The Allman Brothers produced some amazing music together as the Allman Brothers Band, and separately as solo artists and session musicians.  Starting with Duane & Gregg Allman, although released in '72, this was produced from demo recordings in '68 of Duane & Gregg with the band The 31st of February, but not released at the time and the band broke up.
 Originally released on Bold records, this album is mostly folk/rock covers, but contains two of Gregg Allmans compositions God Rest His Soul and Melissa.  In need of money at the time, Gregg sold part of the rights to these two songs to Steve Alaimo for $600.
My copy is on Polydor #2310 235; VG+ vinyl and VG cover.

 At Fillmore East is the bands third release and first live album.  I traded with a friend for this back in '74 and to this day I don't remember what album I traded away! Somehow I think I got the best of the deal as this is a fantastic album.  On Capricorn 2CX 0131 (white labels), '74 reissue VG+ condition both vinyl and cover. The original from'71
is 2D 2-802 Capricorn pink labels (US release).  During a brief break in the cover shoot, Duane ran across the street and scored a couple of bags; which is why they are all laughing!

 Another fantastic album Eat A Peach is dedicated to Duane Allman, who was killed in a motorcycle accident during recording of this album.
Tragedy would strike the band again, just over a year later, when bass player Berry Oakley would die in a motorcycle accident a few block from were Duane was killed.  The Allman Brothers Band play the kind of music I could listen to anytime.  Some music I have to be in the right mood for, but not this.  Great music to listen to late at night with the lights off, when you can really listen and get carried away with the music.
Released in '72 this album is a combination of studio recordings and live music from Fillmore East.  I got this copy on eBay.  Just about any album you may want can usually be found on eBay. Often with over 1 million listings for records, I have rarely not found something I was after.  Can be expensive, especially once you add shipping costs, and sometimes the grading is optimistic.

Brothers and Sisters released in '73 was very succeful for the band. I like this album a lot, but it has a different feel with more prominent piano and no more double lead guitars. Ramblin' Man, Come & Go Blues, Wasted Words, all great songs.

Aerosmith, Get Your Wings, from 1974. This album was one of my early purchases, when it came out in 1974. However, it was badly scratched during a party, so this is a newer purchase. On Columbia PC 32847, this copy was reissued in 1976, and the vinyl is in NM condition, while the cover is VG+ with some edge wear.

The original catalogue number from '74 is KC 32847.
This album has a great cover of Train Kept A Rollin', written by T. Bradshaw and made famous by the Yardbirds in '65.
Also contains; Same Old Song & Dance, Lord of the Thighs & S.O.S.





Toys in the Attic is another early purchase, not destroyed, but has certainly seen some use!  Vinyl is VG but the cover is VG-, lots of ring & edge wear as well as a seam split. This is the 1975 edition PC 33479, not a later reissue.

Great album despite the condition! I am always keeping an eye out for better copies of albums like this.  The title track, Uncle Salty, Walk This Way, and of course Sweet Emotion are all classic rock songs.






Rocks, purchased new when released, VG vinyl and cover. Back in the Saddle, Sick as a Dog, Nobody's Fault...I think the name is appropriate, this is a hard Rockin' album! Still with Columbia PC 34165.








Draw the Line ('77) and Permanent Vacation ('87) were both from second hand stores. I am so-so on these albums, the title track and Milk Cow blues on Draw the Line are good, as are Rag Doll, St. John and Hangman Jury on Permanent Vacation; but in my opinion not their best releases.

Today we have Adam and the Ants, "Kings of the Wild Frontier" on Epic JE37033; released in 1980.
This is their second of three albums, a really good punk/new wave album with some very effective double drumming..listen to it on the title track.

Another garage sale purchase in VG+ condition (media and cover). Not a lot of value but good music, and an influential album in the post punk, new wave style.  Dog Eat Dog, Antmusic, Kings of the Wild Frontier all charted.





In 1982 Adam and the Ants split and Adam went on to record as a solo artist.  "Friend of Foe" is the first of his solo projects.  Also on Epic, FE 38370 (in North America, CBS in UK) released in '82. Produced Something Girls, Goody Two Shoes (probably his biggest hit), the new wave rockabily Place in the Country, an interesting cover of the Doors Hello, I Love You.

VG+ media and cover; from same collection as above.








Staying in the 80's, we have Bryan Adams "cuts like a knife" on A&M  SP 4919 from 1983. His third studio album. Huge success for Bryan Adam, especially in North America.  Who hasn't heard Take Me Back, Straight From the Heart, Cuts Like a Knife or The Best Was Yet to Come...

Following this with Reckless his 1983 release that made him an internationally recognized artist.  I have two copies of this album A&M SP5013, one on red vinyl, both from second had stores for less the $2.00 and in VG+ condition for media and cover.

One Night Love Affair, Summer of '69, Run to You, Somebody, Heaven, Its's Only Love all became top 15 hits.

I like Kids Wanna Rock and Long Gone as well.

First album up is AC/DC "Back In Black" XSC 16018 on Atlantic Label. This is their 6th international studio album, released in 1980, and the first released since the death of Bon Scott

Condition of media is VG+ (I use Goldmine standards) and Cover is VG with some creasing edge wear and minor ring wear. Value probably $10. A great hard rock album and a must have for any rock collector. This is probably one of the best selling rock albums ever with classics like Hells Bells, Rock & Roll Ain't Noise Pollution and of course the title track.  Your not going to sleep through this! Play it loud.  I like this best played throught the larger Acoustic Research AR2's with the 10" woofers, the bass really comes through.

Following this is AC/DC "For Those About To Rock" XSD 11111 on Atlantic.  Released in 1981 and went to #1 in the US. 

Contains the classic title track as well as Let's Get It Up. Another great hard rock album, but in my opinion not quite as good as Back in Black.  

VG+ condition of media and sleeve, value $10.

Both this album and Back to Black were garage sale purchases. Bought a box of records mostly from the 80's and early 90's, probably 60 or 70 in total all in plastic sleeves and mostly VG+ condition. This was probably 8 years ago, when you could get a box of records at a garage sale for a few buck, unlike today!

Last AC/DC in my collection is Who Made Who, soundtrack album from the Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive. 1986 release again on Atlantic 78 16501

Media condition is VG+, cover is VG with some water damage. Value $7.  I think my favorite on this album is "Ride On" has a bit of a blues feel to it.

Although, not a large collection by some standards, I have a little over 1100 albums.  These have been catalogued alphabetically by Band, or Artists last name.  Since I often add to the collection and occasionally (very rarely) subtract from it; I will (once every year or so) play through the collection, starting at A and continuing till I have played them all.  This way I can review every album and confirm the information I have in my catalogue, like condition, label, etc., as well as decide if I still want it in my collection.
Having never blogged before, I am not exactly sure how this will develop, but the idea now is to play the album and post some info about it; year of release, label, condition as well as my thoughts on the album; perhaps how I came across it, etc.  Picture of cover and label may be posted as well.

My teen years were in the '70's, so my collection started with Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Bowie etc.  I never stopped collecting, just paused for a time while raising kids.  I also bought many CD's during their time, especially when it became almost impossible to find LP's even used ones. At that time I was buying music, not really "collecting" vinyl.  Now I collect, both for the music and for the value.  So if the album is collectible, then I try to get the earliest pressing I can in VG or better condition, with any attributes that make it more collectible, such as banned cover; within the budget I am comfortable with.  If I only want the album for the music, then condition and price are the only factors.

I also have a passion for vintage electronics. I am not saying today's stuff is no good, I just really like the older products.  They seem so well built, heavy and solid, made to last forever.  In my office where I am posting this, I have a Marantz 4270 receiver, a Pioneer PL-570 turntable with Denon DL 110 cartridge, a Denon DCD 520 CD player and on the front AR4x (Acoustic Research) speakers on the rear KLH model 20 speakers. All components are vintage, and were purchased inexpensively except the Denon cartridge, this is an essential upgrade.  In the living room is a Marantz 140 Power Amp with a Marantz 3200 PreAmp and a Marantz 115 Tuner, a Bang & Olufsen 1602 Turntable with MMC20EN cartridge, a Denon DCM 460 CD changer, and a Technics RS T18 cassette player.  The front speakers are AR2ax and the rear are outside, Yamaha outdoor speakers.  Also in my collection, but not in use; Akai 2800 amplifier, Pioneer SA-7500 amplifier, Yamaha RX 385 receiver, Yamaha CT 44 tuner, Paradigm 5se speakers, Marantz Imperial V speakers and KEF Chorale Mk III speakers.