Tag Archives: Yo La Tengo

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 02/20/21

21 Sunday Feb 2021

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I each got our hair cut yesterday. We went to the same person and we just took turns with Cynthia Pratt-Miller at Hair Bomb Hair Salon which is conveniently directly beside Underdog Records! Having Mojito for lunch was delicious but dang! It was cold on that patio. Yesterday was a mild day temp-wise but the patio at Mojito is a breezeway. It’s between two buildings and there’s an arched roof so the wind just gets pushed through there. That’s great when it’s 90° out, but when it’s only 40°…? Whew! But, the food was delicious and it was worth the misery to have it. Here’s the haul:

©Vertigo

Built To Spill – There’s Nothing Wrong With Love — Whilst The BCPF was getting her ‘do did, I was shopping and talking with Jonathan. I saw this, checked Discogs to make sure we didn’t have it and had Jonathan put it behind the counter so she couldn’t see it. When we got home, I told her that I had a surprise for her and within the first two seconds (if that) of Side A, I heard an audible gasp and her eyes got wide. She came over and hugged me hard. I felt good about that. She has never sang in front of me, be she did look at me and pantomime a good bit of it to me. Again, that made me feel good, making her feel good. She said it’s from her early college days. New.

Pixies – Bossanova — So from her college days, we back up a little bit and hit her high school years. The Pixies are always hit-or-miss with me, but they’re almost always hit for her. She got this one on her own. Reissue on 180g vinyl. New.

Cherry Glazerr – Haxel Princess — We picked up a Cherry Glazerr album in 2019 and I remember enjoying it. It was the latest release from them at the time. This is their debut album from 2014. I love the cover and it reminds me of a friend of mine. Red Translucent vinyl. New.

David Bowie – The Man Who Sold The World — Jonathan had just gotten a shipment and was checking them in when I saw this. I had to look it up and was surprised that we didn’t already have it. I could have sworn we had. But, we hadn’t, so I rectified that; made it right, if you will. Textured cover, LP in poly-lined inner sleeve. Additional replica of the original paper inner sleeve included. Remastered, 180g. New.

Yo La Tengo – Sleepless Night — 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, EP released last year. Original cover art by Yoshitomo Nara. Drawing of the band by Georgia. Illustration by James etched on the record’s flip side. A Sleepless Night poster was included with EPs preordered prior to August 28, 2020 yet this wasn’t what we did. These tracks were originally available as part of a multi-media catalogue from artist Yoshitomo Nara published by Los Angeles County Museum of Art for Nara’s eponymous exhibition in 2020. The etching on Side B is pretty cool. New.

The Zombies – R.I.P. — Limited Edition Record Store Day 2015 release. 5600 pressed. Intended as the follow-up to the iconic Zombies album Odessey And Oracle. This is the first legitimate vinyl release of the never issued Zombies R.I.P. album as it was intended in the United States. Reissue, 180g. NM.

Various – Original Soundtrack From The Vestron Motion Picture – Dirty Dancing — Yeah… and? I have no problem saying this. I love this album. I loved it (and kind of liked its companion Vol. 2) when it came out. I was 17. I love pop music. I loved the Patrick Swayze song. I’m not ashamed. I like what I like. And there you have it. VG+.

The Clash – Give ‘Em Enough Rope — Reissue on blue Epic labels, with original JE cat. # prefix. Jacket front cover is second U.S. issue with “Oriental”-style block font. Jacket back cover includes barcode and updated B5 track title and credits. “P” stamped in runouts denotes Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman, pressing. Track B4 title on jacket: “Cheap-skate.” First cat. # on labels, jacket spine. Second cat. # on jacket back cover. That’s all from the notes on Discogs. VG+.

Now, this one…
Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms — Yes, I had this already. But, again, I didn’t. The original US vinyl versions had truncated versions of every song on the first side minus one, “Walk of Life.” I am so over that song and, honestly, I think it’s the worst song on the album. So, of those first five songs four of them were shortened. The biggest travesty of that was the extended saxophone solo at the beginning of “Your Latest Trick” being completely omitted. Now, I get it, media constraints dictated that they had to cut some stuff. I wish they had cut “Walk of Life” completely, but it was a big hit for them.

