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Hey there everyone. Happy holidays to you. I hope you are doing well and thanks for reading our newsletter. There’s been a lot going on at Sorry State Industries of late, not least being a major change in the software we use to handle our inventory. Perhaps Daniel may have mentioned it, but either way it’s a big deal and as with any transition like this, it’s not without issue and headaches. However, we look confidently to the future, and by this time next year our operation will be very different and a lot more efficient. At least that’s the idea. So, we might be feeling stressed out here and there, but the result should mean more records for more people and that’s what it’s all about.
As we enter the holidays and gift-giving season, we are doing our best to have plenty of great records new and used available for you all. Not just at the store but on our on-line store and Discogs pages also. One advantage of our new system software is that we will be able to list and offer more used items a lot faster and easier. So, start looking out for those if you are an out-of-town Sorry Stater. Jeff made a good start last week by adding a bunch of cool Sunday leftovers to our webstore. These are the records that locals slept on for whatever reason. We’ll continue adding new used arrivals exclusive to the store each week, so there will always be a reason to visit in person. As always, we appreciate your support.
Talking of support, in addition to donating part of my salary to the Sorry State coffers each week, I do try to buy records from other shops in the area or from around the country. I consider all fellow record stores and their staff as brothers and sisters in the community, and if I can throw something their way and help keep the lights on then that’s a good thing. Last week I decided to pull the trigger on a newly released box set that I have had my eye on. It retailed for a little more than I could afford, but a copy popped up on Discogs that was almost half the price. Marked down due to corner dings on the box. I’m not fussy about that so much and jumped on it. What pray tell am I talking about? It’s the Blondie box set called Against The Odds 1974-1982 released by the fine folks at Numero Group.
I think it’s safe to say that everyone reading is familiar with the group Blondie and a deep dive into their career isn’t necessary, as fascinating as it is. Like any group or artist with an extensive career and large discography, however, there are always demos, rare B-sides, and unreleased recordings that accumulate. In Blondie’s case, most of these sat in Chris Stein’s garage at his Woodstock home for years. Work began on this box set several years ago and the release date was pushed back a couple of times, but finally earlier this year the set hit the market. To paraphrase several other reviewers, Numero Group have produced a fabulous set that is an example of how to do a box set right. It really is well put together and feels and looks like quality. There are several versions to choose from, however, and your wallet may dictate which one you go for. The super deluxe versions add the studio albums along with the rarities and unreleased recordings and give you a few little extras like a 7” and 10” record plus a discography booklet. As I felt no need to buy the studio albums, wanting just the bonus material, I went for the 4LP set that had (almost) all the songs and still had the fabulous hardcover coffee table sized book. The book really is beautiful with awesome photos, plenty of track information and what looks like an interesting set of liner notes. I haven’t read them yet.
A few folks have been griping that some tracks are missing that should have been included, the full-length disco mix of Atomic being one of them. Perhaps as some things had come out as CD bonus cuts on previously released reissues it was felt they could be left off? Not sure really. However, there are over fifty tracks to enjoy, including three dozen or so that have never seen the light of day on any official release. I was excited to get some of the Giorgio Moroder produced tracks. There are some cool instrumental versions that sound great. The early demos are fascinating. The early, reggae-pop take on Heart Of Glass is a highlight. As too is the Yuletide Throwdown, a bit of fun for Christmas that came out on a flexi 7”.
It almost can’t be expressed how much of an influence Blondie had on me as a kid in the 70s. My dad was a social worker and specialized in helping troubled kids. One day he came back with a box of records that had belonged to a lad he had to take to Borstal. Among them was the debut Blondie album. This seven-year-old kid was hooked from the get-go. The band looked cool, sounded cool, was pop but rock ‘n roll too. I was still a bit too young to understand some of the sexual references, but already had New York City on my radar as the epicenter of cool. After London, obviously. It wasn’t much longer after getting that first album that their second, Plastic Letters came into my life. Specially ordered from my small local record shop. That one with the cover of the band posing against the NYC cop car primed me for my visit with my parents later in the year to America, where I made my first visit to New York. Again, still too young to be checking out the music scene, I never-the-less thought it was very cool to be in the city where Blondie lived.
The next few years saw the band explode and take over the world. The album Parallel Lines was huge and the soundtrack of 1978 through 1979, with the smash hit Heart Of Glass being the centerpiece of the album. The albums Eat To The Beat and Autoamerican continued the success and were both chock full of hits. Some accused the band of selling out and being too pop. Rubbish. So what if the song Call Me was featured in a Richard Gere movie? It’s a great tune with fabulous Giorgio Moroder production. I always enjoy hearing the instrumental version of that one.
Against The Odds rounds out with the album The Hunter from 1982. Perhaps not their best compared to the previous ones, but after a solid five plus years it was almost natural that things would come to an end. The pop music landscape had changed dramatically as the late 1970s gave way to the 1980s. Nothing lasts forever and the original group came to a halt after that 1982 album. Debbie Harry continued releasing music as a solo artist throughout the rest of the 1980s and 1990s, leading up to a Blondie reformation at the end of the decade.
I never need an excuse to listen to any of those first five albums and the accompanying singles, so it has been great that John Scott here at the store likes to play them, too. He was the one that was playing some of the outtakes and alternate versions of their music from the internet that first made me aware of the existence of this box. So, cheers to him for that. When we first looked it up, it seemed that it was a bit pricey initially for my blood, but like I said I was able to score a copy for a good price and I would highly recommend any of you who are fans to keep an eye out for one yourselves. It’s so worth it and a perfect Christmas present. I’m so glad I treated myself. Treat yourself.
Okay, that’s all from me for now. Cheers to you all and have a great holiday period. Enjoy listening to music and we’ll see you here next time.
-Dom