Tag Archives: Willow’s Bistro

Make It Just to Fake It or: The Pop-Up Podcast

22 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

I told you last week that I was on a podcast that wasn’t mine called The Pop-Up Podcast. That show dropped early yesterday but Mondays are one of my busiest days and I had to work. But, today, I am dropping the ep right here.

Promise Mangum is the host and does a good job. We talk about Podcasting (duh!), WSNC, food, internet radio and more. I was able to get all the podcast names in and the entire roster of TLD sponsors. Woot!

Look for Promise to be on The Less Desirables on February 20. Here, Dear Reader, I present you with the “Pop-Up Podcast.”

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I make it just to fake it…” – Me

For the First Time or: To 2019 and Beyond

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Today I did something that I’ve never done before. I had my son, 3B on The Less Desirables. For almost nine years I’ve been doing this show and he’s never been on it. He has been on The Beer Dads for a couple of shows, but never TLD. It was a “year-end/post-Christmas” show and relatively short, but it was still cool. We talked about Christmas, his culinary aspirations, cooking, food, his musical tastes and more. It was just cool having him there for it and talking.  You can hear that episode HERE.20181226_150340.jpg

I also wanted to take a minute to thank all the TLD Network sponsors for a great 2018. Special, very special thanks to Underdog Records, Bull’s Tavern, Finnigan’s Wake, King’s Crab Shack & Oyster Bar, Willow’s Bistro, X1 Communications, Machine Gun Graphics, SOS Investor LLC, Washington Perk & Provision Company, Industry Hill, Dilisio’s Italian Restaurant, The Humblebee Shoppe, Hoot’s Roller Bar & Beer Company, Satornino Group, Old Winston Social Club, and hopefully a few more coming soon. 2018 was awesome. 2019 is going to be even more kick-arse!

Thank you all for listening, too. And, for reading this blog.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I built a program that crawled job boards to determine which skills employers value, which helped Johnson & Wales explore ways to improve its curriculum.” – Hilary Mason

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 7/28/18

29 Sunday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I did our Saturday thang all around. Mary’s Gourmet Diner, Underdog Records, Willows Bistro. I have to say, I made out with a great collection of Judas Priest albums. I have never really been huge into them but their older stuff is awesome, especially their first album, which I got. Speaking of which:

Rocka_Rolla_(Judas_Priest_album)

©Gull Records

  • Judas Priest – Rocka Rolla — The first Priest album. However, it wasn’t first here in the US. It was first in the UK and Europe in 1974. But, it wasn’t released here until 1979. This was back when Rob Halford was still “Bob” Halford. It wasn’t the “metal” Priest, either, just good early- to mid-70s hard rock. Great stuff. VG++!
  • Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny  — The second Priest album. They got a little harder on this one and started shaping up for what was the Priest to come. VG++.
  • Judas Priest – Sin After Sin — The third Priest album. Jonathan has it rated at VG and I haven’t listened to it yet, but J tends to be conservative in his ratings which is good, he doesn’t want to oversell anything. I have a feeling that this is probably closer to VG+. He says it has some surface noise but sometimes, that’s the beauty of vinyl.
  • Judas Priest – Unleashed In The East (Live In Japan) — I already had the fourth album from Priest (Stained Class) and haven’t found the fifth yet (Killing Machine or in the US it was called Hell Bent for Leather) but then comes this album, their first live album. I found it at Underdog Records in VG condition and again, I feel it is probably a little closer to VG+ but I’m going with VG.
  • Judas Priest – Turbo — Then comes the one everyone hates… except me. I don’t have the sixth studio album (British Steel), the seventh (Point of Entry) – which Jonathan had but I passed on it for whatever reason. I do have the eighth (Screaming For Vengeance). Jonathan had the ninth (Defenders of the Faith) but for whatever reason, I skipped on it, and then this one.  This was a very pop-heavy album. And by pop-heavy I mean it was filled with a poppier sound but it was also heavy. Many Priest purists down it because it wasn’t “their Judas Priest.” However, it was the first real introduction I had to any of their stuff and I loved it. I loved it more than most of their stuff I got to know later. So, “Parental Guidance” and “Turbo Lover” are some of my favorite Priest tunes. I get how cheesy they can be but I still loved it. It’s the first time, I believe, I’ve owned this record, though. VG+.
  • Bob Dylan – Infidels — I am so hit-or-miss with Dylan, especially the older he got. This came out in 1983 and I really don’t like all the scoopy-whiny crap he resorted to. This was VG+.
  • Bob Dylan – Empire Burlesque — Dylan’s next studio album after Infidels. Oddly enough, I didn’t hate it. There were some cheesish things on there but it wasn’t awful. This, too, was VG+.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – Catch A Fire — This is the 1974 reissue of the 1973 album. I have gotten to really like Marley even though I’m still not a huge fan of reggae as a whole. This though was pretty much background noise after a while. It was in VG condition.
  • Ric Ocasek – Beatitude — This album was really crappy which was a disappointment because I’m a fan of The Cars. I was hoping it would have been Cars-like but it was disjointed and seemed to have no cohesion throughout. It was in VG shape.
  • No Artist – Living French: A Complete Language Course — The BCPF and I are huge fans of the French, their language, their culture, them. We have both taken French over the course of our lifetimes. We got this 4×10″ set mainly because of the books that came with the set and it was only $1. I’d say the cover box was in VG- condition but the 10″ records inside were in VG+.
  • Daniel Ash – Coming Down — This was a “bucket list” item for The BCPF. I purchased it from Discogs Marketplace and this was the second attempt. The first attempt led to the seller not finding it. It worked out okay, though, I have another album I need on its way (both the replacement and this came from Europe/UK). So, she was excited because I didn’t tell her that I ordered another. I like giving her the things she likes. VG++.

