I’ve been an avid listener of The Statler Brothers, long before I knew who they were. WXRO, Dodge County’s home to early 80s country (my grandparents’ favorite channel), blew out boom-chicka tune after boom-chicka tune of earnest, earworm, country ballads. Often heard filling the warm, rural walls of the busy farm house were the elegant harmonies of this magnificent quartet. Listening to them now takes me back to a much more simple time. One filled with Miller Lite pull tabs, and hornet infested tire swings.
Category Archives: Misc
Unforgiven Rants… One Should Get What They Pay For
Finishing up my Tim Hardin discography has been a frustrating and bitter experience. Having paid handsomely for his last album, Unforgiven, only to have it mysteriously disappear without a trace or explanation from USPS has left me to question online orders altogether. I could care less about my $40… but I’ll be damned if I’ll pay another $40 ($80 in total) for another copy… on principle alone, dammit!! Sure, I may be slow to let the anger subside, (truthfully, aren’t we all?) but with time, and a Discogs.com Wantlist, I’ve logically returned to my senses. This, a recent online order, was a domestic shipment of a Russian pressed record. It came perfectly packaged, and was adequately and promptly delivered (meaning I got something I paid for). USPS is still on my shit list, as, I imagine, it is for the bulk of you, but with hostile acceptance for wrongful treatment aside, and however described, this household is able to enjoy the subtle genius of yet another Tim Hardin pressing.
Bat Adapted
While supplies last, or so I’m led to believe based on the discounted price, one, such as you, could adapt your large hole 45s with these stylish, slightly non-conformist plastic adapters. Featuring the classic Alternative Tentacles logo we all know and love, this set of three comes in translucent red, reflective silver, and reflective gold. I ordered two sets myself, because for $3 per set, why the hell not? Adapt your baby records with style, courtesy of Alternative Tentacles Records.
Leftovers
In all its unorganized, selfishly-inept misery, here is the overflow of miscellaneous tomfoolery, that which I have no Earthly idea what to do with, aka, the byproduct of one’s collection. 10″s, 78s, 7″s, 45s, slipmats, random inserts, vacant sleeves / covers… all of these random orphans make up the corner of the office, whose permanent location needs severe and well-planned consideration.
The Benson Birthday Bash aka Happy 3rd Birthday, Baby Groove!
So, we’re three today. As we celebrate in our own way, let’s fill the streets with dancing, or as Benson would say, The Streets are Filled with Dancing. 1096 consecutive days and this is where we land. Not bad, for a toddler. Happy birthday, Prudent Groove.Beats for Bernie ’16
Happy 1.23, everyone! Had lunch today with an old friend (combined friendship of 66 years) and stumbled across this Beats for Bernie event at Delicious Pizza. Bomb eats and delicious beats. That is all.
Sun-Raw
Happy Sunday, kids!
The Violent Red of Steve Allen
Steve Allen, via means of Coral Records wants you to understand the complex necessity of Romantic Rendezvous… in fact, Mr. Allen is (was) so adamant, he enlisted the help of his Piano with Neil Hefti and his Orchestra. Romance, however it is defined, starts here, with a blue radio, and a red comforter. Apparently opened toed shoes are also a plus, but with Steve Allen, accessories are questionable.
Friday the 15th, AKA Johnny Cash and the Obvious Natural Background of The Blue Train
The comp work on the cover of Johnny Cash’s The Blue Train is borderline laughable (sorry Betty Cherry), but that doesn’t diminish the phenomenal tracks it houses. A late 70’s comp released by Sun Records long after J. R. Cash left the label, The Blue Train lifts five of its tracks (half of the record) from the 1963 album, All Aboard the Blue Train, also released on Sun Records. Repackaging and repurposing was certainly nothing new by 1979 standards, but the lack of attention to detail deserves strong criticism, at least, in my humble opinion. Anyway, happy Friday!
DTA, MIA
I did some DTA (Dan the Automator) research today, and boy-oh-boy, am I missing a truck-ton of records in THIS discography?! What I dig about this pioneer is his consistency in releasing instrumentals for his notable collaborations. Dr. Octagon, Lovage, and Deltron 3030, to name a tiny few. Deltron 3030, their first album at least (I need to revisit their 2013 follow-up) is classic, early millennial, sophisticated hip hop, and although Del is greatly missing, it’s a refreshing option in rediscovering this classic album.
RIP David Robert Jones
I wish I knew you yesterday as much as I’ll know you tomorrow. RIP Bowie.
Soulwise
This one was a bit of a challenge to figure out, but after some nervous and speedy research, The Bouncing Souls, and not Pennywise will be performing at the Palladium on March 10. Ticket purchased, and early work exit email draft started. Bring on these East Coast fools!
101A
The Aristrocrat of Records, this was to be our nightly spin… and then I fell asleep. Sherman Hayes and his Orchestra with vocals by Wyoma performing Say No More will, again, have to wait.
Lazy and Unapologetic
I’m taking the day off. Enjoy your family and friends while you can, and listen to good music at every damn opportunity that arrives. Cheers, PG.
Mr. Cottontail
Among the pile of “to be entered into Discogs.com” is this 19?? 78rpm of Peter Cottontail from Capitol Records. Bozo approved, which I imagine was a purified sign of prestigious quality back in the day, Mr. Cottontail’s, well, tale, will be the first spun during tomorrow’s mid-mourning session. Let’s say I didn’t watch Bozo the Clown on WGN in the mornings before school for, oh, let’s say close to 10 years, and let’s say I’m not a strong advocate of Mr. The Clown’s Grand Prize Game on said show. If both of these weren’t painfully obvious, I’d still lean my attention to a Bozo approved 78. Mr. Cottontail certainly had some heavy endorsers in his bushy, stolen carrot-filled pocket, and, well, he just made another. Peter Cottontail by Jimmy Wakely on Capitol Records is Groove approved. Next…
Got 2016 if You Want it
I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to the end of 2015 than with the beginning of arguably the most prolific force of all British Invasion bands. 30 years of Kinky blues-driven hard rock (1964 – 1994) all started with this album (this copy, an obvious reissue), and as we look forward to a fruitful 2016, let’s not forget the lucrative paths that brought us to today. Goodbye, 2015. You were no 1964.
… Pillow
Home from the outback excursion, and we’re ready to lay our heads on any immobile pillow within arms reach, surrealistic, or otherwise. Happy New Years eve, kids!
Two Ton
First on tomorrow’s platter is this 2x 10″ of silly songs by the Mercury Miniature Playhouse, Two Ton Baker. Non-breakable records as it says, we’ll see if this vibrant cover bleeds through to the silly-song grooves within. Redheaded kids on yule logs thumping on piano-playing backgrounds with nearby red-eyed rabbits sell a damn-good tale of voluptuous entertainment, such that it is. We’ll see if ol’ Two Ton packs a worthy punch on ol’ Wednesday morn.
RV Outing, Day 2
Walter Light says, enjoy the good things in life… be them Blue, fire, and / or solid JR Cash.
RV Outing, Day 1
Nothing but the essentials, now that the portable is in full, functioning condition. Thanks to the ol’ man for the electronic resurgence, and for he and my mom for both the opportunity, and the hearty company. Happy holidays, campers!
The Prudent Groove 