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michael sowa ain’t never caught a rabbit and he ain’t no friend of mine

WHILE I WAS PLAYING with countless themes in search of a new look for Rather Rare Records over the past few weeks, I posted a page with a note of apology and explanation for all to see. To make the post eye-catching, I found this killer painting by Michael Sowa titled “Frohe Ostern” (“Happy Easter”), and used it as the page’s featured image. [Read more] “michael sowa ain’t never caught a rabbit and he ain’t no friend of mine”

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the day I uncovered the secret of the universe (and then forgot it)

I CAN TRULY SAY that I knew it all—The Secret of the Universe. Once. Briefly. I can also say that this essay has little to do with record collecting, but it does touch on psychedelic music of the ’60s, so here it is (instead of on my other, eponymous blog). [Read more] “the day I uncovered the secret of the universe (and then forgot it)”

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why aren’t the moody blues in the bloody rock & roll hall of fame?

IN A RECENT EDITION OF QUORA, someone asked why the Moody Blues haven’t been inducted into the bloody Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It would certainly seem that the Moody Blues are far more qualified than many inductees, so I began preparing a lengthy answer, thinking I might provide some insight. [Read more] “why aren’t the moody blues in the bloody rock & roll hall of fame?”

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a requiem for those timeless good good good vibrations

MAJOR RECORD COMPANIES usually released new titles on Monday in the ’60s. On April 12, 1965, I rushed home from school, ran upstairs to my room, tossed my books on my bed, pulled my money out of the drawer, ran to the garage, picked up my bike, and zoomed off to Joe Nardone’s record shop. [Read more] “a requiem for those timeless good good good vibrations”

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the avid collector’s guide to wild in the streets part 3

THE AVID COLLECTOR’S GUIDE to Wild In The Streets Part 3 addresses records made that are associated with this movie—both singles and albums. All were released in the wake of the very successful movie in 1968, but few were hits. Before commencing, I recommend that you first readOn Wild In The Streets As Political And Social Satire” and then the first part of this four-part series of articles about the movie and its music. [Read more] “the avid collector’s guide to wild in the streets part 3”