Category Archives: Vinyl Finds

Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers Spanish Version

Media, Vinyl Finds, WTF?, , ,

The Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers was released in America with a cover designed by Andy Warhol, the iconic “zipper” cover which originally had a real, working zipper.

Warhol biographies say two models were used to shoot the cover image–the zipper unzips to reveal another crotch clad in boxer shorts–and nobody was definitively told whose (covered) junk it is. Hope that doesn’t keep you up at night…some sources say Warhol actor Joe Dellasandro and Warhol boyfriend Jed Johnson are the crotches in question.

But for the Spanish release of Sticky Fingers, a less “pornographic” cover was required…so what THOSE lucky stiffs got was this vaguely Burroughsian (to me) cover…

The original Spanish edition of Sticky Fingers, in addition to the alternate cover art, omits Sister Morphine (can’t imagine why, heh). Some sources say the Warhol zipper cover had its problems in some American chain stores because of the prominent outline of the model’s junk.

Seeing a prominent bulge in a pair of jeans was apparently was enough to send some uptight dingbats into a frenzy of moral outrage. People were dumber back then.

–Joe Wallace

Alsip Record Collectors Show

Events, Vinyl Finds, , , , ,

Alsip Illinois is not what you’d think of as record collector’s heaven, but for one day in November–Saturday November 20, 2010 to be exact–it is EXACTLY that. The Alsip Record Collectors Show was a goldmine for me—I dropped a nice pile of cash here on some obscurities that make my fellow collectors drool.

The thing I truly enjoyed most about this show were the deep discounts. A vinyl junkie buying large numbers of titles can get a good markdown from these very friendly dealers…and I didn’t even ask!

Contrast that to some of the people at the show who seemed, well, a bit too pushy for my tastes when they tried to negotiate discounts on stuff that was already going for half price.

A dealer’s got to turn SOME kind of a profit at these shows and I respect that–otherwise why go into the business in the first place? I was well pleased with the titles, selection and discounts I got from this show.

From the Tones on Tail colored vinyl 12-inch of “Lions” with GO! as the b-side to the Skinny Puppy LP Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse, I cleaned up.

I highly recommend the Alsip Record Collectors show. Whenever I find a new-to-me record show to attend, I hop on Facebook to see if they are listed there–the most savvy record shows take full advantage of Facebook.

I was stunned to see only TWO people like the Alsip record show FB page, which is sad…this is a show well worth attending even if it is on the outskirts of Chicago and an hour-ish drive away. Friend ’em on Facebook and give them some love. This is a small, easy to navigate and above all FUN TO SHOP record show.

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The Mood Mosaic 12 Mondo Porno 12-Inch Vinyl LP

Vinyl Finds, , ,

I scored this while out and about collecting last minute vinyl purchases for my Paisley Babylon show at Transistor tomorrow night (Friday October 15 at 5045 N. Clark 8PM). It is chock full of heavy breathing, moaning, and some excellent wacka-wacka funk sounds that you’d be quite right to expect from a piece of vinyl called Mondo Porno.

This is one of a very long series of mood music releases from the excellent Partners In Crime label, who are also responsible for plenty of other Mood Mosaic releases including the highly recommended Hascish Party, which is my favorite of the collection.

I’m a huge fan of the Mood Mosaic series, and the very naughty picture disc for Mondo Porno is no exception–these are some excellent grooves and I’m definitely including them in my performance tomorrow night at Transistor…feast your ears on this!



Elephant Stone The Glass Box EP

EP, Vinyl Finds, , , ,

When this seven-track vinyl EP by Elephant Stone arrived in the post, I knew I was in for something good. For starters, the band makes sure to point out in the press materials that it’s an analog recording. 2-inch tape to 1/4 inch before it got onto vinyl.  My kind of recording aesthetics, those are.

Then there’s the record itself. If Shindig! magazine doesn’t get wind of this to further spread it to the masses, I’ll be very disappointed. The Elephant Stone Glass Box EP is chock full of psychadelic jangly pop that does indeed call back to the swirly, radio-friendly pop psychedelia, without being at all annoying about it.

Some of these genre-influenced bands get weighted down by their own musical obsessions, but in Elephant Stone’s case, it’s more about taking an influence and making it your own rather than aping it by rote down to the waistcoats and matching hairdos.

There’s some top-notch songwriting and playing on tracks like the moody Lies, Lies, Lies and the perky Strangers. On the B-side, Yesterday’s Gurl is an excellent slice of yearning with a great hooky Smithereens-style guitar riff tying the song together. Has to be said, 360 Degree Music has done well in adding Elephant Stone to the roster; this band provides a completely enjoyable listening experience–not a single bummer song on the vinly–and that’s no easy feat.

That said, the final cut Dhun (available for free on the Elephant Stone official site)  is a total departure from the rest of the EP. It’s probably not the first track you should hear if you’re trying to decide whether to buy.

Instead, go to Pardon My Hindi and stream the Strangers and Savage Soul cuts–great stuff and totally representative of the band. Then you’ll know why you should buy this record now.
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