Look what I found in a used record store
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: General Music Discussions
Forum Description: Discuss and create polls about all types of music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=80900
Printed Date: April 13 2025 at 13:59
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Look what I found in a used record store
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Subject: Look what I found in a used record store
Date Posted: September 01 2011 at 20:30
|
I'm on the road again, this time in a little college town called Oneonta in upstate New York. I found a used record store here called the E-Mart Store, weird name but they have piles of old vinyl scattered around all over the place along with old science fiction paperbacks and even some antique furniture and collectable Star Wars figures, stuff like that.
I thought it might be good to have a thread discussing used record stores people come across and what they found there.
I picked up three albums:
 Robin Williamson & His Merry Band - Journey's Edge. Recorded by Robin Williamson after the breakup of the Incredible String Band. He had relocated to Los Angeles and some of these songs were written around the time the group disbanded in 1975. Licorice McKechnie appears on backing vocals, listed in the liner notes as "Likki Lambert" along with her then husband Brian Lambert. This was the last time McKechnie appeared on any album as far as I know. She and Lambert divorced a few years later and she was last seen in Arizona in 1989 before disappearing. Cost $7 USD.
 Strawbs - Deadlines. I wrote a review of this one a few weeks back but this is an original of the Arista U.S. release that looks like it was never even played. Cost me $5 USD.
 2 Originals of Stephen Stills. A Warner/Atlantic German release (ATL 60 063) that has an Italian customs export sticker on the back. This appears to be Stills' complete first and second solo releases, the first of which I believe was recorded shortly after CSN&Y's 'Deja Vu' when Still was hanging out in England with Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Also in nearly perfect condition, cost me $10 USD.
Anyone else picked up anything interesting in a used record store lately, or even been in one they want to write about?
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Replies:
Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: September 02 2011 at 01:12
| I like the cover of the Strawbs album. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: September 02 2011 at 02:05
|
I still mourn my neighborhood place that closed a few years ago-- Streetlight Records, an old school original that I'd been going to since '71 when it opened; back then I'd mostly get old Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Bill Cosby LPs, plus I could special order from them and give them my money instead of some online dealer. Loved just browsing and chatting with clerks. |
Posted By: zoviet
Date Posted: September 02 2011 at 03:27
|
went fusion crazy in my local used vinyl store, for 5 singapore dollars each!!
Skywalk - The Bohemians Wolfgang Muthspiel Trio - Timezones David Sanborn - Voyeur Don Grusin - Raven Jean-Luc Ponty - Enigmatic Ocean Arsenal - With Our Own Hands Dan Siegel - Another Time Another Place AWESOME!!!! just diggin em out checkin out the covers and credits (MUST have synths haha)was fantastic!! |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: September 03 2011 at 05:38
| I've got the strawbs and stills vinyls, many years ago, prefer the two first Stills albums |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: September 29 2011 at 16:50
|
I was in Chicago this week, found a little place at a strip mall in Skokie called Disk Replay. Looks to be part of a chain, or at least there are three or four of them listed in the phone book. Mostly movie DVDs and games but also a good stock of used CDs. Sadly no vinyl, but I found a few interesting pieces anyway:  Seventh Sons - Raga (4am at Frank's)
This was a 1964 recording made, not surprisingly, in some guy named Frank's apartment. I've been curious about this album and band since seeing them listed here on ProgArchives several years ago so when I saw this in the bin I figured it was worth checking out. Seventh Sons were an interesting trio of guys who claim to have been the earliest white people to discover raga music and instrumentation, long before the likes of the Beatles, Incredible String Band and everyone else who got on the bandwagon later in the sixties. Not a particularly interesting album especially since it consists of basically one song, but it does have some historical significance. I picked up a used copy of the CD reissue for $10 USD.
 Snopek - Thinking Out Loud
Sigmund Snopek III (his real name) is a Waukesha (Milwaukee) native son and something of an icon there. He's probably better known as the keyboard player in Violent Femmes' Horns of Dilemma touring support group (and I think he was an official member of the band for a while before they disbanded as well). I've been going through his discography doing some reviews lately and since Skokie is only an hour or so south of Waukesha I thought I might find something. Turns out this is a pretty weak late seventies recording that isn't really prog at all, but again holds some historical interest. Only cost me $4 USD so my expectations weren't particularly high. You can read my review http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=536817" rel="nofollow - here if you're interested.
 Woody Guthrie - Buffalo Skinners, the Asch Recordings, Volume 4
Moe Asch of Folkways Records recorded about 120 Guthrie songs towards the end of WW II while Guthrie was in New York for his second extended visit and shortly before he joined the Merchant Marine. These were the sessions where Guthrie first recorded his timeless classic "This Land is Your Land". This is the last of four disks released on CD by the Smithsonian in the late nineties. Cost me $7 USD.
The Smithsonian assumed the entire Folkways catalog from Asch's estate in the late eighties with the promise that they would keep every record in print as long as they 'owned' the collection. Asch released more than 2,100 albums on the Folkways label and most of them are really obscure stuff including everything from field recordings of folk singers throughout the U.S. and all over the world; to street sounds like cars, church bells and the like; to street music; to children's songs. If you ever run across a Folkways album you should buy it immediately. There is a pretty interesting book about the whole Folkways story (including many, many great photos) called http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Sound-Story-Smithsonian-Folkways/dp/B0042P597S/ref=pd_sim_b1" rel="nofollow - Worlds of Sound that I highly recommend. I bought a used copy at a bookstore in Aberdeen, South Dakota a few years ago and have been hooked on the Folkways story ever since. Also, if you are interested in exploring some of the vast Folkways recordings you can download some free podcasts http://www.folkways.si.edu/explore_folkways/folkways_collection.aspx" rel="nofollow - here . There are some early Leadbelly recordings, Pete Seeger, civil rights music, lots of Beat and Greenwich Village folk revival recordings and so on.
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: November 25 2011 at 19:55
|
Another used record store, this one in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania called http://www.musicalenergi.com" rel="nofollow - Musical Energi . The place has over 20,000 vinyl records along with 45s, cassettes, CDs, 8-tracks (really!) as well as posters and concert tshirts. I spent several hours combing through the vinyl stacks which are jammed into a side room on packed shelves about eight feet tall with stacks of records all over the floor as well. I'll be going back to spend even more time as I found quite a few classic originals from the likes of John Fahey, Tom Paxton, Robbie Basho, Bert Jansch, and many many more. Today's haul consisted of four vinyl records, three prog folk albums and a conversation piece:
Fairport Convention - 'Farewell, Farewell'. This was intended to be the final album for the band's classic lineup, although of course they would end of persisting well after it's 1979 release. This is a live album that includes a few good photos on the inside sleeve although few liner notes beyond the recording credits. I haven't played it yet but it is in nearly mint condition and set me back only $12 USD so I consider it a good purchase.
the Pentangle - 'Reflection'. I believe this was the band's fifth studio release and something of a comeback after the disappointing 'Cruel Sister'. Includes the epic title track that is also featured on the band's 'Captured Live' DVD, one of the few pieces of extended live footage that has survived the band. A steal at $6 USD.
Incredible String Band - 'No Ruinous Feud'. I'm probably one of the few prog folk fans who is not completely enamored of this band. And even if I were this would not be my favorite album (see http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=359825" rel="nofollow - review ). That said, this is the first time I've seen it on vinyl and the shop surprising had three copies. The $10 price was a bit steep but since this is about the only studio album of theirs I did not already own I'm glad to have the completer piece.
Kansas - 'Two for the Show Special Limited Edition'. This is an odd one. Apparently Kirshner released this as a DJ promo only with the catalog number "AS 555". The record consists of the original studio versions of "Lonely Wind", "Dust in the Wind", "Song for America" and "The Wall" on side A and the same songs again on side B. The only difference is that side A is "unbanded" meaning the four tracks play non-stop, while on side B there is a normal album break between each song. Nothing new here musically but as a Kansas fanboy I just had to have this one. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: MoodyRush
Date Posted: November 25 2011 at 22:29
|
[QUOTE=ClemofNazareth] I was in Chicago this week, found a little place at a strip mall in Skokie called Disk Replay. Looks to be part of a chain, or at least there are three or four of them listed in the phone book. Mostly movie DVDs and games but also a good stock of used CDs. Sadly no vinyl, but I found a few interesting pieces anyway: [QUOTE] There's a disc replay that I sometimes go to by my house. I bought a Wish You Were Here and Missa Atropos by Gazpacho there. Good place. ------------- Follow me down to the valley below. Moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul. -Lazarus |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: November 26 2011 at 11:50
|
Well there are plenty of used record stores here in Tacoma and Seattle....for the size of these cities, more than expected. On 6th Ave in Tacoma there are 2 really good ones Hi Voltage Records and House of Records. At the latter one he even has some high end audio equipment and a lot of used audio equipment. This guy also has TONS of vinyl from the 50-60's and a whole section dedicated to Elvis. Hi Voltage, I like his stuff because it is usually very good quality, clean and well maintained...he averages $8-$12...He knows where the value is. In Seattle there is a great little shop called Jive Time Records in Freemont...Then there are 2 small longtime chains called Silver Platters and Easy Street Records....both heavy to CD's but plenty of vinyl, a lot of new issue vinyl they have, which I like so i don't have to order online. I too much prefer to spend my cash at these local businesses rather than purchase online. I have found tons over the past few years....Here are couple of my favs. Miles Davis Quartet...Heard 'Round the World...$2.00!!  Stevie's classic Songs In the Key of Life  Genesis Live...amazing condition, pristine vinyl condition....I think I paid $6.99  -------------   
|
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 04 2011 at 08:31
|
Another road trip over the weekend, this time to Ithaca, New York where I had a chance to stop in at http://www.facebook.com/AngryMomRecords" rel="nofollow - Angry Mom Records , right across the street from the http://www.ithacahemp.com/" rel="nofollow - Ithaca Hemp Company on the downtown Ithaca Commons. An interesting Saturday night that was highlighted by a fistfight between some white homeless kids in dreadlocks that ended with the arrival of a handful of police cars and ambulances. The record store is in the basement of the Autumn Leaves used book store, another place I'd like to check out one of these days. The fare includes a fairly large collection of vinyl 33s, 78s and also CDs along with some posters. There were three guys working when I went in and they seemed to be spending most of their time snapping photos of albums for eBay ads and boxing up mail orders. I suspect this is where they make most of their money since the only other visitors at the time besides me were a slightly shell-shocked old hippie and some kid who was dressed up in an 80s throwback outfit like http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-731Ay1W_Sfw/TclsdkNM13I/AAAAAAAAAyg/LU7NYuhAnrw/s1600/Pink%2B3.jpg" rel="nofollow - Jon Cryer from Pretty in Pink. The vinyl covers everything from early rock stuff like Herman's Hermits to jazz to folk to new releases (they had two copies of the Decemberist's ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=35089" rel="nofollow - Long Live the King ' for example). Ithaca is home to around 40,000 college students attending http://www.cornell.edu/" rel="nofollow - Cornell University , http://www.ithaca.edu/" rel="nofollow - Ithaca College and http://www.esc.edu/" rel="nofollow - Empire State College as well as quite a few hippies and street people so there is plenty of opportunity for Angry Mom to collect a wide range of music. I could have easily spent a few hundred except for the small detail that I didn't have much cash on me Three more records this time, all vinyl and all in excellent condition. These guys know what their vinyl is worth so there weren't a lot of bargains but the selection is good so there's that anyway.
The Jerry Hahn Brotherhood - s/t. I've been going through the Manfred Mann's Earth Band discography doing reviews lately and there are two tracks from this album that band has covered - "Captain Bobby Stout" on their 1972 http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=4740" rel="nofollow - debut and "Martha's Madman" on the less impressive 1978 release ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=4752" rel="nofollow - Watch ', so I thought it would be interesting to hear the entire album that included the originals. The Brotherhood were a Wichita, Kansas band from the early 70s. I graduated high school in a Wichita suburb and attended Wichita State University in the early 80s so these guys were before my time but I do remember http://www.kansas.com/2010/03/28/1244778/fe-of-stopping-crime.html" rel="nofollow - Bobby Stout , who was a real police chief in Wichita and later director of the Wichita Crime Commission. He was well-known for his aggressive though not dirty tactics in fighting crime during a particularly ugly period in Wichita that included the likes of the http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472047/" rel="nofollow - BTK serial killer , the http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/3557177.html" rel="nofollow - Holiday Inn sniper (I was downtown that day and it was pretty scary) and the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Hill_riot" rel="nofollow - Herman Hill riot spawned when police tried to remove some guys handing out beers from the back of their pickups at a free concert in Herman Hill Park (two of my friends were arrested that day including one who was injured after being handcuffed to the ground by a cop while people and cars were fleeing all around him). The metal band Manilla Road later wrote a song about the riot. As an aside I attended high school with one of the early members of Manilla Road and part of their band played at our high school graduation party including an extremely long version of "Freebird".
Anyway this album consists mostly of an interesting blend of jazz, folk, blues and a little bluegrass that sounds a lot like a mix of the Grateful Dead and Chicago. A decent album and I'm a little surprised the band didn't last longer although I believe all the members went on to have long music careers. Jerry Hahn passed away several years ago but Lane Tietgen and Mike Finnigan are still playing today.
Tom Rapp - 'Sunforest'. Rapp was the brains behind http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3781" rel="nofollow - Pearls Before Swine ; in fact, after the first couple of albums he pretty much was Pearls Before Swine so even though this is a solo album it, like most of Pearls later Nashville stuff, bears the name "Pearls Before Swine" on the album spine. Like ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18917" rel="nofollow - City of Gold ' this one was recorded in Nashville and features a lot of country session musicians who also worked with the likes of Elvis, Neil Young, Graham Nash and many others. The music is a lot like 'City', laconic, much of it acoustic, folksy but with a country tinge. I especially liked the closing "Sunshine & Charles" which is sort of a trailer-trash love story.
Woody Guthrie - 'Bound for Glory'. This one was a bit of a surprise. This is an original Folkways Records release from 1958 that still has the typewritten liner notes by the late http://www.woodyguthrie.de/alm41.jpg" rel="nofollow - Millard Lampell (Almanac Singers) inside the sleeve. If you ever run across an original Folkways record you should buy it, so I did. This one includes the Guthrie classics "This Land is Your Land", "There's a Better World A-Comin" and "The Sinking of the Reuben James". I'm pretty happy to have this in my collection. I'm heading to http://www.embassyvinyl.com/" rel="nofollow - Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, Pennsylvania next. Stay tuned.... ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 27 2011 at 21:44
|
The Vinyl Vault in Oneonta, New York this time. Oneonta is home to two colleges so as with Ithaca there are plenty of opportunities to pick up good vinyl. The haul this time wasn't particularly spectacular but considering I don't own any Procol Harum and only a couple Gentle Giant albums I was pretty happy.
Procol Harum - Exotic Birds and Fruit. I don't know much about this album except that B.J. Cole played pedal steel on a couple tracks. Cole was a member of the rather non-descript band Cochise but he was much more well-known for playing on Elton John's 'Tumbleweed Connection' and on "Tiny Dancer" from 'Madman Across the Water'., as well as on Moody Blues 'Long Distance Voyager' and on David Gilmour's last album. $10 USD. A decent but not exactly spectacular album.
Gentle Giant - Free Hand. Kind of surprising I don't own this already as it is one of the more well-known Giant albums. This appears to be an original pressing and a pretty good deal at $4 USD.
Bees Gees - Idea. As far as I know this was the last album with the 5-man lineup of the band. This is the U.S. version of the album and features the famously sappy "I Started a Joke" as well as "I Just Gotta Get a Message to You" which is one of my favorite early Bee Gees tunes. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: December 27 2011 at 22:21
|
^ You are getting some amazing deals!! Really dude...amazing. -------------
|
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 05:27
| Ancient. Very ancient. In south Jersey we have TUNES cd's who carry albums along with other things that are ridiculous such as Grateful Dead shirts and Beatles mugs. You know the deal? Anyone who is 54 years old must have grown up with the Dead or Springsteen. Punks don't seem to understand that when we were kids...this was the crap we were making fun of not worshipping. So....that is why they have such a huge Springsteen and Dead section? Don't make me sick. isn't that Stills record the one Jimi Hendrix played on? I wonder why the industry hasn't brought attention to that by remastering it on cd and pasting a throw-away sticker on the front that reads Jimi Hendrix ? Nice record stores in Chicago. Must be fun to have those choices |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 07:23
I see that one in record stores all the time for about $3. Any good?  Congrats on getting a Gentle Giant vinyl for $4, though!
 |
ClemofNazareth wrote:Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 13:04
Yeah, some people collect shot glasses or check out local watering holes when they travel. I prefer to try and find a used record store anywhere I go. College towns are the best. Every once and a while you can find good stuff at used movie/game stores and even pawn shops since they don't always know what they have. Most places that specialize in used records anymore do most of their business through mail order, Amazon Market, eBay, etc. and they usually know what they're doing so it's a little harder to find bargains there. You can always tell the difference 'cause a used record/mailorder storefront will have some long-haired teenager running around with a list of records he's trying to find in the stacks, and there'll be some guy in the back room with a big sheet of white poster board as a backdrop snapping pictures of album covers for the eBay posting.
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 13:08
The Stills record is nothing more than his first two solo albums packaged together. The first one is the one with Hendrix on it. The package hasn't been reissued on CD as far as I know but his first two records have been out on CD for a while now. The first one has been re-released a bunch of times...
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 13:11
Yeah, the Gentle Giant was a good score.
 The Procol Harum record is okay. I was never a huge fan but the pedal steel is a nice touch. Cole only plays on a couple songs though. That one came out toward the end of the period where prog, blues-rock and even folk bands were squeezing a little bit of an Americana country sound in their music, mostly an outgrowth of the Byrds' 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' days I guess.
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: December 28 2011 at 13:53
I got my first Freehand in a used record store many many many years ago. it wasn't free, but I did use my hand. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
|
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: December 29 2011 at 15:33
Here's a weird little curiosity I picked up at a used record store recently. Spooky Tooth's "Ceremony", ostensibly a collaboration with avant garde composer Pierre Henry. It's really kinda dumb, but the cover has a nail going through someone's hand AND someone's skull, which manages to evoke not only the Crucifixion but also the headache you will get when listening to the record: ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: CloseToTheMoon
Date Posted: December 31 2011 at 16:01
|
I just spent the last of my holiday cash at the local record shop. -Rush : Permanent Waves (97 remaster) -Flaming Lips : The Soft Bulletin (haven't heard it yet) and from the $1 vinyl bin -Renaissance : Live at Carnegie Hall -Rick Wakeman : Six Wives of Henry VIII -something called Golden Avatar. The cover is undeniably Prog looking and there are many instuments including synthesizers, but what little info I've found in PA, tells me it's probably not cool. I'll do a review when I give it a listen. ------------- It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen. |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 31 2011 at 20:37
I bought a copy of Golden Avatar's ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10976" rel="nofollow - A Change Of Heart ' at a record store in Wichita, Kansas this past summer. I'd never heard of them either but figured it had to be a prog album based solely on the covert art and list of instruments. It's not bad, more of a avant-jazz sort of thing. I'll be interested to read your review. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Mr James
Date Posted: January 01 2012 at 10:53
|
Golden Avatar is the most common used record next to Chris de Burgh- Spanish train & Phil Collins.
The cover has fooled many a prog collector.
You WILL be extremely disappointed.
|
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 06:47
Found Roxy Music "Country Life" and Moody Blues "On the Threshold of a Dream" for $3 in a thrift store a while back. Both originals in excellent condition!!! 
|
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 07:13
I was in another city a few months ago and was amazed to find vinyls of the following all under $5 each:    with full booklet!      They had some other awesome albums but they were over $25 - lots of Uriah Heep, and old 80s metal. Great shop! |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 07:17
Not a bad deal, there  Though i spot the Peter Gabriel album for like $1 everywhere
|
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: January 07 2012 at 21:22
|
I seem to be spending a lot of time in New York lately... http://www.elcivics.com/state-lessons/new-york-1.html" rel="nofollow - Albany , New York this time and an evening trip to http://www.lastvestige.com" rel="nofollow - Last Vestige Music Shop in the hood. Sseriously, I don't recommend going there at night. I found this place using my iPhone's map app, but apparently Microsoft is working on a way to make sure that http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/01/06/microsoft-patents-avoid-ghetto-feature-for-gps-devices/" rel="nofollow - doesn't happen in the future . This may be the first record store I've ever visited with a 'prog' section, although the most interesting thing I found there was a stack of Byrds records (for anyone who may have http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66473&KW=Byrds" rel="nofollow - thought otherwise ). This store is jammed into a pretty small storefront so the stacks are more vertical than horizontal. You'll have to spend some time on your knees and on a stool if you want to check everything out. There's a wall of CDs and a few racks of 45s, but most of the stuff here is long-play vinyl ranging from the 50s to the 80s. These guys know what they're doing and have a mail-order business as well (no surprise there), but I did manage to find a few bargains. There's a bargain bin BTW with $3 albums but they aren't in plastic sleeves and most are either no-name rock bands or are scratched up. I'd recommend skipping that bin since there are enough good albums in the $3-$5 range anyway. Picked up six albums for a total of $31 USD, including tax. Not bad. No real treasures here but I did get a few interesting pieces:
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3053" rel="nofollow - If - Waterfall. I believe this is mostly If's '4' album repackaged for the U.S. market, although there are a few new tracks. The most interesting thing about this album is that this is the first one with the late http://www.melodic.net/?page=news&id=10122" rel="nofollow - Cliff Davies on drums. Davies would go on to play for and produce http://photos.imageevent.com/bluesx/farkimages/Chickenhawk_poster.jpg" rel="nofollow - Ted Nugent during Nugent's heyday as a solo act.
