Catch of the Day: Vinyl You've Recently Bought

orthobiz · « **on:** 18 Oct 2009, 12:59 am »

I'm following Wayner's advice on another thread: just sit back and listen to some tunes this weekend!

Thought it might be fun to post pics and stories of recent vinyl acquisitions.

Last weekend, my 15 year old daughter convinced me to travel 180 miles to Ann Arbor to the Monster Record Show. I vowed I would NOT buy any records and I did pretty well till I came up to one guy's table. It was his second show and he admitted that much of the stuff was from his private stash. Just couldn't resist after that. And Allie made out like a bandit with a bunch of Talking Heads and David Bowie stuff she needed. All for under 100 bucks.

But I couldn't believe all the gray-hairs wandering around. When did I ever get so old? Male to female ratio was approximately 50 to 1. I don't think I saw vinyl_lady!

1. The first Yes album, GP (George Piros) in the dead wax. Nice and quiet. Betcha Wayner has a copy!
2. Sweet, Desolation Boulevard. I have a somewhat noisy 10 dollar copy from Boston, hope this 4 dollar copy bests it. Will give my extra to the kids.
3. Renaissance, Prologue. Hope I remember some radio play on this one, I never owned it.
4. Phil Manzanera, 801 (import, I have the USA copy also, can't have too many copies of this one). Some Roxy Music guys with 10cc singing, you can't go wrong. The 801 Live album is another must.

5. David Bromberg, Demon in Disguise. Saw him at least 3 times in college, "Sharon" is a real showstopper and is included. Interestingly, this is a studio and live combo album
6. Gary Numan, The Pleasure Principle. See if his catalog goes beyond "Cars" and "We Are Not Fragile"
7. Madness, One Step Beyond. Never had it, title track is a hoot and the rest is a wild rollercoaster!
8. Jeff Beck, Beck-Ola. My copy is misfiled so I bought it in case it's actually lost. Man, if only Jeff had a great voice, he coulda taken over the world. Like Al Kooper, his influence is everywhere and he is not underrated but rather somewhat ignored.

Happy listening!

Paul

ecramer · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Oct 2009, 01:29 am »

new 180 grain vinyl

Wayner · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Oct 2009, 11:19 am »

Just orgered these yesterday from Music Direct and talked to Roger, who was at RMAF.

And Paul, yes I have that Yes album!

Wayner

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Oct 2009, 12:03 am »

Quote from: orthobiz on 18 Oct 2009, 12:59 am

Last weekend, my 15 year old daughter convinced me to travel 180 miles to Ann Arbor to the Monster Record Show.

I don't think I saw vinyl_lady!

Paul,

Very cool

that your daughter is into vinyl--good job!

I missed the Ann Arbor show

(a little far from Spokane, but I've been known to do crazier things for a chance to find some records I think I can't live without)

. I'm surpirsed you were able to limit yourself to just 8. All great choices.

RMAF has several vinyl vendors. One that I have shopped with for the past 5 years is For the Records from Lafayette CO. Doug and Annie Gaddy are wonderful people and a pleasure to do business with. Doug grades accurately and doesn't bring junk to the show. This year I acquired the following:

1. Leonard Cohen Various Positions (Australian pressing)
2. Roger McGuinn (English pressing)
3. Love False Start I have 4 Love albums and was not familiar with this one, so now I have 5. Arthur Lee was definitely ahead of his time
4. Jethro Tull Songs from the Wood one of the few Tull albums I did not have. Friends & I have tickets to see Ian Anderson perform an acoustic set of Jethro Tull next month.

5. Quicksilver Messenger Service Happy Trails Quicksilver was one of many great groups from the Bay area in the 60's
6.The Moody Blues In Search of a Lost Chord I have at least 3 copies of this album, but had never seen this cover before--very different than the psychedelic cover hanging on my wall. does anyone know the story/history behind this cover?
7. Neil Young Tonight's the Night For some inexplicable reason, I did not have this one in an otherwise extensive Neil Young collection
8. Buffalo Springfield in Mono. Both cover and record are in excellent and near mint condition repsectively. I've had the stereo version since it came out.

9. Jefferson Airplane Flight Log The Airplane is one of my all time favorite bands. Includes songs from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship
10. Jefferson Airplane Bless It's Pointed Little Head-Jefferson Airplane Alive at the Fillmore East/West

11. The Byrds Greatest Hits English pressing that sounds better than the US pressing. I found this one at Recycle Records in Reno NV
12. The Rainy Daze That Acapulco Gold A promo copy of an album cut by a local Denver band that played at my Homecoming Dance in 1965. They had two songs that received regional/national airtime--the title track (the streets are paved with Acapulco Gold) and In My Mind Lives a Forest. I found this at my local Indie record right here in Spokane--4000 Holes.

I purchased one new album at RMAF--Mark Knopfler Get Lucky. I heard a CD of this album playing in the Merlin room on Thursday when I was putting signs up on the different floors. He is an exceptional guitarist, songwriter and singer.

My collection is fatter and my wallet is lighter. Happy listening to all.

Laura

orthobiz · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 12:07 am »

Don't know the Moody ISOTLC cover
Reminds me of some of the Move imports I have where the cover is nothing like the US version.

What is the country of origin?

Glad you bought so many, makes me feel "normal." (ha!)

Paul

Delacroix · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 12:41 am »

I am laughing as I read this -- not sure if it's an auto-nervous reaction to recognizing my own greying tendencies to seek out and even wash old LPs, or if it's delight at finding someone else who would willingly pay $$ for Sweet's Desolation Boulevard ("...just Turn it Down....")...Guilty pleasures are just the best.

orthobiz · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 01:51 am »

Quote from: Delacroix on 20 Oct 2009, 12:41 am

I am laughing as I read this -- not sure if it's an auto-nervous reaction to recognizing my own greying tendencies to seek out and even wash old LPs, or if it's delight at finding someone else who would willingly pay $$ for Sweet's Desolation Boulevard ("...just Turn it Down....")...Guilty pleasures are just the best.

I'm a sucker for pop. ABBA is another love of mine.

If you want to hear The Record Producers BBC show on Chinn and Chapman, member-producers of The Sweet, just PM me. It's great!

Paul

ecramer · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 02:17 am »

Here i am 51 and i'm not looking for old vinyl. i buy far more New vinyl, Not new vinyl of old favorites l but new groups, Fever Ray, Bat for Lashes, Black Heart Procession, Black Keys, Gossip Personally i feel no need to trace back my roots where i started my musical journey, I'm way more interested into finding new audio that i havent heard then chasing my youth I have the New Collide coming on Clear vinyl. I will snag old vinyl if i have never heard it and ther is a lotof that out there mostly its new groups for me.

ED

orthobiz · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 02:40 am »

I'm 54. Recently saw the Decemberists, AC Newman, Fountains of Wayne (family favorite). Hope to see The Mountain Goats next month. Was taking the kids to see Weezer but some DJ killed himself and Blink182 canceled the show. And (somewhat unfortunately) I have been to four consecutive Warped Tours. This year got into TAT, British kick-butt stuff.

I also buy lots of new vinyl. Of Montreal and Camera Obscura as well as Animal Collective. Don't have Fever Ray yet, but did get the Knife, what, 2 yrs ago? Also will probably see stellastarr* in December.

So I definitely know where you're coming from. Old stuff is not just nostalgia for me, even though I feel like a curator in my own museum. I love exploring lots of albums I never had as well as old favorites. I'm definitely a collector though, never have enough time to listen to everything I buy.

It's a great hobby!

Paul

BTW, your avatar was my inspiration to buy that album, too! (true story)

ltr317 · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 02:42 am »

Paul,

I'm a big Roxy Music and Phil Manzanera fan. His guitar playing on 801 and Diamond Head are at times, sublime.

Cheers,
Paul

jsaliga · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 02:54 am »

I'm 50, but I don't think my age has much to do with my buying habits. I have pretty much stopped buying vintage vinyl simply because I have well over 2,000 LPs worth and no longer have the luxury of space to buy vinyl by the box like I used to. I am still buying a lot of new vinyl, but unlike Ed I am not buying new artists. Most of the vinyl I buy these days are 180g and 200g audiophile pressings of classic jazz titles that are important to me. I find the Music Matters and Analogue Productions Blue Note reissues (all remastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman) on 45 RPM long players to be quite irresistable. They are also pricey at $50 per title but to me they are very much worth it.

--Jerome

ltr317 · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 04:03 am »

Jerome,

I just perused your music collection. Very nice, but no Rilo Kiley? Like you, I listen to a lot of genres, but what's Math Rock? I never heard of that genre before.

Paul

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 05:39 am »

I'm 61 and buy as much or more new vinyl as used. My new vinyl purchases consist of new music from new groups, some of the Back to Black reissues, and new music by older, familiar artists. In the past 18 months I have acquired new vinyl by relatively new groups (at least new to me), like Stars, Sloan, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Built to Spill, Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, The New Pornographers, Ra Ra Riot, Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, The National and Okkervil River among others I can't remember right now. There is a lot of good new music by some really talented groups. Paste Magazine is a great source for new indie artists. I also enjoy listening to the music I grew up on in the 60's and 70's and an occasional Do Wop from the 50's.

Ed, I've been checking out samples of what you have been posting and you are definitely turning me on to some groups and music I had not heard.

This could get very expensive.

Paul, the country of origin for ISOTLC with the different cover is Germany.

