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The birth of a new thread dedicated to sharing our newly-acquired "old" LP's.

The Audiogon Forum thread of most interest and use to me is the one entitled "What’s on your turntable tonight?" It was started on 03-04-2004! Reading about the music the contributors to the thread are listening to is a real pleasure, and as I drove home from my visit today to a Vintage Collector’s "Mall" (just a storefront, but with individual spaces for independent sellers, some of whom in my past visits had a milk carton filled with mostly trash LP’s sitting next to a rack of old clothes), the idea to share today’s incredible haul with fellow Audiogon LP lovers came to me. And later in the evening, the idea that others might want to do the same seamed plausible. I don’t expect this thread to be as long-lived as the one referred to above, but that’s up to ya’ll.

I have been to this mall numerous times before, occasionally finding an LP of both interest and in as close to Mint condition as one could reasonably expect from such a source. But today---my first visit in over a year---was a very different story. There was a new vendor, one whose space was devoted 100% to items related to music: LP’s, 45’s, CD’s, magazines, posters, etc., etc. As I started flipping through the LP’s, I realized this was not just random records the vendor had acquired, but rather the collection of an owner with a particular taste in music. In addition to that, the number of promo copies and rare items suggested the owner may have been in the record business. The vendor’s inventory was better than most record collector stores I’ve ever been in! All the LP’s were in plastic outer sleeves, with a hand-written note describing the record: details about the band or artist, backing musicians, etc. The vendor is VERY knowledgeable about music and records.

But dig this: the LP’s were not only very desirable titles, but every single one was in Mint condition! And I mean New/Unplayed Mint, even the LP’s from the 50’s and 60’s! Some were still factory-sealed, others still in shrink wrap but slit open. And the prices! Most in the $5-$10 range, a few $12 or $14. So with that introduction complete, here’s what I brought home with me, in alpha order:

- The Alpha Band (T Bone Burnett, David Mansfield, Steven Soles): Spark In The Dark. $5

- Jim Capaldi (Traffic drummer/songwriter): Oh How We Danced, a title I have been looking for for quite some time. $10

- David Crosby: If I Could Only Remember My Name (original pressing), on Harry Pearson’s Super Disc list. $12

- Delaney & Bonnie: Home (Stax original). $12

- Delaney & Bonnie: Accept No Substitute (first Elektra album). $12

- The Dillards: Mountain Rock (incredible sounding Direct-To-Disc on Crystal Clear). $10

- Dion: Yo Frankie (produced by Dave Edmunds). $6

- Durocs (Ron Nagle and Scott Matthews): s/t. $5

- The Everly Brothers: A Date With (mono). $10

- Red Foley: Greatest Hits (Decca Records). $5

- Ellie Greenwich: Let It Be Written, Let It Be Sung...(legendary album by this incredible Brill Building songwriter). I have been looking for a clean copy for YEARS! $10

- Marti Jones: Used Guitars (guest artists Marshall Crenshaw and Janis Ian). If you don’t yet know about Marti and her husband/partner Don Dixon, get with it! $5 (sealed!)

- Marti Jones: Unsophisticated Time. As is the album above, produced by Don Dixon. $8

- Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind. $5. Background story: On my maiden visit to a newly-opened hi-fi store in Livermore, CA in 1972, the owner (Walter Davies, later of Last Record Preservative fame) was being visited by Bill Johnson of ARC. Bill was a pilot, and flew himself and a complete ARC/Magneplanar Tympani T-1 system to install in the fantastic listening room of his newest dealer. Keeping my mouth shut and my ears open, I got a real education that day (I had just discovered J. Gordon Holt/Stereophile, and the emerging high end scene). Walter used this LP as demo material, and upon hearing Gordon’s version of "Me And Bobby McGee" (bottleneck guitar by Ry Cooder) Bill said: "That IS a great sounding record." Walter gave it to him. I bought my first copy when I got back to San Jose, and still have it. This copy is just for back up ;-) .

- Gordon Lightfoot: Sundown. $5

- Gordon Lightfoot: Summer Side Of Life (German Reprise pressing). $5

- Lone Justice: Shelter (with singer Maria McKee---whose older brother was in the band Love. LJ’s original drummer was Don Heffington, heard on many Buddy and Julie Miller albums. Produced by Little Steven.) $6

- Manassas (Steven Stills, Chris Hillman, Al Perkins, Dallas Taylor, and Bobby Whitlock. Guest guitarist Joe Walsh.): Down The Road. $5

- Henry Mancini: Music From Mr. Lucky (RCA Living Stereo, black label). $6

- The Morells (legendary Springfield, Missouri band beloved by Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, and myself. I even saw them live ;-) : Shake And Push (backup copy): $8

- Buck Owens And His Buckaroos: Carnegie Hall Concert. $6

- Leslie Phillips: Beyond Saturday Night. You may know Leslie better as Sam Phillips, one-time wife and musical partner of T Bone Burnett. This album (on Myrrh Records) is from when she was a Contemporary Christian Artist. This is the only copy I’ve ever seen. $8

- Jimmie Rodgers: The Best Of The Legendary Jimmie Rodgers (RCA mono, black label with Promo stamp on cover). $8

- The Searchers: Meet The Searchers/Needles & Pins (stereo copy to join my mono on the shelf). $8

- Connie Smith (Marty Stuart’s wife): The Best Of Connie Smith (RCA stereo, black label). $5

- Bobby Whitlock (organist/harmony singer on Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, Clapton’s songwriting/singing/organist partner in Derek & The Dominos, an original member of Delaney & Bonnie And Friends): Rock Your Sox Off. $6

- V/A: White Mansions (A Tale From The American Civil War 1861-1865). With Waylon Jennings, Jessie Colter, Eric Clapton, Bernie Leadon. Produced and engineered by Glyn Johns. $12

- And finally, an LP I never expected to find, and I’ve been looking for about 45 years!: Dick Schory’s New Percussion Ensemble: Music For Bang, Baaroom, and Harp (RCA Living Stereo, black label). $5!


I left a few LP’s, needing to come home and see if my collection was missing them. I’m going back tomorrow to get the one I don’t have: The debut album by The Dave Clark Five in mono.
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bdp24 OP
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Just back from dinner out with the sisters, where I had my first Old Fashioned, a drink I saw ordered in that recent TV show Michael Douglas has been in (I forget the name). My first OF, and my last. Too sweet!

Alrighty, here’s what I brought home yesterday from record shop no.2:

- Bob Dylan: Planet Waves (UK Island Records), $9.99. One of my fave Dylan LP’s, which I already own on an original US pressing, a modern Mobile Fidelity LP, and both Japanese Sony and Mobile Fidelity SACD’s. As I said, I like the album. A lot. Backing Bob are The fantabulous Band.

- The Rowans: self-titled (Asylum Records), $2.99 (the original store price sticker is from Rasputin’s, a Bay Area favorite. Dated 2013, priced $1.95). You may already know of Peter Rowan (Seatrain, solo), but here he teams up with his brothers Chris and Lorin. All three have movie star-good looks ;-). Drumming by Russ Kunkel, production by Richie Polodor, engineering by Bill Cooper, mastering by Doug Sax.

- Linda Ronstadt: Lush Life (Elektra Records, original "hatbox" cover), $2.99. I wasn’t interested in this album when released, but am now. Music of course by Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra. Recorded and mixed by George Massenburg.

- Art Garfunkel: Lefty (CBS Records), $3.99. I’m not overly interested in Garfunkel, but the credits list Steve Gadd on drums, Joe Osborne on bass, Nicky Hopkins on keyboards, Hugh McCracken on guitar, Eddie Gomez on acoustic bass, and Michael Brecker on sax. The best musicians money can buy. Mastered by Doug Sax.

- Leo Kottke: Greenhouse (Capitol Records), $4.99. I already own a Capitol Records reissue, but this is an original pressing. Produced by Denny Bruce, a favorite of mine. I was invited up to Denny’s house in the Hollywood Hills when I lived in L.A., and found him to be a real down to Earth guy, no Rock Star airs at all.

- Procol Harum: Grand Hotel (Chrysalis Records), $6.99. I wrote-off PH when Matthew Fisher left the group, whereupon guitarist Robin Trower moved from a supportive role to a lead one, turning them from a Classically-informed Baroque ensemble to just another white-boy English Blues band. Blech. Instead of using his guitar to play the song, he uses the song to play his guitar.

But in the coupla years before his death, Art Dudley was singing the praises of this album, so I’ve been looking for a good copy (and finding only trashed ones). This copy is not only clean, but also complete with the oft-missing full-size booklet. I was relieved to learn that by the time of this album Trower had left the group. Good riddance.

- Loudon Wainwright III: Album III (Columbia Records), $6.99. I have long been a fan of Loudon’s middle-period work on Rounder records, only recently looking for his earlier and more recent albums. The last one I bought as a new release was 2001’s Last Man On Earth (Red House Records, CD only as far as I know), which I love. I then for some reason lost track of him. He’s made a lot of albums since the late-60’s, released on a lot of different labels. A great songwriter and a very interesting guy, no one quite like him.
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slaw
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Cat Stevens "Mona Bone Jakon"
sealed/pp/SQ = EX

Fleetwood Mac "English Rose"
Epic/pp/M-/sounds really good
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Some nice acquisitions from my two little local LP shops last week:

From shop no. 1:

- The s/t debut album by Manassas, the group formed by Stephen Stills and Chris Hillman (Atlantic Records). 2 LP’s, $8.

- Elvis Presley: Elvis’ Gold Records Volume 4 (RCA Records). $5.

- Reckless Sleepers: Big Boss Sounds (I.R.S. Records). $5. Group members are Jules Shear, Jimmy Vivino, Steve Holley, and Brian Stanley.

- Libby Titus: s/t album on Columbia Records. $5. Produced by Phil Ramone, with assistance from Paul Simon, Carly Simon, and Robbie Robertson. Libby was for a time married to Band drummer/singer Levon Helm, their marriage producing daughter Amy.

From shop no.2:

- Marc Benno: Minnows (A & M Records). $9.99. Kind of rare, hence the price despite the LP’s less-than-near mint condition. Marc was formerly in the duo Asylum Choir with Leon Russell. Highly recommended by Norman Maslov (The Vinyl Community’s Mazzy).

- The David Grisman Quintet: s/t album on Kaleidoscope Records. $6.99. Joining Grisman on this album are Tony Rice (Art Dudley’s favorite flat-top guitarist), Darol Anger on fiddle, Bill Amatneek on upright bass, and Todd Phillips on mandolin.

A mere six years before the recording of this album (1971 and 1977, respectively), Todd was just leaving the San Jose group I was joining, to pursue the study of mandolin with Grisman up in Marin County. Todd has for years been one of the top upright bass players in Bluegrass. Last I heard he was on the road with Joan Baez. All it takes is talent, dedication and focus, and ambition ;-) .

- Jesse Winchester: A Touch On The Rainy Side (Bearsville Records). $2.99. Included on this album is "A Showman’s Life", a great song more recently recorded by Buddy Miller. Musicians on this album include drummers Larry Londin (now deceased 1st-call Nashville studio musician.) and Kenny Buttrey (Dylan, Neil Young).

- An Audio Obstacle Course: Shure Trackability Test Record (TTR 101) For Stereo Cartridges. $3.99.
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Though I haven’t been posting my recent old LP acquisitions, I’ve been buying more than ever. Here are some from the past couple of weeks:

 

- The Bodeans: s/t debut, produced by T Bone Burnett (Slash Records). $4.00.

