Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith's self titled album from 1995. On one of my favorite names for a record label: Kill Rock Stars Records.

A singer/songwriter affair, mostly acoustic. Beautiful and haunting. There's a feeling of sadness behind the songs. Backing vocals on one song are contributed from Rebecca Gates of the Portland band, The Spinanes.

Noel Pointer

Noel Pointer is a Jazz violinist. This record titled, 'Phantazia' is from 1977 on the Blue Note label. I put it on the turntable because I wanted to hear the song, 'Night Song.'

It's rare that I recall the exact store where I purchased a particular record from those days, but I found this while digging through the used records bins at Django's Records in Portland, OR. My copy still has the price tag on it ..... $3.25. I still recall the disappointment felt when walking into the same store sometimes in the early 1990's, full of the anticipation and excitement for a vinyl record treasure search and to discover that it had transitioned to all compact discs.

Seemed to me at the time, that should have been an amendment and addition to the list of mortal sins. I eventually got over it but still haven't recovered from the discovery one day that the store had gone out of business.  I've always mourned the loss of record stores. But I digress ..... Thankfully a few lasted and there's been a comeback.

Music Fest Northwest

Various musicians and bands playing at Portland's Music Fest Northwest in September of 2009.

One of those compilation discs that you come across while searching through boxes and boxes of used discs in your local record store. You see two or three bands listed that you've heard of and have some level of interest in and take a chance on the rest. Generally for fifty cents or a dollar.

In this case there's Portland Cello Project, Frightened Rabbit, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Portugal the Man and Blind Pilot among those involved.  The only disappointing aspect is it appears that only one of the twenty-one songs is live. The word, "fest" generally gives the impression of live music.

Cool cover artwork though!! It's in cardboard gatefold packaging with more artwork inside.

Favorite songs are 'We Sing In Time' by The Lonely Forest and 'Poke' by Frightened Rabbit, which is the solo live recording.