Vinyl Record Architect

Album Review: Jake and the rest of the Jewels - A Lick and a Promise

Vinyl Record Architect — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:23:12 GMT

Back in the 1960s, Bunky and Jake was a gentle Greenwich Village based pop/folk duo - more in the Loving Spoonful mode than Kweskin Jug Band, if that means anything to you. Sweet, happy, soulful. Old and new simultaneously. Hard to categorize except to say that they embodied the laid back, Greenwich Village spirit of the day. Jake - Allan Jacobs - had a sweet fingerpicking guitar style and Bunky - Bunky Skinner - sang harmonies and the occasional lead. The arrangements were simple and straightforward, vocal harmonies with strings entering unexpectedly at times. They wrote the songs together.

He was a huge Skyliner fan, Laura Nyro, too.

I missed them completely at the time but they had a following and shared the Bitter End stage with many of their more famous contemporaries like Joni Mitchell. They were written up in the Rolling Stone - the issue fronted by Taj Mahal in 1969.

I have their eclectic debut, Bunky and Jake. I found it in Johnstown, PA, and snapped it up. I like their vocal harmonies and the jazzy little 1:25 instrumental, Mongoose, on side two. Maybe you can find it online. Worth a look and listen.

Jake first came to my attention when I heard him play Toad's Place in New Haven in the late 1970s as the leader of a band, Jake and the Family Jewels. The Family Jewels included Mike Rosa on drums, Jeremiah Burnham on Bass, and Dan Marsolino on piano. Their album of the same name is one of my favorites and includes a great Dylan cover:

http://blog.vinylrecordarchitect.com/2010/03/06/playing-a-les-paul-junior-with-p90-pickups-rediscovering-jake-and-the-family-jewels.aspx

Many years have passed since these records came out. I'm not sure what kept Jake and Bunky going over the years, but it turns out they and their relationship survived, although the Family Jewels did not.

So, when I heard that Jake had put together a new Jake/Jewels album I was eager to hear it. The album, A Lick and a Promise, actually picks up where Bunky and Jake left off, seemingly skipping over the heavier Family Jewels sound. It is credited to Jake and the rest of the Jewels, in acknowledgment of the one original Jewel, Dan Mansolino, on pianos, and some relative newcomers, the aforementioned 'other' Jewels.

Rather than being a new 'Family Jewels' project, A Lick and a Promise is really a Bunky and Jake revival. Gentler, happier. The years didn't diminish their voices, their melodies, or their wonderful, soulful, optimism. My favorite tunes are Stay in Shape, Willy and Toots, For No One But the Moon, Guitar, Guitar, and Don't Let Go. I prefer the tracks that drummer Bernie Soroko plays on - not the drum machine, Jake. Sorry, I like the sound of Jake's vocals against the foundation of Bernie's drumming and Bobo' bass - real instruments in a real context. The somewhat heavier, roots-ier production of the 'real' drum tracks help to ground those tunes. The drum machine sounds too smooth and artificial.

The album grows on the listener as the unfamiliar songs begin to sink in. I think a cover or two would help to create a connective narrative for the project, relating influence to creation. Throughout, Jake's distinctive voice is clear and strong, remarkably unchanged despite the passage of decades.

His melodies are similarly timeless.

Sadly, Bunky passed away before A Lick and a Promise was released to the public at the end of 2011. The album is a tribute to her enduring spirit, to love, to sincerity - and survival. You've got to hand it to Jake. After all these years, he hasn't lost his vocal chops, his guitar licks, or the promise of a song's power to lift the spirit - and make one dance...

Album Review: Mace Ballard's 'The Next Time You See Sky'

Vinyl Record Architect — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:13:03 GMT

Hailed in 2010 as Pittsburgh's favorite band (that is not the Clarks), winner of band contests and local polls, pop punk foursome Mace Ballard have released their first full length album - and it is truly an album. From the first notes of A Beginner's Guide to Beginnings to the last vestiges of Remainder, Mace Ballard rocks hard and smart. Each song is distinctive, but the 13 tracks on the group's debut fit well together to form an intriguing whole, the way albums used to be constructed in the golden album era of the 1970s. This resulting collection is greater than the sum of its parts, as good albums can be, positively betraying the musicians' ambition, intelligence, humor - and musical tastes.

Mace Ballard is a pop oriented punk band, like Green Day, but with other quirkier influences that give them substance and edge. For instance, the second track, Close Reading, starts off like a Yes outtake before shifting gears and settling into a melodic but insistent punk jam. Time Machines Exist could be a Monster-era REM track, at least at first, before riding guitarist Brandon Lehman's chunky guitar into a Green Day-esque punk anthem. Then, just when you think you've got that track figured out, Lehman lays out an extended prog-rock guitar solo.

Are they a pop/punk group? Yes, and no. In their best moments, they transcend genre, creating a distinctively eclectic sound.

I don't want to give you the impression that Mace Ballard is derivative because they are not. But they do know their music. Do these guys have big music collections? I'll bet they do. Do they listen to an eclectic mix of music. They must. In fact, I hope they listen even more broadly than they do now! You can hear it in the tracks and the tracks don't lie. I love the fact that the songs often veer off into unexpected territory - ballads, harmony vocals, chunky punk guitar, power pop, anthem rock, prog-rock - you name it. In fact, I wish they'd do MORE of that.

Mace Ballard knows their music and has the chops to prove it.

Chris Daley's voice fits the band's melodic punk approach. Drummer Steve La Russa's ferocious drumming drives each song as rock drummers should. Brandon Lehman's guitar work is skillful and varied, a strong counterpoint to Daley's vocals.

Perhaps bassist TJ Angelo's rhythms get a bit lost in Steve Soboslai's polished production which mixes the drums, guitars and vocals almost all equally on top, but the sound of the record is extremely convincing and well produced. I'd be curious to hear more from Angelo next time out - what would a more bass heavy, polyrhythmic Mace Ballard record sound like?

Ultimately, what makes The Next Time You See Sky so listenable is the partnership between Daley's literate and intelligent lyrics and Lehman's melodies and chords. I hope these guys continue to explore their songwriting and push their sound envelope further, beyond the given pop punk genre, into new and more varied places. Bright future ahead.

Now if only it were on vinyl...

Euclid Records, Dollar Bins, and Jeff Tweedy

Vinyl Record Architect — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:42:22 GMT

I'm in St. Louis for final reviews at Washington University of St. Louis's School of Architecture, the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. I arrive on a Sunday, a day early, so I have time to visit the Arch, the City Museum, and Euclid Records.

You have to have your priorities. So, first on my list is Euclid Records.

I have researched record stores online in anticipation of this trip and two record stores come up, Euclid Records and Vintage Vinyl. While neither is purely a vinyl store, both sound really promising: large footprints and good online comments.

For some reason I decide that Euclid Records is my focus. Don't remember why, but my notes hardly mention Vintage Vinyl. I don't even think about Vintage Vinyl. Well, more on that later.

So, its early Sunday morning and my host, the Dean of the school, Bruce Lindsey, picks me up at the airport and takes me out for breakfast to a wonderful little neighborhood cafe, the Soulard Coffee Garden. http://soulardcoffeegarden.com/ I have an enormous bowl of delicious hash and eggs - as does my host - and a steaming hot cup of coffee.

Ready for the day now.

Bruce asks me what I want to see and I recite my list. What first? Euclid Records? No problem! And we are on our way. Thanks, Bruce.

Not exactly nearby but a few minutes later we arrive, park the car and approach the corner store. Euclid's website advertises 7,500 sf of retail space and the store does not disappoint. While CDs fill the front the third of the store - the day light filled end - the rear two thirds of the store are filled with vinyl.

I mean filled.

Bruce peels off to dig into the CDs - he ends up with a couple of nice used Neil Young CDs - while I march to the rear of the store.

Whenever I enter a record store that sells used vinyl, I always look for the 'New Arrivals' bin first. Euclid's has a lot of interesting disks in their recent arrivals bin, some fairly pricey, however, like a three disk set of a live Yardbirds concert for 50 bucks. But there are many other interesting more reasonably priced titles, plenty of temptations. I am interested in the Bonzo Dog Band's Urban Spaceman record, co-produced by Apollo C. Vermouth, otherwise known as Paul McCartney. The Bonzo Dog Band was a favorite of the Beatles' and even feature on the Magical Mystery Tour film.

That would be nice to have.

With the Urban Spaceman disk under my arm, I proceed to the back of the store and pause. I am somewhat overwhelmed. Bruce asks whether there is anything particular I am looking for. That's a hard question to answer. I don't really have a 'list' - my collecting approach is more free-flowing and associational. So, I begin to rifle randomly through the alphabetized bins.

At some point, Bruce asks me whether I have found the dollar bins which I haven't. He points at my feet and there I see a long, long line of boxes on the floor filled with records. I kneel down and that is where the fun really begins.

Dollar bins are a mixed bag. Sometimes its just Air Supply, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand - and Polka. But, sometimes - like here it turns out - you can find some interesting curiosities. none probably 'worth' more than a dollar, but a lot of fun nevertheless.

Records that get put in dollar bins are often there because of the condition of the album cover and or the vinyl inside. So, you might find a badly scratched copy of something good, or a clean copy of a something good in a beat-up cover.

But, sometimes its just a record that doesn't have a very big audience. those are usually the records that attract me!

So, what did I find? In addition to the Bonzo Dog Band, I found these 'treasures' in the dollar bin at Euclid Records (and Euclid has turntables, so I could audition everything before purchasing!):

Jim Kweskin - Relax Your Mind (1966). A stripped down solo effort by the Jug Band leader.

Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band - Jug Band Music (1965). I like The Jug Band and have a few of their other albums but not this one.

The Souther Hillman Furay Band (1974). Guilty pleasure, the first cut, Falling in Love, a minor hit in 1974. But, the last cut, Deep, Dark, and Dreamless is worth the price all by itself. And then some - a great, great song.

Gilbert O'Sullvan - Himself (1972). Another guilty pleasure: Alone Again (Naturally).

The Rip Chords - Hey Little Cobra (1964). Classic example of the 'surf frat' genre. Title tune has uncredited falsetto solo by Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston. Song co-written by producer Terry Melcher, of Monterey Pop Fest fame.

Michael Parks - Closing the Gap (1969). Debut album by country artist turned actor. Parks is probably best known these days as Earl McGraw in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Also featured prominently in Twin Peaks as drug runner, Jean Renault. Oh, and the record is pretty good, too.

The Happenings - Bye Bye, So Long, Farewell...See You In September. Features the title tune, one of their biggest hits.

Oh, so what about Jeff Tweedy. Turns out He used to work at Euclid Records! I knew that...now I remember why I wanted to see this store more than Vintage Vinyl

He actually worked in the store's old location, but hey.

Works for me.

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Vinyl Record Architect — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:32:35 GMT

My friend, Donna, is the drummer in a band. Our dogs, Bean and Ginger, are buddies, too. They like to mix it up, some long stride running, some wrestling, some roughhousing, some good natured fun. Donna's band Black Moth Super Rainbow (BMSR) likes to mix it up, too. A little psych, folk, and pop in a big rich electronica stew.

They opened for Flaming Lips on their 2007 tour and have been featured performers at SXSW. Here is a sweet taste in a low tech clip from one of their performances of 'Sun Lips' in Austin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=vwn6g_s7UVY&NR=1

I want to hear them here in Pittsburgh.

Please. Asking nicely.

I have been listening to their 2009 release, Eating Us, for weeks and again ever since I got home from the park today, where Bean and Ginger mixed it up big time. Its not the first time for Bean and Ginger and its not the first time I put the heavy vinyl Eating Us disk on my turntable --- and it won't be the last. Beautiful, hypnotic and funky. From the first keyboard notes of side one to the last chords of side two BMSR create an ethereal and melodic groove - warm, lively, psychedelic and rhythmic. Really cool, stuff, readers, you should check them out. What I especially love about BMSR is how they connect the dots for me between the the late sixties psych music I like so much - from Blues Magoos' Electric Comic Book and Iron Butterfly, for instance to late sixties proto-electronica like Beaver & Krause's In a Wild Sanctuary.

Do you know THAT awesome 1970 Moog infused record? Oh, man. You should!

But, lets get back to 2011. Just listen to this track - featuring a banjo - from Eating Us and tell me you don't think BMSR rocks post-millennial big time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4CazYAWgHw

How often do you get to hear a banjo on a psych / electronica release?

So, Donna, please Donna, play a gig in Pittsburgh.

Soon.

Please.

This Is Music Website's Ryan Hogan Puts Vinyl Record Architect Blog in Top 20

Vinyl Record Architect — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:02:53 GMT

Thank you, This is Music! Thank you Ryan Hogan!

The website This is Music put together a Top 20 blog list and lists this blog, blog.vinylrecordarchitect.com in the top twenty.

