Record Store Round-Up, November '09

11-9-09 Record Store Round-Up, November 2009

Towards the end of 2009, there are only a handful of record stores I regularly go to in the Los Angeles area.

Amoeba Music on Sunset Blvd. has the largest selection, but not the most esoteric stock. One can find nearly any CD there – provided it isn’t a major label non-US release. I used to do a lot with their vinyl selection, but not so much anymore. I guess not much interesting vinyl comes in (it sure seems to in their northern California locations!).

Record Surplus is my perennial favorite. I’ve been going there almost 20 years, and it truly is possible to find anything under the sun in their bins. Lots & lots of vinyl, and a smaller CD selection, which can nonetheless ‘yield’.

CD Trader out in the San Fernando Valley has CD’s, yes – but also a fairly interesting selection of vinyl. It’s a bit of a drive – I mostly get to go there on my way home from having visited Santa Barbara or Ventura. There’s an annoying girl who works there, but I haven’t seen her lately.

Soundsations in Westchester is a rather interesting store. They are “not in love” with their inventory, and they regularly mark titles down that have been sitting (i.e. lots of good $3.99 CD’s!). I’ve never bought very much vinyl there, but they do have a selection available.

I used to go to Canterbury Records in Pasadena all the time, but then they quit having “used vinyl” – but a visit last Sunday saw it’s return! So, I may get back into going there regularly. A good place to find 50 cent used easy listening and C&W LP’s.

Rhino Records Claremont is a nice place to go to – but it is quite a few miles from my home. We stop in there when we’re on our way home from a visit to Las Vegas! And they have a “progressive rock” section – and you never know what will turn up there.

The new vinyl stores near Dorothy aren’t supplying me with much, unfortunately – Origami Vinyl, Territory BBQ & Records and Vacation Records all had the opportunity to win my record dollars, but I can really only ever find stuff @ Territory (and that was just 7” singles, so far).

A few weeks ago, I went with Joe to a new record store in Orange County, Burger Records – fairly interesting place – absolutely no foot traffic. The $1 had really beat up records in it. But I found an original British Brian Protheroe LP there! I will definitely go back and check them out at a later date. Again, kinda far from my home.

Speaking of Joe, we do still try to visit F.Y.E. (i.e. Wherehouse) and Second Spin stores, whenever they publish 40% coupons. Makes a big difference when you’re looking at CD boxed sets.

- Ron

Jacno, R.I.P.

I just read that Jacno died...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacno

I was always a fan of Stinky Toys, and later on Elli & Jacno.

What's so weird to me is that he was only 52 (I'm 51!).

R.I.P., Jacno.

Bob Dylan

11-6-09 Bob Dylan

After mentioning Leonard Cohen yesterday, I had to go to Bob today…

CD BOB DYLAN (1st) SONY JPN SRCS 9239

1962 13 TRKS ('97 issue)

LP FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN, THE CBS UK 62193

1963 13 TRKS

CD FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN, THE (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90321

1963 13 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

CD TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN', THE re COLUMBIA US CK 92240

1964 10 TRKS ('05 issue)

LP BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME CBS UK 62515

1965 11 TRKS

CD BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90326

1965 11 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

CD HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90324

1965 9 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

LP HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED COLUMBIA US CS 9189

1965 9 TRKS original U.S. LP

CDx2 BLONDE ON BLONDE (SACD) COLUMBIA US C2H 90325

1966 14 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

LPx2 BLONDE ON BLONDE mono COLUMBIA US C2L 41

1966 14 TRKS mono, original issue

CD JOHN WESLEY HARDING (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90320

1968 12 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

LP JOHN WESLEY HARDING COLUMBIA US CS 9604

1968 12 TRKS stereo

LP NASHVILLE SKYLINE CBS UK 63601

1969 10 TRKS

CD NASHVILLE SKYLINE (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90319

1969 10 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

CD NEW MORNING COLUMBIA US CK 30290

1970 12 TRKS

CD SELF PORTRAIT COLUMBIA US CGK 30050

1970? 24 TRKS

LPx2 SELF PORTRAIT COLUMBIA US C2X 30050

1970? 24 TRKS

LP DYLAN COLUMBIA US PC 32747

1973 9 TRKS

CD BLOOD ON THE TRACKS (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90323

1974 10 TRKS ('03 issue) SACD

LP BLOOD ON THE TRACKS COLUMBIA US PC 33235

1974 10 TRKS 2 x diff. covers

CD PLANET WAVES (w/ The Band) (SACD) COLUMBIA US CH 90339

1974 11 TRKS SACD ('03 issue)

LP PLANET WAVES (w/ The Band) ISLAND UK ILPS 9261

1974 11 TRKS The Band; UK original issue

CDx2 BEFORE THE FLOOD (w/ The Band) COLUMBIA US C2K 37661

1974 21 TRKS Live

LPx2 BASEMENT TAPES, THE (w/ The Band) COLUMBIA US C2 33682

1975 24 TRKS ('67 recording)

CDx2 BASEMENT TAPES, THE (w/ The Band) re COLUMBIA US 8229.2

1975 24 TRKS ('67 recording) ('09 issue)

LPx5 BIOGRAPH (5LP) (Collection) CBS NL CBS 66509

1985 53 TRK Collection, boxed set

CDx3 BOOTLEG SERIES, Vols. 1 - 3 (3CD) COLUMBIA US C3K 65302

1991 58 TRK Collection '61 - '91 recordings

CDx2 LIVE 1966 (Bootleg Series No. 4) COLUMBIA US C2K 65759

1998 15 TRKS Live, Manchester 5/66

CDx2 NO DIRECTION HOME (Bootleg Series No. 7) COLUMBIA US C2K 93937

2005 28 TRKS collection (mostly 60's recordings)

I am very good with Mr. Dylan from the beginning up to his “Planet Waves” album – though I stray a bit from this stricture. In the modern age, there have several collections that I consider very worthy of attention, notably “Biograph”, “Bootleg Series Vols. 1-4” and “Bootleg Series Vol. 7”. I also heartily recommend the DVD “No Direction Home”.

Dylan is one of those artists that you must own some 45’s and maybe even some unauthorized LP’s. “The Basement Tapes” has been the title that has captured my imagination most recently. I’ve owned an LP of it since it was released properly (’75?) and I “didn’t get around to it” until a year or two ago! I found a book about “The Basement Tapes” and began to listen – drunk men! Chemically refreshed men! Funny songs!

- Ron

Leonard Cohen

11-5-09 Leonard Cohen

LP SIX MONTREAL POETS (V.A.) FOLKWAYS US FL 9805

1957 6 TRKS spoken word, mono – with 5 other Montreal poets (Irving Layton etc.)

LP SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN COLUMBIA US CS 9533

1968 10 TRKS 1st; insert, autographed

CD SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN re SONY JPN MHCP 1333

1968 12 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks) ('07 issue) kami sleeve

LP SONGS FROM A ROOM COLUMBIA US CS 9767

1969 10 TRKS 2nd

CD SONGS FROM A ROOM re COLUMBIA US 4740.2

1969 12 TRKS ('07 issue) (2 x bonus tracks)

LP SONGS OF LOVE AND HATE COLUMBIA US C 30103

1970 8 TRKS 3rd; insert

CD SONGS OF LOVE AND HATE re COLUMBIA US 4741.2

1971 9 TRKS ('07 issue) (1 x bonus track)

LP LIVE SONGS CBS NL S 65224

1973 10 TRKS 4th; Live

CD LIVE SONGS CBS EUROPE CDCBS 65224

1973 10 TRKS Live

CD NEW SKIN FOR THE OLD CEREMONY CBS EUROPE CDCBS 69087

1974 11 TRKS

LP NEW SKIN FOR THE OLD CEREMONY COLUMBIA US KC 33167

1974 11 TRKS 5th; promo, photo cover

LP DEATH OF A LADIES' MAN WARNER US BS 3125

1977 8 TRKS 6th; Phil Spector, prod.

CD DEATH OF A LADIES' MAN CBS EUROPE CDCBS 86042

1977 8 TRKS Phil Spector, prod.

CD RECENT SONGS CBS EUROPE CDCBS 86097

1979 10 TRKS

LP RECENT SONGS COLUMBIA US JC 36264

1979 10 TRKS 7th

CD VARIOUS POSITIONS CBS EUROPE CDCBS 26222

1984 9 TRKS

LP VARIOUS POSITIONS CBS NL CBS 26222

1984 9 TRKS 8th

CD I'M YOUR MAN CBS EUROPE 460642.2

1988 8 TRKS

LP I'M YOUR MAN CBS DE 460642.1

1988 8 TRKS 9th

CD FUTURE, THE COLUMBIA US CK 53226

1992 9 TRKS 10th

CD LIVE! FROM THE COMPLEX 4/93 promo COLUMBIA US CSK 5249

1993 8 TRKS Live, promo-only

CD COHEN LIVE COLUMBIA US CK 66327

1994 13 TRKS 11th; Live

CD FIELD COMMANDER COHEN: TOUR OF 1979 COLUMBIA US CK 66210

2000 12 TRKS, Live '79 CD Text

CD TEN NEW SONGS COLUMBIA US CK 85953

2001 10 TRKS CD Text

LP TEN NEW SONGS COLUMBIA US C 85953

2001 10 TRKS 12th

CD DEAR HEATHER COLUMBIA US CK 92891

2004 13 TRKS 13th

There have been a few titles since “Dear Heather” – at least 2 x (newer) live albums (one recent, one from 1970). I also have some 45’s and unauthorized LP’s & CD’s. And there are proper DVD’s and laser discs, too.

I never saw an LP for “The Future”, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I don’t expect there was an LP for either the promo-only ’93 live CD or for “Field Commander Cohen” – but it was super easy to find an LP for “Ten New Songs” in ’01. But with “Dear Heather”, we’re back to “CD-only release?” status.

Earlier this year, I saw the show that Philip Glass did out in Claremont, CA – from “The Book Of Longing” by Leonard Cohen. I guess they’re friends (Glass & Cohen).

If you get the chance to see Leonard Cohen perform, don’t pass it up. He’s not going to be here forever, except in our hearts (& ears).

Swap Meet 45's

11-4-09 Swap Meet 45’s

At the end of October, I went to the Buena Park record collector Swap Meet. I found a bunch of great 45’s, most were $2 or less. It really takes a lot of work to look through enough 45’s to find this much stuff. My back hurt afterwards! But it was worth it – I added to strong existing collections, and began a few new ones.

BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY – PIECE OF MY HEART, COLUMBIA US 7” single edit (which is rather flawless!)

BROOKS, ALBERT – PARTY FROM OUTER SPACE, ASYLUM US 7” promo, from his 2^nd album “A Star Is Bought” – this is a parody of all the Dickie Goodman records

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD – FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, ATCO US 7”

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD – ON THE WAY HOME, ATCO US 7”

COASTERS, THE – LOVEY DOVEY, ATCO US 7” great mid-60’s non-hit

COCKER, JOE – DELTA LADY, A&M US 7” promo, his US debut 45?

DYLAN, BOB – COUNTRY PIE, COLUMBIA US 7” – “Nashville Skyline” era

FUN AND GAMES, THE – GROOVIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, UNI US 7” promo, groovy 1968 pop

GLITTER, GARY – I'M THE LEADER OF THE GANG (I AM!), BELL US 7” promo

HUTTON, DANNY – ROSES AND RAINBOWS, HBR US 7” pre-T.D.N. – I definitely remember this one being played on the AM radio when I was very young

HYLAND, BRIAN – GYPSY WOMAN, UNI US 7” the Curtis Mayfield song; I understand there is no stereo version of this track

LINDISFARNE – LADY ELEANOR, ELEKTRA US 7” promo, with a great flip side: “Down” (as found on their “Nicely Out Of Tune” LP)

LOVIN' SPOONFUL – NASHVILLE CATS, KAMA SUTRA US 7” W/PS promo

PARADE, THE – SUNSHINE GIRL, A&M US 7” groovy 1968 pop

PENTANGLE, THE – ONCE I HAD A SWEETHEART, REPRISE US 7” promo, certainly never saw a Pentangle 45 before!

PICKETT, BOBBY [BORIS] – MONSTER MASH, PARROT US 7” promo, early 70’s re-issue

SAM THE SHAM & THE PHARAOHS – LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, MGM US 7” my favorite 45 by Sam The Sham! Is there no stereo version of this track?

SLADE – GUDBUY T' JANE, POLYDOR US 7” with a great B-side

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – FAMILY AFFAIR, EPIC US 7”

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – RUNNIN' AWAY, EPIC US 7” alternate version, w/ different vocals, horn part!

SWEET, THE – BLOCKBUSTER, BELL US 7” promo

SWEET, THE – WIG-WAM BAM, BELL US 7” promo

THOMPSON, SUE – WILLIE CAN, HICKORY US 7”

VINEGAR JOE – ROCK 'N ROLL GYPSIES, ATCO US 7” promo, Robert Palmer & Elkie Brooks

WHO, THE – REAL ME, TRACK US 7” promo, single edit

- Ron

Lounge Lizards / John Lurie

11-3-09 Lounge Lizards / John Lurie

I have been a fan of John Lurie / The Lounge Lizards since 1980 or so. I recently ran across both of my ticket stubs for the 2 x Lounge Lizards shows I saw – June 16, 1981 @ Whisky A-Go-Go ($5) and June 12, 1998 @ El Rey Theatre ($20). In 1981, I drank a lot at this show – but I recall it was rather good. I would’ve been 22 or so at that time, and they seemed a lot older than myself. In 1998, it seemed too good to be true that they were returning to Los Angeles to play. Mr. Lurie was very funny on stage, with great / amusing between-song banter.

