TVD: I Go Walking

...and look, they're even IN the snow themselves.

I've said it before in this spot and I'll say it again, memories are affixed to records and unique tracks off those records. Yet, even before I ever owned this LP, 'The Cuttter' was echoing out in the cold, desolate winter streets as I waited for the dog to do his business in the drifting snow.

I wonder if anyone looked out their window and wondered just what the heck that kid's doing out in a blizzard with a radio blasting forth? Something ELSE the ipod has taken away it seems.

Echo & The Bunnymen - The Cutter (Mp3)
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Back Of Love (Mp3)
Echo & The Bunnymen - Never Stop (Mp3)
Echo & The Bunnymen - Do It Clean (Mp3)

TVD: I Go Walking

This past December, under the guise of a little experiment here at TVD, I wrote that I, you, we spend an inordinate amount of time by ourselves in our daily lives performing those basic, mundane tasks that are the essence of being human--showering, brushing one's teeth, taking out the garbage...the list goes on.

In my teen years which are normally the most social of times, it seemed I'd go out of my way to retire to solitude after school and most oddly on the weekends. I wasn't a loner by any real stretch of the imagination...just sorta' kept to myself with the outlets being drawing and reading, for example. The major outlet however was: music.

I was reminded recently about "Things from England," Scott "The Professor" Muni's Friday afternoon 4-6PM radio show on New York City's WNEW-FM. I'd tape the entire show and later, on walks outside by myself or with the family dog, boom-box in tow, would listen to the program back as Scottso's voice boomed off homes braced for winter weather, buttressed by tall snow drifts that I never seem to experience any longer.

There's a quiet solitude within this winter weather I recall quite fondly when I'd head outdoors into the snow for a long walk around the block or up the hill where we'd sleigh-ride ...but long after everyone had gone home. Bathed in purple/orange streetlight--that was the place for me. And "The "Professor."

This week we're gonna go on some of those walks again with some of the music that, for good or for bad, became the soundtrack...

The Fixx - Stand Or Fall (Mp3)
The Fixx - Red Skies (Mp3)
The Fixx - Cameras In Paris (Mp3)
The Fixx - I Live (Mp3)
The Fixx - The Strain (Mp3)

See you there, right?

It's an understatement to say that we here at TVD are proud to have teamed with Som Records, DC Soul, and Civilian Art Projects to bring you what we hope will be one of many Washington, DC Record Fairs.

Please join us this Sunday, February 8th in the Civilian Arts gallery located at 406 7th Street, NW for an afternoon of records, DJ’s, (adult) refreshments, and yea -- more records. We’ve got dealers from New York, Richmond, and all points in between hawking their vinyl wares. DJ’s confirmed so far include DJ’s Name Names, D-Mac, and Nitekrawler.

So, get to brunch. Knock back a few Bloody Marys (as we'll have) and join us this Sunday. We'll be the folks with our noses in the crates...

You can follow the event on Facebook too!

Update: Brightest Young Things does a piece on the record fair right here.

TVD Parting Shots

DJ Nitekrawler's got one hell of a weekend in front of him. Tonight it's Moneytown over at Dahlak, and then on Sunday he cohosts our little Record Fair. But even with all of that, he's got something special for the TVD readership along with your Friday parting glances:

"I recently released a 45rpm single in conjunction with Peoples Potential Unlimited: "George Smallwood - Lady Disco / Mr. Sunshine" .....tracks originally recorded and released in shamefully limited quantities during the late 70s and early 80s. For those of you w/record players that dig disco and groovin' soul tunes, I'll have 5 copies at the show that I'll be giving away for free.......all you gotta do is be one of the first 5 people that ask me for um. First come, first serve, so get there early. And look out for a record release party coming up sometime soon....George (yes, he still can play) will be rockin' the keyboard and vocals to get your head bobbin'."

The Tierras – Right On
A HEAVY HEAVY track. Too bad no one has any idea who the Tierras are.

Black Horizon – Black Horizon
How can you go wrong with a group called Black Horizon? Still somewhat of a mystery in the chronicles of Washington DC soul, this mid-70s outfit meshed conscious lyrics with RAW disco-funk grooves. BAM!

The Shadows of Soul – Shadows of Soul
Not a very creative name for your track Shadows…….but it is KILLER.

Freddie Wilson – What Would It Be Like
In the tradition of James brown comes…..another Georgia guy who sounds like James Brown. And it’s good. Yeah. Get down.

Little Denise – Check Me Out
If I were to overhear you saying that you wanted to check out Denise, it would probably be disturbing as she seems pretty gosh darn young. But anyways, I like the track and you will too.

Eddie Floyd – Big Bird
This is seriously one of the heaviest things the Stax label ever put out. Don’t sleep! A Moneytown favorite!

