2022 Recap - A Boy Alone, And So Far From Home

2022 has been, in short, a whirlwind of a year. I have grown more in this one year than any other previous year. Not just as a collector, but also professionally and mentally. I moved to Austin in January not really sure what to expect. The following 3 months, unbeknownst to me, set me up for my foreseeable future; a new town (and state), new friends, fresh experiences, and plenty of room for growth. I can't begin to describe what it all means to me, but I am very grateful to be here, surrounded by the most incredible people I have gotten the pleasure to know.

Enough of the sappy and reflective talk - I want to discuss the 20 albums that made my year as a collector memorable. 2022 is by far my most significant year as a record collector and music lover. The quality of records that I come across on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis is nothing to scoff at. It is a true test of personal control and financial restraint. Below is a list and short write up of each of my Top 10 finds, as well as my Top 10 Honorable Mentions. Grab a cup of coffee, drop the needle, and read along!

Top 10 Record Find of 2022:

The Replacements, Let It Be (OG 1984 US, Twin/Tone)

The Replacements' Let It Be is an album that is near and dear to me. I first became fascinated with the Minnesota punks in college. I came across Pleased to Meet Me and fell in love with Paul Westerberg's lyrics and voice. Popular tracks such as "Skyway" and "Can't Hardly Wait" initiated a deep dive. I knew a local bar had the Let It Be album on their jukebox, so I went in and played it in full while playing pool by myself. It was a chilly and dreary night, which made the experience that much more special. I walked out of the bar with a new perspective on the band. Absent was the more commercial and radio friendly sound associated with the Sire years. Instead, the Twin Tone independent release presented a much more brash and punky piece of art. The obvious standouts of "Unsatisfied" and "Androgynous" received their fair share of popularity, but for the most part, this still exists as their last true punk/post-punk record. An album that will stand the test of time. I found a very cheap (and likely mis-priced) copy at Antone's Record Shop in February. I had been looking for an original copy for about a year; I got lucky and found one that looks like it had hardly been played. I'm doing my part and playing it, loud, as the 'Mats intended.

Townes Van Zandt, Our Mother The Mountain (OG 1969 US, Poppy)

Need I say anything more about Townes? Over the course of this year I have been diving head first into his troubled brilliancy. Townes struggled with many addictions and lived a hard life, which contributed to his early passing. The genius behind his art lives on forever, however. I was particularly struck with his album Our Mother The Mountain from 1969. Something about the vulnerability and quietness of the record spoke to me. I jumped on my chance to buy an original pressing when I found one at End of an Ear in early December.

Hank Mobley, No Room For Squares (OG 1964 US Mono, Blue Note)

Hank Mobley is one of my favorite artists to have recorded with Blue Note. I find his work the most engaging and interesting. Some people may think the opposite about him, but it all boils down to personal preference in the end. This classic from 1964 is one of his best contributions to the label, and one of my favorite Blue Note releases. I found a very beat copy at ZZZ Records in Des Moines, Iowa in April. The asking price was a very small fraction of the market value, so of course I caved. For the age and condition, it plays much better than one would assume. A perfect player copy of an otherwise unobtainable album.

Gerry Mulligan, Night Lights(1983 Japanese Stereo, Phillips)

Another personal favorite jazz album of mine. The "Cool Jazz" classic by Gerry Mulligan relaxes me and allows me to escape to a perfect world about 30 minutes. I imagine driving alone in a quiet and dark city, roads only illuminated by sparse street lighting. I had been searching for a copy, but the prices on this one are a bit steep for me. I also had never seen it for sale in person. I finally found this 1983 Japanese reissue at Antone's Record Shop in January. This particularly copy belonged to a local radio DJ. He had quite the legacy - I feel honored to have it in my personal collection now, where it will stay for good.

