You Can't Lose What You Never Had

Thanks to my uncle for giving me a Permian promotional copy of Lynn Anderson's single, "You Can't Lose What You Never Had." It was recorded in the 80's under the Permian record label. The copy was sent to a Mr. Jay Bird from WJEZ radio located at 180 N. Michigan Ave, in Chicago.
Anderson was best known for her hit single, "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden," and won an American Music Award in 1974.
I am not sure how this ended up with my uncle but glad to have a piece of vinyl "single" history. Permian Records is/was located in Dallas, Texas. Not sure if it is still in business.

I Left Zappa In New York

I'm in a Zappa state of mind today. What do I have of him on vinyl? What did I have? Why did I leave "Over- Nite Sensation" in a New York hotel? What mutha stole my "Zoot Allures" but left its pretty package to trick me, to spite me, to make me think, for the past ten years, that "Zoot" was tucked nicely in its warm blanket. It was waiting for me to get my turntable groove on, to release the beast in all of its glory. I'm saddened that I cannot spin "Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station," but happy to see that another classical greatness is awake and ready to roll.
"Apostrophe(')." The first record my husband and I bought together. There is only one Zappa and we unconditionally agree to love him. Ok- there were two -if you count our late and great "Zappa" dog. "Apostrophe(')" is one of the few records we can play without a slew of fightin' words being tossed around like a GTO rag doll. The only record that does not cause me to nag about his music. I will never forget listening to this on vinyl for the first time. It was probably in 1994. We were living in Chicago, on the corner of Roosevelt and Austin, aka, the "four corners." Something like that. Oak Park, Cicero, Berwyn and Chicago, were the areas that protected our building. You could walk across the street and be in Cicero, or you could go west, across Austin Boulevard, and be in Oak Park. You could look to the sky and be in Chicago and then there was Berwyn. A tight group of "colorful" lived in the building. I won't mention names, bless their hearts, but to get a real feel for where we lived would only make for a more exciting post.
The apartment, a flop house. It could have been a good thing. Rent was cheap, bugs were cheaper. Across from us- the "pot dealers." I was a bit apprehensive, knocking on their door for a cup of sugar, and being welcomed with open arms into their living room. Massive piles of sticky, stinky, clumps laid down like a Thanksgiving dinner. Upstairs, the "musicians." Down the hall, the owners and their cracked out "kids." We were one big happy family. Not much in common but Frank and a good meal.
And so, I became privy to this Zappa cosmic ideology and learned how to jive on his "Cosmik Debris." It is this album cover that will soon be framed and hammered into my wall. "Who is that guy, framed and hammered into your wall?" "That's uncle Zappa."

What A Huge Record Player

They say you can tell the size of a man's (insert word) by the size of his turntable. They might have said that at one point, back in the early 1900's, when the Victor Victrola adorned living rooms and provided families with endless entertainment. Not only is the player big, but his needle compares nicely to that of a nail and his sound- well- that would be comparable to the cries of a whale. Muffled turns to nostalgic. Nostalgic turns to home. Home turns to serenity. I'm feelin' ya Victor.
I had the pleasure of being able to go to the making of the "Made In Aurora" album seminar, at Backthird Audio, in down town Aurora. It was a nice turnout, with guests from the music industry and art scene, who were interested in the "behind the scenes" look at how a record moves towards completion. Why was I there? First of all, I cannot strum a chord to save Arlo Guthrie's life. I love music, and I especially love the fact that I was able, for once in my life, to get into a studio and see all of the bells and whistles that contribute to product. I was especially drawn to the studio's record player. I have no clue what components it had for playing or what it could do for my Lulu album but I know for a fact it could drive a truck. It was pretty and it was lit up like a UFO and it was not cheap. It's what I expected to be in this beautiful space.
If local musicians are interested in recording, being part of a music guild, songwriting conferences and events- Backthird Audio is a fantastic space. Very warm and cozy. If one is particularly interested in arm wrestling, contact Victor.

Note: Two photos of two turntables to turn to. One is the Victor Victrola. Photo taken at my aunt and uncle's house. Not sure of model or make and the other, a Stanton digital, STR8-156. Photo taken at Backthird Audio.

Small Faces - Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

Twenty years ago today, we lost Steve Marriott. I am sorry I did not get a chance to witness his amazing presence. I am keeping my eyes open for "Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake." If anyone sees this on vinyl somewhere-please let me know!

Note: This excerpt was an advertisement, marketing idea/parody- taken from "The Lord's Prayer" -during the release of the album. 1968.

from Wikipedia

Small Faces
Which were in the studios
Hallowed by thy name
Thy music come
Thy songs be sung
On this album as they came from your heads
We give you this day our daily bread
Give us thy album in a round cover as we give thee 37/9d.,
Lead us into the record stores.
And deliver us Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake
For nice is the music
The sleeve and the story
For ever and ever, Immediate

And I Ate Just Like A Woman.....

Twelve angry women. That's what I got on vinyl for ya. Let's not underestimate the power of an emotional, musical breakdown in estrogen form or the sweet soulful grace of the dimuntively challenged. Their voices, huge, full of pain and happiness. Full of charismatic, sexual energy that could sweep Elvis into the corner. The kind of energy our mothers told us to suppress with lock and key. It is within these divas we find our "Cheap Thrills" and are often the records I put on when needing a vicarious fix. Some, I am listening to for the first time. I mention one album from each lady, but I do have multiple releases from a few. There are many gals who I listen to on tape or CD. Since this is all vinyl, I will cover only those. Check please.

1. "Chapter Two"- Roberta Flack- I can put this record on over and over and over and as I write this, I have. "Reverend Lee." Ah- who in their right mind would demand "Reverend Lee - do it to me." Precious. I am in love with the whole album. My favorite-"Gone Away," written by Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield and Leroy Hutson. Climactic.
2. "Horses"- Patti Smith- I think I need to post a separate entry for Smith. I put this on for the first time in a long time and danced with Indigo to "Gloria" and then weeped at "Birdland." Only Jesus could die for "some body's sins" but Patti Smith's.
3."Cheap Thrills"-Janis Joplin- What can I say about this album cover that hasn't already been said. If it was approved by the Hell's Angels then its good enough for me. Little girl in a power voice.
4. "Tapestry"- Carol King- "Natural Women, "I Feel The Earth Move," - the barefoot lyricist.
5. "Rickie Lee Jones"- RLJ- I need to re-visit this album. There was a time I thought it cool to smoke brown cigarettes.
6."Olivia- Totally Hot"- Olivia Newton John- I was in love with her from the time I was five. I did have Grease and Xanadu on record but they were trampled on by crisp white roller skates, leg warmers and ribbon barrettes. This cover will flip flop one's sexual preference. Confusion.
7. "The Magnificent Miriam Makeba"- Miriam Makeba- Never listened to it. Need to.
8. "Joni Mitchell"- JM- Another colorful album cover and another prolific writer. The back boasts a nice fish eye view of Mitchell dressed in red, next to a red van walking the streets of, I don't know, the south side of Chicago? I need to listen to this too. Produced by David Crosby.
9. "Surrealistic Pillow"- Jefferson Airplane- Pink and surreal. "Somebody To Love" and "White Rabbit." The beautiful Grace Slick. Reading the back of this record, I see that Jerry Garcia was the musical and spiritual advisor.
10. "Love Child"- Dianna Ross and The Supremes- 1968- Mowtown Records. I do not think I ever listened to this either but I am right now. Love these women.
11. "Martha and The Vandellas Greatest Hits"- Martha and The Vandellas-Another one I must listen too.
12.- Aretha's Greatest Hits"- Aretha Franklin- I just got this album, as I mentioned before, and it is absolutely the greatest! Every song is good. "Respect;" "Spanish Harlem;" "Do Right Women- Do Right Man;"- they're all in there.

Who Doesn't Have Enough...

Robert Goulet. I don't have any but someday I might. I just need to go back to the Thrift And Dollar-Paula Dean, Paula Dean and excavate the many Goulets, buried in the leaves of martini days gone past and polyester smells.
Saturday was Record Store Day and I decided to take my daughter to Kiss The Sky so that she may witness the revival but she hung on to me like a kindergartner full of hesitation and uncertainty. I was not sure why the apprehension. Once she spotted familiarity in the form of Beatles and saw the hanging ACDC earrings, she came around.
Kiss the Sky had a dollar bin and I scored a couple of beauties- Humble Pie's "Smokin'" and "Aretha's Greatest Hits." Saturday was also the release of "Made In Aurora" and I must say how much I love this record! Local musicians on vinyl in the year 2011 equals pure authenticity. It could have been recorded in 1973, that's how good needle sounds on new.
Back to thrift store finds. For a pricey 99 cents- Streisand and Kristofferson's "A Star Is Born," "The Piano Music Of Chopin," and "Valley Of The Dolls Soundtrack." I think I scored.

Record Store Day 2011 - The Steepwater Band And My Back Pocket