Sandy Denny - Like an Old-Fashioned Waltz. I'm a big sucker for the late Ms. Denny's vocals. This is an interesting album as it was recorded during the period of time she had left http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2162" rel="nofollow - Fairport Convention and after http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2384" rel="nofollow - Fotheringay folded. She was trying to establish herself as sort of a pop artist. Didn't work out that well and she returned to record a couple more Fairport albums before she passed away.
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3496" rel="nofollow - Flairck - Circus. I don't know a whole lot about this Dutch band even though I'm the one who added most of their records to the Archives. This was an original pressing though and for just $3 USD I couldn't resist. Also got an unopened copy of http://www.myspace.com/theblackgirlsraleighnc" rel="nofollow - Blackgirl's first album 'Procedure' for only $3. Maybe these are the chicks the Violent Femmes http://youtu.be/eVLbHkc6k5I" rel="nofollow - dug ... And the British country-rock band http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/unicorn.html" rel="nofollow - Unicorn's 'Blue Pine Trees'. They remind me a little bit of the Byrds. I tried to add them here to the Archives once but if the Byrds couldn't get in it doesn't surprise me these guys didn't either. All in all not a bad haul. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: March 03 2012 at 22:08
|
Back to http://www.musicalenergi.com/" rel="nofollow - Musical Energi in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania again. I like this shop because it's not too far from the town I live in now and they have a whole room full of vinyl stacked floor to ceiling in the back of the store. The front part of the place is full of CDs, DVDs, posters, tshirts and other crap like Beatles lunch boxes and Osbourne family refrigerator magnets. And I'm pretty sure they make most of their money off mail order sales and eBay, but they let me dig around in the back uninterrupted which suits me just fine. Anyway, a couple of slightly obscure albums and a prog staple this time, but one that for some reason I've never heard before.
The Flying Burrito Brothers - Last of the Red Hot Burritos. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big-time Gram Parsons fan. I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't consider what Parsons did with rock, folk, gospel and American country music to be progressive, but his influence on everything from the Rolling Stones to post-Byrds pop-psych to modern American country & western is undeniable. I would argue there would be no Eagles, Dixie Chicks, or even bands like Jason & the Scorchers, the Bodeans, or Beat Circus if it weren't for Parsons convincing Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and the other Byrds to record ' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetheart_of_the_Rodeo" rel="nofollow - Sweetheart of the Rodeo ' in 1968. This was supposed to be the final hurrah for the Flying Burrito Brothers, a band Parsons formed with Hillman after Parsons was basically thrown out of the Byrds. Interestingly enough he was also basically thrown out of the Flying Burrito Brothers a year before this live album was recorded. Bernie Leadon had also left by then and formed the Eagles, who released their debut album about the same time this one came out. Hillman was left to cobble together a touring group under the Burrito Brothers banner that included the troubled and now deceased former Byrds drummer Michael Clarke; 3-time national fiddle champion Byron Berline; dobro player Al Perkins who was in Stephen Stills' band Manassas at the time but has over the years played with everyone from Bob Dylan and James Taylor to Tori Amos and Cher; and a few other journeyman country musicians. Parsons does not appear on the album although there are several songs he co-wrote included. The track list consists of a mixture of Burrito Brothers songs and country standards including "Orange Blossom Special" (made famous by Johnny Cash in 1965 but actually written in the 1930s), and "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down", a Parsons favorite and a folk-country standard that dates back to the Depression era. The Burrito Brothers would end up releasing several more studio, live and compilation albums well into the 90s with various lineups, but Hillman wouldn't appear on any of them, nor of course would Parsons who died of a drug overdose in Joshua Tree, California in 1973 and whose corpse was stolen from the coroner by his friend Phil Kaufman and set ablaze in the Mojave Desert near where he died. This isn't a particularly memorable album but it is interesting to hear different versions of several traditional country tunes with blues-rock treatments as well as remakes of some Burrito Brothers originals. Of particular note is the version of "Hot Burrito #2" with what was rumored to be Bernie Leadon setting in on rhythm guitar. $6 USD.
Routers - Superbird. The Routers were a Hollywood studio concoction from the mid-sixties who cranked out a few records of pop covers and peppy tunes, many of which survive today in the form of high school pep-squad cheers. This is a mildly funky record of mostly covers that the group released after inexplicably reforming briefly in 1973. To be honest I'd never heard of these guys before laying eyes on this record in the store and only bought it out of mild curiosity and the fact the guy on the left side of the front cover looks an awful lot like http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3781" rel="nofollow - Pearls Before Swine' s Tom Rapp. The band members are not listed anywhere on the album cover or liner notes but I've read the group consisted of guitarist Joe Saraceno (Marketts, Bobby Vee, the Beach Boys, Astronauts and others); Larry Duncan (the Temptations); and the late jazz guitarist Tommy Tedesco. Again, not a particularly memorable record and I was more entertained reading the Mercury Records advertising on the inner sleeve than listening to the album itself. The sleeve contains ads for 'new' music like Rod Stewart's 'Never a Dull Moment', Jade Warrior's ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=650" rel="nofollow - Last Autumn's Dream ', and Ken Hensley's (Uriah Heep, the Gods, Weed) first solo album ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=20473" rel="nofollow - Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf '. $3 USD.
Todd Rundgren - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=20812" rel="nofollow - Todd . I've never been a huge http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4182" rel="nofollow - Rundgren or http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=797" rel="nofollow - Utopia fan but I have to admit ' http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=61974" rel="nofollow - Ra ' and ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=20816" rel="nofollow - A Wizard, A True Star ' were both pretty solid albums. This one came out right after 'Wizard' and even though it is technically a double-album it contains barely an hour's worth of music and is wildly inconsistent. Overall I like the first half or so which has several tracks that demonstrate the eclectic and highly experimental tendency Rundgren has shown throughout his career, especially with his solo material. The heavier second half is unexceptional but for the most part at least mildly interesting. There is a lot of synthesizer on this record, something Rundgren would continue to experiment with on future solo and Utopia records, sometimes to excess. Here he manages to demonstrate a growing appreciation for the musical form without becoming too self-indulgent, but at the same time nothing on the album really stands out either except maybe the fact that 15-time Grammy winning jazz saxophonist http://www.michaelbrecker.com/" rel="nofollow - Michael Brecker and his brother http://www.randybrecker.com/" rel="nofollow - Randy both played on the album. Had this come out before 'Wizard' I think it might have been better received but after that record set the bar this one was an inevitable disappointment. $6 USD. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: March 11 2012 at 20:37
|
This weekend included a trip to check out the Northeast Pennsylvania http://nyrecordfairs.com" rel="nofollow - Record & CD Show in Scranton. 100,000 or so albums, CDs, cassettes, 45s and DVDs. The clientele included a mix of old hippies, stoners, college kids and Guidos who seemed to know nothing about music that I assume were looking for bargains to seed their own store inventories. There were a lot of great albums in the bins, but I found most of them to be overpriced, of poor quality, or both. After about three hours of digging through stacks I did manage to come away with six decent vinyl records. The best of those include -
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2162" rel="nofollow - Fairport Convention – http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10076" rel="nofollow - “Babbacombe” Lee (1971). This was the band’s seventh studio album, and along with ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10075" rel="nofollow - Angel Delight ’ issued just a few months’ prior marked a pretty significant for the band away from progressive folk and toward a more tepid and less adventurous folk rock sound. A lot of the reason of course was the two-phased schism within the group that led to the departures of the iconic characters of Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson, as well as bassist Ashley Hutchings. This left Simon Nicol as the only original member in the group, although string player Dave Swarbrick and drummer Dave Mattacks had been around for a couple years and appeared on the band’s three best-known albums ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10068" rel="nofollow - What We Did on our Holidays ’, ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10070" rel="nofollow - Unhalfbricking ’ and ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10072" rel="nofollow - Liege & Lief ’, all released in 1969. ‘Angel’ and ‘Babbacombe’ were also the first Fairport records not produced by the inimitable American Joe Boyd, who had returned to the United States after spending most of the 60s in London discovering and producing some of the biggest names in British post-Beat and folk rock from that period. The band turned instead to Boyd’s longtime engineer John Wood, best known to that point as the guy who managed to get Nick Drake focused long enough to record three studio albums of his own. ‘Babbacombe Lee’ is often pointed to as being the first folk-rock ‘opera’ and indeed it is a concept album that recounts the true story of the late 19th century Brit http://www.murderresearch.com/" rel="nofollow - John ‘Babbacombe’ Lee , a drifter who was convicted in controversial fashion in 1885 of murdering a woman he had done odd jobs for off and on since childhood. Lee was sentenced to hang but infamously survived three consecutive malfunctions of the scaffolding’s trap door and ultimately had his sentence commuted to life in prison. The story begins with a reading of the trial verdict and then works its way back from there as the narrator and Fairport players recount Lee’s life and the events which led up to him sitting in the cell awaiting his fate. Musically this is a pretty decent album although a bit uneven at times. Nicols’ guitar work and Mattacks’ piano range from very good to inspired, and the story’s continuity is solid. Unfortunately for the band musical tastes were changing and the album, despite modest critical acclaim, did not garner the same level of attention as their prior work. Some of this was also probably due to the absence of both Thompson and Denny, both of whom would resurface with the band sporadically on some of their future albums. There was also a BBC broadcast of the Babbacombe Lee story a few years later that featured several songs from this album as the soundtrack, but with a different lineup since Nicol left following this release and Denny had by then abandoned her attempt at pop stardom and had returned to the band. As is stated on the back cover, Lee was released from prison in December, 1907 after serving nearly twenty-three years of his life sentence. His whereabouts after his release are sketchy, although there is some evidence he made a living for at least a few years traveling and making appearances recounting his life story. There’s also some controversy surrounding his death, which depending on who is telling the story either occurred as a result of a heart condition while at a work camp in 1941, or around 1945 after he relocated to the U.S. Either way the man appears to have managed to live a long and full life after escaping the gallows in spectacular fashion as a young man. The copy I picked up is in pristine condition and doesn’t appear to have even been played. It is the U.S. promo version (A&M SP 4333) with a gatefold cover and an insert booklet with a lengthy version of the Babbacombe story apparently told by Lee himself. The most interesting thing about this promo is that the banding reflects the released version with three tracks on side A and two on side B. I’ve seen other promos of this album where the timing strips are cut for radio play and are closer to the 15-track version on the Island CD remaster. This was the most expensive album I bought this weekend but considering its condition I figure the $21 USD price was a pretty good deal.
