#vinylfinds — Public Fediverse posts

The Blow Monkeys, Wicked Ways, 1986 on RCA

https://goatless.org/2026/09/13/the-blow-monkeys-wicked-ways-1986-on-rca

The Blow Monkeys, Wicked Ways, 1986 on RCA

https://goatless.org/2026/09/13/the-blow-monkeys-wicked-ways-1986-on-rca

John Prine, Aimless Love, 1984 on Oh Boy

https://goatless.org/2026/09/12/john-prine-aimless-love-1984-on-oh-boy

John Prine, Aimless Love, 1984 on Oh Boy

https://goatless.org/2026/09/12/john-prine-aimless-love-1984-on-oh-boy

Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Reactor, 1981 on Reprise

https://goatless.org/2026/08/27/neil-young-crazy-horse-reactor-1981-on-reprise

Arcade Fire, Reflektor, 2013 on Merge

https://goatless.org/2026/08/01/arcade-fire-reflektor-2013-on-merge

Arcade Fire, Reflektor, 2013 on Merge

https://goatless.org/2026/08/01/arcade-fire-reflektor-2013-on-merge

DEFTONES
Around The Fur
2011 U.S. reissue

More Deftones!

I remember how excited I was when this came out in ‘97. I had just spent a year and a half obsessing over Adrenaline, and was really hoping that Around The Fur would be just as good.
Was it ever.

Not only was it good, it was superior in EVERY way, and took a huge creative leap forward.

It is somehow HEAVIER, but also super atmospheric and dreamy.
It’s more melodic, the guitars are down-tuned and absolutely pummeling, and Chino’s lyrics and voice are emotional and soaring.

This is their first GREAT record, and it would only get better from here, because White Pony was on the horizon.

I still feel like The Deftones are underrated.
They’re huge, and people love em, but I feel it’s not enough.
Incredible band.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #deftones #1990s #90s #90smusic #aroundthefur

BEASTIE BOYS
Ill Communication
2009 U.S. 2xLP reissue

Rockin’ some jazzy boom-bap from the fuckin goats.

Check Your Head will always be my favorite Beasties album. It is a flawless magnum opus and in my mind, the greatest #HipHop album ever.

Ill Communication is not far behind. Sometimes, I just need to hear it.
Sure Shot, Sabotage, Root Down, Heart Attack Man… I mean…cmon man.
The Beasties were, still are, and will FOREVER be THE SHIT.

Like Ma Bell, I got the Ill Communication.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #rap #1990s #90s #90smusic #TheBeastieBoys #illcommunication

BEASTIE BOYS
Ill Communication
2009 U.S. 2xLP reissue

Rockin’ some jazzy boom-bap from the fuckin goats.

Check Your Head will always be my favorite Beasties album. It is a flawless magnum opus and in my mind, the greatest #HipHop album ever.

Ill Communication is not far behind. Sometimes, I just need to hear it.
Sure Shot, Sabotage, Root Down, Heart Attack Man… I mean…cmon man.
The Beasties were, still are, and will FOREVER be THE SHIT.

Like Ma Bell, I got the Ill Communication.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #rap #1990s #90s #90smusic #TheBeastieBoys #illcommunication

BEASTIE BOYS
Ill Communication
2009 U.S. 2xLP reissue

Rockin’ some jazzy boom-bap from the fuckin goats.

Check Your Head will always be my favorite Beasties album. It is a flawless magnum opus and in my mind, the greatest #HipHop album ever.

Ill Communication is not far behind. Sometimes, I just need to hear it.
Sure Shot, Sabotage, Root Down, Heart Attack Man… I mean…cmon man.
The Beasties were, still are, and will FOREVER be THE SHIT.

Like Ma Bell, I got the Ill Communication.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #rap #1990s #90s #90smusic #TheBeastieBoys #illcommunication

BEASTIE BOYS
Ill Communication
2009 U.S. 2xLP reissue

Rockin’ some jazzy boom-bap from the fuckin goats.

Check Your Head will always be my favorite Beasties album. It is a flawless magnum opus and in my mind, the greatest #HipHop album ever.

Ill Communication is not far behind. Sometimes, I just need to hear it.
Sure Shot, Sabotage, Root Down, Heart Attack Man… I mean…cmon man.
The Beasties were, still are, and will FOREVER be THE SHIT.

Like Ma Bell, I got the Ill Communication.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #rap #1990s #90s #90smusic #TheBeastieBoys #illcommunication

BEASTIE BOYS
Ill Communication
2009 U.S. 2xLP reissue

Rockin’ some jazzy boom-bap from the fuckin goats.

Check Your Head will always be my favorite Beasties album. It is a flawless magnum opus and in my mind, the greatest #HipHop album ever.

Ill Communication is not far behind. Sometimes, I just need to hear it.
Sure Shot, Sabotage, Root Down, Heart Attack Man… I mean…cmon man.
The Beasties were, still are, and will FOREVER be THE SHIT.

Like Ma Bell, I got the Ill Communication.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #rap #1990s #90s #90smusic #TheBeastieBoys #illcommunication

VARIOUS ARTISTS
All Ears (10 New And Original Hits With A CB Theme)
1977 U.S. pressing

Quite the ridiculous record that I just couldn’t pass up, because it looked JUST like my kinda stupid.

Made for Radio Shack in the mid #70s , this is a collection of songs that all have a CB theme to them.

Rock, jazz, R&B, gospel, soul… this thing is ALL over the place, but all the songs drive down the Citizens Band 2-Way radio highway.

In all honesty, there’s some pretty good tunes on here. “Honey Bee (Please Answer Me)” by Randy Goodrum is a particular standout for me, as is “Everybody's Somebody (In Our C.B. World)” by Ed Bernet.

For only $1.00, I couldn’t go wrong.
Pretty entertaining shit, straight down to the “Index Of Terms Used By CB’ers” on the back cover.

10-4, good buddy.
Over and out.
🫡

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #cb #citizensband #1970s #70smusic #novelty

GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR!
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
2018 Canada 2xLP reissue

As epic and breathtaking now as it was in 2000.

This masterpiece is not something I listen to that often. I can’t listen to it in pieces. It has to be heard and experienced from start to finish, all glorious 88 minutes of it. It’s exhaustive, but worth every second of the listener’s time.

Truly one of the landmark albums of the #2000s , and one of the greatest Canadian bands ever.
When talking about #postrock as a genre, and of its high artistic watermarks, this behemoth is one of the few standing at the top.

Just an exhilarating piece of art.

Perfect selection for last spin of the night.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #records #vintage #retro #physicalmedia #analog #cratedigging #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #rare #art #postrock #godspeedyoublackemperor #canada #Montreal #2000smusic

Iggy Pop, The Idiot, 1977 on RCA Victor

https://goatless.org/2026/06/20/iggy-pop-the-idiot-1977-on-rca-victor

Depeche Mode, Construction Time Again, 1983 on Sire / Mute / Reprise

https://goatless.org/2026/06/14/depeche-mode-construction-time-again-1983-on-sire-mute-reprise

Depeche Mode, Construction Time Again, 1983 on Sire / Mute / Reprise

https://goatless.org/2026/06/14/depeche-mode-construction-time-again-1983-on-sire-mute-reprise

The Parachute Club, At the Feet of the Moon, 1984, RCA / Current

https://goatless.org/2026/06/01/the-parachute-club-at-the-feet-of-the-moon-1984-rca-current

M. Ward , A Wasteland Companion, 2012 on Merge.

M. Ward’s 7th studio album, including a cover of Daniel Johnston’s “Sweetheart.” He’s joined by Mike Coykendall, Mike Mogis, Jordan Hudson, Adam Selzer and others, including vocals from Zooey Deschanel. M. Ward produced.

I just love M. Ward’s voice and his approach to songwriting and production – across his solo work and She & Him. (No, the “Me and My Shadow” is not the Irving Berlin/Al Jolson tune but a new song).

My copy—via Magnolia Record Club—is a signed 2024 reissue on metallic swirl vinyl with lacquer cut at Chicago Mastering Service by Jason Ward.

Clifford Brown and Max Roach, Study in Brown, 1955 on EmArcy

Brown and Roach are joined by Harold Land (tenor), Richie Powell (piano), and George Morrow (bass). Recorded Feb 23rd and 25th of 1955. Fantastic album.

My copy—via private sale—is the 2021 Acoustic Sounds Series reissue on 180g vinyl, supervised by Chad Kassem, cut by Ryan Smith, and pressed at Quality Record Pressing. As you’d expect, a flawless pressing.

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Drum Suite, 1957 on Columbia

Art Blakey is joined here (at least on the A-side) by Cuban drummers Candido and Sabu, with Ray Bryant, Oscar Pettiford, and Charles Wright. On the B side, Jackie McLean, Spanky DeBrest, Sam Dockery, and Bill Hardman join as the Jazz Messengers.

My copy—via private sale—is a 1950s Columbia Hollywood plant pressing with the 6-eye label. The artist is credited as “The Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble” on both labels but the cover credits the B side to the Jazz Messengers.

Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan, 1955 on EmArcy

Later reissued as Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown, this was Vaughan’s second self-titled LP, and her second studio album. The band also includes Paul Quinichette on tenor sax, Roy Haynes on drums, Herbie Mann on flute, and Jimmy Jones on piano.

It was originally recorded December 18th, 1954, and released in 1955. What a masterful set of recordings.

My copy—via private sale—is the Acoustic Sounds Series reissue from 2021, on 180 gram vinyl, with a gatefold cover and an inner liner about the series and the role of Quality Record Pressing and Chad Kassem.

Thelonious Monk, The London Collection Volume 3, 1989 on Black Lion

Recorded at Chappell Studios in London Nov 15th, 1971 but not released until the late 80s on Black Lion, these recordings are from near the end of his recording and performing career. Monk’s joined by Al McKibbon on bass and Art Blakey on drums.

There are at least 3 volumes in the London Collection as well as a three CD Complete London Collection put out by Black Lion.

My copy—via a private sale—is the 2016 reissue by Org Music on Black Lion labels, pressed at Pallas.

José González, Local Valley, 2021 on Imperial

José González’s fourth studio album, released in 2021 on Imperial/Mute (in the US). Recorded and produced in Studio Koltrast in Sweden. Cover art by Hannele Fernström.

My copy—from the merch table at a José González gig in Beverly—is the green vinyl “Indie Exclusive” limited edition.

Sir Douglas Quintet, Live From Austin TX, 2006 on New West

Doug Sahm’s Sir Douglas Quintet recorded in 1981 but released in 2006 (on CD/DVD) / 2018 (vinyl) – live on Austin City Limits. (In 1981 that means the old Studio 6A at UT Austin, not the new Moody Theater).

This was part of a reunion tour after the quintet split up in the early 70s when Sahm put out his solo album.

My copy via a private sale is the 2018 three-sided LP version with one side etched, pressed by MPO.

Depeche Mode, Black Celebration, 1986 on Mute/Sire

Fifth studio LP from Depeche Mode, released by Mute in the UK and Sire in the US, and recorded in Berlin and London. One of my favorite Depeche Mode albums of all time, starting with “Black Celebration” all the way through “But Not Tonight.”

Core Depeche Mode lineup of Alan Wilder, Andrew Fletcher, David Gahan, and Martin Gore, working with Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller.

My copy—via Crossroads Records in Portland OR—is an Allied Pressing with the embossed cover, with Site and TM under the label logo.

Bob Dylan, Street-Legal, 1978 on Columbia

This was Dylan’s 18th studio LP, made with a band that included Jerry Scheff, Ian Wallace, Alan Pasqua, Billy Cross, Steven Soles, Steve Douglas, and David Mansfield – many of whom were in the Rolling Thunder Revue. (David Mansfield also went on to be part of The Range).

Not as many absolutely central Dylan songs here, but I do love “Is Your Love In Vain?” and “Señor (Tales of Yankee Power).”

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1978 pressing from Columbia’s Santa Maria plant. It’s written as “Street Legal” (no hyphen) on the labels but “Street-Legal” on the cover and spine.

#1970s #1978 #AlanPasqua #BillyCross #BobDylan #Columbia #DavidMansfield #IanWallace #JerryScheff #LowellMA #MillNo5 #SantaMaria #SteveDouglas #StevenSoles #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Smiths, The World Won’t Listen, 1987 on Rough Trade

This is a compilation album—the second of three—including singles and b-sides from 1985-1987. Most of these tracks also appear on Louder Than Bombs (a 2xLP), but two are different versions and two are edits.

Fantastic collection of songs, including “Panic,” “Ask,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore,” and “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby.”

What teenager hasn’t felt “And I’ve got no right to take my place in the human race . . . “?

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a UK issue from 1987, pressed by MPO. (Louder than Bombs was released in the US in lieu of this record, which was not released on vinyl in the US until the 2011 reissue series).

#1980s #1987 #AndyRourke #JohnnyMarr #LowellMA #MikeJoyce #MillNo5 #morrissey #RoughTrade #TheSmiths #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Bauhaus, Mask, 1981 on Beggars Banquet

Second studio album from Bauhaus and their first on Beggars Banquet (In The Flat Field was on 4AD), with a cover drawn by Daniel Ash, across a gatefold and on the labels.

The first five Bauhaus records are are perfect – as is the singles collection 1979-1983 and most of the bands that followed in the Bauhaus diaspora (Dali’s Car, Love and Rockets, and Tones on Tail).

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is the 2023 reissue pressed at GZ Media.

#1980s #1981 #A1Records #Bauhaus #BeggarsBanquet #DanielAsh #DavidJay #GZMedia #KevinHaskins #NYC #PeterMurphy #Reissue #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

U2, R.O.K., 1981 on Island Records

Punny title (you too, are ok or U2 are ok) aside, great early EP for the European market from U2. The live tracks on the b-side are from their appearance at the Paradise in Boston in March 1981 – about 8 years later my freshman dorm room would be a block away.

This was the first single (“Fire”) from the debut full-length album Boy, though there had been the EP Three and ~5 other singles before this

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is from the first pressing for the German marked, pressed by Sonopress in Gütersloh.

#A1Records #BostonMA #Germany #IslandRecords #NYC #Paradise #Sonopress #SonopressGmbH #U2 #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

XTC, English Settlement, 1982 on Virgin/Epic

This was the fifth XTC studio album, out on Virgin Records in the UK and Epic in the US. The band stopped touring after this LP and became more of a studio only group. Interesting midpoint between “Making Plans For Nigel” (1979) and “Dear God” (1986). Includes “Senses Working Overtime.”

Still looking for a 2xLP version, maybe a UK pressing.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is an original US single LP release, which has few tracks than the original UK release. Later US releases followed the 2xLP format.

#1980s #1982 #A1Records #Epic #NYC #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #Virgin #XTC

John Mayall, The Latest Edition, 1974 on Polydor

I collect lots of John Mayall – this followed the era of Mayall moving to the US in the late 60s, and the band here includes Larry Taylor, Red Holloway, Soko Richardson, Hightide Harris and Randy Resnick. Lots of jazz/fusion influence here with saxophone. Mayall is wearing a cast on the cover.

Mayall passed unfortunately in 2024, but there are so many great LPs live and from the studio that I keep finding new (to me) music from his career.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a 1974 All Disc pressing in a gatefold sleeve.

#1970s #1974 #A1Records #AllDiscRecords #Blues #HightideHarris #LarryTaylor #NYC #Polydor #RandyResnick #RedHolloway #SokoRichardson #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Billy Joel, An Innocent Man, 1983 on Columbia / Family Productions

Billy Joel’s ninth studio LP, with the title track, “Uptown Girl,” and “The Longest Time” as big hits. Toots Thielemans joins on harmonica on “Leave a Tender Moment Alone.”

Some people might put Billy Joel in the “guilty pleasures” column – I probably did in 1983 – but I’ve really come to appreciate him. Guess I’m getting old.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a 1983 Carrollton US pressing with the original printed inner sleeve.

#1980s #1983 #A1Records #BillyJoel #CarrolltonGA #Columbia #FamilyProductions #NYC #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Cowboy Junkies, Misguided Angel, 1989 on RCA

Margo, Peter, and MIchael Timmons with Alan Anton were Cowboy Junkies. This EP came out alongside the Trinity Session album, with the lead single “Misguided Angel” from that session at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, plus four live tracks recorded at the ROXY in Hollywood.

Both “Sweet Jane” and “Walking After Midnight” were also on Trinity Session. The choice of songs: covering Lou Reed, Robert Johnson, and Patsy Cline, is a pretty good implication as to the sound of Cowboy Junkies.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a US promotional copy.

#1980s #1989 #A1Records #AlanAnton #CowboyJunkies #LosAngeles #LouReed #MargoTimmins #MichaelTimmons #NYC #PatsyCline #PeterTimmons #Promo #RobertJohnson #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Cactus World News, Special Forces Radio Concert, 1986 on Entertainment Radio / MCA

Another promo only release, this was a radio concert – originally sponsored by SPIN (the magazine), which is still featured on the cover, but with an insert noting SPIN has terminated their sponsorship.

Includes the cue sheet for radio programming and the original advertisements. This show was recorded at the Whiskey A Go-Go in Los Angeles.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is marked with WDFH, a public radio station in Westchester. Not sure if the ???!!! is expressing the question of whether to file this under Cactus World News, or just reacting to the name of the band.

#1986 #A1Records #CactusWorldNews #EntertainmentRadioInc #Live #MCA #NYC #Promo #Transcription #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #WDFH #WhiskeyAGoGo

The Power Station, Some Like It Hot And The Heat is On (12″), 1985 on Capitol

The Power Station were a kind of supergroup, pairing Andy & John Taylor (Duran Duran) with Tony Thompson (Chic) and Robert Palmer (who was later replaced by Michael Des Barres). Production by Bernie Edwards (also of Chic).

Love the extended version on the A-side – the “The Heat Is On” on the B-side isn’t fully instrumental but is labeled as such.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a Jacksonville pressing.

#1980s #1985 #A1Records #AndyTaylor #BernieEdwards #DuranDuran #Jacksonville #NYC #RobertPalmer #ThePowerStation #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Thomas Dolby, Blinded By Science, 1983 on Harvest.

An EP or “Mini LP” by Dolby with the 12″ single versions of songs from The Golden Age of Wireless. The version of “Airwaves” here (5:20) is the full length version as opposed to the 3:35 version that appeared on the US version of album.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a US pressing on Harvest / Venice in Peril records with manufactured by Capitol in the rim text and EMI Ltd phonographic copyright.

#1983 #A1Records #EMI #Harvest #NYC #ThomasDolby #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Fine Young Cannibals, The Raw & The Cooked, 1988 on IRS Records / MCA

This was the second Fine Young Cannibals album following their self-titled debut. Roland Gift on vocals with the rhythm section of Andy Cox and David Steele (formerly of The Beat aka The English Beat).

Many of the songs on the LP had already appeared on film soundtracks including three from the Barry Levinson film Tin Men. Most well known would be “She Drives Me Crazy” which was a number 1 hit in the US.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a Columbia House Record Club pressing from Carrollton GA. (Note the CRC in the bottom right corner of the back sleeve).

#1980s #1988 #A1Records #AndyCox #CarrolltonGA #ColumbiaHouseRecordClub #DavidSteele #FineYoungCannibals #IRSRecords #MCA #NYC #RolandGift #TheBeat #TheEnglishBeat #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Indigo Girls, Indigo Girls, 1989 on Epic

Sophomore album from Amy Ray and Emily Sallers, with their massive breakout hit “Closer To Fine.” Michael Stipe guests on “Kid Fears” and Hothouse Flowers guest on multiple tracks including “Closer to Fine” (which recently had a revival as it appeared in the movie Barbie).

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a promo copy labelled with WDFH-FM, which is a public radio affiliate in Westchester County. It probably had a hype sticker or inventory sticker on the front cover as well which a previous owner removed. I know some people hate a cover that is “marred” but I think it just adds some provenance and color. :shrug:

#1980s #1989 #A1Records #AmyRay #EmilySallers #Epic #IndigoGirls #NYC #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #Westchester #WHDHFM

The Smiths, Strangeways Here We Come, 1987 on Rough Trade.

Fourth (and final) studio album from The Smiths, produced by Stephen Street, Morrissey, and Johnny Marr and recorded at The Wool Hall in Beckington, Somerset. On constant repeat in my late 80s experience.

