37 years ago today, April 8, 1989, Paul Overstreet debuted at #62 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart with “Sowin’ Love”. It went on to peak at #9 and spent a total of 21 weeks on the chart.

I played this song a lot back then. It was in our hot rotation for several weeks at AM 650 KYAK, the station I used to work for (1987-1991) and had listened to since childhood.

#vinylcommunity #music #legendary #vocalist #songs #classics #vinyl #musician #songwriter #vinylcollection #musicislife

DUSTER
1975
2021 U.S. reissue

Not to be confused with the band Guster, the terrible and easily unlikable aural atrocity from my home state of Massachusetts.

No.
Not them.

THIS is a great, super-hazy DIY #90s album (barely-1999) that features slow-burning and “foggy” sounding guitars and buried vocals. The term “slowcore” is thrown around a lot, and I guess that would definitely apply here.

This 3-piece from San Jose, CA famously liked to record on cheap, vintage equipment like old tape decks, and it creates a very distinct sound. Think of a more atmospheric and cosmic sounding Codeine or Low.

Another nice job my Numero, introducing another cool and obscure band of yore to the kids.

A very short but thoroughly enjoyable six songs.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #1990s #90smusic #indie #diy #lofi #alternative #duster

Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Get Happy!!, 1980 on Columbia

Yes, that’s “Get Happy!!” with not one but two exclamation marks. Fourth Costello studio LP and the third with The Attractions, following after Armed Forces. More influence here from R&B, soul, and even Ska.

My copy—via the Vinyl Vault in Littleton MA—is a Pitman pressing with (like most releases of this LP) the sides reversed on the rear jacket. (The tracks listed as “side one” are actually side two and vice versa – the labels are correct to the audio).

TIME FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF EVERY MASTO VINYL NERD’S FAVORITE GAME:

Weird Shit You Find Inside A Vinyl Sleeve.

It’s been a while since we’ve played one, and this is the first thing I’ve found inside a record that WASNT a record in a few months.

THIS appears to be some random COVID-ERA promo that was sent out to record stores (via the labels printed below)?

It’s a huge (and very well-made) vinyl sticker, urging music nerds to “Groove Distantly”, and to remain six feet away from all the other nerds.

Apparently, it’s a good feeling.
😂

Covid was so stupid.

#vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music

NEW ORDER
1981-1982
1982 Canada 12” E.P. pressing

New Order had released a pair of non-album singles from ‘81 to ‘82, and none of those 5 tracks were on a full-length album at the time.

This E.P. was created to gather those singles for the North American market, as the UK 🇬🇧 singles were a bit more difficult to find.

The only thing that would make this better is if the debut single of “Cerrmony” b/w “In A Lonely Place” was also on it, but I totally get why it’s not.

“Temptation” is still SO great, and “Procession” could have been a single on its own.

A good friend of mine and I had a lengthy discussion last year while I was back visiting NYC.
We both are of the belief that Joy Division would have kind of ended up sounding like New Order anyway, as the final few JD demos inform us. PARTICULARLY the early New Order.
Close your eyes.
You can hear Ian singing these.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #1980s #80s #80sMusic #neworder

THE B-52’s
The B-52’s
1979 Canada pressing

Another record that I love listening to when the sun is out.

It’s so quirky, goofy, and unique and just kinda does its own thing.

The first TWO records of theirs have the same effect on me. They’re both so great, and it’s hard to do this one and not want to play the other immediately after.

And for what’a it worth, Fred Schneider may be my favorite all-time music personality.

There are no words to describe Fred Schneider. He is beyond cool, and SO gay that he’s almost straight.

And as a side note:
I’ve desperately been searching for Fred’s 1996 album Just Fred on vinyl for an eternity.
The ‘96 white vinyl press is the only one that exists, and goes for close to $100 CAD.
I’ve never even seen one, but I’d drop that easy.

If any of you see one, please let me know. What would you need? A ride to the airport? Your gutters cleaned?
Lemme know.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #1980s

VARIOUS ARTISTS
The Harder They Come (Original Soundtrack Recording)
1975 Canada reissue

The sun is shining outside and it’s a gorgeous day on the island today.

The windows are wide open, and this absolute classic is blasting.

You’re welcome, neighborhood.

All noise complaints should be filed in the trash.
I’ll get to them when I can.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #reggae #1970s #70s #70smusic #jimmycliff #TheMaytals #DesmondDekker #movies #films #film

Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan, 1955 on EmArcy

Later reissued as Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown, this was Vaughan’s second self-titled LP, and her second studio album. The band also includes Paul Quinichette on tenor sax, Roy Haynes on drums, Herbie Mann on flute, and Jimmy Jones on piano.

It was originally recorded December 18th, 1954, and released in 1955. What a masterful set of recordings.

My copy—via private sale—is the Acoustic Sounds Series reissue from 2021, on 180 gram vinyl, with a gatefold cover and an inner liner about the series and the role of Quality Record Pressing and Chad Kassem.

PETER MURPHY
Holy Smoke
2021 Europe reissue
“Smoke” vinyl

This was an album I first heard out of needing to pick a random title from one of those Columbia House/BMG music clubs as a kid.

“16 Tapes For A Penny” sounded like a good deal.
It was a deal I took disgusting advantage of MANY times as a kid, using multiple mailing addresses and aliases, AND never buying a single thing after that.

Sometimes, i just picked a random thing I’d never heard of to help round out the list, and Holy Smoke was one of those.

I had never heard of Murphy at that point (or Bauhaus for that matter), but I remember instantly liking this album. Particularly “The Sweetest Drop” and “Let Me Love You”.

Great memories of this record, and it still sounds great to me.

#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #retro #vintage #art #music #alternative #indie #petermurphy #goth #1990s #90s #90smusic