And of course Mr. Lurie has expensive coffee table art books, too. Wonderful stuff. And he’s in those Jim Jarmusch films – even stranger, Mr. Lurie contributed to the soundtracks of some ‘straight’ films – “Get Shorty”, for example. Ever see “Fishing With John”? It’s on DVD. Amazing stuff.

CD BIG HEART - LIVE IN TOKYO ANTILLES US 510089.2

1986 7 TRKS Live

CD BIG HEART - LIVE IN TOKYO NON STAND JPN 30CH-173

1986 10 TRKS Live 'DDD'? 3 x bonus tracks

LP BIG HEART - LIVE IN TOKYO ISLAND US 90529.1

1986 7 TRKS Live

LP FUSION (W/ Teo Macero) EUROPA US JP 2015

1984 7 TRKS with The Lounge Lizards

CD LIVE '79 / '81 DANCETERIA FR DANCD 046

1985 12 TRKS Live '79 - '81

LP LIVE FROM THE DRUNKEN BOAT EUROPA US JP 2012

1983 8 TRKS Live 11/82

CD LIVE IN BERLIN 1991 Vol. 1 INTUITION DE INT 2055.2

1992 6 TRKS Live, CD-only release?

CD LIVE IN BERLIN 1991 Vol. 2 INTUITION DE INT 2044.2

1995 6 TRKS Live, CD-only release?

CD LOUNGE LIZARDS EG US EEGCD 8

1981 13 TRKS

LP LOUNGE LIZARDS EG US EGS 8

1981 13 TRKS U.S. pressing

CD NO PAIN FOR CAKES ANTILLES US 510090.2

1987 9 TRKS 'DDD'

LP NO PAIN FOR CAKES ISLAND US 90592.1

1987 9 TRKS U.S. pressing

CD QUEEN OF ALL EARS STRANGE AND B SB 0015

1998 10 TRKS autographed, CD-only release?

CD VOICE OF CHUNK LAGARTO US LAGCD 003

1989 10 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks) mail-order vers.

CD VOICE OF CHUNK VERABRA DE VBRCD 25

1989 10 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks)

LP VOICE OF CHUNK VERABRA DE NO. 25

1989 8 TRKS

John Lurie solo works:

CD AFRICAN SWIM AND MANNY & LO STRANGE AND B SBM CD0017

1998 25 TRKS Original soundtracks

CD DOWN BY LAW CRAMMED BEL MTM 14CD

1987 21 TRKS 'VARIETY'

CD FISHING WITH JOHN (O.S.T.) STRANGE AND B SB 0014

1998 23 TRKS O.S.T.

CD GET SHORTY (V.A. - O.S.T.) ANTILLES US 529310.2

1995 17 TRKS Various Artists

CD MARVIN PONTIAC STRANGE AND B SB 0018

1999 14 TRKS

CD MEN WITH STICKS (J. Lurie Nat'l Orch.) CRAMMED BEL MTM 34CD

1993 3 TRKS

CD MYSTERY TRAIN (V.A. - O.S.T.) MILAN US 35967.2

2001 16 TRKS Various Artists

CD STRANGER THAN PARADISE (O.S.T.) STRANGE AND B SB 0010

1999 9 TRKS O.S.T. "Resurrection of Albert Ayler"

Z: Zolar X

11-2-09 Z: Zolar X

http://www.zolarx.com/

After being challenged by reader Jim D. to end my alphabet with neither Frank Zappa or Hector Zazou, I offer up Zolar X – a band that never quite was…

Before there was punk rock, new wave, the 80’s or what have you…there was Zolar X. All of this would be from a hazy memory of having seen them and their car (which looked like a space ship) at Tower Records in Hollywood…about 1976. Think glam rock or even a US pub rock, but with full space suits on. This, as I said, would all have been from distant planetary memories, but…in one of the most useful things Jello Biafra has ever done – there is an Alternative Tentacles CD called “Timeless” by Zolar X that is for sale – on Earth, right now!

I don’t think they ever made any professional recordings, the AT CD sounds like fancy demos at best. They were what is often described as ”way ahead of their time”. From another planet, before Devo existed. Walking around Hollywood dressed like aliens all damned day. Always in character, to whoever they encountered. 24 hours a day.

It doesn’t even really matter if they were any good or not. You will either think this is the neatest things you’ve ever heard on this planet or…the lamest, trashiest, badly-played rock-n-roll…on this (or any other) planet. And I love songs with science fiction lyrics!

ZAP! You’ve been Zolarized!

Really should’ve posted this on Halloween, folks! Go ahead and Google them!