Vinyl-O-Matic

By Will McCollumSociety & Culture Arts Music Personal Journals Music History

Vinyl-O-Matic episodes

April 11, 2024 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter S as in Sierra, Part 5
The Shirts [mm:ss]
"Teenage Crutch"
The Shirts
Capitol Records SW-11791 1978 (US pressing)
(see below)
The Shirts [mm:ss]
"Reduced to a Whisper"
The Shirts
Harvest 5C 062-06 717 1978 (Netherlands pressing)
That's right, not one but 2 (two!) tracks from The Shirts' debut album. Normally, I am not one to buy 2 copies of the same album, but when I was in Amsterdam a couple of years ago, I came across the Netherlands pressing with a more stylized cover and couldn't resist. They were one of the original CBGB bands that saw more success in Europe. You can also spot lead singer Annie Golden in the film adaptation of Hair (Forman, 1979).
Philharmonic Symphony of New York, Dimitri Mitropoulos [mm:ss]
"Second Movement: Allegretto"
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Op. 47
Columbia Masterworks ML 4739 1962
Composed by the Soviet Russian Shostakovich in 1937, this recording dates to 1953.
Robyn Hitchcock [mm:ss]
"Socrates in Thin Air"
Shufflemania!
Tiny Ghost Records TINY GHOST 07 2022
Great outing from Mr. Hitchcock from a couple of years ago. Joined here by Soft Boy cohort Kimberley Rew on guitar.
Los Campesinos! [mm:ss]
"5 Flucloxacillin"
Sick Scenes
Wichita WEBB500LP 2017
The wonderful 6th album from these Cardiff folks. Self-financed, no less! There is a supercute video for this song done in the style of the BBC show Flog It!
Thompson Twins [mm:ss]
"We Are Detective"
Side Kicks
Arista AL 6607 1983
So much floppy hair. The trio's third single from their third album. A suitably 80s video was also made for this track.
Raspberries [mm:ss]
"Tonight"
Side 3
Capitol Records SMAS-11220 1973
Speaking of third albums. This song was the first of three singles from the album and reached number 69 on the Hot 100.
Rush [mm:ss]
"New World Man"
Signals
Mercury SRM-1-4063 1982
Rush's only Top 40 single, oddly enough. From the last album produced by Terry Brown. Sure, I could have chosen "Subdivisions" but if you were like me and were a suburban early-teenage male when this album came out, it was pretty inescapable and hence not really necessary to revisit.
Boz Scaggs [mm:ss]
"Lido Shuffle"
Silk Degrees
Columbia PC 33920 1976
Speaking of ubiquitous songs from my youth. With Mr. Scaggs himself on the Moog riffs.
Sqürl [mm:ss]
"John Ashbery Takes a Walk"
Silver Haze
Sacred Bones Records SBR-316 2023
Jim Jarmusch and Carter Logan, assisted here by Charlotte Gainsbourg in an homage to the poet John Ashbery. There's a nice moody video to accompany this song as well.
Klaus Nomi [mm:ss]
"Falling in Love Again"
Simple Man
RCA Victor PL 37702 1982
A contemporary update of the Marlene Dietrich classic from the iconic Klaus Nomi's second album.
Kris Kristofferson [mm:ss]
"The Pilgrim - Chapter 33"
The Silver Tongued Devil and I
Monument Z 30679 1971
If I were Donnie Fritts (which I can only aspire to), I would have definitely had my name legally changed to Funky Donnie Fritts.
Nine Inch Nails [mm:ss]
"Sin (Short)"
Sin
TVT Records TVT2617-1 1990
Why it seems like 33 1/3 years ago that this album was released.
Frank Sinatra [mm:ss]
"When Somebody Loves You"
Sinatra '65
Reprise RS-6167 1965
That is some bizarre stereo separation.
Frank Sinatra [mm:ss]
"Witchcraft"
Sinatra's Sinatra
Reprise Records R9-1010 1963
Some of Frank's big hits, recompiled here for his own label.
Dwight Twilley Band [mm:ss]
"I'm on Fire"
Sincerely
Shelter Records SRL-52001 1976
Some primo power pop kicking off Dwight Twilley Band's debut outing on the already-doomed at the time Shelter Records.
Music behind the DJ: "Diamonds Are Forever (Instrumental)" by John Barry
1 hr 3 min
March 03, 2024 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter S as in Sierra, Part 4
The Beatles [00:29]
"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Apple Records SMAS-2563 1967 (1971 Los Angeles gatefold pressing)
Enjoy the stereo separation!