13th Floor Elevators, Easter Everywhere (OG 1967 US Stereo, International Artists)

Perhaps another case of a mis-priced, or under priced album? I stumbled upon this otherwise too expensive LP at Waterloo Records in November. I first listened to the 13th Floor Elevators in 2015, at which point I developed an immediate fascination. The reverberation, alien-like sounds, and Roky Erickson made this band easy to love. This Sophomore album is a stone cold classic. It was priced low due to wear to the record - it plays with clicks and pops, but is very listenable and enjoyable. The cover is in nearly perfect condition, too. I think I got lucky with the price I paid (nearly 1/10th of its "value").

Jimi Hendrix, Davenport, Iowa 1968 (Unofficial US)

What more can I say? Jimi Hendrix. Live in Iowa. His only time. Ever. It is a bootleg, so the sound quality is poor, but the recording was captured on a small recorder in the first place. I found this at Antone's Record Shop in January. It was my first purchase in Austin. Seems a bit full circle to me.

Freda and the Firedogs, Live From The Old Soap Creek Saloon (OG 1979 US, Big Wheel)

A lucky grab from Waterloo Records in September. This fabled local Austin release is a time capsule. The history behind this record goes beyond my time in Austin; many of my local friends have provided me with tidbits of information about this live recording, which make it that much more special to me. Recorded live from the Old Soap Creek Saloon, which was a well known gathering place famous for legendary nights of music and fun. Included is an appearance by Doug Sahm on his tune "Texas Me." On the back of the jacket is the inscription B.Smith, which I take to be Bobby Earl Smith, one of the musicians and producers. I assume this was from his personal collection, but I have no way of confirming that. Very special record nonetheless.

Tom & Lincoln, Tom & Lincoln (OG 1970 US, Petrucci & Atwell)

An obscure lesson in loner folk from Boston, MA. This 1970 release does not have much information available. Lincoln Clapp went on to engineer/produce some records later in his life, but little else is known. The Petrucci & Atwell studio did eventually become the studio where Aerosmith recorded their early albums, which is an odd, but interesting, piece of history. I found this copy at RPM in Des Moines, Iowa in April. I had been drooling over it for months - happy that I finally buckled in and bought it. I haven't seen a copy for sale since.

The Gun Club, Fire Of Love (2nd 1981 US, Ruby)

The Gun Club is another band that I was turned onto by a friend in college. They are a pivotal band in the post-punk, gothic/blues rock, psychobilly scene. They are associated with 45 Grave and The Cramps; Jack White has stated that their sound was highly influential to The White Stripes. This specific pressing is the second, due to the yellow detail on the cover as opposed to the original green. I found this one at Waterloo Records in March, shortly after the conclusion of SXSW. The record became my coping mechanism for the post-event blues.

Albert King, Born Under A Bad Sign (OG 1967 Monarch Stereo US, Stax)

Albert King is a god. Plain and simple. I had been on the hunt for anything Stax when I found this heater at End of an Ear in February. I believed that I would never find this for a price I was willing to pay, but they priced it low due to it being "rough." I gave it listen, and it did not sound that "rough," so I quickly grabbed it from the bin. Not to mention the nearly perfect jacket - certainly the best looking jacket I have seen. Hardly any ring wear, and it has very sharp corners. In my opinion, this album deserves to have wear, though. One of my favorite blues albums of all time; I will be keeping this in my collection and plan to break the copy in.

Top 10 Honorable Mentions of 2022:

1. John Prine, John Prine (1975 US, Atlantic)

2. Miles Davis, Kind Of Blue (RE 1960 6-Eye Stereo US, Columbia)

3. Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers, S/T (First 1958 Mono US, Blue Note)

4. Ramones, Ramones (OG 1976 US, Sire)

5. The Meters, Rejuvenation (OG 1974 US Promo, Reprise)

6. Jane's Addiction, Ritual De Lo Habitual (OG 1990 US, Warner Bros)

7. Black Flag, Slip It In (OG 1984 US, SST)

8. Mirage, Out Of Luck, Out Of Money (Iowa Private Press 1979, Stallion)

9. New Breed, The Many Mood Of (Private Press 1972 US, New Breed Records)

10. Celebration, Ready Or Not (Kansas Private Press 1980, Apogee)