Diamonds in the dirt

A couple of weeks ago I was rifling through a box of records at a car boot sale (so what's new?).  I say records; it was more like a box of empty and torn sleeves, dirt and a few shards of broken vinyl, but I carried on regardless, ever hopeful of finding something worth playing/actually playable. My luck was in and I pulled out a dog-eared copy of an album I'd read good things about, but never heard before - Trio by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.

The gals: Linda, Dolly and Emmylou.

Trio (1987)

These three Queens of Country are all heroes of mine and this album had been on my wishlist for a while, so I was delighted to find it for just £1.

Trio wasn't their first attempt to collaborate in this way. They'd tried during the 70s to record some material but as they were all such busy and successful artists, and all on different labels, this made finding the time to give such a project their full attention too difficult.

They finally got it together in the second half of the 80s and the result was 1987's hit album on Warner Bros. Records.

A collection of traditional country-style covers and a lovely original by Dolly called Wildflowers, Trio is an absolute gem of an album.  Given the talents involved, it couldn't really suck, and it doesn't.  As well as the glorious vocals of the ladies, who harmonise beautifully and provide b/v's for one another with none ever overshadowing the others, plus Emmylou's acoustic guitar on three tracks, members of the band include the likes of Ry Cooder, Albert Lee and in-demand sessioneer David Lindley.

Of course the project was wildly successful, reaching no.1 on the US Country chart and 6 on the Billboard chart.  The first single to be released off the album was their cover of the Teddy Bears' 1958 no.1 single To Know Him Is To Love Him which went to the top of the US Country singles chart, followed by Linda Thompson's Telling Me Lies (no.3), Those Memories of You (no.5) and the sweet Wildflowers (no.6).

My car boot copy came with the added bonus of an amusing set of communiqués between a former owner and his pal:

Well, that's something you don't get with mp3s, anyway.  Viva vinyl!

P.S. REALLY looking forward to watching Dolly at Glastonbury on the box Sunday teatime.

Episode 4 of the CBVD Cloudcast now online!

The newest episode of the Car Boot Vinyl Diaries Cloudcast is now on Mixcloud, featuring sometimes cracklesome records from the likes of Rosanne Cash to Roger Whittaker, Salt n Pepa to Santana, presented by a music-obsessive with a dweeby voice, i.e. me.  Hope you like it.

Car Boot Vinyl Diaries Episode 4 by Car Boot Vinyl Diaries on Mixcloud

Super Summer Giveaway Part 2

The Car Boot Vinyl Diaries Super Summer Giveaway continues.  This time the grand prize is a car boot copy of Santana's 1970 album Abraxas; the Latin rockers' second album, combining jazz, rock, blues, psychedelia and a bit more besides.  Plus, it has a cracking cover.

Santana - Abraxas (1970)

In excellent condition with no skips or jumps, this US no.1 and UK no.7 LP could otherwise set you back a whole pound or more.  Please note I can only post to a UK address.

Simply fill in your name/pseudonym and email address in the contact form at the top of the page, adding the word 'Abraxas' in the 'Message' box and you'll be entered into the draw which will take place at 9pm on Sunday 6th July.

"We stood before it and began to freeze inside from the exertion.  We questioned the painting, berated it, made love to it, prayed to it: We called it mother, called it whore and slut, called it our beloved, called it Abraxas..."

Good luck, pop pickers!

Car Boot Vinyl Diaries on the radio - again!

Some more of my vinyl finds were played by DJ Gavin Hogg last Sunday on the wonderful Charity Shop Classics show on Manchester's AllFM 96.9.  You can catch up with the whole show at http://www.mixcloud.com/CharityShopClassics/charity-shop-classics-show-85/ or listen using the widget below:

Charity Shop Classics - Show 85 by Charityshopclassics on Mixcloud

Special guest is vintage 78s DJ Matt Nickson, plus there's the remainder of an interview with Robin Ince and more besides.

The Butterfly Effect

You may recall from a recent post that I'd bought at a boot sale what I thought was an Isley Brothers LP, only to find out later that the sleeve actually contained an album by Roger Whittaker.  All I knew about dear old Rog was that he was a bit of an 'entertainer' in the 1970s variety mould and best known for his whistling.

I was all set to bin the record, or perhaps look on youtube for tips on making it into a fruit bowl, when I thought I'd give it a quick spin, just for a couple of minutes for a bit of a laugh. As it turned out, Rog got the last laugh and I was pleasantly surprised.

It seems that before he made it big in the 70s as an easy-listening star with his own TV shows, Roger recorded some early material for Fontana Records between 1962 and '64. This is what makes up the album Butterfly, which is what I'd inadvertently spent my 20p on.

Yikes

The release date of Butterfly is unclear, but the same songs in the same running order came out as Settle Down With Roger Whittaker in 1973, presumably to take advantage of his new-found success.  From his get-up on the cover of Butterfly, it's safe to assume this was also released in the 70s.

It opens with a cracking tune called Settle Down, written by Mike, er, Settle.  Recorded in 1962, it was also released as a single by both Judy Collins and Bobby Darin in '63, plus a few others in later years.

What follows is a great little album of country, folk, easy and rock 'n' roll, including a version of Jimmy Dean's Steel Men, a cover of The Weaver's Aweigh, Santy Ano (their take on the sea shanty Santiano, known here as Santa Anna) and Roger's 1964 single from when he recorded as Rog Whittaker and His Companions; Mud Puddle and its b-side Acre of Wheat.

It's definitely a keeper and I'm glad I put it on before deciding to bin it, although I won't be delving into the rest of his back catalogue any time soon!  I doubt Roger will care as he's sold tens of millions of records worldwide and certainly doesn't need my business.

One of the things I love about rooting around in charity shops and boot sales for records is that you never know what you might find next (aside from Leo Sayer's Endless Flight, that is).  It's certainly a good way of finding unlikely stuff you end up really enjoying, even if it is by accident. Apparently that Isley Brothers record isn't much cop anyway.

Winner of the Super Summer Giveaway

The grand draw for the first ever CBVD Super Summer Giveaway took place at 9pm last night, and the lucky winner is Julia Sen!  Julia has been contacted and as soon as she gets back to CBVD her prize of Blondie's Parallel Lines on original 1970s vinyl will be winging its way through the post.  Congratulations Julia!

Keep your eyes on the blog or Twitter (@VinylCarBooty) for the next Giveaway, coming soon...

Cloudcast Episode 3: Disco Suite Special now on Mixcloud!

The new CBVD Cloudcast is now online for your streaming - and dancing - pleasure. Featuring three whole non-stop disco LP sides, it's sure to get you out of your seat!

Car Boot Vinyl Diaries Episode 3: Disco Suite Special by Car Boot Vinyl Diaries on Mixcloud

Don't forget about the competition currently running to win a classic 70s pop album - see previous post!

Win a Classic Pop Album on Vinyl !

In its first ever Super Summer Giveaway competition, Car Boot Vinyl Diaries is offering a used copy of Blondie's 1978 classic album Parallel Lines.  In very good condition with no skips or sticks, this fantastic record by the Heart of Glass hitmakers can fetch up to a whole pound at car boot sales and charity shops!  (Unless it's in Oxfam, where it'd probably set you back a tenner).

Featuring five UK singles including two number ones, this chart-topping album has sold over 20 million copies.  Even if you don't have a turntable it'd look pretty cool on your wall. This wonderful LP could be yours by answering the following easily-googlable question:

What is the name of the producer of Parallel Lines?

a) Richard Gottehrer

b) Mike Chapman

c) Clem Burke

Put your answer into the contact form at the top-right of the page, fill in your name (real or internet) and email address in the fields provided and click 'Send'.  The first correct entry to be pulled out of the hat on Sunday 15th June will be the lucky winner of this fine piece of 70s wax. Car Boot Vinyl Diaries will notify the winner via email for a postal address and the prize will be sent in true thrifty style via second-class post!  I can only post to UK residents, unfortunately.

Good luck!