Ah, Song Poem records. Like the parent who’s never there for you yet you still seek their company. I have no idea why I still buy these. I’d try to argue that I have a particular weakness for this fuzzy felt stock sleeve, but let’s [...]
Jerry Granelli – Visions
Excalibur Inc., No Cat. # I don’t have a lot of pride in my home state/town, per se. It’s not that I dislike Colorado, I just don’t care. But for some reason, when I come across records made in Colorado, I’m more intrigued than I [...]
DONNY MATSLER at his… Lowrey Organ
A perfect example of a private vanity pressing, this LP was recorded by a young Donny Matsler from Showlow, Arizona — early 70′s vintage I’d presume from the look and the track listing. Consisting of ten tracks recorded at Soundtech Studios in Phoenix, Donny dedicates [...]
Ernst Reijseger / Alan “Gunga” Purves – Cellotape & Scotchtape
The other find from my time in Amsterdam worth presenting. The sparse list of instruments on the back cover (cello, kalimba, drums, percussion and shakers) intrigued me enough to go for it, and I’m so glad I did. Cellotape & Scotchtape is the result of [...]
Friends Roadshow – Live at the Melkweg
A year and a half ago, I had the pleasure of digging in Amsterdam. On the advice of some Dutch collectors, I found myself at the flea markets of Waterlooplein on a rainy day, where I stumbled upon this gem. In my book, passing on [...]
Andy Hidalgo – Taiwan Memories
“Andy Hidalgo who has headed the orchestra at the US Officer’s Clup in Taipei since 1954 brings out his second album -Taiwan Memories- at the request of many who have heard his versatile organization play. It is hoped that such members as China Nite and [...]
Torkom Saraydarian & The High Mountain Band – Music From Mountains, Rivers and Oceans
Torkom Saraydarian was a Turkish-born spiritual teacher of Armenian descent who spent his last years in Sedona, Arizona. There he built a following for his “Teachings of the Ageless Wisdom” and also recorded a lot of music. Most of this music consists of solo piano [...]
Asher – S/T
Love the b&w emblem on this one, made to be converted into a jacket patch. Hard Rock 4 song 12″ EP out of Ohio fronted by a female lead singer on Zipperleg Records. Stays pretty much within the conventions of the era (1984) although the [...]
“Book” – …”Book’s” Greatest Hits Vol. 13
At a certain point in life one should probably start to assume the existence of things that previously seemed inconceivable. Like, for example, of course there is a wah-wah-synth-steel-drum-new-wave cover of Fraser & DeBolt’s “Gypsy Solitaire” by these Southwestern redneck lounge goofballs on an LP [...]
Cheryl Charles Duo – Rhapsody
Private Lounge Cabaret Electro Act from Huddersfield. This copy signed, as presumably is every other one, having been sold from a box on stage at the local working mens club to the punters sufficiently emboldened by five pints of mild and a portion of pie [...]
The Clarence Daniels Orchestra featuring Sandy Miller – Do The Deal
From my prized collection of LPs featuring people holding over-sized playing cards. This amateur orchestra floated over with this track. Great vibraphone break. “And Then I’ll Stay” melts me into a puddle.
The Luft Sisters – Full House
From my prized collection of LPs featuring people holding over-sized playing cards. Not unremarkable. Can we all agree on that? “Hit In The Heart” “All Through The Night”
Past And Present – First Time Out
This is a UK private press LP recorded at Rook Studios in the town of Stourport On Severn. It was released in 1979 and is all cover songs of varying genres. I guess this band was a local outfit which played pubs/clubs, maybe weddings and [...]
Carlos Camacho & Rafael Fuentes – Brilla El Sol
The problem with deeply catholic countries is that people don’t write sweet folk songs about god, they write actual masses. This record is suposed to be played and sung to conduct a typical catholic liturgy. According to the back cover’s text, they wrote it to [...]
Ods Bodkins – Serendipity
Mellow folk trio from Johnson City, Tennessee (beefed up by other players for certain songs). The album was recorded in 1979 and self -published on their own label. Although it has a couple of traditional/bluegrassy numbers, it focuses on a smooth acoustic sound. Ods Bodkins: [...]
Evangelist Eva L. Orange – Mother Don’t Look Back Go Forward
This record came out on the Tropical label out of Miami (better known for Frankie Sea & The Soul Riders). Most of it consists of a sermon but the album is bookended by a couple of songs on each side. The most unusual is the [...]
Hank & Lewie Wickham: Back To Back
Listenable bone from New Mexico. Real talk lyrics regarding love affairs and Firefall easy glide feelings. Three song stretch at end of side two is strong waiting for the rest to grow or show… “Everything” “Lyrics” “Luana”
Howard Hanger Jazz Fantasy – Christmas
This is my first review on Waxidermy and I thought what better to do on December 25th but talk about “Christmas”, by The Howard Hanger Jazz Fantasy– a record that gives us some of the most unusual sounds of the season. O Come, O Come [...]
Bob McKenna and Stash – The Sea Gull
I bought this on the strength of STASH, and the intense high-contrast sleeve. But I didn’t have high hopes. Everything seemed to indicate that this was going to be boring seafood restaurant jazz. Three originals couched by standards like “Route 66,” “Robin Hood,” and “Summer [...]
Judy and Johnny – First Time All Over Again
Well, their threads are awesome. And there’s something special about their music, I can’t put my finger on it. Johnny Carroll made some celebrated rockabilly recordings when he was younger. And I read that Judy Lindsey used to be a model. I’m glad they got [...]
Swarthmore Elementary 6th Grade: We Love Recess
SWARTHMORE ELEMENTARY 6th GRADE: We Love Recess - Recorded Publications Company (US) AZB-27272 Oddball and totally unique 1968 private press LP with hand-inscribed cover from the Swarthmore, PA Elementary School 6th grade class performing an original play entitled “We Love Recess”. Try to find another [...]
Friday Knights – You’re Not A Song, You’re An Album
Here is a pretty unique private press record from Hialeah, Florida of all places (although the band seem to have come from Hollywood, just a bit further up the coast). At first sight I thought this would be a souvenir from a Medieval themed diner [...]
Ilona Penzes – It’s Time You Spent The Night
This 45 reminds me of that scene in Blue Velvet where Frank Booth is wielding a love letter that will send you straight to hell. Dare to hear! It’s Time You Spent The Night
The Witness Four – The Witness Four
The Witness Four were a Auckland, New Zealand based Gospel group from around 1969-1970. This LP is a private release on their own Damascus label and was recorded at Zodiac Studios in Auckland sometime around 1970. The LP is a mix of gospel, folk, pop [...]
Key Boys – Key Boys Gold
The Key Boys were a very successful Korean rock group that got their start by playing to American GIs stationed in Korea. Often called the Korean Yardbirds, their music ranged from tepid covers of American songs to fuzzy psych freakouts. Note, this isn’t the same [...]