November 2020 Challenge Thread: The End Is Near

Day 2: Anticipation
It's Election Day in the US tomorrow. Feeling excited, hopeful, scared, all of the above? Play an album that reflects your mood.

Tonight The Fat Bastard flew into a small airport 8 miles from my house and held one of his cult superspreader events.

As I saw the cars with all the Drumph paraphernalia I had one specific version of this song pop in my head and it's been there all day.

Actually, it's been there 4 years...



Various Artists - Virus 100 A Tribute To The Dead Kennedys

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Hey all,

I'll be your host for the November challenge! It's a big month - we start things off with the US presidential election and end with the start of the holiday season. If you've never participated in one of these before, I invite you to give it a go - the more participants we have, the more cool stuff we get to see. Similarly, if you lurk but don't post (we always seem to have a ton of guests online?), this is your "in" - join the community and show off your collection!

The Rules
These are pretty much the same as always:
  • For a given day, pick something that hasn't been played yet.
  • Any type of media is fair game.
  • Try not to post early, and if you get behind, feel free to catch up!
  • If you can't fit the theme, just make something up :D
The Themes

Day 1: Dia de los Muertos
Play an album by a deceased artist, and importantly, choose the picture you'd put on their ofrenda.

Day 2: Anticipation
It's Election Day in the US tomorrow. Feeling excited, hopeful, scared, all of the above? Play an album that reflects your mood.

Day 3: Election Day 🇺🇸
Play an album that's quintessentially American.

Day 4: The Aftermath
The election may or may not be decided. Either way, again, play an album that reflects your mood.

Day 5: Guy Fawkes Day
Play an album by a revolutionary artist.

Day 6: Adolphe Sax's Birthday
Play an album that features the saxophone.

Day 7: Midwest Represent
Play an album from an act that originated in one of the midwestern US states.

Day 8: Sound-Track Sunday
Play an album that that includes a track that's prominently featured in a film soundtrack.

Day 9: Great Lyrics
Play an album that's notable for its great lyrics.

Day 10: And Now for Something Completely Different...Pt. II
This a continuation of @Gavaxeman 's theme from September. Pick an album and show off some memorabilia related to it!

Day 11: Veteran's Day
If you know a veteran, play an album in their honor. Or, play an album from an artist who served.

Day 12: Still Fresh
Play an album that came out this year.

Day 13: World Kindness Day
Play an album from an artist known for their kindness/generosity. Bonus points if they've been kind to you personally.

Day 14: Every Other Day Is A-hole Day?
If there's a special kindness day, I guess that means every other day is asshole day. Play something from a noted asshole. Bonus points if they've been an asshole to you personally 😂.

Day 15: Clean Out Your Fridge Day
Play something that'd get you motivated for the task. Also, major bonus points if you actually do clean out your fridge (pics or it didn't happen).

Day 16: They're Huge Where I'm From
Play an act that was/is huge in your hometown, or specifically with your group of friends, or just with you - but that really hasn't been as big in the greater musical world.

Day 17: Surprising Cover Song
Play an album that features a cover - one that's a really surprising choice for the artist.

Day 18: I Miss Live Music...Pt. II
A continuation of @TenderLovingKiller® 's theme from last month. Play an album from an act you've seen live, and post pics if you've got em.

Day 19: A Big Production
Play an album that was produced by a big name producer.

Day 20: Mature You
Play an album that younger you would never imagine you enjoying.

Day 21: Younger You
Now, play an album that younger you is responsible for.

Day 22: PIFsgiving Prep
Find an album that doesn't get many spins. Play it. If it hits the spot, great! If it doesn't, and you so choose, head on over to the PIF thread and send it to a new home.

Day 23: A Classic Monday
Play a classical music LP. Don't have one? Play an undisputed classic.

Day 24: Changing Weather
Play something appropriate for the changing weather in your part of the world (colder for some, warmer for others).

Day 25: Turkey Bowl
Play something that'd be a great soundtrack to playing a game with friends (this could be any sport or a board game if sports aren't your thing).

Day 26: Thanksgiving
What are you thankful for? Express it with music.

Day 27: Black Friday
Play something you got in a Black Friday sale or for Black Friday RSD.

Day 28: Christmastime
Okay, you're in the clear, it's that time of year - play a Christmas album.

Day 29: Treat Yo'self
A lot's happened this month, and you just made it through the holidays in a pandemic. Play something just for you, even if it annoys those around you.

Day 30: One Month To Go
Play an album that's helped you get through 2020.
OK, here's day 2 with the election anticipation record. One of the things that happens when you collect vinyl is that you get contacted by friends who want their old record collections cleared out. I had such a case recently where I managed to re-distribute a lot of things ( you can't keep all of it!) but I did hang on to this sleeveless and rather beaten up copy of David Live, which I'm playing this morning starting with side two, which opens with a wonderfully elegant version of Changes..
 

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Day 1: Dia de los Muertos

Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else (Blue Note, 2016 Deagostini Pressing)


I forgot to post this here yesterday despite playing it and finding this fantastic photo of Cannonball (who was originally nicknamed Cannibal for his appetite) cooking up a carbonara.

