The first two Old 97’s 45s have been on my wantlist for as long as I’ve known they’ve existed… about 15 years. Today (well, yesterday, technically), I received the 2nd of two, 1995’s Eyes for You b/w W.I.F.E. Reasonably priced wantlist items are dangerous, in the best sense of the word.
B.I.G.
I’ll admit a few things today. 1) My experience with The Notorious B.I.G. is very limited, and 2) I’m more excited for this month’s Vinyl Me, Please release than I probably should be. Ready to Die was Biggie’s debut album, and was originally released in September of 1994 by Bad Boy Records. That is, unfortunately, just about all I know about this classic East Coast hip hop album. Drop the needle, fool.
Command Volume
Sometimes you convince the wife to go record shopping with you, and sometimes she’s into it, and sometimes she unearths an amazing Command Records volume by Enoch Light that you didn’t have, and sometimes, you make her dinner. Volume Two… Stereo 35MM… Enoch Light and His Orchestra.
Contra Band
My 8-year-old self is adamantly denying this, but my 38-year-old self prefers the Arcade Version of Konami’s Contra than the (much more heard) NES Version. Thanks to Mondo, both versions are as easily accessible as a simple flip of a record. Necessary, 8-bit listening material.
New ‘Mentals
New instrumentals just arrived! One can never go wrong with a little (or a lot) Dan the Automator. This particular gem is from soundtrack to the 2006 NBA 2K7 game. Don’t have the game, don’t care, but I’m a sucker for anything DTA. Cheers.
Ace is the Place
Hey kids, stop the violence with your man, MY man, Mellow Man Ace! Circa: 1989 on Capitol Records, Mellow’s debut album, Escape from Havana featured, among many other (then) all-stars, both Delicious Vinyl owners Matt Dike and Michael Ross, as well as the ever-illusive Dust Brothers. Watch out for the explicit lyrics, but if you can gather your parent’s permission, you’re in for one peace-happy treat.
SLP 1235
Johnny Cash Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous is a terrific starting point for any up-and-coming Cash fan. Though his second LP, it contains an all-star lineup of (early) greatest hits proportions. Remember, this isn’t a compilation album, just the man’s second full-length effort. Big River, I Walk the Line, Ballad of a Teen-age Queen, Next in Line, Home of the Blues, There You Go, and Guess Things Happen That Way… and that’s only about half of the album. If you own it, spin it. If you don’t have it, I recommend holding out for the original. Reissues have their time and place, but with J. R. Cash, it’s go original, or go the hell home.
The Daredevil of Jazz
Super excited about our latest acquisition, the sure-to-be classic, Jazz Daredevil by none other than (H.) Jon Benjamin. I knew nothing about this release until about a week ago (he wrote shamefully), but having been a fan of Mr. Benjamin since my high school days (Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist), I scoured the internet searching (successfully) for a reasonably priced copy. Not paying the $225 some dude on Discogs is asking. You, sir, are crazy! Anyway, we’ll spin her tonight (or tomorrow), depending on the breaks. If you’re unfamiliar with this “concept” album, have a peek at the trailer. Yes, there’s a trailer, and yes, it’s as every bit of amazing that you think it is.
Needle Needs
Well, the much-expected and heavily-dreaded day has come, and after 14 years of ownership, the 1966 Philco cabinet hi-fi all-transistor stereophonic radio-phonograph is in need of a replacement needle. Sigh. Although miffed and a bit curious (as to how it broke), I’m confident that a replacement can, and will be found. Now begins a hunt of a completely different kind.
Deltron + Beer & Food
Wait, so Dogfish Head Brewery teamed up with Deltron 3030 and released a 4-track 10″ on white vinyl?! What’s more, the cover is littered with Deltron 3030-inspired recipes for you and your friends to enjoy over a cool, craft Dogfish Head beer. Check it out, but only on an empty stomach. (Recipes include: Momofuku Fried Chicken, Frittelle di Zucchini and Ricotta, Grilled Oysters with Charred Onions in Brown Butter and Pink Peppercorns, Civet de Homard au Cidre, and Positive Contact Trifle, among others.) Enjoy.
Two Volumes are Better Than One
So happy to FINALLY complete the much anticipated, critically acclaimed Provocative Percussion series by Mr. Enoch Light and the Light Brigade. Hernando’s Hideaway is an early standout, followed by Foggy Day Cha Cha and What is This Thing Called Love. Completing a set is so gratifying, though I’m a bit sad that my journey is over. Oh, well. Now, it’s time to listen.
(A)Live Album
Live Album (aka the Grand Funk Railroad live album) was released by Capitol Records in the summer of 1970. Though the gatefold cover shows the band performing at the Atlanta International Pop Festival (fourth of July weekend), none of Live Album’s tracks were recorded there. A little food for misguided thought. Also present at the festival were It’s a Beautiful Day, Procol Harum, B.B. King, The Allman Brothers Band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Spirit, and Mott the Hoople. Sounds like a dangerous time. It’s no wonder none of the band’s songs from this performance were included on the record.
The Age of Asparagus
With a sale sticker of $0.99 (recently removed), and a pricing date of 7/25/07, I unearth this 1969 classic, The Age of Aquarius. Music for your soul, as well as your ears, and here, all this time, I thought The Twilight Zone was the 5th dimension. Thanks a lot, Rod!
Back to the Top
It’s a Degüello kind of day ’round these here parts. Actually, it’s BEEN a Degüello kind of day for some time coming. It should be on Spotify if you don’t have it (which you should), so be sure to check it out at some point today. Originally slated for today’s post was 1983’s Eliminator… that was until I found some unidentified gunk on the cover. Far be it for me to air my dirty vinyl laundry.
Colors of the Sun
I’m excited to start my collection of reissue debut classics from the seminal four from Sun Records. First acquired is Roy Orbison’s At the Rock House (originally released in 1961). Somewhere in transit is Jerry Lee Lewis’ 1958 debut of the same name, and down the pike will be Dance Album of Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash’s With His Hot and Blue Guitar. As you can plainly see, Roy’s reissue is on rockin’ red vinyl, where Mr. Lewis’ is on sleek silver. Carl’s is on blue suede, and Cash’s on fire orange. A great (and cheap) way to acquire these rock n’ roll classics.
The BBQ Lives!
Found out about this one a bit late, but we were still able to catch the majority of Mike Watt and Secondmen at Liquid Kitty Punk Rock BBQ’s new location in Cypress, Cafe Nela. A random appearance by Keith Morris (and what looked to be his family) was a treat. Bummed we missed Lawndale. RIP Liquid Kitty.
Drunk in Public
So, this hoppened (see what I did there?). Fat Mike of famed NOFX teamed up with (and apparently caused disruption for) the Stone Brewing company. Labeled as a “hoppy lager,” Punk in Drublic was (very) recently released in the Southern California area to promote a punk all-start / craft brew tour of the same name (Punk in Drublic… NOFX’s fifth studio album released back in 1994). If you can find it, GET IT! Not so much for the taste, but for the pure awesomeness that is this reality. Cheers.
Fantastic Savings
When your savings are fantastic, Pat Boone is present. He may be on the radio, hiding behind an old oak tree, or he may be haunting your dreams… again. For a cool $0.87, you don’t care about sleepless nights and shivering cold sweats, because with fantastic savings, comes Pat Boone.
(Friendly inflation calculator info: $0.87 in 1962 is $7.05 today. Cue the jingle.)
Virus
I want to devise a virus
To bring dire straits to your environment
Crush your corporations with a mild touch
Trash your whole computer system and revert you to papyrus
So begins Virus, the 2000 doomsday “single” off Deltron 3030’s debut album, Deltron 3030. Positive Contact, the 2001 single off the same debut, would have been my first choice for single-hood, but the Deltron team had a different plan. Back with Things You Can Do, this 6-track single contains the album versions, the stupid radio edits, and the chill instrumentals. Remember kids, Deltron 3030 released both of their studio albums as instrumentals, so consider that the next time you and your lover lock lustful eyes.
Maxell Audio Cassette x5
I recently discovered that Amazon keeps blank cassettes in stock, and for pretty cheap! Not sure what analog project I’m going to dirty my hands with (on my Pioneer CT-W600R), but with a 5-pack, it should be fun!
The Prudent Groove 