Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog

NO GURU, NO METHOD, NO TEACHER

My favorite Van Morrison album was released 33 years ago. Recorded in part at The Record Plant in Sausalito, CA, it’s a magnificent record with David Hayes laying out on bass on “Foreign Window”. The lyrics can come off as obscure to most, but they’re transcendent to me. Check it out. Continue reading “”

HANDLE ME WITH CARE

On this day in 1941 – Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman) was born. Dylan went on to release over 40 albums and was a major influence on The Beatles and so many others.

His impact on popular music is incalculable. His hits included the 1965 single ‘Like A Rolling Stone’, probably the ultimate single ever released. He won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature and twelve Grammy Awards. Here he is with George Harrison and the Traveling Wilburys playing one of my favorite songs. Continue reading “”

VINYL, LEICA, AND THE EARLY 911 – MY STORY

You’ve probably read enough analogies of sports cars, fine cameras, and luxury audio equipment in high-end lifestyle magazines to get the idea that journalists are passionate about these things in a big way. I’m not immune, and vinyl records, Leica rangefinders, and Porsche 911s have been a fascination of mine since 1964.
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VINYL, LEICAS, AND THE EARLY 911

Coming soon…

I’ve been a record collector since I bought my first LP in 1964. Still have it. Leica film cameras and lenses followed in 1979. An early Porsche 911 was something I’ve wanted since I was 16. Had to wait until 1996 for that one. Now I have multiples of everything… Continue reading “”

THE BEATLES “WHITE ALBUM”

50 years ago this week The Beatles, better known as “The White Album”, hit record store worldwide.

After Rubber Soul and the artistic heights of Revolver and Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles followed up in 1968 by forming Apple Records and releasing a double LP that would go on to become their biggest seller.

Sporting a clean white cover and featuring only their embossed name and a serial number printed in gray ink, The Beatles was a strong departure from what had come before. Continue reading “”

THE LONG WAY ROUND

When you’ve been a full-time pro for as long as I have, you end up seeing a lot of stuff. Most of it is positively amazing. Like the first time you see the sun rise as an ocean storm clears in the middle of nowhere. Some of it is not, like professional jealousy.

There is always room at the top, though. And if you are lucky enough to have a partner that understands your journey – and you have talent, make smart choices, and are persistent – you can actually get there. Thanks, honey.
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THE ULTIMATE 928 DIY RESTORATION

“Minerva’s Journey” is a behind the scenes look at what it takes to rebuild a 166,000-mile Porsche from the tub up to “as new” stock condition nearly 40 years after it left the factory.

William Anast and Rob Edwards deserve big kudos for this month’s publication of their 1978 928 refurbishment in PCA’s Panorama Magazine. This was an epic journey in more ways than one. No traffic on the Balboa Island ferry… Continue reading “”

IT DOESN’T MATTER

Stephen Stills and Manassas were a short-lived super group in the early 1970s. They made some great music together. Here’s proof.

Big Gretsch guitars, big hair, big mutton chops…

“Moment by moment. One day at a time. It doesn’t matter. It’s nothing but dreaming anyhow.” Continue reading “”