Weekend's Vinyl Finds

Saturday vinyl search and finds. The place was busy and crowded so the search was cut short. I did have a couple records in hand at one point that were returned to the bins. I did take home:

Jimmy Raney - 'Live In Tokyo.'  from 1976. A new name for me and certainly a different face/name than most of the recordings I see shared in the vinyl community. I noticed Sam Jones on bass and I do have an album of his that I enjoy. 

A guitar focused jazz trio recording. There's a short, very complimentary review on the All Music Guide website.

'Town Hall Concert' by Charles Mingus. Recorded in 1962 (I think) and I assume originally released then. This is a reissue and something about the feel of the record and sleeve in my hands caused me to wonder if it was possibly a poor audio quality reissue but hey, it's Mingus!! One of the masters. I gave it a spin today and it sounds great. 

Big Band or orchestra jazz on clear vinyl and Destination Moon Records. (Which caused me to smile.) Post Bop sounds.

I was intrigued by several of the album covers in both the indie rock and punk sections. Charles Mingus is always a sure thing for me. And though I think that I have pretty good intuition on such matters, I'm always hesitant to take multiple financial chances on titles that I know nothing about. I need to take notes and research such things. 

Charles Mingus

On the turntable tonight .....

Stumbled across this in an antique mall where my longtime local record store (now closed), keeps a booth.

From 1966 on the Fantasy Records label. 'Right Now,' a live recording from one of the greatest names in jazz history, bassist, Charles Mingus. 

Victoria Williams

Victoria Williams & The Loose Band - 'This Moment in Toronto.' As the title implies, a live performance from 1995 in Toronto. On compact disc.

My introduction to Victoria Williams was through the 1993 compilation album, 'Sweet Relief - A Benefit for Victoria Williams.' Various musicians and bands covering her songs to raise money to help with her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Among the many treasures discovered, there is a recording of her song, 'Crazy Mary' by Pearl Jam that has long since become a favorite. It's nice to hear the songwriters take on this album. Her voice, seemingly tiny and fragile is quite the contrast from Eddie Vedder, but every bit as powerful. 

A very enjoyable listen.

Basie and His Orchestra

Another vinyl find from yesterday and on the turntable today. Count Basie Orchestra - 'Basie In Europe.' A mono sound and Japanese printing. Live concert recordings from the early 1970's in Germany and France. The album notes state, "probably" recorded in Munich and the south of France.

Big Band Jazz. All Music Guide calls it a "fine collection."

The owner of the record store placed a little sticky note with the letters, "NM" on the cover  .... It eventually dawned on me that he was grading its condition, NM for Near Mint condition. And he is correct. It's a beautiful black vinyl, free of dust, fingerprints, smudges and scratches. Looks like it's never been played ....  Update: except for today.

Big Band Jazz Radio

A few years ago, I stumbled across this treasure trove of  recordings of old radio programs in an antique shop. There were nine or ten records in the bins. I knew nothing about them but the price was good so I took a chance on one, loved it and quickly returned to purchase the others. Shortly later, I discovered three or four more records from the series in my local record store.

Live recordings of Big Band Jazz and Swing from the 1930's and 40's on the Hindsight Records label. I think there's a few from 1950's programs as well. There's an announcer introducing each song which gives the feeling of sitting around a radio in those years, possibly on a Saturday or Sunday evening ..... Maybe a glimpse into what my parents and grandparents life may have been like.

Mono recordings. Interesting liner and song notes on the back side of each album cover. Part of my awakening in recent years into styles other than the music I grew up with. Sometimes the search for vinyl records leads to great discoveries. History!!!

Rolling Thunder Revue

There's almost 150 cuts and 633 minutes of music and chatter. Purchased this almost a year ago and because I've been attempting to be a Dylan completist, I felt called to pursue the entire collection of recordings. I initially tried to resist but that didn't work out so well. I'm finally breaking into these treasures tonight. Old memories of youth returning like it was just a short time ago. I look at something like this and have no idea where to start. The beginning seems too obvious. So I'm starting with the last disc in the collection.

I've always been fascinated with this period because Dylan was just coming off his album 'Blood On The Tracks' which I had gone through my Freshman year of college being obsessed with. At the time, the live recordings from this tour seemed like a letdown in comparison. Thankfully I see things much differently now. Time and history eventually break down misguided opinions.

I marvel at the thought that it's been almost half a century since these shows took place and that I was around at the time. These shows were all in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. I don't recall if Dylan passed through my Oregon on this tour. Amazing stuff!!

New Unearthed Tom Waits

A live fm-radio broadcast from 1977. Tom Waits in his best gravelly voice and playing the piano backed by acoustic bass, drums and saxophone. If you enjoyed his "Nighthawks At The Diner" album from 1975, then you'll likely enjoy this recording as well. Hopefully there's more live stuff in a vault somewhere waiting to be released one day soon.

The highlights for me are the songs, "Invitation To The Blues" and "Eggs and Sausage." 

It was around 1977 or 1978 when my college roommate introduced me to "Nighthawks At The Diner." Partly spoken and partly sung, we laughed at his wit and borrowed several of his lines from the record to use in everyday conversation, even competing to see who could best imitate Wait's voice. It's one of those albums remembered fondly almost fourty years later. If a reunion were to happen tomorrow, we'd likely end up playing the record again, remembering old times ..... And not to forget that the album contains my personal anthem, the song, "Better Off Without A Wife."