Happy Halloween!

 

 
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone!

I know it's been quiet here the past few weeks. Rest assured I'm still compiling lots of OOP media to share with you all, hopefully starting next week.

Until then, have fun tonight, whether you're Trick-Or-Treating or watching a scary movie!

See you again soon!

Business is BOOMING.

 
Good Morning, everyone!

Apologies for dragging my feet on the uploads, but this past week has been crazy on the Sanctum's ebay store! As soon as items are being listed, they're being sold!

Between that, my normal work hours and some home repairs, I've definitely been keeping busy. But not to worry, I'm already stocking up on more media to share in the coming weeks, so please follow the Blog and look for the Sanctum on Facebook to keep yourself updated!

See you soon!

Happy 80th Birthday, John Lennon.

 

Nothing to share today, folks... except a tune that, sadly, still needs to be played almost 50 years after it first fell upon the public's ears.

Happy 80th, John. We're still trying.

IMAGINE.

"NINTENDO: WHITE KNUCKLE SCORIN'" 1991 CD

 

So... here's a... thing.

"Nintendo: White Knuckle Scorin'" is a compilation album licensed by Nintendo and released by MCA Records in 1991. It was simultaneously use to promote literacy to kids, and to promote the hot new game "Super Mario World."

The album was dedicated to talent agent Bobby Brooks, and each of the artists who appear on the album worked with him in some capacity.

The thing is, this album barely as anything to do with Mario, or even Nintendo as a whole. The only song to reference the character is the opening track by Jellyfish, "Ignorance Is Bliss". The rest of the songs are just a bunch of rare/unreleased tracks by various artists such as Dire Straits and Roy Orbison.

The booklet contains an illustrated story that attempts to link the songs together, but it fails pretty miserably.

Still, this is a neat piece of Nintendo history, and neither Ninty nor MCA have ever re-released it in any capacity. So while it is possible to obtain individual songs from this compilation through various digital means, the album as a whole is still unavailable to purchase except through the secondhand market.

Give it a listen and see what you think!

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320kbps CBR

"AN AMERICAN TAIL: FIEVEL GOES WEST - FIEVEL'S JOURNEY" 1991 Cassette

 

Here's an obscure Read-Along that's been nigh impossible to find online: "Fievel's Journey", based on the 1991 Don Bluth film "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West"!

This is actually one-half of the complete Read-Along adventure; the second half is "Fievel To The Rescue", which I currently do not own.

It took several attempt to rip this cassette well, but it suffers from way too much bass in the initial recording. Even recording from the source as low as I possibly could, and turning the volume up in post-production, there are still a lot of muffled spots (especially during the ending song).

Still, it's nice to finally have a copy of this digitized for other "American Tail" fans to enjoy!

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256kbps VBR

BONUS Thrifting Pickups - K-Pop, J-Pop, and more!

 

Earlier this week I shared my weekly thrifting pickups and came across some K-Pop, J-Pop, and Vocaloid albums in 2nd and Charles' "Free Bin". I decided to go back and... WOW... someone got rid of a bunch more!

Everything you see in the picture was absolutely FREE! I've given a few of them a listen and I especially like Aldious and Band-Maid!

As I learn more about these albums, they'll make their way to the Sanctum's eBay store, so keep an eye out!

"RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY'S ALPHABET" - 1980 Kid Stuff Record

 

Let's kick off the new week with something sweet and simplistic: "Raggedy Ann & Andy's Alphabet", released by Kid Stuff Records in 1980.

This Read-Along is exactly as it sounds. It's just Raggedy Ann & Andy going through each letter of the alphabet, using each one in a word as well as a full sentence. Then the whole adventure ends with a saccharine-sweet tune.

It's... basic, and 100% aimed at toddlers and small children. But it's nice, cute, and it still makes a nice addition to the Kid Stuff Records collection.

If you have (or are expecting) a little one, feel free to download and use alongside your own ABC books at home!

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192kbps VBR

Thrifting Pickups - Week of 9/27/20

 

Getting some sweet items from one location is awesome enough; getting them for free is even better!

After a month away from 2nd and Charles, I had built up quite a bit of credit, so I decided to put it to use. I didn't have the Limited Edition of "Prince of Persia" with the bonus disc, so I figured I'd upgrade. Any of the "Harry Potter" games of the Xbox 360 / PS3 era under $10 is always worth grabbing. "Bayonetta 2" is the First Print edition which comes with the original "Bayonetta" on a bonus disc (and I really don't want to open my sealed copy).

As for comics, I'll always pick up any interesting-looking debut issues of indie titles... and the "death" of Jane Foster is a great find as well. Using my credit, I spent a whopping ZERO dollars!

And on the way out, I stopped at the "Free Bin" and discovered a couple of nice Asian music albums! I don't have a lot of knowledge of the worlds of K-Pop, J-Pop, or Vocaloid, but I know who both Rain and Hatsune Miku are, so I figured I'd take a chance.

Finally, I stopped at Barnes & Noble to look for some books for my wife and LPs for my son, and came across a Limited Edition of "I'm Breathless" by Madonna. "Dick Tracy" is one of my all-time favorite films, and in my eyes the only good thing Madonna ever did (sorry, not much of a fan, lol). To pick up a sealed vinyl copy of this album for $22 is an absolute steal.

And that's it for this week; a nice hodgepodge of items that will make great additions to my collections! If you want to find cool stuff of your own, KEEP THRIFTING! Hit up your own local thrift shops, pawn shops, flea markets, and the like; I guarantee that if you're persistent, you will find some awesome stuff!

"CLOSET POP FREAK" - Various Artists PopPsycle 1996 CD

 

After the early 1990's rising boom of alternative and indie music, a lot of independent labels started popping up. One such label was POPPSYCLE, a tiny label out of California.

As far as I can tell, they only released 2 full-length compilations and a lone single for the band The Wondermints. One of the compilations was "Closet Pop Freak", released in 1996.

Judging by the cover and the names of the bands involved, you'd immediately think that maybe it's all Pop Punk, or bands doing covers of Pop Standards. But nope; they're all original songs, and they range in style and genre. You can absolutely tell that these songs were made in the early-to-mid 90's.

The CD commands a few bucks on eBay and has never been re-released, either physically or digitally. I just so happen to have a copy of this little disc, and now everyone can have a chance to hear some tunes I can almost guarantee they've never heard before.

So relax and enjoy some mid-90's Alt-Rock goodness!

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256kbps VBR

THE MUPPETS - "KERMIT UNPIGGED" 1994 CD

 

With The Muppets regaining popularity over the past few years, I'm amazed that Jim Henson Productions / Disney haven't re-released this album!

What we have here are a collection of Rock covers all loosely tied together by a story: The Muppets arrive at a recording studio and are given wrong directions by Lily Tomlin (playing her classic character "Ernestine"). While trying to find the correct booth to record in, the various Muppets bump into musicians such as Vince Gill, Linda Ronstadt, and Ozzy Osbourne (yes, you read that right) and end up doing some hilarious duets.

While it's understandable that the album is most definitely a product of its time (check out the obvious references to "Eric Clapton: MTV Unplugged" right on the album cover), but considering Muppet tunes from the 70's and 80's have been re-released, I'm dumbfounded as to why this album is still vaulted.

I think it's a great album for Muppet fans of all ages, and it deserves to be listened to. Enjoy!

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256kbps VBR

RAY STEVENS - "SURELY YOU JOUST" 1986 CD

 

Growing up, Ray Stevens was a family favorite. My grandmother got me into his music when I was extremely young. Since then, I've gone on to like much edgier comedy; but every now and again I revisit Ray and reminisce about simpler times.

Over his long career, many of his best-known songs have had to be re-recorded due to legal issues between record labels. Because of this, a large number of his catalog (especially his 1980's albums) have never been reissued.

"Surely You Joust", like his other albums, combine humorous tunes with heartfelt ballads. It's one of his best 80's outings, and features some fantastic tracks (such as the hilarious "Southern Air" featuring Jerry Clower and Minnie Pearl).

Until MCA and other labels decide to reissue these Southern Comedy classics, I'm going to share my copies with the world so that they may enjoy them as I did so many years ago.

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320kbps CBR