Lloyd Price – Bad Conditions
Considering the condition of the economy, and the weather lately, and my, um, love life…..yeah. It fits. But it will make you feel good, regardless.

Mary Alice McCall – Wade In The Water
Ok. So you might be writing off this tune already since it’s another version of that gospel tune that I’m sure we all bump sooo often….but seriously…..this one is different. If you don’t find yourself moving like a possessed spirit in the presence of a priest, then you’ve got some issues with your hearing.

The Exits – Got To Have Money
One of my favorite tracks ever. Got the beat, got the lyrics, got the feel. It’s all there folks.

Reuben Bell – Action Speaks Louder Than Words
And to close, a moral message…..courtesy of Moneytown!

Moneytown Promo Mix #5, “Dear Patrick” ('bout 30 min.) (Mp3)

A TVD Orpheus Records Update: Maybe we should just change the name to Morpheus?

Nine (or ten?) lives, indeed. From the source:

"ORPHEUS RECORDS WILL BE OPEN THE REMAINING FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS IN FEBRUARY ....Friday & Saturday...Noon til 9pm.......February 6 & 7...Feb 13 & 14...Feb 20 & 21 and Feb 27 & 28...There are about 2000 lps out, that weren't out 3 weeks ago. They are not part of the "sale", but they are priced to move. Come on in, gobble them up, and while you're here........ THIS WEEKEND CONTINUES OUR 2nd ANNUAL "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE". To Commemorate the occasion ALL THE LPS THAT WE WERE SELLING FOR ONE DOLLAR WILL BE 2 FOR A DOLLAR.... The new release & re-issue lps that have never been part of the sale are on display, still FULL PRICE. MOST OTHER LPS IN THE STORE ARE 2 FOR ONE DOLLAR. THAT MEANS: if the sticker says it's 99 cents it's 2 for a dollar, if the sticker says it's $9.99, it's 2 for a dollar, if the sticker says it's $29.99 or even more (not likely) it's still 2 for a dollar. Come on in, stack 'em up and buy as much as you can afford, or more, 2 for ONE DOLLAR. Please bring boxes if you need them, we're out..."

(And yea - thanks MM for the headline joke!)

TVD Ticket Giveaway | The Submarines & The Morning Benders | Black Cat, Sunday, February 8th

The Submarines have covered The Morning Benders. The Morning Benders have covered The Submarines. Now TVD's got you covered with a pair of tickets for Sunday night's show at The Black Cat and a tour CD for the individual jumping up and down and waving in the comments to get our attention.

So now, here's a tip for one perfect Sunday -- head on over to Civilian Arts for the TVD, Som Records, and DC Soul-sponsored Record Fair, then zip on over to the Cat and catch the Subs and the Benders live. It does not get better, now does it?

The contest closes on Friday, so get to typing! (Remember to leave us some contact info too!)

The Submarines - Waiting for a War [Morning Benders Cover] (Mp3)
The Morning Benders - 1940 [Submarines Cover] (Mp3)

TVD's Alternative Ulcer

Covers are kind of like relationships. The first time you hear a cover, it's like the start of a relationship where you are reminded of things from past relationships, but you are also experiencing something new. A good cover is like a fun brand new relationship where you really dig the person and you get to enjoy all the things that make being with someone fun. A bad cover however is like when you realize why you're single-maybe what you had in the past was awesome and this new thing kind of blows. In fact, this new thing may be ruining the concept of relationships for you altogether. Ok thank you for bearing with me during that awful analogy I just made. But I think you get my point?

Covers and I have a sordid relationship. Sometimes I’ll love a cover more than the original. Other times the cover is so bad it will actually make me hate the original. Still, other times I'll hate the original but I'll completely dig the cover. For instance a few months back I came across a George Benson album in which he covers Beatles songs. I bought the album at the encouragement of my friend Ben but was reluctant to listen to it. Like a bad relationship, the Beatles have left me with some baggage. When I was in college I dated a guy who absolutely loved them. His musical tastes in general were great and it wasn’t as if all he listened to were the Beatles. However, he listened to a lot of the Beatles. During the course of our relationship, in the summer before I came to law school, I worked in a Beatles themed bar. And just like with the guy I was dating, it wasn’t all Beatles all the time. But it was a lot of damn Beatles. After that period of my life, I had Beatles baggage. From the stuff you hear regularly on the radio to the more obscure music-I couldn’t hear any of it. So you can understand my reluctance to get this George Benson album. Probably what really prompted me to buy it was my friend Ben saying that if I didn’t he would, and my overachieving competitive side kicked in so at that point I had to buy it. I came home and gave it a listen while doing the dishes. I didn’t want to give it the full attention it probably deserved. I couldn’t. I had to ease in, just like with any new relationship.