- Bonnie Bramlett: Memories (Capricorn Records). $4.00.

- Jackson Browne: Hold Out, and Lives In The Balance. Both on Asylum Records, and both less than five bucks (I already removed the price stickers. The rubber cement solvent named Bestine works great).

- The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out (Columbia Records, "2 eye" label). Still in the factory shrink wrap! $11.99.

- Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen (A & M Records, 2 LPs). $7.99.

- Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen: Live From Deep In The Heart Of Texas (Paramount Records). $7.99. I saw Cody and his boys at The Fillmore (or was it Winterland?) around the time of the recording of this show, and they were fan-ahem-tastic!

- Bob Dylan: Planet Waves (Asylum Records, white label promo). $19.99. One of my fave Dylan albums, the only studio album of his recorded with The Band (The Basement Tapes wasn’t recorded as a "proper" album). I already have my original commercial copy, plus the MoFi version (as well as MoFi and Sony Japan SACD’s), but this is the only white label promo copy I’ve ever seen. As white label promos are often "white hot stamper" LP’s, I guess I just saved myself a coupla hundred bucks, ay? ;-)

- Phil Everly: Star Spangled Springer (RCA Records). $10.00. Produced by Duane Eddy, with Duane, Richard Bennett, James Burton, and Dean Parks on guitar, Earl Palmer on drums, Victor Feldman on percussion, Buddy Emmonds on steel guitar, Lyle Ritz (like Earl Palmer, a member of The Wrecking Crew) on bass, James Horn on sax, and Warren Zevon on piano (and arrangements). Geez, couldn’t Phil afford a good band? ;-)

- Roberta Flack: First Take, and Chapter Two (both on Atlantic Records). $4.99 and $2.99, respectively. Why didn’t I already have these albums? My God what a singer!

- Art Garfunkel: Watermark (Columbia Records). $5.00. All but two songs written by Jimmie Webb, who plays keyboards on the album. Also playing are the fabulous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (aka The Swampers: Barry Beckett on keys, Jimmy Johnson on guitar, Roger Hawkins on drums, and David Hood on bass) and The Chieftains.

- Dan Hicks: Last Train To Hicksville---The Home Of Happy Feet, and It Happened One Bite (Blue Thumb Records and Warner Brothers Records respectively). Each $5.00.

- Chris Hillman: Clear Sailing (Asylum Records). $2.99.

- Leo Kottke: Dreams And All That Stuff (Capitol Records). $5.00. Produced by Denny Bruce.

- Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band (whose members included Geoff Muldaur and Maria D’Amato, soon to be married): See Reverse Side For Title (Vanguard Records). $5.00.

- Nicolette Larson: In The Nick Of Time, and Radioland (both on Warner Brothers Records). Each $4.00.

- Lonnie Mack: Strike Like Lightning (Alligator Records). $4.99. Produced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, who joins Lonnie on guitar.

- Mark O’Connor: On The Mark, and Stone From Which The Arch Was Made (both on Warner Brothers Records). $4.00 and $5.00 respectively. Master fiddler.

- The O’Kanes : s/t debut (Columbia Records). $4.00. I’ve been looking for a copy for years.

- Sam Phillips: Indescribable Wow (Virgin Records). $5.00. All songs written by Sam, production by T Bone Burnett (at that time Sam’s husband). The great Jerry Scheff on bass, Steve Jordan on drums. I already have a copy, but for five bucks I’ll have a second.

- Linda Ronstadt: Mad Love, and Prisoner In Disguise (both on Asylum Records). Each $3.99.

- Linda Ronstadt & The Nelson Riddle Orchestra: What’s New (Asylum Records). $7.00, still in shrink wrap.

- Neil Innes & Eric Idle: The Rutland Weekend Television Songbook (Passport Records). $4.99. The only copy I’ve ever seen.

