King — Steps in Time

• Artist: King
• Title: Steps in Time
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1984 – Tower Records in D.C.

Guess when this record came out? Just look at it. It was 1984. I remember hearing King on a “progressive” or “modern rock” radio station while on a family trip in Los Angeles. It doesn’t sound that progressive or modern now, more like a rocked out version of ’80s pop, or maybe a popped out version of ’80s rock. Anyhow, it’s not bad, but it does nothing for me. “Steps in Time” is Mary’s record and she wants to keep it in case we’re ever drafted to DJ an ’80s dance party down at The Orange Peel. I didn’t make that up.

Jackson 5 — ABC

• Artist: Jackson 5
• Title: ABC
• Year: 1970
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Bought it used sometime in the 1990s

I grew up with the Jackson 5 on the radio, and of course TV too. I was just old enough to remember the hits from the album “ABC.” Overall, it’s a pretty energetic and joyous production, but listening to it is a little bittersweet. It’s hard to believe that Michael would end up so, in a word, strange.

For me, this record is almost a 10, but some of the second side drags it down. That said, my favorite is on that side, “I’ll Bet Ya.” That one was originally by Funkadelic, on their first album I believe, and let me tell you it too is damn good, even though it’s sung an octave lower. Considering who wrote most of the songs on “ABC”, George Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, et al and it’s no wonder it’s so good.

A whole lotta info about the Jackson 5 at Wikipedia.

Isaac Hayes — Shaft

• Artist: Isaac Hayes
• Title: Shaft
• Year: 1971
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: No idea when, bought it used and it’s near mint

Butter Your Soul With the Movement
Which is to be Continued by Black Moses.

Whatever you say Mr. Hayes. That psychedelic sentence is big and bold on the inside of this gatefold double album, but it’s just a promotion line using the titles from the four earlier albums pictured right below it. Anyhow, I would guess that very few people familiar with the hit “Shaft” have ever heard the whole double album. That’s too bad. The first disk is heavier with a few very rocked out jams, and the second is so chill I could feel my blood pressure dropping as I played it. I don’t have a lot of records by Isaac Hayes, but I’m glad I have this one.

IsaacHayes.com

Gang of Four — What We All Want 12 inch

• Artist: Gang of Four
• Title: What We All Want 12 inch
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary, maybe, probably
• Acquired: Hmmm…

And now we return to our regularly scheduled “G” programming. Today, G is for Gang of Four, and like I previously mentioned “What We All Want” is my favorite song from their excellent album, “Solid Gold.” The packaging on this 12 inch is… minimalist. The only thing that makes it at all special is the flipside, “History’s Bunk!”, which at the time was previously unreleased. That latter song eventually came out on the EP “Another Day/Another Dollar” and a re-issue of “Solid Gold” on CD. Even though it’s the same original album version, “What We All Want” is the winner here.

Could I be happy with something else
I need something to fill my time
Could I be happy with something else
I need someone to fill my time

Buddy Guy — Sweet Tea

• Artist: Buddy Guy
• Title: Sweet Tea
• Year: 2001
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2006 -I can’t remember where, even though it was this year, because I done got old.
• Keeper: Yes

Today is a “G” day. Actually, yesterday was, but it was also my 93rd birthday and I was feeling too tired and feeble to post. The artist for the day is one of my faves, Buddy Guy; the album is “Sweet Tea.” And it’s oh so apropos because the first song is Junior Kimbrough’s “Done Got Old.” Just an acoustic guitar and Buddy’s, I mean Mr. Guy’s voice. The rest of this album is slamming, with some unexpected production values that make it all the more hea-vay. It’s almost like Rage/Audioslave is playing backup. Awesome.

Well I done got old
Can’t do the things I used to do
‘Cause I’ma ol-old ma-an

Well I done got old
Well I done got old
I can’t do the things I used to do
‘Cause I done got old

Remember the day baby
Done past and gone
That I could love you
Most all night long
But now things have changed
An’ I done got old
I can’t do the things I used to do
‘Cause I’m an o-old man

I can’t look, like used to
I can’t walk, like used to
I can’t lu-uv, like used to
An’ now things done changed
An’ I done got old
I can’t do the things I used to do
Because I’ma o-old man

I’ma o-old man
I’ma o-old man
I’ma o-old man
An’ I’m not the same
I’m a very old man

The Fall — This Nation’s Saving Grace

• Artist: The Fall
• Title: This Nation’s Saving Grace
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 – Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA

Mostly just out of ignorance I never got that into The Fall. I think if I had been exposed to them more when I was young(er) and open-minded I would’ve been a big fan. They were post-punk before most people knew what punk was. I like their album “This Nation’s Saving Grace”, but agree with Mary’s comment that “they need some editing.” Which is a phrase she has to hear me say all the time. There are some great arty hooks on this, but I doubt I’ll get back around to playing it much. I’ll stop before I need some (more) editing.

Get the scoop on The Fall at Wikipedia.

Echo and The Bunnymen — Bedbugs and Ballyhoo 12 inch

• Artist: Echo and The Bunnymen
• Title: Bedbugs and Ballyhoo 12 inch
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Girl ain’t here to ask

I checked “maybe” by the Keeper field for this 12 inch of “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo” by Echo and The Bunnymen. The truth is, even though they are one of my favorite bands ever, I was pretty much done with them by the time this came out. I would only keep it now as part of the collection. It’s more pop than their earlier stuff, not necessarily a bad thing, but still a little twisted. Two remixes on side A and side B has live versions of “Run, Run, Run”, “Paint It Black”, and “Friction.”

As I write this I’m listening to the latest album by Muse, “Black Holes and Revelations”, which is super exciting. I may have to shake up the I’m Heavy Duty! programming a bit to write about some new stuff. Right, Keith?

The Damned — Music for Pleasure

• Artist: The Damned
• Title: Music for Pleasure
• Year: 1977
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary?
• Acquired: Unknown origin

“Music for Pleasure”, the second album by The Damned, is a lot more garage rock punk than I remembered. There are also moments that sound more like acid rock. I guess for 1977 that was more likely than it seems now. I like it and it’s hard to sit still when it’s playing, but I’ll admit that we won’t play this one that often. Gotta love the “smile price” sticker placed directly(?) on the record jacket. A real bonus is the oxblood colored vinyl. Not available on cassette, CD, MP3, etc.

Not sure where the first The Damned record is, but it’s gotta be here somewhere. While I look for it you can read about the complicated history of the band, or the “Music for Pleasure” record, or the cool label that put it out, Stiff Records.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds — The Firstborn is Dead

• Artist: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
• Title: The Firstborn is Dead
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 – Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.

I’ve listened to “The Firstborn is Dead” by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds a couple times over the last few days. I’m not sure what I think about it. I’ve always loved the first song, “Tupelo”, and it’s still my favorite. Like most music by Mr. Cave it’s not the kind of thing you’re likely to put on the turntable when you’re having a party. That said, some of it definitely sticks in your head. Whether that’s a good thing is really up to you, but it will stick with you either way.

(And excuse my fuzzy reflection in that glossy black album cover.)

Bad Brains — I Against I

• Artist: Bad Brains
• Title: I Against I
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1986 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The Greatest Album by the Greatest Band Ever!

“I Against I.” Bad Brains.

That is all.

(Third image is back of lyric sheet.)