Scandalize My Name

Listening to history on this Memorial Day. Powerful, booming and passionate bass voice singing old spirituals, folk music and protest songs from a past century.

I found this three record box set, several years ago in a local cramped, stuffy used bookstore ..... climb up a rickety spiral staircase in a dimly lit, dusty corner of the store. The sort of sounds that I just can't imagine listening to on compact disc.

Paul Robeson was an actor, college football player, activist and singer who was blacklisted in the 1950's during the McCarthy era.

Sunday Morning Listening to Bert Jansch

The older I get the more I appreciate recordings from half a century ago. It's historical documentation!!

From 1966 and on vinyl. Covering traditional English folk tunes with incredible acoustic guitar playing by Jansch and John Renbourn. The only additional thing that could be asked for ..... liner notes explaining the origins of these songs.

And following up with more Bert Jansch on vinyl ..... His 1971 "Rosemary Lane" record!!! Found this many years ago in a used record store in Portland with a $2.00 sticker on it. A knowledgable person would be crazy to pass that up.

Buried In Vinyl

This could be me at various points in my life. I've had spaces that closely resemble this. I mean, you try to keep things neat and organized but it's just not always possible. One thing will lead to another and soon you have blissful clutter.

But to this day .... and thousands of records, tapes and discs into a lifetime of collecting, I still know where almost everything is located. occasionally you can spend a day (or week) searching for an Elvis Costello vinyl record that you eventually realize you probably sold in your Mother's garage sale in 1988 but for the most part I know where things are.

I just wish that I could recall what was the exact record that initially hooked me into this lifestyle choice.