Think Southern Rock bluesiness of Brothers and Sisters (The Allman Brothers Band) coupled with that classic masterpiece of imaginative longing for a Southern-American lifestyle not experienced (Muswell Hillbillies by The Kinks), and you sort of get the gist of Stampede by The Doobie Brothers. The Doobies have (seemingly) always showcased the more up-beat, driving side of classic rock (like many, many others), while maintaining a funk not expected from a handful of country-based good ol’ boys. Stampede is undeniable Doobies… heartfelt lyrics, unquestionable harmonies, stellar electric guitar, and it also happens to be the band’s last album with Tom Johnston on lead vocals. He would later be replaced by Michael McDonald on 1976’s Takin’ It to the Streets. However you break it down, Stampede is a worthy spin.
Tag Archives: music
Hearty Country Style
Leave it to good ol’ boy Roy Clark to team up with Pringle’s (circa: 1978) to righteously promote “Hearty Country Style” flavored tube-chips on the back of his 11-track classic, Roy Clark Sings Country Style. Remember back in June when I inquired about what other prominent country legend was associated with a delicious, rural delicacy? Well, Mr. Clark, I stand corrected.
Midnight in 1962
This beautifully designed, mid-century insert (from 1962) accompanied Harry Belafonte’s The Midnight Special album, and could be used (with $2) to redeem The Midnight Special Songbook. This special offer provided fans and purchasers of this album with information on where to send their $2 (Belafonte Enterprises, Inc.), and boasts about the amazing advantages of owning this great songbook: “Now you can sing… play… dance to these songs at parties, at informal gatherings, in the privacy of your own home.” So what’s stopping you? Put down that Two Buck Chuck (which is now no longer two bucks) and take advantage of this exclusive offer!
Steady
I botched the color vinyl version (green) of the most recent Mad Caddies album, Punk Rocksteady, but after spinning this yesterday, I’ve concluded that it just doesn’t matter. This album is PERFECT in any shade of polyvinyl chloride. One simply cannot go wrong with Solvang’s brand of reggae set to classic punk tunes. Buy. This. Record.
Banned
Though they’re currently banned from playing any major venue in the United States, NOFX was (and still pretty much is) a big event, especially at the (now defunct) Hollywood House of Blues. Can’t remember which date I attended, but I had to go solo for this one (2007). Bonus points for the inclusion of Pennywise on the same flyer.
Greatest
Though not usually a fan of Greatest Hits albums (I only own about 50 of them), decently priced Yardbirds albums are strictly difficult to come by, even those in almost unplayable condition. So, though I do own a few additional Yardbirds records, this one, their Greatest Hits from 1967, was for years my only taste of this (ever revolving) all-star band. Just for shits I priced 1964’s Five Live Yardbirds (the band’s debut), and VG+ copies are fetching for over $200. Kudos to those in possession of that gem.Care
Well, a very, very bad mistake can now be put to rest, thanks to my wife (thank you!). You see, I’d stupidly passed up a chance to acquire the limited, aqua blue double vinyl release of Old 97’s classic, Too Far to Care. Little did I know that the next opportunity, and the only other opportunity (for nearly 5 years) would price this album 3x – 4x higher than that copy I’d originally put back on the shelf (for shame!). Missed opportunities die a slow and painful death in the life of a record collector, as you well know, so I’m grateful to finally put this one into the ground.
Warped
Ok, so yesterday was showcasing an event from 2000, so let’s wiggle ourselves up just a year for the 2001 Vans Warped Tour. Featured (in Milwaukee) at this event were The Ataris, Pinhead, Guttermouth, The Vandals, The Misfits, Kool Keith (yes, THAT Kool Keith), Hank Williams III, Bouncing Souls, Rancid, Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies, AFI, 311, and of course, no early 2000’s riot event is complete without Less Than Jake. It was a-hell-of-a-lot-of-fun, as you can imagine, and I’m happy to have held on to this little piece of personal, entertainment history.
Peace
When the Blue Meanies are headlining over Alkaline Trio, you know you’re in the early 2000’s. Thanks to Mike Park (owner and creator of Asian Man records, and saxophone player for Skankin’ Pickle) for organizing this awareness show “promoting positive youth development through engagement in the arts and social change.” The foundation appears to be still going strong, and you can check out more about them here.
NIN
This is the most recent acquisition to the library, and it comes in the form of Nine Inch Nails’ 6-track Bad Witch EP. Not pictured here is the t-shirt and pin set that accompanied the fan club release. Thanks to the choch and his kind gesture for this great, new addition!
Two, Four, Two
Front 242… a (long-lived) obsession back in my late 20’s. This particular show at the Avalon in Hollywood featured a sick visual accompaniment to this legendary Belgium band’s aggressive EBM soundtrack. I actually spoke with the videographer after the show and expressed my esteemed gratitude for his / their work. This, the Catch the Men tour would be to promote the band’s last studio album. They’ve since released several other live albums, but this show was definitely one for the ages. I’ve been meaning to see them ever since…
Green Bay
This flyer was obtained at Propagandhi / Avail show in Green Bay, Wisconsin back in the day. This was a nutty show, full of stinky Midwestern punks throwing themselves around to some damn-good Canadian pop-punk. Yes, I was one of those sweaty idiots. I’d forgotten all about this show until stumbling across this flyer. Good times.
Metro
Stumbled across a slew of gig flyers, randomly sprinkled throughout various storage boxes the other day. I attended the Rocket from the Crypt / Sahara Hotnights show at Chicago’s Metro back in 2001, I think? We made the trek from Milwaukee and the show was not a disappointment. Interesting to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and … Trail of Dead on this same flyer, both bands I would come to admire AFTER acquiring this little memento. Anyway, more flyers to come!
Swing Hits
The latest acquisition to the family library is this swingin’, 6-LP Reader’s Digest box set, Swing Hits. Featuring Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and of course, Glenn Miller, this amazing gift was a thoughtful and welcoming gesture from the in-laws, and was actually owned by my wife’s grandfather. Many thanks for this great gift set! Rest assured, she’ll be well taken care of. Here’s to a swingin’ weekend, kids!
Still Bill
Still Bill is the second studio album by soul legend William Harrison Withers Jr., and was released in 1972 on Sussex Records. Featuring the classic, Lean on Me, Still Bill is essential Bill Withers material. Also included is the classic Use Me, and Who Is He (And What Is He to You?) which was featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino’s 1997 classic, Jackie Brown. This copy has certainly seen better days, but was a no-brainer for $1 at Goodwill. If you don’t already own this classic album, check it out.
Birds
This 1982 compilation record featuring Jeff Back and The Yardbirds was released in the UK back in 1982. The 10 tracks feature the band’s work between 1964-65, and is a must find for classic rock and blues rock lovers of all types. Though I much prefer my Yardbirds with a little Jimmy Page, this album is still a must-own.
Goes… Latin
So, as it turns out, the lesser-known Hugo Winterhalter was an arranger for such household names as Tommy Dorsey and Count Basie back in the 1930s before branching out into his own easy listening jazz career. This 1959 album, Hugo Winterhalter Goes… Latin features 12 tracks of Latin fury, and owns classic, mid-century cover art. With RCA Victor’s Living Stereo, you’re sure to experience Isabel’s Dream and Ectasy Tango in high quality fidelity.
Jimmy Ray
Jimmy Ray Dean held a prolific career as a television personality (The Jimmy Dean Show), a country music star (Big Bad John), and of course, creator and spokesman for the classic Jimmy Dean sausage brand. This album, 1964’s The Songs We All Love Best, was Jimmy’s 11th studio album, and was released on Columbia Records. A little Jimmy goes a long way, but how many other country musicians have their own food line to accompany their music? Not many, I’ll tell you that.
Broken
So… I busted my needle yesterday… on Tim Hardin’s This is Tim Hardin. Lucky for the household that we have “spare” turntables scattered around, so I was able to get my (much-needed) Hardin fix. Now, in addition to being sick for destroying a few choice Hardin grooves, I’m in the search for a replacement needle. It never really ends.
No One Lives Exception to This Passing Grief
Though I’ve been in (clenched) possession of this amazing Lagwagon box set for 6 years (Putting Music in its Place… the 10 LP box set… you remember…), I hadn’t, until today, noticed this stellar insert for the double Hoss LP. The photo is of high enough quality for you to zoom in and have a laugh to the bottom left corner’s brief history of the album. The center band photo was used in 1994’s Fat Wreck Chords comp, Survival of the Fattest (I remember it from my high school days), but to my knowledge, the photos on either side are exclusive to this release. Anyway, I found this particular story to be quite humorous.
The Prudent Groove 