Today is the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album. Plenty of good songs on this album, for sure. #64 on the RS list that matters, #102 on the one that doesn’t. Grace Potter does great work on this… Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Take me down, little Susie, take me down. I know you think you’re the queen of the underground. And you can send me dead flowers every morning. Send me dead flowers by the mail. Send me dead flowers to my wedding. And, I won’t forget to put roses on your grave.” – “Dead Flowers” (Jagger/Richards)
Yesterday was a good day. It was oddly long in the morning/early afternoon. The BCPF and I only got about three records listened to. Weird. But, we got to stop in and see Jonathan and our buddy M. Hoch and had a delicious breakfast at our new favorite breakfast/brunch place, Clementine’s Gourmet Toast and Juice Bar. We spent a lot of time talking with the chef there. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:
The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed — I had this in a very crappy copy. So crappy that I didn’t even have it in Discogs. I knew that one day I’d replace it. Yesterday was that day. It was #35 on the RS list that matters and is #41 on the RS list that doesn’t. One thing I don’t get about this album is “Country Honk.” It’s the stripped down crapola-country version of “Honky Tonk Women” which is about perfect in its original recorded form. This sounds weak and contrived. The version that everyone knows and loves does not. Remastered. New.
Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories — This is brand-new Alice that came out (in album form) on Friday. This album rocks and it is fun! Alice is almost exactly a month younger than my dad and he’s still rocking and he still sounds awesome. My faves on the record are “Our Love Will Change The World,” “I Hate You,” “Sister Anne,” and, believe it or not, “Rock & Roll,” the Velvet Underground cover. This brings me to a point I’ll elaborate on at another time, I think a lot of VU songs are good and decent tunes. I just hate hearing VU do them. Whatever. This is 2×LP, 45 RPM, 180g black vinyl. New.
The Sea And Cake – Oui — One of The BCPF’s picks. She discovered this band in college and was excited to find this. They heavily favor the instrumentals but every once in a while they do some vocals. It was a good listen. The vinyl is a beautiful yellowish cream splatter vinyl. Limited edition. New.
The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient — Another The BCPF pick. She loves anything and everything that TWOD does. I like them but she really likes them. We’ve not heard this one, yet. 2×LP, 45 RPM. New.
Robbie Dupree – Robbie Dupree — I don’t think I know much of Robbie Dupree other than the hit “Steal Away” which is on this album. I like that song a lot and it is worth the $3 that I paid just for that tune. Here’s hoping that the rest of the album is at least decent as well. Club edition (not that that matters), EX.
Kool & The Gang – Celebrate! — The song with what is probably their biggest hit. Maybe not in sales but I could be wrong. But, it’s the one that gets played at sports arenas and anywhere there’s celebration happening. I have never figured out why they rarely (if ever) have an album with more than eight songs on it. I get not wanting to fill it with a lot of filler material, but c’mon… a lot of their stuff is filler material. VG+.
Jonathan and I will be hopefully working on our new podcast concept (which will be a reboot/relaunch of an older, underutilized podcast concept) this week. And we will probably have something else going on, too. At least I will because of Underdog Records. More to come on that. Underdog Records is open Thursday through Saturday from 11a to 7p and Jonathan does deliveries Monday through Wednesday, weather permitting. Check out social media for Underdog Records’ latest acquisitions where you can purchase from and you can shop 24/7 for new vinyl on the Underdog Records website. I use Discogs to track my collection and sometimes make purchases from the Discogs Marketplace.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “I went down to the Chelsea drugstore to get your prescription filled. I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy. And, man, did he look pretty ill. We decided that we would have a soda. My favorite flavor, cherry red. I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy. Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was ‘dead.'” – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (Jagger/Richards)
Yesterday was the third edition of RSD 2020 (the April version that got spread over three months). There will be an RSD Black Friday edition which I think is ridiculous and shows a money-grab. That doesn’t mean I won’t participate. I just think this year, dragging us through what will be four months straight is crazy. They should have reset next year. I’m not complaining about the cost or the organization, I’m just saying for 2020 they should have let the Black Friday version lie.
Anywhat! Here’s the haul, and as the last few have been, when applicable, I will include why these are special from Discogs and they’re all “new.”
Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny — Record Store Day 2020 first release, part of the October 24th drops. Limited to 2,700 copies. Comes in a gatefold jacket. 2×LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Color In Color, Embossed, 180 Gram vinyl. I have this in its original form, single LP, but only in VG condition. We didn’t get this from Underdog Records, the gentleman in front of me picked up the last one. We had to go somewhere else and we felt dirty doing that.
Alice Cooper – Live At The Apollo Theatre, Glasgow // 19.02.82 — 2×LP, Limited Edition. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release. Limited to 7,000 copies. Sticker: Classic live show from Alice Cooper’s “Special Forces Tour”. First time on vinyl. The Very Last Show on the Legendary Special Forces Tour! Recorded live at Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland – February 19, 1982. FM / Soundboard recording – Original broadcast by Radio Clyde. This was a great show!
Frumpies – Frumpie One Piece — LP+7″, Limited Edition, Limited to 1500 Copies. LP on White Vinyl. 7″ is on black vinyl. Featuring: Tobi, Kathi, Billy (BIKINI KILL), Molly (BRATMOBILE), and Michelle (THE MAKE UP). Hype sticker reads: Collecting their six seven inches recorded in the 90s across and LP and 7″. Includes a lyric zine.
The Rolling Stones – Metamorphosis — Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Green, 180 gram. Special Edition Hunter Green Vinyl. Full Color Exclusive Iron On Cover Art. The iron-on transfer is cool, but of course, I wouldn’t actually use it.
Skid Row – Slave To The Grind — 2×LP, Limited Edition, Red. Gatefold Version, comes with Lyric Sheet. Limited to 4000 Copies Worldwide. So good to hear this album on vinyl. Sebastian Bach’s vocals were on fire then. Sonically rich and fantastic.
The Church – Gold Afternoon Fix — Limited Edition, Reissue, Gold. First-ever LP reissue of the 1990 classic from the legendary Australian indie band. Gold Vinyl Pressing. Limited to 1750 copies! This was a great listen.
Cheap Trick – Out To Get You! (Live 1977) — 2×LP, Limited Edition. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release. Limited to 4,700 copies. Comes in a gatefold jacket. Recorded from four shows over two days, an early and late show, each, on June 3 & 4, 1977 at Whiskey A Go-Go.
Toto – Live In Tokyo — Limited Edition, Red Vinyl. First stand-alone release on red vinyl for Record Store Day. Limited to 2750 copies. It’s five songs recorded in 1980.
Warren Zevon – Warren Zevon’s Greatest Hits (According To Judd Apatow) — Limited to 4,500 copies. A portion of proceeds from this album will og to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent nonprofit organization, for which Jordan Zevon has served as the National Spokesperson for 15 years.
Modern English – I Melt With You — 12″, Single, Reissue. I don’t usually do 12″ singles, but The BCPF wanted it. We didn’t get that at Underdog Records. They were sold out so we had to go somewhere else.
Beck – Uneventful Days (St. Vincent Remix) — “No Distraction (Khruangbin Remix)” is marked “A” on the label. St. Vincent not credited as the other main artist on the release. We also don’t usually do the 7″ either but, again… The BCPF wanted it.
We also got three selections that were NOT part of the RSD haul. We just decided we wanted them. They are:
The Mountain Goats – Getting Into Knives — This is NOT a RSD release. 2×LP, Limited Edition, Gold Metallic. One thing cool about this was the Matrix etching on each side: MRG 716 SIDE A TALES FROM THE BEFORE-TIME J POWELL; MRG 716 SIDE B WHALES VISIBLE FROM THE SHORE-TIME J POWELL; MRG 716 SIDE C ALL HANDS TO THE FACTORY FLOOR-TIME J POWELL; MRG 716 SIDE D REFORGING THE HAMMER OF THOR-TIME J POWELL.
INXS – Kick — Limited Edition, Reissue, Green. I had this on CD and never on vinyl. I love this album and it was so fun to listen to it on vinyl. It’s a not-quite mint green.
Mercyful Fate – Mercyful Fate — 12″, 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Clear With Black Smoke. Mercyful (yeah, spelled right) Fate, if you don’t know is the band helmed by Kim Bendix Petersen, which may be more recognizable as his stage name, King Diamond. Four songs.
It was a great day and a great haul. I look at what I got through three RSD drops and if this had been all on one day, I either wouldn’t have gotten all that I did or I would have lost my arse on spending. Another reason, I think I’m a bit miffed about the Black Friday, thing. Jonathan was in good spirits yesterday, during what I know was a stressful time. He did say that for RSD Black Friday, he was going to allow people to lineup and rake through like normal. Some people have complained about the lottery format and griping about stupid stuff. I think Jonathan did the best he could as, hello!!! We are still in a fricken pandemic!!!!!! Okay, I’m done with that. Jonathan put all remaining RSD inventory on the Underdog Records website, at 1pm on the dot yesterday. I haven’t looked so I don’t know what is left but check it out. He does touchless deliveries, curbside, in-store pickups Monday-Wednesday and the store is open Thursday-Saturday. I also use Discogs to track my collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “We could live for a thousand years. But if I hurt you I’d make wine from your tears. I told you that we could fly, ’cause we all have wings but some of us don’t know why. I was standing. You were there. Two worlds collided and they could never ever tear us apart.” – “Never Tear Us Apart” (Farriss/Hutchence)
Today is a big day in musical releases. Glorified Magnified from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band turns 48. All the World’s a Stage from Rush is 44. The Stranger from Billy Joel is 43. Celebrate! from Kool & the Gang and Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder are 40. Bend Sinister from The Fall, Somewhere in Time from Iron Maiden, Brotherhood from New Order, The Pacific Age from OMD, and Chicago 18 are all 34 today. Strangeways, Here We Come from The Smiths and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan from Red Hot Chili Peppers is 33. Core from Stone Temple Pilots, Dirt from Alice in Chains, Our Time in Eden from 10,000 Maniacs and Us from Peter Gabriel are all 28. Bridges to Babylon by The Rolling Stones Urban Hymns from The Verve are 23. There are more but none that I really want to talk about.
Whew! That’s a lot. I mean, two huge grunge-era releases, one of the best from Maiden and we know what a fan of Peter Gabriel I am. But, since The Stranger is my favorite album from Billy Joel and this is my favorite song by him, it’s a no-brainer and this dude does it very well. I do kind of wish the saxophonist wouldn’t have been so diva-ish about his parts. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Things are okay with me these days. Got a good job, got a good office. Got a new wife, got a new life and the family’s fine. We lost touch long ago. You lost weight I did not know you could ever look so nice after so much time.” – “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” (Joel)
Yesterday was a good day. The weather was perfect, the day was perfect. The BCPF and I got up and enjoyed a “Staycation” day, going to Underdog Records, eating lunch at The Porch, listening to records all afternoon. It was fantastic. We got some good stuff. Here’s the haul:
Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith — A hardcover book of Elliott Smith’s second (self-titled) album with 2xLP and handwritten lyrics and a lot of cool stuff. The BCPF is a Elliott Smith fanatic. New.
Mad Season – Above — Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, lead singer Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, drummer Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and bassist John Baker Saunders. They only released one album and this is it. Two of those guys (Staley and Saunders) died of heroin overdoses in 2002 and 1999 respectively. 2xLP, gatefold. New.
The Rolling Stones – Goats Head Soup — The follow-up to my least favorite (yet somehow most critically acclaimed) Stones album, Exile on Main Street. This is much better. I mean, I actually like this one and it doesn’t make my skin crawl. This past Monday was the album’s 47th anniversary and this is the 2xLP version that has the original album plus outtakes and alternative versions. The album sounds great, too. New.
EOB – Earth — EOB is Ed O’Brien, guitarist for Radiohead. This is his debut solo album and we haven’t heard it yet, but people have been saying good things about it. New.
The Cure – The Head On The Door — The sixth album from The Cure, this celebrated it’s 35th anniversary last week. This is a great album. It has the singles “InBetween Days” and “Close To Me” but the whole thing is worth it and the deeper cuts are just as good as the “hits.” New.
Various – The Great Big Band Vocalists — The release year for this is unknown, not only to me but to Discogs as well. It features Les Brown with Doris Day, Guy Lombardo with Bing Crosby, and much more. I’m going to say this is NM because, while it’s old (definitely from the mid-to-late 60s to early-70s), it’s still sealed and even the cover is in great shape if you don’t count slight discoloration. So I’m going with New/NM.
So, that’s the haul. Not as much as last week but last week was a ridiculously special day. Jonathan did a fantastic job with the RSD things last week and we had a great discussion about it at the store. He’s still doing deliveries during the early parts of the week and open Thursday-Saturday in the store. He’ll do curbside, too, if you call him. The lottery for RSD Drop 2 is coming next weekend. Follow Underdog Records on social media or drop by the store to find out more about RSD Drop 2. And use Discogs to track your collection, or as I did before (and did this week), use it to purchase hard-to-find items you need in your collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “I’ve waited hours for this. I’ve made myself so sick, I wish I’d stayed asleep today. I never thought this day would end. I never thought tonight could ever be this close to me.” – “Close To Me” (Smith)
Today is the 55th anniversary of the Rolling Stones’ Out of Our Heads album. It’s a classic Stones album with great stuff on it and I’m not even a Stones fan. The magazine (not the band), Rolling Stone listed it at #116 on both the 2003 and 2012 versions of their list. The obvious song would be “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” but I went a different direction. This is a good cover, too. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Well, I told you once and I told you twice. But you never listen to my advice. You don’t try very hard to please me. With what you know it should be easy. Well, this could be the last time, this could be the last time. Maybe the last time I don’t know. Oh no. Oh no.” – “The Last Time” (Jagger/Richards)
I’ll end my week of Live Aid memories with something kind of funny and cool. Bob Dylan performed “Blowin’ in the Wind” with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and in the middle of the song, Dylan broke a string. Ronnie took his guitar off and handed it to Dylan. I mean, that’s a true friend right there. Dylan appears to be drunk or high or something, at least to me, and probably half of the artists on both stages were. The audio isn’t the greatest here, either but… Anyway, enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly before they’re forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” – “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Dylan)
The BCPF and I had a good day yesterday. We had breakfast out (which was scary and probably not something I’ll talk her into again for a while) and then went to Underdog Records to see Jonathan, get our fix, and came home listened to everything we bought and had some DiLisio’s for dinner. Great stuff. Here’s the haul:
The Rolling Stones – Bridges To Babylon — I have stated many times that I’m not a huge Rolling Stones fan. I have also stated that my favorite era of the Stones is the 1978-1981 years. Well, precisely Some Girls and Tattoo You. Emotional Rescue was pretty bad, to me. I don’t like Exile on Main Street but some of the others around that album I did like. Then there were the later years (not like current era, but the late-80s into the 90s). I had mostly dismissed that stuff. Voodoo Lounge or Steel Wheels. And, of course, this album. The funny thing is, yesterday when we listened to this album. I fell in love with it. Yeah, it’s Glimmer Twins uber-cheesy nonsense but I really, really enjoyed listening to it. This is the first time since 1997 that this album was released on vinyl and it is a half-speed mastering which means the mastering lathe is cutting into the master platter at half the speed which gives the cutting head more chances to get the cut right. Think of a riding lawnmower. If you go at 10-12 mph on that mower, the grass will still be cut but not as good as if you went 5-7 mph, right? The cut will be more precise and it will look better, or in case of a mastering lathe, it will sound better. There are several pro/con schools of thought on that, but I think it is a good thing. Anywhat, I loved listening to this, it sounded great, the songs were enjoyable. I’m so glad I got this. 2xLP. New.
Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels — This one, which had more “hits” than the previous entry on this post, didn’t hold up as well to me. I still liked it, but it wasn’t as fun. I had both of these albums on CD and I think listened through them once each. This one may get hit in a “random grab” but I can see the previous one being listened to more readily. This, too, was half-speed mastered. New.
Van Halen – 1984 — Yes, I already had this but my copy had some skips and surface noise. It is my favorite VH record. This was remastered, reissued, and is on 180g vinyl. I told The BCPF that I don’t remember hearing “this or that” even on the CD. This was well done. I still love every song on here and am quite happy with paying for a new copy. So, yeah… New.
Mother Love Bone – Apple — This was on the Eugeology list that I did with Eugene a couple of years back. I really liked it then. I really love it now. I think when I listened on the “list,” I was focused so much on the analysis or critique that I didn’t get to listen for listening’s sake. Yesterday, I got to listen and enjoy it even more. I am so glad that Eugene put his on my radar and that Underdog Records put it in my hands. New.
Superchunk – No Pocky For Kitty — The BCPF and I have seen Superchunk in concert twice. She had seen them more than that, I think before we met. Mac McCaughan started the band in Chapel Hill, NC, and later Merge Records. If you’re wondering, Pocky is a popular Japanese treat. Basically, biscuit/bread treats dipped in chocolate or strawberry coating. We sold them when I owned the comic book store. They were good but not worth the cost (since they were imported). This album, the band’s second release, is pretty good. The BCPF enjoys them more than I do, but I don’t dislike them. New.
Superchunk – On The Mouth — The third release from the band (1993), the same applies to this one as the previous entry. She liked it. I didn’t mind it. New.
That’s the haul. Short and sweet. I failed to mention last week that we also got a Nina Simone record but as of yet it isn’t on Discogs, at least the version I got, which was a reissue released last week. I’ll give it another week and if it’s not on Discogs, I’ll have to add it myself. I don’t like entering them. I always feel like I’m leaving something off. Plus, the meticulous intent from the editors of that site is kind of scary. Which, is why I trust them with my collection; precision and meticulousness. You should use them, too.
Underdog Records is open Thursday through Saturday from 11a-7p. Jonathan does deliveries (weather permitting) Monday-Wednesday. You should follow him on Instagram (the preferred method) or Facebook to see what he’s offering up. It could be new or used. Just follow the instructions in the posts. Plus, you can see what new vinyl (whether reissues, backstock, or new releases) he has, and purchase some via the website.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!
— “I dance a dancer, I’m all wrong. She thinks she’s young and wise but no, no, no. She dance around my, my pretty little cable car and fix me up with a guy, why? C’mon, how dare you do this? Why she done that to me, ever? Why she done it to me? So I’m singing…” – “Stargazer” (Ament/Fairweather/Gilmore/Gossard/Wood)
So, doing the “listens” list yesterday, I missed a lot of big releases. Would You Believe? from The Hollies was 54. Aretha Franklin’s live Amazing Grace was 48. James Taylor’s Walking Man was 46. The Runaways’ debut album The Runaways was 44. Rolling Stone’s live Still Life is 38. Sting’s debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles was 35. That was yesterday. Today, we have the debut Bowie album which is 53 (not the second one with “Space Oddity” on it). Cockney Rebel’s sophomore effort The Psychomodo is 46. Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town is 42. Cheap Trick’s Found All the Parts EP is 40. Let It Loose from Gloria Estefan is 33. Mariah Carey’s MTV Unplugged and Wilson Phillips’ Shadows and Light are both 28. Buzzcocks’ Trade Test Transmissions is 27. And, Smashing Pumpkins’ Adore is 22. That’s a lot of stuff for two days, I know.
Out of all of that, here’s what I chose. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
—
“We share the same biology regardless of ideology. Believe me when I say to you, I hope the Russians love their children too.” – “Russians” (Prokofiev/Sting)
Another Saturday passes that we didn’t get to darken the door of Underdog Records. That doesn’t mean Underdog isn’t busy. Heck no! Jonathan is running himself ragged to make deliveries and has extended the reach to Greensboro, High Point and other places. So, definitely watch the Underdog Records Facebook and Instagram and watch what he’s releasing. Purchasing is first-come-first-serve so be on the lookout. Also, you can purchase new vinyl anytime day or night on the website. If you’re outside of the delivery area or just don’t want Jonathan to drop stuff off at your door, then he offers “unlimited” LPs (I’m sure it’s a little limited) for a flat rate $4.
This week’s “listens” were abundant. 22 albums I got through from Monday-Friday.
And, per usual, this week’s streaming listens comes from Discogs’ shuffle feature and it has to be an album that I own on vinyl (outside of peripheral things like Beeswax Vinyl & More listens), that way it’s like listening to my vinyl but with headphones from my computer whilst The BCPF works 10 feet away. Here’s the list (this is in order of listens):
Whew! A long listening list indeed! It was spread out, too. The BCPF remarked how I went from Streisand to Megadeth. It worked. I love Streisand and I’m not afraid to admit that. But, I was ready for something heavy after having gone through The Mamas and the Papas and Streisand back to back. It worked, as I said.
Well, yesterday, here’s what The BCPF and I listened to, actually on vinyl:
All-in-all, it was a great listening week. I just hope to get into Underdog Records soon to rummage through the used vinyl.
Again, check out Underdog Records’ social and web stuffs. Buy records. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection and use it’s groovy (see what I did there) shuffle feature.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!
— “I was seventeen, you were just a dream. I was mesmerized, I felt scared inside. You broke my heart and I still can feel the pain. I’ve been counted out, I’ve had fear and doubt. I’ve been starry-eyed, never satisfied. Because late at night I still need you just the same.” – “Sure Know Something” (Stanley/Poncia)