I really wish I would have gotten those two Priest albums that I passed on at Underdog Records. Part of it was the cost was piling up, but I just said, Nah. I figure he sold them both before the end of the day. I’m going to check on Tuesday when he opens back up but I’m not getting my hopes up. I really encourage you to watch the Facebook and Instagram accounts for Underdog, because he always posts exciting things he’s getting in, be it equipment, re-stock or freshly acquired used stuff.

And, as you can see, you can get your “bucket list” stuff on Discogs Marketplace. I’d say 99% of the sellers are really easy to work with and they’re usually spot on about their grade ratings and are willing to work with you to make all right. I love buying from there. You just have to watch shipping from EU and UK as those costs can add up. I try to only buy from those who state their shipping costs up front.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning!
Scorp out!

—
“You say I waste my life away, but I live it to the full. And how would you know anyway, you’re just mister dull. Why don’t you get into the things we do today? You could lose twenty years right away, so we say. We don’t need, no, no no no parental guidance here.” – “Parental Guidance” (Tipton/Downing/Halford)

Piggyback on Tour or: Triple T Express

23 Monday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

There wasn’t a The Man Who Ate the Town podcast today, Kelly was still out and there really has been little food news happening. It’s to be expected during the summer, really. As my pal Michael Hastings said, it ebbs and flows. It’s in a trough now.

pho

©Mary Lacklen

But, The BCPF and I were privileged to go on a little trip to a little culinary heaven via a group called the Triad Touring Tasters. It started at Willows and went to Pho Hien Vuong Restaurant in Greensboro via a party bus. You can read a little more about it from the post I did today over at The Man Who Ate the Town. Find it HERE.

Let’s just say there will be a few Instagram photos and a blog post in the next few days regarding the tour. It’s late, now.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Pho is life.” – Robyn Defriece

 

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/30/18

01 Sunday Jul 2018

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I were up early to head to Mary’s Gourmet Diner and then over to Underdog Records, yesterday. We were actually home before noon and that gave us over six hours of record listening before heading to Willows Bistro last night. That was great! Here’s the haul:

