Vinyl Record Architect: Recent Comments

Comment on Phish Covers 'Ride Captain Ride'

Rob Paterson — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:51:54 GMT

Paul,

Great blog, and great article on one-hit wonders. Also, thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.

Re. this issue, you bring up an interesting point, re. whether cover art effects a listener's perception, which I think is absolutely true. I think you could take this a few steps further: marketing in general vastly influences how people listen. There are many musicians that no one would care about at all, if sound were the only consideration, but who benefit from excellent marketing. Likewise, I certainly know of many, many musicians who have produced excellent albums that never see the light of day, simply because they either had no marketing skills or had no label behind them.

Back to that cover, it's pretty bad, isn't it? You have to wonder... what was that record company thinking? They probably lost tons of sales because of it, and it already provides a bad set-up for what you're about to hear, no matter how good it is. Perhaps a friend of one of the band members made it? Maybe an ex-girlfriend? It's almost like Mt. Rushmore from rock and roll hell.

Finally, I took a look at your architectural site, and your designs are wonderful. I'll visit that children's museum with my son next time I'm there.

I'll take a look at more of your entries as well as time permits...

Best wishes,

Rob

Comment on Golden Earring is Heavy

vinyrecordarchitect — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:14:19 GMT

Dear Bibo,
You're welcome! I just spent last weekend listening to the album again, as well as Fleetwood Mac's seriously underrated 1969 'Then Play On.' Both are great, bluesy records, but the Golden Earring goes so much further, mixing genres and playing beautifully and surpisingly. Thanks for the information about the bassplayer and the drummer! I did not know that or, for that matter, that the photo was made in George's living room. How do you that?!
Thanks for reading the blog and hope you come back soon and often.

Comment on Golden Earring is Heavy

Bibo — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:52:32 GMT

Hey Paul, Thanks for your post on Golden Earring. I totally agree, they have put out so much great music which deserves them to be called so much more than a one hit wonder.There are arguably very few bands around as long as the Earring, since 1961, and even moreso: in the same unchanges line-up,since 1970.Few bands are as expereinced live,so yes:the bassplayer was invited by Jimi Hendrix to join his Experience and the drummer was asked by the Who.They have toured the US extensively from 1969-1984 but they never really made the move to live in America, which may explain why they are stars in Nederland right now,and not international anymore.
The photo on Together is made in George's livingroom.

Comment on Record Stores in New York...not fade away.

Vinyl Record Architect — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:15:32 GMT

Chris,
Thanks for your comment.
I'll be in NYC soon and looking forward to checking out some of the better record stores for used 1960s/1970s rock vinyl in Manhattan.
Any recommendations from your last trip?
If ever in Pittsburgh - you know, site of the G-20, best sports city in the States according to Sporting News - check out Jerry's Records. Fantastic place!
best,
PAUL

Comment on Record Stores in New York...not fade away.

Chris — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:00:01 GMT

Hi Paul -

Thanks for your comment on Stereo Jealousy on this article, fascinating stuff. I'm based in London but the music scene in NYC was a major draw for me to visit, and the record shops didn't let me down. Shame to read about Mondo Kim's slimming down - that was a real goldmine for new and used records when I was there last. London's record shops seem to be in either boom or bust, depending on who you listen to. Some of the more independent, specialist boutique-style retailers are doing well and even the big HMVs (like Virgin) are stocking more vinyl at cheaper prices. I haven't seen anything like in that NY Times article though, at least not for records. There has been something about people opening up their front rooms as restaurants though!

Chris

Comment on Welcome, Jerry's Records!

Paul Rosenblatt — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:37:51 GMT

Thanks, Nick.

I'm excited about introducing my readers to Jerry's and Jerry's customers to this blog.

Hope you'll keep coming back!

Comment on Welcome, Jerry's Records!

Nick — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:09:49 GMT

Congratulations!

Comment on Things That Bug Me - Part 2: the Insect Trust

Vinyl Record Architect — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:53:34 GMT

Augusta,

I love the fact that you happened to look at the Google Alert the other day and lo and behold there is blog entry about your dad! The universe is way more connected than we know.

I will look out for the Sun City disk. In the meantime, I will dig out my 'Dancing in Your Head' disk and cue up 'Midnight Sunrise!' Cool.

Really looking forward to reading 'Blues & Chaos: The Music Writing of Robert Palmer.' I was wondering why there hadn't been a collection of essays put together. I'll be sure to write about it here when it is released.

Will also look forward seeing your film.

Lots to look forward to.

Stay in touch and if you ever pass through Pittsburgh, give me a holler!

best,

PAUL

Comment on Things That Bug Me - Part 2: the Insect Trust

Augusta — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:59:16 GMT

Hey Paul,
I actually do the google alerts function for Insect Trust, but I rarely read the results because it's usually stories about insect infestations in National Trust sites in the U.K.

But I read the list yesterday for some reason and saw your blog entry.

You can hear my dad playing on the song "Silver and Gold" on the Sun City Artists against Apartheid record and on "Midnight Sunrise", a track on Ornette Coleman's Dancing in Your Head.

There's My Space page for The Band of Ones, which was the last band he was in before his death.

If you miss his writing, there's an anthology coming out in November called Blues & Chaos: The Music Writing of Robert Palmer.

And I've made a film about his friendship with the Master Musicians of Jajouka (www.thehandoffatima.com)

Be well and keep on bloggin'

Comment on Things That Bug Me - Part 2: the Insect Trust

Paul Rosenblatt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:29:13 GMT

Dear Augusta,

Thank you for your comment, Augusta. I am delighted that you found my blog and the entry about your dad, Robert Palmer! I am curious: How did you come across vinylrecordarchitect?

Thanks also for your clarification - I am so glad to hear that he continued to make music throughout his life. I'm sure it informed his reviews and commentary.

As a teenager growing up in New York City, I tried to keep up with Palmer's writing in the New York Times - my folks read the other parts of the paper, so I could always get my hands on the music column! So, over time, Robert Palmer became one of my favorite writers on music and how unusual that it was in the pages of the old grey New York Times! Of course, I was also deeply involved in reading the Rolling Stone every two weeks, too, where your Dad also was writing. At the moment, spurred on by listening to The Insect Trust, I am in the middle of re-reading 'Rock and Roll: An Unruly History' right now, a fantastic, unusual music history that digs deep into the roots of the music as opposed to focusing only on the usual suspects.

Augusta, I'd love to learn more about your father's continued explorations in playing music - I am only aware of the two Insect Trust records - and wonder if he made any other recordings as well?

You must have grown up in a household full of great music and you must also - I suspect - have inherited an AWESOME record collection. I am potentially VERY jealous! I hope you will continue to visit 'vinylrecordarchitect.' Please stay in touch.