It is the Fourth of July.
Yearly Archives: 2016
Happy Jaws Day!
Don’t go NEAR the water.
Saturday
When left to my own devices… the current from Whiskey River is a calming and reassuring vehicle. Here are, in order, my spins for this Saturday before Jaws Day. Drink responsibly, or carry a life vest.
Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger
George Thorogood & the Destroyers – More George Thorogood & the Destroyers
George Thorogood & the Destroyers – One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (single track)
The Zombies – Odessey and Oracle (side B)
Minutemen – The Punch Line
Willie Nelson – Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (single track x2)
The Statler Brothers – The Best of the Statler Brothers
The Night Marchers – Allez! Allez! (side A)
Tim Hardin – This is Tim Hardin (mono)d
Underworld – MMM Skyscraper, I Love You
I’m a proprietor of the thought that wading in the pool of nostalgia is a worthy and substantial endeavour.
Sail On
Little known fact… I did not know that Steve Miller, Milwaukee, WI native, was the Godson of guitar legend Les Paul. I’m not surprised, per se, but it is an interesting fact. It just so happened that I found The Steve Miller Band’s sophomore studio album (pictured here) at a Goodwill near the Milwaukee area, some several years ago. With a beautiful cover, Sailor featured the last appearance from original band member, Boz Scaggs. The more you know.
The Ballads and the Beat!
Harry James was a music making machine throughout his illustrious career. Having put out five studio albums between 1965 and 1966 alone, this trumpet-pumping, band-leading barbarian gathered a ton of much deserved respect throughout the swing scene, and his timeless music has pushed him to the front of this historical genre. Dot Records was Mr. James’ fourth label, having released several other noteworthy albums for Columbia, Capitol, and MGM, and as you can clearly see, knew how to design an album cover circa: 1966. Enjoy a bit o’ the swing, now n’ again.Aloha Bitches
Ukulele Hiro’s (gimmie) custom compact disc is something forged from iconic gold. From Johnny Cash to Descendents, and Billy Joel to The Sex Pistols, this one-man-band militia, armed with a snub-nosed ukulele and a silver-tongued kazoo, offers 18 tracks of pulsating, energetic joy. Thanks to the Viper Room for housing this PBR drinker between stage setups for their headliners.
Sadness in a Box
My fresh, new, filtered copy of Front 242’s 2003 electro masterpiece, Pulse (also the band’s last studio offering), 1) is limited to only 242 copies on gold vinyl and 2) arrived bloody damaged! I’m currently in communication with Alfa Matrix, the label, with the hopes that they’ll send out another, undamaged sleeve. I had high hopes to display this one, with it being the first time it received a vinyl release. Fingers and toes crossed Alfa Matrix makes nice!
Less Than 38
With the soundtrack of my favorite film, and the most recent Paul Simon album following shortly thereafter, my loving fiancé offered the best possible birthday cake, in the wholesome form of grain pistachios. (Wing Attack Plan R)
The Lyric Spiral
A nifty way to display an album’s lyrics (double LP, mind you). Hats off to Money Mark on his 2nd studio effort, Push the Button, one of today’s “Summer spins.”
“It’s Easy. Just Point, and Shoot.”
Winston Smith’s, The Money Tree pairs perfectly with Jello Biafra’s anti-military, socially-conscious-Kool-Aid-drinking, leave-no-stone-unturned-rant-machine on Alternative Tentacles’ 1989 release, Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors. One of the two records spun today (the other being The Zombies’ Odessey and Oracle, side 2… twice).
Count the Evening Stars…
I’ll say, against popular belief, that I’m not at all surprised that HBO’s Vinyl won’t be picked up for a 2nd season. What are big names when content is second rate? And I love Scorsese, but just couldn’t get behind Vinyl. To each their own, I suppose.
Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
Written by Burt Bacharach and made famous by Dionne Warwick, Do You Know the Way to San Jose got its best makeover (of about a thousand), by the the Baja Marimba Band back in 1968. This lovely little sketch is featured on the back of said band’s album cover and, I thought, needed sharing. Tomorrow is Friday, kids. Don’t forget to smile… it’s free.
Check, and Mate
A recent acquisition from the inquisitive mind of my fiance, this 7″ from Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey. Some may say that years have not been kind to the almost unrecognizable Roger Daltrey, but man-oh-man is this 7″ a rockin’ good time?! One shouldn’t figure otherwise from the the prestigious Chess label, I mean, let’s be honest. And further along that truth train, I was a bit skeptical about this guy. Boy, man, and superman, was I wrong?! I’ve just added this team’s full length LP to my wantlist in Discogs, if anyone is interested…
72…
Happy 72nd birthday today, to Raymond Douglas Davies! To celebrate, here is an insert from Jello Biafra with D.O.A.’s 1989 masterpiece, Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors. (These two things are, obviously, not related.) Happy birthday, good sir!
R O C K
It’s crazy to imagine a world where Led Zeppelin’s IV was not only new, but was also featured alongside Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara’s Laugh When You Like. I think I found this sleeve tucked inside Rich Grech’s The Last Five Years (from ’73) which is, an amazing blues / classic rock collection. Had some free time this past weekend and dug through some of the lesser spun albs. You’ll recognize Rich Grech from Traffic, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and Blind Faith if the name escapes you. Short story shorter, it’s well worth the $1.70 a seller over at Discogs is asking.
Some Things Never Change
Fun to discover decades-old fliers in well preserved record sleeves. Village Green Preservation Society at its best, am I right?
Ultraviolence
A pleasant surprise was found today whilst digging through the “B” section of the home library. A forgotten purchase (apparently for $10.99 from Amoeba, way back before their prices skyrocketed), Jello Biafra with The Melvins’ 2005 effort, Sieg Howdy! To say I was giddy would be putting it mildly. That, was the upside. The downside… maybe my collection is getting away from me…
Enthusiasm vs. Tongue
Curb it.
Wells Fargo
I’m not often one to advocate for an unnecessary, payable service… unless when it’s wholeheartedly worthwhile. Such is the case with Vinyl Me, Please, the monthly record club of extraordinary proportions. This month’s chosen selection is Zimbabwe‘s own, Wells Fargo… a “heavy” rock collective from the early 1970’s, or so I can immediately gather. Honestly, I can’t wait to dive into this record, which is just another supportive indication that I made the right decision to join this noteworthy club. Cheers.
J.C.C.C.
Jon Cougar Concentration Camp… like a well-folded shirt, and a freshly pressed pair of slacks. Jacket-up, politically incorrect slicksters.
The Prudent Groove 