Always looking out for my fellow record obsessed, this photo was sent to a Tull-lover, with the simple text of, “Have? Need?” This is not a rare exchange that goes out among our local collecting comrades, and in this case, the $3 needed not be spent. I was however strictly instructed to acquire 1974’s War Child, but in lieu of time, I had to pass it up. (Raises glass), here’s to those to act before asking. Happy Sunday, kids!
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
Pogs
The cover to the 1994 reissue of RFTC’s Boychucker captures the short-lived fad of mid-90s youths with custom, RFTC cutout Pogs. Remember Pogs? Nah, neither do we. The back cover comically spotlights Speedo (Swami) furiously destroying a couple of grade school infants at this forgotten and aggressive activity. Get the original, but checkout this reissue. LONG LIVE POGS!
By Request
Walter (or Wendy) Carlos performing Moog interpretations from of The Beatles, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Burt Bacharach, and Johann Sebastian Bach? Hell yes! Sign me up! Released in 1975 on Columbia Masterworks (and this truly is a masterwork), By Request is a great little novelty album perfect for lazy Friday afternoons with little-to-nothing to do. Enjoy your records responsibly, kids, and happy Friday!
Winston Smith
Winston Smith, surrealist master of the collage has some deep rooted connections to Dead Kennedys and Alternative Tentacles Records (since before both their inceptions). In addition to having designed both the iconic Dead Kennedy’s “DK” logo AND the AT Records logo, Mr. Smith’s art has also been showcased throughout many, various DK inserts, as well as a handful of Jello Biafra-related album releases. His art for the back of Jello Biafra with D.O.A.’s 1989 Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors was featured on the cover of The New Yorker back in 2000. Guess what just made my “want” list. This piece is another ocular gem found in the lengthy insert for 1982’s Plastic Surgery Disasters. TONS of amazing pieces in this insert which is, of course, definitely worth seeking out.
Official Winston Smith page can be found here.
Julio
Released 7 years after his first solo effort (1965’s The Paul Simon Songbook), 1972’s Paul Simon dropped almost two years after the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel, and features the infamous, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (one of my personal favorite Paul Simon solo tracks). A video was released for this song 16 years after its release (1988) and featured a surprising cast of unlikely characters: Biz Markie, Spud Webb, John Madden, Bid Daddy Kane, and Mickey Mantle… yes, Mickey Mantle. One doesn’t hear too much about Paul Simon these days, and that’s a shame. Take a few minutes out of your Wednesday and enjoy a catchy little tune from one of the best singer-songwriters of the 20th century. Here. Watch this.$3.99
Just discovered this groovy little record album inspired price tag from my sealed copy of Barry Manilow’s 1975 classic, Tryin’ to Get the Feeling. Adjusted for inflation, this $3.99 album today would run you a whopping $17.65! That’s crazy talk, man!
MoA-M?
Futuristic, intergalactic surf rockers Man or Astro-Man? sally forth with another (inter) stellar collection of twangy tunes with their 5th studio album, 1995’s Intravenous Television Continuum. Also released on clear vinyl, this collection of far-out follies builds upon an already sizable and entertaining library of instrumental jams, yet remains fresh and engaging throughout its 17 audio explosions. Think Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet completely hammered and going through a rough break-up, or better yet, Lawndale trying to piss off everyone within a 3-mile radius. It’s raw. It’s elegant. It’s viciously delicious.Dear Liquid Kitty…
Another amazing outing at West LA’s prime dive-o-rama entertainment refuge, the Liquid Kitty. Free punk rock, free hot dogs, $2 beers, and a slew of yesteryear dirty-punk icons… BY FAR, the best dive bar in Los Angeles, and this, coming from a guy devoted to the dive bar. Dear Liquid Kitty… thank you.
… A Box Full of Stuff, oh Yeah!
I’ve got this box, see. It was given to me when I was younger, let’s say 12 years old, by a 2nd or 3rd cousin. Me and this family member shared the same last name, ya see, and as if out of the wild blue yonder, I was asked if I’d like a hinged, wooden, square box roughly 2′ x 2′ x 2′. I said sure, thinking nothing of it, thanked my cousin, and shoved the box into a corner for about four years.
Oh, how I’d love to slap my younger self in the face for not seeing the wooden potential that would (wood?) last for over 24 years. Since then, this box has held many a treasured object, safely tucking away knick-knacks and what-have-yous, all the while, and very slowly I may add, acquiring various, random, mainly music-related, stickers. This box, full of stuff, is bombarded with discount record price tags, Rocket from the Crypt freebie stickers, logos of friend’s bands that no longer exist, the occasional Star Wars Episode 1 Pizza Hut sticker (it was a troubling time), my “fight racism / fight sexism” sticker from the Plea for Peace tour back in 200? , a Canadian flag sticker from a snowboarding exhibition some 20 years back, random-ass Yankee Candle stickers from long burnt-out, but very lovely tarts (see, my girl is very serious about her candles), and of course, this sticker of Jump Up! Records’ first album, 1994’s American Ska-thic.
This box and I have been through a lot together. I’ve had this little schwag-attracting canvas longer than I’ve had a license, had the right to vote (oh yeah, I’ve got all my “I voted” stickers on there too!), and she’s been by my side, as if demanding newly acquired stick-ables, for my entire adult life. In a time of taking nothing for granted, I’d love for the opportunity to thank my cousin again for this overly generous gift. Anyway, so I’ve got this box, see…
Knuckles Full of Nightmares
“I’m tired. I’m salty. I require silence.” – Gordon (TKITH)
An adventurous few days at work, and all I want to do is stamp my passport to unconscious-ville. Sweet dreams (are made of these), kids.
BFL
I guess I didn’t realize my copy of Big Fat Love’s Hell House was still sealed. I’d dubbed a CD some years back, and snatched up this here fella during the Grand Royal liquidation dump. As Beastie Boys side projects go, this is an unusual one. She kind of flew under the radar, and although some of the material was recorded in 1987, it wasn’t officially released until 1997. Both Mike D and MCA got their hands dirty with this release (MCA more on the producing side), but an extensive breakdown of the band’s history can be found over at Beastiemania (your one stop shop for all things Ill).Is a Thousand Enough?
When 1000 heterosexual DJs won’t cut it, consider 1000 homosexual ones to finish the job. 1990’s Supernaut, a two-track 12” featuring an uncredited Trent Reznor on an early 70’s Black Sabbath cover, is both 25 years old, and essential Chicago industrial music material. Happy hump day.
Off to Never Never Land
Metallica’s 1991 self titled album stands out for me, or the Junior High me, as one of the first, popular, bootleg albums to circulate my clique (nearly our entire 7th grade class). I received a 3rd generation cassette which I borrowed for a few days to make a 4th generation (my 1st generation), then proceeded to Enter Sandman for the next 24 years. This non-cassette, double vinyl copy is a 2008 remastered reissue, and in a pinch, gets the occasional, late evening spin. If you’re looking for a copy, and believe me, you most certainly should, I’d suggest shying away from the original (fetching $143.38 currently on Discogs.com), and instead, dig around for this remastered version ($34.39, also on Discogs.com). That is, of course, if you don’t already own a 5th generation bootleg cassette.
Hello, Dolly!
This 1964 Kapp Records release of Satchmo’s Hello, Dolly! was more of a happenstance release, capitalizing on the Kapp Records success of Louis’ #1 hit single of the same name. Some sources say that Armstrong’s Hello, Dolly! knocked The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love from the number one spot, but my sources may be inaccurate. 12 tracks of unmistakable Louis Armstrong trumpet bliss, Hello, Dolly! features Dixieland jazz renditions of Blueberry Hill, Jeepers Creepers, and A Kiss to Build a Dream On. Some days call for the subtle, honest brilliance of Louis Armstrong, and today is one of those days.
Studio Sessions Featuring Seu Jorge
After the vinyl release of the coveted Rushmore soundtrack, I’ve had an itch to acquire all the timeless Wes Anderson soundtracks. With the recent addition of The Darjeeling Limited (2015’s RSD release), there are but a handful of yet-to-be-released vinyl gems that top this fan’s favorite list. Bottle Rocket (obviously), and relevant here, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Both have never received proper vinyl releases, but this double colored vinyl comp of Seu Jorge studio sessions does the trick until an official release rears its waxy head.
Capitol Blue
Let me first say, Happy Halloween, everyone! Second, let’s trick our treats with 1978’s blue vinyl comp, 1967 – 1970. It’s hard to believe this double LP is 37 years old already, but this late era Beatles comp is essential listening material, regardless of the holiday (also available is the early-era sibling, red vinyl version).
Lagwagon, and the Death of an Era
Lagwagon comes to Hollywood on Friday the 13th, and we’ve got tickets. What’s more, they’re playing, in its entirety, and in my humble opinion, their best album, 1994’s Trashed. Also, my computer is dying. 8 years. An era gone by… it’s time to trash it.
Surf Classics of the Modern Persuasion
Modern Surf Classics by Swami John Reis & The Blind Shake is both a presumptuous title, and spot effin’ on. (Insert broken record comment here), anything John Reis puts out is an unquestionable classic. This incarnation of instrumental grandiose surf rock was classic in the minds of the artists, classic during this album’s recording, classic upon its release, and classic some near 9 months later. The closing hymn is my fav (Sets of Fire), but the album as a whole breeds water-loving twang-rock with plenty of energy to spare. Summer may be over (finally), but with Modern Surf Classics, the waves are always honest.
Break Out
Listening to Break Out today, some 32 years after its release, is a bit of a storm-inducing time capsule, full of random action figure-playing, pop radio-listening, Beverly Hills Cop-watching memories. I was four when this album was released, but Neutron Dance and I’m So Excited received a tonnage of radio play where and when I grew up. I’m also a fan of the Beverly Hills Cop films (guilty pleasures), and the opening car chase sequence to the first film features Neutron picture-perfectly. Break Out to 1983 with The Pointer Sisters. Your Wednesday is screaming for it.
Sale is Unlawful
So, by this sticker’s disclaimer, is the Atlantic Recording Corporation storing this copy of The Honeydrippers’ 1984 album Volume One on my shelf for free? I haven’t seen any checks coming in, and furthermore, was my purchase of this album done in an illegal fashion? Am I an accomplice for trading cash for this licensed promotional record? All these questions, and many more on tomorrow’s episode of, The Prudent Groove.
The Prudent Groove 