I also saw The Decemberists this summer, with Andrew Bird and Blind Pilot. There were at least 3 generations present. Two nights later we saw RA Ra Riot, TNP and Death Cab for Cutie. We couldn't believe all of the young teenage girls who were there to see Death Cab and drool over Ben Gibbard. Us gray hairs were definitely in the minority. Also saw The Wallflowers and a good young Brooklyn band called The Picture (British power pop sound).

Good listening to all,

Laura

jsaliga · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 12:05 pm »

Quote from: ltr317 on 20 Oct 2009, 04:03 am

Jerome,

I just perused your music collection. Very nice, but no Rilo Kiley? Like you, I listen to a lot of genres, but what's Math Rock? I never heard of that genre before.

Paul

Paul,

I have never heard of Rilo Kiley until now but I will check them out.

For math rock see....

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=77:4560

Polvo, Don Caballero, Slint, Rodan, and June of 44 are probably my favorites (most of which I have on vinyl).

--Jerome

Wayner · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 01:22 pm »

My collecting mission is still zeroed in on music from the '80s. I have found many, many bands that never got air play, but where to me, very important contributors to the progression of rock. I'm tyring to catch up, but I'm also running out of space and cash. Bands that I have discovered on my own were folks like Klaatu, Thomas Dolby, Andreas Vollenweider, Nektar, Camel and many others. Not that they are a mystery to most, but I had never heard of them before. There were also lots of bands that I ignored because I believed that they were just to weird or out-there, until I bought some of their music. I always ignored Billy Idol. Stupid name, some tunes were played to much on the airwaves, but when I starded buy a few of his other less successful albums, I went back and bought them all.

Wayner

jsaliga · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Oct 2009, 10:30 pm »

Here's the latest batch of Blue Note and Impulse 45 RPM long players that were delivered today. I am about to queue up Joe Henderson's Page One.

I have more vinyl coming tomorrow.

--Jerome

Wayner · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Oct 2009, 07:22 pm »

Here is a technical review of the newly (re)released album by Queen, Innuendo:

I just received this album by UPS and am listening to it as it write this technical review. This album was originally released in 1991 on CD and limited LP pressings, Featuring the usual Queen quartet, but also including a guest appearance by Steve Howe from Yes Fame on the opening song, Innuendo.

The album is pressed on what I believe to be on 150 gram, but after a second comparison, maybe a 180 gram pressin, tho there are no indications of weight and it feels slightly lighter then my 180 gram pressings. 4 songs have been edited (shortened) to get the entire contents on one LP. Good decision on Hollywood Records part....NOT! Anyway, the 4 songs edited are: I'm Going Slightly Mad, Don't Try So Hard, The Hitman and Bijou. I think this is a big mistake as any Queen Fan, including myself, think this is one of Queen's best albums worthy of 2 LPs, if extra space was needed. The Album is on Hollywood Records, D000436701.

The Vinyl came in a sloppy condition, as has many other Hollywood records I have bought recently (all Queen) and they need to get a little handle on the quality control processes over there. The center spindle hole was filled with debree, requiring extraction with my Exacto Knife. Next, both sides had what appeared to be rather deep scratches, but side one so far as been silent, to my surprise. There were also many finger prints and smudges on both sides from the press operator or packager. The outer edge on side one also had a spot of gunk in one 1/4 long spot.

The artwork is good and the outer jacket included a seperate inner sleeve with lyrics and more artwork. The LP was in yet another plastic lined paper sleeve.

The recording is very good, featuring an impressive bass line, and great recording balance. As I'm listening to side 2, the scratch on this side is also in-audible, so I guess I lucked out. Oop, there is a bit of a scratch on this side, damn.

I give the album an 8/10 even if there was clean-up required. Very good recording.

Bought from Music Direct for $19.99, tho they screwed up my order with the other alum (Depeche Mode) and will be doing a return shipment on this item.

Wayner

Later Wayner added: I cannot find any info on the weight of the LP. Music Direct only says "Heavy Vinyl", what ever that means. I don't think it's 180, but is not much less, and I have no drug scales to use to weigh it.

......

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Oct 2009, 09:19 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 21 Oct 2009, 07:22 pm

Later Wayner added: and I have no drug scales to use to weigh it.

Wayner,

I got rid of my "multiple use" scales several years back and continue to find uses for them.

Wish I still had them.

Laura

Wayner · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Oct 2009, 09:27 pm »

You are one special lady! Good to see you at the RMAF, and sorry I didn't have more time. Frank had me on a busy schedule ( I think so I wouldn't get into trouble).

Wayner aa

Wayner · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Oct 2009, 10:19 pm »

The Queen album is very, very good! Many layers of music. I think they maybe went to the multi-track and re-mixed it down as it sounds different (mix-wise) from the CD.

Wayner