I've been indulging my inner 20-year-old the last couple of months, so please bear with me.
When
I moved to Cleveland in the fall of 2000, I discovered much to my
chagrin, that I was missing two boxes of books and one box of vinyl
records. I was heartbroken. Personally, I think my ex-girlfriend took
them--I was, after all, the one who instigated the breakup and I know
she wasn't too happy about that. To this day, I still don't know what
use she has for a signed copy of a book about modern competetive debate
that was co-written by my great uncle who died before I even knew her.
Again, this is purely conjecture on my part. It's merely a theory. I
have no proof of anything, just a (disappointed and somewhat hurt and
bitter) hunch. Fortunately, there were two records that were packed
separately that had belonged to my parents--Mom let me have them just
before I left Indiana. They were two of my favourites. I've even
written about both of them in these weekly "sermons" and I'm pleased to
say I still have them today.
In
the decades since, I've managed to replace the bulk of the vinyl and
even a few of the books (I even have a copy of my great uncle's
book--too bad it's not signed). The one that I've never been able to
find however--you guessed it!--is the subject of this week's rant.
I
bought this album on CD the day it was released on 12 July, 1994 (it
was released on 11 July in the UK, so my sister gets to claim it was
released on her birthday). The following spring, I found it in a record
store on vinyl for $15. Even though I didn't have a turntable at the
time, I thought vinyl was pretty much a dead format--I mean, it was the
mid-1990s--so I bought it just to decorate the shelf in my dorm room.
The album was never played, never even opened. And to this day, I still
have no definitive answer as to what happened to it. I've looked at
various websites, but could never find it for less than $150--ten times
what I initially paid for it.
To
commemorate the album's thirtieth anniversary (has it really been that
long?), the band's website announced a re-release of the album in all
formats. Admittedly, it cost me quite a bit more than what I paid
originally (although nowhere near what I had seen original copies go for
online), but I couldn't help myself. I did splurge and buy the edition
that included a bonus 10" record of all the non-album B-sides from the
singles that were released in 1994 and 1995--and I'm dorky enough to say
that I'm pleased to have "The Storm" on vinyl.
This
coming week, all the news outlets will be talking about the anniversary
of 9/11 and I'm sure both presidential candidates will be mentioning it
in their speeches and at the upcoming debate. As I like to say, you
remember 9/11 your way, I'll remember it my way.
On
11 September, 1994, the band behind this week's album played Soldier
Field in Chicago as part of their--at that time--record-breaking world
tour in support of that album. It was a family event--my mother, my
father, my aunt, my uncle, my sister, and me on roughly the 50-yard line
cheering and screaming for--and singing along with--"The Greatest Rock
and Roll Band in the World" (not my words... not that I'm disagreeing,
either). We were planning it from the moment they announced the tour. I
remember getting tickets with Mom as soon as they went on sale--as we
walked to the Ticket Master outlet in the mall, she horrified me when,
after walking past Victoria's Secret, she asked what colour underwear
she should buy to throw at Mick Jagger. Heather is still convinced
Keith Richards winked at her. I'm still pleased that I was able to use
the experience as part of a project for my Humanities class my junior
year of college. Thirty years after the fact, I consider it one of the
best nights of my life.
So
to commemorate the thirtieth anniversaries of the album, the tour, and
specifically that concert that I got to share with practically my whole
family, please enjoy The Rolling Stones with their 1994 album Voodoo Lounge--the
album that finally nabbed them their first two (competitive) Grammy
Awards more than thirty years after their formation. SPECIAL NOTE: The
YouTube link does include some bonus videos including a 101-minute
documentary about their first 29 years.
Until
next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember
that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for
you.
Yours in peace, love, and rock and roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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