” (Lennon/McCartney)

Shake, Shake, Shake or: Electric (Eugeology Entry 9)

09 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Billy Duffy, Eugene B Sims, Eugeology, Glenn Danzig, Headbangers Ball, Ian Astbury, Jamie Stewart, Jon Lowder, Les Warner, MTV, Music, Rick Rubin, SiriusXM, The Cult, The Doors, The Doors of the 21st Century, Wheelers Dog

Salutations™!!

After last week’s joyous rebound for Jon and me digging it, Eugene threw a turd in the water. Let’s do it.

#9 – Electric by The Cult.

The_Cult-Electric_(album_cover)

©Beggars Banquet/Sire

Let me preface this by saying that I’ve never cared one way or another about The Cult. Never liked them, never disliked them. What I knew of them was an odd genre confusion. I had grown up and knew them on Headbangers’ Ball on MTV. So, I thought it was hard rock. I get Sirius (before the XM) and listen to Hair Nation and they’re on there. But, I also listen to 1st Wave (the earliest of new wave and classic alternative) and they’re on there. I don’t think of them, at all, as new wave or classic alternative, but The BCPF disagrees. That’s a lot of her music. A lot. So, confusion and the fact that I couldn’t care less, or even more, doesn’t help this album very much.

I have always thought that Ian Astbury had a very Jim Morrison-like voice. That’s even before he was in The Doors of the 21st Century. He and Glenn Danzig, both, sounded like Morrison. I always thought Astbury could sing, too. On this album, he both proves me right and he proves me wrong; a little right, a lot wrong. Astbury is a power voice one minute and a wailing wraith the next. I have listened to this album three and a half times already and every time the bad parts get worse and my skin crawls. It makes it hard to enjoy the decent parts.

For S’s & G’s I went and listened to Sonic Temple, the album after this and I was right, he could sing. On this album, though, it’s a miserable experience to listen to. There are parts that I like, to be sure. I like “Lil’ Devil,” “Peace Dog,” “Bad Fun,” “Aphrodisiac Jacket” and the hit single, “Love Removal Machine.” But, as the album goes on it gets really annoying to listen. Don’t get me wrong, Billy Duffy (who I always wanted to call Patrick – and I never really watched Dallas), Les Warner and Jamie Stewart are on point the whole time. Well, with the exception of one song, which I’ll get to in a bit. It’s just Astbury that wrecks the album for me. Even Rick Rubin’s production couldn’t fix that. He sounds off key, warbly and, mostly, tired throughout the album. I know I’m letting Eugene down right now, but it really isn’t something I enjoyed.

Clearly, the absolute low point of the whole album, for me, was what has to be the absolute worst cover of “Born to be Wild” that I have ever heard. The band sounds like they’re just going through the motions and there’s not a lot of excitement. That and Ian Astbury is belching off-key crap the whole, entire song. I was excited when it came from Eug, but the more I listen the less I can stomach it. No offense intended on that, I just can’t. I. Just. Can’t.

I figure Jon’s review will be late because he’s enjoying the sun in the Bahamas right now celebrating his 25th anniversary with his lovely bride. Happy anniversary to you both. But, I look forward to his review and I want to read how Eug feels about it. Most of his reviews are a personal memory and I dig that. Whether I dig the album or not.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“She said do all those things that you do to me. You know what I mean, boy. 
Do all those things that you do to me yeah. Love remover love remover machine.
You little soul shaker love remover machine.” – “Love Removal Machine” (Astbury/Duffy)

 

They Call It Stormy Monday or: Party for Your Right to Fight (RS Part 46)

12 Monday Dec 2016

Posted by TGBII in Uncategorized

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Tags

Bob Marley & The Wailers, John Coltrane, Little Richard, Patti Smith, Pink Floyd, Prince, Public Enemy, Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums, The Allman Brothers, The Band, The Doors, The Sex Pistols

Salutations™!!

So, here we are. The Top 50. The Top 50 of The Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time. I have about five weeks left in the year and that means I have about a post a week to get this done before January 1. I’m working on it. I’m not just flying through, either, I’m listening. But, there’s light at the end of this tunnel and I can see it. It’s but a small speck of light right now, but it will grow as the next few weeks pass. Last segment had three comps and truly awful album and one that I could take or leave. That left five that I liked or loved. Let’s hope this segment is more fruitful. But, first, we have some housekeeping to do: I purchased Prince’s Sign o’the Times on vinyl and I’m covering that first, since I couldn’t find it streaming and I didn’t own it.

#93 – Sign o’the Times by Prince. The album starts off mostly deep and depressing with the title track which covers a variety of not-untrue and telling social subjects such as AIDS, drug addiction, gangs, the Challenger explosion and the threat of impending doom, all which were certainly indicative “o’the times.” Prince had disbanded The Revolution at this point even though they all played on the tune “It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night.” He pretty much handled the instruments the rest of the way. There are some guest spots but mostly, it’s him, his drum machines and his synth and sampling programming. I’m torn through much of it. I like the aggression that he displays in the songs but I feel it’s mostly lacking that whimsy that I felt most everything up to this had. Perhaps that’s not true, but I can’t put my finger on it. I still maintain the overall feel of the album is darker than usual. To me, the best region of this album is on Side 3: “U Got the Look,” “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” “Strange Relationship” and “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man.” While none of these are the best things Prince has done, it’s a decent side of music. I’d say that “U Got the Look” is the best song on this album, followed exactly by the title track. The album finishes with “Adore” which I was familiar with because it’s on the Hits double greatest album and I have that. This album is the bones of two separate projects. One was a new album for The Revolution and the other a solo piece played off as a platter for an alter-ego of his, Camille. Camille was to be sung by Prince and sped up to sound, well, sped up. You can hear remnants of Camille in a few of the songs, most prominently in “U Got the Look.” Well, he broke The Revolution up, and Camille’s album was not getting any traction, so instead of shelving the projects, he combined them into three separate LPs. Adding one more thing to his dislike of Warner Bros. Records, they made him whittle it down to one double album. He did; this is it. I have to say that with the exception of a few songs on this album, I’m not a fan and while I’m glad I have it on vinyl, I don’t expect to listen to it very much. The best tunes are on the previously mentioned greatest hits 1littlerichardpackage. Meh, at best.

#50 – Here’s Little Richard by Little Richard. This is some old time rock and roll here. I’m not well versed in the ways of Richard Penniman. I really only know “Tutti Fruitti.” That’s the tune that starts the whole thing off. The album came out in 1957 and it was a bit of a head turner. It was raucous and boisterous and the kids loved it, of course. That was probably because their parents didn’t. It got in the way of their Bing Crosby and Frankie Blue Eyes. Yes, much of this had been released as singles before the album and could be misconstrued as a compilation album but it’s not. It wasn’t unusual for singles to be released before albums – it still happens to this day, all the time. Stood up next to today’s raucous and boisterous performers, yeah, it’s nothing, but for what it was then? Look out, Daddio! Probably considered one of the founders of this thing we call rock ‘n’ roll, Mr. Penniman was also very influential in the soul and funk genres. He pretty much yells at us the whole time but really, no more than what I’d consider his “white counterpart,” Jerry Lee Lewis. Both are flamboyant piano slammers that are loud, obnoxious and energetic with a flash of energy that few others would know in their era, even into today, I’d say. The boogie woogie piano stylings of Little Richard are some of the highlights of this album. I do believe the songs start to run together and sound similar but, for the time, I’m sure the objective was to keep pounding it into the teenagers’ heads. “Dumb them down,” if you will. That’s not really what happened, but it was a mindset, I’d venture to say. I love the voice cracks in “Slippin’ and Slidin’.” I can’t tell if I’d heard “Ready Teddy” before or if the tune was so formulaic that I thought that I had heard it before. I don’t mean that bad. I mean this is the foundation for that stuff, not that it sounds like everyone else that came later. I definitely see the importance of this album and for that reason, I’m going to say “dig” but it’s not something I’d want to hear much of that often. Good stuff: “Miss Ann,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Oh Why?,””True, Fine Mama” and the ones I mentioned before. So, yeah, dug.

#49 – At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band. Ugh. Admit it. You knew that was coming, right? Yeah, me, too. But… (I bet you didn’t see that one coming), I wasn’t as completely turned off as I thought I was going to be. I even actually put to bed a long-time nemesis of mine in the process. I had always said that “Stormy Monday” was the direct catalyst of my hatred and loathing of this style of music we call “blues.” It was, I’ll admit. I saw it on the track listing (to make sure I had the right version, I didn’t, I fixed it) and for a lack of a better term, almost threw up in my mouth a little, literally. I had to saunter through the (thankfully) short “Statesboro Blues” and “Done Somebody Wrong” to get to the eight-minute scourge of my blues-hating being, “Stormy Monday.” I hadn’t heard that song in almost 25 years. I had forgotten what it sounded like and in those 25 years have praised countless non-existent beings that I haven’t been subjected to it; swearing I’d never listen to it again. I wasn’t at my computer when it was playing (through my home stereo system) and it started up. Yes, they announce it, but I wasn’t really paying attention, wanting the bad blues to go away; Mommy please make it go away… It started and I didn’t get nauseous. It was slow and melodic and not long-and-drawn out like some of the later songs on this album would be. Actually, I’ll say this version was pleasant and I didn’t mind it. I accepted it and welcomed it into my ears and mind, but not my heart. That’s still off limits. “Stormy Monday” will officially be stricken from my “worst-blues-song-ever” record and will be replaced by just about every other blues song ever written or recorded. Sail off, “Stormy Monday” and know Tuesday’s just as bad. Now, for the rest of this tripe. Jeez o’pete. How do people listen to this? Not the songs, per se, but the same continuous gargling of self-indulgent gunk, over and over and over again? “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” is over 13 minutes long. “You Don’t Love Me” is over 19 minutes and the worst, “Whipping Post,” which, sadly I am a fan of (just the song not the snotty drivel that goes with it) is a hair-pulliing, gut-wrenching TWENTY-THREE (expletive) minutes. I was pacing around my house, sweating because it was so excruciating. Overall, believe it or not, I see the merits of the songs – not the versions – and think for what it is, it’s okay. That being said, with the exception of the standard, much shorter version of “Whipping Post,” I 1publicenemyittakesanationofmillionstoholdusbackdon’t ever want to hear any of it… again. Ever. Did not dig. That’s not contradictory, either. I am not reviewing these albums and grading them, as I would a beer or a song. I’m simply saying whether I do or don’t like them. This, I don’t.

#48 – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back by Public Enemy. There are a few tracks on this album that I dig and can get behind but for the most part it’s just background element. I see its importance and I hear its influence. I think part of it for me is that there could be about 4-6 tracks left off and it would have been better for me. I’m not at all saying I don’t like it, I just didn’t get into it. I did really like “Terminator X to the Edge of Panic,” “Night of the Living Baseheads,” “Party for Your Right to Fight,” “Don’t Believe the Hype” and “Prophets of Rage.” I know it was strong in social commentary with strong cases for black empowerment and the continued fight for civil equality. I respect that, too. I’m not exactly proud of the fact that sometimes that goes over my head. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s that I’ve never experienced it. I can’t help that. I can try to be more aware and do my part in the equality assurance of everyone, now. Overall, it’s a good album, and for what it is, I dig it. My now trademark phrase: “why is it so high on the list?” comes into play, now. Top 100 maybe, not top 50. In my opinion. I dug it.

#47 – A Love Supreme by John Coltrane. NC native John Coltrane was a beast. Recorded just a few years before his death, this album is the epitome of bebop style jazz. There’s a lot of pseudo-improvisation going on. I’m pretty sure that they knew about 90% of what was coming from the instruments before it even got started, no matter how jumbled and harried it sounds. I loved it, actually. The whole band gets their turns at some solo and highlight time. There’s only four songs on the album and it’s 33 minutes long. It’s as easy as that. It’s a fantastic piece of jazzy goodness and I’m glad I heard it. Is it my favorite thing? Nope, but it doesn’t have to be. I dug it.

#46 – Legend by Bob Marley & The Wailers. This is actually the first compilation that I’m going to miss doing. I have it on my iPod so I can listen whenever I want to. And, I may see The Wailers with Matt Troy and the Piedmont Wind Symphony in a week or so, but I listen to it enough.

#45 – The Band by The Band. *sigh* Okay, here we go. I recently backed out of performing with the Vagabond Saints Society doing The Last Waltz because I just can’t get into The Band. I can’t explain it, I just don’t like them. Perhaps it’s the jug band country where Levon Helm sounds like he’s singing from the back of his throat. I don’t know. There are a few tunes that I don’t mind, like “Up on Cripple Creek” (which is on this album) and “The Weight” and even that one is according to my mood. That throaty silliness is prevalent on 1pattismithhorses“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” The jug band thing reminds me of the Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World and whilst I love that attraction, I’m not at WDW and don’t care for it. I didn’t mind “Jemima Surrender,” “Look Out Cleveland,” “King Harvest (Has Surely Come)” or “Rockin’ Chair.” I’m not saying it’s a bad album, because it’s not. It’s just not something I care to hear again. Meh.

#44 – Horses by Patti Smith. When I was a kid, I always thought Patti Smith was a boy. I never paid attention to the text on the cover, just the picture. What she lacks in looks, though, she exudes via voice. It’s got power. She starts out with her own version of (sort of) Van Morrison’s classic “Gloria.” She wrote the first part and then went into the Morrison part of the tune. A lot of it seems like spoken word with a soundtrack. The longer she goes on “Birdland” (over nine minutes long) the more raspy her voice gets. It’s like she’s wearing herself out, on purpose. Really, she’s a good talent and what she’s doing is unique, I suppose for 1975. I know she’s like the godmother of punk and all that, but I’m not a fan of punk. I’m not not a fan of this. I’m just not big on it. Great musicianship from the session/band members. The sonic quality and production is also great. I think I don’t know what to think of it, is what is the problem. I think I like it but it got redundant the more it went. I will say, though, the last song on the album, “Elegie,” is a fantastic song. I really liked that one. Again, not denying it should be on the list, but why this high? I’ll say dug, but barely.

1dark_side_of_the_moon#43 – The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. I don’t know if I ever paid attention to the article at the beginning of that title. I always just said “dark side of the moon.” My second or third favorite Pink Floyd album (jockeys between this and Wish You Were Here), there’s a slew of greatness happening on this album. I mean, there’s quite a few songs that people may think of when they think of ‘the Pink Floyd’ song. Take, for example, “Breathe,” “Time,” “Us and Them,” “Money,” “Brain Damage/Eclipse.” The album stayed on the Billboard charts for 741 weeks; over 14 years. The album is ethereal, rich in texture, full, near perfect and always a pleasure to listen to. It seems this album made the band a shload of cash, a portion that went to the funding of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I find that quite interesting. I may have known it before but it was interesting reading about it again. The album cover has to be one of the most iconic, ever, in the history of album covers. And how genius? Black; a prism (implied) and light converted into a rainbow. I have no clue what that has to do with the moon, but George Hardie was great and Hipgnosis is a bunch of geniuses.  I listen to this, either in part or in whole, about once a week. I LOVE this album.

#42 – The Doors by The Doors. I’m not the biggest The Doors fan, but I’m digging it. It’s many of the hits that you hear of when you’re a casual listener: “Light My Fire,” “Break on Through (To the Other Side),” “The End” and “Crystal Ship.” But, there’s other stuff like “Twentieth Century Fox” and “I Looked at You,” too. It always amazed me how Ray Manzarek played not only the keyboards but the bass parts on keyboard, too. I don’t know about subsequent albums but on this one, Larry Knechtel plays bass on several tunes. Knechtel was a member of the famous Wrecking Crew that I’ve talked about several times. I think it adds good dimension to the album. Robby Krieger hadn’t been playing guitar for very long when he joined The Doors. He learned pretty quick. He’s not playing anything that’s crazy technical but he’s playing pretty darn good. Of all the components of the album, though, the highlight of The Doors, at least with publicity, is and has always been the lyrics, ramblings and musings of Jim Morrison. I don’t begin to understand what he’s talking about half of the time. I figured he didn’t either, outside the drugged stupor he created for himself. But, you know what? He tells a story or two and it makes the songs what they are. Maybe the music would have been secondary in any other situation, no matter the lyricist/singer, maybe not. But, with Morrison, at least the controversy kept them in the spotlight. Even after his death. I did get to see the building in which he died in Paris when The BCPF and I were on our honeymoon. I want to visit his grave, too. Again, 1never_mind_the_bollocks_heres_the_sex_pistolsnot really a fan of his or the band, but I’d like to see the grave. I find them fascinating. So, overall, I liked the album, there were a few slow spots but for the most part, it was a good album. Dug.

#41 – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols by The Sex Pistols. Well, it’s not as bad as I feared. I own this and listened once but never close enough to care. I listened in headphones this time and I’m actually enjoying it, at least a little. I don’t know that I realized that in all reality for the recording of this album (which was their only studio album) it was a three piece: Johnny Rotten (vox), Steve Jones (guitar, bass) and Paul Cook (drums). Sid Vicious, for all the pomp and circumstance surrounding this troubled troglodyte, only played on one tune. The original bassist, Glen Matlock, and the rest of the band had a falling out and even though he co-wrote most of the album only played on one tune and that’s probably the biggest on the album, “Anarchy in the UK.” Matlock was replaced with Vicious. Everything else is the trio. The songs are actually pretty well written for punk. It’s a little more textured than just throwing stuff in the ring and tromping on it. I will say that John Lydon (Rotten) gets on my nerves with his whiny vocals but he’s strong with it. I feel bad for bad mouthing them all this time. They only deserve about half of what I’ve given them. I like the tunes “Submission,” “Liar” and “Pretty Vacant.”  This isn’t a bad album; it’s fairly good. I will even say I dug it.

We got 11 entries this segment, Dear Reader. A disappointing outing with Prince, the expected response from Allman Bros. and The Band, I suppose, and a few surprises with Sex Pistols and Public Enemy. It wasn’t a bad segment, but I’m behind. I’m going to have to do what Roger Miller said and knuckle down – buckle down, do it, do it, do it. Here’s hoping that the next is better as we hit the Top 40!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“And, if the dam breaks open many years too soon; and, if there is no room upon the hill. And, if your head explodes with dark forebodings, too, I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon.” – “Brain Damage/Eclipse” (Waters)

The Lost Boys or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week

25 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by TGBII in Movie Review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

a/perture Cinema, Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Echo and the Bunnymen, Ed Herrmann, Elton John, INXS, Jami Gertz, Jason Patric, Joel Schumacher, Kiefer Sutherland, Netflix, Roger Daltry, Rotten Tomatoes, Run-DMC, The Doors, The Less Desirables, The Lost Boys

Salutations™!!

a/perture Cinema, the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Lost Boys, The Less Desirables Movie of the Week. It is from 1987 and stars Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Jason Patric, Jami Gertz and Kiefer Sutherland.

IMDb’s synopsis: “After moving to a new town, two brothers are convinced that the area is frequented by vampires.” That’s a horrible synopsis, but I guess it’s not far from what’s happening.thelostboys

Michael and Sam Emerson, two brothers played by Patric and Haim, respectively, move in with their grandfather in Santa Carla, California along with their mother, Lucy (played by Dianne Wiest) and weird things start happening, like people start disappearing. The Frog brothers, played by Feldman and Jamison Newlander run a comic shop and amateur vampire extermination business and attempt to show Sam that he needs to be cautious of vampires. Well, someone should have told his older brother that.

Michael, being both sucked in by a pretty girl named Star and hazed as the “new guy,” has to prove his manliness to a group of young thugs led by Kiefer Sutherland. Whether it’s following the gang in a motorcycle race or drinking ancient “blood” out of a bottle. Drinking that blood makes Michael start acting strangely, whether it means he is “flying” after falling from a bridge, becoming very sensitive to sunlight or having a hunger for blood whether it’s his brother’s or not.

Meanwhile, Lucy starts a relationship with a video rental store owner named Max, played by the late, great Ed Herrmann. She went looking for him during the day, after having to leave their date early because Sam was freaking out over Michael’s weird transformation. She gets attacked by his dog who is only protecting his master. She has him come over and Michael invites him in to their house. Hmmm.

The Frog brothers and Sam become convinced that Max is the head vampire and by killing him they would turn Michael and the other “halflings” back to full human status. They try to show his reflection missing in a mirror, splash him with holy water, inundate him with garlic, anything you see in the basic canon of vampire fodder and it all falls shy of working. He appears to be human.

Well, a big showdown happens between the vampires and humans and it’s a bloodbath (pun intended). The main vampire is destroyed and Michael, Star (Jami Gertz) and Laddie are returned to human status. The revelation of the main vampire is predictable but still fun.

The film is a thriller but has a lot of comedic elements, especially around the Frog brothers and Sam. I was 16 or 17 at the time and was into the vampire elements. I loved mullets and though Keifer Sutherland’s was the best ever; in fact, I wanted one like that, but my hair was too fine to stand up like that. So, I have a place in my heart for this film and yes, it really does go beyond wanting that mullet. I thought the storyline, being a vampire film in the 1980s, was plausible and the execution was pretty good. The soundtrack was great, featuring Echo and the Bunnymen’s cover of the Doors classic, “People are Strange.” Also on the soundtrack: INXS, Roger Daltrey’s version of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John and Run-DMC’s version of “Walk This Way,” among others.

Rotten Tomatoes has it rated as 72% Fresh while the Audience Score is 86%. I tend to fall on that side, however, most of mine is nostalgic and I’m okay with that. It was directed by Joel Schumacher and I watched it on Netflix. I am rating it 4 Stars. Have you seen it? Do you agree with me? What films would you like to see me review? Hit me up on all the proper forms of social media (or here) and I’ll do what I can to review it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach; all the damn vampires.” – Grandpa (Barnard Hughes)

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