Author Archives: tomvox1

What we’re listening to on Thanksgiving — Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by Sly & the Family Stone

Blogging could be sporadic with the upcoming Turkey Day blowout but wanted to throw this great Sly & the Family Stone tune out there for y’all because it seems just right for the occasion…

One of the last gasps from that great interracial collective before drugs destroyed the band, 1969’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” could be cited as truly revolutionary for its bass line alone. Seeming to infuse nearly every funk track to follow in the 70s, Larry Graham’s “slapping” style of percussive bass is literally the sound that launched a thousand R&B bands. And of course the pure stoned compositional genius that is Sylvester “Sly Stone” Stewart is on full display here, with enough sonic and lyrical mischief happening to bring a smile to the most jaded hipster. It may be a cliche but it happens to be true: If Prince has a musical daddy, it’s Sly Stone.

Even after a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, when you hear “Thank You” you’ll wanna shake it to the groove. So let’s take a moment to give thanks for great music and great food. And especially to the great friends & family who so importantly let us be ourselves–Thank You!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ptrc2cWRxU

Thoughts on the astounding results from Christie’s Rolex Daytona “Lesson One” Auction

Like many vintage Rolex enthusiasts, it’s taken me some time to fully digest the incredibly high results from Christie’s November 10th auction, “Rolex Daytona ‘Lesson One’: 50 exceptional examples of the world’s most celebrated chronograph wristwatch”, held in Geneva. When I say incredible, I mean it literally: the prices achieved by the majority of these Cosmographs really did defy belief. Some examples…

Right out of the chute, Lot 1’s lovely pump pusher 6239 with Underline and double-SWISS markings and slightly “Tropical” brown sub registers hammered for $296,250.

Lot 1, ref. 6239

Previously, I would have said that the estimate of $44-$88k was spot on with $88k being very ambitious.

Continue reading →

What we’re listening to today – Ode to Sad Disco by Mark Lanegan Band

Of the Big Four megabands to emerge from the Seattle grunge explosion of the early 90s, the one that stayed below the radar the most is Screaming Trees. Everyone knows Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. But for many, the more psychedelically inclined ‘Trees have been somewhat forgotten as the years have passed. And that’s a shame. Because not only were the Screaming Trees very often the best of those four bands in purely musical and creative terms but their lead vocalist, Mark Lanegan, was arguably the second best behind the superhuman lungs of Chris Cornell. And really “best” is a massively subjective term to apply in this instance because it assumes we are judging all vocalists by the same measure. If Rock ‘n Roll has taught us anything it’s that the guy with the rough hewn, damaged and soulful sound can trump the fellow with the operatic range. The epically beautiful “Ode to Sad Disco” from the most recent Mark Lanegan Band album, Blues Funeral, is another strong performance in favor of that argument.

So, equally mystifying to me, is why Lanegan remains a fairly subdued commerical force in his many years as a solo act. Continue reading →

Something special: A Chocolate Rolex GMT-Master

Every once in a while, you come across a watch that really gets your juices flowing, just like when you started out and everything was new and fresh. A special piece is exciting to find in the wild and it’s one of the thrills of the hunt when you bag one. I should add here that I am often excited about a lot of different watches I come across because, well, I’m a shamelessly promiscuous watchaholic. But there are flings and then there are the love affairs that last. And for a guy like me who has always had a special place in his heart for the classic Rolex reference 1675 GMT-Master, this one really put a charge in me.

1675GMTChoco-8_edited-3

Do not adjust your monitor–that dial really is that brown. A deep, dark chocolate brown in fact. Now, we know that the early meters-first matte dials for the Red Submariners are famous for their tendency to turn a pleasing “Tropical” brown. But for whatever reason, we see this less on the first series of GMT matte dials. It’s not unheard of, of course, I’ve seen it a few times prior. But it definitely seems more unusual. And to find a dial like this one that is evenly toned and essentially flawless is really a rare thing…

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tomvox1’s watches for sale — November Selection

MFL is proud to present links to tomvox1’s ads for vintage watches. These are sales posts you might otherwise have to search the web for or miss entirely before they are sold. These watches are eclectic, cover a wide range of price points and offer the discerning gentleman the opportunity to acquire quality vintage timepieces that are guaranteed to be authentic and add penache & elan to a man’s wrist & wardrobe.  Most of all, they are backed by one of the world’s foremost collectors and always certain to be accurately and lovingly described down to the last detail. Simply put, you can buy a watch from some other random seller on the Internet with a lot of vague claims and small pictures or you can buy a tomvox1 watch and know exactly what you’re getting before you make the leap.

