You know, when one gets older, one finds the inherent need to dibble-dabble in the piano rag greatness of Scott Joplin, as delightfully depicted by pianist, Joshua Rifkin on Nonesuch Records’ 1970 release. I guess, nothing else needs saying, after that prominent display. Please do carry on about your Thursday evening. Cheers.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
And Now It’s Time for an RCA Victor Catalog
Write for a damn catalog. It’s only 1/4 of a damn dollar! That’s math, dammit! The Pink Panther and Perry Como in the South Pacific are ready for your luscious ordering… you’re welcome.
50… YEARS
So, it APPEARS, that The Zombies will end their Odessey & Oracle tour finale in Los Angeles at an undisclosed location in late April of next year. 50 years, kids! I’ve already asked for this day off from work (a Saturday), so book your flights and sweet talk the in-laws to watch the little ones, because The Zombies are coming to town…
Peter’s Pan
Thrilling, how the luxuries that Peter Pan takes with Star Wars characters, or something of the like. This Empire Strikes Back version comes heavy with the disco, and showcases, in addition to Star Wars, themes from 2001 and Close Encounters. Redefining classic, one groove at a time.
Hanna Can’t Wait
Forgot to post this last night. I’ll screen grab offers from time to time so as not to forget to order an essential record. Case in point, this “official” (non promo) release of the Hanna soundtrack by the Chem Bros. $30+ for a single record release is a bit steep, but when she’s limited to only 1500 copies, the decision is a no-brainer.
Wait… What?!
Taking the day off. You’re welcome.
Her Majesty, the Luau
Fuck it. It’s Friday. After a long week, you know what time it is…
Sasquatch Rock
Lawndale’s 2nd (and final) LP (from SST Records in 1987) continued carrying the burning torch of surf-folk rock set ablaze by 1986’s Beyond Barbecue (their debut). Sasquatch Rock, as it is infamously known, harbors many well known, Liquid Kitty favorites, and is the perfect blend of Pacific Coast casual that this prominent band is eminently known for. I could go for a bit of Punk Rock BBQ right about now. (sigh)
“… if you don’t move to this one, then you’re dead.”
1967’s Belafonte on Campus is a modest collection of college touring favorites played on a then forty school, forty day tour. It’s often easy to overlook the power of folk music on North American youth throughout the murky turmoil that surrounded the late 1960s. Mr. Belafonte was first and foremost a man of the people, and his profound followers filled assembly halls and auditoriums to capacity (in some cases beyond), and Belafonte on Campus is a must listen for any fan of music history, and / or prolific performers. “… if you don’t move to this one, then you’re dead.” – William A. Attaway, Belafonte on Campus back cover.
BS&Q
It’s a RevCo world, kids, and we are all nothing but carriers of water. Featured here, 1990’s Beers, Steers & Queers. Listen responsibly, my industrial tolerating friends, and designate a spotter if / where applicable.
The Summa Cum Laude…
… of high fidelity, or so Columbia Records claims, circa: 1956. At a time when many lesser-than labels were pushing “high fidelity” as more of a general, blanket statement rather than something that could necessarily be guaranteed, Columbia felt the incessant urge to mark themselves above all others with their “360” SOUND symbol. Have a read below from the majestic wonders of “360” SOUND, in Columbia’s own words (as found on the back of Paul Weston and His Music from Hollywood’s Moonlight Becomes You):
The symbol “360” SOUND is the summa cum laude of high fidelity.
It is your GUARANTEE that each record so designated has been engineered and individually tested under the supervision of the Columbia Sound Laboratory.
Starting with the taping of the performance, through strategically placed wide-range microphones, every step in the manufacturing process is checked for peak efficiency — including an actual laboratory-calibrated playback of each disc before it is released.
Not only original masters, but stamper test-pressings are required to match, in A-B tests, the tapes from which they were derived.
Only such rigid control permits production of recordings covering the entire 30 to 15,000 cycle range within a plus or minus 2-decibel tolerance.
Like the 360 degrees of a perfect circle, “360” SOUND is the true spectrum of high fidelity.
For this reason Columbia Records, the oldest name in recording and creator of “Lp”, GUARANTEES without reservation the fidelity of this “360” SOUND record.
Editor’s note: Hot damn!
Young Snakes
As far as the youngins are concerned, it’s never too early to unleash the unrelenting wave that is the Hot Snakes. This is me explaining to a one-year-old the importance of their debut album, in my opinion, their best. I’m confident that my ramblings were well received.
Bronze Banana
So, apparently (“actually”), Silver Apples’ debut LP was reissued earlier this year on sky blue speckled vinyl (pictured here). Happy to FINALLY own this prominent piece of 1968 nostalgia. Dear casual reader… carry on.
ELightO
With great ingenuity comes great responsibility. Thank you, Electric Light Orchestra.
From Life to the Moon
Was flipping though a November, 1969 issue of Life magazine last night, you know, the one with “The Rough-cut King of Country Music” on the cover, aka Johnny Cash, and I came across this amazing full page ad for Time Life Records’ 6x LP box set, To the Moon. I’d acquired this piece of Americana at my brick and mortar about a year ago (the box set, not the magazine… I have my wonderful folks to thank for that one), and I’ve been a bit obsessed with it after the reissue announcement of the Voyager Golden Record box set (Kickstarter), so let’s just say I was a bit beside myself and had to do a double take upon its random discovery in the Life magazine that had been sitting on our living room table for the better part of three years. Man can step foot on the Moon, but I can’t discover a 47 year old record advertisement sitting beneath my nose. For shame.
Anyway, have a read, then head over to Discogs to nab this essential box set for next to nothing. She’s currently $7.50 for the full set (that’s 6x LPs and a 192 page, hardcover book, kids), and if you’re feeling REALLY interplanetary, back the Voyager Golden Record on Kickstarter. You’ll thank me later.
Mr. Country Music
From Mr. Breakfast Sausage to Mr. Country Music, or vice versa. Jimmy Dean is, obviously, a modern day country music staple, and unlike most other modern day country music staples, he has a convenient, and surprisingly hearty breakfast line to go along with his prestigious country ballads. So no matter what time of day your stomach unfolds, grab a platter of ol’ Jimmy Dean.
What Would That Mercury Portable Turntable from 1966 Go for Today?
Let’s play the adjusted for inflation game! A quick bit of internet research nets this advert in the 1966 range, which would bring the “new” AG 4100 model (original price of $39.95) to only $296.98, while the monster, GF 340, with original price of $99.95, to a whopping $743 today. Portable phonographs certainly were a premium during the ol’ British Invasion days, am I right? And I can’t help but think how Smash Records, a company I’ve heard very little about, teamed up with Mercury for this frame-worthy advert. A few clicks back on the ol’ interwebs and as it turns out, Smash Records was a subsidiary of Mercury Records starting in 1961, so, that solves that useless mystery.
Chapel of Love
A lovely wedding gift from the new in-laws. Thanks to Meg, Bri, and the kiddos for this thoughtful 45. So, the Phillies have a record label, eh? Good to know.
TJ&tS 8-Trk
“Greatest hits albums are for housewives, and little girls.” – Bruce McCulloch
Wall O’ Records
Have a record wall backdrop, courtesy of the Prudent Groove. This guy was taken earlier today at the local bowling hole. Feel free to us it as you please… I did.
The Prudent Groove 