ABC — Alphabet City

• Artist: ABC
• Title: Alphabet City
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1987 – Bought it when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

When I first started playing this record, “Alphabet City”, the other day for the log I thought it was a little dull by ABC standards. But now the hooks are in me, and I’ve definitely enjoyed it. My favorite song is “The Night You Murdered Love.”

I think this might be the last ABC record we have to play. So, it’s high time I included a link to this article about the band at Wikipedia.

Asheville Living — Bele Chere Festival 2006

So we’ve been living here in Asheville, NC for two or three months now. I must say that I’m digging it more and more. This weekend was the big Bele Chere Festival. Some of the locals seem tired of it, but we thought we would check it out. We’re close enough to walk downtown, which is nice, because parking was not easy. There was a lot of the usual carnival-type stuff, a lot of art, crafts, and music on a number of stages. But I think the coolest bits were the street performers on the periphery.

Young women with tattoos, dreadlocks, nose piercings, and cowboy boots playing fiddle and banjo on the street? Awesome. Could be any day in Asheville.

A joking juggler or juggling comedian? This guy was pretty funny, even if he did bust on me, twice. There’s a large crowd right behind me.

Various Artists (Band Aid) — Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Various Artists (Band Aid) -- Do They Know It's Christmas?

• Artist: Various Artists
• Title: Do They Know It’s Christmas?
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy / Mary – both had copies
• Acquired: 1984 – Dunno where
• Keeper: Yes

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was a famous single with all the proceeds intended to assist famine relief in Ethiopia. The cast of performers in Band Aid is pretty much a who’s who of British pop at the time, with a few Americans thrown in the mix. Wikipedia has the full list of artists, along with a lot more info. I like the song well enough, but I rate it a 10 because of its intended purpose and how successful it was. And all of that can be credited to Bob Geldolf’s drive, and impressive project management skills.

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction — Interview Picture Disc No. 2

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction -- Interview Picture Disc No. 2

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction
• Title: Interview Picture Disc No. 2
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1987 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
• Keeper: No

OK, this is getting a little embarrassing. I have way too much Zodiac Mindwarp stuff, and this second “Interview Picture Disc” is proof enough. At least this one is a decent interview, with good sound quality, good pictures, etc. But it’s gotta go.

Tracy Sigler — Potato Cannon

(Click image to largenate)

Is a Potato Cannon art itself? Is it functional scuplture? Or, is it a prop in a form of performance art featuring torched, toasted and tossed tubers? I say it’s both. The combustive potato gun featured here is really a carbine, and not the standard long barrel PVC version. Also, it features knock-down construction that allows it to become even smaller, and stowed using very little space. With the exception of the spring latches, the entire gun is made of aluminum, with machined fittings and TIG welded joints. The end of the barrel has been chamfered, making it easy to core a potato and achieve a tight barrel fit. This vegetable weapon has recently been retired, but only after two beautiful long potato launches. Don’t try this at home.

Xmal Deutschland — Sequenz

Xmal Deutschland -- Sequenz

• Artist: Xmal Deutschland
• Title: Sequenz
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 – Bought when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

“Sequenz” is a three song 12 inch by Xmal Deutschland. When I played the first side I asked Mary if she knew who it was and she guessed Siouxsie and The Banshees. And that’s funny because I later saw this Wikipedia article about Xmal Deutschland and it noted that the singer was often compared to Siouxsie Sioux. I don’t know… I loved the first song “Jahr Um Jahr II”, but the other two, “Autumn” and “Polarlicht” were kinda… blah.

Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf — Muddy And The Wolf

Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf -- Muddy And The Wolf

• Artist: Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf
• Title: Muddy And The Wolf
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2005 – Part of the inherited Bob Bobala collection
• Keeper: Yes

This record is the shiatsu! I suppose I could have filed it under “various” but here it is as today’s W record. I’m a big blues fan and this record doesn’t disappoint. I like the Muddy Waters side the most, but the Howlin’ Wolf side is also great. There’s a lotta help from a buncha younger white guys, including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, and others.

Thanks Bob. Your record has found a loving home.

Van Halen — Fair Warning

Van Halen -- Fair Warning

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Fair Warning
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Dunno

I should’ve mentioned this earlier. Ted Templeton’s production work on these records is fantastic. He’s a genius. Anyhow, Van Halen’s “Fair Warning” is excellent and the lead track, “Mean Street”, is possibly my favorite song from all their work. It’s rock and roll perfection, from the guitar solo intro, Dave’s lyrics and singing, the riffs, the bridge, to the slow fade. Other hits and personal faves include “So This Is Love?” and “Unchained.”

And we don’t worry ’bout tomorrow
Cause we’re sick of these four walls
Now what ya think is nothing
Might be something after all

U2 — Under a Blood Red Sky

U2 -- Under a Blood Red Sky

• Artist: U2
• Title: Under a Blood Red Sky
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 – Used, from Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.

“Under a Blood Red Sky” is a great live record by U2. Mary gives it a rating of “9” even though she thinks Bono enjoys signing a little too much(?). Based on the enthusiastic-sounding crowd I think these guys will be big one day. I just know it.

You can read more about this record at Wikipedia.

Mary Earle-Sigler — Quilt for Ixa

Artist Mary Earle-Sigler has returned to her roots, fiber arts, with this quilt for her newest nephew, Ixa. The various fabric patterns pieced together in this work appear cheerful enough, individually. But in the context of this quilted blanket they seem to create a montage of land and sea combat. This reviewer believes the artist has depicted a raging battle for triangle supremacy. Amphibians versus fish. Who will rule the blanket? Based on the facial expressions of these gladiators (see detail in third pic below) the frogs will soon vanquish the fish.