Brothers in Arms was one of the first albums for the CD market, and was a full digital recording (DDD) at a time when most stuff was recorded analog. I remember seeing a lot of ADD on CDs back then. Producer Neil Dorfsman says the digital multitrack was mixed on an analog board with the resulting two track mix re-digitized via a Prism A/D converter and recorded on a DAT machine. I had this on cassette and where that was dependent on amount needed, the cassette presented full versions of the songs. I then had it on CD and it, too, had full versions. I was so disappointed to hear the truncated songs.

All (or most) of Dire Straits catalog was reissued just earlier this year and on double LPs (in some cases) with remastering and all that. But, for whatever reason, even though this album was on 2×LP, I was informed that it was still the truncated versions. I didn’t get it and I still don’t. If you expand to the 2×LP model, then you can easily expand to full-versions.

Well, this made me have to search and seek elsewhere. I found this version on the Discogs Marketplace and reading through the descriptions, this one, released in 2015 by Mercury for their “Back2Black” collection, was 2×LP with what I sought. I had a great back-and-forth with the seller who happened to be UK and Poland (he has inventory in both places). There were no listings of run times on the cover (and not on the label either, I found out), and he was pretty sure this was the right version. It was sealed so he couldn’t look on the inside. I took a chance. Worst case scenario, I got a really good copy and could sell my VG+ back to Jonathan for credit. I got it yesterday. It was waiting for me on my porch when we got in from our Saturday trek. I opened the packaging, still reluctant and when I played it, everything was there in its full-glory. I was ecstatic! So, now I have the full-on album, the way it was intended. Thanks to Andrew for your help and thanks to Discogs for giving me a place to shop for records when Jonathan can’t get me something. He checked and it wasn’t available through any of his distributors. So, I had to step out but I am so happy to have this. And the album is amazing.

Jonathan and I are still in discussions about how this new project we’re working on will go, but just keep your eyes peeled. It is indeed coming. Go by and check out Underdog Records, open 11a-7p Thursday – Saturday and he does deliveries Monday – Wednesday (weather permitting). He will ship to you, as well. You can look at what he has for sale (unused, new vinyl only) by visiting the Underdog Records website. Tell him that I sent you! Obviously, I also use Discogs to track my collection and buy from the Marketplace when I need something.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“She’s like the wind through my tree. She rides the night next to me. She leads me through moonlight only to burn me with the sun. She’s taken my heart but she doesn’t know what she’s done.” – “She’s Like the Wind” (Swayze/Widelitz)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 6/20/20

22 Monday Jun 2020

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Salutations™!!

Saturday took The BCPF to my happy place, Underdog Records. This week’s haul is short but just being there is enough to make me giddy. Thank you, Jonathan, for making it a great visit every time. Okay, so I’m a day behind because of the holiday yesterday so let’s get to it!

Sufjan_Stevens_-_Illinois

©Asthmatic Kitty

  • Sufjan Stevens – Illinois — The BCPF introduced me to Sufjan when we were just friends. She put “Casimir Pulaski Day” on a mix CD for me. I like that song. Sufjan is an odd bird, quirky, kooky and very talented. This is a concept album all about Illinois-ish. Great album. New.
  • Yo La Tengo – Stuff Like That There — From the Matador Records website: “On this album, the band revisits the original concept of their 1990 album Fakebook with a mix of cover songs, “covers” of Yo La Tengo songs and brand new originals.” Another that I was introduced to before The BCPF and I dated. New.
  • Band Of Horses – Everything All The Time — I know I say this every time I post a new-to-us Band of Horses album. They’re so wispy and airy. Another favorite of The BCPF and yet another that I got to know before we dated. I see a pattern that I didn’t know about on Saturday. Hmmm… VG++/EX
  • Art Tatum – More Of The Greatest Piano Of Them All — Art Tatum was a popular jazz pianist that has been dead more years that I have been alive. But, I love jazz piano so we’ll love this, I’m sure. VG/VG+.
  • Deodato – Prelude — Deodato is more than a composer and performer, he’s an arranger and producer, too. This album contains his pop-inspired cover of Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” which we all know as the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. But, did you know that his daughter is married to Stephen Baldwin and his granddaughter is married to Justin Bieber? You do now. Really, I bought this album because I got tired of seeing it at Underdog Records. I enjoyed the listen, so I’m glad I got it! VG+.
  • The Northern Pikes – Big Blue Sky — The only thing I’d ever heard from The Northern Pikes was their song “She Ain’t Pretty.” I loved the song and the video. That song isn’t on this album but that’s okay. This was a fantastic listen. Straight-forward power-pop and I dug it. I’m glad I found it. VG+.

