Tag Archives: The Who

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/3/18

04 Sunday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

Started out yesterday with some crépes and headed on over to Underdog Records, one of The BCPF’s and my favorite places! Here’s what we got!

ELODiscoveryalbumcover

©Jet/Columbia

  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Superstition — The BCPF loves Siouxsie and the Banshees. It fits her once goth modus operandi. I like them pretty good, too, but she’s the true fan. This is from 1991 but is a reissue from 2018, It has “Kiss Them For Me.” New. In fact…
  • Siouxsie & The Banshees – Tinderbox — This is a little older, from around 1986 with “Cities in Dust.” It’s the 2018 reissue and is new.
  • Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York — I actually picked this up on Thursday, but didn’t enter it into Discogs until yesterday. Some disagree with me, but I think this is a fantastic album! It’s raw and you can almost hear Cobain’s pain but at times you can hear him sounding relaxed and chipper. Still, it’s great. #313 on the RS List. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath — #243 on the RS List, this album was heavy, dark and awesome! It’s a great debut album. Possibly the birth of doom metal or heavy metal, this. New.
  • Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman — So, if we go with Black Sabbath, why not go with its former singer? Yep. This is a great album. I don’t like it as much as Blizzard of Ozz or The Ultimate Sin, but I do like it a lot! New.
  • Nicole Atkins – Goodnight Rhonda Lee — I discovered Nicole Atkins last week whilst finding something by someone playing locally and found a song that I liked on the first try and once I grabbed what I needed, I didn’t stop the album from playing. I then listened to it again. I felt it was something that The BCPF would like and I knew that I liked it, so I had Jonathan order it for me. She loved it. It’s like Dusty Springfield mixed with some Stevie Nicks with swing and jazz stylings that rocked. This is a must-listen, Dear Reader! New.
  • Warsaw – Warsaw — When Joy Division did their first demo, they were still going by Warsaw. So, this is that demo. The BCPF said she had it when it was actually Joy Division and the album was called Warsaw but this is an “unofficial release” and it sounded pretty good, albeit bass heavy. Not the gloom-and-doom Joy Division we came to know. New.
  • John Ralston – Shadows Of The Summertime — John played at Underdog Records on Friday night and we purchased this. Haven’t listened to it, yet, but we enjoyed him. New.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Raise! — The one with “Let’s Groove” on it. I love that song; probably my favorite EWF song. VG+.
  • Prince – Controversy – I found this in VG- condition but I still couldn’t pass it up. I mean, it’s Prince and I didn’t have it already. So, now I do.
  • Smokey Robinson – Blame It On Love & All The Great Hits — I’ve never been a huge fan of Smokey. He’s got a great voice but I just don’t like most of the songs. The BCPF wanted it. She got it. VG+.
  • Lionel Richie – Great Love Songs With The Commodores & Diana Ross — I had this on CD, one of the first 100 or so that I got. I got it (on CD) exclusively for the song “Endless Love” but all the songs are great tunes. VG++.
  • Don McLean – American Pie — Let me go on record and say that I absolutely LOATHE the song “American Pie.” It ranks up there with “Freebird” as the worst song ever. But, The BCPF said we should have it in our collection. Okay… It was in the $1 bin so there’s that. VG.
  • Billy Joel – Turnstiles — Billy Joel for $1? Yep. I’ll take it. And, it looks to be in fairly good condition. I’m calling it VG+. This album has “New York State of Mind,”  “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,”  “Prelude/Angry Young Man” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway).”
  • The London Symphony Orchestra – Tommy — 2xLP box set with Daltrey, Townshend, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr and a plethora of guests with the London Symphony Orchestra. A $1 bin find it’s in VG+ shape.
  • Electric Light Orchestra – Discovery — “Shine a Little Love,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Last Train to London,” “Confusion” and “The Diary of Horace Wimp.” I love ELO and didn’t really realize how much until I was researching for the VSS stuff last year. A $1 bin find. VG+.
  • Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me — This was sitting on the counter in front of Jonathan and I asked about it. It’s Berry Gordy’s son and has that one catchy tune with Michael Jackson. $1. VG+.
  • Foreigner – Double Vision — I had this (their sophomore effort) already but it was the 2nd pressing cover. This is the original cover. Including “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and the title track. I found it in the $1 bin and it is VG+.
  • Foreigner – Foreigner — The debut album with “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice” and “Long, Long Way from Home.” It was in the $1 bin and it’s also VG+.
  • Various – Peter And The Wolf / The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — Side 1 is Peter, Side 2 is Apprentice. $1 bin find. Not in the greatest of shape. Good at best. Fair most likely.

This haul was the biggest we’ve had in a while. Underdog Records was celebrating their fifth anniversary and there were sales happening. Remember that Underdog Records is THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Make sure you listen to the latest episode each week (on Wednesday night) to hear the weekly TLD/UDR special.

Discogs is where I keep my collection in check. It’s a great app and tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“All that I have left is the sound of my own breath and then darkness falls so quiet. Here’s a feeling I’ve had many times before. Every time you leave it’s your arms that I bereave then the next time to leave’s yours. I watch the ghosts of your footsteps by our door.” – “Darkness Falls So Quiet” (Atkins)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 10/20/18

21 Sunday Oct 2018

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Salutations™!!

Finally, after a break of several weeks, I have a haul to write about. Yay, me! It was good to get back in Underdog Records, see Jonathan, bin dive and then actually getting some good record listening time in. Here’s what we got:

Stan_Getz_Captain_Marvel

©Columbia

  • New Order – Movement — The debut album from New Order after the death of Ian Curtis and thus ending Joy Division. The BCPF says “this is my jam.” Needless to say, she likes it. I didn’t mind it. It was decent. New.
  • Nirvana – Nevermind — In September when the anniversary of this album came around, I went to play it in honor of the milestone. I looked and looked and looked. I couldn’t find it. I looked on Discogs and it wasn’t there, either. I keep a list of the RS list to see what I have collected from it. It wasn’t marked there, either. I was flabbergasted. How did I not have it? Well, I didn’t and now, I can’t say that anymore. I got it yesterday. I hated it when it came out. I hated the idea of grunge taking over the hair band scene. I’ve talked about that ad nauseum, so I’ll leave it be. This was new.
  • Pixies – Surfer Rosa — I actually got this last week when I couldn’t stay away from Underdog. It’s one of The BCPF’s faves and we know I want her to get what she wants, even when she didn’t know it was there to want. The record that is, she knew about the album. VG++.
  • Stan Getz – Captain Marvel — This album is great! Not only do you get the lyrical sexy saxy stylings of Stan Getz but you get Chick Corea on electric piano, Stanley Clarke on bass, Airto Moreira on percussion and drum hall of fame member (and drummer for Miles Davis) Tony Williams. Such great stuff. VG+.
  • Wings – Wings Over America — a 3xLP live album from Sir Paul (before he was Sir) and company. It is heavy, for sure. It feels like it weighs about 10 pounds, but really it is only about one. Haven’t listened yet. VG+.
  • George Harrison – Dark Horse — Not my favorite George album, but it has some great spots. The BCPF was excited to get it. VG+.
  • Randy Newman – Trouble In Paradise — I love Randy Newman and when I see something from him that I don’t already have, I need to get it. This has the hit “I Love LA” and a tune called “The Blues” which is a duet with Paul Simon. VG+.
  • Yes – Going For The One — The eighth studio album from Yes, which marked the return of Rick Wakeman who had left to do other things two albums prior. It’s only 5 songs but it is full-length. A lot of proggy goodness here. VG+.
  • The Who – Face Dances — The 1981 follow-up to the Quadrophenia album in 1979. It has the song “You Better You Bet” and is pretty fine. VG.
  • Atlantic Starr – All In The Name Of Love — I will admit that I purchased this (for $2) just because of one song. That song is “Always.” I have always loved it. It serves my R&B Slow Jam sensibilities. VG.
  • The Chipmunks – Urban Chipmunk — Yeah, you read that correctly. I’ve had more comments (positive ones) about this album than most any other recently. I even had someone offer to buy it from me already. Why? Because it’s a memory from our childhood. I wanted this when I was a kid and never got it. I had a cousin who had it. My sister had Chipmunk Punk which was a better album, but I wanted both of them. I haven’t found the Punk one and loved finding this one. And, yes, it is as awful as you’d think it would be, but that’s a glorious thing! Even though it was a $1 bin find, it was in VG+ condition.

