Hello everyone, and a very warm welcome to my new subscribers! I hope you’re having fun.
Today I would like to put a question to you all: if money/space/resources/etc. were not an issue, what’s that one vinyl record for which you would be willing to trade your kids your wife your husbanda kidneyeverything?
Think most wanted by you (not necessarily sought-after by the rest). It can be an album, EP, compilation, box set, single, promo item, etc. Any record, old or new, that you would kill to have.
You can choose a specific release (e.g. the 1983 Japanese edition of X record) or any version (if you’re not fussed about editions).
The only condition is that it must have been officially released on vinyl at some point, even if it’s hard or impossible to find nowadays.
It has to be a record (or edition) you don’t currently have but would be ready to sacrifice a lot for. You may have owned this record at some point in your life and had to sell it, or you may have never had the chance to buy it (too expensive/can’t find it anywhere). Perhaps you are saving/waiting for that special day when it’s finally yours.
Air Supply’s - Lost in Love. Just kidding. I already have it from a 99 cent sale. It’s hard for me to come up with anything as I buy my albums 100 percent through discovery. I’m always on the lookout for some hidden gem I’d never heard before. Often an unheralded funk band from the ‘70s.
Nice one! 1954 Discogs users want it versus 636 who claim to have it. Best bet: car boot sale (I think you guys call it yard sale), aunt/grandma on a mission to make some space, having Googled “average vinyl price”, sells her entire nephew’s collection for a modest £19.99! 😆
I should add these figures relate to “Delaware”. Just checked the New Order one -- if you’re not fussed about countries, you should have some room to play!
Good idea for a thread. With the upcoming reissues of both Tom Waits' The Black Rider and the Super Furry Animals' Phantom Power there are two albums I want (sorry, I know you said one...)
1. Is Clube Da Equina by Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges. A wonderful album of Brasillian Latin Jazz that can be foundbit I am prepared to spend a good £100+ and ship from Brazil!
2. Is the self titled debut by The Vessels. A great bit of UK Americana.
So, I'm sorry for breaking your one album restriction, but these are the two I really want that are HARD to find.
Thanks a lot, Karl! No worries -- the more the merrier. Thanks a lot for your comment. Now, to continue with this "game", and sorry in advance if I make your life really difficult, but imagine I could give you either of those for free but you could only choose one... what would be your pick and why?
OK. I'll go pure capitalist and choose Clube Da Esquina as it is so hard to find under £100. I'm sure a copy of the Vessels will turn up but just can't afford the Borges album.
I’d have to go with the most expensive in my wantlist, which is Janet Jackson’s “Janet.” album (the 1993 UK pressing). Mariah’s first European pressing of 1997 “Butterfly” is a strong second (£10 difference, currently). So either of those 😊
And I should add: each sells for an average £650 (not even mint). I would blame it on the gay guys with no children, willing to pay so much, but then again... the joke’s on me! 🤣
I would love a copy of Heavy Weathers by Vivian Weathers, the only album by a drummer, singer, and songwriter that was named one of the ten best Lovers Rock albums by Mojo magazine. It’s on my Discogs wish list but just too expensive. One day I’ll find it!
Hand numbered records are a fan’s dream! You can’t beat that feeling of being part of the gang and having backstage access. Hope you can get this record someday!
It may or may not be super-rare; but i had a cassette copy of the band Mary My Hope's only album, "Museum" , from about 1988-1990, that got stolen from my truck in 1992. Ain't seen another one since.
Crazy how well you remember. But then again, if I had any of my records stolen, I think I would also remember it quite well (and with certain spite, of course).
For me, I’d have to go for the most expensive records in my wantlist, which are first pressings of Janet’s “janet.” and Mariah’s “Butterfly”, each selling for roughly $700. I have reissues, but would love first pressings.
It looks like her albums are rarely released on vinyl but I think that one was exclusively released through Vinyl Me, Please. So there is a limited quantity. From what I've read, it seems to be the best-sounding one.
Awesome Brazilian tropicália psych-soul w/ a beautiful album cover as well.
2) Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor 7” - Black Magic 1966. Great example of the 70’s Northern Soul sound in the UK, which was assembled from underperforming Soul/R&B records from the US from years earlier. Just love the idea of commercially unsuccessful (in the US) records becoming the foundation of a vibrant music scene in another country.
But to stretch your conditions a bit, my top pick for you to give me for free would be:
Wu Tang Clan - Once Upon a Time In Shaolin - the 1 of 1 2015 release that fraudster Martin Shkreli purchased for $2million, which then was seized by US DOJ before being sold by them to an NFT group in 2021 for $4 million. Kind of dig the concept of a 1 of 1 release as an art object, but hate the idea of this album being only heard by the super wealthy instead of actual Wu Tang fans.
Thanks a lot for the detailed response! Great picks. Love Wu Tang Clan and Dobbie Gray. I hear you: vinyl as an art object is a cool concept, but the exclusivity factor can get extremely frustrating at times.
I’d probably start with Tunnel Of Love, but if could only just get one, it would get Violator, as I think it would get the most output sound for a vinyl.
Top of this list for me is Train of Thought (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) Reflection Eternal. On most days it’s my favorite album
Thanks! Wasn’t familiar but will check it out!
Air Supply’s - Lost in Love. Just kidding. I already have it from a 99 cent sale. It’s hard for me to come up with anything as I buy my albums 100 percent through discovery. I’m always on the lookout for some hidden gem I’d never heard before. Often an unheralded funk band from the ‘70s.
Nice! I love 70s (and 80s) funk.
VMP just released the "Electric Years" collection of Miles Davis that has a bunch of my favorite albums from him. (this is probably cheating)
I'd love an OG pressing of Afro Harping or Journey in Satchidananda!
Smart move with the collection! That’s one of the great things about box sets.
Great discussion idea! My top 3 current picks would be original (Mint) versions of:
Drop Nineteens' "Delaware"
New Order's "Power Corruption and Lies"
Jawbreaker's "24 Hour Revenge Therapy"
If forced to pick just one, it'd be Jawbreaker.
Nice one! 1954 Discogs users want it versus 636 who claim to have it. Best bet: car boot sale (I think you guys call it yard sale), aunt/grandma on a mission to make some space, having Googled “average vinyl price”, sells her entire nephew’s collection for a modest £19.99! 😆
I should add these figures relate to “Delaware”. Just checked the New Order one -- if you’re not fussed about countries, you should have some room to play!
Good idea for a thread. With the upcoming reissues of both Tom Waits' The Black Rider and the Super Furry Animals' Phantom Power there are two albums I want (sorry, I know you said one...)
1. Is Clube Da Equina by Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges. A wonderful album of Brasillian Latin Jazz that can be foundbit I am prepared to spend a good £100+ and ship from Brazil!
2. Is the self titled debut by The Vessels. A great bit of UK Americana.
So, I'm sorry for breaking your one album restriction, but these are the two I really want that are HARD to find.
Thanks a lot, Karl! No worries -- the more the merrier. Thanks a lot for your comment. Now, to continue with this "game", and sorry in advance if I make your life really difficult, but imagine I could give you either of those for free but you could only choose one... what would be your pick and why?
OK. I'll go pure capitalist and choose Clube Da Esquina as it is so hard to find under £100. I'm sure a copy of the Vessels will turn up but just can't afford the Borges album.
I'll take that one please!
Wise move!
So...what is your album of choice?
I’d have to go with the most expensive in my wantlist, which is Janet Jackson’s “Janet.” album (the 1993 UK pressing). Mariah’s first European pressing of 1997 “Butterfly” is a strong second (£10 difference, currently). So either of those 😊
And I should add: each sells for an average £650 (not even mint). I would blame it on the gay guys with no children, willing to pay so much, but then again... the joke’s on me! 🤣
I would love a copy of Heavy Weathers by Vivian Weathers, the only album by a drummer, singer, and songwriter that was named one of the ten best Lovers Rock albums by Mojo magazine. It’s on my Discogs wish list but just too expensive. One day I’ll find it!
Thanks, Jeremy! Sounds great
Mayhem's Death Crush, hand numbered by Euronymous :)
Hand numbered records are a fan’s dream! You can’t beat that feeling of being part of the gang and having backstage access. Hope you can get this record someday!
It may or may not be super-rare; but i had a cassette copy of the band Mary My Hope's only album, "Museum" , from about 1988-1990, that got stolen from my truck in 1992. Ain't seen another one since.
Crazy how well you remember. But then again, if I had any of my records stolen, I think I would also remember it quite well (and with certain spite, of course).
My Discogs wantlist is 200+ deep lol, I guess it would be The Alchemist's "Yacht Rock 2" because of the $200 price tag.
One I was searching for FOREVER was Harlem Shakes' Technicolor Health, one of my favorite albums, finally snagged a copy, looks like there may only been 100 or so of this album ever pressed - https://www.discogs.com/release/3565328-Harlem-Shakes-Technicolor-Health
What about you??
Thank you, Jared! Great picks.
For me, I’d have to go for the most expensive records in my wantlist, which are first pressings of Janet’s “janet.” and Mariah’s “Butterfly”, each selling for roughly $700. I have reissues, but would love first pressings.
Speak it into existence brother!
Cheers! And you too with yours! 💪🏻
If I found Tidal by Fiona Apple (2019 Repress)... I'd be foaming at the mouth.
Great choice! I see there are some other reissues, but the one you mention seems to be THE one. Any idea why?
It looks like her albums are rarely released on vinyl but I think that one was exclusively released through Vinyl Me, Please. So there is a limited quantity. From what I've read, it seems to be the best-sounding one.
Makes sense. Hope you can get it soon!
Great question.
My picks would be:
1) Pedro Santos - Krishnanda - CBS Brazil 1968
Awesome Brazilian tropicália psych-soul w/ a beautiful album cover as well.
2) Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor 7” - Black Magic 1966. Great example of the 70’s Northern Soul sound in the UK, which was assembled from underperforming Soul/R&B records from the US from years earlier. Just love the idea of commercially unsuccessful (in the US) records becoming the foundation of a vibrant music scene in another country.
But to stretch your conditions a bit, my top pick for you to give me for free would be:
Wu Tang Clan - Once Upon a Time In Shaolin - the 1 of 1 2015 release that fraudster Martin Shkreli purchased for $2million, which then was seized by US DOJ before being sold by them to an NFT group in 2021 for $4 million. Kind of dig the concept of a 1 of 1 release as an art object, but hate the idea of this album being only heard by the super wealthy instead of actual Wu Tang fans.
Thanks a lot for the detailed response! Great picks. Love Wu Tang Clan and Dobbie Gray. I hear you: vinyl as an art object is a cool concept, but the exclusivity factor can get extremely frustrating at times.
Waylon Jennings: Dreaming My dreams.
Thanks, Terry! If you are not fussed about editions, you should be able to get it at a decent price on Discogs.
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Frank Ocean - Blonde
Nice! I love Frank Ocean. If I could give you one of them for free, what would be your pick?
These are the three ones that i remember spinning from my siblings player when I was a kid and I’d like to recover If I had a decent device:
* Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel Of Love
* U2 -The Joshua Tree
* Depeche Mode - Violator
Thank you, Marc! I love The Joshua Tree and Violator. If you could only get one of those three, which one would you choose?
I’d probably start with Tunnel Of Love, but if could only just get one, it would get Violator, as I think it would get the most output sound for a vinyl.
Nice one! Yes, I agree. The soundstage of Violator on vinyl must be fantastic.