jon lord

Part 83: Discounts

This topic was suggested by Mr. Craig Fee of 107.5 Dave FM.  He wanted to know about discounts in the record store days.   So here goes!

RECORD STORE TALES PART 83:  Discounts

Yeah yeah, I know I know.  I know the story.  You’re a DJ.  Or, the owner usually gives you a discount.  Or, the “other guy” usually haggles with you.  Or, you’re senior and you get a discount at McDonalds.  Blah blah blah blah.

So we kind of had this set deal in place, a frequent buyer card.  Buy “x” get 1 free within certain parameters.  It actually worked out to be a really good deal, if you bought low and redeemed high.  However people usually wanted a discount instead of that.  (Occassionally, a guy would DEMAND!!! a certain discount not realizing that our card was a better deal.)

I always thought it was funny when people would say, “I’m buying two.  What kind of discount can I get?”  Two?

You’d get people who say, “The case is cracked.  Do I get a discount?”

No, but I’ll put it in a brand new case for you.  Just like new now.

“You can’t give me a discount? I’d prefer that.”

No, all it needs is a new case, dumbass!

Another classic:  “Hey.  No tax on these today, right?”  Well, shit.  Maybe you should talk to Mr. Harper and Mr. McGuinty about forfeiting their cut of my sale because that one I can’t even override.

It was really, really rare that I would budge on prices.   In the early days the rules were very strict on that.  Later on they got a little more lax, but sometimes you could placate a customer by stamping their card a few extra times.  If you redeemed your card for the max value, each stamp worked out to be worth a buck.

One thing that 50% of customers never figured out:  You won’t get a discount by being annoying as fuck.  That means not calling me “buddy”, “bud”, and especially “chief”.  And if you make me run around the store to fetch 25 fucking discs before you pick 3 of them, no, you ain’t getting a discount!

Jon Lord: 1941-2012

When I was a (really) young kid hearing Deep Purple for the first time, I thought the keyboard player looked so cool, with his glasses and moustache.  So, naturally, I drew a picture of him.  With a machete.  And I called him Street Lord!

As an adult, Jon Lord’s playing and writing has shaped my experience as a music fan.  I shall dearly miss his musical contributions to the world.  I considered Jon Lord to be one of the most talented, if not the most talented, musician in rock.  It is truly a shame that now, 44 years since their inception, there can never be a reunion of Deep Purple Mk I, II, or III.

Rest in Peace Jon.

REVIEW: Deep Purple – Listen, Learn, Read On (6 CD box set)

In ages past when spells were cast

In a time of men and steel

When a man was taught no special thing

It was all done by feel

So, listen

So, learn

So, read on….

PURPLE BOX FRONT

DEEP PURPLE – Listen, Learn, Read On (6 CD box set, 2002)  (currently $298 on amazon.ca)

I recently listened to this box set again over the course of two weekends. Delving into the gorgeous box, 6 CDs, 120 pages of text, pictures, and credits, I felt fully immersed in a Purple world. Of all the Deep Purple box sets, and there are a lot of them, this one truly is a must. Covering the years of Deep Purple’s first era (1968-1976) plus surprises, there has never been a more comprehensive set of rarities and album cuts by this band.

Starting off with solo tracks by each member of the first four versions of Deep Purple, I never had any of these tracks before, except for the one by Episode Six. I was really impressed with The Outlaws’ (featuring Blackmore) version of “Keep A Knocking”. It was also great to finally have “Medusa” by Trapeze.

After a handful of very 60’s tracks by Deep Purple Mk I, the set really begins. Ian Gillan and Roger Glover helped create an entire new beast. Before too long we’re immersed in demos, rare live versions, remasters, outtakes and the odd album cut. My only complaint was that “Speed King” is not included in its album version, as I think it is superior to the two versions included. Suitable to this version of Purple, disc three kicks off with the 30 minute version of “Mandrake Root” from the 1970 Stockholm concert. Through Fireball, Machine Head, and Who Do We Think We Are, you can hear the band grow, experiment, and eventually stagnate. However, by the end of disc 4, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes are on board. The band was revitalized with the Burn album, but had not changed in their jamming tendencies. Disc five contains the 30 minute version of “Space Truckin'” from the Gaumont, and an unreleased 12 minute version of “Mistreated”, as well as an 18 minute version of “You Fool No One”.

The final disc contains some then-unreleased quad mixes from Stormbringer (now available in a surround sound DVD) and the final recordings of the band. Tommy Bolin replaces Blackmore, and there is material here from his first rehearsals (from the Days May Come CD). By the time the Last Concert In Japan material hits the speakers, you are overwhelmed and exhausted by the majesty of Deep Purple. Simon Robinson wisely ended the set with a remastered verion of “You Keep On Moving”.

Robinson’s liner notes are, of course, detailed and exemplary. It will take you longer to finish them than it will to listen to this monstrous set.  Tracklist is below, for your perusal and analysis.  Click the gallery and enlarge.

5/5 stars. The buck stops here, this is the one.