AiV-Episode 48: K-Tel's "Hit Explosion" from 1983

On this new episode of Adventures in Vinyl, we are taking a time trip back to 1983 for the K-Tel compilation, "Hit Explosion." This album features hit songs from 1982 and 1983, including Haircut One Hundred, Toni Basil, Pat Benatar, Santana, Rush and many, many more.

This album was released in 1983 simultaneously with another K-Tel compilation, "Get Dancin'."



You can hear "Hit Explosion" on weekends throughout the month of July. Saturdays at 12:30 pm, Central (-5 GMT) and Sundays at 4:00 pm, Central (-5 GMT) and Wednesdays at 2 am, Central (-5 GMT)
Or, listen on demand via Mixcloud.

Retro Repeat Month on Vinyl Voyage

Happy May.  It is Retro Repeat Month on Vinyl Voyage Radio.  Each week will feature a different K-Tel Album on Adventures in Vinyl.

May   1 - May 10    Believe in Music, 1972
May 12 - May 17    Block Buster, 1976
May 19 - May 24    Rock 80, 1980
May 26 - May 31    Music Machine, 1977

Adventures in Vinyl Can be heard on Vinyl Voyage Radio (all times Central):

Saturday, 11 am
Sunday, 4 pm
Tuesday, 1 pm
Wednesday, 2 am
Thursday, 10 am

 Join us on Memorial Day for the 2012 K-Tel Marathon.  We will feature every K-Tel album that has appeared on Adventures in Vinyl in chronological order starting at 6 am (Central).

Frampton Comes Alive! Vinyl Voyage Video Podcast

A few weeks ago, my friend Tom Flannery posted an article about Peter Frampton on his blog.  He unabashedly proclaimed that "Frampton kicks ass" and that the "young punks can learn a thing or two from the bald guy."

"I used to stand in front of my mirror," Tom writes, "tennis racket as a guitar, and sing along to 'Lines On My Face'. I was 17."

That post got me a little nostalgic for Frampton.

A few years ago, I checked out Frampton Comes Alive! from the library and burned it onto my computer.  I'm not even sure I listened to the album then; I just thought it was something I should have.  However, I now wanted to listen to Frampton as it was intended to be: on vinyl and loud.  So, I found a copy at a local record store.  I listened to the whole thing, something I don't think I have done for decades.  Yes, decades.

And, I must say, listening to the album again as a 43 year old, I am impressed that Tom Flannery stood in front of a mirror and sang along to "Lines on My Face" when he was seventeen.  Before reading Tom's post, I couldn't even place the song.  But now as I guy in my forties that song has a certain resonance that would have been lost on me in my teens.  And what's amazing is that Frampton wrote that song when he was just twenty-three.

Lines on my face,while I laugh lest I cry

Speed city dirt and gritty waving me goodbye

So many people,my family of friends

Trying so hard to make me smile until this heartache mends

That is my favorite song on the album.  But, that is speaking as a 43 year old.  As a kid, that was the song you had to get through in order to get to "Do You Feel Like We Do?"

The album holds up well.  Surprisingly well.  Although Frampton may have lost some rock and roll cred by the late 70s, this guy could rock. 

Thanks, Tom, for sparking an interest once again in a classic album.  Frampton Comes Alive! and "Lines On My Face" are featured on this Vinyl Voyage video podcast:

Retro Repeat on Adventures in Vinyl

We have been on the air now for 7 months.  That's 7 K-Tel albums on Adventures in Vinyl.

Over the months we have gained listeners from all over the world:  Canada, Israel, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa and many others.

Even Syria.

This month we are going to take a break on Adventures in Vinyl and replay the 7 past episodes as we catch our breath and give people an opportunity to listen to some albums they may have missed.

Here's the schedule (all times CENTRAL):


Fantastic 
Saturday, September 3 (11 am)
Tuesday, September 6 (1 pm)
Sunday, September 25 (4 pm)

Dynamite
Sunday, September 4 (4 pm)
Thursday, September 8 (1 pm)
Wednesday, September 21 (10 am)

Music Power
Saturday, September 10 (11 am)
Tuesday, September 13 (1 pm)


Music Express
Sunday, September 11 (4 pm)
Thursday, September 15 (1 pm)
Wednesday, September 28 (10 am)


Disco Mania
Wednesday, September 14 (10 am)
Saturday, September 17 (11 am)
Tuesday, September 20 (1 pm)

Block Buster
Sunday, September 18 (4 pm)
Thursday, September 22 (1 pm)
Thursday, September 29 (1 pm)

Rock 80
Wednesday, September 7 (10 am)
Saturday, September 24 (11 am)
Tuesday, September 27 (1 pm)


Up next in October:  back to the 80s with Hit Express.

Next Up: Block Buster, 1976

I was 8 years old when I got Block Buster.  It was 1976.  The year before Star Wars.  Yeah, that was a defining moment in my life.  Up until then, all I had was K-Tel albums like this. 

And this is a good one:  Block Buster.  It must have been released early 1976 as most of the songs are from the previous year.  "Fly, Robin, Fly" by the Silver Convention.  "Sky High," by Jigsaw.  "Swearin' to God" by Frankie Valli.  "That's the Way (I Like It" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

And my favorite in this collection:  "Why Can't We Be Friends?" by War.





Block Buster is the featured K-Tel album on Adventures in Vinyl this month. You can hear the album in its entirety on Saturday mornings at 11 am (CT) and Sunday afternoons at 4 pm (CT).

In addition, Adventures in Vinyl can be heard whenever you want.  That's right. If you want to hear Adventures in Vinyl on Wednesday at 1 pm, you can.  Just send us an email or call us at 206-350-9978 and we will play the episode at your convenience.  How's that for service?

Adventures in Vinyl is the only radio show dedicated to the lost art of the K-Tel record compilation.

The Daily Vinyl

I recently came across this site while exploring YouTube, avoiding the task of doing some actual work. On this site, a guy who calls himself "The Dude" shows his appreciation for vinyl by creating some pretty creative videos of vinyl being played in the most unlikely of places:  on a beach, in a field, cooking on a stove--just to name a few.

Here's an example:




How about this for Bowie's "Suffragette City?"



Pink Floyd's "Us and Them:"



There's more there as well--a nice mixture of the old and new:  Wilco, The Beatles, Kansas, The Rolling Stones, Phish...and many more.

Check out the Daily Vinyl's YouTube page here.

Also, check out the website.  Some cool stuff there as well.

Vinyl Voyage is Live and Commercial Free During the Day

Starting today, the Vinyl Voyage will be live and commercial free, streaming the best music on vinyl throughout the day.  Perfect for listening at work.  Growing up during the 70s and 80s, I have a large record collection, so most of the music will be from those eras---with a few new modern hits thrown in as well.  We offer an eclectic mix of the best tunes from the last several decades plus deep tracks, rarities and oldies as well.  And we are constantly adding to our collection.  You never know what might end up on the Vinyl Voyage turntable.

Give us a listen.

Let us know what you think.