Old writing: Record Recomendations
A continuation of my previous post in which I extol the virtues of ubiquitous, throwaway thrift store LPs. Keep in mind that this was 1999, so time has altered interpretation of some of these artists, especially as irony has come to dominate the online landscape. So here we have a few old album recommendations from yours truly.
******
Here are a few of my favorites-none of them are rare or expensive, much less acclaimed and acknowledged by hipster conventional wisdom. Consider yourself ripped off if you spend over a dollar.
The San Sebastian Strings: The Earth, The Sea, The Sky, etc. -
There are so many SSS albums, it is damn near impossible not to find one. Back in the day, a lot of guys got into a lot of middle aged pants to the strains of “The Strings.” Breathy recitations of earnest, quirky Rod Mckuen poetry up against the elevatoresque strains of the Anita Kerr orchestra create a unique mood that is simultaneously sophisticated andbawdy. Classic tunes for unhip 70’s bachelors.
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Whipped Cream and other Delights. -
Spend a dollar and put it on your wall, even if you never play it. A better cover concept than any stinkin’ Beatles album. Widely available in smelly disorganized thrift stores everywhere.
Chuck Mangione: Feels So Good. -
The seemingly endless, surprisingly funky and completely unforgettable title track sits atop the music world as the “Free Bird” of easy listening. This tune will kick-start a crowd like Kid Rock at a Frat party.
Boston: Boston. -
At some point in your life, you will have the Boston Epiphany. The more you hate them to begin with, the more you will love them in the end. There is no escape. This record is so completely great you will threaten bodily harm to those who attempt to deny it to you.
The Ray Coniff Singers: Sing the Greatest Hits of _ -
These albums are all over the place. Under the direction of the Cheesemaster himself, the singers have done jazzy harmonized renditions of every 60s and 70s pop song that was even marginally worth recording. Conniff and Co. were undoubtedly the squarest people on the face of the earth at one time.
Huey Lewis and the News: Sports. -
You know every single word. You may not know it yet, you may not ever admit it, but it’s true.
Survivor: Eye of the Tiger. -
After track one, the rest of this album is so intolerably bad that a lot of folks seem to have written it off. Their loss is your gain .. And if you can’t see the value in owning your very own copy of the one great song for 50 lousy cents, there is no hope for you.
Europe: The Final Countdown -
See above.
