Arts Desk » Red Onion http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk News and Criticism on D.C. and Beyond Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:26:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Crooked Beat Records Is Done Selling CDs http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/06/02/crooked-beat-records-is-done-selling-cds/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/06/02/crooked-beat-records-is-done-selling-cds/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:30:30 +0000 Mike Kuntz http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/?p=47990 Adams Morgan record shop Crooked Beat is just about done with compact discs. Last weekend, the store announced it will no longer sell CDs—except for local albums and low-price new releases—either online or in its 18th Street NW storefront.

"We only have about 300 CDs left, anyway," says Bill Daly, the store's owner. "We're trying to make room for turntables."

When Crooked Beat opened in 1997 in Raleigh, N.C., vinyl made up roughly 30 percent of its sales, Daly says. He moved the store to D.C. in 2004. CD sales at Crooked Beat have dropped by about 50 percent each year since 2008, while sales of vinyl, much of it new, have steadily increased. As of last month, Daly says, vinyl comprises "99 percent of total sales." He also notes that labels haven't lowered wholesale prices for CDs despite the decreased demand in recent years.

"Nowadays, you buy a CD, come home, rip it to your computer, and then it sits on your shelf," Daly says. But, he says, with vinyl you have the benefit of a large physical object—a much better memento than mp3s, CDs, or tapes. "And a lot of our customers say vinyl's quality is better than all three of them."

A jog through the news section of Crooked Beat's website shows the store has been shrinking its CD inventory for years. With the exception of Melody in Dupont, most record shops in D.C. aren't very CD-friendly. Som is vinyl-only, Red Onion sells new and used vinyl and used CDs, and Smash sells mostly vinyl but some new releases on CD.

That record stores—no matter the medium they're selling—face some pretty serious existential anxieties is not news, of course. "If I'm eventually going to go down, I'd rather go down with vinyl," says Daly. "Because I don't want to put my future on CDs. I just can't see it anymore."

This month, Daly plans to start stocking two or three brands of turntables. CDs will hardly have any real estate at all. "We might set up two boxes of like 30 CDs at the counter," he says. "You know, like one of those kiosks packed with, like, greatest hits collections you'd see at a Whole Foods checkout or something."

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/06/02/crooked-beat-records-is-done-selling-cds/feed/ 4 In Which Record Store Day 2011 Will Be Pretty Low-Key http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/04/14/in-which-record-store-day-2011-will-be-pretty-low-key/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/04/14/in-which-record-store-day-2011-will-be-pretty-low-key/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:22:34 +0000 Alex Baca http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/?p=45286

It'd be too easy to copy and paste our coverage from last year of what local record labels said they'd be doing in celebration of the yearly Record Store Day, which falls this year on this coming Saturday, April 16.

In that post, we reported that while some D.C. record labels appreciate Record Store Day, they didn't plan to go all out for it. This year, the case is pretty much the same—although there are a few sparks of activity worth accounting for.

The most notable is Sockets Records' Bluebrain, who will be releasing a vinyl-only—and D.C.-only—7-inch with two sides. We've described the A-side, "The Pull," and B-side, "The Push," as, respectively "smooth but anxious" and ranging "from glitchy to lounge-like to totally Tron-appropriate." But there's an unexpected C-side, which is revealed only when the A- and B-sides are played simultaneously; the package is quite fitting for the cerebral fraternal duo.

Also available from Sockets will be a tape of children's songs from Edie Sedgwick, which we described as a "split between catchy, repetitive tracks like 'Boom Boom Baby' and an ethereal, somnambulant B-side designed to put a child to sleep."

Travis Jackson of Windian Records also sends word that "the Windian Caravan will be parked on 18th Street NW. We will have all of our singles and other swag," while Fan Death Records notes "If it makes any difference, the new Screen Vinyl Image 7-inch just came out in time for Record Store Day."

As for local record stores themselves, here's a rundown of what some will be doing to partake in the festivities (the full listing also appeared in this week's dead tree edition of Washington City Paper):

  • Crooked Beat: Though the store won’t have the much-coveted Big Star release, it’ll have more than 200 other exclusive titles available—in addition to grab bags filled with promotional materials for the first 75 customers in line (five of ‘em will have a $25 gift certificate). Noon to 10 p.m. 2116 18th St. NW.
  • Smash: Special releases like the Bad Brains 7-inch will be in stock, and Pabst Brewing Co. will be providing beer and swag. Says a Smash employee: “There will be a party atmosphere.” 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2314 18th St. NW No. 2
  • Som: To help man the crowd in the tiny 14th Street basement, not one but two Som employees will be on hand. Noon to 9 p.m. 1843 14th St. NW.
  • Red Onion: At press time, Red Onion’s plans were still in flux, but there should be “snacks and treats for the kids,” says owner Josh Harkavy. Noon to 8 p.m. 1901-B 18th St. NW.
  • Melody: The store is “definitely participating” and will be open regular hours. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 1623 Connecticut Ave. NW.

For more coverage of the rabid vinyl collector's favorite day, see the ever-enthusiastic Vinyl District. And, Click Track reports, a map of local stores created by graphic designer and Crooked Beat employee Holly Tegeler is available—should you get lost somewhere between 14th and 18th streets NW looking for that elusive Bad Brains 7-inch.

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/04/14/in-which-record-store-day-2011-will-be-pretty-low-key/feed/ 3 Record-Store Hunting (and Touring) With Kurt Vile http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/03/02/record-store-hunting-and-touring-with-kurt-vile/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/03/02/record-store-hunting-and-touring-with-kurt-vile/#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:25:47 +0000 Marian McLaughlin http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/?p=42506 During the lull right before a show, straight off the highway and with time to kill in a new town, there are very few things a tired, traveling musician can muster up the energy for. Some rushed tourism, maybe, or a bite to eat.

And record stores. On previous tours, Philadelphia indie-rock troubadour Kurt Vile spent so much of his down time browsing shops that he decided to do a week-long tour of in-store acoustic sets. He's at Red Onion Books and Records tonight at 6 p.m..

"I'm definitely a record-head," Vile says. "So that's why I like doing in-store shows while on tour."

(Vile's mini-tour reminds me of Robert Fripp's "Exposure Non-Tour," when the guitarist performed in to-go pizza places and barber shops using his portable Frippertronics system.).

The trek should be a good reminder to record-store clerks to stock up on Vile's new album, Smoke Ring for My Halo. And, undoubtedly, Vile will be doing some crate-digging himself. "I lust for things that are hard to find, like Neil Young's On the Beach," Vile says. "But I crave for things that are easy to find…I'm obsessed with the Stones."

Any good vinyl discoveries lately, Mr. Vile? "Bert Jansch, Birthday Blues."

No kidding: Vile has a lot in common with the Jansch, a founding member of the '60s folk-rock band Pentangle. The dusty sounds of renowned fingerstyle guitarists Jack Rose and John Fahey also turn up on Smoking Ring for My Halo.

As Vile finger-picks on his fretboard on the opening song, "Baby's Arms," you can hear the inescapable yet humble sliding of fingers upon metallic strings, the twanging higher strings, and the interchange of complementary bass and treble notes. "Finger-picking is addicting. I've been playing this way for 10 years," says Vile, who's been creating music since his teenage years. He wanted to own a guitar, but ended up with a banjo instead. "My dad was a blue-grass aficionado."

Learning to finger-pick and sing simultaneously took a bit of practice, but became natural over time. "Basically, you have to start with the thumb, doing bass, and get comfortable with that, go back and forth with your thumb, add a finger, and then another one," Vile explains. "I just couldn't stop with it though."

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/03/02/record-store-hunting-and-touring-with-kurt-vile/feed/ 1 Best of D.C. Is Live, but Whose Taste Is Better: Yours or Ours? http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/03/25/best-of-d-c-is-live-but-whose-taste-is-better-yours-or-ours/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/03/25/best-of-d-c-is-live-but-whose-taste-is-better-yours-or-ours/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:26:08 +0000 Jonathan L. Fischer http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/?p=20917 bestofdc_stampBest of D.C.! What more is there to say?

Well, this: Our annual issue highlighting our—and your—picks for the best the District has to offer is online and in print today. Pick up a copy! Or read it here!

There's no shortage of arts-related goodies therein, and even some overlap between the readers poll and our staff picks, which we've geared toward the city's newest residents. After the jump, some compare and contrast:

Readers Poll
Best Art Gallery: Phillips Collection

Staff Picks
Best New Art Gallery: The Fridge

–

Readers Poll
Best Jazz/Blues Club: Blues Alley

Staff Picks
Best Jazz Club for Newbies: HR-57

–

Readers Poll
Best Local Band: Bataka

Staff Picks
Best Band that Left Brooklyn for D.C. and Not Vice-Versa: Bluebrain

–

Readers Poll
Best Local Hip-Hop Artist: Wale

Staff Picks
Best Soft Introduction to Go-Go: Wale’s “Pretty Girls”/Raheem DeVaughn’s “Bulletproof” (go-go remix)

–

Readers Poll
Best Museum: The Phillips Collection

Staff Picks
Best Use of Bare Wall Space: Phillips Collection’s “Intersections”

–

Readers Poll
Best Outdoor Venue: Wolf Trap

Staff Picks
Best Venue to See Blues Traveler: Jiffy Lube Live

–

Readers Poll
Best Place to See a Movie: E Street Cinema

Staff Picks
Best Independent Movie Theater: The Avalon

Best Retrospectives, Sans Fries: AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Best Retrospectives, With Fries: American City Diner

Best Sound System: Mazza Gallerie

Best Theaters for Keeping Your Attention on the Film and Not the Douchebag on His Cell: Landmarks Bethesda Row Cinema and E Street Cinema

–

Readers Poll
Best Place to Buy Vinyl: Crooked Beat

Staff Picks
Best Place to take Visiting Punk Rockers: Smash! Records

Best Record Store: Red Onion Records & Books

–

Readers Poll
Best Outdoor Venue: Wolf Trap

Staff Picks
Best Venue to See Blues Traveler: Jiffy Lube Live

–

Make sure you check out our Arts and Entertainment in-depth picks: Best Way to Shake Up D.C. Nightlife, Best First Record, Best New Nightlife Blog, and Best Model for Breaking into the Arts Scene.

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/03/25/best-of-d-c-is-live-but-whose-taste-is-better-yours-or-ours/feed/ 0 New Arrivals @ Red Onion http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/06/30/new-arrivals-red-onion-8/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/06/30/new-arrivals-red-onion-8/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:09:02 +0000 Jason Cherkis http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=7759

Red Onion just put out a list of its new arrivals which include some new Honest Jon's releases (Trembling Bells, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, among others), the new Dinosaur Jr. LP, the Rondos reissue, White Hills, The Field, Deerhunter, Es, Earth, Major Lazer, Betty Davis, the new Papercuts, Blank Dogs and an amazing George Mitchell-produced blues LP.

Full list in annoying font/font size after the jump (apologies).

Some more new vinyl:

cat power: what would the neighbors think
booker t.: potato hole
dan deacon: bromst
dirty projectors: rise above
neutral milk hotel: in the aeroplane over the sea
she and him: volume one
postal service: give up
thermals: more parts per million
thermals: fuckin a
obits: i blame you
eprhyme: shomer salaam 7"
no age: nouns

rock:
john prine: self-titled
john prine: sweet revenge
yes: the yes album
elton john: madman across the water
simon and garfunkel: the concert in central park 2LP
traffic: the low spark of high heeled boys (island pink rim)
traffic: john barleycorn must die (ua black/red label)
steely dan: greatest hits 2LP
bruce springsteen: born in the usa
bruce springsteen: the wild, the innocent & the e street shuffle
jimmy buffett: living and dying in 3/4 time
neil young: self-titled
neil young: after the gold rush
neil young: harvest (original cover, inner sleeve & insert)
neil young with crazy horse: everybody knows this is nowhere
crosby, stills & nash: self-titled
van morrison: tupelo honey
al kooper: easy does it 2LP
david peel & the lower east side: the american revolution (red elektra label, big e)
thee prophets: playgirl
murray mclauchlan: song from the street
the rascals: rock and roll treasures 2LP

ac/dc: flick of the switch

ac/dc: fly on the wall

allman brothers band: brothers and sisters

beatles: let it be

john lennon collection

byrds: fifth dimension

bad manners: self-titled

the beat: self-titled

the beckies: self-titled

jeff beck: beck-ola

chuck berry: the great twenty-eight

blind faith: self-titled

blodwyn pig: getting to this

bloodrock: self-titled

bloodrock: 2

bloodrock: passage

blues image: open

borghesia: surveillance and punishment

bow wow wow: twelve tracks

Burundi black: self-titled 12”

camper van Beethoven: key lime pie

caravan: self-titled (70’s pressing)

chameleons UK: strange times (with bonus 12”)

chameleons UK: script of the bridge

climax Chicago blues band: self-titled

clover: self-titled (huey lewis)

cream: wheels of fire 2LP

creation: self-titled (funky rock, not british group)

clash: combat rock

the cure: boys don’t cry

the cure: happily ever after 2LP (contains seventeen second and faith)

donovan: sunshine superman/in concert 2LP

dave clark five: 25 thumping great hits

devo: freedom of choice

neil diamond: do it!

dr. john: gris gris (80’s pressing)

echo & the bunnymen: self-titled EP

echo & the bunnymen: self-titled LP

eddie and the hot rods: teenage depression

ellis: riding on the crest of a slump

flying lizards: self-titled (alternate cover)

fresh out of borstal (drums)

fleetwood mac: tusk

fleetwood mac: bare trees

henry cow: concerts 2LP

the jam: sound effects

kinks: greatest hits

kinks: live at kelvin hall

kraftwerk: computer world

l.a. getaway: self-titled

dave loggins: personal belongings

mamas & papas: best of 2LP

mamas & papas: self-titled

modern english: I melt with you 12”

new order: confusion 12”

new order: temptation 12”

new order: low-life

new order: blue monday 12”

new order: fine time 12”

gary numan: pleasure principle

gary numan: telekon (sealed with bonus live single)

OMD: joan of arc 12”

OMD: dazzle ships

only ones: baby’s got a gun

prince: minneapolis genius 94 east

psychedelic furs: self-titled

ramones: end of the century

ramones: too tough to die

jonathan richman & the modern lovers: jonathan sings!

rio grande: self-titled

tommy roe: it’s now winter’s day

bob ruzicka: soft rocker (sealed)

bob ruzicka: cold hands, warm heart (sealed)

selecter: too much pressure

sex pistols: never mind the bollocks…

siouxsie and the banshees: once upon a time

siouxsie and the banshees: the scream

slade: slayed?

sly & the family stone: life

sly & the family stone: a whole new thing

the smiths: hatful of hollow (UK)

soft cell: non stop erotic cabaret

soft machine: volumes one and two (1973 command 2LP)

sugarcubes: life’s too good

violent femmes: bling leading the naked

tom waits: the heart of Saturday night

anna black: meet anna black

future: down that country road

sandy denny: rendezvous

repairs: self-titled

plug: drum ‘n’ bass for papa 2LP (luke vibert)

slam versus unkle: narcotourists 12”

queen anne’s lace: self-titled

wild turkey: turkey (drums)

ronee blakley: self-titled

anita lane: dirty sings (mute, nick cave)

tonto: it’s about time

chameleons: up the down escalator

humphrey and the dumptrucks: six days of paper ladies (sealed)

sore throat: sooner than you think

portion control: purge

the jazz butcher: fishcotheque

mary hopkin: those were the days (apple)

sweet: desolation boulevard

jeff buckley/gary lucas: songs to no one 1991-1992 2LP

captain beefheart and the magic band: unconditionally guaranteed (canadien pressing)

tim buckley: lorca

c.a. quintet: trip through hell 2LP (sundazed reissue)

pierre et le loup (with brian eno, Manfred mann, keith tippet, bill bruford, cozy powell…)

husker du: warehouse songs and stories 2LP

nico: the end

iggy and the stooges: raw power

velvet underground: 1969 2LP (live)

only ones: special view

go betweens: 16 lovers lane

go betweens: tallulah

pogues: poguetry in motion

pogues: peace & love

pogues: if i should fall from grace with god

mark spoelstra: this house

anna domino: self-titled (disques de crepuscle)

the specials: live in manchester

iron maiden: powerslave

iron maiden: aces high (UK pressing)

slayer: hell awaits

metallica: creeping death (UK/french pressing?)

current event: hits of simon & garfunkel

talking heads: girlfriend is better 12"

jazz:
coleman hawkins: today & now (later impulse pressing)
j.j. johnson: proof positive (later impulse pressing)
lawrence brown's all-stars: inspired (later impulse pressing)
joe venuti: hooray for joe
herbie mann: the family of mann (mono, purple/red label)
dizzy gillespie/lalo schifrin: free ride
pete and sheila escovedo: happy together
doc severinsen: brand new thing
joe thomas: get in the wind
jack dejohnette: new directions

gato barbiere: el gato

annette peacock: x-dreams

sandy nassan: just guitar

george benson: the other side of abbey road

al hirt: raw sugar/sweet sauce/banana puddin’

bill evans: paris concert edition one

moe koffman: jungle man

billy gordon: plays lovers hits

monty Alexander: love and sunshine

don ellis: tears of joy

stanley turrentine: joyride (DMM pressing)

kai winding: penny lane & time

chris hinze combination: bamboo magic

joe Farrell: upon this rock

gary burton quartet with eberhard weber: passengers

leon sash: i remember Newport

terry gibbs: el nutto

andy narell: hidden treasure

dave burrell: windward passages 2LP (hat hut records)

cal state/Northridge jazz ensemble: studio city

ahmad jamal: at the Blackhawk

leon Thomas: full circle

dizzy Gillespie: swing low, sweet Cadillac (impulse)

jay Berliner: bananas are not created equal

lew soloff: Hanalei bay (Japanese pressing)

charles earland: kharma

louis armstrong all-stars: in concert 1956 (sealed)

billie holiday: the lady lives (ESP, sealed)

louis armstrong/duke ellington: at newport (french pressing)

louis armstrong: at the crescendo vol. 2 (UK pressing, sealed)

ray charles: live in concert (ABC)

keely smith: be my love

count basie: basie's beat

sonny rollins: self-titled 2LP (50's recordings)

dizzy gillespie/bobby hackett/mary lou williams: giants

james moody: beyond this world

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/06/30/new-arrivals-red-onion-8/feed/ 1 New Arrivals @ Red Onion http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/02/13/new-arrivals-red-onion-3/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/02/13/new-arrivals-red-onion-3/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:40:06 +0000 Jason Cherkis http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=3838

Got the latest list of new arrivals at Red Onion. They got the new Beirut LP (actually two EPs), a bunch of Numero stuff, this Elder Utah Smith CD that looks killer, plus the usual awesome finds.

ROCK:

KISS: DYNASTY
T-BONE BURNETT: TRUTH DECAY
AU PAIRS: LIVE IN BERLIN
WILDWEEDS: SELF-TITLED (VANGUARD, NRBQ MEMBERS)
ROLLING STONES: BEGGARS BANQUET

DEAD KENNEDYS: BEDTIME FOR DEMOCRACY (WITH 2 NEWSPAPERS & INSERT)
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS: NOW THEN... (US PRESSING)
JOHN & YOKO/PLASTIC ONO BAND/ELEPHANT'S MEMORY: SOME TIME IN NEW YORK CITY (WITH PETITION, CARD & INNER SLEEVES)
CROW: MUSIC
WRECKLESS ERIC: SELF-TITLED (UK STIFF PRESSING)
FLEETWOOD MAC: RUMOURS
FLEETWOOD MAC: SELF-TITLED
NINE INCH NAILS: SIN 12"
X: LOS ANGELES (ORIGINAL SLASH LABEL)
BOB DYLAN: SLOW TRAIN COMING
GRINDER'S SWITCH: SELF-TITLED
ROY HEAD: DISMAL PRISONER
DON NIX: HOBOS, HEROES...
SPANKY & OUR GANG: LIVE
ROGER KELLAWAY: CENTER OF THE CIRCLE
GRATEFUL DEAD: ANTHEM OF THE SUN (70'S PRESSING)
THE WHO: STORY OF... (2LP UK PRESSING)

JAZZ:
KEN McINTYRE: OPEN HORIZON (INNER CITY)
CHICO FREEMAN: SPIRIT SENSITIVE (INDIA NAVIAGATION)
OLIVER NELSON: SCREAMIN' THE BLUES (OJC PRESSING)
WES MONTGOMERY: FULL HOUSE (OJC PRESSING)
RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO: NEVER ON SUNDAY
MILES DAVIS: VOLUME 2 (BLUE NOTE, LIBERTY PRESSING)
CHARLIE PARKER: ON DIAL VOLUME 2 (UK, SPOTLITE RECORDS)
ARCHIE SHEPP: A TOUCH OF THE BLUES (FRANCE, FLUID RECORDS)
JIMMY SMITH: BACK AT THE CHICKEN SHACK (BLUE NOTE 4117, NEW YORK, USA)
HANK MOBLEY: AND HIS ALL STARS (70'S BLUE NOTE PRESSING)
COLEMAN HAWKINS/ROY ELDRIDGE/PETE BROWN/JO JONES ALL STARS: AT NEWPORT (JAPANESE VERVE PRESSING)
CHARLIE PARKER: WITH STRINGS VOL. 1 (FRENCH REISSUE)
CHARLIE PARKER: ONE NIGHT IN BIRDLAND (2LP, COLUMBIA CONTEMPORARY MASTERS SERIES)
KENNY BURRELL: MIDNIGHT BLUE (PA USA JAZZ ORIGIN SERIES)
MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS: THINGS TO COME FROM THOSE NOW GONE
FRANK WESS: FLUTE OF THE LOOM
SONNY STITT: GOIN' DOWN SLOW

FUNK/SOUL:
MALONE & BARNES AND SPONTANEOUS SIMPLICITY (LUV N' HAIGHT REISSUE)
BARBARA LYNN: HERE IS (UK, 1976 OVAL/VIRGIN RECORDS REISSUE)
SHARON RIDLEY: STAY A WHILE WITH ME (SUSSEX ORIGINAL)
ARTHUR ALEXANDER: SELF-TITLED
LARRY RASPBERRY & THE HIGHSTEPPERS: SELF-TITLED

RAP:
BLACKALICIOUS: BLAZING ARROW (2LP ORIGINAL)

COUNTRY:
DON COOPER: SELF-TITLED (ROULETTE)

MISCELLANEOUS:
DAVID McCALLUM: MUSIC: A BIT MORE OF ME (PRODUCED BY DAVID AXELROD)
WHY DID LENNY BRUCE DIE?

]]> http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/02/13/new-arrivals-red-onion-3/feed/ 2 Music 2008: Red Onion Goes To 11 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2008/12/18/music-2008-red-onion-goes-to-11/ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2008/12/18/music-2008-red-onion-goes-to-11/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:01:46 +0000 Jason Cherkis http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/blackplasticbag/?p=2557

Josh Harkavy, owner of the record/book store Red Onion, e-mailed me this: his favorite, or some of his favorite records of the year.

Josh explains: "This is by no means a top 11 list, just 11 albums I listened to a lot in 2008.
Let me know if you need more info or anything. I hope you don't mind that I went to 11."

We don't mind at all.

Irma Thomas: Irma Thomas Sings (Mississippi Records)
While it's tough to choose one favorite Mississippi Records release, this is probably the one I play the most, especially in the store. It seems that whenever this album starts up, somebody ends up buying it.

Cotton Jones Basket Ride: The River Strumming (St. Ives Records)
This is truly my favorite discovery of the year. 300 pressed and I am so happy that I own one. Funky, folky psych from Maryland. More people need to hear this album.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring: Primary Colours (Goner Records)
I know the lead singer kinda sounds just like Mark E. Smith from the Fall, but that's ok.

Gary Higgins: Red Hash (Drag City)
Since I'll probably never find an original, I was happy when this was properly reissued by Drag City. And it came with a bumper sticker!

Cold Sun: Dark Shadows (World In Sound)
Quite possibly the most expensive new record I have ever bought, but worth every penny. Twisted Texas psych fronted by autoharp wizard Bill Miller. This band later went on to back Roky Erickson. Sooo good.

Monotonix: Body Language (Drag City)
I still have not seen Monotonix live even though it seems they have played DC about 6 times this year. I have listened to the 6 songs on their first release way too many times this year. Phil Lynott lives!

Crystal Stilts: Crystal Stilts (Woodsist)
I like this creepy Brooklyn band's self-titled EP a bit more than their Alight of Night LP. It's just the right amount of songs. Whenever I hear this EP, it makes me want to make music like this. It seems so easy.

Hear, O Israel: A Prayer Ceremony in Jazz (Trunk Records)
How this recording came to be I will never know. Herbie Hancock, Grady Tate, Ron Carter and others perform a Sabbath prayer concert written by 17 year old Jonathan Klein for his synogogue in 1968. Maybe it is best not to ask why, just to enjoy the sounds.

Atlas Sound: Let the Blind Lead..... (Kranky Records)
Creepy techno bedroom recordings from Deerhunter's Bradford Cox, and you can dance to it!

Relatively Clean Rivers: Relatively Clean Rivers (Phoenix Records)
The description of this lost early 70's west coast trip referenced both the Grateful Dead and the Velvet Undergound. I didn't believe it to be possible, but this might be the long lost love-child of those two groups.

Vivian Girls: Vivian Girls (In The Red)
I'm a little biased on this one since I used to go to garage sales with one of the members. It's a little uneven, but this is another one of those albums that I wish I could have made.

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