Graham Parker - Stupefaction

Cooper and I went on a short walk this morning as it felt like it was the coldest morning we have had yet . These early mornings have allowed me to have my most productive year with posts since 2015. It is amazing I had 3 years where I posted less than 12 posts and I am half that way already this month. I'm having a blast with posting these slabs of wax and I hope those of you checking this blog out are enjoying it as well. I don't know what changed really for me this year. I have always been super busy I guess I have made this a morning routine before work. 

Graham Parker is an underapreciated gem of an artist and I can't believe I have neglected him here. I have had this for years and recently picked up a 2nd copy only because it was paired with a 45 of his that I did not have (which will grace this blog soon I promise you).Matter of fact I ordered another Graham Parker 45 yesterday that I already had but was missing the picture sleeve..obssesive much! The packaging on this is tremendous. I love that he has continued to plug away as this cult artist that is loved by those who have taken the time to dive into his catalog. I encourage everyone to take the plunge

Amos Milburn - One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer

A little R&B for your Wednesday consideration. I bought a lot of 15 45's a few weeks ago in an online live auction for basically one 45...I really missed the person showing all the 45's and just saw the one I wanted. So I was stupidly happy when this 45 was also in the 45s that arrived. I was also happy that I finally had a 45 to put in the Aladdin sleeve I have had for years- a match made in heaven. A little noisy but what do you expect from a 70 year old 45...let that sink in...70 years old...holy moly. 

The Real Kids - All Kindsa Girls /Common At Noon

Powerpop Tuesday with a classic. I was up very early this morning..so early in fact that Cooper and I did our extended walk. We have a short walk route when it is cold or I am not feeling well. We have a regular walk that involves going by the University dorms and then to the old downtown (recent pictures of the Xmas lights). Then we have our extended walk that has some route variations but always involves walking through the University. Cooper cooperated for the University pictures this morning.

I picked up this classic powerpop 45 about 6 months ago. It has been on my want list forever and I finally broke down and shelled out the $. What a double sided 45 of pure bliss. Look at the killer picture on the front of this sleeve. If I was out and about looking for records I would have bought this without knowing anything about it just because of the cover. I do have one gripe for the The Real Kids....why, oh why did you not put out My Baby's Book out on 45 with a PS...there is a reissue live version that I have but that album cut is one of the greatest songs..Period!

George Jones - Root Beer

 I need to start thinking about Christmas songs to post. I picked up some killer ones this year and need to decide how many I will post.

I first heard this song on the Sirius XM station Little Stevens Underground Garage. I sadly discovered when searching for it that it was an album cut only and never graced a 45. A friend of mine had the album and I bought it from him. Then a few years ago when it was released on this label out of Spain. I Picked it up last year via Mail Order. 

Tommy James - Light Of Day

 Another glorious morning. Cooper and I enjoyed an early walk as usual and it was a balmy warm. We had some rain last night and there was fog on our walk. It is 4am to 5am when we walk so it is dark and at one point near the elementary school (with big street lights), we saw what appeared to be 3 people walking a few blocks ahead of us and they just seemed to disappear...freaky. Cooper is always hypervigilant and senses/sees people/animals way before I do. Since it was comfortable this morning we went on our long walk. Our town put up their Christmas decorations so I took the opportunity to get some photo's with Cooper. He really did not cooperate much...looking at me like "Do you really need me to do this?. Yes, I do.

I was going through one of my catagorized boxes yesterday that had my Tommy James 45's to record some for upcoming posts. Tommy James has always been one of my favorite artists and it is such a travesty that he is not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Shame. It is amazing how many of his records I have including tons of import 45s with picture sleeves. Today's post is a B side from one of his first solo 45's. During this period in Tommy's life, he had a near death experience when he overdosed. Some of his later Shondells 45s had a spiritual aspect and during the start of his solo career he became a Christian. I always thought this song had a spiritual message and I would love to know what he was really going through thought wise when he wrote this song. He included it on his 1st solo LP and the Chritian Of The World lp. 

The IV Pak - Whatzit? / Boot-leg

Today's post is the joy of going back through boxes of 45s I have that I have not put in my collection and database yet. Not all of them will be keepers and stay in the collection.. Sometimes I will see something and think I need to pull it, listen to it, look it up but don't. I have no clue how long I have had this one in one of those boxes but it is always like Christmas when I discover what I overlooked. I just knew this was going to be good one by the band name and record label. I think someone was listening to the Count Five a bit and liberally borrowed from Psychotic Reaction. The B side sounds is a nice Booker T and the M.G's cover

Carolyn Crawford - My Smile Is Just A Frown

 Last weekend I was going through some of my unsorted 45's and found this killer 45 I had never listened to. I was able to locate a nice Motown sleeve from a box of empty sleeves and what a pair. I love soul music but to be honest was never a huge Motown fan or collector. That being said, how was this song not a monster hit and barely dented the R&B chart. It has that classic Smokey Robinson sound, classic Smokey lyrics and Smokey production. Man oh man this is so much better than the Supremes