Dear Santa...

Being that I only learned the truth about Father Christmas at the age of 13 (I know, even I don't know how it took that long), I thought I'd celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the end of my childhood by writing out my Christmas wish list* this year. I hasten to add that I also learned the truth about the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny in the same car journey back from Tesco. Scarred on my memory, you might say.

I know it's still November, but as soon as the advent calendar comes out, it's Christmas time for me. And if, like me, your list contains a number of items which would be cheaper to order internationally, it pays to think ahead. For your family's sake, of course... So here it is:

 

First on the list are, unsurprisingly, records. I still have Lana Del Rey's Born To Die at the top of my must have list and I'm hoping to get it checked off pretty soon. My usual eBay store imports it from America for around £25, although HMV stock it in store for a similar price. I'm also hoping to tick off the Arctic Monkey's debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and Kanye's Late Registration (remember? Before he became a dick).

Continuing on the music theme, I have No On Here Gets Out Alive, the Jim Morrison biography in my sights. At just a tenner, it would make a great stocking filler - if I don't buy it first.

And what could go better with a music biography than, you guessed it... BBQ sauce? A teenager in a man's body, I've been religiously tuning into WWE since the late nineties and will forever hold good ol' Jim Ross as the ultimate play by play commentator. So, when I found out over Twitter that the big man has his own brand of 'Bar-B-Q' sauce, it had to go on my list. You can find it for just £3.99 a bottle over on American Soda.

Another small bottle of joy, but not quite so cheap, is my favourite aftershave: Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. I've been wearing it since I was 16 and no Christmas would be complete with topping up the supply store.

A little off the general Christmas track, I've been hoping to see Book of Mormon since it arrived on the West End earlier this year. Wouldn't it be nice if tickets turned up come Christmas morning? Mormons do Christmas, right?

Generally, when I can't think of anything that I'd like for Christmas, a trip to the January sales is the way forward. This year is clearly different, but if I do pop to the sales, I'll be on the look out for a pair of Chelsea boots. Office do a pair by their house brand, Ask The Missus,  for £74.99. Not the most outrageous price to pay.

And finally, the present I always wanted but never got (woe is me), a Mr Frosty ice lolly maker. I'll always remember the advert jingle; 'Mr Frosty is such fun, he makes treats for everyone.' 

Maybe, just maybe, this year's the year...

*very much wishes and not all realistic

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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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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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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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Gone Bootin'

Sunday mornings for me usually mean a lie in and the potential of a crippling hangover. But now, things have changed. Yesterday, free from dry mouth and a fuzzy head, I delved into the mirky world of the car boot sale. And I liked it...

My brother and I are addicted to the History Channel (a post for another time) and one of its shows, American Pickers, where a pair of, would you believe it, American 'pickers', go round the Southern states hunting for old Americana for restoration. Though car bootin' might not be a little more Cash in the Attic than American Pickers, the thought of unearthing some treasures of my own was too strong to resist so we set our alarms early and headed over to a local 'booter'.

While my new flat will be treated to this great printed mirror (below), which at £3 was an absolute steal, I also came back with a stack of old LPs and the intention to buy a record player. With prices in my selection of vinyl goodies ranging from 10p to £5, I've managed to give my new collection a healthy start - in all, I spent just under £40 on 25 items and, bar one, they're all in good, playable condition.

I say playable because the haul led to us busting out my dad's old Kenwood system and amplifier and giving them all a whirl. To my dismay, he also pulled his old collection out of the loft, which is in immaculate condition and contains so many albums I wish I owned myself. What was supposed to be a causal Sunday rummage has led to what I think might be a new hobby. I just need to find that record player or convince Dad to let me take his with me when I move out...

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