Strangeways was a prison in Manchester (now Manchester Prison) – The Smiths had previously used the Salford Lad’s Club for the cover of The Queen is Dead.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is the 2009 Rhino reissue which sounds great (though I don’t have an 80s pressing to compare it to).

#1980s #1987 #2009 #A1Records #JohnnyMarr #morrissey #NYC #Reissue #Rhino #RoughTrade #Salford #StephenStreet #TheSmiths #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Sting, Bring On The Night, 1986 on A&M

Sting’s first solo live album, a 2xLP set recorded over multiple nights of a tour in 1985. Sting was touring here with Branford Marsalis, Darryl Jones, Kenny Kirkland, Omar Hakim and others – basically a killer jazz band.

The band is incredibly tight and the energy of the shows is wonderful – even on songs like “We Work The Black Seam.” I love the “Driven To Tears” here and the “Moon Over Bourbon Street.” This is a must-have if you appreciate Sting’s jazz period (as I do). Artwork by Su Huntley and Donna Muir.

My copy—via A1 Records in NYC—is a 1986 PRS UK pressing. Per discogs this doesn’t seem to have ever been issued on vinyl in the US.

#1980s #1986 #AM #A1Records #BranfordMarsalis #DarrylJones #NYC #OmarHakim #Sting #ThePolice #UK #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Police, Zenyatta Mondatta, 1980 on A&M

Third album in the brilliant opening set of LPs from Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers. Side one opens with “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” “Driven To Tears,” and “When The World is Running Down, You Make The Best of What’s Still Around” – what a sequence!

There’s such a tight and interesting rhythm to these early Police albums – obviously a trio of brilliant musicians taking basic rock structures and expanding on them in interesting and challenging ways.

Before I starting bringing discogs (on my phone) when record shopping, I bought 2 or 3 copies of each of the first 5 Police LPs – now I know better and only pick one up if it is an upgrade of quality.

My copy—via Slipped Disc at a vinyl fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—looks to be a 1981 pressing from Pittman, perhaps with stampers from Terre Haute.

#1980 #1980s #AM #AnySummers #LowellMA #MillNo5 #SlippedDisc #StewartCopeland #ThePolice #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

John Mayall, Down The Line, 1973 on London Records

Compilation of songs previously released: First LP includes songs from Blues Breakers, A Hard Road, Crusade, The Blues Alone, Bare Wires, Blues From Laurel Canyon, and Looking Back, and the second LP is John Mayall Plays John Mayall (1965) which was never released on vinyl in the US (and had not been issued in the US when this came out).

I’m a massive John Mayall fan – I don’t normally try to pick up compilations of things I already have, but this is a good way to get the live tracks on LP2 as I’ve never seen a John Mayall Plays John Mayall in the wild.

My copy is a Bestway Pressing via A1 records in New York City.

#1970s #1973 #A1Records #Blues #compilation #JohnMayall #LondonRecords #NYC #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Modern Lovers, The Modern Lovers, 1976 on Beserkley

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers are part of the indie rock canon, especially here in greater Boston. They formed in Natick MA in 1970, and were active from 1970 to 1974, but most of their records came out later – this one in 1976.

Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads) gets credit for piano, organ, and backing vocals, with Ernie Brooks playing bass, and David Robinson drums. John Cale produced six of the songs. That’s a gig poster for Gloucester High School auditorium on the rear cover.

Some legendary songs here – “Roadrunner” (which you may know via the Sex Pistol’s cover and after which a local venue is now named) and “Pablo Picasso” which has been covered by many people including David Bowie and Jack White.

My copy—via A1 records in NYC—is a later reissue (2009) by 4 Men With Beards on 180g vinyl.

#1970s #1976 #4MenWithBears #A1Records #Beserkley #DavidRobinson #ErnieBrooks #JerryHarrison #JohnCale #JonathanRichman #ModernLovers #NYC #Reissue #Roadrunner #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Selecter, Celebrate the Bullet, 1981 on Chrysalis

The Selecter were a Coventry band on 2 Tone; Celebrate the Bullet was their second album, following Too Much Pressure. Neol Davies, Pauline Black, and Arthur Hendrickson did most of the songwriting here, with production by Roger Lomas.