Jonathan is back to Thursday-Saturday regular hours, now. He is still doing deliveries Mondays through Wednesday as long as it’s not raining, which over the last few weeks… meh. But, you should watch his Instagram and Facebook pages (Underdog Records’ pages, that is) to see what he’s getting in, has gotten in and taking out! Buy new vinyl day or night at the Underdog Records website. We will get back to a special of the week when things settle down at TLD. I use Discogs to curate my collection and you should too, no matter the format.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Hear that lonesome whippoorwill, he sounds too blue to fly. The midnight train is whining low. I’m so lonesome I could cry.” – “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (Williams)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 5/30/20

31 Sunday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

RHCP-BSSM

©Warner Bros

YES! You read that correctly. The “haul” and not the “listen.” I haven’t decided yet if I’ll put what I’ve listened to in the last week. You’ll know by the time the end of this blog post happens. So, back to what this means. It means that Underdog Records is back open! It also means that there are a lot of new restrictions that you have to abide by to enter the store. Only five customers are allowed in at a time and each must wear a mask and you get a squirt of hand sanitizer when you walk in and other than cash, all forms of payment are “touchless.” I’m good with all of that.

As I’ve said on the podcasts, I’m not sure that I’m ready to reinsert myself into society just yet. I know Jonathan really didn’t want to open this early but, the need kind of superseded his “want.” When we were there (just after 11am), there was one guy in the store. He left and one of my friends walked in. Soon after that, one more person came, got what was being held for them, and walked out. A gentleman and his son came in and we talked about my Pittsburgh Steelers mask and that was it. Jonathan has spaced the “freshly used” section so the rows that aren’t right up against each other. It was a great “first experience back.” To tell the truth, other than smothering in my mask, it was so great to be back. Now that that was more long-winded than I expected. Let’s do this haul!

  • The Smiths – Louder Than Bombs — Although I skipped most of the compilation albums on the RS list, I stated in my review that I “broke my own rule” and listened to it. The BCPF is huge on the Smiths and my views on them have changed since then, too. I enjoy them… at least in small doses. This is #369 on that list. 2xLP. New.
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik — #310 on the RS list, this is my favorite (and to most extents the only one I like) RHCP album. The first time I ever played and “slap bass” in front of anyone was on “Suck My Kiss.” I still love that song. It’s 2xLP and is probably about 5 songs too long, but I don’t mind it. New.
  • R.E.M. – Document — #462 on the RS list, this has some really good stuff on it: “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” “Finest Worksong,” “Oddfellows Local 151” and “The One I Love.” The latter being one of the most misunderstood “love songs” I know of along with “Every Breath You Take” from the Police and “You’re All I Need” from Motley Crue. These songs are not love songs, people. New.
  • Yo La Tengo – Summer Sun — Yo La Tengo is one of The BCPF’s bands. I can’t tell you much about them except that they scatter their styles and I don’t mean just album to album. They are basically all over the place on each album, too. She digs them, so there. 2xLP. New.
  • Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass — Same as before. She said this was one of her faves in college. 2xLP. New.
  • Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See — I know nothing about Mazzy Star. This is another of The BCPF’s doing. I know they are a California band and a female lead singer. That’s all I know. This is a reissue and new.
  • Bauhaus – In The Flat Field — Yet another fave of The BCPF. I knew the name of the band when I met her and heard “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” and their cover of “Ziggy Stardust,” and knew of Peter Murphy and more intently Love and Rockets (all from SiriusXM’s 1st Wave) before I met The BCPF. So, basically, you take Peter Murphy and David J from the band and you have Tones On Tail. Insert David J back and you get Love and Rockets. This was their (Bauhaus) debut album. Reissue. New.
  • Bauhaus – Mask —  Their second album and ditto on the previous entry. New.
  • Def Leppard – On Through The Night — The debut album from Def Leppard. I know this is the favorite DL album of several of my friends. I don’t get that. It’s good. But, even The BCPF (who admittedly doesn’t listen to this kind of music) asked after it was played, “that was Def Leppard? That didn’t sound like them.” I liked the more polished, hit-driven Def Leppard better. New.
  • Coldplay – A Rush Of Blood To The Head — The sophomore effort from Martin & Co. which is the follow-up to one of my all-time favorite albums, Parachutes. This has some great stuff on it but isn’t its predecessor by any means. That doesn’t excuse the fact that this album is on the RS list at #466. New.
  • Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters — I will admit that I am not a huge FF fan but I respect the heck out of them. I want to like them and love watching documentaries and specials about the band. Songs from this album, though, I really do like. I have it on CD and now I have it on vinyl. Yay me! New.
  • Superchunk – Here’s Where The Strings Come In — Another fave of The BCPF and one that I have actually seen (I think twice) live with my girl. They put on a good live show. It’s not flashy as I’d prefer but it is high energy. I don’t know about this album but she saw it and wanted it. ‘Nuff said. New.
  • Verdi – Great Men Of Music — It was in the used section but it was still in shrink wrap and is in NM condition so I’m going to say it’s new. It’s a box set with 4xLP.
  • The Coup – Coup De Grace — There is nothing that I can find about this band online. This is a cut-out but sealed copy. It’s listed as “classic rock” on Discogs. That’s what I know. I’ll report when I know more. NM.
  • Patty Smyth – Never Enough — Smyth’s debut solo album after leaving Scandal. NM/EX.
  • Eric Carmen – Boats Against The Current — This album is chock-full of big-name guests from the 70s/80s. Ollie Brown, Andrew Gold, Jeff Porcaro, Bobby Keys, Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnson from the Beach Boys, etc. It’s a sealed cut-out and is listed in NM/VG++.
  • Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper – The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper — Another I know nothing about but according to Wikipedia: “The performances, recordings and production cannot be described as flawless; in his sleeve notes, Kooper describes the difficulties of finding rehearsal space, Bloomfield’s insomnia,[1] and the failure of a vocal microphone during “Dear Mr Fantasy”; the track “I Wonder Who” is faded during a Bloomfield solo for no apparent reason. Nevertheless, the album remains an important, if raw, document of a live blues-rock performance of the period and, apart from its intrinsic qualities, is notable not only for one of the earliest live recordings by Carlos Santana but also for Bloomfield’s debut as a vocalist.” It’s kind of beat up and is listed as VG.
  • Commodores – In The Pocket — It is the last Commodores album to feature Lionel Richie, as he left the band to start a solo career the following year. I wish I had blue jeans with The Less Desirables logo embroidered on it like on this cover of this album. NM/EX.
  • Saint-Saëns / Charles Dutoit, Montreal Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 3 Organ — I love Camille Saint-Saëns. I don’t know how I feel about the organ part, but I love his work. We’ll see how this goes. It’s NM/EX.
  • Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells — This album celebrated its 47th anniversary on Monday. I have heard about it but don’t know much about it. The vinyl is VG+, the cover is VG.

So, this is a huge haul. It was necessary, at least to me. I needed that. My spirit raised exponentially. To see and talk with Jonathan was amazing, even if I couldn’t and didn’t shake his hand. Being able to rummage the bins was therapeutic. Jonathan will still be doing deliveries and the store will only be open a few days a week but when it is, it will be regular store hours. You can follow him on the social channels and you can always purchase new vinyl any time, day or night, by visiting the Underdog Records website. We haven’t quite gotten back to the TLD/UR special of the week but we are hoping to, soon. Thank you, Jonathan, for keeping it going. I loved my visit to the candy store. Also, I use Discogs to track my collection and it has come in handy for random listening.

To that, I think I have decided that as long as I am working mostly from home that I will continue to use the random method that I have been using and will use Monday’s post for reporting that. I know my blog has become more music-based with anniversaries and such, but music is and has always been such a bit part of my life that I think it fits. Speaking of music and what I do, I have a couple of podcast projects in the works that are music-focused. I’ll certainly talk about it here. You know I will.

So, until tomorrow, keep spinnin’!
Scorp out!

—
“So, if there’s something you’d like to try… If there’s something you’d like to try, ask me, I won’t say no, how could I?” – “Ask” (Marr/Morrissey)

 

 

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 3/17/18

18 Sunday Mar 2018

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day so of course we had to get our Irish on and went to Finnigan’s Wake instead of Mary’s Gourmet Diner (we did that this morning) but we did get to Underdog Records on time. Here’s what we got:

51uJRjJwQSL

©Riverside

 

  • Yo La Tengo – There’s A Riot Going On  – The BCPF really loves this band, who have been around for a long time and when this Indie-Exclusive Orange Vinyl 2xLP set came out, well she had to have it. And she got it. New.
  • Chet Baker – Chet – From what I hear, Chet Baker was a sad story. Mostly drugs, I’d say, but man, this cat was fantastic on the horn. The label said “the lyrical trumpet of Chet Baker” and I think that’s exactly right. His trumpet was like a vocalists’ voice, smooth and dreamy. And, the cover is awesome. He looks like James Dean. New.
  • Various – Souled Out – Adding to my K-Tel Collection, this one is all about the “soul.” Found it for $3 in the “just in ‘Used'” bin. VG+.
  • Donovan – Cosmic Wheels – A very fun and hilarious listen. Not that it’s all comedy but there are moments. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend listening to the tune, “The Intergalactic Laxative.” You won’t be disappointed. VG.
  • Sheena Easton – Sheena Easton – Her debut album. I always liked her voice so why not have it? It was called Take My Time in the UK but just eponymous here in the US. VG++.
  • Sheena Easton – A Private Heaven – So, just three years later, this is her sixth album. That’s a lot of output, really. This is also VG++.
  • Hank Williams, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys – Original Sound Track – The Last Picture Show – Yep, the soundtrack for the Peter Bogdanovich featuring the legendary Hank Williams, et al. VG+.
  • Kim Carnes – Mistaken Identity – Yes, the “Bette Davis Eyes” album. VG+.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – Babylon By Bus – A 2xLP live album featuring the Wailers. I still don’t really care for reggae as a whole but, man, I love listening to Bob Marley. This is really, really beaten up and has scratches and gashes throughout. I can’t listen to it often because I don’t want my needle ruined but it was fun to listen through. Fair condition, only. “Curvy,” whose name is scrawled on the labels didn’t take very good care of this. $1 bin find.
  • Parliament – Mothership Connection – This. Is. Awesome! #276 on the RS list. I liked it then and I love it even more now. I think I got more out of it this time. I wasn’t trying to plow through the list. I think that was the issue. But, this whole album is phenomenal. A VG $1 bin find. There was a “skip” and it was a perfect skip, right on the beat because I thought they were just doing a repetitious passage and it turns out it was skipping for about two minutes. I didn’t really let it go on that long.
  • The New Birth– Comin’ From All Ends – Another New Birth LP. VG $1 bin find.
  • Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song – The BCPF’s favorite Christmas album and there it was, in pretty good condition, with a $1 sticker on it. After confirming that we don’t already have it, it was quickly added.
  • Nat King Cole / George Shearing – Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays – The BCPF can’t resist anything with Nat King Cole on it. VG. $1 bin find.
  • Billie Holiday – Billie Holiday – We’re fans of women jazz vocalists and try to collect what we can. The BCPF loves Ella. I love Etta. We both dig Billie. Good condition. $1 bin find.
  • Stevie Wonder – In Square Circle – The first Stevie I ever owned and it was on cassette. It was in the $1 bin yesterday and in pretty good shape, so yep!
  • Roberta Flack And Peabo Bryson – Live & More – More Roberta Flack and this time with Peabo Bryson. I can’t not say “why you trippin’ Peabo?!” every time I read his name. $1 bin find. VG.

Record store day is coming, April 21. Visit the RSD website for more information. There are no holds, no pre-orders, no prepays, and there will be a line early (some people even camp out overnight) but it’s fun and there’s a lot of unique things coming out. Underdog is ready and will have all but like four things. But, supplies are limited, when he’s out, he’s out. Everything is limited edition, too. Check out The Less Desirables to hear what this week’s TLD/UR special is. And use Discogs to catalog your collection!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Oh, the intergalactic laxative will get you from here to there. Relieve you and believe me, without a worry or care. If sh*tting is your problem when you’re out there in the stars, oh, the intergalactic laxative will get you from here to Mars.” – “The Intergalactic Laxative” (Leitch)