Stereo Exciting Sounds from Romantic Places… wait, or is it, Exciting from Romantic Stereo Sounds Places? Likely, it’s Exciting Stereo Sounds from Romantic Places with Leo Diamond’s Orchestra. Whichever way the mischievous title unfolds, Leo Diamond kills this 1959 easy listening LP. From cover to groove, this hi-fidelity ear-grabber sets both the mind, and body at ease. Listen with caution, if you dig.
Tag Archives: wax
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.Zero, Hero, Not No Small Fee
Event 2 checked through interplanetary security some 13 years, a decade (+) some would say, after the initial ignition of innovative insanity spawned the red-eyed cloud of sophisticated satisfaction. Muddy your mind, and tap your toes, ’cause Deltron Zero and Captain Aptos have been serviced, and are accessible for all of your control-alt-deleted needs.
Tom the Peep
As an avid follower of all things Mike Patton, I’ll confess that it’s taken a bit of research and development to man the interweaving road of his illustrious and diverse career. Irony is a Dead Scene (The Dillinger Escape Plan with Mike Patton) skipped past my radar upon its first release, but I was happy to find my way with the 2010 reissue. Now with social media playing a fundamental roll with any discernible artist with a “like,” information for upcoming releases don’t require as much legwork.
Peeping Tom here, was an unplanned discovery during a time that (more or less) predated the uncomfortable knowledge of every artists’ every move. Gravy for us collectors, a bit awkward for the talent. Anyway, if you ever wanted to hear a wacked-out collaboration between Mike Patton, Dan the Automator and Norah Jones, Peeping Tom is your guy.
Viva la Doors!
The Doors’ debut album (released January 4th, 1967) could almost (… almost) work as a mini greatest hits album, for those of you into mini greatest hits albums. The End, Light My Fire, Alabama Song (Whisky Bar), and their unsuccessful first single, Break on Through (to the Other Side) make for an phenomenal, long-lasting introduction to this historically symbolic LA band. For people into good things, this album is already in your possession, but for those of you into good things but are unaware of The Doors and their first album The Doors, shame on you. Shame on you, and good day! (Says the guy with the 1980 reissue…)
I Will Refuse
In 1987, industrial-metal pioneers, the illustrious Ministry, teamed up with straight-edge mogul, Ian MacKaye (of Minor Threat and Fugazi), for an ambitious, yet magnificently executed collection of hardcore punk-industrial hybrids. Calling themselves Pailhead, the short-lived supergroup released six tracks over three releases and a comp. Featured here is their first record, well, the 12″ version of it, titled I Will Refuse. It’s not surprising that the record received both a 12″ and 7″ release, catering towards both the industrial (12″) and punk crowds (7″) respectively. Swap out MacKaye for Jello Biafra, add a few years (1989), and you’ve got LARD, another, more long-lasting venture into the punk-industrial genre that these Pailhead fools almost single-handedly established. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty damn close. Check ’em out.
The Definitive Reissue
Already the proud owner of the 2011 bootleg, Black Time, which consists of the exact same opening 12 tracks, I’d passed up many an opportunity for the 2009 official reissue of this 1966 merciless album, Black Monk Time. That was, until yesterday’s trip to Amoeba. With no worthy Kinks albums, absolutely zero anything from Dan the Automator, no Nautiluss (that wasn’t already owned), and no reasonably priced Minutemen, I felt it was high time to bring this puppy home. One record I should have purchased was the red vinyl version of On the Prowl by Rocket from the Crypt. $35 for two tracks slipped me up, but now I wish I’d have thought more clearly. As long as I have air in my lungs, the hunt continues.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.
12 Sides of Glenn Miller
I’ve been in a bit of a pure, uncomplicated mood lately. Yesterday, Simon & Garfunkel got some play, along with Metronomy, and today we’ll celebrate Glenn Miller with this six LP box set titled, The Unforgettable Glenn Miller 70 of His Greatest Original Recordings. Little to nothing is left out on this massive collection, which was released by Reader’s Digest in 1968. All the obvious classics are here, but what I find most interesting is the various collaborators found within. Glenn Miller and The Modernaires, Glenn Miller and the Army Air Force Band, Glenn Miller and Ray Eberle, Glenn Miller and Tex Beneke, Glenn Miller and Marion Hutton, and Glenn Miller and Kay Starr to name a few. Six LPs will most definitely take some time to finish… I just hope I’m not out of my melon collie mood before then.
I’m Down with the Boys Beastie
What’s not to love about a bootleg of the Beastie Boys covering their version of a Beatles song?! This unofficial 7″ from 2013 is as hilarious as it is historical. From the bird on the cover (here) to the Licensed to Ill-era schoolboy lyrics, the Beasties’ version of I’m Down has the classic Def Jam hip hop power guitar you’d expect, and I’m not even joking, their reworked lyrics are gut-bustingly priceless. The quote on the back of the sleeve, however, takes the cake.
“After a long pause, Michael Diamond responds to a question about Michael Jackson, who as owner of the publishing rights to the Beatles’ songs, refused the Beasties permission to put their own customized version of the Fab Four’s ‘I’m Down’ on their album. ‘What would I do if I met him?’ Mike D says. ‘I’d unplug his oxygen tent, rip off his surgical mask and spit in his face.'”
– Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1987
Classic D. This Chinese release is limited to 249 copies on explicative pink vinyl, was a holiday gift from some well-knowing family members, and comes highly recommended.
RIP MCA.
RIP David Robert Jones
I wish I knew you yesterday as much as I’ll know you tomorrow. RIP Bowie.
Mask
I’ve recently exhausted (in a good way, and mainly on trips to and from the office), Bauhaus’ debut masterpiece, 1980’s In the Flat Field. Mask, the band’s second album, waits impatiently on the shelf for the cloud of brilliant indecency to subside. Tracks 1-4 on …Field rival anything released in the past 40 years, and I challenge anyone who says otherwise.
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!
Mr. Nelson
1978’s Willie and Family Live is a great collection of heartfelt confessions told by one of the last remaining living legends of the country music genre, Willie Hugh Nelson. Kicking off this 28-track double LP (not including the 6-part medley) is the lively classic, Whiskey River (a raging thoroughfare we’ve all battled in one way or another, some more frequently than others). While my soul goes out to Johnny Cash, my heart goes to Willie Nelson. His impartial sincerity is as humbling as it is overwhelming, and as a live act, few standing have as much stage wisdom as Mr. Nelson. It’s going to be a sad day when we lose this one.
Mo Money
I’d always loved this label photo, which also doubles as the cover to Money Mark’s Third Version E.P. from 1996. Former carpenters turned keyboard astronauts always tend to nab my undivided attention, as well they should. If you’re in the mood this new year for some downtempo trip hop, the buck stops with Money Mark Nishita.
As an aside, while prepping for this post, I came across a 20th anniversary free download link on Mr. Mark’s official site, so head on over to http://moneymark.com/, drop your email, and enjoy his first album for free!
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.
So What…
Record on the right, the 1986 black vinyl (vs yellow or blue… le sigh) Super Seven Records release, So What if We’re on Mystic! EP. The record on the left, one of the 126 Inches of NOFX box set from 2012 of the same name. The original was one of the first records sought after in my early collecting days. You see, Bob Turkee, the dick that he may be, was my favorite song for a good year or so, and I needed to own a copy of its origin. NOFX, or No F-X as it were, have come a long way, but they’ve (arguably) never exceeded their crowning achievement, Bob Turkee.
The Prudent Groove 