Her is the link: http://this-is-music.com/?p=61

Ryan Hogan writes: "Vinyl records may be a relic of the past but that doesn’t mean they’re still not popular with collectors, audiophiles, and music lovers. That’s probably because nothing beats the sound of a record player, the feel of a vinyl disc, and the comfort of an album cover. Compact discs sound better and mp3s take up less room but they can’t match the corporeal and sensual qualities of vinyl records. Let’s face it, vinyl records are flat out cool".

Tell us something we don't know, Ryan! Just kidding, man. I am very grateful to you for including us in your rankings, Ryan. Readers: Check out Ryan's This is Music website and keep on rocking....to the vinyl beat.

The Modern Lovers is real, too.

Vinyl Record Architect — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:17:34 GMT

I moved to Pittsburgh in 1988, and started buying CDs in the early 90s. A few years later, Jerry's Records moved to my neighborhood and I brought a box of records in to sell since I thought I wouldn't want to listen to records any more. Okay, big mistake. I never should have stopped listening to records, but I wasn't alone. A whole generation like me moved from records to CDs and now to MP3s. I did too, but then I came full circle. These days, a day doesn't go by that I don't listen to a record, a CD (in my car) and an MP3 (on my IPod).

But, back in the day, before I knew any better, I sold a few records. Some of them I have bought again because I missed them, like Jesse Colin Young's Lightshine, and Neil Young's On the Beach, and some I haven't, for a variety of reasons. Too expensive, hard to find, not important to me any more. One I just picked up again on CD because I really missed the music on it. Its great, but I really miss the vinyl copy I owned. The record is the first Modern Lovers album called The Modern Lovers, released in 1976. This original version of the band was led by Jonathan Richman and featured Jerry Harrison on guitar years before he left Richman to join Talking Heads.

My wife asked me what made me buy this record back in the day and I'm not sure I know the answer. I may have heard the opening track, Roadrunner --- "Roadrunner, Roadrunner, going faster miles an hour, with the radio on." --- on FM radio at the time and gotten hooked or I may have read something about it in the Village Voice, I don't know. But, in any event it was one of my favorite records. And I sold it a long time ago.

Listening to it in my car to day, it sounds as fresh and real as the day I first heard it 35 or so years ago.

A few days later, I was listening to some other music on a playlist with my son in the car. Riding shotgun on the cold fall day with the heated seat turned up and the heat blasting warm air in his direction, he skipped several of the playlist's great songs until he stopped on John Lennon's Imagine.

He turned up the volume and listened silently, rapt.

I asked him why he rejected so many other great songs in favor of Imagine.

"Its real, Dad, " he said.

I get it.

Fitz and The Tantrums Collect Records

Vinyl Record Architect — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:42:34 GMT

To call Fitz and The Tantrums derivative would not be fair, but their music is knowing. You can hear that they are music lovers, fans of vintage soul and old school instrumentation. They must have vintage records, right? You can't write tunes like these and belt them out without having at some point internalized the likes of Otis and Tina and Marvin. In fact, Fitz has been quoted as saying,"We [the band] all have a love affair with soul and funk music. For me, it’s obviously Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, all that stuff. My musical taste runs the gamut from Radiohead to Zeppelin to Major Lazer. My older brother was really into 80s new wave, so a lot of the first records I got to borrow and steal were his."

Fitz, what do you have in your record collection? Next time you are in Pittsburgh, let's go to Jerry's together and you can stock up on soul and r&b from his vast stock.

Last night's sold-out show - thanks Kay and Tom! - was absolutely authentic and electrifying. Fitz and soul swinger side kick Noelle Scaggs had the enthusiastic crowd on their feet - no choice, no chairs at Mr. Smalls! - and rocking from the very first notes of the first tune and hardly let up for the rest of the evening. The guy next to me kept yelling 'Fitzburgh' to Fitz and Noelle who have been here to perfom three times in the last year. It felt like Fitzburgh by the time they were done.

The picture above is from the F&TT website and was taken by drummer John Wicks of the crowd. I am there in the front right of the picture. Can you find me?

Jerry's Records 2011 Giveaway - Part 1

Vinyl Record Architect — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:46:46 GMT

Hi, Readers: Did you make it to Jerry's this weekend? If so, what did you buy and what was in your free box? I made it there twice, once on Saturday and once on Sunday. On Saturday, the store was packed and it was a party atmosphere. On Sunday morning, I walked down the hill at around 11 in the chilly morning drizzle to find Jerry himself sitting under a personal-sized tent, spinning 45s from his personal stash. Rarities and old favorites - a great mix, to be sure. Sitting in his Jerry's T-shirt, he didn't seem to be cold.

