Dire Straits, Communiqué, 1979 on Warner Bros

Sophomore album by Dire Straits, released in 1979 by Warner Bros. (in the US). This was the last album before David Knopfler left, and went to number 11 on the US charts.

I just love Mark Knopfler’s guitar playing and compositions – these albums are all fantastic. Look how young they all are!

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5—is an RCA record club edition (note the R-143749 on the label and the black text added on the rear cover) pressed at Specialty. The price sticker damage on the cover is from a previous owner. Use a heat gun people!

#1970s #1979 #davidKnopfler #direStraits #johnIllsley #lowellMa #markKnopfler #millNo5 #pickWithers #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #warnerBros

John Cougar, John Cougar, 1979 on Riva

Third album album from the guy we now know as John Mellencamp, after two (Chestnut Street Incident and A Biography) as “Johnny Cougar.” It was his second on Riva Records but the first Riva put out in the US.

Includes “I Need A Lover” which had been a hit in Australia and was covered by Pat Benatar on her debut album. Love those Riva labels.

My fellow record collector obsessives: what do you do with this LP in your filing system? Does it go under “Cougar, John” or under “Mellencamp, John [Cougar]”? I file mine under Mellencamp to keep them all together, the rationale being it feels like Cougar was forced on him not really an alias in the usual sense.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1979 pressing from Terre Haute with the original cover (yellow/orange lettering later changed to red).

#1970s #1979 #JohnCougar #JohnCougarMellencamp #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Riva #TerreHaute #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Oscar Peterson featuring Stephane Grappelli, Peterson/Grappelli, 1974 on Prestige

2xLP from Prestige bringing together Canadian jazz pianist Peterson with French jazz violinist Grappelli. The two also appeared together on a live Pablo album (Skol) in 1982 (recorded in 1979).

This double LP was recorded in Paris February 22nd and 23rd, 1973. Peterson and Grappelli are joined by Niels Henning Oersted Pederson on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. It was also released (credited to Oscar Peterson – Stephane Grappelli Quartet) as 2 separate LPs (vol 1 and vol 2) on America records in France and later by Verve in the US.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5—is a first US pressing with yellow Prestige labels with the blue logo mark.

#1974 #KennyClarke #LowellMA #MillNo5 #NielsPederson #OscarPeterson #Paris #Prestige #StephaneGrappelli #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan At Budokan, 1979 on Columbia

Third of three live Dylan albums from the 70s (Before the Flood and Hard Rain are the other two), and the second to be 2xLP in format, At Budokan was recorded at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo in February and March of 1978. (The US release was in 1979).

Many folks don’t care for the arrangements here – very different than the originals in most cases, using the musicians from Street Legal and supplemental pedal steel, horns, flute, and recorder (!). It’s actually grown on me over time, though I get it can feel a bit droney. But I’m something of a Dylan completist- your mileage may vary.

My copy—another one via a record fair at Mill No. 5—is a 1979 Pitman pressing, gatefold, on red/yellow Columbia labels.

#1970s #1979 #BobDylan #Columbia #Japan #Live #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Pitman #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Echo And The Bunnymen, Heaven Up Here, 1981 on Sire/Korova

Second album from Echo & the Bunnymen, produced by Hugh Jones (and the band) and recorded in Wales. It was put out by Korova in the UK and Sire in the US.

While Crocodiles didn’t chart in the US this one did. The photo on the cover – taken on the shore in Wales – is such an iconic image for the era.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5—is a US Jacksonville pressing from Allied metalwork.

#1980s #1981 #Allied #EchoAndTheBunnymen #Jacksonville #Korova #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Sire #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Joy Division, Substance, 1988 on Factory

Posthumous collection of Joy Division singles put out in 1988 as a 1xLP and reissued in 2015 as a 2xLP by Rhino (a digital remaster). Substance was also used at the title for the New Order singles collection that came out in 1987 (with “1987” added).

Still looking for a good clean copy of Unknown Pleasures but I was glad to find this copy of Substance. The 2xLP version includes the “Pennine Version” of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” which was the b-side of the original single.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5—is the 2015 Rhino US edition pressed at Optimal GmbH on 180g vinyl.

#1980s #1988 #2010s #2015 #compilation #FactoryRecords #JoyDivision #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Rhino #Singles #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Modern English, Mesh & Lace, 1981 on 4AD

Debut album from Modern English on the 4AD label. This wasn’t released in the US formally until the 2012 CD reissue and then 2016 on vinyl.

The debut is a bit darker and more derivative of Joy Division than some of the later work but still a really strong collection of songs.

I always loved the lyric from “I Melt With You”: “never realizing it was always mesh & lace” but didn’t recognize at the time it was something of a reference to their debut.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5—is a UK pressing by WEA in West Drayton, with the original inner sleeve.

#1980s #1981 #4AD #LowellMA #MillNo5 #ModernEnglish #UK #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #WEAWestDrayton

X, See How We Are, 1987 on Elektra

This was the sixth studio album from Exene Cervenka, John Doe, and D.J. Bonebrake, and the first after the departure of Billy Zoom. He was replaced by Dave Alvin and then Tony Gilkyson, both of whom are credited on the LP. Benmont Tench also contributes on the Hammond organ.

The standout for me is “4th of July” which Alvin wrote. The whole album is decent, but doesn’t live up to Los Angeles or other earlier albums

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1987 US Specialty pressing with the original inner liner.

#1980s #1987 #DaveAlvin #DJBonebrake #Elektra #ExeneCervenka #JohnDoe #LowellMA #MillNo5 #SpecialtyRecordPressing #TonyGilkyson #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #X

Bauhaus, 4AD, 1983 on 4AD

Yes, I did save this one for halloween. This was a compilation EP of the singles versions of “Dark Entries,” “Telegram Sam,” and “Terror Couple Kill Colonel.” Love that back cover photo.

I was today years old when I realized that John Cale wrote “Rosegarden Funeral of Sores,” the opening triplet of which is burned into my adolescent brain so much it still comes up whenever I am tired of dealing with people:

Virgin Mary was tired so tired / Tired of listening to gossip / Gossip and complaints

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a UK pressing with a white b-side label, pressed by Damont. I don’t believe this was ever issued in the US.

#1980s #1983 #4AD #Bauhaus #DanielAsh #DavidJay #Goth #JohnCale #KevinHaskins #LowellMA #MillNo5 #PeterMurphy #UK #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Bob Dylan, Street-Legal, 1978 on Columbia

This was Dylan’s 18th studio LP, made with a band that included Jerry Scheff, Ian Wallace, Alan Pasqua, Billy Cross, Steven Soles, Steve Douglas, and David Mansfield – many of whom were in the Rolling Thunder Revue. (David Mansfield also went on to be part of The Range).

Not as many absolutely central Dylan songs here, but I do love “Is Your Love In Vain?” and “Señor (Tales of Yankee Power).”

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1978 pressing from Columbia’s Santa Maria plant. It’s written as “Street Legal” (no hyphen) on the labels but “Street-Legal” on the cover and spine.

#1970s #1978 #AlanPasqua #BillyCross #BobDylan #Columbia #DavidMansfield #IanWallace #JerryScheff #LowellMA #MillNo5 #SantaMaria #SteveDouglas #StevenSoles #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Everything But The Girl, Idlewild, 1988 on Sire

This was the fourth EBTG album, released in early 1988 on Sire / Blanco y Negro Records. There’s a 2012 double CD reissue with bonuses but that has not been issued on vinyl. (The LP was reissued by Music on Vinyl in 2016 but as a single LP).

I love Tracey Thorn and Ben Watts, who married in 2009 after 27 years of engagement. Cover photo by Richard Haughton – I like to think of it as a prom photo with Ben holding a corsage, but I that’s just me.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a US Allied Pressing.

#1980s #1988 #Allied #BenWatt #BlancoYNegro #EverythingButTheGirl #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Sire #TraceyThorn #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Smiths, The World Won’t Listen, 1987 on Rough Trade

This is a compilation album—the second of three—including singles and b-sides from 1985-1987. Most of these tracks also appear on Louder Than Bombs (a 2xLP), but two are different versions and two are edits.

Fantastic collection of songs, including “Panic,” “Ask,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore,” and “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby.”

What teenager hasn’t felt “And I’ve got no right to take my place in the human race . . . “?

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a UK issue from 1987, pressed by MPO. (Louder than Bombs was released in the US in lieu of this record, which was not released on vinyl in the US until the 2011 reissue series).

#1980s #1987 #AndyRourke #JohnnyMarr #LowellMA #MikeJoyce #MillNo5 #morrissey #RoughTrade #TheSmiths #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Bruce Hornsby and The Range, The Way It Is, 1986 on RCA Victor

Multi-platinum debut album for Hornsby & the Range, including the title track as well as “Mandolin Rain.”

The Range included David Mansfield, George Marinelli, Joe Puerta, and John Molo – Huey Lewis guests on “Down the Road Tonight” and produced three tracks.

I imagine some people now know this as the track sampled in 2Pac’s “Changes” more than the original but it was all over the radio in 80s. They also won Best New Artist at the 1987 Grammy Awards.

Hornsby went on tour with the Grateful Dead in the early 90s, after Brent Mydland died.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell—is an Indianapolis pressing with the original inner liner. This is not though the first cover so clearly not a first pressing of the LP.

#1980s #1986 #BruceHornsby #BruceHornsbyAndTheRange #DavidMansfield #GeorgeMarinelli #HueyLewis #JoePuerta #JohnMolo #LowellMA #MillNo5 #RCAVictor #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Prince and the Revolution, Live, 2022 on NPG Records

Released in 1985 as a VHS live movie, this was issued on 3xLP vinyl by NPG records in 2022. It was recorded March 30th, 1985, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse NY.

Fantastic live set from the Purple Rain era which was also broadcast in Europe as part of Rockpalast. There was also a DVD release in 2017 with the deluxe edition of Purple Rain.

The sixth side is just a 19:25 version of “Purple Rain” – masterful. My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is an MPO pressing.

#1980s #1985 #2022 #CarrierDome #Live #LowellMA #MillNo5 #NPGRecords #prince #PrinceAndTheRevolution #PurpleRain #Reissue #SyracuseNY

Marshall Crenshaw, Marshall Crenshaw, 1982 on Warner Bros.

Debut album from Marshall Crenshaw, including the song for which he is best known “Someday, Someway.”

The followup sophomore album (Field Day) was produced by Steve Lillywhite but did not do nearly as well, though he did go on to work with T-Bone Burnett and appear in the films Peggy Sue Got Married and La Bamba.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1982 Winchester pressing on WB labels.

#1980s #1982 #LowellMA #MarshallCrenshaw #MillNo5 #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Big Country, The Crossing, 1983 on Mercury

Debut album by Scotland’s Big Country, which charted at number 18 in the US, and contains the song “In a Big Country.” Produced by Steve Lillywhite and recorded in London and Oxford.

The opening of that track – “In a Big Country” – is just indelibly etched in my early 80s memory. I’m sure they tired of the comparison of their guitar sound to bagpipes, but it certainly stood out and somehow felt Scottish to me.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a Hauppauge pressing (note the “53” at the beginning of the rim text) from 1983.

#1980s #1983 #BigCountry #Hauppauge #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Scotland #SteveLillywhite #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

The Smiths, The Smiths, 1984 on Rough Trade

Masterful debut album by Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce aka The Smiths. Produced by John Porter and recorded at multiple studios in Manchester and London in 1983.

Yes, I still listen to The Smiths even if Morrissey is problematic. This is a fantastic debut – not necessarily my favorite single Smiths record, but so much of what makes them great is already here.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1984 US pressing on Sire / RoughTrade, pressed at Specialty Records.

#1980s #1984 #AndyRourke #JohnPorter #JohnnyMarr #London #LowellMA #ManchesterUK #MikeJoyce #MillNo5 #morrissey #RoughTrade #Sire #TheSmiths #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

Joe Jackson, Live 1980/86, 1988 on A&M

Recorded across four different tours in the early 80s, this double LP live album includes three versions of “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” on four sides – including an a cappella version and an acoustic version.

Great live album and surprisingly hearing three versions of the same song is actually really compelling and interesting if a bit indulgent.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is an Electrosound Group Midwest pressing.

#1980s #1988 #AM #ElectrosoundGroupMidwest #JoeJackson #LowellMA #MillNo5 #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

ZZ Top, Fandango!, 1975 on London Records

Fourth release from Texas blues band ZZ Top, Fandango! included an A side with live songs (from The Warehouse, in New Orleans) and a B side of new studio recordings.

A Fandango is a dance originating in Spain and Portugal – which wikipedia tells me “is used as a synonym for ‘a quarrel’, ‘a big fuss’ or ‘a foolish or pretentious act'” – not sure which one ZZ Top were after here.

I think their first eight albums (yes, I include Eliminator) are fantastic though I’d argue after that it is downhill – but the live releases that have continued to come out from earlier days are great.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell, MA—is a later 1979 Winchester Pressing on Warner Bros. labels.

#1970s #1975 #LondonRecords #LowellMA #MillNo5 #NewOrleans #TheWarehouse #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #ZZTop

Cyndi Lauper, She’s So Unusual, 1983 on Portrait

Lauper’s debut solo album, She’s So Unusual had four top-five singles: “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” and “All Through The Night.”

A number of the songs were covers – “Money Changes Everything” by The Brains, “When You Were Mine” by Prince, “All Through The Night” by Jules Shear, and even “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” which was written by Robert Hazard who had performed it with multiple bands and made a demo recording.

Truly a must-have album for an 80s music fan.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1984 pressing with the original inner liner and Portrait label.

#1980s #1983 #CyndiLauper #JulesShear #LowellMA #MillNo5 #Portrait #prince #RobertHazard #TheBrains #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds