Category Archives: Misc

Misc , , , , , Leave a comment

The Gift of Bis

by

BISThe gift of Bis (apparently) comes from seemingly every avenue of social media. The story goes like this… I’d acquired a sealed LP of Bis’ 1997 debut, The New Transistor Heroes, from the now defunct Grand Royal Records, and for reasons I’m not at liberty to discuss, I never opened it. Fast forward to a few days ago when I’m trolling Instagram and someone whom I follow posts a recent record purchase of a used copy of said Bis album, and expressed how happy they were about the bonus 7” within.

45Cut to me dropping my phone onto the floor and rushing to the “B” section of the library, where I carefully knife open the 17-year-old virgin record and discover the sly 7”.

A good day for discovering a record I’d already owned.

Colored Vinyl, Misc , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Arthur We Know and We Sympathize

by

newA hearty thanks to JWick1 for this amazing double LP (proper post forthcoming). Arthur (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) is a personal fav, and this graduated version is, simply put, the bee’s knees. A collector and avid Kinks fan cannot go wrong with both mono and stereo versions of this outstanding album. Thanks again, senior choch!

Misc , , , , , , , Leave a comment

George Hurley – Back Cover

by

GeorgeSo often do priceless nuggets of cultural significance go overlooked. Featured, as far as I can tell, ONLY on the back of 1981’s The Punch Line LP (15 mins for 18 songs…), this industrial landscape not only shows promise of conviction, it also showcases the many, astute talents of an already gifted musician, George Hurley (drummer for Minutemen).

Like so many onion-like layers of creative mystique the Minutemen continue to provide, this alternate, artistic expression by one of the world’s best drummers, Mr. George Hurley, was / is good enough for cover art, but for a prolific band such as this, takes sidecar, and settles for a prominent, yet secondary place on the back cover.

No filler did plague the Minutemen. History has converted this opinion into fact.

Misc , , , , , , Leave a comment

Been into These Guys Lately

by

Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen Minutemen The Punch Line

Misc , , , , Leave a comment

Tradition vs. Technology

by
To embrace technology is to abandon tradition. That is, until said technology becomes a tradition, which in that case, to embrace technology would be to embrace tradition. A seemingly inevitable and unavoidable campaign, we in the now adapt, learn, and apply (like wide-eyed infants), on an infinite, exponentially increasing loop until our ingrained, lethargic tradition is rendered obsolete.
DigitizingSeen here is a not-so-recent action shot of my current digitizing setup. My analog converting process has now become a tradition, whose technology has been wholly embraced.
Misc , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Perusing with Alex

by

Alex_1I just wanted to share a pleasant little discovery I made this past weekend while watching Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. Pausing, shot by shot through Alex’s (record) hunting scene, I noticed a familiar album cover behind the cleverly placed 2001 soundtrack in the “Underground” section.

Alex_2Rushing to the collection, I confirmed that peaking behind A Space Odyssey was Fever Tree’s 1968 debut, Fever Tree. Nothing Earth-shattering, but a fun discovery nonetheless.

Alex_3(Apologies for the hastily taken photos)

 

Misc , , , , , , Leave a comment

Demonstration Not For Sale

by

Demo_NotForSaleLikely offered by a swagger-heavy, weight-showcasing, morally questionable record distributor to a (less than known) San Fernando Valley country music DJ (for a bootlegged case of high-octane tequila), this 1978 album of live material by the late, great Waylon Jennings is branded, not unlike a herd of grass-eating, nose-licking bovines, with this shimmering, gold flaked, “Demonstration Not For Sale” imprint.

I’ve seen many a promo in my day, but I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of eyeing one with gold leaf. This here, was a promo with promise! Probably purchased by a prima donna wearing plaid pants.

Misc , , , , , Leave a comment

When Music Wasn’t Enough

by

RCA Victor 45RCA Victor, with their Popular Collector’s Issue series, and their motto, “The Stars who make the Hits are on RCA Victor Records,” have manifested an abnormally eloquent designed 45 sleeve, as evident by these shoes on the feet of this Glenn Miller box of singles.

His Master’s Voice was certainly not in need of top-of-the-line design, as evident by their continued, timeless, design.

Misc , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Dance ‘Till You Can’t Dance ‘Till You Can’t Dance No More

by

DanceThere is absolutely no shame in erupting into a volcanic burst of pure, adolescent excitement every once in a while. My most recent enthusiastic explosion was upon discovering this single by the illustrious (yet short lived) electro-pop outfit, C&C Music Factory. Their unforgettable, 1990 effort, Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) was a personal turning point for me, as this was one of the first two compact discs I’d ever owned.

Graduating to the new, crisp sound would come back to haunt me, however, as my instinctive decisions were something I’ve never been able to shake off. Had I known my compulsive hobby would have turned out the way it has, I may have reconsidered my first “official” music choices. I’ve since, over the years, learned to own these erroneous decisions, and am slowly approaching the level of embracement. Now, if I can only find Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, recapturing my tweens would be all but complete.

Misc , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Jaws Day 2014

by

JawsToday, July 3rd (or yesterday, for those keeping track), is / was Jaws Day… the annual domestic celebration of all things Jaws related. Apart from the soundtrack looping throughout the restroom, the LP was prominently displayed for all to see, and a respective shot of tequila was downed for every death eloquently showcased from this monumental masterpiece.

This is, and will continue to be an annual tradition… July 3rd, will (eventually) be known as, the Day of Jaws!

Misc , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Will You Remember or Will You Forget

by

Cheap 78Adjusted for inflation, this 1916, 78rpm 10”, with the then retail value of $1, would yield a cool $21.09 today. It’s comforting to comprehend that this same 78rpm 10”, 1) still functions, 2) still sounds amazing, and 3) was acquired for the same retail price in 2014 that it sold for in 1916. Yes, I paid $1 for this record, and yes, I’m currently on a 78 kick. 98 year old records make me happy.

Misc , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A Halfhearted (Politician’s) Promise for Tomorrow

by

FourJust like how function trumps fashion, so too shall quality (eventually) trump quantity here at The Prudent Groove. For too long I’ve been lacksadaisically (it’s a word… I think) thumbing my procrastination button and parading through an inferior product (since day one). So, as a mission statement (if only to myself), I, out-of-turnly proclaim, that tomorrow’s focus will showcase a much more thought out analysis (read: sarcastic observation).

What you see here (obviously), is an 8-track cassette of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album. Acquired today for a cool $1.99, this lil’ jammer will squat within the vacant garage currently residing in our living room in the shape of an empty (wood-paneled) 8-track player. Gone (and thoroughly missed), is my red cassette copy of Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., and in its place, and abridged version of Zeppelin’s most commercially proclaimed outing.

“Do you own an 8-track player?’ – Record story Guy

“Have you read The Groove?” – Me (to myself, and several hours later)

Misc , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

This is… in Stereo

by

This is StereoI was able to find a stereo copy of This is Tim Hardin today at a thrifty little (unorganized) shop down in Long Beach. Already having been the owner of the original mono version, I couldn’t turn my back on this artificial (only because it was electronically re-recorded to simulate STEREO) stereo version for a cool $6. Possibly the best record I’ve ever laid ears on, I managed to acquire both copies the guy had (stereo for me, mono for a fellow Hardin-admiring buddy).

I am currently in possession of three This is Tim Hardin albums, and something tells me, it’s not enough.

“Are you ready to check out? You want both copies?!” – Guy

“Yes, guy! I have cash… why do you question the willing?” – Me, in my head

Misc , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Beats, a Birthday, and a Boat

by

20140627-234422-85462240.jpg Combining a portable turntable, the annual spinning of the Earth revolving around the Sun, and luxuries of 1930’s, high-class travel, yields a few, important last-minute notions: 1) None of us, especially me, are getting any younger and, 2) Holding a record over an open porthole is, I guess, something I thought I’d never do.

If there is a will, there is a time for anything.

Misc , , , , , , Leave a comment

Big Band Sounds

by

Big BandThere’s nothing small about the Big Band Sounds of Earle Spencer and Other Great Bands, mischievously offered by Golden Tone Hi-Fidelity Records. Delight in the bewitching atmosphere of Lisbon Antigua, or romanticize about a much more celebratory time with an instrumental version of Auld Lang Syne (preferably, NOT out of tune), or even snuggle up close to an intimate loved one while toe-tapping to Bolero in Boogie. Whatever your poison, Big Band Sounds blows the cure, in harmonious, brass-bellied rhythm.

Misc , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Stereophonic Eiffel Towers

by

StereophonicWhile scouring youtube for acoustic Minutemen tracks, I’m 1) reminded of how upset I am that my Beats ear buds broke, 2) how imperative it is that I get a good night’s sleep and, 3) the difficulties of identifying this non-French, Eiffel Tower-featuring record label. The fact that this record is Mantovani is trivial, since the unnerving focus lies within the deep orange and purple color combo, which only extenuates the Stereophonic foundation to a record supporting the Eiffel Tower. TWL-1103 may be a bootleg Mantovani Manhattan record, but its mysteries exist far beyond simple, easy listening comprehension.