The Purge

      No, this isn't a post about the movie franchise. It's the conclusion of the process of downsizing my music collection before we move to Columbus. The journey was difficult, emotional, and cathartic. In the end, I kept more CDs than I had originally intended, but still sent about 550 on to new homes. That, combined with about 150 albums, meant I got rid of about a third of my physical music collection. I still have 1200 records and 300 CDs to move, which is still daunting. At first, I was going to just take cash for my stuff, but, in the moment ,I elected to take part cash, and part trade. So, I did add a few items into my collection. Those items are:

1. PINK FLOYD AT POMPEII

     This is the new remastering of Pink Floyd's iconic performance in the ruins of an ancient amphitheater. This is the first legit album release of this performance and I'm going to spin it after I finish this post. Of course, I've seen the movie and the songs are fantastic. I'm also going to circle back and get that Nick Mason live album. It has a great version of the Syd Barrett era track, "Lucifer Sam". 

2. OASIS - DEFINITELY, MAYBE

     I had been putting off picking this up, but with trade credit I finally pulled the trigger. One of the all-time great debut albums. 

3. KING CRIMSON - RED

     I posted about this in my 1974 series. Tremendous album.

4. DINOSAUR JR - EAR BLEEDING COUNTRY

     I didn't purge this CD, but ended up getting the 2xLP set anyway. I love this comp and it's pressed on black and white splatter vinyl. 

5. ELF POWER - WHEN THE RED KING COMES

     Elf Power are a band from the Elephant 6 collective, which also included Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control, among others. This reissue also came with a bonus 7". 

6. RIK EMMETT - DIAMONDS

     Rik Emmett was the guitarist and co-vocalist of the Canadian band Triumph. I took a flyer on this album. It's a best of comp from the early part of Rik's solo career, which I'm not familiar with at all. I guess the time to take a flyer is when you have credit. It should be good, though.

7. PROCOL HARUM - S/T

     I've been looking for a copy of this for a while. Coincidentally, the Record Den had a pile of records that someone else had just brought in and this was on top of the stack. It was meant to be. 

     I put back a few things that I will probably go back for before we move; Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark, The Beatles - Revolver remaster, and the aforementioned Nick Mason. I may have down-sized, but I'm still a collector. Peace.

Jill Sobule R.I.P.

      Last week, I meant to publish a post on The Fixx because my wife and I went to see them at the Kent Stage recently. It was a great show and the opening act was Jill Sobule doing a solo, acoustic set. My wife wasn't familiar with her and I was only vaguely aware that she had a song in the 90's, "I Kissed a Girl". It turns out, she was a delightful performer and was promoting a musical, "Fuck 7th Grade". It's a biographical telling of her queer journey. The songs were hilarious, yet touching. Her performance was almost childlike, but her playing was quite skilled. 

     So, it came as a shock just days later when The Fixx posted online that Jill had passed away suddenly. Apparently, she died in a house fire. Tributes came pouring in from artists she had worked with and more still who were dear friends. Among them Jane Weidlen of The Go-Gos and Joan Osborne. I had no idea how many people she touched in the music industry or the number of artists she collaborated with. I'm not going to pretend I was a big fan and her music really isn't in my wheelhouse, but she was an engaging performer who meant a lot to many people. I'm glad I was able to see her in her element, making people smile for a few minutes in a shitty world. Peace.

     Just a quick note on The Fixx. I have never seen anyone command the stage like Cy Curnin. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. His voice is still singular. His lyrics are even more biting than they were 40 years ago. His movements were mesmerizing. And a shout out to guitarist, Jamie West-Oram. I love his signature guitar sound that features staccato notes, strumming muted strings, and shimmering arpeggios. The highlight was "Stand or Fall" and "Deeper and Deeper" back to back. Amazing show!