Alongside my physical media are other tangible, talismanic possessions like this autographed photo of Long John Baldry, which my parents had him sign for me when they hung out in his hotel room after a show at Stage West in Edmonton the year I was born.
Despite the fact Baldry almost single-handedly introduced R&B to Britain, and had the likes of Elton John, Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger and other big shots in his bands before they were famous, he remains a footnote in music history.
When I was 21, I managed to catch him live at the Sidetrack Cafe where I was hit in the face by a broken guitar string (front row seats!).
Aside from the autograph, the tall, white suited spectre that is Baldry lurks around the peripheral of my life in various ways. After years of going nowhere in England (and being hospitalized for going mad), he emigrated to Vancouver, signed to Alberta based label Stony Plain Records, and apparently used to be seen regularly sitting in the back of my current neighbourhood bus with his guitar case until he passed away in 2005.
Aside from his musical output, he also did voiceover work for Tenderflake lard, Pizza Hut, and the animated Sonic The Hedgehog series.
His album “It Ain’t Easy” has been played to dust over the past few years as I’ve struggled with less than ideal forms of employment.
Stereo Total - “I Hate (Everybody In The Discotheque)” 🎧
This 45 is very special to me not only because I’m a huge @stereototalofficial fan, but because I bought it at the show they put on @biltmorecabaret in 2009.
I dropped in early to see if I could catch them setting up, and luckily they were there and very, very kind. They autographed a drawing of Serge Gainsbourg for me, and later Françoise pulled me up on stage to dance while they played this song.
Swipe to see our photo together, the Gainsbourg drawing, a tour shirt, and my ST collection.
#2009 #recordcollecting #stereototal
Cariocas - “Batida (Instrumental)” 🎧
Brash, sunny Italo disco with Brazilian flavour produced Rago & Farina, 1983. This record is SUPER LOUD!
#batida #cariocas #italodisco #recordcollecting
On The Brandwagon!
It is with some reluctance I announce the establishment of my “brand” T Shi®t.
The last thing I want to do is spend time coming up with shit to sell. There’s enough shit kicking around. The world is, in so many ways, a big shitty mess. However, I really need to stop working shitty service jobs. Maybe you’d like to buy a cool t shirt or a bag, and maybe I could use the money to take some courses. It would be swell to have more time to make my shitty art.
Keeping it to IG for now, but look for shirts on the racks @slicevancouver in the next couple weeks, and eventually an online shop or something.
“I’m A Truck”, “Jimmy Durante” - Wild Man Fischer
Another Zappa alumnus (see last record post featuring George Duke), Wild Man Fischer recorded a good portion of “Wildmania” live at Dodger Stadium (in the stands during a Dodgers game). He recorded Rhino Records’ first single “Go To Rhino Records”, which is wild considering how big a company Rhino became.
Sadly, the Wild Man Fischer/Wesley Willis collaboration never came to pass… @witcheryway , I still have that burned CD you gave me of Wesley’s best. Cut the mullet…
#wildmanfischer #rhinorecords #outsidermusic #recordcollecting
1992, Edmonton. Nancy lived on the second floor of the apartment building our family lived in on 124th street. She was a chain smoker who used to call us up every couple days to ask me to run over to the corner store to get her cigarettes— DuMaurier Extra Light King Size. $5.75 a pack, and I was allowed to spend the change on candy. I was ten.
Nancy used to go in for surgery a lot. One time, the doctors left a tiny hook inside her stomach, which they had to go back in and get. She kept it, and showed it to me.
“I Just Want To Love You” - The Clarke/Duke Project 🎧
I was in grade 12 when I found this record at a Value Village in northwest Edmonton. At that point, all I knew of George Duke was his work with Frank Zappa, so it was funny to hear him cozy up to a commercial R&B sound with Stanley Clarke. Is it any good? I think so, even if it reminds me of awkward high school crushes and the uncertainty of setting out into the world.
#georgeduke #stanleyclarke #clarkedukeproject #records
“Its Grand Climax At Hand” from 2006 is for sale in a frame for $600CAD plus shipping costs. This piece will turn 20 years old in September.
Frame 12.5” x 12.5”, canvas 10” x 10”
“Pacific State” - 808 State 🎧
I don’t “club” anymore (did I ever, really?), but whenever things turn mundane, I apply this record liberally to the household air molecules. House music + house work.
#808state #madchester #acidhouse #records
“Rorschach 1 and 2” from 2011 are for sale, each wood panel mounted in its own black or white shadow box. $300CAD each or $500CAD for both plus shipping costs. DM for inquiries.
(Frames 10.5” x 10.5”, panels 8” x 8”)
“Via Con Me”, “Dancing” - Paolo Conte 🎧
Found this at the Salvation Army next to the Nanas, piled up with the Perrys… apparently, “Via Con Me” was used in a Coca Cola commercial.
I’ve enjoyed encountering Paolo Conte’s (and his brother Giorgio’s) songs over the years; the most memorable time being at The Old Town Ale House in Chicago with my sister. We slid so many dollar bills into their impeccable jukebox that afternoon, and we played “Gelato al limon” before we left to spelunk the gigantic piss-reeking Dubuffets… #recordoftheday #paoloconte #chicago #oldtownalehouse
