THE ROAD TO RUIN
I’m referring to the John and Beverley Martyn UK Island record from 1970 with a Max Ernst engraving on the cover and engineering by John Wood. The best listen is all analog on an original UK Island LP. Continue reading “”
Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog
YES
The Yes Album was recorded at the Lyceum Theatre in London 50 years ago this week. It was the beginning of a string of three landmark records by the band Yes, each outdoing the previous one with all original songs. They all went Platinum in the U.S.: The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close To the Edge.
(Yes Art: Roger Dean) Continue reading “”
HIGHER THAN THE WORLD
Van Morrison has reached more heights than any songwriter I’ve known since his debut in 1963. Perhaps no song has touched me more than the lead track of his 1983 album Inarticulate Speech of Heart. It’s his most underrated album and a hymn that has probably saved my life. Continue reading “”
THIS IS THE MEMORIAL DAY I’M TRYING TO FORGET
On May 22, National Road Trip Day, I decided to drive around the neighborhood, picking up some groceries and the mail. I also added a hundred new road trip images to the website, once i got home – while praying for better days ahead.
Hopefully, this pandemic is peaking and will begin to pass. Still, it has made existing problems all the more apparent. The incompetence and sheer selfishness exhibited by many has made the nation that our veterans sacrificed their lives for look pathetic. On the flip side, what happens next could serve as a once-in-a-multi-generational chance to build a better future. Continue reading “”
LIFE’S GOOD (Until The End Of The World)
Thanks to Lou Reed and Wim Wenders for this soundtrack and film. Continue reading “”
PACING THE CAGE
Jimmy Buffett recorded a song for his 1999 Beachouse on the Moon album that I loved the moment I heard it. I came across it recently, and it resonated with me again. Written by Bruce Cockburn, the lyrics describe my life pretty well, especially now. Continue reading “”
PLAYING RECORDS IS A GREAT WAY TO DE-STRESS
With Record Store Day 2020 postponed due to the pandemic, now’s a good time to listen to some great sounding vinyl. It’s a sublime way to pass the time while at home.
Live albums can be especially beneficial in bringing back fond memories of concerts you may have attended. Or you can spin some female vocals or mellow jazz for a relaxing break from the computer. Vinyl remains my preferred way to listen to music for its ability to let me connect with the artist in an emotional way. Continue reading “”
DIVINE INTERVENTION
An arguably appropriate (or inappropriate) song for these times.
Regardless, Mathew Sweet’s third album, Girlfriend has enough angst and killer riffs to please any young electric guitar freak. Continue reading “”
SLOT CAR RACING AGAIN
As a kid, I raced slot cars at commercial hobby tracks pretending to be the famous British driver, Sterling Moss. I still have my box of cars and controller. Twenty years ago, I started collecting the 1/32nd scale slot cars that were being produced at the time. Continue reading “”
FAST CAR
Tracy Chapman broke the airwaves in April 1988 with this song and others on her self-titled album. Singles from the record, like “Fast Car” and “Baby Can I Hold You” are still relevant today. The CD, or better yet, the record or the elusive 12″ single discs, are audiophile grade music. Check it out. Continue reading “”
TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER
Jackson Browne sang it best on “The Only Child”, but “Living in Another World”, a song by the British band Talk Talk, is just as good. It was recorded for their sophomore album The Colour of Spring in March of 1986.
I think it’s one of the more appropriate tunes for these uncertain times. I’m losing feathers too. “Life is what you make it” ain’t bad either. Continue reading “”
QUEEN OF THE SLIPSTREAM
OK, I’m on a Van binge. Here is one of my favorite tunes he wrote about a long distance relationship.
Now we call it social distancing.
HYMNS TO THE SILENCE
Recorded 20 years ago, this Van Morrison release is my go to album when I’m feeling the strains of being a freelance photographer, writer, and filmmaker. Continue reading “”
WAX
Folks who follow my blog know I am into vinyl… I’ve been collecting 12″ LPs since The Beatles first performed in the USA. Today’s anniversary seems like a long time ago.
Sadly, a Banning, CA facility housing Apollo/Transco Lacquer Manufacturing burned down last week and is apparently a total loss. Fortunately, nobody was injured. However, this facility’s production of vinyl pellets is critical to record plants in the USA, and it’s sudden disappearance will greatly impact LP production in the future unless another source is found. Continue reading “”
ON THE BEACH
So what’s the best Neil Young album?
For me, it has to be 1974’s On The Beach.
It encapsulates the NY ethos most succinctly, without calling attention to itself, plus it’s remained topical for decades. Continue reading “”
As a long-term record collector, I have all of Bob Dylan’s LPs.
In the late ’80s I bucked the trend and managed to pick up many of his U.S. ’60s and ’70s white label promo vinyl releases in both mono and stereo (CDs were king, Dylan was out of favor, and nobody wanted LPs). I’m referring to the original vinyl on Columbia. These were the very first pressings manufactured for DJs to play on the radio.
Of all his records, one underdog with The Band remains a personal favorite, Planet Waves.
Asylum (US) and Island Records (UK) released this one in 1974. All releases remains essential listening for me.
Recently, Mofi (MFSL) made a hybrid SACD and LP. The original Columbia CD still sounds tops – but any copy will do…