Vinyl Additions

It's a Saturday and I have nothing planned with my day, which can only mean one thing: a trip to Sifters! I've been well behaved this month while I worked out if paying for my food and lodgings would permit me to continue frittering away my wages on music that I could listen to for free - music piracy?! Get of here!

As it turns out, I can. Huzzah for the price of pasta and sauce. Rent and existing aside, I've been putting off going into Sifters for a few weeks in the hope that Mr. Sifter might have some new stock for my player. And he did. So what am I spinning this week?

I've been waiting for the right Jackson 5 collection to come up for a while and this one fits the bill. Obviously, it has your ABCs and Want You Backs but also comes with a cover of Jackson Browne's 'Doctor My Eyes', 'Skywriter' and 'Mama's Pearl'. No 'Blame It On The Boogie' though. Ya win some, ya lose some...

Other than buying every Stevie Wonder album I can find, this is probably the closest I've come to finding a collection that I'll actually listen to in full. Across two sides, there's 'For Once In My Life', 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours' and 'Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday'.

Next up. A purchase inspired by Kanye's 'Slow Jamz', it's The Best of Luther Vandross. You can never have too much Vandross. See what I did there?

Okay, so Fleet Foxes' first album is one of the records on my post about my favourite albums of the last 10 years. I've found an American seller on eBay with a ridiculously good range of brand new stock that imports records for free, and this went straight in my basket. It cost me about a tenner and would probably be worth double in a record store over here. The medieval tapestry is also one of my favourite pieces of album artwork ever. If I weren't going to play it so much, it would already be in a frame.

Another import, and a little bittersweet. I bought this thinking I was purchasing the Paradise edition of Lana Del Rey's Born To Die album. What I actually purchased was the bonus eight tracks, which were released after Born To Die. Still a great listen but always read the label, kids.

Yes, he looks like you'd reject a lift from him if you were hitchhiking, but my Bob Seger collection is finally complete. Stranger In Town has both 'Old Time Rock & Roll' (music video referenced in this scene from Saved By The Bell) as well as 'Hollywood Nights', which you might remember if you were ever into Guitar Hero.

I also had a thorough rummage through Sifters' singles collection and surfaced with some absolute gold. All at 50p a pop. Ey, you can't beat northern prices! First out of the box was Eric Clapton with 'Layla' as well as a B-side of Monica from Friends' favourite song, 'Wonderful Tonight'. I shouldn't know that, should I?

Continuing along the theme of homosexual pop culture, I'm now the proud honour of both Kenny Loggins' 'Danger Zone' and Berlin's 'Take My Breath Away', from the film, Top Gun. Gutsiest move I ever saw. 

Also on the receipt was 'Romeo & Juliet' by Dire Straits (covered by The Killers) and 'Killing Me Softly' by Roberta Flack. If you're attentive, you'll know I already have it on 12" but I've doubled up for the B-side of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'. A happy weekend's picking!

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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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