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=833" rel="nofollow - Tony Banks – http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=4443" rel="nofollow - A Curious Feeling (1979). I’ve never been much of a http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1" rel="nofollow - Genesis fan, as for the most part I find their earlier http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=686" rel="nofollow - Gabriel albums to be too British for me to really connect with, and the Phil Collins pop-era stuff to be too bland and commercial to be in any way appealing. In fact ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1512" rel="nofollow - Wind and Wuthering ’ remains to this day the most appealing for me, and one of only four Genesis albums in my collection. That said, I couldn’t pass up an excellent copy of Banks’ solo debut on vinyl. This is also a concept album of sorts, the story of an ordinary guy who is apparently going nuts and realizes it. Originally the album was supposed to be based on the Keyes’ sci-fi story ‘ http://books.google.com/books/about/Flowers_for_Algernon.html?id=NRWlitmahXkC" rel="nofollow - Flowers for Algernon ’, but Banks decided to alter the theme after learning the musical ‘ http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=3965" rel="nofollow - Charlie and Algernon ’, also based on Keyes’ story, was already in the works. The musical’s score would eventually be nominated for a Tony Award so perhaps Banks made the right choice. In Banks' version the rather overt sexual tension in the Keyes tale are much more subdued, and the emphasis seems to be more on the internalized struggle of the man whose mental state is deteriorating. Musically this sounds like just what it is – a late 70s album written and performed by an artist whose musical roots are firmly planted in the late 60s and early 70s. There is a lot of synthesizer, crisp and tightly engineered vocal tracks, and a studio sheen that characterizes so much of the music that released around this time period. I can’t say as I found this to be an exceptional or noteworthy album based solely on its artistic qualities, but for the $8 USD price I figure it makes an economic addition to the collection.
http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/john_lodge" rel="nofollow - John Lodge – http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/john_lodge/natural_avenue/" rel="nofollow - Natural Avenue (1977). Lodge is of course best known for his work as bassist and occasional lyricist/vocalist for the http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=224" rel="nofollow - Moody Blues . This is his only solo album as far as I know, and I didn’t even know it existed until I saw it in a bin at the record fair. Apparently this was recorded sometime in 1976 (the liner notes don’t say exactly when) during the Moody’s long hiatus between ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1944" rel="nofollow - Seventh Sojourn ’ and ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1947" rel="nofollow - Octave ’. The music here doesn’t sound like either of those albums, having instead a much more up-tempo vibe than anything the Moodys did except maybe ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1948" rel="nofollow - Long Distance Voyager ’. Any symphonic sounds come from a combination of a small orchestra conducted by Brian Rogers, a few synthesizers and some piano. Overall the presence of Lodge’s voice and the orchestra, though comparatively understated, at least musically connect these songs somewhat to the classic Moody Blues period. As with the Banks album though, this is an album released by a member of a legendary and established (though waning) 70s progressive rock band, at a time when what once seemed immutable musical constants in popular music were changing rapidly and many old-guard rockers were trying anything and everything to reinvent themselves in the burgeoning punk/new-Wave/disco/ http://mtvishorrible2.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - MTV era . It’s an okay album, but certainly not particularly innovative. Even the cover seems rather perfunctory, instantly recognizable as a http://www.rogerdean.com/" rel="nofollow - Roger Dean original but not anywhere near as memorable or spectacular as his best work for http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=105" rel="nofollow - Yes , http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1151" rel="nofollow - Badger or even http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2434" rel="nofollow - Osibisa . I got a near-mint copy of the U.S. gatefold release (London PS 683) for just $7 USD, which seems like a good price, so in all I can’t complain. I also got a copy of http://www.clannad.ie/" rel="nofollow - Clannad's second album but I haven't had a chance to check that one out yet so maybe I'll post more later... ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: March 11 2012 at 21:54
My latest visit netted me this album: ![Made In Germany [Vinyl LP] [Stereo]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31oy01nBHuL._SL500_AA300_.jpg "Made In Germany [Vinyl LP] [Stereo]") I also picked up a number of Todd Rundgren CDs for 3.50 USD each, including the Todd that you listed above, Runt, Initiation, and Faithful. I was also quite happy to find Kate Bush's Hounds of Love on CD for $3.50 too.------------- 
|
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: March 11 2012 at 22:02
|
Love that album! Bought it on vinyl when it first came out. I'd never heard of here before then but after listening to that one I bought 'The Dreaming' (also on vinyl) which blew me away and I've picked up almost everything she's done since! ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 12 2012 at 05:44
|
It's kind of interesting that around town I've seen a few stores that specialized in used CDs come and go but stores that specialize in used vinyl since I was collecting are still getting by. Ah the good old days of $2 single and $3 double LPs. I built up quite a collection on a limited budget as a teen.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
|
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: April 26 2012 at 00:04
 Visited http://www.ziarecords.com/Home" rel="nofollow - Zia Record Exchange in Tempe, Arizona this time around. Hot as hell in Arizona this week but it was worth the trip as I picked up six vinyl albums for a whopping total of $18 USD. Most of the store is filled with CDs, DVDs and paraphenalia, but the back wall is lined with vinyl racks and there were a fair number of albums you won't see all that often these days, including Zappa's ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=11659" rel="nofollow - The Ark ';' http://www.amazon.com/Jamming-With-Edward-Nicky-Hopkins/dp/B000000W8A%20" rel="nofollow - Jamming With Edward' featuring Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ry Cooder, Nicky Hopkins and Bill Wyman; and a surprising number of Celtic bands I've never heard of. I didn't buy any of those but did get a few interesting pieces:
 Moving Hearts - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=37424" rel="nofollow - The Storm (1985). The Prog Folk team finally added http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7258" rel="nofollow - Moving Hearts after a fair amount of discussion, but after hearing this one it seems obvious they should have been here all along. There are no vocals on this record, unlike their http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=37426" rel="nofollow - Platinum Collection which is the only other thing I have. Great instrumentation on this one though, with lots of pipes and whistles and brass, and synths blending the whole thing together. I don't know if any of their other albums sound like this one but it was a great deal for only $2.
 Gordon Bok - A Tune for November (1970). Bok is a traditional American folk singer of Dutch descent who lives in Maine. I've seen him mentioned a few times in various folk books but never heard his music before. It's pretty much all acoustic, mostly just his baritone vocals and guitar (6- and 12-string). Not surprising since he's from Maine, but many of his songs have nautical themes including seaborne mythology and even English and Native American traditional tunes. This one includes a sanguine version of Ewan MacColl's "Travelling People" as well as a rendition of "Lowlands" (Annie Briggs did it better but this one is pretty decent too). Bok is apparently something of an American blueblood, as his family tree is littered with Nobel Prize winners and esteemed authors, publishers and artists. Apparently his grandfather coined the term "living room" (you gotta' love obscure trivia).
 Blood Sweat & Tears - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=15687" rel="nofollow - Child is Father to the Man (1968). This is a pretty common album but for $2 I couldn't resist. The Columbia sleeve includes ads for Jim Nabors, Andy Williams, Barba Streisand, Robert Goulet, Jerry Vale, Percy Faith, O.C. Smith ("God didn't make the little green apples, and it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime...."), and Ray Conniff as well as soundtracks for the Graduate and Funny Girl. Clearly Columbia had no idea how to promote BS&T.
Also got a Jerry Read Smith album of dulcimer music, another Clannad album (not sure why we haven't added these guys yet - need to look into that), and a record from the Austrian band Edelweiss which I didn't realize was an electronica/pop piece of crap - that one was a disappointment.
Anyway, this is a pretty decent record store with very reasonable prices and a fairly decent selection of prog and folk, worth checking out if you ever find yourself in the Phoenix area.
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: July 12 2012 at 17:05
 This latest business trip took me to Atlanta Georgia, where I found a genuine old-school used record shop called Records Galore in the mostly Asian neighborhood of Clarkston. Nothing fancy for sure, just a few thousand vinyl records along with some cassettes and CDs housed in a dilapidated little shop run by an old man who looked as ancient and run-down as the building. Great prices for the most part and the majority of records were in pretty good shape and housed in vinyl sleeves, stacked inside a bunch of old Sound Warehouse apple crates. For those old enough to remember, Sound Warehouse was one of the largest record store chains in the U.S. back in the 70s and early 80s. I bought my first R.E.M., Marillion and ELP albums at Sound Warehouses back in the day.
A few worthwhile pieces this trip. I picked up five albums for $18 USD, with none of them costing more than $6.  John Renbourn – The Lady and the Unicorn (1970).This is the Reprise U.S. release (1971), which consists of a bunch of mostly traditional British folk tunes played with reverence on acoustic instruments. Renbourn is accompanied by fellow Pentangle members Terry Cox and Dave Swarbrick as well as Soft Machine’s Ray Warleigh and a couple old jazz musicians. I believe the cover is an adaptation of an old 15th century titled ‘The Maiden and the Unicorn’. As an aside, unicorns have a long history in
English and Scottish folklore, dating at least to the 14th century. A lot of people believe myths of unicorns
date to Biblical times, but I read a history book a while back that claims
these animals were not related to the unicorns so popular in British and Norse
culture in medieval times. The writer of
that book claims the prevalence of unicorn stories were a result of Viking explorers
who had migrated to Greenland and the New World (Vinland) in the 12th and 13th centuries,
and who began to transport narwhale horns back to Denmark and later Scotland to
trade for lumber and finished goods needed in their New World settlements. The Vikings were able to command top prices
for these horns by claiming they had been harvested from Vinland unicorns, and
that the powder from the horns would cure disease. Not sure if that story is true but it is
amusing to think what are today considered longstanding European folk tales may
have actually had their genesis in New World Norse capitalism dating at least
three hundred years before Columbus supposedly discovered America. In any case this is a well-loved album by
Renbourn fans and a great find at just $5.
 Be Bop Deluxe – Live! In the Air Age (1977)I don’t know much about Be Bop Deluxe but for only $4 this seemed like a good deal. This is the Canadian EMI/Harvest version and it includes a 12” EP with three tracks including “Shine” which takes up the entire front side of the EP. The concert recordings feature the last lineup of the band and would become their first (and only) Top-10 album in the UK.  Friends (1970)An A&M loss-leader promo album. There were a series of these released in the early 70s, I believe only available through mail-order from music magazines or inner sleeves of A&M and Warner albums. They were the brainchild of label executive Stan Cornyn. The most interesting thing about this one is the lineup, which includes The Move, Fairport Convention, Blodwyn Pig, Fotheringay, Spooky Tooth, Free, Humble Pie and Quincy Jones singing a sappy version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Seriously, I only bought it because this is the only Various Artists record you’ll ever see featuring both Sandy Denny and Quincy Jones. Enjoy. I also picked up a couple of Roger McGuinn (Byrds) solo albums. If you ever find yourself in the Atlanta area, hunt this place down. Not a lot of progressive stuff but there are a few worth checking out. Be prepared to spend a little time though as the guy's filing system doesn't make a lot of sense. I think maybe the records were in alphabetic order at one time, but there's not rhyme or reason to them anymore so you have to dig a bit. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: July 12 2012 at 17:28
I haven't been there in many years, but I live a short few of miles away. If you were LP hunting there are more than a few good shops still around in Atlanta. The last time a browsed there was a long long time ago. I don't know the owner by name.  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
|
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 16 2012 at 12:18
I'm usually quite lucky, and have found countless gems extremely cheap over the years. Used stuff I quite recently bought on vinyl for 3 € (ca. 3.50
$ ) or less. All first issues:      6 € or less    |
Posted By: The Jester
Date Posted: August 15 2012 at 10:40
|
Exotic Birds and Fruits is a rather unknown album from Procol Harum. I am a big Procol fan (but not a great one), so I can't be totally objective. But I suggest to give the album a second chance. It contains some songs that are very nice melodies in my opinion... Check more carefully if you want these songs: Beyond the pale, As strong as Samson, The Idol, New lamps for old... Of course is always a matter of each person's likings... ------------- If anybody wants please visit: http://www.gfreedomathina.blogspot.com/ This is my Blog mostly about Rock music, but also a few other things as well. You are most welcome! Thank you. :) |
Posted By: Eria Tarka
Date Posted: August 15 2012 at 23:55
|
I go to this local music store once in a while and they sell old records in the basement. So I took a look down there and this is what I bought...  Emerson Lake & Palmer - Self Titled  Anthony Phillips - Wise After the Event  Gentle Giant - Three Friends  Gentle Giant - Free Hand  Genesis - Invisible Touch   Genesis - Genesis  Genesis - Duke  Camel - Raindances  Pink Floyd - The Wall  Alan Parsons Project - I Robot  Mike Rutherford - Smallcreep's Day  Jethro Tull - A Passion Play  Rick Wakeman - King Arthur  Rick Wakeman - No Earthly Connection  Van Der Graaf Generator - Vital I managed to score all of these for around 5 bucks each. Also there is just about every single Renaissance album there, too bad I'm not into them
 . |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: December 01 2012 at 22:18
|
Back on the road this weekend for a hastily planned trip to Ithaca, New York and a chance to visit http://www.facebook.com/AngryMomRecords" rel="nofollow - Angry Mom Records , one of my favorite used record stores in the Northeast. It's in the basement of a used bookstore where I also picked up a copy of Blood Sport, a quirky little novel by the sci-fi author Robert F. Jones. Anyway, managed to score three decent records for a total of $14 USD which made the trip interesting.  Spirit - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=13054" rel="nofollow - Spirit of 76 . Despite the title, this album was actually released in 1975. I have a CD copy of this but for $5 I figured I should own the vinyl as well. I wrote a review of this album a few years ago, you can read it http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=131658" rel="nofollow - here if you're interested. This wasn't really a planned record for the band. They hadn't been doing much through much of the 70s after the original group splintered, with mostly only Randy California and his step-father drummer Ed Cassidy remaining and showing up here and there at various festivals and small tours. They were supposed to be opening for Ten Years After at a show in Tampa Florida the summer of 1975, but TYA canceled their appearance. Left in southern Florida with not much else to do, California and Cassidy put on a concert anyway and then used the proceeds to book some time at Studio 70 and just started recording stuff. A lot of the tracks on this 2-disc set are covers, hippy anthems and spaced-out versions of patriotic songs. None of that would have been considered unusual or out-of-place in 1975. The real gem is California's completely tripped-out nine minute version of "Like a Rolling Stone", and to a lesser degree a smoking rendition of "Hey Joe" to boot. One of the record sleeves also has a page-long rant about how illegal taping is ruining the music industry, a sentiment that is kind of amusing today but was pretty serious stuff at the time.  http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7452" rel="nofollow - Intergalactic Touring Band (1977). Not a real band, and most prog music fans know the basic story of these orchestral conductors who got the weird idea to crank out a sci-fi fantasy concept album featuring a handful of musicians performing under aliases conceived as something like a mix of Ziggy Stardust, Klaatu and Jeff Wayne's 'War of the Worlds'. The whole thing doesn't age particularly well but it is likely the only time you'll hear members of Status Quo, Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, Dave Cousins of the Strawbs, Annie Haslam and scores of other prog, rock, folk and classical musicians all on one record. I bought it only because it is an original copy and included the insert booklet that tells the story behind the record.  Paul Brett - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=28274" rel="nofollow - Interlife (1978). I added Paul Brett to ProgArchives a while back, mostly for his three Paul Brett Sage albums which are mildly folksy in nature. Later on he really got experimental, releasing instrumental albums leaning toward jazz, classical and even a sort of New Age-ish bent at times. This is one of the jazzy records. I haven't listened to it yet since I'm on the road and don't carry my turntable with me, but I bought it because it hasn't been reissued on CD so the $4 pricetag seemed like a sweet deal. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 15:11
|
Have trips planned to Atlanta, Tampa, Ithaca New York and Romania in the coming weeks and hope to discover some used record stores I haven't been to before, but this weekend it was back to Vinyl Vault in upstate New York. A weird collection this week. I didn't have as much time to browse as I would have liked, and two of the three vinyls ended up being more novelty than anything else. Also picked up a couple CDs but since this is supposed to be a "record" thread I'll skip those.  Procol Harum - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=5727" rel="nofollow - Broken Barricades (1971). The last Robin Trower album unless you count the 90s reunion. I picked up the A&M SP4294 which is listed as a Canadian release, but the inside binding and back cover both say it was printed in the U.S. This is sort of darker like 'Home', although I don't suppose anyone ever considered Procol Harum to be a cheery band. Trower is clearly not on the same page as the rest of the band, his playing more elaborated and experimental than Brooker's blues-rooted style. I actually haven't heard this album in probably twenty years or so and one thing that surprised me was how intricate and almost classical "Luskus Delph" sounds, especially since it is a Brooker tune while I would have expected that more from Trower. Not an exceptional album but not terrible either. The $8 USD price was probably more than I should have paid but not too bad.  Elton John - Empty Sky (1969). Sir John's first studio release. This one is a U.S. reissue released in 1975 with a gatefold cover after 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' and 'Captain Fantastic...' had made him a megastar here. It sounds like an early release, much more folksy and restrained than where he would head as the decade wore on. But the indications are there, especially when listening to these songs today after experiencing the phenom that was Elton John over these many years. There are a couple surprises including the funky guitar solo on "Sails", the Leonard Cohenesque "The Scaffold", and the uncharacteristic extended instrumentals on the title track, but mostly it's the man, his piano, and his emerging flamboyance.  Bryan Ferry - These Foolish Things (1973). I don't know Ferry's history well enough to know if he meant this to be a serious album, but it's hard to imagine he did. Then again, lots of weird things happened in the early 70s. This was his first solo album, released while he was still with Roxy Music. It's made up of a bunch of cover tunes from Dylan's "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" to the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil", but for the most part these are 60s soul tunes from the likes of the Four Tops and Erma Franklin, along with old Brill Building standards. Nothing to see here folks, as Ferry delivers most of the tracks with almost deadpan seriousness and often thick cheese, particularly the lounge-act version of 'Sympathy'. This one belongs in the same category as the William Shatner albums of the same period, or maybe alongside a Keith Carradine or John Travolta pop record. Interesting from a trivia standpoint but that's about all. The biggest surprises for me are 1) that the thing charted, and 2) how many times it has been reissued over the years. If anyone knows of any good record stores in Cluj Romania please let me know! ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 15:23
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 15:29
Best place for LPs in Atlanta is probably Wax n Facts, in the "Little 5 Points" area in the Midtown Atlanta area. Lots and lots of LPs, and all very fairly priced. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 15:59
The Fonz? is that you? ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 16:04
No, that's me! Look: ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 16:28
Yeah, that's a great little store! My last trip to Atlanta I didn't get to spend much time there but am hoping to get there again when I visit later this month. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 16:29
I'm going to be in Norcross, but I know Marietta fairly well from spending quite a bit of time there in the 90s. Both of those stores sound interesting, will definitely post here if I get a chance to visit either/both of them. Thanks! ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: February 03 2013 at 16:30
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: February 19 2013 at 18:31
I didn't get to Wax'n'Facts or Antiques on the Square, but did find the way to http://fantasylandrecords.com/" rel="nofollow - Fantasyland Records in Atlanta this week. A pretty decent place tucked away off the beaten path with three rooms full of vinyl, CDs and tapes, as well as some really good 60s and 70s posters. Also a good selection of 50s records for anyone into that sort of thing. Some of the records are a little pricey, especially the ones in mint condition, but I was able to find quite a few that don't usually pop up in most record shops. Three to highlight this time:  Roy Harper - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=18405" rel="nofollow - When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease (1976). This is the Chrysalis (U.S.) version of his 1975 album 'HQ' with a different cover and supposedly one of Harper's personal favorites. Features Dave Gilmour, Bill Bruford and John Paul Jones along with Chris Spedding who was part of what Harper briefly considered his all-star backing band Trigger. Not his finest work IMHO but probably essential for Harper fans.  John Renbourn - Faro Annie (1971). Can't recall at the moment why we haven't added Renbourn to Prog Folk yet, but here's one from him anyway featuring mostly American traditional and folk revival covers. The only original is the cover track coauthored by his Pentangle bandmates Danny Thompson and Terry Cox, both of whom appear on the album. Renbourn is big on instrumentals so his fairly prominent vocals here are a nice change of pace.  Alvin Lee and Mylon LeFevre - On the Road to Freedom (1973). A star-studded affair with Ron Wood, Mick Fleetwood, George Harrison as well as Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood from Traffic right around the time that band broke up. The only reason I got this one is because LeFevre, who I first heard when he appeared on Kerry Livgren's ' http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10233" rel="nofollow - Seeds of Change ' album in 1980. Le Fevre comes from a long line of gospel singers and has also recorded with numerous other rock and folk musicians throughout the 70s and 80s, and has a fairly lengthy gospel discography of his own. Lee was coming from a lengthy stint with Ten Years After and somewhere around I believe he also did an album or two with Jon Lord. I haven't listened to this one yet so will have to come back and update this later... ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Intruder
Date Posted: February 19 2013 at 19:33
|
If I spent even a fraction of my free time and money in places other than used record shops.....nah, nothing like an afternoon among the stacks. ------------- I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there..... |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: March 05 2013 at 20:52
|
Two stores this week, both in Columbus Ohio near http://bleacherreport.com/articles/448980-what-is-a-buckeye-20-pressing-college-football-mascot-questions" rel="nofollow - The Ohio State University , one very good and one a waste of time. First the good - http://usedkids.com/" rel="nofollow - Used Kids Records . The entrance looks like the http://therealdeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/cbgb.jpg" rel="nofollow - bathroom of the old CBGBs . Lots of old vinyl including tons of old blues, jazz and soul as well as the usual metal, AOR and boring CDs. A lot of the stuff is a bit more pricey than it needs to be, but I saw dozens of old prog records that I've never seen in any other used record stores so if you're looking for a good selection you could do a lot worse. Spent a ton of time trolling through a huge collection of folk vinyl but ended up getting a couple late 60s records instead.   Ars Nova - Ars Nova (1968). The other Ars Nova, this one an American band heavily hyped by Elektra in the short time they existed during the late 60s. This group logged more than 400 hours recording in multiple studios, putting together a collection of ten Baroque-inspired rock that doesn’t really stand up over the years but does make for an interesting curio some 45 years later. One track (‘Fields of People’) would be covered by the Move, but the band collapsed in the wake of an abysmal opening for the Doors right about the time this record release. Stints with Janis Joplin, Tom Paxton, John Lee Hooker, Tim Buckley, Conception, Insect, Lou Reed and Mountain followed for various members after their breakup. Two members would drive cross-country from Los Angeles back to New York after the breakup and reform Ars Nova with several new musicians, but this version too disbanded after a second studio release. The sound is heavy and brooding, way too affected by pseudo-medieval moodiness despite the presence of trumpet, guitar, keyboards and trombone. Mostly forgettable, but like I said it makes for an interesting curio to add to the collection.  http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=16434" rel="nofollow - Earth Opera - The Great American Eagle Tragedy (1969). Earth Opera’s second and final album. Bill Keith replaced Bill Stevenson and brought with him the same bluegrass sound he employed on the Bee Gees ‘Odessa’, though this time with pedal steel instead of banjo. J.J. Cale and Mothers’ drummer Billy Mundi also appear. The sound is more discordant and somewhat heavier than their first record, sounding a bit like Spring’s first album with similar themes of war from nondescript bygone eras and general human malaise, but with much better vocals than Pat Moran ever managed. This isn’t an original unfortunately, but rather a 1987 Edsel reissue. Still, kind of interesting and a decent deal for just $8 USD. The other visit was to http://www.thunderpussy.com/Home" rel="nofollow - Magnolia Thunderpussy (real name) just a few blocks away.  This one's a cheesy headshop reeking of cheap incense and stale, resin-stained denim. Mostly DVDs, CDs and tshirts but there's a few rows of vinyl bins in the back. Most of the stacks consist of newer records like thre Decemberists, GY!BE and too much metal. Mixed in are small numbers of older rock, much of it pretty common stuff like Heart, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, etc. Most of the older records have been resealed in shrink wrap and ridiculously priced. I saw a 'Point of Know Return' for $30 and a Vanilla Fudge record for $25, both of which had also been at Used Kids (and everywhere else) for a fraction of the price. Definitely not recommended for serious collectors, although there were several punk college kids trying to impress their too-young girlfriends trolling around who probably snatched up some of that stuff. I did pick up one vinyl record, only because it's a new release I've been planning to buy anyway:  Calexico - Algiers (2013). Complete with a free CD copy inside the sleeve. Haven't listened to it yet but I've already heard enough tracks on-line and on college radio to know I'm gonna like it. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: May 11 2013 at 16:03
|
http://www.piarecords.com/" rel="nofollow - Play it Again Records this time, found during an unplanned trip to downstate Pennsylvania. The store is located in the downtown area of Bethlehem PA, home to Lehigh University and a few smaller colleges, and birthplace of former Megadeath drummer Jimmy DeGrasso and some other famous people.
Let me say right off the bat that these guys must be very proud of their inventory, 'cause most of it is ridiculously overpriced ($16 for a marked-up promo copy of 'Genesis Live', $90 for a new copy of Butthole Surfers 'Locust Abortion Technician', just as examples). It appears their main clientèle are local college students who don't know any better, or possibly some other demographic who also don't know any better. They have vinyl, CDs, 45s and cassettes, both new and old. Most of the vinyl is in a section labeled "collectable vinyl", but IMHO most of it isn't. Still some bargains can be had, as there is a section in the back with albums not encased in plastic sleeves and most of it showing some wear, but the records themselves mostly seem to be in good shape. I picked up four records for $20, probably a bit steep considering the quality and the fact none of these are spectacular or even special. But a weekend trip that includes a stop at a record store is always satisfying in itself, so all in all it was an hour well spent.
Crack the Sky - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=9895" rel="nofollow - Animal Notes (1976) Personally I'm not convinced these guys should be considered progressive, but then again I'm the guy who added http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3318" rel="nofollow - Help Yourself to ProgArchives so what do I know... I don't know much about these guys except that they are from Pennsylvania, and not coincidently that's about the only place I ever see their records. Looks like someone was selling their CtS collection because there was exactly one copy of each studio and compilation album on the shelf. I'd never heard this one before but just finished playing it now that I'm back home. Sounds a bit like what happened to http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2901" rel="nofollow - Chilliwack after they became the Headpins, or maybe http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=431" rel="nofollow - Styx after they left Wooden Nickel; that is, a rock band with nuances of art-rock in some of the songs but rather unexceptional lyrics and guitar work I'd characterize as serviceable at best. This is a decent record and apparently one of the more popular with their fans, so I guess the $3 USD was a decent price.
Crack the Sky - Classic (1980) This is an early compilation that isn't listed here on ProgArchives so I'll have to add when I get a chance. Again, these guys are borderline prog at best, and the songs on this record mostly don't do anything to help their cause other than 'Ice' and maybe the intricate 'Nuclear Apathy'. The vinyl doesn't look like it's ever been played so perhaps whoever owned it before just bought it as a completer piece. Of more interest to me was the ad on the inside sleeve for a 'Live on WBAB' album "specially prepared for radio broadcast" and "not available in any store". Not sure what's on that disc but it isn't listed here either so I assume it's rarely seen today.
Argent - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=4312" rel="nofollow - In Deep http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=4312" rel="nofollow - (1973) Rod Argent and Russ Ballard only had two charting albums with their band Argent and this was one of them, pretty much solely on the strength of the anthem "God Gave Rock and Roll to You", which followed their only other charting album and its classic single "Hold Your Head Up". The rest of the album sounds mostly like scores of other blues-based jam rock bands of the early seventies (Ramatam, Captain Beyond, Iron Butterfly, Blues Image, Thee Image, Cactus, Mitch Ryder & Detroit Wheel, etc. etc.). This is another okay album but I only bought it so I wouldn't leave the store nearly empty-handed, and because the only other Argent vinyl I own is 'Counterpoints' which came at the end and was something of a closing whimper for the band. At least with this one the group still had some spark left.
Wings - Wild Life (1971) The first Wings album and as far as I know the only one that did not sell platinum in the U.S., although it did go gold there and in the UK and hovered around the Top-10 charts in both countries as well. This was also the only Wings album that had no singles released, and I'm not even sure the band toured to support it. Certainly Sir Paul's pop songwriting skills are plainly obvious here, but he was also still so completely enamored of Linda that he was involving her heavily in the writing, arrangements, production and singing, none of which she was really ever very good at (God rest her soul). Some of the tracks here dip their toes a tiny bit into modern folk territory, but for the most part these are clever pop songs that strongly exude McCartney's influence, and are a clear precursor to what the band was capable of (and would achieve) beginning with their next release 'Red Rose Speedway' and its smash single "My Love". One more record I picked up has nothing to do with progressive or even pop music, but was irresistible:
------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: AreYouHuman
Date Posted: May 18 2013 at 20:51
Sonuvagun! I visited Fantasyland on a brief visit to Atlanta in December of 1981. Practically a miracle it would still be around after all this time and still in the used record biz. I found four LPs there: Gryphon's "Red Queen to Gryphon Three," Family's "Anyway," Curved Air's "Airborne," and Nektar's "Journey to the Centre of the Eye." The last one, alas, was in rather rough shape. And yes, I do keep track of my purchases from that far back. 
