Tag Archives: The Moody Blues

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 3/9/19

10 Sunday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

A cold and slimy day yesterday was made better by being with my girl, seeing Jonathan at Underdog Records, buying records and listening to them all day. And, in the listening (and buying) there was a lot of The BCPF influenced listening since I let her pick out a few new or reissued albums because her birthday is Tuesday. Here’s what we got:

3981_foto1_product_xl

©Bite Back

  • Johnny Marr – Call The Comet — Marr, unlike his former bandmate in The Smiths, Morrissey, isn’t all gloom and doom and this album was really rocking. We enjoyed listening to it. A lot. New.
  • Cranes – Self-Non-Self — The BCPF described this as “the Cure with a weird-voiced woman singer.” I don’t necessarily disagree with that but, to me, it sounds more like Art of Noise with an amalgamation of Siouxsie Sioux and Blossom Dearie singing lead. But, as weird as it truly was, I really dug it. Good stuff but I need to pace myself with it. New.
  • The Smiths – Meat Is Murder — Hey, speaking of The Smiths, this is #296 on the RS list and whilst I didn’t really know any of the tunes, it’s the wonderful, miserable stuff you expect from them. New.
  • Hüsker Dü – New Day Rising — #488 on the RS list. I don’t really remember what it sounds like. I think I gave it a bad review but my listening tastes have matured since #488 on that list. That was a few years back and most of the stuff that I didn’t like then have grown on me or I can just give a new listen. So, let’s see how this one goes. New.
  • Paul Simon – The Rhythm Of The Saints — This was the follow-up to Graceland and while I don’t think it is nearly as good as its predecessor, it was a good album. On Graceland Simon used African-inspired percussion and rhythms, on this album, he used Latin-American influences to achieve his musical goals.
  • Alice Cooper – Pretties For You — This is the debut album by Alice Cooper (that’s the band, not necessarily Vincent Furnier’s character in the band). I’ve not heard it but from what I understand, Frank Zappa “produced” it. I say that because, supposedly, Frank left the studio and left his brother in charge. He recorded their rehearsals and Frank came in and told them the album was done. Now, Zappa was a weird individual so I want to hear what, if anything, he did to the album. VG-.
  • Jimi Hendrix – The Cry Of Love — This was the first album released after Jimi’s death. This past Tuesday was the 48th anniversary of the release of the album. It was released in March 1971 after Jimi passed on September 18 the year before. It was comprised of music Jimi had been working on for his new album and the compilation of this album was done by Mitch Mitchell and Eddie Kramer, who is given credit for production. VG+.
  • The Hollies – Words And Music By Bob Dylan — This is a reissue of the album “Hollies Sing Dylan” with a different cover. The track listing is the same. Anytime The BCPF sees something with Dylan’s name on it, she grabs it. That’s what happened here. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – On The Threshold Of A Dream — The Moodies fourth album. Once Ray got me going on the collection, now I feel like I need to populate it. So, here we are. I know nothing about the album. VG+.
  • Stephen Stills – Right By You — I try to get things like this for The BCPF because I know she loves it. I found it Friday and had Jonathan put it back for me. She was happy. I was happy. ‘Nuff said. VG+.
  • The Style Council – My Ever Changing Moods — The Style Council was basically Paul Weller from The Jam and Mick Talbot from Dexy’s Midnight Runners. I haven’t listened to this yet, but from what I can tell, it’s some “blue-eyed soul.” The US version was slightly different from the UK version. This is the US version. The UK version was called Café Bleu and Side 1 of the US is called that. VG/VG+.
  • George Frideric Handel – The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock – Water Music — VG+.
  • Various – Tommy (Original Soundtrack Recording) — The 2xLP soundtrack of the film and not the album. I need to find the actual album. I have “excerpts” from it and this. VG-.
  • The New American Guitar Ensemble: Lewis Ross  – A Collection Of Favourite Christmas Carols — $1 bin find. In decent condition. VG.
  • Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison – My Fair Lady — The movie soundtrack and not cast recording. So, while Audrey Hepburn is credited, Marni Nixon was the actual vocalist. Incidentally, Marni Nixon was the mother of Andrew Gold whose biggest hit was “Lonely Boy.” $1 bin find. VG.
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmo’s Factory — CCR’s fifth album. This was a $1 bin find and is in pretty bad shape. I don’t know how much we’ll get to listen to it, but I’ll give it one spin. G+. Incidentally, we also got Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed but I’m not counting that we have it because it is in bad shape and the cover is being held together by one quarter-inch piece of cardboard. I cleaned the record but it wasn’t better than G/G+ either.
  • Savoy Brown – Street Corner Talking — $1 bin find. VG.
  • Ella Fitzgerald / Frank DeVol And His Orchestra – Like Someone In Love — Just like all things Dylan, The BCPF grabs all things Ella. This was a $1 bin find and is maybe G+.
  • Cream – Best Of Cream — $1 bin find. G+/VG-.

