Late last year my dad went to a garage sale on the East Coast, and they had a bunch of Grateful Dead records among others. The guy said he had to buy the whole lot - somewhere around 100 records, so he did and then shipped them out to me as a Christmas present. While there was a lot of good stuff included, this one is the best of the bunch. And a gift that keeps on giving.
A little weird playing catch-up the day after, but this album isn’t typical festive fare. One more spin before I tuck the Christmas records away for the year.
Day 26: Boxing Day
Play a record gifted to you that you're thankful to own
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O.
This was a Secret Santa gift from @Skalap. Thanks again!
Also, I spent two years living in Argentina right when the Iraq war started, and yanqui is what they call Americans there, so the fact that right when this album came out I had random people in the street screaming at me, the nearest yanqui, every day for starting a war makes it all the more special.
The only record my wife has gifted me...She knew I didn't have it - and at the time - I wouldn't have bought it for myself since it was pretty expensive. (using old pics since I just woke up from napping and don't really feel like getting the thing out - it is a PITA) - I am listening to the Hi Rez audio from the USB, though.
Trent Reznor / Atticus Ross – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo The Null Corporation – NULL 002, 2012
6LP Box Set and a USB drive contains the full album in high-fidelity 96k audio
Signed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Limited/Numbered to 3000, #560
With JD fans, Martin Zero Hannett can be a divisive person. Did he totally strip the band of the raw punk sound or did he discover the diamond that was inside Warsaw? Either way, I think he helped made some incredible sounds.
Day 27: Production - Play an album with a great producer.
Jay-Z - The Blueprint
The production on this album is a big part of what makes it so great. Young up and coming producers (and now all time greats) Kanye West and Just Blaze broke through on this album and there are some great songs from well known producers Timbaland and Eminem as well. This is the first album that comes to mind when I think great production.
Shannon Shaw "Shannon In Nashville" (2018 Easy Eye Sound)
Dan Auerbach has been making a name for himself with capturing that vintage production sound. Pairing Shannon Shaw with veteran studio musicians that have played with the likes of Elvis, Aretha and Neil Diamond was inspired. Takes guts to riff your album title off of a classic like "Dusty in Memphis". But it's earned in my opinion. The album has that timeless pop quality and I've been coming back to it.