Tag Archives: Elliott Smith
Discogs, Elliott Smith, José Gonzalez, Kanye West, Mac McCaughan, Music, Pete Townshend, Sebadoh, Silverhead, Sufjan Stevens, The BCPF, Underdog Records, Weezer
Underdog Records was back open after a respite for Jonathan. Soon after, The BCPF and I were at Papa Lee's Grill where I emceed their "grand opening." We then spent the late afternoon/evening at Bailey Park enjoying a pop-up from the soon-to-be restaurant, SixHundredDegrees, that is owned by my friends Travis Myers and Ryan Oberle. There was an event in the park that featured Gov't Mule which is the band of the former-Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes who is a native of Asheville. I am Allman Brothers/Allman Brothers-adjacent averse so I didn't care about that, but it was great to hang around folks who are fans of Travis and Ryan. But, all that isn't why we're here today. We're here for the haul, which is here:
©Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella
Weezer – Weezer — This, just like the Beatles' self-titled album is known as The White Album. It's not just all white, like that more famous version, though. It's Weezer's "beach album." Rivers Cuomo said it was obvious that they should do it. Okay. The BCPF loves Weezer (you'll see a pattern). This is a NM copy.
José González – Local Valley — The BCPF loves her some José González. He's an Argentinian-Swede that does indie folk music. This is his new album that was released last week. Limited, Green, "Indie Exclusive" edition. Comes in a gatefold jacket. New.
Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith — 25th anniversary remaster. Remastered from the original source material. We have the 2×LP version, too. New. The BCPF chosen.
Kanye West – Late Registration — #120 on the RS list that matters and #119 on the one that doesn't. I have said this many times: it's a shame that Ye is such an a-hole because he's talented. 2×LP. This is in EX condition.
Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine – A Beginner's Mind — The BCPF chosen. I don't know who Angelo De Augustine is. She loves Sufjan Stevens. Olympus Perseus Shield Gold Colored Vinyl. New.
Sebadoh – Bakesale — A The BCPF choice. Contains 11″x11″ color insert with credits. Black vinyl with full album download code (mp3) + 25 extra tracks. From 2011. New.
Mac McCaughan – The Sound Of Yourself — The BCPF's choice. Mac McCaughan is the founder of Merge Records, and The BCPF loves almost everything that comes out on that label. He's also the lead singer of Superchunk and Portistatic. New this week.
Silverhead – 16 And Savaged — Silverhead was a 1970s band that Michael Des Barres (known as Murdoc on TV's MacGuyver and Robert Palmer's replacement in Power Station). I don't know anything else about them. It's hard rock from the early 70s, it should be good. EX all original.
Gustav Holst, Berliner Philharmoniker · Herbert von Karajan – The Planets — classical. EX.
Peter Townshend – Who Came First — Pete's debut album. A lot of the album is part of the aborted Lifehouse concept album from The Who, which later was used for Who's Next. Gatefold sleeve with poster, but I'm not sure it has the poster inside, as I've not looked. VG+.
Heavy on The BCPF faves this week. You can follow Underdog Records on social media to see what he's gotten in and is putting out for purchase. You can order new vinyl, day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Wear a mask if you go. And, use Discogs to track your collection.
"You say you know what he did but you idiot kid, you don't have a clue. Sometimes they just get caught in the eye." – "Needle in the Hay" (Smith)
Discogs, Elliott Smith, Mad Season, Music, Record Store Day, Records, The BCPF, The Cure, The Rolling Stones, Underdog Records
Yesterday was a good day. The weather was perfect, the day was perfect. The BCPF and I got up and enjoyed a "Staycation" day, going to Underdog Records, eating lunch at The Porch, listening to records all afternoon. It was fantastic. We got some good stuff. Here's the haul:
©Columbia
Elliott Smith – Elliott Smith — A hardcover book of Elliott Smith's second (self-titled) album with 2xLP and handwritten lyrics and a lot of cool stuff. The BCPF is a Elliott Smith fanatic. New.
Mad Season – Above — Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, lead singer Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, drummer Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and bassist John Baker Saunders. They only released one album and this is it. Two of those guys (Staley and Saunders) died of heroin overdoses in 2002 and 1999 respectively. 2xLP, gatefold. New.
The Rolling Stones – Goats Head Soup — The follow-up to my least favorite (yet somehow most critically acclaimed) Stones album, Exile on Main Street. This is much better. I mean, I actually like this one and it doesn't make my skin crawl. This past Monday was the album's 47th anniversary and this is the 2xLP version that has the original album plus outtakes and alternative versions. The album sounds great, too. New.
