When I look at my extensive music collection, which has evolved over decades and incorporates everything from vinyl and cassettes to cds and mp3s, I’m sometimes amazed how often I can recall something about the circumstances when I acquired a particular item. Some things I’m not surprised I remember – I mentioned my interest in the Dischord box set and my generous friend Dean sent me his copy – my friend Tom got Nick Cave to autograph “Henry’s Dream” and sent it to me. Of course I would remember those things! But why would I remember buying that Minutemen record at Tower Records in NYC, or that I picked up “Give ‘Em Enough Rope” used at Home of the Hits in Buffalo, both over 25 years ago? I’ve made no effort to retain this information, but it’s there somehow – more often than not.
I’m not sure where first record purchases should fall on the memory spectrum, but I distinctly remember the first three records I bought. I don’t recall the exact order, but I’m positive these were the first:
J. Geils Band – “Live Full House”
This is still one of my favorite live albums, full of energy and fun. The highlight for me is “Whammer Jammer”, a crazy harmonica jam, but it’s full of great rock and blues tunes. While this is advertised as a live album, and the performance certainly is live, I’ve always wondered why they put the word “Live” in quotes by itself on the cover. The crowd noises do sound to me a little bit edited in at times. I guess it doesn’t matter, but why is that queen on the cover winking at me?
Edgar Winter Group – “They Only Come Out At Night”
A great collection of rock songs and ballads, but also a little funk and country thrown in, capped off by the full version of “Frankenstein.” It’s a somewhat strange mix of styles, but it works. And speaking of album covers, I always found the cover photo a little creepy. But maybe that’s just me.
Chicago – “V”
I love early Chicago. They started their recording career with three double albums and then a four disc live album. Who does that? But they had a great mix of pop, jazz, funk, avant garde and other interesting influences too numerous to mention. They wrote political songs, rock guitar freak outs, and top 40 hits. This, obviously their fifth, was a great distillation of all their interests. It was a single LP which probably forced them to harness things in a bit, which resulted in a strong collection of songs. If there is anyone who doesn’t know Chicago (although that’s hard to imagine), this is where I would recommend they start.
What I did not recall until I looked it up is that all three of these records were released in 1972. I bought them when they came out, which dates me a bit. But all three were good purchases – I still listen to them! Of course, I now have all three in mp3 form, as part of my ongoing vinyl replacement project, but that’s another story.
So what were your first(s), or what stories do you remember?