Cal Tjader Sounds out Burt Bacharach

 This was the first record I put on my Sony PS-LX250H after I replaced the stylus and the belt. 

 Ok, I was going to paste a picture of the record, but since I have to sign away the legal rights to my left nut to do so these days, just forget it. EDIT: Screw it, I'm not going to have anymore kids anyway, so here:

 

Here's a lovely link to it on discogs instead (as well): https://www.discogs.com/release/6472286-Cal-Tjader-Cal-Tjader-Sounds-Out-Burt-Bacharach

I found my copy for $6 at a used record store in Chicago It was in 2016, according to the sticker.  So happy anniversary, Cal!

 Anyway, I found this record player in 2018 or thereabouts dumped at an electronics recycling center and I decided to see if I could fix it. Turns out the belt just fell off and needed to be put back on, which took all of five minutes. I used is as-is for 8 years before I decided to replace the stylus (you MUST use the AT3600L!!!!) and the belt, even though it was mostly working fine. But, I had started to hear some degradation in the sound, so decided to replace the needle and what the hell, let's do the belt too. It really did make a difference. I should have taken a before and after picture, as the old belt was actually pretty stretched out, but it was still working. Not bad for 20 years of use. This record player is a real workhorse though, and it deserves a few perks now and then, so I hope in some weird, mechanical way, I've made it happy. It makes me happy every time I use it. 

 When I got this, I gave my old turntable to my Dad to replace his from the 60s that was just shot. It was nice though, a real wood case and everything. I should have kept it and just replaced the guts. Anyway, now I want to fix up that one too, even though he's gone now and not many people listen to his records (plus I've been pilfering all the good ones), but at this point, I think every record player deserves a chance. And that one is in rough shape. I'd love to bring it back to its former glory, so someone who appreciates his 30s-40s swing and jazz can play them. I'll post a picture of it the next time I'm there. There's also an all-in-one that belonged to my Aunt that's still kicking. 

Here's mine, basking in it's new hi-fi glory:

 

Hey! I didn't see you there for 10+ years! How have you been?

 Ok, before you start on me, I've been busy. Seriously, there was so much going on over the past 12 years you wouldn't even believe it. I can't believe the worst thing I could find to complain about 20 years ago was TV advertising. Oh how I wish I was back in those simple times, watching Sean Penn try to save his own ass by selling out Carlito. "Dave, you ain't no tough guy, and you can't start late". Or something like that. Everything now is unstable, rudderless and all around dreadful. We are ruled by stupid, selfish, violent thugs and their "religious" handlers. Everything we thought was protecting us has been uprooted by the lowest, greediest pig-people this country has ever produced. But, I digress.

Time really did just get away from me and I completely forgot about writing my meandering thoughts onto this blog. I also never did produce any more films and if you look at my old youtube link, there's some cartoon shit I made, probably drunk or on a train, or both. I also moved far away from Francisco, crushing once and for all the possibility of a reunion project. There doesn't seem to be much point in it all anyway at this point. I always thought the world would end in nuclear bombs or natural devastation, not with everyone just quietly accepting their rights and way of life being swept away by a degenerate coward and his troglodyte army. Must be how the British in Singapore felt as the Japanese broke down their fortifications in a day. Hopefully sanity and rationality will recover and push back in the same way. 

On a happy note, I just put a new stylus and belt on my record player, so let the sounds of Cal Tjader blast forth!