The Rave-Ups, Chance, 1990 on Epic

The Rave-Ups are likely best known as the band in Pretty in Pink. (Molly Ringwald’s sister Beth was in a relationship with Jimmer Podrasky, and Ringwald brought John Hughes to see the band).

This was their third and last studio album of the first go ’round (they put out a new album in 2022 on Omnivore). The single “Respectfully King of Rain” got some MTV airplay at the time but was not a major hit. They had a sound I really liked but never quite connected with a bigger audience.

My copy, via Academy Records in NYC, is a 1990 pressing in great shape despite a “cutout” hole punch in the upper left.

#1990 #1990s #AcademyRecords #JimmyPodrasky #JohnHughes #MollyRingwald #NYC #PrettyInPink #RaveUps #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Squeeze, East Side Story, 1981 on A&M

Squeeze’s fourth studio LP, between 1980’s Argybargy and 1982’s Sweets from a Stranger. This was the first album after Jools Holland departed, replaced by Paul Carrack, who provided lead vocals on “Tempted.”

Produced by Elvis Costello and Roger Bechirian, except for “In Quintessence” which was produced by Dave Edmunds.

My copy, via Academy Records in NYC, is a 1981 Terre Haute pressing (note the “Y” code to the left of the side markers on the labels).

#1980s #1981 #AM #AcademyRecords #DaveEdmunds #ElvisCostello #NYC #Pop #Rock #RogerBechirian #Squeeze #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Supertramp, Breakfast in America, 1979 on A&M.

Though I imagine it’s the one Supertramp album most folks could name, this was their sixth LP. It’s got “The Logical Song” “Goodbye Stranger” and “Take the Long Way Home” – all Billboard Top 100 singles.

Love the iconic cover with the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Kate Murtagh in statue-of-liberty-as-waitress pose. The labels and inner sleeve (diner menu style) are great too. Classic album of late seventies rock.

My copy, via Dyno Records in Newburyport MA, is a Columbia Record Club edition (note the CRC in the bottom right of the rear sleeve)

#1970s #1979 #AM #DynoRecords #KateMurtagh #NewburyportMA #Rock #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Jeff Beck Group, Beck-Ola, 1969 on Epic

Beck’s second studio LP, following Truth, and credited to the Jeff Beck Group. The cover is René Magritte’s “The Listening Room.” Ron Wood on bass, Rod Stewart on vocals, Nicky Hopkins piano and Tony Newman on drums.

My copy – a 1969 Epic pressing – via a private sale. Amazing record in great shape despite being older than me.

#1960s #1969 #Blues #Epic #JeffBeck #JeffBeckGroup #NicyHopkins #RenéMagritte #Rock #RodStewart #RonWood #TonyNewman #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On Live, 2019 on Tamla / Motown / UMe

Recorded in 1972 but not released until 2019. More of an album for completists, this is the first time Gaye had performed in a number of years (since the death of Tammi Terrell). It’s a bit uneven – sort of like a live rehearsal bootleg – but worth picking up if you’re a big fan of Gaye. His voice is wonderful and there’s some great moments, but he’s not entirely in synch with the band and you can tell it’s not a tight set.

It was recorded at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts (which had recently opened), on May 1st, 1972

My copy via a private sale

#1972 #2019 #KennedyCenter #MarvinGaye #motown #Tamla #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #WashingtonDC

Cat Power, Jukebox, 2008 on Matador

Eighth studio album from Cat Power, mostly covers with two originals mixed in.

Pretty eclectic selection of tunes to cover, from Kander & Ebb’s “New York” through Hank Williams and The Highwaymen, to Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell – plus Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain.”

Chan Marshall is joined by Erik Paparazzi, Jim White, Judah Bauer, Teenie Hodges, Matt Sweeney, and Gregg Foreman, with guest Spooner Oldham, who cowrote “Woman Left Lonely.”

My copy via Academy Records in NYC

#AcademyRecords #CatPower #ChanMarshall #GreggForeman #JimWhite #JudahBauer #Matador #MattSweeney #NYC #SpoonerOldham #TeenieHodges #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Tori Amos, Unde the Pink, 1994 on Atlantic

Amos’ sophomore album every bit as compelling and memorable as her debut Little Earthquakes. Very much also on repeat throughout the Eckman household in the 1990s – I can still sing every word of many of these songs: Pretty Good Year, God, Past the Mission, The Waitress, Cornflake Girl. Whenever I find myself in an awkward situation I may just break into “I think it’s perfectly clear, we’re in the wrong band . . . ”

Produced by Eric Rosse and recorded at Westlake in LA and The Fishhouse, a studio built in Taos NM by Rosse and Amos just for this album.

My copy is a 2021 reissue – a 2xLP on pink translucent vinyl manufactured by Rhino, which was (in the US at least) a Barnes & Noble exclusive (outside the US it was sold in other retailers). Not a gatefold, but otherwise a quality pressing and package.

#1990s #1994 #2021 #Alterantive #Atlantic #barnesNoble #EricRosse #Indie #Reissue #TaosNM #TheFishhouse #ToriAmos #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Fleshtones, Up Front, 1980 on I.R.S. Records

First EP Fleshtones issued, before the release of Roman Gods. Fleshtones were Bill Milhizer, Jan Marek Pakulski, Keith Streng, and Peter Zaremba. Miles Copeland signed them to IRS Records, and got them on Urgh! A Music War.

Zaremba may be better known to some as the host of I.R.S. Records Presents the Cutting Edge on MTV from 1984-1987, before 120 Minutes.

My copy via Academy Records in NYC

#1980 #1980s #AcademyRecords #BillMilhizer #Fleshtones #IRSRecords #JanMarekPakulski #KeithStreng #MilesCopeland #NYC #PeterZaremba #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter, 1969 on Columbia

Johnny Winter’s self-titled official debut album (The Progressive Blues Experiment came out the year before as a kind of unauthorized debut on Sonobeat, then sold to Imperial). Mix of blues standard covers (“Good Morning Little School Girl,” “I’ll Drown in My Own Tears,” and “Mean Mistreater”) along with Johnny Winter originals.

Winter produced, and is joined by Tommy Shannon on bass and “Uncle” John Turner on percussion – Winter plays all the guitars, vocals, and harmonica. Younger brother Edgar Winter joins on piano on “I’ll Drown in My Own Tears” and alto sax on “Good Morning Little School Girl.”

My copy – via Vinyl Destination in Lowell MA – is a 1969 pressing with the 2-Eye, “360 Sound” label. Though the cover looks rough the vinyl’s in pretty decent shape – played, but well cared for.

#1960s #1969 #Blues #Columbia #EdgarWinter #JohnnyWinter #LowellMA #TommyShannon #UncleJohnTurner #vinyl #VinylDestination #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes, 1992 on Atlantic

Tori Amos’ debut album from 1992. I had this CD (and Under the Pink) on constant repeat through graduate school – happy to finally get a copy on vinyl.

What an amazing album – still gives me chills 30+ years later. “Me and a Gun” of course, but also “Silent All These Years,” “China,” “Precious Things,” and “Crucify” – so many powerful songs and what a sequence!

My copy is the Barnes & Noble exclusive (at least in the US – was sold in other retailers internationally) 2023 2xLP reissue and remaster on translucent green (“coke bottle clear”) vinyl.

#1990s #1992 #2023 #Alternative #Atlantic #barnesNoble #Indie #Reissue #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds