Melvin O's Vinyl

Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker

Diz ‘N' Bird The Beginning

Number of LPs: 2

Label: Roulette

Release Year on Jacket: 1969

Songs I Liked:

All of it!!

Overall Rating: B (because of sound)

Would You Recommend:

This was another $3 purchase. The case is taped together. I thought the albums were going to be well loved, but they looked like they were never played. The recordings are not great. The sound is really muffled, all we hear clearly is the horn (which isn’t all that bad of an issue, but I do like hearing the whole band). If it wasn't for an occasional loud spot during a quiet moment, I wouldn’t think there was a drummer playing. The stars are definitely the horns. It is just cool to hear the recordings. There is a bongo (?) solo during “Swing Low Sweet Cadillac" where one guy yells “damn" and the audience bursts out in laughter. It is these improv moments that make live recordings incredible. This wasn’t the best listen due to mastering, but it is a good listen all the same.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Buffalo Springfield

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Atco

Release Year on Jacket: 1966

Songs I Liked:

A1 – For What It's Worth

A2 – Go and Say Goodbye

A5 – Hot Dusty Roads

A6 - Everybody's Wrong

B3 – Do I Have To Come Right Out and Say It

B4 – Leave

B5 – Out Of My Mind

B6 – Pay The Price

Overall Rating: A

Would You Recommend:

This was at one of spots yesterday. There were a few superficial scratches, but for $3 I decided to roll the dice. It sounds decent, a few pops and clicks but overall a very decent copy. The album has a few genres mashing together, we get some folky tunes, some country tunes, and a few scorchers. You can definitely see Neil Young and Stephen Stills developing the sounds they would be known for. A crazy thing I read was that Rick James played with an early version of the band before this lineup. I wonder how that sounded. Anywhoo, this was a very good listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Fernandez Pray and His South American Rhythm Orchestra

Rendezvous in Rio

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Telefuken

Release Year on Jacket: 1959

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Caravan (video)

A2 – Fiesta

A4 – La Cucaracha

B1 – Brazil

B2 – Adios

B4 – Frenesie

B5 – The Peanut Vendor

Overall Rating: A

Would You Recommend:

The sound on this is kind of awful because the record was not treated well before coming to me. It is a shame, because this album is super fun. It is high energy, and the music is top notch booty shakers. I mean they do La Cucaracha as a mambo big band number that had me dancing in my seat. It is also a shame that I could not find this digitally to share with you, because my scratchy recording does not do it justice. This is a great listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Miriam Makeba

The Many Voices Of

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Kapp

Release Year on Jacket: 1962

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Kilimanjaro

A2 – Zenizenabo

A4 – Umqokozo

A5 – Ngola Kurila

B1 – Liwa Wechi (video)

B4 – Night Must Fall

B6 - Can't Cross Over

Overall Rating: B+

Would You Recommend:

Makeba's music is always powerful. It is not something I would generally seek out, but I came across her through a list of greatest albums of all time and was instantly intrigued. Her voice sounds so strong, and her music sounds simplistic but it has this rhythmic complexity that seeps in deep. This album is very Latin centric, she adds African folk with a Latin flair to produce a very cool aesthetic. This is a good listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

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Willie Alexander and the Boom Boom Band

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Mca Records

Release Year on Jacket: 1978

Songs I Liked:

A2 – Rock & Roll ‘78

A4 – Look At Me

B2 – Hair

B4 – Home Is

Overall Rating: C-

Would You Recommend:

Willie has been around the Boston Punk scene for well over forty years. This album is one of those odd albums where they weren’t quite committing to punk but were trying to find a place for themselves. At times it is basic rock, glam, rockabilly, pop, and sometimes it is just unlistenable (looking at you You've Lost That Loving Feeling). One thing I do have to say though is if Look At Me wasn’t an influence for all of Morphine's sound, they are lying to themselves. I honestly can't recommend this. It was amusing at times, but I kept looking to see what track I was on hoping it would end. This was not a good listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Circle Jerks

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Trust Records

Release Year on Jacket: This reissue 2020

Songs I Liked:

All of it!!!

Overall Rating: A+++

Would You Recommend:

This is a damn near perfect example of 70s west coast punk. I have bought this album more times than I can count. I bought this 40th anniversary reissue because it came with a signed zine. I am a sucker for signed items. This album is under thirty minutes from start to finish, but every second is awesome. It is loud, angry, and hits that teenage angst spot that hides in my heart. If you have never heard this stop reading and click on the link below. If you just returned, you are welcome. This is an excellent listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

The Real Thing

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Music on Vinyl

Release Year on Jacket: This reissue 2013

Songs I Liked:

All of it!!!

Overall Rating: A+++

Would You Recommend:

I was just barely a teen when GNR, Metallica and FNM decided to do a stadium tour. I'm not sure why my parents let me go alone, but they did. It was one of those shows where Axl's antics caused a riot, violence and many arrests. He took almost four hours to hit the stage (was probably 40 minutes but felt like four hours). The opener was FNM, I did not really know them. Patton kicked a guy in the front row and yelled about how he picked on him in high school. I instantly fell in love with him and the band. I have been obsessed ever since. This is Patton's first FNM album. It isn’t their best but it will always have a special place, because it was my first also. The mix of genres put these guys way ahead of the curve, and the album is still very strong (mostly. The rap/rock is a tad dated). Like I said this isn’t their best, but even at their worst (this isn’t that either) they are still an excellent listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6LEP3L94jnkqjOxYJWPRP0?si=ZKdECBT7SgSPJpIvwtONuA

Twisted Sister

Under The Blade

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Back On Black

Release Year on Jacket: 1982 (This reissue 2011)

Songs I Liked:

All of it!!!

Overall Rating: A+++

Would You Recommend:

I'm tired. Point blank fatigue over everything going on in the U.S. is extremely exhausting, especially when you add the fact that I am quarantined due to exposure to Covid (test was negative but I feel awful). I reached for this album because it is an old friend. I grew up on TS, and they have always delivered. This album is pretty hard. I personally think this is their best album. It still has that hokey 80s makeup thing, but it is more about being a kick ass metal band. TS is such a big thing in my life we invited Dee to our wedding. He didn’t show up, but he sent a beautiful card and a signed photo (Dee's pic is on my fridge). This is an excellent listen, and a great escape from the world for a bit.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

David Bowie

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Parlophone

Release Year on Jacket: This reissue 2016

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Space Oddity

A2 – Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed

B1 – Janine

B2 – An Occasional Dream

B4 – God Knows I'm Good

B5 – Memory of a Free Festival

Overall Rating: B

Would You Recommend:

Earlier I mentioned that this sounded like Donovan. I put it on to be sure, and yes I still hold that opinion. Bowie was developing his sound, but he wasn’t there yet. This really sounds like a mish mash of influences shoved together. I am a huge Bowie fan, excuse a huge fan of certain eras of Bowie's music (let’s forget most of the 80s happened). This album is not one I listen to often. I feel it just doesn’t sound like a true Bowie album until the later half of Side B. This is an OK listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

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Donovan

Wear Your Love Like Heaven

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Epic

Release Year on Jacket: 1967

Songs I Liked:

A2 – Mad John's Escape

A4 – Sun

B2 – Little Boy in Corduroy

B3 – Under The Greenwood Tree

Overall Rating: C+

Would You Recommend:

I don’t usually reach for a Donavan record, because I find him too mellow. Today I am working from home because I have been exposed to two separate people that tested positive for Covid. I thought I needed a mellow morning. On this listen I was surprised how much early Bowie stole from Donovan (I know it took a bit for Bowie to find his sound). I didn’t hate this. It was very bubblegum, but relaxing. I didn’t have to think much at all. Some of the songs had interesting parts, enough to keep me listening (although I usually refuse to shut off an album once it starts). I would say this was an OK listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Mr. Bungle

The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny

Number of LPs: 2

Label: Ipecac

Release Year on Jacket: 2020

Songs I Liked:

All of it!!!!

Overall Rating: A+++

Would You Recommend:

I kept seeing posts of people getting this and I was concerned because I couldn’t remember if I bought it or not. Today the mail came and I had pre-ordered the red and the silver/black splatter bundle. So not only did I order it, but I also got a t-shirt with it. Needless to say I was excited. I love Patton. I love most Patton projects. I really love Bungle. This is just another amazing Bungle album. It is definitely more “metal" than past albums, but they always had an element of metal to them. This is simply a fantastic album. This is an excellent listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

The Allman Brothers Band

Reach For The Sky

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Arista

Release Year on Jacket: 1980

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Hell & High Water

A3 – From The Madness of The West

A4 – I Got A Right To Be Wrong

Overall Rating: B-

Would You Recommend:

This is not an Allman Brothers album I listen to often. It probably has only been played a handful of times. It has a true 80s feel to it. Most of this album sounded like Lynyrd Skynyrd (not a dig just not AB quality). Side B had that overproduced feel of 80's Grateful Dead albums. This felt like a contract obligation, not a true effort to make a great album. It was a just OK listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

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Joni Mitchell

Don Juan's Reckless Daughter

Number of LPs: 2

Label: Asylum Records

Release Year on Jacket: 1977

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Overture – Cotton Avenue (video because listen to that bass and groove)

A2 – Talk To Me

All of Side B (it becomes a huge jam session)

C2 – The Tenth World

C3 – Dreamland

D1 – Don Juan's Reckless Daughter

Overall Rating: A

Would You Recommend:

A few weeks ago, I picked up Blue, because Dylan at Noble Records kept recommending it. I was shocked how amazing it was. In true I have a problem fashion, one of the sellers at the fleamarket had a huge stack of Joni and I bought them all. I am only a few songs in and I am still drawn in with how different Joni is versus what I thought she was. This is a very funky album, with amazing musical moments. The instrumentation on these songs are unique, and really do stay with you. Her words are powerful, but the music underneath them is making me want more. This is another great listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Bruce Springsteen

Nebraska

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Columbia

Release Year on Jacket: 1982

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Nebraska

A2 – Atlantic City

A4 – Johnny 99

A5 – Highway Patrolman

B1 – Used Cars

B3 – My Father's House

Overall Rating: A

Would You Recommend:

Occasionally, I go on a Springsteen kick. It is always an awaking, because I forget how powerful of a songwriter he is. I think as I get older and more jaded his music starts to hit me more. This is a fairly dark album. It starts out on death row, and that sets the tone for the rest of the album. He isn’t screaming or rocking out, instead the majority of the album is acoustic and retrospective. I'm sitting in my room with my cat on my lap just relaxing and thinking. It is hard to see all the positive in the world sometimes, but to me this is as good as it gets. It is a nice easy Sunday morning, sausage is cooking, music is playing, and I am happy. This is a great listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Frank Zappa

Hot Rats

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Zappa Records

Release Year on Jacket: This reissue 2016

Songs I Liked:

All of it!

Overall Rating: A+

Would You Recommend:

This is one of the more approachable Zappa albums. At times it sounds like a great classic rock jam band. It has awesome guitar licks, and memorable hooks. If Zappa is an artist that you just haven’t had the chance to listen to, this is a great place to start out. If you make it through this and still want more then go slowly. It is worth it. This is a great listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Wand

Golem

Number of LPs: 1

Label: In The Red Records

Release Year on Jacket: 2015

Songs I Liked:

All of it!!!

A5 – Cave In (video)

Overall Rating: A+++

Would You Recommend:

This was from a mystery box that someone put together for me. I am shocked because they nailed it so far. I have never heard of Wand before this, but I already started searching for more of their albums (instantly added to my want list). The genre on Discogs says psychedelic, which I can see but it is far more. It has a heaviness to it that is awesome, it reminded me of Swans (that is a huge compliment). It has shoegazey moments, that get ripped away by loud aggressive guitars and drums. I haven’t wanted to rush to hear more of a band in a long time. I love hearing new music, and finding new to me bands. The only sadness in finding these new bands is knowing that I will probably not be able to see them live in a club like it use to be. Either way this is getting my highest recommendation. This is an excellent listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album:

Alice Cooper

Special Forces

Number of LPs: 1

Label: Warner Brothers

Release Year on Jacket: 1981

Songs I Liked:

A1 – Who Do You Think We Are

A2 – Seven & Seven Is

A5 – Generation Landslide ’81 (live)

B1 – Skeletons in My Closet (this was so bad it was good)

B4 – You’re A Movie

Overall Rating: C+

Would You Recommend:

I've never listened to this before. I bought it because I am obsessed with completing certain artists. Alice has always been a big deal in my life because my mom enjoyed him. I grew up doing his resurgence when Trash was released. This was not his best, but it wasn’t an awful album. It has a bunch of interesting new wavish arrangements. Alice has always played with genres and this just seems more of that. A few of the songs were actually enjoyable, and I would add them to a playlist. If I didn’t know this was Alice I wouldn’t hold it to a higher level. It is a truly odd listen, but I enjoyed some of it. This is an OK listen.

Don't take my word for it listen for yourself and tell me what you think.

Spotify Link to Album: