So I have posted in recent weeks about setting up a turntable and playing old vinyl records. Friends have been over and found themselves getting jazzed about hearing LPs played for the first time in years. We have heard some great stories as people talk about playing records when they were in high school or college. "Vinyl Parties" are a blast.
Anyway, once you start collecting old vinyl people give you stuff they had in the closet or they find a great deal on something they think you will like and grab it for you (this is the very subtle hint part of this post). And then there are flea markets, yard sales, and record stores that have used vinyl. Sometimes you find stashes that could take hours to go through if you only had the time. This stuff is seldom sorted so you learn to become a "crate diver". It's worth it when you find something great for only a few pence.
When you go crate diving you learn to quicking flip by what you are not looking for as you search for "the good stuff". But then there is ALBUM ART. Do you remember the art? The musician had a full 12" x 12" canvas to make a statement everytime they put out an LP. It is almost a lost art now, but back in the day there were some iconic covers (think The Beatles Abbey Road or Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon for instance).
And then there was stuff like this cover. It stopped me in my tracks.The same thing happens to me with some old Southern Gospel and Country covers. Actually anything with really big hair, an awesome mullet, or mutton chops will stop me for a moment. I had to pick this record up just to show to you because you, my friends, really are worth the quarter that I spend on this beaut.
Perhaps I should pass it on as a great birthday gift to just the right person. Or maybe I can take it over to XLR to play a cut on the morning radio show. Man,I sure wish Paulie still had that caption contest...
I wondered why they are smiling that way on the cover. Did someone just pass gas? Who picked the pink theme? I'm guessing the guy with the Howie Long crew cut was just jonesing to wear a pink ascot. Is the group name a sly reference to reverse polygamy? Wait for it.... The first cut on the "B Side" is "That Naughty Waltz". Amazing.
So I checked the Great Encyclopedia in The Sky (Wikipedia) and found out The Mom & Dads had a Top 10 Country hit that went double-platinum. Initially I guessed those gold records on the wall in the photo were at some music shrine like the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, but I think they earned them. You can actually purchase two of their albums on iTunes (you better hurry). I now sort of understand that smile.