In this and upcoming blog posts, I'll be sharing some of the 'treasures' I discovered in the unmarked and sealed box of 100 LPs that was my share of the 33,000 records Jerry and his crew gave away this past weekend. Guinness, this must be some kind of a record!

My box revealed a load of records that I don't know WHAT do with - any fans of Hungarian dance music out there, I have your records! - and some strange discoveries. For example, the record pictured above was in my box, Jonathan King's 1967 release 'Or Then Again...' King is the guy who discovered and recorded Genesis for the first time as well as other bands like 10CC. He had a hit with a song included on this record called 'Everyone's Gone to the Moon' from 1965...

Jerry's Records Gives Away 33,000 Records!

Vinyl Record Architect — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:16 GMT

Kevin Lorenzi's photograph, above, in the Beaver County Times shows Jerry Weber, owner of Pittsburgh's Jerry's Records, with a few thousand of the 33,000 records he will GIVE AWAY this weekend. Yes, that's right - Jerry is giving away alot of vinyl. First come, first serve. In sealed boxes of 100. One per customer - and all of that.

So make your way to see Jerry this weekend and say that the Vinyl Record Architect sent you.

I'll probably be hanging out with Jerry on Sunday morning with a supply of my '100 Best Albums of the 70s.' So, if you don't want to say hi to Jerry - and why wouldn't you?! - at least come and say hey to me.

They'll be spinning tunes and giving away records. What is not to like?

By the way, this was one of the 100 records that I found in my box of 100. What will you find in yours????

Wilco - The WHOLE Love

Vinyl Record Architect — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:50:11 GMT

I pre-ordered the new Wilco and it arrived yesterday, on CD and Vinyl. Slid the CD into the car stereo this morning on the way to work and the car filled with percussion and noise and melody. First impressions are really good - much more varied and edgy than the last two of their releases (Sky Blue Sky and Wilco (The Album)). Those two sounded like holding patterns, nice songs, well played, but safe for a band that you expect more PASSION from. This one appears to have it - at least on first listen, I want to hear it again. Which is always a GOOD sign.

Also on first listen, it sounds like an ALBUM. My favorite WILCO album is Yankee Hotel Fox Trot and on that one, they got the sequence of the songs right. Not so much on Being There or Summerteeth or the last two. But The Whole Love sounds like an album, greater than the sum of its parts, like the best Beatles albums. The Whole Love starts with electricity and friction and risk taking and ends with a 12 minute meditation on life that you don't want to end. In between, well, I haven't listened to everything yet -- and not more than once, my drive to work is pretty short! -- but it sounds really promising. I'll keep you posted, but you might want to check it out as well.

After School Session: Chuck Berry's 1957 Debut

Vinyl Record Architect — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:50:43 GMT

My original copy of Chuck Berry's 1957 Chess Records debut, 'After School Session,' (Chess LP 1426) is only half playable. Alas, someone once, long before I found the disk in a Goodwill store bin for two bucks, took a sharp object to side one and rendered the vinyl unplayable. Why, why, why?

The album, his first after releasing several 45s, yielded so many extraordinary Berry tunes like Too Much Monkey Business, Brown Eyed Handsome Man, and Havana Moon. I have seen it for sale online, never for less than twenty dollars, sometimes upwards of $125 in mint condition. I would never spend that kind of money on a single disk, but this one is THAT good.

Side Two is almost good enough alone, however: Brown Eyed Handsome Man, Berry Pickin', Together We Will Always Be, Havana Moon, Down Bound Train, and Drifting Heart.

Maybe someday I will come across a reasonably priced copy that is in entirely playable condition.

For now, I will enjoy Side Two.

By the way, this was only the second full-length album Chess ever released. Do you know what the first one was?

Vinyl Record Architect Paul Rosenblatt To Speak at Podcamp 6

Vinyl Record Architect — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:15:53 GMT

On Sunday, September 18, at 1PM, I will be speaking at Podcamp 6. My session is entitled "Writing Down Your Crazy: Transforming Your Collecting Obsession into a Blog."

Yes, your very own Vinyl Record Architect is speaking at in international blogging conference. And it is in Pittsburgh. And its all about this blog - your blog!

Podcamp 6 is the sixth world conference on new media. The first Podcamp was held in Boston, Massachusetts in 2006, followed by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - then California, Sweden, Ireland and South Africa.

So, in 2011, Podcamp is back in the 'burgh.

As you know well if you have been following this blog for a while, I have been collecting vintage vinyl records for the last few years and writing about my collecting habit for you. If you are new to this blog, welcome! As an Architect of museums and cultural facilities - as well as homes and offices that house people who often have some kind of collection or another - don't you?! - I am passionate about collecting. I truly believe that collections are reflections of ourselves and our values and passions.

I am my collection and my collection is me. Sort of....

And then there are the pack rats and hoarders, but I digress.

My Podcamp 6 presentation will be a sort of LIVE Vinyl Record Architect blog - with pictures and music - sharing my enthusiam for vinyl records and discussing how social media enables me and my architectural associates at SPRINGBOARD Design to communicate in new ways. As quoted in Columns Magazine (June, 2011) by writer Becky Spevack "Social media provides me with new ways I can 'socialize' with a lot of people I heven't even met. It enables me to reach far greater numbers of people than ever before."

If you are in the neighborhood, please come see me, Paul Rosenblatt, the Vinyl record Archiect, LIVE at Podcamp 6!

And be sure to say you are a reader and say hi!

For details on Podcamp, follow this link:

http://podcamppittsburgh.com/about/

At a Garage Sale: The Fortunes' Storm in a Teacup

Vinyl Record Architect — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:56:15 GMT

Driving along Route 711, I slowed down when I saw a sign for a garage sale. I don't usually stop for garage sales, but you never know when you might stumble upon a garage full of records. It could happen. But even if you do, it is rare to find records you might want. Usually, there are boxes full of popular middle of the road crooners like Andy Williams or Perry Como. Or the like....

Uncollectable records, as Simon (Retromania) Reynolds calls them, "genuinely popular records that have dated terribly or suffered from a capricious reversal of mass taste...Seals and Crofts, The Alan Parsons Project, Styx, Chick Mangione, Asia, Bob Seger."

Still, I recommend stopping. You just never know.

So, in this case, for some reason, I decided to pull over at the sign, which led to a gravel road which led to a dirt road which led to another sign with an arrow pointing to the sale. Past one trailer home after another another. I arrive at a clearing.

A middle aged guy in a T-shirt is standing at the foot of the driveway, waving me in, with two women beyond sitting quietly by the garage door, one older, one younger. There are rusting cars and trucks in the yard, a shed or two full of yard equipment beckoning, doors open. Looking at the overgrown yard, I wondered when this yard equipment was last used.

"I got lotsa stuff I want to get rid of!" said the guy. "Lotsa stuff!"

I looked around and asked him if he had any records. He said he did have a box of records somewhere. I didn't expect him to have anything interesting, but, again, you never know. In a few minutes, he emerged from the back of the garage with a cardboard box.

"Some of these I wanna keep," the guy exclaimed as he flipped through the records in the box. "But you are free to look at the rest." The number of available disks was dwindling.

After picking out ten or so records for himself - nothing of interest to me whatsoever, see 'uncollectable records' above - he pushed the box towards me.

I pulled a few records out. Polydor's 1973 Clapton compilation is pretty rare, although everything on it is available somewhere else. The Turtles Golden Hits. And The Fortunes' 1972 Storm in a Teacup. When the garage-sale-guy saw that one, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Never heard of them. Well, you can have all three."

I was pleased with my purchase. Especially the Fortunes album. The Fortunes were once a reasonably well known harmonic pop group best known for having sung the Coca Cola jingle for many years. Crawdaddy related them to a slew of other groups in 1967, starting with Jay and the Americans:

"Jay and the Americans sound like the Fortunes, who sound like the We Five, who sound like the Ivy League, who sound like the Beatles, who sound like the Zombies, who sound like the Searchers, who sound like the Everly Brothers, who sound like a multitude of white country blues singers, who sometimes sound like Negro country blues singers, who can sometimes sound like urban Negro blues singers, who sound like the Rolling Stones, who sound like the Nashville Titans, who do not even look like Jay and the Americans."

Well, that helps!

Mike Nesmith, Producer. Ian Matthews, Country Gent

Vinyl Record Architect — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:27:57 GMT

Labor Day, 2011.

Rainy day, indoors, listening to music, cooking dinner. Guilty pleasures like Peter Frampton cranked up in the afternoon, but we toned things down for the evening guests. After dinner, music included obscurities like Bethlehem Asylum's rare 1970 Ampex release, Commit Yourself, Dennis Linde's 1973 Elektra self-titled release that includes the Linde tune made famous by Elvis, Burning Love, and Ian Matthews' 1973 Elektra release, Valley Hi.

