Why do one-dollar records bring such pleasure? And why does shopping for one-dollar records bring even more? I suppose some answers are obvious, mostly having to do with expectations, disappointment, freedom and hype. I'll leave that analysis for those wiser than me. Maybe part of it takes ya back to when you first got into music, when you would buy a record because the cover looked cool, or because you had vaguely heard something positive about this strange-sounding band, or because you hadn't been burned so many times. Maybe it's buying and laughing instead of buying and somewhat wondering if it's worth it. Maybe it's just the absurdity of buying a Rick James record because the cover is so astoundingly wonderful in the strictest literal terms that you can only stare and chuckle giddily and be reminded of that first record you ever owned, Styx's Grand Illusion, which you will also buy again at this record fair, and remember what it's like to listen bright-eyed and stupid and uncritically. It's a buck, for god's sake- let's listen-to-like instead of demanding something of the experience.
Anyway, today's dollar-bin special is Leon Russell's Carney, plastic you've probably ignorantly passed up involuntarily for twenty years. Dummy. This leads with his biggest hit, "Tight Rope," a tune I've heard on the radio but always assumed was Harry Nilsson hung way over and just starting another jag. I'm gonna have to assume the titular tight rope is a metaphor, a statement on Russell's lack of commercial success or maybe a commentary on his intake. It's not important, and this ain't decipher-the-poetry class. What we have here is a morning record leap-frogging what might loosely be called Americana tunes- a touch of gospel here, a little Cole Porter there, some swampy New Orleans piano everywhere. Somewhere between Mr. Nilsson and Roy Wood, Leon Russell's sound reposes- ending Side 1 with a tune called "Roller Derby" is just the right kind of contradiction for me, seeing as Hot Box Derby might have fit the southern sound more obviously. Look, this ain't no crazy overlooked gem from 1972, but it sounds like something from outer space, as it is impossible to imagine a long-haired freak in corpse paint sitting by a trailer trotting out hummalong piano ditties in the year 2011. It's a buck- it'll earn its value by the end of breakfast.
5 comments:
I can only assume that you're pulling $1 vinyl out of Amoeba Berkeley's newish "Discount Vinyl" bins, which bring the goods up to a respectable level and don't force the consumer to squat or sit on the floor in search of a bargain. Is it an understatement to say that it's finest logistical move that store has made in years??? And a free LP for every 5 purchased?!?!? YES. Almost makes up for the dreaded "Punk" section they installed, which houses things like English Dogs and Flogging Molly, but ignores Reatards and The Damned!
Now if only they could get the used 45s outta those cardboard boxes and in a proper rack for easy browsing...
Well, Tony and I actually visited some parking lot sale in Redwood City that was the proverbial veritable smorgasbord of 70s rock n soul. I bought 30 one-dollar records and I have subsequently listened to all of them except the second Yes record, the first being so awful that it counts as one of the few classic rock records that sounds worse after the punk rock years than it did before.
I fully agree that Amoeba's "New Arrivals" bargain section is a godsend, especially for aging vinyl hounds with bad backs.
And yea again on the 45s- I just gave up because I got so tired of pulling out those long cardboard "slats" and then shoving them back in. For that kind of labor you ought to get a free ejaculation.
Don't forget the German hoffbrau house after the record fair. Redwood City rocks!
I've been swamped with work and travel. So I haven't listened to most of my records. But I can pass along that the Rufus song entitled Slow Screw Against the Wall is simply elevator music. I'd be deeply disappointed, but it only cost a $1.
Hey, does anyone know of a good record store in Portland? I'm here for work.
there are tons of record stores in Portland- the only one I know by name, though, is the Mississippi Records store- where you can pick up a ton of great blues collections and other odd records, almost all of which I've loved- high batting average they have, and they're the dudes who reissued those Dead Moon records- and don't forget to call Scott- he's a stay-at-home dad so 5:00 comes early.
Powell's used to have a free map of all the record stores in Portland (believe there were 30+ of them, it's insane). Discourage is a fantastic store for highly collectable punk records...they have real-deal "Killed By Death" singles and stuff. Mississippi and Exiled are both supposed to be great. Green Noise as well.
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