Let's Get Physical

At my age, I'm stuck smack-dab in the middle of the my-entire-library-is-on-my-hard-drive and vinyl-sounds-best movements, and while I love having portable music (I use Pandora at work, and take my 2nd generation iPod shuffle on vacations) I prefer vinyl. Yes, this preference has to do with sound and the aesthetic of a physical format, but it also has to do with my desire as a human being to interact physically with art.
 
I know it might seem a bit laughable-- records were mass-produced after all-- but there is still a physical component to lps: I can see the grooves where the physical waves of the music were imprinted, the visible version of the pressure music exerts on the body. I can see where songs change drastically, I can feel the silent spaces between songs with my fingers as I clean my records.

I feel the same way about books; borrowing my friend's Kindle to read a book was a disappointing experience. I missed the sensation of turning pages, of being able to see how many pages I'd read, how many I had left. It took me longer to read the book and felt less substantial. On the Kindle every font was the same, everything black and gray, a shadow world of the soul of books in their physical form. No human being will ever be able to touch a digital book, there is no history of human contact, there are no signs of past reading or cherishing.

Why is this so important? So what? It saves money and probably a few trees. (It doesn't save jobs in local shops, but that is another article. I suggest you go here for a great blog discussion on why buying music [and books for that matter] is important.)

Irises by Van Gogh

I will never forget standing in front of a Van Gogh painting of Irises at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and seeing the brushstrokes in the paint, imagining the artist's hand and eyes at work, his posture as he paused to see what was coming to life before him. The painting was not the two-dimensional thing I had always understood it to be-- it was lumpy, some spots raised up with multiple layers of paint, others showing the turn of the brush or a correction of a previous mark laid down.

Why should I settle for a "3D" experience of a sculpture or painting on Google-Whatever if I can ever have the chance to see it in person? Imagining the artist staring at a piece of marble (or any other material) and conjuring a being forth is much more awe-inspiring that the distance the computer screen puts between us.

When we allow the distance technology creates to be at the center of our lives, we are losing out. I still remember the excitement I felt as a pre-schooler when we had our weekly "mystery" tactile activity.  The teacher brought an object to class in a paper bag and every student stretched out their hand in order to feel it, interact with it, try to guess the object's identity. Everything else I remember from pre-school is pretty expressionistic, but boy, I remember that paper bag.


Teaching students who are BFFs with 2D experiences of life (friendships conducted through texts, all the most interesting sights on the 2" screens of their cell phones) I've found they are not immune to the mystery bag activity, or hands-on art-- in fact, these activities are the ones that bring that magical, elusive light of learning to their eyes. These activities are becoming as rare as White Tigers in young people's TV and electronic filled lives. Our culture is losing the knowledge of how to touch anything other than a keyboard or a screen (and students are losing their ability to manually write, spell, and who needs it anyway with Siri? Welcome illiteracy! Spellyng doznt hav 2 b standrdzd ineemor-- wut iz a printyng pres?).

The physical experience of buying/listening/playing music doesn't stand alone from how we interact with art in general. Technological experiences and conveniences shouldn't be at the expense of human interaction with an object. My romance with the Platonic, abstract ideal has ended. Put me in a room with the physical thing 'cause a hard drive full of music just won't cut it.

English Record Stores

Eng-Rock forever! Electro-rock...¡que viva! Vinyl, you will be all mine'l!

This is what my molecules were screaming as my plane's wheels left the tarmac and I began my journey to London.

Many people plan trips to cities around seeing famous sites, but Ryan and I plan our visits around records stores. In my carry-on, I had a carefully researched list Ryan had compiled. He'd spent hours on that thing, researching and compiling a list of British vinyl, and because Ryan was holding down the fort stateside I felt a burden to deliver the goods.

My London hosts are kind, and though I was determined to avoid obsessing over records stores on their time, they made some special trips for me to Soho and the Notting Hill 'hood.

I was hoping against hope that my love of English bands would finally work in my favor...surely there must be an abundance of (affordable) Mancunian rock and Banshees records in London? Surely! And you know, maybe some Pulp...and...and...ok, probably not affordable for the early 90s goods.

The original Rough Trade- in the Basement! Notting Hill 'hood.

The first shot at record shopping I got was on a visit to the Notting Hill neighborhood (newsflash: there is no way that Hugh Grant's character in Notting Hill  could afford to live in this neighborhood!!). We visited Portobello Market, had a bit of English style breakfast (eggs on toast! veg!) and meandered about. There's an awesome art display of vinyl records called the Portobello ReCollection there. It's quite a neat thing that no matter where you are going in London, you will accidentally discover something really interesting, unique, famous, or infamous. For example, I walked past houses of famous folk on many of our jaunts; places where Orwell, Hardy, and Ghandi had lived.

Wearing a weird facial expression: I pretend it's my punk face.