Valley Hi is especially interesting for a number of reasons not least of which is the fact that the producer is a former Monkee, Mike Nesmith. Nesmith, you may recall, was the serious Monkee. He was also a serious musician in the country vein. When given a chance on his own, he formed an excellent country western band and produced some country tinged albums like this one, for Ian Matthews.

Apparently, Matthews, the former Fairport Conventioneer, was not thrilled with the result which sounds an awful lot like a Flying Burrito Brothers album. I guess Matthews didn't want to be compared to Gram Parsons and for good reason.

Matthews' song selection - including tunes by Richard Thompson, Randy Newman and Don Gibson, among others, is great, but the result is surprisingly subdued. The truth is, the album is a bit bland by comparison with its influences. Good on paper, not very dynamic in execution. Matthews, who had a solo hit covering Joni Mitchell's Woodstock a few years before, sounds a bit lost in the Nashville sounding mix recorded at Nesmith's own Countryside Studios in LA. His vocals sound artificially countrified, as if he is singing in a foreign - read American/Country - accent.

However, given the distinguished cast of performers and songwriters assembled here, maybe my expectations were unfair. The album's highlights almost make up for the over all sameness. Side One is distinguished by a beautiful, subtle, reading of Jackson Browne's These days, while Side Two leads off with a richly harmonic performance of Steve Young's 7 Bridges Road. My friends said they preferred the Eagles' Live version, but I'll let you be the judge if you can find the Mp3 of this one somewhere. The Eagles may have heard the song here first since it predates their recording by a couple of years.

That track alone will bring me back to this album.

Maybe the other tunes will grow on me.

1959 Philco Predicta 'Princess' at Galaxie Electronics in Pittsburgh

Vinyl Record Architect — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:14:52 GMT

On a recent visit to Galaxie Electronics on Murray Avenue in Pittsburgh, I came across this beautiful vintage 1959 Philco Predicta 'Princess' television set. It is the same one that is featured on the cover of Elton John's 1981 album, 'The Fox.'

It is a TV that looks like a baby boomer kid's drawing of a TV - pure image - like a futuristic Jetson fantasy.

Just one of many cool toys Galaxie's electro-guru, Vince, has on hand.

You owe it to yourself to pay Vince a visit at Galaxie and see what he has to offer. In addition to generous bowls of candy....Tell him the Vinyl Record Archiect sent you! I'm sure he'll smile when he hears that.

In addition to new and refurbished stereo equipment - turntables, amps, speakers, etc. - Vince has album sleeves, needles, cartridges - everything you need to make your visit to next door neighbors Jerry's Records and Whistlin' Willie's that much more enjoyable.

And so much more immediate, analog and neighborhood friendly than ordering on the web. Especially if you live here in Pittsburgh!

For more on Galaxie, visit their website: http://www.galaxieelectronics.com/

Do You Believe in Magic (in New York)?

Vinyl Record Architect — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 01:48:49 GMT

Loft in New York. Our friends, an architectural photographer and an art educator, live in a beautiful, silent world of images. A radio broadcasts scratchy classical music softly in the background. The signal is poor since the cast iron structure is surrounded by newer, taller ones. A black metal box with the name 'Arcam' sits mutely beside a pair of silent speakers that say 'Sonus Faber.' The equipment has authority but is missing something. I think that thing is sound.

Along came a turntable upon which thin black disks of plastic spin. Once the wires are connected and the system is plugged into the juice flowing through the walls, a beautiful noise is heard. First there is Edith, then Barbara, then Judy, followed by Peter and Paul and Mary. Finally, there is a spoonful of love and isn't that the point?

Our lovely art educator has eclectic tastes it seems and now, after a decade or so of silence, these voices she has collected are heard again. The loft is full of vivid music, warmed by black vinyl. We sit and talk and listen through the years of dust and scratches to the beautiful, beautiful magic.

Women Collect Records, Too

Vinyl Record Architect — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:52:45 GMT

Check out this great interview with Margaret Barton Fumo, record collector.