My copy—via Lucky Records in Reykjavik—is a 1981 Santa Maria pressing.

#1980s #1981 #2Tone #Chrysalis #Coventry #LuckyRecords #NeolDavies #PaulineBlack #Reykjavik #RogerLomas #TheSelecter #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Blancmange, Mange Tout, 1984 on London Records

Second studio album from British synth-pop duo Blancmange (Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe), following Happy Families. This was their best selling album, with “Blind Vision” and “Don’t Tell Me” as successful singles.

I always loved “The Day Before You Came” but did not realize it’s an ABBA cover!

My copy is a UK pressing via Lucky Records in Reykjavik Iceland.

#1980s #1984 #blancmange #LondonRecords #LuckyRecords #NeilArthur #Reykjavik #StephenLuscombe #SynthPop #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Damned, Machine Gun Etiquette, 1979 on Chiswick

This was the third studio album from Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, and (new bassist) Algy Ward, collectively known as The Damned.

Includes a cover of “Looking at You” by the MC5, as well as “Love Song” and “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today.” I believe this was only available as an import in the US until issued on CD in 1991 by Emergo.

My copy is a later UK repressing (1986) on ACE Records, pressed at Sonopress in Germany – via A1 Records in NYC.

#1970s #1979 #A1Records #Ace #AlgyWard #CaptainSensible #Chiswick #DaveVanian #NYC #punk #RatScabies #Sonopress #TheDamned #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Ella & Louis: Complete Studio Small Group Recordings, 2015 on Waxtime

Waxtime is sometimes a controversial label. Based on some differences between US and EU copyright law, they’re releasing classic jazz recordings without explicit access o the source material. This means they might be working from a CD, or even a needle-drop on a good vinyl copy- but the source material is more or less unofficial.

That said, I’m a huge fan of the work Ella and Louis did together. There are two primary releases: 1956’s Ella and Louis, which I have a 1956 pressing of, and 1957’s Ella and Louis Again, which I don’t currently have (but am on the hunt for). The latter is a 2xLP release, which includes some tracks that feature one or the other but not both.

This Waxtime release puts together then first Ella and Louis LP plus the tracks from Ella and Louis Again which feature both of them. (As they put it: “This edition includes all of their duets from these sessions while discarding the songs on which either Ella or Louis sit out”).

Note Ella and Louis are backed here by basically the Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson, Herb Ellis, and Ray Brown, plus Buddy Rich (sides A&B) or Louie Bellson (sides C&D) on drums. These original sessions were all done in Hollywood and produced by Norman Granz.

For my money this is a great edition, despite unclear / unstated source material. (Direct-metal-mastering straight from a CD?). It’s well pressed, with a low noise floor, and the mastering makes the material sound lively and present. Now maybe on high end audiophile equipment one would notice more difference, but these are studio recordings from the 50s and they sound great. I’ll keep looking for an original (or an audiophile reissue) of Ella and Louis Again but in the meanwhile happy to have these on vinyl.

#1950s #1956 #1957 #2010s #2015 #BuddyRich #EllaFitzgerald #HerbEllis #jazz #LouieBellson #LouisArmstrong #NormanGranz #OscarPeterson #RayBrown #Reissue #Verve #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #Waxtime

The Waterboys, Out of All This Blue, 2017 on BMG

Mike Scott, the creative force behind The Waterboys, has continued to make interesting music and evolve their sound – here incorporating more contemporary pop sounds. It’s a double album, with a third record of “blue variations.” Some of the tracks have lots of instrumentation (strings, brass, overdubs) and some seem to be recorded on the fly with just guitar or piano and drum machine with Scott singing solo.

Among guests, there some fiddle via Steve Wickham (who played the violin on “Sunday Bloody Sunday”), brass and string arrangements by Trey Pollard, and bass from Patterson Hood’s dad David Hood.

It’s a big sprawling three record collection but I love it. Still so much talent!

My copy is the 3xLP Deluxe edition, via Crossroads Records in Portland OR.

#2010s #2017 #BMG #CrossroadsRecords #DavidHood #MikeScott #PortlandOR #SteveWickham #TheWaterboys #TreyPollard #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds