Vinyl-O-Matic
Will McCollum
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Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Vinyl-O-Matic episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Vinyl-O-Matic for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Vinyl-O-Matic episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
09/28/23 • 59 min
Sarah Vaughan [00:36]
"Hey Naughty Papa"
Sassy
Mercury Wing MGW 12237 1962 (originally released in 1956)
Hey now. Evidently this one was written by Hoagy Carmichael? Here Sarah is backed by Hal Mooney and his Orchestra.
Subway [02:51]
"Jupiter"
Satellites
Soul Jazz Records SJR 157-12 2007
Beep boop boop beep.
Jerry Byrd [08:27]
"Cold Cold Heart"
Satin Strings of Steel
Monument SLP 8033 1965
Getting very aloha with Hank's classic.
Glen Campbell [11:06]
"Lonesome Jailhouse Blues"
A Satisfied Mind
Pickwick SPC-3134 1971
A repackaging of the Glen's Capitol Records 1966 album Big Bluegrass Special.
Bee Gees [14:28]
"Jive Talkin'"
Saturday Night Fever (The Original Movie Sound Track)
RSO RS-2-4001 1977
Sometimes you just have to go with the hit. Oh wait, they're all hits.
The Hot Dogs [18:13]
"Feel Real Fine"
Say What You Mean
Ardent Records ADS-2805 1973
A great little gem of a Big Star adjacent album. Digging this track by Terry Manning.
Tom Jones [21:12]
"Come to Me"
Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow
Epic PE 34468 1977
That's right, the theme song from The Pink Panther Strikes Again (Edwards, 1976). You know, the one with the castle in Bavaria? My brothers and I went with my mother to see this one in the theaters instead of staying home and watching Super Bowl XI (Raiders v Vikings).
Daniel Ocko [24:07]
"The Guitar Player"
Great Ghost Stories
Troll Records 50-002 1973
Oops... right genre, wrong cover. The record is Great Ghost Stories but the sleeve is Scary Spooky Stories.
Harry Nilsson [31:27]
"Gotta Get Up"
Schmilsson
RCA LSP 4515 1971 (1979 reissue)
Aleatoric glissando. Look it up.
Rafael Kubelik conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra [33:51]
"Schoenberg: 5 Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 16 - Peripetia"
Shoenberg/Bartok - 5 Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 16/Music for Stringed Instruments, Percussion, and Celesta
Mercury MG-50026 1953
blah
Pete Townshend [36:04]
"Squeezebox"
Scoop
ATCO Records 7 99063-1-F 1983
A pretty solid demo from a compilation full of Who demos.
Scott Walker [38:34]
"Amsterdam"
Scott (Aloner)
Smash Records SRS 67099 1967
Alright, so I'm cheating a little on this one too. The US release of Walker's first album, Scott, was titled Aloner. But I didn't have this album when we were running through Albums that begin with the letter A as in Alpha. It's really difficult to pick just one song to play here. My instinct wanted to go with "The Lady Came from Baltimore" but the atmosphere of his cover of Brel's "Amsterdam" is so good.
Siouxsie & the Banshees [43:21]
"Mirage"
The Scream
Polydor POLD 5009 1978
The amazing debut album from Siouxsie and the Banshees. A pretty remarkable effort front to back. The version of "Mirage" that appears on this album gains a little polish but still retains the energy of the Peel Session version the year before.
Judas Priest [46:11]
"The Hellion/Electric Eye"
Screaming for Vengeance
Columbia FC 38160 1982
One of the greatest 1-2 punches in album opening history. You know exactly what you are in store for. Fourteen year-old me was completely enthralled with the sound of this album.
Hap Palmer [50:31]
"Sweetwater Springs"
Sea Gulls... Music for Rest and Relaxation
Activity Records AR 584 1978
Woof. File under Easy Listening. Why do I feel the sudden urge to make a macrame plant hanger?
Will Oldham [52:15]
"Sapele"
Seafarers Music
Drag City DC261 2004
Music to accompany a documentery by.
Music behind the DJ: "Cold Cold Heart" by Lawrence Welk and Orchestra
1 Listener
Albums and All That, Starting with the letter E as in Echo, and with the letter F as in Foxtrot
Vinyl-O-Matic
09/23/20 • 60 min
Harry Belafonte [00:31]
"The Drummer and The Cook (Cockney Air)"
An Evening with Belafonte
RCA Victor LPM-1402 1957
I wonder if Harry was Dick Van Dyke's dialect coach.
Miriam Makeba [04:25]
"Beware, Verwoerd (Ndodemnyama)"
An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba
RCA Victor LSP-3420 1965
As the liner notes say, a warning to the Prime Minister of South Africa that the black man is on the move.
Harry Belafonte [06:28]
"Walking on the Moon"
An Evening with Belafonte/Mouskouri
RCA Victor LSP-3415 1966
From the film Never on a Sunday.
Rod Stewart [10:02]
"Maggy May"
Every Picture Tells a Story
Mercury SRM-1-609 1971
A number one hit from a number one album from Mssrs. Stewart and Wood and friends.
Warren Zevon [17:13]
"Lawyers, Guns and Money"
Excitable Boy
Asylum Records 6E-118 1978
Seems even more appropriate for this times. From the album that gave us "Werewolves of London" too.
Rolling Stones [20:42]
"Shake Your Hips"
Exile on Main St.
Rolling Stones Records COC 2-2900 1972
A fine stab at the Slim Harpo classic. Recorded by the boys when they were holed up in Nellcôte.
Procul Harum [23:41]
"Nothing but the Truth"
Exotic Birds and Fruits
Chrysalis CHT 1058 1974
A very meh album. Not sure how it came to be in my collection, but here it is.
Bill Evans Trio [26:53]
"Haunted Heart"
Explorations
Riverside Records RLP 351 1961
Recorded February 2, 1961 with Evans on piano, Scott La Faro on bass, and Paul Motian on drums.
Rain Parade [31:26]
"You Are My Friend"
Explosions in the Glass Palace
Enigma Records E 1081 1984
Some primo paisley underground from this LA quartet, released after David Roback departed the group.
Robert Fripp [34:31]
"You Burn Me Up I'm a Cigarette"
Exposure
EG PD EGLP 101 1979
Featuring Daryl Hall on vox, believe it or not.
Love and Rockets [36:56]
"Yin and Yang The Flower Pot Man"
Express
Big Time 6011-1-B 1986
I can neither confirm nor deny that I was once an industrial goth kid.
Pretenders [43:50]
"Message of Love"
Extended Play
Sire MINI 3563 1981
I mean really, how can you not pick this song?
Extremity [47:14]
"Bestial Destiny"
Extremely Fucking Dead
20 Buck Spin SPIN 087 2017
Bay Area Death Metal supergroup featuring Shelby Lermmo on guitar and vox, Marissa Martinez-Hoadley on guitar and vox, Erika Osterhout on bass and Aesop Dekker on drums.
Johnny Cash [52:05]
"Frankie's Man, Johnny"
The Fabulous Johnny Cash
Columbia CL 1253 1958
Mono, man! Johnny's first outing with Columbia.
The Who [54:21]
"Don't Let Go the Coat"
Face Dances
Warner Bros. Records HS 3516 1981
The first full album withouth Keith Moon, with Faces' Kenney Jones in his place. Made it to number 4 on the US charts. The album cover features 4 portraits of each musician by different artists. My favorite is Howard Hodgkins' portrait of John Entwistle.
Music behind the DJ: "À 200 à l'heure" by Francis Lai and Orchestra
07/05/22 • 66 min
Prince and the Revolution [00:51]
"Kiss"
Parade
Paisley Park 9 25395-1 1986
Everyday someone is born who has never heard Prince's "Kiss" (or seen the video). If that person is you, enjoy!
Nadja [04:27]
"Dark Circles"
Paradox Incubate 15.09.14
Consouling Sounds SOULXXXXIV 2014
Live ambient doom by my favorite duo recorded live at Incubate Festival in Amsterdam circa 2014.
Blondie [14:34]
"Hanging on the Telephone"
Parallel Lines
Chrysalis CHR 1192 1978
Check out the original Nerves version if you ever have the chance.
Witch [16:56]
"1000 MPH"
Paralyzed
Tee Pee Records TPE-085-1 2008
Taking off in a silver machine on this track from the band's follow up album.
Black Sabbath [20:18]
"Children of the Grave"
We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll
Warner Bros. Records 2BS 2923 1976
What the...?! This isn't Paranoid. This isn't even Masters of Reality! Why no, someone slipped the second disc of We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll into their Paranoid jacked. Ah well. Always check the contents of those dollar bin records, kids.
KC and the Sunshine Band [25:31]
"I'm You Boogie Man"
Part 3
T.K. Records 605 1976
Can't deny the classics. Number one on the Hot 100 way back in 1977.
The B-52's [31:15]
"Private Idaho"
Party Mix!
Warner Bros. Records MINI 3596 1981
The band's debut single remixed for your own private party. You can tell it's a party remix because of the stereo-panned-n-flanged roto-toms.
Joe King Carrasco & the Crowns [35:19]
"Party Weekend"
Party Weekend
MCA Records MCA-5404 1983
For all you early MTV fans out there, yes this is what became "Party Christmas". Party party!
Grass Widow [38:22]
"11 of Diamonds"
Past Time
Kill Rock Stars KRS533 2010
Some Bay Area goodness from Hannah Lew, Raven Mahon, and Lillian Maring.
Bob Dylan [41:16]
"Billy 4"
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
Columbia KC 32460 1973
I have a particular soft spot for this Dylan album. The film and soundtrack came into my life at a time when I was becoming increasingly interested in film and aspect ratios like Cinemascope. And also at a time when I was making art that was making art exploring the myth of the American West and native American folklore, especially Old Man Coyote the trickster. In this film and soundtrack we get both the myth of the American West (Billy the Kid) and the trickster (Dylan is nothing if not a trickster). The film itself is a bit of a Peckinpah shaggy dog, but worth the early 70s antihero hubris. I prefer Newman's confused teen Left Handed Gun (another aspect of the myth Billy the kid itself: the infamous daguerrotype in question has reality preserved in reverse) to Kristofferson's avenger. But with Peckinpah's film you get bonus James Coburn, Slim Pickens, Harry Dean Stanton, and even Rita Coolidge.
Bobbie Gentry [47:55]
"Billy the Kid"
Patchwork
Capitol Records ST-494 1971
Speaking of coincidences. From Bobbie's final studio album. Definitely environmental circumstances.
The Modern Jazz Quartet [49:57]
"A Social Call"
Patterns
United Artists Records UAL 4072 1960
And now for something completely different from Billy the Kid. Music derived from film cues.
Falls of Rauros [54:25]
"New Inertia"
Patterns in Mythology
Gilead Media relic119 2019
Some melodic black metal from this Tolkien-esque band from Portland ME.
Music behind the DJ: "Spinning Wheel" by Terry Baxter and his Orchestra
03/08/19 • 57 min
Three Dog Night [00:46]
a side: "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"
b side: "Rock & Roll Widow"
Dunhill ABC Records 45-D-4239 1970
A legendary Randy Newman song, first recorded by Eric Burdon but made famous by these three dogs.
Burning Curtains a side: "Mannequin Lullaby" [06:39]
Happiness b side: "Knowm" [10:08]
Partisan Records PTSN1016-7 2015
Catchy grooves on the a-side from San Francisco's Burning Curtains and the b-side from Rhode Island's own Happiness.
Deerhoof [14:13]
a side: "Matchbook Seeks Maniac (Dedication Mix)"
b side: "Makko Shobu"
Kill Rock Stars KRS 491 2007
Fantastic picture disc single from their 2007 album Friend Opportunity, featuring artwork by David Shrigley. This was from the post-Chris Cohen pre-Ed Rodriguez era when they played as a trio.
Chuck Berry [19:43]
a side: "Maybellene"
b side: "Wee Wee Hours
Chess Records 1604 1955
The rock and roll classic. Evidently the flipside "Wee Wee Hours" was on the audition tape that Chuck Berry sent to Leonard Chess that got him his contract.
Mick Jagger [26:20]
a side: "Memo from Turner"
b side: "Natural Magic"
Decca Records F 13067 1970
Single from Mr. Jagger recorded for "Performance" featuring some hot hot slide guitar from Ry Cooder. It also features Gene Parsons (of all people) on drums and oh hey... Randy Newman on piano.
The Dynamics [32:11]
a side: "Misery"
b side: "I'm the Man"
Big Top Records 45-3161 1963
Super fine r&b number for Detroit's The Dynamics. This would re-interpreted by The Who (or High Numbers if you prefer) as "Zoot Suit".
Stereolab [38:16]
a side: "Miss Modular"
b side: "Allures"
Duophonic Records D-UHF-D016s
A moog-y masterpiece from Stereolab's 1997 album Dots and Loops.
John Phillips [45:59]
a side: "Mississippi"
b side: "April Anne"
Dunhill Records 45-D-4236 1970
The single from John, the Wolf King of LA, a fine stomper and steel-y country rock ballad.
Music Behind the DJ: "Breezin'" by George Benson.
09/09/20 • 64 min
The Rolling Stones [01:03]
"She's So Cold"
Emotional Rescue
Rolling Stones Records COC 16015 1980
Stones doing what the Stones do best, keeping it simple. Dig that slapback reverb. Number one on the Top 200 in 1980, with this track making it to number 26 on the Hot 100.
Pete Townshend [05:15]
"Jools and Jim"
Empty Glass
ATCO Records SD 32-100 1980
A nice little invective directed at a couple of NME writers.
Canyon [07:50]
"Ten Good Eyes"
Empty Rooms
Gern Blandsten GERN064 2002
An East Coast kinda Americana Slowcore band? Picked up this record when I saw them open for Vic Chesnutt at the Bottom of the Hill in the early Aughties.
Johnny Puleo and his Harmonica Gang [11:41]
"Tic-Tock Polka"
Encore Italiano!
Audio Fidelity AFSD 5931 1965
One from my grandparents collection. Can't resist a good rendition of Tic-Tick Polka.
The Platters [15:35]
"My Prayer"
Encore of Golden Hits
Mercury Records MG 20472 1960
The most popular version of this standard. Ask me about the time I was the soundboard operator for an off-off Broadway production of Jim Thompson's Pop. 1280.
eX-Girl [18:22]
"Hettakorii No Ottokotou"
Endangered Species
Alternative Tentacles Virus 313 2004
Avant J-pop from the planet Kero Kero.
Ensemble Pearl [23:33]
"Painting on a Corpse"
Ensemble Pearl
Drag City DC544 2013
Music composed for a piece by Gisèle Vienne, featuring Stephen O'Malley of Sunn O))), Atsuo of Boris, Michio Kurihara by Ghost, and William Herzog.
Syntonic Research, Inc [32:09]
"The Psychologically Ultimate Thunderstorm"
Environments: Totally New Concepts in Sound - Disc 4
Syntonic Research, Inc SD 66004 1974/1979
"A Psycho Acoustic Experience." Yes. Yes it is.
Music behind the DJ: "Slow Poke" by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra
12/23/22 • 62 min
Berlin [00:24]
"Masquerade"
Pleasure Victim
Geffen Records GHS 2036 1983
Some classic nouvelle vague, very LA style.
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson [04:33]
"Pancho & Lefty"
Pancho & Lefty
Epic FE 37958 1982
What the hell is up with the intro?! Anywho, pretty decent pass at the Townes Van Zandt classic. And these gentlemen let Townes appear as a federale in the accompanying video.
The Knitters [09:18]
"The New World"
Poor Little Critter on the Road
Slash 25310-1 1985
Well, since there was an election just recently, this seems like the one to go with.
Margaret Whiting [12:15]
"Gentle on My Mind"
Pop Country
London Records PS-527 1967
A snappy rendition of this John Hartford-penned number made popular by Glen Campbell.
False [16:23]
"A Victual for Our Dead Selves"
Portent
Gilead Media relic110 2019
Some blackened metal from this former Minneapolis combo.
Ahmad Jamal [27:13]
"Ahmad's Blues"
Portfolion of Ahmad Jamal
Argo LP 2638 1959
Recorded live at the Spotlite Club in Washington DC in September of 1958, featuring Ahmad on keys, Israel Crosby on bass, and Vernel Fournier on drums. Fun fact: Argo was a subsidiary of Chess Records.
The Undertones [32:11]
"It's Going to Happen"
Positive Touch
Harvest ST-12159 / Ardeck ST-12159 1981
A bit of a change in direction for the Northern Ireland lads. And I would say in a good way. It's always interesting when bands progress their sound. Feargal still sounds as distinctive as ever. During their appearance on Top of the Pops for this single, guitarist Damian O'Neill wore a black armband to mark the recent passing of Bobby Sands.
Bongwater [35:47]
"Bedazzled"
The Power of Pussy
Shimmy Disc shimmy 040 1990
Originally recorded by Dremble Wedge and the Vegetation. Just kidding, it's a Dudley Moore tune performed by Peter Cook in the 1967 Stanley Donen film Bedazzled. Deftly handled by Ann Magnuson, Kramer, Dave Rick, and David Licht.
Earth Wind & Fire [38:32]
"Fall in Love with Me"
Powerlight
Columbia TC 38367 1983
Track one, side one solid dancer with a heckuva guitar solo. Powerlight was the bands 12th studio album and certified gold. This song was released as single and made it to number 17 on the Hot 100.
Iron Maiden [45:32]
"Flash of the Blade"
Powerslave
Capitol Records SJ-12321 1984
The epicly epic album from my favorite band when I was a teenager. I caught them at Radio City Music Hall on this tour, with opening act Queensryche. You've never seen so much spandex and leather and hair. And then there was my nerdy self. Anywho, evidently this song made it into Dario Argento's Phenomena.
Krallice [49:37]
"Conflagration"
Prelapsarian
Gilead Media relic92 2017
Blackened goodness straight outta Queens.
Pretenders [57:22]
"Talk of the Town"
Pretenders II
Sire SRK 3572 1981
Got this one for my 13th birthday. This is an edited version of the 1980 single purportedly about Chrissie and Ray Davies.
Music behind the DJ: "Slow Poke" by Lawrence Welk
02/26/23 • 52 min
George Jones [00:22]
"Time Changes Everything"
The Race Is On
United Artists UAS 6422 1965
A very George Jones take on this Bob Wills/Tommy Duncan classic.
Nadja [03:58]
"Now I Am Become Death, Destroyer of Worlds"
Radiance of Shadows
Conspiracy Records CORE064 2008
My gateway drug for Nadja. I had read a review of this album which mentioned a new concept to me: ambient doom. I ordered the CD and the next thing I knew I was hooked. Fifteen years later I am still enthralled.
Big Star [25:39]
"O My Soul"
Radio City
Big Beat Records WIK 54 1986 (original release Ardent ADS-1501 1974)
Mono, man! Side one track one from this outstanding follow up to their debut #1 Record. And if you've never seen the documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me, I can recommend it if you think you might be interested.
Poppa John Gordy [31:15]
"Tip Toe through the Tulips with Me"
Ragtime Piano
RCA Victor LPM-1060 1955
Yup, that's some ragtime piano all right. Made famous by Nick Lucas in an early the early talkie hit movie Gold Diggers of Broadway.
John Williams [33:12]
"The Map Room: Dawn"
Raiders of the Lost Ark - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Columbia JS 37373 1981
My favorite scene from the film, and favorite music cue of the soundtrack.
Tom Waits [37:09]
"Tango Till They're Sore"
Rain Dogs
Island Records 90299-1 1985
The album that was my gateway to the world of Tom Waits.
B.J. Thomas [41:27]
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
Scepter Records SKAO 93045 1969
Fare thee well, Burt Bacharach. For those of you who prefer streaming music services, you'll find this song under B.J. Thomas, not Burt Bacharach or the Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid soundtrack. The more you know.
Nat King Cole [44:31]
"Your Cheatin' Heart"
Ramblin' Rose
Capitol Records ST-1793 1965 (orignal release 1962)
Perhaps Nat was taking a cue from Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music?
Jimmy Buffett [46:59]
"Rancho Deluxe (End Title)"
Rancho Deluxe
United Artists Records UA-LA466 1975
I actually dig this soundtrack quite a bit. The film is a neo-western with a script by Tom McGuane. It is very much of its time, but if you can get past that, there are some excellent performances from Harry Dean Stanton, Slim Pickens, and Charlene Dallas. And you can see Jimmy Buffett and band performing in a bar scene that features Jeff Bridges and Harry Dean Stanton playing Pong.
Music behind the DJ: "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" by Lawrence Welk
08/20/24 • 59 min
Albums and All That, Starting with the letter S as in Sierra, Part 9
From Something to Shout About (Lulu) to Sophisticated Boom Boom (Dead or Alive)
Oh hey, by the way... there is now a Vinyl-O-Matic Patreon
Lulu with The Luvvers [00:30]
"Chocolate Ice"
Something to Shout About
Decca LK 4719 1965
Hey hey hey! It's Lulu! This is her debut album. Despite what you might guess from her voice, she was 17 when she recorded this album. "Chocolate Ice" is the excellent title song to the very weird Gonks Go Beat (Hartford-Davis, 1964), featuring Lulu and The Luvvers, The Nashville Teens, and the Graham Bond Organisation
Todd Rundgren [02:40]
"Hello It's Me"
Something / Anything?
Bearsville 2BX 2066 1972
Rundgren's 3rd solo album, spreading his musical wings a bit more than previous releases. Todd had originally written the song as a very mellow ballad with the Nazz in 1967, and was released as a b-side to their psyche rocker "Open My Eyes". Usually I'd go with the power pop progenitor "Couldn't I Just Tell You", but well, I'm feeling more mid-tempo at the moment.
Jimmy Buffett [07:29]
"Cheeseburgers in Paradise"
Son of a Son of a Sailor
ABC Records AA-1046 1976
Let me be perfectly clear: I am not now, nor have I ever been a Parrot Head. However, I do love cheeseburgers. This is the lead single from Buffett's eighth solo album. The single made it to #32 on the Hot 100. There's also a much-watered-down version of "Livingston Saturday Night", which can be heard to greater effect on the Rancho Deluxe (Perry, 1975) soundtrack, see also: Season 5, Episode 76.
Harry Nilsson [10:20]
"It Is He Who Will Be King/Daybreak"
Son of Dracula
Rapple Records ABL1-0220 1974
The only new Nilsson song on this soundtrack. The less said about the actual film. Count Downe (Nilsson) is invited to take over Count Dracula's throne by Merlin (Ringo Starr). Lots of monsters and lots of rock stars, including Keith Moon and John Bonham, Peter Frampton, Bobby Keys, Klaus Voorman, and Leon Russell.
Watch at your own peril. Great packaging for the record though, includine a die-cut gatefold and an iron on transfer for the cover image with "Bite Me" written in goth script below.
Julian Bahula's Jazz Africa [16:15]
"Molebatsi"
Son of the Soil
Tsafrika Records TSA 001 1982
A great collective outing composed by this South African by way of Britain drummer/composer/bandleader. I picked this one up at Revolution Records in Amsterdam. If Google Translate isn't lying to me, this title translates to "Smoker" from Swati. And a smoker it is.
The Temptations [21:46]
"Shakey Ground"
A Song for You
Gordy G6-969S1 1975
One of several excellent P-Funk-backed tracks on this album. There's a pretty excellent Delbert McClinton version of this song as well.
The Exbats [25:47]
"Like It Like I Do"
Song Machine
Goner Records GONE 192 2023
And boy do I like it! Another excellent outing from Bisbee AZ denizens Inez and Kenny and friends. They pretty much just keep getting awesomer and awesomer.
Big Black [28:17]
"L Dopa"
Songs About Fucking
Touch and Go T&G LP #24 1987
Scorching. And sadly, fare thee well, Steve. To anyone interested in recording, Steve and Electric Audio provided (and still provide) a wealth of information, as for instance: Everything you've ever wanted to know about tape alignment but were afraid to ask.
THE FOLLOWING TRACK IS INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED 🤓
Rusty Warren [31:54]
"Songs for Sinners (Part I) (excerpt)"
Songs for Sinners
Jubilee JGM-2024 1959
Everybody's favorite New England Conservatory of Music-trained raunchy great aunt. If you shake the Youtubes, you can quite likely find Catherine O'Hara portraying a Rusty Warren-inspired character Dusty Town...
09/19/24 • 65 min
Thirsty Forest Animals [00:25]
"Nape"
Southeast of Saturn: Michigan Shoegaze/Dream Pop/Space Rock
Third Man Records TMR-629 2020
All of this, yes. When I lived in NYC in the 90s, so many of my friends were from Michigan that it's amazing some stayed around to develop these sounds.
Fauna [05:26]
"To Ecstasy"
Southeast of Saturn, Vol. 2: Midwest Shoegaze/Dream Pop/Space Rock
Third Man Records TMR-750 2022
I also knew a lot of folks from Minneapolis, where Fauna hail from. This track is from their 1992 release Everafter.
Glen Campbell [09:23]
"Southern Nights"
Southern Nights
Capitol SO-11601 1977
Glen takes an excellent turn with Allen Toussaint's "Southern Nights" originally recorded in 1975. Glen heard that version and was reminded of his childhood in Arkansas. This single made it to number 1 on the charts, and the album made it as high as 22 on the Billboard 200. You can see Glen playing one of his weirdo Ovation electric 12-strings here on The Midnight Special.
Hawkwind [12:24]
"Sonic Attack"
Space Ritual
United Artists Records UA-LA120-H2 1973
Epically epic space jams with interspersed spoken words as exampled here with "Sonic Attack" written by Michael Moorcock and recited by James Calvert. The sleeve art by Barney Bubbles is a thing of majesty. If space jams are your thing and you've never heard this album, seek it out. Amazingly, this album briefly dented the Billboard 200, making it to number 179. The album jacket is quite a work of art. If you'd like to see the full artwork, join me over on Patreon for video liner notes.
Depeche Mode [17:24]
"Dreaming of Me"
Speak & Spell
Sire SRK 3642 1981
What a difference a decade makes (as compared to Hawkwind)? The debut album by the boys from Basildon, and the only one recorded with Vince Clark (before he moved on to Yaz and subsequently Erasure). This album also just cracked the Billboard 200 here in the US, making it to number 192. This single did actually make it into the US Billboard dance charts, going as high as 47.
The English Beat [21:01]
"Sooner or Later"
Special Beat Service
I.R.S. Records SP 75069 1982 (1987 reissue)
Everyday someone is born who has never heard "Sooner or Later". Perhaps you are one of those people who has never heard "Sooner or Later". If so, enjoy! This guitar sounds (and this video) have been permentantly etched into my musical brain thanks to the early days of MTV.
John Zorn [24:36]
"Hico Killer - Long Mile to Houston"
Spillane
Elektra Nonesuch 9-79172-1 1987
Gritty road story from master blues musician Albert Collins, tinged with Zorn & Co's trademark oddballness.
Con Funk Shun [29:19]
"Juicy"
Spirit of Love
Mercury SRM-13806 1980
The Bay Area's very own Con Funk Shun. If you've got a funk/soul album with a track called "Juicy" you know you've got to listen to it. Or at least, I do. Written by the band's guitarist and vocalist Michael Vernon Cooper.
The Wonderland Singers [34:07]
"Bats in the Belfry"
Spooky Halloween
Wonderland Records LP-293 1974
They just don't make organ music like they used to, and probably for good reason. At least the cover art is cool.
Ustalost [35:20]
"III"
The Spoor of Vipers
Gilead Media RELIC82 2017
Some blackened heaviness from this solo project by Will Skarstad of Yellow Eyes. For those of you who appreciate this style of music, seek out A Wandering Path: The Story of Gilead Media on a streaming service near you.
Missing Persons [40:49]
"Bad Streets"
Spring Session M
Capitol Records ST-12228 1982
This album made a strong impression on my when it came out and I still find myself thinking about it. For this episode's selection, I took a look at the track listings and immediately heard this song in my head. The album made it to number 42 on the Hot 100 and generated 4 singles: "Words", "Desitnation Unknown", "Windows", and "
03/15/19 • 55 min
David Bowie [mm:ss]
a side: "Modern Love (Studio)"
b side: "Modern Love (Live)"
EMI America B-8177 1983
Almost like a promo single, but this style is studio on the a-side and live on the b-side. Listening to the studio version, I never realized how kind a lame those synth stabs in the verse are. Anywho the live side was recorded on the Serious Moonlight tour on it's stop in Montreal.
Larry Bright [mm:ss]
a side: "Mojo Workout"
b side: "I'll Change My Ways"
Tide 45-T-006 1960
Your keto's got nothin' on my mojo. Also, if anyone has a copy of Bobby Long & the Satellites "Mo Jo Workout" that's VG or better, feel free to send me a copy ;)
The Flying Lizards [mm:ss]
a side: "Money"
b side: "Money B"
Virgin Records VA 67003 1979
Prexactly. The mighty fine new wave version of the Berry Goldie hit. And getting all dubby on the b-side.
Bay City Rollers [mm:ss]
a side: "Money Honey"
b side: "Maryanne"
Arista Records AS 170 1976
Very riffy single from the tartan patterned lads. Speaking of riffs, how about the Brian May-esque riff on the flipside?
The Rebbels [mm:ss]
a side: "Monkey Monkey"
b side: "Come Back"
Bellaphon 1030 1966
Fun for the whole family! A fun single from Germany.
Dave and Ansil Collins [mm:ss]
a side: "Monkey Spanner"
b side: "Double Barrel"
Big Tree Records BT-10526 1970*
The nutsiest sound around. A reissue from Atlantic Oldies.
Major Lance [mm:ss]
a side: "The Monkey Time"
b side: "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um"
Epic Records 15-2221 1963/1972
Whoops, flipped that one around, but you know where my priorities are. Mighty fine Curtis Mayfield tune. Fun fact: The current mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms is the daughter of Major Lance and Sylvia Robinson.
The Chimptations [mm:ss]
a side: "Monkeyshines"
b side: "I Go Ape"
Ramo Records RAMO 105 2014
WFMU's master of monkey mayhem Dave the Spazz brings us this smash hit with Neil Sedaka b-side. I do indeed go ape for this single.
Music Behind the DJ: "Planet of the Apes (Main Title)" by Jerry Goldsmith.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Vinyl-O-Matic have?
Vinyl-O-Matic currently has 198 episodes available.
What topics does Vinyl-O-Matic cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Personal Journals, Music, Music History and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Vinyl-O-Matic?
The episode title 'Albums and All That, Starting with the letter S as in Sierra, Part 2' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Vinyl-O-Matic?
The average episode length on Vinyl-O-Matic is 60 minutes.
How often are episodes of Vinyl-O-Matic released?
Episodes of Vinyl-O-Matic are typically released every 7 days, 18 hours.
When was the first episode of Vinyl-O-Matic?
The first episode of Vinyl-O-Matic was released on Sep 3, 2015.
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