Every time I go to Rooky's I find something great for an amazing price. It's usually something I never expected to come across so easily. Also, the owner remembers my face and is ready and willing to help you dig through huge stacks for the perfect musical gemstone. Today was no different. Here are the findings.
I picked up a couple Jackie Wilson 45's, both from 1961. "Tear of the Year" and "Please Tell Me Why" (video above). I hadn't heard these tracks before but after a quick stop at the listening station I knew I had to grab them. Their B-sides were less interesting, but still definitely worth the purchase. You can almost always trust Jackie to deliver (after all, he was on the Ghostbusters 2 soundtrack).
Jackie Wilson was originally part of the 1950's vocal group Billy Ward & The Dominoes, a group which helped launch of the careers of Clyde McPhatter as well as Wilson. They were also one of the first groups to transition from early vocal R&B to soul and rock & roll. If you don't know them, you should look into it (specifically "Sixty Minute Man" and "Do Something For Me").
Next, I picked up an LP by Walter Jackson. This one happened to be his Greatest Hits. I generally try to stay away from compilations and greatest hits albums, but with older artists (who generally released singles and not full length albums) it's the best way to get your bang for your buck. Walter Jackson has some of the velvetiest pipes I've ever heard. I included his song "Speak Her Name" on my last playlist, a song which will always give me chills and make me wish I was a big fat man with a deep baritone voice. Jackson had momentary success in the mid- to late-sixties but unfortunately fizzled out before dying of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 45. He shouldn't be forgotten. And once you hear that voice, it's damn near impossible to forget. Enjoy "After You There Can Be Nothing" (above) and please go check out "Speak Her Name" on last weeks jam.
Finally (truthfully first because I'm doing these out of order), I came across a small gold mine. Dexter Gordon's 1962 album Go!. A sealed Blue Note repressing on 180 gram vinyl. This is by far one of my favorite jazz albums. Dexter Gordon is a top contender for my favorite tenor player and he's really at his best here (as far as studio-album jazz goes). When I talk about records you'd never think you'd find on a random indie record store visit, this is what I'm talking about. This isn't an obscure jazz album by any means, but Dexter's records aren't widely released anymore and when people own a copy they rarely want to get rid of it. I was planning on maybe dropping a couple bucks today at Rooky's, but when this guy nearly jumped out of the stacks at me, I couldn't really resist. Please enjoy and please please continue listening to new and old music and supporting the people that bring it to you.
Long story short, no food this week. Just music.
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