Crates A' Go-Go

Crate Diving in Modern America

Maybe it was the release of the Beatles’ single last week, but whatever the case, I’ve been thinking about the 60’s lately, and while not every album that I found this week in my favorite record stores was from the 60’s, you won’t believe the cool stuff that lay waiting for me. Again, stuff I didn’t know I wanted, certainly didn’t go into those shops looking for, but once I saw them, felt compelled to buy.

I specifically wanted to get whatever used or new Wilco album I could, and so wonder of wonders, I found a pink vinyl limited edition of Schmilco (DPM 87259-1 2016) for $25. It’s not a record I’ve listened to much, and maybe I overpaid. Still, on the Wilco bender that I am, I couldn’t pass it up, figuring that I surely saved a few bucks on the original price, and the poor thing needed a good home. The cover art by Joan Cornella is pretty cool, too.

It’s a funny thing. I saw copies of Fleetwood Mac’s Penguin album and Bare Trees, but passed them up. I gave my daughter my copy of Bare Trees a while back, or at least I think I did, so why didn’t I want another? And Penguin? I’ve never owned a copy, but I really hate the cover, so I just didn’t feel it. But other FM awaited, like…

Kiln House (Reprise RS 6408 1970) for a mere $20. The Danny Kirwan Mac, cover designed by Martin Birch.

Not only have I never owned a copy of this one, but I can’t remember ever seeing it in the racks before. I knew a guy in college who loved FM, so I’m guessing he had it and likely raved about it to me one lazy September afternoon when we were stoned. Clearly, I paid almost no attention. Still, something about it spoke to me yesterday, cried out even, so Jon, if you’re out there, I hope I stood you in good stead.

True confession time, and it’s not even midnight. I’ve never owned a Rod Stewart album. I’ve had 45’s and a 12-inch single of “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” I refuse to apologize.

But yesterday I found The Rod Stewart Album (Mercury SR 61237 1969—finally, the 60’s) for $12. You know, the one featuring his cover of “Street Fighting Man” and one of my favorites, “Handbags & Gladrags.” Playing on the album are Keith Emerson, keyboards, Ron Wood, bottleneck guitar, and Martin Pugh, guitar.

At the bottom left-hand corner of the album, the word “Thin” appears. Maybe you know what that means.

In the year I graduated high school, Mott The Hoople released ‘The Hoople’ (CBS PC32871) and so I bought it for $12, too. Happy graduation, and I’ll be celebrating with “Crash Street Kids” and “Born Late ‘58,” though for me it was ‘56.

And finally, two more from the 60’s.

First, The Bee Gees 1st (ATCO SD 33-223 1967) for only $15. Ah, so very young they were. Robert Stigwood produced, Klaus Voormann designed the cover, and the Gibb brothers plus Colin Peterson and Vince Melouney (ages 19 and 21 respectively) serve us “Holiday,” “New York Mining Disaster,” and “To Love Somebody” all so very nicely.

A guy named Steve Vogel used to own this one, and while the cover shows some wear on the back, it’s otherwise gorgeous.

Second, there are The Supremes. I mean, there are always The Supremes. Somehow when I find an old Supremes’ record I get doubly glad because where I’m from, anyone who owned this back in 1966 wasn’t displaying it prominently on his or her premiere shelf.

This one is The Supremes A’ Go-Go (Motown 649 1966) but I bet you already knew that. Did you know I paid $12? Did you know it contains “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” “Get Ready,” and … “Hang On Sloopy?”

It’s a fabulous cover…

I was only ten then. Seems like yesterday, and actually, it was.

See you next time!