EOB – Earth — EOB is Ed O'Brien, guitarist for Radiohead. This is his debut solo album and we haven't heard it yet, but people have been saying good things about it. New.
The Cure – The Head On The Door — The sixth album from The Cure, this celebrated it's 35th anniversary last week. This is a great album. It has the singles "InBetween Days" and "Close To Me" but the whole thing is worth it and the deeper cuts are just as good as the "hits." New.
Various – The Great Big Band Vocalists — The release year for this is unknown, not only to me but to Discogs as well. It features Les Brown with Doris Day, Guy Lombardo with Bing Crosby, and much more. I'm going to say this is NM because, while it's old (definitely from the mid-to-late 60s to early-70s), it's still sealed and even the cover is in great shape if you don't count slight discoloration. So I'm going with New/NM.
So, that's the haul. Not as much as last week but last week was a ridiculously special day. Jonathan did a fantastic job with the RSD things last week and we had a great discussion about it at the store. He's still doing deliveries during the early parts of the week and open Thursday-Saturday in the store. He'll do curbside, too, if you call him. The lottery for RSD Drop 2 is coming next weekend. Follow Underdog Records on social media or drop by the store to find out more about RSD Drop 2. And use Discogs to track your collection, or as I did before (and did this week), use it to purchase hard-to-find items you need in your collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin'…
"I've waited hours for this. I've made myself so sick, I wish I'd stayed asleep today. I never thought this day would end. I never thought tonight could ever be this close to me." – "Close To Me" (Smith)
Spinning Sunday or: The Listens 4/18/20
Beeswax Vinyl & More, Billy Squier, Chet Baker, Def Leppard, Depeche Mode, Discogs, Elliott Smith, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, Ghostbusters, INXS, Jaco Pastorius, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Missing Persons, Music, Peter Nero, R.E.M., Records, Seth Avett, Sly and the Family Stone, Stan Getz, The Alan Parsons Project, The BCPF, The Beatles, The Decemberists, The Fresh & Onlys, The Rolling Stones, Underdog Records
As has been the case for the last month, we haven't really gotten anything new because Underdog Records is affected just like everything else in the world right now. So, in the spirit of "normalcy," or the "Now Normal" that I call it, I used my listening time during the week hitting Discogs' awesome shuffle feature and picked albums that I have and streamed them. I pay for Napster (the same that used to be arsehats and cheat artists out of their money, but they're legit – they used to be Rhapsody) and the artists get paid for my listens, so yay for that. So, here's what I listened to this week under headphones (not counting what I listened to for Beeswax Vinyl & More):
Stan Getz – Captain Marvel
Peter Nero – Summer Of '42
The Alan Parsons Project – Pyramid
Sly & The Family Stone – Fresh
R.E.M. – Lifes Rich Pageant
Various – Ghostbusters (Original Soundtrack)
INXS – Listen Like Thieves
Jaco Pastorius – Jaco Pastorius
Def Leppard – Pyromania
Depeche Mode – Music For The Masses
Billy Squier – Emotions In Motion
Frank Sinatra – Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!!
Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
Chet Baker – Chet
The Rolling Stones – Their Satanic Majesties Request
That's a pretty good "listens" list, I think. Then yesterday, The BCPF and I got to listen to some records. We did our usual alternating turns and it was all "random grab" via Discogs shuffle. Here's that list (in no particular order):
The Fresh & Onlys – Wolf Lie Down
Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield – Sing Elliott Smith
The Beatles – Abbey Road
Band Of Horses – Why Are You Ok
Missing Persons – Spring Session M
The Decemberists – I'll Be Your Girl
Fleetwood Mac – Bare Trees
That's my listening for the week. I really cannot wait until Underdog Records opens back up. This is really hard. It's like having to ween off candy. Jonathan is my "candy man" and the records my candy. Well, you can still purchase things from him. Just go to their Instagram and Facebook pages and see what he's putting out for sale. He'll deliver to you, either personally or ship them to you. You can shop via the Underdog Records website, as well. You can also purchase one of the new Underdog Records t-shirts and proceeds go to Underdog Records to help them stay afloat. See how here.
You see the marvel of Discogs already in this post.
"You are here and warm but I could look away and you'd be gone. 'Cause we live in a time when meaning falls in splinters from our lives. And that's why I've traveled far, 'cause I come so together where you are." – "Sentimental Lady" (Welch)
Cin-Cin, Daniel Butner, Discogs, Elliott Smith, Heart, Mama Zoe Michael, Music, Prince, Radiohead, Records, Tarwater Band, The BCPF, The Less Desirables, The Who, Underdog Records, Waldo's Wings, Yamas Mediterranean Street Food
Yesterday, The BCPF and I got to attend a 60th birthday bash unlike either of us had seen before. The Michael family (the awesome owners of Yamas!, Cin-Cin, Waldo's Wings and Mama Zöe Michael's restaurants) celebrated the matriarch's milestone and the shindig was amazing! That's their business and I won't go on about it, but I want to extend a big thank you to the family for allowing us to be part of it.
©Paisley Park/Warner Bros.
Now, we had breakfast at First Watch, got to see Daniel Butner and his wife outside of Underdog Records and then got to see Jonathan. Our haul is small but we enjoyed it. Here it is:
The Who – My Generation — #237 on the RS list this is the debut album by The Who. The album came out in 1965 and in 1967 a music writer for Esquire said it was the hardest rock in history. At the time, yeah, it was. Another writer said it was the heaviest of mod pop ever recorded. I'll agree with that, too. It's a good album, a really good debut. This is in mono. New.
Radiohead – Kid A — #67 on the RS list. I think that is way too high. It's not my favorite Radiohead. It's okay. I went back to read what I wrote about this album when I did the RS list. Here's what I said: As I said, it's not bad, just not my thing. I see its importance, but don't see how it rates higher than OK Computer and The Bends. Both are far superior albums in my opinion. Even Pablo Honey is better than this. Didn't dig. Not much has changed. It's 2xLP and new.
Elliott Smith – Roman Candle — When I first met The BCPF and realized she liked indie rock and modern folksy stuff, Elliott Smith was the first artist she told me about. He's tragic because of his life and because of his death. This is his debut album and was recorded in his basement. It is very lo-fi but very Elliott Smith. A good album that showed the talent that would only get better as time went on, even if his troubles got in the way. New.
Prince And The Revolution – Parade — The follow-up to the follow-up, I call this. The follow up was Around the World in a Day, which, of course, followed Purple Rain. This was the fourth and final album with "the Revolution" before doing it eponymously for the next one, Sign o' The Times. It was the soundtrack for Under the Cherry Moon the film that Prince wrote, directed and starred in. It was pretty awful, really. There are some bright spots on this album ("Venus de Milo," "Sometimes It Snows in April," "Anotherloverholenyohead," and of course, "Kiss), but mostly it was scattered and weird. Am I glad I have it? Oh yeah! I've never owned it before in any medium, so I'm glad to have it. Just not my favorite Prince. EX/VG++.
The Tarwater Band – Walking Across Egypt — This is signed by Clyde Edgerton who played banjo, piano and sang. When I look up Tarwater on Wikipedia, it only shows a duo from Germany. This isn't that, I don't think. "Walking Across Egypt" only shows a movie from 1999 starring Ellen Byrnston and Mark Hammil and other folks. So, I really don't know what this is, but The BCPF picked it up. So, we'll see. VG+.
Heart – Dog & Butterfly — The fourth album from Heart. Musically, this was more on track to what Heart was doing with Little Queen than it's actual follow-up Magazine. There was the whole skirmish between the band and Mushroom Records at that time, too. This did well, was on the charts for a while and had two hits, the title track and "Straight On." VG++.
A lot of stuff had been acquired at Underdog Records over the week and was out for purchase and I jumped on some of that. There are some cool stereo receivers and turntables for sale, too. Go in and see what Jonathan has going on. And, listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear what the TLD/UR special of the week is. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection while I'm in the record store and also see what my friends may or may not have. It's a cool app/website.
Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
"People try to put us d-down just because we get around. Things they do look awful c-c-cold. I hope I die before I get old." – "My Generation" (Townshend)
Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/22/17
Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday
1812 Overture, Barrel Fingers Barry, Bee Gees, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Bon Iver, Cabaret, Discogs, Elliott Smith, George Hamilton IV, Iron Butterfly, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Joan Baez, Journey, Judy Collins, Kansas, KISS, Kraftwerk, Lawrence of Arabia, Leonard Bernstein, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Madonna, Maurice Jarre, Music, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, Ralph Burns, Records, Ryan Adams, Seth Avett, Shirley Bassey, Tchaikovsky, The Kingston Trio, The Less Desirables, The Rolling Stones, Underdog Records, West Side Story
Underdog Records had some good stuff this week and The BCPF and I rocked it, at least I think we think we did. Right, dear? Well, you decide. Here it is:
©Rolling Stones Records
Kiss – (Music From) The Elder (as I mentioned on Monday, I received this last Sunday after I posted the Haul list, read my post from Monday to find more, new)
The Rolling Stones – Some Girls (my favorite Stones album, new)
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (new)
Bon Iver – 22, A Million (new)
Ryan Adams – Gold (a few years back, The BCPF and I were at a Mediocre Bad Guys show and they played a tune from this album. The BCPF had never been asked to dance, we slow-danced. I couldn't not get it)
Neil Diamond – The Jazz Singer (Original Songs From The Motion Picture)
Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield – Sing Elliott Smith (Elliott Smith is one of The BCPF's favorite artists)
Journey – Escape
Kraftwerk – Musique Non Stop (12″ single)
Madonna – Madonna
Shirley Bassey – Never Never Never
Judy Collins – Whales And Nightingales
Joan Baez – Blessed Are…
Kansas – Two For The Show
Billy Joel – Glass Houses
Nat King Cole With The First Church Of Deliverance Choir – Every Time I Feel The Spirit
Leonard Bernstein – West Side Story (Original Sound Track Recording)
Ralph Burns – Cabaret / Original Sound Track Recording
George Hamilton IV – Abilene (WSNC native, I should have at least one by him, right? $1)
The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy / Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Mussorgsky – 1812 Overture
Bee Gees – Children Of The World
Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (cover is in really great shape, the LP, however, is rough, $1)
The Kingston Trio – Sold Out
Barrel Fingers Barry – Beer Garden Piano (weirdness that I wanted, $1)
Gossec, Saint-Georges, Schobert – Petit Trianon: A Concert For Queen Marie-Antoinette
Maurice Jarre With The London Philharmonic Orchestra – Original Soundtrack Recording: Lawrence Of Arabia (I loved the film and the soundtrack was amazing, so, yes…)
Ben Folds Five – Whatever And Ever Amen (another WSNC native that I have grown to really, really love listening to)
And, with the $1 records, the Underdog Records/The Less Desirables involved the extensive section of $1 if you mention you heard the ad on the podcast. That's why you should listen to TLD every week and hear the special. I'll not give that away, you'll have to listen to hear what it was and what to do! Also, if you're looking to get into vinyl, Underdog has a good bit of used, quality turntables to get you started, a plethora of selections to listen to on your new turntable and accessories to keep it in tip top shape. The list above is brought to you by Discogs, which you should use to archive your collection!
Until tomorrow, happy listening…
"Where do you go when you're lonely? Where do you go when you're blue? Where do you go when you're lonely? I'll follow you when the stars go blue." – "When Stars Go Blue" (Adams)
Making Up Monday or: The Haul 6/24/17
26 Monday Jun 2017
Posted by TGBII in Records
.38 Special, Barbra Streisand, Blood Sweat and Tears, Charade, Cole Porter, Duran Duran, Elliott Smith, Fiddler on the Roof, Foreigner, George Segal, Goldfinger, Henry Mancini, Howard Jones, Jim Croce, John Barry, John Lennon, K-Tel Records, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mary's Gourmet Diner, Mikis Theodorakis, Miklos Rozsa, Phil Collins, Plastic Ono Band, Prince, Purple Rain, Robert Palmer, Robert Plant, Shadow Springs, Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Nicks, The Who, To Sir With Love, Underdog Records, Windsor Run Cellars, Zero Mostel
Here I am, making up or catching up after the weekend's seemingly non-stop party. It started as usual with breakfast at Mary's Gourmet Diner and then heading over to Underdog Records, where we picked up some great stuff before heading to Windsor Run Cellars and then Shadow Springs wineries (they're owned by the same cool folks). Then on to Willows Bistro for great food and beverage. Here's the haul for this week:
Prince And The Revolution – Purple Rain (anniversary edition, new)
Elliott Smith – Figure 8 (numbered limited edition, #429 out of 2,016 on green smoke clear vinyl, NM)
Elliott Smith – XO (numbered limited edition, #52 of 2,016 on dark smoke clear vinyl, NM)
Lennon / Plastic Ono Band – Shaved Fish
Robert Palmer – Riptide
The Who – Who Are You
Stevie Nicks – Rock A Little
Howard Jones – Dream Into Action (I had this on cassette right after it came out, I love the album version of "No One is to Blame." The hit version was remixed by Phil Collins. Speaking of Phil Collins)
Phil Collins – Hello, I Must Be Going!