Underdog Records is THE Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. They have fantastic vinyl choices and players. There are also a few cassettes because apparently, that’s a thing again? Listen to the weekly episode of TLD to hear what the TLD/Underdog Special of the week is. Watch the social media channels for Underdog Records to see what is going freshly onto the sales floor.

I use Discogs to keep track of my collection. I spent a lot of time bin diving with my app on the phone open so I could check that I did or didn’t have the great stuff I was finding.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I call you on the telephone my voice too rough with cigarettes. I sometimes feel I should just go home. But I’m dealing with a memory that never forgets. I love to hear you say my name especially when you say yes. I got your body right now on my mind and I drunk myself blind. To the sound of old T-Rex. To the sound of old T-Rex, who’s next?” – “You Better You Bet” (Townshend)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/21/18

22 Sunday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

It was a big week from Underdog Records this time around. Not just yesterday but Friday as well. Jonathan had purchased a large number of records and immediately went in and pulled all the $1 records to go ahead and get those out for sale. I happened across them and snatched about 13 $1 records that I couldn’t let get past me. Here’s what we got:

Eat_Em_And_Smile_Cover

©Warner Bros.

  • Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique — #156 on the RS list. 3B is really into rap/hip-hop so I’m going to show him the stuff that happened before the current trend of mumbling that’s going on. New
  • Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures — The BCPF is a Joy Division fan. She wanted it and, by golly, I like giving her things she wants. Although I am somewhat familiar with Joy Division, I’d say this was like a cross between The Doors and Talking Heads with dark sprinkles on top. It was a great album, though. New.
  • Black Sabbath – Paranoid — #131 on the RS list. I never really cared for Black Sabbath, as a whole, but the more I listen, the more I like. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike them, I just didn’t care one way or the other. I liked Ozzy’s solo stuff. I also liked the Sabbath “hits,” just not the album stuff. Or at least I thought that was the case. It wasn’t, ultimately. “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “Planet Caravan” and “War Pigs.” ‘Nuff said! New.
  • Talking Heads – More Songs About Buildings And Food — #383 on the RS List. I filled quite a few slots on that list this week. This isn’t my favorite Heads album but it’s not bad. I think my only frown on this is that it has the much-overplayed “Take Me to the River.” And, even that isn’t too awful. New.
  • The Beatles – Yellow Submarine — Trying to build up my Beatles collection, too. I also bought a copy of Rubber Soul but I’m going to take that back because it’s the crappy US version and I want the far superior UK version. The songs on this album are great, of course, because it’s the Beatles on drugs. That was the best period or at least my favorite period. I really think George Martin’s orchestrations on the second side are beautiful. VG+
  • Patti Smith – Horses — #44 on the RS list. I caught this one being graded by Jonathan and snatched it right away. It was a great album and we enjoyed listening to it. VG.
  • Cheap Trick – Heaven Tonight — Trying to get caught up on my Cheap Trick needs and this a step in the right direction. It doesn’t make up for my missing In Color both because it’s my favorite CT album but also because it’s on the RS list. But, that being said, this is a fantastic album. VG+.
  • Alice Cooper – Flush The Fashion — I always run my Alice acquisitions by Eugene because he’s my “Alice Guru.” I sent him a picture of this (and the next) and he sent back his approval. I told him that I’m upping my “Alice Game.” He was a happy camper. VG.
  • Alice Cooper – Alice Cooper Goes To Hell — As with the last one, Eug was happy, although less enthused about this as Flush. But, it’s another notch in my Alice collection. VG+.
  • After The Fire – ATF — You know I’m not afraid to buy an entire album for one song, especially when it’s $1 or $2. I did for this one. “Der Kommissar” is on this album and I love their version. It was VG.
  • Elton John – Greatest Hits — #136 on the RS List. Being as it’s a compilation, I didn’t listen when I did the list, but, I didn’t have to, I have had it on CD for many, many, many years. It’s jammed-packed with “hits” and darn good ones, too. VG/VG+.
  • Styx – Crystal Ball — I know Styx gets crapped on all the time, but you know what? I’m unashamedly a fan. Rabid fan? Nah. But, I dig their stuff. It was Tommy Shaw’s debut with the band and he sang the album’s only Top 40 hit, “Mademoiselle.” It was a $1 bin find and in fairly good shape. I’ll go with VG.
  • U2 – Boy — I believe this was one of my two favorite $1 bin finds of the weekend. It’s #417 on the RS list and is, of course, U2’s debut album from 1980. Even though it was in the $1 bin, it’s in really good shape. VG/VG+.
  • Starz  – Starz — Another one that I ran by Eug because he’s also my “Starz Guru.” He sent back “Excellent! Every Starz album is awesome.” So, I’m taking that as it is a win! $1 bin find and VG.
  • Greg Kihn Band – Rockihnroll — Another that I purchased for one song, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em).” Again, it was only $1 so why not? VG.
  • Berlin – Pleasure Victim — I love Terri Nunn’s voice. That, plus this being a $1 pulled me to purchase the album, but it also has “Sex (I’m A…),” “Masquerade” and “The Metro” and you just can’t go wrong with those tunes. VG.
  • Chic – C’est Chic —  “Le Freak” for $1. Okay. VG.
  • Paul Revere & The Raiders – Paul Revere & The Raiders’ Greatest Hits — $1 bin find. VG.
  • The Raiders – Indian Reservation — $1 bin find. VG.
  • John Cougar – Nothin’ Matters And What If It Did — I don’t recognize any of the song titles on this 1980 album but it was $1 and it had Edith Massey on the cover which makes it something I can’t pass up. Massey played Edie the woman obsessed with eggs and the “Egg Man” in John Waters’ film Pink Flamingos. The BCPF considers this her favorite most hated film, ever. It’s in G+ condition.
  • Tom T. Hall – We All Got Together And… — I have really gotten into the country “crap” that I had to listen to from Ma Père growing up. Tom T. Hall was one of those. $1 and G+.
  • Tom T. Hall – For The People In The Last Hard Town – Same as the previous, it’s Tom T. Hall and it has “I Love” on it, so that helps. $1 and VG.
  • The Call – Reconciled — I’m familiar with the name The Call but not the music, at least that I know of. I do know they’re one of those mid- to late-80s pop bands that I like so much, so let’s try it out. It’s only $1 and in VG.
  • The Call – Into The Woods — As is the case with the last one, $1 and VG.
  • The Who – Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy — Compilation album in which the outer sleeve is in dreadful condition. It looks like it had lain in the snow for an entire winter, all puffed and bubbly. The vinyl looks to be in decent condition but I’m rating it at about G+ and it was $1.
  • David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile — The other that I am very excited about. I loved this album from the first time I ever heard it and when I moved to WSNC, it was the first time that I had MTV at my disposal and the video for “Yankee Rose” was one of my favorites! The whole thing was awesome and fun to listen to. It was in the $1 bin but I’m going with VG/VG+, even, because I think it is great shape.
  • Miles Davis – In Person, Friday Night At The Blackhawk, San Francisco, Volume I — Remember from many months back when I came across that bonus stack of records that I didn’t even know I had had for? This was part of that. There is still a huge stack of jazz and classical albums I haven’t even gone through, yet, but I am (very) slowly getting through that and this was one that I dug out for this week. I know nothing of it. I’m going with VG.

Whew! That was a large addition week. Jonathan is taking on some hired help to get Underdog Records up to the next level. He says he probably has tons of sellable inventory that he can’t get to because he’s stuck behind the counter and already works a shload of hours that he just can’t keep up with it all. I can’t wait to see what comes from his findings because I’ve gone through all the used stuff that he’s had for the last bit. But, it should bring in new customers when he (and I because I do a lot of advertising for him) starts advertising the stuff on Underdog Records’ social media platforms. So, be on the lookout!!

