Prog Digest – An Xperience Column

Prog Digest – An Xperience Column – by Klyde Kadiddlehumper.

Welp, this month, ol’ Klyde was gonna make a rant about the misuse of the words “progress” and “progressive,” with the topic revolving around the dumbest implementation of a system that is supposed to be better, more efficient, and more convenient … which it is not. Then, I recalled that we already have a grumpy old man between these covers (get your minds out of the gutter people) – so – change in plan.

I’ve waxed poetic here about the joys of vinyl and many things analog.  Maybe poetic is not the phrase you would use, but I am writing this bloody thing so I get to define it as I choose.

Anyway – Constant Companion and I dig a record store. Sometimes for new things we know nothing about, sometimes with purpose, and other times, well, so far we have not used the phrase “it seemed like a good idea at the time” – and you may fill in when and why I might have said this from time to time.

In a record store, where they carry old and new many times, we find things.

On a recent trip to Nashua, NH, there was a lovely little shop up the street, so we went. It was next door to a model train store with a giant LIONEL sign out front, but we resisted the urge to buy every Neil Young record they had … look it up if you don’t know the reference.

CC found many fine things. By album title: “Wild Things Run Fast,” “Pure Pop For Now People,” “Seconds of Pleasure,” “Hasten Down The Wind,” “Captured Angel,” among others. Gram Parson’s self-titled first release, “The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table,” “No Nukes” (hey, it was of a time), and “The Secret Policeman’s Ball” were among my choices. The real gem of the bunch, however, was “Big Bambu” WITH the 12-inch EZ-Wider. (The primary reason the complete sets WITH are so tough to come by has, mostly, to do with guys like me in college).

Other trips have seen me find a lovely Tangerine Dream box set, the two Rubinoos albums from my college years (hey, if you are going to be in the Rochester area July 24 – check them out at the Abilene Bar and Lounge).

The already fairly sizable collection seems to grow with a mind of its own; Lord knows I don’t have one of those.

The best hit I have made in a while was a couple of weeks ago at a local joint. Would you believe three, count ‘em three, Marillion vinyl remix sets, in pristine condition from one of my all-time favorite band.

In chronological order of release – “Childhood’s End,” “Clutching at Straws,” and “Brave.” Each, in its own way, a masterpiece. The remixes are brilliant and the live material lovely time capsules.

Of the three, “Clutching at Straws” is my favorite. “Childhood” has their biggest hit – Kayleigh. “Brave” has wonderful material such as “Alone Again In The Lap of Luxury.”  “Clutching at Straws” – well – it is Fish’s best dysfunctional set of lyrics. The track that sums it up – and please, be sure to credit to Fish (Derek W. Dick officially from East Lothian) – for me is “Warm Wet Circle.”

Like a bullet hole in Central Park

A warm wet circle

And I’ll always surrender

To a warm wet circle

The artwork has such notables as Jack Kerouac, Lenny Bruce, John Lennon, James Dean, Ernest Hemmingway, and Janis Joplin – catching the theme?

That we get to revel in the fact that Fish is now a retiring rocker is pretty amazing, all things considered.

This is why we hunt for vinyl, old and new – artists we know and love and those we have not fallen in love with yet.

So, on a weekend day or maybe when you travel or perhaps on a day you are playing hooky – get off your sorry butt, feel the covers on your fingers while you flip through bin after bin after bin, etc.

So – if you’re looking for me, I’m number one at the end of the bar …

Until next time.

Klyde

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