38 Special – Special Forces
Robert Plant – Shaken 'N' Stirred
Sly & The Family Stone – Greatest Hits
Mikis Theodorakis – Zorba The Greek (Original Soundtrack)
Various – Armstrong Presents Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate – Original ABC Television Sound Track
Jim Croce – I Got A Name
Various – Music Power (A K-Tel compilation album from 1974 that my mother had when I was a child; I knew it right away)
Foreigner – Double Vision
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Nuthin' Fancy (yeah, I am not a fan of Skynyrd, but I dug it when we reviewed it for Eugeology)
Miklos Rozsa – Ben-Hur Deluxe Edition
Duran Duran – Duran Duran
Various – Zero Mostel In Fiddler On The Roof (The Original Broadway Cast Recording)
John Barry – Goldfinger (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Henry Mancini – Charade
Barbra Streisand, George Segal, Blood, Sweat & Tears – The Owl And The Pussycat (Comedy Highlights And Music From The Soundtrack)
Various – To Sir, With Love Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
It was a light week for us, but still a lot of fun! If you're wanting to get into (or back into) record collecting, then Underdog Records is the place to start. Old stuff, new stuff, reissues, equipment, etc. You should also use Discogs to catalog your collection!
"Yeah, I know it's kind of strange. Every time I'm near you I just run out of things to say. I know you'd understand. Every time I tried to tell you the words just came out wrong. So, I'll have to say I love you in a song." – "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" (Croce)
Good Will Hunting or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week
Posted by TGBII in Movie Review
a/perture Cinema, AFI, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Elliott Smith, Good Will Hunting, Gus Van Sant, IMDb, Matt Damon, Minnie Driver, Netflix, Robin Williams, Rotten Tomatoes, Stellan Skarsgård, The BCPF, The Less Desirables, WSNC
a/perture cinema, the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Less Desirables Movie of the Week, Good Will Hunting (1997) starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård and Minnie Driver.
Per IMDb: "Will Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life."
Will (Damon) is a hot-headed, short-fused janitor/construction worker/all-around laborer that spends a lot of time in trouble. But, he's a mathematics genius that can out wiz the professors at M.I.T. Trouble seems to find him all the time and he ends up in jail, but not before professor Gerald Lambeau (Skarsgård) sees his potential. Lambeau gets the courts to release Will under the conditions that he does math sessions
©Miramax Films
with him and he agrees to see a therapist. But, because Will is a bit of a punk and socially defensive, he goes against every psychiatrist that he's put in front of until Lambeau calls on his old college roommate, Sean Maguire (Williams) who has to work to get into Will's head, if he even does.
Jerry and Sean's past comes back as they had a contentious and competitive relationship in school and again in trying to formulate Will's future; Jerry wants to have him work for big name corporations or government agencies while Sean just wants him to be the best him he can be. Another parallel story is his love affair, or fear thereof, with Skylar (Driver) and how he pushes her away to protect himself. Does Will take a job or just do what he can to survive? Does he mend the hole with Skylar? You'll have to watch to find out.
It took me a few minutes to get acclimated to the "authentic" Bostonian accent. I know that the Affleck brothers (Casey was in the film, too) and Damon are all from Boston and know it well. It's just harsh at first. Almost enough to make you "wicked pissed."
This was the first time I ever remember knowing who Matt Damon was. Yeah, he had been in other stuff but this was what really broke him out. I think his association with Ben Affleck was what turned me off. I don't know what it was about Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio that made me discount their acting abilities, but really, they do a good job, especially Leo, but it took a long time to understand that they didn't suck as much as the stigma of "status" or "hipster" films tainted my view of them. This film wasn't such, in fact, it was a really good film.The acting, from all parties involved was good. No other way to state that. It was very, very good. I can add a bunch of superlatives (I'm good with verbosity) but it's just filler. Danged fine film.
I hate that Robin Williams didn't get more credit for his serious acting. He was known mostly as a wired, buffoonish comedian who had a severe case of Adult ADHD. Dead Poets' Society, One-Hour Photo and this film are just a few of the examples of how good an actor he was. He is missed.
Back to this film, though, Damon and Affleck wrote it and Gus Van Sant directed it. It started as a writing project for Damon at Harvard and he collaborated with his buddy to finish it. It earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It also earned Williams a Best Supporting Actor award. It was nominated for nine Oscars overall. It was one of the 400 nominees for AFI's 100 Years… 100 Movies. One of The BCPF's favorite artists of all time, the late Elliott Smith, has several songs on the soundtrack and was nominated for an Oscar for "Miss Misery."
Rotten Tomatoes rates it at 97% Fresh with an Audience score of 94%. Outstanding, that is. IMDb rates it at 8.3 stars out of 10. I watched the film on Netflix streaming although I had seen it before. I enjoyed it a good bit and rate it 4.5 stars out of 5. Have you seen it? What would you like to see me ramble on about?
"How do you like them apples?" – Will Hunting