My vinyl-buying days are largely behind me, but I did pick up a pair over a year ago, when a local shop, Recordings and More in Muskegon, MI, was having a clearance sale in the final days before the owners retired. Picked up Nils Lofgren/Grin's "1 + 1" and The Dregs' "Industry Standard," both in amazingly clean copies for $1 each. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: May 19 2013 at 10:20
|
There' a small used dvd and cd store near me (a Disc Replay...) , but no one with vinyl. I miss going into a cool shop and hunting for interesting lp's. There's a few around Chicago and I hope to ck them out soon since my daughter and son in law moved into Lincoln Square area from Minneapolis. I really enjoyed visiting them in Minneapolis there since I could visit The Electric Fetus. http://www.electricfetus.com/CustomPage/1168" rel="nofollow - http://www.electricfetus.com/CustomPage/1168 http://fusion.realtourvision.com/70710" rel="nofollow - http://fusion.realtourvision.com/70710 ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: July 13 2014 at 11:32
|
This week found me in http://www.primariaclujnapoca.ro/" rel="nofollow - Romania at https://www.facebook.com/DustySoundsRecordShop" rel="nofollow - , the
small record shop of proprietor Sebastian Mărie (seen on the right in the
photo below, along with two of my traveling companions).
I was hoping to score a few regional albums that may be easy
to find in Romania but are more challenging to lay hands on in the States. Turns out I got several for little more than
what the cost of postage would have been had I ordered them online (I spent a
total of 175 RON, roughly 40€ or $54 USD for six records). Comparable American albums in a U.S. record
shop would cost a little less, but most of these aren’t typically seen on record
shelves in the U.S. so the comparison is moot. Dusty Sounds is the smaller of two used record stores in the
region, open 10:00am through 7:00pm weekdays and 11:00-4:00 on Saturday. The selection quantity is not what you’d see
in most U.S. record stores, but this is more than made up in quality. There is a progressive rock section, something
rarely seen in the States, as well as categories for weird/unusual music, folk,
rock/pop, jazz, folk, classic, DJ spinners and even children’s records. You can find everything from Yanni to the Sex
Pistols. Sebastian was more than happy
to load up anything we wanted to listen to, and even recommended several
albums. We spent a bit of time comparing
both common and obscure knowledge about various bands, artists and records,
something I truly miss about the heyday of used and independent record stores
in the seventies and early eighties. The
location is easy to miss so look for the small overhanging sign on Str.
Eroilor, then duck into the courtyard and you’ll find the doorway at #31, just
past the basement entrance to a skate shop. After flipping through the stacks and promising Sebastian to drop in again on our next trip to Romania, we wandered down to the end of the courtyard to check out https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Audio-Cluj/1435095440051760" rel="nofollow - , a small hi-fi shop run by a friend of his (seen in the photo below). If you make it to Dusty Sounds you almost can’t miss Vintage Audio and it is open every day from about 10:00am to 5:00pm. The proprietor there was just as friendly and enthusiastic as Sebastian, and we marveled at several stacks of old tuners, amplifiers, mixers, tape decks, turntables, boom boxes, radios and even some older mobile gadgets like an early portable television. Anyone looking for vintage Harman Kardon, Aiwa, Technics or Imagini Pentru stereo equipment should be able to find what they need here. There was even what appeared to be a pre-war AM analog radio set with various European radio stations preprinted on the dial face. 
Here’s the catch, judge for yourself whether this was a
fruitful trip:
FORMAŢII Rock 9 (1984) This album is listed twice here on ProgArchives; http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=21049" rel="nofollow - under that band
ACCENT’s discography and http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=16583" rel="nofollow - as a ‘various
artists’ sampler. Both listings have
minor inaccuracies which I’ll correct at some point. I’ve seen the album listed as a 1985 or 1986
release, but the back cover indicates it was issued in 1984. The label is Electrecord (sub-label St-Ede), which
at the time was the official Romanian state label of the Soviet era. This of course means the cover is made of
rather poor quality paper, and the vinyl is thin compared to major
international labels of the same era.
The clear vinyl inner sleeve appears to be a replacement for the original,
but the record itself is in quite good condition and when we played it in the
store it sounded fine. This a split-side record, with the first side containing
four tracks from the Romanian heavy-prog band http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3255" rel="nofollow - and the
reverse holding four songs from the baroque/symphonic group http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4044" rel="nofollow - . I don’t carry a turntable when I’m on the
road so like most the other albums listed here I’ll have to wait until I get
home to play the whole thing, but four of the five ratings on ProgArchives are
4 or 5 stars so I expect to find it enjoyable.
The bits we played in the store were in the spirit of mid-seventies
progressive rock, a little on the heavy side but clearly complex, energetic and
ambitious.
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=12033" rel="nofollow - - Lume Alb
– Sfinx (1975) Another Electrecord issue, this one is from 1975 and was the
debut for one of the more well-known Romanian prog rock bands. It’s also the only Romanian record listed
here that has been reissued on CD (to the best of my knowledge). Until now the only SFINX record I owned was ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=232672" rel="nofollow - ’, their
most popular album and one that displays the band’s interesting blend of
moderately heavy rock, pop, folk and progressive arrangements. We played a side in the store and I found it
to be just as adventurous as ‘Zalmoxe’, with perhaps a bit more Moog and more
prominent guitar solo work. I’m looking
forward to spinning this one in its entirety back home.
II – Iris (1987) Another Romanian band on the Electrecord label, one of the
last issued on the State label prior to the revolution that deposed the
Communists and executed Ceauşescu.
This is pretty heavy stuff, I guess it qualifies as metal although the
dominant sound is the guitar play of Mihai Alexandru which is quite a bit more
varied and even melodic than most typical metal hair bands. We played an old Iron Butterfly record in the
store right before this one and I was struck by some of the similarities.
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=16856" rel="nofollow - – Pro Musica
(1988) The same PRO MUSICA group that appears on the Formaţii
record. This was their only full-length
studio release, issued in 1988 although various lineups of the group had been
around for a decade by that time. The ‘band’
was basically Ilie Stepan, a well-regarded artist in Romania, and this record
included performances by Gigi Pavel who had also appeared with Iris, and
Christian Podratzky who is still putting out music and artwork today. Most of the lyrics were written by former
Sfinx Marian Odangiu, who would later pen the political dirge “ http://youtu.be/am0No2NdXS4" rel="nofollow - - şoara ” which Pro Musica recorded as
a de facto anthem to the 1989 Revolution.
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=2636" rel="nofollow -
(1985) I don’t really even like this album but picked this up as a
conversation piece. It’s the 1987 Soviet
version produced under license of Polydor by GmbH in Germany.
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=22593" rel="nofollow - –
Gordon Giltrap (1977) Didn’t need to go all the way to Romania for this one but I
saw it in the stacks and thought it was worth the price. This is arguably the most well-known Giltrap
album and is the original Electric Record Company (TRIX4) edition complete with
black-and-white credits/photo insert sheet.
It is in immaculate condition and I’m a bit curious how it ended up
where it did, but given there were several other Giltrap records in the same
bin I’m guessing there’s an aging Accolade or Giltrap fan somewhere in the
rolling hills of northwest Romania. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: July 14 2014 at 14:34
That's awesome, doubt I ever get to Romania....This Sunday I stopped in at Neptune Music, only had about 15min so I need to go back. This one is under ground in Seattle near Univ of Washington....Very cool place.
 -------------
|
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: September 03 2014 at 22:11
|
This week’s trip was to http://www.vintagevinyl.com/" rel="nofollow - in the University section of St. Louis, Missouri. The store is both modern and a throwback, featuring CDs and DVDs but also new & used vinyl including 78s, singles and even a stack of old-school comedy records.
You probably won’t find many bargains as the owners clearly
know what their vinyl is worth and there are plenty of college kids and stoners
trolling around willing to part with their cash, but there are plenty of
records old and new and quite a few I haven’t seen on a record shelf since back
in the 70s. I spent a fair amount of
time in the folk section as well as picking through a stack of compilation and
sampler albums from the 60s and 70s, but in the end these were the four that
went home with me. Nothing really
spectacular but some interesting pieces nonetheless. There were several others I would have liked
to have picked up but wasn’t willing to part with the asking price, including the
newest http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=44180" rel="nofollow -
and http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=39034" rel="nofollow -
records.
The James Walsh Gypsy
Band – Gypsy (1978) http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1118" rel="nofollow -
were a pretty interesting band from Minneapolis back in the early 70s who
managed to pull off the unlikely feat of releasing a double-vinyl debut album
back in 1970, and on the soon-to-be defunct Metromedia label. The songs on that album were very eclectic,
blending blues rock with the Latin percussive groove of acts like Santana and
the expansive jazzy complexity of Chicago into their own unique sound. Things went downhill quickly as the label
lacked the capital and know-how to adequately promote the group. Despite two follow-up records the band was
done by 1975. After a one-off reunion
show, original member James Walsh managed to put together a new group under the
name James Walsh Gypsy Band and they released this record of all original
material in 1978. These are shorter
songs, more in the contemporary hard blues-rock sound of the mid-70s and with
less salsa and more brass than anything the original Gypsy ever recorded. The record was released on RCA, the same
label that briefly picked up Gypsy after Metromedia folded a few years
earlier. The album isn’t anything to get
too excited about but I haven’t seen it in a record bin before and the 7$ price
tag seemed reasonable.  John Renbourn – The Hermit
(1975) This was really the first post- http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2127" rel="nofollow - album for
Renbourn, although he recorded other solo records during his stint with the
band. Renbourn had relocated to the
countryside by this time, and was looking to put together some tracks
showcasing his prowess at alternative and creative guitar arrangements. The songs are pretty sparsely arranged,
consisting almost exclusively of guitar with some guest appearances by
Dominique Trepeau and John James. Renbourn even notes the tunings for each track
which includes both original and traditional songs, some of which are adapted
from scores meant for lute and violin.
This is the original recording, the album was reissued about ten years
ago with a different cover and some bonus material.  http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1490" rel="nofollow - – http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=7058" rel="nofollow -
(1975) United Artists was still pushing out material long after the band members had moved on to other projects, including this one after finding some success with the first http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=7059" rel="nofollow - compilation. Unlike the first, this second release featured few of the group’s more well-known songs despite the “Greatest Hits” label on the cover, “John Barleycorn” being the notable exception. Over half of the album is made up of tracks from their second studio release, as well as a non-album composition from Dave Mason. In fact, the first four songs are all Mason tunes. Again, nothing to write home about but I didn’t have this in my collection and the vinyl is in near mint condition so what the heck. 
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2215" rel="nofollow - – “Just
One Way” b/w “Mask of the Great Deceiver” (1980) This is a 12” demo disc from ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=10233" rel="nofollow - ’,
Livgren’s 1980 solo swan-song on his way out the door from Kansas, which was
recorded at the same time Steve Walsh was putting together his own solo debut ‘ http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=8851" rel="nofollow - ’ (both
would appear on the other’s albums as well).
Livgren of course went on to a lengthy post-Kansas career both with A.D.
and solo, culminating with the rediscovery of the http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=5526" rel="nofollow - 1971-1973 Kansas
tracks issued as http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1057" rel="nofollow - ,
and followed by several years of touring and three new studio albums by that reconstituted
lineup. Walsh meanwhile went on to
record a couple obscure rock albums with Streets before returning to Kansas and
wrapping himself around telephone poles on Atlanta’s streets a couple times
before finally getting clean and kicking the coke monkey off his back. Different paths… Anyway I bought ‘Seeds of Change’ back when it came out
nearly thirty-five years ago and still have that vinyl, but these are two of
the stronger tracks and for a couple dollars it’s cool to have a 12” single to
add to the collection. Barriemore Barlow
plays drums on both songs and Ronnie James Dio delivers a powerful vocal
performance on ‘Mask’. Le Roux’s Jeff
Pollard (the man who led Livgren to Christianity and away from Kansas) fills
the lead vocal slot on ‘Just One Way’. The
other great vocal on this album is Walsh himself with a timeless version of “How
Can You Live” that probably represents the pinnacle of his career. So nothing worth putting away in a safe-deposit box this trip, but I’ve never been to this particular store before and it was fun spending a muggy afternoon browsing through dusty stacks in air-conditioned comfort so there’s that at least. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: July 17 2016 at 16:44
|
Cruising the eastern U.S. this week, sort of a warm-up for a two-month international slog that starts later this month. This past weekend one of my sons was home from college and we decided to do a weekend road trip up through the Adirondacks and into that weird part of 'French Canada' known as Burlington, Vermont, a trip that included an hour at http://burlingtonrecords.com/" rel="nofollow - Burlington Records . We made it to the store around 9:30pm on a Friday, and were surprised to see the place not only open but pretty full with at least twenty people trolling through stacks. I haven't seen a record store that busy since the 70s. Like many record stores these days the place seems to pay the bills by selling online as well as to college kids with dubious knowledge of what they're buying but hey, whatever keeps the doors open. A lot of stuff is overpriced, but there are bargains to be found, including a $2 bin with plenty of original vinyl releases that are mostly in decent condition even if the covers are a bit beat up and smell vaguely of ganja. I picked up four records, one of which isn't shared here because it is an old disco album and well, I have a reputation to uphold. All told we shelled out $20 plus tax for four albums, not a bad haul. Afterwards we wandered among the homeless people in the town square and bought a jar of maple syrup laced with habanero chilies, proof once again that Vermonters can make anything taste better with maple syrup. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4130" rel="nofollow - Ken Hensley - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=20473" rel="nofollow - Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf (1973)  The first of a dozen solo records from the longtime Uriah Heep guitarist and keyboardist. I've known about this album for years but never bothered to look for it or even listen to it. Too bad, turns out to be a pretty decent collection of Heep-like tunes, as well as some more introspective and acoustic stuff that you'd expect from a headbanger putting out a solo record. Lee Kerslake and Gary Thain also appear on the album so there's obviously going to be a strong Uriah Heep vibe, but the big surprise is that Hensley turns out to be a pretty decent vocalist. At times he reminds me of Ronnie James Dio circa 'Rising' or 'Long Live Rock and Roll' but of course with nowhere near the range. The $6 price seems about right. Various - The Whole Burbank Catalog (1972)  I've seen this thing several times at used record stores before but never bothered to look into it much. The 'Burbank' thing made me think it had something to do with Beserkley Records (Greg Kihn, The Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman, etc.) so I wasn't all that interested. Turns out this is a two-disc set of artists from the Warner Brothers label who (and I did not know this) was based out of Burbank before they opened their posh digs in Manhattan. This thing is a real who's who, with everything from Jerry Garcia to Captain Beefheart to the Faces to the Muppets (actually Little Jerry and the Monotones doing "Mad!" from a very old episode of the Muppets). Fleetwood Mac pre-Stevie, Jethro Tull, Alice Cooper, T. Rex ("Bang a Gong" no less), Todd Rundgren along with more mainstream stuff like America, Seals & Crofts and Jackie Lomax. The sounds also veer into jazz, R&B and folk with appearances from Allen Toussaint, Daddy Cool, Ry Cooder and Arlo Guthrie. There's something for everyone here and the ten-page liner notes have some interesting tidbits about the various artists and the label itself. Considering this sold for $2 almost 44 years ago I figure the $8 I paid was a decent price. Actually I was in a record store in Atlanta just today (see the entry after this one) and saw the same record for $12. Arik Brauer - Arik Brauer (1971)  I had no idea who this guy was but the album cover and some of the song titles intrigued me so I figured what the heck, $4 is a small price to pay for discovering something new. I'm still not sure what the heck this guy is, the music is Austrian (I think) and although he had a few discs in the jazz section this stuff sounds a bit more like mildly psych-inspired folk to me. I'll leave it to someone who knows him better to comment, will have to spin this a few more times before I figure out if I like him or not. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: July 17 2016 at 18:05
|
So after taking a lazy ferry ride across Lake Champlain in Vermont yesterday my son and I made the six hour drive through upstate New York and back to Pennsylvania so I could catch a way-too-early flight to Atlanta this morning. Unfortunately the six hours turned into almost eight thanks to some guy whose car literally exploded on the highway in front of us, backing up traffic for several miles and a couple of hours. He turned out to be some old shell-shocked upstate New York hippie (I've pontificated about those guys several times on this site, they're as common as water in that state). He wasn't hurt which is in itself a minor miracle, but someone has a hell of a mess to clean up on I-84. So after picking up a rental car at the Atlanta airport I realize I have at least 2-3 hours before I can check into the hotel, so of course the first thought was - 'wonder if there are any record stores I haven't seen here yet?'. Turns out there are a few, including http://www.comebackvinyl.com/" rel="nofollow - Comeback Vinyl just 30 minutes or so north of the city in Alpharetta. This is an independent record store owned by some lady and her son. She was running the place when I showed up and turned out to be a really cool cross between and Earth Mom and soccer Mom. Don't see that often. We had an interesting conversation about Neil Young's disastrous 1983 'Everybody's Rockin' tour which I caught in Oklahoma just before it petered out and was eventually canceled. She was spinning 'Highway 61 Revisited' when I walked in around noon which seemed kind of appropriate considering I'd just come off a road trip. After that she played some reggae album and then dropped on Linda Ronstadt's 'Hasten Down the Wind'. About this time I got a little creeped out, which requires an explanation. I've always kind of been a Ronstadt fan (hard not to at least acknowledge a musician who's won 11 Grammys and basically spawned the Eagles), but hadn't really paid much attention to her since the 80s. But after that chick from the Curly Sue movie did 'Blue Bayou' on The Voice a few weeks ago I've been really getting into Ronstadt's back catalog. In fact, I downloaded a dozen albums on Spotify last night and spent the entire flight to Atlanta listening to nothing but Linda Ronstadt. So that was weird. This place is kind of unique in that it's the first record store I've been to in several years where there wasn't someone lining up albums under a floodlight snapping pics to be posted on eBay. There were only a couple visitors and the selection was fairly modest (probably less than 10,000 records), and a minimal amount of CDs, posters and t-shirts. Not sure how she stays in business but she and her son have been there for almost three years and seem to be stable. The selection is divided into three general categories: old original vinyl, reissues & new stuff, and some dog-eared cutouts. The new stuff and reissues are overpriced (start at around $18 and go up from there), but the original records are in decent shape and reasonably priced. There's not a lot for prog rockers, much of the inventory is 80s and 90s (grunge, New Wave, punk), and the prog stuff is pretty much common stock - Yes, KC, ELP, Jethro Tull. I bought four records including (of course) two Linda Ronstadt albums. Also stocked up on vinyl sleeves since I was running low and haven't seen those at any record stores in quite some time. Priscilla - Gypsy Queen (1971)  Priscilla Jones (nee Coolidge) was Rita Coolidge's sister and wife of Booker T. Jones in the 70s. This thing has sort of a hippy-folk Laurel Canyon vibe to it, which should be obvious from the title and the cover art. Nothing exceptional and you can find this at almost any used record store, but the $4 price was a bargain compared to what I've seen it for elsewhere. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2568" rel="nofollow - Sweetwater - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=12479" rel="nofollow - Sweetwater http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=12479" rel="nofollow - (1968)  The band whose fifteen minutes of fame consisted of opening Woodstock. Also, a music trivia answer for the band with the worst luck ever after their lead singer lost her voice in a freak car accident, their cellist died falling down an elevator shaft (seriously), the flautist died young of cancer, and their drummer died in a car wreck in the Mojave Desert not far from where Gram Parsons overdosed on heroin and ended up having his corpse set on fire by his old tour manager. This is also the band many older ProgArchives members recall as the one whose name used to be edited as "Swee****er" by the old forum censorship tool. Again, I knew about this album and actually wrote a review several years ago but never owned a vinyl copy, but it was in good condition and six bucks seemed like a good deal. Linda Ronstadt - A Retrospective (1977)  This was released at the height of Ronstadt's popularity in 1977 but was later withdrawn, probably because her 'Greatest Hits' album released around the same time ended up selling a bazillion copies and made this one sort of redundant. There are some of the same hits here, along with quite a few lesser known tunes and some country covers that probably weren't as popular with the mainstream pop fans who were making her and Capitol Records rich at the time. Linda Ronstadt - Prisoner in Disguise (1975)  Other than the hit single "Tracks of my Tears" this was a bit of a throwaway album for Ronstadt. Like a lot of her records this is mostly covers, but there are a couple interesting ones. She does a surprisingly intimate version of Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross", as well as an uneven rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" that was forever owned by Whitney Houston fifteen years later. She also scored a minor hit with her cover of the Martha & the Vandellas' "Heat Wave". The most interesting thing about this album is the guest list - J.D. Souther, James Taylor, Maria Muldaur, Danny Kortchmar, Andrew Gold, Emmylou Harris, and Lowell George of Little Feat all showed up, among others. Most of those guys played on other Ronstadt records, but this is the only one I know of that featured so many California rock, American folk and Nashville stars. Last note on Linda Ronstadt - check out "Just One Look", try and forget the old Pepsi commercial and recognize the surprising ease with which she displays her vocal range on that song. Dang! ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: July 17 2016 at 22:22
How funny, the gods screaming in your ear. You must write a book about record hunting someday, Bob, you owe it to us. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |