Staff Picks: All Time Top Vinyl & What I’m Listening To This Week

To give you, our customers, the chance to get to know the team behind eil.com, we like to let show you what we are about and what we have been listening to lately. This week is a member of our stock addition team, JP.

What are your top five albums of all time?

Asking this is one of the most difficult things to think about, my tastes have changed so much over the years.

Iron Maiden – Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Alter Bridge – One Day Remains
Bruce Dickinson – Balls To Picasso
Genesis – Selling England By The Pound
Black Sabbath  – Never Say Die

No matter how embarrassing, what was the first piece of music you bought?

The Bangles – Different Light. Not embarrassed at all, was a time in my life when I was seeking out different types of music, was an album I really liked and do still play, usually on a Manic Monday!

What have you been listening to this week?

AC/DC (R.I.P. Malcolm Young)
Alter Bridge – One Day Remains
Iron Maiden – Book Of Souls Live Chapter
Greta Van Fleet – From The Fires
Opeth – Sorceress
Queen – Sheer Heart Attack
Rush – 2112
Sons Of Apollo – Psychotic Symphony
The Wayward Sons – Ghost Of Yet To Come
Wolf Alice – Visions Of A Life
Big Jesus – Oneiric
Bruce Dickinson – Balls To Picasso
Jean-Micheal Jarre – The Oxygene Trilogy
Evanescence – Synthesis
Gustav Holst – The Planets (yes really)

What album would you recommend customers check out if they haven’t heard it before?

Status Quo – Piledriver.

This is where the ‘Quo’ sound started fully. Their fifth studio album released in 1972. It was the first to be produced by the group themselves, and their first on the Vertigo label after their departure from Pye Records, and only on the swirl design.

The album’s only single, “Paper Plane” (by Francis Rossi and Bob Young), with the B-side “Softer Ride” (written by Rick Parfitt and Alan Lancaster), was to become the first in a sequence of thirty-three Top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart when it peaked at #8 after its release in November 1972. The B-side would later be incorporated into the band’s following album, Hello!, released the following year. Also includes a fantastic version of the Doors song “Roadhouse Blues”.

The album itself was released in December the same year, and reached the highest position of #5 in the UK charts, spending 37 weeks there.

What are the top five gigs you have attended?

Alter Bridge Royal Albert Hall, London, October 2, 2017.

The first time I had got to see this group and the first time at the Royal Albert Hall. Seeing a rock group perform with a 52 piece symphonic orchestra was just something very special, sound was amazing, venue was spectacular. Was just the perfect show and one I will never forget.

AC/DC Carling Apollo Hammersmith, London – October 21, 2003.

As part of the reopening of Hammersmith, there were a load of special shows lined up. I had already purchased tickets to see The Darkness, then I was lucky enough to win tickets to see AC/DC. The band hadn’t played for a while so was a bit rusty, however very loud and brilliant. The following night at the same venue I attended the Darkness.

Iron Maiden at Earls Court, London, England, December 22, 2006.

One of the most eventful shows I have ever been to. The band played their then new album A Matter Of Life Or Death, in full, however midway through the power cable blew up meaning the band had to stop until it was repaired, leaving the crowd singing happy birthday to one of the band along with an impromptu kick around of a football (beach ball I think).

Status Quo at Rochester Castle, Rochester, England, July 13 2016.

Although the band were missing Rick Parfitt, the show was great, and probably the most local show I have ever been to, the castle was lit up and gave a fantastic backdrop.

Muse at Earls Court, London, England, December 2004.

This group really do put on a great show, huge screen with large dancing robots, lasers and big balloons. 

If you could take home one item we have in stock today, what would it be and why?

Not sure there is one, but the item I regret not buying would have been a fully signed Iron Maiden Seventh Son LP.  I collect signed items, so also having an original Quo album signed by an original member would be brilliant.

 

Finally, does music really sound better on vinyl?

Having owned vinyl, cassette, CDs and Minidiscs along with playing digital format files, I would have to say yes, vinyl does sound better. There is just something about the warmth of the sound. Obviously for convince CD’s became the format of my choice, which being a collector I regret.

eil.com… the world’s best online store for rare, collectable and out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987

Shop for these and other rare vinyl records on RareVinyl.com
Got vinyl records or a Record Collection to sell? Sell to Vinyl-Wanted.com

Be the first to comment

We want your comments please!