Record Store Day 2026

I don't get overly excited about it these days. I never have and never will spend hours overnight or early morning, in line waiting to get in the store. Electing instead to stroll in late afternoons or the next day to sift through what remains.

My sole contribution this year to the Record Store Day craziness .....

An old favorite band for the past 25-30 years. The latest album from Son Volt, being officially released on RSD 2026, (from what I gather), and on sky blue opaque vinyl and it's a return to their original sound, which is great news!!

I was actually looking for the RSD release by The Jayhawks, which after scouring two different stores, I came up empty handed but I did stumble across the Son Volt record at stop number two, which I vaguely had a clue was going to be one of the days releases but have to admit that I forgot about so it was a 'win one, lose one' type of affair. There was also a live John Coltrane recording on my radar but there were no copies available .... if they received any at all. 

I've listened to side one so far and greatly enjoyed what I heard.

I also came across 'Sleepless Night' by Yo La Tengo in the used new arrivals bins. Only to discover upon returning home that I already have on my shelves. It's a vinyl ep and all six songs are on one side of the record.

From 2020. Another favorite band from the last thirty years. Initially excited thinking that I didn't have it .... but I was wrong. But still excited!!

I laugh about it today because when I first came across the record, I was like: Oooooh far out! I don't have this!!" Then as I was paying at the cash register: "I don't think I have this." Then while driving home: "Do I have this?" (Experiencing increasing fear with each passing mile that I did.) Then while pulling into my driveway: "Oh geez. I think I may already have this record." 

Such is the scale of excitement that often comes with searching for used vinyl records .... along with increasing age, decreasing memory and the sheer volume of records at home.

Looking North

Another from the recent Shifting Paradigm Records discoveries.

'Looking North' by Bryan Nichols. Released in 2016.

Solo jazz piano alternately reminding me of similar sounding moments and directions from Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea recordings of the 1970's. Best heard with midnight moods and vibes. 

Bandcamp Page
 

Random Playlist #4749

Just another popup playlist featuring mostly little-known random tunes .....

• Barn Burning - Friendship Fails You
• Call and Response - Trapped Under Ice
• The Lowest Pair - Pear Tree
• Memory Tapes - Wait in the Dark

Several of these songs were first heard on the Oregon Public Broadcast overnight online radio stream that used to be heard after regular programming had concluded for the day. Regrettably in my opinion, the stream was ended a few years ago. It was a great source of new music. Mostly Indie Rock or Indie Pop sounds.

• The Outdoor Type - On My Mind
• Porcelain Raft - Drifting In and Out
• Radical Face - Ghost Towns
• Shotgun and Jaybird - Secret
• Thieving Irons - Sleepwalking Into the Ocean
• Tired Pony - Point Me at Lost Lands / Pieces

I broke some sad news earlier today to a couple of people where I assumed that they already knew. It never crossed my mind that they didn't. There's a lesson in there about tact, sensitivity and the dangers of assumptions.

• The Twilight Sad - Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave
• The xx - I Dare You

First Playlist of 2026

Just another random playlist for a Sunday evening. And just in case I ever get my own community radio program .....

• Hiss Golden Messenger - Mahogany Dread .... I keep changing favorite HGM songs every month or two. Then can't get enough of the current favorite. A testament to the strength and depth of their collected works.
• Arlo Guthrie - Deportees
• 75 Dollar Bill - Like Laundry
• Greg Brown - Who Woulda Thunk It
• Fred Neil - Everybody's Talkin ..... I got to know the Neil Diamond cover long ago from what I identify these days as my first vinyl album.  More time has always been demanded with the songwriter's version.  
• Warren Zevon - Empty Handed Heart ..... I've always loved the Linda Ronstadt descant in this song. Gives me chills and all that.
• Tom Rush - Urge for Going ..... You know what I thought upon hearing this song this evening? "They just don't write songs like this anymore."
• Drive-By Truckers / Patterson Hood - Box of Spiders
• The Lost Gonzo Band - Loose and I'm On My Way .... I think the album is from the mid-1970's. Something about listening to The Eagles, Poco, JD Souther, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, etc., must have led me here.

Monday bonus tracks ....

• Tom Jans - Gotta Move
• Little Village - Solar Sex Panel / She Runs Hot ..... Kind of an early 1990's supergroup with John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner.
• The Bats - Sir Queen
• Stephen Stills and Manassas - Anyway
• Little Feat - One Clear Moment .... The daily goal that I strive for each day in these senior years.

Seven Last Words

I recently discovered this great independent record label, based in Minneapolis, Shifting Paradigm Records, and from what I can tell, releasing mostly jazz. 

One of my recent selections from their catalogue is 'Seven Last Words' by Adam Booker.

Released in 2020. Alternating between classical leaning solo bowed acoustic bass and more traditional sounding jazz quartet pieces with trumpet and flugelhorn .... no saxophone, 

An album review from the No Treble webpage:

No Treble

...... and the Bandcamp page:

Bandcamp - Seven Last Words