Honey, I'm Home

I'm back! Did you miss me? Probably not...

For those that did, I should probably explain that I've had a pretty hectic week or so, packing my life into a couple of boxes and moving out of my parents' house home. In amongst the unpacking, I've been squeezing in going to work and haven't had a spare minute with a decent internet connection until now.

As a little housewarming gift to myself (and my record player), I've picked up a few new records to play in my new set up. Conveniently, I've moved in just across the road from Sifters (the record shop referenced in Oasis's 'Shakermaker'), so my Saturday mornings are now sorted! With car boot sale season edging towards a close as well, I popped into a local one that I'd yet to visit.

First up, an oldie but a goodie: The George Benson Collection, including 'Never Give up on a Good Thing', 'Turn Your Love Around' (new at time of release) and my personal favourite, 'Give Me The Night'. Sifters' records are always in great condition, are extremely well priced (for retail) and usually come with any original extras. This double disc version came with the accompanying biography, still in top nick. Superb.

Also ticked of the shopping list is Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly'. Like most people my age, I first heard this track via The Fugees. The original is just as good. One time, one time...

'Freebird' is another track I love, simply because it's on the Forrest Gump soundtrack. With 'Sweet Home Alabama' thrown in as well, I can safely say there are far worse ways to spend a pound.

A lot of the albums I buy are quite often based on one or two tracks. This was the case here, but I'm looking forward to giving these two a proper listen-through. I picked out a Jim Croce's greatest hits collection on the back of Quentin Tarantino's use of 'I Got a Name' in Django Unchained and I've been looking out for a copy of 'Wonderful World' by Sam Cooke after hearing it on a TV advert a month or two ago.

 And sometimes, you find those singles you want on their very own 45s. I picked up this copy of Anita Ward's 'Ring My Bell' for 50p from a couple who were clearing out their house.

And from the same box I picked out Miami Sound Machine's 'Dr. Beat'. 8am Sunday morning gold.

From what I've seen so far, Jackie Wilson does not do a good record sleeve. I've now added 'Reet Petite' and 'I Get the Sweetest Feeling' to my collection, which are both equally as offensive to the eye as my copy of 'Higher and Higher'.

Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life. Reasoning not required.

The man, the voice, the beard: Michael McDonald. Michael McDonald is another artist that reminds of driving round in my dad's car when I was little, listening to his greatest hits. I should probably add that my dad was the one doing the driving - I was attentive but not a badass. If you've not heard of Michael McDonald or the Doobie Brothers before, you can thank them for the sample of 'I Keep Forgettin'' on Warren G's 'Regulate'.

And finally, not one that I bought but actually a surprise flatwarming gift from my brother. As I've mentioned before, Jamie Woon's Mirrorwriting is one of my favourite albums of the last few years, so it was an awesome gift to get the single of 'Lady Luck'. The artwork isn't too bad either. Jackie Wilson, take note...

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Perfect Day's Picking

Another Sunday and another trip to the local booter. After a few drinks last night, I was in two minds when my brother banged on my door at 8:30 this morning but I made the right choice - when the sun's out, so are the sellers.

Today's haul has added another 17 records to my collection and some perfect sunny day listening. I won't bore you with all of them but here's a sample of the best:

Linda Rondstadt is up there with Stevie Nicks and Carly Simon on my list of old ladies who would have been my celebrity pinups if I was born to a different generation. Ronstadt's 'Different Drum' is a big favourite in my family and always reminds me of going holiday as a little boy. She also does a pretty awesome cover of The Eagles' 'Desperado' and Smokey Robinson's 'Tracks of My Tears'.

I'm trying not to buy up too many singles - I simply don't have the space - but I couldn't turn this down and what's more, it was part of a 12 for £10 deal. Saaaweet.

We're in the midst of a mini heatwave. What more do I need to say? As well as having the original version, the B side also has 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Lean on Me' for the drama kid in all of us.

I've been on the lookout for a decent Marvin Gaye record for the last few weeks. Every one I've found has either been battered or just had one or two tracks I like. This one was in great condition and has all of his best hits. Shame his dad went and bloody shot him...

Probably the best buy of the day. The title track from Running on Empty is part of my favourite movie scene ever; the running montage in Forrest Gump. I'm still keeping an eye out for 'Doctor My Eyes' but if I had to have one Jackson Browne track, 'Running on Empty' would be it.

Ooo-oooh weeeeeee. Finally, a record from this century.

Not a bad day's hunting! I also picked up some fun stuff for my new flat, which I'll post about later in the week. For now, Monday beckons...

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Pro-ject Vinyl

My dad has kindly been letting me use his old record player for the last few weeks but, as I'm expecting to have moved out by the end of the summer, I've my dad has been on the hunt for a player of my own. Dad is a full-blown eBay addict - he actually celebrated winning a pond guard the other day - and knows a lot more about the tech than I do so I was happy to let him take the lead and report back.

And now, after numerous failed bids, a week of waiting for postage and a false delivery to the neighbours, I'm now the proud owner of a Pro-Ject Debut III. And it sounds... awesome. Really crisp, full and solid. In comparison, the old Kenwood model I had been using was actually quite tinny and light. In fact, it's made it pretty clear which records are in good shape and which will need a little TLC once I get hold of a record brush. What do you think of it?

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Vinyl Additions

Now that the House of Fun is in full operation, I'm starting to learn a thing or two about living with kids. Lesson one, and this is a crucial lesson, is that they do not understand the term 'lie in'. While it's not a problem in the week, a 6am wakeup call on a Sunday is not my idea of living. Wide awake by 7, Tom and I decided to get out of the house and search a couple of the local car boot sales to add to our vinyl collections. 

First up, I picked up a couple of no brainers including the Beach Boys' Greatest Hits, Bob Marley's Legend and ChangesOneBowie, which all came from a familiar vinyl stand. Of course, having a rummage is far more fun that being presented with a stand full of records, and I managed to grab a few star buys on the cheap. As well as The Power of Love, Huey Lewis' Back to the Future theme, and the Righteous Brothers' Greatest Hits (that Top Gun bar scene, anyone?) I found a compilation album of 10cc and Godley & Creme, which includes 'Cry' - on my hitlist since dad pulled down his single from the loft. If you don't know the track I mean, listen here. 

And finally, the pick of this week's buys was The Heat is On by Glen Frey at the outrageous price of 75p. I'm on a bit of an unashamed Eagles kick at the moment after watching a BBC biography on the band so when I found this, and in good condition, it was only going home with one person. Plus, Eddie Murphy is on the sleeve; what more could you ask for?

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