Some Great Albums rejected by the US Record Company - John Cale

John Cale - Helen of Troy (Island 1975)

This is the third in a trilogy of LP's John Cale made for Island Records.   I became acquainted with the first two (Fear and Slow Dazzle) when Island dumped most of their catalog in the cutout bins prior to going with Polydor.   This third LP (I assume) got lost in the shuffle.  I didn't even know it existed until I saw it in an import bin at some long forgotten store near UCLA.    So, of course I snapped it up.

What a stunner!

It was recorded with Richard Thompson's rhythm section along with guitarist Chris Spedding.  Augmenting the lineup we get Eno and Phil Collins (back when he was a great drummer - before he became 'Phil Collins'). 

Songs are some of Cale's best.   From the beautiful ballad I Keep a Close Watch to the trippy frenzy of the title track. 

The first pressing includes Leaving It Up to You, which was replaced with a different song on later pressings.  Some folks objected to the line 'We could all feel safe like Sharon Tate.'   Whatever.  It remained in Cale's live sets for years.   Oh - and they didn't bother to change the label on the second pressing.   It still lists the title.  The only way to tell is look at the record itself.  Does track 3 on side 2 look loud or soft.  If loud, you have the original.

Two covers round out the package. Jonathan Richman's Pablo Picasso (Cale produced the original Modern Lovers recording) and Jimmy Reed's Baby, What You Want Me To Do.

Someone Please Stop Me.

I did it again.  Bought a big box of 45's sight unseen on eBay.   About 50 keepers.  30 or so I already had  - which means I have to A/B each and every one of them.  For some reason I am now the proud owner of five copies of Green Eyed Lady from Sugarloaf.

Cleaning, sampling and cataloging is quite an effort.   The worst - as in the case of Green Eyed Lady, is A/B ing them to choose the best one.  Fortunately, Liberty pressed it on vinyl rather than styrene so they've all held up pretty well.

Some of the styrene pressings look fine, but are worn to shreds.

After all this, many get tossed

I Use Mr. Clean to Clean Mr. Stylus

The magic eraser that is.  Not a big bald white-clad servant that doesn't speak.

We had a ton of these hanging around.  We used to get them when the kids were drawing strange runes and ciphers on the walls.  It took away the crayon markings, but the curses may have remained.

Just gently place your stylus down on the surface and the dust comes right off.   Much easier than brushing.  No need to moisten.

I have one living near each of my tables.

Actual Business Letters

I wish I had a record player in my office.

What Kind of Dog to Get?

If we get a new dog, what kind shall we get.  Perhaps this record will help us decide.

Get Yourself a College Girl

Original Soundtrack - Get Yourself A College Girl (MGM 1964)

A throwback to a time when college girls were for getting.

My youngest daughter will be going off to college next fall.  Just remember guys - I'm not afraid to go back to prison. 

Shure-ly You're Joking

After about 60 years in the phono cartridge business, Shure has discontinued production of all phono products.  Crap!  Now what?

I've been using them for years.  (Seen above enjoying Steppenwolf At Your Birthday Party)  After years of honing tone to match the cart, I've got both my systems set just the way I like them.  They'll track anything - even the grittiest of thrift store records.  They come with a handy brush that keeps whatnot off the needle.    I just love them.

I'm curious about the decision to do this now.  Do they think the vinyl biz is going to shrivel?  Are they convinced that the Crossley's of the world are taking over decent consumer grade tables?

Since I replace the styluses regularly, what am I to do?

I thought about stockpiling a few, but was late to the announcement.  Even on Amazon, they're out of stock.  Resellers are asking too much for them.  There might be replica styluses to fill the void, but I'm not sure I trust them to be of Shure quality.

So I might be an Ortofon user in the future, which means I'll be spending a year tweaking the EQ on the receiver and the crossovers on the speakers.  Or perhaps I'll try an Audio-Technica again (didn't like the one I had years ago. Thought it sounded thin and metallic).  Or perhaps a Stanton if they still make them. 

Even with the vinyl resurgence, the economy of scale on production will definitely see an increase in price going forward.   Brace yourself.

We May Be Getting a New Dog

Which means I may need to share the couch.  

The Three Suns - Soft and Sweet (RCA 1955)

There's usually some sort of story behind these types of covers from the '50's.  Cozy couch, soft pillows, racy negligee, hair and makeup to perfection.  Her paramour is probably off to the left coming forth to get something soft and sweet.   In between, however, we have Cerberus the Cocker Spaniel.    Check out the stink eye he's giving whomever approacheth.