skidrow

©Atlantic Records

  • Skid Row – Skid Row – I have always been a fan of Sebastian Bach’s voice. He’s got power and soul. His range is amazing, too. This is a VG++ copy of the album was priced at about $20, so it was in magnificent shape and it was so fun listening to it on vinyl after years of CD listening. Great pickup!
  • Extreme – Extreme II: Pornograffitti – I wore the CD out for this album when I discovered it back in the very early 90s. I hate Gary Cherone’s voice outside of Extreme (like in Van Halen), but in Extreme, it fits darned-near perfectly. This was a VG++ copy. Now, my beef with the vinyl version of this album is the exclusion of “Hole Hearted.” I understand there are space limitations on vinyl (see my post a few months back about Dire Strait’s Brothers in Arms) but “Hole Hearted” made it to #4 on the charts! They could have left off “It (‘s a Monster)” or something else. Oh well. I also think this is the Canadian version of the album.
  • Polvo – Shapes – I had never heard of this band before but The BCPF says that they were a staple of the Chapel Hill scene in the early- and mid-90s. I know that it was mixed and partially recorded at my pal Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium in K-Ville. It was a lot of soft to heavy stuff and I enjoyed listening with her. It was in VG++ shape.
  • Various – Lost In The Stars (The Music Of Kurt Weill) – Kurt Weill was a German/American composer and songwriter active in the 1920s through to his death in 1950. Perhaps his best-known work was The Threepenny Opera which featured the song “Mack the Knife.” This tribute has Sting, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Marianne Faithfull, Todd Rundgren and others doing his songs. I loved all of it. The BCPF liked some of it. It was great stuff, to me. VG+.
  • Chris Stamey Group Special Guests The dB’s – Christmas Time – Chris Stamey is a Chapel Hill, NC native that spent a lot of time in WSNC. He was in bands with Alex Chilton of Big Star and he was also in Sneakers with Mitch Easter. He later formed the dBs with Peter Holsapple, which along with REM and Let’s Active (Easter’s band) led the charge for guitar bands in the southeast. It’s a Christmas album. That’s what I know of it other than what I’ve already said. VG+.
  • The Dream Academy – The Dream Academy – Yes, “Life in a Northern Town.” But, this album was so much more than just that song. The whole album is in that vein but it’s just as good as that song. This was in the $1 bin and there was a skip here and there but very little. I’m going to say VG.
  • Van Halen – Van Halen – the awesome first VH album and I got it for $1. After cleaning it up, it was in really good shape. Not much surface noise at all and not a single skip. I was quite pleased with that acquisition. I’ll go with VG.
  • The J. Geils Band – Ladies Invited – I don’t recognize any songs on here, but it was $1, so why not? VG.
  • Go-Go’s – Beauty And The Beat  – Yep, “Head Over Heels,” “This Town,” and “We Got the Beat.” No skips and it was only $1. VG.
  • Various – Top Gun (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – $1 bin find. You don’t pass this soundtrack up. VG.
  • Michel Legrand And His Orchestra – The New I Love Paris – I’ve said it before but The BCPF and I are obsessed with French music from the 50s and 60s. It was $1 so there you go. VG-.

So, a while back, Jonathan had given me a crate of “warped” records that he was going to let me do some experimenting with because I wanted to play with flattening them. I went through some of them yesterday and while there was a little bit of warble on the turntable, none of the ones I pulled were too awfully bad. So, here’s what I cleaned from that stack:

  • Christopher Cross – Another Page – It’s the album with “All Right” and “Think of Laura.” The LP itself was in pretty good shape with the slightest warp. I would say it’s about VG.
  • Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim – Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim – Ol’ Blue Eyes. Not too bad. VG-.
  • Bruce Springsteen – Human Touch and Bruce Springsteen – Lucky Town – Sister releases, ninth and tenth of Springsteen’s studio albums, released on the same day. Lucky Town was still sealed. They each had a little warble but all in all, VG/VG+.
  • The Beach Boys – Endless Summer – 2xLP compilation album. I had to do some serious washing on this album and there were some spots on the album that I have no idea what it is. I washed it extra long and most but not all of that scum came off of the wax. I’d say G+, and that’s being generous.
  • Richard Marx – Rush Street – I’m a huge fan of Richard Marx, whether I should be or not. I dig him. One of my favorite tunes from him and this album is “Hazard.” I love the story. Not much warp, either. VG/VG+.
  • K.T. Oslin – 80’s Ladies – Still sealed and not much warpage. VG/VG+.
  • Various – Happy Days – Fonzie Favorites – Yeah, I don’t know. It was there and I couldn’t resist cleaning it to see what came of it. I’ve not listened to it but it’s mostly Doo-wop and old rock and roll. Everly Brothers, Bobby Darin, Bill Haley & the Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Coasters, The Chantels, etc. VG.
  • Bee Gees – 1st – The guys, including the non-Brothers Gibb, look way young. It’s the coolest that Barry Gibb has ever looked, I’d say. It’s called 1st and for a major label, it is their first, but it’s third in their actual discography. It has the tune “New York Mining Disaster 1941” on it. VG. Mono.
  • Tom Jones – What A Night – I love me some Tom Jones. According to its Wikipedia page, “the album was promoted by Epic as showing a more sensitive and thoughtful side to the singer.” Okay. G+.

So, that’s a pretty good haul or at least a pretty good addition. Jonathan had a pretty good selection of receivers and turntables in Underdog Records yesterday. It’s a great way to start your record collecting (besides having something to play them on), having good and decent equipment.

Thanks to Discogs for providing a place to keep a record of what I have in my collection. Last night at Willows I was able to compare notes and collections with my good friend Michael. Discogs is great.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A Salvation Army band played and the children drank lemonade and the morning lasted all day, all day. And through an open window came, like Sinatra in a younger day, pushing the town away, away. Life in a northern town.” – “Life in a Northern Town” (Laird-Clowes/Gabriel)

The Space Within or: Mad Lab?

28 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

Last night, Danielle, Bethany and I recorded the first ever episode of The Less Desirables from our new digs. I have used that term a lot in the last bit but I feel it’s appropriate for this location. Anywhat! Now that we have all the ducks in place, I am in a position to tell you guys of the new space and give you a (virtual) tour.

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Main Office Area

First, the location itself. You know, Dear Reader, that we were in the Test Pattern Studios that were in the back of, you guessed it, the Test Pattern bar; right across from The Garage on 7th Street. Well, we are now about 4 blocks north, almost exactly, from that location. We are now on N Chestnut Street. The area is called Industry Hill (or at least we’re trying to make it so). It’s between 7th Street and Northwest Blvd. It’s where the Warehouse District is/was and whilst some are saying there’s no industry here, I say poppycock. Warehousing is an industry. Textiles is an industry. Furniture is an industry. There is plenty of industry here.

But, my plan to expand Such-N-Such Media into a real media company that goes beyond just podcast production and voice-overs. My new location is more than just a podcast studio. Here’s how it works out.

sipping

The NC Libations Collection

First, there’s the main area. It sits about 300 square feet. I plan on getting a TV and streaming programming on it, including offering some advertising space to sponsors. Yes, the traffic is limited but we do get a good bit of guests coming through for the various podcasts (and other future things) so it’s just another incentive. That’s where the beer fridge is and out great friends over at Machine Gun Graphics are going to make me a huge TLD logo like we used to have in the Chatham Bldg studio. It leads to all the other rooms and studios. It also has all the bottles and libations from the guests on Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking podcast.

 

Then there’s the podcast/VO/production room. This is where all the magic happens. The six-foot round table that we have had for the last several years is too big. It fits but it makes it hard for people to sit around the table. So, our pals at Sunnyside Mill Works is going to custom make us a four-foot round table. So then we have something special; something no one else has.

20180628_224745

The Podcast Studio

Next, the video room. It’s awfully plain right now but I’m going to hang a green screen, a black muslin sheet and a white muslin sheet so I can create nearly any background I need to for video and photography. That opens up my service availability and scope of operations.

Something that I’ve never had before? An actual office for Such-N-Such Media, Such-N-Such Limited (the company that owns the media company) or any of the podcasts. Now, I do. Odd blue walls and all. I don’t know how much I’ll be in there as of right now but I do plan on using it in the future.

vidroom

Video Studio

I have my own bathroom that I don’t have to share with the rest of the building. The rest of the building has to use the communal restrooms. One of the coolest things in there is an old Wachovia bank vault. Well, it’s night drop safe with a Night Depository “slot” that is made of die-cast iron and what appears to be brass. It’s still pretty cool.

The building we’re in used to be the EG Forrest main offices. EG Forrest was a food distribution company that sold their company a few years back. Being as they were a food distributor, their breakroom actually had a hood system like in restaurants, although there is no stove or grill under it. I am sure there used to be. There is also a commercial grade dishwasher that was left behind and it powers on. Chef Travis said they use the same one at Willows Bistro and is getting me in touch with their technician so I can have him check it out and see if we can get it to work. That would mean I can get clean glasses without having to hand wash them. I hate doing that. So, keep your fingers crossed.

office

The Office

Ideas for the name of the building has been floating around among the landlord and me. We have had a few other names which I think are cool but, for now, we are going with The Lab at Industry Hill. It’s sleek and classy. Odd-kind of something of a name for a podcast called The Less Desirables, huh?

So, there’s the big secret. I did a sweep today of Test Pattern Studios to make sure that I had everything out as it was my deadline. It’s clear. Onto bigger and better things in the Lab at Industry Hill!

Check out the first podcast recorded there, last night, HERE.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I find podcasting an enticing space.” – Jason Calacanis

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/23/18

24 Sunday Jun 2018

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Salutations™!!

_music1

©Swan Song

The BCPF and I were working to get the new studio ready to function for a good part of yesterday, but we did at least get by Mary’s Gourmet Diner and Underdog Records and were able to listen to several records before heading to Willows Bistro. Here’s the very short haul:

  • The New Year – Snow – I don’t know anything about this band but The BCPF digs them and that’s all I really need to know, right? Right. It was VG++.
  • Faster Pussycat – Faster Pussycat – I played “Bathroom Wall” in the first major band I was in that had any real recognition, The Blue. Not my favorite band but I couldn’t resist getting it. VG.
  • Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – This is #97 on the RS List, which I think is asinine. I think it’s his best work. Certainly, it’s better than Blonde on Blonde. I hate that album. I would have been one of those folks upset that Dylan went electric because I think he wasn’t as good. The acoustic stuff with him, his guitar and his harmonica, is the best Dylan. It’s rated at VG- but I think it’s in pretty good shape.
  • Eurythmics – 1984 (For The Love Of Big Brother) – I love the Eurythmics and I love the story of 1984, although it’s scary as heck (kind of like today’s world). There weren’t any real hits on here, just the soundtrack of the film. VG.
  • Hoodoo Gurus – 1000 Miles Away – This is just a 12″ single on a picture disc. I am not a fan of picture discs as they tear the needle up, but The BCPF says it’s her favorite Hoodoo Gurus song and you don’t argue with her. It was in the $1 bin and it’s in VG shape.
  • Led Zeppelin – Presence – This completes my Zeppelin studio collection. However, several of the albums, including this one that I got in the $1 bin, are in pretty terrible shape. They were “well loved.” I will be finding replacements for those, eventually. The album is in “good” shape and the cover is in “fair” shape.

Short list this week; end of the month and all. Jonathan was pretty busy yesterday, which is good. He had Ozzy Osbourne’s first album, Blizzard of Oz which I was really hoping to get my hands on but, that didn’t work out. Oh well. I’ll keep looking for that one. Keep an eye on Underdog Records’ social media as there are always new things kicking in there. And, I’ll be doing something with Jonathan for The Less Desirables, too.

Discogs is my go-to for collection documentation. Every album I own is on my Discogs list (except the three that I will have to enter myself) and I can watch my friends’ lists as well.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Keep spinnin’!

—
“Well, it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe. Ifin’ you don’t know by now. An’ it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe. It’ll never do somehow. When your rooster crows at the break a dawn. Look out your window and I’ll be gone. You’re the reason I’m trav’lin’ on. Don’t think twice, it’s all right.” – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” (Dylan)

That’s Just Golden or: Milestone

21 Thursday Jun 2018

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Salutations™!!

Today, we celebrate two anniversaries, one more significant than the other. First, it was 32 years ago today that my family and I moved here to WSNC. I still live on the same piece of property that we moved to. Not the same house, as I’ve migrated across the field but I’m still here. I guess you can’t leave momma, right? Eventually, that will change if we are able to sell the “compound” and go find other places to live. But for now, I’m still “on property.”

img_20160916_202805

Those responsible for all this craziness!

That was the less significant anniversary.

I’ve told the story before so I won’t be going into a lot of detail but it was FIFTY years ago today that Mes ‘Rents got married. The big 5-0! We (as in The BCPF, 3B, my sister, her hubs, her kids, my adopted bro and the parents) are going to Willows Bistro to have their celebration and the beautiful and beautifully talented Ms. Brittany McGee of The Humblebee Shoppe is making a cake of near-epic proportions.

Celebrating 50 years of this couple’s life together is momentous in and of itself but the fact that without them, I wouldn’t be writing this blog. I wouldn’t have the life that I have with the friends that I have with the loves that I have and I wouldn’t be spouting silliness to you all. You can thank them for that, eh? Right on.

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you both.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year.” – Paul Sweeney

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/16/18 (The Father’s Day Edition)

17 Sunday Jun 2018

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Salutations™!!

First off, I want to say “happy father’s day” to all the dads out there, whether they’re dads, step-dads, furry kids’ dads, father figures, all of you. My life would be nothing like it is without my own Ma Père and I’ll get to see him in a few hours. He made me the man I am today, even if it took a while for me to catch on. Thanks, Dad. 15965375_10154740755025490_3295274378463804499_n

We went to Mary’s Gourmet Diner first and then to Underdog Records. We took a detour and went to Vibes Up Winston-Salem and talked with my friend Carly Sink about crystals and other hippy stuff. I say that with complete love because I love hippies, heck I married one. Back home to hear some of our spoils and then to Willows Bistro. Here’s our very short, but rewarding haul!

_music

©Matador

  • Pavement – Slanted And Enchanted – #135 on the RS list, which boggles my mind. I’m not saying it’s not deserving of the list but jeez o’pete, this can’t be that high on the list. It could be back in the 300s or something but 135? Nah. It’s The BCPF’s favorite Pavement album which contains her favorite Pavement song, “Summer Babe (Winter Version).” New.
  • Iggy Pop – TV Eye 1977 Live – It’s Iggy, a New Wave/punk icon, and The BCPF loves that stuff, so she wanted this and who am I to say no? VG+.
  • Pink Floyd – Ummagumma – A really rough version of this 2xLP but it’s still a good listen. I really enjoy record 2 best with all the members doing their own compositions. I mean who doesn’t like “Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict?” The album is graded as VG-. I think that’s generous, but that’s what I’ll go with.
  • Jethro Tull – War Child – “Bungle in the Jungle” is on this one. I don’t completely get Jethro Tull but I am not against it, either, so I figured why not? VG++.
  • Graham Parker And The Rumour – Squeezing Out Sparks – #334 on the RS list. Why not just switch the two we got this haul and I’d be okay with that. This should have been 135 and the Pavement album 334. I’m just sayin’. But, this was a great record, I enjoyed all of it! It was a $1 bin find but I think that was because the cover was a bit chewed up. The vinyl was VG/VG+, not a skip nor crackle.

That was it. Just five this week. Funds are tight and we have a trip to Boston to save for, so that was the dealio. Jonathan is taking in a lot of used stuff but he’s awaiting final approval on his offers. When that happens a lot of fresh used stuff will be coming in. Keep an eye on Underdog Records’ social media to find out what! Also, they post about new releases as well. And don’t forget to listen to The Less Desirables to hear the TLD/Underdog special of the week!

Discogs recently updated their Android app and I couldn’t be more pleased with it. It’s UI is great and aesthetically pleasing. It does all I want it to do in my collecting and allows me marketplace access and a randomizer to do random grabs. Check it out and start collecting.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Sit by my window and look outside, wonder why the sun don’t shine on me. What’s wrong with you, you stupid child, don’t you think that I’m the one you’re waiting to see? Don’t talk too much ’cause she falls for the suckers, makes her feel everything is secure. Don’t ever leave a footprint on her floor. Don’t bother with the local girls.” – “Local Girls” (Parker)

Read more: Graham Parker – Local Girls Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 6/9/18

10 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Salutations™!!

So, we rushed to do our Saturday Thang (minus Willows Bistro, which we did the night before) because I was opening for King’s X. But, we made it to Mary’s Gourmet Diner and Underdog Records and even got a few listened to before we had to be at The Ramkat. Here’s what we got:

Queensryche_-_Queensryche_EP_cover

©EMI America

  • Queensrÿche – Queensrÿche – Historically one of my top 5 bands of all time. However, their later stuff with Geoff Tate wasn’t up there. Conversely, this wasn’t really my wheelhouse with them, either, but there are some great concert staples on here. It was their debut EP that was put out independently at first but then reissued under the EMI America label and is officially part of the QR canon. It’s great stuff and it was VG++.
  • Queensrÿche – The Warning – The follow-up to the debut EP, this too isn’t one of my faves by them but I love having anything I can of theirs. I don’t dislike it and will listen to it often. My time with them started at the next album in their discography, Rage for Order, but I don’t have it yet. I didn’t know about them until right as Empire came out. But, this too has some concert staples and is a great listen. VG++.
  • Tesla – Mechanical Resonance – The debut album by Tesla and it contains one of my favorite hard rock songs ever, “Modern Day Cowboy,” which I think has one of the greatest opening guitar runs ever. A few other hits on this album, as well. “Little Suzi,” “Cumin’ Atcha Live” (which I did in a former band), “Changes,” “Gettin’ Better” (which I did in a different band), and  “EZ Come EZ Go.” VG (but that’s a conservative rating because of a little noise at the beginning).
  • Wall Of Voodoo – Call Of The West – Yes, the album with “Mexican Radio” on it. The whole album was really good. I didn’t know that WOV was so much of a synth band. I knew they were New Wave, Dark Wave and Post Punk but I was pleasantly surprised with the synth part. Great listen. VG++.
  • Marlene Dietrich – Songs In German By The Inimitable Dietrich – I don’t know what it is about Marlene Dietrich but we love listening to her stuff. I think, for me, it’s because that’s where the inspiration for Madeline Kahn’s Blazin’ Saddles character, Lili von Shtupp, the “Teutonic Titwillow,” came from. For The BCPF, I think it’s because she’s German. VG.
  • Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret – This was not what I expected, either. I have heard “Tainted Love” since this came out in 1981 but the rest of it was very surreal. As NME wrote as a review: “The Soft Cell sex strategy should offer something spicy, rude and even a little wonderful… but Soft Cell are conceptualists who rely on too many preconceptions and play around with too many ideas to convince you of any personal energy or commitment… Soft Cell are very plain fare – unspectacular music and very drab and flat lyrics, wrapped in a hint of special promise which is never realised [sic].” I can’t decide if I liked it or not. VG.
  • Eurythmics – Revenge – The album with “Missionary Man.” Annie’s voice is amazing and I think she’s sexy as all get out. I know some disagree on that last point but it’s okay. I like it! $1 bin find. The outer and inner sleeves are both in rough shape but the vinyl is in great shape. VG+ for the media, G+ for the sleeves.
  • Edith Piaf – More Piaf Of Paris With The Orchestra Of Robert Chauvigny – Because we love French music, we couldn’t pass this one up from the $1 bin. VG.

So, it was a slow week but funds are tight and this is what we could pull off. I can’t tell you how much I love just being in Underdog Records. I love being surrounded by vinyl. I do it there and to a lesser extent come here and do the same thing. But, Jonathan always has a great selection and his pricing is amazing. He’s got a lot of used equipment if you’re looking, as well.

Discogs is my go-to for keeping you up to date on my vinyl travels, Dear Reader.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Al Capone and the Bad Boy Jones, on the wrong side of the law. Johnny D and his company, always first to the draw. Gangster lean, feelin’ so mean, I try to take more than their share. Cause all they saw was ruling it all, the scent of blood was in the air. Bang bang, shoot ’em up, bang bang, blow you away. It’s a showdown in the no man’s land, for the cowboy of the modern day. Come sundown, don’t be hangin’ round, cause the cowboy’ll blow you away.” – “Modern Day Cowboy” (Hannon/Keith/Skeoch)