When I was going through the tape haul yesterday I completely overlooked this nifty little number:
Robert Plant - 1990 Canadian Tour Commemorative Cassette (Es Paranza/WEA SAMC 648). This rather scarce promotional tape, sponsored by Molson Canadian, features two songs recorded during the Manic Nirvana sessions but not included on that album. The fold out sleeve features tour dates, a Sam The Record Man coupon, Playlist Pay Off contest details and a tour shirt offer.
Side 1 - Robert Plant Intro/Robert Plant Playlist Pay Off Details/One Love
Don't you just love it when people leave good quality items on the curb side for others to peruse and take for free? So much better than throwing stuff in the garbage so it can slowly rot (or even not) in a landfill. Think of the money that could be saved and the beneficial impact on the environment if more people were open to leaving items out and scavenging for items.
Today I went for a walk between the rain drops and happened upon two bags of cassettes, not yet wet.
I have found many such urban treasure troves before and have come to expect a mix of bad soundtracks, dance mixes and empty cases, but in this case there be gold in them there hills. What I find upon inspection back home is a mix of mostly decent hard rock/metal of the 80s/early 90s with only one true piece of dross - Much Music Dance Mix '95 (I'll be leaving that in the lobby for another scavenger) - and one particularly shiny gem that made me smile and nod - Armored Saint - March Of The Saint (their best album and one I haven't listened to in years). Hot water and dishsoap are in order as the cases are filthy with dust and I suspect that many have been sitting on a shelf untouched since the dawn of CDs, but the tapes themselves look to be in excellent condition.
Among the fifty+ tapes are several titles by the likes of Iron Maiden, Nirvana, Metallica, Great White, Whitesnake, Rush, Motley Crue, Peter Gabriel, Ratt, Robert Plant, Wall Of Voodoo, Queensryche and more. While several of these are albums I do enjoy, they might not be items I would necessarily seek out for my vinyl collection or want to shell out the price of a CD for. Now I can listen to them at my leisure and the cassette deck won't feel so neglected!
Many months ago I noticed that a new establishment was opening on Yonge Street (634 Yonge, to be exact) under the name Museum Of Vinyl Art. On the front window was displayed "Opening Soon". I liked the sound of that. Also displayed on the window was "Rare Vinyl $9.99". Now that made me scratch my head. How can so-called rare vinyl be lumped under one price? And such a low price? Months passed and this place just never seemed to actually open. Eventually there was some shelving put in, and after that records appeared. But the place was never open. Peering through the window I could see that the small amount of records that occupied the shelving was anything but rare. And the place was never open. Well, I just happened to find a listing on yelp with a couple of enlightening reviews (which now seems to be down to one review?). I won't copy it here, but let you read it for yourself. I am sure even the occasional purchaser of used vinyl will be left scratching their head on this one.
I seem to have deleted the original flyer image that was posted here. As the event was in November 2012 and this update is posted in January 2013 I won't bother trying to relocate it.
This is the Canadian pressing of Celtic Frost's first album, which I picked up at Sonic Boom last year, and is easily identified by the "speed metal" logo in the top right corner of the sleeve.
Switzerland's Celtic Frost are one of the forefathers of the extreme metal scene, possessing a raw, aggressive sound and moving easily between doomful dirge and frantic speed. They are also one of the earliest metal groups to wear what has become known as 'corpse paint' (which shouldn't be confused with the glam-influenced face paint of bands like Kiss).
Rising from the ashes of Hellhammer (who released two demos and an EP between 1983-84), Celtic Frost first released Morbid Tales as a mini-album in Germany in 1984 (Noise International N 0017). The following year the album was released in North America, on the Banzai label in Canada, and on Metal Blade (MBR 1033) in the USA. These issues were the first to add two tracks to the end of side 1 - "Dethroned Emperor" and "Morbid Tales". After a break-up and a reformation, the band declared their final end in September 2008.
I have always considered the cover image to be one of the best in metal, possessing the t-shirt in my youth and now having the sleeve framed on the wall. Fans of early Celtic Frost are recommended to check out Hellhammer and early recordings by fellow Swiss band Coroner.
Side 1 - 1. Into the Crypts of Rays (4:19) 2. Visions of Mortality (4:46) 3. Dethroned Emperor (4:35) 4. Morbid Tales (3:26)
Side 2 - 1. Procreation (of the Wicked) (4:01) 2. Return to the Eve (4:05) 3. Danse Macabre (3:51) 4. Nocturnal Fear (3:36)
Tom G Warrior-vocals/guitar; Martin Eric Ain-bass; Reed St.Mark-drums.
David Peel & The Lower East Side - The American Revolution
Elektra EKS-74069, USA, 1970
This is the second album by New York's David Peel & The Lower East Side, a "hippie-rock" band who can probably be likened to the Fugs in terms of subject matter; politics, street vibes and marijuana (indeed, their first album was titled 'Have A Marijuana' (Elektra EKS-74032, 1968)). David Peel befriended John Lennon in the early 70s and Lennon produced their third album 'The Pope Smokes Dope' (Apple SW-3391, 1972). Peel has remained active in music and political movements to date.
I picked this original American pressing up at Vortex. Great condition apart from a lower corner cut to the gate-fold sleeve, this cost me a measly $15, compared to some downtown shops where I have seen it for $30-$40.
Side1 - 1. The Lower East Side 2. The Pledge Of Allegiance 3. Legalize Marijuana 4. Oink, Oink 5. I Want To Get High
Side 2 - 1. I Want To Kill You 2. Girls, Girls, Girls 3. Hey, Mr. Draft Board 4. God
David Peel-vocals/guitar; Billy Joe White-vocals/guitar; Harold C Black-vocals/tambourine -with- Tony Bartoli-drums; Herb Bushler-bass; David Horowitz-organ; Richard Grando-soprano sax
Vortex is an upstairs record shop located up on Yonge Street. Because it is outside the downtown core I don't get there as often as I should, but it is certainly worth the visit. The large stacks are generally filed as an alphabetical misc., so a full search can be quite time consuming, but there are always good records to be found. The vinyl is in great condition and prices are refreshingly low, often half the price other dealers are charging for copies that might be in lesser condition. They also do mailing lists which are a valuable asset for the record hunter.
I first discovered this band in 1986 by way of a cassette I bought at a bookstore in Bramalea, Ontario and it was one of my first introductions to extreme metal (after Venom and Celtic Frost - thank you MuchMusic Power Hour). Of course the cassette was lost a very long time ago, but I recalled the music, especially "Black Mass", fondly and had hoped to eventually replace it. Fast forward to spring 2012 and I happened to pay a visit to Hits And Misses (now closed, see post below) with no money in my pocket, just wanted to see what they had hanging on the wall, and bam, a near mint condition Canadian pressing (the original American pressing came out in 1985 on Road Runner RR 9700). The owner was kind enough to hold it for a week until I could pay for it.
Exorcist are actually American power metal band Virgin Steele (apparently there were some legal wranglings going on between members) and that fact has led some of the more die-hard black-metal fans to look down upon this album, but I think it is a jolly good listen (!) and well worth a spin.
Side 1 - 1. Black Mass (4:15) 2. The Invocation (0:50) 3. Burnt Offerings (3:06) 4. The Hex (0:21) 5. Possessed (2:42) 6. Call For the Exorcist (3:32) 7. Death By Bewitchment (4:23)
Side 2 - 1. The Trial (0:48) 2. Execution of the Witches (3:19) 3. Consuming Flames of Redemption (0:36) 4. Megawatt Mayhem (1:10) 5. Riding To Hell (3:41) 6. Queen of the Dead (3:23) 7. Lucifer's Lament (5:36) 8. The Banishment (0:24)
Damian Rath-vocals; Marc Dorian-guitar; Jamie Locke-bass; Geoff Fontaine-drums.
Recorded at Sonic Sound, New York.
Listen to "Black Mass" here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAzhvsFE70
My next recommended vinyl store was going to be Hits And Misses on Queen Street West, Toronto, but I just found out that they closed down a few weeks ago! Oh no! Hits And Misses was THE place in Toronto to get your punk, hardcore and metal vinyl fix. I will miss this store.
Read the news article here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1257464--hits-and-misses-closes
In related news I just found out that my all time favorite vinyl store, Ton Um Ton, which was located on Lindengasse in Vienna, Austria closed down about two years ago. I haven't been there in many years, but back in the early 00's I frequented it a lot. They had an amazing selection of rare used vinyl from all over Europe. Also sadly missed.
Here is an obscure disc I picked up a while back. A symphonic prog album by a little known guy who I believe was from the London, Ontario area. I can find almost no information about the guy or the label. Anybody know anything? [Update- http://bobconnolly.com/ - thanks to DALE DSA for link!]
The album deals with themes of ancient alien visitors and comprises a guitar-oriented side, and a keyboard-oriented side. The back cover shows a fluffy-haired Mr. Connolly posing with a double-necked guitar (guitar/bass) and kind of screams "will the real Geddy Lee please stand up". As a delightful insert the album includes an 8 page comic book, black ink on pulp paper, unstapled.
There has been speculation online that this fellow is the same Robert Connolly who photographed some 'alien' skulls in South America, and another blogspot site has an 'anonymous' comment by someone claiming to be this musician and confirming the connection, stating that the photographs came about through his television show "Timeless Places". Obviously, nothing can be verified by an anonymous comment, but it would seem to make sense. If you are reading this Mr. Connolly, please get in touch, provide further information!
Side 1 - 1. Plateau of Naska (4:45) 2. A Close Encounter (5:19) 3. Power of Giza (4:30) 4. Battle of Gomorrah (3:11)
Side 2 - 1. Journey (14:22) 2. The Oracle (3:05)
Robert Connolly-guitar/bass/all keyboards/vocals; Greg McIlveen-drums; Sheila&Sandra Willick-vocals; Dave Beatty-guitar; Peter Crolly-bass/flute/vocals; Frank Russell-drums/bells; Howie Strutt-vocals
Recorded at Cottingham Sound & Sound Stage, Toronto & Springfield Sound, London.
Another shop I visit monthly, Sonic Boom is definitely Toronto's music super store. They have a massive floor space selling all manner of new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, books, clothing and accessories.
Vinyl appears to be priced using a value scale, so it is pretty easy to determine ahead of time what you will be paying. While I have not found any outright mind-blowing rarities at Sonic Boom, I have found some nice obscurities at good prices. They are open late 364 days a year.
Sonic Boom
782 Bathurst Street, Toronto
416 532 0334
www.sonicboommusic.com
My turntable is an ION TTUSB. I like this turntable for it's size and the quality of the arm and stylus cartridge. Alot of USB turntables are small in size which is good if you have limited space, but I really don't like my vinyl hanging over the sides. The downside of this turntable is that it doesnt have a dust cover, but it is available with a cover (TTUSB DC). I have emailed ION to see if a dust cover can be purchased separately and await their reply. (UPDATE - Reply requested that I call an American phone number and ask if dust cover is available separately.....hmmmm.)
I run the turntable through an old NAD 7125 stereo receiver, which produces a nice clean sound and higher volumes than I can get away with in my batchelor apartment (with paper thin walls!).
The speakers I use are RCA RS2640 Bass Reflex. They originally were part of the RCA RS2640 mini stereo system, but I bought them without the system for cheap from a pawn shop. There are some bad reviews online regarding problems with static and 'buzzing', but I have had no problems, so that could be related to the stereo itself. They are certainly nothing special, but they suit my current living space.
Feel free to tell me about your own sound systems or ways you think I can improve my setup (without spending a small fortune!).
This is one of the first albums I picked up at She Said Boom! The Canadian pressing of this New York heavy psych band's only album, I paid a fair $25. Since I purchased this I have seen a couple of others selling in the city for around $30-$40. The band also released three singles on the Avco Embassy label in the same year, the first one reaching #82 in the American charts. One of their songs was later covered by Peruvian band Gerardo Manuel and El Humo on their very rare album Apocallypsis (Virrey DVS 720, 1970).
Side 1 - 1. I Who Have Nothing (3:18) 2. Lookin' For Tomorrow (4:30) 3. Hard To Handle (3:43) 4. Reflection (4:00) 5. Warm Touch (3:31)
Side 2 - 1. Shelter Of Your Arms (4:05) 2. Set Me Free (4:55) 3. It's A Man's World (5:10) 4. Let Me Down Easy (4:28)
Sandy Pantaleo-vcls; Vince Fersak-guitar; Mike Archeleta-bass; Chas Kimbrell-drums; Benny Ninmann-organ.
Recorded at Ultra-Sonic Recording Studios, NY.
Listen to "I Who Have Nothing" here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpILPB2sngE
She Said Boom! is a small shop located on College Street in Toronto. While the vinyl section is small (most of the shop space is dedicated to used books), the diverse choice of titles are well selected by the owners and the prices are generally fair. I visit this shop on a monthly basis and have returned home with many unexpected treasures. As well as the vinyl section in the middle of the shop, I advise to always check the higher value items on the wall behind the checkout.
She Said Boom!
372 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1S6
416 944 3224
www.shesaidboom.ca
A rare private pressing, usually described as acid-jazz/psych, by a musician from British Columbia. From what I have read he still regularly gigs in B.C. and has recorded further material.
I searched for this album for many years and have only found two for sale. The first copy was selling for $200 which was beyond my budget, but I managed to get this copy for only $17 on ebay (I was the only bidder, yay!). My copy is in NM- condition with a glossy, unmarked disc and a sleeve with only very slight wear.
Side 1 - Necropolis (Four Pieces) 1. (4:30) 2. (4:32) 3. (5:28) 4. (5:14) Bob Bell-electric guitar; Mark Franklin-bass; Paul Franklin-percussion
Side 2 - Necropolis (15:08) Bob Bell-alto sax; Paul Plimley-piano; Lyle Ellis-double bass
Recorded at Pinewood Studios, Vancouver, B.C. August 2nd & 10th 1978.
You can listen to tracks and purchase a digital copy of the album here:
http://bobbell.bandcamp.com/album/necropolis
