MY PRIVATE VINYL SPEAKEASY

I went to see my music "dealer" the other day, a fellow vinyl enthusiast I met courtesy Craigslist who hooks me up with some great vinyl every so often. I periodically schedule times where I can head down to his rec room and leisurely peruse the stacks of wall to wall vinyl to help satisfy my musical addiction.

While I browse he plays me some great samples - blues records, dub reggae, post-punk, whatever suits the moment, and I leave with a small stack of records to take home. It is an awesome experience, kind of like an exclusive speak-easy for music geeks. Of course now that I have a regular supplier I know that I am hooked.

Here are the recent gems that I picked up during my last vinyl foraging engagement;

Brian Eno - "Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)" (1974)

This is Eno's second post-Roxy Music album. I was inspired to find this one after listening to his recent David Byrne collaboration and remembering that he is actually a decent and engaging singer, a fact overshadowed by his ambient pieces and role as a producer.

Brian Eno - "Ambient 4: on Land" (1982)

One in a series of Eno's many ambient recordings. I am looking forwarding to relaxing to this one late at night with some really good headphones for closer scrutiny. A recording like this makes a good case for having vinyl on hand, as this one clearly benefits from the dynamic range inherent to vinyl.

Scientist & Peter Chemist - "1999 Dub" (1984)

I have never been a huge fan of dub reggae, though this one was intriguing and was a great soundtrack for my record foraging (my dealer played this one and got me hooked). It is fun to imagine the pre-millennial & dystopian themes in this one from the vantage point of the mid-80's when it was recorded.

Patti Smith - "Radio Ethiopia" (1976)

I am a recent convert to much of Patti Smith's work, and I am especially fond of her earlier albums which often hold a sense of blistering urgency and poetic spirit that I admire. This record was criticized by some at the time for being too "self indulgent", though from my vantage point this is hardly a problem.

The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues" (1988)

This one is a bit of a sentimental favourite, an example of how to do Celtic rock the right way.

I will soon be able to convert these to digital format if anyone wants a fix of some engaging music to enhance their aural palette. Now excuse me, my turntable is calling me!