Vinyl Voyage Radio

When I was a kid, I used to check out record albums from the public library.  I was perusing the LP bins one day and came across  Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy .  At the time I was perhaps 10 years old and knew nothing about Elton John, other than the crazy outfits and sunglasses he wore.  I think my first introduction to Elton was via the sitcom,  One Day at a Time   (I had a slight crush on Valerie Bertinelli).    In one particular episode, the two Romano sisters, played by Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips, do a routine in a variety show dressed as Elton John and Kiki Dee singing "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."  That song I knew, as it was played ad nauseum on the radio at the time. Anyway, I checked out  Captain Fantastic  not because it was Elton John, but because the cover was so awesome.   Although I hadn't yet been exposed to  Hieronymus Bosch , the cover must have been influenced by the paintings ...

My favorite K-Tel album by far is Rock 80 . This is Retro Repeat month on Adventures in Vinyl and this week we will be rebroadcasting the Rock 80 episode. The episode airs Saturday, May 19 at 11 am (ct), Sunday May 20 at 4 pm (ct) and then at 1 pm May 22, 2 am May 23 and 10 am May 24. Here is the original post describing the album: Prior to 1980, my musical tastes generally sucked.  Oh, I listened to the standard hits on the radio, but had no coherent musical wants or likes---outside, that is, of what was always played in my house:  John Denver, Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton-John and Barry Manilow.  Yes, I admit it, I could sing along to several Manilow tunes.  Remember, I didn't have any older brothers or sisters to show me the way (Think: Almost Famous ). But then, in 1980, everything changed.  I discovered good music. And I can thank K-Tel for that. For Christmas in 1980, I received a cassette from my parents.  It was K-Tel's Rock 80 .  An...

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 fro...

Tonight, we will be an encore broadcast of Mix Tape Memories, Episode 1.  This mix is called "Many Songs #4" from 1986 and includes such 80s bands as Oingo Boingo, Tones on Tail and R.E.M. Broadcast begins at 8 pm CT. Join us for this nostalgic trip back to the mid-80s--commercial free.

Welcome to The Vinyl Voyage.  Tune-in to hear an eclectic mix of songs from the 1960s-80s--all played on the original, glorious vinyl.  If you like to listen to music on vinyl, this is the place for you. In addition, we will be launching a monthly program called "Adventures in Vinyl," hosted by Bruce Janu.  In each episode, we will be highlighting a particular K-Tel album from the last several decades, in its entirety--skips, pops and all.  Episode 1 will feature K-Tel's 1974 compilation, "Music Power." While you're here, don't forget to check out our store .