LiquidVinyl

Spinning vinyl in the Man Cave

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#morningspin Brussels Affair (Live 1973) The Rolling Stones Rolling Stones Records 089 398-1 Released 2020 Included in the Goats Head Soup Super Deluxe Box Set After recording the Goats Head Soup album, the Stones toured Europe in 1973. The shows were recorded for the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show. The broadcast was widely bootlegged and has been revered by Stones fans as the best live performance by the band ever recorded. The first official release was a download on Google Play Music available for a limited time in 2011. The band is in the groove while Mick Taylor’s lead guitar weaves in and out. Mick Jagger’s vocals are among his best. Charlie Watts is the usual brilliant. Keith Richards rhythm guitar propels the whole band into greatness. Special nod to Billy Preston on keyboards. The live version of Angie is stunning. The show closes with Street Fighting Man that is like a runaway train barreling down the track. If you need proof that the Stones were indeed (and still are) the world’s greatest rock and roll band, this is it. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRE0m-8FK0r/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#morningspin Their Satanic Majesties Request The Rolling Stones London Records NP-2 Released 1967 Mono pressing with lenticular cover The Rolling Stones were going through a rough period in 1967. Due to drug busts and court appearances, recording became difficult as band members rarely showed up in the studio, and when they did they brought their large entourages, according to Bill Wyman. Their producer and manager Andrew Oldham, frustrated with the lack of progress, left and didn’t return. The band took over production and the sessions became indulgent and aimless. The title of the album is a joke based on a phrase in British passports “Her Brittanic Majesty requests …” The record label made the band change “Her” to “Their.” There is nothing satanic in any of the songs here. Upon its release the band was accused of copying the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album and failing miserably, but the album reached #2 on the US charts. There are some bright spots. “2000 Light Years From Home” is a space rock classic and was performed on their 1989 tour. “She’s A Rainbow” was released as a single and is considered one of the band’s classic 60’s songs. “2000 Man” predicted the computer age and has been covered by many bands, including Kiss. The mono mix is the best way to listen to this, and it is the last true mono mix released by the band. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQqmD94l3HE/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#morningspin Pack Up The Plantation - Live! Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers MCA Records MCA2-8021 Released 1985 This 2-LP set serves as the soundtrack for the concert film of the same name. The shows are from the band’s tour following the release of Southern Accents. Lot of hits are in the set list, except for the creepy hit “Don’t Come Around Here No More” from the aforementioned album. Stevie Nicks shows up to duet on a cover of “Needles And Pins” and “Insider” from the Hard Promises album. The album kicks off with a great cover of the Byrd’s “So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star” and the energy continues throughout, even on the newer songs from Southern Accents. It goes without saying that the Heartbreakers are one of the greatest rock bands ever. This set proves it. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQYgfoZFWDQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#morningspin Funky Kingston Toots and the Maytals Originally released in Jamaica & UK 1973 First US release 1975 Reissued #rsd2021 Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert (RIP) was an early reggae star in Jamaica and is credited with coining the term “reggae.” The track listing of the US version of Funky Kingston bears little resemblance to the Jamaica/UK version; only three tracks are shared between them. The US version is more of a compilation. It includes tracks from In The Dark also released in 1973 and “Pressure Drop” first released as a single in Jamaica in 1969 and later appeared on the influential film soundtrack to The Harder They Come that is credited with exporting reggae worldwide. If you like Bob Marley, you will also like Toots. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQGbS4sF5mu/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#morningspin Real Live Bob Dylan Columbia FC 39944 Released 1984 This is my second favorite live Dylan album, behind Before The Flood. The songs are from the 1984 tour of Europe; all are from shows in the UK including Wembley Stadium. The tour supported the Infidels album that was a return to secular music following Bob’s Christian period. The album includes “I and I” and “License To Kill” from that album. As Bob tends to do, he rearranges songs and changes lyrics. “I and I” sheds the reggae beat from the studio version and is better for it. “Highway 61 Revisited” is a straight up rock song. The most stunning reworking is the lyrics to “Tangled Up In Blue.” The studio version is entirely in first person. This live version begins in the third person and switches to first person midway through the song revealing an entirely different meaning to the lyrics. Thanks to the recent release of the demos of the song from the Blood On The Track sessions, we now know that this was an early version. Bob has been quoted as saying that the Real Live version is “more like it should have been.” Bob has a crack band behind him including Mick Taylor (guitar), Ian McLagan (keyboards), Greg Sutton (bass), and Colin Allen (drums). This didn’t get great reviews at the time but I like it. I’d love to see an extended release from this tour. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0dH11lL1R/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#morningspin Situation Normal Snafu Capitol ST-11343 Released 1974 It’s kind of hard to pin down this British band. They are mostly a rock band with funk and R&B flavor, but more than a few songs venture into country rock and straight bluegrass. A humorous spirit runs through the lyrics. The standout track here is “Playboy Blues,” an 8 minute plus R&B workout that sounds like a Little Feat outtake. “No More” is another jam that careens through a few time changes with ease. Then you get “Brown Eyed Beauty & The Blue Assed Fly” that features a bluegrass fiddle arrangement, and “Lock And Key,” a blues stomp with slide guitar. Thanks to Jay Blue for turning me on this band back in the Perrin Ave. days. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/COiIQ8JlKg1/?igshid=bby7g5u84et7

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#morningspin Sticky Fingers The Rolling Stones Rolling Stones Records 10 C 064-063616 Spanish pressing Originally released 1971 Reissued 1980 Bonus spin today in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the release of this classic, released on April 23, 1971. The government of Spain had an issue with the original zipper cover, so the band came up with this one. Apparently, fingers floating in a can of molasses is OK to the Spaniards. The government also had issue with the drug references in “Sister Morphine” so it is replaced with a live performance of “Let It Rock” recorded at Leeds University during the band’s “farewell tour” of England. That made this pressing a collectible until the entire Leeds show was officially released as part of the Sticky Fingers super deluxe box set in 2015. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/COQKb3_FwNU/?igshid=sp942zjbtftm

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Maverick George Thorogood & The Destroyers EMI ST-17145 Released 1985 Lonesome George was at the height of his powers in the mid-1980s. He stuck with a power trio + sax lineup and ignored the 80s production values that many 70s rockers were using in an attempt to appear current. (Looking at you, Eric Clapton.) He also wrote some great songs. “Gear Jammer, “Long Gone” and “I Drink Alone” appear here. As usual George covers old blues and rock songs here, including “Willie and the Hand Jive” which would become his only top 40 hit. He also covers “The Ballad of Maverick,” the theme song to the Maverick TV series. You know what to expect from George, and he delivers here. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/COQKXyJlJox/?igshid=199zpfcbuid2a

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#morningspin The Master & The Musician Phil Keaggy New Song NS006 Released 1978 After leaving Glass Harp, Phil embarked on a career as a Christian singer-songwriter, and became a pioneer of the Christian rock movement in the 70s. He is considered one of the top finger-style guitarists in the world today. His fourth solo album is all instrumental tracks, and Phil plays most instruments including acoustic and electric guitar and bass, ARP synthesizer, and drums. The songs tell a story that is told in the liner notes of a young musician learning from an old master and embarking on a spiritual journey. The music is inventive and covers a range of moods and rhythms. The popularity of this album and recognition in the secular market led Phil to record many instrumental albums throughout his career - more than his vocal albums. If you’re not interested in Phil’s Christian lyrics, check out any of the instrumental albums by this master musician. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/COIR7VoldVb/?igshid=rh3so48nun7o

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#morningspin Freetime Spyro Gyra MCA Records MCA-5238 Released 1981 Spyro Gyra were a late addition to the fusion jazz movement, releasing their first album in 1978. Their style can be called “fusion lite” incorporating funk and R&B rhythms. In fact it’s really all about the rhythm. They were very popular through the 80s and sold a lot of records, although the critics were lukewarm. The grooves are infectious and the musicianship superb, but you’re not going to get the experimentation that Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra provided. In other words, perfect background music for a Monday morning. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN2Uj2Klqm-/?igshid=9374la0vx3eg

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#morningspin Relics Pink Floyd Starline SRS 5071 Released May 1971 This is a collection of non-album singles, b-sides, album cuts, and one unreleased track that covers the period from 1967-79 history of the band. EMI released it in the UK on their budget priced Starline label. Pink Floyd was touring heavily while trying to find time to work in the studio. So EMI released this as a stop gap. Side 1 covers the Syd Barrett era including the singles “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play.” Side 2 pulls from the David Gilmore era and includes the rather terrifying “Careful With That Axe Eugene” (a single b-side) and cuts from the More soundtrack. This has been reissued and is a superb representation of early Pink Floyd. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNsK9kRlgN6/?igshid=rj28dgxs1gno

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#morningspin Waiting For Columbus Little Feat Warner Bros. 2BS 3140 Released 1978 This double LP live performance is one of the best live albums of the rock era. Little Feat rework and extend many of their songs including “Dixie Chicken” and “Spanish Moon,” even rewriting some lyrics in the latter. The long jams sometimes go on too long, but the band is tight and the grooving will get you moving. The Tower of Power horns add some new spice, and ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor guests on “Apolitical Blues.” This one will put a smile on your face. A double CD deluxe edition adds nine performances that were mixed for a possible triple LP but were not used. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNcoQg-l02V/?igshid=1fri5st3npw9v

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#morningspin So What Joe Walsh ABC Records DSD-50171 Released 1974 So What is Joe’s follow up to the success of The Smoker You Drink album and the single “Rocky Mountain Way.” He mostly succeeds here. Members of the Eagles lend back up vocals on several songs, notably on the excellent ballad “Help Me Through The Night.” Less than 2 years later, he would become a member of the Eagles. Joe reworks “Turn To Stone” from his first solo album and this is the definitive version of the song. Joe must have got a new Moog synthesizer, noodling around on a Ravel excerpt. Besides that indulgence the album is excellent and a personal favorite. Joe’s sense of humor shines through on “All Night Laundromat Blues,” an amusing vamp that features Dan Fogelberg. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNaCi-ylDMa/?igshid=12zpwf8mwfx9b

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#morningspin Billion Dollar Babies Battle Axe Polydor PD-1-6100 Released 1977 The original Alice Cooper Group took a break in 1973 for band members to pursue solo projects. Alice Cooper’s Welcome To My Nightmare was such a huge success that he wasn’t interested in returning, so Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, and Dennis Dunaway recruited Bob Dolin and Mike Marconi to form Billion Dollar Babies, named after the AC group’s highest selling album. Bruce was a main songwriter for the AC group and he has a hand in all but two songs here. The songs are good but the mix could be a lot better. The band would not record another album due to poor management. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSglNdlJX_/?igshid=q0s0j3pbd4uf

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#morningspin Billion Dollar Babies Battle Axe Polydor PD-1-6100 Released 1977 The original Alice Cooper Group took a break in 1973 for band members to pursue solo projects. Alice Cooper’s Welcome To My Nightmare was such a huge success that he wasn’t interested in returning, so Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, and Dennis Dunaway recruited Bob Dolin and Mike Marconi to form Billion Dollar Babies, named after the AC group’s highest selling album. Bruce was a main songwriter for the AC group and he has a hand in all but two songs here. The songs are good but the mix could be a lot better. The band would not record another album due to poor management. (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSgRpalQ0o/?igshid=12ugknbc4luqj

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#morningspin Chicago Plays The Stones Raisin’ Music Records CBE1701LP Released 2018 Compilations of blues musicians covering Rolling Stones songs have been done before, but this one is unique. Chicago blues musicians such as Billy Boy Arnold, Buddy Guy, and Ronnie Baker Brooks are backed by The Living History Band led by Bob Margolin on guitar. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards contribute. Almost all of it is recorded in Chicago; Mick, Keith, and Buddy’s parts were recorded elsewhere. The blues arrangements were done by Vincent Bucher and they work very well on songs not necessarily considered blues songs like “Sympathy For The Devil” and “Gimme Shelter.” The highlight is Buddy Guy and Mick Jagger’s collaboration on “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker).” (at East Branch Wea Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNIKYNvFHuE/?igshid=1i3gnil4ff1nr