The Dollar Vinyl Record Bin

I can't help it. No matter how hard I try to kick the habit, I'm always searching for sounds. Especially for new old sounds. Those black platters call me back again and again. The dollar vinyl bargain bin has been good to me of late. Occasional gems and surprises are unearthed. Titles that maybe hadn't been on my radar or watch list but that immediately strike a chord or emotion upon unexpected discovery. Found this evening:

• Dick Gregory - In Living Black and White (1961) ..... Comedy / Spoken Word
• Jimmy Webb - Words and Music (1970)
• The Sandpiper Movie Soundtrack (1965) ..... Not so well known Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor movie. Charles Bronson is in it as well.

Historical documents. Part of the era where I grew up. Looking back, it's become a fascinating time for me. Too young during much of those days to have much knowledge of the world. I first saw The Sandpiper late one night, probably in the later 1970's or early 1980's. The perfect late night movie! The themes and the feel of the movie caught my attention .... The California beach lifestyle, an artist community, being unfaithful in marriage, changing seasons. And it's theme song: "The Shadow of Your Smile" ..... haunting, yearning, unrealized love, a tinge of sadness. Familiar emotions.

I'm always interested in words, thoughts, expressions and attitudes from years long ago and how they've changed since. Towards that concept, the Dick Gregory record is a must have!! If nothing else, just simply to hear a voice from 55 years ago and what people found amusing in those days ..... the messages they wanted to share.

And Jimmy Webb ..... One of the alltime greatest songwriters!! He wrote two of my favorites ....  "Wichita Lineman," and "The Highwayman." And so many others.

It's funny but a day or two after posting this, the movie, The Sandpiper, (which is not often on television) was on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. 

Cannonball Live!!

Vinyl find today ..... Great Jazz!! And it was live! From 1960. It must have been an exciting time to be a Jazz fan. Riverside is one of those classic Jazz labels that was all about great music. And once again for me, the album cover artwork is a huge part of the attraction. There's liner notes too. Something all recordings should have.

Recurring Image

I think that I desire to get one of those Crosley record players. So I can just sit in the corner and listen to records. Just like in the younger days before one could afford to purchase a component stereo system. A little minimalism for seven inch vinyl and 45-rpm's. 78's too! Even the occasional long playing album. Especially those from the 1960's or older. A return to youth. A little nostalgia. An image that I have floating around in my head of how certain things were meant to be. Just the basics please. Only the time to listen required.

You Never Know Just What You Might Find

Thumbing through the one dollar vinyl bin at my local record store and I came across this gem from 1967. Cashman, Pistilli and West, "Bound To Happen."

I used to hear a song or two by Cashman and West on 1970's FM radio. And Terry Cashman is known for his song, "Talkin' Baseball." It was a hit in the 1980's and he's written lyrics since that are specific for most of the major league teams.

It's funny the thoughts that come to mind as you listen for the first time to music from decades ago. Upon first listen I hear bits and pieces of The Association, Peter Paul and Mary and Donovan in this recording. For an instant I even thought that I heard a little snippet of 60's British Invasion. Maybe the next listen will bring someone else to mind?

All Those Years Ago

Another playlist from long ago. There's like a personal visual video snippet playing in my eyes, from a moment of my life that goes with each. Though I suppose that's true with most songs that will cause you to stop and listen every time that they are heard.

• The Eagles - King of Hollywood
• U2 - New Years Day
• Steely Dan - Doctor Wu
• Grateful Dead - Uncle Johns Band
• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Listen To Her Heart
• Tom Jans - Gotta Move
• Neil Young - Like a Hurricane
• Benjamin Orr (from The Cars) - Stay the Night
• Jim Carroll Band - Day and Night
• The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays
• Warren Zevon - Lawyers, Guns and Money
• Big Country - Lost Patrol
• Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
• Bruce Springsteen - Factory

Complicated Game

The new one from James McMurtry!!! It took awhile but I finally found it. A journey from Salem to Beaverton, back to Salem and then onward to Corvallis. One hundred thirty or so miles round trip, but worth it. A record store that I'd never visited previously, also being a part of the agenda. I guess I need to acknowledge that my music of preference is becoming a victim of the times. More and more difficult to find in a physical format.

There's typical great McMurtry here. He's incapable of writing a weak song. It's been Twenty Five years since his first album, six years since his last studio album. There's a consistency that I've come to expect and look forward to in his sound. It's present here once again. Maybe a little more use of banjo than usual but that's a good thing here.

Paid My Late Library Fees

Been in arrears for awhile now so I broke down and paid my overdue library fees ($4) and am now free to check out music again!! First selection, Bill Frisell's, "Ghost Town."  From 1999. It might be labeled as Contemporary Jazz. He plays all the instruments. Mostly guitars though. Both electric and acoustic with occasional banjo, loops and bass added.

The material, a mix of originals and instrumental covers. A guitar master!!

Slide Into Heaven

Delta Moon's song, "Ghost In My Guitar." There's not much that I enjoy more than slide guitar. Doesn't matter whether it's acoustic or electric. And if you enjoy images of old guitars, there's plenty in the video.

Sunday Pilgrimage to Everyday Music

The group is Hiss Golden Messenger. The album, "Bad Debt." This recording is actually the group's leader, M.C. Taylor, singing and playing acoustic guitar into a tape recorder at his kitchen table. Beautiful songs about life and faith. The music and lyrics grab your attention and refuse to let go.

All Music Guide Review

Elliott Smith's, "Needle In the Hay." A 7-inch, vinyl single. Three songs. Chilling and aching. In all his works that I've listened to, you can actually hear pain expressed in his voice. Close your eyes and in the dark of your thoughts an image is created.

From Portland. Another musician who left this world too soon leaving behind a great body of music. I would have loved to hear where he might have gone with his songwriting.



Other found treasures still awaiting a listen .....

• JJ Grey & Mofro - "Ol' Glory" .... His latest. Just released. Blues-Rock.
• Red Norvo & His Allstars - "Original 1933-1938 Recordings" .... Big Band Swing.
• Sea Wolf - "Turn the Dirt Over" and "Song Of the Magpies" .... Both 7-inch vinyl singles.

...... And in the fifty cent bargain box, a group called Woodsy Pride. Their self titled five song EP. Might as well take a chance for fifty cents on something that looks interesting. There's short liner notes that compare their music to Neil Young and John Fogerty.