There has been talk of so called "all you can eat" music services where for a monthly fee, say $25.00 a month, you would be able to stream or download every note of every song ever made commercially available. If you subscribe to Bob Lefsetz's blog he covers these issues much more knowledgeably and in much more depth than I would ever be able to. The signs point to a future where you will have a monthly fee, like you do now for cable or satellite television, but in return you would have a stunningly deep and diverse world of entertainment to choose from. Whether a service like Spotify is part of this future or gets swept away like what we see happening to the major music labels remain to be seen.
I did go out yesterday and treat myself to some old media by hitting up Dearborn Music's 20 percent off sale (which runs through tomorrow). I find now, when I buy cds or albums that I stick with older titles and listen to newer titles mainly through Spotify and Sirius XM channels like the Loft. This weekend I am listening quite a bit to the "Beach Boys Endless Summer Weekend" on Sirius XM which is playing a healthy dose of great Beach Boys hits, rarities, interviews as well as non-Beach Boys "summertime" music, centered on their 60's hits channel. The highlight is a Beach Boys concert recorded in April which was played in it's entirety on Friday night. I only got to hear the first half of the show but it was outstanding. It greatly increased my anticipation for the Beach Boy's appearance at DTE Energy on June 30.
Honorable mention to what I consider the area's best burger at Millers Bar, a couple miles down Michigan from Dearborn Music, consumed just before shopping. You can't shop on an empty stomach, as it would be impossible to give full attention to your musical needs if your stomach is distracting you. You can't hear the in-store music if your stomach is rumbling and grumbling.
But here's a rundown of what I picked up at the Dearborn Music sale:
Next up is the CD/DVD package of Elvis Costello and the Imposters "The Return of the Spectaculor Spinning Songbook.' I have only had the privilege of seeing Elvis in Concert once (moving him into a tie with Elvis Presley who I also got to see once). The "Spinning Songbook" is a wheel of Elvis Costello songs and covers placed prominently onstage. Elvis invites audience members up on stage to spin the wheel. Whatever random selection comes up, the band plays. I left behind in the EC bin at Dearborn the live Elvis album "Live at Hollywood High" which has an excellent track list also. Somehow that got under my radar. Maybe next time. I think Elvis is one of our finest living songwriters and performers and this deluxe package is a nice career overview. There is a single disc version if you are budget-minded. The tune I picked to highlight this package is his cover of the Rolling Stones "Out Of Time" which I find stunning. Great performance of a great song! DVD included in this package!
The Kinks reissued their first 6 albums in special Deluxe two cd sets with the original albums in mono and stereo versions, alternate takes, singles that did not make the album, unreleased backing tracks, demos...in fact just about every scrap of music the Kinks recorded over the course of their first 6 albums. If you are unfamiliar with this most British of bands, then these discs are probably not the place to start. I would recommend a comprehensive hits package or the 4 disc import "Picture Book" box set. These two cd sets are imports and they are pricey. However if you consider them, as I do, the second greatest English band, just behind the Fabs and at a level at, if not slightly above the Stones and Who, then this is a must buy. Dearborn Music had all 6 but I just needed the last to complete my collection. "Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire" gains more than a few votes for finest Kinks recording and is packed with moments that, in the hands of a lesser band, would be career highlights. "Victoria" is one of the mightiest of Kink's rockers and "Some Mother's Son" is a quite anthem of anti-war sentiment. Appropriate for Memorial Day Weekend. Essential. This is my fourth purchase of this particular cd, and I own it also on vinyl. a listen to the first 6 Kinks albums shows the same evolution from crudely-rocking band playing a lot of covers too musical sophisticates ala the Beach Boys and Beatles!
You probably never heard of the Durocs, who were not actually a band, but the studio brainchild of Scott Mathews and Ron Nagle. I was turned on to this album in the original vinyl which is still safe in it's original vinyl configuration in the Chadwick Listening Room. This one came out in High Fidelity/music store employment days and was recommended to me by my old boss, the great Warren Westfall at the wonderful Record Collector on the 9 Mile Drag in Ferndale. The new cd release has 8 bonus tracks and is touted as the "Twisted, Power Pop classic:" on the packaging. Probably the easiest entree to this album is the classic, slamming cover of Gene Pitney's "It Hurts To Be In Love" featured below!
"Durocs" by the way, is a breed of pig!
I also picked up the two cd "Essential Laura Nyro" a collection by the mostly-forgotten songwriter/songstress who wrote some of the greatest tunes of the 60s and 70s. Her life was tragically cut short by Ovarian Cancer. She provided some great musical moments for artists like Blood, Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, the Fifth Dimension, Barbara Streisand and many more!
This is not a replacement for classic Nyro albums such as "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession" which was recorded in the Summer of Love and released in 1968 but it is a nice, career overview.
Jerry Lee Lewis aka The Feriday Fireball aka the Killer has put out a couple of fine late releases and "Mean Old Man" is no exception. As is the pattern with "senior" artists like Ray Charles and Tony Bennett, this is a duets release, teaming Jerry Lee with a who's who of rock talent. He is in fine voice as he burns through a series or rock and country classics.
Here Jerry Lee covers the stones classic "Dead Flowers" in a duet with Mick Jagger!
Speaking of legends, I finally picked up "Buddy Holly-Not Fade Away-The Complete Studio Recordings and More!" which is a six disc box set purporting to be every note Buddy ever recorded in his too-short life. Includes a book on the life of the great man, and is chock full of alternate takes and overdubbed versions of his tunes, mainly released after his death to soak up every available Buddy dollar possible. This set allegedly uses the masters whenever possible! This is supposed to be the last word on the man who hugely influence the Beatles by being, with the Crickets, the prototype Rock N Roll band. The Beatles name was inspired by the Crickets!
Obviously a set for those with deeper pockets and, of course, those OCD-type obsessives like myself who belong at some spot on some spectrum somewhere. There are many, many Holly collections that will give most people all the Holly they need. Not to mention the multi-album vinyl set that had stunningly good sound that was released back in the 90s. Since Paul McCartney owns the Holly catalog, this, along with my Ram purchase gives Sir Paul a much needed infusion of funds, perhaps tip money when dining in the Hamptons this summer. Recommended for those who have the original Buddy Holly and the Crickets albums but want to dig a little deeper!
I can't conclude today's entry without mentioning the disc I purchased for my son, Lucas, at his request. William Shatner's "The Transformed Man" is a psychedelic/psycho classic of over-emoting and spoken word readings of late 60's rock classics. I turned my kids on to the Shaggs and Shatner during a Friday night listening session and he could not get enough!
Here's a taste of Bill
Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day! I don't need my constant readers (Cousin Ken and Dave Guest) or any other folks calling me on Tuesday morning because they were over-served at some barbecue and decided to drive home!
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