I didn’t add any Discogs Marketplace acquisitions this week but I did do some dealings with them. You’ll find out more about those when I get them. It will be good stuff. But, use it to keep track of your collection; it’s a great tool.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning!
Scorp out!

—
“I was on the outside when you said you said you needed me. I was looking at myself, I was blind, I could not see. A boy tries hard to be a man. His mother takes him by the hand. If he stops to think, he starts to cry. Oh, why? If you walk away, walk away, I walk away, walk away. I will follow.” – “I Will Follow” (Hewson/Evans/Mullen/Clayton)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 4/14/18

15 Sunday Apr 2018

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Salutations™!!

R-2077568-1467502762-7341.png

©Reprise

 

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was warm but not hot, the humidity was quite low, the windows on “Annabelle” were all open, including the moonroof. The BCPF and I walked around Old Salem and visited with friends at the Cobblestone Farmers Market, at breakfast at Mary’s Gourmet Diner, visited Underdog Records, put together our new vinyl shelf, started the reorganization process (re-alphabetizing) of the “reset” which I’ll explain in a bit, early dinner at Willows Bistro and finished with a little get together with our very good friends. So, here’s the haul:

  • Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Life – This was still sealed from 1987. We listened to it but didn’t have time to post a Facebook or Instagram log about it. It was different but exactly the same. I would say a little less singer-songwriter and more just late 80s rock. NM.
  • Randy Newman – 12 Songs – #356 on the RS list. I found that I really dig some Randy Newman whilst listening to that song. He actually wrote a lot of stuff that other folk recorded; like “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” made more famous by Three Dog Night. VG++.
  • The Who – It’s Hard – Early 80s Who. The Who isn’t one of my favorite bands but I find myself wanting their stuff. It was a good price and it was available, so there you go. VG+.
  • Stan Getz – Another World – I have loved just about everything I have heard from Stan Getz, so here’s hoping that I like this 2xLP from the late 70s. VG+.
  • Bananarama – True Confessions – A mid-80s classic. This is the one with “Venus” on it. The BCPF made a comparison that Bananarama’s harmony style is a lot like the Spice Girls. I’d say that Bananarama was probably a direct influence. VG++.
  • Bananarama – Bananarama – This was their debut album featuring “Cruel Summer” and “Robert De Niro’s Waiting.” Haven’t listened to this one, yet. VG+.
  • Simon & Garfunkel – Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. – 1965 debut album of a little duo that is going to go places! One of my favorite S&G tunes is “Sound of Silence” and as The BCPF says, “Paul Simon is a genius.” Yeah, he is. VG.
  • Scorpions – Animal Magnetism – Wracking up on my Scorpions collection. The song “The Zoo” has always been a favorite of mine from this group. VG.
  • Stephen Stills – Stills – We can’t figure out whether Stephen Still is a huge football fan or if he just likes wearing the t-shirt “jerseys.” It seems like you see him in those a lot from the pics on albums and magazines and such from back in the 70s. $1 bin find in VG condition.
  • Humble Pie – Eat It – I have no Humble Pie albums and I’m not sure I’ve even ever heard a song by them. I am sure I have but I wouldn’t know what it was. This is a 2xLP that is part rock, part R&B covers, part acoustic, and live performances. So, I don’t know what to make of it. $1 bin find and in “good” condition.

Jonathan was gearing up for Record Store Day and he was a bit befuzzled but we made it a little better when we arrived at the shop with an iced coffee of some sort that Dana Moody of West End Coffeehouse sent for him. But, we are revving for Record Store Day, as well. We bought this brand new shelf and have started resorting our collection. We’re going to change our process, too.

We already do it alphabetically by artist/band first name because that’s the way Discogs does it and I want to be able to look in order to find them according to Discogs. We are taking the classical out and we’re going to separate that from the regular collection so they’re easier to find. We also keep the ones that we haven’t listened to separate but that part of the collection was becoming quite a stack. So, we decided that since there are two Record Store Days a year – a big one in April and a minor one in the fall (I think Black Friday) – those will be “reset” days. Anything that hadn’t been listened to gets inserted into “gen pop” of the collection. That gives us time to listen and if we haven’t then, oh well.

Visit the Record Store Day website and find out what is coming out next Saturday and go support your local record stores. These are exclusive to indie stores and these albums won’t be on Amazon or in the big box stores. You may find some stuff on eBay but it will most likely be marked up ridiculously. Jonathan has ordered a large sum of product for this event and he needs to unload it. That’s where you (and we) come in. Support local business and indie record store. Yeah, I know I said that already… it’s important.

And, I use Discogs to keep track of what I have, which that list has grown a lot. I have to look at it in the store to make sure I do or don’t have an album before I make duplicate purchases. It’s a fun resource. Try it! They do CDs, too.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made. And the sign flashed out its warning in the words that it was forming. And the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls. And whispered in the sounds of silence.” – “The Sound of Silence” (Simon)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 12/23/17

24 Sunday Dec 2017

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Salutations™!!

Let me say, a brand new needle on your turntable makes all the difference in the world! Everything sounds so crisp and amazing. The BCPF and I have been enjoying a long week together observing the 3-Feet Rule (no farther than three feet from each other for most of the vacation). In that, we also went by Underdog Records about four times altogether. It was a great vacay. So, needless to say, this is from all week. Plus, I marked five off of the RS List this week. Let’s get started:led_zeppelin_-_led_zeppelin_II-front

So, a pretty good haul. And, again, with a new needle, it really all sounds great, even the older stuff. Underdog Records is open today until 2pm if you have a last minute thing to grab. He has specials, too. We use Discogs to archive our collection (hence the hyperlinks above).

From The BCPF and me, we hope your Christmas Eve is nothing shy of fantastic. It’s the day we do all the family stuff, traditionally and it’s my favorite of the two-day holiday. Love, happiness and lots of food for you all!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Now it’s a mighty long way down the dusty trail. And, the sun burns hot on the cold steel rails. And, I look like a bum, and I crawl like a snail all the way from Memphis.” – “All the Way From Memphis” (Hunter)

Pleasure on the Carpet or: Long Way to the Top (Eugeology Entry 39)

05 Thursday Oct 2017

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Salutations™!!

A decent album last time. I was glad I heard it but it wasn’t my all-time favorite or anything. Yes, Jon and Eugene are still one more back again. Let’s get going on this week.

#39 – Long Way to the Top by Nantucket.

Long_Way_To_The_Top_LP

©Epic Records

 

Okay. Let me first start by saying a few things. One, I am hanging my head in shame. Two, I am in awe. Three, where… in the honey-baked Hades have I been? On the negative, let me say something, too: I have never liked “It’s a Long Way to the Top” from AC/DC. I just don’t really care for AC/DC in any form of the band. There are songs, yes, but for the most part, meh. Okay, there. That’s out of the way. Movin’ on…

Oh. My. Goodness. You get past that AC/DC cover (the whole album was dedicated to Bon Scott who had passed away before the album was released in 1980) and this album is alive!!! Caveat: I’m writing this on a Monday where I usually write on Thursday mornings. I’ve already listened to it my standard six times with number seven happening right now. As I said, I hang my head in shame because I had always thought that them being from North Carolina and having the name Nantucket they were a Southern Rock band and I don’t like that stuff. Yes, I am aware that Nantucket isn’t in the south. I think they really are a Southern Rock band, but this album isn’t very “suth’en.” I don’t even know that I’d actually call this a hard rock band as much as I’d call it a hard rocking pop rock band. I can only go by this album, though.

There are serious themed songs and some very not-serious songs; a little tongue-in-cheeky. The non-serious would be “Time Bomb,” “Rugburn” and “Zella” a final hidden track written about a dog. “Time Bomb” is about a jealous guy who thinks some other dude is after his woman and he starts threatening to go all “Al Capone” on him if he even gets near her house. “Rugburn” is about a guy meeting a girl but he’s too poor to have furniture but he thinks the carpet is comfortable and you can guess what happens.

Some serious stuff on the album, but probably the most serious is “50 More” which, from what I can tell, is about the Who concert in Cincinnati where several people died after a stampede when the arena only opened two doors to a general admission show and people were rushing to get the best spot in front of the stage. The lyrics go, “Fifty more through the door. Let em in, rock and roll. Twenty-five push outside, gettin’ hard to control. Understand it’s the end. Tragedy Ohio.”

There is cool saxophone all over this album from Eddie Blair is also the keyboard player. That’s not something you get from a lot of Southern Rock. What I love the most are the phenomenal harmonies and unpredictable melodies. They’re not what you’re expecting on your first listen and they’re both complex and fun. Larry Uzzell’s vocals are indicative of some range and dynamic presence. He has smooth transitions to those high parts and he gets a little gruff in spots and a little more tender when the time comes.

Tommy Redd – the guitarist and main songwriter – wrote some great tunes. Mark Downing’s leads aren’t showy but, these songs don’t really need that. I believe the tunes are meant to speak for themselves and not showcase virtuosity. Kenny Soule is a bouncy drummer that is, yes, my favorite word for drummers, solid. There are runs and fills and they’re great, but like Downing, it’s not showy. Pee Wee Watson’s bass work is pretty riffy and it’s cool. Listen to “Turn the Radio On” for a little showcase for PWW.

Where have I been, indeed? This is perhaps one of my favorite albums that Eugene has thrown on us. I don’t dislike any songs on here. Some I like more than others, but none that I dislike. And, so, I’ll admit, going back and listening again, I even started bobbing and singing along to “It’s a Long Way to the Top.” I can’t say enough about how I love when the harder tension is broken by lighter melodic harmonies. If I’m picking my faves, then I’ll have to go with “Time Bomb,” “50 More,” “Media Darlin’,” “Over and Over Again,” “Tell Me,” “Rescue” and my absolute favorite, “Rock of the 80’s.” That’s seven and there are only 12 (13 if you count “Zella”) tunes, so basically the whole thing. I’m looking for this on vinyl. I want this, badly. Thank you so much, Eug for assigning it. Again, I apologize to the “music gods” for avoiding this until now. I am ashamed…

Eug and Jon need to catch up!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“It’s gotten so meticulous. Almost ridiculous. Rock of the 80’s. Let’s have some fun. Rock of the 80’s. Bring out the sun. Rock of the 80’s. Let’s have some fun.
Let’s have some fun.” – “Rock of the 80’s” (Redd)

Making Up Monday or: The Haul 6/24/17

26 Monday Jun 2017

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Salutations™!!

Here I am, making up or catching up after the weekend’s seemingly non-stop party. It started as usual with breakfast at Mary’s Gourmet Diner and then heading over to Underdog Records, where we picked up some great stuff before heading to Windsor Run Cellars and then Shadow Springs wineries (they’re owned by the same cool folks). Then on to Willows Bistro for great food and beverage. Here’s the haul for this week:R-450842-1249177353.jpeg

It was a light week for us, but still a lot of fun! If you’re wanting to get into (or back into) record collecting, then Underdog Records is the place to start. Old stuff, new stuff, reissues, equipment, etc. You should also use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Yeah, I know it’s kind of strange. Every time I’m near you I just run out of things to say. I know you’d understand. Every time I tried to tell you the words just came out wrong. So, I’ll have to say I love you in a song.” – “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” (Croce)

Needles, Guns and Grass or: Living for the City (RS Part 48)

22 Thursday Dec 2016

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Salutations™!!

That last segment of Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time was pretty great, overall. I’m hoping this, the Top 30, will be just as fantastic. No time to waste, let’s hit it.

#30 – Blue by Joni Mitchell. The BCPF and I have recently learned the joys of Joni Mitchell. Yes, we had heard of her and heard her stuff, especially The BCPF as it’s in her 1bluealbumcoverwheelhouse. We just have gotten to know more about the music. Our summer Sundays on the lawn include dialing up some JM on Pandora and letting it play through. It wasn’t always her but when it was, we really enjoyed it. This was a catalyst for the whole modern singer-songwriter movement. Some people that guested on the album are James Taylor on three songs and Stephen Stills who played bass on the whole album. He does impressive work, too. I’m not quite sure what was going on, or the effect they were trying for during “This Flight Tonight” but it’s weird. I don’t not like it, it’s just weird. The title track is one of my faves from this album and “California.” Joni is a definite storyteller. It’s not just songwriting for the sake of writing a song, she has something to say and the lyrics are a vivid tale, not just rhyming babble. I like her piano playing, too. It’s simple but effective. “All I Want, “A Case of You” and “River” are also great tunes. I dug it!

#29 – Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin. From the first notes of “Good Times Bad Times,” it was on. This commercial hard rock was something new and exciting. Jimmy Page is pegged as a sloppy player a good bit and I’ll agree with that on his solos. But, I believe the man is one of the best rhythm and riff writers/players I’ve ever heard – refer to “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and “Black Mountain Side” (both the rhythm and lead parts). Robert Plant was only 20 when this album was recorded. He had mature pipes for that age. John Bonham was also only 20. I can only imagine what people thought of the powerhouse drumming that he put on aural display when they heard it for the first time. I know that I have always been blown away by it and I am used to hard and heavy music. I know it goes against just about everything I ever say when I talk about blues and all that, as, for the most part, this album is chock-full of the stuff I hate. I’m not talking about blues-based or influenced stuff. I’m talking stuff like “You Shook Me” and “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” both written by Willie Dixon, by the way, which are certainly not my favorite tunes on the album, but I don’t always push next, either. On this album, Zep wasn’t afraid to bypass radio intentions and just put out a really good album, this is also evidenced in the fact that of nine songs on the album, only three of them are under four minutes. When it was time to play something on the radio, Jimmy Page made adjustments to the running time of “How Many More Times” on the album credits to read only “3:30” even though it’s really 8:27. This was so the radio stations would play it. Of course, that could be rumor and I can’t verify it; it only applies to the old LP copies. I guess no one took the time to actually look at the record itself to see how long a song actually was back then. I can tell the difference in a four minute song and an eight minute one just by looking at it. I know professional DJs could have.  My faves on this album are “Good Times Bad Times,” “Communication Breakdown,” “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” “Dazed and Confused,” “How Many More 1whosnextTimes” and “Your Time is Gonna Come.” Understanding the importance and significance of this album is key. I’d rate Zep II or IV in front of this album on the list, if it were me. But, I still dig it good bit.

#28 – Who’s Next by The Who. To me, this is The Who. The earlier stuff is fine and good; not all of it my cup of tea. But, this is where The Who got me. From the first arpeggiator-produced notes of “Baba O’Riley” into “Bargain” and “Love Ain’t for Keepin’,” the first part of the album is priceless. I am also a big fan of the last three songs, “Going Mobile,” “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” The last song being what KISS got to be known for on their reunion tours on, although, really, they should stop using it, if they still do, because it’s not the original lineup and they’re not “fooling” anyone with that (for the record: I don’t at all mind the new lineup how they are). I won’t say I’m a big fan of John Entwhistle but, man, “The Ox” is a beast! I own this album on CD and I got it used on vinyl, although I haven’t listened to it on that, just yet; time hasn’t permitted it. I love the cover which shows the members having just urinated on a big concrete protrusion jutted in the middle of a spoil pit. I don’t know what to say about this album other than I really like it, if for nothing more than it’s just a great album.

#27 – The Joshua Tree by U2. Yes. This. More of this, please. It, along with Achtung Baby!, my two favorite U2 albums. I like most of what they did after and I like what they did before but this was what set them off. It was good stuff and more mature than the previous stuff, not that it was immature, it was just an evolution in songwriting that took them to these new heights. Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, it had a more direct sound than just a lot of echo and ambiance. The lyrics were more pointed than most and it showed off how much U2 loved the USA and how much U2 loathed them. Politically, we don’t really put off a positive vibe to the rest of the world. We’re standoffish and don’t play well with others. Socially, we tend to take our stance to either help or hinder other places, however it best works for our own advancement. Yeah, we get it. That’s just how we are. There are times it’s better and times it’s worse. We’re moody like that. That discontent is shown prominently in the song “Bullet the Blue Sky” which is one of my faves of the band. It’s a much better use of that riff than the oafish Ted Nugent in “Stranglehold.” This has a groove, the other… well it has Ted Nugent. No better reason not to listen than it being him. Anywhat! The song was originally written about our intervention into the Salvadorian civil war and how we handled it, according to an interview with Bono on the @U2 website. The other side of that, though, is the love of American gospel music, our freedoms, the people and the beauty of the land. The album’s title alone is all about the desert, the wide openness and the wonder of it all. The gospel-esque “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” showed the love of our southern-laced music. It wasn’t all just us, though, there were parts that were about other places, like “Where the Streets Have No Name.” It’s about identity and residence; how you can tell about a person from where they live. “One Tree Hill” was written for a fallen friend of Bono. “Mothers of the Disappeared” is about the families of the children who “disappeared” in El Salvador and Nicaragua. It means they were abducted, or probably more than likely killed for political gains. My favorite song on the entire album is “With or Without You.” Just the way Bono sings it combined with the ethereal guitar parts from The Edge, I find it to be a fantastic song and1fmacrumours reminds me of a time when I hated U2 (what I knew of them) because it wasn’t the other pop drivel I had come to love. I know better, now, considering them one of my top 10 acts, if not top 5. It doesn’t have a bad song on it. I LOVE this album.

#26 – Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Make sure you spell it right… the British way. Another monster album. It seems this part of the list is where you’re going to start really getting into the meat of it all. I mean, it’s the top 30 albums of all time, right? So, yeah, a monster album. It is full, and I mean full, of awesome songs. From the opening, chugging notes of “Second Hand News” there’s not a dull moment or bad note, much less a bad song, through the fade out of “Gold Dust Woman.” The band, while probably in some constant state of f’ed up, was firing on all cylinders on this album musically. Mick Fleetwood was a solid drummer and probably still is, although at 69, I believe he needs a little backup on that. Christine McVie (whose maiden name is actually Perfect) is cranking, not tickling, the ivories throughout and while I never thought she had the greatest voice, she is a fantastic songwriter and pianist and a good singer. Lindsey Buckingham was always a mystery to me. I never knew he was that good of a guitar player but the coolest part is that he’s a finger picker. I don’t know if he ever uses a pick, it sounds like he probably does through the strumming part but his finger-picking style gives a different timbre to the tonality of his playing. It’s not as bright but is still quite prominent. I think that’s quite unique. I am always talking about the bass players and, well, John McVie (the “Mac” in Fleetwood Mac) is solidly planted at the bottom end. I use the bass line of “The Chain” to get levels when I play out. Not too tough but enough to get a tonal range. That and it’s fun. On this album he doesn’t “go off” but he’s the foundation of the sound. Stevie Nicks was there to be beautiful and raspy. I kid about that. She’s a great voice and songwriter and she was quite beautiful. She still is. “Songbird” is one of the most underrated songs, ever. Christine McVie is on it and that “good voice” is velvety and emotional. The same for “Oh Daddy.” That song is emotional and dark. The whole feel of the song is dark and beautiful. “I Don’t Want to Know” is a bounce-happy trip from Stevie and Lindsey written by Nicks back in the days they performed as a duo before joining Fleetwood Mac. Again, not a bad song anywhere to be found. It could easily be top 15, in my opinion. I love this album (I also own it on vinyl).

#25 – Live at the Apollo by James Brown. Okay, I don’t get it. Listening to this was about as much fun as watching a local church Christmas play. I understand that it was laying a precedence for the marketability of James Brown and it laid groundwork for the future of R&B music. And, I get that is should be on the countdown. I just think that place should have been in the high 400s. Not the 25th greatest album of all time. I couldn’t wait until it was over and it was less than 32 minutes long. This is not the fun and exciting James Brown that we come to know and love. This was just songs performed by a yeller and his three cronies. Now, that sounds harsher than I mean it. The James Brown I know was 1steviewonder_innervisionsbombastic, energetic and loud. This was early, I get it, but it just wasn’t fun to listen to, history and significance be darned. I just didn’t care for it. I did like “Night Train,” so there’s that.

#24 – Innervisions by Stevie Wonder. This album has my absolute favorite Stevie song on it: “Living For the City.” There’s just something about that song that has a great groove, a good story and his vocals are incredible. And the Fender Rhodes never sounded better. On the album is the very extended version of the song. It includes a black man being arrested for being black in the city that I’m assuming is NYC. It’s pretty telling, really. I never thought Stevie a political one but it was a jab at prejudice, I think. And, he plays every single instrument and sound on this song, that’s just amazing. The same goes for the opening track, “Too High,” too. His jazz drumming and synth bass playing is out of this world. Stevie’s vocals are airy on “Visions” and the song is beautiful; amazingly so.  I am seeing that Stevie connects all his songs in the mastering process. The fade out goes into the next tune, except when it’s time to change a side. The first time I ever noticed it was on the cassette for In Square Circle when I was a kid. I am pretty sure it happened on Songs in the Key of Life, too. As much as I really do like the Chili Peppers’ version of “Higher Ground,” it doesn’t hold a candle to the groove of this version. It’s slower, yeah, but it’s more groove. Again, Stevie does it all himself. Other greats: “All in Love is Fair,” “Golden Lady,” “Don’t Worry ‘Bout a Thing” and “He’s Misstra Know-It-All.” I’ve already alerted Jonathan at Underdog Records to keep an eye out for this coming in, used or otherwise. I really, really dug this album. Stevie at his best.

#23 – Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon. I have heard a lot of these songs but I’ve never heard this album, Lennon’s first “solo” album; released 21 days after I was born. A cool thing is Ringo Starr played drums on it. “Mother” is a bit creepy. After reading the story behind it, it is even more creepy. Lennon went through primal therapy with some quack that made him relive the hardest times of his childhood instead of analytical discussions. It brought some darkness out in him, for sure. “Hold On” is a good song, very stripped down to just guitar, bass and drums. Not really a fan of “I Found Out,” though. “Working Class Hero” is another dark and miserable song, but I really like it. It’s a precursor to grunge, I’d say. I don’t know if I’d be correct, but that’s what I’ll say. It’s a commentary on class and perception, I’m figuring. “Isolation” has some really cool chord progressions and dissonant chords. I dig it. I don’t know if he felt much isolation by this time. Phil 1plasticonoSpector plays piano on “Love,” which is a little bit of fresh air after all the depressing songs that precede it. I was thrown off by the little instrumental interlude before the end of the song; the song disappeared and came back. “Well Well Well” is just an abundance of screaming. I can’t find any redeeming qualities about it, really. Billy Preston plays piano on “God” where Lennon pretty much questions everything and I can’t blame him for that. It’s a beautiful song, though, musically. And the album ends as morbidly as it starts and keeps with the sad theme, “My Mummy’s Dead.” I like John Lennon. He’s never been my favorite Beatle, or even my second fave, probably. I’m used to his stuff being better than this. That doctor (and Yoko) really messed him up. Other than a few flashes, I really couldn’t get into this album. For the three or four songs I did like, I’ll say I dug it, but just barely.

#22 – The Complete Recordings by Robert Johnson. I know this is “classic” and I may go back and listen but it’s a compilation, so not on here.

#21 – The Great Twenty-Eight by Chuck Berry. Again, probably “missing out” but it’s a compilation. Didn’t want to end the segment on that, but oh well, it’s on the list that way.

So, for the most part, this was a dynamite segment! Leave off the James Brown and the two comps and I’ve got six really strong dugs or loves and a mediocre (to me) John Lennon album. I have two albums to go and 10 days to do it in. I hope to have it done and done right. I’m not streaking through, I’m just not dragging my feet. Okay, that’s all.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This guy comes up to me, his face red like a rose on a thorn bush. Like all the colors of a royal flush. And, he’s peeling off those dollar bills; slapping them down: one hundred, two hundred. And I can see those fighter planes. And I can see those fighter planes. Across the mud huts where the children sleep, through the alleys of a quiet city street, you take the staircase to the first floor. Turn the key and slowly unlock the door as a man breathes into a saxophone. And, through the walls you hear the city groan. Outside is America. Outside is America. Across the field you see the sky ripped open, see the rain through a gaping wound pounding on the women and children who run into the arms of America.“ – “Bullet the Blue Sky” (Clayton, Evans, Herman, Mullen, Hewson, Toure)

 

Another Fool Like Me or: Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (RS Part 41)

21 Friday Oct 2016

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Salutations™!!