Billy Preston [03:58]
"Get Back"
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
RSO RS-2-4100 1978
So yeah. A soundtrack to a movie that is very much of it's time. Not only tdo we have The Bee Gees and Peter Framption as the titular band, we have Earth Wind & Fire doing "Got to Get You into My Life", George Burns doing "Fixing a Hole", Alice Cooper doing "Because", Aerosmith handling "Come Together", and my second favorite track: Steve Martin doing a wild and crazy version of "Maxwell's Silver Hammer". This version of Get Back by the one and only Billy Preston still seals the deal for me. If you are inclined to check out this film, I can only say that it is very much of its time. Lord only knows how much white powder was used in the production.
Love and Rockets [07:01]
"Haunted when the Minutes Drag"
Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven
Beggars Banquet BEGA66 1985
The debut outing from 3/4 of Bauhaus. Daniel Ash, David J, and Kevin Haskins do an excellent job of building an atmospheric experience to transition away from the darkness of their previous efforts.
The Moody Blues [16:29]
"You and Me"
Seventh Soujourn
Threshold THS 7 1972
Maybe it's me, but it seems like the intro could have been 8 bars or so shorter. True story: the first pair of concert tickets that I ever won from listening to the radio was for The Moody Blues on their Long Distance Voyager tour. For some reason my parents didn't think it would be appropriate for a 13 year old to go, so I got to keep the record (long since lost) and gave my tickets to the high school kids across the street.
The Cars [20:46]
"Since You're Gone"
Shake It Up
Elektra 5E-567 1981
Classic side one, track one. Dig the Frippian guitar solo.
Ornette Coleman [24:18]
"Focus on Sanity"
The Shape of Jazz to Come
Atlantic SD 1317 1959 (2010 Rhino reissue)
You and me both, Ornette. The classic quartet rounded out by legends Charlie Haden on bass, Don Cherry on cornet, and Billy Higgins on drums.
Hypnodrone Ensemble [32:36]
"Eucldian/Dodecahedral"
The Shape of Space
Calostro Records CR01 2015
Hypnotic? Check. Drone? Check? Motorik? Check? Spaceous? Check? Nailed it.
Shaun Cassidy [45:33]
"That's Rock 'n' Roll"
Shaun Cassidy
Warner Bros Records/Curb Records BS 3067 1977
Originally a minor hit for Eric Carmen in Europe, teen idol and Hardy Boy Shaun Cassidy took this dopey number to the top of the US charts.
Beastie Boys [48:19]
"Slow and Low"
She's on It
Def Jam/Columbia 44-05292 1985
Flip side to the not-quite ready for primetime "She's on It". Fun fact: I lived in the New York Metropolitan area for twenty years and never understood the appeal of White Castle.
Chelsea Wolfe [52:02]
"Unseen World"
She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She
Loma Vista LVR03941 2024
It's not often that I get to play a new release on Vinyl-O-Matic, but Chelsea Wolfe's excellent new album arrived at a synchronous moment.
Music behind the DJ: "Professor Fate" by Henry Mancini
59 min
December 17, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter S as in Sierra, Part 3
Barbra Streisand [00:20]
"The Christmas Song"
Seasons Greetings from Barbra Streisand... and Friends
Columbia Special Products CSS 1075 1969
Babs takes things in a particularly saccharine direction, but I suppose not every version can be the Nat King Cole Trio.
Rockpile [04:25]
"Heart"
Seconds of Pleasure
Columbia JC 36886 1980
The iconic album from the band that until this point has backed solo efforts from Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds knock it out of the park on their only release as Rockpile. Guitarist Billy Bremnar steps up to take the lead vocals on this snappy number.
Pavement [07:00]
"Frontwards"
The Secret History, Volume 1 (1990-1992)
Matador OLE-1064-1 2015
A compilation from a few years ago of early Pavement material. This one is a live version of one of my favorite Pavement songs, performed at Brixton Academy in London on December 14, 1992. Years later Los Campesinos! would win my musical heart with their version of this song.
The Fresh & Onlys [10:21]
"Do You Believe in Destiny"
Secrets Walls
Sacred Bones Records SBR-056 2011
Always love that big spacey sound Wymond Miles brings with his guitar.
Peter Gabriel [14:53]
"Shock the Monkey"
Security
Geffen Records XGHS 2011 1982
If you ask Peter Gabriel what this album is titled, he will likely say "Peter Gabriel", like his previous 3 solo efforts. If you ask Geffen Records what this album is called, they will say "Security". The more you know.
The Seeds [20:16]
"Can't Seem to Make You Mine"
The Seeds
GNP Crescendo GNP 2023 1966
A top notch side 1, track 1 from these garage rock progenitors featuring the one and only Sky Saxon.
Eigenlicht [23:19]
"There Lies Already the Shadow of Annihilation"
Self-Annihilating Consciousness
Gilead Media Relic94 2018
Blackened metal from up Olympia WA way. A brief intro into this epic album. If it sounds like something that you might be interested in, definitely check out this release.
The Who [25:13]
"Odorono/Tattoo"
Sell Out
Decca DL 74950 1967
The third studio album from The Who and easily my favorite Who album. I made this one a twofer to give you, the listener, a better feel for the album.
Bernard Gunther [33:08]
"Face Slapping"
Sensory Awakening: Relaxation
Esalen Institute 1968
Evidently there is a follow-up record for this... Sensory Awakening: Couples. Yowza.
Mitch Miller and the Gang [35:32]
"Singin' in the Rain/All I Do Is Dream of You/Toot, Toot, Tootsie! (Goodbye)"
Sentimental Sing Along with Mitch
Columbia CS 8251 1960
Not sure about the last part of that medley, but the first two are solid selections from the titular film.
Luna [38:57]
"(Walkin' Thru' the) Sleepy City"
A Sentimental Education
Double Feature Records LP-DBL-0013 2017
A fine collection of covers from one of my favorite bands. This Jagger/Richards number orignally appeared on the Stones compilation album Metamorphosis. The Parting Gifts also do a great Spector-esque cover.
Frank Sinatra [42:42]
"September Song"
September of My Years
Reprise Records FS 1014 1965
Frank handles this Weill number pretty well. For my money, the Lou Reed version that appears on the Hal Willner project "September Song: The Music of Kurt Weill".
Serana-Maneesh [48:22]
"Drain Cosmetics"
Serena-Maneesh
Playlouderecordings PLAYR 4LP 2006
Another great side one, track one. Some mid-aighties shoegaze goodness out of Norway. Saw them perform an amazing at the Bottom of the Hill on this tour.
Kermit the Frog [52:03]
"Green"
The Sesame Street Record
Columbia CR 21530 1970
Sing it,œœ Kermie.
Rosanne Cash [54:27]
"Seven Year Ache"
Seven Year Ache
Columbia JC 36965 1981
This song has been stuck in my brain since it was first released, due in large part due to the synth lines courtesy of Booker T Jones. This was a number one album on the country charts for Rosanne, and made it to number 26 on the Billboard 200 that year.
_Music behind the DJ: "Make the World Go Away" by Lawrence Welk
1 hr
September 28, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter S as in Sierra, Part 2
Sarah Vaughan [00:36]
"Hey Naughty Papa"
Sassy
Mercury Wing MGW 12237 1962 (originally released in 1956)
Hey now. Evidently this one was written by Hoagy Carmichael? Here Sarah is backed by Hal Mooney and his Orchestra.
Subway [02:51]
"Jupiter"
Satellites
Soul Jazz Records SJR 157-12 2007
Beep boop boop beep.
Jerry Byrd [08:27]
"Cold Cold Heart"
Satin Strings of Steel
Monument SLP 8033 1965
Getting very aloha with Hank's classic.
Glen Campbell [11:06]
"Lonesome Jailhouse Blues"
A Satisfied Mind
Pickwick SPC-3134 1971
A repackaging of the Glen's Capitol Records 1966 album Big Bluegrass Special.
Bee Gees [14:28]
"Jive Talkin'"
Saturday Night Fever (The Original Movie Sound Track)
RSO RS-2-4001 1977
Sometimes you just have to go with the hit. Oh wait, they're all hits.
The Hot Dogs [18:13]
"Feel Real Fine"
Say What You Mean
Ardent Records ADS-2805 1973
A great little gem of a Big Star adjacent album. Digging this track by Terry Manning.
Tom Jones [21:12]
"Come to Me"
Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow
Epic PE 34468 1977
That's right, the theme song from The Pink Panther Strikes Again (Edwards, 1976). You know, the one with the castle in Bavaria? My brothers and I went with my mother to see this one in the theaters instead of staying home and watching Super Bowl XI (Raiders v Vikings).
Daniel Ocko [24:07]
"The Guitar Player"
Great Ghost Stories
Troll Records 50-002 1973
Oops... right genre, wrong cover. The record is Great Ghost Stories but the sleeve is Scary Spooky Stories.
Harry Nilsson [31:27]
"Gotta Get Up"
Schmilsson
RCA LSP 4515 1971 (1979 reissue)
Aleatoric glissando. Look it up.
Rafael Kubelik conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra [33:51]
"Schoenberg: 5 Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 16 - Peripetia"
Shoenberg/Bartok - 5 Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 16/Music for Stringed Instruments, Percussion, and Celesta
Mercury MG-50026 1953
blah
Pete Townshend [36:04]
"Squeezebox"
Scoop
ATCO Records 7 99063-1-F 1983
A pretty solid demo from a compilation full of Who demos.
Scott Walker [38:34]
"Amsterdam"
Scott (Aloner)
Smash Records SRS 67099 1967
Alright, so I'm cheating a little on this one too. The US release of Walker's first album, Scott, was titled Aloner. But I didn't have this album when we were running through Albums that begin with the letter A as in Alpha. It's really difficult to pick just one song to play here. My instinct wanted to go with "The Lady Came from Baltimore" but the atmosphere of his cover of Brel's "Amsterdam" is so good.
Siouxsie & the Banshees [43:21]
"Mirage"
The Scream
Polydor POLD 5009 1978
The amazing debut album from Siouxsie and the Banshees. A pretty remarkable effort front to back. The version of "Mirage" that appears on this album gains a little polish but still retains the energy of the Peel Session version the year before.
Judas Priest [46:11]
"The Hellion/Electric Eye"
Screaming for Vengeance
Columbia FC 38160 1982
One of the greatest 1-2 punches in album opening history. You know exactly what you are in store for. Fourteen year-old me was completely enthralled with the sound of this album.
Hap Palmer [50:31]
"Sweetwater Springs"
Sea Gulls... Music for Rest and Relaxation
Activity Records AR 584 1978
Woof. File under Easy Listening. Why do I feel the sudden urge to make a macrame plant hanger?
Will Oldham [52:15]
"Sapele"
Seafarers Music
Drag City DC261 2004
Music to accompany a documentery by.
Music behind the DJ: "Cold Cold Heart" by Lawrence Welk and Orchestra
1 hr
August 02, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter R as in Romeo and some that begin with the letter S as in Sierra
Fleetwood Mac [01:08]
"I Don't Want to Know"
Rumours
Warner Bros. Records BSK 3010 1977
Funny how the classic rock radio format ruined so much music for me through it's incessant repetition of what it deemed classic, and yet I still thoroughly enjoy Rumours. A fun little number originally from the Buckingham Nicks days.
Deerhoof [04:22]
"Twin Killers"
The Runners Four
Children of the Hoof #1 2006
Maybe it's my Gemini nature (certainly not my killer nature) that draws me to this song.
Arlo Guthrie [06:41]
"Coming in to Los Angeles"
Running Down the Road
Reprise Records RS 6346 1969
Some solid country rock on this sophomore album from Woody's son. Support musicians include Clarence White, Ry Cooder, Gene Parsons, James Burton, Chris Ethridge and Jim Gordon. Ah the joys of travelling while holding.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse [10:48]
"Pocahontas"
Rust Never Sleeps
Reprise Records HS 2295 1979
Neil, I can probably tell you how she felt.
The Rutles [14:10]
"Cheese and Onions"
The Rutles
Warner Bros. Records HS 3151 1978
Yes indeed, the Prefab Four: Ron, Dirk, Stig, and Barry. While my favorite Rutles song is "I Must Be in Love", "Cheese and Onions runs a close second, thank in no small part to the Galaxie 500 cover of that song.
Boston Pops/Arthur Fiedler w. Hugh Downs, Narrator [16:51]
"Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 (Theme)"
Carnival Of The Animals / The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34
RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2596 1964
Benjamin Britten's helpful introduction to the orchestra, interestingly used for an documentary film: Intstruments of the Orchestra from 1946.
The Philadelphia Orchestra [21:26]
"Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 ("Organ Symphony") - Allegro Moderato; Presto; Maestoso"
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78
Columbia Masterworks MS 6469 1963
Hopefully you used your recently refreshed knowledge to listen to this piece, with the addition of ORGAN!
Lou Reed [36:36]
"Sally Can't Dance"
Sally Can't Dance
RCA CPL1-0611 1974
Another vivid Manhattan story from Lou's best chart performing album.
Neko Case with the Pine Valley Cosmonauts [40:43]
"Right or Wrong"
Salute the Majesty of Bob Wills - The King of the Western
Bloodshot Records BS 029 1998
A fine assortment of late-90s Bloodshot Records luminaries headed by Jon Langford give Neko Case a hand on this jazz standard that Bob Wills turned into a Western Swing classic.
The Clash [43:57]
"The Magnificent Seven"
Sandinista!
Epic FSLN 1 1980
Track one, side one from this 3 record release from The Clash. It features a pretty dope bass groove performed by the Blockheads' Norman Watt-Roy.
Sarah Vaughan [49:29]
"Just Squeeze Me"
Sarah + 2
Roulette SR 52118 1965
The plus two being Joe Comfort on bass and Barney Kessel on guitar. A fine rendition of this Ellington standard.
Music behind the DJ: "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes" by Terry Baxter and his Orchestra
57 min
June 15, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter R as in Romeo, Part 4
Duran Duran [00:29]
"Save a Prayer"
Rio
Harvest ST-12211 1982
Do you want New Wave or do you want... a ballad? How about both?!
The Roland Kirk Quartet featuring Elvin Jones [06:04]
"Mystical Dream"
Rip, Rig & Panic
Limelight LS 86027 1965
Roland Kirk - tenor sax, Jaki Byard - Piano, Richard Davis - Bass, Elvin Jones - Drums. Remember the name of this album when we get to Albums and all that begin with the letter Y as in Yankee.
Herb Alpert [08:40]
"1980"
Rise
A&M Records SP-3714 1979
Herb Alpert helps NBC out with a little instrumental for the then upcoming 1980 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Sir Eugene Goossens Conducting The London Symphony [11:06]
"Introductio - Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) L'Adoration de la Terre (Adoration of the Earth)"
The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps)
Everest 3047 1960
blah
Manfred Mann's Earth Band [15:54]
"Blinded by the Light"
The Roaring Silence
Warner Bros. Records BS 2965 1976
More popular than The Boss's original. Could definitely edit out the noodly scoodly guitar solo break if you ask me. This album has probably the most disconcerting cover art in my collection.
Robert Gordon with Link Wray [23:03]
"Red Hot"
Robert Gordon with Link Wray
Private Stock PS 2030 1977
Solid cover of Billy "The Kid" Emerson's Sun Records stomper. Gordon's first outing following a stint with the Tuff Darts.
Roger Miller [25:26]
"Whistle Stop"
Story and Songs from Robin Hood
Disneyland 3810 1973
Tell 'em Roger... er, Alan-a-Dare.
Lou Reed [29:22]
"White Light/White Heat"
Rock 'n' Roll Animal
RCA AYL1-3664 1980 (1974 original release)
Lou gets all glam with the rendition of the Velvets' excitable number.
P.J. Soles [34:27]
"Rock 'n' Roll High School"
Rock 'n' Roll High School (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Sire SRK 6070 1979
Who else but Riff Randell (P.J. Soles)?
Robert Gordon [36:40]
"Black Slacks"
Rock Billy Boogie
RCA PL 13294 1979
Indeed, more from Mr. Gordon, this time deftly handling the Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones' classic.
The Cramps [38:26]
"Heartbreak Hotel"
Rockinnreelininaucklandnewzeelandxxx
Vengeance Records 669 1987
Lux, Poison Ivy, Candy del Mar, and Nick Knox recorded live at the Galaxy in Auckland NZ in 1986.
Tim Curry [43:07]
"Sweet Transvestite"
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast
Ode Records OSV-21653 1978 (1975 original release)
None other than Frank N Furter.
Cash Pony [46:28]
"Moon Mobile"
Roughhousing
self-released 2018
The Bay Area's very own.
Waylon Jennings [50:41]
"I've Always Been Crazy"
Rowdy Country
K-Tel WU 3680 1983
Same Waylon, same. This single went to number one on the Hot Country songs in 1978, despite Waylon getting busted on possession of cocaine charges the previous year. Outlaw indeed.
The Beatles [54:56]
"I'm Looking Through You"
Rubber Soul
Capitol Records SW 2442 1983 (1965 original release)
Now there's some stereo separation for you. It was a toss-up between this and "Think for Yourself", but I was feeling this track more. In the key of Ab for those of you playing along at home.
Music behind the DJ: "That's a Nice Cap" by George Martin & Orchestra
1 hr
May 08, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter R as in Romeo, Part 3
The Pogues [00:31]
"Transmetropolitan"
Red Roses for Me
Enigma ST-73225 1984
Side one, track one from the Pogues debut album written by the one and only Shane MacGowan. Quite the entrance!
The Police [04:40]
"Bring on the Night"
Regatta de Blanc
A&M SP-4792 1979
Released in the US as the third single from their 1979 classic yet failed to chart.
Skinny Puppy [08:56]
"Glass Houses"
Remission
Nettwerk 12 NTWK 12 1984
Debut label release from everyone's favorite Industrial ensemble from Vancouver.
the dB's [12:22]
"Ask for Jill"
Repercussion
Albion Records ALB 109 1982
A snappy little number from Chris Stamey. I can neither confirm nor deny that I was once put on hold by a woman named Jill.
Buffalo Springfield [16:03]
"Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing"
Retrospective
ATCO SD 33-283 1969
Another debut and another Canadian ensemble. That's right, the first single from Buffalo Springfield. Written by Neil Young.
The Chad Mitchell Trio [19:29]
"The Ballad of Sigmund Freud"
Returns to Carnegie Hall
RCA Victor LOC-6007 1960
These fellas might want to look into getting some therapy. A little sample of the show Harry Belafonte put on once more at Carnegie Hall.
Deerhoof [21:57]
"Hallelujah Chorus"
Reveille
Global, Buddy! Records, Inc. DIAL 007 2002
The fourth studio release from one of my favorite bands to see live. Recorded by Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu. This copy of Reveille features a silver inked cover and white labels.
Liberace [24:42]
"El Cumbanchero"
Rhapsody in Blue and Other Favorites
Harmony HL 7237 1967
Some lively latin bears, composed by Puero Rican songwriter Rafael Hernández Marín and performed in a very lively manor by the bejeweled one himself.
Ella Fitzgerald [29:16]
"Runnin' Wild"
Rhythm Is My Business
Verve Records V-4056 1962
Whenever I hear a rendition of "Runnin' Wild" I just automatically hear Sugar Kane's version in Some Like It Hot.
Rickie Lee Jones [31:56]
"Chuck E.'s in Love"
Rickie Lee Jones
Warner Bros. Records BSK 3296 1979
Hey, a catchy song is a catchy song.
Metallica [35:27]
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Ride the Lightning
Megaforce Records MRI 769 1984
When I was a lad of sixteen or so, I had a Ride the Lightning shirt that I wore to the point of being teased for seemingly always wearing it.
James Gang [41:57]
"Funk #49"
James Gang Rides Again
ABC Records ABCS-711 1970
Funky indeed, even the cowbell.
Wanda Jackson [45:40]
"Stupid Cupid"
Right or Wrong
Capitol Records ST 1596 1962
Wanda doing a great job putting her vocal stylings to this Neil Sedaka classic.
Fórn [47:54]
"Ritual Ascension through a Weeping Soul"
Rites of Despair
Gilead Media RELIC90 2018
Some quality heavy doomy stuff from the Boston-based band.
Music behind the DJ: "Brazil" by Billy Mure
56 min
April 26, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter R as in Romeo, Part 2
Usnea [00:37]
"Lying in Ruin"
Random Cosmic Violence
Relapse Records RR7280 2014
Sophomore outing from this Portland-based death/doom metal band, on lovely bone white & blue splatter vinyl. Disc one, side one, track one. Named after everyone's favorite fruticose lichen.
Stray Cats [13:32]
"Something's Wrong with My Radio"
Rant n' Rave with the Stray Cats
EMI America SO-17102 1983
Whole lotta pickin goin on. The waning days of that particular rockabilly revival.
Ray Charles [16:07]
"I Got a Woman"
The Ray Charles Story Volume One
Atlantic 8063 1962
An early 60s Ray Charles comp. "I've Got a Woman" lays the groundwork for "What I'd Say".
Ray Charles [19:01]
"Rockhouse"
The Ray Charles Story Volume Two
Atlantic 8064 1962
A fine instrumental demonstrating some excellent r&b chops.
Mariyu Takeuchi [23:00]
"ドリーム・オブ・ユー～レモンライムの青い風～"
Re-Collection
RCA RHL-8816 1984
If Google Translate isn't steering me wrong, this track translates to "Dream of You - Lemon Lime Blue Wind". Seems like 7-Up might want to look into a new flavor.
Boris Karloff [27:55]
"The Princess and the Pea"
Reads The Ugly Duckling and other Tales by Hans Christian Andersen.
Caedmon Records TC 1109 1959
Delightfully read by Mr. Karloff of course. First published in May of 1835.
John Lee Hooker [30:16]
"Boom Boom"
The Real Blues
Tradition Everest TR 2089 1970
Arguably the canonical John Lee Hooker song.
Taj Mahal [32:50]
"Going Up To The Country And Paint My Mailbox Blue"
The Real Thing
Columbia G 30619 1971
Recorded live in New York at the Fillmore East on February 13, 1971. Featuring not one not two not three but four... four tubas!
Igor Stravinsky [36:07]
"Fanfare for Two Trumpets/The Owl and the Pussy-Cat"
Recent Stravinsky Conducted by the Composer
Columbia Masterworks ML 6454 1967
Featuring a cover illustation of the maestro by one of my favorite artists, Alberto Giacometti.
R.E.M. [41:12]
"Harborcoat"
Reckoning
I.R.S. Records SP70044 1984
Please. Find my harborcoat. I can't go outside without it. The bands second full length album and their last with the excellent producer Mitch Easter.
The Records [45:06]
"Starry Eyes"
The Records
Virgin VA 13130 1979
_Power pop doesn't get much better than this. Skinny ties and all. Originally released in the UK as Shades in Bed, but retitled and reordered as The Records for North America. _
Willie Nelson [49:27]
"Time of the Preacher"
Red Headed Stranger
Columbia KC 33482 1975 (1979 Terre Haute repress)
Side one track ones don't get much better than this.
New York Dolls [51:54]
"Ain't Got No Home/Dizzy Miss Lizzy"
Red Patent Leather
Earmark 40018 2003 (originally released in 1984 on Fan Club.)
The beautiful chaos of the live Dolls. Recorded live at the Little Hippodrome Club in NYC on March 2, 1975. Not only is there a wonderful documentary on bassist Arthur Kane, Martin Scorcese has just released a documentary on David Johansen which I can't wait to watch.
Music behind the DJ: "Hang 'Em High" by Booker T and the MGs
1 hr
February 26, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter R as in Romeo
George Jones [00:22]
"Time Changes Everything"
The Race Is On
United Artists UAS 6422 1965
A very George Jones take on this Bob Wills/Tommy Duncan classic.
Nadja [03:58]
"Now I Am Become Death, Destroyer of Worlds"
Radiance of Shadows
Conspiracy Records CORE064 2008
My gateway drug for Nadja. I had read a review of this album which mentioned a new concept to me: ambient doom. I ordered the CD and the next thing I knew I was hooked. Fifteen years later I am still enthralled.
Big Star [25:39]
"O My Soul"
Radio City
Big Beat Records WIK 54 1986 (original release Ardent ADS-1501 1974)
Mono, man! Side one track one from this outstanding follow up to their debut #1 Record. And if you've never seen the documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me, I can recommend it if you think you might be interested.
Poppa John Gordy [31:15]
"Tip Toe through the Tulips with Me"
Ragtime Piano
RCA Victor LPM-1060 1955
Yup, that's some ragtime piano all right. Made famous by Nick Lucas in an early the early talkie hit movie Gold Diggers of Broadway.
John Williams [33:12]
"The Map Room: Dawn"
Raiders of the Lost Ark - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Columbia JS 37373 1981
My favorite scene from the film, and favorite music cue of the soundtrack.
Tom Waits [37:09]
"Tango Till They're Sore"
Rain Dogs
Island Records 90299-1 1985
The album that was my gateway to the world of Tom Waits.
B.J. Thomas [41:27]
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
Scepter Records SKAO 93045 1969
Fare thee well, Burt Bacharach. For those of you who prefer streaming music services, you'll find this song under B.J. Thomas, not Burt Bacharach or the Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid soundtrack. The more you know.
Nat King Cole [44:31]
"Your Cheatin' Heart"
Ramblin' Rose
Capitol Records ST-1793 1965 (orignal release 1962)
Perhaps Nat was taking a cue from Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music?
Jimmy Buffett [46:59]
"Rancho Deluxe (End Title)"
Rancho Deluxe
United Artists Records UA-LA466 1975
I actually dig this soundtrack quite a bit. The film is a neo-western with a script by Tom McGuane. It is very much of its time, but if you can get past that, there are some excellent performances from Harry Dean Stanton, Slim Pickens, and Charlene Dallas. And you can see Jimmy Buffett and band performing in a bar scene that features Jeff Bridges and Harry Dean Stanton playing Pong.
Music behind the DJ: "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" by Lawrence Welk
53 min
January 14, 2023 Albums and All That, Starting with the P as in Papa, and some that beging with the letter Q as in Quebec
Kid606 [00:39]
"Let It Rock"
Pretty Girls Make Raves
Tigerbeat6 meow132 2006
Hello Mid-Aughties Bay Area IDM.
Michael Nesmith [05:32]
"Some of Shelley's Blues"
Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash
Pacific Arts/Island Records ILPS 9440 1977
One of my scores from Amsterdam. "Some of Shelley's Blues was going to be part of the Nashville session The Monkees had in 1968. Prior to this version it was also covered by Linda Ronstadt with the Stone Poney's, as well as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Willie Nelson [08:52]
"Blue Christmas"
Pretty Paper
Columbia JC 36189 1979
Having yourself a very Willia xmas? Getting some quality assistance from Booker T on the organ. The title track, made famous by Roy Orbison in 1963, is penned by none other than Willie.
Prince [11:31]
"I Wanna Be Your Lover"
Prince
Warner Bros. Records BSK 3366 1979
Prince's sophomore effort and what an effort it is! The album made it to number 22 on the Hot 100, and this lead off single hit number 11 on the US charts.
Linda Ronstadt [18:29]
"Hey Mister, That's Me Up on the Jukebox"
Prisoner in Disguise
Asylum Records 7E-1045 1975
Linda deftly handling this James Taylor number on this multi-platinum album.
Emerson Meyers [22:40]
"In Memoriam for Soprano & Tape"
Provocative Electronics (Electronic Constructions on Traditional Forms)
Westminster Gold WGS-8129 1970
Recorded at the Electronic Music Laboratory of the Catholic University of America, of all places, in 1970. Don't worry, I have an insider checking to see whether his laboratory still exists.
The Cramps [27:35]
"Goo Goo Muck"
Psychedlic Jungle
I.R.S. Records SP 70016 1981
How timely! The Cramps very well known version of Ronnie Cook and the Gaylads 1962 single. Record fiend friends, let me tell you that I have had a saved eBay search for that original Ronnie Cook single, and it has yet to go for less than three figures. Here's hoping I find it in a random place someday in the future.
Thurston Moore [30:40]
"Ono Soul"
Psychic Hearts
Goofin' Records Goo-010 2006 (originally released on DGC in 1995)
Thurston hearts the queen of noise. This album features artwork by the excellent Rita Ackermann.
Luna [35:53]
"Beautiful View"
Pup Tent
Teenbeat TEENBEAT 232 1997
The fourth studio album from one of my favorite bands. This is one of the few that was released on vinyl at the time. Of course there's also the big beautiful box set.
Purple Mountains [39:34]
"She's Making Friends, I'm Turning Stranger"
Purple Mountains
Drag City DC680 2019
Ugh. Sadly, the final David Berman project. A thoroughly engaging album from start to finish.Interested and brave parties can check out this piece on David Berman's final days in the recent issue of Creem.
Temptations [43:42]
"I Can't Get Next to You"
Puzzle People
Gordy S-949 1969
Such a hot opening track, this copy has been played many times. I tried to salvage it as best as possible. Number one single from a number 5 album.
The Who [46:24]
"Bell Boy"
Quadrophenia (Music from the Soundtrack of The Who Film)
Polydor 2625 037 1979
And what a film it is. Who knew that the king of the mods had a day job?
Big Blood [51:21]
"1000 Times"
QuaranTunes Series No.027
Feeding Tube Records FTR634 2021
One of the things that got me through the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic was all of the excellent livestreams from musicians. This particular one from Portland ME's Big Blood was pretty much transcendtal for me. And this particular track featuring Quinissa on vocals scratched an audio itch that I didn't know I had. To really put it over the top for me, they followed it up with a cover of The Clean's "Anything Could Happen".
Ultravox [55:20]
"We Came to Dance"
Quartet
Chrysalis CDL 1394 1394
The sixth outing from Midge Ure and company. Oddly, produced by George Martin and less oddly cover design by Peter Saville. This track was the fourth and final single from Quartet.
Robyn Hitchcock 'n' the Egyptians [59:34]
"Madonna of the Wasps"
Queen Elvis
A&M Records SP 5241 1989
Another musician who had some great livestreams during stay-at-home along with his partner Emma Swift and Tubby and Ringo and Perry the Lobster. This song will forever be one of my favorites of his. Helped out by usual suspect Peter Buck on guitar here.
Japan [01:02:39]
"Halloween"
Quiet Life
Fame FA3037 1982 (originally released in 1979)
Japan's third album, transitioning into synth pop territory.
Music behind the DJ: "Gomez" by Vic Mizzy
1 hr 9 min

About Vinyl-O-Matic

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Your Old Pal Will takes you on a journey through the peaks and valleys of all recordings vinyl. A through Z, organized alphabetically by artist/compilation title, irregardless of genre. Maybe it’s by title. Maybe it’s by album. Who knows what path we take next. New episode every Wednesday.

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