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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Payday Pleasures: Vinyl Special

After just a few weeks of hunting, my vinyl collection is taking pretty good shape. I now have a great player and around 40 records, which I'd say is a pretty solid start. However, as you'll have noticed from the selection I've blogged about, most of them have come from second-hand dealers and, as such, are classics.

Paying £2 a record is a really easy way to build quantity but I'd also like my collection to include a few albums released in my own lifetime! I might like the music from the 70s and 80s but I certainly wasn't able to appreciate them until at least the late 90s. So, with payday just a few days away, I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite albums and ones which I'll be adding slowly but surely to my big red box.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
I was introduced to Fleet Foxes by an ex and, although I didn't appreciate them immediately, grew to love their first album a few years later at uni.
One song only: Blue Ridge Mountains

Born to Die - Lana Del Rey
What's there not to like about this woman and this album? Take away the fact that she's an absolute goddess in the looks department and the album stands on its own as something I regularly have on repeat. Paradise Edition optional.
One song only: Off to the Races

Mirrorwriting- Jamie Woon
I knew of but hadn't listened to Jamie Woon before I saw him at YNOT Festival in 2011. Since then, Mirrorwriting has stayed on my iTunes Most Played. The only downside is that his cover of Charles & Eddie's 'Would I Lie to You' isn't on there.
One song only: Night Air

Fancy Footwork - Chromeo
I've been a fan of Chromeo since my brother played me the title track from this album. While I enjoyed the third album, Business Casual, 2007's Fancy Footwork is my go to.
One song only: Momma's Boy

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
This was the very first album I listened to when I moved to uni halls. Nuff said.
One song only: One (Blake's Got a New Face)

Happiness - Hurts
Hurts aren't my usual bag but I love this album. Must be the synth - love my life as a dickhead, me.
It's just so angsty...
One song only: Stay

Someone to Drive You Home - The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes, although they weren't around for long, were on play a lot when I was 16. They make my list simply due to the fact that they were my first ever gig... and Kate Jackson is a beaut.
One song only: Once and Never Again

Serotonin - Mystery Jets
The obvious choice for a Mystery Jets album would probably be Twenty One, which has 'Half in Love With Elizabeth', 'Young Love' and 'Two Doors Down'. However, it was Serotonin which fully sold me on the band.
One song only: Alice Springs

Oracular Spectacular - MGMT
Do-do-do-do-dooo-do-do-do-dooooo. You know exactly what I mean. Other than 'Kids' and 'Time to Pretend', Oracular Spectacular has a lot of great album tracks like 'The Youth', 'Weekend Wars' and 'The Handshake'.
One song only: 'The Youth'

And there you have it. Early research suggests I'm going to be paying around £15-£20 for the more accessible titles and upwards of £50 for albums like Mirrorwriting so I'll be filtering them into my collection slower than I'd like. Let me know what's on your hitlist! 

The Reserves

       Alas I Cannot Swim - Laura Marling   Colour of the Trap - Miles Kane         Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World

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