Grace Jones: Nightclubbing (1981)
Released 31 Years Ago Today
https://youtu.be/cBYd2oW9o9I
Sade: Stronger Then Pride (1988)
Released 38 Years Ago Today
Kraftwerk: Computer World (1981)
Released 39 Years Ago Today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OeX9Rq9cFk&list=PLrpyDacBCh7D9LYtNqpCNxIAyLk4R26uA
Grace Jones: Warm Leatherette (1980)
My favorite—or maybe second favorite—Grace Jones album. I can never definitively say if this or Nightclubbing is my favorite. They're both so good they could easily have been released as a double LP.
Released 44 Years Ago Today
Carpenters: Now and Then (1975)
Recent Acquisitions
I saw this disc on an Instagram post and had to have it. It's always been a favorite film and soundtrack of mine, so seeing it on Tiffany-blue vinyl was all I needed. Tracking down this particular pressing was a bit more difficult. I bought one from Discogs.com that was listed as "blue vinyl," but it was actually royal blue, not this gorgeous teal.
Of course, I hadn't favorited it on Instagram, so tracking it down again was a bit of a chore, but after messaging the owner I got the specific record label and catalog number and was able to find it that way.
I don't know what prompted me to seek this one out, but I'm glad I did.
I Approve Of This Message
https://www.facebook.com/IWillMeetMadonna/videos/800627796973683/
Released 27 Years Ago Today
Annie Lennox: Diva (1992)
Released 40 Years Ago Today
Donna Summer: Bad Girls (1979)
Released 31 Years Ago Today
Erasure: The Innocents (1988)
Probably my favorite Erasure album ever.
Released 36 Years Ago Today
David Bowie: Let's Dance (1983)
Released 37 Years Ago Today
Toto: Toto IV (1982)
Recent Acquisitions
It's red vinyl day up in here!
B-52s was domestic. Madonna was from Belguim. Both arrived the same day.
Released 33 Years Ago Today
Pet Shop Boys: Please (1986)
Released 44 Years Ago Today
Chicago: Chicago VIII (1975)
Released 30 Years Ago Today
Madonna: Like a Prayer (1989)
And as I just mentioned to Ben, this anniversary also means I haven't had a Pepsi for 30 years as well.
When Pepsi dropped Madonna as a spokesperson, citing the "sacreligious" imagery in the Like a Prayer (Jeez, they had no idea what was coming, did they?) video, I swore I would never drink Pepsi again. And I haven't.
The Umbrella Academy/Soundtrack
People Just Liked It Better That Way
They Might Be Giants: Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (1990)
Released 46 Years Ago Today
https://youtu.be/bjNjPF2RYdQ
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Released 41 Years Ago Today
Sphinx: Sphinx (1978)
Under the name Sphinx, Alec R. Costandinos and Don Ray released an album with two side-long tunes, Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter, telling the story of the betrayal of Christ. Judas features some monk-like chanting, and a pretty simple ascending and descending theme, but as usual it goes through a bewildering series of tranformations, including what sounds like a bouzouki duel, before climbing to a rousing finale. It's also a good case study in how Costandinos keeps the rhythm section pumping out dance beats no matter how overwrought the orchestra gets. Simon Peter explores similar territory and about seven minutes in, it breaks into the most furious, kick-ass disco you're ever going to hear.
Much like Costandinos' work with Cerrone on Love in C-Minor, I was initially unaware of Don Ray's contributions to this album, but upon subsequent listening it's obvious.
And no doubt because of the subject matter, I don't recall ever hearing it played in the clubs. I only stumbled upon it because it appeared in a full page ad in Billboard Magazine along with Costandinos' other work.
Released 34 Years Ago Today
Sade: Diamond Life (1985)
Released 40 Years Ago Today
Carrie Lucas: Dance With You (1979)
Released 43 Years Ago Today
https://youtu.be/no7i4oVkccM
The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits (1976)
Released 35 Years Ago Today
https://youtu.be/lc08yt0qTuA
The Thompson Twins: into the Gap (1984)
Baby I'm Burnin'
Dolly Parton cover session for her album "Heartbreaker" on February 15, 1978 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photos by Ed Caraeff)
May Dolly Parton be blessed by all the gods, old and new.
I Told You…
…I was gonna get it.
I. Love. To. Listen to. Beethoven. BEE. THO. VEN.
Released 35 Years Ago Today
Alan Parsons Project: Ammonia Avenue (1984)
I used to put Pipeline on my brand new Yamaha system back in 1986 (which was when I first got it on CD) and crank it.
I miss that system. Probably the best sounding reliable audio equipment I've ever owned.
Music of My Muses
Since we're on the subject of Philip Glass…
Many years ago I put this CD on one afternoon and as this particular track from the disc was reaching its crescendo, I was moved to begin a painting. I was lucky in that I had a blank canvas available and almost before I knew what was happening I was on my feet and sketching. After a years-long absence, the Muses had returned—in force—and they weren't taking no for a response.
This is the result:
Palate Cleanser
No, I did not watch the Shitgibbon vomit his fecal word salad this evening, but reading the recaps and comments was more than enough to set me off. I got through a couple postings, "marked all as read" in my Political News Feed, closed the program, put on my headphones, and started playing Akhnaten.
This music always takes somewhere else, far away from real life. It always has, and probably always will. It's a great escape.
And now you must excuse me while I take my leave. The Window of Appearances has just started…
Ambient Moodiness
I call this writing music.
I have absolutely no idea what this movie is about. I've never heard of it. I stumbled across this soundtrack while searching for the soundtrack from God's Own Country and discovered the group A Winged Victory for the Sullen along the way. This is another one available on (red) vinyl that I'm going to have to add to my collection.
Listen here.