Luis Morales Ramos, Maso Rivera: Parrandeando

Boricua Records ‎– LP-1201 

This was part of that same haul of four Puerto Rican LPs from the thrift shop, all in good shape, all $1.99 each. All four LPs have very little internet presence, though the artists (Ramito, Chuito, Maso Rivera) are well known. The track "Despidiendo el Año" has been posted on Youtube:

Ramito con el Auténtico Sexteto Borinquen: Tirandole Plante Al Boss

BMC BLP 1582

This was part of a haul of four Puerto Rican LPs from the thrift shop, all in good shape, all $1.99 each. All four LPs have very little internet presence, though the artists (Ramito, Chuito) are well known. 

Naufragio

Pura Candela


Grado Blue/Paratrace, Technics SL-7, Pro-Ject Phono Box S, harman/kardon CDR-2.

Freddy Fender: Tex-Mex (1979)

ABC Records ‎MAY-1132

This was from the dollar bin in a Toronto record shop, one of several Freddy Fender LPs, all in very good condition.

"Just Because," "Cajun Stomp," and "Sweet Summer Day" appear on various Freddy Fender compilation CDs. The rest of this album is not on CD.

Fender had just appeared in the movie "She Came To The Valley" as Pancho Villa, hence the cover artwork. The title song from the movie appears on this LP.

Many of Fender's albums have not been released digitally, although some of the tracks appear on compilations. In 2012, Australian company Raven Records released a CD containing both 1974's Before the Next Teardrop Falls and its 1975 follow-up Are You Ready for Freddy? – two of his biggest sellers, and an essential CD for Fender fans, or at least ones without a turntable.

Canadian Brass: Rag-Ma-Tazz (1975)

Boot Records BMC 3004

[Update: tracks were deleted from Youtube] I found this in a dollar bin at a Toronto record store, in great shape. I enjoy Christmas brass recordings (I have two by the Canadian Brass), and I like ragtime music, so I figured I'd enjoy this recording of Joplin (and other) rags.

With an essay on the back cover by "Canadian radio commentator" Richard Gale about the then-current revival of ragtime music titled "The Rag Rage."

Waylon Jennings: Sweet Mother Texas (1986)

RCA ‎– AHL1-7184

On this LP, Waylon Jennings covers Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire." Also, both Johnny Cash and Earl Scruggs make guest appearances. Yet it hasn't been released as a CD or mp3s. I'm surprised by whoever it is that decides these things.

This was a gift from a fellow collector in Toronto. I shopped for LPs there this past weekend and made many finds in the dollar bins.

Marty Mitchell: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (1977)

MC Records 3

This was a thrift shop find, in excellent shape, except it's a cut-out, with the typical saw cut. Mitchell reminds me a bit of Gram Parsons here. The production, and his singing, make this a worthwhile listen.

 

Chocolate: Monsieur Chocolate Prefiero El Son (1980)

SAR Records SLP 1009

This was part of a haul of 38 records from the thrift shop. I sometimes research records on my phone before buying them, but I bought this on sight because it looked interesting. $1.99, in very good shape. It is not on CD.

Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros was a Cuban trumpeter.

Eric Schoenberg: Acoustic Guitar (1977)

Rounder Records ‎– 3017

I picked this up at a stoop sale along with Schoenberg's other solo album, Steel Strings. Both were in very good condition. Neither are on CD.

Steel Strings is a solo acoustic guitar album, while this album has both solo tracks as well as duets with various bass players. "Lady Madonna" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" have been posted on youtube: