The Passing of the 40’s, the event, not the compilation album, must have been a riveting and ambitious affair. Big bands were still the big deal, and the seeds of rock n’ roll had just been planted. With big bands for the quaint, and jazz for the city folk, The Big Band Era Volume IV (The Passing of the 40’s) covered a lot of ground, and offered much to a wide range of listeners. As seen on TV, and neatly organized in the library.
Tag Archives: record collecting
Do It
Do It is the 1994 single by Swiss geniuses (and mentally stable types) Dieter Meier and Boris Blank, aka Yello. 8x versions of this catchy synch-pop-dance track spanning two records, and for only $2.99 (Amoeba circa: 2008?), makes for a perfect value-meal purchase. When asking yourself, the answer should always be, Do It.
src Fail
For those of you unsavory types who missed out on the ocean blue double vinyl version of the Mondo Jaws soundtrack, you’ve got an overpriced chance to acquire a copy over at srcvinyl. That’s right! For a cool $54.99, you could be the proud owner of the black vinyl version, for roughly a third more than the original retail cost of the ocean blue version. Upon closer examination over at src, it appears this item’s preorder description offers conflicting information… Unless there are varying degrees of darkness (“none more black”), how could a 180 gram black colored vinyl record be described as “Limited double 180gm colored vinyl LP pressing” ??? Somebody better fix that shit!
Great Men of Music: Franz Liszt
This 4x LP box set by Time Life Records circa: 1978 titled, Great Men of Music, showcases 14 of Franz Liszt’s better known arrangements, including the three-part Faust Symphony. Time Life Records released a library of 4x LP box sets under the Great Men of Music umbrella, including collective works by Stravinsky, Schumann, Prokofiev, Bartok, and of course Brahms, at least, these are the ones we own. Obviously there are Beethoven and Mozart box sets to round out the gaggle, and each can be had for about $1 per record, or $4 per set, making these thorough compilations no-brainers for the casual classical consumer.
Gimme Gimme Gimme
The blazing insert to the 2008 comp album, Have Another Ball! (The Unearthed A-Sides Album) released by Bay Area goofballs Me First and the Gimme Gimmes depicts a lovely, mid-century paradisiacal oasis atop a jovial list of jukebox, Top 40 cover songs. A “greatest hits” album all but in name, Have Another Ball! contains pop-punk versions of such memorable tunes by Paul Simon, Daryl Hall, John Denver, Carole King, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, and Elton John. Certainly an album to own for those loopy late nights. “A paradisiacal oasis, right at your fingertips.” Enjoy!
Virgo’s Fool
Originally titled Virgo’s Fool, Van Morrison’s fourth studio offering titled His Band and the Street Choir, brought with it Mr. Morrison’s most successful, solo single. No, it wasn’t Brown Eyed Girl (which is what I’d assumed it to be), but instead, the looming and luxurious Domino. This 12-track album clocks in at just under 42 minutes, and with everything Van the Man released through 1972 (with Saint Dominic’s Preview) is essential, lazy day listening material.
Random Two
Two 45s I never imagined spinning back to back. 1996’s California Dreamin’ by Japanese punks Hi-Standard followed by the live version of Mony Mony by Billy Idol from 1987. Playing the “random two” game is fun from time to time, especially when whiskey picks the records.
Back to Life, Back to Reality
Unsure how to start the new year, I’ll give a quick shout out to our trusty portable, the Numark PT-01 USB. If ever you’re looking for a rugged portable that plays 33 1/3s, 45s, and 78s, this is your machine. She runs on 6x D batteries, and if you’re serious, I suggest investing in EBL rechargeable batteries and the EBL Universal Charger. Well worth the money, on all accounts.
Roughing It Day 3 (The Finale)
Note to self: get more rechargeable D batteries when planning the next three day camping trip. Lucky for us we had the iPod as a backup.
Roughing It Day 2
Some choice selects for our end of the year camping extravaganza. From Arthur Lyman to the Kinks, and Perez Prado to Radiohead. Some great spins to round out 2017.
Roughing It Day 1
Another holiday camp outing in the works, and we had to start with Volume 2 of Persuasive Percussion. Happy Friday, wherever you lay your head and drop your needle.
Wolves
NOFX’s 2006 flop, Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing, came packaged as both black and yellow splatter vinyl. The latter with a pressing total of 1032. Back in ought six, I was able to procure 6x copies of this splatter nightmare. I’ve sold all but 3x copies, and only spin the black vinyl version when I’m feeling particularly randy. Anyway, Wolves isn’t as bad as people tell you, and you should give it a spin.
Gold
Gold is a single-sided 7″ released by Drunken Fish Records (Santa Monica, CA) back in the summer of 1992. It contains one song, Gold, and was limited to 500 copies. The name of the band is Rocket from the Crypt, and although the color in the photo is a bit misleading, the sleeve is actually red, while the record is actually a yellow-ish, gold-like color. This copy, just obtained, came with Mardi Gras-esque beads, as it did upon its initial release some 25 years ago, though I have reason to question the legitimacy of these beads. No matter, as we’re now one step closer to completing the (never-ending) Rocket from the Crypt discography!
Le Sacre Du Sauvage
Indeed, Ritual of the Savage has finally come home in its native, 10″ state. We’ve been holding out for this version for a few years, and she plays perfectly. Les Baxter and your 1951 genre-creating, rhythmic and barbaric chants, we thank you. 66 years young, I’ll have you all know!
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.
Kill All the White Man
Here are the lyrics to NOFX’s 1992 hit, Kill All the White Man, by means of The Longest Line EP insert. Not necessarily a top 40 classic, or even a legitimate radio song, but some much-needed truth can be found within this joke band’s joke song. The only question is, who’s laughing?
When the 45s Make an Appearance
The 45s made a rare, yet loud appearance last night. With heroes generally living within the O to T range, it was fleeting fun to reremember what 7″ records we’d accumulated over the years. The great thing about not having a good short term memory is that you get to rediscover old things from time to time. Hurray for my previous, record collecting self! Nicely done on that White Riot 45.
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!
Stereo Now!
Give the benevolent gift of stereo this holiday season with Capitol Records’ New Improved Full Dimensional Stereo. It “sounds better than stereo has ever sounded before,” and it’s available “on all new capitol stereo discs.” With new “bite” to the brass, “impact” in the percussion, and crisp clarity you’d find only in a thrilling live performance, Capitol’s stereo recordings are a heavenly gift, perfect for any and every collector. Ask your dealer for more information, or write your congressperson.
Lou
Lou Rawls recently bellowed over the speakers during a holiday music listening session, and it dawned on me… I don’t own NEAR enough Lou Rawls records! Chalking up only two records in the collection (1963’s Black and Blue, his second, and 1966’s Carryin’ On), 2018 is going to need a lot more Lou, and a lot less messin’ around.
The Prudent Groove 