Back at it again! The Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All-Time. A bit of a roller coaster, that last one. And here we go with the last 100 entries of the countdown. Hitting it and running it down, we’ll manage 401-410th and we’re starting with…

#100 – Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies. First thing, I’m not the one that spelled Odyssey wrong. Just so you know. Beautifully layered vocals and trippy psychedelia is 1odessey-and-oracle-the-zombies-650x650smeared all over this gem. Keyboardist Rod Argent and bassist Chris White wrote all the tunes of this album, telling great stories. This album is well written and the sonic quality of it seems to be way ahead of its time. It sounds like it could have been written about 5 to 10 years later. All the musicians on the album are beyond competent and are masterful of their instruments. Usually, I’d pick out a few songs and say those are better than others or this one I didn’t like. I’m certainly not going to do that here. The entire album from front to back is great. I am going to pull one out and discuss that, though. One of my favorite tunes of the ’60s, the entire decade, is “Time of the Season.” I have always wanted to cover that in a band and I never turn it when it comes on. I have to look at this album as a complete, singular unit but that song stands out as a fantastic peak of the mountain. I don’t know why I thought one of the CSN boys was in this band. They weren’t and that’s okay. I still love the album. I want to find it on vinyl. I DUG this album. Great start of the segment.

#99 – There’s a Riot Going On by Sly & the Family Stone. You can’t go wrong with Sly and his (their) funkamentary sound. I know I’ve said this at least 100 times but I’m going to say it again: Larry Graham is a certified bad arse! He makes the bass lines sound effortless and rudimentary and there is nothing rudimentary about them. It’s smooth and velvety goodness at it’s finest. This one doesn’t seem to burst at the seams with energy. It’s a little more laid back, at least from what I’m hearing so far. That’s odd since the title of the album is talking about a “riot.” That doesn’t take away from anything, at all. No, noway, huh-uh, forget it. It’s great stuff. I believe the frontman, Sly, was on a “train” at the time. I’m not sure which drugs but I’ve heard cocaine and PCP. The title is a response to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album. Well, a riot, that’s what. The conventional Family Stone backing vocals are there, so you know it’s them. There’s a lot of weird mixings happening here. Some instruments are fading and coming back some are directly out front and never leave. I don’t know what it is… it’s just different. And that’s okay. The second half of the album, I’m a little less enthused about. Once they get to Side 2, it seems to lose every bit of luster it had. It was like Sly just threw something together. Best stuff? Of course “Family Affair,” as well as “Luv N’ Haight”and “Poet.” The ending tune is a rehashed version of “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” called “Thank You For Talkin’ to Me Africa.” Meh. While it’s not what I’m used to from Sly, it’s a darned fine album at least on Side 1.  I don’t think it should be ranked higher than Stand! (#121) or FRESH (#186). I dug it until the 1elvis-costello-this-years-modelmidway point. Overall? Dug – it’s Sly and the Family Stone. A bit of kinship I have with this album is it was released on my first birthday. So I’m exactly one year older than it is.

#98 – This Year’s Model by Elvis Costello. This is Declan McManus, indeed. This is the first album with “The Attractions and his second overall. I’m sometimes confused with the US vs. UK versions of these albums. They’ll have singles released from them and then leave that single off of the other version. If it’s selling, why change it? I don’t get it. Anywhat! This is good Elvis. Some of it, to me is what I’d have guessed to be early 80s alternative, a little post punk era. I’ll admit that I’ve just recently (within the last 10 years) gotten into that genre and at that only focused on a certain handful of artists to find out more about. So, this was released in 1978 and, to me, sounds ahead of its time. I think because I was only 7 going on 8 at the time, and had my head stuck in KISS’ collective arses, sometimes that era I can’t get away from the Bread, Ambrosia and Abbas of the world. My loss, but now I’m finding it, I’m happy with that. Bruce Thomas’ bass playing is great, solid and tasteful. Great work and the production (thanks Nick Lowe) is spot on. Sometimes instruments get buried and there’s nothing that I can tell that is buried as all the instruments come through vibrantly. The stuff that I liked the most? That’s easy. Start from the beginning and go through the end. That’s the best part. If I was picking, “Pump It Up,” “(I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea,” “Lip Service,” “Living in 1bob_dylan_-_the_freewheelin_bob_dylanParadise” and “Radio, Radio.” Absolutely, I DUG it!

#97 – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan. I don’t know why I didn’t realize that rhymes until I read it out loud in my “announcers voice.” I find it funny now. Also, I will again admit my horrifically skewed ignorance to a lot of music and say that I was one of the Dylan detractors that thought he was awful, how can people listen to this crap, what the heck is this, how did someone that sings that badly make it, and it goes on and on. Let me say up front, that I still he sings horribly, but it’s part of the charm and I get that, now. Let’s put aside the voice, as if it never happened and focus on the songs and the stories. That is where Dylan is a genius and that is where I kick myself often as to being a dumbarse about his talents. I also have to step back and think of the time when this came out, the popularity of it. For that time, it was more important to get the message across, to be that voice of a generation, however you can, than it was to be polished and pretty, be it in looks or voice. Thought provoking and meaningful, playing off social and foreign dissension and strife, this is some wonderfully dark themed music and it’s timeless. Most of the social and foreign policies that he was addressing are still standing like a giant in the streets of our society now. That and the songs have been recorded, beautifully, by other artists. The worst part of this album, for me, is why is it at #97 and not at least top 20? My absolute favorite song on this album and one of my favorites of all time is “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” I had never heard it until my now wife put it on a “mixtape” for me. It was basically the story of her exodus from her previous disaster of a marriage. Basically, I spent time trying to do right by and be what was needed for you and you didn’t appreciate it and just wasted my precious time. Don’t worry, it’s all right, don’t think twice about me, I’m out. The poetry of it all, that song and others like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Girl From North Country,” “A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall” and so on, beyond the musical aspects, is eerily beautiful and deep. I have it on CD and would love to find it on vinyl. Didn’t “dig” it, I LOVED IT!

#96 – Tommy by The Who. I had to reset my thoughts on this. At first I was going to pontificate on how it’s overrated and I don’t get it. Well, that may not be untrue, but after listening to it, I have gained a whole new respect for it. I watched the film and was just confused to why it was so hyped. It bored me to tears. But, listening to it without the distraction of the visual, I find it a lot more enjoyable than I originally thought. Musically, it’s brilliant and lyrically/storytelling, it’s really good. I don’t know that I actually like the story or if I even care about the story, I did like listening to the album once it got into the meat of it. The first little bit, I found myself answering emails, checking Facebook, etc. I think it was around “Christmas” and its “See me, feel me, touch me, heal me” parts, that I really started listening. I know that’s a central theme in the story and it really came into the forefront from there. I know they had a single by the name of “See Me, Feel Me” but I don’t know if it was just a single release or what. I like how they tied that and “Go To The Mirror!” and other various aspects into the last song, called, “We’re Not Going To Take It.” I suppose with a concept/rock opera that you need to revisit themes, or variations on a theme (or several themes) to make the story work. I like it and I get it. So, instead of my 1bitches_brewinitial reaction of “blah blah blah blah” I actually enjoyed the album. I’d listen again, but when I can pick and choose what to listen to. Dug.