Elegant 1960s IWC caliber 8531 Automatic Date model with Double-signed Türler dial–Click here for the complete Timezone Sales Coner ad: SOLD

IWC cal. 8531 Türler Dial

IWC cal. 8531 Türler Dial

Rare Vintage 1930s Platinum Hamilton Rutledge–Click here for the complete Timezone Sales Corner Ad: SOLD

Hamilton Rutledge

Hamilton Rutledge

Vintage 1970s Aquadive 20 ATM Diver w/ Beautiful “Deep Blue” Dial–Click here for the complete Timezone Sales Corner ad: SOLD

Aquadive 20 ATM "Deep Blue" Diver

Aquadive 20 ATM “Deep Blue” Diver

 

Coming soon to hot, hot Gowanus — Royal Palms Shuffleboard Parlor

ShuffleBoard

Hoping to do for that great geriatric staple shuffleboard what The Gutter & Brooklyn Bowl have done for bowling (i.e. make the square crazy happening), some hip young entrepreneurs are opening up The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Parlor smack dab in the middle of the former wasteland known as Gowanus, at 514 Union between Nevins and 3rd Ave. After an epic fight to get their liquor license, this festive beer, wine & cocktail-serving Tang & Biscuits emporium (those last two ain’t food–it’s what the cognoscenti call the stick & the puck) is set to soft-open in early December according to the latest buzz and should be drawing a healthy portion of the bearded set by the Holidays.

There will be a whopping 10 regulation-sized shuffleboard courts inside the massive 17,000 square foot space and gourmet food trucks outside to restore vigor to the competitors. And Royal Palms takes their avocation seriously: shuffleboarders (real word? it is now) will have the options of league play, competitive tourneys featuring ranked players or simple pick up games among friends, as well as private parties. All this exuberant high life amidst the spirited competition, swinging music and cocktails is bound to lead to the bonhomie that I’m told only good, honest shuffleboard can produce… as well as lowering the median age for its players by around 35 years. So be sure to check it out when they get the biscuits flying and chalk me up for 10 frames at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club! If it’s anything like pool, I’ll get better the more beer I have.

What we’re listening to today — Dondante by My Morning Jacket

Before there was Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes, there was My Morning Jacket. Hailing from Kentucky and dedicated to pushing their unique brand of alt-country rock to the very edge, the two things you can say about MMJ are: 1) You can never be quite sure what they’re going to try and pull off next and 2) These guys can fucking play. Check out this live version of “Dondante” and see if you don’t agree:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNfldEgE8nY

With nine albums under their belt since 1999, My Morning Jacket are as prolific as they are unwilling to be neatly categorized. Country-indie? The new Wilco? Way too easy and pat. But you can safely say that they’re their own men and follow their own vision even if it’s not guaranteed to make them rich. In short, they’re artists. Artists who have toured like maniacs and always put on a killer live show, as 2006’s double album Okonokos (and the fantastic corresponding concert film) prove so well. While you may occasionally fear for the health of lead vocalist Jim James’ throat at times with his wildly committed delivery, there’s no denying that My Morning Jacket make a lasting impression that lingers long after the shouting is over.

What we’re listening to today — Lonely Lover by Marvin Gaye

With mourning for the late, great Lou Reed subsiding, it’s time to get back to posting music. And what better way to get back on the horse (if you’ll pardon the expression, Lou) than a little something by The Master, Marvin Gaye:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-n5nsv9M_s

This little known track was recorded in the mid-1960s but was only released in the mid-80s in the wake of Marvin’s tragic death. It’s a classic Holland-Dozier-Holland composition with sophisticated chord progressions and a great vehicle for a supple vocalist, with a lot of opportunities for heartfelt melismas. Marvin’s always cool, always emotional voice hit it just right.

But like a lot of classic tunes in the Motown era it was also recorded by other artists pretty much simultaneously and even on different labels. The forgotten Jimmy McFarland’s version for tiny RPR records is also very good with a quicker tempo and very pleasing to the ear, if not quite the amazing vocal quality that made Marvin Gaye the Master.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpYP3RfK6_I

And Gaye’s fellow Motown stablemates the Four Tops also cut a nicely overwrought, heavily soulful version:

One great song, 3 killer versions. Call it a Friday bonus after a sad week for music.

 

RIP Lou Reed, 1942-2013

Just learned of the passing of the ultimate rock iconoclast, Lou Reed, and here is an excellent obit from Jon Dolan at Rolling Stone. Between The Velvet Underground and his solo work, there are really no words to describe his impact on the alternative rock scene. But these tunes begin to scratch the surface:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffr0opfm6I4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugY9CwhfzE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4avM0qzEF5I

One could say it was too soon to go at 71 but he packed a lot of hard living and a helluva lot of art into those years. Really, who would have thought he’d survive this long? And what he left behind as his legacy sure ain’t too bad for a punk kid from Brooklyn who couldn’t hit it sideways…

 

What we’re listening to today – The Jean Genie by David Bowie

Certain songs sound as fresh today as they did when they were released, no matter how many times you’ve heard them through the years. Peak Bowie produced a lot of those timeless tunes with “The Jean Genie” from 1973’s Aladdin Sane being a fine exemplar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGQo6zpVzt8

Featuring Bowie at the peak of his lyrical and musical powers and with a protagonist inspired by equal parts Iggy Pop and Jean Genet (yes, there was a time when rock was that openly arty), “The Jean Genie” is an inspired free associative rumination on America and a thumpingly good rock raver. Some things just get better with age and this sounds even better to me now than when I first heard it growing up (is that a comment on the uninspired nature of much of today’s rock?). And while Bowie definitely peaked a long time ago, at least he left his 70s oeuvre to stake his claim as one of the all-time greats. His flamboyant Ziggy persona has long been retired but the high flying music of that period remains as preternaturally youthful as Dorian Gray.