Shout out to Eilon Paz at Dust and Grooves - Great job!!

http://www.dustandgrooves.com/2011/06/margaret-barton-fumo-brooklyn-ny.html

Why I Collect Records

Vinyl Record Architect — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:41:23 GMT

I guess I'm pretty boring. There seem to be only two subjects that I can talk about these days, the exercise program I have been following for the last almost 90 days (P90X) and vinyl records. My wife and I were talking today about something completely different and it made me think of Eddy Arnold's classic 1955 cowboy country guitar record, Anytime, that I recently came across in a local record shop. Don't ask me why, I can't remember. But, there we were, talking, and I blurt out something about this record. 'That's all you can think of,' she said with a smile, and gave me a kiss. I guess its not the worst thing to think about!

Earlier in the day, we were talking with friends and the subject of what will become of my records when I die came up. Don't ask me why, I don't remember. Truly, I must be incredibly boring. How did this subject come up in conversation with nice normal non-record collecting people?

Well, anyway, I said that I didn't really know what would happen to my records. Maybe my kids will keep them, maybe they'll sell them or give them away. The collection isn't really that big and not really valuable at all. The obscure records I own are not really worth anything and I don't collect mint albums or rarities for their own sake. I have my share of odd ball semi-popular pop records, but I also have plenty of good and great mainstream rock records from the 1970s that I just like to listen to.

Records that record stores discard because the sleeves are a little damaged or the records are little rough. Records that are guilty pleasures. Like the copies of Bob Seger's Night Moves, or J. Geils' Sanctuary, or the Hollies album with 'The Air That I Breathe' that I recently rescued from destruction in a bin outside a nearby record store. Not cool or rare or pretty, but very playable and enjoyable nevertheless.

I know folks who have thousands and thousands of records. Those are hoarders or collectors.

I'm a listener.

Happy Birthday, Mick Jagger!

Vinyl Record Architect — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:23:35 GMT

What is Mick doing to celebrate his 68th birthday, do you suppose? What are we supposed to make of the fact that Bob Dylan is 70 and now Mick is turning 68?

Makes me think of a younger Mick, the one in his teens collecting blues records from Chicago by 'old' black American blues players who were probably younger then than Mick is now.

Makes me think of what good taste he had to listen to those records and to play them for his friends like Keef.

Seems like Bob is still rolling along and may even have a few classic records still in him. Who woulda thought that Modern Times, Love and theft and Time Out of Mind would be as good as they are. What's next for Bob? I have a hunch something good.

But what about Mick? When was the last time Mick made a relevant album? I mean, he has recorded plenty of them in the past with his mates, so he doesn't owe anyone anything, but hey, it would be nice to hear Mick, the old harmonica playing blues man, making some great new music. I'm sure he wants to.

Do you think his project with Dave Stewart and Joss Stone has the makings of a classic? has anyone heard anything from this? Has anything leaked out from those sessions? I think Joss Stone has an amazing voice and maybe more credibilty than Ive given her credit for in the past, but I don't know.

I'd feel more hopeful if he hunkered down with T-Bone Burnett, or even Jack White for a session of blues standards.

Hey, maybe Keef would even sit in for a few tracks....

Happy Birthday, Mick. Many happy returns.

Stereo Repair: Galaxie Electronics

Vinyl Record Architect — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:03:57 GMT

Galaxie Electronics is the brainchild of Vince, the 'Turntable Doctor.' Located next to Jerry's Records at 2136 Murray Avenue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, Galaxie is the place to bring your stereos, radios, amplifiers, turntables, tape decks - pretty much any electronic device you can think of that 'needs fixed' as we say here in the 'burgh.

Or you can do some shopping, since Vince always has a selection of new and cool used - or should I say 'vintage?' - stereo equipment in good working order for you to buy.

If you are just starting your record collection, or think you have worn out your old turntable from overuse, trot over to Galaxie and let Vince sort things out for you.

The two best things about Galaxie are the prices and the service. Prices: Everything is reasonable and Vince will even do 'free diagnostics on all things shipped in.' Service: Vince is a really nice and friendly guy. He will do everything he can to make sure you are satisfied.

Galaxie is right next door to Jerry's Records, so you can catch two flies with one stone - or something like that! - and get some records and equipment to play them on all at the same time. Save time, parking quarters, and the environment. The environment? Well, you're making one trip, not two, and you're recycling, saving vintage stereo equipment from the evil landfill.

If you do stop by Galaxie, tell Vince that you read about him here at the 'Vinyl Record Architect' blog. I'm sure he'll take extra special good care of you!

And say hi for me. Come to think of it, I have turntable to bring in for some service. See you soon, Vince.