THE RISING STORM

It’s going to be a good spring and summer. Record shopping is a must — turntables practically pay for themselves, with bargain bin records patching up holes in the collection and introducing new artists you wouldn’t exactly seek out. I don’t obsess over VG++ and Mint(-) stuff (like another Rising Storm writer I know); promo cuts and stamps work for me, as long as there isn’t a nasty scratch thru the slab. But since I’m going all vinyl, I thought it might be fun to share some finds along the way. Probably nothing you haven’t already got, but I mean, it couldn’t hurt right? Here’s what I picked up at a flea market over the weekend.

Rank & File “Sundown”
I’ve been dabbling with 80s cowpunk and such. I have a CD of The Long Ryders which I’d love to find, but I was super excited to find this one. Thanks to the Jangly 80s series over at STWOF I recognized the cover right away and snatched it right up. It’s a bit off track here but such a great record once you get used to the glossier sound. Thanks Paul!

mp3: The Conductor Wore Black

The Band “Stage Fright”
If you couldn’t tell from our last podcast, I love The Band’s third outing, Stage Fright. I have it on CD but couldn’t resist when the original sleeve popped up in a stack. Jason said: “Did you ever listen to Stage Fright? A lot has been made of the Band’s first two albums and how influential they are but Stage Fright is just as good, though the songwriting is more personal where as before they always wrote about history. It has a definite woodstock sound though but its the band at the peak of their powers.”

mp3: Daniel And The Sacred Harp

Crosby Stills Nash & Young “Deja Vu”
Inspired by the Drunkard’s question about album covers, the yearbook/family album-style embossed sleeve drew me in as well. Can’t not have this one. Nice to see the Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde font on the inside. Btw, my goal for the summer is to nab the full Byrds discography in records. Almost half way there.

mp3: Deja Vu

Mother Earth “Living With The Animals”
I hadn’t seen this record before, but it was there in my subconscious somehow. Really good soulful record with a classy gatefold design. I’ll definitely pick up Make A Joyful Noise if I can find it.

mp3: The Kingdom Of Heaven (Is Within You)

Stephen Stills (self-titled)
I’ve been reading a lot about Stills lately and realizing what a masterful songwriter he is, but put off delving into his solo material until I found these two together. Great essential record for fans of roots rock.

mp3: Old Times Good Times

Steven Stills “2″
These records really hit the spot from the start. Side 1 on this is all perfect, and 2 is a little wonky, but not nearly as bad as Allmusicguide makes it out to be. Stills is definitely solid and I’ll be on the hunt for more. Especially geared up to find a good vinyl of Manassas.

mp3: Fishes And Scorpions