Underdog Records is gearing up for Record Store Day which is April 13. If you haven’t seen the list yet, you should, it is pretty impressive. I will be camping out again with my pals Bob, Dave, Jordan and Michael. We are going to be better prepared for warmth and fun and frolic this time around. But, to see the list go to the RSD website.

Discogs is how I keep track of my collection and am able to give you this list every week.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Heifer whines could be human cries. Closer comes the screaming knife. This beautiful creature must die. This beautiful creature must die. A death for no reason. And death for no reason is murder.” – “Meat is Murder” (Morrissey/Marr)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/16/19

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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Salutations™!!

It was a chilly, wet and murky day yesterday. But, The BCPF and I had each other, good breakfast and, yes, records. Jonathan did a little bit of moving around in Underdog Records, but the records are still the same. I love records. Here’s the haul:

GoNow

©London

  • Blossom Dearie – Simply Volume VI — I love Blossom Dearie. This was available and I couldn’t pass it up. She had such a sweet voice, but you could tell she had a naughty side, too. VG++.
  • The Moody Blues – Go Now – The Moody Blues #1 — The debut album by Moody Blues and features (for the only time) future Wings guitarist, Denny Laine. In the UK this was called The Magnificent Moodies. I don’t know why they released it differently here, but they did. Also, the US version has three song titles either misspelled or incorrectly labeled. Way to go ‘Merica. Way to go. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – To Our Children’s Children’s Children — The first album released on the band’s own label, Threshold Records. It was named such after the previous album On the Threshold of a Dream which was inspired by the moon landing. This is the band’s fifth album overall and while none of its singles did well, the album sold pretty well. VG.
  • Warren Zevon – Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School — Classic Zevon song style. I dug it. Plus, it has just about the whole Eagles family as guest musicians: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Jackson Browne (wrote songs with the Eagles), JD Souther (ditto), Linda Ronstadt (The Eagles were her backing band at one time), and Joe Walsh. He only needed Randy Meisner or Timothy B Schmidt on bass and he’d had them all. But, he had Leland Sklar and when you have Sklar on bass, you don’t need any other bassists. Good album. VG+.
  • Judy Garland – The Very Best Of Judy Garland — VG+.
  • The Trammps – Disco Inferno — The Trammps were a large band. Something about that era with Earth, Wind & Fire as well as others and this band. I do like disco and I do like the title track. We’ll see how I like the rest of it. VG+ (cover is VG as it has a chunk out of the upper right corner).
  • Rod Stewart – Every Picture Tells A Story — The title track, “Maggie May,” “Reason to Believe” and “(I Know) I’m Losing You” were the hits from the album which featured Ronnie Wood. VG.
  • Edith Bauer-Slais With The Vienna Chamber Ensemble And Kurt Equiluz – The Virtuoso Classical Mandolin — The BCPF has a mad on about banjos and mandolins. She found this in a box. It was $1 but is in very good shape. VG++.
  • Michel Legrand And His Orchestra – The Columbia Album Of Cole Porter — She also has a thing for Cole Porter. 2xLP $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Level 42 – Running In The Family — This is the follow up to World Machine which had the mega-hit “Something About You.” This album did have a few singles that did well in the UK: “Lessons in Love,” the title track, “To Be with You Again,” “It’s Over” and “Children Say” were all hits for the band. $1 bin find and the record looks to be at least VG but the cover has some serious wear which looks like it could be water damage. Not sure.
  • Divinyls – Desperate — “Boys in Town,” “Science Fiction” and “Siren (Never Let You Go)” were the singles. $1 bin find. VG.

Underdog Records puts out freshly acquired used albums nearly every day. That’s the place I look first. I want to see what treasures Jonathan has just gotten. The BCPF looks through those, too and then goes for the $1 bins. We usually come away with good stuff. If you watch the Instagram and Facebook pages of Underdog Records, you’ll get a preview of what you’ll find in the freshly acquired used section. And, if you listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables, you can hear what that week’s (Thursday-Wednesday) TLD/UR special of the week is.

And, someone was in the store yesterday using Discogs. We had a cool discussion about it. They, like me, were checking to see if they had something already. It’s a good service.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you. It’s late September and I really should be back at school. I know I keep you amused but I feel I’m being used. Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more. You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone. You stole my heart and that’s what really hurt.” – “Maggie May” (Stewart/Quittenton)

Spinning Tuesday? or: Morgan Bonus!

29 Tuesday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

The good thing about people knowing that you’re into records, and collect them and play them and so on, is that people come to you first when they’re ready to part with their collections.

styx_-_man_of_miracles

©Wooden Nickel

Yesterday, when Ray Morgan came over to the Lab at Industry Hill, he had “candy” with him! And, by “candy,” I mean records! He had a shload of Styx albums in there and he was just ready to part with them. I guess he was mad at them or something. I’m kidding about that, but he did bring me a stack. So, to keep them separate from the usual Saturday haul, I’m going to tell you what I cleaned and what I’m keeping. I also had some from the “bonus stack” from last year (or was it the year before? I can never keep that straight) and I go through when I have time and clean a few of those. So, there are a few here, too. Here’s what we got:

  • Styx – The Serpent Is Rising — This is Styx’s third album. It is on Wooden Nickel Records and John Curulewski is still with the band at this time. “Winner Take All” was the only single released and did practically nothing. It does have Styx’s version of Handel’s Messiah. VG.
  • Styx – Man Of Miracles — The fourth album. The last on Wooden Nickel. “Best Thing” was the only single from this album, but their sound did start to diversify from what it started as. This was the German pressing. VG+.
  • Styx – Equinox — Their A&M Records debut, their fifth studio album and the last with Curulewski who left to spend more time with his family and control more of his own musical direction. “Lorelei” and “Light Up” were released as singles, but “Suite Madame Blue” got a good bit of play, too. VG+.
  • Styx – Crystal Ball — Their sixth album and the first with Tommy Shaw. “Mademoiselle,” the title track and “Jennifer” were released as singles. I have a copy of this but this is the 1984 reissue. It hasn’t been filed on/in the shelves yet, so I haven’t been able to compare to see if I’m going to keep one or the other or keep them both, according to what versions I have. VG+.
  • Styx – Best Of Styx — With the success of The Grand Illusion (Ray gave it to me, but I had it already), Styx’s seventh album, and mainly on the singles “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” and “Come Sail Away”, Wooden Nickel went back and released a greatest hits from when they were on their label. This is the German pressing of the album. VG+. Ray brought me Pieces of Eight, Cornerstone and Paradise Theatre but I already had those and my copies were either in better shape or the issue was better. Ray, however, took good care of his vinyl.
  • Styx – Kilroy Was Here — I already have this but, this was the British/European release so, I kept both of them. I am a collector, eh? Yeah, this album gets a lot of flack but, I still dig it. “Mr. Roboto” and “Don’t Let It End” were the big hits on this album. VG+.
  • Styx – Caught In The Act Live — 2xLP live album to support Kilroy. This tour had a mini-movie at the beginning to try and make sense of the concept album that Kilroy was supposed to be. Tommy Shaw left the band after this album was released. It was the last of the classic Styx lineup as John Panozzo was too sick to tour when they reunited and died in 1996. VG+. In addition to the Styx, Ray also brought me some Moody Blues.
  • The Moody Blues – A Question Of Balance — This was their sixth album and was an attempt to get away from their overly psychedelic roots and move into stuff they could reproduce better live. “Question” was the only single released. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – Every Good Boy Deserves Favour — Their seventh studio album. The title is the mnemonic for the lines of the treble staff in music. I was taught it was “every good boy does fine” but this is a British band, after all. “The Story in Your Eyes” was the single. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – Seventh Sojourn — I actually bought this a few weeks ago, but this was in much better shape. VG+.
  • The Moody Blues – Long Distance Voyager — Their 10th album and the first of the 80s. “Gemini Dream,” “The Voice” and “Talking Out of Turn” were the singles. This is the Canadian pressing. VG+.
  • Randy Crawford – Rich And Poor — I know nothing about this artist or album. Randy is a female, so I suppose it’s short for Miranda. The album is signed by Randy and is to Ray. VG+.
  • Foster And Lloyd – Foster And Lloyd — I know nothing of F&L. But, he said it’s a really good album, so, we’ll go with it! VG+.
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Webb On The Air — Ella was part of Chick Webb’s band and this is highlights of his and hers. VG+.
  • Frank Sinatra – Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session!!! — Nelson Riddle conducted and Frank sang. Much of this was previously released. VG+.
  • Herbie Hancock – Round Midnight – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack — Herbie, Bobby McFarren, Wayne Shorter and a long list of folk are featured on here. Ray was excited about it, so I am, too. VG+.
  • The Sugar Bears – Presenting The Sugar Bears — Yes. That Sugar Bear (and his many personas). Featuring songs written by Baker Knight and sung by Kim Carnes and Mike Settle. It was a real-life group that performed the songs under the persona of the cereal mascot. It’s as cheesy as you’d think it would be, but you know what? I dug it. VG+.

So, I decided that I would make two different posts about this “haul.” One for the ones that Ray gave me and another for the “bonus stack.” I didn’t get these from Underdog Records, but I certainly would have if they’d been there. Thank you, Ray! I enjoyed going through them and look forward to listening to my new Styx collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto. Mata ahoo Hima de. Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto. 
Himitsu wo Shiri tai.” – “Mr. Roboto” (DeYoung)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 1/5/19

06 Sunday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

The first Underdog Records purchase of 2019, woot! It’s going to be a good year all around and it’s going to be a good record year, too. I want to continue to fill my RS list wants and discover things that I didn’t know existed. I’m going to attempt to listen to more new music, but it really isn’t my bag. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

The_Clash_-_Combat_Rock.jpg

©CBS/Epic

  • Pink Floyd – Obscured By Clouds — I had made a post on this blog a few weeks back about this album. How great it was and how I was disappointed that no one had brought it to my attention prior. It was there and I grabbed it. This is the remastered reissue, new. It is a great album!
  • The Clash – Combat Rock — The “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah” album. First pressing in EX/VG++ condition. I couldn’t pass that up.
  • Scorpions – Best Of Scorpions — Jonathan said, “yes and yes” when I brought this album up to the counter. He said that old Scorpions are under-appreciated and I nodded in agreement. The Scorps (no relation to me) have been around in some form or fashion since 1965 and most people don’t know that. So they had stuff that predates the “Rock You Like a Hurricane” era. This is in VG.
  • Mass Gothic – I’ve Tortured You Long Enough — promo copy of this album, it has no official cover but it’s from Sub Pop Records and it’s everything you’d think an album on that label would be. Which means that The BCPF loved it. VG++.
  • Charlie Parker And His Orchestra – Night And Day — The BCPF grabbed this one and I’m not really sure why. She usually avoids the more horn musicians. But, I dig them, so I’m glad she did. VG-.
  • Various – Midnight Cowboy (Original Motion Picture Score) — I like soundtracks and this was from the only X-Rated film to win Best Picture and first gay-related Best Picture. Also, it has Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’,” which I love. VG+.
  • Black Sabbath – Technical Ecstasy — The penultimate Ozzy Sabbath record. He was blitzed most of the time and spent a lot of that time on the beach in Miami whilst Tommy Iommi was left to produce the album. It was recorded at the same studio as the Eagles’ Hotel California was being recorded at the same time. Geezer Butler said that they’d have to go in and scrape the residual cocaine off the mixing board after the Eagles left. VG-.
  • The Who – Who’s Next — I already have this album, but I believe this is a better copy than what I have. VG.
  • Linda Ronstadt – Hand Sown… Home Grown — Ronstadt’s debut solo album after leaving the Stone Poneys. It flopped but we like her so it was a good one to get. VG+.
  • Tina Turner – Private Dancer — The “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Better Be Good To Me” and “Private Dancer” album. I didn’t know that the title track was written by Mark Knopfler, but it does make sense now that I’ve listened to other Dire Straits albums. Ode to oneself and lamenting about the role that they’re the lot of. Plus, it’s an 80s staple and we know I’m a sucker for that stuff. VG+.

The rest are $1 albums and unless otherwise noted, they’re at least VG.

Jonathan had a lot of “fresh” stuff that he was going through yesterday which only means you’re going to have a lot to choose from. Now, something new for 2019 that Jonathan is doing is called “Curated by Underdog” which is a subscription service that you can have Jonathan (and I’m sure his trusted associates) curate your collection with criteria of your choosing. Like only indie things? Like 80s music? Only want new records? Only want used records? Want a combo of the two? Well, Jonathan and Underdog Records have you covered. You’ll receive your subscription either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. The lowest cost package comes in at just $12. I think that’s a pretty good deal. It’s also a way to find things you may not have thought about. For more information visit the Curated by Underdog site. Also, listen to each episode of The Less Desirables to find out what that week’s TLD/UR special is.

Curated by Underdog and I both use Discogs. Underdog to help create and manage your subscription and me to make sure that I don’t get multiples of things. It also has a cool “shuffle” feature that picks a random album (upon your request).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Welcome back, my friends To the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside! There, behind a glass, stands a real blade of grass. Be careful as you pass. Move along! Move along.” – “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Part 2” (Lake/Emerson)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 9/16/17

17 Sunday Sep 2017

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Salutations™!!

Underdog Records was jumping yesterday but The BCPF and I didn’t see most of our “regulars” friends that we usually get to hang with. That was sad, but it was a great day otherwise. We filled in some “collection” gaps, I added to my hard rock genre, The BCPF got one of her favorite albums of all time. It was a great day. Here it is:R-3555769-1481559753-1737.jpeg

In addition, there is another jazz album that is from the 1930s but it’s not in Discogs so I will have to put it in, I suppose. It should be in soon. Getting back into vinyl? Then Underdog Records is your place! Whether you’re getting new stereo/turntable equipment, looking for the best accessories for your equipment or to buy a shload of vinyl, this is it. And Discogs is where I do all my cataloging and archiving.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I don’t take coffee, I take tea, my dear. I like my toast done on one side. And you can hear it in my accent when I talk. I’m an Englishman in New York.” – “Englishman In New York” (Sumner)