Floyd Cramer: Detours (1972)

RCA LSP-4676

This was a thrift shop find, in excellent shape inside and out. Cramer, backed by a rhythm section, runs through a series of classic and contemporary hits, as well as four original tunes.

"Spanish Eyes" appears on the Floyd Cramer compilation CD Piano Magic of Floyd Cramer. "Your Last Goodbye" appears on multiple compilation CDs. "Corn Crib Symphony" is available as an mp3. The rest of this LP is not on CD.

Associated equipment: Technics SL-7, Audio Technica AT-132EP, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR-2.

Honky Tonk (Part 2)

Detour

Together Forever (Cramer)

Andrés Segovia: The Guitar and I, Vol. II (1972)

Decca DL 7-10182

Side 1 of this album features Segovia talking about his history with the guitar, while side 2 is a studio recording of 15 studies for the guitar. This was a thrift shop find (99¢), in very good condition.

There are many Andrés Segovia compilation CDs, so I cannot be certain that some tracks from this LP are not on CD, however, they do not appear on The American Decca Recordings I, and I did not find any mp3s of these sample tracks. Please alert me if these tracks are available digitally, and they will be promptly removed. 

Associated equipment: Technics SL-7, Ortofon X1-MCP, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR-2. 

Giuliani: Larghetto in G Major

Giuliani: Allegretto in C Major
 

Sor: Con Calma in D Minor

Tárrega: Study in the form of a Minuet
 
My first exposure to classic and romantic music (Segovia speaking)

The Staple Singers (1985)

Epic 26537

This album isn't listed on allmusic nor on the Staple Singers' wikipedia page. This copy appears to be a European pressing, but discogs lists an American version (Private I Records BFZ 40109), which was reviewed in People magazine. It contains The Staple Singers' cover of The Talking He@ds' Life During W@rtime. D@vid Byrne plays guitar on Back to the War.

Life During W@rtime

Back to the War

Antonio Barbosa: Chopin Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 & No. 3, Op. 58 (1970)

Connoisseur Society CS-2026

I always pick up any LP I see on the Connoisseur Society label. Their recordings were state of the art in their day, and some prefer them to modern recordings. This LP was a thrift shop find (99¢), and not especially well cared-for, but the recording quality makes up for the somewhat noisy surface.

From the American Record Guide (1971):
Some months ago I was moved to acclaim Barbosa's first recording (of the Chopin Op. 35 and 58 Sonatas) as the disc debut of an important new talent

From Records in Review (1972):
Barbosa finds something new and immensely stimulating to say about this music without resorting to time-worn cliches...

Note: The Ortofon X1-MCP cartridge is back from the shop. It was retipped with a nude elliptical stylus (it originally came with a bonded elliptical stylus). Starting with this post, all sample tracks will be digitized with the Ortofon again.

Chopin Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, Largo

Bob Franke: For Real (1986)

Flying Fish FF 368

I'll pick up anything on the Flying Fish label, as they have released many of my favorite records. This record was a thrift shop find, in great shape, although with some water damage to the back cover. Bob Franke's singing style isn't to my taste, but he writes some nice melodies.

Associated equipment: Technics SL-7/Audio Technica AT-122EP

For Real

Light of the Heart

Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians: Christmas Time (1955)

MCA-15011 (mono)

The internet reveals that this album was recorded in 1955. Fred Waring had a big hit in 1957 with Now is the Caroling Season, so perhaps someone dug up this older, not-so-great-sounding recording to capitalize on his popularity.

Waring recorded some of these titles again for later albums; these versions are not on CD. This was a thrift shop find, new and sealed.

Associated equipment: Technics SL-7/Audio Technica AT-122EP

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Joy to the World

Coventry Carol
 
O Christmas Tree (excerpt from "A Musical Christmas Card")

Chet Atkins: Country - After All These Years

RCA AHL1 - 4044

I've always liked Chet Atkins' guitar playing, though his records are sometimes a bit overproduced. This LP was a thrift shop find, in great shape, though it is a cut-out. Atkins covers Blondie, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson and others. As usual, his guitar arrangements are tasteful. According to wikipedia, this album "won the 1982 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance."

Starting with this post, all LPs on Not On CD will be cleaned with a VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine. I'll still use the Spin-Clean Record Washer to pre-clean most records, since many of the LPs I buy come from the thrift store and are quite dirty. The VPI seems to get the records a bit cleaner than the Spin-Clean, which is still the best budget choice. In addition, the next few records will be digitized using an Audio Technica AT-122EP cartridge while the Ortofon X1-MCP is in the shop.

Let 'Em In

On the Road Again

Heart of Glass

Alberta Hunter: Look for the Silver Lining (1983)

Columbia FC 38970

This is Alberta Hunter's last studio LP. I've been lucky to find all four of her latter-day LPs at the thrift shop.

This LP is in good shape inside and out. It is not on CD.

Look for the Silver Lining

On the Sunny Side of the Street