#95 – Bitches Brew by Miles Davis. If you’re looking for something quick and easy? This is not it. If you’re looking for something with short and to-the-point tunes, this is not it. If you’re looking for something with wicked and haunting melodies in the form of instrumental storytelling from one of the most innovative and influential horn players in the history, then this is it. It’s chilling, almost like you’re waiting for something bad to happen. The production is also amazing. It adds to the mystique of the album. The accompanying musicians, such as John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea and Larry Young, show virtuosity abounds and to witness it being recorded would have been beyond cool. I mean, this is Miles Davis, right? The embodiment of cool? I love the title, too. I believe some of his jazz fans felt betrayed by this album, as it seems to be a departure from what he was doing previously. But, it grabbed a new and sophisticated rock audience. He’s not laying back being cool here, though; he’s blasting the horn in dynamic, tempestuous phrasings. It does truly sounds like there are witches brewing evil concoctions and there’s an unsettling cloud approaching, slowly, menacingly. The first two tunes alone are over 47 minutes. They lull you in, immerse you in the dissonant sounds and then begin to bludgeon you violently before laying back, when you think you can’t take any more and giving you the false sense of “it’s all okay” before again irascibly assaulting you with a sonic strike. It’s a beautiful nightmare that you lovingly endure for 90 minutes wondering where you’ll end up next. It’s hard to say the best songs as I think they’re all hiding in plain sight waiting to pounce on you. There are two bass players playing, not only two different styles of basses (one electric and one double), but different rhythms. It creates a weird tension that is prevalent throughout much of the album. Sometimes it’s two electric basses playing different pieces at the same time. That’s innovation, brother! Then you have up to three electric pianos, pianos or keyboards playing at the same time, again, all different parts. They’re panned across the panned sonic spectrum.At times it sounds like chaos and at others it sounds as if you’re floating in an open sea. It’s a lot to take in at once and I actually thought my mind was going to blow out the side of my skull a few times. I’ve written all of this before I’ve gotten beyond the third tune, “Spanish Key.” Upon listening to the rest of it, it was par for the course, but still better than much of what came before it on this countdown. It’s reckless abandon is part of it’s indubitably perfect charm. Great stuff. I LOVED it.

#94 – 40 Greatest Hits by Hank Williams, Sr. Nope.

#93 – Sign o’the Times by Prince. I am looking for an accessible copy of this album. Again, it’s one that I don’t have and don’t know that I want to go out and purchase it new. I’m hoping to find it used. I checked with my buddy Jonathan down at Underdog Records, to see if he had a used copy on vinyl. That would have been cool. Chances are this will be released before that happens. I’ll report back on it in a future post, but don’t worry, I’m not abandoning it.1gbybr

#92 – 20 Golden Greats by Buddy Holly & The Crickets. Nah.

#91 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. To me, it is the Elton John album. One of my all-time favorite EJ songs is on this album: “All the Girls Love Alice.” That in itself is worth a high rating. But, several of EJ’s biggest hits is on this album as well: the title track, “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Saturday’s Alright for Fighting.” Great stuff, that. Again, the inclusion of those tracks, alone, would make this a high rating album. Then you have the peripheral “hits,” like: “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” “Alice” (that I mentioned before) and “Harmony.” There’s 17 songs on this double album and there’s no down-time whilst listening. It’s all worth every minute. Chasing reggae in “Jamaican Jerk-Off,” or the old-timey inspired “Grey Seal,” or the no nonsense ballad, “I’ve Seen that Movie Too,” there’s a bit of many styles all over this album…. Sorry, I had to break for a minute to sing along with “Alice.” Such a great song. Sad, but great! Anywhat! I really LOVE this album.

So, wow… with the exception of two compilations and one that is currently AWOL, that leaves 7, I actually LOVED 6 of them and still dug the last (Sly). We’ve crossed the starting line to the top 100, now and things should be getting hot and juicy on the way in to #1. I’m looking forward to what’s coming and am excited for the stuff that I’ve listened to on this segment. Don’t worry, I’ll catch up with the Prince album, much like I had to do with Harrison’s All Things Must Pass (#433), when I didn’t have access to it online but owned a copy of it. I gotcha, Dear Reader… I gotcha.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“All the young girls love Alice. Tender young Alice, they say, come over and see me.  Come over and please me. Alice, it’s my turn today.” – “All the Girls Love Alice” (Taupin/John)

Fade Out or: At Last! (RS Part 39)

16 Thursday Jun 2016

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Salutations™!!

Man, we’re moving right along on this. The numbers get smaller and smaller. Well, duh! That’s what we do with countdowns, dude! Okay, last time was pretty good, finishing it off with a bang!!! I enjoyed that. So, let’s move on ahead with the latest installment and segment of the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All-Time. Kick it!

#120 – Sweetheart of the Rodeo by The Byrds. I was excited when I saw it was The Byrds. Then it started. I am not a fan of alt country and “classic” country rock. This most certainly wasn’t what I was looking for with The Byrds. It’s really more like Hillman, McGuinn & Parsons. It’s not even good country. It’s like something you’d see in a “road house” movie. I can’t understand why anyone would want to listen to this. There’s nothing redeeming about it that I can even say, other than the last tune, “Nothing Was Delivered.” That was okay. I found myself checking emails updating blog posts while it played. I was glad when it was over. This is awful. Hated it and did NOT dig!

#119 – At Last! by Etta James. Thank you Etta James for helping me get that taste out of my mouth from the previous entry. Ugh. I love me some Etta James. That classic soul/R&B and yes, even blues, voice is smooth and powerful. Drips from her face and into my ears like1atlast little drops of honey onto a biscuit. She’s so powerful that you can hear the diaphragm inside the microphone cringe. No joke; she pegs the needle in many of the songs, especially in “My Dearest Darling.” I’m running out of adjectives and adverbs to describe how amazing she is. No one that has been to a wedding in the last 30 years hasn’t heard “At Last!” and that’s never a bad thing. She feels this music and in return you have no choice but feel it, at least as long as you’re listening. Again, I’m starting to ramble. This is a great album and you absolutely should get lost in it. DUGx1000!

#118 – Late Registration by Kanye West. I can’t stand seeing or hearing anything about Kanye West. There I said it. Now, that being said, this doesn’t suck. The musicality (at least in the beginning of the album) is pretty interesting and he’s not his normal annoying self. Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles imitation is pretty cool on “Gold Digger.” I really wish Kanye wasn’t such a snot rocket because he actually has some pretty cool influences. And, 1Late_registration_cd_coverI think what he’s trying to do with this album is respectable. I just can’t get past his diarrhea of the mouth; in real life, though, not on this recording. I believe notoriety, for good or bad, has an impact on people’s success. While it turns a lot of people off that he is how he is, some really like his outspokenness. And, as they say, any press is good press. His storytelling is quite intricate. Plus, there’s a few “skits,” scattered throughout the album, that center on a fictional fraternity called Broke Phi Broke, that prides itself on a non-worldly and simple lifestyle. Kanye’s “character” sneaks to do some of his “art” to make some money and also buys clothes and takes a bath. These things are against the rules of the fraternity. A few of my faves on here would be “Heard ‘Em Say,” “Roses,” “Bring Me Down” (featuring Brandy), “Addiction,” “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” (that features Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds are Forever”), “We Major.” There’s actually some good vocals on this album, too. It’s not exactly hip-hop but certainly not not-hip-hop.There are a lot of pop elements involved here, as well. I dug it and I think you will, too.

#117 – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominoes. This album was released 11 days before I was born. I’ve continually expressed my dislike of Eric Clapton throughout this countdown, but on this one I’m going to be a little nicer. I think it’s because he’s not doing rehashed blues tunes and, for the most part, he’s written most of the songs. I had heard “Bell Bottom Blues” before but only in passing. When I actually take time to listen, that’s a great song. Later and throughout the recording you can definitely hear the Duane Allman influence. I especially hear it in “Why Does Love Got to be so Sad?” That sounds like an Allman Bros song to me. The cover of “Have You Ever Loved a Woman?” is exactly what I didn’t want to hear on this album. That rudimentary, boring and predictable bluest of the blues. But, then I was completely blown away by the cover of Jimi Hendrix’ “Little Wing,” which I don’t know that I’ve ever heard the original of. Yeah, I’m not at all a Hendrix fan, either. Surprise! Probably not so much at that. The guitar lick for “Layla” is very iconic and I’ve never turned that one when it came on. I was once writing a song on piano and thought it was pretty cool until I realized I was working, very hard, on writing the end of “Layla.” I was quite disappointed. It was the same key and everything. Oh well, darn you Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon for beating me to it! I totally wasn’t expecting “Thorn Tree in the Garden.” I was looking for some airbrushed man and woman walking through a field like on the old K-Tel Records TV commercials. I like it. Overall, this wasn’t a bad album but I think they could have left off about 4-5 songs and it would have been just fine. It’s the start of a run of mid- to late-’60s and early-’70s classics on the countdown. I didn’t not dig it, let’s leave it at that.

#116 – Out of Our Heads by The Rolling Stones. To be clear, this is the US version of this album. The UK version leaves off three very important songs: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “The Last Time” and “Play with Fire.” The Brits have a hard time, I guess with songs that were already singles being put on a new album. Who knows? Technically, you could call this a compilation album, but because the compilation is with songs that were recorded within a six-month period and included among other songs that were recorded for this collection, I’ll include it. Out of 12 songs, only 6 of them were written internally: aforementioned “Satisfaction” and “The Last Time,” “The Spider and the Fly” and “One More Try” along with and two Nanker Phelge written tunes: “Play with Fire” and “The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man.” Nanker Phelge is the pseudonym that the Stones used when writing as a collective (in this case it’s Jagger, Richards, Watts, Wyman and Jones). The rest of the songs are rehashed covers. While they’re decent versions, I’m not overly impressed. I found myself watching to see how much more time was left before it was over. So, the songs that the UK version left off, really is the only 1The_who_sell_out_album_frontthing that is really worth my time listening to on this version. Did not dig (as a whole).

#115 – The Who Sell Out by The Who. I love the “radio” aspect of this album. It’s like it’s being broadcast. Since I’m such a fan of MadMen and Heinz Baked Beans were a vital part of the story line for a while, that’s great to see and hear them mentioned (at least by title). In the middle of all the silly (which I love) there are some really great songs in here. “Odorono” is fantastic as is “Armenia City in the Sky.” The Who sometimes has a difficult time grabbing me, on this one, at least from what I’ve heard of it so far, it has captured me and I’m really, really paying attention (and enjoying it). I could go through and pick my favorites, as I started out (above) and list them but that would be pointless. Let’s just say there are no fillers here. This is 100% pure, grade A USDA choice beefiness as far as albums go. Front to back. This is a gem of an album. The concept is magical and inspiring, the cover a hoot. I can’t even pick an absolute fave. It’s all great! The sprinkling of “commercials” throughout the “radio broadcast” are ingenious. I LOVE this album!

#114 – Disraeli Gears by Cream. This album was released just 35 days prior to the previous countdown entry in 1967. It features “Strange Brew” and “Sunshine of Your Love.” Psychedelic sure but bluesy-rock, too. I’ve come to find most of the psychedelic stuff is heavy with some serious reverb. And, most bluesy-rock stuff, I just can’t get into. Anywhat! The album spikes and wanes with me, personally. While there are times that Jack Bruce’s vocals are annoying with that falsetto, there are others where it’s not so bad. I just think it’s overdone. “SWLABR” is pretty good, I like that. The two hits, I like those. Overall, though, I don’t get it and don’t really care to get it. I don’t get the big deal that is Cream and I know I’ll get rolled for that. Damien or Ed or Eugene will nail me for it. I just don’t understand the appeal. Ginger Baker is a great drummer and Jack Bruce is a great bass player. Don’t get me started on the hack that Eric Clapton is. I did REALLY enjoy “Mother’s Lament” though. I listened to that one twice, after all it’s asked at the end of it: “you wanna do it again?” Otherwise, outside the first two songs and the last, it was a yawnfest. Did not dig (as a whole).

#113 – Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell. Okay. Another thing for me to get rolled about, but on the other end of the spectrum. My only exposure to Joni Mitchell was “Woodstock” (which I didn’t care for), “Big Yellow Taxi” (I liked the Counting Crows version better as 1xcourtfar as I know) and “Help Me” (and I didn’t even know that was her). Again, not something I went out looking for and I had absolutely no exposure to it as a kid. Now, all that being said. This gal is going places! “Help Me” is on this album and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I guess I had never paid attention before. A lot of it reminds me of Lynn Ahrens’ work on Schoolhouse Rock but it was around the same time as this and yes, I LOVE Schoolhouse Rock. I don’t know if it was listening to this more laid-back stuff after the mostly crap that the Cream album was, but I really enjoyed this album. This is making me want to go back and listen to the aforementioned songs that I dismissed to give another chance. I like the singer-songwriter and folky aspect, but there’s also hints of jazz and soft rock in there. I like it. The whole album is great and just like The Who previously, I’d be amiss to pick just a few. I’d like to own both of them on vinyl. DUG!

#112 – If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears by The Mamas and the Papas. Some of the most well-known Mamas and the Papas tunes are on this album. And, really, some of the best harmonies you’re going to hear, ever. The folksters were very well represented with this album. It’s definitely a ’60s thing. I know I say this a lot but I can picture people listening to this while smoking pot, lying upon a heavy-shagged rug of avocado green or burnt orange surrounded by lava lamps and wearing pastel pink lipstick, mini dresses of white and pink polka dots with white go-go boots or plaid bell bottoms with turtleneck sweaters. Man, I feel I really missed it. That would have been groovy. Yeah, I said it. There’s not only the folk singer aspect, there’s genuine pop music at play. A Lennon/McCartney tune, “I Call Your Name,” is on here and they do it Beatle-esque justice, I’d say. Lots of orchestration, which was “in” at the time, lines the whole album. “California Dreamin'” could possibly be one of the best songs ever written. Yes, I said that, too! Their version of 1RadioheadTheBends600the Phil Spector/Jerry Leiber penned “Spanish Harlem” is quite excellent, too. I could see Ma Mère listening to this as she liked the folk stuff and while this isn’t Peter, Paul and Mary, it’s still good stuff! I like this album a good bit! Dug!

#111 – The Bends by Radiohead. This is my first listen of Radiohead since the VSS show. My opinion of most of the Radiohead stuff changed after experiencing that. Let’s see how it affects my opinion of it while listening fresh. “Planet Telex” is a great start. However, “High and Dry” is the embodiment of a fantasmic and stellar song. It reminds me of my buddy, Patrick and sounds like the way he’d write. He’s the one that did the entire Ok! Computer album as the lead singer and is the songwriter extraordinaire of Vel Indica. Thom Yorke is a bit out there but sometimes “out there” is where you need to be, am I right? Take for instance, “Fake Plastic Trees.” It brings a lot of weird imagery but you can picture it, every bit. Why is that I almost cry when I hear this song? I really almost cried listening to it here. I mean with lyrics like: “A green plastic watering can for a fake Chinese rubber plant, in the fake plastic earth that she bought from a rubber man, in a town full of rubber plans to get rid of itself,” how can you not cry right off the bat? And the way Yorke sings it just adds to the sadness, but beautifully, if you can believe that. “Bones” reminds me of some Love & Rockets; not a bad thing. Really, at this point, I should just stop picking good ones and talk about my least favorites. Okay, here goes. __. And that’s it. It’s a spectaculicious specimen of music and I’ll go on record to say, that I love this album. L.O.V.E. it!! Dug doesn’t even do it justice.

I don’t remember such a divisive segment in the whole lot. There may have been but I don’t remember it. There is the third that I loathed (Disraeli Gears, Out of Our Heads, Sweetheart of the Rodeo), while there is the third that I liked or didn’t mind (Late Registration, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears). That leaves the third plus one that I absolutely fell in love with (At Last!, The Who Sell Out, Court and Spark and The Bends). It was a weird, but rewarding segment, I’ll say. And, as I get closer to the top, I’m sure I’ll be conflicted with why some of the entries are where they are vs. should they even be on the list. We’ll see. Until then… I’m out.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“She lives with a broken man, a cracked polystyrene man, who just crumbles and burns. He used to do surgery for girls in the eighties, but gravity always wins.” – “Fake Plastic Trees” (Radiohead)