Car Boot Christmas Giveaway 2016

EDIT: Congratulations to winner Darren Betts! I'll be in touch, Darren.

Car Boot Vinyl Diaries is delighted to be giving away a copy of The Snowman original soundtrack to one lucky winner this Christmas.

First published in 1978, Raymond Briggs' wordless illustrations told the story of a boy and his adventure when the snowman he built came to life.  The book was transformed into a 26-minute animation first broadcast on Boxing Day in 1982, and the soundtrack album was released the following year.  Scored by composer and conductor Howard Blake, Side 1 consists of the story narrated by the great Bernard Cribbins over the backdrop of the music, plus of course the original version of Walking In The Air by chorister Peter Auty (as opposed to the Aled Jones version that was released as a single).  Side 2 contains purely the score and song.  Whether you've got children or not, it makes for enchanting fireside winter listening.

This car boot vinyl copy is the second pressing from 1983, i.e. the normal sleeve as opposed to the gatefold on the first pressing.  It's in excellent condition and plays absolutely beautifully, and I'll also throw in a pair of Snowman coasters I forgot to use last Christmas, plus whatever other tat I can find lying about the house.  In addition, I'll even make you a special Snowman-themed Christmas card.  With my own bare hands!

To enter, simply fill in the contact form at the top right of the page, with your name (real or internet) in the first field, your email address in the second, and the message "Snowman" in the third, then click "Send".  My glamorous assistant will be drawing the winning name from the hat at 8pm this Sunday (11th December).  Due to postage costs and delivery times the competition this year is open to UK entrants only.

Good luck!  And in the meantime you can hear this year's festive cloudcast Car Boot Christmas 2016, where I present over an hour's worth of Christmas music, all on vinyl and all found at car boot sales and charity shops.  Use the player below or click the link to go to Mixcloud.  Shares, likes and comments welcome!



https://www.mixcloud.com/CarBootVinylDiaries/car-boot-christmas-2016/

2015 Christmas Giveaway

December is finally here, and Car Boot Vinyl Diaries is proud to present its latest giveaway: a vinyl car boot copy of the magnificent 1968 album 'Tijuana Christmas' by the Torero Band, or as I like to call it, The Greatest Christmas Album Ever Recorded:

Over two sides of mariachi magnificence, twelve traditional carols are given the Torero touch, rendering them more joyous, sparkling and parp-tastic than you've ever heard them before.  According to the sleeve notes "It may come as a surprise to you that our oldest carols used to be dances, and that the word itself described a form of circular dance". Well, this record will certainly get you up and grooving, and probably giggling too, at the more preposterous easy-cheesy moments.  There's a heart-melting version of Silent Night too, so one way or another it's guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the grumpiest of Scrooges over the festive season.  Whether you're a fan of the twin trumpets or just looking for something a bit different for your seasonal listening, I can't recommend this album highly enough.  Read more about it here: http://carbootvinyldiaries.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/car-boot-christmas-countdown-day-4.html

To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the contact form at the top right of the page, with your name (real or internet), email address and the message "Parp!", then click "Send", before 9pm GMT on Sunday 6th of December.  The competition is open to entrants worldwide, and I'll endeavour to get the prize to its destinaton in plenty of time for Christmas.

Good luck!

Winner of the Super September Vinyl Giveaway

There have been record numbers (no pun intended) of entries for this latest competition, and my glamorous assistant has just pulled a name out of the very full hat. Congratulations to Andrea Smith, who wins the car boot copy of Gloria Gaynor's 1975 disco LP Never Can Say Goodbye.

I'll be in touch, Andrea.  Thanks to all who entered, and keep your eyes peeled for a special Christmas LP giveaway in early December.

Super September Vinyl Giveaway!

I've been neglecting the blog lately, so to say sorry Car Boot Vinyl Diaries is giving away a scrummy car boot copy of Gloria Gaynor's epic 1975 disco album Never Can Say Goodbye, to one lucky ducky!

Mixed by 'The Master' Tom Moulton, Side 1 was the first ever fully-mixed disco suite, with hit singles Honey Bee, Never Can Say Goodbye and her fabulous cover of Reach Out, I''ll Be There woven into 19 minutes of groovesome gorgeousness.  Side 2 is equally fab, with five danceable disco numbers.  The LP is in excellent condition and plays beautifully.

For a taste, you can hear all of Side 1 kicking off last year's CBVD Disco Suite Special on Mixcloud, which also features two ace sides from Sylvester (mixed by Patrick Cowley) and the Three Degrees (produced by Giorgio Moroder) here:

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

To enter the competition, fill in the contact form at the top right of the page with your name (real or internet), email address and the message: disco.

Names will be drawn from the hat next Friday night at 8pm BST, with the winner announced here and on Twitter @vinylcarbooty.  I'll also contact the lucky recipient by email.  Overseas entries i.e. non-UK are very welcome but it'll come surface mail (slow) if you win.

Good luck!

Win "An Americana Christmas" on CD!

Car Boot Vinyl Diaries is feeling in a festive mood, and is excited to present a very special Yuletide competition.  I'm giving away a copy of brand new album "An Americana Christmas", which features songs from artists new and old, including Bob Dylan, Valerie June, The Band and The Common Linnets.

Various Artists - An Americana Christmas (2014)

More info on the album here: http://theboot.com/johnny-cash-emmylou-harris-dwight-yoakam-americana-christmas/

All you need to do is enter your name (real or internet!), email address and the message "Merry Christmas" in the contact form at the top right of the page, click "send" and you'll be entered into the Grand Draw which will take place at 8pm (GMT) on Monday 8th December.

The competition is open to readers from all countries and the prize will be despatched double-quick so that the winner can enjoy the excellent tunes in the run-up to Christmas.

Tracklisting

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Luther Dickinson)

2. Everything Is Cool (John Prine)

3. Pretty Paper (Robert Ellis)

4. The First Noel (Emmylou Harris)

5. The Gifts They Gave (Johnny Cash)

6. Just Me And These Ponies (For Christmas This Year) (Corb Lund)

7. Run Run Rudolph (Dwight Yoakam)

8. Must Be Santa (Bob Dylan)

9. Winter Wonderland (Valerie June)

10. Everybody Deserves A Merry Christmas (Ronnie Fauss)

11. Season Of My Memory (Max Gomez)

12. Les Trois Cloches (Ben Keith w/ Neil & Pegi Young)

13. At Christmas Time (The Common Linnets)

14. FaLaLaLaLove Ya (Nikki Lane)

15. Here It Is Christmas Time (Old 97 s)

16. Christmas Must Be Tonight (The Band)

Also, tomorrow (Weds 3rd December) will see the launch of the Car Boot Christmas 2014 Cloudcast, especially made for you, presented by me and jam-packed with almost 1½ hours of festive tunes from vinyl found at car boot sales and charity shops.

Merry Christmas all, and good luck!

Winner of 3rd Super Summer Giveaway!

As I predicted, this was was the most popular Giveaway of all.  Last night a name was drawn from the hat and the winner of a boot-sale copy of Stevie Wonder's fantastic Innervisions album is Paul O'Farrell.

I'll be in touch via Twitter Paul, so you can claim your prize!

Super Summer Giveaway - final part!

This summer Car Boot Vinyl Diaries has already given away a classic pop album and a wonderful rock LP.  In the third and final part of the Super Summer Giveaway you now have the opportunity to win a timeless soul record.

From his run of 1970s classics (Music of My Mind up to Songs in the Key of Life), at no. 24 in Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time, I give you the outstanding Innervisions...

Stevie Wonder - Innervisons (1973)

The record is in excellent car-boot condition with no pops, sticks or skips and is a must for any collection.

To enter simply fill in the contact form at the top-right of the page with your name/pseudonym, email address and the words 'Stevie rules' in the message field, and click 'Send'.  The draw will take place at 9pm on Sunday 3rd of August and I can only post to a UK address.

Good luck!

Winner of Super Summer Giveaway Part 2

All the names were put into a fetching hat, and the winner drawn at 9pm.  Congratulations to Vulpes Vulpes, who wins a car boot sale copy of Santana's Abraxas on original 1970s vinyl!

Look out for the third and final Giveaway, coming soon....

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!

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...

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!