Not too long ago I gave Ben the album in exchange for a few of his records. It’s not that I hated the album, but he wanted it more than I did. As with relationships, you gotta know when to let go. I’m still not sure exactly how I feel about the album, so instead of telling you, loyal readers, how I feel, I want your reactions. (Don’t I always!)

Oh, and YOU’RE WELCOME BEN!

George Benson - The Other Side Of Abbey Road (LP Side One) (Mp3)
George Benson - The Other Side Of Abbey Road (LP Side Two) (Mp3)

TVD's Eleven Weeks of Record Store Day Vinyl Giveaways | Week 2!

Not for one moment do we think we need to school the readership of TVD in regard to these three seminal Van Morrison releases, 1968's 'Astral Weeks' and Van's two bits of brilliance from 1970, 'Moondance' and 'His Band and the Street Choir.'

What we do need to impart however, is that this triumvirate of 180gram remastered vinyl from the original analog master tapes is the mind-blowing prize for the second week of our Record Store Day 2009 'Eleven Weeks of Vinyl Giveaways' contest! That's right--this week's one winner gets all three LPs shipped directly to his or her mailbox.

By now you know the drill; grab our attention in the comments WITH your email address (important!) so we can contact you about your triumphant win. (Or, you can comment and forward your email address in an email to us. We're not picky.)

Just make it funny. Or make it smart. About record stores. Or Record Store Day. Or vinyl. About us or you. Or something else all together. Just make it before next Monday (2/9) when we'll choose our winner. (AND launch giveaway #3...)

TVD Remembers | Lux Interior

NME has news.

The Cramps - New Kind of Kick [Live] (Mp3)
The Cramps - Daisys Up Your Butterfly (Mp3)
The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (Mp3)
The Cramps - Mystery Plane (Mp3)
The Cramps - Human Fly (Mp3)

Record Store Day 2009 Newswire: Matador Records Exclusive Releases: Sonic Youth, Jay Reatard, Pavement & Beck

In honor the 2nd annual Record Store Day, Matador Records will be releasing the following limited edition vinyl titles, only available at independent retailers taking part in RSD2009:

OLE-864-7 - Jay Reatard “Hang Them All” 7″ b/w Sonic Youth - “No Garage”
OLE-865-7 - Sonic Youth - “Pay No Mind” (Beck cover) b/w Beck - “Green Light” (Sonic Youth cover) 7″
OLE-855-1 - Pavement Live In Germany LP

Matador's making 2,500 each of the above. After they’re gone, to quote the Matador Matablog, "...tough fuckin’ shit."

TVD Laugh Tracks | Richard Pryor

Why does this crack me up?

"Despite a reputation for profanity, Pryor briefly hosted a children's show on CBS in 1984 called Pryor's Place. Like Sesame Street, Pryor's Place featured a cast of puppets, hanging out and having fun in a surprisingly friendly inner-city environment along with several children and characters portrayed by Pryor himself. However, Pryor's Place frequently dealt with more sobering issues than Sesame Street. It was cancelled shortly after its debut, despite the efforts of famed puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft and a theme song by Ray Parker Jr. of Ghostbusters fame to ensure its success."

Richard Pryor - Black & White Life Styles (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - Wino & Junkie (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - When Your Woman Leaves You (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - Cocaine (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - Acid (Mp3)

TVD Laugh Tracks | George Carlin

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Record Store Day 2009 Newswire: My Morning Jacket Exclusive RSD09 Vinyl Release

My Morning Jacket have announced an exclusive Record Store Day 2009 release, the brand new ‘Celebración De La Ciudad Natal.’

The Double 10" vinyl LP (with CD insert) will be released ON Record Store Day and was recorded live in Louisville at Ear X-tacy, and Waterfront Park. ‘Celebración De La Ciudad Natal’ includes classic tracks and selections from the band's most recent Grammy nominated album ‘Evil Urges.’

TVD Laugh Tracks | Bill Hicks

It's a testament to how far one can get up one's own ass to think that up until now - this very week - we've featured nothing but music on vinyl. Yet, the comedy LP has a long history we'll touch on in the coming days and certainly in the months to come.

So, download these and set yourself up for one serious cubicle chuckle. Word to the wise too: listen with the volume verry low. What Hicks has in store for Limbaugh and his ilk will not just offend those with a conservative stripe but may just curdle a stomach or seven. Or eight.

That said: HILARIOUS.

Bill Hicks - I'm Bill Hicks And I'm Dead Now (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - What Is Pornography? (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - Dick Joke Island (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - That's The Story Of Jesus (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - It Seemed So Plausible (Mp3)

TVD Plugs | For the Week of February 2, 2009

What to do with all of those email alerts we get that we simply can't do justice throughout the week? Why, it's condense them right here in our weekly bulletin board, 'plugs.'

The wonderwall of events info is yours to scrawl upon no matter where you're reading TVD. Have something we should be hearing, reading, or attending? Let us know each week, right here.

TVD: looking out for your packed house.

TVD Live | Mittenfields, The Carribean, Mariage Blanc, Solly’s Tavern, January 23rd, 2009

Review: Jourdan Domenica | Photos: Jillian Storms

Solly’s Tavern is a pretty nice spot to play. The upstairs is tucked away, but fully equipped for rock and roll. Nice beer selection as well. I’d actually never been here for a show yet, and was impressed with their setup. It's always nice to have a separate area for the music, because you are surrounded by others who are there for the same reason. Tonight was packed pretty much shoulder to shoulder with all different age groups. I had a guess that some parents were out in the crowed, especially from Mariage Blanc. They made me feel young, and it felt good. Their bubbly yet refined energy carried them through their set with little to no flaw. They were like a sweetened Superdrag. From Pittsburg, these guys made it clear who was going to be winning the Superbowl pretty much between every song. It wasn’t irritating in the slightest, in fact, turned their hometown spirit into homegrown charm. Then again I know little of football. They even had a terrible towel hanging behind them. All I know is they rocked out on the keyboards constantly which made me dance, dance, dance.

The Caribbean is AWESOME. They have this magic little machine that they mess around with. I think they may have acquired it from the planet Neptune. Their spacey-gaze sound was quite shocking considering DC doesn’t really have a scene for that genre. They had a little bit of a goofy lyrical element too, which confirms the fact that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Bonus! I need more space machine in my life. I think I’ll go see The Caribbean again. Yes, yes I will.

Mittenfields headlined and nailed it. They also pulled a healthy crowd out of the woodwork of DC. David-Craig Mann, our lovely local booking extraordinaire, has woven together a really great band. Their song “Our Hosts were Ghosts” is rad. I really feel like they have this Pavement quality to them. I know you wanna listen so I’m going to link you. Their song, “Our Hosts Were Ghosts” is raw and ambient and feels good on the lips. I call it the ‘na-na-na-oo-oo” song because of the chorus. Its phenomenal live. This song stars Mittenfields’ new Cello player, replacing the only female in the band. Although a chick is always becoming to a band, their new addition is a perfect fit. Smooth & buttery guitars, sailing down throbbing bass lines and sometimes even shaking uncontrollably best defines these guys. Good work, Best show to date.

You can catch Mittenfields next on Saturday, Feb 28 @ Velvet Lounge w/ Deleted Scenes, Batata Doce (ex-Rock*A*Teens), Doors 9pm/Show 10pm/$8/21+

Well, f@ck.

JUST when I pronounce nothing on the horizon for '09 comes Starling Electric to shut my f'n mouth up. Appearing Monday night (2/2) at Velvet. Who's in?

Starling Electric - Black Ghost/Black Girl (Mp3)

Finally. FINALLY.

TVD's Eleven Weeks of Record Store Day Vinyl Giveaways | Week 1!

Imagine if you will, you've got a blog based on..., oh - let's say figs. Or beets. And your blog is designated the official blog of record for What the Fig Day. Or Beetin' Off Day. It'd be a honor, right?

Well, it IS an honor for this blog which attempts in a small way to champion the efforts of the brick and mortar record stores and of the medium in general that is: vinyl--to have been designated the blog of record for Record Store Day, 2009.

But it is you, dear reader, to whom we owe a significant debt of gratitude for turning this wee blog, first conceived in pajamas one morning into something the cup of coffee that day never imagined--the blog of record for records. Or something along those lines.

So, from us to you, with help from some very cool behind the scenes friends--we've got eleven weeks of vinyl giveaways starting right - now! Each week of eleven; a different theme--and not JUST vinyl, but some pretty cool stuff in concert with the LPs--so, stay tuned.

First up for Week #1: The Swedish Invasion! And invade DC they do very soon. The quite percussive Wildbirds & Peacedrums join Lykke Li this coming Saturday (1/31) at the very historic Sixth & I Synagogue, and Loney Dear bring their brand of wistful melancholy to the 9:30 as openers for Andrew Bird on Tuesday, 2/3.

This week's grand prize winner nabs both LPs and a runner up will take the Loney home alone. As always, grab our attention in the comments WITH your email address (!) so we can contact you about your triumphant win.

Make it funny. Or make it smart. About record stores. Or Record Store Day. Or vinyl. About us or you. Or something else all together. Just make it before next Monday (2/2) when we'll choose our winners. (AND launch giveaway #2...)


Wildbirds & Peacedrums - I Can't Tell In His Eyes (Mp3)
Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Doubt/Hope (Mp3)