It’s a Greatest Hits kind of day over here at The Groove. The 8-track player is fired up and ready to churn some of the best technology 1974 had to offer. Janis, Jim, and Waylon are on display to offer up their Greatest Hits in pure, 8-track glory. The 8-track collection is rapidly growing… more to come on that in the coming days.
Monthly Archives: June 2017
In Search Of Freedom
In preparation for the big “holiday” weekend, lets take the next 61 minutes and 34 seconds to enjoy one of the most profound and understated releases in modern American history; N.E.R.D.’s debut double LP, In Search Of… Spin with pride, and spin at top volume.
Much, Too Much
Before Jesus Built My Hotrod, before the Revolting Cocks were even a drunken mistake of an idea, before Thieves, Stigmata, and Dark Side of the Spoon, there was Special Affect. This 1980 one-off by Ministry’s Al Jourgensen (guitar) and My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult’s Frank Nardiello aka Groovie Mann (vocals) is up-beat dark wave music for the curious at heart, and you wolves among the sheepish weeds. Brush up on the lyrics to the left then enjoy a rare video of the album’s title track, Too Much Soft Living.
Casual Cabin Listens Vol. 3
The Budos Band and The Kinks. Two of the best “The” bands in our collection. This concludes the Casual Cabin tour as we make our way down the mountain and back into modern society. Enjoy your day, kids.
Casual Cabin Listens Vol. 2
Jim Croce, triple IPA, and a little lamp with a flickering fireplace for a base. To the simple things, kids!
Casual Cabin Listens
Casual listening at Lake Arrowhead cabin. Duke Ellington, Rocket from the Crypt, Sixpoint brew, and a lake view sunset from the hot tub. Essential relaxing material acquired.
Tools of the Trade
Unexpected needs call for unexpected tools. Case in point, the wife’s spatula to furiously remove disc one of Demon Days from the platter. There were definitely a few minutes there where the nervousness set in, but I was able to keep my cool. Surgery was a success, and the patient is doing well. The Dr. Seuss pencil (normal size) is the perfect center hole size, for those with similar issues. Cue the “The More You Know” jingle.
Your Limo is Ready…
For just $2, back in 1977, you could have delivered, directly to your door, a special, 2 LP comp from some forward-thinkering heads of the Warners sample program. Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper, and even The Doobie Brothers are all present and accounted for… and some Rod Stewart if that’s your thing… it’s certainly not mine. The sampler is simply called Limo, and currently fetches for… you guessed it, $2 over at Discogs. Head on over and check it out.
Mad at the Roxy, Ok!
Looking forward to some Santa Barbara mischief this evening at the Roxy. I haven’t seen the Mad Caddies since around 1999 (my God, has it been that long?!), so tonight should prove to be a profound and nostalgic experience. But who knows? They’re getting old too and may just phone it in. Likely not, but a fun notion to ponder. If you look down and find yourself standing in the Los Angeles area this evening, head on over to The Roxy. Tix are still avail. Cheers.
Liquid Deity
I can venture to say that I’ve never listened to this record, or at the very least, it has been so long since I spun it, I’d forgotten that I owned it. Liquid Jesus’ Pour in the Sky from 1991 on MCA Records. These are the facts, but this obscure band’s details are lost (or hidden) on the interwebs. They don’t have a Wiki page, and Discogs casually lists them as indie rock… a catch-all for just about anything released between 1977 and yesterday afternoon. The cover reminds me of early R.E.M., but we’ll see how she spins. Sometimes, you don’t even need to leave the house to discover new records.
Elvis’ Back
Everyone knows the iconic cover to Elvis Presley’s debut LP, but what few may recognize, outside of those who own, is its subtle back cover. Released on RCA in 1956, I present to you, for the first time on this site, Elvis Presley’s debut self titled back cover art. Disregard the purple pen scribbles.
Farewell Tour
Though it does not accurately portray the eminent closing of the great Doobie Brothers (the band would reform to release five more albums), 1983’s double live album, Farewell Tour is a fantastic representation of early 80s Doobies, and should be heard by even the casual fan.
Happy Father’s Day!
This one’s for my pop. Much respect and love to the man who brought me into this world, and who just as easily could have taken me out… and with good reason. Enjoy your spins, Big Guy, and thanks for the constant years of patience and understanding. I know it wasn’t easy. Happy Father’s Day!
Breakaway
A few things I didn’t notice about Art Garfunkel’s 1975 Columbia records release, Breakaway. 1) Richard Perry produced it (Mr. Perry is famous for his work with Harry Nilsson), and 2) the track My Little Town has Paul Simon on it, making it a legitimate Simon & Garfunkel song. Their last? Of that I’m not sure, but it’s a good day to find out. Thank you, 42 year old hype sticker!
(The Boo-Ga-Loo)
I’m finding it more and more common when ordering albums online that certain, well-to-do sellers package the purchased item between empty, dilapidated record sleeves. Such is the case with this hollow cover of James Brown’s 1966 offering, Plays New Breed (The Boo-Ga-Loo). Not a huge James Brown fan, by any stretch, but I’m now finding myself interested in The Boo-Ga-Loo.
Inserting
I didn’t realize until recently (he humbly admitted) that the original pressing of BS 2000’s vinyl-only debut was pressed on black wax. I’d heard rumors and praises about a Beastie Boys side project with the numbers “2000” in the title, and when Grand Royal released pink vinyl versions of the debut, I (stupidly) thought it to be the original. As it turns out, the black vinyl (and original) pressing was released in 1997, and the pink reissue followed two years later. It took until last week for me to 1) understand that I did not have the original of this album and 2) acquire the original of this album. This is now the third time I’ve purchased this album. BS 2000, you’re welcome.
Hold It
Hold It, Now Hit It is our newest addition and quietly puts us one step closer to completing the Beastie Boys discography. Next up will, I think, need to be the No Sleep Till Brooklyn / Posse in Effect 12″, but really, who can really say for certain?
Les is More
I was going to write (briefly) on Les Paul’s 1968 album, Now! That was until I found this glorious advertisement from within. Ladies & gentlemen, the 1968 Gibson Les Paul custom guitar.
A Bit Behind
Looking forward to spinning this month’s Vinyl Me, Please selection, City Music by former The Babies frontman Kevin Morby. I should probably spin April’s selection first, however. Demon Days by Gorillaz. I can’t keep up! A good problem to have.
Post No. 1600: Back to Camp
For (what seemed like) an eternity, Rocket from the Crypt’s 2002 album, Live from Camp X-Ray (their 7th studio offering) was the last, resonating voice any of us heard from the world’s best live band (2003’s 2-track On the Prowl was nowhere to be found, at least as far as rural Wisconsin was concerned). As a ranking place in their catalog, it sits near the bottom (1998’s RFTC bringing up the rear), but it stood out, if only for the obvious reason, that it was the last-new Rocket thing heard. Since their hiatus, the band has released a handful of (mainly single-sided) 7″ records, in addition to a live recording of their “last” show from Halloween, 2005 and another All Systems Go compilation (their third), but Live from Camp X-Ray (not a live album) still stands as the band’s last studio album. Anyway, Vagrant Records still has copies of their 20 Years series up on their site. Nab these color variants while you can. This album, with all its faults, is still a classic.
The Prudent Groove 