Music I'm Kind Of Embarrassed To Admit That I Kind Of Like

A few days ago I picked up about 20 albums from the $1 bins at a used record store nearby.  I love buying $1 albums; as long as the vinyl is in halfway decent shape I'll grab anything that looks even slightly interesting.  Often I'll pick up albums by groups that I've heard of but don't know much about, or even albums by groups that I don't particularly like but that might be amusing to listen to once before I donate it to the local PTA thrift store.  And finally, I like finding $1 albums by groups that I would be embarrassed to admit that I own, but that I secretly kind of like.  Case in point:

Ah, yes, The New Christy Minstrels.  Formed by singer/songwriter Randy Sparks in 1961, The New Christy Minstrels were huge during the early 1960s, singing string-drenched, four-part harmony covers of pop and folk songs, along with a few original numbers written by Sparks and other members of the group.  They toured extensively, were all over TV, and sold millions of albums.  And while most of the 10-14 members (at any one time) were unknown, a number went on to very successful careers as solo acts or with other groups, including Barry McGuire, Jerry Yester (The Lovin' Spoonful), Gene Clark (The Byrds), Kenny Rogers (The First Edition), and Kim Carnes.  Amazingly enough, the group still exists and continues to perform today.

That's Randy Sparks in the middle. And yes, they
actually won a Grammy for their debut album in 1962.

The New Christy Minstrels are a perfect example of a group whose albums I ordinarily would never buy, and whose name I would never mention in hip company, but will gladly pick up for a buck.  I mean, just look at that cover (above) - that's worth a dollar all by itself.  And to top if off, the copy I found is an original 1966 Columbia Records two-eye pressing in Near Mint condition.  The sound is fabulous, which is not surprising, since in my view, Columbia two-eye pressings (1962-1970) are some of the best-sounding audio recordings of all time.  It's nearly impossible to find a badly-recorded or badly-pressed Columbia album from this period.  In general, the 1960s were the golden age of LPs, when the major labels like Columbia pressed tens of millions of albums per year.  Columbia's engineers and production teams were some of the best in the business, and their pressing plants turned out flawless disks.  In case you don't know what a "two-eye" pressing is, here's a photo of the label from New Kick!

Two-eye refers to the two "walking eye" CBS logos on either side of the spindle hole.  From 1956-1962, Columbia had "six-eye" labels like so:

Six-eyes are likewise uniformly great-sounding records.  I'll often pick up six-eye titles in good condition even if I don't know anything about the recording.

Beginning in 1970, Columbia changed to the familiar red label with a repeating orange ring that has six "Columbias" and six "walking eyes" around the outside.  Back to the future.

But I digress.  The point I was making was that despite being a serious and totally hip record collector, I have a soft spot for schmaltzy music, including soft rock, light jazz, progressive rock, and even the occasional easy-listening gem.  However I draw the line at Montovani and Kenny G.  And Merlot.  "If anyone orders Merlot I'm leaving.  I am not drinking any freaking Merlot!"  [Great quote from the very funny movie Sideways.]

Examples of the soft rock/easy listening/light jazz that I will reluctantly admit to kind of liking are performers such as The Carpenters, The Baja Marimba Band, The Moody Blues, Renaissance, Claude Bolling, Jonah Jones, and Charlie Byrd.  

Don't judge me too harshly.  I listen to a lot of music, and about 95% of it is serious rock or jazz.  But every so often (preferably when no one is looking) I will slip on some lightly-Latin jazz by Baja Marimba, or maybe some of Claude Bolling's feel-good classical-jazz, or even a shot of some Mellotron-infused prog rock by the Moody Blues.  For one thing, it makes a nice change of pace from serious music, since it doesn't require you to pay a lot of attention.  When I put on Miles Davis or Dexter Gordon, I like to sit down with the liner notes in hand and focus on the music, marveling at the brilliant solos, appreciating the interaction of the players.  Same thing with The Beatles.  If I'm distracting by checking my text messages instead of paying attention to Lennon and McCartney's genius lyrics or Ringo's amazing drum fills, I feel like I'm not showing the proper respect and appreciation for the music.

The New Christy Minstrels, on the others hand, are perfect for checking text messages.  Or reading the paper or taking out the trash.  I don't feel the least bit guilty if I'm not paying close attention while The Minstrels do their dirge-like reading of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" or zip through a high-speed version of "Blowin' In The Wind."  And don't get me started on the intricate male harmonies on "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'."  But the real appeal of The Minstrels is that their music is so bad, it's actually good, in a weird kind of way.  In addition, if you put on some Beach Boys or Bill Evans after listening to The Minstrels, it helps you realize that Brian Wilson and Bill Evans really were geniuses. 

Even so, I still feel a little sheepish buying a New Christy Minstrels or Baja Marimba album - like maybe the record store guy is thinking -- really, dude?  Although, to be honest, I suspect most record store clerks have no idea who The Baja Marimba Band or The New Christy Minstrels are.  But I know, and I have my reputation to think of.  So I'll usually slip The Minstrels into a pile of very serious bebop titles and hope the clerk doesn't notice.

In the end, I think it's best for all concerned if we just agree not to judge people based on their musical tastes.  After all, I know otherwise intelligent and rational people who listen to rap, metal, electronic, German lieder, and Zamfir, for god's sake.  I even know a few truly misguided souls who don't like jazz.  And that's perfectly fine.  (Which is to say, fine, but really, really disturbing.)  People should listen to whatever they like, particularly if they are wearing headphones, or in the privacy of their own homes.  Which is where, from time to time, you might catch me listening to Jonah Jones's happy horn, the soothing strains of Charlie Byrd's guitar, or The New Christy Minstrel's totally groovy version of "Homeward Bound."

Enjoy the music!