January 2010

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Record #82

12 January 2010 in Music by DJ Drew | No comments

While waiting for some paint to dry this weekend, I reached in and dug out an album from 1972 which was recorded at The Hit Factory in New York.

Jim Croce
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim

This ABC Records album may not feature “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” but it is certainly one of those albums that fits the cliche of what I intended the point of this project to be. This album makes a great listen from start to finish, well thought out with a variety of dynamics on each side; it’s not a cherry picker album.

One awesome thing I first noticed about this album is that it folds out and has all the lyrics to the songs – in a font that is readable! Yea, CD’s have been known to enclose lyrics, but real estate is such a prime with them that you need a magnifying glass to read the lyrics and notes – not so on this album!

I think my top favorites on the album are mostly on the flip side, “Box #10,” “A Long Time Ago,” and “Hey Tomorrow.” The other favorite (on the front) being the title track, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” Funny thing is, when I looked up the airplay charts and compared them to my list, only one made the cut. The top hits of album from back in the day are, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels),” and “Time in a Bottle.”

Although, the one song that deserves a special mentioning is, “Time in a Bottle.” With the help of ABC’s movie, “She Lives!” Croce’s “Time in a Bottle” topped the charts at number one three months after his untimely death.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:

  1. You Don’t Mess Around with Jim
  2. Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Brighter Day
  3. New York’s Not My Home
  4. Hard TIme Losin’ My Man
  5. Photographs and Memories
  6. Walking Back To Georgia

Side 2:

  1. Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)
  2. Time in a Bottle
  3. Rapid Boy (The Stock Car Boy)
  4. Box #10
  5. A Long Time Ago
  6. Hey Tomorrow

This album features:

  • Jim Croce, Rhythm Guitar
    (Also wrote all the songs.)
  • Maury Muehleisen, Lead Acoustic Guitar
  • Gary Chester, Drums
  • Tommy West, Key Boards
  • Joe Macho, Bass
  • Jim Ryan, Bass – “Box #10″
  • Tommy West, Bass – “Walkin’ Back to Georgia,” “Photographs and Memories,” “Time In A Bottle”
  • H.J Boyle, Electric Guitar – “Hey Tomorrow”
  • Ellie Greenwich, Tasha Thomas, Tommy West, Briggs, Digs, Slim: Background Vocals – “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” “Hard Time Losin’ Man,” “Time In A Bottle,” “Hey Tomorrow”
  • Maury Muehleisen, Terry Cashman, Tommy West: Background Vocals – “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)”
  • Pete Dino, String Arrangements
  • Bruce Tergersen, Recording Engineer
  • Paul Wilson, Album Photography

“You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” on youtube.

Links:
Jim Corce – The Official Site, Wikipedia
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – Wikipedia

Contributor Identification

11 January 2010 in General by DJ Drew | No comments

As you can tell we’ve started having contributors, yay for more updates! I am still going to keep counting up the records for The Personal Conservatory Project, but I thought it would be nice to start including albums other people have taken the time to listen and share their thoughts on (from their own collections).

The easiest way to tell a contributor’s album post is that the title of the album will be the title of the post. (ie, contributor Braden recently posted, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights“)

Whereas, the records I am randomly pulling and going through for The Personal Conservatory Project all have post titles as “Record #__”. (I recently posted, “Record #81” the other day.)

So to sum up that whooha,
Personal Conservatory stuff: Post is titled “Record #__”
Contributor items: Post is title “Album Title”

If you really want to get technical and look at the nuts n bolts of the operation; All Personal Conservatory Project items are filed under the category “Music”, while stuff from contributors is filed under “Albums” and “Contributor”.

I hope you enjoy seeing more random albums on vinyl pop up here along with the continuation of count-up for The Personal Conservatory Project. If you have any suggestions or wish to contact me, please use the contact form or leave a comment. Alright, enough of this logistical nerdy stuff, time to dust another one off the shelf!

Keeping the table alive and spinning,
-DJ Drew

Whipped Cream & Other Delights

8 January 2010 in Albums, Contributor by Braden | No comments

Hi folks!  Quite the snowy evening out there; which means there’s nothing better than sitting comfortably indoors sipping a hot chai latte while listening to some classic vinyl.

Tonight, I am going to share with you one of my favorites, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass “Whipped Cream & Other Delights.”  I got this mint condition LP at Half Price Books several months ago for a whopping $2.00.  I was so excited to get home and convert it to digital format.  I also acquired the “mono” version of the same album included within a lot of Tijuana Brass LPs I won via eBay.

This LP is undoubtedly one of my favorite of the Tijuana Brass; and most fans consider this album one of their absolute best.  I agree.  It’ll get your foot tapping in no time.
Here’s a track listing:

Side 1

1. “A Taste of Honey”
2. “Green Peppers”
3. “Tangerine”
4. “Bittersweet Samba”
5. “Lemon Tree”
6. “Whipped Cream”

Side 2

1. “Love Potion No. 9″
2. “El Garbanzo”
3. “Ladyfingers”
4. “Butterball”
5. “Peanuts”
6. “Lollipops and Roses”

“A Taste Of Honey” is a great way to start off this album.  I love the bass guitar in this one.  One will almost certainly get the urge to tap their foot when hearing it.

“Bittersweet Samba” is my absolute favorite.  I would have to say it’s my favorite because I love how the bass compliments the trumpet reverberation(s) of the piece.

“Peanuts” is another favorite if mine.  It reminds me of something I’d hear at a circus while enjoying a hot bag of freshly roasted peanuts.

As a side note, it really amazes me how much better vinyl sounds to my ears than a CD.  The CD seems to lose that “warmth” vinyl provides.
What do you think?

And there you have it, my first record review for what it’s worth.  I’ll have more Herb Alpert to share with you in the future!

Best to all!  Keep warm!

Record #81

7 January 2010 in Music by DJ Drew | 2 comments

I dusted this album off back in the fall and digitalized it for the ipod so I could have some fresh old tunes while working on my new old house.

Heading back to the rockin’ 60’s in Niles, Michigan for this set of tunes!

Tommy James & The Shondells
26 Greatest Hits

So it’s a little sad that the record I dusted off is a compilation, but its cool because there are hits upon hits for rocking out! Sorta reminds me of a live concert, except with no cheering crowd.

Of-course while I was catching my breath from jamming to Sweet Cherry Wine & air drumming Mony Mony; I was intrigued to learn that Tommy James’s first gig was at age 12 with a group he formed called, “The Tornadoes”. At age 12 for me, I remember dancing around the living room to Draggin’ The Line!

Not only was it surprising he started performing at a young age, but Pittsburgh (whoo!) provided a powerful launch to his musical career! Apparently two years after it was recored and released, a Pittsburgh nightclub DJ in 1966 started spinning Hanky Panky. The tune generated such a response with the public that local radio stations then began spinning the tune and record bootleggers began pressing out copies of the single – 8000 in 10 days!! Impressive! The number one hit in the summer of that year was Hanky Panky. Of course the rest, as they say, is history.

There are lots of interesting facts and tidbits about Tommy James & The Shondells – more than enough to overwhelm this post! Check out Tommy James’s site for the complete biography.

26 Greatest Hits (Front Cover)

26 Greatest Hits (Back Cover)

Here is one of my favorites chilling on youtube. (Sweet Cherry Wine)

Welcome Braden!

6 January 2010 in General by DJ Drew | No comments

I’d like to welcome a new contributor to the site, Braden Mikael. Braden has been a long time fan of music, especially on vinyl. For Christmas this past year Braden received a new turntable from his wife, perfect for being a contributor here! He will be adding posts and thoughts on albums from time to time (which should help the frequency of updates!)

Recently I’ve undertook the work of restoring an old house… once that project is completed, you will be seeing more regular postings from me.

Keep the tunes spinning!
-Drew