Month: April 2012

randy_wells_records.jpg

ENJOYING TURNTABLES AND VINYL WITHOUT OBSESSING

Record Store Day is this Saturday. In preparation, here are a couple of good articles in The New York Times and the LA Weekly on enjoying the advantages of vinyl records without going crazy. There are lots of options for turntables, cartridges, and phono stages now that make spinning wax very easy. Collecting near mint first pressing original LPs, or tracking down the best sounding records? Well, you can go a little nuts doing that! Continue reading “”

randywells-6497.jpg

OUTLAW 356 AND 911 : BLACK AND SILVER

Once again, Excellence magazine has chosen to feature some remarkable Porsches. This month’s issue (#201) includes a black 1958 Porsche 356A sunroof coupe that became a Willhoit GT special and a silver 1972 Porsche 911 hot rod that returned to the street after many years as a race car.

I was fortunate to have covered both of these California cars in photographs and words. Each owner, Dick Moran and Chris Messano, is a true enthusiast intent on fulfilling their aspirations. Thanks, guys, for being who you are… Continue reading “”

steely-dan-1978.jpg

KID CHARLEMAGNE

Three dozen years ago, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan were putting the finishing touches on one of their lesser known albums – The Royal Scam. It’s a “fusion of a funk rhythm and jazz harmonies with rock and roll instrumentals and lyrical style” according to Wikpedia.

Of particular note is the track, “Kid Charlemagne”. On this song, guitarist Larry Carlton incorporated a jazz-inflected electric solo. It’s become famous for its difficulty to play and also for the finger-tapped hammer-on technique implemented near the end. This effect was not widely used until Van Halen’s first album was released two years later. Continue reading “”

butzi.jpg

F.A. “BUTZI” PORSCHE (1935-2012)

It is with saddened heart that I report the passing of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche in Salzburg, Austria today at the age of 76.

He was the first son of Ferry Porsche, the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, and probably best known for leading the design/styling team for the iconic Porsche 911 sports car. Continue reading “”