Like good music stores everywhere, Rough Trade opened at 10 AM (believe it or not, we were there early enough to have to wait around a bit). The BASEMENT was amazing. Right away I found Boomerang, by The Creatures. I spent about $12 getting a record that usually goes for upwards of $30. There was a massive Prince singles collection, a New Order "True Faith" remix lp I'd never seen but was immediately identifiable because of the leaf image.

The Original Single

12" Remix Single

Whilst there, Mark (one of my very patient hosts) took the opportunity to explain music categories I'd never seen before (Pub Rock and one I've forgotten the name of that was rock music for sport fans!), and to be shocked by all the bands I'd never heard about. It was neat to be shopping abroad and see categories for US New Wave, US Punk, US Rock, Surf Music, etc., a million categories for dance music, as well as the ever so un-PC category of Kraut Rock.

Music & Goods Exchange- Soho

Later in the week, on a Friday night as all the natural-born entertainers came out in Soho, Rae and Mark took me to a few more record shops. Music & Goods Exchange reminded me of CD/Game Exchange a bit, except things were reversed: this place had tons of cool records, and CDs were available in lesser quantity. These are neat stores because each branch specializes in something besides the music they sell. The branch in Soho specializes in comics (in the basement), which wasn't super interesting to me, but given the chance I would definitely visit other branches to check out their collections (one store has vintage clothes, another books, and one has films). My visit there was quite invigorating as I felt I was finally getting a true, English record fix with my purchases.

Upon approaching the counter to purchase the records at this store, I had a couple of realizations. This was the second store I had purchased records from, and I had noticed that they stored the vinyl behind the counter so shoppers would have to bring the sleeves up for what they wanted to buy. I thought that it might perhaps be a space issue-- the shops are pretty small-- or a thievery issue. But, like the first time I had purchased records, the clerk asked me to look at the quality of the vinyl before buying-- he didn't ask me if I wanted to, he expected me to do it. I adore this practice! How cool is it that record store folks in England are concerned about this on a customary basis? It would be considered odd NOT to look at the condition of vinyl before buying.

Sister Ray in Soho- you should visit!

The same thing happened when I purchased records at Sister Ray, just down the street. This was especially exciting because the shop had multiple copies of the Siouxsie & the Banshees singles I was purchasing, and I got to select the best copies. Even cooler, I
got to select from multiple gatefold, limited, clear vinyl editions of one of "The Killing Jar"; I ended up with pressing #13. I loved this store...they had so many records I wanted that I had to put things back. This is highly unusual for me!

Overall, I did pretty well for only purchasing records from a few stores, and I felt very satisfied. I did see quite a few awesome records I couldn't afford to buy, but I also got a fair price on Cure, Banshees, New Order, Prince, U2, James, and Kate Bush records (I got those last couple at an Oxfam in Shaftesbury, but that is a different story).

The weight of my carry-on as I lugged it around Heathrow, JFK, and PDX on my way home was extremely satisfying. The look on Ryan's face as he pulled out all his treats was even better.

Record Store Day

In honor of Record Store Day, a post about two of the first record stores I frequented as a newbie record buyer. In memoriam...

The first record store I wandered into in P-Town.

I had the coolest RA in college. Besides being kind, silly, and oozing Big Island cool in his year-round flip-flops, Michael was the kind of guy who made sure that all us bright-eyed frosh were ready to get around on our own in Portland. One weekend early on, Michael gathered up the freshman crew in Stewart, showed us how to hop the bus downtown (including how to get transfer passes!), and took us on a walking tour of major sites. We were backpack-wearing ducklings following our mama.

The first place we stopped was this store with lots of windows and red trim on the corner of Stark and 11th. D-Jangos? I think it took me a while to figure out how to say the name properly...and learn its history. We all walked inside and gawked at the merchandise. The gears in my mind were turning like a lamborghini's odometer on the Autobahn. I knew I was coming back to this place.

When I think of Django's, the vinyl fairy sprinkles love dust into my heart. I found so many cool things there: Jeff Buckley's singles, lps like Mystery White Boy, Low, Astral Weeks, Technique, Music for the Masses, Beach Boys 7" singles from Pet Sounds (mono!), a Mahalia Jackson postcard, and lots of cds, too. The prices were always reasonable. Best of all, every time I was there, I was with friends and fellow music junkies.

I miss Djangos.

I dyed my hair "Pimpin' Purple" with a bottle of Special Effects bought at Ozone.

Right across the street, on Burnside and 11th, was Ozone (now a Buffalo Exchange). While Django's was a welcoming, open store, Ozone felt like the traditional cool record store gauntlet. You had to walk through a long entry to get to the goods, past employees with many-a-piercing and/or tattoo and awesome, high-maintenance hair. They were cool. At the end of the entry there was a counter dedicated to patches, stickers, hair dye, chains, and studded everything. After having a dream about purpling my hair, I purchased my first bottle of hair dye at that counter. Rock on Pimpin' Purple, rock on.

Benicio del Toro was rumored to have been seen at Ozone that year, and I can't deny that my prolonged gazing at the poster covered ceiling may have devolved into daydreaming about the man.

My vinyl-pickin' fingers found some gems at Ozone as well, most notably Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me and Passengers.



I'm glad that I live in a city that has several fantastic, independent record stores still around. I am one lucky vinyl junky. Let's keep our record stores open...and celebrate a great day, the big R-S-D!

Backsides Only

My jaw is hanging open right now....this is Webster's definition of a B-side:

B-side
noun
the less important side of a pop single record.

Uh, to quote Depeche Mode, WRONG ! Every single lovin' kid since Elvis' cover of "Hound Dog" knows that the "b" stands for buried treasure!

I've got two fistfuls of b-sides here for your listening enjoyment.

These are songs I've listened to obsessively because they are every bit as good as an A-side. ¡No te preocupes! I've limited myself to one per artist, so this isn't just a page full of PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, and Smiths b-sides, although it rightfully could be. In no particular order...

"Orpheus," Grant Lee Buffalo single Mockingbirds, from the album Mighty Joe Moon

This is an incredible song, musically and lyrically. There's a melancholy and menace here that has something to do with starlight and the American plains...this is an American band...more so than any other I've heard.

"Carry Us All," the Oasis single Sunday Morning Call, from the album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants

One of the wonderful things about being a Yankee that loves British music (should I say EngRock?) is that I don't have to take sides in the Blur/Oasis love match (to the death!). I can quite jump in on the intense Noel worshiping. And though Liam is hilarious, and a great stand-up comic who plays a mean dumb-arse, Noel is ultimately the better, more heartfelt singer. I also relate to Noel's working-class idealism, and find his faith in humanity touching.

Be forewarned, there are more pictures of Noel in this video than you ever wanted to see.

"Take to the Sky," Tori Amos single Winter, from the album Little Earthquakes 

This song was really good to me and became one of my anthems when I was first realizing the position the world puts women in. If life was a musical, I'd hope for a rousing, pint-raising, stool-spinning rendition of this song in the local pub. This song is simply meant to be sung along to.

"Love in a Void," Siouxsie and the Banshees single Mittageisen.

One of Sioux's earliest lyrics. I find this absolutely irresistible. I love Siouxsie's voice, every growl, rumble, and shriek. She's a great and underrated singer.  The version below is a Peel session recording from 11/29/77.

"Sands of Time," the Cut Copy single Far Away, from the album In Ghost Colours

This is the only new track released as a b-side from this album; the rest of the b-sides are remixes.

One of the great things about this album are the lows that provide the foundation for the dance-tastic-ness that ensues. Give this song a minute to get your feet moving.

Also, the sand/art process here is pretty interesting.

"Piss Factory," Patti Smith's single, Hey Joe 

You want punk? Patti DIY'd this in 1974. It doesn't get more punk than this.

Warning: explicit content...not for the faint of heart, or the sensitive of ear.

"Pencils in the Wind," Flight of the Conchords. Another Record Store Day vinyl-only release of AWESOME!

I love that amidst their silliness, FOTC really are aficionados of music, and do the soul style with zeal and skill. Also, teachers, this is a great way to teach similes and metaphors!

"Memphis," PJ Harvey's single Good Fortune, from the album Stories From the City, Stories from the Sea.

You may have already read my entry about Jeff Buckley and his album, Grace...this song is about him.

All of PJ's singles are great (and the gal's got a lot of them), but this one hits me like a knockout punch when I hear it. I know I use religious terms to describe my most intense musical liaisons, and this one's right in the mix. When I hear this song, I feel the spirit and hear the voice of Jeff Buckley in there. He is palpably present. Exquisite.

"Luminous Times (Hold on to Love)," from U2's single With or Without, from the album The Joshua Tree

Bono does a great job of landing on lyrics by just singing along to a melody. Hear here an unfinished song from the studio. Brian Eno, shame on you for not finding time to finish this gem!

"Hold on to love
Hold on to love
Love won't let you go
Hold on to love
Hold on to love
She the sunlight in her song
See the sunlight in her soul"

"Wonderful Woman," The Smiths' single This Charming Man, from the album Hatful of Hollow (and later the American release of the debut album)

There's not much to say (about this song) that hasn't already been said...so I'll say nothing at all...

It's almost enough to convert the hardest of hearts.

First Vinyl Purchases

I'm in the midst of writing about my first record player as an adult, and it made me think back to the first things I remember buying on vinyl after I got it.

How about you? What'd you get?

PS My first real record purchase (as a kid, mind you) was...[hidden at bottom]













...Amy Grant's Age to Age.
     :)