Chicago Slickers Volume 2 1948-1955 may have single-handedly jump started, or violently unearthed a monster obsession I’ve had little-to-no experience with. That obsession being, the heart-wrenching, rhythm-driving atmosphere of good blues music. I could list the artists on this comp reissue, but I’ve never heard of any of them before… and that’s a fault I’m willing to own. Originally released back in 1980, this fairly recent reissue (2017) can be had for cheap (under $13, or under $10 in this case), and should be explored by any lover of classic rock rhythms. Enjoy with caution, enjoy often. All sales final.
Category Archives: 2017
Heavenly Body in Blue
In keeping with the celestial rhetoric of the glorious (and seemingly never-ending) genre-bending umbrella that is space age pop comes this electro-theremin-filled futuristic take on cosmic-themed songs of yesteryear. Titled Music for Heavenly Bodies, Paul Tanner with Andre Montero and His Orchestra assembled 12 tracks of euphoric, though slightly eerie bliss. Tracks like Midnight Sun and Up to Jupiter offer jovial and uplifting beds of comforted seclusion, while Holiday on Saturn sounds more like a warm-up theme to an impending intergalactic space battle, one for the ages, I’m sure. Presented here is Modern Harmonic’s 2017 blue vinyl reissue. Heavenly bodies aside, this is certainly music for those of us with an adventurous ear.
New Worlds
We lucked out in finding New Worlds (Bill Murray, Jon Vogler and Friends) for about half off the (slightly overpriced) retail sticker of $25.99. This 2018 Record Store Day exclusive release of the 2017 compact disc was sold out at our local brick and mortar back in April, so I was pleased to see the discounted online price for this classic, double LP. Current copies on Discogs go for only $11.99, so order up, kids!
Nothing
Last October, Jane’s Addiction’s debut studio album received the Rocktober treatment from Rhino Records. Nothing Shocking is available on 180-gram crystal clear vinyl and is limited to 6,000 copies. With that many pressed, you can still find this essential reissue for a relatively cheap price (I acquired mine for $22). Other releases under the Rocktober umbrella were Loaded by The Velvet Underground, Love it to Death by Alice Cooper, and Electric Warrior by T. Rex. Here is the link if you’re interested.
Jaws, Like You’ve Never Heard it Before
The long-awaited double LP soundtrack to (arguably) the greatest film of all time, Jaws, arrived just in time for some much-needed holiday cheer. Presented for the first time on wax, this “double vinyl set presents the entire Academy Award-winning score as composed and recorded for the actual film” (the Grammy-winning 1975 MCA Records release was simply a re-recording, mind you). Offered on majestic, ocean blue vinyl, and released by the greatest soundtrack distributors known to man, Mondo, this jaw(s)-dropping release ranks up there as one of the most anticipated of the year… especially since preorders went live back in early July, on Jaws’ Day, actually (7/3). Save up your holiday gift money if you’ve missed out, because this one is bar none, the definition of essential.
Ginsberg
Howl, one of the only poems I’d read aloud to my wife, was just rereleased on vinyl by Modern Silence. Limited to 500 numbered copies (this is #297), I had to challenge international shipping (and timing) to secure this essential Allen Ginsberg release. With originals from 1959 going for well over $100, this red vinyl record was a steal for $30. Last week was Burroughs, and today it’s Ginsberg. Closing out this God-awful 2017 in epic style!
No Bones About It
Did some late RSD Black Friday shopping and nabbed this groovy 10″ by At the Drive In. Apparently there exists a black / doublemint version limited to only 100 copies, but I’m happy to settle for this coke bottle clear w/ bone splatter version (but seriously, who comes up with these vinyl color names?!).
Mo Monks
Third Man Records released a 5-track EP earlier this year of previously unreleased material from 1967 by The Monks. This copy, though reasonably priced at $10.99, was in fact NOT the hand numbered white vinyl version limited to 300 copies. All good, however, as the music within captures this obscure band during their (presumably) last recording session prior to their inevitable breakup. All-in-all, a necessary acquisition, if only for the sake of modern music history.
Sphinctour
It’s been raining Ministry here lately. First was Animositisomina (originally released on compact disc in ’03), followed by this, 2002’s Sphinctour (getting the first-ever vinyl treatment earlier this year… like three weeks ago…), and finally, another first-ever-on-vinyl-blah-blah, 2004’s Houses of the Molé. All three were necessary acquisitions, and I’m now in possession of every studio Ministry album from 1983’s With Sympathy to 2006’s Rio Grande Blood (12 albums in total). Its the simple things, really.
It’s… Instupituous!!
It. Has. Arrived. Still avail, FYI, and sounding amazing! One of the best hip hop albums I’ve ever spun. It’s machine versus man, man versus woman, woman versus your mother.
ATDI Returns
There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since the last At the Drive-In release. 17 years of water to be exact. So needless to say, I’m a little curious to hear what 2017 ATDI brings. I was living in Milwaukee at the time Relationship of Command dropped (their last), and I’m in Los Angeles now, so I can only imagine the mountain of change that this mammoth band endured over the past 17 years. Fingers crossed.
The Egg
I don’t know much (if anything) about Main Source, this month’s selection via Vinyl Me, Please, but I’m intrigued by the egg-like vinyl pattern. Originally released in 1991, Breaking Atoms appears to be Main Source’s debut album. When exploring new acts, I prefer (as I assume many, if not all of you do) to start at the beginning. Eagerly anticipating unscrambling this salty spin, for sure.
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…
The Prudent Groove 