- Tiny Tim: God Bless Tiny Tim (Reprise Records). $5.00, still in shrink.

- The Ventures: Walk Don’t Run (Dolton Records, mono). $3.99. Even the cover is in Mint condition!

- Jennifer Warnes: Best Of (Arista Records). $2.99.

 

I keep hearing people on YouTube talking about the price of even common LP’s---in years past easily found for five bucks---now being priced at twenty. Maybe in other parts of the U.S.A., but not around here.

 

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Used LP’s brought home a coupla day ago, all found at a favorite shop, the name and location of which I am for the time being keeping to myself :-) :

- The dB’s: Like This (Bearsville Records). The dB’s were a 1980’s New York group whose member included drummer Will Rigby---later an off-and-on member of Steve Earle’s band, and songwriter/singer/guitarist/keyboardist Peter Holsapple---later a member of L.A. supergroup The Continental Drifters, whose other members included Susan Cowsill, Vicki Petersen of The Bangles, a real fine singer/songwriter named Gary Eaton---I don’t know what became of him, and a fantastic drummer/singer by the name of Carlo Nuccio, who may be heard on an early album of Tori Amos, some recordings of Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, and a bunch of others.

The Continental Drifters played around L.A. in the early-90’s, and were hands down one of the greatest musical ensembles I’v ever seen and heard live (and I saw The Beatles, The Stones, The Who---with Keith Moon, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, The Band, The Dead, and hundreds of others ;-). Near Mint condition, $7.99.

- Little Feat: Down On The Farm (Warner Brothers Records). NM, $6.99.

- Lloyd Green: Steel Rides (Monument Records). You may be forgiven for not recognizing Lloyd’s name, as he is a Nashville pedal steel guitarist. But Paul McCartney sure knew of him (Paul has very good taste in musicians), and engaged his services for the recording of Macca’s song "Sally G", which Lloyd himself recorded for this album. Lloyd is pictured on the cover with his very cool steel guitar and a smokin’ hot blonde. Who she is and why she’s on the cover I don’t know, but I ain’t complainin’ ;-) . NM, $2.99.

- The Whites: Greatest Hits (Curb Records). The White’s are a father/two daughter Bluegrass group (seen on stage near the end of the Coen Brothers’ movie O Brother Where Art Thou), one of the daughters being married to Ricky Skaggs, who produced some of the songs on this collection. NM, $4.99.

- Jesse Winchester: A Touch On The Rainy Side (Bearsville Records). I already have this LP, but the cover is beat-to-hell, so I bought this copy for it’s still-in-the-shrink cover. $2.99. FYI: Winchester is a great U.S.A. songwriter/singer who fled to Canada to avoid going to Viet Nam. Robbie Robertson of The Band produced his s/t debut album, and this album contains Jesse’s great song "A Showman’s Life", more recently recorded by the fantastic Buddy Miller (Emmylou Harris’ guitarist/harmony singer/band leader)..

- Like the above, I already have Linda Ronstadt’s Greatest Hits Volume Two in great condition, but the cover is a mess. Still-in-the-shrink cover and NM LP for $4.99. After seeing the recent documentary on Linda (fantastic!), I am buying every album of hers I see. What Elvis Costello said about her in the late-70’s is absolute bs. Maybe the greatest white female "Rock" (Pop, actually) singer of all time.

- J.J. Cale: Okie (Shelter Records). I am very late getting into J.J., completely missing him in the 1970’s. NM, $11.99.

- J.J. Cale: s/t debut (Shelter Records). I am already in possession on this album in a second pressing, but this is a first pressing (with the "Superman egg" Shelter logo) in NM condition, $29.99. Ooh, big money ;-) .

Yes, there are millions of LP’s out there, just waiting for you to bring home. But remember: a lot of great music from the 1990’s remains unavailable on LP, so when you are in record shops looking for records, don’t forget about CD’s. They are almost giving them away!

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