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Day 2: Anticipation

Sons Of Kemet ‎– Your Queen Is A Reptile (Impulse!, 2018 First Signed Pressing with 12"x12" Art Card)


I don't actively follow American politics, but I think we can all agree that this one will have a staggering effect on the whole world. I have mixed emotions today, so how about some killer jazz from Sons Of Kemet? I have seen these guys live multiple times and listening to this really makes me miss live music.

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Day 2: Anticipation
It's Election Day in the US tomorrow. Feeling excited, hopeful, scared, all of the above? Play an album that reflects your mood.

Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood

I personally don't feel we really have any good candidates so I'm knocking on wood hoping I'm wrong and whoever wins steps up.

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Day 2: Anticipation

I choose Jimi Hendrix's first album Are You Experienced specifically because the song Third Stone from the Sun. How much do that album and that song anticipate? It defies scientific analysis. As a died in the wool materialist, I have little respect for teleology but how else can you explain this song?

And for pre-eletion day the combination of doom, joy, thrill, fear, abandon and control is perhaps a fit.

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"So to you I shall put an end. Then you'll never hear surf music again."

If you haven't seen Bertolucci's movie The Dreamers (2003) then I recommend it. The opening credits use the song superbly.

For a video bonus, because it seems that clip from the movie is successfully blocked on Youtube, let's watch Nels Cline play the song.
 
Day 2: Anticipation

Picked this one for it's inclusion of Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come. It reminds me that while I've been waiting 4 years for change and have a unhealthy mix of optimism and dread going into tomorrow, there are a lot of folks who have been waiting for change a lot longer than me.

Aretha Franklin ~ I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

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Day 1: Dia de los Muertos
Play an album by a deceased artist, and importantly, choose the picture you'd put on their ofrenda.


Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack

I've posted before about Frightened Rabbit and the death of front-man Scott Hutchison on here. There was a weight in all of the songs lying just under the surface that emerged once you realized "shit. he was serious.". A sort of l'appel du vide that draws you into the water with him and holds you down for the duration. But, this album....this album had more "hope" than the others. I mean, there's a blatantly optimistic song of adoration on it. Though, the meaning of the song itself isn't so blatant. Unfortunately it all just ended up being the moment of peace before the storm blew everything out to sea.

Put down the bag. In the calm before the aftermath. Can we pick up all the debris of our bitter past?
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Day 2: Anticipation
It's Election Day in the US tomorrow. Feeling excited, hopeful, scared, all of the above? Play an album that reflects your mood.


Ages and Ages - Divisionary

If diversion is "an activity that diverts the mind from tedious or serious concerns; a recreation or pastime" and division is "disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility" then how I'm feeling right now is divisionary; "trying to do anything not to think about the split between the two sides of the country".

I'm 99.9% sure this album isn't about the politcal rift in the country leading to the 2020 election, but listening to the songs today I could really be convinced it was. Certain lines come at you different in times of turmoil, for instance:

So watch out for those predators
They got fear inside their hearts
They're sure to strike you from a distance
And tear your flesh apart
And then get angry
'Cause you're tracking all your blood across their floor
Well, we don't need those contradictions
Anymore


OR

I see whites in the eyes of the lawless
Creeping in through the cracks of my fence
I wanna shake 'em off, I'm gonna pay 'em their dues
'Cause after me, they're coming after you

But I don't know if I can wait till then
Where I'm at, I'm gonna be until the end
And with a little unrest, they're sure to turn around and go
'Cause they don't believe what they pretend to know


OR

Do the right thing, do the right thing
Do it all the time, do it all the time
Make yourself right, never mind them
Don't you know you're not the only one suffering

So what you're up against, all the disingenuous
They wave you along and say there's always room for us
But we know better than that to take 'em serious
Still don't let 'em make you bitter in the process


But, in the end I know there is nothing I can do at this point. So, I'm playing Watchdogs all day and waiting for my time to go to the polls and practice what's left of Democracy.

...don't let 'em make you bitter in the process.....
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this sleeveless and rather beaten up copy of David Live, which I'm playing this morning starting with side two, which opens with a wonderfully elegant version of Changes..
Did you mean Davis Live? I had no idea who David Live is, some musician I've not heard of. Later while waiting in the car with a smelly wet dog I looked again carefully at the picture and it looks like it might be Miles Davis in the picture mostly obscured by the sleeve.
 
Did you mean Davis Live? I had no idea who David Live is, some musician I've not heard of. Later while waiting in the car with a smelly wet dog I looked again carefully at the picture and it looks like it might be Miles Davis in the picture mostly obscured by the sleeve.
No. It is David Bowie, as in David Live. I kind of thought with the American election it would be pertinent to put up a UK artist who discovered a different stage of his development in the US and Side two starts with a reallz laid back version of Ch, Ch, Ch. Ch. Changes, Geddit?
 
Day 2: Anticipation
It's Election Day in the US tomorrow. Feeling excited, hopeful, scared, all of the above? Play an album that reflects your mood.
Yo La Tengo - I am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
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Our current President is an asshole and a bully. Most people don’t like assholes and bullies. We are about to repudiate him and all that he stands for.


 
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